Chapter 440 Defying Fate, Man Conquers Heaven

"Is there truly no way left to salvage this?"

Eldrin remained silent for a long while, until at last he spoke after what felt like an eternity.

The Slanting Sun Wheel remained silent for a moment before replying, "Unless an immortal from the Celestial Realm descends to face this tribulation, I fear even the most extraordinary individual would struggle to turn the tide."

"The Immortal Faces the Heavenly Tribulation…"

Eldrin murmured to himself, his brow furrowing briefly before smoothing again.

With his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze was resolute and sharp: "We cultivators do not believe in the Mandate of Heaven, only in the triumph of human will over fate. It is precisely for this reason that we defy the heavens, alter our destinies, and ascend to immortality."

"Though the Abyssal Cataclysm originates from terrifying origins, I believe that with sufficient strength, the day will ultimately come when we can completely subdue it."

The Slanting Sun Wheel fell silent, gazing at Eldrin's figure, sensing only that this person was extraordinary and uncommonly transcendent.

A figure clad in snow-white robes stood with an exceptionally tall and slender posture. Merely by quietly standing there, he exuded an extraordinary aura, more akin to a peerless immortal lord who had descended into the mortal world.

After a long while, it hesitantly spoke, "Could it be that you are the reincarnation of an Immortal Lord, destined to descend upon this calamity?"

"No."

Eldrin shook his head. Born with celestial phenomena so extraordinary that even the pure yang immortal sword 'Green Abyss Sword' had been stirred, many initially believed him to be an immortal destined to face the heavenly tribulation. Yet he knew the truth of his own origins.

The Slanting Sun Wheel quickly shook off its hesitation and continued, "Though I have not left this place for many years, I am aware that after Emperor Jiang ascended to immortality, he never returned."

"Whether you truly are the reincarnation of an immortal or not, quelling this calamity will not be an easy task."

"You are correct, of course. Cultivation itself defies the natural order. Even if the Abyssal Cataclysm is this realm's greatest tribulation, there should still remain a sliver of hope. I was too presumptuous in my judgment."

Lyra also nodded and said calmly, "If 1 can ascend to immortality through ethereal transformation, there might be a sliver of chance to survive the cataclysm."

"Transcend Mortality and Ascend to Immortality?" The Slanting Sun Wheel fell silent for a long moment before responding, "But this is an exceedingly arduous path."

"Even if 1 breaks through to the Feathering Ascension realm, the Celestial Tribulation of immortality remains nearly insurmountable."

The Clear Moon Wheel emitted a gentle glow as she spoke, "Back then, to assist Emperor Jiang in ascending to immortality, the Dao Lords of the Violet Realm spared no effort, shattering 10 supreme Pure Yang Treasures. It is unlikely we could muster such resources again now."

Lyra's heart trembled faintly, yet her gaze remained resolute as she declared, "But I know only this—forging a Nascent Soul with a Great Perfection Foundation should grant 1 a 30 percent chance of Ascending to Immortality."

"Great Perfection Foundation?" The Slanting Sun Wheel's heart quaked with sudden realization, and only then did it exclaim in astonishment, "I noticed long ago that your magical power was exceptionally profound and extraordinary. Could it be that you have forged the Great Perfection Golden Core?"

Eldrin nodded and replied without concealment, "Indeed, the 2 of us have forged the Great Luo Golden Core."

"That is the foundation of ascension."

The Solar and Lunar Wheels were utterly astonished. The aptitude for the Great Luo Golden Elixir was exceedingly rare; throughout the entire Violet Realm, if not entirely unheard of, it was likely a talent that emerged only once in 10 1000 years.

Such an existence, upon breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm, would at the very least become a supreme Nascent Soul Dao Lord, even if not destined to face a celestial tribulation.

With a Great Dao Foundation, 1 could simultaneously cultivate 5 arts and refine 5 natal magic treasures, leaving almost no weaknesses in offense, defense, mana, physical body, or soul. Such a cultivator was destined to become the most formidable existence among peers of the same realm.

"Allow us a moment to deliberate," spoke the Clear Moon Wheel.

