Chapter 18 : Shadows of the Demonic Tribulation

Dorian Chen spoke with a trace of recollection in his gaze. A century ago, he had been less than ten years old, yet the memory of that terrifying Demonic Tribulation [a catastrophic event involving demonic cultivators or entities] remained vividly etched in his mind.

As his words fell, he looked at the heads in the cellar and continued.

"Fortunately, this minor demonic fiend dared not run amok within the city, merely secretly killing a few dozen people. Otherwise, had he found the opportunity to slay several thousand to refine a Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged through malevolent and often sacrificial means], even an ordinary cultivator at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the final phase of refining one's foundational life force] might not have been able to subdue him."

Eldrin Chen listened quietly, a hidden glint of killing intent flickering deep within his eyes.

From the current perspective, this Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses malevolent, often sacrificial methods to gain power] indeed dared not act recklessly. However, once the Chen Family weakened, such hidden Demonic Cultivator threats would likely be the first to rise up and take a bite. When that calamity struck, it would be the common folk of the Chen Immortal Clan [the mortal descendants and citizens under the Chen Clan's protection] who would suffer.

Throughout the ages, countless immortal cultivation clans had ultimately been schemed against by these Demonic Cultivator in their moments of decline. Losing their foundation of mortal bloodlines, they were reduced to wandering cultivators with precarious Destiny [one's ordained fate or fortune] and turbulent paths, eventually fading away into the vastness between heaven and earth, along the Long River [a metaphorical river representing the flow of time or history].

"It seems our resolve to eradicate them early was absolutely the correct decision," he concluded.

After meticulously searching the Demonic Cultivator's dwelling and confirming no further clues remained, the group could only return to the main square.

The screening continued unabated. Two more days passed in the blink of an eye, and on this day, another Demonic Cultivator was uncovered.

This particular Demonic Cultivator was not detected by the screening. Instead, fearing discovery after being summoned, he chose to kill the messenger and attempt to flee.

Alas, the City Defense Grand Formation [a powerful protective barrier array] had long been activated. The entire Pingyang County was now ensnared within the Heaven and Earth Net [a formation that seals an area like an inescapable net]. Even a Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses unorthodox, often malevolent methods to cultivate power] who entered would have to pay with their life. He truly had no path of escape.

In the end, the Fourth Elder Kaelen Chen personally took action, channeling his spiritual power into a magical instrument to slay the man at the city's edge. In the following days, silence swiftly returned, as if the Demonic Cultivator had all vanished into obscurity.

Several nights later, within a large courtyard in the city, five black-robed figures gathered, conspiring in hushed tones.

"Esteemed colleagues, it seems the Chen Family is truly resolved this time, leaving us no path to survival."

"To sit and await death is no solution. Our only chance to live lies in taking the initiative and striking first."

The speaker leading them was a Demonic Cultivator at the Vital Essence Refinement 8th Tier [the eighth level of the first major cultivation realm, focused on refining one's vital life force]. His features were handsome, yet his gaze held a crimson, unsettling hue.

The others seemed somewhat fearful of him. Only one person snorted coldly before speaking.

"Silas Han, your master is Zhang the Old Demon. Surely he possesses some means for you to escape?"

"Now you drive us to risk our lives. Don't tell me you intend to use us as cannon fodder?"

Upon hearing this, the other Demonic Cultivator immediately turned wary eyes toward Silas Han.

Zhang the Old Demon inherited the legacy of the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic or unorthodox methods] lineage from the Demon Cave Cavern, and was a notorious Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] Demonic Cultivator within Yu County. He was cunning and malevolent, often resorting to any means necessary to achieve his ends.

With the backing of this formidable figure, Silas Han had always been arrogant and unrestrained, instilling fear and caution in everyone around him.

Upon hearing this, Silas Han fell into a rare silence for a moment before finally speaking.

"We never imagined the Chen Family would act so decisively."

"Even Zhang the Junior Brother was the master's own son, yet after sacrificing thousands of mortals in a blood ritual, wasn't he still slain by a Chen Family Elder?"

"I am merely a nominal disciple. How could I possess so many contingency plans? Our only chance for survival is to fight our way out together."

As he spoke, he felt he had shown too much weakness before the group and added, "But rest assured, with over ten days having passed, our master has surely realized the situation by now."

"If we coordinate from within and without to breach their City Defense Grand Formation [a large-scale protective array surrounding a city] at Pingyang County, then our master can tear through the formation and lead us to safety."

The dissenting Demonic Cultivator still harbored doubts in his heart, but with no better alternative at hand, he could only grit his teeth and agree to Silas Han's plan.

