Chapter 571 : A Desperate True Lord's Plea

"Disaster!"

In that fleeting moment, Soaring Cloud True Lord sensed a terrifying killing intent surging towards him.

He instantly retreated, hurriedly summoning a pale golden ruler to defend himself. This golden ruler, named the Primordial Unity Heaven-Splitting Ruler, was a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] forged from Fifth Rank Primordial Unity Adamantine [a legendary, supremely hard metal], possessing an Arcane Power [a mystical force] capable of cleaving through anything.

Yet, against the oncoming sword radiance, the Primordial Unity Heaven-Splitting Ruler was instantly sent flying, its glow dimming in an instant.

"A mid-grade Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power, specifically effective against demonic beings]."

Soaring Cloud True Lord's heart sank. He realized the newcomer's combat prowess was at least that of an Infant Soul Mid Stage [a powerful stage of spiritual cultivation] expert. He immediately activated a Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique] and attempted to flee.

But at that very moment, another figure made their move. A woman of breathtaking beauty, clad in white robes, raised her hand. A dazzling Two Polarities Divine Light [a divine radiance embodying the opposing forces of yin and yang] descended upon him, momentarily trapping him and making escape impossible.

Furthermore, an ethereal, sky-veiling mirror materialized, enveloping the void. A power of Path Void [a profound force related to the Void Path] suppressed everything, completely sealing the entire expanse of heaven and earth.

"Two opponents with Infant Soul Mid Stage level combat power."

In that instant, utter despair washed over Soaring Cloud True Lord. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel*com.

A single cultivator at the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed and stabilized] would be enough to handle two or three of him, let alone the arrival of at least two such experts. In his terror, he immediately cried out for mercy.

"Spare my life—"

Unfortunately, Eldrin Chen gave him no chance to say more. The Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for slaying immortals and devouring souls] transformed into a blade of Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power capable of slaying celestial beings] radiance that descended, cleaving him in two with a single stroke.

In his final moments, Soaring Cloud True Lord attempted to erupt his Infant Soul Essence [the concentrated spiritual core of an Infant Soul cultivator] to flee. Yet, faced with the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword, he was instantly immobilized. Not only was his Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual form of a cultivator] severed, but his very soul was devoured by the sword's spirit.

At that very moment, Lila finally managed to halt the detonation of the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy vital to a region's vitality] at the critical juncture.

"Uncle Eldrin…"

She gazed at Eldrin Chen, her eyes like autumn waters, holding a trace of captivating allure.

"Calm your heart, steady your mind!"

After beheading Soaring Cloud True Lord with a single sword stroke, Eldrin Chen strode to Lila's side. He immediately channeled his spiritual power to suppress the raging inner fire within her.

Though he used his formidable power to press down the Six Desires [a state or technique related to the six fundamental worldly desires] Mortal Dust [a metaphorical term for the mundane world and its corrupting influences] energy within her, he felt the inner fire grow ever more intense under the suppression. It seemed to want to consume his spiritual power, threatening to surge back along the connection and engulf him.

"This Six Desires Mortal Dust [a technique that stirs the six base desires of mortal existence] is the essence of corrupting desire, a signature method of the Desire Demon [a type of demon that feeds on and manipulates the desires of living beings]. Its power originates from the cultivator's own latent cravings, making it exceptionally difficult to resist or suppress."

"Even profound Primordial Spirit Great Power [cultivators who have reached the Primordial Spirit realm, possessing immense spiritual power] often find themselves with no choice but to flee when confronted with this technique from a Desire Demon."

"The only way to dispel it is to follow the natural course of human relations, venting the desire through the Dual Cultivation method [a practice where two cultivators harmonize their energies, often through intimate union]. Suppressing it with spiritual power alone is merely drinking poison to quench thirst."

Exquisite Jiang stepped forward, her expression grave as she spoke.

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, once more mustering his spiritual power, using his exceptionally pure cultivation base to help Lila suppress the rising tide of desire.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang glanced at Lila, took a deep breath, and then produced a fourth-rank Heart-Cleansing Pill [an elixir that calms the mind and purges distracting thoughts] to feed to her.

The Heart-Cleansing Pill could slightly dampen the internal cravings, but against the power of the Six Desires Mortal Dust, it was far from sufficient. However, the combined efforts finally allowed Lila to temporarily hold the desires at bay.

Lila's face was slightly flushed, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. She finally managed to stand and said, "Thank you, Uncle Eldrin. If not for your timely rescue, I fear I would never have seen you again."

