Chapter 887 : A Dragon's Millennial Confinement

"What of the Tribulation [a heavenly punishment for defying the natural order]?"

The Black Dragon [a powerful dragon with scales dark as night] remained eerily calm, its gaze fixed upon Master of the Horizon Pavilion as it suddenly inquired, "Do you know how many years have passed since I, this venerable one, broke through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement] realm?"

"Approximately..." Master of the Horizon Pavilion calculated briefly with his fingers before replying, "It should be about thirty-six thousand years."

"Indeed. Thirty-six thousand years."

The Black Dragon murmured, then suddenly erupted into booming laughter. "Thirty-six thousand years! A full thirty-six thousand years have passed!"

"For these thirty-six millennia, I have been confined within the Vast and Misty Marsh [a vast, treacherous wetland realm], trembling with fear day and night, terrified of provoking a Demigod Patriarch [a cultivator of immense power, half-step to divinity] and incurring the Tribulation."

As he spoke, tears welled in the eyes of the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor, mingled with a torrent of seething hatred. "Even now, having reached the pinnacle of the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth and highest tier of the Primordial Spirit realm], standing at the absolute zenith of Primordial Spirit power in this world..."

"...I am still shackled, unable to stretch my limbs, forever trapped within the Vast and Misty Marsh, not daring to overstep even the slightest boundary."

"In the eyes of your Human Race, I am but a mere worm! Were it not for my usefulness in resisting the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world], you would have slain me long ago!"

The words of the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor were charged with raw emotion, his expression twisting into a mask of fury. "But do you know this? I am no worm! I am a Nine Heavens True Dragon [a legendary dragon of supreme lineage and power]!" Join our community of readers at site: audio-novel.com.

"Hahaha..."

The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor [a primordial black dragon who has cultivated into a powerful demonic entity] grew increasingly agitated, unleashing a torrent of utterly maniacal laughter.

Thirty-six thousand years of arduous cultivation, thirty-six thousand years of patient endurance and bearing heavy burdens—all for this very moment. The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor had finally seized the perfect opportunity.

His gaze fixed venomously upon the Master of the Horizon Pavilion, his expression one of unbridled arrogance as he declared, "I am a Nine Heavens True Dragon [a dragon of the highest celestial lineage, possessing immense innate power]! I willingly confined myself to these shallow marshes for tens of thousands of years, all for the sake of my future Ascendant Immortal [the ultimate goal of cultivation, transcending mortality to become a true immortal]!"

"On this path, anyone who dares obstruct my attainment of the Great Dao shall perish!"

The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor's face was a mask of madness. With the Human Race's Demigod Patriarch [a patriarch who has reached the half-step to divinity] missing and his fate unknown, and only this single Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth and highest tier of the Primordial Spirit realm] cultivator remaining before him, he was virtually invincible within this realm.

At this moment, the truths he had suppressed for millennia finally found voice, bringing him an indescribable sense of cathartic release.

"Alas!"

The Master of the Horizon Pavilion sighed, looking at the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor and asking, "In ages past, our Human Race Demigod [a cultivator who has attained half-immortality] compelled you to swear the Oath of Reincarnation [a mystical vow that binds one's soul across lifetimes, with severe karmic consequences for breaking it], to stand with humanity against the Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond the heavens]."

"By acting thus today, do you truly not fear the torments of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth governed by karma] in the lifetimes to come?"

At this moment, Master of the Horizon Pavilion was deeply perplexed.

For cultivators above the Infant Soul realm, even if they fall in battle and perish completely, they can later seal their memories upon entering the cycle of Reincarnation [the process of being reborn into a new life]. Should they achieve enlightenment in a future life, they could potentially reclaim their past memories.

However, once one violates the Oath of Reincarnation [a sacred vow governing the laws of rebirth], even if they enter the halls of the Netherworld Underworld Court [the governing bureaucracy of the afterlife], they will be rejected by the ineffable Reincarnation Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing the cycle of rebirth], forever losing the possibility of Reincarnation and a new life.

