Chapter 437. Another Epiphany

"Hmm."

Eldrin grasped her hand, gazing at the ethereal figure before him as he smiled. "It's been ages since I last played the zither. Dance for me."

"Good."

The heavens and earth were veiled in a ceaseless cascade of goose-feather snow, silver frost blanketing the land as all living things stood solemn and still.

Upon the pavilions and towers, warm braziers emitted wispy trails of blue smoke, carrying an elusive exotic fragrance that coiled around the entire lake-center isle.

Her figure, clad in a snow-white gown, danced gracefully amidst the wind and snow, like a celestial maiden descending from the highest heavens, radiating an aura of untouchable divine elegance.

Eldrin (Person Name) was draped in a white cloak, his 3 1000 strands of raven hair cascading freely. His eyes were like polished mirrors, reflecting that peerless silhouette.

He pressed down on the zither strings, and strands of supremely ethereal music began to rise, the melody reverberating throughout the heavens and the earth.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment. The zither melody was exquisitely ethereal, while Yaoji in the snow possessed a grace that transcended mortality. Even the howling wind and swirling snow seemed to transform into an accompanying symphony.

Eldrin felt his mind gradually ease, the tightly wound strands of tension dissolving into nothingness as his spirit underwent an intangible sublimation.

A rare tranquility filled his heart. Eldrin felt his thoughts expanding, his soul rapidly growing stronger.

"An epiphany?"

Eldrin murmured to himself. Having cultivated for 3 100 years, it had been a long time since he last entered a state of sudden enlightenment on his own.

In truth, given his comprehension, entering a state of enlightenment shouldn't have been this arduous. Only now was he gradually beginning to understand.

Allowing the mind to occasionally empty itself and carefully contemplating the wonders and mysteries of heaven and earth makes it easier to enter a state of profound enlightenment.

Though epiphanies were rare, Eldrin did not begin contemplating divine abilities. Instead, he continued stroking the ancient zither, accompanying her melody.

Indeed, she danced to his music, but was he not also playing for her dance?

A long while later, as the final notes faded, Lyra (Person Name) approached and asked, "What is the name of this melody?"

"This piece is named, Left Hand Pointing at the Moon."

Eldrin pressed down on the zither strings, suppressing the lingering echoes, before finally closing his eyes to begin comprehending the divine ability.

In the state of sudden enlightenment, Eldrin felt his divine consciousness rapidly intensifying, while the 5-Color Spirit Tempering Art within him surged with frenzied momentum, ceaselessly refining the power of his soul.

In this state, his comprehension of divine abilities advanced by leaps and bounds.

In just 3 days, he had fully deduced the Tri-Phenomenon Divine Thunder, creating his first grand supernatural power.

This epiphany was exceptionally prolonged; even after creating the grand divine ability, he still did not emerge from the state of enlightenment.

Seizing the moment, he began deducing the refinement method for his Natal Spirit Treasure. This time, the very artifact he sought to unravel was the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure).

This life-bound immortal sword had accompanied Eldrin (Person Name) for nearly 3 100 years, becoming almost an extension of his will and his most proficient blade of slaughter.

Another 2 full days passed before Eldrin finally perfected the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss and emerged from his state of sudden enlightenment.

The moment he opened his eyes, Lyra's breathtaking face greeted him: "How do you feel?"

"Unprecedentedly good."

Eldrin nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips.

By comprehending the profound mysteries of the 5 Elements Divine Thunder, he had now gained insight into the 3 Powers Divine Thunder. His strength was destined to make a tremendous leap forward.

After all, with the formation of the 5 Elements Grand Cycle within his body, the might of his divine thunder supernatural power would surge dramatically, while the spiritual energy consumed would be merely 50 percent of that required for ordinary supernatural abilities.

Judging by mana consumption alone, the Tri-Polar Divine Thunder had already surpassed the Phantom-Splitting Sword Art (Cultivation Art), positioning itself as the most practical supreme supernatural power in Eldrin's (Person Name) arsenal.

Moreover, advancing the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) to the realm of a Lifebound Spirit Treasure saved Eldrin (Person Name) a considerable amount of time, allowing him to accelerate the refinement of the Demonic Ascension Immortal Sword by at least 1 cycle of value.

After hearing Eldrin's account, Lyra exclaimed excitedly, "Since the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword has been deduced through divination, we can advance our timeline to confront Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord."

"Very well."

Eldrin also nodded in agreement. Ever since Lyra had successfully forged the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword, they had been confident in their ability to slay Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord.

They had only spared Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord because they needed him to refine the nether energy within the Nether Stone.

But now that he possessed the Spirit Treasure Chapter of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), further delay seemed utterly inappropriate.

To advance the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), the optimal method for Eldrin (Person Name) was to utilize the bonded spirit treasure of Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord (Person Name) as material.

However, the next Beast Tide was only about 40 years away, while the next opening of the 1 Strike Cave required 30 years.

By then, even if they obtained the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), it would likely be too late for them to simultaneously advance 2 of their Lifebound Demon-Subduing Treasures.

