Chapter 1434 : A Demonic Path Revealed

"Hah."

Having slain the two Western Metal Primordial Tiger, Eldrin Chen let out a heavy sigh of relief in his heart.

He retrieved the two Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of a powerful demon beast], handing one to Nyssa Qu before speaking. "Whoever it was that gravely wounded that Primordial Tiger did us a great favor, allowing us to reap such a windfall."

Nyssa Qu accepted the Inner Pill, a faint smile gracing her features.

Her gaze swept over the carcass of the Primordial Tiger, her eyes narrowing slightly. "The wounds on that Western Metal Primordial Tiger are tainted with foul blood. It seems like the work of a Demonic Path [a cultivation method that harnesses corruptive, malevolent energies] technique."

"The Demonic Path?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed. He examined the Western Metal Primordial Tiger's wounds once more before nodding in agreement. "The Vast Azure Immortal Domain is not demonic territory. Whoever came here is most likely a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner of the Demonic Path] from the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea."

"For them to have wounded the Primordial Tiger so severely, their strength is likely at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Earth Immortal realm]. Yet they were driven back by the beast, which means they have at most opened their sixth or Seventh Heaven [a specific advanced stage within the Earth Immortal realm]. Working together, we should be more than capable of handling them."

Upon hearing this, the others all nodded in agreement.

An Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivator at the Sixfold Heaven or Seventh Heaven stage was an opponent their group of six could indeed contend with when united.

As for the realm beyond, the Eighth Heaven [the eighth foundational heaven of an Earth Immortal], it represents a monumental threshold. Those capable of opening it have essentially consolidated three distinct World-Opening Foundation [the foundational pillars upon which a cultivator's inner world is built].

Such beings were once Nine Tribulations Immortal [Immortals who have survived nine heavenly tribulations]. Once they step into the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm], even two or three ordinary cultivators at that same peak stage joining forces might not be their match.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, and without considering the power of World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure used in the creation of a cultivator's inner world], Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen would need to reach the Seventh Level Earth Immortal [the seventh tier of the Earth Immortal realm], while Verdant Consort would need to break through to the Eighth Level Earth Immortal [the eighth tier], to potentially contend with such powerful opponents.

As for the remaining Violet Consort Yan and Lila, although they have opened the Ninefold Heaven [the legendary and supreme ninth foundational heaven], the barrier to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal [the ninth and final tier] is immense. It would be exceedingly difficult for them to challenge such foes across a major realm boundary.

Therefore, unless they wielded a World-Opening Supreme Treasure, both of them would likely need to cultivate to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal themselves before they could stand against these Earth Immortal Great Perfection experts who had opened the Eighth Heaven.

Of course, having opened the Ninefold Heaven, once they did reach Earth Immortal Great Perfection, their strength would surpass that of those who had only opened the Eighth Heaven by a noticeable margin.

In summary, a cultivator who has opened the Ninefold Heaven, upon reaching the Seventh Level Earth Immortal, would possess combat power comparable to an ordinary Earth Immortal Great Perfection expert.

However, they would still fall short, by more than a small degree, when compared to an Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivator who possessed three World-Opening Foundation.

Contemplating this, Exquisite Jiang spoke, "In that case, we need not be in such a hurry to depart."

"Indeed," came the agreement.

Eldrin Chen gave a nod, then proceeded to dismember the carcasses of the two Primordial Tiger.

In total, he obtained two complete tiger pelts, two sets of tiger bones, two pairs of tiger fangs, along with two portions of flesh and blood.

Handing the pelts over to Exquisite Jiang, Eldrin Chen revealed a faint smile. These Primordial Tiger were veritable troves of valuable materials.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, the two portions of flesh and blood could be refined into two batches of Six Revolutions Precious Pill. Whether sold to exchange for World-Opening Energy or used for personal cultivation, they were rare treasures indeed.

The two sets of tiger bones and fangs were all Eighth Rank High-Grade materials, suitable for forging World-Opening Treasure. The remaining two tiger pelts were also the finest materials for crafting immortal-grade talismans.

Eldrin Chen estimated that these two pelts could be tanned into twenty sheets of Eighth Rank High-Grade talisman paper.

After depleting the stock of Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile hide some years ago, Exquisite Jiang had recently succeeded in inscribing her first Eighth Rank High-Grade immortal talisman, marking her mastery of the talisman-crafting art at the Eighth Rank High-Grade level.

Now, with another twenty sheets of Eighth Rank High-Grade talisman paper at hand, Eldrin Chen estimated that Exquisite Jiang should be able to produce three or four Eighth Rank High-Grade treasure-grade talismans.

