Chapter 337 : The Patriarch's Heavenly Trial

Thunderclouds pressed down upon the heavens, brewing for a full half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] before the first bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine trial of lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation] finally descended.

Old Patriarch was well-prepared. He immediately summoned a Third-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], specifically the Great Geng Immortal Sword [a sword of immense sharpness and metallic power] that had been passed down by Eldrin Chen.

The sword transformed into a dazzling arc of sword light that soared skyward. With a single strike, it utterly dispersed the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, allowing him to pass this first trial.

After destroying that bolt of tribulation lightning, the potency of the Great Geng Immortal Sword had diminished considerably. Continuing to use it risked permanent damage. Old Patriarch, who was not lacking in treasures, naturally could not bear to damage such a precious Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a top-tier artifact of its rank].

He thus stored the Great Geng Immortal Sword and brought forth the Purple Blood Pagoda [a pagoda that channels vital energy] and the Kunwu Bulwark Earth Bell [a bell forged from legendary Kunwu metal, renowned for its defensive might], using them to withstand the second and third bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

The fourth bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation carried power that was already somewhat Extraordinary. However, Old Patriarch still possessed one final treasure: the 'Purple-Green Calamity-Avoiding Treasure Gourd' [a gourd specifically crafted to absorb and neutralize heavenly tribulations].

This treasure was specially designed for overcoming tribulations; its efficacy was nearly equivalent to two or three ordinary Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a foundational treasure used to protect a clan's legacy]. Years ago, Patriarch Qian had traded this item to Eldrin Chen in exchange for two Violet Aura Cloud-Vein Pill [pills that refine and purify one's spiritual meridians]. Now, it finally found its purpose.

The 'Purple-Green Calamity-Avoiding Treasure Gourd' erupted with dazzling lightning patterns, astonishingly swallowing both the fourth and fifth bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation in succession.

It was only at the sixth bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation that Old Patriarch summoned his Golden Light Blazing Fire Sword [a sword blazing with solar fire and golden radiance]. This Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force and soul], true to its reputation as a supreme-grade Lifebound Magical Treasure [a treasure intrinsically linked to its owner], unleashed a single, glorious, and incandescent strike. A brilliant, golden sword light cleaved through and extinguished the sixth tribulation bolt.

After vanquishing this bolt, Old Patriarch promptly sheathed the Golden Light Blazing Fire Sword. The final three bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation were of extraordinary might; employing this sword further risked its utter destruction. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio–novel.com.

Generally speaking, an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] who lacks a Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] would need to pay a tremendous price to survive the final three bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine lightning trial that tests a cultivator's foundation].

In the past, Xavier Xu expended three treasured Third Rank Superior Grade [the highest quality tier for artifacts of the third rank] protective talismans from his clan's vault just to block the seventh bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. To withstand the eighth bolt, he was forced to see all three of his Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a clan's most powerful protective artifact] utterly destroyed.

It was only by relying on the Chen Clan's Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace that he managed to survive the ninth and final bolt.

A single Third Rank Superior Grade spirit talisman costs over a hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to begin with, while a Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure is worth over two hundred thousand. Such a price is undeniably staggering.

Similar to Elara Lin back then, the Old Patriarch still possessed some reserve strength as his tribulation progressed. Naturally, he was reluctant to expend precious Third Rank Superior Grade spirit talismans, let alone damage invaluable Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure artifacts.

He held a Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure as his ultimate trump card. Furthermore, he possessed a set of Lifebound Formation Artifact [a set of artifacts bound to one's life force, used to form a defensive array] capable of blocking the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

With a wave of his hand, he summoned seven Venus Stellar Pearl. Instantly, dazzling golden light erupted from the pearls, unleashing the Divine Ability [a supernatural power mastered by a cultivator] known as Venus Metallic Gold Sword Aura to intercept the seventh tribulation lightning bolt.

He then activated the defensive Art of Divine Subjugation [a cultivation technique for subduing divine forces] technique, 'Adamantine Glazed Barrier', to withstand the eighth divine thunderbolt.

This single set of Formation Artifact [artifacts designed to work together to form a defensive or offensive array] alone blocked both the seventh and eighth bolts of the Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the specific heavenly tribulation faced when advancing to the Golden Core realm], a clear testament that the Old Patriarch's strength far surpassed that of Xavier Xu in his time.

As the ninth and final bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation gathered to strike, and to prevent damage to his Lifebound Formation Artifact, he chose not to rely on the Formation Artifact to forcefully block this ultimate strike.

With a swift motion of his hand, he summoned his ultimate treasure, the Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace [a legendary furnace capable of refining even the void with solar flames]. Instantly, a crimson sun materialized within the Heavenly Vault [the vast dome of the sky], erupting with blinding scarlet radiance that held firm against the final, earth-shattering bolt of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine trial of heavenly thunder that tests a cultivator's foundation].

"Congratulations, Old Granduncle!"

"Now that you have attained the Golden Core [the solidified spiritual core formed at the Golden Core stage] and comprehended the Great Path [the fundamental principles of cultivation], your future prospects are truly boundless."

Witnessing the Old Patriarch successfully endure the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Eldrin Chen spoke with heartfelt joy.