The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor's current action constituted a breach of the Oath of Reincarnation, placing him irrevocably on a path of no return. This was the source of Master of the Horizon Pavilion's profound confusion.

"The Oath of Reincarnation!"

Hearing Master of the Horizon Pavilion's words, the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor faltered for a mere instant, yet his expression swiftly solidified into one of unshakable resolve.

His visage was etched with a terrifying aura of Celestial Slaughter [a legendary plant said to bloom only where celestial blood has been spilled, symbolizing ultimate violence], and he spoke with absolute finality: "This venerable one does not believe in Reincarnation, nor in any afterlife!"

"This venerable one believes only in this present life. In this lifetime, I have sworn to attain immortality. If I cannot achieve immortality, what does it matter if I am utterly annihilated?"

Master of the Horizon Pavilion was taken aback, unable to help but regard the Black Dragon with newfound respect. "It seems the elders of my Human Race have indeed underestimated you," he conceded.

"And which of your Human Race has ever held this venerable one in high regard?" retorted the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor.

The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor [a powerful demonic entity in the form of a black dragon] sneered coldly, drawing a Immortal Sword [a divine weapon forged for immortal combat] crafted from black scales. "This blade is named the 'Counter-Scale Immortal-Slaying Sword' [a legendary sword famed for slaying even immortal beings]. To die beneath its edge is an honor you have earned."

"Then let us test that claim!"

As the Master of the Horizon Pavilion [the supreme leader of the Horizon Pavilion sect] spoke, a brilliant chorus of sword chimes erupted. The twin blades Horizon [a sword representing the distant horizon] and Sea's End [a sword symbolizing the ocean's farthest reach] crisscrossed through the void.

In that fleeting instant, a battle of unimaginable ferocity exploded into being.

"…"

Within the Heavenly Demon Sea Region [a vast and perilous sea domain ruled by powerful demons], the moment the grand defensive formation shattered, the great clash had already begun. This novel is serialized on audio–novel.com. Visit for updates.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a formidable sword cultivator] took the lead, unleashing the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of legendary divine swords] to weave through the space between moments, launching his assault directly at the Lord of Desire Demons [a high-ranking demon lord who commands the power of desire and temptation].

Between the two Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Primordial Spirit cultivation realm] Heavenly Demons, the Lord of Desire Demons possessed a cultivation base only at the Primordial Spirit 7th Tier [the seventh level within the Primordial Spirit realm]. Eldrin Chen judged he had a significant chance of victory.

However, the member of the Three-Eyed Divine Clan [a powerful clan whose members possess a mystical third eye] was innately gifted, and its cultivation had reached the formidable Primordial Spirit 8th Tier [the eighth level within the Primordial Spirit realm]. Eldrin Chen felt no confidence in his ability to slay such a foe.

As the saying goes, it is better to sever one finger completely than to injure all ten. Eldrin Chen's strategy now was to swiftly eliminate the Lord of Desire Demons, this Primordial Spirit Late Stage adversary, and thereby decisively shatter the deadlock.

On the other side, the Three-Eyed Divine Clan [a powerful clan of divine beings known for their third eye] displayed even greater combat prowess. Neither the Icy Glaze Demon Ancestor [an ancient demonic beast with a body of glacial crystal] nor Dorian Ji could match him alone. Fortunately, by joining forces and coordinating with the Immortal Refining Furnace [a legendary furnace capable of refining immortal-grade treasures], they managed to gain a slight upper hand.

"This humble maiden merely wishes to share a night of spring's delight with you, young master. Why must you be so utterly devoid of romance?"

Seeing Eldrin Chen charge towards her, the Lord of Desire Demons [a powerful demoness who cultivates through desire and seduction] immediately spoke with a bewitching smile.

As her words faded, she gracefully withdrew. In her place, several Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivator [demonic cultivators who have achieved the Primordial Spirit realm] who had been corrupted by her stepped forward to intercept.

