Chapter 764 : The Serpent Emperor's Arrival

As his words fell, Black Emperor immediately took a step forward, tore through the void, and flew towards the Dragon Transformation Pool.

Within the Dragon Transformation Pool, Black Emperor cast a glance at the Path-Guardian Grand Formation before him. A flicker of interest passed through his eyes before he remarked with a smile, "The very place where the Celestial Carp Demon God once transformed into a dragon [a legendary ascension from a lesser form to a true dragon]. Truly fascinating."

"It's him?"

From within the Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used for defense, attack, or cultivation], Eldrin Chen observed the newcomer, his pupils involuntarily contracting slightly.

Though he had visited the Southern Sea Cultivation World twice, he wouldn't claim to know it intimately. Yet, he had certainly heard of the most infamous demonic beings that roamed these lands.

The figure before him was known as the Black Emperor, a Primordial Spirit Demon Ancestor [a demonic entity that has cultivated its spirit to the Primordial Spirit realm] who had achieved his Dao [the supreme principle or path of cultivation] five hundred years ago during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

His true form was that of a Primordial Era [the mythical first age of the world] variant species—the 'Netherwater Profound Serpent' [a serpent of immense power born from dark, primordial waters]. It was said that even within the Immortal Realm, this serpent was considered a creature of great calamity. Upon reaching adulthood, it could attain the Primordial Spirit Realm, and the most exceptional among them even had the potential to ascend as a Demon God [a deity-level demonic entity].

The Black Emperor before them was of the royal bloodline among the Netherwater Profound Serpent, hence his title Netherwater Profound Serpent Emperor. His bloodline potency was said to be no weaker than that of legendary beings like the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam, the Eastern Sea Azure Dragon, or the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor—all considered peerless Mythical Immortal Seed [beings with the innate potential to reach the pinnacle of cultivation].

Therefore, although this Black Emperor was a newly ascended Primordial Spirit [the realm of cultivating one's foundational spiritual essence], his combat prowess among those at the Primordial Spirit Early Stage was likely formidable.

Recalling the terrifying nature of the newcomer, Eldrin Chen couldn't help but frown, his expression shifting slightly. "Why would he come here?" he murmured to himself. Dive deeper into the Dao at *audio-novel.com*.

It was no wonder he was astonished. The Dragon Transformation Pool was shielded by the Immortal Path-Field [a domain created by a powerful cultivator's will and energy], which should have concealed all Celestial Mechanism [the subtle workings of fate and cosmic principles]. In theory, unless a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended a Path] was within a million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] at this very moment, they should not have been able to pinpoint the location of Sea-Calmer's tribulation, even if they sensed it.

Yet, the Black Emperor's Path-Field was tens of millions of Li-lengths away. That he could arrive at this precise moment was beyond their expectations.

Exquisite Jiang took a deep breath upon seeing this, her expression turning grave. "We underestimated the Primordial Spirit Tribulation [the heavenly trial to ascend to the Primordial Spirit realm]," she said solemnly, "and we underestimated this Netherwater Profound Serpent."

"As a Primordial Era [the mythical age at the dawn of creation] variant species, this Black Emperor may possess some astonishing Great God Ability [a supreme divine power or perception] that allows him to perceive the tribulation aura gathering here."

Indeed, their speculation was correct. The Netherwater Profound Serpent, a rare and mythical variant from the Primordial Era, was born embodying calamity and tribulation aura. It was exquisitely sensitive to the Primordial Spirit Tribulation faced by Sea-Calmer Path Master.

Perhaps this was the will of heaven. Sea-Calmer Path Master had sought to use the Immortal aura of the Dragon Transformation Pool to conceal himself, hoping to avoid the many enemies he had made over the years in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland and the Eastern Sea. Yet, he had ultimately forgotten one immutable truth: a Tribulation [a heavenly trial or calamity] cannot be evaded.

The Primordial Spirit Tribulation is, by its very nature, a trial bestowed by the heavens. To pass it is to ascend to the rank of a Path Lord [a master of a cultivation Path], becoming one of the most revered figures under heaven. To fail is simply proof that one's virtue does not match the position sought.

One may gather all their connections and accumulated resources to withstand the Tribulation, as the Master of Featherflight Pavilion did. Or, one may follow the example of Dorian Ji, expending vast effort and planning millennia in advance to eliminate most of the Tribulation before it even arrives.

But regardless of the method, one must face the Tribulation directly. To think one can hide from it is nothing but the delusion of a fool.

Sea-Calmer Path Master had chosen wrongly. While the Dragon Transformation Pool had shielded him from nearly all his rivals who would obstruct his Path, greatly lessening the pressure, it had instead drawn a far more formidable foe: the Netherwater Profound Serpent Emperor.

For Eldrin Chen at this moment, the Black Emperor before him had already become a significant trouble.

The Black Emperor let out a cold sneer and spoke with icy disdain, "Not from the Southern Sea [a vast oceanic region in this world]. It seems you are a rootless rogue cultivator. Then do not blame this Emperor for being merciless."

"*Clang!*"

As his words fell, the Black Emperor immediately summoned a black treasure mirror and unleashed a slash towards the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive energy barrier surrounding a mountain].

This treasure was named the Netherwater Mysterious Heaven Mirror [a mirror artifact imbued with profound and destructive power], the Innate Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact born from primordial chaos] of the Black Emperor. Its grade had astonishingly reached the level of a Middle Grade Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure, capable of unleashing power that could shatter the heavens and extinguish the earth.

"A formidable Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]," Eldrin Chen remarked inwardly.

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly. He realized that although the Black Emperor was a newly ascended Primordial Spirit [a high-level cultivator whose spiritual core has manifested independently], his strength was likely not inferior to that of the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor [a mighty dragon emperor from the deepest nether realms], placing him among the powerful even within the Primordial Spirit Early Stage.

