Chapter 423 : A Sinister Curse Unveiled

In accordance with the final wishes of Varen Wei, his funeral rites were conducted with austere simplicity.

However, upon hearing that Eldrin Chen himself was attending to pay respects, a considerable number of Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm] from the Chu Kingdom arrived bearing gifts, their true intent clearly to make an appearance before Eldrin Chen.

He paid these gestures little mind. After Varen Wei's cremation, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He departed from Heavenly Peak Mountain that very day.

Upon returning to Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen presented the pitch-black demonic box to Lyra Jiang. A cold sneer touched his lips as he said, "These Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who harness malevolent and corrupt energies for power] have already set their sights upon me."

"The Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse [a sinister curse that binds the victim with threads of demonic energy, slowly draining their vitality and cultivation]?"

Lyra Jiang's pupils contracted sharply, a flash of keen, lethal intent passing through her eyes.

This Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse is a notoriously fearsome Demonic Path Divine Ability [a supernatural technique or art practiced by demonic cultivators] of the Demonic Path [the collective practices and factions aligned with demonic cultivation]. This particular Divine Ability [a supernatural technique or art] can be invoked through three distinct methods.

The first method is to forcibly unleash it during direct combat with an enemy. This application yields the lowest potency, equivalent only to an elementary-grade Divine Ability.

The second method of invocation involves procuring a medium connected to the intended target—such as flesh, blood, skin, or personal garments—and using it to channel the Divine Ability.

This method significantly amplifies the power of the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse. There are records of Golden Core, Late Stage [cultivators at the advanced stage of the Golden Core realm] Demonic Cultivator using this means to successfully ambush and cripple formidable adversaries at the Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm]. This chapter appears courtesy of audi0-n0vel.c0m.

He performed a ritual for Forty-Nine Days [a period of forty-nine days], tormenting his opponent with the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse [a sinister curse that binds the victim with threads of demonic energy] for that entire duration. In the end, he drove his foe to the brink, their vital essence nearly exhausted, allowing him to be slain with ease.

The third method involves a medium object. A Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who cultivates using demonic or unorthodox methods] expends immense resources to craft a vessel for the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse. If a cultivator comes into contact with it unawares, the curse will invade their body.

A curse activated in this manner is exceedingly difficult to purge. Unless the caster is slain, it will cling to the cultivator like a festering bone-deep poison, embedding itself deep within their hidden meridians. Once it erupts, it is enough to ensnare the cultivator in Demonic Fiend Qi [malevolent demonic energy] and lead to their death.

This final method is typically used by high-ranking Demonic Cultivator to control their subordinates and is seldom effective for secretly ambushing enemies.

Eldrin Chen kept his personal belongings very secure, leaving the Demonic Cultivator no means to acquire them. Thus, they were forced to seek the third method.

However, getting close to Eldrin Chen was no simple task. Any ordinary Demonic Cultivator, or even a Righteous Path Cultivator [a cultivator who follows orthodox, virtuous methods] under demonic control, would have their abnormality detected by him the moment they approached.

Furthermore, the Chen Immortal Clan had never ceased its triennial inspections for Demonic Cultivator among its members, from mortals to cultivators, for centuries.

Left with no choice, the Demonic Cultivator devised a vile scheme. They intended to use a close friend like Varen Wei to secretly plant the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse upon Eldrin Chen.

Yet, Varen Wei proved more resolute and honorable than they anticipated. The medium they had expended such great cost to create fell completely into Eldrin Chen's hands.

After understanding the cause and effect, Lyra Jiang said with a hint of lingering fear, "It is fortunate Varen Wei did not disappoint you. Otherwise, you might have faced grave trouble."

"It is of no consequence."

Eldrin Chen shook his head and spoke calmly, "I am protected by my Lifebound Immortal Sword [a magical sword bound to its wielder's life force]. Common Divine Ability [supernatural techniques powered by spiritual energy] curses cannot harm me. Furthermore, my Thunder Art Divine Ability [divine abilities harnessing the power of thunder] and Solar True Aegis [a divine protective shield of solar essence] are particularly effective at countering Demonic Path Divine Ability [supernatural techniques derived from demonic or malevolent energies]."

"As long as this Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse [a curse that binds the victim with threads of demonic malevolence] is not activated by a Nascent Soul Cultivators [a cultivator who has formed their nascent soul, a higher stage of cultivation], I am more than capable of withstanding it."

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang also nodded. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Within the vicinity of the Ji Continent, the only ones capable of activating such a Divine Ability would be the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow a demonic or unorthodox path] from the Ridge of the Black Fiend."

"Yet, according to Varen Wei's account, the attackers this time came from Demonic Ape Mountain. Isn't that somewhat anomalous?"

