Chapter 763 : The Void's Forbidden Treasure
The primary reason why Longgu the Daoist was able to slay the Nine Nether Demon Dragon Emperor so readily back then was that the Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation had completely locked down the spatial fabric across that 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 [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, without a Spatial Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure capable of manipulating space] in hand, he would likely find it exceedingly difficult to eliminate foes of that caliber.
Therefore, to truly empower the Yin-Yang Void Realm [a spiritual treasure embodying the principles of Yin, Yang, and Void], it would be best to acquire a Sixth Rank [corresponding to the Nascent Soul stage] spatial Spiritual Object [an object imbued with concentrated spiritual energy or unique properties] and fuse it within.
Alas, Sixth Rank spatial Spiritual Object are far too precious, coveted even by many Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul stage and commands profound Dao insights]. Whether one can obtain such a treasure depends entirely on fate and fortune.
Seeing that Eldrin Chen had taken his words to heart, Maris the Sea Steader turned to fly back towards Virtuous Peak. Before departing, he said, "Focus your mind on safeguarding Maris's path to enlightenment. As for this Myriad Ruins Continent, this old man shall watch over it in your stead."
Departing from the Heaven's Spine Mountains, Eldrin Chen and his two companions did not linger in the Eastern Wastelands. They directly utilized a Teleportation Formation [a mystical formation for instantaneous travel across vast distances] to reach the Dao Palace Sacred Land, then hastened their journey towards the Southern Sea Cultivation World.
Within a mere few years, they arrived at the Dragon Transformation Pool and were reunited with Maris the Sea Steader.
Upon their arrival, Maris the Sea Steader greeted them with evident delight. "Your timing is impeccable," he said, a hint of relief in his voice. "I was just grappling with a headache concerning the protective Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and patterns for defense, attack, or other mystical purposes]."
"Oh?"
Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with subtle interest. "Please elaborate, Brother Daoist," he inquired. For the best reading experience, visit audio . novel . com.
He quickly grasped the other's intent from Maris the Sea Steader's explanation.
It turned out that Maris the Sea Steader's initial plan was to deploy a Quasi-Sixth Rank grand formation within the Earth Vein [the spiritual arteries of the world]. However, he felt it was not entirely secure, for the Quasi-Sixth Rank Dao-Guardian Grand Formation of the Ancestor Mystic Turtle 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] power: the Southern Sea Glazed Palace. This lineage, with tens of thousands of years of heritage, was said to have three Nascent Soul Dao Lord [cultivators who have formed a Nascent Soul and comprehended a Dao Principle].
Beyond that, the Demonic Tribe had four Nascent Soul Dao Lord, and the Demonic Cultivator also had two Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor.
Most of Maris the Sea Steader's mortal enemies resided in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World and the Eastern Wastelands. If he underwent his tribulation within the Dragon Transformation Pool, he likely would not encounter foes sworn to mutual destruction. Instead, he might face obstruction from Nascent Soul Demons and Monsters seeking to thwart his Dao.
It was precisely for this reason that Maris the Sea Steader felt a tremor of uncertainty in his heart.
Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "This Dragon Transformation Pool is a ruin from the era of Demon Immortal [a demonic being who has ascended to immortality]. It can shield against the divinations of Nascent Soul Great Power. It is unlikely the Nascent Soul Demons and Monsters in this region will detect your presence here."
"Therefore, your tribulation this time should not attract calamities of an overwhelming scale."
Upon hearing this, Maris the Sea Steader let out a slight sigh of relief. He truly was not like Dorian Ji, who, despite being a Rogue Cultivator [an unaffiliated cultivator], possessed a web of past favors and connections. When facing the Primordial Spirit tribulation, the greatest fear was obstruction by other Primordial Spirit powers.
Yet, upon deeper reflection, such worry seemed unnecessary. Although his network of connections could not compare to that of the Ji Clan, he also had not incurred the enmity of as many Primordial Spirit foes as they had.
Ordinary Nascent Soul Demons and Monsters [powerful demonic beings at the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation], without a conflict of interest, would not go to extreme lengths to obstruct your path to enlightenment [the process of achieving a higher cultivation realm].
After all, having cultivated to such a realm, if one spent their days idly blocking others' paths to enlightenment, they would likely incur the enmity of many, becoming a thorn in the side among Demonic Monsters [a general term for malevolent, monstrous beings] and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high stage of cultivation] cultivators.
For them, successfully blocking another's path might be acceptable, but failure would mean earning a sworn enemy bent on vengeance, potentially leading to calamity in the future. Such a transaction is hardly a profitable one.
Moreover, given the opportunity, the great powers of the Human Race would prioritize eliminating such troublesome individuals, the Ancient Ancestor [a venerable, high-ranking elder or progenitor].
Of course, if the disturbances from a Primordial Spirit breakthrough were detected by nearby Nascent Soul Demons and Monsters, they likely would not pass up the prime opportunity to kill and plunder.
