Chapter 929 Netherworld Old Ancestor
"I have several divine abilities at my disposal, rendering me unmatched in the mortal realm. These 3 treasures would likely remain unused in my possession. My ladies, take them for your protection."
Lyra’s brow twitched slightly at the words, and she promptly took hold of the 5-Colored Divine Whip.
She was a cultivator with a Great Perfection foundation, and her cultivation had already broken through to the fifth level of the Nascent Soul realm in recent years. Her spiritual power was the most profound among the group, allowing her to barely manage the simultaneous refinement of the Demon-Subduing Cauldron and the 5-Colored Divine Whip.
After obtaining this treasure, Lyra now possessed 2 near-immortal artifacts in her hands. While her combat prowess couldn't rival that of a Demigod Ancestor, it was sufficient to annihilate even Ninth-Level Nascent Soul cultivators.
Seeing this, Qing Ji did not hesitate excessively. She immediately took the horsetail whisk, while the final Primordial Golden Bracelet fell into the hands of Seraphina Qu (Person Name), who possessed the most profound magical power.
Seraphina Qu possessed a Mythical Immortal Seed-grade foundation. Since commencing dual cultivation with Eldrin, her cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. After obtaining rare resources such as the Spirit Peach, her realm had broken through to the sixth layer of Nascent Soul.
Judging by her progress, it wouldn't be long before she broke through to the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm). By then, her spiritual power would likely rival that of an eighth-level primordial spirit, allowing her to barely unleash most of the Primordial Chaos Golden Bracelet's (Magic Treasure) might.
After dividing the treasures, Eldrin did not linger any longer and immediately set off toward the Eastern Wastelands. Instead of returning directly to the Myriad Ruins Continent, he detoured toward the Nethersea.
A 1000 years ago, when Eldrin was breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, an extraterrestrial demon god sacrificed a Nether Phoenix at the 9th-layer of Nascent Soul to unleash a cataclysmic strike.
The force of that strike was deftly evaded by the Vast Dao Lord through a substitute tribulation art, redirecting its impact to crash into the Nethersea Abyss instead.
From then on, the immense The Vast Sea (Location) was shattered by the impact, its colossal force piercing through the Eastern Wastelands (Location)' crust. This cataclysm connected the land to subterranean water veins that had lain dormant beneath the eastern barren territories for hundreds of millions of years.
Thus, over the past 1 1000 years, the entire Nethersea had long undergone changes as vast as the sea transforming into mulberry fields.
The Nethersea now spanned more than 3 times its former size, dwarfing the entire 3 Veins Ancient Domain by over fivefold. It occupied nearly 1-fifth of the Eastern Wastelands' territory.
By this time, the Nethersea could already be considered the largest lake in the Violet Realm—so vast it had transcended the definition of a lake and could truly be defined as a sea.
This was the fifth mystical sea of heaven and earth, separate from the 4 great oceans—the East Sea, South Sea, North Sea, and West Sea.
The Netherworld sank, and the earth's crust tilted.
"To channel the waters of the 4 seas into the Netherworld—could it be that the Nether Ancestor intends to forge yet another near-immortal water vein?"
Eldrin stood beyond the Nethersea, gazing at the boundless expanse of the nether-dark waters before him, his brow furrowed with solemn contemplation.
The waters of the Nethersea chilled 1 to the marrow, with wisps of frigid air coiling upward, sending a shiver even through Eldrin.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Guixu. Since you're here, please come in."
Just then, the voice of Netherworld Elder Ancestor echoed through the void.
Eldrin remained expressionless, merely strolling with leisurely grace as he ascended onto the Netherdark Island.
The Netherworld Isle was covered in frost-withered trees, with a few skeletal crows perched sporadically on their branches. A black-robed elder, gripping a bamboo rod, sat cross-legged before an abysmal pool as if engaged in some form of angling.
"I have waited for you nearly a 1000 years. You have finally come."
The Netherworld Patriarch spoke impassively, lifting his fishing rod to reveal a silver-scaled dragonfish gleaming like moonlight on a mountainside.
After casually placing the dragonfish into his creel, the Netherworld Patriarch handed a treasure box to Eldrin (Person Name).
