Chapter 861 : Thunder's Judgment and the Black Lotus

"I have been waiting for you!"

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

From within the searing thunderlight, a figure robed in pristine white stepped forth through the air. A single Five-Colored Divine Thunder [a divine thunderbolt imbued with the power of the five primal elements] cleaved through the depths of the void.

A sharp, shattering sound rang out. From the void's depths, a Black Lotus [a sinister, sentient artifact shaped like a black lotus] was forcibly expelled, and a black-robed figure was sent tumbling through the air.

"Such formidable physical prowess!"

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

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

Now, the Black Lotus had taken possession of this discarded vessel of the Verdant Ruins Path Lord, cultivating it into a Black Lotus Demonic Embryo [a demonic embryo gestating within the Black Lotus, possessing immense latent power]. Not only was its combat prowess formidable, but its potential for growth was boundless.

Struck by the attack, the Black Lotus Demonic 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 heavenly punishment of thunder and lightning] without a single scratch... How can your physical body be so powerful?"

"Today, I shall slay you to avenge Senior Verdant Ruins." Access the full story on audio-novel.com.

Without a word, Eldrin Chen raised his hand, unleashing a storm of thunderous light that shot directly towards the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo.

The reason was that Eldrin Chen had just withdrawn the Primordial One True Aegis [a supreme defensive technique] to withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating heavenly punishment] with his physical body, using himself as bait 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 heaven.

He had cultivated the Five Elements Divine Thunder [a supreme thunder technique of the five elements] for many years, and the Five Thunders Body Tempering Great Art [a supreme art for tempering the body with five thunders] had been refining his flesh day and night. As his spiritual power and cultivation base grew progressively more profound, this Five Thunders Body Tempering Great Art had also become increasingly wondrous.

Especially after comprehending the five types of Arcane Power [profound and esoteric powers], the Five Thunders Body Tempering Great Art underwent a startling mutation, advancing into the 'Five Thunder Primordial One Body Tempering Great Art' [the supreme art of tempering the Primordial One body with five thunders], its mysteries becoming even more formidable by an entire level.

Such a supremely powerful body-tempering method had rendered Eldrin Chen's physical form extraordinarily robust, surpassing even the Primordial Solar True Body [a constitution of pure solar essence] of many Primordial Spirit Path Lord [cultivators at the Primordial Spirit realm] and rivaling the durability of some indestructible Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [magical treasures forged from primordial solar 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 almost completely unscathed.

Although the Primordial One True Aegis had already blocked fifty to sixty percent of the final Heavenly Thunder Tribulation's power, this 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 sneak attack with the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [the supreme divine thunder of the five elements and primordial sun], 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 Celestial Abyss Twin Swords with devastating mastery. Simultaneously, his Primordial One Giant Hand descended with a thunderous crash, aiming to completely seal off the retreat of the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo.

Caught off guard, the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo was 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 Demonic Embryo immediately summoned a verdant treasure vase. From it erupted countless streams of Verdant Ruins energy [the profound, world-constructing power associated with the Verdant Ruins Path Lord], crisscrossing the heavens and earth in an attempt to shatter the oppressive seal of the Primordial One Giant Hand.

This treasure was known as the Verdant Ruins Treasure Vase, the Lifebound Supreme Treasure [a cultivator's most intimately connected and powerful magical artifact] of the Verdant Ruins Path Lord. Its grade was the exceptionally rare High Grade Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier artifact imbued with the pure, foundational power of the primordial sun], and its might was actually sufficient to withstand Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Giant Hand.

"Still daring to act ferociously?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply. With a flick of his sleeve and a casual point of his finger, another Five-Colored Heavenly Thunderclap [a divine thunder technique harnessing the power of the five elements] crashed down, instantly sending the Verdant Ruins Treasure Vase flying away.

The Black Lotus Demonic Embryo possessed Extraordinary strength. At its peak, it would have been considered powerful even within the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of cultivating one's spiritual core], potentially surpassing Eldrin Chen by a margin.

However, having been ambushed and with the Primordial One Divine Thunder [the supreme, foundational divine thunder technique] still ravaging its body, it could not muster its full, overwhelming power. It was no longer a match for Eldrin Chen.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Giant Hand was still descending to suppress him, he could no longer afford to worry about the Verdant Ruins Treasure Vase. Forcing out a surge of Black Lotus demonic radiance, he actually managed to break free from the grasp of the Primordial One Giant Hand.

Having escaped, the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo's face was deathly pale, clearly having paid a tremendous price. He shot a venomous glare at Eldrin Chen. "I have witnessed your methods today," he hissed.

