Chapter 279. Absorbing Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root)

This Black Abyss Ancient Gold Sword was forged from extraordinary materials, making it the most valuable treasure among all these artifacts.

Elder Qian of the Azure Sky Sword Sect then acquired another fourth-tier magical treasure. The sect’s fourth-tier Sword Cleansing Pool possessed the power to purge demonic corruption, allowing it to be refined back into a legitimate magical treasure.

However, none of them voiced any objections, for in this battle, Lyra (Person Name) and Elder Zhang had contributed the most and rightfully deserved the greatest share of the spoils.

After the crowd dispersed, Lyra and Eldrin boarded the Heavenly Python Treasure Ark.

The treasure ship soared through the void, heading toward the Qingyang Sect.

In the cultivation chamber of the treasure ship, Lyra handed the Abyssal Ancient Gold Sword to Eldrin.

"The material of this blade carries a demonic nature, making it exceptionally suitable for forging the 1000-Demon Slaying Sword (Magic Treasure)."

Her primary purpose in obtaining this item was to forge a 1000-Demon Slaying Sword (Magic Treasure) for Eldrin (Person Name).

Eldrin accepted the demonic sword and stored it away with great care. Given Lyra's cultivation level and combat prowess, an additional 1000-Demon Slaying Sword would not significantly enhance her strength for the time being. Yet for him, this treasure could dramatically amplify his power.

When he first saw Elder Yan’s demonic sword, he had already felt a stirring desire for it. Now that it was in his hands, he yearned to refine it into a sword embryo without delay.

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin said to Lyra, "Let us first refine some Demonic Cleansing Elixir."

Seizing the moment, the 2 had others gather enough spiritual herbs for several cauldrons, refining multiple batches of Abyssal Cleansing Elixir.

After successfully concocting the spiritual liquid, he immediately rose to his feet, ready to seek out the Old Patriarch. But Lyra (Person Name) suddenly grasped his arm and handed him a vial of elixirs.

"Take this Purple Jade Restoration Pill to heal the Old Patriarch."

"Hmm."

Eldrin tightened his grip on her hand before striding off to find the old clan leader.

In this battle, the Old Patriarch not only suffered from demonic energy intrusion but also sustained severe internal injuries. This Purple Jade Restoration Pill is a top-grade Tier-3 healing elixir, capable of saving the Old Patriarch years of recovery time.

Chen Changxuan spent 5 days using a dozen or so Devil-Cleansing Elixirs to purge roughly 70 to 80 percent of the demonic energy from his body, then consumed 2 Purple Jade Restoration Pills to heal his wounds.

With the dual approach, the old clan leader had finally replenished most of his vital essence, and his complexion had improved significantly.

He gazed at Eldrin with a gentle smile and said, "With this elixir and the Demonic-Cleansing Spirit Liquid, my injuries are no longer a grave concern. All I need now is 5 years of rest and recuperation to fully recover."

Eldrin nodded slightly. Similar to his previous life, the cultivation elixirs in this world did not possess the legendary drug resistance, whereas healing pills exhibited a certain degree of tolerance.

In a short span of time, the Old Patriarch had already consumed 2 Purple Jade Origin-Returning Pills. For at least the next 20 years, the efficacy of such healing elixirs would be significantly diminished for him.

At first, he had his doubts, but upon careful reflection, he came to understand: cultivation pills and spirit stones were equivalent to food in his previous life—no matter how much 1 consumed, they would never cease to satisfy hunger. On the other hand, the principle behind healing pills was quite similar to medicines from his past life.

"Though the injuries were healed, it did cost me quite a bit."

Looking at the Purple Jade Restoration Pill, the old clan leader couldn't help but reveal a pained expression.

This Violet Jade Restoration Pill was a high-grade Tier-3 healing elixir, with a single pill valued at over 50,000 spirit stones. Although consuming 2 of them had healed his injuries, it had cost him a full 100,000 spirit stones.

"In my view, if it helps you recover from your injuries sooner, this small sacrifice means nothing."

Eldrin smiled faintly and said, "After meeting Grandmaster Taiwu, I've come to understand the significance of lifespan more profoundly than ever."

