Chapter 982 : The Demonic Abyss's Grip

The Great Thousand Cosmos [the vast, boundless universe], a sea of stars like scattered jewels.

Within this expansive stellar domain, darkness is the eternal theme. Between those endless Stellar [celestial bodies, stars and worlds] lie distances of unimaginable vastness.

Among the immeasurable worlds, the Purple Seal Realm stands as a realm of truly colossal scale.

Yet, right beside the Purple Seal Realm, a pitch-black Demonic Abyss [a yawning chasm of demonic energy] envelops the void, firmly encasing the realm within its grasp.

"To lock a realm with a Demonic Abyss, severing it from heaven and earth... truly, Elder Brother, your methods are formidable!"

At this moment, two figures stood facing each other beyond the Demonic Abyss.

One wore black armor—this was the Catastrophe Demon God [a demonic deity who brings calamity upon the world]. The other was clad in black robes, an elderly man with a stern countenance.

The speaker was the black-robed elder. With an expression of utmost gravity and a trace of wariness, he regarded the Catastrophe Demon God and asked, "Before we proceed, I have one question in my heart."

"With your capabilities, Elder Brother, subduing a mere Great Thousand World [a major world within the cosmos] should be effortless. Why, then, did you specifically request my assistance?"

So, this black-robed elder was an ally the Catastrophe Demon God had summoned for this endeavor. Read the full novel exclusively on www . audio-novel.com.

This black-robed elder was known as the Celestial Net Sword Fiend Demon Venerable [a powerful demonic entity born from a sword's malevolent aura]. It originated as a wisp of Innate [a primordial state of being] sword miasma, conceived and taking form alongside the Catastrophe Demon God.

Unfortunately, this fiend, like the Catastrophe Demon God, was tainted by the Demonic Blood [a corrupting essence of pure demonic origin]. The Innate sword miasma, stained by the foul energy [corrupt energy] of the Demonic Blood, degenerated into one of the Postnatal Sword Fiend [demonic entities born from corrupted sword intent]—specifically, the Celestial Net Sword Fiend.

As the saying goes, one mountain cannot shelter two tigers, let alone two True Demon [demons of the highest, most malevolent order] of utterly wicked disposition. Although these two fiends were brothers born of the same origin, they had long since parted ways and gone their separate paths.

In the past, when discord arose between them, the Catastrophe Demon God, being the elder brother and inheriting the greater portion of their Innate Divine Spirit [Primordial Divine Being] heritage, possessed superior strength. Thus, he claimed sole possession of the Postnatal Spiritual Treasure [a treasure forged in the world after the primordial chaos] known as the Demonic Abyss [the Abyssal Demonic Chasm].

The Netherweave Demon Venerable received only a single Netherweave Sword Embryo [an unformed sword treasure of celestial net-like properties] before being expelled from the depths of the Demonic Abyss.

The Catastrophe Demon God, now realizing that relying on his own power alone was insufficient to capture Eldrin Chen under the pressure exerted by the Purple Seal Realm, thought of his younger brother, who had been conceived alongside him.

However, they were, after all, Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of demonic arts]. Even as blood brothers born of the same source, when true interests were at stake, a fundamental lack of trust persisted between them.

Seeing the Netherweave Demon Venerable's questioning look, the Catastrophe Demon God dared not reveal the whole truth. He could only say, "To be frank, within an ancient Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] grotto-mansion in this realm lies an opportunity for my breakthrough to the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the realm of a true ascended immortal]."

"The reason I have summoned you is that this realm's fated calamity-bearer has already cultivated the Immortal Path Fruit [the fruit of the Immortal Path, signifying a profound level of cultivation]. If he remains entrenched within the Purple Seal Realm, I am powerless against him."

Upon hearing this, the Netherweave Demon Venerable furrowed his brow slightly, a flicker of hesitation appearing in his expression.

He harbored a mix of belief and doubt regarding the words of Catastrophe Demon God [a powerful entity embodying calamity and ruin], naturally not daring to accept them fully. Moreover, his own cultivation was only at the third level of the Ascendant Immortal Realm [a high stage of immortal cultivation], far inferior to the profound foundation of Netherweave Demon Venerable [a title for a venerable master of netherworld arts].

If the two were to turn on each other at the final moment, Netherweave Demon Venerable felt he would likely be the one to suffer a hidden loss.

A moment later, he shook his head with a cold sneer. "Elder Brother's Demonic Abyss [a profound and malevolent dimensional abyss] is a supreme-grade treasure among Postnatal Demonic Treasure [powerful artifacts forged after the creation of the world], second only to those World-Opening Celestial Immortal Treasure [legendary treasures used during the primordial world's formation] from the era of World-Opening [the primordial event of world creation].

"With such a paramount treasure in hand, and after tens of thousands of years of effort, you still cannot subdue a mere Great Thousand World [a vast and complex mortal realm]? Could it be that Elder Brother is deceiving me?"

Seeing that Netherweave Demon Venerable was exceedingly shrewd, Catastrophe Demon God's expression darkened. He understood that without revealing some information, he likely could not persuade Netherweave Demon Venerable.

Pacing back and forth a few steps, he finally spoke. "To be frank, within that world resides an individual born with immense Fortune [a profound destiny or karmic luck].

"This person has cultivated for merely a few millennia, yet has already achieved an Immortal Body [a body refined to an immortal state], forged a Primordial One Foundation [a foundational spiritual root of supreme purity], and not long ago, even mastered Path Principles Power [the power of fundamental cosmic laws]. This suggests he likely possesses the potential to become a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being at the Celestial Immortal stage].

