Chapter 364 : Sword Art Shatters the Void

In that very instant, the void seemed to freeze. Malachai Qin, who was fleeing for his life, felt his pupils contract sharply.

"Sword Qi—"

In a flash, a surge of Sword Qi [a concentrated manifestation of sword energy] shot towards the heavens. Infinite Sword Intent [the conceptual will and essence of a swordsman's art] split into myriad forms, cleaving through the boundless void to strike down upon him from all directions.

"Phantom-Splitting Sword Art."

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen unleashed this Great Divine Ability [a supreme and powerful technique] he had obtained from the Ethereal Void Sect [a sect focused on ethereal and void-based cultivation arts].

With Eldrin Chen's current cultivation level driving this technique, its power, while not matching the Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations, still shook heaven and earth, rivaling a full-force strike from a Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm] expert.

Sword radiance cascaded like a torrential downpour, instantly enveloping the entire expanse of void and shredding the nine phantom images one by one into fragments.

Confronted by the endless tide of Sword Qi, Malachai Qin was finally forced into the open, compelled to desperately activate his Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to resist.

Seizing this precise opportunity, Lyra Jiang acted. She channeled the Earth-Fortress Earth Origin Disk [a treasure disk embodying the unyielding and profound power of earth], trapping him within its grasp.

At this point, even though Malachai Qin possessed a formidable array of Magical Treasure, facing the combined assault of three powerful foes, he ultimately found no path to escape or salvation. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel dot com.

After a fierce clash that lasted for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Malachai Qin's Protective Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used for defense] were all shattered. Seizing the moment, Eldrin Chen summoned forth the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword and cleaved him asunder amidst the void.

"A pity we could not forge the Hundred Spirit Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword said to be capable of slaying a hundred spirits]," he remarked.

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. Had they used this fiend's essence to temper a blade, they might truly have succeeded in crafting a Fourth Rank High Grade [a high-grade treasure suitable for Golden Core realm cultivators] immortal sword.

After slaying Malachai Qin, the group opened his Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for holding items]. They retrieved all the readily movable wealth within: Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], supplies, Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and the like.

To prevent any potential tracking methods left behind, they destroyed all remaining miscellaneous items on the spot, casting them into the Ji Continent River to be carried away by the vast, relentless currents of the Ronan.

With this done, the party immediately departed aboard the Green Sun Treasure Boat.

Heavenly Abode Continent, Heaven's Origin Mountain.

Heaven's Origin Mountain, one of only three Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a land formation of the fifth rank, radiating immense spiritual energy] on the entire Heavenly Abode Continent.

Several centuries ago, it was the domain of the ancient Immortal Clan Yuan. Four hundred years past, as the Yuan Immortal Clan [a clan with cultivators of significant power] declined, the Qin Immortal Clan rose to power and claimed it for their own.

Today, Heaven's Origin Mountain serves as the renowned dao field [a cultivator's personal place of practice and power] of the illustrious Qin Immortal Clan.

At this moment, chaos reigned upon Heaven's Origin Mountain. Several Golden Core Cultivator [powerful cultivators whose spiritual essence has coalesced into a solid golden core] had gathered outside a Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber for meditation and cultivation], their faces etched with fear and unease. An elder, unable to contain his dread, spoke with a trembling voice.

"Second Ancestor, the soul lamp of Malachai has been extinguished."

Silence fell within the Cultivation Cave, profound and heavy, like the eerie calm before a volcano's cataclysmic eruption.

After a long while, the door to the Cultivation Cave swung open with a decisive sound. A figure clad in black robes emerged from within.

"Where did this happen?"

The Qin Clan's Second Ancestor surveyed the assembled group, his gaze as cold and sharp as a honed blade.

The men exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, the pale-faced elder spoke again, his voice barely a whisper. "Clan-brother Malachai had recently journeyed to the Ji Continent."

"What?!"

The Qin Clan's Second Ancestor's expression shifted dramatically to one of stark horror. His foot, already poised to stride forward, froze mid-step.

His eyes turned icy, his tone laced with a dangerous edge. "I issued a decree long ago," he stated, each word dripping with cold authority. "No member of our Qin Clan is permitted to set foot upon the Ji Continent. How dare he defy this command?"

"This..."

The elder's expression shifted, and he could only grit his teeth and say, "It is said that at this upcoming Ji Continent Barter Convention, an 'Ancient Furnace Heaven-Mending Elixir' [a legendary elixir said to mend foundational flaws and perfect one's cultivation base] will be offered for sale. His journey was likely to acquire it, to mend his foundation and attempt a breakthrough into the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, immortal entity] realm."

"Given Malachai's cultivation and combat prowess, it's unlikely that even several ordinary Golden Core Great Perfection [cultivators at the peak of the Golden Core realm] could have detained him."

"Could it be... could it be that a True Lord [an honorific title for a Nascent Soul realm expert], coveting the treasure, personally intervened, casting aside all decorum?"

The elder spoke, his tone hesitant.

