Chapter 763 : The Mirror's Spatial Ascension
The reason why Longgu Path Master was able to slay the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor with such ease back then was primarily because the Heavenly Starry Sky Grand Formation had completely locked down the spatial fabric across the entire battlefield spanning tens of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].
It could be said that after his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit realm [the spiritual core of a cultivator], without a Spatial Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact capable of manipulating space] in hand, he would likely find it extremely difficult to eliminate enemies of that cultivation level.
Therefore, to truly empower the Polarity Void Mirror [a mirror treasure that manipulates spatial polarity], this Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], it would be best to find and fuse into it a Sixth Rank [a classification denoting immense power] spatial Spiritual Object [a rare object imbued with concentrated spiritual energy].
Unfortunately, Sixth Rank spatial Spiritual Object are far too precious, coveted even by many Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered a Path at the Primordial Spirit realm]. Whether one can obtain such a treasure depends entirely on fate and opportunity.
Seeing that his words had been taken to heart, Vast Righteousness True Lord flew back towards Vast Righteousness Peak. Before departing, he said, "Focus on guarding Sea-Calmer during his enlightenment. I shall watch over Myriad Ruins Province in your stead."
"..."
Departing from the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, Eldrin Chen and his two companions did not linger in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. They directly utilized a Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel] to reach the Path Palace Sacred Land and then hastened their journey towards the Southern Sea Cultivation World.
Within a mere few years, they arrived at the Dragon Transformation Pool and met with Sea-Calmer Path Master.
Upon their arrival, Sea-Calmer Path Master greeted them with evident delight. "Your timing is perfect," he said. "I was just grappling with a headache concerning the Path-Guardian Formation [a protective array guarding a cultivator's Path enlightenment]."
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Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he spoke, "Please elaborate, Elder Brother."
He quickly grasped the man's intentions from Sea-Calmer Path Master's explanation.
It turned out that Sea-Calmer Path Master's plan was to deploy a Quasi-Sixth Rank grand formation within the Earth Vein [a powerful spiritual artery deep within the earth]. Yet, he harbored lingering doubts, for the Quasi-Sixth Rank Path-Guardian Grand Formation of the Mysterious Tortoise Patriarch had failed to stop them.
Within the Southern Sea Cultivation World, the Human Race possessed only a single Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high level of power] level force: the Southern Sea Glazed Palace. This lineage, with a history spanning tens of thousands of years, was said to have three Primordial Spirit Path Lords [cultivators who have reached the Primordial Spirit realm and mastered a profound cultivation path].
Beyond that, the Demon Race had four Primordial Spirit Path Lords, and the Demonic Cultivators [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods] also had two Primordial Spirit Patriarchs.
Most of Sea-Calmer Path Master's mortal enemies resided in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World and the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. If he underwent his tribulation within the Dragon Transformation Pool [a legendary pool said to aid in draconic metamorphosis], he might not necessarily encounter foes seeking his utter annihilation. Instead, he was more likely to face obstruction from Primordial Spirit Demons seeking to disrupt his path.
It was precisely for this reason that Sea-Calmer Path Master felt a tremor of apprehension in his heart.
Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "This Dragon Transformation Pool is a Demon Immortal [a demonic being who has ascended to immortality] ruin. It can shield against the divinations of Primordial Spirit Great Powers. It is unlikely the Primordial Spirit Demons of this region will detect your presence here."
"Therefore, your upcoming tribulation should not summon a calamity of overwhelming terror."
Hearing this, Sea-Calmer Path Master let out a slight sigh of relief. Unlike Dorian Ji, he truly resembled a rogue cultivator without a web of past favors and connections. When facing the Primordial Spirit tribulation, the greatest fear was obstruction from other Primordial Spirit beings.
Upon deeper reflection, however, such excessive worry seemed unnecessary. While his network of connections might not rival that of the Ji Clan, he also hadn't incurred the enmity of as many Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high level of power] foes as they had.
Ordinary Primordial Spirit Demons [powerful demons at the Primordial Spirit realm], in the absence of a direct conflict of interest, would not go to extreme lengths to obstruct another's path to enlightenment.
After all, for beings who have cultivated to such a realm, spending their days idly blocking others' ascension would inevitably earn them numerous enemies, marking them as troublemakers among the demonic Primordial Spirit ranks.
For them, success in such obstruction might bring reward, but failure would certainly forge a sworn, implacable foe. Such a vendetta could very well lead to their own downfall in the future, making the entire venture a potentially poor bargain.
Furthermore, given the chance, the great powers and Patriarchs of the Human Race would prioritize eliminating such troublesome elements.
Of course, if the disturbances from a Primordial Spirit breakthrough were detected by nearby Primordial Spirit Demons, they likely wouldn't pass up the golden opportunity to kill and plunder.
Returning to the matter at hand, while Eldrin Chen offered words of comfort to Varen Wei, upon further contemplation, he found the Sea-Calmer Path Master's concerns were not without merit.