"Moreover, this individual has not yet undergone the tribulation to ascend as an immortal. It seems he intends to pursue Path Fruit Attainment [the ultimate achievement of cultivating a Path Fruit], aiming to establish a foundation worthy of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm of ultimate enlightenment]."

"Is this truly so?"

Netherweave Demon Venerable's expression shifted dramatically, a look of deep gravity settling upon his features.

To simultaneously cultivate both Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of the cultivation path] and an Immortal Body [a body refined to a state of near-perfection, a prerequisite for true immortality], such talent is exceedingly rare even among Immortal [beings who have ascended beyond mortality].

With such profound foundational strength, yet still unwilling to ascend to immortality, his potential is undeniable, compelling Netherweave Demon Venerable [a title for a powerful demonic cultivator] to take him seriously.

Noting the expression on Netherweave Demon Venerable's face, the Catastrophe Demon God [a deity associated with calamity and destruction] spoke again. "Do you know why he possesses such a foundation?"

"You mean..."

Netherweave Demon Venerable's expression shifted, and he could not help but ask, "He harbors a secret?"

"Precisely." Experience the full epic at audio~novel.com.

The Catastrophe Demon God nodded. "If my deduction is correct, he must have obtained the legacy of an ancient Immortal from this realm."

"And to nurture a prodigy of this caliber, that ancient Immortal must have been a figure who reached at least the Earth Immortal Pinnacle [the highest stage of the Earth Immortal realm, just below the Celestial Immortal level]."

Hearing this, Netherweave Demon Venerable's heart was finally stirred.

The higher one's cultivation, the vaster the gulf between realms becomes. Among Immortal, those capable of fighting beyond their level are exceedingly few.

Even within the Immortal realm, each layer of the Three Realms of Ascendant Immortality represents an insurmountable chasm, let alone a World-Opening Earth Immortal Patriarch.

If the Purple Seal Realm truly held the lifelong legacy of a supreme Earth Immortal, it would likely stir excitement even among many Earth Immortal Patriarch, to say nothing of a mere True Demon at the first stage of Ascendant Immortal.

Yet, after a fleeting moment of temptation, the Netherweave Demon Venerable sneered coldly, "My elder brother has always been ruthlessly cunning. I fear your words may not be entirely truthful."

"In my view, the Ancient Immortal Ruins preserved within this great realm likely hold not just the legacy of a supreme Earth Immortal, but one belonging to a figure of the Great Power [a cultivator of immense, world-shaping strength] level."

"You—!"

The Catastrophe Demon God's expression shifted abruptly, and after a moment, he conceded helplessly, "It seems I cannot deceive you."

"To speak plainly, this realm indeed contains the legacy left by a Great Power Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm, a higher plane of existence]."

"For many years, I have assaulted this realm with force yet failed to conquer it precisely because of certain contingencies left behind by that Celestial Immortal Great Power."

"I have invited you here today to seek your aid. With your Celestial Net Sword Fiend [a supreme sword technique capable of rending the fabric of reality], we can tear open the World-Opening fissure ahead of schedule and utterly annihilate That upstart Eldrin."

"So it is true."

Seeing the Catastrophe Demon God speak thus, Netherweave Demon Venerable nodded with satisfaction.

After an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] breaks through to the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the realm above the standard Immortal realm], there are nine further layers of progression. Every three layers constitute a major stage, known collectively as the Three Realms of Ascendant Immortality. These are also called the Profound Mystery Realm, the Creation Realm, and the Sky-Touching Realm.

Within these three realms, cultivators in the Profound Mystery Realm refine their Immortal Essence [the foundational energy of an Immortal]. Those in the Creation Realm solidify their foundation. Finally, cultivators in the Sky-Touching Realm push their primary cultivation path to its absolute limit, reaching the pinnacle of the Immortal realm.

Netherweave Demon Venerable possessed cultivation only at the peak of the first realm. Yet, by wielding the power of his Postnatal Sword Fiend [a supreme sword technique born after the formation of the world] known as the 'Celestial Net Sword Fiend', his offensive prowess rivaled that of an Immortal in the Creation Realm.

Such capability was sufficient to forcibly tear open the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar [a profound spatial rift leading to a demonic realm] within the Purple Seal Realm at an inopportune time. This was precisely the reason the Catastrophe Demon God had sought him out.

Contemplating this, Netherweave Demon Venerable gave a slight nod. "Elder Brother's Demonic Abyss [his demonic domain or power source] is indeed more formidable. However, after enacting the 'Severing Heaven and Earth' technique, he would have no strength to spare for rending the Purple Seal Realm."

"If I were to carve the World-Opening [a term describing a fissure that can sunder worlds] fissure, Elder Brother would indeed have the means to execute his plan and slay that Celestial Immortal Seed [a cultivator with the potential to become a Celestial Immortal] within the Purple Seal Realm."

"However, for me to take action... I fear the price may be more than Elder Brother is willing to pay."

The Catastrophe Demon God let out a cold laugh, his gaze turning icy and profound. "This elder brother desires only the Celestial Immortal [a higher tier of Immortal, closer to the primordial heavens] legacy. That Celestial Immortal Seed shall be yours, Worthy Brother, to refine into a Demonic Embryo [a nascent demonic entity used for cultivation or as a weapon]. How does that sound?" Original English translation available at audio-novel dot com.