Chapter 197 : The Path of the Perfect Core

Knowing her friend had not truly listened, Violet Consort could only sigh inwardly. She had long urged Exquisite Jiang to break through to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where spiritual energy condenses into a solid core] as soon as possible, to elevate her cultivation and ensure her safety before the arrival of the millennial Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a catastrophic event where demonic energy erupts from the abyss].

Yet Exquisite Jiang remained resolute in her Dao Heart [the unwavering will and clarity of purpose essential for cultivation], pursuing the elusive ideal of the Great Encompassing Golden Core [a legendary, perfect state of the Golden Core realm], and in doing so, had squandered over two hundred years.

At that moment, Exquisite Jiang lowered her gaze and said, "Over two centuries ago, within the Demonic Abyss [a bottomless chasm teeming with demonic beings], even peerless Path Lord [a cultivator who has comprehended and mastered a fundamental cosmic principle, a realm above Golden Core] fell in battle."

"You must understand, without attaining immortality, all efforts ultimately amount to nothing but dust."

"..."

Early the next morning, Exquisite Jiang led the group as they flew out from Heavenly Ruins Mountain and headed straight for Heavenly Python Lake.

Traveling light, the weakest among them were Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the second major stage of cultivation, where the foundation for the core is solidified], and they advanced aboard a Third-Rank Treasure Ship [a high-grade enchanted vessel], making their speed exceptionally swift.

They covered over twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. In just over ten days, they traversed four hundred thousand Li-length of Demon Race Territory and arrived at the shores of Heavenly Python Lake.

Within the desolate mountains, about ten thousand Li-length from Heavenly Python Lake, Exquisite Jiang concealed their presence with a cloaking magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] and distributed the pre-prepared Water-Avoiding Pearl [a pearl that creates a bubble of air, allowing one to breathe and move underwater] to everyone.

"This battle will be fought within the lake; our combat effectiveness may be reduced by twenty percent. Therefore, we must strike with the element of complete surprise." This chapter is part of a larger work available at https://audio-novel.com.

"Leave the Heavenly Python Demon King [a powerful serpentine demon ruler] to me. You must swiftly defeat the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] and Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts [demonic beasts at the Violet Sanctum cultivation level] under its command."

Eldrin Chen accepted the Water-Avoiding Pearl [a magical pearl that repels water], his expression turning grave.

According to their previous reconnaissance, aside from its subordinate Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beings] forces, the Heavenly Python Demon King should still command six Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts.

Among these six beasts, only the Purple Blood Heavenly Python [a specific type of powerful heavenly python demon] had reached the Late Violet Sanctum [the advanced phase of the Violet Sanctum realm]. Two were at the Mid Violet Sanctum [the intermediate phase], and the remaining three were all at the Early Violet Sanctum [the initial phase].

Excluding Exquisite Jiang, there were nine Violet Sanctum Cultivators [human cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum realm] present. Among them, Xavier Xu, Path Abyss Xu, Percival Pan, and Eldrin Chen all possessed combat power equivalent to the Mid Violet Sanctum.

Although Cyrus Yang's injuries were not yet fully healed, if he fought with utter disregard for them, he could temporarily unleash power matching the Mid Violet Sanctum.

With such strength arrayed against these Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts, logic dictated they should hold the advantage.

After all, they outnumbered the demonic serpents by three. While the demon pythons could unleash their full power in the water, Demon Race Violet Sanctum [demonic beings at the Violet Sanctum level] were typically slightly weaker than their Human Race [the collective term for humanity] counterparts of the same rank. This difference roughly balanced out the serpents' aquatic advantage.

Xavier Xu took the Water-Avoiding Pearl, his face solemn as he pondered for a moment before speaking.

"That Purple Blood Heavenly Python was severely wounded by us years ago. It likely has not fully recovered even now."

"Now that I have broken through to the Violet Sanctum 6th Tier [the sixth level of the Violet Sanctum realm], with Fellow Daoist Pan's cooperation, it should be sufficient to deal with it."

Percival Pan nodded. As a cultivator with a Thunder Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for thunder and lightning energy], his combat prowess would be significantly amplified within the watery environment.

Although the Pan Clan had declined from its former glory, it was once a powerful Immortal Clan [a clan with a long history of producing immortal cultivators] that boasted a Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the peak of the Violet Sanctum realm] expert. Its legacy included a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the third rank, highest grade] that served as the clan's foundational treasure.

With this in mind, he felt confident that joining forces with Xavier Xu would be enough to hold back the Purple Blood Heavenly Python [a formidable serpentine demon beast with purple-hued blood].

After assigning the two most formidable opponents, all eyes turned to Eldrin Chen. Xavier Xu spoke with a grave expression.

"Fellow Daoist Chen possesses Extraordinary [remarkable, far beyond the ordinary] talent in battle. We are counting on you to break the enemy's formation swiftly."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen gave a solemn nod. The number of Foundation Establishment [the realm where a cultivator establishes their foundational core] demon beasts lurking in the lake was likely immense.

