Chapter 497 : The Twin Garuda's Defiance

"Senior, why do you say this?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but furrow his brow.

Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit shook her head and continued, "Over these years, I have wished many times to retake Verdant Void Island and help Immortal Maiden Cloud Stretch rebuild the legacy of the Verdant Void Sect."

"However, Verdant Void Island is now occupied by a pair of Twin Garuda [a formidable type of demonic bird, often born as twins with a profound psychic link] from among the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon. Furthermore, it is protected by the island's Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array that draws upon the spiritual energy of a mountain], leaving me utterly powerless..."

As she recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen's expression grew increasingly grave.

According to Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit, the Twin Garuda on Verdant Void Island were exceptionally troublesome foes.

The Twin Garuda are a breed among the Extraterrestrial Evil Demons [demonic beings that originate from realms beyond this world]. They are born as twin siblings, sharing a single mind and fighting with flawless, instinctive coordination.

Although the cultivation of these two Twin Garuda was merely at the Infant Soul Early Stage [the first major stage of the Primordial Spirit cultivation realm], by joining forces they had forced the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the second major stage of the Primordial Spirit cultivation realm] Sect Master of the Verdant Void Sect into a bloody, fatal battle.

Coupled with the protection of the Mountain Protection Formation on Verdant Void Island, it was likely that not even a powerful True Lord [an honorific title for a cultivator at the Primordial Spirit realm] at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the third major stage of the Primordial Spirit cultivation realm] could breach their defenses.

However, the issue of the Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] was not insurmountable. Eldrin Chen spoke up, "I possess the secret arts for controlling the Formation of Verdant Void Island. If they are still using the Verdant Void Sect's original formation, I can turn it to our advantage." For the best reading experience, visit audio–novel.com.

"That makes things much simpler."

Hearing this, Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit replied with a hint of delight, "Although the Twin Garuda are formidable when they join forces, the Life Soul [the core essence of life and consciousness] of most Outer Realm Heavenly Demon is corroded by the power of the Demon God. They exist in a dazed, muddled state, unaware of the workings of fate."

"They can barely maintain clear consciousness, so naturally, they are incapable of re-establishing a Mountain Protection Formation."

Having said that, Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit added, "Please wait a moment."

As her words faded, she turned and left the great hall, returning moments later with a Treasure Box which she handed to the two of them.

Eldrin Chen opened it to find a cyan-colored treasure talisman. Though its radiance was currently restrained, it faintly thrummed with a power akin to towering, crashing waves.

Noticing his surprise, Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit explained, "The Twin Garuda possess a combined Great God Ability known as the Garuda Soul-Snatching Art. When they unleash it together, it is potent enough to severely injure or even slay a True Lord at the Infant Soul Mid Stage."

"Given your current cultivation and methods, you would likely struggle to withstand it. This treasure talisman should lend you a crucial hand."

As she continued, Eldrin Chen understood the origin of this talisman.

This talisman was named the 'Azure Jade Heavenly Aegis Talisman'. It was a defensive treasure talisman of the Fifth Rank Mid-Grade. Once activated, it would manifest a shield of cyan celestial energy to protect its user, capable of blocking a full-force strike from a cultivator at the Infant Soul Mid Stage.

Moreover, this treasure can still be used three times. Even for an Infant Soul True Lord [a powerful cultivator whose nascent soul has matured into a true spiritual lord], it represents an exceptionally precious foundation for their power.

Considering the immense value of the Azure Jade Heavenly Aegis Talisman, Eldrin Chen did not accept it immediately. Instead, he inquired, "The worth of this treasure talisman is likely beyond measure. Since you, True Lord, are willing to provide such support, I must ask what request accompanies it?"

"You are quite perceptive."

Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit smiled and stated matter-of-factly, "I have shared a friendship with Immortal Maiden Cloud Stretch for nearly a millennium. If your journey succeeds in reclaiming the legacy of Verdant Void Island, I ask that you deliver all of Cloud Stretch's inheritance to me—her Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact bound to its owner's life force], her Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique], and her cultivation manuals."

"It is a pity that my Heavenly Spirit Island is surrounded by numerous demonic and monstrous beings, making it difficult for me to depart for an extended period. Otherwise, I would have wished to accompany you on this venture myself."

"I understand." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and replied, "I can agree to this condition."

Once their agreement was settled, the two men took the treasure talisman and departed from the great hall.

