Chapter 633 : The Unrivaled Sword Celestial

Pure Sword Cultivator [practitioners who focus exclusively on the path of the sword] possess formidable offensive power, yet their nature is brittle and prone to breaking. This is because the Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner] they cultivate is most suited for wielding Sword Dao [the Way of the Sword] Divine Ability [supernatural powers derived from profound cultivation] and Immortal Sword [a sentient, supremely sharp sword artifact]. If they attempt to use ordinary Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts imbued with spiritual power], their effectiveness is greatly diminished.

Therefore, Sword Cultivator generally forsake all conventional methods, dedicating themselves solely to the path of the Sword Dao. Their assault power is peerless under the heavens.

High-level, pure Sword Cultivator are still rare within the Purple Realm [a vast cultivation world]. The most famous is undoubtedly Lin Tianqi from the Eastern Wastelands [a desolate and dangerous region]. His offensive prowess is so terrifying it can send shivers down the spines of beings approaching the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm, bordering on immortality].

"Allow me to introduce you both,"

Tianlu Sect Master [the leader of the Tianlu Sect] offered a slight smile, then said to Eldrin Chen, "This esteemed one is the foremost Sword Cultivator within our Three Veins Ancient Domain [an ancient and powerful domain]—'Xuantian the Sword Celestial' [the Celestial Swordmaster of Profound Heaven]."

"And these two," he continued, "are the Abyssal Daoist [a title meaning 'Daoist of the Abyss'] Dao companions from the Ji Continent."

As Tianlu Sect Master made the introductions, Eldrin Chen recalled the origins of this Xuantian the Sword Celestial.

This 'Xuantian the Sword Celestial' not only possessed cultivation at the lofty Nascent Soul, 7th Tier [the seventh tier of the Nascent Soul realm], making him a renowned Great Cultivator within the Three Veins Ancient Domain.

In his youth, Xuantian the Sword Celestial had obtained the legacy of a Nascent Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Nascent Soul realm] cultivator. He rose to fame wielding the Profound Heaven Spirit-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword artifact], and had cultivated the fabled Profound Heaven Sword Shield [a divine defensive technique manifesting a shield of sword energy]. His strength ranked among the most formidable even within the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

Rumors even spoke of him having slain a Nascent Soul Late Stage powerhouse, suggesting his offensive methods likely rivaled those at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection. Immerse yourself in the complete world at site: audio-novel.com.

Xuantian the Sword Celestial gave Eldrin Chen merely a nod, paying little heed to this Nascent Soul, Early Stage cultivator. He turned instead to Tianlu Sect Master and spoke.

"Brother Tianlu, have you considered the matter we discussed?"

"Sell me the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword, and I shall help you eradicate the Desolate Demon Ridge to settle that old grievance."

Tianlu Sect Master gave a noncommittal laugh and deftly shifted the topic. "Let us discuss that another day."

"Hmph." Xuantian the Sword Celestial let out a cold snort. "That Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword would unleash its full, twelvefold power only in the hands of a true Sword Cultivator like myself. In your possession, it is nothing but a waste of a divine artifact."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, piecing together the cause and effect of the exchange.

So, this Xuantian the Sword Celestial coveted the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword and sought to trade two Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure for it.

The value of a Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a treasure imbued with near-pure Yang energy, one step below a true Pure Yang treasure] was inestimable, undoubtedly surpassing that of two Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure. Naturally, Tianlu Sect Master would never agree to such a deal.

As for eradicating the Desolate Demon Ridge, that was not Tianlu Sect Master's burden alone. He had no intention of playing the fool, trading away his greatest trump card for such a promise.

That might have been the end of it, but this Xuantian the Sword Celestial, arrogant and prideful, had chosen to press the argument with Tianlu Sect Master right there at the banquet.

"This individual possesses an exceedingly lofty pride, and his temperament is perhaps too forthright and unvarnished."

This thought flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind. While it was true that the temperament of a Sword Cultivator [a practitioner who focuses their cultivation entirely on the path of the sword] was influenced by their Sword Intent [the conceptual will and sharpness imbued into a swordsman's spirit], leading them to generally favor a direct and straightforward approach in dealings,

this influence typically had its limits. Xuantian the Sword Celestial's manner, however, was excessively blunt.

If a person's emotions were overly swayed by the attributes of the Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] they cultivated, it was a sign that their self-control could not master the power they wielded. If one could not subdue this influence, it might not bode well for their future.

Tianlu Sect Master deftly steered the conversation elsewhere, and the banquet festivities resumed their course.

Once the grand feast concluded, Eldrin Chen, Tianlu Sect Master, and Nine Rivers Daoist gathered together within a Grand Hall.

The Nine Rivers Daoist glanced at the others, a pleased expression on his face as he stroked his beard. "Speaking of which," he began, "that Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword of yours truly stirs envy in this old man's heart. No wonder Xuantian the Sword Celestial coveted it so."

