Chapter 509 : The Valley of Heavenly Resonance

With words spoken to this extent, there was no need to say anything more.

Eldrin Chen stored away the Heavenly Path Energy [a rare spiritual essence that resonates with the Heavenly Path, greatly aiding cultivation breakthroughs], then spoke: "This Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] was laid down by Vast Righteousness True Lord. Even an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their Primordial Spirit into an Infant Soul, a major realm advancement] would find it difficult to breach."

"If they pursue us here, this formation will be sufficient to hold back several of those heaven-favored prodigies, taking significant pressure off our shoulders."

"Let us remain here and quietly await the conclusion of this Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare celestial phenomenon where the energies of heaven and earth align, creating opportunities for great fortune or tribulation]."

The trio, having obtained three strands of Heavenly Path Energy, had achieved their heart's desire and thus refrained from contesting for the final two strands.

To commit such an act would likely offend the top-tier prodigies present. Many among them possessed the potential to reach the Infant Soul realm, meaning they could become fellow cultivators on the same path in the future. Forming an irreparable enmity with them would be an unwise calculation.

However, after Eldrin Chen and his companions had recuperated 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 foundation for higher realms] arrived, led by six prodigies who possessed Path Body [a rare innate physique exceptionally attuned to a specific cultivation path]. Broad River Path Master and Long Cosmos True Person were among these three.

Upon reaching the mouth of the valley, Broad River Path Master cast a grave look at the scene, then cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoists, what excellent fortune to have obtained three strands of Heavenly Path Energy."

"Yet, for such an opportunity to be entirely claimed by just the three of you... does that not seem excessive?" Support the author by reading on audio - novel . com.

The valley fell into a hushed stillness for a moment, before three figures emerged from within.

Eldrin Chen stepped forth, treading upon the air as if strolling on solid ground. Clad in robes white as snow, his features and bearing were such that anyone who saw him would praise him as a Banished Immortal descended to the mortal dust, his elegance and grace peerless in the world.

He swept his gaze over the assembled crowd, recognizing their identities. Among this gathering of over a hundred, the ones who posed a sufficient threat to him for the moment were the six peerless prodigies, each possessing a Path Body [a rare and powerful innate constitution aligned with a specific Dao Path].

Each of these individuals possessed the innate talent to form a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core foundation]. Breaking through to the Earthly Path Infant Soul [the Infant Soul realm attained via the Earthly Path method] would be as natural as water flowing downhill for them. They even held a sliver of possibility to forge a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the supreme Infant Soul realm attained via the Heavenly Path method].

Among these six, aside from the three he had crossed paths with earlier, the remaining three were: a woman in palace attire, a Hulking Warrior, and finally, a refined and scholarly-looking young man.

The woman in palace attire was named Immortal Maiden Violet Jade. She hailed from the Ivy Palace, an Infant Soul Great Sect [a major sect powerful enough to have Infant Soul stage cultivators as its pillars] located within the Boundless Hundred Provinces.

The hulking warrior originated from the Mountain-Moving Sect, another Infant Soul Great Sect based in Mountain-Moving Province. This lineage practiced body-refining cultivation arts, their physical strength rivaling that of a flood dragon churning the seas. It was said they had once produced a great cultivator who reached the Infant Soul Late Stage.

The final scholar was named Lord White Dawn. Though merely a rogue cultivator, he possessed the Rising Sun Path Body [a Path Body aligned with the rising sun, symbolizing vitality and ascension], making him a figure of considerable renown among the unaffiliated.

After observing these three, Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, "Since we are all fellow cultivators of the Human Race, I shall speak plainly."

"In your estimation, given the capabilities of my wife and myself, are we each worthy of claiming one strand of Heavenly Path Energy [a supreme spiritual energy, the purest essence required for forming a Heavenly Path Infant Soul]?"

The expressions of the several individuals shifted slightly. Immortal Maiden Violet Jade still spoke, "We have long heard of your famed deed in slaying a Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings]. You are certainly worthy of this Heavenly Path Energy [a rare, heaven-bestowed spiritual essence]."

"Good," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "Vast Righteousness True Lord spent millennia repairing the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range. The will of heaven and earth rewarded him with Heavenly Path Energy. Is he not also worthy of it?"

Only then did the others understand—it seemed Eldrin Chen had inherited the Karma [the spiritual merit and legacy of actions] of Vast Righteousness True Lord.

