Chapter 578 : Clash of Celestial Blades

"Clang—"

The moment the words left his lips, the young scholar's pupils contracted sharply. A brilliant sword radiance cleaved through the air towards him.

Eldrin Chen had no desire for idle talk. The instant he moved, he unleashed the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, seizing the initiative with a decisive strike.

"A fine Immortal Sword,"

the scholar praised. With a flick of his wrist, a folding fan in his hand snapped open, releasing a hazy azure Qi [a vital energy or ethereal substance] that *swished* through the air, parrying the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss.

"The Nine Heavens Pure Sky Fan,"

Lyra Jiang murmured, her eyes glinting with recognition of the treasure's origin.

This Nine Heavens Pure Sky Fan was one of the Purple Nine Treasures, a replica modeled after a legendary Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from heaven and earth, possessing immense natural power] that once shook the world. Even this imitation had reached the formidable grade of Fifth Rank Middle Grade.

This treasure could unleash Pure Yang Aura [a potent, purifying energy of the supreme Yang principle], making it a powerful, versatile Spiritual Treasure capable of both offense and defense.

Seeing the Nine Heavens Pure Sky Fan block the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, Lyra Jiang did not hesitate. She summoned her own Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword and sent it streaking forward in a direct, lethal slash. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio novel.com.

"Another Middle-Grade Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a powerful enchanted sword specifically forged to vanquish demonic entities]?"

The young scholar's expression turned slightly grave. Not daring to underestimate the situation, he called out in a loud voice, "Both of you, attack now!"

The maiden in black veil gave an enchanting smile. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned forth a Dragon-Patterned Short Sword [a short sword engraved with intricate dragon-scale patterns] and sent it slashing forward. This small sword, forged from Flood Dragon Counter-Scale [the unique, reverse-growing scale from a flood dragon's throat, prized for its extreme hardness and sharpness], was itself a lethal Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact of significant power used by cultivators]. The cutting edge it unleashed was exceptionally potent.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen swept his sleeve and immediately summoned the Heavenly River Flood Water Sword [a sword that channels the power of celestial river floods] to meet the black-veiled maiden's assault.

The battle erupted into a white-hot frenzy from the very first moment. After dozens of exchanges, both sides realized they were momentarily locked in a stalemate, unable to gain a decisive advantage over the other.

"How do these two possess so many Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts of significant power used by cultivators]?"

Frowning, the black-veiled maiden saw that she could not quickly subdue Eldrin Chen. She glanced towards Lila and the other two, then said, "You keep them occupied. I will go and capture those three first."

"Then be swift and decisive,"

the Burly Man replied, his voice brimming with confidence. He was certain that with Black Malignancy Maiden's Nascent Soul, 5th Tier [the fifth major stage of the Nascent Soul realm, representing immense spiritual power] cultivation base, she would undoubtedly be able to capture Lila, who was only at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage [the initial phase of the Nascent Soul realm].

Disengaging from her current foe, the black-veiled maiden immediately launched an attack towards Lila. However, a radiant light blossomed from the center of Lila's brow, and a pagoda seemingly forged from crystalline ice materialized before her.

The Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda [a defensive pagoda that radiates soul-chilling cold] expanded, propping open a void in space. It enveloped the heavens and earth with layers of Profound Ice Aura [a chilling aura that freezes the very air], rendering it impervious to the relentless assaults of the Dragon-Patterned Short Sword [a short sword etched with ancient dragon patterns].

"A Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [the highest tier of spiritual artifact, possessing immense power]!"

The Black Malignancy Maiden exclaimed in shock, her expression swiftly shifting to one of naked greed.

Not only her, but even the White-Robed Scholar and the Burly Man felt their hearts stir. A Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure was an object of extreme rarity and value, precious enough to serve as a Clan-Suppressing Foundation [a treasure of such power it can secure a clan's legacy for generations] within most Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [a powerful clan with a Nascent Soul cultivator as its pillar].

All three of them were merely True Lord [a Golden Core stage cultivator] Rogue Cultivator [cultivators without a sect or clan backing]; where would they possess such a priceless treasure?

"Now!"

In that fleeting moment when their minds were clouded by avarice, Eldrin Chen struck. He summoned the Water-Fire Divine Thunder [a divine ability that unleashes the opposing forces of water and fire as thunderbolts], transforming it into two streaks of lightning that shot toward the White-Robed Scholar.

"A Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a supreme-level divine ability of immense destructive power]!"

The White-Robed Scholar's face paled dramatically. Great Vehicle Divine Abilities were typically only mastered by Late Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator [cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm]. The mere fact that Eldrin Chen had unleashed one instantly made him feel a lethal threat.

In this moment of peril, the White-Robed Scholar flicked his sleeve, summoning forth an ancient-looking treasure scroll.

The Seven Stars Void-Escape Diagram unfurled, tearing through the void and carrying its wielder in a spatial shift, narrowly evading the strike unleashed by Eldrin Chen.

"A Spatial Spiritual Treasure [a rare artifact capable of manipulating space for travel or defense]," Eldrin Chen murmured, his brow furrowing.

He had not anticipated his foe possessed a treasure akin to the Yin-Yang Void Realm.

This Seven Stars Void-Escape Diagram， while not as versatile as the Yin-Yang Void Realm， was a peerless treasure crafted solely for escape. It could instantly transport a cultivator through the void for a distance of one million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]， making it a top-tier life-preserving Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

Before Eldrin Chen could give chase to the White-Robed Scholar， the Burly Man seized the moment. He summoned forth an Azure-Gold Ancient Zun， directing its formidable power against both Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang.

