Chapter 436 : Ambush of the Demon King

This was not a matter of the Spirit Shell Demon King being foolish; its intelligence was nearly on par with that of a Human Race Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] cultivator.

However, it resided deep within the heartland of the Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate demonic energy, often in opposition to humans], having had little contact or conflict with the Human Race for many years. The demons it typically interacted with were of low intellect, so it had never encountered such cunning stratagems and deceit.

Caught completely off guard, the Spirit Shell Demon King immediately fell into the trap, ambushed by Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang.

With Exquisite Jiang's current level of spiritual power launching a surprise attack, and wielding the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a legendary sword specifically forged to slay demonic beings], the poor Spirit Shell Demon King did not even comprehend what was happening before its life was ended with a single, decisive sword stroke.

"Let's go."

After slaying the Spirit Shell Demon King, the two retrieved the Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl condensed from pure water elemental essence] and, without pausing to loot the demon king's treasures, immediately retreated back into Chu Nation.

By the time the Demon Race realized what had transpired, the pair had already returned to Chu Nation, and the opportunity to pursue them had been lost.

Upon their return to Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen gazed at the Spirit Shell Pearl [a lustrous pearl formed within the shell of a spirit-nurturing demon beast] in his hand and remarked, "That went far more smoothly than anticipated."

"It was merely a matter of striking before they were prepared. The next time we act, the other Demon King [a powerful demonic being equivalent to a human Golden Core cultivator]s may not be so easily deceived."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, yet a pleased smile still touched her lips. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel . com.

The two of them went to the Clan Treasury and retrieved a portion of Fourth Rank Stellar Treasure Gold. They refined it together into a single Supreme-Grade Magic Treasure Stellar Treasure Pearl.

After successfully forging the Stellar Treasure Pearl, Eldrin Chen brought it to Pingyang City.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Old Patriarch smiled and said, "Your timing is perfect. Transplanting the Worldly Spiritual Root [a root of immense spiritual power that anchors the energy of a land] would be best done by you."

It turned out that during this time, the Old Patriarch had finally located a suitable place to transplant the Spiritual Root [a natural formation that gathers and channels spiritual energy].

Without delay, Eldrin Chen took matters into his own hands. He carefully excavated the Enlightenment Tea Tree along with a large mass of its surrounding soil. Then, using a Treasure Ship [a flying vessel used by cultivators], he transported it to the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland.

After a journey of several days, they came to a stop in the central region of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland, upon a vast and open plain.

A great river snaked its way across the plain, its course stretching toward the seemingly endless horizon of the Great Wasteland.

Upon the banks of this river stood a majestic city, already home to a populace numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

The Old Patriarch gazed down at the wilderness below, a smile gracing his features. "This city is named Ancient Barren City," he said. "We have been developing it for over sixty years now. It is more than sufficient to sustain mortal life."

The location of Ancient Barren City was a primordial expanse of rolling hills and barren plains. For countless ages, it had been a land of tangled weeds and scrub, with scarcely a tall tree to be seen.

Several rivers that traverse the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland flow through this area. Once developed, they could facilitate water transport for the mortal populace.

This extensive network of waterways, combined with the relatively flat terrain—a topography common throughout most of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland—makes it a rather rare find even within the broader Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

Eldrin Chen descended with the Enlightenment Tea Tree and transplanted it at the city's heart. He then nourished it with three wisps of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme, primordial energy of creation].

After completing these tasks, he stated, "I intend to focus on comprehending a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique]. The matter of relocating the population will require your careful attention."

"You may cultivate in peace," the Old Patriarch replied.

The Old Patriarch nodded. Henceforth, he would take up residence within this Ancient Barren City to oversee the family's migration.

Eldrin Chen returned to Yu County, and his days resumed their former tranquility. On this day, he took up the Enlightenment Tea [a tea that enhances comprehension and insight] and began deducing the principles of the Trinity Divine Thunder.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, the potency of the Trinity Divine Thunder should reach the realm of a Great God Ability [a Divine Ability of legendary, world-shaking power].

Deducing a Great God Ability would undoubtedly be a monumental challenge, but success would grant him another ultimate trump card to hold in reserve.

The Fourth-Rank Enlightenment Tea produced by the Enlightenment Tea Tree is an exceedingly precious treasure for Golden Core Cultivators [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a Golden Core].

