Chapter 621 : A Drop of Celestial Sun

It was a pity that the Primordial Solar Divine Liquid [a divine liquid imbued with the essence of the primordial sun] possessed by Sea-Calmer Path Master was far too scarce, merely a single drop. For a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the Primordial Spirit stage of cultivation], it was something of little use yet too precious to discard. However, for those gathered here, it remained a rare and curious object.

"This item..."

Eldrin Chen hesitated for a brief moment, then sent a voice transmission to Sea-Calmer Path Master: "That Primordial Solar Divine Liquid, how does Elder Brother intend to sell it?"

"You want it?" Sea-Calmer Path Master's eyes flickered slightly before he spoke. "The quantity is indeed small, but it is, after all, a Sixth Rank Spiritual Object [a spiritual object of the sixth rank, denoting high rarity and power]. If you desire it, I shall price it at four hundred Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of Spirit Stone used by high-level cultivators]."

"Four hundred Heavenly Crystal."

Eldrin Chen's heart gave a slight tremor. This price was equivalent to half a Superior Spiritual Treasure [a top-grade enchanted artifact]. An ordinary cultivator would likely be reluctant to spend such a high sum on auxiliary material for artifact forging.

While it was true this item was a Sixth Rank Spiritual Object, using it to forge a mere Superior Spiritual Treasure would be a losing proposition. However, Eldrin Chen possessed both the Crimson Flame Treasure Lotus [a magical lotus imbued with crimson flame essence] and the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus [a rare spiritual lotus that grows on celestial peaks]. If combined with this Primordial Solar Divine Liquid, he might be able to craft a Quasi-Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure approaching the power of one forged with true primordial solar essence].

Given the formidable power a Quasi-Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure could wield, the expenditure would indeed be justified.

Having reached this conclusion, Eldrin Chen transmitted his reply: "I lack sufficient Heavenly Crystal. Let us exchange it for several other Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or containing spiritual energy]."

"Agreed." Access the full story on audio-novel[dot]com.

The Sea-Calmer Path Master [a title for a powerful cultivator] nodded. Both Fifth Rank Spiritual Objects [exceptionally rare and powerful enchanted items] and Heavenly Crystal [a highly refined and potent form of spiritual energy crystal] were considered hard currency [universally accepted items of high value]. The two parties swiftly concluded the transaction.

After this exchange was finalized, Eldrin Chen finally felt a slight sense of gain from this trip, having obtained a few pleasant surprises.

The trading session continued thereafter, but until its conclusion, no one offered the Five Source Divine Jade [a legendary jade containing the essence of five primal sources] they sought. However, there was a Tribulation Crossing Flower [a miraculous herb that aids cultivators in surviving heavenly tribulations] available for sale.

Unlike in his impoverished past, Eldrin Chen was no longer strapped for resources. He directly purchased one Tribulation Crossing Flower to serve as part of his clan's foundational reserves.

After acquiring the treasures, just as Eldrin Chen was preparing to depart, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master [the leader of the Heavenly Reed Sect] spoke up, "Let us return together. It would be safer to have company on the journey."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang and immediately understood. The Heavenly Reed Sect Master was worried about being targeted by others coveting the opportunities represented by the Heavenly Path Pill [a pill said to guide one closer to the Heavenly Dao] and the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean location rich in fiery spiritual energy]. He sought mutual protection by traveling with them.

Realizing this in an instant, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "Very well, let us travel together."

The group exited the Underground Fire Vein and immediately activated their Treasure Ship [a flying vessel powered by spiritual energy], setting course for Ji Continent.

After flying for tens of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Eldrin Chen suddenly erupted with a radiant Stellar [pertaining to stars or celestial bodies] Glazed [a surname] light from his body, deflecting an invisible force that had been directed at him.

