Chapter 351 : Echoes of the Sundered Sun

After gathering these Solar Fire Essence [a concentrated spiritual essence imbued with the power of the sun], Eldrin Chen gazed into the depths of the ruins and spoke, "The dangers here are unknown. We should not split up 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 place appeared to have once been a high-grade Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel or node that concentrates and emits spiritual energy].

Even now, the spiritual energy here remained quite potent. However, the surroundings were littered with broken walls and shattered pillars, and the earth itself had been pierced by Underground Fire Vein [subterranean channels of intense geothermal and fiery energy]. This had caused the Spiritual Vein to almost completely transform into a Fire Vein [a vein or channel dominated by intense fire energy], with scorching magma and flames visible everywhere.

"Judging by this scene, this Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in 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, in order to decisively pacify the Demon Cave [a cavernous stronghold of demonic cultivators] in a single campaign, Imperial Sovereign Jiang shattered a Primordial Solar Supreme Treasure [an artifact of immense power containing the primordial essence of the sun]. The resulting cataclysm pierced the Earth's Primordial Membrane [the foundational, protective layer of the world], unleashing the boundless power of the Underground Fire Vein.

A raging inferno of subterranean fire surged heavenward, incinerating the Demonic Cultivator's Forbidden Land [a territory forbidden to outsiders, often a stronghold] into a sea of flames. This finally destroyed the greatest advantage of the Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivator [a demonic cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit realm], allowing him to be slain within this stretch of land.

The price for this victory was that the lands for hundreds of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] around were submerged in that fiery sea, forming what is now known as the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire. Read the full novel exclusively on audi0-n0vel.c0m.

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

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

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

Eldrin Chen made an attempt and discovered that the topmost floor was still protected by powerful restrictive formations [magical barriers], which even he could not breach.

This caused his brow to furrow slightly as he spoke with grave seriousness, "Be cautious. The restrictive formations [magical barriers] here were likely laid down by an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their nascent soul, a powerful spiritual entity]."

"After so many years, even if an Infant Soul True Lord laid them, their power has surely waned. If we attack together, we will undoubtedly be able to break them,"

Exquisite Jiang declared. Hearing her words, everyone immediately began to act.

Although the power of the restrictive formations was Extraordinary, they had ultimately been drained by the passage of ancient time. Under the group's relentless assault, they held for only a few moments before shattering.

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

Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance, then swiftly acted, gathering all the radiant streams before speaking.

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

"Agreed. First, let us find the Spirit Herb Garden."

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

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

The Formation protecting this Spirit Herb Garden spanning tens of thousands of Qing-area [one Qing-area equals sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-seven square meters] had been breached. Vast quantities of molten rock had flooded into the garden, ultimately forming a fourth-rank Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy].

"What a pity."

They all sighed. A Spirit Herb Garden left unharvested for millennia would have possessed an almost incalculable value if it had remained intact.

Yet, the relentless march of time had wrought immense changes upon the very landscape. A high-grade Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] had been transformed into this Underground Fire Vein.

In such an environment, it was unlikely any Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy] could have survived.

Nevertheless, a fourth-rank Fire Vein would surely harbor some remaining treasures. Knowing time was of the essence, the group wasted no further moments.

They flew together deep into the Fire Vein [a vein of earth rich with fire-attributed spiritual energy] and indeed found several precious fire-attributed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare natural resources imbued with spiritual power] within the spring's eye.

Among these treasures were three Fire Essence Treasure Pearl [pearls condensed from pure fire essence], along with several fourth-rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. The most valuable among these were two pieces of 'Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade' [a jade formed from the fusion of high-grade spiritual herbs and fire vein minerals].

The Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade was exceptionally valuable. It was a treasure formed from the fusion of high-grade Spirit Herb [plants that absorb and store spiritual energy] and Fire Vein minerals. Generally, only a Fifth Rank Alchemist [an alchemist of the fifth rank, a master of their craft] could refine such jade using profound Creation [the act of creation or profound crafting] techniques.

