Chapter 442 : The Sword of Solar Fire Descends

After traversing the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning that refines a cultivator's spirit and body], the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword forged from solar essence and abyssal fire] descended from the sky.

It landed before Eldrin Chen and spoke with serene detachment, "Master."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. He grasped the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, finding it extraordinarily resplendent, radiating a flowing, iridescent light. Its pale violet Solar Fire [a divine flame born of the sun's purest essence] seemed capable of incinerating the very Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky].

The consciousness of a Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword whose spirit is intrinsically bound to its master's soul] originates from the first wisp of spiritual sense its master imprinted upon the Immortal Sword [a transcendent blade forged for immortal use]. Thus, strictly speaking, the Lifebound Immortal Sword is another manifestation of the cultivator themself.

Sharing a profound mental connection with the Immortal Sword, Eldrin Chen immediately perceived the divine peculiarities of this Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [an immortal-grade sword specifically honed to vanquish demonic beings]. Having drawn upon the boundless fiery power of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary sea of eternal, imprisoning flames], its might actually surpassed initial expectations by a significant margin.

"How does it feel?"

Noting his delighted expression, Exquisite Jiang promptly inquired.

Stowing the Lifebound Immortal Sword, Eldrin Chen smiled. "With this sword in hand, I have finally touched the threshold of the top-tier powerhouses within the Eastern Region."

"That is good."

As they conversed, the two made their way back into the depths of the ruins. For more chapters, visit *audio-novel.com* for the complete novel.

Seeing their return, Selene's Ring remarked with a hint of a smile, "Yet another Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] has ascended in rank this time. 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 Slanting Sun Wheel and continued, "Now that the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword has advanced, its strikes can aid in refining the Netherworld Energy [a dense, yin-aligned spiritual essence]. This should lighten your burden somewhat, Senior."

"Indeed it will,"

the Slanting Sun Wheel stated calmly. With its own power and the support of the Formation [a structured array for gathering or channeling energy], it would have originally taken over a dozen more years to refine the Netherworld Energy. However, the addition of a fire-attribute Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword could shave five or six years off that time.

From that day forth, aside from his daily cultivation, Eldrin Chen's primary task became channeling the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to refine the Netherworld Energy.

"..."

Time flowed on like a swift river. In the blink of an eye, another three years passed. Then, one day, an uninvited guest arrived at the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

The visitor was none other than the Celestial Star Child [a title for a powerful cultivator associated with stellar arts]. Clad in a Stellar Path Robe, he positioned himself directly outside the entrance to the ancient ruins.

"It's actually him?"

Selene's Ring, sensing the disturbance, spoke with a tone of surprise.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, his expression turning grave as he inquired, "Senior, do you perhaps know him as well?"

"Naturally, I do."

The Slanting Sun Wheel [a powerful, sun-themed magical artifact] spoke, and as its tale unfolded, Eldrin Chen finally understood the full sequence of events.

Years ago, during Eldrin Chen's first entry into the ruins, he had been pursued all the way to its entrance by this Celestial Star Child [a cultivator title meaning 'Heavenly Star Child']. It was right outside those ruins that they had managed to repel the Celestial Star Child.

Although the Celestial Star Child was forced to retreat that time, being a cultivator at the False Infant Soul Realm [a pseudo-realm just below the true Infant Soul stage], he still managed to detect faint traces leading to the ruins.

Later, in his quest to uncover the ruins, the Celestial Star Child ventured to explore the Sun and Moon Sect ruins on two separate occasions.

Unfortunately, his strength was still insufficient at that time. Furthermore, he failed to arrive at the correct temporal juncture and was ultimately barred from entry by the Formation [a defensive array or magical barrier].

Moreover, with the threshold to breakthrough to the Infant Soul [a core cultivation realm where one forms their spiritual infant] looming before him, he simply shifted his focus entirely to achieving that breakthrough.

Now, merely a few decades after his breakthrough to the Infant Soul realm, having just recovered ninety percent of his injuries and barely consolidated his cultivation base, the Celestial Star Child hurriedly made his way back to the ruins.

After listening to the Slanting Sun Wheel's account of the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, action and consequence], Eldrin Chen's face grew solemn. He spoke directly, "To be frank, this individual and I share significant Karma."

"In the past, I once swore a Heart Demon Blood Oath [a binding magical vow where breaking it invites a demonic backlash]..."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, recounting the matter concerning Path Sun Lin to the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme-grade magical artifacts specialized in suppressing demonic beings].

