Chapter 937 : The Ancient Ancestor's Final Obsession

Illusory strands of Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality] swirled around its form, each wisp possessing the power of World Creation [the act of birthing a new world].

"A Demi-Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality but not yet achieved full immortality]?"

Eldrin Chen murmured, then shook his head, speaking with absolute certainty. "No. This is a Demi-Immortal whose physical body has perished utterly, with only a single thread of obsession remaining within its soul."

"Correct."

Mingyuan the Daoist nodded, offering a respectful bow towards the deceased Demi-Immortal before speaking. "The venerable senior before us is the final Patriarch of the ancient Xun Wind Divine Ridge, 'Galewind the Ancient Ancestor'."

"In his prime, Galewind the Ancient Ancestor comprehended the Creation [the primordial act of creation], nearly stepping fully into the realm of Immortal [a true, eternal immortal]. He has lived for over sixty thousand years. Among the current Violet Realm Human Race, he is likely the eldest in years."

"Over sixty thousand years?"

Eldrin Chen was inwardly startled, a look of astonishment flashing across his face.

For Galewind the Ancient Ancestor to have lived over sixty thousand years made him a veritable living fossil within the annals of the entire Human Race, a lifespan that stretched beyond the imagination of most human cultivators.

Even that peerless Heaven's Chosen [one blessed by heaven with supreme talent] of the Chen Clan who possessed the Yi Wood Dao Body [a rare spiritual constitution attuned to the Wood element], upon reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm [the Nascent Soul realm], would likely not surpass this venerable one's longevity without special life-extending fortune. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel . com.

"This old man is merely a lingering wretch clinging to the last threads of life; how could I possibly be worthy of being called one whose achievements rival Creation?"

Just as Eldrin Chen was reeling from this revelation, an immensely ancient and weary voice echoed from within the Cultivation Cave.

The withered figure opened its eyes, its gaze sweeping over the two visitors before settling intently on Eldrin Chen. A faint, relieved smile touched its lips. "For sixty thousand years I have waited in bitter hope," it said, "and at last, one who can quell the great calamity stands before me."

"The legacy of my Galewind Divine Palace finally holds a glimmer of hope for restoration."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "May I ask, honored senior, for what purpose have you sought me out?" he inquired.

Galewind the Ancient Ancestor did not answer immediately. Instead, his gaze shifted meaningfully towards Mingyuan the Daoist.

Understanding the unspoken cue, Mingyuan the Daoist clasped his hands and bowed. "My duty of introduction is complete," he said. "I shall take my leave now and trouble you no further."

Only after Mingyuan the Daoist had departed did Galewind the Ancient Ancestor turn his full attention back to Eldrin Chen. A shadow of profound sorrow crossed his aged features. "I know you have come to draw upon the Wind Tribulation and gather the Tri-Mystical Qi [the refined essence of Heaven, Earth, and Man] to forge your Primordial Chaos Dao Body," he began, his voice heavy. "But before you proceed, you should perhaps hear the tale of the ancient Xun Wind Divine Ridge."

"You must understand," he continued, "that tens of thousands of years ago, my Xun Wind Divine Ridge was one of the most magnificent Dao Lord Sacred Land within the Purple Realm, a lineage that produced no fewer than six who attained the realm of Immortal…"

Eldrin Chen remained silent, simply sitting cross-legged within the Cultivation Cave. He poured a cup of tea for each of them and listened quietly as Galewind the Ancient Ancestor began to recount the tales of bygone days.

It turned out that tens of thousands of years ago, the Xun Wind Divine Ridge was one of the paramount powers ruling over the Eastern Wilderness of the Purple Realm. At that time, this lineage stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Star Palace, representing the two most formidable Immortal's Dao Heritage [legacies of Immortal-level cultivation arts] within the Eastern Wastelands.

In truth, during that era, each of the great domains within the Purple Realm housed at least several such Immortal's Dao Heritage.

Examples included the Horizon Sea Pavilion and Myriad Tribulations Thunder Mountain of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, the Dao Palace Sacred Land and Separated Flame Hall of the Southern Ridge Cultivation World, and the Divine Water Palace and Glazed Palace of the Southern Sea Cultivation World.

Among these Immortal [Immortal-level] powers, the Xun Wind Divine Ridge was counted among the most glorious and illustrious.

This lineage controlled the Xun Wind Earth Vein [a Near-Immortal Grade spiritual land], gathering the world's Wind [Wind-element] Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things]. It had successively produced six Immortal who cultivated the Wind Path Laws of the Dao [profound principles governing reality], making it one of the most ancient heritages within the Purple Realm.

Yet, precisely because of its strength, it naturally became a primary target for the Extraterrestrial Demon God [demonic entities from beyond this realm].

After the cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm erupted in ancient times, of the six Supreme Immortal Treasure [peerless artifacts of Immortal grade] that stabilized the fate of the Purple Realm, three were self-destructed in that war, one tore through the void and vanished, and the remaining were suppressed by the Extraterrestrial Demon God at a tremendous cost.

The Immortal Treasure that tore through the void was the supreme treasure guarding the Xun Wind Divine Ridge lineage—the 'Galewind Chime'.

