Chapter 1081. Demon is Demon, Devil is Devil

"Hmm."

Eldrin nodded slightly and suppressed the thought.

He withdrew his gaze and looked toward Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), saying, "The longevity banquet has concluded. It is time to send Xianzhu to the Temple of Empty Illumination."

"I shall take him there tomorrow. I must trouble you to watch over the family in my stead."

Lyra nodded upon hearing this, yet still cautioned, "Make haste and return swiftly. Do take care along the way."

"I understand."

Eldrin gave a slight nod and began his descent down the mountain.

Early the next morning, he took Chen Xianzhu (Person Name) and set off toward the Celestial Demon Sea (Location).

The 2 flew through the void, and Eldrin’s gaze carefully fell upon the child beside him. Only then did he realize that, without him noticing, his eldest son had already grown into a man, bearing a trace of his own demeanor.

Chen Xianzhu was now merely 1 1000 5 100 and some years of age, yet his cultivation had already reached the Primordial Spirit, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm). In terms of cultivation speed, he far surpassed Eldrin (Person Name).

You must understand, when Eldrin (Person Name) broke through to the Nascent Soul realm back in the day, his lifespan had already approached 2 1000 years.

Chen Xianzhu's ability to achieve a breakthrough to Primordial Spirit, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) at such a young age was primarily due to 2 factors: the immortal realm brimmed with immortal spiritual energy, and its cultivation resources far surpassed those of the mortal world.

Second, as a celestial descendant, his innate talent and foundation were truly astounding, allowing him to cultivate without encountering bottlenecks before reaching the 9th layer of the Nascent Soul.

Thirdly, it was because Chen Xianzhu had spent these years roaming the Crimson Dragon Sea, enduring countless trials and tribulations, that he could advance by leaps and bounds.

At this thought, Eldrin felt a surge of emotion in his heart. He couldn't help but gaze at Chen Xianzhu and remark, "I've heard that over these years, while roaming the Crimson Dragon Sea, your hands have been stained with no small amount of blood."

"Vanquishing demons and subduing evils has always been my lifelong aspiration."

Chen Xianzhu spoke calmly, his expression tinged with reverence, yet a sharp intensity gleamed in his eyes.

For the past 1 1000 years, the 3 brothers had journeyed across the realm, each walking their own distinct path.

Third Son Chen Xianchang was of a carefree disposition. He took several dao companions and found a secluded spirit island to settle upon. Though he occasionally descended the mountain to temper himself through experience, most of his days were spent amidst the serene and elegant beauty of the mountains.

Erlang Chen Xiandao possessed a resolute and steady temperament, yet harbored grand ambitions. No sooner had he descended the mountain than he conquered a vast immortal island.

In the short span of just 1 1000 years that followed, he trained Dao soldiers while launching assaults on the spirit islands of the demon race. Before he knew it, he had already conquered 1 100 and 8 spirit islands.

These spirit islands varied in size, and relying on the resource veins within them, Chen Xiandao established a considerable immortal alliance.

The alliance boasted 3,600 Nascent Soul cultivators and 20-7 Divine Consciousness Dao Lords. Though this paled in comparison to the immortal ranks of the human, demon, and monster races, it still earned them modest renown within the Crimson Dragon Sea.

It must be known that the Crimson Dragon Sea was immeasurably vast—even a Primordial Spirit Dao Lord might spend a 100 years traversing its expanse without completing a round trip. Within its depths lay hundreds of thousands of spirit mountains and colossal islands.

Among these spirit islands dwell thousands of immortal clans and demon tribes, both great and small. The fact that Chen Xiandao could establish his footing among them and even rank among the foremost demonstrated truly extraordinary prowess.

Strictly speaking, the only forces capable of surpassing Chen Xiandao were the few immortal islands occupied by the 3 races: humans, demons, and monsters.

Yet these immortal isles hold a status far too transcendent. Whether the 4 immortal islands of the human race or the 12 sacred peaks occupied by deities and yaoguai, each stands as a pillar of stability within the Crimson Dragon Sea.

Although Eldrin's Greenridge Isle seemed obscure amidst the Flowing River 100 Seas, it stood as a supremely transcendent existence within the Scarlet Dragon Sea.

