Chapter 442 : The Sword of Ascendant Flames

After traversing the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning and thunder that tests a cultivator's foundation], the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss descended from the heavens.

It landed before Eldrin Chen, its voice serene. "Master."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. His hand closed around the hilt of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. The sword was a masterpiece of otherworldly beauty, shimmering with iridescent light. Its pale violet Separated Flame [a rare and potent spiritual flame] seemed capable of incinerating the very Firmament [the vault of heaven].

The consciousness of a Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personal sword, bound to their soul and grown with them] originates from the sliver of spiritual awareness the cultivator first imprinted upon it. Thus, in essence, the Lifebound Immortal Sword is another incarnation of the cultivator themselves.

Heart and mind in perfect sync with the immortal sword, Eldrin Chen immediately perceived the profound mysteries of this Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword. Having drawn upon the boundless fiery power of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, its might surpassed even their loftiest expectations by a significant margin.

"How does it feel?"

Noting his pleased expression, Lyra Jiang inquired promptly.

Stowing the Lifebound Immortal Sword, Eldrin Chen allowed a smile. "With this sword in hand, I have finally touched the threshold of the Eastern Wastelands's paramount powerhouses."

"That is good."

Conversing as they went, the two returned within the ancient ruins. Original English translation available at audio~novel.com.

Seeing their return, the Moonlight Wheel [a powerful enchanted artifact shaped like a wheel of moonlight] spoke with a hint of amusement in its tone. "Another spiritual treasure has ascended in rank. This is truly a cause for celebration."

"We owe our thanks to the assistance of you two Seniors," Eldrin Chen replied with a smile. He then turned his gaze to the Setting Sun Wheel [a companion artifact to the Moonlight Wheel]. "Now that the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a demon-subduing immortal sword imbued with the power of the Separated Flame] has advanced, a single strike from it can aid in refining the Netherworld Qi [a malevolent, corrupting energy from the underworld]. That should lighten your burden somewhat, Senior."

"Indeed it will,"

replied the Setting Sun Wheel calmly. Given its own formidable power and the support of the Formation [a mystical array or pattern that channels and amplifies energy], it would have originally taken over a dozen more years to fully refine the Netherworld Qi. However, with the addition of a fire-attribute Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a sword specifically forged to combat demonic entities], that time could be shortened by five or six years.

And so, from that day forth, Eldrin Chen's daily routine, beyond his cultivation practice, centered primarily on channeling the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to refine the encroaching Netherworld Qi.

Time flowed on, swift and unrelenting. In the blink of an eye, another three years passed. Then, on this day, an unexpected visitor arrived within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a perilous region of eternal, scorching flames].

The newcomer was none other than Astrael. Clad in a Starry Daoist Robe [a robe adorned with patterns resembling constellations], he positioned himself directly before the entrance to the ancient ruins.

"It's him?"

The Moonlight Wheel sensed the anomaly, its voice tinged with surprise.

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression turning grave. "Senior, do you know him as well?"

"Naturally, I recognize him."

The Setting Sun Treasure Wheel [a powerful enchanted artifact shaped like a setting sun] spoke, and as its voice flowed forth, Eldrin Chen finally understood the full sequence of events.

Back when Eldrin Chen first entered the ruins, he had been pursued all the way to its entrance by this Astrael. It was right outside those ruins that they had repelled him.

Although Astrael was defeated and forced to retreat that time, he was, after all, a cultivator at the False Nascent Soul [a quasi-Nascent Soul realm, stronger than Golden Core but not a true Nascent Soul] realm. Thus, he still managed to detect faint traces of the ruins' existence.

Later, in his quest to explore the ruins, Astrael ventured to the Sun and Moon Sect Ruins [the ancient, ruined stronghold of the Sun and Moon Sect] on two separate occasions.

Unfortunately, Astrael's strength was still insufficient at that time. Furthermore, he failed to arrive at the correct temporal juncture. In the end, he was barred from entry by the powerful Formation [a complex array of magical energy used for defense, attack, or other purposes] guarding the site.

Moreover, the threshold to Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their immortal soul essence] was within his grasp back then. Thus, he simply shifted his focus entirely to achieving his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

Now, Astrael had broken through to the Nascent Soul realm only a few decades prior. He had barely recovered ninety percent of his injuries and had just consolidated his cultivation base when he hurriedly returned to the site of the previous clash.

After hearing the Setting Sun Treasure Wheel recount the cause and effect, a grave expression settled on Eldrin Chen's face. He spoke directly, "To be frank, this man and I share significant karma."

"Long ago, I swore a Heart Demon Blood Oath [a powerful, binding vow sealed with one's blood and soul; breaking it invites inner demons and severe cultivation backlash]..."

Eldrin Chen spoke with calm authority, recounting the matter concerning Lin Daoyang to the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme enchanted artifacts specifically designed to vanquish demonic entities].