At this thought, Lyra spoke: "Nearly 30 years have passed now, and likely over half of the nether energy within the Nether Stone has been extracted."

"What remains is still considerable, but when the time comes, we can refine it using the Blazing Prison Sea of Flames formation array, and with Senior Oblique Sun Wheel’s assistance, it should be possible to eradicate it completely."

"Then let us set off at once." Eldrin rose to his feet and declared.

As the once-every-30-years ritual was approaching, they did not delay further and immediately rode their swords toward the Sea of Flaming Blazes.

After flying for several months, they finally arrived at the Heavenly Abode Continent (Location). Yet the moment they set foot there, they received troubling news.

Astrael had recently weathered the Nascent Soul Lightning Tribulation and astonishingly ascended directly to the realm of Nascent Soul True Lord.

"This is troublesome."

Eldrin's gaze was grave. To have a Nascent Soul True Monarch as an enemy—even 1 who had just recently attained the Nascent Soul realm—was an exceedingly difficult reality to accept.

To ensure his perfect attendance record, he would revise this part immediately. This time, by comprehending the profound mysteries of the 5 Elements Divine Thunder, he had gained insight into the 3 Powers Divine Thunder. His strength was destined to make a tremendous leap forward.

After all, with the grand 5 elements cycle formed within his body, the power of his divine thunder supernatural ability would surge dramatically, while the spiritual energy consumed would be merely 50 percent of an ordinary supernatural ability.

Judging by mana consumption alone, the Tri-Polar Divine Thunder had already surpassed the Phantom-Splitting Sword Art (Cultivation Art) and would become the most practical supreme supernatural power in Eldrin's (Person Name) arsenal.

Moreover, advancing the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) to the realm of a life-bound spirit treasure saved Eldrin (Person Name) a considerable amount of time, allowing him to advance the Refined Demon Immortal Sword by at least 1 stage earlier.

"Very well."

Eldrin also nodded. Ever since Lyra had successfully forged the Refining Demon Immortal Sword, they had been confident in their ability to slay Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord.

They had only spared Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord because they needed him to refine the nether energy within the Nether Stone.

But now that he possessed the Spirit Treasure Chapter of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), further delay seemed utterly inappropriate.

To advance the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), Eldrin (Person Name) knew the optimal method was to utilize the bonded spirit treasure of Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord (Person Name) as material.

However, the next Beast Calamity was only about 40 years away, while the next opening of the 1 Strike Cave Abode would require 30 years.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled across the snow-covered mountain peaks, whipping the falling snowflakes into a frenzied dance. At the summit of the highest peak, a figure in azure robes stood motionless, his clothes fluttering in the wind. His gaze was fixed on the distant horizon, where the last rays of the setting sun were slowly being devoured by the encroaching darkness. "1 100 years have passed," he murmured softly, his voice barely audible above the wind. "Yet the memory remains as vivid as yesterday." Suddenly, the space before him rippled like the surface of a disturbed pond. A figure materialized from the distortion, clad in robes as black as the deepest night. In his hand gleamed the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), its blade pulsating with an ominous crimson light. "So we meet again, Eldrin (Person Name)," the black-robed man said, his voice dripping with malice. "Did you truly believe you could hide from me forever?" Eldrin (Person Name) showed no surprise. His fingers subtly moved, summoning 10,000 spirit stones that formed a rotating barrier around him. "Morphas (Person Name), your pursuit has spanned 32,000 spirit stones worth of resources. When will you understand that some things are not meant to be possessed?" Morphas (Person Name) laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You speak of destiny? I have cultivated for thousands of years, weathered countless tribulations, all for this moment. The Heavenly Dao Tome (Cultivation Method) belongs to me!" As he spoke, Morphas (Person Name) unleashed the third layer of his Profound Ice Art (Cultivation Method). The temperature plummeted instantly, freezing the very air around them. Icicles sharper than any blade shot toward Eldrin (Person Name) from all directions. But Eldrin (Person Name) merely sighed. With a wave of his hand, the 10,000 spirit stones shattered, releasing a tremendous wave of energy that dissolved the incoming icicles into nothingness. "I have reached the ninth layer of the Heavenly Dao Tome (Cultivation Method). Your power is insignificant before me." Morphas (Person Name)'s eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible! No 1 has reached the ninth layer in over a 100 years!" "The world is vast, and the heavens boundless," Eldrin (Person Name) said calmly. "What you perceive as impossible is merely the limit of your own understanding." He raised his hand, and the surrounding spiritual energy began to coalesce, forming intricate patterns in the air. The snow around them started to float upward, defying gravity. "I will give you 1 final chance. Leave now, and I shall spare your life." Morphas (Person Name) hesitated, his grip tightening on the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure). He had pursued Eldrin (Person Name) for nearly a 1000 years, consumed by his desire for the Heavenly Dao Tome (Cultivation Method). But now, facing the overwhelming power before him, doubt crept into his heart for the first time. The wind howled between them, carrying the weight of centuries of conflict. On this isolated mountain peak, bathed in the pale moonlight, the final confrontation between 2 legendary cultivators was about to unfold.