Chapter 351 : Echoes of a Shattered Spirit Mountain

After gathering these Separated Flame Qi [the refined spiritual essence of the Separated Flame], Eldrin Chen gazed into the depths of the ruins and spoke, "The dangers here are unknown. It would be best if we do not separate to explore."

"Understood."

The group nodded in agreement and proceeded deeper into the ruins together.

Only now did they begin to examine the ruins in earnest. This site appeared to have once been a high-grade Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel rich with concentrated spiritual energy].

Even now, the spiritual energy here remained remarkably potent. Yet, the place was a landscape of shattered walls and crumbling ruins. The earth itself had been pierced by an Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of intense, volatile fire energy], causing the Spirit Vein to degenerate almost entirely into a Fire Vein [a subterranean channel dominated by fire energy]. Molten rock and flames were everywhere.

"Judging by this scene, this Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy] was also affected by the great battle of that era."

Eldrin Chen sighed, his expression turning grave as he spoke.

Approximately six thousand years ago, Jiang the Sovereign Emperor sought to end the threat of the demonic caverns in a single decisive strike. He shattered a Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang [an artifact of the highest order, imbued with the ultimate essence of pure Yang energy], unleashing a blow that pierced the very membrane of the earth. This cataclysm stirred the boundless power of the Underground Fire Vein.

A raging inferno of earthly fire surged heavenward, transforming the Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a territory forbidden to all but the most powerful demonic practitioners] into a sea of flames. It was this act that destroyed the greatest reliance of the Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who cultivates power through demonic and often malevolent means], allowing for his final destruction within this realm.

The price paid was the incineration of the land for a radius of one million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], giving birth to the present-day Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. Published by audio-novel .c om. All rights reserved.

This secret realm was situated within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire and thus suffered an unwarranted calamity, being invaded by earthfire [subterranean fire energy] and destroyed in a single night.

The group proceeded deeper into the secret realm and finally found a relatively intact structure, which turned out to be a Scripture Repository.

As a place of heritage, the Scripture Repository naturally possessed the most formidable defenses. Although several layers had been eroded by lava, the uppermost floor remained largely unscathed.

Eldrin Chen tested the defenses and found that the topmost floor was still protected by powerful restrictions [magical barriers] that even he could not breach.

His brow furrowed slightly as he spoke with grave seriousness, "Proceed with caution. The restrictions [magical barriers] on this Formation were likely laid down by a Nascent Soul True Lord."

"After so many years, even if a Nascent Soul True Lord set them, their power must surely have waned. If we attack together, we will undoubtedly be able to break through,"

Lyra Jiang declared. Hearing her words, everyone immediately began their assault.

Although the restrictions were formidable, they had ultimately been drained by the passage of countless ages. Under the group's relentless onslaught, they held for only a few moments before shattering.

The moment the restrictions broke, the Scripture Repository instantly exploded, releasing seven or eight dazzling streams of light.

Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance, then swiftly acted, gathering all the radiant streams. "Let us see what treasures the ages have preserved for us," Lyra said.

"Let us proceed first. We shall divide the treasures once we are outside."

"Agreed. First, we must locate the Spirit Medicine Garden."

With those words, Eldrin Chen flew towards the depths of the ruins. After traversing several hundred Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they finally discovered the Spirit Medicine Garden within a shattered valley.

Yet, upon seeing the Spirit Medicine Garden, expressions of disappointment washed over everyone's faces.

The Formation protecting this vast Spirit Medicine Garden, spanning tens of thousands of Qing-area [one Qing-area equals sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-seven square meters], had been breached. Torrents of molten rock had flooded the garden, transforming it into a Fourth Rank Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent fire-aspected spiritual energy].

"What a pity."

A collective sigh escaped them. A Spirit Medicine Garden left untended for millennia, if intact, would have held incalculable value.

Alas, the relentless march of time and the cataclysmic shifts of the land had wrought profound changes. A once high-grade Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] had been utterly remade into this Underground Fire Vein.

In such a hostile environment, it was unlikely any Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] could have survived.

However, a Fourth Rank Fire Vein would surely harbor its own rare treasures. Knowing time was of the essence, the group wasted no further moments in lamentation.

They flew together deep into the Fire Vein [an underground vein of concentrated fire-aspected spiritual energy] and indeed found several precious fire-attribute Heaven and Earth Treasures [naturally formed spiritual objects of exceptional rarity and power] within the spring's eye.

Among these treasures were three Fire Essence Treasure Pearl [magical pearls containing the concentrated essence of fire], along with several other Fourth Rank [a grade denoting power equivalent to the Golden Core realm] Heaven and Earth Treasures. Of these, the most valuable were two pieces of 'Abyssal Spirit Treasure Jade' [a rare jade formed from the fusion of high-grade spirit medicine and subterranean fire essence].

The Abyssal Spirit Treasure Jade was of extraordinary value. It was a treasure formed from the fusion of high-grade Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with potent spiritual energy] and Fire Vein minerals. Typically, only a Fifth Rank Alchemist [an alchemist of a skill level surpassing the Nascent Soul realm] could refine such jade through profound creation techniques.