After listening, the Moonlight Wheel [a mystical wheel imbued with the essence of moonlight] spoke, "His actions were ruthless and merciless; this calamity is a fitting retribution. We shall lend you our aid."

"My gratitude," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "Stand guard for us, ensure he does not escape."

As they conversed, the Astrael outside strode forward, his voice cool and detached. "Will you open the ruins yourselves, or shall this True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has attained a high level of enlightenment] do it for you?"

Clad in a robe woven with constellations, Astrael stood silently before the ancient ruins. An intangible pressure emanated from him, quelling the boundless sea of flames into an eerie stillness.

His gaze swept over the site, piercing through the layered Formation [magical arrays or barriers] to discern the figures of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang concealed within. Read, share, and discuss at audio–novel.com.

"Them?" Astrael's pupils contracted slightly. A thought flashed through his mind: "It is said Lyra Jiang has forged a lifebound Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a personal immortal sword of immense power, specifically attuned to slay demons]. Her strength is likely sufficient to rival a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul, a spiritual infant, and reached the pinnacle of that realm]."

"I have only recently broken through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms a spiritual infant, a significant leap in power and longevity] and possess not a single Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure. Facing their combined assault would likely end poorly for me."

A weight settled in Astrael's heart, and he resolved to withdraw for the time being.

Yet Eldrin Chen had no intention of letting him depart. With a casual flick of his wrist, he unleashed a cascade of divine thunderbolts from the heavens.

After his breakthrough into the Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Golden Core realm], the mana of Eldrin Chen was no weaker than that of a False Nascent Soul Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a pseudo-Nascent Soul]. When he channeled his Divine Ability [a powerful innate or cultivated supernatural technique], it could now pose a credible threat to such a foe.

Facing the Divine Ability he unleashed, Astrael's pupils narrowed with a cold glint. With a flick of his sleeve, a brilliant stream of starlight-infused Sword Qi [sword energy formed from concentrated spiritual power] shot forth.

"White Metal Starlight Sword Radiance."

Eldrin Chen's eyes contracted slightly. As expected of a True Lord [an honorary title for a powerful Nascent Soul realm cultivator], the Divine Ability Astrael casually employed possessed power far surpassing the False Nascent Soul Realm. It was potent enough to severely injure or even slay an ordinary Golden Core Late Stage Cultivators.

He dared not be negligent. Hurriedly, he summoned his Dual Polarity Divine Thunder [a divine thunder art harnessing opposing elemental forces] to parry the incoming strike.

"*Clang—*"

Seizing the moment, Lyra Jiang made her move.

With a raised hand, she summoned the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for slaying immortals] and sent it cleaving directly towards Astrael's head.

As the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [another name for the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword] descended, a prickle of alarm ran down Astrael's scalp. He had faced Eldrin Chen with relative ease, but he dared not meet the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword head-on.

Channeled by Lyra Jiang's exceptionally pure and potent mana, the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword unleashed a might that rivaled a full-force strike from a genuine Nascent Soul True Lord.

Astrael simultaneously unleashed his Divine Ability to counter the attack while turning to summon his escape light, his heart seething with resentment. "How hateful," he muttered bitterly. "If my Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally forged and soul-bound enchanted artifact] had not been destroyed, I would never be bullied like this by them wielding their Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts].

The Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic thunder tribulation one must survive to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm] is notoriously difficult to survive. As a Rogue Cultivator [an unaffiliated cultivator without sect or clan backing], Astrael possessed no Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact specifically designed to counter demonic forces and heavenly tribulations] to aid him in overcoming the trial. The price he paid to survive his Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation had been devastatingly steep.

During that recent Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the manifestation of heavenly wrath during a cultivation breakthrough], his Life-Bound Magical Treasure, the Six-Soul Bell, the Celestial Star Furnace, and even his Ancient Bronze Shield had all been shattered and consumed by the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

That Celestial Star Furnace in particular was a grievous loss. This treasure had been forged from Nine Heavens [a mythical realm of supreme purity and power] Star Fragment [a fragment of celestial essence fallen from the heavens], the very same material used to elevate Lyra Jiang's Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword.

Yet even that formidable and renowned Magical Treasure could not withstand the fury of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

Now, Astrael was left with almost no high-grade Magical Treasure. Relying solely on the Divine Ability [innate or mastered supernatural powers] he had cultivated, he found himself struggling under the combined assault of the two opponents.

Lyra Jiang alone was enough to press him into a disadvantage. How could he possibly contend with Eldrin Chen now unleashing such terrifying combat prowess as well?

Seeing that he could not gain the upper hand, Astrael had no desire to prolong the futile struggle. He summoned his escape light and shot towards the east. But he had flown only a short distance when a dazzling radiance of treasure light slammed down upon him, staggering him mid-flight. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel . com.