Chapter 246 : The Black Fiend's Perilous Ridge

This mountain range stretched vast and wide, spanning over five million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Its peaks rose and fell in endless undulations, formed by the interlocking of countless great mountains.

Within its harsh environment, venomous insects and demonic beasts ran rampant, and the terrain was exceedingly complex, making it nearly impossible for ordinary mortals to survive.

Yet, precisely because it held numerous Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] and abundant high-grade resources, it was also a treasure land where rogue cultivators and the Demon Race [a race of sentient beings with bestial origins and formidable power] entrenched themselves.

Here, one could find many rogue cultivators at the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within] and even Golden Core [the fourth major realm, where one condenses a golden core of immense power] level. There were also reclusive Infant Soul True Lord [the fifth major realm, where the cultivator's nascent soul gains true sentience and lordship] dwelling in seclusion. Deep within the mountains, several Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast that has reached the power equivalent to the Infant Soul realm] even held their lairs.

What truly gave Eldrin Chen pause for concern, however, was the Black Fiend Demon Ridge. That place was the territory of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who pursue power through dark, often sacrificial or soul-devouring methods].

It was said that over the millennia, the Ji Immortal Clan had assaulted the Black Fiend Demon Ridge multiple times, utterly destroying it once and again in ancient eras. Yet, every thousand years or so, the Black Fiend Demon Ridge would rise from the ashes, birthing new Infant Soul [the fifth major realm of cultivation] Demonic Cultivator.

The current master of the Black Fiend Demon Ridge was the Black Fiend Patriarch. This demon was an exceptionally powerful Infant Soul fiend who cultivated the Black Malice Demonic Energy [a corrupting energy born of hatred and slaughter], his cultivation having reached the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the fifth major realm].

After the Black Fiend Old Demon seized the Black Fiend Demon Ridge three hundred years ago, the Ji Clan launched two successive campaigns against it, yet they were never able to completely eradicate this stronghold.

What was truly chilling was that within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland [a vast, perilous, and resource-rich wilderness in the eastern part of the continent], there were many such Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a place of great danger, often tainted by dark energies or home to powerful evil beings] similar to the Black Fiend Demon Ridge. Even if righteous cultivators paid a bloody price to completely purge one, it would inevitably resurge a thousand years later. Continue reading this story at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Moreover, every thousand years, new Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a region tainted by demonic energy, often used as a refuge or stronghold by demonic cultivators] are born. For instance, the Demon Cave was a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land that emerged one thousand three hundred years ago and has consistently attracted hordes of Demonic Cultivator to cultivate within its depths.

It serves as a sanctuary for Demonic Cultivator, yet it is also a terrifying and bloody Demon Cave. Its environment is often exceptionally peculiar; righteous cultivators who enter may find their spiritual power corrupted and their strength significantly diminished.

Even if righteous powerhouses were to use the Primordial Solar Path Art to utterly obliterate a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land, they would find themselves somewhat powerless against the pervasive reality of Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land scattered across the Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

For Eldrin Chen, both the territories of the Demon Emperor [a title for a powerful demon ruler] and the Black Fiend Demon Ridge were places best left undisturbed.

For the sake of safety, he deliberately detoured for several hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], choosing to traverse the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland from the territory held by the Vast Righteousness True Lord.

Now, this Vast Righteousness True Lord, whose original name was Jiang Vast Righteousness, was a renowned Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Infant Soul stage, a high level of cultivation] within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. He cultivated a Vast Righteous Energy [a powerful righteous energy technique], which was the bane of all demons and fiends under heaven.

Two millennia ago, relying on his formidable power, this man ventured deep into the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range and slew a Demon Emperor, seizing the majestic Vast Righteousness Peak. This act opened a passage belonging to the Human Race between the Ji Continent and the Tianlu Continent.

The Vast Righteousness True Lord's spiritual power and cultivation were profound and unfathomable. Even demons and fiends at the Infant Soul Realm had to regard him with caution. Within his domain, no demonic beings exceeding the Violet Sanctum Realm [the Violet Sanctum stage of cultivation] were permitted to exist.

It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen dared to cross this vast expanse of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range.

He flew through the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range for approximately two million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. He noticed the mountain peaks growing ever taller, and the energy required for flight increased severalfold.

"The altitude here must be nearly fifty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]."

Gazing at the distant peak that pierced the heavens, Eldrin Chen let out a heavy breath.

Throughout his past and present lives, such a majestic and imposing mountain was truly a sight rarely seen in the world.

At the mountain's summit, the astral winds were already formidable. At this height, an ordinary Vital Essence Refinement cultivator would likely find it difficult to take a single step.

Only those at the Foundation Establishment realm or above could barely manage to fly past on their swords, though their spiritual energy consumption would increase dramatically.