In all likelihood, this object was formed when the Fire Vein intruded upon a Spirit Medicine Garden [a cultivated garden for growing spirit herbs], causing the countless Spirit Medicine within to be refined into their purest essence, which then merged with the quintessence of the subterranean flames.

It was said that by combining this jade with Five Elements Treasure Pearls, one could refine the Creation Abyssal Pill [a pill that harnesses profound creation and abyssal energies]. This pill was a Fourth Rank High Grade Pill [a refined medicinal elixir for cultivators]. Consuming it could advance a Golden Core Cultivator's [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, their solidified spiritual foundation] cultivation by one full Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle], making it one of the most precious treasures in the Golden Core Realm [the cultivation stage centered around a solidified Golden Core].

"Marvelous treasures," Discover more cultivation stories at audi novel.com.

Lyra Jiang exclaimed, her eyes alight with delight as she gazed upon the Abyssal Spirit Treasure Jade.

With this treasure in hand, once they returned and refined it into the precious pill, their cultivation would likely advance another significant step.

After collecting these treasures, the group prepared to depart. However, Eldrin Chen let out a soft sound of surprise. He took a single step that traversed the void, arriving before a sea of flames.

With a slight wave of his hand, he drew a piece of pale white jade into his grasp.

"Creation Treasure Jade [a rare and precious jade formed by the concentrated power of creation and natural laws]."

Qingci the Recluse's expression shifted slightly, revealing a trace of delight.

He had not expected that within these ruins, a piece of Creation Treasure Jade had actually been nurtured.

Holding the Creation Treasure Jade, Eldrin Chen said with pleasant surprise, "Since there is Creation Treasure Jade, then there must certainly be a Creation Spirit Ore Vein [a mineral vein imbued with the essence of creation] here."

"Let us search further."

Everyone was overjoyed. This Creation Spirit Ore Vein had lain untouched for millennia; perhaps several pieces of Creation Treasure Jade had accumulated within.

At that very moment, their actions finally disturbed a certain presence deep within the ruins. A mighty shockwave surged skyward, and a figure one thousand Zhang-lengths tall [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], blazing like a crimson god of fire, came charging towards them.

"Trouble! It is Ignatius the Blazing Lord!"

Eldrin Chen recognized the identity of that crimson fire deity. Ignatius the Blazing Lord was a Crimson Flame Spirit [a powerful elemental spirit born of pure fire] at the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their spiritual infant, a major leap in power] realm.

Such Crimson Flame Spirit possessed a relatively weak innate foundation, imposing a significant limit on their ultimate potential. Due to this insufficient foundation and power, strictly speaking, Ignatius the Blazing Lord could not be considered a true Nascent Soul True Lord [an honorific title for a genuine master of the Nascent Soul realm].

However, their strength surpasses that of a False Nascent Soul Cultivator by forty to fifty percent, which is why they are known throughout the cultivation world as Pseudo True Lord [a cultivator who has forcibly advanced their cultivation to a state between Golden Core and Nascent Soul, possessing power far beyond the former but not yet a true Nascent Soul Lord].

Even a Pseudo True Lord possesses combat power equivalent to seventy percent of a true Nascent Soul cultivator, a force far beyond what our group could hope to contend with.

"We must leave, now!"

"The secret realm is about to close. If we flee now, we might still make it out in time."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen swiftly summoned the Green Sun Treasure Boat and urged everyone aboard, steering the vessel into a desperate flight away from the looming threat.

The Green Sun Treasure Boat was exceedingly swift, and they managed to escape the confines of the secret realm just before Ignatius the Blazing Lord could catch up to them.

Yet, before anyone could sigh in relief, a furious roar erupted from the depths of the realm. Ignatius the Blazing Lord, enraged, began assaulting the very fissure through which they had fled.

Standing a thousand Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] tall, its colossal form could not possibly pass through the narrow entrance. Undeterred, it violently breached the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and patterns used for defense, confinement, or amplification] sealing the rift and thrust a single, massive arm through the opening.

"Disaster!"

Witnessing the rampant fury of Ignatius the Blazing Lord, Eldrin Chen activated a pre-prepared defensive Formation to stall the demonic limb for a crucial moment. In that breath of respite, he unleashed a torrent of Golden Radiance Glazed Flame [a divine ability that conjures incandescent, ceramic-like flames of immense purifying heat], pouring the searing conflagration down upon the invading appendage.

The Golden Radiance Glazed Flame [a radiant, purifying fire technique] was a pure form of Buddhist Divine Flame [a sacred fire from Buddhist cultivation traditions, supremely effective against demonic and malevolent entities], and it was most potent in suppressing demonic spirits and evil fiends. Empowered by the Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies energy], it cascaded down in three distinct streams of flame. The attack struck Ignatius the Blazing Lord's arm, causing it to tremble violently. A pained cry tore from his throat as the sacred fire seared his flesh. Support the author by reading on @udio-novel.com.