This Heaven and Earth Spirit Tea [a legendary tea brewed from spiritual leaves that enhances comprehension] possesses extraordinary effects. After consuming it, the comprehension ability of a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] is greatly enhanced. An ordinary Golden Core Cultivator who drinks a cup of this Spirit Tea will find their comprehension increased by more than threefold for a period of three months.

Eldrin Chen's innate comprehension was already peerless and rare throughout the ages, so the amplifying effect of this Spirit Tea was not as dramatic for him. Nevertheless, it still significantly boosted his perceptive abilities.

With the assistance of this Spirit Tea, Eldrin Chen's speed in comprehending the Trinity Divine Thunder [a supreme thunder technique that combines three elemental forces] also increased considerably. His progress in deducing the intricacies of the Trinity Divine Thunder advanced step by steady step.

In truth, as his cultivation base had deepened over time, his understanding of various Divine Ability [supernatural techniques powered by spiritual energy] and cultivation arts had grown increasingly profound. Now, as he focused on deducing this Trinity Divine Thunder, the pace of his progress accelerated markedly.

With his mind free from distraction and his entire focus devoted to cultivating and deducing the Divine Ability, his advancement surged forward dramatically for a time.

In the blink of an eye, seven full years passed. On this day, Eldrin Chen channeled his spiritual power, manifesting the three divine thunders of First Wood [the primal essence of the Wood element], Positive Water [the pure essence of the Water element], and Blazing Third Fire [a divine thunder of intense flame]. A look of intense concentration flashed in his eyes. This content originates from *audio-novel.com*. Please respect copyright.

"Water nourishes Wood, Wood fuels Fire... yet Water and Fire oppose each other," he murmured.

"The convergence of three divine thunders must form a tripartite, self-sustaining cycle of power."

"Success or failure hinges on this single attempt."

Eldrin Chen whispered to himself. During this period of cultivation, he had used the three divine thunders—First Wood, Positive Water, and Blazing Third Fire—as his foundation, continuously evolving his understanding of the First Wood Divine Thunder [the divine thunder technique of the Wood element]. Now, he had reached the critical juncture.

As the Dao patterns of the three divine thunders continued to intertwine, the expression in Eldrin Chen's eyes grew increasingly grave. At that very moment, one of the patterns dimmed, and the entire structure of the Trinity Divine Thunder's Dao patterns began to unravel.

"This is bad."

Seeing the situation turn dire, Eldrin Chen's pupils constricted sharply. He immediately began to disperse the Dao patterns.

Alas, his reaction was a fraction too slow. The infinite Dao patterns exploded, and a ripple of the backlash energy spilled out, shattering the entire Cultivation Room with countless fissures.

Fortunately, the Cultivation Room was densely inscribed with Formation arrays [mystical energy patterns used for containment and protection], which contained the blast within its confines. Otherwise, the force of that single strike would have likely sunk the earth for a hundred Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in every direction.

"What happened?"

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

"It is nothing serious," Eldrin Chen shook his head, sweeping the dust away with a flick of his sleeve. "It was merely a minor ripple of backlash energy that escaped. It could not harm me."

Exquisite Jiang took his hand, her worry evident. "Do not rush your cultivation. We have ample time ahead of us. You must not let impatience take hold."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and stepped out from within the Seclusion Chamber.

He strolled along the corridor, only then realizing that, without him noticing, the deep winter season had arrived. Goose-feather-like snowflakes drifted ceaselessly from the sky, laying a blanket of white frost upon the earth of Spirit Isle Lake.

In the distant Ten-Mile Peach Grove, the trees were no longer laden with peach blossoms, but were instead burdened with snow weighing down their bare branches.

Flocks of Violet-Striped Goose huddled amidst the frost, seemingly unwilling to stir even a feather in the bitter cold.

Standing before the pavilion, Eldrin Chen breathed in the crisp, icy air and shook his head, remarking, "These past years have been spent either rushing about to battle, secluded in cultivation, or handling various affairs."

"It has been a long, long time since we have truly beheld the snows of this southern land."

The frost and snow of Spirit Isle Lake are counted among its most breathtaking sights. It is a pity that snow does not fall often in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, making this particular spectacle a rare one indeed.

Exquisite Jiang draped a thick cloak over his shoulders. Gazing at the tall, straight-backed figure before her, he seemed to have grown even more imposing. She then said softly, "The winters these past years seem to grow ever colder." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel dot com.