Chapter 739 : A Gathering of Legends

Eldrin Chen nodded, his expression turning solemn as he declared, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, and focus on your tribulation. We will spare no effort to shield you from the external calamities."

"With your word, my heart is at ease. Allow me to introduce you to another Fellow Daoist."

Feathered Pavilion Master offered a faint smile and led Eldrin Chen into a nearby pavilion.

Within the pavilion stood a man. He was clad in violet robes, his long, dark hair secured by a ceremonial crown. His posture was exceptionally tall and straight, possessing a rare and striking elegance that seemed to defy the heavens.

"Ignatius the Violet Flame [a True Lord renowned for his mastery of violet-hued flames]."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with recognition as he uttered the man's revered title.

Feathered Pavilion Master paused, taken aback, and couldn't help but ask, "You know Ignatius?"

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen affirmed with a nod, a wry smile touching his lips. "To speak of it is somewhat embarrassing. Over seven hundred years ago, I was merely a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual power into a Golden Core]. I was fortunate enough to attend the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare cultivation resources] hosted by the Feathered Pavilion."

"At that time, Ignatius the Violet Flame was already a renowned powerhouse of many years, a sight that left me utterly awestruck. It is a regret that we did not cross paths again during the subsequent Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving the eruption of demonic forces from an abyssal rift]."

It was impossible for Eldrin Chen not to remember him vividly. During that first encounter with Ignatius the Violet Flame, Eldrin Chen had been a minor figure among the Golden Core ranks at the Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms an independent spiritual infant] assembly, barely qualifying to attend by virtue of his feat in slaying a Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings]. Experience the full epic at http://www . audio-novel.com.

At that time, Ignatius the Violet Flame's cultivation had already reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage, and he possessed a Fire-Aspected Dao Body [a constitution perfectly attuned to the Dao of Fire], making him a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul cultivator whose foundation is aligned with the Heavenly Dao, granting superior potential].

Cultivators like Maris the Sea Steader and Ignatius the Violet Flame, who possess a Dao Body [a rare, innate constitution perfectly harmonized with a specific aspect of the Dao] and are Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, are the most likely to comprehend a Secret Power [a profound and esoteric power beyond ordinary laws].

Once they fully grasp the power inherent in their Dao Body, they have a high chance of awakening the legendary Secret Power, thereby vastly increasing their certainty of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator, the realm beyond Nascent Soul].

It could be said the gap between them was immense back then. Ignatius the Violet Flame was a Nascent Soul Seed [a cultivator destined for the Nascent Soul realm], while Eldrin Chen was merely a minor Golden Core cultivator.

Now, after more than seven hundred years had passed, who could have imagined the two could now meet as equals.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and said, "Centuries have flown by. I see you have already successfully drawn in your Earthly Soul [one of the three souls representing the mortal, earthly aspect of one's being]. It appears the path to Pure Yang [a state of perfected Yang energy, a key milestone towards higher realms] is truly within your grasp, True Lord."

"You flatter me. How could I compare to the peerless talent of Fellow Daoist?"

Only then did Ignatius the Violet Flame realize they had met once before.

Considering Eldrin Chen's current formidable reputation, Ignatius the Violet Flame Dao Lord dared not presume upon seniority. He merely clasped his hands in a very courteous manner and replied,

"During the last Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, this old man was conscripted by the Immortal Alliance and tasked with guarding the Eastern Wastelands against Demonic Cultivator incursions. I deeply regret missing the chance to witness Fellow Daoist's awe-inspiring display of power."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Feathered Pavilion Master invited Eldrin Chen alone to a side chamber and asked directly:

"Eldrin, the Abyssal Junior, in recent years you have slain many powerful Demon Emperor figures. Presumably, you have acquired quite a few Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [supreme enchanted artifacts] in your possession."

"As your elder brother, my Heavenly Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning faced by cultivators to advance their cultivation realm] approaches. I wonder if you would be willing to part with one or two of those Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure and sell them to me?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded. With a flick of his sleeve, he produced the Violet Jade Heaven-Slicing Blade and a Violet Gold Treasure Bell. "These are two Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure I obtained from slaying the Purple Jade Demon Emperor. I came hoping to exchange them for two strands of Heavenly Dao Qi [a wisp of primordial energy embodying a fragment of the Heavenly Dao, essential for certain high-level cultivation breakthroughs]."

"Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts] of the Purple Jade Demon Emperor?"

Feathered Pavilion Master's eyes lit up. He took them, caressing the treasures with evident fondness before finally smiling. "I, Feathered Pavilion Master, have three strands of Heavenly Dao Qi remaining. I shall offer two of them for the exchange."

Seeing his agreement, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a smile. As a super Nascent Soul Great Sect, the Feathered Pavilion had close to thirty Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm] within its gates, among whom five were great powers at the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

These True Lord regularly gathered Heaven Path Aura [the ambient spiritual essence of the heavens]. Through pooling their resources over time, the amount of Heavenly Dao Qi they had accumulated was naturally substantial, far surpassing what any ordinary Immortal Clan [a clan with a long lineage of cultivators] could hope to match.