Fortunately, their reactions were swift. Exquisite Jiang acted decisively, not hesitating to drain the power of the local Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] to forcefully activate the Azure Abyss Sword [a legendary sword named for its deep blue, abyssal hue], transforming it into a dazzling sword radiance that shot forth to meet the attack.

Bolstered by the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and nodes], the Azure Abyss Sword struck with force comparable to a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master cultivator who has forged their own unique cultivation path] exerting their full power. Its source of energy, drawn from the earth vein, seemed nearly inexhaustible. Yet, even so, it struggled to match the Netherwater Mysterious Heaven Mirror.

As the Azure Abyss Sword was forced into a steady retreat, Verdant Consort immediately summoned her own Azure Dragon Stirring Sea Sword [a sword embodying the power of an azure dragon to churn the seas]. Lending Exquisite Jiang her aid, they managed to barely hold their ground, engaging the Netherwater Mysterious Heaven Mirror in a desperate, entangled struggle.

"You overestimate your strength."

Seeing the three block his path, Black Emperor [a title for a powerful demonic sovereign] could not help but let a flicker of coldness pass through his gaze.

He did not possess a second Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure forged from the essence of the primordial sun], but as a Mythical Immortal Seed [a being with the potential to ascend to the highest echelons of immortality] not inferior to Nyssa Qu, he naturally possessed extraordinary Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique].

With a mere flick of his sleeve, he stirred the boundless waters within the Dragon Transformation Pool [a legendary pool where dragons undergo metamorphosis], condensing them into a blade of profound, abyssal darkness—a Slaughter [a divine ability focused on pure annihilation] sword—which he then cleaved towards the Path-Guardian Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation].

"It's the Nether Profound Sea-Gathering Sword Energy Slash [a divine ability that gathers the power of vast seas into a devastating sword energy]!"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly as he recognized the origin of this Great God Ability [a supreme divine ability of immense power]. For more chapters, visit audio‑novel.com for the complete novel.

The 'Nether Profound Sea-Gathering Sword Energy Slash' was the Innate Primordial Solar Divine Ability [a supreme divine ability innate to a primordial being] of the Netherwater Profound Serpent [a primordial serpent deity associated with nether waters]. Cultivating this Divine Ability allowed one to converge the might of the boundless seas into a sword, its power amplified tremendously when unleashed within water.

It was said that once this Divine Ability was cultivated to the Great Perfection Realm [the pinnacle mastery of a technique or art], a single strike could sunder heaven and earth for a hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], a blow even a Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Primordial Spirit cultivation realm] great power would not dare to face head-on.

Fortunately, reaching the Great Perfection Realm in the Nether Profound Sea-Gathering Sword Energy Slash was exceedingly difficult, requiring an incredibly precious Primordial Solar Spiritual Object [a spiritual object of primordial solar essence]—the 'Sea-Gathering Divine Pearl' [a divine pearl capable of gathering sea essence]—as a crucial catalyst for success.

And the Sea-Gathering Divine Pearl was exceedingly rare. It was said within the Purple Seal Realm [a specific immortal realm or domain], it could only be nurtured within the North Sea Sea Eye [a mystical vortex or source in the North Sea]. Naturally, the Netherwater Profound Serpent lacked the means to achieve complete mastery.

Yet even so, the instant that Nether Profound Sea-Gathering Sword Energy Slash descended, Eldrin Chen knew that relying solely on the Azure Abyss Sword Formation and the Azure Dragon Stirring Sea Sword would not be enough to withstand it.

Therefore, he soared into the heavens without hesitation. From his sleeve, the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword transformed into a brilliant azure sword radiance, meeting the Nether Profound Sea-Gathering Sword Energy Slash head-on.

The moment the two forces clashed, a tremendous collision erupted. Dazzling sword energies churned the Dragon Transformation Pool into utter chaos.

"Something is amiss."

Black Emperor's expression shifted slightly, an involuntary look of gravity settling upon his features.

The fact that the guardians possessed three Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [supreme-grade enchanted artifacts forged with the essence of the primordial sun] was far beyond Black Emperor's expectations.

Generally speaking, a Primordial Spirit Early Stage [the initial phase of the Primordial Spirit realm] Great Power would possess, at most, one or two such treasures. To wield three was a feat almost exclusive to those at the Primordial Spirit Mid Stage [the intermediate phase of the Primordial Spirit realm].

Yet before him, these three individuals together commanded a full three Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure, a development that had caught Black Emperor completely off guard.

Furthermore, having three Primordial Spirit Seed [cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, on the verge of breaking through to Primordial Spirit] acting as guardians was exceedingly rare. A single misstep in handling this situation could spell significant future trouble for him.

As the battle dragged on for half an hour with no victory in sight, Black Emperor's countenance grew increasingly dark and stormy.

"Today, we have already offended these four. If we cannot slay them here and now, I fear we will incur the lasting enmity of four Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered the path of the primordial spirit]."

"Enough of this!"

With a surge of resolve, Black Emperor [a powerful sovereign figure] cast a gaze of profound and icy malice towards the Path-Guardian Grand Formation [a grand defensive array]. He then forcefully channeled a dazzling stream of light and unleashed it upon the assembled group.

This radiant stream was a manifestation of a Primordial Solar Great God Ability [a supreme divine technique of the primordial sun lineage], known as the Profound Serpent Voidwalker Tribulation Light [the Tribulation Light of the Profound Serpent that Traverses the Void]. It was the Supreme Primordial Solar Divine Ability [the paramount divine art] of the Blackwater Profound Serpent Emperor [the Emperor of the Blackwater Profound Serpent demonic lineage]. For more chapters, visit audio-novel dot com for the complete novel.