Chapter 451 : Forged in Heavenly Tribulation

Within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary sea of eternal, scorching flames], Tribulation Cloud [ominous clouds heralding a heavenly trial] churned and billowed. That single Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact bound to its master's life force] floated and sank amidst the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky], existing in a state between reality and illusion.

Waves of void energy enveloped the heavens, while the light of the Polarity Two Forms Magnetic Force [a mystical force embodying the duality of yin and yang] rotated in cycles. The power it unleashed was like a force capable of cleaving heaven and earth asunder.

This Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] had been fused with Void Gem [a rare mineral attuned to spatial energies] of Spiritual Treasure-grade, and had absorbed vast quantities of Polarity [the fundamental principle of opposing yet complementary forces] Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth]. It had already attained a startling level of profound mystery.

Facing the barrage of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [divine lightning strikes sent as a trial from the heavens] lashing down, it unfurled a vast expanse of Polarity power. Its Treasure Body [the physical form of a magical treasure] then faded into the void, displaying a profound mystery that seemed to render it impervious to all manner of attacks.

After an immeasurable span of time, the Polarity Void Mirror [the Mirror of Duality and Void], having bathed in boundless Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, descended from the sky and returned to hover before Eldrin Chen.

"A fine treasure indeed."

Gazing at the resplendent mirror now wreathed in shimmering Polarity Polar Light [the radiant light of dual polarities], Eldrin Chen revealed a look of pleasant surprise.

Although its Slaughter [destructive, killing power] potency could not match that of the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, this Polarity Void Mirror was a first-rate Lifebound Spiritual Treasure. In terms of its profound and subtle mysteries, it was likely peerless and rare in all the world.

The Divine Ability [supernatural power or technique] of this Void Mirror was exceptionally profound, no longer confined to mere offense or defense. Its Primordial Magnetism Power [a primal force of attraction and repulsion] could suppress flying swords and other magical treasure [enchanted artifacts]. Even a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest order for vanquishing demons], if caught off guard, could be immobilized by it.

That Polarity power could transform into a celestial curtain descending from above, capable of defending against all manner of spells and Divine Ability. If unleashed as two beams of divine light to strike out, it could also manifest as the Polarity Annihilation Divine Light [a divine light of utter annihilation born from opposing polarities] to eradicate formidable foes. Support the author by reading on audio-novel dot com.

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

Having sensed the profound mysteries of the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure that manipulates the forces of void and polarity], Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "While its offensive power may not match that of the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword, this Polarity Void Mirror excels in both attack and defense. It is truly a first-rate auxiliary Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure capable of subduing powerful demons]."

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

"Whether it's sealing the void to slay formidable foes or using it to flee far beyond the endless void, you can now come and go with complete freedom."

Having successfully elevated his second Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force and soul], Eldrin Chen had achieved the goal of this journey. He stored the Polarity Void Mirror away and returned to the ruins to find the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels [a pair of magical treasures representing the sun and moon], the senior who resided there.

The Selene's Ring [the spirit of the Sun and Moon Twin Wheels, named after the moon goddess] looked at Eldrin Chen with a tone of admiration. "You have not yet entered the Infant Soul Realm [the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation], yet you have already elevated two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure. Fellow Daoist, your fortune is enough to make many Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul stage] green with envy."

"If not for the assistance of you two seniors in purging the Netherworld Energy [corruptive energy from the underworld] from the Netherworld Gemstone [a gemstone tainted by underworld forces], who knows how many more years it would have taken for my treasure to ascend," Eldrin Chen said with a smile. He paused briefly, then continued with gravity, "The impending Beast Tide [a massive, destructive onslaught of demonic beasts] is upon us. I wish to request that you two seniors emerge from seclusion to lend us your strength."

"I am already aware of this matter. If your words hold true, then this battle will likely be the greatest conflict the Boundless Hundred Provinces [a vast region comprising hundreds of provinces] has seen in a millennium," the senior's voice echoed, heavy with portent.

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

The Slanting Sun Wheel [a powerful enchanted artifact] spoke with a tone of gravity, "Very well. Although I have not fully recovered, I possess enough strength for battle. I shall accompany you on this campaign."

"..."

Once the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [artifacts of supreme power used to suppress demons] decided to join the fray, Eldrin Chen immediately departed the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a sea of perpetual, scorching flames] with them.

They moved without alerting a soul, slipping back into Chu Nation in secret. Eldrin Chen then sought out the Old Patriarch without delay.