After a moment of thoughtful silence, he spoke. "The Dragon Transformation Pool contains both a Quasi-Sixth Rank Water Vein [a subterranean channel of potent spiritual water] and a Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth]. If I use the Azure Abyss Sword as the Formation Artifact [the core artifact anchoring a defensive or offensive array], I could, with great difficulty, set up a pseudo-Sixth Rank Formation [a structured array that channels energy for defense, attack, or other effects]."
"By channeling the Formation's power, the Azure Abyss Sword could unleash combat prowess rivaling a true Primordial Spirit cultivator. However, engaging in a full-scale battle in this manner would likely inflict severe damage upon the Water Vein and Spiritual Vein within the pool."
Upon hearing this, Varen Wei's expression shifted subtly.
The Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] and the Water Vein [a subterranean current of spiritually potent water] within the Dragon Transformation Pool both reached the Quasi-Sixth Rank [a level just below the Sixth Rank]. This place held the lingering blessings left by an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality]. Given tens of thousands of years of nurturing, it might even advance to the level of Sixth Rank.
If he were to damage this Earth Vein [a vital energy channel of the land itself] for the sake of his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] breakthrough, it would truly violate the natural order. He would likely incur a measure of karmic burden upon himself.
However, in comparison, breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm was ultimately far more crucial. A bit of karmic burden was something he would simply have to deal with later.
Having made up his mind, Sea-Calmer Path Master declared resolutely, "Brother, proceed with setting up the formation. Even if this Earth Vein is damaged, I, Sea-Calmer, will bear the resulting karmic burden alone."
"Very well."
Eldrin Chen gave a nod. He then began to use the Azure Abyss Sword as the Formation Artifact [the core artifact anchoring a magical formation] to lay down a Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts to produce magical effects] within the Dragon Transformation Pool. Original English translation available at audio–novel.com.
The group labored for three months before the Formation was finally completed.
Once the Formation was in place, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "This formation draws upon the power of the Spiritual Vein and the Water Vein from the Dragon Transformation Pool, making it exceptionally compatible with the water-attribute Azure Abyss Sword."
"If it unleashes its full power, I estimate even a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the Primordial Spirit realm] would be unable to breach it quickly."
Seeing this, Sea-Calmer Path Master could not help but smile. "With this formation and the assistance of you three, this old man need not worry about his External Tribulation [a heavenly trial of lightning and calamity faced during a major breakthrough]."
As this was a secret tribulation crossing, aside from the three of them, Sea-Calmer Path Master [the Daoist Master who calms the seas] had not invited anyone else to provide protection.
Thus, the entire burden of this responsibility fell upon the shoulders of the three, a testament to the profound trust Sea-Calmer Path Master [the Daoist Master who calms the seas] placed in Eldrin Chen.
"Very well, Elder Brother. Focus on your secluded cultivation with peace of mind. We will surely hold back the External Tribulation [the external calamities and demonic interferences that arise during a tribulation] for you,"
Eldrin Chen said with a firm smile, his resolve unwavering.
Watching Sea-Calmer Path Master [the Daoist Master who calms the seas] enter seclusion, the three conferred and decided to entrust control of the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] to Exquisite Jiang.
As Exquisite Jiang had not yet forged her Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [an immortal-grade sword imbued with the essence of the primordial sun], having her focus entirely on operating the Formation would free Eldrin Chen and Verdant Consort to handle any unforeseen threats.
Within the eye of the Water Vein [a concentrated node of spiritual energy within an underground water current], Sea-Calmer Path Master [the Daoist Master who calms the seas] used the remaining time to meticulously refine his spiritual energy and adjust his state, awaiting the precise moment to shatter the barrier of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major realm of power].
Thus, time flowed swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
Early one morning, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt a brilliant shockwave erupt from the core of the Formation [the structured energy array]. An unparalleled pressure descended, silencing the vast, boundless sea.
"The breakthrough has begun."
Eldrin Chen cast a glance into the Seclusion Chamber, a trace of solemnity appearing between his brows. At this moment, the Tribulation [a heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's strength and resolve] was most likely imminent, looming just beyond the horizon.
Simultaneously, in the boundless void above the Dragon Transformation Pool, an intensely brilliant golden sun erupted, startling the entire Celestial Carp Sea [a vast sea region named for its celestial inhabitants].
One by one, the Demon Emperor [powerful rulers of demonic races] lifted their heads, their expressions turning grave.
Immediately, a Demon Emperor at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a stage just below the Primordial Spirit realm] was roused, exclaiming in utter shock, "Why is a member of the Human Race attempting a Primordial Spirit [a high-level spiritual cultivation stage] breakthrough within the Celestial Carp Sea, and I, this Emperor, knew nothing of it?"
On a desolate Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy] several tens of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, a man clad in black armor opened his eyes. A cold glint flashed within his vertical pupils.
"To undergo your tribulation right under the nose of me, the Black Emperor, you possess remarkable audacity."
"Let this Emperor see precisely who you are." Read the full novel exclusively on audio - novel . com.