Eternal Profound Chen also wore a smile of profound satisfaction. He drew in the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation Liquid [the potent, life-giving essence condensed from the heavenly tribulation lightning] with his newly formed Golden Core, then swallowed the radiant core back into his dantian [the energy center in a cultivator's abdomen].

As the ancient saying goes, "Once the Golden Core is swallowed, my fate is mine to command, not Heaven's to decree."

Having broken through to the Golden Core Realm [the cultivation stage marked by the formation of a solid spiritual core] this day, Eternal Profound Chen now possessed a lifespan of eight hundred years. If he could further refine the quality of his Golden Core, there was a genuine possibility he might one day ascend to the Infant Soul [the stage where the spiritual core matures into a nascent soul] in the future.

Blessed with this greatly extended vitality, the Old Patriarch appeared even younger than he had upon first reaching the Violet Sanctum [the cultivation stage preceding Golden Core]. He now resembled a man in his late twenties, his features sharpened with a vigorous, heroic aura brimming with youthful vitality.

Sensing the immense power contained within his Golden Core, the Old Patriarch descended from the sky, his expression one of deep emotion. "To think," he murmured, voice thick with feeling, "that this old bones would live to see such a day."

He turned to Eldrin Chen, his gratitude overflowing. "Were it not for your unwavering support along this arduous path," he said, his words heavy with the weight of memory, "I would have long since turned to dust."

"Your talent and comprehension are not lacking, Granduncle. While there may have been opportunities aiding your journey to this day, it is also inextricably linked to your own unrelenting effort."

Eldrin Chen said with a smile. The Old Patriarch's cultivation had been exceptionally arduous, and with Eldrin's support along the way, once the Spiritual Peach Tree advanced to the Second Rank, his resources were no less than those of a core disciple from an Infant Soul Immortal Clan.

Though such an outcome would have been unimaginable in his youth, looking back now, his arrival at this point seemed almost a matter of course.

The Chen Clan was naturally overjoyed that the Old Patriarch had successfully weathered his Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly trial of lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation].

A single clan boasting two Golden Core [the solidified core of spiritual energy formed at a major stage of cultivation] experts was a unique sight within the entire Chu Nation, and this wasn't even counting Eldrin Chen's Dao Companion, Exquisite Jiang.

It so happened that Eldrin Chen, having previously concealed his cultivation level, had not held a Golden Core Banquet [a grand celebration held upon a cultivator's successful formation of a Golden Core]. Therefore, Lior Chen and the others decided to host such a banquet this time, inviting the major Immortal Clan [powerful families with long lineages of cultivators] and the several great sects of the Chu Nation to partake in the festivities. Access the full story on audio . novel . com.

The preparations for this feast kept them busy for several months. At Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch hosted the three great sects of the Chu Nation, with a total of over eighty Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Palace, a major energy center, representing a significant power level] in attendance.

Even though the strength of the Chu Nation Cultivation World [the collective realm of cultivators and sects within the Chu Nation] had grown considerably over the past century, these eighty-plus Violet Sanctum Cultivators still represented nearly half of all such experts within the nation.

Furthermore, Golden Core Cultivator [powerful experts who have solidified their spiritual energy into a Golden Core] from neighboring regions like the Yan Kingdom, the Qi Nation, and the Cang Nation had traveled great distances to the Chu Nation to attend this banquet.

The primary reason was that the times had indeed changed.

Back when Exquisite Jiang had just broken through to the Golden Core realm, she was merely a cultivator at the Golden Core Early Stage. Naturally, her presence did not command overwhelming awe at that time.

Now, the two Dao Companions, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, possessed power comparable to a Golden Core Perfection cultivator and a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator respectively. United, their combined strength placed their Immortal Clan among the top three most powerful forces across the entire Ji Continent.

Furthermore, the successive breakthroughs of Elara Lin and the Old Patriarch into the Golden Core realm had only added to their formidable prestige.

Moreover, their battle records—slaying multiple Golden Core cultivators, vanquishing the Earth Lion Demon King, and eradicating the Deng Clan—loomed large before them. It was only natural that others now regarded them with profound respect.

Thus, for this Golden Core assembly, a full seven or eight Golden Core True Person arrived in the Chu Nation, bearing lavish gifts with the intent to establish friendly relations with the Chen Clan.

At the banquet, a group of Golden Core Cultivator sat together at one table.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang sat at the head, their gazes sweeping over the unfamiliar faces among the Golden Core Cultivator present.

He noted with interest that among the Golden Core cultivators attending this assembly, there were quite a few newly-advanced ones.

The representative from the Purple Abyss Sect, alongside Violet Consort Yan, was the Immortal Maiden Hibiscus. It seemed that, thanks to the Golden Core Formation Pill over a decade ago, she had successfully broken through to the Golden Core Realm, becoming the third Golden Core cultivator of her sect.

The Firmament Sword Sect had also gained a new Golden Core Cultivator. This person was named Soaring Serpent Ling. Eldrin Chen had seen him during the battle at the Demon Cave [a cavernous lair infested with demonic beings] more than forty years prior.

That year, Soaring Serpent Ling was merely a little over two hundred years old. Now, his age is likely still under three hundred, making him a rising star within the Firmament Sword Sect.

In all likelihood, his breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid, golden core] was also due to that batch of Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids cultivators in forming their Golden Core] refined over a decade ago. This chapter is provided by audio - novel . com. Support the original.