In that ancient battle, the Galewind Chime was nearly shattered. Now, after tens of thousands of years, it has still not reappeared, most likely still adrift somewhere within the Boundless Starry Sky.

Now, it is unknown how much his injuries have healed; he may not necessarily return to fight again.

During the subsequent Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, Xun Wind Divine Ridge, as the most powerful Sacred Land in the Eastern Barrens Cultivation World, naturally suffered relentless assaults from the Extraterrestrial Demon God.

Approximately over fifty thousand years ago, the Extraterrestrial Demon God refined the suppressed Purple Realm Immortal Treasure [a legendary artifact of immense power] and used it to tear through the void to wage war upon the Purple Realm once more.

In that battle, the Eastern Sea Cultivation World was utterly routed. The armies under the command of the Extraterrestrial Demon God pressed forward to the gates of Xun Wind Divine Ridge, where they clashed in an all-out war against the combined forces of the Purple Realm, the Human Race, and the Demonic Monsters.

In this conflict, relying on the favorable terrain and conditions of Xun Wind Divine Ridge, the Human Race dealt a severe blow to the armies of the Outer Realm race. However, this action thoroughly enraged the Extraterrestrial Demon God.

That Calamity Demon God [a title for the Extraterrestrial Demon God, emphasizing its destructive nature] spared no cost and struck with its full might, ultimately shattering Xun Wind Divine Ridge completely. It then drove seven Demon God Pillars [monolithic pillars imbued with demonic power] into the very heart of the ridge.

Those seven Demon God Pillars pinned down Xun Wind Divine Ridge, their overwhelmingly tyrannical power of the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality and cultivation] severing the natural flow of the world's energy and disrupting the cyclical rules of the Purple Realm Wind [a powerful, naturally occurring formation based on wind energy] force. Continue reading this story at audio~novel.com.

From that moment onward, the Purple Realm never again gave birth to a Sixth Rank [a supreme grade] wind-attribute Earth Vein [a ley line of concentrated spiritual energy]. Thus, Xun Wind Divine Ridge, that peerless and formidable place within the Purple Realm, fell into utter ruin and destruction.

"When the Demon God [referring to the Extraterrestrial Demon God] drove those seven heavenly pillars into Xun Wind Divine Ridge, it was akin to hammering seven nails into the very heart of the Purple Realm."

"Ever since, the rate at which the vital energy of the Purple Realm circulates and flows has drastically diminished. It has also become far more difficult for the realm to draw upon the void energies from the Endless Void to replenish its own essence. Consequently, the concentration of spiritual energy has been gradually declining."

Galewind the Ancient Ancestor spoke with a voice heavy with sorrow, his expression etched with profound anguish. "Moreover, those seven Heaven Pillars have been afflicted with a dreadful curse of the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality] by the Extraterrestrial Demon God."

"As long as those seven pillars stand, every cultivator of my Xun Wind Divine Ridge lineage will be ensnared by the curse of the Demon God Pillars. Even those who survive by sheer luck will endure immense agony day and night."

"In the past, I fought desperately and, though grievously wounded, managed to escape with a portion of the Deep-Seated Foundation [the core spiritual legacy and accumulated resources of a sect or lineage] of the Xun Wind Divine Ridge, clinging to the hope of reviving its legacy."

As he reached this point, tears of black blood streamed from the eyes of Galewind the Ancient Ancestor.

His face was a mask of torment and despair as he continued, his voice thick with pain. "To completely break this curse, there is only one way: the seven Heaven Pillars must be utterly uprooted and destroyed."

"Therefore, I beseech you," he implored, "aid this old man in pulling down those seven pillars. Help me rebuild the legacy of my Xun Wind Divine Ridge."

"Demon God Heaven Pillars…"

After Galewind the Ancient Ancestor finished his tale, Eldrin Chen fell silent for a moment, murmuring to himself before letting out a sigh tinged with deep sympathy.

The lineage of the Xun Wind Divine Ridge had indeed walked a path of immense hardship. Cultivators born with a Wind Spiritual Root [an innate spiritual affinity for the element of wind] were exceedingly rare in the world, and the cultivation arts of this lineage were rarer still.

Now, the sole surviving legacy of Wind Spiritual Root cultivators was afflicted by such a dire curse. It was no wonder that for tens of thousands of years, the Purple Realm had not seen a single Wind Spiritual Root cultivator advance beyond the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen mused thoughtfully, "If the seven Demon God Heaven Pillars [the demonic pillars sealing the world's energy] could be uprooted, the circulation of the world's vital essence within the Purple Realm could gradually be restored. The ambient spiritual energy and the power of the Five Elements Earth Vein [the foundational spiritual ley lines of the five elements] would also steadily increase."

"Such an act of immense merit for all living beings under heaven—even if you, Senior, did not speak of it, this junior would still undertake it."

"However, the methods of the Extraterrestrial Demon God are extraordinary. Those seven pillars are objects that suppress and seal the very cycle of the world's vital essence. I fear they will not be so easily shattered." Access the full story on audio-novel . com.