Chapter 1453 : Harvest of Merit and Shadow

Once their resolve was firm, the group immediately took action.

Leveraging the power of the Polarity Void Mirror and the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle, they targeted several of the weaker Demonic Path Blessed Land [realms of concentrated spiritual energy corrupted by demonic forces].

These particular Demonic Path Blessed Land were not formidable; they lacked the presence of a Late Stage Earth Immortal [a high-level cultivator who has merged their spirit with the earth] to guard them and had no Void Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact capable of stabilizing a pocket dimension] to anchor their Cosmos [the internal miniature world cultivated by an Earth Immortal]. Naturally, they stood little chance against the group's coordinated assault.

The six cultivators struck with swift and decisive force, obliterating three of the Demonic Path Blessed Land in an astonishingly short span of time.

With the destruction of these three Blessed Land, the group's spoils included over twenty additional strands of Pure Light of Merit [a visible manifestation of accumulated good karma and virtuous deeds]. Eldrin Chen himself gained another eight strands, adding to his personal tally.

"Thirty-six strands of Pure Light of Merit now," he murmured, sensing the radiant energy within him.

Contemplating his accumulated Pure Light of Merit, Eldrin Chen could not help but ponder aloud.

Despite the consecutive eradication of three Blessed Land, the share of Pure Light of Merit that had fallen to Eldrin Chen amounted to only eight strands—a result that gave him pause.

"It seems," Eldrin Chen mused quietly, "that Earth Immortal [cultivators who have achieved a profound union with the earthly spiritual veins] in the early and middle stages, even those who have committed heinous acts, possess a limited capacity for accruing profound Karmic Sin Power [the metaphysical weight of evil deeds and negative karma]."

"To truly harvest a significant amount of Merit [the positive spiritual currency earned through virtuous actions] power, one must slay great demons at the Late Stage Earth Immortal level, or even those who have reached Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm, just half a step from ascending further]."

Seeing this, Nyssa Qu remarked with a flicker in her eyes, "Though small, a mosquito is still a piece of meat. These Earth Immortal [a powerful cultivator who has attained a profound connection with the earth] in the early and middle stages pose little risk for us to eliminate."

"As long as we destroy a few more Demonic Path Blessed Land [a territory imbued with demonic energy and used as a base by demonic cultivators], the danger should remain manageable."

"I fear the opportunity has passed," Eldrin Chen shook his head, his expression turning grave. "Within ten days, we have eradicated three Blessed Land [a territory suffused with potent spiritual energy]. The surrounding Demonic Path Blessed Land must surely have taken notice."

"If my estimation is correct, numerous Earth Immortal old demons will soon be hunting us."

Upon hearing this, a shadow of concern fell upon the brows of all present.

For Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] like them, venturing into the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a vast, perilous sea realm suffused with nether and demonic energies] was perilous enough. Now, having consecutively destroyed four Blessed Land, the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who harness demonic or corrupt energies for power] of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea would undoubtedly react swiftly.

Soon, they would become the target of countless Demonic Cultivator in pursuit. It was even possible that the most formidable Earth Immortal or even Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] might take action.

Contemplating this, Verdant Consort pondered for a moment before asking, "What should we do next, then?"

"We should lie low for now,"

Eldrin Chen stated calmly. He unfurled a map of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea and pointed towards the heart of a vast continent depicted upon it.

"Let us go there, hide for a thousand years, and let the storm pass first."

Upon hearing this, the group lowered their gazes to look. They saw that the continent was located in a corner of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a vast and perilous sea in the Nether Abyss].

It stretched boundlessly, far vaster than the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. At its core, five mountain ranges intersected and sprawled, forming the grand topographical configuration of Five Dragons Facing Heaven [a powerful natural formation resembling five dragons gazing skyward].

"Demonfall Continent?"

Kael Chen frowned slightly, a trace of surprise in his voice.

Legend held that the Demonfall Continent was formed from the Five Viscera [the five vital organs: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys] of the ancient Eight-Calamity Ancient Demon. The place was saturated with boundless Fiendish Energy [a corrupt and malevolent form of spiritual energy] and miasma, capable of corroding the souls of Immortal [powerful cultivators who have ascended to immortality], making it one of the most perilous locations within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea.

According to the annotations on the map, the Demonfall Continent had always been exceedingly dangerous. Since ancient times, most beings who dared to set foot within were eroded by the Fiendish Energy, transformed into mindless, savage creatures.

Therefore, even Nine Heavens True Demon [powerful demons from the higher realms], or even Demonic Path [the path of demonic cultivation] figures at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm], seldom dared to cultivate in seclusion there.

"Hmm."

Regarding this, Eldrin Chen felt somewhat confident. He nodded and said, "My Primordial One Limitless Rule Power [a supreme, all-encompassing energy capable of assimilating other powers] can refine and assimilate all manner of foreign Rule Power [the power derived from comprehending and wielding the fundamental laws of the cosmos]."

