Chapter 17 : The Siege of Pingyang City

Unable to dissuade the old man, Eldrin Chen had no choice but to let him accompany them, instructing the clansmen along the way to ensure his well-being.

Counting both the old and the young, the Chen Immortal Clan managed to muster over forty cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement [the foundational stage of cultivation where one refines their vital life force] realm. Combined with the twenty-plus Chen Family cultivators stationed in Pingyang County, their total force numbered nearly seventy.

The last time such a large force had been mobilized was during the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] six decades prior. Back then, the Chen Immortal Clan had dispatched nearly a hundred cultivators to the front lines to battle the demonic beasts, only to be utterly annihilated in a single, devastating battle.

Although this group consisted entirely of cultivators, their cultivation levels varied greatly. Consequently, the journey took a full four days before they finally reached Pingyang County Town.

Upon arriving in Pingyang County, the Grand Elder, Sylas Chen, was the first to receive them.

In the main hall, stroking his long beard, he announced, "Ten days ago, I ordered the activation of the defensive formations. Pingyang City and the surrounding towns are now sealed—no one enters, no one leaves. If any Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use dark, often sacrificial methods to gain power] remain, they should already be trapped like turtles in a jar."

The Fourth Elder, Kaelen Chen, immediately urged, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's flush them out now."

"Pingyang City houses over a hundred thousand souls. Rooting out Demonic Cultivator will not be the work of a single day," Eldrin Chen countered, shaking his head. "Moreover, to prevent a cornered Demonic Cultivator from fighting desperately and causing unnecessary casualties, we must proceed with utmost caution."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the assembled group before he continued.

"The Grand Elder will take twenty cultivators and hold the central position of the City Defense Grand Formation [a large-scale protective array that shields a city]. He is not to move lightly."

"The task of screening shall be entrusted to us who have come from Verdant Chariot Mountain."

"..."

With a few words exchanged among them, the plan for this screening of Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using malevolent and often forbidden methods] was settled.

According to the plan, for this operation, aside from the personnel needed to maintain the City Defense Grand Formation [a large-scale protective array that shields a city], the remaining forces would be divided into groups of five.

Each group would be led by a cultivator at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the advanced phase of refining one's foundational life force] to ensure the group's safety, while the other four members would conduct the actual screening for Demonic Cultivator.

With this cross-checking method, even if a hidden Demonic Cultivator had cultivated a Breath-Concealing Technique [an art to mask one's aura and cultivation level], they could not evade detection by four examiners. After all, no matter how deeply a Demonic Cultivator concealed themselves, they could not hide the Demonic Path True Qi [the corrupted spiritual energy cultivated through demonic arts] within their bodies.

Although this method was slow, requiring nearly a month to thoroughly screen Pingyang City, its advantage lay in its thoroughness and reliability.

In addition to these groups, Eldrin Chen and the other two Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier Elder [senior members of a clan or sect] were tasked with patrols, ready to personally suppress any Demonic Cultivator discovered.

Once the plan was finalized, the Grand Elder immediately issued the orders, instructing the city guard to assist in maintaining order and begin the screening for Demonic Cultivator.

Early the next morning, cultivators from the Chen Immortal Clan gathered in the square, checking each mortal resident according to their household registry for traces of demonic energy.

Eldrin Chen stood upon the high platform, gazing at the bustling crowd below and the cultivators conducting the Spiritual Root tests. A subtle flicker passed between his brows.

"It is said that among the powerful Immortal Clan, they often possess Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure," he remarked.

"Such treasures can test vast numbers of mortals at once, easily rooting out any hidden Demonic Cultivator."

"If we had such a Demon-Slaying Treasure, we would not need to go to such great lengths."

Beside him, Gwendolyn Chen smiled softly upon hearing this, her own gaze tinged with longing. "I have heard," she said, "that the Green Sun Sect possesses one such Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure, named the Heaven's Vault Mirror."

"Legends speak of the Heaven's Vault Mirror's boundless power. Where its light passes, evil demons are repelled. Not even Violet Sanctum-realm fiends can withstand it, and lesser demons are instantly reduced to ashes."

"A treasure of that caliber is coveted even by Violet Sanctum experts and Golden Core Immortal Clan. I wonder if, centuries from now, our Chen Clan will ever have the fortune to obtain one."

Old Granduncle Dorian Chen heard this and could not help but glance at Eldrin Chen.

His eyes held a glimmer of profound hope. After a long moment, he smiled faintly.

"Young Eldrin, yourImmortal Fate|Cultivation Concept|new>>Immortal Fate [the innate potential and fortune to walk the path of cultivation] is the brightest among our Chen Family. I suspect you possess the Banished Immortal's Bearing."