This Azure-Gold Ancient Zun was the Burly Man's Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure intimately connected to a cultivator's life force]， forged from Supreme Profound Azure Gold and infused with vast quantities of Profound Origin Heavy Water [a spiritual water of immense density and power] and numerous rare Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy， used in alchemy]. Experience the full epic at audio‑novel.com.

Specialized to suppress spiritual treasures aligned with the Water and Wood elements， it actually managed to stifle the power of Eldrin Chen's Heavenly River Flood Water Sword.

Not content with that， the Burly Man raised his hand， summoning a Coiling Dragon Staff cast from ancient bronze， and brought it crashing down towards Eldrin Chen with earth-shattering force.

"A body-refining cultivator [a cultivator who strengthens their physical form to incredible levels]?" Eldrin Chen's eyes flashed with recognition.

He turned swiftly to Lyra Jiang. "Hold them off for a few moments," he instructed, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of command.

As his words fell, he summoned forth the Yin-Yang Void Realm. In that instant, the Burly Man suddenly felt his hands go empty—his Coiling Dragon Staff had been seized by a beam of light and drawn up into the heavens.

That Coiling Dragon Staff was merely a Fifth Rank Low Grade Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact of significant power], and being inherently countered by the Yin-Yang Void Realm, it was captured in a single encounter.

"Ah, my Spiritual Treasure!"

The Burly Man's face twisted with pained anguish. In a flash, he activated his Lifebound Grand Divine Ability [a supreme, innate supernatural power bound to one's life force], transforming into a colossal, sky-obscuring figure that charged toward Eldrin Chen.

This man was a rare physical cultivator [a practitioner who refines their body to supreme levels], and the Lifebound Grand Divine Ability he had inscribed was none other than the legendary Celestial Human Dharma Form [the Divine Form of the Celestial Human, a mythical physical transformation].

Yet, as this foe charged, Eldrin Chen showed not a trace of fear. With a simple, forceful downward chop of his hand, he met the assault with the raw, overwhelming power of his own perfected physical form, sending the Burly Man hurtling backwards through the air.

"You... you are a physical cultivator too?"

The Burly Man, still tumbling through the air, paled dramatically and could not help but exclaim in shock.

Eldrin Chen merely let out a cold sneer. "A mere Mortal Dao Nascent Soul [a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage who follows the path of mortality, considered inferior to those on the Immortal Dao], and you dare to act so fiercely?" he stated with icy detachment.

As his words echoed, the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell descended from above his head. It swept forward with world-shattering force, striking the Burly Man with a deafening *CLANG* that left his head bloodied and broken.

"Quickly, lend him your aid!"

Seeing this, the White-Robed Scholar immediately sought to intervene. However, Lyra Jiang's Six Realms and Eight Desolations Cauldron [a supreme cauldron-type magical treasure] pressed down upon the four directions, effortlessly blocking the White-Robed Scholar.

The Black Malignancy Maiden also could no longer focus on attacking Lila. She withdrew, intending to provide support, but was forced to halt by the advance of Lyra Jiang's Second Primordial Embryo [a powerful avatar or clone technique].

"*Clang!*—"

In that fleeting instant, Eldrin Chen used the Yin-Yang Void Realm [a treasure that creates a domain of opposing forces] to seal his opponent's movements. From behind him, two Immortal Swords soared into the air, unleashing the Heaven-Severing Twin Swords Union [a combined sword technique of devastating power] in a sweeping slash.

Watching the Heaven-Severing Twin Swords Union descend upon him, the Burly Man let out a furious roar, having nowhere left to dodge. He erupted with his Nascent Soul Qi [the potent life-force energy of a Nascent Soul cultivator], simultaneously activating both the Azure-Gold Ancient Zun [an ancient, powerful treasure] and a Golden Bracelet Spiritual Treasure. He then manifested a defensive Great Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique], the Unshakable Boulder Golden Body [a technique that grants an immovable, golden-hued form].

True to his status as a Nascent Soul, Mid Stage cultivator, after unleashing his Nascent Soul Qi, his Mana [spiritual power for casting techniques] increased dramatically. Astonishingly, he managed to withstand Eldrin Chen's trump card—a move potent enough to threaten even a Nascent Soul Late Stage expert.

Yet before he could even catch his breath, a sword ray of purest white cleaved through the air, striking directly at him.

"Hundred Spirit Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword said to have slain a hundred spirits and immortals]."

"Aaaargh—!"

With a final, agonized shriek, the Burly Man was cloven in two on the spot, his Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator that forms after the Golden Core stage] failing to escape.

The Hundred Spirit Immortal-Slaying Sword was the bane of Human Race cultivators. Since Eldrin Chen had obtained it, every time he unleashed this blade, it was destined to claim the life of a True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators, often at the Nascent Soul realm or higher]. Including the second ancestor of the Qin Clan and Tengyun the Cloudrider, three Nascent Soul True Lord had already fallen beneath its edge.

Having consecutively slain such formidable foes, the sword's power had surged dramatically, ascending to the level of a Middle-Grade Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword. Now, unleashed once more, it proved its might yet again, achieving a great feat. It ensnared the Burly Man's soul essence and, with a single decisive stroke, settled the account. This chapter appears courtesy of *audio-novel.com*.