Chapter 451 : Forged in Heavenly Tribulation

Within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary sea of eternal, scorching flames], Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather to unleash heavenly punishment upon cultivators] churned and roiled. A single Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a cultivator's most intimately bound and powerful enchanted artifact] hovered within the Firmament [the vast, boundless sky], its form flickering between solidity and illusion.

Waves of void energy enveloped the heavens, while the radiance of Yin-Yang Dual Polarity Magnetic power rotated in a grand cycle. The unleashed force shimmered with the terrifying potential to sunder heaven from earth.

This Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] had been fused with Spiritual Treasure-grade Void Gem [a rare crystal imbued with spatial properties] and had absorbed vast quantities of Yin-Yang Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. It now possessed a profound and astonishing mystery.

As bolt after bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the devastating lightning strikes of a heavenly trial] crashed down, the treasure unfurled a vast canopy of Yin-Yang energy. Its form then subtly faded into the void itself, achieving an arcane state where myriad laws and attacks seemed unable to touch it.

An immeasurable span of time seemed to pass. Finally, the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a mystical mirror that manipulates the forces of Yin, Yang, and the Void] descended, having been bathed in boundless Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, and returned to float before Eldrin Chen.

"A magnificent treasure," he murmured.

Gazing at the opulent Treasure Mirror [an enchanted mirror of great power] now wreathed in the polar lights of Yin and Yang, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a look of profound delight.

Though its direct offensive power might not rival that of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a legendary sword imbued with the power of Separated Flame], this Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void was a first-rate Lifebound Spiritual Treasure. In terms of sheer arcane subtlety and versatility, it was likely peerless in all the world.

The Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power mastered by a cultivator] of this Void Mirror was extraordinarily profound, transcending simple notions of attack and defense. Its magnetic force could suppress Flying Sword [a sword controlled by spiritual will to fly and attack] and other Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]; even a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [an artifact of the highest order specifically designed to vanquish demons], if caught off guard, could be immobilized by it.

Its Yin-Yang power could be deployed as a celestial curtain, defending against all manner of spells and Divine Ability. Conversely, when unleashed as twin beams of radiance, it could transform into Annihilation Divine Light capable of erasing even the most formidable foes from existence. Continue reading this story at site: audio-novel.com.

The power of the Void [the fundamental emptiness or space between realms] was profoundly mysterious. Not only could it seal the void for a thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in all directions, but it could also tear through the void to instantly traverse a hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single escape.

Having sensed the profound mysteries of the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a treasure capable of manipulating the forces of Yin, Yang, and the Void], Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "While its offensive power may not surpass that of the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword, this Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void excels in both attack and defense. Moreover, it is a first-rate auxiliary Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure specifically designed to suppress and vanquish demons]."

"Indeed," Lyra Jiang replied with delight after listening. "With this treasure in hand, your capabilities have become exceptionally formidable, a rarity in itself."

"Whether it's for sealing and slaying powerful foes or for traversing the boundless void to make a swift escape, you now possess unparalleled freedom of movement."

Having successfully elevated his second Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and cultivation], Eldrin Chen had accomplished the goal of this journey. He stored the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void away and returned to the ruins, his gaze falling upon the recovered Sun and Moon Twin Wheels [a pair of powerful treasures representing the sun and the moon].

The Moonlight Wheel [one of the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels, embodying lunar power] regarded Eldrin Chen with a note of admiration. "You have not yet entered the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their spiritual core, a major milestone] Realm, yet you have already elevated two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure. Your fortune, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term used among cultivators], is enough to stir envy in the hearts of many a Nascent Soul True Lord [an honorific title for a powerful cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm]."

"Were it not for the assistance of you two, who helped purge the Netherworld Qi [corruptive energy from the underworld] from the Netherworld Gemstone [a rare gemstone infused with underworld energy], who knows how many more years it would have taken for my treasure to achieve its ascension," Eldrin Chen said with a smile. He paused briefly, then continued with gravity, "The impending Beast Tide Calamity [a catastrophic invasion by hordes of demonic beasts] is upon us. I wish to request that you two Seniors emerge from seclusion and lend us your strength."

"We are aware of this matter," the Moonlight Wheel responded. "If your words hold true, then this conflict may well be the greatest war the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents [a poetic name for the vast, interconnected lands of this cultivation world] has witnessed in a Millennium [a period of one thousand years]."

"Once the Ji Clan [a powerful and ancient immortal clan] makes its move, they will not rest until their objective is achieved. This battle is destined to be one of unparalleled ferocity and devastation."

"This battle is destined to be one of unparalleled ferocity and devastation."

The Setting Sun Treasure Wheel [a powerful magical treasure shaped like a wheel, embodying the power of the setting sun] spoke with a tone of solemnity, "Very well. Although I have not yet fully recovered, I possess sufficient strength for battle. I shall accompany you on this campaign beyond the mountains."

Once the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [artifacts of immense power specifically designed to suppress and vanquish demonic forces] resolved to venture forth, Eldrin Chen immediately departed the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a perilous region of eternal, scorching flames] with them.

They moved without alerting anyone, slipping back into Chu Kingdom undetected. Eldrin Chen then sought out Old Patriarch at the first opportunity.