"And the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the supreme yang fire born from the heart of the primordial sun] is also capable of incinerating the turbid energies and demonic energies of the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and heavens of existence]."

"With my protection to guide you inside, we should be able to withstand the power of the various Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupting form of spiritual energy] within the Demonfall Continent [a cursed land where demons fell from heaven]."

Energy Abyss Chen [a powerful patriarch of the Chen Clan] nodded upon hearing this and said, "This Demonfall Continent is far too perilous, yet for us, it is also the safest place."

"Whether it is your Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame, my Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure solar essence], or even Verdant Consort's Verdant Lotus Creation Body [a legendary physique embodying the life-giving power of a verdant lotus], all possess significant resistance to it."

Having spoken thus, no one present had any further objections.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a formidable cultivator] put away the map and then spoke, "Within the Demonfall Continent, there are many sources of Five Elements Evil Energy [a malevolent spiritual essence tainted by the five elements]. We can seize this opportunity to cultivate the Primordial Unity Condensing Malignance Art [an esoteric art for refining malevolent energies] and the Primordial Unity Weapon Refining Path [a profound method for forging divine weapons]."

With nothing more to add, Eldrin Chen wasted no further words and immediately led the group deeper into the Boundless Sea Region [a vast and treacherous oceanic expanse].

Not long after the group departed, several figures of majestic and imposing aura arrived through the skies, all beings at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] level.

At their head was a top-tier Demonic Path [the cultivation path of demons and malevolent beings] Patriarch who had opened the Eighth Heaven [a specific, advanced stage within a cultivation system]. Gazing upon the ruins of the Demonic Path Blessed Land [a sacred land for demonic cultivators], his eyes gleamed with a profound light as he said, "This is not the handiwork of Violet Mystery Path Master [a renowned master of the Violet Mystery Path]. It seems someone else is responsible."

"First Violet Mystery Path Master, then Breaker the True Lord [a True Lord known as 'Breaker'] and his companions, and now an attack here by what appears to be a Earth Immortal Great Perfection existence. Those of the Immortal Path [the orthodox path of immortal cultivation] dare to act so brazenly within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [the Sea of Purgatory in the Nether Abyss, a domain of demons]."

"Do you truly believe the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea has no one left to stand against you?"

As the words fell, the Demonic Path Patriarch turned his gaze to the Mortal Path cultivator beside him. "Go and summon the 'Law-spreading Old Demon'. We must locate the position of these individuals at all costs."

"..."

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen transformed into a streak of Five-Colored Aurora [a radiant, multi-hued light used for supreme-speed travel], soaring through the boundless void.

Unaware that a Demonic Path Patriarch had issued a kill order against him, mobilizing a host of Demonic Path Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality] for the hunt, he flew on.

Yet, he had anticipated some form of retaliation from the Demonic Path forces.

If, within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, powerful Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of forbidden arts that draw power from corruption and slaughter] were to launch assaults on the various Blessed Land [realms of concentrated spiritual energy and natural harmony], then Eldrin Chen would undoubtedly join the counter-hunt without hesitation, sparing no effort to eradicate them.

For this reason, Eldrin Chen had concealed Exquisite Jiang within the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical artifact capable of storing living beings], while he himself took the form of the Five-Colored Aurora and sped across the vast expanse of the Boundless Sea Region.

With his current cultivation level, Eldrin Chen's flight speed rivaled that of an Eighth Level Earth Immortal. Augmented by his Innate Divine Ability [a power born with one's spiritual constitution], the Five-Colored Aurora, which granted him Extreme Speed, his velocity even surpassed some cultivators at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm].

Furthermore, empowered by the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle [an ability to tear through the fabric of space], he continuously warped through the void. In what felt like mere moments, he had traversed an immeasurable stretch of ocean and arrived before the shores of the Demonfall Continent.

"This place is the Demonfall Continent."

Gazing upon the Demonfall Continent before them, a look of solemn gravity settled upon everyone's faces.

The Demonfall Continent stretched endlessly before their eyes. Even from this immense distance, they could feel a torrent of Heavenly Fiend energy [a malevolent, heaven-defying spiritual force] and demonic aura [the corrupting energy of demons] rushing towards them.

"Such a dense concentration of Fiendish Energy [a corrupted, violent form of spiritual energy] and demonic aura."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his expression turning grave.

The intensity of the Fiendish Energy and demonic aura on the Demonfall Continent surpassed Eldrin Chen's expectations. Most crucially, there was an inexplicable, oppressive demonic presence within it that sent a shiver of apprehension through even him.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang couldn't help but whisper, "Could there be some dreadful peril lurking within this Demonfall Continent?"

"It's hard to say."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then spoke, "It is said that within this Demonfall Continent, a remnant sliver of killing intent from an Ancient Demon [a primordial demon of immense power] still lingers. Even the titans of the Demonic Path [the cultivation arts focused on demonic power] from the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial immortals] dare not set foot here."

"Fortunately, for us beings of the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of earthbound immortals], there are still some recorded instances of entering and emerging alive."