Chapter 436 Comprehending the Divine Power

This was not due to any foolishness on the part of the Spirit Shell Demon King, for his intellect was nearly on par with that of a Golden Core cultivator among humans.

However, it resided deep within the demon territory and had rarely clashed with humans over the years. Most of the demons it encountered were of low intelligence, so how could it have ever faced such cunning schemes?

Caught completely off guard, the Spirit Shell Demon King fell straight into the trap, ambushed by Eldrin and Lyra.

With her current level of magical power, Lyra (Person Name) launched a surprise attack, wielding the Refined Demon Immortal Sword (Magic Treasure). The poor Spirit Shell Demon King didn't even realize what was happening before his death, instantly dispatched by a single sword strike.

"Let's go."

After slaying the Spirit Clam Demon King, the 2 retrieved the Water Element Treasure Pearl (Spiritual Object). Without bothering to plunder the demon king’s treasures, they immediately dove back toward Chu Kingdom (Location).

It was not until they had returned to Chu Kingdom (Location) that the demon clan finally realized what had happened, but by then they had already missed the opportunity to pursue them.

The 2 returned to Spirit Isle Lake (Location). Eldrin (Person Name) gazed at the spirit clam pearl in his hand and remarked, "This went far more smoothly than anticipated."

"It was merely a matter of catching them off guard. Next time we strike, the Demon Kings likely won't fall for such tactics again."

Lyra shook her head, yet a joyful expression bloomed on her face.

The 2 went to the clan treasury and retrieved a piece of fourth-tier Stellar Treasure Gold, which they refined together into a supreme-grade magical treasure—the Stellar Treasure Pearl.

After successfully refining the Star Pearl, Eldrin brought it to Pingyang City.

The moment he laid eyes on Eldrin, the old clan leader smiled and said, "Your timing is perfect. Transplanting the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root would be best handled by you."

It turned out that during this time, the old clan leader had finally found a place to transplant the spiritual root.

No sooner said than done. Eldrin personally uprooted the Enlightenment Tea Tree along with a massive chunk of soil, then transported it aboard his treasure ship to the 100-1000-li expanse of the Great Wasteland.

After roughly several days had passed, they came to a halt in the heart of the 100-1000-li untamed wilderness, amidst a vast expanse of open plains.

A river stretched across the plains, winding all the way to the edge of the boundless wilderness.

And on the banks of this river stood a majestic city, where over 1,000,000 mortals had already made their homes.

The old clan leader gazed down at the wilderness below, a faint smile gracing his weathered face. "This city is called Ancient Barrens City," he said. "We've been developing it for over 60 years now—long enough to sustain mortal life."

The ancient city of Guhuang stood upon a primordial expanse of rolling hills and desolate plains, where for countless millennia, wild grasses had flourished and towering trees were all but absent.

Moreover, several rivers that traversed the 100,000-li Great Wilderness flowed through this area, which, once developed, could facilitate water transport for mortals.

An extensive network of waterways combined with relatively flat terrain—a landscape that characterized most of the 100-1000-mile Great Wastelands—was considered remarkably rare even within the Eastern Wastelands.

Eldrin descended with the Enlightenment Tea Tree, transplanting it at the city's heart before nourishing it with 3 wisps of Primordial Purple Qi.

After completing all this, he finally said, "I intend to devote myself to comprehending divine abilities. The matter of population migration will require your diligent attention."

"Focus on your cultivation with peace of mind."

The old clan leader nodded. From now on, he would be stationed in Ancient Barren City to oversee the clan's relocation.

Eldrin returned to Yu County, and his days once again settled into their former tranquility. On this particular day, he picked up the Enlightenment Tea and began deducing the Tri-Phenomenon Divine Thunder.

According to Eldrin's (Person Name) estimation, the power of the Tri-Phenomenon Divine Thunder should have reached the realm of a grand supernatural ability.

To deduce a supreme divine ability would undoubtedly be an immense challenge, yet once successfully derived, it would become an ultimate trump card to be kept in reserve.

The fourth-tier Enlightenment Tea produced by the Enlightenment Tea Tree is an exceedingly precious treasure for Golden Core cultivators.

This celestial spiritual tea possessed extraordinary effects. After consumption, it could greatly enhance the comprehension of a Golden Core cultivator. An ordinary Golden Core cultivator who drank a cup of this spiritual tea would experience an improvement in comprehension of over threefold for 3 months.

Eldrin possessed a level of comprehension that was rare even in ancient times. While the effects of this spirit tea provided less of a boost for someone like him, it still significantly enhanced his perception.

With the assistance of this spiritual tea, Eldrin's comprehension of the Tri-Phenomenon Divine Thunder accelerated remarkably, his mastery over its intricacies advancing step by step.

In truth, as his cultivation deepened, his comprehension of various divine abilities and cultivation methods had grown increasingly profound. At this moment, his deduction of the Tri-Phenomenon Divine Thunder was progressing at an accelerating pace.