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

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

Watching the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo flee for his life, Eldrin Chen's expression turned slightly cold.

He did not waste effort on a futile pursuit. Instead, he summoned the Four Symbols Divine Light to envelop the Verdant Ruins Treasure Vase and drew it back to himself. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel dot com.

By now, the demonic cultivators in the void, witnessing Eldrin Chen's overwhelming display of power, understood the battle was lost. They immediately tore through the void and departed.

"Husband, are you unharmed?"

Seeing that Eldrin Chen was fine, Exquisite Jiang and the others rushed forward, disregarding all else.

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

"My husband."

Verdant Consort held the Verdant Ruins Treasure Vase [an enchanted artifact capable of containing vast spiritual energy], her heart trembling faintly. She said nothing more, only tightening her grip on Eldrin Chen's hand.

After his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement] realm, Eldrin Chen did not immediately enter seclusion to consolidate his cultivation. Instead, he hosted a banquet atop the Gu Yuan Mountain Range to honor the several Path Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered a profound cultivation path] who had come to guard his ascension.

At the feast, Eldrin Chen personally toasted each Primordial Spirit Path Lord, his expression solemn and earnest. "My successful attainment of the Returning Abyss [a title or epithet signifying a profound, abyssal power] path," he declared, "was made possible entirely by your unwavering support."

"Such a profound debt of gratitude for my path's completion, I shall carry it always in my heart. Should any of you have need in the future, I, Returning Abyss, will not forget the kindness shown to me this day."

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

On a cultivator's path to ascension, four pillars are indispensable: wealth, companionship, methods, and land.

Here, 'companionship' refers not only to a cultivation partner for dual cultivation, but also to fellow cultivators who can support and watch over one another.

Their aid to Eldrin Chen today was not merely an act for the greater good of the Human Race; it was also an investment in forging a bond of friendship.

Even if they themselves might not need to call upon this bond, their disciples, descendants, or clan members in the future might find it invaluable.

Beside him, Dorian Ji stroked his long beard and chuckled, "Now that you have broken through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, you possess three Innate Divine Ability [innate supernatural powers] comparable to the great Primordial Solar Divine Ability [divine abilities of the primordial sun]. Your strength likely rivals even those at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [late stage of the Primordial Spirit realm]."

"Looking at it this way, our chances of holding the Eastern Barrens [a vast, desolate eastern region] are no longer small."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The Vast Abyss Path Master then raised his wine cup and declared, "Now that the Heaven Abandoned Path Lord [a title meaning 'Lord of the Path Abandoned by Heaven'] is severely wounded, and the Master of Stellar Palace will need ten Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years] to reforge [cultivate and reconstruct] his physical body, the situation has changed."

"For the next several centuries, it will fall upon Eldrin the Worthy Brother to oversee the grand strategy of our Eastern Barrens."

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

"I shall fortify our position here in the Gu Yuan Mountain Range [the Ancient Origin Mountain Range]. After recuperating for two centuries, we will then launch our counteroffensive against the Fiend Race [a race of malevolent beings]."

Upon hearing this, expressions of approval appeared on everyone's faces.

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

Currently, the Star Lake Ancient Domain is gathered with over ten Primordial Spirit Path Lord [Path Lords at the Primordial Spirit realm] of the Fiend Race, and the depths of the Eastern Barrens harbor beings like the Blood Demon Patriarch and the Black Lotus [a mysterious and potent object].

Furthermore, Dorian Ji cannot remain away from the Dorian Sacred Land [the sacred land of the Ji Clan] indefinitely, and the Icy Glaze Demon Ancestor [an ancient, powerful ice demon] is a pillar of the Eastern Sea Demon Race [a race of powerful demonic beings]. It is impossible for him to stay long in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland [the Great Wasteland of the Eastern Region]."

Even if they were to aid Eldrin Chen in reclaiming the Star Lake Ancient Domain before their departure, the situation would remain precarious. Internally, the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo [a sinister entity gestating within a black lotus] and the Blood Demon Patriarch would pose a constant threat, while externally, the Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] would watch with covetous eyes, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Given the current strength of the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, it is highly unlikely they would be able to hold the territory.

The Star Lake Ancient Domain is fundamentally different from the Three Veins Ancient Domain. It lacks any natural defensive advantages. There is no formidable barrier like the Gu Yuan Mountain Range—a range sustained by powerful Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy]—to impede the advance of a vast Outer Realm Fiend Race army. The complete novel can be found at audi0-n0vel.c0m.