Chapter 168 : A Clash of Cultivators

Upon hearing these words, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy, a flicker of killing intent passing through his heart.

Having cultivated to his present level, even a Purple Mansion Ancestor [a powerful cultivator who has established their spiritual foundation] would treat him as an equal. This was the first time he had ever been threatened so brazenly.

Across the various kingdoms of the Ji Continent, a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their spiritual foundation] was considered a high-level combatant wherever they went, commanding respect even from Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have formed a Golden Core, the next major stage of cultivation].

Although Duncan Deng relied on the backing of a Golden Core Immortal Clan, he himself had not yet broken through to the Purple Mansion [the spiritual foundation stage]. If he provoked a fearless Purple Mansion Ancestor, he could very well be killed on the spot.

With his Purple Mansion cultivation, finding a patron unafraid of the Deng Clan would not be difficult. At worst, he could simply leave the Yan Kingdom far behind.

And Eldrin Chen, hailing from beyond the Yan Kingdom, was precisely that kind of fearless individual.

Duncan Deng's audacious threat against Eldrin Chen was ultimately born of overconfidence—a product of a sheltered upbringing, lacking the harsh lessons of the wider world.

Yet, considering the other party's affiliation with the Deng Immortal Clan, Eldrin Chen ultimately suppressed his murderous impulse.

"I advise you not to bring ruin upon yourself," he said coldly.

Seeing no point in further discourse, he turned and led Lila away. For more chapters, visit *audio-novel.com* for the complete novel.

That Duncan Deng's face turned ashen and icy, his desire to strike palpable, yet he was restrained by a fellow cultivator from the Deng Clan standing beside him.

"Brother Yuanwu, this is Thousand Star Island," the cultivator cautioned.

"It is the territory of the Yan Nation Immortal Clan Alliance. Acting rashly here would likely bring us no advantage."

Duncan Deng's expression shifted through several shades. The Yan Nation Immortal Clan Alliance was a coalition formed by two Golden Core Immortal Clan and over twenty Purple Mansion Immortal Clan. Though this alliance was somewhat loosely structured, its collective power still surpassed that of the Deng Clan by a significant margin.

If they were to start a conflict within the market of Thousand Star Island, it was doubtful the Immortal Clan Alliance would show them any favor.

The Deng Clan cultivator looked puzzled but understood that while Duncan Deng had a domineering temperament, he would not provoke others without cause. Thus, he inquired further.

"Have you discerned something, Senior?"

"That girl possesses an Ice Spiritual Root [a spiritual root affinity aligned with the element of ice]," Duncan Deng stated, forcibly suppressing his urge to act, his expression grave.

He had cultivated a rare divine ability known as the 'Jade Spirit Eye' [a supportive divine art that, once mastered, allows the user to perceive the innate bone structure and spiritual aptitude of other cultivators].

This was the reason he had spoken.

Moreover, it could pierce through illusions, formations, and discern the true nature of an opponent's divine abilities. In combat, it allowed a cultivator to perceive an adversary's strength with greater clarity, making it easier to seize the perfect moment to strike and achieve victory with a single decisive blow.

Pupil-based divine abilities were exceedingly rare. Throughout the entire Chu Kingdom, aside from Celestial Ruins Mountain which had the backing of Lyra Jiang, even the three great Golden Core sects possessed no similar heritage. Eldrin Chen had never imagined he would encounter one so coincidentally.

Earlier, when Duncan Deng had seen Lila, he had instantly discerned her Spiritual Root with a single glance, and it was this that had ignited his wicked intentions.

"A maiden with an Ice Spiritual Root... If I could capture her and have her cultivate a Furnace Cauldron Cultivation Art..."

"Then, in the future, once she has cultivated to the Purple Palace, Late Stage, performing the Essence Plundering Art might increase my chances of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm by ten or twenty percent."

Watching their departing figures, Duncan Deng's gaze turned shadowy. "This concerns a chance at the Great Dao," he muttered darkly. "I absolutely cannot give up on that girl."

"An Ice Spiritual Root..."

The Deng Clan cultivator frowned slightly but nodded in agreement.

However, after a moment's hesitation, he still offered a word of caution. "Not long ago, that man traded a Third Rank Magical Treasure for a Profound Water Crystal [a crystal of profound water essence]. He likely has some backing."

"Furthermore, I observed his aura—it was sharp and extraordinary. He is likely no easy mark. You may not be able to kill him."

"Whoever he is, anyone who blocks my path must die."

Duncan Deng said with an icy expression, his nature arrogant and domineering, his face even bearing a trace of ferocity.

Judging by Eldrin Chen's aura, he was clearly a standout among the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation where one builds a stable foundation for their future path]. Under normal circumstances, Duncan might not have provoked him so readily. However, opportunities in the path of cultivation are far too crucial.

