Chapter 740 : Clash of Ancient Powers

These two individuals were unknown to Eldrin Chen, yet the Grand Elder of the Feathered Pavilion certainly recognized them.

The Grand Elder of the Feathered Pavilion's expression shifted slightly, then turned profoundly grave as he urgently warned, "That Celestial Alligator Demon Emperor is a [a ruler among demonic beasts] from within the Eastern Wilderness Ancestral River, whose cultivation is said to have reached the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm."

"The Five Venoms Young Master hails from the Southern Peaks. He is the [a disciple personally taught by a master] of the Five Venoms Ancient Ancestor and has refined a set of Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords. Be wary not to let him inflict harm."

In the span of a lightning flash, Eldrin Chen grasped the identities of these two figures.

This Celestial Alligator Demon Emperor possessed a trace of the Crocodile Progenitor's bloodline, while the Five Venoms Young Master was the [a disciple personally taught by a master] of the Five Venoms Ancient Ancestor, the foremost figure in the current [the unorthodox and malevolent cultivation path].

That set of Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords was reputed to be among the top three lethal [a sword of immense power used by immortal cultivators] within the [the unorthodox and malevolent cultivation path], rivaling even the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword. The fact that this Five Venoms Young Master had successfully refined an entire set spoke volumes of his formidable prowess.

In that same fleeting instant, the Five Venoms Young Master let out a cold sneer and unleashed a bolt of crackling thunder-light towards them.

"It's the Formation-Breaking Divine Thunder!"

A thought flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind as he witnessed the divine thunder cleave through the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation.

Seeing the grand formation shattered, the Celestial Alligator Demon Emperor snorted coldly. Gripping a massive blade, he charged forth, declaring, "Old thief of the Feathered Pavilion! You gravely wounded this emperor in the past. Today, this emperor shall have his vengeance!" Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel.com.

"I shall hold him at bay."

Seeing this, Ignatius the Violet Flame acted decisively, summoning forth an Immortal Sword [a divine weapon wielded by powerful immortals] and launching an assault against the Celestial Alligator Demon Emperor.

Watching as Ignatius the Violet Flame intercepted the Celestial Alligator Demon Emperor, Eldrin Chen understood that the remaining Five Venoms Young Master would have to be dealt with by him.

He wasted no time on further pleasantries, immediately unleashing the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords imbued with profound power] to engage the Five Venoms Young Master in a fierce duel.

From the very first clash, Eldrin Chen felt a slight furrow form between his brows. Though this Five Venoms Young Master's cultivation was only at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm], his set of Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords [a deadly sword formation embodying five lethal venoms] weaved and danced with such ferocity that he could likely contend with a powerhouse at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a transitional state between Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit realms].

"A troublesome opponent indeed."

Eldrin Chen's brow remained knit, yet he did not feel overwhelming pressure.

Though the Five Venoms Young Master's set of Immortal Swords was extraordinary, Eldrin Chen was no easy mark himself.

After his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier [the sixth tier within the Nascent Soul realm], his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] had surged by a significant margin. By now, his Mana was nearly on par with that of a Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivator.

Coupled with his two Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasures [magical artifacts approaching the supreme level of Pure Yang] and his formidable array of Divine Abilities [supernatural powers and techniques], he was more than capable of holding his own against the Five Venoms Young Master without falling behind.

In the blink of an eye, the two sides had exchanged nearly a hundred moves. The Five Venoms Young Master unleashed a relentless barrage of techniques, yet he still could not gain the upper hand against Eldrin Chen. A look of grave seriousness crossed his face, and he sneered coldly.

"Since arriving in the Three Veins Ancient Domain, I have heard much of your fearsome reputation, Abyssal Daoist," he said.

"I had thought it was merely empty fame, but seeing you today, I realize the tales were true."

As his words fell, the Five Venoms Young Master channeled his power, causing the Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords to spin and merge into one. They transformed into a radiant, multicolored ribbon of virulent poison that lashed out towards Eldrin.

These Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords were imbued with the lethal venom of six supreme demonic creatures: the Crimson Blood Demon Serpent, the Hundred Venoms Celestial Scorpion, the Six-Winged Heavenly Centipede, the Soul-Devouring Demon Spider, and the Heaven-Swallowing Toad. Their potency was such that even a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of attaining their Primordial Spirit] powerhouse would melt into putrid blood upon contact.

Eldrin Chen dared not meet this demonic assault head-on, but he had his own methods for dealing with such foul magic. With a flick of his sleeve, he summoned forth the Dual Polarity Treasure Lotus. Simultaneously, he unleashed the merged power of the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, sending a devastating slash to meet the oncoming poison.

In that instant, the combined force of the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords clashed violently with the merged power of the Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords, erupting in a cataclysmic collision of energies.

Upon the blades of the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, the twin Secret Power [esoteric energies derived from profound cultivation arts] of Pure Yang Flame and Profound Nether Water coiled and writhed against each other. This duality now tangled fiercely with the five supreme venoms of the opposing swords. Astonishingly, Eldrin's attack did not yield an inch of ground.

"Impossible!"

The Five Venoms Young Master's face paled dramatically. He could scarcely believe that his Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords, weapons that had shaken the world with their dread reputation, could fail to gain any advantage whatsoever against the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords.

This was not because the Five Venoms Immortal-Slaying Swords were insufficiently powerful, but rather because Eldrin Chen's Heavenly Separated Twin Swords were empowered by two distinct Secret Power [esoteric energies or techniques that grant immense power], their might increasing by no less than fifty percent.