After listening, the Selene's Ring spoke, "His actions were ruthless and merciless; it is only fitting he faces this tribulation. We shall lend you our aid."

"My thanks," Eldrin Chen nodded, then said, "Just stand guard for us and ensure he does not escape."

As they were speaking, the Celestial Star Child [a title for a powerful cultivator associated with stellar forces] outside strode forward and spoke indifferently, "Will you open the ruins yourselves, or shall this True Lord [a title for a cultivator at the Infant Soul Realm] do it for you?"

Clad in a Stellar [pertaining to the power of stars] Daoist robe, the Celestial Star Child stood silently before the ruins. An intangible aura emanated from him, suppressing the boundless sea of fire into utter stillness. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio - novel . com.

His gaze swept calmly over the ruins, piercing through the layers of Formation [a defensive or offensive array of magical energy] to discover Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang hidden within.

"It's them?" The Celestial Star Child's pupils contracted slightly. He thought to himself, "It is said that Exquisite Jiang has forged a life-bound Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade specifically designed to slay demons]. Her strength is likely sufficient to rival an Infant Soul True Lord."

"I have only recently broken through to the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul forms] and possess not even a single Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure. Facing their combined assault would likely yield me no advantage."

A sense of gravity settled in the Celestial Star Child's heart, and he decided to retreat for the time being.

However, Eldrin Chen had no intention of letting him escape. With a casual flick of his hand, he unleashed a barrage of divine thunderbolts.

After his breakthrough to the Golden Core Late Stage, Eldrin Chen's spiritual power was no weaker than that of a False Infant Soul Realm Cultivator. When he channeled his Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique], it could now pose a credible threat to a genuine Infant Soul Cultivator.

Faced with the assault from his unleashed Divine Ability, the Celestial Star Child [a Daoist title for a powerful cultivator] narrowed his eyes coldly. With a sweep of his sleeve, a dazzling sword radiance of starlight shot forth.

"Venus Stellar Sword Radiance."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. This Celestial Star Child truly lived up to being a True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage]. The Divine Ability he casually employed already far surpassed the power of a False Infant Soul Realm cultivator, potent enough to severely injure or even slay an ordinary Golden Core Late Stage cultivator.

He dared not be negligent. Hurriedly, he summoned the Two Polarities Divine Thunder [a divine ability harnessing the power of Yin and Yang polarity], managing to block this strike.

"*Clang—*"

Seizing the moment, Exquisite Jiang also made her move.

With a lift of her hand, she summoned the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for slaying immortals] and cleaved directly towards the Celestial Star Child's head.

As the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword descended, the Celestial Star Child felt a prickle of alarm on his scalp. He had dared to face Eldrin Chen with relative ease, but he dared not meet the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword head-on.

Driven by the pure and potent spiritual power of Exquisite Jiang, the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword unleashed a might no less formidable than a full-force strike from an Infant Soul True Lord.

While deploying a Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique] to counter the attack, Celestial Star Child turned and summoned his escape light to dodge, his heart seething with resentment. "How hateful!" he cursed inwardly. "If my Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's soul-bound enchanted artifact] had not been destroyed, I would never be bullied like this by them wielding mere magical treasure [enchanted artifacts]."

The Infant Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder calamity faced when advancing to the Infant Soul realm] was notoriously difficult to transcend. As a rogue cultivator, Celestial Star Child possessed no Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact for suppressing demons and calamities] to aid him, and the price he paid to survive that tribulation had been devastatingly steep.

During the recent Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly thunder ordeal], his Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Six-Soul Bell, his Astral Furnace, and even his Ancient Bronze Shield had all been shattered amidst the celestial fury.

Especially the Astral Furnace. That treasure had been forged from Stellar Fragment [meteoric ore fallen from the heavens], the very same rare material used by Exquisite Jiang to elevate her Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword.

Yet, faced with the overwhelming ferocity of the Infant Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, even that mighty and renowned magical treasure could not withstand the onslaught and was reduced to ruins.

Now, Celestial Star Child was left with almost no high-grade magical treasure. Relying solely on the Divine Ability he had mastered, he found himself struggling under the combined assault of the two.

Exquisite Jiang alone was enough to press him into a disadvantageous position, let alone Eldrin Chen, who was now erupting with fearsome combat prowess of his own.

Seeing that he could not gain the upper hand, Celestial Star Child had no desire to prolong the fight. He summoned his escape light and shot eastward. But he had barely flown a few paces when a dazzling beam of treasure-light slammed down upon him, staggering him mid-flight. This content originates from audio novel.com. Please respect copyright.