Before leaving, Exquisite Jiang glanced back at the hall, a subtle furrow appearing between her brows. "That Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit is not far from reaching the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Infant Soul realm]. If she had joined forces with us, our chances of success would have increased significantly. It is unfortunate she seemed unwilling to take action personally."

"That was to be expected."

Eldrin Chen spoke with calm detachment, shaking his head. "The method to control the Formation [a powerful array or defensive barrier] of Verdant Void Island and the command token are in my possession. Given that she is not yet familiar with us, it is only natural she would not dare to venture into that place recklessly."

"However, the situation in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the world of cultivation in the Eastern Sea region] is extremely dire, and the cultivators of the Human Race are far more united than those in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland [the desolate eastern lands]. That is why she was willing to bring out her treasured reserves to aid us."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang nodded and said nothing more.

The two returned to their cave abode. After resting and recuperating for over a month, they continued their journey towards the location of Garuda Demon Island.

After the fall of Verdant Void Island nearly six hundred years ago, it was occupied by the Twin Garuda [a pair of powerful Garuda demons]. Now, after the swift passage of six centuries, it had long since been renamed Garuda Demon Island on updated maps.

It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen had previously been unable to find the location of Verdant Void Island on the maps.

Now, having confirmed the position of Garuda Demon Island, the two discovered that the island lay deep within the Distant Sea Cultivation World [the cultivation world of the distant seas], separated from Heavenly Spirit Island by an exceedingly vast stretch of ocean. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel[dot]com.

They traveled continuously via Teleportation Formation [magical arrays for instantaneous travel], traversing a broad expanse of sea. On this day, they stepped out from one such formation.

Emerging from the Teleportation Formation, Eldrin Chen glanced at the map in his hand, then looked towards the boundless sea in the distance, his expression grave. "We have arrived at Demon-Suppressing Island. Beyond lies the Blood God Sea Region."

During the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the great calamity of the Demonic Abyss] roughly five hundred and seventy years ago, the losses suffered by the Human Race were utterly devastating. Vast swathes of sea territory fell, seized by the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [demons from beyond this realm] and Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic paths].

The Blood God Sea Region to the east of Demon-Suppressing Island is now entirely occupied by the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon and Demonic Cultivator.

The Blood God Sea Region harbors thirty-seven Fifth Rank Spirit Island [islands imbued with potent spiritual energy], each a lair for over a hundred Infant Soul-level Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic or unorthodox paths]. Among these thirty-seven islands lies Garuda Demon Island.

Gazing at the expanse of sea before them, Eldrin Chen spoke with a grave expression. "The Blood God Sea Region is perilous beyond measure. Even though it is known to hold the ruins of numerous Human Race sects and Immortal Clan [powerful families of cultivators], most Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have reached the Infant Soul realm] dare not venture in recklessly."

"Fortunately, Verdant Void Island fell only six hundred years ago and lies on the outer fringes of the Blood God Sea Region. If we strike swiftly and decisively, we should be able to escape before the Demonic Cultivator can react."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement. After a moment of thoughtful silence, she pointed to a Spirit Island marked at the very heart of the Blood God Sea Region on the map. "The core of the Blood God Sea Region is this Blood God Island."

"Blood God Island sits upon a great sea spring, one of the Eastern Sea's Water Primordial Ancestral Vein [a supreme source of water-element spiritual energy]. Three millennia ago, it was the Path-Field [a sacred cultivation ground] of the Ji Clan."

"But after their Path Lord [a master of a cultivation path] fell, the clan migrated into the depths of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. Now, this Water Primordial Ancestral Vein is occupied by the Blood God Patriarch. Should my cousin succeed in breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm in the future, he will likely have to confront this demon in battle."

"We must proceed with utmost caution."

Eldrin Chen frowned slightly, committing Exquisite Jiang's words to memory. "The Blood God Sea Region is several times vaster than the Vast and Misty Marsh, stretching for countless hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in every direction," he continued.

"Garuda Demon Island lies only twenty million Li-length out in the periphery. If we are careful, we should not encounter excessive danger given our strength."

Exquisite Jiang nodded once more. They possessed the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure that allows instantaneous void traversal], capable of whisking them a hundred thousand Li-length through the void in a critical moment. This escape art surpassed that of many Infant Soul True Lord, forming the bedrock of their confidence for this venture. Discover more cultivation stories at audi novel.com.