In all likelihood, this object was formed when the Fire Vein intruded upon the Spirit Herb Garden [a garden cultivated for growing spirit herbs]. The essence refined from the countless Spirit Herb merged with the fiery essence from deep within the earth.

It was said that by co-refining this jade with Five Elements Treasure Pearl [pearls containing the essence of the five fundamental elements], one could create the Creation Returning Abyss Pill [a pill that aids in profound cultivation breakthroughs]. This pill was a Fourth Rank Superior Grade [a top-tier pill of the fourth rank] elixir. Consuming it could increase a Golden Core Cultivator's [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, their condensed spiritual core] cultivation by one Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years], making it one of the most precious treasures in the Golden Core Realm [the cultivation realm centered around the Golden Core].

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Exquisite Jiang exclaimed, her eyes alight with delight as she gazed upon the Returning Abyss Spirit Treasure Jade.

With this treasure, once they returned and refined it into a Precious Pill [a valuable cultivation-enhancing pill], their cultivation levels would likely advance another step.

After collecting these treasures, just as the group was preparing to leave, 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 Jade [a legendary jade said to contain the essence of creation itself, capable of nurturing life and spiritual treasures]."

The expression of the Recluse of Elegant Verse shifted subtly, a flicker of delight crossing his features.

He had never imagined that within these ruins, a piece of Creation Jade had actually been nurtured.

Holding the Creation Jade, Eldrin Chen spoke with pleasant surprise, "Since there is Creation Jade here, then this place must surely harbor a Creation Spirit Ore Vein [a spiritual mineral vein imbued with the essence of creation, a rare and precious resource]."

"Let us search further."

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

It was at this moment that their actions finally disturbed a certain presence deep within the ruins. A mighty shockwave surged skyward, and a thousand-zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] figure, blazing like a crimson fire deity, charged towards them.

"Trouble! It's Crimson Flame True Lord!"

Eldrin Chen recognized the identity of that crimson fire deity. Crimson Flame True Lord was a Crimson Flame Spirit [a powerful fire elemental spirit beast] at the Infant Soul Realm [the stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed].

Such Crimson Flame Spirit possessed a relatively weak Innate [innate, inborn] foundation, imposing a severe limit on their ultimate potential. Due to this deficient foundation and lack of true strength, Crimson Flame True Lord could not, strictly speaking, be considered a genuine Infant Soul True Lord [a true lord who has fully mastered the Infant Soul Realm].

However, their strength surpasses that of a False Infant Soul Realm Cultivator by forty to fifty percent, which is why cultivators across the land refer to them as Pseudo-True Lord [a cultivator whose power approaches that of a True Lord but who has not fully consolidated that realm].

Even a Pseudo-True Lord possesses combat power roughly seventy percent that of a true Infant Soul Cultivator, a force far beyond what the 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 Ark [a flying vessel imbued with the essence of the verdant sun] and carried them all away into the distance.

The Green Sun Treasure Ark moved with incredible speed, managing to escape the secret realm just before Crimson Flame True Lord could catch up.

Yet before the group could even sigh in relief, the Crimson Flame True Lord deep within the secret realm let out a furious roar and began violently assaulting the exit rift.

Standing a thousand zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] tall, it could not possibly squeeze through the narrow entrance. Undeterred, it forcefully breached the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or confinement] and thrust a single, massive arm through the gap, its clawed hand reaching out to seize them.

"Disaster!"

Witnessing the Crimson Flame True Lord's rampant fury, Eldrin Chen activated a pre-prepared Formation to stall it for a moment. Then, he unleashed a cascade of Golden Light Glazed Fire [a divine flame that burns with the purity and brilliance of golden light through crystal] to scorch the monstrous limb.

The Golden Light Glazed Fire [a pure Buddhist flame] is a quintessential Buddhist Sect divine flame, supremely effective at suppressing Demon Spirit [demonic and evil spirits] and malevolent fiends. Empowered by the Formation [a structured array of power], it rained down three streams of fire. The flames seared Crimson Flame True Lord's arm, causing it to tremble violently and eliciting a sharp cry of agony from him. Original publication: audio–novel.com - The source of this chapter.