"Some days ago, when I used the Great Deduction Heavenly Art [a profound divination technique that glimpses into fate and future tribulations] to perform a calculation, I sensed an impending Tribulation [a trial or calamity faced by cultivators, often sent by heaven as a test] was approaching you. I rushed here immediately."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, though his eyes held a weighty seriousness. "We hurried as fast as we could. Thankfully, we did not miss the critical moment to intervene."

"The suppression of the Six Desires Mortal Dust aura [the corrupting energy of worldly desires] will not last long. We must find a way to resolve it, or it will consume her vital essence [the foundational life force of a cultivator] and cause irreversible damage."

As she spoke, Exquisite Jiang's gaze turned towards Eldrin Chen.

In her heart, she understood clearly that the best solution now was for Eldrin Chen and Lila to engage in dual cultivation [a practice where two cultivators harmonize their energies for mutual benefit]. This would extinguish the flames of desire raging within Lila's body.

Furthermore, judging by Lila's current state, if she herself were not present, the girl would likely be clinging to Eldrin Chen without a second thought, overjoyed at the prospect.

Yet, as Eldrin Chen's dao companion [a cultivator's lifelong partner, sharing the path of cultivation], her heart rebelled against the idea. While it was true that most high-ranking male cultivators in this world took multiple companions, her own innate pride made it difficult to accept.

In truth, which supremely talented female cultivator was not proud and aloof? Most found it hard to tolerate their partners taking concubines, unless the other party's strength far surpassed their own, forcing them to submit. This chapter is part of a larger work available at (audio-novel.com).

With this thought, a wave of unwillingness washed over Exquisite Jiang. She flicked her sleeve, gathering the few remaining possessions of the Soaring Cloud True Lord, and said, "Among this Soaring Cloud True Lord's treasures, there may be a method for dispelling the curse."

"Then let us try,"

Eldrin Chen took the Soaring Cloud True Lord's Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for storing items] and forcefully channeled his spiritual energy to break its seals.

The method to forcibly open a Storage Bag was to destroy it, though this carried the significant risk of its contents being lost to the void between spaces.

However, Eldrin Chen possessed the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical mirror capable of stabilizing space], which was sufficient to anchor the void and retrieve the treasures within.

Working together, the two of them forced it open, even at the cost of damaging a high-grade Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for storing items]. In an instant, they tore open the void space within the Storage Bag.

For a moment, countless Spiritual Object [objects imbued with spiritual energy] flew out from within, many nearly tumbling into the spatial rifts. Fortunately, the Polarity Void Mirror captured and drew them all out.

Eldrin Chen's divine sense swept over the contents, finding an immense amount of miscellaneous items. Surprisingly, many were specialized Spiritual Object designed for the... *training* of female cultivators.

"How did this scoundrel even manage to cultivate to the True Lord [a high rank in the cultivation hierarchy]?"

Exquisite Jiang's face flushed slightly. She incinerated all those training implements and continued searching for an antidote.

Yet, this Six Desires Mortal Dust [Mortal Dust of the Six Desires] energy was virtually unsolvable. Even the Desire Demon [a type of demon that feeds on desire] could only purge it through dual cultivation. What method could Soaring Cloud True Lord possibly have possessed to extract it?

"Alas..."

Exquisite Jiang sighed inwardly. She couldn't help but glance at Lila, only to find the girl gazing at Eldrin Chen with a ravenous, thirsty look. Lila's face grew increasingly flushed and alluring, a clear sign the desires within her were becoming utterly uncontrollable.

"It cannot be suppressed. At this point, the only course is..."

With a slight compromise in her heart, Exquisite Jiang took advantage of Lila's remaining clarity and could only ask, "Are you willing?"

"I..."

Lila's face flushed with shyness. She stole a glance at Eldrin Chen, and in her bright eyes, a vision of the past flickered.

That year, the first thought that crossed her mind upon seeing him in the city was a wish: how wonderful it would be to spend every day and night with such an Immortal brother forever.

Yet fate had other plans. The moment she saw Exquisite Jiang, she understood her admiration could only be buried deep within the earth.

Even if that admiration had grown into a towering tree, it must forever remain rooted in the soil. For even a single, humble green leaf to emerge would be a profane transgression.

Only she herself knew that the true barrier to her Infant Soul breakthrough was perhaps not the Oblivion Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning], nor the myriad stringent conditions, but him—the one who haunted her dreams day and night.

If her Inner Demon [a manifestation of one's deepest fears and desires that can obstruct cultivation] were to take his form, she would willingly be lost in that illusion for all eternity, never wishing to awaken.

"I am willing!"

In this very moment, beneath Eldrin's gaze, Lila finally mustered her courage. The towering tree buried in the depths of her heart was now breaking through the soil, unstoppable, reaching for the untouchable sunlight. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio_novel.com.