Chapter 691 : A Sword of Destiny and Peril

Just as the Sea-Calmer Divine Pearl [a divine pearl with the power to calm the seas] of Sea-Calmer Path Master, the Vast Righteousness Heaven Sword [a divine sword embodying vast and righteous heavenly power] of Vast Righteousness True Lord, and the Vast Sea Immortal Sword [an immortal sword with the vastness of the sea] of Billowing Waves were able to ascend to the Sixth Rank [the sixth and highest rank of magical treasures] realm, it was likely all due to the subtle bestowal of the will of heaven and earth.

That Kael Chen was able to obtain the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword [a sword forged to slay both heavenly beings and demons] was also, in all probability, due to the favor of this cosmic will; otherwise, it would not have so conveniently appeared upon the very path he was destined to tread.

However, Sixth Rank treasures are finite in this world. Even for a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Path Lord realm of the Primordial Spirit stage], acquiring one is an endeavor of immense difficulty.

Aside from those ancient, well-established powers, even supreme beings at the Primordial Spirit Early Stage [the initial phase of the Primordial Spirit cultivation realm] typically possess only one or two Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [spiritual treasures of the highest, primordial solar grade] at most. Obtaining more depends entirely on one's own methods and fortune.

After musing on Kael Chen's remarkable fortune, Eldrin Chen spoke thoughtfully, "While the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword is a peerless weapon, it may draw the covetous eyes of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic paths], and even the Human Race [the collective of human cultivators and factions] might view you with deep suspicion and wariness because of it."

"Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, you must refrain from wielding this sword openly."

"Understood."

Kael Chen nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I should be able to fully refine this sword within one Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, a significant unit of time in fate and cultivation]. Once refined, I can cloak it with orthodox cultivation energy. As long as I do not venture too close to a Primordial Spirit Great Power [a mighty cultivator of the Primordial Spirit realm], it should remain undetected."

"That is good."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod and continued, "Exquisite and I have an important matter to attend to. The task of leading the army's return will have to fall upon your shoulders for the time being." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio–novel.com.

"..."

After concluding his conversation with Kael Chen, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang soared out from the periphery of the Demonic Abyss and flew directly towards the Heavenly Demon Sea Region.

The Heavenly Demon Sea Region was the territory of Kaya the Demonic Heaven, one of the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon. Several millennia ago, this demon had breached the Star Constellation Grand Formation and entered the Purple Seal Realm. Unable to return to the Demonic Abyss, it had simply occupied this region, establishing a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a territory controlled by demonic cultivators, forbidden to righteous cultivators].

This Demonic Cultivator stronghold was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even a coalition of multiple Primordial Spirit Great Power [cultivators who have reached the Primordial Spirit realm, a high level of power] would struggle to completely breach it. Furthermore, launching a full-scale war here risked alarming the various demon and monster races.

Therefore, to avoid completely destabilizing the balance of power, the various Path Lord [cultivators who have comprehended and walk their own unique Dao Path, a very high realm] of the Purple Seal Realm had tacitly allowed it to occupy this place.

When the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm erupted this time, Kaya Heavenly Demon had initially intended to seize the opportunity to cause trouble. However, the Outer Realm Fiend Race failed to tear open the Star Constellation Grand Formation again. Consequently, Kaya Heavenly Demon had retreated and gone into hiding.

"Ahead lies Mara Island."

On this day, within the Heavenly Demon Sea Region, a treasure-laden vessel glided through the void. The arrivals were none other than Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang.

This Mara Island was located in the inner regions of the Heavenly Demon Sea Region, tens of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the outer perimeter. Generally, not even an Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Infant Soul, a core of nascent spiritual power] would dare venture this deep.

However, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, confident in their formidable skills, harbored no fear. Currently, the high-level Demonic Cultivator within the Heavenly Demon Sea Region were mostly lying low. Ordinary Infant Soul Demonic Cultivator were no match for them. Thus, they advanced without hesitation right to the outskirts of Mara Island.

"Proceed with caution," Eldrin Chen advised, his gaze fixed upon the island ahead. "This Mara Island may yet hold unforeseen complications."

Exquisite Jiang observed the looming silhouette of Mara Island, a shadow of solemnity darkening her brow.

The island was still shielded by a Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array that draws upon the spiritual power of a mountain]. Furthermore, with the Liu Clan Patriarch, whose cultivation had reached the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Infant Soul realm, where the nascent soul is nurtured], personally presiding over the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and symbols used for defense, attack, or cultivation], breaching its defenses would prove exceedingly difficult.

Yet, Eldrin Chen merely offered a faint smile. "A mere Fifth Rank Mid-Grade Formation," he declared, his voice laced with dismissive confidence. "It is of little concern."

With those words, and unwilling to waste time on a protracted siege, he summoned forth his Azure Abyss Sword [a sword named for its deep, abyssal blue hue and formidable power] and unleashed a single, devastating slash.

Channeling a depth of spiritual power [the vital energy cultivated by practitioners] rivaling that of an Infant Soul 7th Tier cultivator, Eldrin Chen propelled the Azure Abyss Sword. Though this strike fell far short of the weapon's fully awakened might, its force was comparable to a blow from a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the very cusp of attaining the Primordial Spirit realm] expert.

