Chapter 502 : Ominous Premonition and Swift Escape

After reviewing the Alchemy Manual, Eldrin Chen spoke, "It has been many years since we both broke through to the Fourth Rank Superior Grade Alchemist realm. The materials for refining the Restoration Pill are relatively easy to find. We should attempt to advance our alchemy skills to the Fifth Rank level soon."

"Agreed."

Exquisite Jiang nodded. Over the years, they had refined multiple batches of Fourth Rank Superior Grade pills, accumulating sufficient experience in the alchemical arts.

Furthermore, their current spiritual power was no weaker than that of an Infant Soul Cultivator. It was indeed time to attempt the breakthrough to become a Fifth Rank Alchemist.

After taking stock of their gains, the pair continued their journey aboard the Celestial Crane Treasure Ship towards Demon-Suppressing Island. Having traveled over one hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Eldrin Chen suddenly felt a sharp, unsettling throb between his brows.

Frowning, he spoke with unease, "My spirit feels restless. I fear trouble approaches."

"It is likely demons or monsters are pursuing us."

Exquisite Jiang's expression also shifted. Eldrin Chen possessed extraordinary spiritual intuition; his instincts had guided them safely through numerous perils on their journey. If he now felt this profound disquiet, a true calamity was likely imminent.

Thinking this, she quickly said, "It seems we cannot linger here."

Sensing the danger, the two decisively abandoned the Celestial Crane Treasure Ship and instead took to the skies on their Lifebound Immortal Sword, flying swiftly into the distant void. Original publication: audio-novel-dot-com - The source of this chapter.

With their cultivation level fueling their Lifebound Immortal Sword, their speed could truly be described as chasing the stars and pursuing the moon, capable of traversing a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day.

However, this consumed a significant amount of their magical power and created a tremendous spectacle. The radiance of the Immortal Sword cleaving through the heavens could be seen for thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in every direction.

They had been reluctant to draw such attention while traversing the demonic territories. Yet, Eldrin Chen now suspected that Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed] demons were laying a net to trap them. Thus, he decided to fly at full power, aiming to escape the Blood God Sea Region as swiftly as possible.

Indeed, not long after their departure, several streaks of light pursued them. Led by the Young Master of Forgetful River, a group of Demonic Path [the cultivation arts and philosophy aligned with demonic forces] overlords descended upon the spot they had just vacated.

The Black-robed True Lord gazed at the clouds parted by the sword light and sneered coldly, "It seems they have sensed something amiss."

"After them, swiftly!"

At the command of the Young Master of Forgetful River, several Demonic Path True Lord [a high-ranking title for powerful cultivators] boarded a Fifth Rank Demonic Ship [a powerful enchanted vessel of the fifth rank] and gave chase, following the lingering trail of the sword energy.

They pursued relentlessly for the better part of a day, finally tearing through the void to catch sight of the twin streaks of sword light carrying their quarry across the sky.

"They are upon us with alarming speed."

Seeing the Fifth Rank Demonic Ship closing in from behind, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted. He immediately channeled his power into the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure capable of manipulating space], causing the void to warp around them. In the blink of an eye, they had traversed over a hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] through the distorted space.

Watching the two figures vanish into the void, the Young Master of Forgetful River's face instantly turned ashen with rage. "A Void Spiritual Treasure [a rare treasure capable of manipulating the fabric of space]!" he snarled.

"Do not worry, Young Master. They cannot escape," a voice assured him.

The Blood RobePatriarch spoke. He immediately summoned his Demonic Treasure, the Celestial Mechanism Seal [a seal artifact used for divination and tracking]. In less than half a Ke-time [fifteen minutes], he had calculated their quarry's location. With a command, he urged the Fifth Rank Demonic Ship [a powerful demonic vessel] to give chase.

After another day and more of pursuit, the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of dark, demonic arts] closed in once more. Eldrin Chen had no choice but to channel his energy again, activating the Polarity Void Mirror to tear through space and flee.

Thus began a desperate chase, a cycle of flight and pursuit that stretched on for over ten days.

Unbeknownst to them in their frantic escape, Eldrin Chen had fled the Blood God Sea Region and crossed into waters controlled by the Human Race.

On this day, Eldrin Chen sat cross-legged upon the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword, his face pale as he slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing him awaken, Exquisite Jiang could not hide her concern. "How do you feel?" she asked.

"My spiritual power [the energy cultivated and used by practitioners] has recovered by about thirty percent," he replied, a note of weariness in his voice. "It should be enough to activate the Polarity Void Mirror's Void Escape [a technique for instantaneous spatial displacement] two or three more times, at best."