Although the two treasure ships carried sixty Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Foundation Establishment realm], holding back such a horde would be an immense challenge. The key to a swift victory lay in rapidly defeating the Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a demon beast whose power is equivalent to the Violet Sanctum realm].

The group rested for the night. Exquisite Jiang specifically distributed two Purple Essence Pill [a pill that rapidly restores spiritual energy and vitality] to each person for replenishing their expended energy.

Eldrin Chen possessed the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a meditation throne that enhances spiritual energy absorption and purity], a mid-grade third-tier treasure. His spiritual energy reserves were a full three times greater than those of cultivators at the same realm, leaving him with no shortage of power.

After a moment's thought, he decided to give the Purple Essence Pill [a high-grade pill that rapidly restores a cultivator's spiritual energy] to the Old Patriarch. With a grave expression, he cautioned, "I observed that the lake teems with Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds their spiritual foundation] demonic beasts, likely numbering in the hundreds."

"If the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment realm] on the treasure ship cannot hold them back, we will need to rely on your Three Treasures Vermilion Gold Formation Flag [a set of enchanted flags used to deploy powerful defensive or offensive formations]."

The Old Patriarch gave a firm nod and accepted the two Purple Essence Pill.

The Three Treasures Crimson Gold Flags's third-tier Soul-Scorching Solar Fire [a divine ability that unleashes purifying solar flames] Formation [a structured art for arranging energy patterns, often for defense or attack] was supremely effective against large groups, making it ideal for holding back swarms of lower-tier beasts. The only drawback was its immense drain on his spiritual energy, a burden the Purple Essence Pill would significantly lighten.

Eternal Profound Chen offered a warm smile, his tone earnest. "You have matured greatly over these years. Your considerations grow ever more thorough and comprehensive." Original publication: audio~novel.com - The source of this chapter.

A faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips as he recalled their time at Spirit Apricot Mountain [a mountain known for its spiritually potent apricot trees]. Had it not been for the Old Patriarch's foresight in altering their defensive Formation that day, they would have surely met with a disastrous defeat.

"..."

That very night, the group took to their flying swords and journeyed towards Heavenly Python Lake.

Heavenly Python Lake stretched over ten thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in every direction—a vast, boundless expanse of water so immense it could easily be mistaken for an inland sea in another world.

This expanse of over ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] within the Heavenly Python Lake was a labyrinth of archipelagos. The lair of the Heavenly Python Demon King lay within an inner lake nestled between these islands.

The group flew for ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], pressing deep into the heart of the Heavenly Python Lake archipelago, heading straight for the inner lake.

The moment they arrived above the Heavenly Python Lake, the Heavenly Python Demon King detected their presence. With a furious roar that shook the heavens, it surged upward from the waters.

Seeing the Heavenly Python Demon King abandon the safety of the water to attack, many among the group felt a surge of elation.

"Now!"

Exquisite Jiang was the first to charge forward, commanding the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword in a sweeping slash aimed at the Heavenly Python Demon King.

Seizing the opportunity, the others unleashed their own magical treasures and mystical techniques in a furious barrage. Though formidable, the Heavenly Python Demon King was forced onto the defensive. While its defensive artifact blocked the onslaught, its spiritual energy reserves were depleted by over ten percent in mere moments.

Watching its energy drain so rapidly in the span of a dozen breaths, the demon king could hold its ground no longer. It turned and plunged back into the depths of the Lake Heart Island.

At that moment, the Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast of the Heavenly Python Lake finally arrived as reinforcements, clashing fiercely with the cultivators.

"You cannot escape!"

Seeing the Heavenly Python Demon King flee into the water, Exquisite Jiang's eyes sharpened. She transformed into a streak of sword light and slashed down after it.

Naturally, the others could not let her venture into the lake alone. They could only drive back the Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast with their magical treasures for the moment, then pursued it into the lake to hunt down the Heavenly Python Demon King.

The Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast were relentless, roaring and giving chase the instant they entered the water.

Especially the Purple Blood Heavenly Python. Once submerged, it unleashed its full might, sending Distant Grain Yang flying back, coughing up blood.

Seeing Distant Grain Yang was seriously injured, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed. He immediately called out, "Proceed as planned!"

"Make it quick!"

Upon hearing this, Xavier Xu and Percival Pan immediately surrounded the Purple Blood Heavenly Python, aiming to hold back this Violet Sanctum Late Stage great demon.

Countless demon beasts swarmed forward at that moment. Amidst the chaotic melee, Eldrin Chen maneuvered his flying sword to strike at a Violet Sanctum Early Stage Crimson Flame Python.

However, these great demons possessed considerable intelligence. They recognized Eldrin Chen immediately. Knowing he was a formidable opponent, two more Violet Sanctum Great Monster circled around from behind to encircle him.

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