Witnessing the sudden activation of his Stellar Glazed Body [a powerful defensive physique technique], Exquisite Jiang couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"

"Someone just attempted to ambush me with a Demonic Path Curse Technique [a sinister magical technique that inflicts harm from a distance], but it was blocked by my Stellar Glazed Body [a defensive technique that renders the body as hard and radiant as glazed celestial jade]."

Eldrin Chen said with a grave expression, immediately increasing the speed of the Greenjade Phoenix Feather Boat [a flying vessel crafted from the feathers of a phoenix and enchanted green jade]. His gaze turned icy as he continued, "The curse technique used by the assailant was immensely powerful. I fear their cultivation has already reached the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul realm, where the nascent soul is nearly fully formed]."

"A Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses malevolent, often soul-consuming methods to advance their power] at the Infant Soul Late Stage?" The Heavenly Reed Sect Master [the leader of the Heavenly Reed Sect] paled slightly, unable to conceal his shock. "We were targeted by Demonic Cultivator the moment we left Mysterious Void Continent [a continent shrouded in enigmatic mists and spatial anomalies]. There must be a traitor among those Infant Soul True Lord [honorific title for a cultivator who has reached the Infant Soul realm]."

Exquisite Jiang also took a deep breath before speaking. "The Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources and treasures] involved over two hundred True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators, often at the Golden Core realm or above]. Figuring out who sent the message is nearly impossible. Our priority is to get away from here."

Both men nodded in agreement. They immediately channeled their full power into the Greenjade Phoenix Feather Boat, urging it to greater speeds. With the enemy hidden and their own position exposed, engaging the Demonic Cultivator head-on was clearly an unwise risk.

"..."

"*Cough*—"

At that very moment, tens of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, a black-robed old man suddenly spat out a mouthful of dark blood, his face turning deathly pale.

Not far from him, several figures sat cross-legged, each radiating a palpable, malevolent aura that chilled the air around them.

Witnessing the black-robed elder suddenly vomit blood, one of the figures could not help but ask, "Desolation Old Demon, what exactly happened?"

"Ahem—"

The Desolation Old Demon coughed several times, his face pale. He forcibly suppressed the injuries wracking his body before speaking. "That Returning Abyss Path Master cultivates a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] that can resist Demonic Path Curse Technique [a sinister art of hexes and maledictions]."

"Not only did my Desolation Demon Soul Devourer Curse [a malevolent curse that consumes the soul] fail to harm him, but it rebounded upon me, causing backlash."

"This..."

The complexions of the several figures present shifted slightly. Demonic Path Curse Technique were not merely tools for ambushing foes; they were also the most effective means of controlling subordinates. Practically every Demonic Path [a cultivation path aligned with demonic forces] True Lord [a powerful cultivator at the True Lord realm] would cultivate such arts.

The Desolation Demon Soul Devourer Curse cultivated by the Desolation Old Demon was originally a top-tier Great God Ability [a divine ability of the highest order]. With the Desolation Old Demon's cultivation at the Infant Soul 8th Tier [the eighth level of the Infant Soul realm], its power was such that even a righteous-path cultivator at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the peak of the Infant Soul realm] would be severely wounded. Yet, it had failed to even injure Eldrin Chen. Official source: @udio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

At this thought, one of the Infant Soul [a major cultivation realm] Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner of demonic arts] sighed helplessly. "If only we had his Eight Characters of Destiny [the exact date and time of his birth, used in divination and curses]. It's a pity that Eldrin Chen's birth details are kept extremely secret, and items he has used are scarcely circulated."

The Desolation Old Demon shook his head, his gaze turning icy. "That Returning Abyss Path Master rose from humble origins. He has always been exceedingly cautious by nature. I fear aside from his wife, no one knows the hour of his birth."

As he spoke, the Desolation Old Demon stood up. "Within three Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years], the Outer Realm Sacred Ancestor [a supreme being from beyond this realm] will tear open the Sacred Abyss Heavenly Scar [a dimensional rift leading to the Sacred Abyss]."