The Taiwu Zhenren possessed a Thunder Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) and was hailed as a prodigy of his generation. In merely 2 100-some years, he had already cultivated to the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion.

Yet in order to forge a Median Grade Golden Core, this individual had to break through 4 consecutive times before finally ascending to the Golden Core Realm.

Forming a core without external aids requires a full 60-year cycle to attempt another breakthrough after each failed attempt, unless 1 uses a precious fourth-stage healing elixir of exorbitant value.

The Taiwu True Master had attempted to form his Golden Core 4 times, ultimately achieving the breakthrough at the venerable age of nearly 5 100 years.

It was precisely for this reason that despite being over 7 100 years old, Taiwu Zhenren had only reached the Golden Core, 3rd Tier (Cultivation Realm).

Though he had forged a Mid-Grade Golden Core, gaining some potential to form an infant soul and combat prowess rivaling Golden Core, 4th Tier (Cultivation Realm), the lifespan he had lost was irrevocable. Henceforth, unless he encountered a heaven-defying opportunity, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage would remain exceedingly difficult.

Although the old clan leader was still young in terms of his remaining lifespan, no 1 could predict whether he would actually break through to the Golden Core realm. Even if he did succeed, it remained uncertain how many attempts it would take him to achieve the breakthrough.

This was precisely why Eldrin was unwilling to let the old clan leader waste even a single moment.

Emerging from the Old Patriarch's secluded meditation chamber, he found Kael (Person Name) in 1 of the side chambers.

At this moment, the baleful aura between Kael's brows was boiling violently, clearly indicating demonic energy had invaded his body and corroded him severely.

"How could you be so careless?"

Eldrin furrowed his brow and retrieved the Cleansing Demon Elixir (Magical Elixir), preparing to purge the baleful aura from him.

But Kael shook his head, his expression calm as he stopped him, speaking with detached composure.

"This time, the infusion of Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) into my body was no accident."

"It was no accident..."

Eldrin's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint crease forming between his brows.

This clansman nodded calmly and said, "I deliberately drew the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) into my body."

He froze for a moment, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. Was this clansman of his truly becoming addicted to being corroded by the baleful aura?

Kael chuckled lightly, his raven hair cascading over his shoulders. His strikingly handsome features carried a faint, almost demonic allure.

"I am different from you; my natural talent cannot compare to Ethan’s (Person Name) either."

"I have always understood 1 truth—aside from unwavering perseverance, I fall short of you in every other aspect."

"I have long contemplated this matter—with my innate talent, forging a superior-grade Golden Core would undoubtedly be an immensely arduous task. Perhaps I would not exceed a 1-in-10 chance of success."

"While subduing the Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) earlier, I discovered that during the confrontation, both my spiritual sense and true essence grew increasingly refined—far more purified than I had anticipated."

"Precisely because of this, Ethan required 2 attempts to break through to the Violet Mansion realm, whereas I succeeded in merely 1."

Kael spoke in a measured tone, calmly refining the Demonic Fiend Qi within him with spiritual energy.

He was not expelling the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), but was gradually refining it bit by bit, seeking to subdue and tame it.

Unlike the Fire Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), this Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), once it enters the body, amplifies human desires and continuously erodes the cultivator's soul, distorting their character until they ultimately fall into demonic ways and become a demonic cultivator.

Yet Kael possessed extraordinary perseverance, and at this very moment, he was advancing step by determined step, striving to subdue the Demonic Fiend Qi and break through the inner demons plaguing his heart.

He gazed calmly at Lyra and said with a smile, "Refining the Demonic Fiend Qi through spiritual consciousness and magic power can profoundly temper both my cultivation and divine sense."

"If 1 can subdue the desires stirred by the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), they may pierce through the inner demons of the heart and strengthen their chances of overcoming the demonic tribulation when breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage."

"There is no need to persuade me."

Kael stood tall in a flowing black robe, his dark hair cascading loosely over his shoulders. His imposing figure seemed to merge with the shadows around him, while an increasingly potent demonic aura radiated from his being.

As if sensing Eldrin’s concern, he smiled with the serenity of a Buddha holding a flower, yet his gaze carried the intensity of a young demon lord fixed upon him.

"Promise me."

"If 1 day I succumb to the demonic path."

"Kill me!"