Returning to the matter at hand, although Eldrin Chen offered comfort to Maris the Sea Steader, upon reflection, he found Maris the Sea Steader's concerns were not without merit.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke: "Within this Dragon Transformation Pool [a mystical pool imbued with draconic energies] lies a Quasi-Sixth Rank [a grade just below the Sixth Rank] Water Vein [a subterranean channel of potent spiritual water] and Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy]. If I use the Green Abyss Sword [a powerful enchanted sword] as the core Formation Tool [an artifact used to anchor and power a formation], I could, with great effort, arrange a pseudo-Sixth Rank Formation [a structured array that channels energy for defense, attack, or other effects]."
"By then, converging the power of the Formation, the Green Abyss Sword could unleash its true Primordial Spirit-level combat prowess. However, engaging in a full-scale battle in this manner would likely inflict severe damage upon the Water Vein and Spirit Vein within the Dragon Transformation Pool."
Upon hearing this, Maris the Sea Steader's expression shifted slightly.
The Spirit Vein and Water Vein within this Dragon Transformation Pool were both of the lofty Quasi-Sixth Rank grade. This place held blessings left behind by an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality]. Given tens of thousands of years of nurturing, it might even advance to a true Sixth Rank state.
If, because of his breakthrough, the Earth Vein [the spiritual artery of the land] were to be destroyed, it would indeed violate the natural order, and a significant Karmic Burden [a metaphysical debt incurred by actions that disrupt natural harmony] would likely be tallied against him.
Nevertheless, achieving a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement] breakthrough was ultimately of far greater importance. A mere Karmic Burden [a metaphysical debt incurred by actions that disrupt natural harmony] was a concern to be dealt with another day.
Having resolved himself with this thought, Maris the Sea Steader declared firmly, "Proceed with the formation, Brother. Even if this Earth Vein [the spiritual artery of the land] is damaged, I, Maris, shall bear the ensuing Karmic Burden [a metaphysical debt incurred by actions that disrupt natural harmony] alone."
"Very well."
Eldrin Chen gave a nod and began to use the Green Abyss Sword as the Formation Tool [a core artifact used to anchor and power a formation], setting up the Formation [a structured array that channels energy for specific purposes] within the Dragon Transformation Pool.
The group labored for three months before the Formation [a structured array that channels energy for specific purposes] was finally completed. For the best reading experience, visit https://audio-novel.com.
Once the Formation [a structured array that channels energy for specific purposes] was established, Eldrin Chen remarked with a smile, "This array converges the power of the Spirit Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth] and the Water Vein [an underground current of potent water-element energy] from the Dragon Transformation Pool, making it exceptionally compatible with the water-attribute Green Abyss Sword."
"If unleashed to its full potential, not even a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual essence into an infant soul, a lord of the Dao] could breach it swiftly."
Seeing this, Maris the Sea Steader could not help but smile. "With this formation and the aid of you three, my External Tribulation [heavenly trials manifested as external threats like demons or natural disasters] holds no more fear for me."
As this tribulation crossing was to be conducted in secret, apart from these three, Maris the Sea Steader had not invited anyone else to serve as guardians.
Thus, the full weight of this pressure fell upon the three of them, a testament to the profound trust Maris the Sea Steader [a powerful cultivator known for his steadfast nature] placed in Eldrin Chen.
"Understood, Brother Daoist. Focus on your seclusion with peace of mind. We will surely hold back the External Tribulation [heavenly calamities that test a cultivator's path] for you,"
Eldrin Chen replied with a firm smile, his resolve unwavering.
As Maris the Sea Steader entered seclusion, the trio deliberated and decided to entrust control of the Formation [a structured array of power used for defense or attack] to Lyra Jiang.
Since Lyra Jiang had not yet forged her Pure Yang Immortal Sword [a legendary sword of pure yang energy], having her focus entirely on powering the Formation would free Eldrin Chen and Verdant Consort [a powerful nature-aligned cultivator] to handle any unforeseen threats.
Within the Water Vein Spring Eye [a nexus of potent water-element spiritual energy], Maris the Sea Steader used the remaining time to meticulously refine his Mana [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator] and adjust his state, awaiting the precise moment to shatter the barrier to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher state of being] realm.
Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
Early one morning, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt a brilliant shockwave erupt from the Formation's core. An unparalleled pressure descended, silencing the vast, boundless sea.
"The breakthrough has begun."
Eldrin Chen glanced towards the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for cultivation and breakthroughs], a trace of solemnity etching his brow. At this moment, the tribulation was undoubtedly drawing near.
Simultaneously, within the Endless Void above the Dragon Transformation Pool, a sun of blinding golden radiance erupted, shaking the entire Celestial Carp Sea to its core.
One by one, Demon Emperors lifted their heads, their expressions turning grave with profound solemnity.
Immediately, a Demon Emperor at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit stage was roused, exclaiming in utter shock, "Why is a member of the Human Race attempting a Primordial Spirit breakthrough within the Celestial Carp Sea, and how did this Emperor remain completely unaware?"
On a desolate Spirit Island tens of millions of Li-lengths away, a man clad in black armor opened his eyes. A chilling light flickered within his vertical pupils.
"To undergo your tribulation right under the nose of Black Emperor... you possess remarkable audacity."
"Let this Emperor see precisely who you are." Find this and other novels at audio-novel-dot-com.