"To resist the Hundred Clans of the Sacred Abyss, the Human Race will surely purge potential threats in their rear beforehand. The recent destruction of the Black Fiend Ridge serves as a stark warning. The situation for our Desolate Demon Ridge is now perilously precarious."

"Therefore, we must spare no cost to increase our strength, to strike the Human Race [the collective term for humanity in this cultivation world] completely off guard."

Upon hearing this, the four Demonic Path [a cultivation path that often involves unorthodox, violent, or soul-consuming methods] True Lord [a high-level cultivator, equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage] still wore expressions of hesitation. With Desolation Old Demon now injured by the backlash, confronting the trio of Eldrin Chen seemed fraught with peril.

Seeing their wavering resolve, Desolation Old Demon pressed on: "The Fire Source Divine Jade [a divine jade containing the pure essence of primordial fire, invaluable for cultivation breakthroughs] is sufficient to aid this old man in breaking through to the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the peak stage of the Nascent Soul realm]. The Heavenly Path Pill [a legendary elixir said to grant profound insights into the Heavenly Dao, aiding cultivation] could very well allow one among you to advance to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm]."

"If we achieve a great victory in this battle, we will have ample lifespan to witness the opening of the Sacred Abyss Heavenly Scar [a legendary, periodically opening spatial rift or secret realm filled with ancient treasures and dangers]."

"At that time, when the Human Race pours all its strength into the Eastern Sea, half of the Three Veins Ancient Domain [an ancient continent divided into three major spiritual vein networks] will be like fish on our chopping block. Within mere decades, our cultivation bases will skyrocket, and we might even have a chance to touch the realm of a Primordial Spirit Patriarch [a supreme expert who has ascended to the Primordial Spirit stage, a being of immense power]."

"Have you considered it well?"

"Primordial Spirit Patriarch..."

The thought of wantonly sacrificing the Human Race to boost their cultivation, the mere possibility of reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm beyond Nascent Soul, where one's spirit undergoes a fundamental transformation], caused the four Demonic Path True Lord to draw a deep breath. They quickly nodded in agreement. "Very well. Today, we shall sacrifice all three of them, including that Returning Abyss Path Master [a title for Eldrin Chen, meaning 'Master of the Path to the Returning Abyss']."

Thus resolved, the five demons set off in pursuit of the direction where the Greenjade Phoenix Feather Boat [a flying vessel crafted from phoenix feathers and green jade] was located.

Eldrin Chen had been piloting the treasure boat for several days when he felt a murderous aura drawing ever closer. Finally, the five old demons caught up to them.

"Returning Abyss [a legendary and perilous abyss], you cannot escape."

The Desolation Old Demon arrived, riding a Treasure Ship [a flying vessel powered by spiritual energy]. With a flick of his hand, he unleashed a black demonic bell that instantly suppressed the surrounding void [the fabric of space].

"A top-grade spatial Demonic Treasure [an enchanted artifact of great power, often used by demonic cultivators]."

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly. He realized the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical mirror capable of manipulating space] was being suppressed by the black demonic bell, making it difficult to tear through the void and escape.

"It's the World-Suppressing Demon Bell [a legendary demonic artifact known for its power to seal space]."

The cultivator from the Heavenly Reed Sect [a prominent cultivation sect] paled, recognizing the origin of this Demonic Treasure. He hurriedly spoke, "The one who comes is the Desolation Old Demon from the Desolate Demon Ridge [a forbidden land inhabited by powerful demonic beings] in the Nine Rivers Continent. You must be cautious."

"Desolate Demon Ridge?"

While urging his Treasure Ship forward, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply, and his movements faltered for an instant.

The Desolate Demon Ridge in the Nine Rivers Continent was a Forbidden Land [a perilous region shunned by most] inhabited by Demonic Cultivators [cultivators who follow unorthodox, often malevolent paths]. More importantly, it was the very place where the sword tip of the legendary Azure Abyss Sword [a divine sword of immense power] was said to reside. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel-dot-com.