Chapter 1454 : Into the Demonfall Depths

As he spoke of this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out once more.

If a being from the Celestial Immortal Realm were to step inside, it would surely stir the boundless killing intent of the Ancient Demon [a primordial demon of immense power and malice] into awakening. Given their current, lower cultivation levels, they likely could not provoke such a profound reaction from the Ancient Demon.

At that very moment, from the distant void, numerous Demonic Path [a cultivation path that harnesses demonic or malevolent energies] Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is anchored to the earth] cultivators had already given chase, subtly sealing off all potential escape routes.

"They arrived swiftly,"

Eldrin Chen's brow creased with concern as he spoke. "Stay close behind me. If the situation turns dire, activate the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle [a divine art for instantaneous, long-distance travel] immediately and depart."

With those words, Eldrin Chen was the first to step into the heart of the Demonfall Continent [a continent infamous for being the site of a great demon's defeat and subsequent entrapment].

Simultaneously, the several dozen pursuing Demonic Path Earth Immortal cultivators who had encircled them witnessed this and their expressions shifted subtly.

A Demonic Path Patriarch [a venerable leader of a clan or sect] who had reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] observed the scene and sneered coldly. "The Demonfall Continent is a place of extreme peril. Since ancient times, fewer than one in ten who enter ever emerge again."

"For these individuals to dare set foot within... they are indeed like newborn calves unafraid of the tiger."

Another Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who follows the Demonic Path] Earth Immortal raised a hand and performed a series of rapid calculations. After a moment, he shook his head. "The Celestial Mechanism [the underlying principles and fate-weaving patterns of heaven and earth] within the Demonfall Continent is profoundly obscured. Even with my skill in the arts of Celestial Mechanism, I cannot divine their fate."

"However, since they have ventured within, there is no need for us to linger here any longer. Our immediate priority should be to pursue Old Path Master Violet Mystery and Breaker the True Lord."

Upon hearing this, the gathered Demonic Cultivator all nodded slightly. Only one among them wore a face shadowed by a deep, brooding gloom.

Had Eldrin Chen been present, he would have instantly recognized the origins of this particular fiend.

This demonic entity bore the Daoist title 'Soul-Refiner Patriarch' [a patriarch who specializes in refining souls]. In the past, he had clashed with Eldrin Chen within the Western Pole Heavenly Domain. In that single battle, he was grievously wounded by Eldrin Chen and even lost two of his top-grade World-Opening [the realm of cultivators who can open their own minor worlds] Demonic Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts used by demonic cultivators].

Now, witnessing Eldrin Chen step into the Demonfall Continent, Soul-Refiner Patriarch's heart seethed with a bitter, hidden hatred.

He cast a glance at the assembly and spoke, "Esteemed colleagues, those individuals are utterly treacherous, skilled at concealing their true cultivation to launch surprise attacks against us."

"Such cunning and deceitful foes... I fear the Demonfall Continent may not be enough to hold them."

Upon hearing his words, the brows of the other fiends furrowed slightly.

A Demonic Path [the demonic cultivation path] Patriarch who had reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "The Demonfall Continent is vast and boundless. Now that they have hidden themselves within it, chasing them down would be nothing short of a fool's errand."

"If you, Fellow Daoist, wish to continue the pursuit, you are welcome to enter alone."

"This..."

Though Soul-Refiner Patriarch felt a deep-seated reluctance in his heart, he could only watch helplessly as the various Demonic Path Patriarch departed.

With his strength alone, he naturally dared not venture onto the Demonfall Continent to pursue Eldrin Chen and the others. He, too, could only leave with bitter resentment.

"..."

Meanwhile, the group had already advanced deep into the heart of the Demonfall Continent.

As Eldrin Chen pressed forward, he sensed the pervasive power of the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupting energy born from demonic sources] within the land. A slight frown creased his brow as he cautioned, "Be on your guard. I sense a significant danger lurking here."

"Understood."

Hearing his words, everyone nodded solemnly.

They continued their journey, following the course of the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-elemental spiritual energy], until they arrived before a particular Earth Vein.

"Such a dense concentration of earth-elemental spiritual energy. This should be a Blessed Land [a place of exceptional natural spiritual abundance, often forming the core of a cultivation sect or family's territory]."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself and immediately strode towards the Blessed Land [a region of concentrated spiritual energy, often cultivated by powerful sects or clans].

Yet, in that very instant, a ferocious roar erupted from within the Blessed Land, and an ancient beast wreathed in boundless obsidian light lunged to attack Eldrin Chen.

"Hmm?"

In a flash, Eldrin Chen's eyes sharpened. He raised his hand and struck out with a palm strike meant to cleave the heavens.

After the clash of that single blow, Eldrin Chen was forced back three steps, a numbing sensation spreading through his palm. The ancient beast, too, was sent flying backward by the impact.

"Such formidable physical strength."

Eldrin Chen marveled inwardly, finally taking a proper look at the creature that had struck. It was an ancient beast clad in black armor, with horns upon its head reminiscent of a True Dragon [the supreme, primordial dragon species, rulers of the ancient seas and skies].

The others were also slightly startled. Exquisite Jiang could not help but exclaim, "An Obsidian Qilin [a mythical, auspicious beast with the body of a deer, dragon scales, and an ox tail, known for its immense strength and connection to earth element]?"

"It must be."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a flicker of curiosity appearing in his own eyes as well.

Having cultivated for over two hundred thousand years, this was the first time he had ever laid eyes upon the legendary Qilin [a mythical auspicious beast, often depicted with the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, and a single horn].

