It's a pity that attacking Linghu Isle earlier had drained too much of his power. Now, his magical energy was somewhat insufficient to unleash the full power of this treasure.
Seeing the opportunity arise, Elian once again urged the Fiery Void Sword to strike.
Since the Fiery Void Sword advanced to mid-tier second grade, its power had significantly increased. At this moment, as Elian invoked it with a single move, it transformed into a six-zhang-long sword light, slashing down and breaking through the protective light barrier created by the treasured seal in a single exchange.
Immediately after, Elian raised his hand and summoned the Green Ape Pearl. The treasure smashed down with a terrifying momentum, akin to the weight of Mount Tai.
At this moment, Zuo Younian's defensive artifact was broken, and his magical energy was almost entirely depleted. Facing the Green Ape Pearl, he was nearly incapable of dodging and had no way to escape.
At the critical moment of life and death, Zuo Younian abandoned any thoughts of fleeing. His gaze locked onto Elian, and a murderous intent surged from his entire being.
"Let's die together."
As soon as he spoke, he forcefully spat a mouthful of his life essence blood, squeezing out his spiritual energy to cast a divine ability once more.
A white light suddenly appeared, like a thunderbolt on a clear day, and the heavens roared with a mighty thunderous sound.
"Not good, it's the Metal Element Divine Thunder!"
Elian's pupils contracted abruptly, revealing a trace of shock.
Among the Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder, the Metal Element and Fire Element were the most powerful. At this moment, Zuo Younian, in the late Foundation Establishment stage, was making a desperate strike. A brilliant bolt of thunder streaked down from the sky.
Zuo Younian's desperate attack disregarded his own safety and aimed to bring Elian down with him.
As the saying goes, "swift as thunder," demonstrating the speed of the Metal Element Divine Thunder. The sudden strike even left the elder patriarch, who was stationed on the other end, unable to react in time to offer assistance.
In the nick of time, Elian had no choice but to activate the Fiery Void Sword to block the attack. His natal sword was hit heavily, its glow dimmed as it was sent flying backward.
The Metal Element Divine Thunder, though significantly weakened, continued its relentless approach.
However, the brief delay was enough. Elian infused all his vital energy into the Nine Deflection Bell.
The Nine Deflection Bell, now refined by the elder patriarch and infused with Lin Taihe's Mystic Iron artifact and a substantial amount of Five Elements essence, had been elevated to mid-tier second grade, greatly enhancing its power.
Although the Metal Element Divine Thunder was overwhelmingly powerful, it had already been weakened by sixty percent after severely damaging the Fiery Void Sword. Its remaining force was insufficient to break through the defensively superior Nine Deflection Bell.
"Boom—"
The desperate attack failed to achieve mutual destruction, and Zuo Younian showed a look of despair.
Before he could say anything further, the Green Ape Pearl smashed in front of him, shattering his entire body and sending him plummeting from the sky into the lake below, staining the waters red.
Elian descended on a beam of light, finding Zuo Younian's body shattered. Despite being a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with a physique tempered by years of vital energy refinement, he still retained his last breath after taking a direct hit from the Green Ape Pearl.
At the brink of death, Zuo Younian lay motionless, his gaze still carrying a trace of resolute defiance as he looked at Elian.
Elian's expression was icy, but he couldn't help but ask, "You massacred the mortals of my Chen family's town. Do you regret it now?"
"Mortals…"
Zuo Younian's eyes flickered with a complex expression. Suddenly, he laughed maniacally.
"You feel pain for your slaughtered clan members, but what about us, the Zuo clan?"
"Our Zuo clan, over a hundred thousand people, annihilated in a single night. Who remembers them?"
"Hahaha, I have no regrets!"
With three loud laughs, Zuo Younian passed away.
…
Elian stood silently, his heart trembling as he stepped onto Linghu Isle.
At the center of the island, Chen Changyan sat cross-legged at the core of the formation, resembling a withered tree that could decay at any moment.
He no longer had his usual composure and maturity. Instead, his face bore traces of recklessness and calmness, and his clothes were neatly arranged.
As Elian approached, he discovered that the elder uncle's spiritual energy and life essence had been completely exhausted. He had already passed away long ago.
"He refined all his life essence into spiritual energy to activate the formation. There wasn't a drop of blood left in his body," said Xianyan, her eyes red and filled with tears. She wept as she tidied the Changyan's clothes.
Elian stood silently, his mouth trembling as he asked, "Did he leave any last words?"
Xianyan sobbed and replied, "The patriarch asked me to tell you that he had no regrets in this life."
"He said you don't need to organize a grand birthday celebration or a glorious funeral for him. But if you ever ascend to immortality, take his ashes with you."
"Scatter them across that boundless immortal realm and tell the vast celestial heavens that Chen Changyan once existed!"
…
In the silent night, the world was tranquil and still.
Elian stood on the shore of the island, gazing up at the vast sky, the stars reflected in his eyes.
Dressed in snow-white robes, he stood motionless, silent, and contemplative.
"This magnificent starry river, as eternal as the heavens."
"This mortal world, ever-changing and unceasing."
The elder patriarch appeared beside him, speaking calmly.
"We are all seekers of the Dao in this mortal world."
"Only by transcending this realm and becoming immortal gods can we be as eternal as the stars, resting above the nine heavens."
"But the path is too arduous, long, and filled with hardship. If we fail, you and I will face the same end."
"Changyan merely departed a step earlier."
"A seeker of the Dao in the mortal world…" Elian murmured, slowly closing his eyes.
The elder patriarch nodded, speaking plainly.
"Everlasting Green, Mindful of Ancestors; Support and Revitalize the Clan, Ascend to Immortality."
"The ancestral motto was left behind to inspire us to grow, support each other, and ultimately have someone ascend to immortality to fulfill their wishes."
"You are the most talented and perceptive in our family's history. Perhaps you truly have a chance to reach that day."
"If that moment of crisis comes, we will spare no effort, even if it costs the entire family, to give you a helping hand."
…
Having eliminated the threat of Zuo Younian, Elian and the Third Elder did not leave immediately. They stayed on Linghu Isle for half a month and opened Zuo Younian's storage bag.
As a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zuo Younian's wealth was considerable. In addition to over three thousand spirit stones, there were several valuable treasures.
Among these, the only second-tier high-grade artifact was the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber. The other treasures, a small glazed sword and a treasure seal artifact, were both mid-tier second grade.
Additionally, there was a piece of thousand-year Cold Iron and a jade slip inscribed with a divine ability, both of which were exceptionally rare.
Of all these treasures, the most valuable was undoubtedly the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber, a second-tier high-grade natal artifact, considered powerful even among second-tier high-grade items.
Chen Changyan may have passed, but he left without regrets. For him, contributing to the family in his final moments was his brightest and most glorious funeral.
...
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