Chapter 412 : Clash of Golden Cores

That Celestial Crane Demon King [a powerful demonic beast with the form and grace of a crane], despite his relentless assaults, found himself utterly unable to gain the upper hand.

To avoid having the treasures divided among too many and to steer clear of accusations of collusion, both Alaric the True Person and the Celestial Crane Demon King had brought only a few trusted aides this time, all of whom were Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified golden core of power] Demon King [a title for powerful demonic beasts equivalent to the Golden Core realm] and cultivators.

These few Golden Core True Person [a respectful title for a cultivator who has reached the Golden Core realm] and Demon King watched, utterly astounded, as Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang unleashed their divine might.

Neither Alaric the True Person nor the Celestial Crane Demon King were cultivators from the vicinity of Ji Continent, and thus they were unaware of the profound Deep-Seated Foundation [an exceptionally solid and powerful foundational cultivation base] and formidable Divine Ability [powerful supernatural techniques mastered by high-level cultivators] possessed by Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang. Finding themselves in this battle, they began to feel the situation turning thorny.

Seeing that they could not subdue the pair, the few Golden Core True Person and the group of Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators at the Golden Core realm] prepared to join forces and swarm them.

At that very moment, Lyra Jiang activated the Four Symbols Flag Formation [a powerful formation based on the four celestial beasts]. In an instant, four Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core realm] True Spirit manifestations descended.

"Disaster!"

As the rampaging True Spirits surged forth, they enveloped several Golden Core Demon King, trapping even the Celestial Crane Demon King within their grasp for the time being.

Alaric the True Person and the others sought to regroup with their comrades, but alas, it was already too late.

Eldrin Chen summoned his Great Divine Ability [a supreme-level supernatural technique], the Phantom-Splitting Sword Art [a sword technique that creates multiple phantom blades], and channeled this Divine Ability directly into the heart of the Four Symbols Flag Formation, forcing the Demon King to focus on defending against the formation's onslaught, unable to break free. The story continues at audio-novel.com.

Seizing this opportunity, Lyra Jiang once more summoned the Earth-Fortress Earth Origin Disk. Countless formation runes surged forth, empowering the Four Symbols Flag Formation and combining their might to press down upon the Celestial Crane Demon King and his allies trapped within the formation's confines.

"This is bad!"

Seeing the situation turn dire, Alaric the True Person gritted his teeth. He unleashed two Supreme Grade Magical Treasure in rapid succession, aiming to shatter the Four Symbols Flag Formation through a coordinated assault from within and without.

Yet, Eldrin Chen merely raised his hand and cast forth the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void. With a single, decisive move, he locked those very treasures in a pocket of solidified void-space.

Still seeking to force a retreat by attacking the besiegers, Alaric the True Person then summoned twelve Frostbitten Expanse Immortal Sword and sent them slashing towards Eldrin Chen.

But Lyra Jiang was prepared. She unfurled the Glazed Armor of the Three Treasures. After decades of runic evolution, this treasure now stood but A Step Away from becoming a true Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure, its defensive power already rivaling seventy percent of such a supreme artifact's might.

With such a treasure deployed, even the formidable twelve Frostbitten Expanse Mother-Child Swords of Alaric the True Person proved futile, their assault unable to breach the artifact's radiant defense.

Having parried Alaric the True Person's attacks, Lyra Jiang took the offensive once more. She channeled her profound mana, unleashing a torrent of Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations directly into the heart of the Formation.

"BOOM—"

A deafening explosion tore through the air. The Celestial Crane Demon King proved himself worthy of his title as a False Nascent Soul Demon King, his power erupting in a final, desperate surge.

Even under the sudden suppression of the Formation Flags and having endured two successive Great Divine Ability strikes—the 'Phantom-Splitting Sword Art' and the 'Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations'—the Celestial Crane Demon King [a powerful demonic beast with the form and grace of a celestial crane] still managed to forcefully blast its way out of the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy used for attack, defense, or confinement].

However, upon breaking free from the Formation, the Celestial Crane Demon King was at the end of its strength, a spent arrow from a crossbow. Its Defensive Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts designed for protection] were shattered, its power was more than half depleted, and it had suffered unprecedented, grievous wounds.

Seizing the moment of its escape from the formation, Eldrin Chen summoned the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords, one representing Heaven, the other Separation, that can combine their power]. With a resonant *clang*, the swords merged, becoming one—the Heavenly Separated Union.

Facing this peerless, combined strike from the twin swords, the Celestial Crane Demon King was caught utterly off guard. Its physical body was cleaved apart, leaving only a single Demonic Core [the condensed essence and power source of a high-level demonic beast] to flee madly into the distance.

"What formidable Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique]!"

"I have witnessed your prowess today. We shall meet again."

Witnessing Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang unleash their divine might, Alaric the True Person let out a long cry. To everyone's surprise, he gave chase, speeding off in the direction the Celestial Crane Demon King's Golden Core [the solidified core of spiritual energy formed at the Golden Core cultivation stage] had fled.

The remaining Golden Core Demon King [a demonic beast king possessing power equivalent to the Golden Core cultivation realm] and human cultivators seized the chance to escape as well.

Eldrin Chen did not give pursuit. Though the battle's description may sound effortless, the successive activation of Great Divine Ability and Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] had consumed a significant portion of their spiritual power.

This was especially true for Lyra Jiang's Four Symbols Flag Formation [a formation that summons the spiritual avatars of the Four Celestial Symbols—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise]. Simultaneously manifesting four spiritual avatars, each with the power of the Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core realm], would drain even the reserves of a False Nascent Soul Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a quasi-Nascent Soul, a step below the true Nascent Soul realm].

