Chapter 23 : A Demon's Desperate Flight

"Disaster! It's the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber [a demonic blade that feeds on and transforms the blood of its victims]!"

The moment he saw the saber embryo, the hulking Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner of forbidden arts that draw power from malevolent sources] paled in terror. He didn't even spare a glance for the fallen Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle [a needle artifact that seals an opponent's heart meridian with golden light], turning on his heel to flee outright.

Alas, facing a saber embryo whose power neared the Second Rank [a tier of power for artifacts and cultivators], and bereft of his defensive artifact, he stood little chance. In scarcely the time it takes for a dozen breaths, Eldrin Chen cleaved his head from his shoulders with a single stroke.

The other gaunt old demon, shielded by his own artifact, managed to flee, putting several hundred meters between them in the blink of an eye.

Yet this Demonic Cultivator was ultimately a step slower. After a desperate, stumbling escape, he was intercepted by Eldrin Chen at the very edge of Lake Heart Island.

A fierce clash of artifacts ensued. Having already been outmatched by Eldrin Chen even with his companion, facing him alone now, the demonic cultivator was utterly overwhelmed.

After a mere ten or so exchanges, Eldrin Chen found his opening. The saber embryo shattered the demonic bell artifact, and a follow-up sword strike bisected the old demon.

With the battle concluded, Eldrin Chen paid no heed to decorum, collapsing to sit heavily on the ground as he gasped for breath.

Slaying three Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the advanced stage of refining one's life force energy] Demonic Cultivator had been no easy feat. The Crimson Iron Saber Embryo [an unformed, nascent blade of crimson iron with immense potential], a Second Rank Magical Artifact [a powerful enchanted object], was meant to be fueled by True Essence [the purified, higher-grade energy cultivated by more advanced practitioners].

Though he had forced it to obey using his profound reserves of Vital Energy [the foundational life force energy cultivated by all practitioners], the toll was immense. Merely activating it three times had drained over half of his Vital Energy reserves. Original English translation available at audio-novel.com (official site).

The results were immediate and decisive. First, it shattered the Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle [a needle-type magical treasure that emits golden light to lock an opponent's heart and mind], then it cleaved through the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of the Qi Refining realm] Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who uses unorthodox, often violent and soul-consuming methods to gain power]. Finally, it broke the gaunt old demon's small bell. Each time the blade embryo struck, it achieved its purpose with a single, devastating blow.

After resting for a quarter of an hour [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen minutes] and recovering a small portion of his Vital Energy [the foundational life force energy cultivated by practitioners], he rose. First, he utterly destroyed the remains of the three Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often violent and soul-consuming methods to gain power], erasing all traces. Then, he began to tally his spoils.

Although he had slain three Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often violent and soul-consuming methods to gain power], the true gains from this encounter were not particularly abundant.

The Demonic Treasure [magical artifacts infused with malevolent, corrupting energies] used by Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often violent and soul-consuming methods to gain power] are typically saturated with blood-fiend energy. Using them recklessly can cloud one's mind. Therefore, Eldrin Chen had no intention of using the several demonic artifacts left behind by the three fiends.

The only usable magical instrument was the Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle [a needle-type magical treasure that emits golden light to lock an opponent's heart and mind]. Like the Verdant Small Shield [a small, green-colored defensive magical treasure], this item was a pure, orthodox magical treasure.

As long as he erased the demonic will left within it by the Demonic Cultivator [cultivator who uses unorthodox, often violent and soul-consuming methods to gain power], he could refine it for his own use without any adverse effects.

After the three Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often violent and soul-consuming methods to gain power] perished, the spiritual sense imprinted on their Storage Bag [a spatial pouch that can hold items far larger than its external size] became rootless and adrift. It took him half a month to finally open all three Storage Bag [spatial pouches that can hold items far larger than their external size].

Unfortunately, most of the contents were items like Blood Crystal [crystals condensed from the essence of blood and life force, often used in dark arts], demonic pills, and other paraphernalia typical of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often violent and soul-consuming methods to gain power]. These were essentially useless to Eldrin Chen. He could not possibly sell them and aid the enemy, so he had no choice but to destroy them on the spot.

To speak truthfully, the only items of real value were the hundred or so Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] found within the three demons' Storage Bag [spatial pouches that can hold items far larger than their external size], which still counted as a decent sum of wealth.

Of course, these were matters for later. In fact, on that very night, Eldrin Chen urgently returned to Green Chariot Mountain [the name of a mountain, the primary stronghold of the Chen Clan]. There, he sought out Eternal Profound Chen, who was in secluded cultivation within the Spirit Spring [a spring imbued with concentrated spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] of the Hinter Peaks [the secluded rear peaks of Green Chariot Mountain].

He reported the incident of being ambushed by Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using malevolent or unorthodox methods], his expression grave as he spoke.

