Chapter 861 : Clash of Lightning and Lotus

"I have been waiting for you!"

Yet, in that very instant, a cold sneer echoed from the depths of the void.

From within the searing lightning, a figure clad in a White Robe as pure as snow stepped through the air. A bolt of Five-Colored Divine Thunder [a divine thunderbolt imbued with the power of the five fundamental elements] cleaved through the deepest reaches of the void.

A sharp, resounding crack echoed. From the void's heart, a Black Lotus was forcibly expelled, and a black-robed figure was sent hurtling backward.

"What formidable physical prowess!"

The Black Lotus drew a sharp, chilling breath, a sound of utter astonishment emanating from it.

Only then did the onlookers realize that seated upon the Black Lotus was a black-robed figure—the physical vessel that once belonged to Thanatos the God-Slayer.

Now, the Black Lotus had usurped the mortal remains of Qingxu Dao Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has comprehended a profound Dao path], cultivating itself into a Black Lotus Demon Embryo [a nascent demonic entity of immense potential, gestating within a black lotus]. Not only was its combat power fearsome, but its latent potential was truly boundless.

Struck by the assault, the Black Lotus Demon Embryo coughed up streams of blood from the corner of its mouth. It stared in shock at Eldrin Chen and exclaimed, "To withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning used to temper one's body and soul] without the slightest injury... How can your physical form be so powerful?"

"Today, I shall slay you to avenge Senior Ethereal Ruins." Find thousands of chapters at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Eldrin Chen wasted no words. With a mere lift of his hand, thunderous light surged forth, striking directly at the Black Lotus Demon Embryo.

It turned out that the moment Eldrin Chen withdrew the Primordial True Aegis, his intent was to withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation with his physical body, using the opportunity to lure the Black Lotus into making a move.

The reason he dared to do this was because the strength of his physical body could truly be considered among the finest under the heavens.

He had cultivated the Five Elements Divine Thunder for many years, tempering his body nightly with the Five Thunders Body Tempering. As his Mana and cultivation base gradually deepened, this Five Thunders Body Tempering Grand Art had also grown increasingly profound and wondrous.

Especially after comprehending the five types of Secret Power [esoteric forces derived from the fundamental laws of reality], the Five Thunders Body Tempering Grand Art underwent a startling metamorphosis, advancing into the 'Five Thunder Primordial Chaos Body Tempering Grand Method'. Its mysteries and power were elevated to an entirely new level.

Such a supremely potent body-tempering method had rendered Eldrin Chen's physical form extraordinarily powerful. It surpassed the Pure Yang True Body [a body refined to a state of pure, unadulterated Yang energy] of many Nascent Soul Dao Lord and was sturdy enough to rival some indestructible Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [magical treasures forged from the purest Yang essence].

Coupled with the astonishing resistance to thunder techniques this method bestowed, it allowed Eldrin Chen to face the assault of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a tribulation of heavenly thunder sent to test cultivators] almost completely unscathed.

Although the final strike of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation had been weakened by fifty to sixty percent by the Primordial True Aegis, the feat was still utterly astounding.

Enduring the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation in this manner successfully deceived the Black Lotus, which hastily sought to seize the chance to slay Eldrin Chen.

Yet, caught off guard, it was instead Eldrin Chen who launched a surprise attack with the Grand Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder, causing the Black Lotus to suffer a grievous setback and sustain extremely severe injuries.

"Cleave!"

With a murderous glint flashing in his eyes, Eldrin Chen wielded his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords in a dazzling display of offense and defense. Simultaneously, his Primordial Grasping Hand descended with a thunderous crash, aiming to completely seal off the retreat of the Black Lotus Demon Embryo.

Caught off guard, the Black Lotus Demon Embryo was immediately forced into a desperate retreat. Enraged and humiliated, it roared, "You are not worthy of killing this venerable one!"

"Break for me!"

With a furious bellow, the Black Lotus Demon Embryo summoned a cyan treasure vase. From it erupted streams of Ethereal Ruins Qi [a potent, corrosive spiritual energy associated with the Ethereal Ruins Dao Lord] that crisscrossed the heavens and earth, striving to push back the oppressive seal of the Primordial Grasping Hand.

This treasure was named the Ethereal Ruins Treasure Vase, the Lifebound Supreme Treasure [a cultivator's most intimately connected and powerful artifact] of the Qingxu Dao Lord. A rare Superior Grade Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier artifact imbued with pure Yang energy], its power was astonishingly sufficient to withstand Eldrin Chen's Primordial Grasping Hand.

"Still daring to act fiercely?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply. With a flick of his sleeve and a casual point of his finger, a five-colored thunderbolt crashed down once more, striking the Ethereal Ruins Treasure Vase and sending it flying away.

The Black Lotus Demon Embryo possessed formidable strength. At its peak in the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage, it would have been considered powerful, potentially even surpassing Eldrin Chen by a margin.

However, having been ambushed and with the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder still ravaging its body from within, it could not muster its vast Mana [the spiritual energy used to power techniques and spells]. It was no longer a match for Eldrin Chen.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen's Primordial Grasping Hand was still descending to suppress him, he could no longer afford to care for the Ethereal Ruins Treasure Vase. With a desperate effort, he mustered a Black Lotus Demonic Light and actually managed to break free from the confines of the Primordial Grasping Hand.

