Chapter 509 : The Valley's Heavenly Defense

With those words spoken, there was nothing more that needed to be said.

Eldrin Chen stored away the Heavenly Dao Qi [a strand of pure, primordial energy embodying the will of the Heavenly Dao] and then spoke, "This Formation was laid down by Magnus the Virtuous. Even a Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul, a powerful spiritual entity] would find it difficult to breach."

"If they pursue us here, this formation will be sufficient to hold back several of those Heaven's Chosen talents, taking a significant amount of pressure off us."

"Let us remain here and quietly await the conclusion of this Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare celestial phenomenon where Heaven and Earth resonate, often releasing profound energies or treasures]."

The three of them had obtained three strands of Heavenly Dao Qi, fulfilling their deepest wish. Thus, they did not attempt to seize the final two strands.

To do such a thing would likely offend the other top-tier Heaven's Chosen [prodigies blessed by fate and possessing extraordinary talent]. Many among them possessed Nascent Soul Potential [the innate constitution and talent required to reach the Nascent Soul Realm], and they might well become fellow cultivators on the same path in the future. Making a permanent enemy of them would not be a wise course of action.

However, after Eldrin Chen and his companions had rested for three days, someone finally managed to deduce their location and arrived.

This time, over one hundred Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the condensed essence of their cultivation] arrived. At their forefront were six Heaven's Chosen who possessed Dao Body [an innate constitution exceptionally attuned to the Dao, granting immense cultivation advantages]. Guanghe the Daoist and Changyu the True Person were among this group.

Guanghe the Daoist arrived before the valley, his expression grave as he surveyed it. He then cupped his hands and said, "What excellent fortune you three Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators] have had, to obtain three strands of Heavenly Dao Qi."

"Yet, for such a profound opportunity to be entirely claimed by just the three of you... is that not somewhat excessive?" Read, share, and discuss at @udio-novel.com.

The valley fell into a hush, profound and expectant. After a moment's pause, three figures emerged from within its depths.

Eldrin Chen stepped forth, treading upon the empty air as if it were solid ground. Clad in robes white as fresh snow, his features and bearing were such that any who beheld him would praise him as an exiled immortal descended to the mortal dust, his grace and presence utterly peerless.

His gaze swept over the assembled crowd, swiftly identifying those present. Among this gathering of over a hundred, the six who possessed a Dao Body [a constitution of supreme affinity with the Dao, granting immense cultivation talent] stood out as the only ones who posed a sufficient threat to him at this moment—true paragons, each a Heaven's Chosen [a title for a cultivator of extraordinary, heaven-defying talent].

Such individuals each possessed the innate potential to form a Superior Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core foundation, representing supreme talent and future potential]. For them, breaking through to the Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a high-grade Nascent Soul realm, representing a deep connection to the earthly principles] was but a matter of course, a path as smooth as water flowing downhill. They even held a tangible chance of one day forging the legendary Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the pinnacle grade of Nascent Soul, representing a direct resonance with the Heavenly Dao itself].

Of these six, aside from the three he had crossed paths with earlier, the remaining trio consisted of a woman in palace attire, a burly and imposing man, and finally, a scholar with delicate, refined features.

The woman in palace robes was named Violet Jade Immortal Maiden. She hailed from the Vast and Boundless Hundred Continents [a poetic name for the expansive and fragmented lands of the cultivation world] and was a disciple of the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their immortal soul essence] great sect, the Verdant Enchantress Palace.

The burly man originated from Mountain-Moving Continent and the Nascent Soul great sect, the Mountain-Moving Sect. This lineage specialized in Body Tempering Cultivation Art [arts that refine and empower the physical body to incredible levels], forging physiques whose raw strength was said to rival the earth-shaking, sea-stirring power of a Flood Dragon [a powerful, dragon-like aquatic demonic beast]. It was rumored their sect had once produced a grand cultivator who reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the advanced stages of the Nascent Soul realm].

The final scholar was named Bai Xu the Young Master. Though merely a Rogue Cultivator [a cultivator without sect or clan backing, relying on their own wits and strength], he was blessed with the Rising Sun Dao Body [a Dao Body associated with the vibrant, ascending energy of the dawn sun], making him a figure of considerable renown even among the unaffiliated.

After acknowledging these three, Eldrin Chen spoke, his voice calm and measured. "Since we are all Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators, implying a shared pursuit of the Dao] of the Human Race, I shall speak plainly."

"In your estimation, given the capabilities my wife and I possess, would we be able to each claim one strand of Heavenly Dao Qi [a strand of primordial, heaven-ordained spiritual energy, immensely precious for cultivation and breakthroughs] for ourselves?"

The expressions of the several individuals shifted slightly. The Violet Jade Immortal Maiden still spoke: "We have long heard of your famed deeds in slaying a Demon Emperor. Naturally, you are worthy of this Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial essence of the Heavenly Dao, a supreme treasure for cultivation and enlightenment]."

"Good," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "Magnus the Virtuous spent several Millennium [a period of one thousand years] repairing the Heaven's Spine Mountains. The Heaven and Earth Will [the collective consciousness and mandate of the world itself] bestowed Heavenly Dao Qi upon him. Was he not worthy of it?"

Only then did the others understand—Eldrin Chen had inherited the karmic legacy of Magnus the Virtuous.