Eldrin opened the case to find an unparalleled immortal sword within, blazing like the scorching sun as it radiated an immeasurably righteous and majestic aura.
Vast Heaven Sword.
Eldrin's hands trembled, the immortal sword nearly slipping from his grasp as he closed his eyes in anguish.
After a long while had passed, he finally opened his eyes and said, "Did Senior Haoran leave any final words back then?"
Last words...
The Ancient 1 of the Netherworld let out a sigh before speaking, "He bade me tell you that to have met his end while facing a strike from the Demon God head-on—his journey through this life can be considered truly worthwhile."
Eldrin stood silently in place, his heart unable to find peace.
The Netherworld Ancestor remained silent for a long while before finally speaking, "I have already guessed your purpose. However, if you wish for me to intervene regarding the Primordial Emperor's physical form, you must accomplish 1 task for me."
"What is it?"
Suppressing the pain in his heart, Eldrin took a deep breath and asked.
"For you, this may not be a difficult task," the Netherworld Old Ancestor chuckled faintly before continuing, "I want you to slay that Black Lotus Demon Embryo and bring the Black Lotus to me."
"Slaying the Black Lotus"
Eldrin (Person Name) furrowed his brow slightly before shaking his head. "That Black Lotus and I share a feud of life and death. Were it possible to slay it, I would have naturally taken action."
"However, he is now concealed within the Purple Realm, making it exceedingly difficult to pinpoint his location."
"This Black Lotus is a grave threat close at heart."
The Elder of the Netherworld’s brow furrowed with intense gravity as he spoke, “Using the Tome of Celestial Divination, I have deduced that the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo is 1 of the key contingencies left by the Outer Realm Demon God.”
Now it has taken root deep beneath the Violet Realm, solely to draw upon the nether energies of the underworld.
"Once he fully absorbs the Nether Qi, I fear he may cultivate to the True Demon realm. We must eliminate him as soon as possible."
Eldrin opened it immediately and found within the box an unparalleled immortal sword, blazing like the great sun as it radiated an immeasurably vast and righteous aura.
Vast Heaven Sword.
Eldrin's hands trembled, the immortal sword nearly slipping from his grasp as he shut his eyes in anguish.
After a long while had passed, he finally opened his eyes and said, "Did Senior Haoran leave any final words back then?"
Last words...
The Netherworld Elder sighed softly before speaking, "He asked me to tell you that to perish while facing a direct strike from the Demon God—he considered this life well-lived."
Eldrin stood silently in place, his heart unable to find solace.
The Netherworld Ancestor remained silent for a long while before finally speaking, "I have already guessed your purpose. However, if you wish for me to intervene in the matter of the Eastern Emperor’s physical form, you must do something for me in return."
"What is it?"
Suppressing the pain in his heart, Eldrin took a deep breath and asked.
"For you, this may not be a difficult task," the Netherworld Old Ancestor chuckled faintly before continuing, "I want you to slay that Black Lotus Demonic Fetus and bring the Black Lotus to me."
"Slaying the Black Lotus"
Eldrin furrowed his brow slightly, then shook his head. "That Black Lotus and I share a feud of life and death. Were it possible to slay it, I would have naturally taken action."
"However, he is now concealed within the Purple Realm, making locating his position all but impossible."
"This Black Lotus is a grave threat to our very core."
A profound gravity settled between the brows of the Netherworld Patriarch. "Through deduction with the Derivation Tome," he spoke, "I have discerned that the Black Lotus Demonic Embryo is 1 of the pivotal contingency measures of the extraterrestrial demon god."
Now it has taken root deep beneath the Violet Realm, solely to draw upon the nether energies of the underworld.
"Once he fully absorbs the Nether Qi, he might actually cultivate to the True Demon realm. We must eliminate him as soon as possible."
Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled across the icy plains, whipping fine snow particles into a swirling dance. A lone figure stood atop a towering glacier, his black robes stark against the endless expanse of white. This was Li Chen, once the youngest Golden Core cultivator the Azure Cloud Sect had seen in 10 1000 years. 1 100 years had passed since his fall from grace. The memories of that day remained vivid—the failed breakthrough, the shattered core, the pitying looks from his former disciples. Now, he was but an outer sect disciple, relegated to menial tasks and forgotten by all. "Brother Li," a mocking voice called out. "The elder requests your presence. Don't dally now." Li Chen's expression remained impassive as he turned. Before him stood Zhang Wei, a Foundation Establishment cultivator who took particular pleasure in his misfortune. Zhang's crimson robes, embroidered with silver threads marking his mid-Foundation Establishment realm, fluttered in the wind. "The elder awaits," Zhang Wei repeated, a smirk playing on his lips. "Though I doubt even he can salvage your... situation." Without a word, Li Chen began his descent. The glacier's surface, polished to glass-like smoothness by centuries of wind, posed no challenge to his steps. Though his cultivation had regressed to the early Qi Refining stage, his physical body retained the grace of his former power. The main hall of the Frozen North Branch stood imposingly at the mountain's base, its jade-green roofs dusted with snow. 2 stone qilins flanked the entrance, their eyes seeming to follow Li Chen as he approached. Elder Ming's voice echoed from within, calm yet authoritative. "Enter." The elder sat upon a dais carved from glacial ice, his white beard flowing like a frozen waterfall. His eyes, sharp enough to pierce through any deception, studied Li Chen intently. "Disciple Li Chen pays respects to the elder," Li Chen said, bowing precisely according to sect protocol. "Rise," Elder Ming commanded. "The annual Inner Sect examination approaches in 3 months' time. As an outer sect disciple, you have the right to participate." Zhang Wei, who had followed silently, couldn't resist a derisive snort. "With all due respect, Elder, would it not be a waste of the sect's resources? His meridians are damaged beyond repair." Li Chen's hands clenched slightly within his sleeves. "This disciple wishes to participate." Elder Ming's gaze deepened. "The path will not be easy. The first trial alone requires navigating the Whispering Bamboo Forest, where countless disciples have lost their way." "I understand," Li Chen replied, his voice steady. "Very well." Elder Ming waved his hand dismissively. "You may take 1,000 spirit stones from the repository to prepare. Dismissed." As Li Chen bowed and turned to leave, Zhang Wei blocked his path. "Don't think this changes anything, cripple," he whispered venomously. Li Chen met his gaze evenly. "The mountain does not bend for the wind, nor the river for the stones in its path." Outside, the snow had begun falling more heavily. Li Chen made his way to the sect's repository, his mind already calculating how best to use the 32,000 spirit stones he had secretly accumulated over the years. The official allocation was but a fraction of what he truly possessed. The repository keeper, an old man with eyes narrowed to slits, counted out the spirit stones with practiced efficiency. "1 1000 stones. Sign here." Li Chen completed the transaction without ceremony. As he turned to leave, a commotion erupted at the repository's entrance. "Make way! Make way for Young Master Feng!" several disciples shouted, clearing a path. Feng Hao strode in, surrounded by his usual entourage. His robes shimmered with protective enchantments, and the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss hung at his waist—a family heirloom that had caused countless envious glances. "Well, if it isn't the sect's favorite failure," Feng Hao sneered, looking Li Chen up and down. "Come to waste more of the sect's resources?" Li Chen simply sidestepped the group and continued on his way, ignoring the taunts that followed him out into the snow. Alone in his modest quarters, Li Chen finally allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. His hands trembled as he retrieved a small, unadorned box from beneath his floorboards. Within it lay his last hope—the Celestial Refining Art, a cultivation method said to have been lost for millennia. He had discovered it by accident while performing his duties in the sect's forgotten archives. The ancient text, written on yellowed bamboo slips, described a path no modern cultivator would dare attempt—shattering 1's core to rebuild it, stronger and purer than before. "The phoenix rises from ashes," Li Chen whispered to the empty room, "and the dragon emerges from decay." Closing his eyes, he began the familiar meditation pattern. Energy swirled around him, drawing the ambient spiritual energy into his damaged meridians. The pain was excruciating—like countless needles piercing every inch of his body—but he welcomed it. For in this pain, he could feel the faint stirrings of something new, something powerful waiting to be reborn. Far away, in the deepest chambers of the main sect, an ancient elder opened his eyes. "After all these years..." he murmured, sensing a familiar energy he thought long extinguished. "The Celestial Refining Art awakens."