Eldrin Chen understood that this place was probably close to the highest point of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, so he urged his flying sword onward.

After flying for over a hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Eldrin Chen saw a majestic city at the end of a vast expanse of snow-capped peaks.

"Vast Righteousness Peak."

Vast Righteousness Peak was the Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain or place of cultivation] of Vast Righteousness True Lord. Most Human Race cultivators passing through the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range would stop here to rest.

Moved by the achievements of Vast Righteousness True Lord, most cultivators would pay their respects and offer a sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] as support.

Eldrin Chen soared into Vast Righteousness City and discovered that the number of cultivators within was not vast, yet the weakest among them were all at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm. [the third major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation]

There were roughly two to three thousand cultivators here, the majority being Violet Sanctum [the fourth major stage, where one opens a mystical energy center within the body] and Foundation Establishment Cultivator. A dozen or so auras radiated immense power, clearly belonging to Golden Core Realm [the fifth major stage, where one condenses a golden core of immense spiritual power] True Persons.

"Truly worthy of a True Lord [an honorific title for a Golden Core Realm cultivator]'s Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain or territory]," he murmured.

"A single Fifth Rank [a high-grade classification for artifacts, lands, or formations] Path-Field possesses power far surpassing that of the entire Chu Nation."

Though shocked, upon reflection, he found this disparity entirely reasonable.

The Chu Nation spanned less than a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], utterly incomparable to the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, which stretched for thirty million Li-length. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio novel.com.

After respectfully presenting five thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], Eldrin Chen did not depart immediately.

Having journeyed several million Li-length, his body and spirit were utterly weary. The path ahead required traversing the even more perilous Shadowwind Mountain, and he needed to restore himself to peak condition before setting out.

He rented a cultivation cave within Vast Righteousness City and began to meditate, circulating his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated and stored within a practitioner's body].

After two months of rest, on this day, as Eldrin Chen felt his spirit had eased somewhat, a deep, ancient tolling of a bell suddenly resonated from the mountain peak.

Eldrin Chen's brow twitched slightly. As he stepped out of his cave abode, he saw a crowd of cultivators, their faces alight with wild joy, flying toward the source of the bell's tolling.

He hesitated for a moment, then stopped a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and inquired, "Young friend, what event does this bell signal?"

The cultivator, initially annoyed at being halted, quickly adopted a respectful smile upon realizing the questioner was a Violet Sanctum Cultivator. "Senior, you must be new here?"

"Every Sixty-Year Cycle, True Lord Vast Righteousness holds a grand sermon on the Dao. Cultivators from across the land are welcome to attend and listen to his teachings."

Eldrin Chen was inwardly astonished. For an Infant Soul True Lord to personally expound on cultivation arts and the Dao for lower-realm cultivators was an exceedingly rare and generous act.

Most cultivators in the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range had no personal ties to True Lord Vast Righteousness. Yet, this Human Race True Lord chose to guide them, illuminating their path forward.

For two millennia, without fail every Sixty-Year Cycle, True Lord Vast Righteousness had opened his altar to preach, resolving the doubts and confusions of countless cultivators.

This breadth of mind and magnanimous spirit alone made him worthy of the title 'Vast Righteousness.' It was no wonder his prestige was so immense, commanding deep respect from every Human Race cultivator Eldrin Chen had encountered on his journey.

Carrying this sense of awe, Eldrin Chen followed the crowd, soaring to the summit of Vast Righteousness Mountain.

The mountain peak was crowned with pristine snow, and upon a Path-Field [a sacred cultivation ground], three thousand meditation cushions were arranged in orderly rows.

At the very front were only a dozen or so positions, occupied by cultivators of the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power]. These Golden Core Patriarch [powerful clan or sect leaders who have reached the Golden Core Realm], who commanded awe across entire regions, now sat with lowered brows and respectful demeanors, quietly awaiting the arrival of Vast Righteousness True Lord.

Behind them were over three hundred cushions, all occupied by Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators at the second major stage, who have opened their Violet Palace spiritual center]. The vast majority in the rear were occupied by Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators at the first major stage, having solidified their spiritual foundation].

Eldrin Chen found a cushion among the crowd of Violet Sanctum Cultivator and sat down, discreetly observing his surroundings.

There were no familiar faces among the assembled cultivators. Seeing he was a stranger, and one whose bearing and appearance were exceptionally rare in this world, many nodded to him with polite smiles.

Seated beside him was a Verdant-robed Immortal Maiden. Her gaze rested on Eldrin Chen, a flicker of surprise in her eyes as she spoke, "I sense your cultivation is not weak, yet your face is unfamiliar. You must have come from beyond the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, I presume?"

"Indeed,"

he affirmed with a nod and a smile. "Your discernment is keen, Immortal Maiden." Find this and other novels at audio‑novel.com.