Chapter 657 : Forging of the Righteous Sunblade

On the day the Vast Righteousness Heaven Sword [a divine sword embodying boundless righteousness] was forged, the entire Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range was swept by surging winds and gathering clouds.

A sword radiance more dazzling than the sun soared into the heavens, illuminating the void for a million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in all directions. Boundless righteous energy [the power of virtue and moral integrity] converged upon that Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade], forming a resplendent divine halo of breathtaking beauty.

As the rolling Tribulation Cloud [heavenly clouds that manifest during a cultivation tribulation] receded, Vast Righteousness True Lord finally succeeded, aided by the power of his Vast Righteousness Path Body [a special physique aligned with the Dao of righteousness], in elevating this Immortal Sword into the ranks of a Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [an immortal-grade sword of the highest, sun-like purity].

Witnessing the Eastern Barrens Primordial Solar Supreme Treasure Ranking [a ranking of the most powerful treasures in the Eastern Barrens] gain another Primordial Solar Immortal Sword, Eldrin Chen and the others could not help but reveal looks of pleasant surprise.

Now that Vast Righteousness True Lord possessed a Lifebound Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [an immortal sword bound to its wielder's life force] to temper his spiritual power, his chances of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a cultivator] would increase by a full twenty percent. His confidence in successfully summoning the Heaven and Earth Souls [the two external spiritual souls required for the Primordial Spirit breakthrough] had already grown immensely.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen offered his congratulations: "With the successful ascension of your Lifebound Immortal Sword, Senior, the path to the Primordial Spirit is now clearly within sight. This junior offers his congratulations in advance."

Vast Righteousness True Lord allowed himself a rare smile, for as the Lifebound Immortal Sword entered his body, the heavy aura of impending tribulation [the ominous energy preceding a cultivation calamity] looming over his Infant Soul [the nascent soul stage] seemed to be temporarily suppressed.

Seeing this, Vast Righteousness True Lord spoke: "Such famous mountains and great rivers possess a profound, intangible fortune [metaphysical luck or destiny tied to a place]. Successfully restoring them can often yield a tremendous reward."

"Your Vast Sea also possesses an extraordinary origin. After the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a demonic abyss], you too can attempt to begin its restoration."

"I understand." This chapter is provided by http://www . audio-novel.com. Support the original.

Eldrin Chen nodded thoughtfully. The method used by Vast Righteousness True Lord to restore the Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual artery that nourishes the land] had provided him with significant inspiration.

However, the Water Vein [a subterranean spiritual artery that governs water and aquatic life] beneath the Vast Sea had suffered a far more catastrophic collapse during its failed attempt to ascend than the one at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, making its restoration a vastly more difficult undertaking.

He realized that the path to mending the Vast Sea Water Vein would be a long and arduous one.

Regardless, with the Primordial Solar Immortal Sword now in his grasp, Vast Righteousness True Lord's power had ascended to rank among the very pinnacle of cultivators beneath the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major realm of power] realm.

Within the entire Eastern Region Great Wasteland, he was now virtually invincible, surpassed only by the handful of Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended a profound Path or Dao] who resided there.

Among the Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator at the Golden Core stage who has nurtured their nascent soul and comprehended a True Intent], he could firmly claim a place within the top five of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. Only figures like Sea-Calmer Path Master, a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the cusp of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm] who wielded an Innate Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a supreme magical treasure born from the essence of the primordial sun], could truly claim superiority over him.

This line of thought stirred within Eldrin Chen a renewed sense of anticipation for the Azure Abyss Sword.

Although the Azure Abyss Sword was not his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure personally nurtured and bound to a cultivator's life force and cultivation base], and his current cultivation made it difficult to unleash its full might, the sword possessed a fearsome edge. If fully awakened at the cost of severe damage to its spiritual foundation, its unleashed power could even pose a threat to a Primordial Spirit Path Lord.

"Since the True Lord has successfully forged his Immortal Sword, I shall take my leave," Eldrin Chen said.

After bidding farewell to Vast Righteousness True Lord, Eldrin Chen departed, flying directly towards Spirit Isle Lake. Upon arrival, he descended without delay into the depths beneath the lake, seeking out its subterranean Water Vein.

Upon seeing the Azure Abyss Sword, Eldrin Chen clasped his hands and inquired, "May I ask, Senior, how fares your injury?"

"With the aid of the Primordial Solar True Liquid, I have recovered completely," came the reply.

The Azure Abyss Sword's blade reflected a faint, ethereal light as it spoke again, its tone detached. "With the power I have currently accumulated, I can unleash my full strength for only three strikes."

"However, as long as you do not provoke any Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivator [a powerful demonic practitioner who has cultivated their Primordial Spirit, the spiritual core of a cultivator], I can ensure your safety."

"This junior understands," Eldrin Chen acknowledged.

