Chapter 739 : A Meeting of Legends

Eldrin Chen nodded, his expression earnest as he declared, "Fellow Daoist, set your mind at ease for your tribulation. We will spare no effort to shield you from the External Tribulation [the external calamities and attacks that manifest during a Heavenly Tribulation]."

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

The Master of Featherflight Pavilion offered a faint smile, guiding Eldrin Chen into a nearby pavilion.

Within the pavilion stood a man. Clad in violet robes, his long, dark hair was gathered by a ceremonial crown, his posture exceptionally tall and straight, a figure of truly rare and striking elegance.

"True Lord Violet Flame."

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

The Master of Featherflight Pavilion paused, taken aback, and couldn't help but ask, "You know Violet Flame?"

"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 at the Golden Core stage, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid core]. I was fortunate enough to attend the Featherflight Pavilion's Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures and resources]."

"At that time, Violet Flame True Lord was already a Great Power Figure [a formidable cultivator of immense power and renown] who had been famous for many years. His presence left a profound impression on me. 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 energy from a profound abyss]."

It was impossible for Eldrin Chen not to remember vividly. During that first encounter with Violet Flame True Lord, Eldrin Chen had been a minor figure at the Infant Soul [the Primordial Spirit stage, where one's spiritual essence forms an infant-like spirit] assembly, barely qualifying to attend on the merit of having slain a Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings]. Join our community of readers at audio-novel.com.

At that time, Violet Flame True Lord's cultivation had already reached the Infant Soul Late Stage, and he was a Heavenly Path Infant Soul possessing a Fire Element Path Body [a rare constitution granting innate affinity and power over a specific element of the Dao].

Cultivators like Sea-Calmer Path Master and Violet Flame True Lord, who possessed a Path Body and were Heavenly Path Infant Soul [Infant Soul cultivators who have comprehended a trace of Heavenly Dao principles], were the most likely to comprehend an Arcane Power [a supreme supernatural ability born from profound comprehension of a fundamental law].

By fully understanding the power inherent in their Path Body, they stood a great chance of grasping the legendary Arcane Power, thereby vastly increasing their odds of a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm, where one's soul essence condenses into an independent spiritual entity].

One could say the gap between them back then was immense. Violet Flame True Lord was a Primordial Spirit Seed [a cultivator deemed highly likely to advance to the Primordial Spirit realm], while Eldrin Chen was merely a minor cultivator at the Golden Core [the third major realm, where spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core].

Now, over seven hundred years later, who could have imagined the two could now meet as equals.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen smiled slightly and said, "Centuries have passed. I see you have already summoned your Earth Soul [one of the three foundational souls, representing one's connection to the physical world and earthly karma]. It appears the path to Primordial Solar [the Demigod realm, a half-step to true immortality] is truly within your grasp, True Lord."

"You flatter me. How could my meager talent compare to your own soaring genius?"

Only then did Violet Flame True Lord realize they had met once before.

Recalling Eldrin Chen's current formidable reputation, Violet Flame True Lord dared not presume upon his status. He merely clasped his hands in a very courteous salute and spoke.

"During the last Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, this old man was conscripted by the Immortal Alliance and tasked with guarding the Eastern Region Great Wasteland against Demonic Cultivator incursions. I deeply regret missing the chance to witness your magnificent display of power, Fellow Daoist."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Master of Featherflight Pavilion invited Eldrin Chen alone to a side hall and inquired directly:

"Eldrin the Worthy Brother, in recent years you have slain many powerful Demon Emperors. I presume you have acquired a fair number of Superior Spiritual Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts]."

"As your elder brother, my Heavenly Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial faced by cultivators to ascend to higher realms] approaches. I wonder if you would be willing to part with one or two of those Superior Spiritual Treasures?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded. With a flick of his sleeve, he produced the Violet Jade Heavenly Blade and a Purple Gold Treasure Bell. "These are two Superior Spiritual Treasures I obtained from slaying the Violet Jade Demon Emperor. I came hoping to exchange them for two portions of Heavenly Path Energy [a refined spiritual essence containing traces of the Heavenly Dao's power]."

"The Spiritual Treasures of the Violet Jade Demon Emperor?"

Master of Featherflight Pavilion's eyes lit up. He took them, caressing the treasures with evident delight before finally smiling. "I, Master of Featherflight Pavilion, have three portions of Heavenly Path Energy remaining. I shall offer two for the exchange."

Seeing his agreement, a smile spread across Eldrin Chen's face. As a super Infant Soul Great Sect, the Featherflight Pavilion boasted close to thirty Infant Soul True Lords [cultivators at the Infant Soul stage] within its ranks, including five great powers at the Infant Soul Late Stage.