"Hmph—"

The seductive arts of the Lord of Desire Demons were potent enough to ensnare an unprepared Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the Primordial Spirit stage of the Path]. Yet, against Eldrin Chen, they fell far short.

In an instant, he transformed into a streak of lightning, flashing past. He paid no heed to the several Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivator, driving straight for the Lord of Desire Demons herself.

"How cruel your heart is, young master!"

The Lord of Desire Demons's expression shifted slightly. She hastily summoned a soft, pink silk-canopied divan, her alluring, graceful form appearing within its translucent curtains.

This treasure was known as the Blissful Soul-Dissolving Couch [a magical couch woven from pink silk, said to dissolve one's soul in ecstasy]. It was said to be infused with the essence of the Six Desires Mortal Dust [the worldly dust stirred by the six base desires—sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought], making it a prized artifact for the dual cultivation practices of the Desire Demon [demons who feed on and cultivate through desire], capable of igniting a cultivator's deepest carnal yearnings.

In the past, this demon had relied on this treasure to lure several Purple Seal Realm Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high level of cultivation] cultivators into dual cultivation, seducing them to fall into the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that often involves unorthodox, destructive, or morally corrupt methods].

Upon entering the tent, the Desire Demon [a type of demon specializing in seduction and exploiting carnal desires] did not attack immediately. Instead, she spoke in a coquettish, honeyed tone, "Young master, you are so handsome. For us to clash here would spoil the scenery. Why not... compete upon the bed instead?"

"Wretched fiend!"

Having suffered from this Six Desires Demonic Energy [a demonic energy that attacks the mind by amplifying the six fundamental desires: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought] before, Eldrin Chen instantly recognized its insidious approach. A surge of fury ignited within him. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a tempest of Thunderclap [a thunder-based attack technique] that descended like a celestial hammer.

Striking with righteous wrath, Eldrin Chen summoned the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique that harnesses the combined power of the five elements and the primordial sun]. It erupted forth, splitting into a boundless Sea of Thunder [a vast, overwhelming manifestation of thunderous energy] that blotted out the sky and swallowed the earth.

In less than ten breaths' time, the few Primordial Spirit male consorts of the Lord of Desire Demons [the ruler or a high-ranking master of the Desire Demons] were reduced to ashes by the tribulation flames. The Lord of Desire Demons herself was forced into a desperate, stumbling retreat.

"Damnation! How can anyone's heart be so utterly unyielding?"

The Lord of Desire Demons's face paled drastically. The majority of her power lay in her beguiling arts. Typically, even a Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Primordial Spirit realm] cultivator would need to dedicate most of their spiritual energy to resisting her seductive techniques when facing her.

Setting that aside, her combat prowess was among the weakest within the Primordial Spirit Late Stage.

Now, she had activated her charm magic using the top-grade Pure Lunar Demonic Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact aligned with lunar and demonic energies] known as the 'Blissful Soul-Dissolving Couch' [a magical bed/couch designed to dissolve a victim's will and soul through pleasure], yet it still failed to disturb Eldrin Chen's Dao Heart [the unwavering core of a cultivator's will and cultivation path]. She immediately understood she was far from Eldrin Chen's match.

In a moment of panicked desperation, Lord of Desire Demons immediately decided to flee for her life. She transformed into six Ethereal Figure [illusory, intangible projections of oneself] and executed the Void Escape [a technique for instantaneous spatial displacement].

This art was known as the Six Illusory Demonic Heaven Escape [a forbidden technique that creates six phantasmal clones, each possessing a sliver of reality; the caster's consciousness can instantly transfer to any surviving clone to escape death]. Each phantom was both false and true; as long as a single one managed to slip past the heavens, she could preserve her life.

Yet, it was already too late. Verdant Consort, Exquisite Jiang, and Lila swept forward in a coordinated assault. In the blink of an eye, they intercepted three of the fleeing incarnations. Visit audio-novel*com to enjoy the complete series.