The reason Hugo Huo was able to activate and fight with this formation back then was primarily because these were his Lifebound Magical Treasure Formation Flags. They required only thirty percent of his mana to unleash their maximum power.

Fortunately, Lyra Jiang possessed the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a defensive lotus-shaped platform that aids in mana recovery and cultivation]. Otherwise, even with this treasure, activating it would have drained her mana completely, leaving her utterly powerless to subsequently wield her Divine Ability [a powerful innate or cultivated supernatural power] or other Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

Even with the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform, Lyra Jiang's mana expenditure was still significant. Pursuing them further might not have guaranteed their complete annihilation.

Eldrin Chen fed her a Pill [a refined medicinal pellet for cultivation or recovery] to restore her mana, then sighed, "A False Nascent Soul Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a pseudo-Nascent Soul, a powerful stage below true Nascent Soul] is truly formidable. Even with our current strength, it remains somewhat difficult to slay them."

"That is to be expected."

Lyra Jiang nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "These individuals have lived for hundreds of years, approaching a Millennium [a period of one thousand years]. Naturally, their arsenal of techniques is vast." Original publication: audi novel.com - The source of this chapter.

"However," she continued, "once your Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a mystical mirror harnessing the powers of Yin, Yang, and the Void] ascends to a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a treasure bound to one's soul, growing in power with the cultivator], dealing with them will become far simpler."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen revealed a trace of a smile. When the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void ascended to Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, it would integrate Fifth Rank [a grade of material or power corresponding to the Nascent Soul stage] Void Stone [a rare mineral attuned to spatial and void energies].

According to the Spiritual Treasure Formation Runes [the intricate, soul-bound patterns that grant a Spiritual Treasure its unique powers] Eldrin Chen had deduced, this treasure, like the Violet Cosmos Void-Traversing Mirror, would possess the Spiritual Treasure Formation Runes for Void Leap [a short-range instantaneous spatial teleportation] and for sealing the void.

With these two spiritual treasure-grade formation runes, its effectiveness, whether for pursuing enemies or trapping them, would be first-rate.

After a cursory cleansing of the battlefield and gazing upon the carcass of the Celestial Crane Demon King [a powerful demonic beast with the form and attributes of a celestial crane], Eldrin Chen smiled. "With the dragon bones of this creature, we can forge a Quasi-Fifth Rank [approaching the power and quality of the fifth major cultivation realm] Treasure Boat [a vessel enchanted for flight and travel, often used by high-level cultivators].

"Indeed, this is a fine prize,"

Lyra Jiang agreed, a note of pleasure in her voice. Over the years, as their cultivation had advanced, the speed of the Green Sun Treasure Boat had gradually fallen behind their needs.

The skeletal frame of the Celestial Crane Demon King was of exceptionally high grade. Once refined into a small Treasure Boat, it would be capable of traversing five hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. If one activated the innate 'Celestial Crane Soaring Art' [a divine ability mimicking the transcendent flight of a celestial crane] Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power mastered by high-level cultivators] contained within the bones, its speed could be temporarily multiplied severalfold.

Such a treasure was not to be passed over. After storing the demon king's remains, Lyra Jiang turned her gaze towards the Gu Clan family upon the ancient island.

Eldrin Chen glanced at Silas Chen and spoke with calm finality. "Go and claim your vengeance."

The Fourth Rank Low Grade [the initial tier of the fourth major cultivation realm] Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts that creates a powerful defensive or offensive effect] protecting the ancient island was potent enough to withstand one or two Golden Core Late Stage Cultivators [cultivators who have reached the advanced phases of the Golden Core realm, the fourth major stage of cultivation]. Yet, it could not hold against the combined might of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang.

They took action themselves, and it did not take great effort to breach its defenses.

The Gu Clan Patriarch, his face a mask of terror, personally escorted Guinevere Gu out. He addressed the trio, "Guinevere Gu betrayed her oath and ambushed the Chen Immortal Maiden. Today, I deliver her to you for judgment."

"I beg you, do not bring further calamity upon our Gu Clan."

"Father, have you forsaken me, Father?"

That Guinevere Gu was disheveled, her expression one of utter despair, with a flicker of resentment burning in her eyes.

Eldrin Chen glanced at the disheveled Guinevere Gu, then looked at Silas Chen and said, "I will hold the line for you. We can spare the rest of the Gu Clan, but the father and daughter must not be allowed to live."

"*Clang!*"

Without a word, Silas Chen raised his hand and summoned a Fourth Rank Immortal Sword [a powerful enchanted sword forged for cultivators at the Golden Core realm].

In the previous battle, Eldrin Chen had seized several Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts]. Finding them of little use to himself, he had simply taken two and given them to Silas Chen.

Now, as Silas Chen unleashed the immortal sword in a sweeping slash aimed directly at the Gu Clan Patriarch, it became clear the patriarch's cultivation was merely at the Golden Core Second Layer. His Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts] and Divine Ability [innate supernatural powers] were mediocre, and even his mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power techniques] was less pure than that of Silas Chen.

After all, he possessed only a Middle Golden Core [a Golden Core of middling quality, limiting future potential]. After several dozen exchanges, Silas Chen cut him down by the shore of the Spirit Island.

Witnessing her father's death, Guinevere Gu finally revealed her utter despair. Pointing a trembling finger at Silas Chen, she shrieked with madness, "You wretch! Your only advantage is a better birthright than mine!" Continue reading this story at audio–novel.com.