These True Lords frequently gathered wisps of Heavenly Path [the fundamental laws of heaven and earth] aura. Through diligent accumulation, the amount of Heavenly Path Energy they amassed was naturally substantial, far surpassing what any ordinary Immortal Clan [a clan with a history of producing Immortals] could hope to match.

Being able to obtain Heavenly Path Energy from the Featherflight Pavilion settled a weight in his heart.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "A portion of Heavenly Path Energy is valued at one thousand Heavenly Crystals [a high-grade spiritual crystal]. A Superior Spiritual Treasure is worth around eight hundred Heavenly Crystals each. I shall supplement you with an additional four hundred Heavenly Crystals."

Having exchanged the Heavenly Path Energy [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the heavenly path], the Master of Featherflight Pavilion [the leader of the Featherflight Pavilion] clasped 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 a breakthrough into the Primordial Solar Realm [the Primordial Solar stage of cultivation]. I must trouble you to stand guard for me."

"Then I wish you success in your ascension to Primordial Solar [the Primordial Solar stage]," replied Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and watched as the Master of Featherflight Pavilion entered the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep meditation and cultivation].

As one of the key Path Guardian [guardians assigned to protect a cultivator during a critical breakthrough] for this occasion, Eldrin Chen had been specifically stationed at the summit of Azure Luan Mountain [a sacred mountain] to guard against any potential assault by demonic or monstrous forces.

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

"It has begun," Eldrin Chen murmured, his gaze sharpening. Continue reading this story at audio_novel.com.

His pupils contracted slightly. He understood that the Heaven Soul [the celestial aspect of one's soul, tied to fate and destiny] had aligned to its most optimal position. The perfect moment for the Master of Featherflight Pavilion to break through to the Primordial Spirit [the Primordial Spirit stage of cultivation] had arrived.

At this very moment, he was invoking the Nine Heavens Soul [a profound cultivation art for soul refinement], using his supreme cultivation power to guide his Heaven Soul back from the profound depths of the endless void to its rightful place.

"Everyone, remain vigilant," Eldrin Chen cautioned in a low voice.

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

At this moment, Master of Featherflight Pavilion was exerting his full power to break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement in power and longevity] realm. He had not a shred of energy to spare for movement. If the demonic fiends attacked now, they would be utterly defenseless, forced into a state of passive endurance.

"BOOM—"

As the words were spoken, from the depths of the distant void, a colossal meteor wreathed in flames plummeted downwards, its point of impact aimed directly at the peak of Azure Luan Mountain.

"It's the Nine Heavens Heavenly Demon Star-Plucking Great Art [a supreme demonic art that plucks stars from the heavens to use as weapons]! Activate the Featherflight Path-Guardian Formation immediately!"

The face of a Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm] Great Power from Featherflight Pavilion paled drastically. Without hesitation, he unleashed a formidable Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array designed to shield a mountain or stronghold].

This Nine Heavens Heavenly Demon Star-Plucking Great Art was a Great God Ability [a divine art of immense power, typically wielded by deities or beings of comparable strength] of devastating might. Though classified as such, its destructive force surpassed that of many Half-Step Primordial Solar Divine Ability [divine arts approaching the power of the Primordial Solar realm].

To execute this technique required years of prior preparation to draw down a Nine Heavens Stellar [a celestial body imbued with stellar energies from the highest heavens] from the Nine Heavens Above [the highest and most sacred layer of the cosmos]. At the opportune moment, it would be made to fall, unleashing world-shattering, heaven-rending divine fury.

However, this Divine Ability [a supernatural art or technique of great power] possessed a significant flaw: it was exceedingly difficult to strike a mobile Infant Soul Great Power [a powerful cultivator at the Infant Soul realm]. The optimal time for its deployment was when the target was in secluded, life-or-death meditation, utterly immobile.

Now, a Great Power from the Demon Race had made their move. Initiating the descent of this Nine Heavens Stellar years in advance, their aim was to deliver a fatal blow to the Master of Featherflight Pavilion.

Fortunately, Featherflight Pavilion had prepared for this eventuality. As the Path-Guardian Formation [a defensive array protecting a sect's core territory and cultivation path] was activated, they managed, just barely, 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 with lethal intent.

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

As the Demon Monarchs and Demon Emperors descended, the Human Race True Lords assigned as guardians sprang into action, clashing with them in a chaotic melee.

Violet Flame True Lord 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 Void.

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

"Celestial Crocodile Demon Emperor, Five Poisons Young Master." The complete novel can be found at (audio-novel.com).