Chapter 496 : Victory's Costly Spoils

Watching the three demons retreat, Eldrin Chen suppressed the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword with his Polarity Void Mirror and let out a sigh of relief. "We finally managed to repel them," he said.

"My thanks to both of you for your efforts." The Path Mystery True Lord offered a slight smile, also visibly relieved. "Had you not grievously wounded the Skeletal Demon Skull, this old man would likely have suffered a severe setback today."

"You flatter me, True Lord,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a faint smile. "In this battle, without you, True Lord, acting as the Sea-Calmer [a stabilizing pillar], I would not have found the opening to wound the Skeletal Demon Skull."

He understood perfectly well that what the three demons feared most was the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword. Without that Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword in hand, why would White Bone Old Demon, with his Infant Soul Mid Stage cultivation, have retreated so readily?

With this thought, he retrieved the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword. "These Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow a dark, demonic path] are truly formidable, to have actually forged a Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword," he remarked.

"If not for my Polarity Void Mirror being able to counter this sword, we would likely have been severely constrained in dealing with this battle."

Speaking to this point, he hesitated slightly but spoke frankly. "To be honest, I wish to claim this sword for myself."

"You, True Lord, also contributed greatly to this battle. How about I compensate you with some other treasures in exchange? What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, the Path Mystery True Lord shook his head directly. "Fellow Daoist, you protected my Treasure Ship [a vessel imbued with defensive formations] throughout this ordeal. This spoils of war is also something you secured yourself. How could I possibly claim a share of the treasures?" Published by audio-novel.com (official site). All rights reserved.

At this point, his tone paused slightly before he continued, "However, the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword is a sword of ill omen. By taking it for yourself, you may invite censure."

"I hope you will use it with great caution in the future. Do not be tempted by its power to slaughter cultivators of the Human Race indiscriminately."

"I understand,"

Eldrin Chen nodded. This Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword was an exceedingly sinister Immortal Sword, one that was supremely effective against cultivators of the Human Race.

This Immortal Sword could advance by devouring the souls of Human Race cultivators. In this regard, it differed little from the Demonic Treasure wielded by Demonic Cultivator. It could rightly be called a sword of evil and demons.

Wielding such a sword would likely make many True Lord regard him with deep apprehension. If word spread, it could cause significant trouble.

The reason Path Mystery True Lord had declined the treasure was precisely because he deemed this sword too heretical. Even if it fell into his hands, he would not dare use it lightly and would only be able to seal it away within his clan as a final, desperate measure.

Stowing the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword away, Eldrin Chen said with a grave expression, "From now on, unless I face a truly vile and wicked individual, I will not lightly draw this sword."

"Then my mind is at ease."

Path Mystery True Lord nodded, then changed the subject. "Although we have repelled the forces of Withered Bone Island for now, we have not yet left the Spirit-Severing Sea. We cannot consider ourselves completely safe."

"Our most pressing task is to swiftly cross this sea region and reach the Distant Sea Cultivation World [a vast and perilous cultivation realm beyond the familiar continents]."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Without pausing to rest, they immediately reactivated the Treasure Ship [a large, enchanted vessel used for long-distance travel] and set course for the Distant Sea Cultivation World.

"..."

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and they finally arrived at the fringes of the Distant Sea Cultivation World.

On that day, the Treasure Ship anchored before a Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy, often a hub for cultivators]. Path Mystery True Lord disembarked alongside Eldrin Chen and began to explain.

"This island is named Heavenly Spirit Island. It is said to be one of the innermost Fifth Rank Spirit Island [islands with a fifth-grade spiritual vein, denoting extremely rich energy] within the Distant Sea Cultivation World."

"The Distant Sea Cultivation World beyond this point is immeasurably vast and undergoes significant changes every few years. My own knowledge grows sparse from here; the journey ahead will rely on your own efforts."

Path Mystery True Lord continued his explanation. For their Zhang Clan, transporting the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo [a rare spiritual bamboo with thunder-attribute properties] to this location was sufficient.