Although these World-Opening Ancient Talisman were single-use items, their power was formidable enough to severely injure a Late Stage Earth ImmortalPatriarch. They would serve as a potent hidden trump card in their arsenal.

After storing all the materials, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to this blessed land [a region of concentrated spiritual energy and natural fortune]. "Though this Golden Evil Blessed Land is saturated with malignant and baleful energies [corrupt spiritual forces], it can still nurture a fair number of treasures."

"Let us walk a little further. Perhaps we shall find unexpected gains."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen strode deeper into the Blessed Land. Before long, they arrived at its very heart.

At the core of this Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen beheld a pool brimming with Fiendish Energy [a potent, often malevolent form of spiritual power]. Within this Immortal Pool [a mystical pool of great spiritual significance], a golden liquid shimmered and flowed.

"A Sword Cleansing Pool."

Eldrin Chen murmured, a flicker of recognition lighting his eyes as he identified the object's origin.

This pool before them was indeed a Sword Cleansing Pool [a mystical pool whose waters can purify and empower immortal swords]. Its waters were composed of the purest Metallic Gold Immortal Essence [a refined spiritual essence with metallic and golden properties], capable of washing away impurities within an Immortal Sword [a sword forged and imbued with immortal power] and enhancing its potency.

Back in his Violet Sanctum Realm [a major stage of cultivation] days, Eldrin Chen had once occupied a Sword Cleansing Pool and used it for the first cleansing of his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords Immortal Sword.

Over the subsequent two hundred thousand plus years of cultivation, Eldrin Chen had used a Sword Cleansing Pool to cleanse his Immortal Sword on several occasions. However, an eighth-rank Sword Cleansing Pool [a pool of the eighth tier of power] was a first encounter.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "This Sword Cleansing Pool can cleanse the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords. Furthermore, the Fiendish Energy here makes it the perfect place to cultivate the Primordial Unity Weapon Refining Path [a profound art focused on refining and unifying one's bonded weapons]."

"So, we absolutely cannot relinquish this Blessed Land?"

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered with a thoughtful light. She then spoke, "What do you plan to do?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "My Earth Immortal World [the personal inner world cultivated by an Earth Immortal] is capable of absorbing a Blessed Land [a region of concentrated spiritual energy and natural laws], but there are significant limitations."

"I will need your assistance to set up a grand formation. It will take thirty thousand years to completely refine this Blessed Land before it can be drawn into my Earth Immortal World."

The others nodded in understanding. Refining an Earth Immortal Blessed Land was no simple task and came with inherent constraints.

First, if the Earth Immortal World was not sufficiently vast, recklessly refining a Blessed Land that exceeded its capacity risked causing the inner world to rupture from the strain.

Therefore, the vast majority of Earth Immortal Patriarch [a venerable Earth Immortal cultivator] could only refine Blessed Lands that matched their own cultivation level.

Second, for an ordinary Early-stage Earth Immortal, refining even a Lower Grade Blessed Land would require at least several hundred thousand years.

Yet, the Blessed Land before them was not merely of the Eighth Rank High-Grade [a classification denoting extremely high quality and power]; more critically, it was saturated with boundless Fiendish Energy [a corrupt and malevolent form of spiritual energy].

If this Blessed Land were refined, the entire Earth Immortal World would be contaminated by the Fiendish Energy, causing the Earth Immortal Patriarch to risk Qi Deviation [a state of cultivation backlash], losing their sanity, and potentially falling irrevocably into the Demonic Path [a cultivation path associated with malevolence and corruption].

It was only because Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Rule [a supreme law of unyielding permanence] was powerful enough to completely suppress and purify the boundless Fiendish Energy within this Golden Evil Blessed Land [a Blessed Land tainted by a potent, golden-hued malevolence] that he dared to refine it into his Earth Immortal World.

At this thought, Exquisite Jiang could not help but voice her concern, "We must wait thirty thousand years to fully refine this Blessed Land [a region of concentrated spiritual energy and natural laws, superior to a spiritual mountain]. I fear that Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who pursues power through dark, often destructive and soul-consuming methods] may strike again before then."

"That Demonic Cultivator..."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

He pondered for a moment before speaking. "As long as that Demonic Cultivator is not a supreme fiend of the Eighth Heaven [the eighth major stage of cultivation, representing immense power] or higher, we possess the strength to stand and fight, even if he does attack."

Having said that, Eldrin Chen thought for another moment and added, "Very well. To prevent further disruption from the Demonic Cultivator, before we begin refining the Immortal Isles [floating islands imbued with immortal energy, often serving as cultivation paradises], let us first lay down a defensive Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes that creates magical effects, like barriers or traps] as a contingency."