Immortal Maiden Violet Jade's expression changed subtly. After Vast Righteousness True Lord broke through to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm], he had become one of the most formidable True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator title] within the Three Veins Ancient Domain. Even her own master, the Mistress of Ivy Palace, would have to treat him with serious respect. He was certainly not someone she could casually disparage.

Yet, the Heavenly Path Energy was far too precious. To simply give it up was unacceptable to her. Thus, she stated, "The Heavenly Path Energy belongs to the capable. Expecting us to retreat without a challenge will not be easy."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen chuckled, shaking his head. "Even if we were to part with one strand of Heavenly Path Energy, the six of you would struggle to divide it fairly. It would likely lead to conflict among yourselves."

"Very well. We are all fellow cultivators on the same path. I have no wish for open hostility."

"You may challenge me, one by one. Should any of you defeat me, you may claim one strand of Heavenly Path Energy."

The faces of the group tightened, yet they had to admit Eldrin Chen's words held truth.

Their alliance was built on some camaraderie, but faced with the temptation of Heavenly Path Energy, that bond might not prove unbreakable.

Even if they were to tear off all pretense and engage in a full-scale battle against Eldrin Chen and his companions, and even if they managed to seize one or two strands of Heavenly Path Energy [a primordial energy embodying the 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 to challenge Eldrin Chen in a one-on-one duel. Victory would guarantee a strand of Heavenly Path Energy, and the others would have no grounds for complaint.

Having settled on this course, the Hulking Warrior was the first to step forward. His corded muscles rippled with immense power as he approached. "Your reasoning holds merit," he declared. "I, Mountain Tower Yue, shall test your mettle."

As his words faded, Mountain Tower Yue summoned a massive, ponderous battle-axe. The weapon swelled with the wind, transforming into a mountain peak that hurtled through the air to crush its target.

"The Mountain-Sundering Axe!" someone exclaimed.

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly in recognition. The Mountain-Sundering Axe was one of the supreme legacy Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact of immense power] of the Mountain-Moving Sect. For more chapters, visit audio–novel.com for the complete novel.

Forged from high-grade Precious Metal and fused with vast quantities of Mystic Iron Ore Vein, this axe possessed the weight of a mountain range upon completion. A single strike could shatter the earth for a thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Its destructive power was legendary. It was said that even a Demon Emperor of the Spirit Turtle Clan, renowned for its defensive prowess, could not withstand its blow; a direct hit risked pulverizing even their formidable physical form.

As the Mountain-Sundering Axe descended with world-crushing force, Eldrin Chen did not take it lightly. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to meet the attack.

While this sword was peerless in its Slaughter [its divine ability focused on pure killing intent], its speed and piercing lethality far surpassing the axe's, it could not match the sheer, overwhelming mass of the Mountain-Sundering Axe. The sword's defense wavered, struggling to fully halt the axe's monumental descent.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve once more, and the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword descended to suppress the foe. Under the combined might of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, the power of the Mountain-Sundering Axe was finally pressed down.

"What a magnificent pair of Immortal Sword!"

Mountain Tower Yue exclaimed in admiration. The moment he saw this pair of Immortal Sword, he understood he was no match for their wielder.

However, possessing the Mountain Peak Path Body [a top-tier physique that embodies the unyielding nature of mountain peaks], he was a prodigy of the highest order and would not concede defeat so easily.

With a furious roar, he took a decisive step forward and launched a punch directly at Eldrin Chen, clearly intending to rely on his formidable physical strength to overwhelm him.

Such a blow could force even a True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator] to retreat. Yet, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he simply raised his palm to meet the attack head-on.

"BOOM—"

In that instant, a thunderous explosion rent the air.

Facing this palm strike, Mountain Tower Yue was sent reeling as if struck by a titanic force, staggering back a full hundred paces.

His arm went numb, all strength momentarily sapped from it. He could only stare at Eldrin Chen with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Yet, in the next instant, his crestfallen expression returned as he cupped his hands in a deferential salute. "Your divine strength is peerless. I, Mountain Tower Yue, am not your equal."

"You are also quite formidable."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, offering a rare word of praise.

This was no empty compliment. He cultivated the Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique], which had naturally given rise to the Five Thunders Body Tempering Great Art [a legendary art for refining the physical body].

This was one of the most supreme body-tempering arts in all creation. Within the entire Purple Seal Realm, there was scarcely another that could rival it. Cultivated to its ultimate limit, one's fleshly body would be no weaker than that of a Primordial Era True Dragon [a mythical dragon from the dawn of time], rivaling the legendary Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons [the divine and demonic beings of the highest heavens]. The story continues at audio-novel[dot]com.