It was not an unreasonable suspicion. The Ancient Furnace Heaven-Mending Elixir was even rarer and more precious than a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul]. Some unscrupulous Nascent Soul True Lord might indeed resort to such underhanded tactics. For the best reading experience, visit *audio-novel.com*.

Only a Nascent Soul True Lord would dare act with such brazen disregard for the Qin Clan, a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a clan with a Nascent Soul realm expert as its pillar].

"That wretched fool."

Qin Clan's Second Ancestor's gaze turned icy. If it were merely a Nascent Soul True Lord resorting to treachery, that would be one thing. What he truly feared was that *that* particular existence had remembered the aura of their Qin Clan and struck down Malachai Qin with a single, decisive blow.

Even though he himself had now broken through into the Nascent Soul realm, and over two hundred years had passed, the memory of that fleeting strand of Sword Qi [a concentrated manifestation of sword intent and energy] he had sensed back then was still etched into his very bones.

He was acutely aware that if he had not fled swiftly all those years ago, a truly terrifying calamity would have descended upon him. Even now, having broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, he likely could not have withstood that single strand of Sword Qi [a concentrated, razor-sharp manifestation of sword intent and spiritual energy].

At this thought, Qin Clan's Second Ancestor broke into a cold sweat. That entity undoubtedly surpassed the Nascent Soul grade. Although its injuries seemed not fully healed, it was still far beyond the ability of a mere Qin Clan to oppose.

Furthermore, if they were to venture deeply into Ji Continent, it risked drawing the attention of the Ji Clan.

The reason Qin Immortal Clan had maintained such a low profile in recent years was their understanding that their heretical method of seizing another's Dao Body [a rare, innately gifted physique ideal for cultivation] would, if exposed, likely provoke the wrath of not only the Ji Clan but also Magnus the Virtuous and even the Tianlu Sect.

Though the Qin Clan appeared prosperous now, a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.

Burdened by a guilty conscience, Qin Clan's Second Ancestor paced anxiously, muttering to himself, "To slay my son would require at least several cultivators at the Golden Core Great Perfection stage, along with specific countermeasures to have any chance of success."

"The number of Golden Core Great Perfection experts in Ji Continent can be counted on one hand. It is unlikely, and they would not dare, to join forces to besiege my son."

"Therefore, either a Nascent Soul cultivator made a move, or that ancient entity from the past was disturbed."

This line of thought filled Qin Clan's Second Ancestor with even greater dread.

From beginning to end, he never once considered Eldrin Chen. Back then, Eldrin Chen had been far too young to remember such events. Moreover, the only one or two individuals who truly knew the secret had long since been eliminated by his own hand.

With this thought, Qin Clan's Second Ancestor declared, "Let it be so. Henceforth, cultivators of our Qin Clan are forbidden from journeying to the Ji Continent."

"Furthermore, dispatch members of our subordinate forces to the Ji Continent to conduct a thorough investigation. We must ascertain into whose hands my son's Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] have ultimately fallen."

"Your will be done."

While the battle unfolded between those individuals, the trio on the other side boarded their Treasure Boat [a vessel enchanted for flight and travel] and soared towards the Chu Kingdom.

Aboard the Green Sun Treasure Boat, the group was currently engaged in dividing the spoils.

As the son of a Nascent Soul [a high-level cultivator whose spirit has formed an independent entity] cultivator, Malachai Qin possessed a considerable trove of treasures. To guard against any potential contingencies he might have left behind, they had refrained from taking many items of lesser value.

Even so, every artifact they claimed was exceptionally precious. Eldrin Chen tallied their gains and found the harvest from this encounter to be truly staggering.

The treasures comprised one 'Ancient Furnace Heaven-Mending Elixir' [a legendary elixir said to mend one's very foundation], four Fourth Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts], and two Void-Cleaving Treasure Talisman [a talisman capable of tearing through space for escape or attack].

In addition, there were two Origin Heaven Crystal [crystals of condensed primordial energy]. The remaining items, such as Spirit Stone [minerals that store spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], were not plentiful—likely having been expended to purchase the Ancient Path Heaven-Mending Elixir.

While the value of all these treasures was immense, Yvonne the Violet Consort's gaze was fixed intently upon the four supreme Magical Treasure.

A Fourth Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [a supreme enchanted artifact of immense power] stands merely a single tier below a Fifth Rank [the realm of power corresponding to the Nascent Soul stage] 'Spiritual Treasure'—known in this world as a 'Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure' [an artifact of legendary power capable of suppressing demonic forces]. Thus, such treasures are often hailed as peerless Magical Treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

These artifacts rank among the finest choices for weathering a Nascent Soul [the spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage] tribulation. Even though the Violet Abyss Sect [a powerful cultivation sect] possesses the Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure known as the Violet Abyss Furnace [a legendary cauldron-furnace artifact], employing a peerless Magical Treasure to absorb part of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation's [the cataclysmic lightning ordeal faced during major breakthroughs] fury remains the wisest course, lest their supreme treasure suffer grievous damage. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com.