Eldrin Chen sighed with frustration. Throughout these past days, the Demonic Cultivator had repeatedly caught up, and each time, their only salvation had been his Polarity Void Mirror.

However, propelling the Polarity [the fundamental principle of opposing yet complementary forces] through the void consumed an immense amount of energy. Even with his profound reserves, his spiritual power was nearing depletion.

With no other choice, he had to let Exquisite Jiang take the helm of the Immortal Sword to execute the Void Escape [a technique for instantaneous spatial traversal]. He himself retreated to conserve his strength and focus on channeling the Polarity Void Mirror.

Yet, maintaining the Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword spiritually bonded to its wielder] at its maximum flight speed for such a prolonged period had also drained a significant portion of Exquisite Jiang's spiritual power. Her current combat effectiveness was undoubtedly diminished.

Contemplating their dire straits, Eldrin Chen offered a wry smile. "What a pity we do not possess a Fifth Rank Treasure Ship [a high-grade vessel for long-distance travel and combat]. We would not be in such a sorry state otherwise."

"Do not worry," Exquisite Jiang reassured him, noting his expression. "We have already left the territory of the Fiend Race [a race of malevolent cultivators]. Just five hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] ahead lies Demon-Suppressing Island. Once we reach it, we will be completely safe."

"Mmm..." Access the full story on audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. He was about to speak when a streak of radiant light tore through the distant void, speeding towards them.

It was the Fifth Rank Treasure Ship belonging to the Young Master of Forgetful River. Spotting their sword-light from afar, the young master immediately unleashed a set of Formation Flag [enchanted banners used to set up restrictive arrays] from his vessel.

Eldrin Chen sensed the danger instantly. This was a spatial-sealing array formation. If those flags succeeded in enveloping this region of space, even the Polarity void technique might be suppressed.

The thought flashed through his mind. Without hesitation, he poured his energy into the Polarity Void Mirror and executed another Void Escape, vanishing from his current location and reappearing one hundred thousand Li-lengths away in the blink of an eye.

"Damn it!"

Watching Eldrin Chen escape once more, Young Master of Forgetful River let out a roar of bitter frustration. "After them!"

The Black-robed True Lord beside him frowned, his expression turning grave. "But we have already left the Blood God Sea Region. Ahead lies the waters of the Demon-Suppressing Island."

"Given your status, if you are exposed within the Human Race's maritime domain, they will surely not miss the chance to eliminate you."

"If we do not kill them today, I fear we may never have another opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Young Master of Forgetful River's expression shifted repeatedly, his face a mask of unwillingness.

After a moment of contemplation, however, he was still unwilling to take the risk himself. He turned to the black-robed Patriarch and the other two True Lord. "I must ask you three senior brothers to pursue and slay those two."

The three Demonic Path True Lord exchanged cold, mocking smiles. Demonic Cultivator were driven by self-interest; even between master and disciple, schemes and power struggles were the norm.

Merely on the word of the Young Master of Forgetful River, they would not be moved. The Blood Robe Patriarch spoke up. "If we are to chase into Human Race waters, the price you offered earlier is insufficient."

"This..."

Young Master of Forgetful River's eyes flashed with a trace of cold malice, yet he could only force a smile and say, "What a pity that I cannot afford the price. It seems I must wait until I break through to the Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the stage where one's nascent soul begins to comprehend the Heavenly Path] before I can seek vengeance upon them."

"..."

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang continued their journey. After flying for several more days, they realized Young Master of Forgetful River still had not pursued them.

He let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "It seems that Forgetful River's courage is still insufficient. He dares not openly enter the territory of the Human Race."

This was within expectations. A demonic cultivation seed like Forgetful River, and a direct disciple of the Blood God Patriarch at that, was destined to cultivate at least to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the nascent soul realm] in the future.

Such an existence had long been a thorn in the side of the Human Race's True Lord [powerful cultivators at the True Lord realm], who would eagerly seize any chance to eliminate him before he could break through to Infant Soul [the nascent soul realm].

The two returned to Demon-Suppressing Island. They rested and recuperated in their cave abode for over a month, finally restoring the greater part of their spiritual power.

They did not linger on Demon-Suppressing Island. Taking Verdant Peak Ye with them, they traveled via the Teleportation Formation [a magical formation for instantaneous travel over vast distances] towards Heavenly Spirit Island. After a journey lasting the better part of a year, they finally arrived back at Heavenly Spirit Island.

No sooner had they returned to Heavenly Spirit Island than Immortal Maiden Heaven Spirit sought them out, unable to contain her agitation as she asked, "How did your journey fare?" Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel-dot-com.