The Qilin is one of the Heaven and Earth True Spirit [primordial spiritual beings born from the essence of heaven and earth], its origins are immeasurably ancient. It is said the progenitor of this lineage was among the first batch of Innate Heavenly God Being [divine beings born with the world, possessing innate divine power] birthed where the Primordial Immortal Domain [the original, foundational realm from which all other immortal domains are said to have derived] coalesced and took form.

That progenitor Qilin possessed a status of unparalleled nobility, once spoken of in the same breath as the Candle Dragon [a primordial dragon deity controlling time and light] and the Primordial Phoenix [the first phoenix, symbolizing rebirth and cosmic fire], hailed as the Ancestor of All Beasts [the Progenitor of All Beasts]. Its foundational heritage ranks among the very pinnacle of existence within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [a collective term for the myriad realms of the immortal world].

The present-day Qilin Clan stands as one of the top three powers among the Hundred Races Immortal Spirits [a coalition or classification of the various immortal spirit races]. This lineage boasts multiple Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [Golden Immortals who have attained the Great Encompassing stage, a profound level of mastery], among whom are those who have reached Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm].

The Primordial Qilin Ancestor's cultivation has even stepped into the Quasi-Sage Realm [a transcendent state bordering on the Sage realm], making it one of the beings within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains most likely to break through to the realm of a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage [an immortal sage who has comprehended and mastered a fundamental Dao Path, becoming its ancestral source].

It is said the Primordial Qilin Ancestor is imbued with the power of Immeasurable Great Merit [an immense accumulation of virtuous karma and cosmic credit], to the extent that even the various Path Ancestor Immortal Sage are willing to treat it as an equal and engage with it as a peer.

Unfortunately, the Qilin Clan has never given birth to a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage of its own. Consequently, this lineage remains exceedingly low-profile, and its numbers are far from matching the abundance of the True Dragon and Immortal Phoenix [the two most populous and widespread lineages of divine beasts].

Throughout his cultivation journey, Eldrin Chen had slain Nine Heavens True Dragon [a supreme breed of dragon], suppressed Supreme White Tiger [the divine beast of the west, symbolizing martial prowess], witnessed Azure Luan and Fire Phoenix [two majestic types of phoenix], and even debated the Dao with a North Dark Black Tortoise [the divine beast of the north, symbolizing longevity and defense]. Yet, this was his first encounter with a Qilin.

With this thought, a spark of profound curiosity ignited within Eldrin Chen. He carefully scrutinized the Obsidian Qilin [a Qilin with fur or scales as dark as polished obsidian] before him and spoke, "A cultivation base at the Seventh Level Earth Immortal [the seventh stage of the Earth Immortal realm]. It must be a pure-blooded Qilin. No wonder its physical body can contend with mine in raw strength."

"ROAR—!"

The Obsidian Qilin [a mythical beast corrupted by demonic energy] let out a furious roar, surging forward with boundless, ferocious Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent, corrupting energy].

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "The Qilin [a benevolent mythical beast] was originally an auspicious creature. I never imagined it could be corrupted and fall by the taint of Demonic Fiendish Energy."

"Cover my flanks. I will handle it myself."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen immediately unleashed the full power of his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a supreme physical cultivation constitution], shrouding himself in Chaos Mist [primordial, form-concealing mist]. With a flick of his sleeve, he threw a horizontal punch.

In that Ksana-time [an infinitesimal moment], mountains shattered and the earth cracked, heralding the start of a staggering confrontation.

It was undeniable that this Obsidian Qilin was truly formidable. Its physical body and magical power had almost no weaknesses. Furthermore, bolstered by vast Demonic Fiendish Energy, its desperate assaults were like a Primordial Era [the mythic first age of the world] primordial menace gone berserk.

Fortunately, this Obsidian Qilin lacked sentience, fighting purely on instinct. It did not know how to activate Divine Ability [powerful supernatural techniques] or utilize treasures, and thus could not fully manifest its true strength.

After they had exchanged over a hundred moves, Eldrin Chen finally gained the upper hand. He struck out consecutively with the Primordial One Indestructibility Fist [a supreme fist technique], finally dealing a grievous wound to the Obsidian Qilin.

Having wounded the Obsidian Qilin, Eldrin Chen immediately suppressed it with the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a technique to seize and control energy]. He then channeled his Primordial One Limitless Rule Power [the foundational, boundless energy of his cultivation path] to refine and purify the Obsidian Qilin's Fiendish Energy [demonic spiritual energy] and demonic aura.

Witnessing this, Exquisite Jiang could not help but ask, "Do you intend to spare it?"

"The Qilin [a mythical auspicious beast] is a creature of fortune, capable of gathering Fortune Power [the metaphysical power of luck and destiny]. It is the optimal choice for a clan's guardian True Spirit [a powerful spiritual entity]. To slay it would be a profound waste."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, continuously channeling the Primordial One Limitless Rule [a supreme law of boundless origin] to refine and purge its Fiendish Energy [a corrupted form of spiritual energy] and demonic aura.

Countless streams of Fiendish Energy and demonic aura were purified. The Obsidian Qilin [a Qilin tainted by darkness] let out a piercing shriek of agony, writhing and struggling in torment.

Yet, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with insight. "An ordinary Late Stage Earth Immortal [a high-level immortal whose power is anchored to the earth]," he declared, "would have long since had their physical form utterly disintegrated under the infusion of my Primordial One Limitless Rule."

"Yet not only does it endure, its body grows even more formidable through this very tempering. Truly, the physical constitution of the Qilin Clan [the race of Qilin beasts] is Extraordinary [remarkable and peerless]."