"Those three Demonic Cultivator were all cultivators at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the final phase of refining one's foundational life energy], and they wielded the Six Ghosts Talisman [a magical artifact capable of summoning and controlling six spectral entities]. I fear they may have significant backing."

"I am concerned that..."

After listening, Eternal Profound Chen furrowed his brow slightly, but after a long moment, his expression relaxed and he shook his head.

"Within Yu County, the only one capable of crafting the Six Ghosts Talisman is that Zhang Old Demon."

"Thus, the origins of those three are clear. Zhang Old Demon originally had six disciples at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage. We eliminated two during our previous campaign to purge demonic influences. Now that you have slain three more, the remaining forces are no longer a significant threat."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a wave of relief.

Yet, a second thought brought a chill of apprehension. "I have killed four of Zhang Old Demon's disciples. Will he come seeking revenge personally?"

Eternal Profound Chen smiled and shook his head. "Moreover, Zhang Old Demon is cunning and paranoid by nature. Three years ago, he suffered a grievous defeat at my hands and is likely still recovering from his severe wounds. I doubt he has the courage to venture into the territory of our Chen Clan."

As he spoke, he hesitated for a moment, then retrieved a talisman from within his robes.

"However, as a precaution, take this talisman. It will ensure your safety."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen was visibly shaken. He never imagined the clan patriarch would entrust such a precious talisman to him.

This talisman was known as the Blazing Heaven Sword Talisman [a powerful talisman that seals a formidable sword technique within it]. It was a legacy left to the clan by the previous patriarch, who paid a great price to seal his own divine ability within it.

This treasure talisman was of the Second Rank High-Grade [a high-quality artifact of the second tier]. Even for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has solidified their cultivation foundation], it could be considered a trump card. Used skillfully, it could even slay a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Foundation Establishment realm].

In the past, when the clan faced a great crisis, the patriarch had preferred to sell his Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical treasure bound to its owner's life force] rather than part with this item, a testament to its immense value. Visit audio . novel . com to enjoy the complete series.

Pressing the treasure talisman into Eldrin Chen's hand, the Old Patriarch spoke with grave solemnity.

"This is one of the clan's last remaining foundations. Use it with utmost caution."

"Of course, if Zhang Old Demon dares to attack you, do not hold back. As long as you live, such treasures can be earned back in time."

Eldrin Chen hesitated for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, but in the end, he did not refuse. He accepted the precious talisman.

He harbored no false modesty, for he understood that within the family, he was indeed the one most in need of this precious talisman.

"..."

With the talisman now in his possession, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of confidence. Returning to his cultivation on Spirit Isle Lake felt considerably more secure.

In the blink of an eye, another seven months slipped by.

On this particular day, atop Lake Heart Island, Eldrin Chen sat before an alchemical furnace, his expression taut with nervous anticipation as he watched the vessel.

After waiting for a full half Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], he formed a hand seal and opened the furnace. Inside, a single Energy Absorption Pill spun gracefully.

"Success."

A smile spread across Eldrin Chen's face as he finally allowed himself to exhale a long, relieved breath.

A year prior, the Chen Clan had begun grooming him as the family's next alchemist. After the passing of the Sixth Elder, this process had accelerated.

With Eldrin Chen's innate talent for alchemy, the detailed notes left by the Sixth Elder, and the clan's full support, he had ascended to the rank of a First-Rank Lower-Grade Alchemist with surprising ease.

Afterward, he did not hesitate to spend his own resources, sending the clan's cultivators to the Sunward Market to purchase materials for practice. Naturally, his progress was remarkably swift.

The current batch of Energy Absorption Pill [a pill that aids in absorbing spiritual energy] was his first successful attempt at a first-rank mid-grade pill. Although only a single pill was successfully refined, it signified his breakthrough to becoming a first-rank mid-grade alchemist.

For an ordinary alchemist to reach this level would typically require nearly a decade. That he managed to elevate his alchemy skills to first-rank mid-grade within a single year was ample proof that his comprehension and innate talent far surpassed the average person.

"I must practice more from now on, gain further familiarity, and increase my pill refinement success rate."

"The clan's Energy-Absorbing Herb [a spiritual herb used as a primary ingredient for Energy Absorption Pills] will mature in another four years. I must strive to advance my alchemy to first-rank high-grade before then."

With this thought, he stored the Energy Absorption Pill, tidied up the workspace, and left the Alchemy Chamber.

In the blink of an eye, the year's end arrived once more—time to return to the clan for the New Year festivities. Merely a few days later, he brought his two younger siblings back to Green Chariot Mountain.

This year, there were not as many trivial matters on Green Chariot Mountain. The few Elder held an annual meeting, summarized the clan's yearly gains, and concluded the gathering. This novel is serialized on audio - novel . com. Visit for updates.