Chapter 168 : A Violet Sanctum's Warning

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

Having cultivated to this point, even a Violet Sanctum Patriarch would treat him as an equal. This was the first time he had encountered someone so brazen as to threaten him in such a manner.

Across the various nations of the Ji Continent, a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, the third major realm] was considered high-end combat power wherever they went, commanding respect even from Golden Core Immortal Clan [a clan founded by a Golden Core Patriarch].

Although Origin Martial Deng had the backing of a Golden Core Immortal Clan, he had ultimately not broken through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm]. If he provoked a fearless Violet Sanctum Patriarch, he could very well be killed on the spot.

With Violet Sanctum cultivation, finding a patron unafraid of the Deng Clan was not difficult. At worst, one could simply leave the Yan Kingdom far behind.

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

For Origin Martial Deng to so arrogantly threaten Eldrin Chen was ultimately a display of overconfidence, the result of being raised in a sheltered environment, lacking the harsh lessons of the wider world.

Considering the other party belonged to 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 conversation, he turned and led Lila away. The story continues at audio-novel dot com.

That Origin Martial Deng's face turned ashen, his expression icy as he seemed poised to strike, but he was restrained by a Deng Clan cultivator standing beside him.

"Brother Yuanwu, this is the Thousand Star Islands,"

"the territory of the Yan Kingdom Immortal Clan Alliance. If we act rashly here, we likely won't gain any advantage."

Origin Martial Deng's expression shifted repeatedly. The Yan Kingdom Immortal Clan Alliance was a coalition formed by two Golden Core Immortal Clan and over twenty Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan. Though this force was somewhat loosely organized, it was still a third more powerful than the Deng Clan.

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

The Deng Clan cultivator looked puzzled, but he understood that while Origin Martial Deng had a domineering temperament, he wouldn't provoke others without reason. Thus, he inquired further.

"Did you perceive something?"

"That girl possesses an Ice Spiritual Root [a spiritual root affinity aligned with the element of ice, granting exceptional talent for ice-based cultivation arts]."

Origin Martial Deng suppressed his urge to act, his expression turning grave as he spoke.

He had cultivated a rare divine ability called the 'Jade Spirit Eye' [a supportive technique that, once mastered, allows the user to perceive a cultivator's innate bone structure and spiritual aptitude].

Moreover, it could pierce through illusions, see through the intricacies of Formation arrays, and discern the true nature of an opponent's mystical techniques. In battle, it allowed a cultivator to perceive an adversary's strength with crystal clarity, making it far easier to seize the perfect moment to strike and achieve victory with a single decisive blow.

Pupil-based mystical arts were exceedingly rare. Throughout the entire Chu Nation, aside from Heavenly Ruins Mountain which was backed by Exquisite Jiang, not even the three great Golden Core sects possessed such a legacy. Eldrin Chen had never imagined he would encounter one so coincidentally.

When Origin Martial Deng had first laid eyes on Lila, his special vision had instantly pierced through to see her Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines a cultivator's elemental affinity and potential]. It was this very discovery that had planted the seed of wicked desire within him.

"A maiden with an Ice Spiritual Root... If I could capture her and force her to cultivate the Cauldron Exploitation Art [a vile cultivation method that uses others as living cauldrons to refine one's own power]..."

"Then, once she cultivated to the Violet Sanctum Late Stage, I could perform the soul-draining ritual. That might increase my chances of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm by ten or even twenty percent."

Origin Martial Deng watched their retreating figures, his gaze shadowed with dark resolve. "This concerns my very path to the Dao. I absolutely cannot give up on that girl."

"An Ice Spiritual Root."

The Deng Clan cultivator beside him furrowed his brow 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 [an enchanted artifact of considerable power] for a Positive Water Crystal [a crystal brimming with pure, yang-aligned water energy]. He likely has significant backing."

"Furthermore, I sensed his aura—sharp and formidable, far from ordinary. He is not someone to be trifled with. I fear you may not succeed in killing him."

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

Origin Martial Deng declared with an icy expression, his tone arrogant and domineering, his face even contorted with a hint of savagery.

Judging by Eldrin Chen's aura, he was clearly an elite among those at the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one builds a solid foundation for their future path] realm. Under normal circumstances, Origin Martial Deng might not have provoked him so readily. However, opportunities in the path of cultivation were far too crucial.