For every trade expedition to the Distant Sea Cultivation World, he would bring his Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or used to channel spiritual energy] to sell on Heavenly Spirit Island. The major merchant guilds and Immortal Clan [powerful clans with immortal heritage] of the distant sea would naturally come here to conduct business.

After listening for a while, Eldrin Chen clasped his hands respectfully towards Path Mystery True Lord and said, "Before we part, True Lord, I would ask you to introduce us to the master of Heavenly Spirit Island."

"Very well."

Path Mystery True Lord gave a nod, agreeing to render this assistance.

Eldrin Chen and his two companions rented a cave abode on Heavenly Spirit Island and began to settle there temporarily.

After merely three days, Path Mystery True Lord sought out Eldrin Chen and said, "I have already delivered your Visiting Card [a formal card used to request an audience]. You may accompany me today to pay a visit to the master of Heavenly Spirit Island."

"My sincere thanks."

Eldrin Chen cupped his hands in salute, then followed Path Mystery True Lord to the main reception hall of Heavenly Spirit Island. Original English translation available at audi novel.com.

Upon entering the grand hall, they beheld a woman of peerless beauty, clad in verdant robes, seated upon the dais. Her exquisite eyes held a trace of amusement as she gazed upon them.

"This is the master of Heavenly Spirit Island, known to all as Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit."

Acting as the intermediary, Path Mystery True Lord promptly offered a warm smile and began the introductions for Eldrin Chen. After finishing, he turned to Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit and said, "This Fellow Daoist Chen and Immortal Maiden Jiang hail from the Eastern Region Great Wasteland…"

Once the introductions were complete, Path Mystery True Lord tactfully took his leave. "I shall leave you to your discussions. This old man has some business matters to attend to."

After Path Mystery True Lord had departed, Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit smiled and inquired, "I heard you sought me out. For what purpose, might I ask?"

"To be frank, we merely wish to inquire about some information,"

Exquisite Jiang replied, then continued, "We seek a topographical map of the Distant Sea Cultivation World."

"A simple matter,"

Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit nodded and instructed an attendant to fetch a map, which she then handed to the pair.

Eldrin Chen unfolded the map and studied it for a moment, his brow furrowing deeply.

The Distant Sea Cultivation World was astonishingly vast. In terms of sheer area—disregarding the nature of the terrain—it was at least several times larger than the Eastern Region Great Wasteland Cultivation World.

This territory was a chaotic mix, with humans, demons, and monstrous beasts forming a tripartite balance of power. The Spirit Island occupied by the Human Race accounted for less than thirty percent of the total land.

Yet, this was not the primary concern. The main issue was that Eldrin Chen could not locate Verdant Void Island on the map before him.

Noticing the shift in his expression, Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. "Is something amiss?" she asked.

"There are indeed some issues," Eldrin Chen nodded, hesitating before asking, "May I ask why the location of Verdant Void Island is not marked on this map?"

"You are seeking Verdant Void Island?"

Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit's pupils contracted sharply, and her expression shifted slightly as she inquired, "What connection do you have with the Verdant Void Sect?"

"This..."

Eldrin Chen hesitated briefly. His purpose in seeking Verdant Void Island was to recover the legacy of the Verdant Void Sect, a matter not meant for many ears.

However, since he was asking for her aid, he needed to be forthright. "Our journey to find Verdant Void Island is, in truth, a commission. We are to retrieve the lost heritage of the Verdant Void Sect..."

He spoke without concealment, recounting the matter concerning Path Sun Lin to Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit in broad strokes.

After listening, Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit's gaze grew still for a moment. She looked at him deeply before speaking. "The Grand Elder of the Verdant Void Sect, Immortal Maiden Cloud Stretch, was a dear and longtime friend of mine from our youth."

"During the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm six hundred years ago, I fought by her side. Yet, in the end, it seems the Verdant Void Sect could not withstand that great calamity."

Having said this, she turned her gaze back to Eldrin Chen. "However, if you wish to reclaim the legacy of the Verdant Void Sect, I fear your current strength may not yet be sufficient." Visit audio-novel*com to enjoy the complete series.