"Then let us not delay. We strike together tonight."

"..."

At the hour of midnight, within the core of the grand formation at the center of Pingyang County, more than twenty cultivators were stationed around the array, vigilantly guarding the formation protecting Pingyang City.

Suddenly, Grand Elder opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within his pupils.

"Who goes there?"

"*Whoosh—*"

A soft sound pierced the darkness as several streaks of light shot forth—they were actually several Demonic Treasure [enchanted artifacts infused with malevolent energy].

Grand Elder reacted decisively, summoning a magical weapon—a warblade—that cleaved through the air, deflecting the most powerful of the incoming Demonic Treasure.

The clash unfolded in the span of a lightning flash. Though the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using malevolent and forbidden methods]'s ambush caught the defenders off guard, the Chen Family cultivators were not wholly unprepared.

In the frantic initial exchange, only one cultivator, too slow to react, was grievously wounded. The others swiftly rallied, unleashing their own magical weapons and techniques to engage the enemy.

From the very outset of the battle, the Demonic Cultivator found themselves rapidly forced onto the defensive.

Seeing the situation turn against him, Silas Han gritted his teeth and produced a blood-red demonic saber. He then sprayed a mouthful of his Vital Essence Blood [a cultivator's life-force infused blood, used to power potent techniques at great personal cost] onto the blade.

This blade was named the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber. It had been forged by his master, Zhang the Old Demon, using Millennial Crimson Iron [a rare, blood-tainted iron ore that requires a millennium to form]. Strictly speaking, this demonic weapon was merely a blade embryo. To complete its forging, it required the absorption of the blood of one hundred thousand ordinary mortals.

This type of demonic saber was exceedingly brutal. Once fully forged, it would become a top-tier Second-Order Demonic Treasure [an enchanted artifact forged and powered by demonic cultivation methods]. If wielded personally by Zhang the Old Demon, even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their spiritual foundation] could be cleaved in two, their entire Vitality [life force and spiritual essence] drained away until death.

To complete the saber's forging, Zhang the Old Demon had entrusted this weapon embryo to Silas Han. His task was to hide within the city and, capitalizing on the current weakness of the Chen Family, seek an opportunity for the blood sacrifice needed to finish the blade.

The reason for this indirect approach was Zhang the Old Demon's inherently suspicious and cautious nature, coupled with his fear of the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Formation [a powerful defensive formation that channels solar fire]. Although he was a Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner of cultivation methods that often involve sacrificing others for power], he dared not enter Pingyang County personally and could only delegate this mission to his disciple.

Now, desperate to break the deadlock, Silas Han directly fueled the blade with his Vital Essence Blood, paying the severe price of greatly damaging his own Vitality. He unleashed this Second-Order Demonic Treasure embryo, hoping to achieve a decisive victory in one strike.

"Disaster!"

The moment he saw the demonic saber, the Grand Elder's face paled dramatically as he cried out.

"It's a Second-Order Demonic Treasure!"

"I need to activate the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Formation! Hold them off for me, just for a moment!"

Hearing this, everyone immediately exerted their full strength, striving to block this demonic saber.

The incident was too sudden. Even though Grand Elder wished to activate the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Formation [a powerful defensive formation] to defend, it would require several breaths of time.

After all, the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber was a top-tier Second-Order Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged with demonic energy]. Even though it was merely an embryonic form, its power was already comparable to a Second Rank Lower Grade magical artifact.

As the demonic saber descended, ordinary First-Rank middle and lower-grade magical artifacts shattered upon impact. Even First-Rank upper-grade artifacts were notched and sent flying back. Three Chen Family cultivators were unlucky enough to be cleaved in two, their entire Vitality [life force and spiritual essence] drained on the spot.

It was within these few breaths that the others resting in the side hall finally reacted.

Eldrin Chen was the first to charge forward, summoning his Golden Light Blade to strike. It clashed with the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber and was immediately knocked away.

Seeing that even the Golden Light Blade could not withstand the assault, he had no time to lament the damage to his artifact. He immediately summoned the Verdant Leaf Sword. This time, he did not aim for the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber but instead directed the sword straight at Silas Han's head.

This tactic of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao" [a strategic diversion] proved effective. At this critical moment of life and death, Silas Han could no longer focus on Grand Elder. He frantically redirected the demonic saber to intercept the Verdant Leaf Sword. With a single clash, the Verdant Leaf Sword's radiance dimmed drastically, its spiritual nature severely wounded.