At this moment, his mind was completely focused on cultivation, channeling all his energy into deducing divine abilities. The progress surged dramatically in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, 7 full years had passed. On this day, as Eldrin channeled his magic power to manifest the 3 divine thunders—Jia Wood, Ren Water, and Bing Fire—a trace of solemnity flickered in his eyes.

"Water nurtures wood, wood feeds fire, water and fire stand in opposition."

3 divine thunderbolts converged, forming a tripartite balance of cyclical power.

"Success or failure hinges on this single move."

Eldrin murmured to himself, "Throughout this cultivation session, I have used the 3 divine thunders of First-Wood, Abyssal-Water, and Blazing-Fire as my foundation to continuously evolve the First-Wood Divine Thunder. Now, I have reached the critical step."

As the Dao patterns of the 3 divine thunders continued to intertwine, Eldrin's gaze grew increasingly solemn. It was at this very moment that 1 of them dimmed, and the entire Dao pattern of the Triad Divine Thunder began to crumble.

"Damn it."

Seeing the situation turning dire, Eldrin's pupils abruptly contracted as he swiftly began to disperse his Dao Patterns.

Unfortunately, it was already a fraction too late. As the endless Dao patterns erupted, a residual shockwave managed to spill forth, instantly fracturing the entire cultivation chamber with countless fissures.

Fortunately, the cultivation chamber was arrayed with numerous formations that contained the impact within its confines. Otherwise, the strike would have likely sunk the very earth for a 100 miles around.

"What's wrong?"

Lyra rushed in from outside, her voice laced with concern as she inquired.

"It's nothing." Eldrin shook his head, sweeping his sleeve to clear away the dust. "Merely some residual shockwaves that spilled over. They can't harm me."

Lyra held his hand and spoke with some concern, "There's no need to rush your cultivation. We still have a long time ahead of us—don't let impatience cloud your focus."

"Understood."

Eldrin nodded and stepped out of the seclusion chamber.

He strolled along the corridor, only then realizing that winter had arrived unnoticed. Goose feather-like snowflakes drifted incessantly from the sky, draping the grounds of Spirit Isle Lake (Location) in a veil of white frost.

In the distant 10-mile peach forest, not a single blossom remained on the trees, only snow-laden withered branches.

Flocks of Purple-Striped Wild Geese (Demon Beast) perched amidst the frost, curled up as if unwilling to stir even in the depths of winter's chill.

Standing before the pavilion, Eldrin breathed in the frosty air and shook his head. "These years have been spent either campaigning across the lands, secluded in cultivation, or attending to myriad affairs."

"It has been so long since we last truly beheld the snows of the southern lands."

The frost and snow of Spirit Isle Lake (Location) are among its most breathtaking sights. It is a pity, however, that Eastern Wastelands (Location) seldom sees snowfall, making this magnificent scenery a rare spectacle.

Lyra draped a heavy cloak over his shoulders, feeling as though the once-familiar silhouette before her had grown profoundly more imposing. Only then did she remark, "The winters these past years seem to have grown increasingly bitter."

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of decay and withered leaves. Lin Feng tightened his tattered robe, his breath forming pale mist in the moonless night. His fingers, numb from the cold, traced the faint spiritual energy emanating from the pouch at his waist. "Just a bit more," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the wind. "With these 32,000 spirit stones, I can finally attempt the third level of the Heavenly Dao Scripture." Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the surrounding darkness. "Hand over the spirit stones, Outer Disciple Lin," a cold voice commanded. The figure stepped into the dim light, revealing the sneering face of Elder Ming's favored disciple, Zhang Hu. Lin Feng's grip tightened around his storage pouch. "These stones were rightfully earned through my sect contributions," he stated calmly, though his heart raced. He could feel the oppressive aura radiating from Zhang Hu - this was no ordinary confrontation. Zhang Hu laughed mockingly. "Rightfully earned? A talentless waste like you dares speak of rights?" His hand moved to the hilt of his sword, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) glowing with faint crimson light. "I'll take what I want, just as I've taken everything else from you." For thousands of years, the strong had preyed upon the weak in the cultivation world - this was the unshakeable law that governed their existence. But tonight, Lin Feng felt something different stirring within his dantian. The Heavenly Dao Scripture (Cultivation Method) he had painstakingly cultivated for over a 100 years was reacting in ways he had never experienced. "Countless cultivators have fallen on this path," Lin Feng murmured, his eyes narrowing. "But I refuse to be 1 of them any longer." A surge of spiritual power erupted from his core, causing the surrounding air to shimmer. Zhang Hu's arrogant expression faltered for the first time. "Impossible! You're merely at the Foundation Establishment realm!" The wind stilled as if holding its breath. Some dozen or so spiritual symbols materialized around Lin Feng, rotating slowly in the darkness. 20-some years of humiliation, nearly a 1000 days of relentless cultivation - all condensed into this single moment of awakening. "Some things," Lin Feng said, his voice now steady and clear, "are worth fighting for."