Bolstered by these two formidable surges of Mana [the spiritual energy used to fuel magical arts], the combined force of Eldrin Chen's Heavenly Separated Twin Swords was now on par with the techniques of a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator who has partially ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm]. How could Five Venoms Young Master possibly compare?

Seeing that his own trump card could not subdue Eldrin Chen, Five Venoms Young Master realized he was unlikely to achieve victory here.

It was at this very moment that a shift finally occurred on the battlefield. From the Nine Heavens Above [a term for the highest celestial realms], a dazzling stream of golden light descended, falling into the Seclusion Chamber like a miniature sun.

"Success!"

Hearts swelled with joy among the defenders. Feathered Pavilion Master had successfully guided the Heavenly Soul [the celestial component of a cultivator's spirit, necessary for ascension to the Primordial Spirit realm]—half the battle of breaking through to Primordial Spirit was already won. Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.

What remained was to endure the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator seeking a major breakthrough]. Whether he could survive it or not was now beyond the ability of these Demon Emperor and Demon Monarch to interfere with.

Five Venoms Young Master understood this perfectly. Without hesitation, he was the first to flee into the depths of the void. The other Demon Emperor and Demon Monarch swiftly followed his retreat into the starry expanse.

At this sight, Eldrin Chen finally allowed himself to exhale in relief. Compared to Dorian Ji's breakthrough to Primordial Spirit, this attempt by the Feathered Pavilion Master faced no Primordial Spirit cultivator actively blocking his path [a common form of tribulation where a rival attempts to disrupt a breakthrough]. Thus, the external tribulation had been relatively manageable.

Upon reflection, this outcome was, in truth, within expectations.

In the world, Nascent Soul Great Powers [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul stage, possessing immense power] are exceedingly rare. For them, the ultimate goal remains achieving immortality [ascending to become a celestial being].

Furthermore, the more one obstructs another's Dao path [prevents others from advancing in their cultivation], the more enemies one makes, and consequently, the more external tribulations [calamities sent by heaven to test a cultivator] one will face when attempting to ascend to immortality. Therefore, unless there is pre-existing enmity or entangled interests, even a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a Nascent Soul cultivator of profound mastery, often a lord of a specific Dao or path] would not rashly make an enemy.

After all, obstructing another's Dao path is akin to killing their parents. If the obstruction succeeds, it might be one thing, but should it fail, one is bound to earn a sworn, implacable foe. This is not to mention the potential retaliation from that foe's family, friends, and sect elders.

One or two such foes might be manageable, but if one makes a habit of blocking others' paths, then even a mighty being like the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor [an ancient and immensely powerful progenitor of the black dragon demon race], who has reached the Ninth Layer Nascent Soul [the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul realm, the ninth and final stage], would find the burden unbearable.

Returning to our tale, after Feathered Pavilion Master [the master of the Feathered Pavilion, a powerful cultivator] received and guided the Heavenly Soul [a celestial soul, a crucial component for a specific high-level breakthrough], he emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep meditation and cultivation]. He gave a slight nod to the assembled crowd, then, with a grave expression, ascended into the sky.

Above, the Firmament [the vault of heaven, the sky] churned with rolling Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather to unleash heavenly tribulation, a test of a cultivator's strength and resolve]. Wave upon wave of these clouds swept in, and in short order, a boundless Sea of Lightning [a vast expanse of crackling lightning energy, the manifestation of a powerful heavenly tribulation] was fully brewed.

Merely half an hour later, the first bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine lightning strike that constitutes a heavenly tribulation] descended from the Nine Heavens Above [the highest realms of heaven, a metaphorical distance].

"BOOM—"

Facing this first Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Feathered Pavilion Master immediately summoned several Superior Grade Spiritual Treasures [magical treasures of the highest quality, artifacts of immense power] he had prepared for this very moment.

A series of deafening roars echoed. As a dazzling bolt of thunder crashed down, it instantly shattered one of the Superior Grade Spiritual Treasures.

Witnessing this scene, Eldrin Chen felt his heart sink. Strictly speaking, this first bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning faced by cultivators seeking ascension] had not reached the full destructive power of the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm] realm, yet it had still managed to utterly destroy a single Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure.

This was because the Feathered Pavilion Master, fearing a deficiency in his Mana [the spiritual energy or life force cultivated and wielded by practitioners], was reluctant to expend it. Instead, he chose to sacrifice his Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] directly, allowing it to be shattered to block the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

From this alone, it was clear that the Feathered Pavilion Master's tribulation crossing was far less effortless than Dorian Ji's had been in the past.

This suspicion was confirmed. The second and third bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation each claimed another Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure from the Feathered Pavilion Master.

Beginning with the fourth bolt, the Feathered Pavilion Master had no choice but to start depleting his Mana, simultaneously deploying two Spiritual Treasure to withstand the onslaught.

By the time the sixth bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation had subsided, the Feathered Pavilion Master had already lost a total of nine Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure, and his Mana was nearly half depleted.

As the seventh bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation gathered its ominous power in the heavens, the Feathered Pavilion Master seized the moment to swallow a Pill [a medicinal pellet refined for cultivation purposes] to restore his Mana. Watching this, Eldrin Chen felt a renewed weight of concern settle within him.

"The final three bolts of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation each possess the might of a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator]," he thought with deepening unease. "Relying solely on the Five Directions Treasure Banner [a powerful defensive formation banner], will he be able to withstand them?" Original English translation available at audio-novel`com.