Chapter 437 : Snowbound Zither and Celestial Dance

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen took her hand, gazing at the breathtaking figure before him with a smile. "It has been a long time since I played the zither. Dance for me."

"Alright."

Goose-feather snow fell ceaselessly between heaven and earth, silver frost blanketing the great land, rendering all things solemn and desolate.

Upon the pavilion, a warm stove emitted wispy tendrils of blue smoke, carrying a faint, exotic fragrance that coiled around the entire Lake Heart Island.

That figure clad in a snow-white gown danced gracefully amidst the wind and snow, like a celestial maiden from the Nine Heavens descending to the mortal realm, possessing an ethereal, untouchable divine grace.

Eldrin Chen was draped in a white cloak, his long, dark hair loosely cascading down. His eyes, clear as mirrors, reflected that peerlessly beautiful figure.

He pressed down on the zither strings, and notes of profound, unparalleled emptiness began to sound, their melody echoing throughout the heavens and the earth.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment. The zither music was exquisitely beautiful and ethereal, while the celestial maiden dancing in the snow possessed a grace that eclipsed the world. The howling wind and snow, in that instant, seemed to become an accompaniment to the melody.

Eldrin Chen felt his mind and spirit ease. The tightly wound pressures of before dissolved into nothingness, and his consciousness sublimated in an intangible way. This novel is serialized on audio–novel.com. Visit for updates.

A rare tranquility filled his heart. Eldrin Chen felt his thoughts expanding, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] growing rapidly and continuously.

"A moment of enlightenment [a sudden, profound comprehension of a cosmic truth]?"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. Having cultivated for three hundred years, it had been a long time since he had naturally entered such a state of enlightenment.

In truth, given his innate comprehension, entering enlightenment should not have been so difficult. Only now was he beginning to understand.

One must properly empty the mind and carefully contemplate the scenery and profound mysteries of heaven and earth to more easily enter a deep state of enlightenment.

Although such enlightenment was precious, Eldrin Chen did not begin to contemplate any Divine Ability [a supernatural power derived from profound cultivation]. Instead, he continued to gently strum the ancient zither, accompanying her dance.

Indeed, while she danced for him, was he not also playing for her?

Much later, as the final note faded, Exquisite Jiang approached. "What is the name of this melody?"

"This piece is called, Left Hand Points to the Moon."

Eldrin Chen pressed down on the strings, stilling their lingering resonance. Only then did he close his eyes and begin to contemplate the Divine Ability.

Within the state of enlightenment [a profound meditative state where comprehension accelerates], Eldrin Chen felt his spiritual sense [the extended perception of a cultivator] rapidly intensifying. The Five-Colored Spirit Refining Great Art within him surged with unprecedented fervor, ceaselessly tempering and refining the power of his soul essence [the core spiritual energy of a being].

In this transcendent state, his comprehension of Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique] advanced by leaps and bounds.

In a mere three days, he had completely deduced the Trinity Divine Thunder, successfully creating his first Great God Ability [a supreme-level supernatural technique].

This enlightenment proved exceptionally enduring. Even after forging the Great God Ability, he did not emerge from the profound state.

Seizing the opportunity, he began to deduce the refinement method for a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact bound to its user's life force], focusing his efforts on the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

This Lifebound Immortal Sword had been Eldrin Chen's companion for nearly three centuries. It was virtually an extension of his own will, the Immortal Sword he wielded with the greatest proficiency for Slaughter.

Only after another two full days had passed, with the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword successfully deduced, did Eldrin Chen finally withdraw from his enlightenment.

The moment he opened his eyes, he was met with the peerlessly beautiful visage of Exquisite Jiang. "How do you feel?" she asked.

"Better than ever before,"

Eldrin Chen nodded, a genuine smile gracing his features.

This time, by relying on the profound mysteries within the Five Elements Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the power of the five fundamental elements], he gained enlightenment and comprehended the Trinity Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique that unifies three distinct powers into one]. His strength was destined for a monumental leap forward.

After all, once the Five Elements Grand Cycle [a perfect, self-sustaining circulation of the five elemental energies] was established within his body, the might of the divine thunder Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique] he unleashed would increase explosively, while the spiritual energy consumed would be merely half that of an ordinary Divine Ability.

Judging by spiritual energy consumption alone, the Trinity Divine Thunder had already surpassed the Light-Splitting Shadow-Condensing Sword Art [a sword art capable of splitting light and condensing shadows] and would become the most practical Great God Ability [a pinnacle-level divine technique] in Eldrin Chen's arsenal.