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. The might of the Primordial Solar Immortal Sword was truly earth-shattering; a single full-powered strike could cleave through mountain ranges stretching for tens of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Before such a Peerless Immortal Sword, even a Half-Step Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered a profound cultivation path and is on the cusp of forming their Primordial Spirit] would be insignificant. It was more than capable of guaranteeing Eldrin Chen's safety.

"…"

Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, several more months had passed.

On this day, as Eldrin Chen was immersed in secluded cultivation, a majestic beam of light descended just beyond the boundaries of Green Chariot Mountain.

The visitor was clad in a robe of gold, his bearing one of unparalleled nobility. Countless Dao patterns manifested around him, shimmering like a Innate Divine Spirit [a being born from the fundamental principles of the cosmos, possessing immense natural power].

The few Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] of the Chen Clan dared not be negligent and were preparing to receive him when the man laughed heartily and spoke.

"Eldrin the Worthy Brother, your elder brother has come to see you."

The voice, vast and resonant, traveled across thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to reach Spirit Isle Lake.

Startled by the voice, Eldrin Chen ceased his cultivation art with a look of surprise, then stepped forward with a smile to welcome the guest.

Witnessing this, Lila could not help but ask Exquisite Jiang, "This visitor's Mortal Path [a profound cultivation method] manifests extraordinary phenomena around him. He has likely cultivated to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [the threshold stage just before forming one's Primordial Spirit]. When did my husband become acquainted with such a cultivator?" Continue reading this story at audio-novel.com (official site).

"It is Cosmos Heaven's Punishment."

Exquisite Jiang replied, a slight furrow appearing between her brows. "He is the direct disciple of the Long River Path Lord. We met him at the Long River Holy Land. It is said he broke through to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm over a century ago."

The visitor was, after all, a distinguished guest. As they spoke, the three of them flew together beyond Green Chariot Mountain to welcome him.

Upon seeing Cosmos Heaven's Punishment, Eldrin Chen smiled and clasped his hands in greeting. "Many years have passed. I did not expect you, Elder Brother, to have ascended to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm. I failed to offer my personal congratulations. I beg your forgiveness."

Cosmos Heaven's Punishment shook his head with a smile. "It was merely the Earth Soul Summoning [a ritual to call forth an earthbound soul]. I did not host a feast, so there is no need for such formalities, worthy brother."

Eldrin Chen invited Cosmos Heaven's Punishment onto Green Chariot Mountain and personally brewed him a cup of Spirit Tea [tea infused with spiritual energy]. After exchanging pleasantries, he finally asked with a gentle smile, "By the way, what brings you here on this visit, brother?"

"My journey concerns the matter of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity originating from a demonic abyss]," he replied.

As he spoke, Cosmos Heaven's Punishment took out an ancient scroll and handed it to Eldrin Chen.

His expression grew solemn and grave. "The affairs of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm concern the very survival of the Purple Seal Realm Human Race. We cultivators of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland naturally cannot stand idly by."

"Thus, I have come to deliver a decree from the Eastern Barrens Immortal Alliance."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. After a brief glance, he passed the decree to Exquisite Jiang and the others.

According to the decree, in preparation for the coming Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, all Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland that possess cultivators at the Golden Core [a solidified core of spiritual power] realm or above must contribute resources and manpower.

Furthermore, the required contributions are allocated based on the strength of each Immortal Clan; the more powerful the clan, the greater the resources it must provide.

For example, within a Golden Core Immortal Clan, each cultivator at the Golden Core Early Stage must contribute two million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] or an equivalent value in materials.

According to the standards set by the Chen Clan, the seven Infant Soul True Lords [powerful cultivators whose souls have taken infant form] would each need to contribute a share of resources.

Among them, Lila, Eternal Profound Chen, Silas Chen, Kael Chen, and Elara Lin—all five at the Infant Soul Early Stage—would each need to contribute one hundred Heavenly Crystals [high-grade crystallized forms of spiritual energy] or an equivalent amount of materials.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, being at the Infant Soul Mid Stage, would each need to contribute two hundred Heavenly Crystals or their equivalent.

Just these seven individuals alone would need to provide resources worth nine hundred Heavenly Crystals, and this did not even account for the Chen Clan's three hundred thousand other cultivators.

Furthermore, the Chen Clan possessed five Fifth Rank Spiritual Veins [major natural conduits of concentrated spiritual energy]: Immortal Apricot Island, Eight Trigrams Island, Verdant Lotus Isle, Spirit Lake Isle, and the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland. Each of these Fifth Rank Spiritual Veins would be required to yield one hundred Heavenly Crystals.

Calculated this way, the Chen Clan would likely have to expend resources worth over two billion Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. This was a cost so staggering it bordered on the unbearable.

After reading the decree, Exquisite Jiang could not help but voice her concern, "The amount of resources being requisitioned this time... does it not seem excessive?"

"The levies for the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a demonic invasion] are apportioned based on strength and the resources you control," came the reply. "You hold considerable assets; naturally, you must bear a greater burden." This chapter is provided by audio-novel[dot]com. Support the original.