Cultivation required various resources; it was impossible to proceed solely through harmony and peace. Once one reached a certain level, who hadn't made a few enemies?

Enmity wasn't born without cause. At its core, it was all about competing for opportunities, seeking the possibility of advancement.

The difference lay in the fact that some individuals, having lost their minds, practiced depraved arts like essence plundering, or even descended fully into the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that often involves cruel, selfish, or destructive methods to gain power rapidly], while others managed to hold onto their humanity and moral boundaries. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio–novel.com.

Backed by a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a powerful clan with at least one Golden Core stage cultivator as its pillar] and having practiced the Essence Plundering Art [a forbidden technique that steals the life essence and cultivation base of others] for years, Origin Martial Deng had clearly strayed far into the heretical path.

Heretical cultivation arts often allowed negative energies to seep into a cultivator's mind sea [the spiritual consciousness], subtly warping their personality over time.

Such cultivators tended to become paranoid, arrogant, and acted on whims, making enemies far too easily.

This was the price paid for taking shortcuts in cultivation. Practicing the Essence Plundering Art without sufficient backing meant that once you offended the wrong person, you would likely be cut down by righteous cultivators, branded as a Demonic Cultivator [a general term for cultivators who follow demonic or heretical paths].

This is also the fundamental reason why Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox and often cruel methods to advance their power] and practitioners of the heretical path, despite their rapid cultivation progress, are always looked down upon by righteous cultivators. They almost invariably lose their way on the path of cultivation, unable to see through Impenetrable [a state of profound spiritual blindness or obstruction] their own karmic obstacles, making it difficult for them to ascend to the hall of true refinement.

Reviewing the history recorded in the annals of the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world or plane of existence], those who could penetrate their own demonic hindrances, ultimately comprehend their own path, and ascend to become a Demon God [a supreme being of the demonic path] number no more than the fingers on two hands.

And of that handful of Demon God, the majority were once renowned Path Lord [powerful cultivators who have mastered a profound cultivation path], who only fell into demonhood and corruption due to obsession.

Origin Martial Deng possessed Three Spiritual Roots [a middling-grade innate talent for absorbing spiritual energy from the world], a constitution not considered particularly good. For years, to advance his cultivation, he had practiced the art of absorbing the vital essence of female cultivators used as furnaces.

Yet, imperceptibly, his temperament had been influenced by the resentment contained within that stolen feminine essence, growing increasingly paranoid and arrogant, already teetering on the brink of the Demonic Path [the cultivation arts and mindset associated with demonic practitioners].

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

"I must have that girl without fail. Elder Brother, your pursuit skills are Extraordinary, I beg you to lend me your aid."

"Alas." Seeing that he could not dissuade Origin Martial Deng, that Deng Clan elder brother shook his head and said, "Give me a few days. Let me first investigate his background."

"..."

Eldrin Chen returned to his cave abode. After merely two days, he discovered that Varen Wei had already emerged from seclusion.

At this moment, Varen Wei stood before his cave abode, his appearance gaunt and withered. His once-full head of hair had turned snow-white, and he looked far more aged than he had just three months prior.

Seeing his state, Eldrin Chen's heart sank. He couldn't help but say, "Brother Wei..."

"Alas."

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

Unconsciously, his posture had become stooped, resembling an old man on the verge of decay.

"This attempt to break through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within the dantian] has ultimately ended in failure."

Regret was written all over Varen Wei's face. For this breakthrough, he had poured in every ounce of his strength. In the final, desperate moment, he had even burned his Vital Essence Blood [the foundational life-force blood of a cultivator, its consumption grants immense power at great cost], managing to forcibly open ninety percent of his Violet Sanctum Heavenly Vein [the primary spiritual meridian required to access the Violet Sanctum realm].

Yet, in the end, he fell short by half a step. That final stretch was like an impassable chasm. At one hundred and eighty years old, his Vitality [the innate life force and vigor of a living being] had finally begun to wither.

Had he been ten years younger, that desperate gamble of burning his essence blood might have shattered the threshold to the Violet Sanctum.

But now, with his breakthrough failed, even his Vital Essence Blood had suffered significant damage. His lifespan was likely shortened by four or five years—a devastatingly heavy price to pay. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio–novel.com.