Cultivation requires various resources; it is not a journey one can walk peacefully and harmoniously. Upon reaching a certain level, who hasn't made a few enemies?

Enmity is not born without cause. Ultimately, it all boils down to contending for opportunities, seeking the possibility of advancement.

It's just that some lose their minds, practicing unorthodox arts like Essence Plundering Art [a forbidden technique that steals the cultivation essence and life force of others], or even directly entering the Demonic Path [a heretical and destructive cultivation path that often involves sacrificing others for power]. Others manage to hold onto their humanity and maintain their moral boundaries. Join our community of readers at audio . novel . com.

Backed by a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a powerful clan with cultivators who have reached the Golden Core Realm, the fourth major stage], and having practiced the Essence Plundering Art for many years, Duncan Deng had clearly descended into the unorthodox path.

Unorthodox Path Cultivation Art [cultivation methods that provide rapid power at great moral or spiritual cost] often allow negative energies to invade a cultivator's mind sea [the seat of consciousness and spiritual sense], subtly warping their personality over time.

Such cultivators often become paranoid, arrogant, and act on whims, making them far too prone to offending others.

This is the price paid for taking shortcuts in cultivation. Practicing Essence Plundering Art without sufficient backing means that if one offends the wrong person, they will most likely be cut down as a Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who follows the Demonic Path] by the Righteous Path Cultivator [cultivators who follow orthodox, morally upright methods and often oppose demonic practices].

This is also the fundamental reason why Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using malevolent, often soul-devouring methods] and those of the unorthodox paths, despite their rapid cultivation progress, are always held in contempt by Righteous Path Cultivator [cultivators who follow orthodox, virtuous methods aligned with heavenly principles]. They almost invariably lose their way on the path of cultivation, unable to see through their own karmic obstructions, and find it difficult to ascend to the hall of true greatness.

Reviewing the history recorded in the annals of the Purple Realm [a major realm within the cultivation world], those who could penetrate their own demonic hindrances, ultimately comprehend their own Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy], and ascend to become Demon God [a supreme existence born from demonic cultivation, possessing god-like power] number no more than the fingers on two hands.

And of that handful of Demon God, the majority were once Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao, often at the Nascent Soul realm or beyond] who shook the world with their fame, only to fall into depravity and become demons due to their own obsessions.

Duncan Deng possessed Three Spiritual Roots [a moderate level of innate talent for absorbing spiritual energy from three of the five elements], so his aptitude was not considered good. For years, he had practiced arts that plundered the essence of female cultivators, absorbing vast amounts of their vital energy from these human furnaces.

Yet, imperceptibly, his temperament had been influenced by the resentment contained within that feminine essence, growing increasingly paranoid and arrogant, edging perilously close to the domain of the true Demonic Path [the overarching philosophy and practices of demonic cultivation, centered on power through corruption and consumption].

At this moment, Duncan Deng's eyes were blinded by greed and wicked thoughts; how could he possibly be dissuaded by others?

"I must have that girl without fail. Clan Brother, your skills in pursuit are exceptional; I beg your assistance in this."

"Alas." Seeing that he could not dissuade Duncan Deng, that elder clansman of the Deng family shook his head and finally said, "Give me a few days. Let me first investigate his identity."

Eldrin Chen returned to his Cultivation Cave [a secluded abode imbued with spiritual energy, used for meditation and cultivation], and after merely two days, he discovered that Varen Wei had already emerged from seclusion.

At this moment, Varen Wei stood before his own Cultivation Cave, his appearance already seeming terribly gaunt. His once-full head of hair had turned snow-white, and he looked many years older than he had just three months prior.

Seeing his appearance, Eldrin Chen's heart sank, and he couldn't help but say, "Brother Wei..."

"Alas."

Varen Wei shook his head, his face etched with bitter sorrow.

His frame seemed to have hunched over imperceptibly, resembling an old man on the verge of decay.

"This attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] has ultimately ended in failure, just a hair's breadth from success."

Varen Wei's face was filled with regret. For this breakthrough, he had exerted himself to the utmost, even burning his Lifebound Essence Blood [a cultivator's vital essence bound to their life force, used in desperate measures] at the final moment, managing to pierce through ninety percent of the Purple Mansion Heavenly Meridian [the crucial spiritual channel that must be opened to ascend to the Purple Mansion realm].

Yet, in the end, he fell short by half a step. The final stretch was like an impassable chasm. At one hundred and eighty years of age, his vital energy and blood had ultimately begun to wither.

Had he been ten years younger, that desperate gamble fueled by his essence blood might have shattered the threshold to the Purple Mansion.

But now, with his breakthrough failed and his Lifebound Essence Blood significantly damaged, his lifespan was likely to be shortened by four or five years. The price was far too heavy. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel`com.