Chapter 633 : The Unmatched Sword Path

A pure Sword Cultivator [a cultivator who specializes exclusively in the way of the sword] possesses formidable offensive power, yet their path is one of extreme rigidity, prone to breaking. The spiritual energy [the vital energy cultivated and used by practitioners] they refine is supremely suited for wielding Sword Path [techniques and arts of the sword] Divine Ability [supernatural powers derived from profound cultivation] and Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade and power]. However, when used to activate ordinary Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts and weapons], its potency is drastically diminished.

Therefore, Sword Cultivator typically forsake all conventional methods, dedicating themselves solely to the Sword Path. In terms of pure destructive force, they are virtually peerless under the heavens.

Within the Purple Seal Realm, high-level pure Sword Cultivator are exceedingly rare. The most renowned is undoubtedly Heaven Abandoned Lin of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. His Slaughter [a divine ability focused on annihilation] is said to be so terrifying it could send shivers down the spine of even a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest mortal cultivation stage] Great Perfection expert, those who stand on the very threshold of immortality.

"Allow me to introduce you both,"

Heavenly Reed Sect Master [the leader of the Heavenly Reed Sect] said with a faint smile, turning to Eldrin Chen. "This esteemed individual is the foremost Sword Cultivator within our Three Veins Ancient Domain, known as the 'Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal' [Sword Immortal of the Primal Heavens]."

"And these two," he continued, gesturing to Eldrin Chen and his companion, "are the renowned Dao companions [cultivation partners who share the path] from Ji Continent, the Returning Abyss Path Master [Master of the Returning Abyss Path] and his partner."

As the Heavenly Reed Sect Master made the introductions, Eldrin Chen recalled the origins of this Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal.

This 'Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal' was not only a cultivator of the seventh-tier Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spiritual core forms into an infant-like soul], but also a famous and powerful figure within the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

In his youth, the Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal had obtained the legacy of a late-stage Nascent Soul expert. He rose to fame wielding the Heaven-Sundering Spirit-Slaying Sword [a sword famed for cleaving heavens and slaying spirits], and had also cultivated the legendary Mysterious Heaven Sword Shield. His strength ranked among the most formidable even within the late-stage Nascent Soul realm.

Rumors even spoke of him having slain a late-stage Nascent Soul Great Power [a term for a cultivator of significant influence and strength]. This suggested his offensive capabilities were likely not inferior to those at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul realm. Original publication: www . audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.

The Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal merely nodded slightly at Eldrin Chen, paying little heed to this cultivator at the Infant Soul Early Stage. He addressed the Heavenly Reed Sect Master directly.

"Brother Tianlu, have you considered the matter I spoke of?"

"If you sell the Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword to me, I will help you eradicate the Desolate Demon Ridge and avenge that grudge from years past."

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master gave a noncommittal laugh and deftly changed the subject. "Let us discuss that another day."

"Hmph." The Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal let out a cold snort. "That Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword would unleash its full, twelvefold power only in the hands of a true Sword Cultivator like myself. In your possession, it is nothing but a waste of a divine artifact."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, piecing together the cause and effect of the situation.

So, this Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal coveted the Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword and wished to exchange two Superior Spiritual Treasure for it.

The value of a Quasi-Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure was inestimable, undoubtedly surpassing that of two mere Superior Spiritual Treasure. Naturally, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master would never agree to such a trade.

As for eradicating the Desolate Demon Ridge, that was not the Heavenly Reed Sect Master's burden alone. He had no intention of playing the fool, trading away his greatest trump card for such a deal.

That might have been the end of it, but this Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal, with his towering pride, had actually chosen to argue the point with the Heavenly Reed Sect Master right here at the banquet.

"This person is proud and arrogant, and his temperament is perhaps too blunt and straightforward."

Such thoughts flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind. While it was true that the temperament of a Sword Cultivator [a cultivator whose path and power are centered on the sword] was influenced by their sword intent, leading them to generally value directness in their dealings,

this influence usually had its limits. The Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal [a title for a supreme master of the sword path], however, was excessively direct.

If a person's emotions were overly swayed by the attributes of the cultivation energy they wielded, it was a sign that their self-control could not master their power. If they could not subdue this influence, it might not bode well for their future.

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master deftly steered the conversation elsewhere, and the banquet continued its course.

After the grand feast concluded, Eldrin Chen, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master, and the Nine Rivers Path Master gathered together in a Great Hall.

The Nine Rivers Path Master glanced at the others, a pleased expression on his face as he stroked his beard. "Speaking of which," he said, "that Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword [a legendary sword forged from a rare crystal imbued with the essences of earth and fire] of yours truly makes this old man envious. No wonder the Primordial Heaven Sword Immortal coveted it so."

"You flatter me," the Heavenly Reed Sect Master replied with a slight smile, then looked at the Nine Rivers Path Master. "Elder Brother, your Nine Heavenly River Immortal Swords [a set of nine immortal swords, each representing a celestial river] shake the heavens with their might. My Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword is hardly worth mentioning in comparison."

