Chapter 221 : The Patriarch's Demonic Secret

"Heh heh heh."

Suddenly, Mingxu Yan let out a sinister chuckle, and a dark aura actually surfaced between his brows.

No one could have imagined that the Patriarch of the foremost Immortal Clan in the Chu Nation was actually a Demonic Cultivator who had been hiding for many years, and clearly a high-ranking member of the Demon Cave at that.

Mingxu Yan had secretly pledged allegiance to the Demon Cave in his early years. Over the years, relying on the rapid progress afforded by demonic arts, he had long since cultivated to the Pseudo-Core Realm and was the third most powerful fiend within the Demon Cave hierarchy.

To conceal his true nature, he had used orthodox cultivation techniques to mask his aura, outwardly displaying only the ninth layer of the Violet Sanctum.

With another malevolent laugh, Mingxu Yan sneered, "This old man guessed he would spare no expense to purchase the Cloud Vein Creation Pill, so I tampered with the pill long ago."

"Now, no matter if he flees to the Horizon or the Sea's End, he cannot escape my grasp."

Hearing this, Hong Old Demon and the female fiend immediately prostrated themselves. "Congratulations, Master! With this, you are certain to obtain the Tribulation Transcendence Treasure [a treasure that aids in surviving heavenly tribulations], achieve a breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm, and henceforth command awe across the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent!"

"Hahaha!"

Mingxu Yan let out three hearty laughs, a look of deep satisfaction spreading across his face. This chapter is provided by audio novel.com. Support the original.

Although his talent for cultivating the orthodox path was mediocre, he was a genius in the Demonic Path [a cultivation method that draws power from malevolent or destructive sources, often at great moral cost].

Unlike cultivators like Soaring Emptiness Ling, who was a Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator [a cultivator who has reached the peak of the Violet Sanctum Realm and is preparing to form a Golden Core], Soaring Emptiness Ling's chances of successfully attempting Forming the Golden Core [the critical breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm] again were not great. In contrast, he had been confident of his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm [a major cultivation realm where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid, radiant core] for decades.

However, Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of the Demonic Path] are envied by Heaven; the power of the heavenly thunder tribulation they face far exceeds that of ordinary cultivators, and their Demonic Treasure [magical artifacts forged and powered by demonic energy] are particularly vulnerable to being countered by this celestial lightning.

Although the Demon Cave [a stronghold or territory controlled by demonic cultivators] possessed a Fourth-Rank Demonic Treasure [a powerful demonic artifact of the fourth rank], given the inherently selfish nature of Demonic Cultivator, it was impossible for them to risk damaging such a precious artifact by lending him the Fourth-Rank Demonic Treasure to aid his tribulation.

Over the years, he had scoured the lands to collect Tribulation Transcendence Treasure [specialized artifacts designed to help a cultivator survive their heavenly tribulation], finally gaining some confidence in surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of celestial lightning that tests a cultivator seeking to advance to a higher realm]. Now, with the acquisition of two more Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a clan's most powerful heirloom artifact, used to protect its legacy], his hope of surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation had increased further.

"Just a little longer," he muttered. "Once I find a few more Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a top-tier magical artifact of the third rank], then I will have sufficient confidence to face the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation."

"Once this old man makes his breakthrough, our Demon Cave will have three Golden Core-level Demonic Cultivator, and our strength will no longer be inferior to the Firmament Sword Sect [a renowned orthodox sword cultivation sect]."

"At that time, we will have nothing to fear from the Firmament Sword Sect. We can act just like that Desiccated Bone Old Demon did in the past, boldly penetrating deep into the Chu Nation to perform large-scale blood sacrifices on mortals, rapidly boosting our cultivation and refining our Demonic Treasure."

As Mingxu Yan spoke, a cold, mocking glint flickered in his eyes.

"The target is on the move. Do not let him escape."

It is said that Yuanhe Yang soared out of Vault Heaven Market upon his flying sword.

He traveled covertly, skirting around dangers, his heart in his throat for the entire journey of over four hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. He finally reached the territory of Ling County.

Just as he began to let out a sigh of relief, he discovered three figures blocking his path. He could never have imagined that among the Cloud Vein Creation Pill he had purchased, one concealed a Soul-Tracking Life Tablet [a magical tablet that can track a person's soul].

Following the resonance from the Soul-Tracking Life Tablet, the three demons intercepted him just before Ling County. Faced with the encirclement of a Pseudo-Core Realm Demonic Cultivator and two Violet Sanctum Demonic Cultivator, he had no chance to escape and was swiftly slain.

That Yan Old Demon employed vicious methods. After killing Yuanhe Yang, he did not stop. He refined the man's soul into his life-bound Demonic Treasure, the Seven-Soul Demonic Banner, making it one of the banner's primary souls.

"Heh heh."

"As expected of a Violet Sanctum Cultivator. My Seven-Soul Demonic Banner has grown stronger once more."

After refining the Violet Sanctum cultivator's soul, Yan Old Demon let out a sinister chuckle.

The Seven-Soul Demonic Banner was an exceptionally powerful and malevolent Demonic Treasure. Once unleashed, seven Violet Sanctum demonic souls would surge forth. Even a Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivator, caught off guard, could be torn to shreds by these spectral fiends.

Having slain Yuanhe Yang and seized his treasures, the trio decided to see their wicked work through. Without delay, they turned their sights towards the Yang Immortal Clan.

Upon discovering that the Soul Lamp [a magical lamp whose flame is linked to the life force of its owner] of Yuanhe Yang had been extinguished, the Yang Clan immediately sent word to the major Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] of the Border Province and to Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Yet, it was already too late. A Third Rank Formation [a defensive magical array of the third rank] without a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, the third major cultivation stage] to anchor it stood no chance of holding back a third-rank Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who uses unorthodox, often cruel methods to advance their power].