The Violet Jade Immortal Maiden's expression changed subtly. After Magnus the Virtuous broke through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, he had become one of the most formidable True Lord [a title for powerful Nascent Soul stage cultivators] within the Three Veins Ancient Domain. Even her own Master, the Verdant Enchantress Palace Master, would have to treat him with utmost seriousness. He was certainly not someone she could casually pass judgment upon.

However, the Heavenly Dao Qi was far too precious. To simply give up was not in her nature. Thus, she stated, "The Heavenly Dao Qi belongs to those with the capability to claim it. Expecting us to retreat so easily is likely futile."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and shook his head. "Even if we were to divide and offer a single strand of Heavenly Dao Qi, the six of you would struggle to distribute it fairly. It would only lead to conflict and shattered alliances among yourselves."

"Very well. We are all fellow cultivators on the same path. I have no wish to force a bitter confrontation."

"You may challenge me, one by one. Should any of you defeat me, you may naturally take one strand of Heavenly Dao Qi."

The faces of the gathered cultivators tightened, yet they had to admit the logic in Eldrin Chen's words.

Their alliance was built upon some degree of camaraderie, but such bonds were notoriously fragile when tested against a treasure like the Heavenly Dao Qi.

Even if they were to tear off all pretense of cordiality and engage in a battle against Eldrin Chen and the others, and even if they managed to seize one or two strands of Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial essence of the Heavenly Dao], the subsequent division of the spoils would likely lead to further conflict and shattered alliances among themselves.

It was far better for Eldrin Chen to fight alone. If he emerged victorious, he would rightfully claim a strand of Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial essence of the Heavenly Dao], and no one else would have grounds to dispute it.

Having reached this conclusion, the burly man was the first to step forward. His muscles coiled like knotted ropes, radiating an aura of immense power as he approached. "Your words hold merit," he declared. "I, Yue Lou, shall test your mettle."

As his words fell, Yue Lou summoned forth a massive, ponderous battle-axe. The weapon swelled with the wind, transforming into a mountain-like silhouette that hurtled through the air with crushing force.

"It is the Mountain-Sundering Axe!" someone exclaimed.

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly. The Mountain-Sundering Axe was one of the supreme heritage Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] of the Mountain-Moving Sect. This chapter is provided by audio-novel`com. Support the original.

Forging this axe required high-grade Treasure Metal [a rare metal imbued with spiritual properties] fused with vast quantities of Mysterious Iron Vein [a specific type of spiritually resonant iron ore]. Once completed, its weight rivaled that of a mountain range; a single strike could sunder the earth for a thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

The might of this treasure was boundless. It was said that even a Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings] from the notoriously resilient Spirit Turtle Tribe could not withstand its blow—a direct hit risked shattering even their formidable physical form.

Facing the unleashed power of the Mountain-Sundering Axe, Eldrin Chen dared not be careless. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned forth the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to meet the attack.

Although this sword was peerless in its lethality, its speed and piercing power far surpassing the Mountain-Sundering Axe, it could not match the axe's overwhelming, mountain-crushing weight. The sword's defense began to waver, struggling to hold the colossal force at bay.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen once more flicked his sleeve, sending the Heavenly River Flood Water Sword crashing down to suppress it. Under the combined might of the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, the power of the Mountain-Sundering Axe was finally pressed down.

"What a magnificent pair of immortal swords."

Yue Lou exclaimed in admiration. The moment he saw this pair of swords, he understood he was no match for them.

However, possessing the Mountain Dao Body [a physique innately attuned to the power of mountains], he was a first-rate talent among Heaven's Chosen [individuals blessed with exceptional destiny and potential]. Naturally, he would not concede defeat so easily.

With a furious roar, he took a single, earth-shaking step forward and threw a punch directly at Eldrin Chen, clearly intending to rely on his formidable physical body to overwhelm him.

Such a blow could force even a True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul stage] to retreat. Yet, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he simply raised his palm to meet the strike.

"BOOM—"

In that instant, a thunderous explosion rent the air.

Meeting that palm strike, Yue Lou was sent reeling as if struck by a titanic force, staggering back a hundred paces.

His arm went numb, momentarily robbed of all strength. He couldn't help but cast a look of profound shock at Eldrin Chen.

Yet, in the next instant, his expression fell. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute and said, "Your divine strength is formidable. I, Yue Lou, am not your equal."

"You are also quite impressive."

Eldrin Chen gave a rare nod of approval.

This was no empty praise. He cultivated the Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder Divine Ability [a supreme divine ability that harnesses the pure yang power of the five elemental thunders], which had naturally given rise to the Five Thunders Body Tempering Grand Art [a supreme art for tempering the physical body using the power of five heavenly thunders].

This was one of the most supreme Body Tempering Cultivation Art [arts dedicated to forging an indestructible physical form] in all existence. Within the entire Purple Realm [a vast and ancient cultivation world], there were scarcely any arts that could rival it. Cultivated to its ultimate limit, one's physical body would be no weaker than that of a Primordial True Dragon [an ancient and immensely powerful dragon from the dawn of creation], and could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nine Heavens Immortal Demons [legendary, god-like demons from the highest heavens] spoken of in Myth [ancient legends and epics]. Read, share, and discuss at audio - novel . com.