"That is what puzzles me as well," Eldrin Chen agreed. He channeled his Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure solar essence] to incinerate the medium of the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse, then added, "But now I understand."

"The one who acted now is likely the Blackfire True Person who fled in defeat from our hands before."

And indeed, that was the case. Previously, that Blackfire True Person had been deceived by Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, and in the ensuing battle, his physical body was slain.

Later, fearing reprisal from the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, the wretch fled to Demonic Ape Mountain seeking refuge. There, he used the power of the Demonic Spring [a spring imbued with demonic energy] at Demonic Ape Mountain to suppress the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse within his body, barely managing to cling to life.

The Golden Core Demonic Cultivator [demonic cultivators who have formed a golden core, a core stage of cultivation] of Demonic Ape Mountain, seeing that this disciple of a Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor [a venerable and powerful senior cultivator] had arrived, took an interest in the Blackfire True Person's capabilities.

After conferring, they devised a sinister scheme. Several Golden Core Elder Demon joined forces, intending to use the power of Demonic Ape Mountain and the Demonic Spring to plant the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse upon Eldrin Chen.

Their reason for this was simple: the meteoric rise of Eldrin Chen over the years had filled the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of dark, demonic arts] with a growing dread.

Though the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms their immortal infant soul]-level Demonic Monsters dared not tear the veil of peace completely for fear of Ji Clan's might, Demonic Ape Mountain, situated close to the Chu Kingdom, was growing restless.

Setting aside the Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure, Lyra Jiang's current strength already approached half that of a Nascent Soul True Lord. If Eldrin Chen were to break through to the Golden Core, Late Stage, then the doom of Demonic Ape Mountain would surely be at hand.

After much deliberation, the Golden Core Demonic Cultivator of Demonic Ape Mountain resolved to strike first against Eldrin Chen, using the Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse to ambush him from the shadows.

By their calculations, even if this Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse [a vile curse that binds the victim with threads of demonic energy] failed to kill Eldrin Chen, it would at least grievously wound him, forcing him to spend a full Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years] to dispel the curse and leaving him little focus for his cultivation. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio–novel.com.

What they never anticipated was that Varen Wei, while agreeing on the surface, would secretly turn around and deliver the Demonic Cultivator's treacherous plot directly into the hands of Eldrin Chen.

What Eldrin Chen did not know was that to force Varen Wei's compliance, Demonic Ape Mountain had secretly taken control of Varen Wei's direct grandson.

Alas, Varen Wei never mentioned this matter in the end. His grandson was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the stage where a cultivator builds their spiritual foundation]; given the ruthless nature of the Demonic Cultivator, there was no chance he would emerge alive. To speak of it would only have sown needless anguish.

Furthermore, Eldrin Chen would inevitably uncover the truth of this affair in time, so speaking of it or remaining silent made little difference.

This was still because the Demonic Cultivator's strength was insufficient, unable to silently control the Wei Clan, and they themselves felt they had no confidence of escaping the discerning eyes of Eldrin Chen and the surveillance of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance. Otherwise, they would likely have used the entire Wei Clan as leverage.

After clarifying the cause and effect, Eldrin Chen spoke: "Having failed in their ambush this time, Demonic Ape Mountain will likely bear a grudge against the Wei Clan. The entire Wei Immortal Clan will be in grave danger."

"Since Demonic Ape Mountain dares to act so brazenly, it is time for us to move against it."

Lyra Jiang also nodded, then pondered and said, "However, the Glazed Armor of the Three Treasures still needs one final year for its advancement. It has now reached the most critical juncture, and I cannot easily leave my post."

"It is not an insurmountable difficulty," Eldrin Chen contemplated for a moment before continuing. "Let the clan and the Heaven's Ruin Alliance first mobilize forces to surround Demonic Ape Mountain. I will ask Qian the True Person to bring the Mirror of the Vast Heaven and the Firmament Immortal Sword to stand guard outside the mountain."

"Then we will deploy the elite forces of the Chu Kingdom to launch the assault. Once the Glazed Armor of the Three Treasures completes its advancement, you can bring it to reinforce me."

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang nodded. "That seems to be the only way."

After finalizing their plan, Eldrin Chen traveled to Green Sun Mountain that very night and successfully petitioned for the Mirror of the Vast Heaven to be released.

He then proceeded to the Firmament Sword Sect to seek out Qian the Sect Master. Slaying demons and vanquishing evil is the foremost duty of the Human Race cultivators, and Qian the Sect Master understood the critical importance of this battle.

Taking up the Firmament Immortal Sword, he followed Eldrin Chen and set off immediately, flying towards Demonic Ape Mountain. Continue your cultivation journey at site: audio-novel.com.