In the span of a single night, the Yang Clan was utterly devastated. Millions of their mortal kin were sacrificed in a bloody ritual, thousands of their cultivators were nearly wiped out, and the two Third-order Spiritual Vein [geographical sites where spiritual energy of the third rank naturally concentrates] they occupied were completely plundered.

This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the entire Chu Nation. Within a single day, Heavenly Ruins Mountain had mobilized in response.

Exquisite Jiang personally descended upon Ling County, only to find that Yan Old Demon had long since vanished, his lair empty, his whereabouts unknown.

Merely a day later, both the Firmament Sword Sect and the Purple Abyss Sect took action. The Firmament Sword Sect dispatched two Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed a Golden Core, the fourth major cultivation stage], while from the Purple Abyss Sect, Violet Consort Yan and the newly ascended Golden Core Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort emerged from seclusion. Original English translation available at audio . novel . com.

The dozens of Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [Immortal Clans led by Violet Sanctum stage cultivators] within the Chu Nation could no longer tolerate the threat. They began a wide, net-like search for any trace of the Demonic Cultivator.

Among so many high-level cultivators, there were naturally many individuals with exceptional talents and unique methods. In just two days, the trail of Yan Old Demon was uncovered.

Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort, being the closest, was the first to give chase. She pursued the fiend for over one hundred thirty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], dealing him grievous wounds before he barely managed to escape.

Only four days later, the Firmament Sword Sect used a secret art to locate another Demonic Cultivator. Unfortunately, this target turned out to be the female Demonic Cultivator.

The Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a solidified Golden Core of spiritual energy] from the Firmament Sword Sect showed no mercy, slaying him on the remote borderlands of Solar Province.

Five days later, Exquisite Jiang used a secret art to track the aura of Yan Old Demon and pursued him for over two hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], nearly succeeding in ending the demon's life.

However, by the time she caught up, Yan Old Demon had already fled to the edge of the Firmament Sword Sect's territory. The two Golden Core [the solidified core of spiritual energy] old demons from the Demon Cave intervened together, holding off the sect master True Person Zhang and Exquisite Jiang, and managed to retrieve Yan Old Demon.

With that, the grand and relentless pursuit finally drew to a close.

Although Yan Old Demon was not slain in this battle, he was severely wounded. The operation seized the opportunity to purge several dozen Foundation Establishment [the realm where a cultivator establishes their spiritual foundation] Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods] hiding within Chu Nation, and even managed to eliminate a Violet Sanctum [a higher cultivation realm where the spiritual sea turns violet] female demon. These were not insignificant gains.

Furthermore, the Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest grade, specifically designed to suppress demonic forces] of the Firmament Sword Sect, the 'Firmament Sword', had imprinted the demonic energy cultivated by Yan Old Demon. Should he dare venture within one hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of this sword again, he would inevitably be sensed by this supreme treasure.

The Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods] had all fled beyond the borders of Chu Nation, and with the Demon Cave offering them shelter, the assembled forces had no choice but to temporarily abandon their pursuit.

"..."

Spirit Source Mountain.

Spirit Source Mountain was the Path-Field [a clan's primary territory for cultivation and resource production] of the Yang Immortal Clan, its Spiritual Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated spiritual energy] reaching the mid-grade of the third rank.

Upon the Spirit Source Mountain Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth], several Violet Sanctum Cultivators [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm] sat facing each other, their expressions grave. These individuals were Eldrin Chen, Xavier Xu, Percival Pan, and several other Violet Sanctum Cultivators from the Old Patriarch's clan.

"See for yourselves."

"The Yang Clan cultivators have been slaughtered, millions of mortals were all sacrificed in a blood ritual, and the Spirit Herbs [plants imbued with spiritual energy] in the mountain's Spiritual Field [a field nourished by spiritual energy] have been completely plundered."

The one who spoke was Percival Pan, his face grim as he passed a ledger to those present.

After reading it, Eldrin Chen's expression also turned cold. The methods of the Demonic Cultivators [cultivators who use cruel, often sacrificial methods to gain power] were utterly heinous; the Yang Clan had been nearly exterminated.

Even the Spirit Herb fields on the mountain had been harvested vindictively. Regardless of whether the herbs had matured, they were ripped out root and stem, leaving nothing behind.

The two Spiritual Veins had also degraded significantly. The Spiritual Vein at the Path-Field [a specific cultivation site] had dropped from the mid-grade of the third rank to the lower grade. The Spiritual Vein beneath the mortal city had been utterly corrupted by blood filth, transforming into a blood spring unusable by righteous cultivators.

Such an act, one that would enrage both heaven and mankind, was something righteous cultivators would scarcely commit. Even when Exquisite Jiang captured Heavenly Python Lake and could not hold it, she refrained from its destruction.

For these resources were gifts from heaven and earth. To willfully destroy them was to defy the natural order, a reckless act that could turn fertile lands barren for millennia, creating a desolate Oblivion [a state of utter desolation and spiritual death] land.

"Every last Demonic Cultivator in this world deserves death."

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. Over the past days, he had traversed hundreds of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], cutting down several Demonic Cultivator along his path. Yet, to his frustration, he had not yet encountered a single Violet Sanctum old demon.

Xavier Xu let out a sigh, his expression clouded with worry. "Let us discuss," he said, "how we are to handle these Spiritual Vein [geological formations that concentrate and channel spiritual energy]."

"The Yang Clan still has three Foundation Establishment cultivators alive. If we intend to claim this Spiritual Vein, we must also deliberate on the matter of compensation for the bereaved." For more chapters, visit audio~novel.com for the complete novel.