Upon meeting Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen wasted no time in asking, "During my absence, has the Ji Clan [a powerful and ancient immortal clan] issued any summons for conscription?"

"None."

Old Patriarch shook his head, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Logically, if the Ji Clan truly intends to fight, they should be marshaling their forces to deliver a decisive blow against the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for monstrous, demonic races]. Why then is there still no movement?"

Eldrin Chen also furrowed his brow. With the next Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by hordes of demonic beasts] less than three years away, even Chu Kingdom had begun preparations, gathering troops and directing them towards Earth Lion Ridge and Celestial Python Lake. Yet, why was the Ji Clan still inactive?

He paced back and forth for a long moment before shaking his head again. "Once the Ji Clan commits to war, their objective must be to slay an entity of the Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings, possessing immense power] grade. However, beings of that True Lord Demon Emperor [a title for a Demon Emperor who has also attained the cultivation realm of a True Lord] caliber possess survival capabilities far beyond our imagination."

"If they cannot catch the Demonic Tribe off guard, it will be exceedingly difficult to eliminate a peerless Demon Emperor. I suspect the Ji Clan is currently maintaining secrecy to prevent information leaks. They are waiting for the perfect moment to strike with a fatal blow."

Chen Thalion's eyes narrowed slightly. He clasped his hands behind his back, took a few steps, and then handed a jade slip to Eldrin Chen. "This contains intelligence on the Demon Emperor within the Azure Wave Lake [a vast lake known for its azure, spirit-rich waters], as well as information on the territories of several nearby Demon Emperor. It was gathered over these past years."

"Oh."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a glimmer of delight. He promptly opened the dossier to examine its contents, but his brow soon furrowed with deep contemplation.

The domain of Azure Wave Lake spans nearly twenty million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Its ruler, the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, is an existence on the verge of transforming into a True Dragon [the supreme form of dragon-kind]. Legends speak of its power being not inferior to that of Ji Clan Patriarch, ranking it among the top three most formidable Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic tribes] within the Vast and Boundless Marsh.

Should such an existence break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, it would transform into an Azure Dragon [one of the divine dragon types] among the True Dragon [the supreme form of dragon-kind], becoming the second True Dragon Demon Progenitor after the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor, and an unparalleled, formidable enemy for the Human Race.

Atop this list was the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, with seven other names following.

Ranked second was one named the Violet Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. This Violet Flood Dragon Demon Emperor is said to be a thunder flood dragon, innately capable of wielding the power of lightning. Its strength has reached the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage], and its offensive prowess is rumored to rival even those at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a transitional state between Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit]. Published by AUDIO-NOVEL.COM. All rights reserved.

Ranked third was a being that attained the Dao through snail cultivation. This Demon Emperor bears the title 'Inscription of Sorrow Lord' and possesses strength at the Nascent Soul, 7th Tier [the seventh layer of the Nascent Soul realm]. It was subdued by the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor and became the Grand Elder [a senior leader] of the Demonic Tribe [a tribe of demonic beings] within Azure Wave Lake.

The fourth Demon Emperor is one from the crocodile tribe, with cultivation at the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm]. The fifth Demon Emperor is a Five-Colored Heaven-Devouring Serpent, said to possess a trace of divine beast bloodline.

The remaining three Demon Emperor are all direct descendants of the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's bloodline: one is the Crimson Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, the second is another Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, and the third is the Frost Flood Dragon Demon Emperor.

These three Flood Dragon Demon Emperor have relatively lower cultivation, merely at the Nascent Soul [the realm of forming a nascent soul] stage, yet they remain formidable Demon Emperor powerhouses not to be underestimated.

Beyond the eight Demon Emperor [supreme rulers of demonic tribes] residing at Azure Wave Lake, within the lineage of the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor to the southwest of Ji Continent, two more Demon Emperor hold dominion. Furthermore, the territories north of Qi Kingdom are also claimed by the lineage of the Golden-Winged Great Peng Demon Emperor.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng lineage occupies two Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [exceptionally potent spiritual energy sources] and boasts three Demon Emperor at the Nascent Soul [the realm of spiritual manifestation] realm. This tribe preys upon flood dragons, yet the fundamental enmity between humans and demons remains; in a critical moment, they would likely intervene.

"This coming conflict will be no easy battle,"

Eldrin Chen sighed after reviewing the intelligence.

Ji Continent borders the Demonic Tribe Territory, surrounded by the domains of Demon Emperor from neighboring Demonic Tribe [organized demonic societies]. This ledger alone records Thirteen Demon Emperors.

This count does not even include the two Demon Emperor of the Heaven's Spine Mountains. Calculating thus, the immense pressure borne by the Ji Clan becomes starkly apparent.

Forging a path forward would be exceedingly difficult. Even with a powerhouse like Magnus the Virtuous holding the line against the Demon Emperor of the Heaven's Spine Mountains and Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, breaking the deadlock remains a formidable challenge.

Unless they could mobilize the strength of the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents [the broader cultivation world], compelling the other great continents to lend their aid. The complete novel can be found at audio . novel . com.