Across the vast sea surrounding Qingyuan Island, dozens of Nascent Soul families and nearly a 1000 Golden Core families nominally existed under their patronage.

Getting back to the story, compared to Elder Chen’s carefree and unrestrained life, and distinct from Chen Xiandao’s rigorous preparations for battle.

The eldest son, Chen Xianzhu, walked alone through the Crimson Dragon Sea. For years, he had taken it upon himself to vanquish demons and eradicate evil, his hands stained with far too much blood.

He had once ventured deep into the demon realm, slaying a pure-blooded Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) divine eagle, and had also tread into the divine seas, where he tore apart the blood descendants of gods with his bare hands.

Journeying to this day, Chen Xianzhu had fought in over a 100 battles, many of which were perilous life-and-death struggles.

可是陈贤逐孤身一人，除了与生俱来的大威天龙体，就只有一根仙铁棍相随。

He fought his way through every place he visited, carving out a formidable reputation through sheer force.

In contrast, Chen Xianzhu’s reputation among the demon and god clans far surpassed even that of Chen Xiandao—a fearsome prestige forged through relentless slaughter.

At this thought, Eldrin spoke calmly, "Over these years, you've fought your way across the Crimson Dragon Sea and made quite a few enemies."

"Your killing intent has grown too heavy. It is indeed time for you to visit the Empty Radiance Temple and cleanse your bloodlust through Buddhist teachings."

Chen Xianzhu furrowed his brow slightly and voiced his dissent, "Father, you once taught me that vanquishing demons requires thunderous methods. Why then do you now bid your son to cleanse this killing intent?"

"Foolish child."

Eldrin stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze profound as he declared, "To subdue demons, 1 must wield thunderous methods—yet I have warned you that the stiffest branch breaks first."

"Your journey to the Empty Radiance Temple should focus on comprehend the Buddhist doctrines. Should you succeed in cleansing your accumulated sins of slaughter, boundless prospects shall surely await you in the future."

Chen Xianzhu, however, still frowned and said, “If those steeped in sin can cleanse their transgressions simply by cultivating Buddhist teachings, then what need is there for the 18 Hells of the Netherworld?”

"In my view, my child," he replied, "a demon is a demon, a devil is a devil, and an evil man is an evil man. Even if they were to become Buddhas, they would still be nothing but demons in divine guise, utterly incapable of cleansing their sins."

Hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) was so enraged he could only laugh in bitter silence.

He understood in his heart that this child possessed an unyielding and resolute nature, holding his own perspectives and understanding of all things in this world—he would never be easily swayed by others' words.

At this thought, Eldrin felt both exasperated and amused. He could only chuckle and scold, "You rascal, do you think I'm unaware of such simple reasoning? But look at the mess you've made!"

"All these years, you've fought your way through every branch of the demon race. If I hadn't been watching your back, you'd have been chopped into pieces long ago."

"Some days ago, you slew another descendant of a deity, which has already drawn the attention of a god who has reached the Ascension Realm. If you dare remain in the Crimson Dragon Sea, I fear even I may not be able to ensure your safety."

"Get yourself to the Empty Radiance Monastery and cultivate in seclusion. Don't you dare return until you've attained immortality."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xianzhu was taken aback, finally grasping the profound meaning behind Eldrin's words.

He had thought this trip was about Eldrin forcing him to join the Buddhist order, only to realize Eldrin's true purpose was to ensure his safety.

Upon careful reflection, this outcome was to be expected. According to the original intentions of Kongming Temple, Chen Xianzhu should have entered the Buddhist order long ago.

However, Eldrin (Person Name) kept him at the Crimson Dragon Sea for 1,500 years under the pretext of tempering through trials, only sending him over after repeated urgings from the Empty Radiance Temple.

Were it not for the fear that remaining in the Crimson Dragon Sea any longer might expose Eldrin to the schemes of demonic immortals and divine spirits, he would have likely kept him for a few more years.

At this thought, Chen Xianzhu couldn't help but scratch his head and chuckle, "That descendant of the gods is far too arrogant. In a fit of rage, he annihilated an entire family—how is such behavior any different from that of demons and monsters?"

"Since I have learned of this, child, it is only right that I vanquish the demons and eradicate the evil."

At this point, Chen Xianzhu gave an awkward chuckle.

(End of Chapter)