Chapter 15 Determined to Eradicate the Demon(Thing)

"The crying we heard earlier outside the town must have been them."

"Why did the ancient demon sacrifice everyone, yet spare only them?"

"Hmm?"

Eldrin's eyes flickered as he grasped the young girl's wrist, soon revealing a faint glimmer of delight.

He could clearly sense that the girl actually possessed dual spiritual roots of fire and wood. These mutually reinforcing spiritual roots granted cultivation speed surpassing even ordinary dual spiritual roots, making them exceptionally rare.

"To think they possess dual spiritual roots, no wonder the fiend slaughtered the entire Pingyuan Town yet spared them alone."

"Since she is a Dual Spirit Root, what about this 1?"

Eldrin’s gaze fell upon Chen Ling, a flicker of anticipation gleaming in his eyes. Twins born of the same womb often possessed talents that differed little from 1 another.

At this thought, he immediately checked the boy’s spiritual roots and indeed discovered that the child possessed dual spiritual roots of fire and metal.

After finding a pair of twin spiritual roots, Eldrin did not linger. After a brief inspection of the town to confirm there were no other survivors, he immediately set off for Pingyang County with the children.

As for the remains in Pingyang Town (Location), there were simply too many, so he could only have the town arrange for people to handle them.

Returning to Pingyang County, he immediately relayed the news to everyone. A few days later, the Chen Family cultivators delivered their investigation results.

It turned out that several years ago, that demonic cultivator had concealed his identity and hidden in Pingyuan Town. After gaining their trust, he ambushed the Chen Clan cultivator who presided over the town’s protective formation, thus bringing about this great calamity.

"Damn these demonic cultivators, to be so cunning."

"Even death by a 1000 cuts could never quell the hatred in my heart!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Nianyang could not contain his fury as he spoke.

The Grand Elder waved his hand, gazing at the dozen or so cultivators present and shaking his head as he said.

"The disaster has already been wrought, and it's too late for such words now."

"Dispatch the order to all major cities and towns: from this day forth, conduct a full census of the population. Every unfamiliar face must be subjected to rigorous investigation."

"Thoroughly verify the identity of anyone not bearing the Chen family bloodline, and remain vigilant against demonic possession even among the city's established clans."

"We must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past..."

After settling all these matters, Chen Qingxu turned his gaze to Eldrin. "When you return to Verdant Chariot Mountain, have the Third Elder dispatch a dozen or more additional personnel."

"Good."

Chen Muzhi nodded. The demonic cultivators’ sins were truly heinous. The blood sacrifice of an entire town’s living beings this time was nothing short of an unparalleled tragedy.

To prevent such a tragedy from recurring, he resolved to report the situation to the clan leader immediately upon returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location). He would then convene an elder council to reformulate strategies against demonic cultivators and arrange for individual screenings of mortals.

Now, the mortal descendants of the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) numbered nearly 200,000. Investigating each 1 individually would be an immense undertaking.

In Pingyang City, there were only 20-some cultivators. Not only did they have to guard the city, but they also needed to investigate hidden demonic practitioners. Their manpower was utterly insufficient, and it seemed they would have to request reinforcements from Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

At this thought, Eldrin cupped his hands and said, “There’s no time to lose. I shall set off shortly.”

"Take your time." The Grand Elder stroked his long beard. "Now that the demonic cultivator has been slain by you, there's no need to rush these mere 1 or 2 days."

"You've spent days testing spiritual roots and fought a fierce battle against demonic cultivators, leaving your mind and magic power considerably drained. It would be best to rest tonight, then tomorrow bring the few children who tested positive for spiritual roots back to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) together."

Eldrin nodded upon hearing this. "Very well, then."

Early the next morning, Eldrin set out for Verdant Chariot Mountain with the 5 children whose spiritual roots had been detected.

The journey back took considerably longer than his initial trip. Whereas he had arrived in just 2 days, traveling with 5 children in tow stretched the return to a full 7 or 8 days before they finally reached Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location).