"This old man won't live to see it, but you must cultivate diligently. If you ever obtain a Demon-Slaying Treasure, remember to bring it before my grave and let me have a look."

The others treated these words as mere jest, but a subtle weight settled in Eldrin Chen's heart.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he murmured inwardly, "A Demon-Slaying Treasure... That day will come."

Though they conversed, the group remained vigilant. The first day of screening proceeded smoothly.

By sunset, they had examined four to five thousand individuals, yet no Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses malevolent, often blood-based or soul-consuming methods to advance their cultivation] was found.

This was within expectations. While Demonic Cultivators were pervasive, infiltrating almost every major Immortal Clan [a family or lineage dedicated to cultivation and possessing its own heritage], their numbers within any single place were seldom large.

The screening continued methodically for several days. It was on the fourth day that Eldrin Chen finally detected an anomaly.

On the plaza that day, a man brought in by the city guards appeared visibly tense. Suddenly, his expression twisted into a snarl as he erupted, summoning a crimson skull that lunged towards the inspecting cultivator.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen had already sensed something amiss. He instantly unleashed his Golden Light Blade, its radiant arc cleaving through the air to intercept the attack.

The Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses malevolent and often sacrificial methods to gain power] possessed a cultivation level of only the Vital Essence Refinement Early Stage [the initial phase of gathering and refining one's foundational life energy] and was utterly incapable of resisting Eldrin Chen. In the flash of a spark, he was dispatched with a single sword stroke.

Elara Chen and Gwendolyn Chen were alerted by the commotion. They stepped forward and peeled a Human Skin Mask [a gruesome artifact crafted from real skin to perfectly mimic another's face] from the dead Demonic Cultivator's visage.

The captain of the city guard approached and examined the slain Demonic Cultivator. "This man was named Dagon Chen," he reported. "He was forty-seven years old, lived alone, and had shown no unusual behavior of late."

"Come to think of it," the captain added, "he became quite reclusive after his parents passed away over a decade ago. Who would have thought a Demonic Cultivator had taken his place?"

"Over a decade..." Gwendolyn Chen murmured, her expression turning icy. "So this Demonic Cultivator has been impersonating one of our Chen Family mortals, hiding in Pingyang County for years."

Pingyang County possessed a Second-Order Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits the world's spiritual energy]. While most of its spiritual energy fueled the City Defense Grand Formation [a large-scale protective array powered by spiritual energy], it remained a prime cultivation site for low-level Demonic Cultivator like this one.

Eldrin Chen sheathed his Golden Light Blade [a magical sword that emits a brilliant golden radiance] and glanced at the Demonic Cultivator's corpse. "Lead the way," he commanded. "Let us search his dwelling."

The city guard captain led the group through the streets, and they soon arrived at the residence of Dagon Chen.

It was a simple, unassuming house. Upon entering, they found the interior sparsely furnished and covered in a thick layer of dust, indicating it had been neglected for a long time.

After a thorough search, they discovered a hidden cellar beneath the floorboards. Inside, they found several blood-stained ritual tools and a tattered manual detailing a forbidden Blood Refinement Technique [a dark art that accelerates cultivation by consuming the life force and blood of others].

Upon entering the courtyard, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. He strode forward, lifted the cellar hatch within the woodshed, and discovered dozens of human heads concealed within.

"These are for refining a Withered Bone Demon Skull [a malevolent artifact crafted from human remains]."

Dorian Chen, with his vast experience, recognized the purpose of these grisly trophies at a glance.

He informed the others that the Withered Bone Demon Skull was a type of Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged through evil and bloodshed]. A century ago, the Withered Bone Old Demon who had plunged the State of Chu into a demonic calamity was infamous for wielding this very artifact as his signature weapon.

"To forge his demonic skull, the Withered Bone Old Demon slaughtered entire Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation clans] and harvested the heads of tens of millions of common folk."

"Legends say that on the day that Demonic Treasure was completed, ghostly wails and spectral howls filled the air for hundreds of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], nearly transforming the land into a realm of the dead."

"Empowered by his Demonic Treasure, the Withered Bone Old Demon's strength was virtually unrivaled within the borders of the State of Chu."

"In the end, it was only the former sect master of the Green Sun Sect, wielding a supreme Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [an artifact of immense power specifically designed to vanquish evil] like the Heaven's Vault Mirror, who managed to suppress and slay the demon in a single, cataclysmic battle. That confrontation left the Green Sun Sect sect master grievously wounded, his vital essence drained, and he passed away not long after, seated in meditation within his sect."