"You flatter me," Tianlu Sect Master replied with a slight smile, then looked at Nine Rivers Daoist. "Elder Brother, your set of nine Heavenly River Immortal Sword [enchanted swords of immense power] shakes the very heavens. My single Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword can hardly compare."

Nine Rivers Daoist allowed himself a confident smile. Although his nine Heavenly River Immortal Sword were not Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [magical treasures approaching the pinnacle rank of Pure Yang], when combined, their might indeed rivaled that of one.

With this in mind, he pondered for a moment before speaking. "Now that Brother Tianlu has broken through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, his reservoir of Mana should increase by approximately half."

"Once you refine two more superior Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a powerful artifact bound to a cultivator's life force], our chances of annihilating the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with demonic beings] under the terms of our Century Pact [a binding agreement spanning one hundred years] will be significantly greater."

"Indeed. After breaking through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Nascent Soul realm], I will be able to unleash the full might of the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword [a mystical sword forged from earth and fire energies]."

Tianlu Sect Master nodded, then looked at the others and asked, "Before the hundred-year deadline arrives, do any of you esteemed Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators] have confidence in advancing another step?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only offer a bitter smile. Given his current progress, he estimated he might break through to the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm] roughly thirty years before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving a demonic abyss]. It seemed unlikely he would make it before the century's end.

Lyra Jiang had broken through twenty years later than he had, so her advancement would likely come even later. With this thought, he turned his gaze towards Nine Rivers Daoist.

Nine Rivers Daoist's cultivation had already reached the lofty Nascent Soul, 8th Tier [the eighth tier within the Nascent Soul realm]. Advancing one more step would place him at Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul realm], and his Mana [the spiritual energy or life force of a cultivator] would swell by a formidable thirty to forty percent. Official source: audio–novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

A cultivator with such an immensely profound foundation, whose Mana then increased by another thirty to forty percent, and who wielded nine Heavenly River Immortal Sword [celestial swords embodying the power of a heavenly river]... Nine Rivers Daoist's strength would rank among the most formidable even within the ranks of Nascent Soul Great Perfection.

Seeing their expectant looks, Nine Rivers Daoist furrowed his brow and quickly shook his head. "After I broke through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, it took me five hundred years to advance a single tier. I have only been at the Nascent Soul, 8th Tier for two centuries."

"Alas..."

A soft sigh echoed in the hearts of the others. If only Tianlu the Daoist advanced to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, their strength would likely still fall short of what was needed to truly eradicate the Desolate Demon Ridge.

With this thought in mind, Nine Rivers Daoist inquired, "Regarding the Ji Clan side, that individual..."

Out of deference for one's superior, Nine Rivers Daoist dared not utter Dorian Ji's name, asking only with great caution, clearly wondering if Dorian Ji could intervene.

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang shook her head and said, "That one has indeed emerged from seclusion. However, barely over a century remains until the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the prophesied, cyclical eruption of demonic energy from the depths of the abyss]."

"After emerging, he proceeded directly to the End of the Demonic Abyss. His purposes were twofold: to guard the Demonic Abyss [the chasm from which demonic energy and creatures periodically surge] against any disturbances, and to lay preparations in advance to withstand the coming Demonic Abyss Cataclysm."

Hearing this, the others dared not press the matter further. Compared to the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, the affairs of the Desolate Demon Ridge were but a minor concern, unworthy of diverting the attention and effort of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul and comprehended a profound Dao path].

Since the Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of a Dao path] could not spare himself, it fell to them, these Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul], to handle it.

Considering this, Tianlu Sect Master asked, "In the past, the lair of Pyroclast the Elder Demon was destroyed by the Heaven's Profound Sect. I wonder if we might request their assistance?"

"I fear that is also unlikely," Nine Rivers Daoist replied with a bitter smile. "The Celestial Profound Sect Master failed in his attempt to break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a realm beyond the Nascent Soul]. His Essence, Qi, and Spirit [the three foundational treasures of a cultivator's vitality] are nearly depleted. I fear he cannot hold on for much longer."

"Their Heaven's Profound Sect is a vast and powerful institution. Not only do they face the covetous gaze of Demonic Monsters, but they must also prepare for the imminent eruption of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. Should the Celestial Profound Sect Master pass away, they will likely struggle to ensure their own survival."

Upon hearing this, the hearts of those present grew heavy. The matter of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm was of grave importance. Every power in the Eastern Wastelands with strength at or above the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation] level was obligated to contribute both personnel and resources.

Furthermore, great Sects like the Heaven's Profound Sect, which possess the potential to nurture Nascent Soul Dao Lords, become even more prominent thorns in the side of the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world]. Consequently, they face ever-increasing targeting and persecution from both the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon and other Demonic Monsters [malevolent creatures born of demonic energy]. Discover more cultivation stories at site: audio-novel.com.