Returning to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), he immediately headed for the spiritual spring in the back mountains, where he encountered Clan Leader Chen Changxuan (Person Name).

As a cultivator of the Elder Generation, the Old Patriarch was now over 1 100 and 10 years of age. Compared to the 2-100-year lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could still be considered quite young.

Logically speaking, he still had some chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm, but 2 years ago, after being besieged by multiple foes, his meridians had been severely damaged. Now, his path to immortality had grown increasingly uncertain.

Eldrin gazed at the old clan leader, sighing inwardly.

He knew that even if the old clan leader recovered from his injuries, given the family's current circumstances, they would be incapable of providing him with the resources needed to break through to the Violet Mansion realm.

Such is the cruelty of fate. In truth, during the peak of the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) 60 years ago, they possessed the capability to support a cultivator in breaking through to the Violet Mansion realm.

At that time, the Chen Clan not only possessed several Foundation Establishment cultivators, but their current clan leader had even reached the Great Perfection stage of Foundation Establishment. Having exhausted the resources accumulated over hundreds of years, the Chen Clan had already acquired a Purple Sun Jade—a heaven-and-earth spiritual treasure that could assist in breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm.

Had the clan leader succeeded in his breakthrough back then, the Chen Immortal Clan would likely have become a renowned Purple Mansion Clan known throughout the Chu Kingdom by now.

Unfortunately, 60 years ago during the Beast Tide Rebellion, the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) appeared to have fallen victim to a scheme. Nearly all the Chen cultivators who went into battle—including the clan leader of that generation—were wiped out, and even the Purple Sun Jade (Magical Artifact) vanished without a trace.

"Ahem."

The old clan leader’s pale face flushed slightly as he saw Eldrin.

He coughed lightly, tucking a trace of melancholy into the depths of his gaze as he revealed an uncharacteristically warm smile and said.

"Eldrin, what brings you before me on this occasion?"

"I have returned this time because our family has encountered a demonic tribulation."

Eldrin came to his senses and pondered for a moment before recounting the events that had transpired in Pingyuan Town.

After hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Chen Changxuan’s eyes.

"These demonic whelps are growing more and more insolent."

"Do you truly believe the Chen Clan has no 1 left to stand in your way?"

Seeing the old patriarch’s anger rising, Eldrin (Person Name) feared it might aggravate his injuries and quickly reassured him:

"Great Uncle, there is no need for anger."

"Now that the fiend has been vanquished, there's no use in holding onto anger."

The Old Clan Leader, upon hearing this, reined in his emotions slightly, his expression turning grave as he spoke.

"Elder Qingxu is right. Our most urgent task now is to prevent such incidents from recurring."

"The demonic cultivators are everywhere. I fear Pingyang County harbors more than 1 of them—they excel at infiltration and concealment."

"Now that I am gravely wounded, I must not act rashly. To prevent calamity from repeating itself, you must eradicate the hidden threats within our family with thunderous resolve."

Eldrin nodded. "I have already made some plans regarding this matter."

"I will convene an elder council shortly to dispatch personnel for screening the mortals of Pingyang County. Should we locate any fiendish demons, we shall show no mercy."

"Good." The old clan leader said with relief. "The clan's several elders are all prudent and experienced individuals. Discuss this matter more with them, and prioritize safety above all else."

“…”

After departing from the spiritual spring, Eldrin immediately convened a council of elders.

The Grand Elder is in Pingyang County, while the Second Elder departed for Yuyang Market Town right after the Lunar New Year festivities.

This clan gathering saw only the Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder in attendance—aside from Eldrin.

The 4 of them sat in the Ancestral Hall. Eldrin glanced at the Sixth Elder’s vacant seat. Noticing his expression, the Third Elder spoke gravely.

After the New Year's celebrations, Qing Meng entered death-seclusion.