Being able to obtain Heavenly Dao Qi from the Feathered Pavilion settled a weight in his heart.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "A strand of Heavenly Dao Qi is valued at one thousand Heavenly Crystal [a purified, high-density form of Spirit Stone]. A Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure is worth around eight hundred Heavenly Crystal each. I shall supplement you with an additional four hundred Heavenly Crystal."

Having exchanged the Heavenly Dao Qi [a supreme-grade spiritual energy aligned with the Heavenly Dao], the Feathered Pavilion Master cupped his hands towards Eldrin Chen and said, "This elder brother must now enter seclusion to refine the Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], and then attempt the breakthrough to the Pure Yang Realm [the realm of perfected Yang energy]. I must trouble you to stand guard for me."

"Then I wish you a swift and triumphant ascension to Pure Yang," replied Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, watching as the Feathered Pavilion Master entered the Seclusion Chamber.

As one of the key guardians for this critical endeavor, Eldrin Chen had been stationed at the very summit of Azure Simurgh Mountain, prepared to defend against any potential assault from the Demonic Monsters [a race of powerful, malevolent creatures] led by Jumo.

Time flowed swiftly by. In the blink of an eye, three full months had passed. On this day, Eldrin Chen suddenly sensed an overwhelming power erupt from within the Seclusion Chamber, transforming into a dazzling divine radiance that surged towards the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms].

"It has begun," he murmured. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel dot com.

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He understood that the Heavenly Soul [one of the three spiritual souls, representing celestial destiny] had moved into its most auspicious alignment. The optimal moment for the Feathered Pavilion Master to break through to the Primordial Spirit [the Nascent Soul realm, the spiritual core of a cultivator] had arrived.

At this very moment, he was summoning the soul from the Nine Heavens, using his supreme Mana [cultivation energy] to guide the Heavenly Soul back from the profound depths of the endless void to its rightful place.

"Everyone, remain vigilant," Eldrin Chen cautioned.

The more critical the moment, the greater the need for utmost caution.

At this moment, Feathered Pavilion Master was exerting his full power to break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a higher state of being], leaving him utterly incapable of moving. If the Demonic Monsters attacked, they would be forced into a state of passive defense.

"BOOM—"

As the words were spoken, a massive, flame-wreathed meteorite plummeted from the depths of the distant void, its point of impact aimed directly at the peak of Azure Simurgh Mountain.

"It's the Nine Heavens Demon God Star-Plucking Grand Divine Ability! Activate the Feathered Guardian Formation immediately!"

The face of a Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm] powerhouse from the Feathered Pavilion paled drastically. Without hesitation, he unleashed a formidable Mountain Guardian Grand Formation.

This Nine Heavens Demon God Star-Plucking Grand Divine Ability was an ultimate Great Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique] of devastating power. Though classified as a Great Divine Ability, its might surpassed that of many so-called Half-Step Pure Yang Divine Ability.

To execute this art required years of preparation to draw down a Nine Heavens Star Fragment [a fragment of celestial rock imbued with stellar energies], holding it in readiness until the opportune moment to send it crashing down from the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms], unleashing world-shattering, heaven-rending divine fury.

However, this Divine Ability [mystical technique] possessed a significant flaw: it was exceedingly difficult to strike a Nascent Soul Great Power [a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage] who was mobile. The perfect opportunity to launch it was only when the target was in secluded, death-defying meditation.

Now, a mighty being from the Demonic Tribe had made its move, initiating the descent of this Nine Heavens Star Fragment years in advance, aiming to deliver a fatal blow to the Feathered Pavilion Master.

Fortunately, the Feathered Pavilion had prepared for this eventuality. As the protective Formation [a mystical defensive array] was activated, they managed, at last, to withstand this cataclysmic strike.

Yet, facing this strike, Eldrin Chen felt not a shred of complacency, for he understood this was merely the opening gambit.

"Now!"

In that instant, from the distant void, three to four dozen figures surged forth one after another, their killing intent palpable.

These were Demon Emperors and Demonic Cultivators from the northern reaches of the Southern Sea, most harboring deep enmity towards the Feathered Pavilion and seeking this chance to eradicate a formidable foe.

As the Demon Monarchs and Demon Emperors descended, the Human Race True Lords tasked with safeguarding the breakthrough all sprang into action, clashing with them in a chaotic melee.

Ignatius the Violet Flame and Eldrin Chen remained motionless, their expressions grave as they peered into the depths of the void, clearly bracing for a more troublesome adversary.

Sure enough, two figures emerged from the boundless emptiness.

Eldrin Chen looked up. To the right stood a Burly Man; to the left, a youth clad in black robes.

"Celestial Alligator Demon Emperor, Five Venoms Young Master." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at http://www . audio-novel.com.