Furthermore, advancing the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a sword imbued with solar fire and abyssal power] to the realm of a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to one's life force, growing in power with its wielder] saved Eldrin Chen a vast amount of time, allowing him to advance the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a sword forged specifically to slay demons] by at least one Jiazi-time.

Upon hearing Eldrin Chen's account, Exquisite Jiang said excitedly, "Since the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword has been deduced, the time to deal with Crimson Flame True Lord can be moved forward."

"Very well," Dive deeper into the Dao at audi novel.com.

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. In truth, once Exquisite Jiang had refined the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword, they already possessed the confidence to slay Crimson Flame True Lord.

They had merely postponed the act because they needed Crimson Flame True Lord to refine the Netherworld Energy [a potent, shadowy energy from the underworld] within the Netherworld Stone [a rare ore infused with underworld essence].

However, now that they possessed the Spiritual Treasure Chapter [a specific chapter or method for refining spiritual treasures] for the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, further delay seemed rather inappropriate.

The best method for Eldrin Chen to advance his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword was to use Crimson Flame True Lord's own Companion Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure that has grown alongside its master] as a material component.

However, the next Beast Tide [a periodic invasion of monstrous beasts] is only about forty years away, while the opening of the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a legendary sword forged in solar fire and abyssal energy] requires a full thirty-year cycle.

Even if they obtain the sword by then, wanting to simultaneously elevate two Lifebound Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme magical treasures bound to one's life force, specialized for subduing demons] would likely be impossible within the remaining timeframe.

Having considered this, Exquisite Jiang spoke, "Nearly thirty years have passed. The Netherworld Energy [corruptive energy from the underworld] within the Netherworld Stone [a rare ore infused with underworld essence] has probably been mostly purged by now."

"A significant amount likely remains, but by then, we can use the Formation [a structured array for channeling energy] of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a sea of eternal, imprisoning flames] to refine it, and with the assistance of Senior Slanting Sun Wheel [a magical treasure shaped like a slanted solar disc], it should be possible to complete the purification."

"Then let us depart immediately," said Eldrin Chen, rising to his feet.

As the time for the sword's thirty-year cycle to open was drawing near, they did not delay. They directly took to their flying swords and headed for the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

After several months of flight, they arrived within the borders of Tianlu Continent [the Celestial Reed Continent]. No sooner had they set foot there than they received troubling news.

Celestial Star Child [a Daoist title meaning 'Child of the Celestial Stars'] had recently undergone his Infant Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation required to advance to the Infant Soul realm] and, against all odds, had successfully ascended to the realm of an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has solidified their Primordial Spirit into an Infant Soul, granting them the title of True Lord].

"This complicates matters,"

Eldrin Chen murmured, his expression grave. To have a True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator, often at the Infant Soul realm or above] as an enemy, even one newly ascended to the Infant Soul [the cultivation realm where the Primordial Spirit matures into a nascent, independent form], was a profoundly difficult situation to accept.

Exquisite Jiang also wore a grave expression, her brow furrowed as she said, "It seems that after plundering the Qian Clan, he has still managed to accumulate sufficient foundation."

"Fortunately, although he succeeded in transcending the tribulation, he also suffered significant injuries. I estimate his cultivation hasn't even fully stabilized yet."

"Let's go slay the Crimson Flame True Lord first and retrieve the treasure before anything else."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded and, together with Exquisite Jiang, flew into the heart of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

By now, the time for the ruins to open was not far off. After waiting within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire for over half a year, they finally witnessed the appointed hour arrive.

Upon entering the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, the two made their way to the core of the ancient ruins.

When the guardian of the Selene's Ring saw their arrival, it assumed they had come to offer aid: "Thirty years ago, you provided the Netherworld Stone to serve as a Formation Eye. For you to come again now to assist shows true dedication."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head and spoke directly, "Senior, in truth, we have come here to eliminate the Crimson Flame True Lord."

"Oh?"

The Selene's Ring trembled faintly, only then sensing something amiss and detecting the aura of two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme artifacts specifically designed to suppress and vanquish demonic beings] within Exquisite Jiang's body.

A mere Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a solid golden core, a mid-stage realm] actually possessing two such supreme treasures left them utterly astounded.

The Slanting Sun Wheel [a magical treasure shaped like a radiant, tilted sun] cast its light, its voice trembling slightly as it spoke, "What remarkable fortune you possess. Even my master, Slanting Sun True Lord, holds only three Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure in his possession."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a trace of realization. That Slanting Sun True Lord was a powerful True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator title, often equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm] of the Infant Soul 4th Tier [the fourth stage of the Nascent Soul realm]. To think he possessed merely three such treasures underscored their immense rarity and value. Join our community of readers at audio-novel.com (official site).