The sword's energy descended like a falling star. It sheared through the Mountain Protection Formation enveloping Mara Island as if it were mere parchment. In that instant, thousands upon thousands of Liu Clan Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who pursue power through unorthodox, often malevolent means] scattered across the island were reduced to ashes, their existence erased by the cataclysmic force.

"Something is amiss," Eldrin murmured, his triumphant expression hardening into one of suspicion.

He had unleashed carnage upon the island, extinguishing countless Demonic Cultivator lives, yet a crucial detail gnawed at him: neither of the Liu Clan's two Infant Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms a nascent soul, a significant step in spiritual evolution] patriarchs were among the fallen.

Exquisite Jiang's brow furrowed, a chill settling in her core. "Those two old fiends of the Liu Clan," she said, her voice cold and precise. "Their sins are legion. They must have anticipated retribution and chosen to slither into hiding."

"You cannot escape."

Eldrin Chen said with a cold laugh. He summoned the Star Observation Tower and began channeling the Great Deduction Heavenly Art to activate the treasure, using it to deduce the movements of the Liu Clan.

The two cultivators from the Liu Clan were only at the early to middle stages of the Infant Soul realm. They stood no chance of evading Eldrin Chen's divination, and their location was swiftly pinpointed.

"Let's go. We'll drag them out."

As soon as the words left Eldrin Chen's lips, he transformed into a streak of light and shot away. The two of them flew for several hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] before finally locating the two hiding Patriarchs of the Liu Clan in a remote stretch of the ocean depths.

Seeing their nemesis arrive at their doorstep, the two members of the Liu Clan immediately wore expressions of sheer terror. The complete novel can be found at http://www . audio-novel.com.

The Demonic Cultivator at the Infant Soul Early Stage was a woman of striking beauty. She was a Desire Demon from among the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [demonic beings originating from realms beyond this world]. It was she who had seduced the former Clan Patriarch of the Liu Clan and led him down the path of demonic cultivation.

This demoness excelled in seduction and the arts of the bedchamber, but her combat prowess was utterly lacking. She was cleaved in two by a single stroke of Eldrin Chen's sword, her body instantly reduced to ashes by the tribulation flames.

"My wife!"

Witnessing his dao companion [a cultivator's lifelong partner in both cultivation and life] slain in an instant, the Liu Clan Patriarch's face changed dramatically. Without a moment's hesitation, he transformed into a streak of demonic light and attempted to flee.

Alas, his cultivation was merely at the Infant Soul Mid Stage. The gap between him and escaping with his life from Eldrin Chen was vast. With a thought from Eldrin Chen, the Polarity Void Mirror activated, sealing the surrounding space. From his sleeve, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords rang out with a metallic shriek as they cleaved downward.

Given Eldrin Chen's current cultivation base and combat prowess, he could contend with even a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul. A mere Infant Soul Mid Stage Demonic Cultivator was simply not enough to pose a threat.

In the span of merely seven or eight exchanges, the Liu Clan Patriarch saw three of his Demonic Treasure shattered.

Seizing the opening created, Exquisite Jiang followed up with a single, devastating sword stroke that cleaved him in two, his physical body and his Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core of a cultivator at this stage] alike.

"Agh!"

The Liu Clan Patriarch was slain on the spot, a final, piercing shriek escaping him before the end.

Eldrin Chen casually summoned his Heavenly Flame Magical Power to envelop the dissipating Infant Soul, incinerating it utterly into ash. He granted not even a sliver of a chance for reincarnation through tribulation.

Having personally slain a former nemesis, Exquisite Jiang felt the resolution of a long-held grievance. In that instant, a profound resonance echoed within her mind, and she entered a state of Celestial-Mortal Symbiosis [a profound state of harmony between the celestial and mortal aspects of one's being, often leading to enlightenment].

"My congratulations, my lady."

A smile graced Eldrin Chen's features as he swiftly moved to support Exquisite Jiang.

Upon entering the state of Celestial-Mortal Symbiosis [a profound state where the cultivator's spirit and mortal body achieve perfect harmony], Exquisite Jiang's comprehension and insight became nearly on par with that of a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the Primordial Spirit realm].

In her current state, her chances of comprehending the Arcane Power [a profound and esoteric supernatural ability] with the aid of the Water Origin Divine Jade [a divine jade containing the primordial essence of water] would be greatly increased. Furthermore, bolstered by Celestial-Mortal Symbiosis, her grasp of combat timing and opportunities in future battles would be elevated by several levels.

The reason the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor [a supreme demonic dragon sovereign from the deepest nether realms] was able to single-handedly crush powerful foes back then was not solely due to its formidable Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] and vast mana reserves; the enhancement provided by the Celestial-Mortal Symbiosis state was also a key factor.

Thinking of this, Exquisite Jiang happily grasped Eldrin Chen's hand and said, "With the Celestial-Mortal Symbiosis enhancement, I can begin refining the Water Origin Divine Jade as soon as we return."

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "However, this is still the Heavenly Demon Sea Region [a perilous sea domain ruled by powerful demonic beings]. It is best we depart first and discuss this further once we are back on Ji Continent." Experience the full epic at audio–novel.com.