The Solar and Lunar Wheels conversed for a moment before the Setting Sun Wheel spoke: "The 2 of you have forged Great Luo Golden Cores. Perhaps there truly exists a sliver of hope for you to attain immortality in the future."

"We are willing to serve as your guardians on the Dao path. We seek not to bind you to our karma, but rather to contribute our share to the human race of Eastern Wastelands (Location)."

"This..."

Eldrin and Lyra exchanged a glance, their eyes lighting up with a flicker of pleasant surprise.

He promptly cupped his hands in salute, his expression turning earnest as he said, "We are eternally grateful that both Seniors are willing to serve as our Dao Guardians."

"There is no need to thank us." The voice of the Clear Moon Ring was gentle as flowing water: "Give your thanks to our master, Clear Moon True Lord."

A life-bound spiritual treasure is an extension of a cultivator's will—strictly speaking, it is part of their true self. Thus, it is indeed fitting for them to express gratitude to its master.

A gleam of joy in his eyes, Eldrin conversed with the Slanting Sun Wheel for a moment before recalling the Nether Stone. He then spoke, "Regarding the refinement of the Nether Qi, I would like to request your assistance, Senior."

"This matter is easily handled."

The Slanting Sun Wheel nodded slightly before speaking, "Using me as the formation’s core to activate the array and refine the Nether Stone (Spiritual Object) will likely require 30 years to fully purge the remaining nether energy."

“And as for Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord’s bonded spirit sword, you must refine its essence before you can consecrate the flying sword.”

"If you were to refine it yourself, it would take at least 60 years. But if left here, with the fire vein and formation arrays tempering it, I can extract its essence in about 14 or 15 years."

Eldrin nodded slightly. The 1,000-zhang Crimson Flame Qi giant sword was far too immense; it needed refinement through the underground fire veins to extract its pure essence before it could properly advance the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss.

However, this giant sword was of too high a grade and far too massive, making the difficulty of smelting it utterly terrifying.

Here within these ruins, a high-grade subterranean fire vein can aid in smelting this sword. However, it would still require a full dozen or so years to fully refine and extract its essence.

Eldrin lifted the Crimson Flame Qi greatsword before speaking, "I remain indebted for your guidance, Elder."

"Focus on your cultivation with peace of mind."

The Setting Sun Wheel spoke calmly as it placed the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) greatsword into the molten lava pool.

Considering the 2 invaluable treasures were still being refined, Eldrin and Lyra decided to remain within the ruins, secluding themselves there to cultivate.

After all, this ancient ruin was once the sacred training ground of the Sun and Moon Sect, where even a Grade 5 spirit vein had existed many years ago.

However, the spiritual vein had now been contaminated by the fire vein, making it difficult for low-level cultivators to expel the Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) power within.

Given Eldrin (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name)'s level of cultivation, there was no need to worry about being invaded by the Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root). They even directly channeled the Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) into the ground, simultaneously tempering the meridians within their bodies.

Thus, the days slipped swiftly by in such cultivation, and in the blink of an eye, many years had passed.

In the third year of their seclusion, Lyra's cultivation finally advanced further, reaching the peak of the ninth layer of the Golden Core.

After breaking through to the ninth layer of the Golden Core, her magical power increased by another 30 percent, and her strength surged dramatically once more.

Lyra consolidated her cultivation base and, after another 2 years, finally deduced the Mystic Water Divine Thunder.

After deducing the Aqua God Thunder, a complete 5-element cycle of pure Yin divine thunder had formed within Lyra's body. From this point onward, it would ceaselessly temper her flesh and meridians day and night, thoroughly consolidating her foundation.

Meanwhile, Eldrin was also wholly devoted to arduous cultivation. After 17 years in seclusion, his magic power had finally become utterly flawless and harmonious, allowing him to touch the threshold of the seventh level of the Golden Core.

Sensing the seamless integration of his mana, Eldrin smiled and said to Lyra, "That sudden enlightenment a few years ago caused my soul force to surge dramatically, accelerating my cultivation progress by a significant margin."

"I am now preparing to break through to the seventh level of the Golden Core, and I must ask you to guard my cultivation."