Chapter 444 Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name)

Although this battle yielded little in spoils, vanquishing such a formidable foe could finally lay this lingering grievance to rest.

Eldrin gazed at the Sun-Moon Twin Wheels and clasped his hands with a faint smile. "Had it not been for your assistance today, seniors, we would never have managed to detain this individual."

"This junior offers his deepest gratitude to both Seniors."

The light of the Slanting Sun Wheel gradually dimmed as he spoke calmly, "There's no need for such formality. Fellow Daoists Guixu and Tianxu are both of our generation. As Sword Sovereigns, you need not lower your standing. Henceforth, we shall interact as peers."

Without further pleasantries, Eldrin gave a nod, and they returned together to the ruins.

In the days that followed, they continued to refine the Nether Qi. This time, no further mishaps occurred. After toiling for several years, they finally exhausted all the Nether Qi within the Nether Stone (Spiritual Object).

After refining the Nether Qi, the Nether Stone (Spiritual Object) had transformed back into a Void Gem (Spiritual Object) of spiritual treasure grade, now suitable for upgrading the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void (Magic Treasure).

Eldrin lacked sufficient 5 Elements essence in his grasp, temporarily preventing the advancement of this innate spiritual treasure.

He took the Void Gem (Spiritual Object), then gazed at the Sun-Moon Twin Wheels and said, "I intend to return to the Chu Kingdom (Location). I wonder if you 2 prefer to remain here for now, or would you accompany us on our departure?"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible at this moment." The Setting Sun Wheel spoke calmly, "Having obtained Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord's remains, I must enter seclusion for a period to repair the damaged vessel and restore its power to that of a mid-grade demon-refining treasure."

The Clear Moon Wheel added, "To restore our might, we can only serve as formation artifacts here, drawing upon the power of the grand array."

Once we depart this place, even with the nourishment of a fourth-order earth vein, it will take a 100 years to regain combat capability. To restore its peak power would require centuries of nurturing.

"So that's how it is."

Eldrin nodded slightly. With merely a dozen or so years remaining until the next beast tide, the Ji Clan would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to eliminate their Patriarch’s greatest adversary, thereby bolstering his confidence in achieving the Nascent Soul breakthrough.

This process was bound to be fraught with extreme peril and chaos. He needed to return to his clan and make preparations as soon as possible.

With that thought in mind, Eldrin said, "Then I shall not detain you any longer."

After bidding farewell to the 2 Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasures, Eldrin and Lyra rode their swords as they flew toward Ji Province.

While passing through the territory of Haoran Ridge, they noticed numerous cultivators flying toward the ridge, each face brimming with delight.

Eldrin pulled aside a Foundation Establishment cultivator and asked with a peculiar expression, "This isn't the scheduled date for the True Lord's sermon. Why is everyone heading to the Magnanimous Ridge?"

Greetings, Esteemed Seniors.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator sensed their profoundly unfathomable auras and promptly bowed, then remarked with some curiosity, "The 2 Seniors must have been in secluded cultivation for many years, I presume?"

"I must inform you, Senior, that Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name) broke through to the Nascent Soul, 7th Tier (Cultivation Realm) 3 years ago, becoming 1 of the mighty True Lords renowned across the vast 100 Provinces."

Eldrin's pupils contracted slightly. He exchanged a glance with Lyra, then a look of pleasant surprise spread across his face.

A True Monarch at the late Nascent Soul stage possessed strength that transcended the mundane world. Such an existence could single-handedly overpower 5 True Monarchs with overwhelming force.

It is said that Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name) still possessed a relatively ample lifespan. Having now broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage, barring unforeseen circumstances, he would be able to cultivate all the way to the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul realm. There was even a glimmer of hope that he could summon the Heaven and Earth souls and break through to the Spirit Realm.

With this thought, Eldrin also ascended the Vastridge, intending to offer his congratulations to Magnus the Virtuous Lord.

As soon as they set foot upon the Vastridge, a man in azure robes came flying toward them. While still at a distance, he called out, "So it's you 2 fellow Daoists. I was wondering who would warrant this old man's personal welcome."

The newcomer was none other than Qingling Zhenren, disciple of Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name). With a smile, he grasped Eldrin (Person Name) by the arm and said, "Merely a 100-some years apart, and you've both already reached Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm). Truly, you live up to being the most exceptional talents in the Land of Ji."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist."

Lyra smiled faintly and said calmly, "I can see you're not far from reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, Fellow Daoist. Perhaps before long I'll have to address you as Senior."

Over 1 100 years had passed, and not only had Eldrin and Lyra experienced a meteoric rise in their cultivation, but even this Verdant Spirit Elder had made astonishing progress. In 1 continuous effort, he had advanced from the 8th level of the Golden Core realm to the Nascent Soul Embryo stage.

Elder Qingling shook his head and let out a bitter laugh. "What a pity that I failed both attempts at breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm, squandering 2 exceedingly precious Nascent Soul Formation Pills (Spiritual Object)."

Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly as he couldn't help but marvel at how easily True Master Qingling cultivated with the backing of a True Lord.

That Astrael (Person Name) had encountered no small opportunities, yet even after committing countless heinous deeds and exhausting his entire fortune, he had only managed to obtain 2 Nascent Soul Formation Pills (Spiritual Object).

Meanwhile, Patriarch Verdant Spirit, backed by the formidable late-stage Nascent Soul expert Magnus the Virtuous Lord, could afford to produce 2 or 3 Nascent Soul Formation Pills (Spiritual Object) under such dedicated cultivation without suffering significant depletion.

At this thought, Eldrin smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist, you are not even 8 100 years old yet and still have ample lifespan. Achieving the Nascent Soul stage should not be difficult for you.”

"It's not that simple. I still need to consume 1 or 2 fourth-grade Longevity Elixirs to accumulate sufficient lifespan and vital energy to attempt the Nascent Soul realm."

Master Qingling shook his head, yet he felt 40 to 50 percent certain in his heart. As a cultivator with mid-grade Golden Core aptitude, if he could obtain another Nascent Soul Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), his hopes of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm would be far from negligible.

With this thought in mind, he set the topic aside and said with a smile, "Have you both come today to congratulate my master?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin nodded, then produced the jade vial and handed it over.

Elder Qingling cast a glance and discovered 3 precious elixirs within the vial, their combined value likely exceeding 5,000,000 spirit stones.

A smile instantly bloomed across his face as he pulled Eldrin along, saying, “I’ve put you to expense, fellow Daoist. Please, follow me.”

The 2 followed Qingling Zhenren (Person Name) up to Haoran Peak (Location) and were settled in a cave abode within a spiritual mountain.

They waited atop the Spirit Mountain for a dozen or so days until the banquet of Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name) finally commenced. When the 2 arrived at the feast, they discovered that the number of cultivators in attendance had already reached tens of thousands.

The lowest cultivation base among these individuals was at least Foundation Establishment or higher, with most hailing from Heaven's Spine Mountains (Location) and several surrounding continents. Even Core Formation cultivators numbered over a dozen.

Eldrin knew few of that dozen or so Elders, but the Azure Spirit Elder made a point of accompanying them and introducing the various Elders.

As he continued his explanation, Eldrin gradually came to understand the origins of these individuals.

There were a total of 12 True Lords, among whom 3 hailed from the Ji Clan: Feiye the Nightbane, True Lord Feiyan, and True Lord Feikong.

Eldrin (Person Name) naturally recognized Feiye the Nightbane (Person Name). This individual was a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator, whose innate talent and potential were considered rare even among the tens of thousands of Nascent Soul practitioners.

Lord Feikong was a Human Path Nascent Soul cultivator. It was said he had already weathered 1 heavenly tribulation and lived for over 5 1000 years. Yet, constrained by the limitations of the Human Path Nascent Soul, his cultivation remained stagnant at Nascent Soul, 6th Tier (Cultivation Realm), utterly unable to advance further.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of blood and decay. A young man in tattered blue robes knelt amidst the snow, his fingers digging deep into the frozen earth. His name was Lin Feng, once the brightest talent of the Azure Cloud Sect, now a cripple abandoned by his own clan. "3 years..." he whispered, his breath forming mist in the frigid air. "3 years since my spiritual roots were severed." Suddenly, a warm current surged through his meridians, startling him. The ancient jade pendant hanging from his neck—his only inheritance from his deceased mother—began glowing with ethereal light. *Ding!* [System binding successful...] [Host: Lin Feng] [Cultivation: Shattered Foundation] [Detected Supreme Chaos Body... activating...] Lin Feng's eyes widened in disbelief. Countless cultivation methods and martial techniques flooded his mind, each more profound than the last. The pain that had tormented him for years began to fade, replaced by a strange, comforting warmth. He remembered the sneers of his former martial brothers, the pity in his master's eyes, and the cold indifference of the sect elders. Most of all, he remembered the betrayal that had cost him everything. "From today onward," Lin Feng vowed, his voice steady and cold as iron, "I will reclaim what is mine. Those who wronged me shall pay—a thousandfold." Deep within the forbidden grounds of the Azure Cloud Sect, an elder meditating in seclusion suddenly opened his eyes. "The aura of the Chaos Body... Impossible! That legacy was lost 10 1000 years ago!" Far away, in the celestial observatory of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, a star diviner watched as a new constellation blazed to life in the night sky. "The winds of change are stirring," she murmured. "The peace that has lasted for a 100 1000 years is about to shatter." Meanwhile, Lin Feng had already begun his first cycle of cultivation according to the mysterious technique that had appeared in his mind. Spiritual energy from heaven and earth converged toward him, forming a visible vortex above his head. The snow around him melted, and flowers bloomed where his tears had fallen. The journey of a new legend had begun.