Having escaped, the Black Lotus Demon Embryo's face was deathly pale, a clear sign of the immense price he had paid. He shot a venomous glare at Eldrin Chen. "This one has witnessed your methods today," he hissed.

"But since I did not perish this day, we shall meet again in the future."

Before his words had fully faded, he tore through the void and vanished into the boundless expanse between heaven and earth.

Watching the demonic embryo flee for its life, a faint chill settled in Eldrin Chen's expression.

He did not waste effort on a futile pursuit. Instead, he summoned the Four Symbols Divine Light to envelop the Ethereal Ruins Treasure Vase and drew it back to himself. This chapter is provided by audio-novel .c om. Support the original.

Meanwhile, the Demonic Monsters in the void, having witnessed Eldrin Chen's overwhelming display of power, understood the battle was lost. They too tore through the fabric of space and departed.

"Husband, are you unharmed?"

Seeing that Eldrin Chen was indeed fine, Lyra Jiang and the others rushed to his side, setting aside all other concerns.

Eldrin Chen shook his head. He handed the Ethereal Ruins Treasure Vase to Verdant Consort and sighed. "A pity I lack a Spatial Spiritual Treasure [a treasure capable of manipulating space itself]. Otherwise, I might have been able to suppress and slay that Black Lotus."

"My husband."

Verdant Consort held the Ethereal Ruins Treasure Vase, her heart trembling faintly. She said nothing more, only tightening her grip on Eldrin Chen's hand.

After his breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a profound advancement in cultivation] realm, Eldrin Chen did not immediately enter seclusion to consolidate his cultivation. Instead, he hosted a banquet atop the Guyuan Mountain Range to honor the various Dao Lord [a title for a master of the Dao, a powerful cultivator] who had come to guard his path.

At the feast, Eldrin Chen personally offered a toast to each Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a Dao Lord who has reached the Nascent Soul cultivation stage], his expression one of utmost sincerity. "My success in attaining the Dao this time," he declared, "relied entirely upon your steadfast and wholehearted assistance."

"Such a profound debt of gratitude for aiding my path, I shall carry it forever in my heart. Should any of you have need in the days to come, I, Eldrin, the Abyss, will not forget the kindness shown to me today."

Hearing his words, smiles graced the faces of all present.

On the path of cultivation, four pillars are indispensable: wealth, companionship, methods, and a suitable place of practice.

The 'companionship' refers not only to a cultivation partner for dual cultivation, but also to Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for other cultivators on the same path] who can support and watch over one another.

Their aid to Eldrin Chen today was given not merely for the greater cause of the Human Race, but also to forge a bond of goodwill.

Even if they themselves might not call upon this favor, their disciples, successors, or bloodline descendants might one day find it of use.

Beside him, Dorian Ji stroked his long beard and chuckled, "With your breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, you now possess three Lifebound Divine Ability [innate divine powers bound to one's life force] that rival Great Vehicle Pure Yang Divine Ability [supreme divine abilities of pure yang energy]. Your strength likely matches even those at the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage [the late stage of the Primordial Spirit realm]."

"Judging by this, our chances of holding the Eastern Wilderness are now quite substantial."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Haoyuan the Daoist then raised his wine cup and declared, "Now that Tianqi the Dao Lord [Dao Lord Tianqi] is gravely wounded and the Star Palace Master requires Ten Sixty-Year Cycles [a period of six hundred years] to reform his physical body,"

"for the next several centuries, it will fall to Eldrin, the Abyssal Junior to steer the grand affairs of our Eastern Wilderness."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "Currently, all the Dao Lord [lords of the Dao path] of our Chen Clan have only recently broken through to the Primordial Spirit realm. We require time to consolidate our cultivation bases and to advance our Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts imbued with spiritual power]."

"I shall fortify our position here in the Guyuan Mountain Range. After recuperating for two centuries, we will then launch our counteroffensive against the Demon Race."

His words were met with looks of approval from all present.

Although this strategy meant conceding the Star Lake Ancient Domain, it was a necessary compromise.

For the Star Lake Ancient Domain now swarmed with over ten Nascent Soul Dao Lord [Dao Lords at the Nascent Soul realm] of the Demon Race, and the Eastern Wilderness itself harbored formidable presences like the Blood Demon Ancient Ancestor and the Black Lotus [a mysterious and potent artifact].

Furthermore, Dorian Ji could not remain long absent from Dorian's Sacred Land, and the Frost Glaze Demon Progenitor was a pillar of the Eastern Sea Demonic Tribe [a major demonic faction], unable to stay indefinitely in the Eastern Wastelands.

Even if they were to aid Eldrin Chen in reclaiming the Star Lake Ancient Domain before their departure, the situation would remain precarious. With the internal threat of the Black Lotus Demon Embryo [a nascent demonic entity of immense power] and the Blood Demon Ancient Ancestor, coupled with the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a malevolent deity from beyond this realm] lurking covetously from without, the land would be caught in a vice.

Given the current strength of the Eastern Wastelands, it is highly improbable they could hold their ground.

For the Star Lake Ancient Domain is not like the Three Veins Ancient Domain; it offers no natural defenses. Lacking a formidable barrier like the Guyuan Mountain Range with its Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] to impede the advance of the Outer Realm Demon Race Army, it lies utterly exposed. This content originates from audio–novel.com. Please respect copyright.