The Nine Rivers Path Master allowed himself a confident smile. While his Nine Heavenly River Immortal Swords were not individually Quasi-Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [magical artifacts of immense power, just one step below the legendary Primordial Solar Treasures], when combined, their power indeed rivaled that of such a treasure.

With this thought, he pondered for a moment before speaking. "Now that Brother Tianlu has broken through to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul realm, where one's nascent spiritual form matures], his spiritual energy [the vital force cultivated by practitioners] should increase by approximately half."

"Once you refine two more superior Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a cultivator's personally bound and nurtured magical artifact], our chances of fulfilling the century-long pact to eradicate the Desolate Demon Ridge will be significantly greater."

"Indeed. After breaking through to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the third and final phase of the Infant Soul cultivation realm], I will be able to unleash the full power of the Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword."

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master nodded, then looked at the others and asked, "Before the hundred-year deadline arrives, do any of you fellow Daoists have confidence in advancing another step?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only offer a bitter smile. Given his current progress, he estimated he could break through to the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the second phase of the Infant Soul realm] roughly thirty years before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. It was likely he wouldn't make it before the century mark.

Exquisite Jiang had broken through twenty years later than him, so her breakthrough would probably come even later. Thinking this, he could only turn his gaze towards Nine Rivers Path Master.

Nine Rivers Path Master's cultivation was already at the lofty Infant Soul 8th Tier [the eighth minor tier within the Infant Soul realm]. Advancing one more step would place him at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the peak, ninth tier of the Infant Soul realm], at which point his spiritual power would increase by a full thirty to forty percent. Continue reading this story at audio–novel.com.

A cultivator with such a profound foundation, whose spiritual power then swelled by another thirty to forty percent, would wield immense strength. With the Nine Heavenly River Immortal Swords in hand, Nine Rivers Path Master's combat prowess would rank among the powerful even within the Great Perfection of Infant Soul.

Seeing their expectant looks, Nine Rivers Path Master furrowed his brow and quickly shook his head. "After breaking through to the Infant Soul Late Stage, it takes this old man five hundred years to advance a single minor tier. I have only been at the Infant Soul 8th Tier for two hundred years."

"Alas…"

Upon hearing this, a faint sigh echoed in the hearts of the group. If only Heavenly Hut Path Master alone broke through to the Infant Soul Late Stage, they would likely still find it difficult to completely eradicate the Desolate Demon Ridge.

With this thought in mind, Nine Rivers Path Master inquired, "Regarding the Ji Clan side, that one..."

Out of respect for one's superior, Nine Rivers Path Master dared not utter Dorian Ji's name directly. He merely asked cautiously, clearly wondering if Dorian Ji could intervene.

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang shook her head and said, "That one has indeed emerged from seclusion. However, barely over a century remains until the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the prophesied, cyclical eruption of demonic energy from the depths of the Demonic Abyss]."

"After emerging, he immediately went to the End of the Demonic Abyss. His purposes are twofold: first, to guard the Demonic Abyss against any unusual movements, and second, to lay down preparations in advance to withstand the coming Demonic Abyss Cataclysm."

Hearing this, the others dared not press the matter further. Compared to the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, the affairs of the Desolate Demon Ridge were but a minor issue, unworthy of diverting the attention and effort of a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended a profound Path or Dao].

Since the Path Lord [a title for a cultivator who has comprehended a profound Path or Dao, typically at the Primordial Spirit realm or above] could not spare himself, it fell to these Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators at the Infant Soul realm, a stage below Primordial Spirit, who have earned the title of True Lord] to handle it.

Thinking of this, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master asked, "The old lair of the Blazing Fire Old Demon was originally destroyed by the Heaven's Profound Sect. I wonder if we could request their assistance?"

"I fear that is also unlikely," Nine Rivers Path Master replied with a bitter smile. "The Heaven's Profound Sect Master failed in his attempt to break through to the Primordial Spirit realm. His Vital Essence, Energy, and Spirit [the three foundational pillars of a cultivator's life force: Jing (essence), Qi (energy), and Shen (spirit)] are nearly exhausted. I fear he does not have much time left."

"Their Heaven's Profound Sect is a vast and powerful institution. Not only are they coveted by demons and monsters, but they also face the impending eruption of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. Once the Heaven's Profound Sect Master passes, they will likely struggle to ensure their own survival."

Upon hearing this, the hearts of those present grew heavy. The matter of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm was of grave importance. Every force in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland at the Golden Core [a core of solidified spiritual energy formed within a cultivator] realm and above was required to contribute personnel and resources.

Moreover, a major sect like the Heaven's Profound Sect [a powerful cultivation sect], one with the potential to produce a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme expert who has mastered the path of the primordial spirit], becomes a primary target in the eyes of the Outer Realm Heavenly Demons [demonic beings from realms beyond this world]. Consequently, it draws ever-greater hostility and direct assaults from these demons and other fiendish creatures. This content originates from site: audio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.