Upon meeting the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen wasted no time in asking, "During my absence, has the Ji Clan sent any summons for mobilization?"

"None."

The Old Patriarch shook his head, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Logically, if the Ji Clan truly intends to fight, they should be gathering their forces to deliver a decisive blow against the Demon Race. Why then is there still no movement?"

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow as well. With the next Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] less than three years away, even Chu Nation had begun preparations, mustering troops towards Earth Lion Ridge and Heavenly Ruins Lake. Yet, the Ji Clan remained strangely inactive.

Pacing for a long moment, he pondered deeply before speaking again. "When the Ji Clan finally moves, their goal must be to slay an entity of Demon Emperor [a sovereign ruler among demons] caliber. However, beings at the level of a True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator] or a Demon Emperor possess survival capabilities far beyond our imagination."

"Unless they can catch the Demon Race completely off guard, eliminating a peerless Demon Emperor will be exceedingly difficult. I believe the Ji Clan is currently biding its time, keeping its plans secret to await the perfect moment for that fatal strike."

Eternal Profound Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. He paced back and forth a few steps with his hands clasped behind his back, then handed a jade slip to Eldrin Chen. "This contains information on the Demon Emperor within Azure Wave Lake that I have had people gather over these years, along with data on the territories of several nearby Demon Emperor."

"Oh."

A flicker of delight passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. He promptly opened the jade slip to examine its contents, but his brow soon furrowed with gravity.

The territory of Azure Wave Lake spanned nearly twenty million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Its Sovereign, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, was a being on the verge of transforming into a dragon. Legends spoke of its strength being no weaker than that of the Ji Clan Patriarch, ranking it among the top three most powerful Demon Emperor within the Vast and Misty Marsh.

Once such an existence broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core cultivation stage], it would transform into an Azure Dragon among the True Dragon [the supreme dragon race], becoming the second True Dragon Demon Ancestor after the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor, and a formidable, unprecedented enemy for the Human Race.

Atop this list was naturally the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. Beyond it, there were seven other entries.

Ranked second was one named the Purple Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. This Purple Flood Dragon Demon Emperor was said to be a Thunderclap [a type of divine thunder] flood dragon, born with the innate ability to command Thunderclap Force [divine thunder power]. Its strength had also reached the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the peak of the Infant Soul stage], and its offensive power was said to rival even a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator halfway to the Primordial Spirit stage] expert. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel . com.

Ranked third was a being who had attained the Dao [cultivation enlightenment] from a snail. This Demon Emperor bore the title 'Melancholy Inscription Lord' and possessed strength at the Infant Soul 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Infant Soul stage]. It had been subdued by the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor and now served as the Grand Elder of the Demon Race within Azure Wave Lake.

The fourth Demon Emperor was a member of the crocodile race, with cultivation at the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Infant Soul realm]. The fifth was a Five-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python, rumored to possess a trace of divine beast bloodline.

The remaining three Demon Emperor were all direct descendants of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's bloodline: one was the Crimson Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, the second the Golden Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, and the third the Frost Flood Dragon Demon Emperor.

These three Flood Dragon Demon Emperor possess relatively low cultivation, merely at the Infant Soul Early Stage. Yet, they are still formidable Demon Emperor [powerful demon rulers] not to be underestimated.

Beyond the eight Demon Emperor of Azure Wave Lake, within the lineage of the Golden Rhino Demon Emperor to the southwest of Ji Continent, two more Demon Emperor exist. Furthermore, the territories north of Qi Nation are also home to the lineage of the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor.

That Golden-Winged Great Roc Lineage occupies two Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [sites of concentrated spiritual energy] and boasts three Infant Soul Realm Demon Emperor. This clan preys upon flood dragons, yet the divide between humans and demons is absolute. In a critical moment, they would likely intervene as well.

"This battle... will likely be no easy feat either."

After reviewing the intelligence, Eldrin Chen sighed and spoke.

Ji Continent borders the Demon Race Territory, surrounded by the domains of Demon Emperor from the Demon Race. This ledger alone records thirteen such Demon Emperor.

This count does not even include the two Demon Emperor of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. Calculating thus, the pressure facing the Ji Clan is immense indeed.

Breaking this deadlock would be extraordinarily difficult. Even with a powerhouse like Vast Righteousness True Lord holding back the Demon Emperor of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and the Black Fiend Patriarch, finding a path to victory remains a daunting challenge.

Unless they could mobilize the strength of the Boundless Hundred Provinces, compelling the other great continents to lend their aid. Original English translation available at audio-novel .c om.