Chapter 271 : The Demon Cave Confrontation

The beautiful consort beside Grand Granary True Person glanced at the two of them, her gaze settling on Eldrin Chen as she spoke.

"This gentleman must be the renowned Sword Immortal from Chu Nation, Fellow Daoist Chen, I presume?"

"Indeed, it is he."

Exquisite Jiang replied with a smile, then turned to Eldrin Chen and said, "This is True Person Taiqing from the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect."

"An honor to meet you, True Person."

Although cultivators typically interacted based on their own seniority, Eldrin Chen's exceptional potential and formidable strength, coupled with his connection to Exquisite Jiang, meant that even these Golden Core Cultivator were willing to treat him as a peer.

After the initial pleasantries were exchanged, Exquisite Jiang turned her gaze towards the Demon Cave, her expression turning grave as she spoke.

"What is the situation?"

"Brother Grand Granary has brought the Verdant Azure Ancient Array Disk and the Heavenly Flame Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation. I have already delivered the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword."

"Now, not even a fly could escape from this Demon Cave." Visit *audio-novel.com* to enjoy the complete series.

Sect Master Zhang stroked his beard, his gaze flickering with a trace of solemn contemplation.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. A supreme treasure like the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword [a legendary sword of immense power], a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [an artifact of the highest order specifically designed to vanquish demonic beings], naturally required no further elaboration.

The Verdant Azure Ancient Array Disk [an ancient formation disk imbued with verdant and azure energies] was a Fifth Rank [the fifth tier in a system ranking the potency of artifacts and formations] formation disk. This disk was once a demon-refining formation disk, but it suffered severe damage during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity centered around a chasm of demonic energy] over three hundred years ago. Its grade has since fallen to the level of Quasi-Fifth Rank [a state just below the true fifth rank, indicating diminished but still significant power].

However, when the Azure Verdancy Formation Disk [another name for the Verdant Azure Ancient Array Disk] is used in conjunction with the Heavenly Flame Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation that utilizes celestial fire to suppress demonic forces], its combined power is still sufficient to suppress and slay Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core cultivation stage] Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic or unorthodox methods].

At this moment, Grand Granary True Person [a cultivator of the True Person realm associated with the Grand Granary] also approached. He was a lean, elderly man with an air of immortal grace and dignified bearing.

He glanced at Exquisite Jiang and couldn't help but ask, "Might I inquire if you have managed to invite the venerable Heaven's Vault Mirror [a sentient magical mirror of immense age and power]?"

"Yes," Exquisite Jiang nodded, replying calmly. "I have requested the venerable one's presence. However, the Heaven's Vault Mirror's power has not yet fully recovered. It will not intervene unless the situation becomes truly critical."

"That will be sufficient."

Grand Granary True Person nodded in agreement. Among the five present Golden Core Patriarch [patriarchs who have reached the Golden Core stage of cultivation], Sect Master Zhang was at the Golden Core Late Stage, and Grand Granary True Person himself possessed cultivation at the Golden Core 6th Tier [the sixth layer within the Golden Core stage].

With the two of them acting together, and with the support of the Firmament Sword [a sword artifact of great renown], they should be capable of handling most contingencies. Inviting the Heaven's Vault Mirror was merely a precaution against unforeseen extremes.

After all, that Demon Cave [a cavernous stronghold of demonic cultivators] is a Forbidden Land [a perilous and restricted area] of the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of malevolent and corrupt cultivation arts]. Even three to five ordinary Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] entering together might not emerge alive, let alone pacify the entire Demonic Cultivator stronghold.

"We must still proceed with caution."

True Person Zhang [a title for a cultivator of significant power and attainment] said with a grave expression, "That Demon Cave holds profound and deep-seated power. It possesses means to counter even a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a pinnacle-grade artifact specifically designed to vanquish demonic forces]. Otherwise, we would have cleansed it long ago."

"Five hundred years ago, when my master wielded the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword [a legendary immortal-grade sword] to assault its depths, he could only manage a harrowing escape."

Hearing this, the others nodded solemnly, a weight of seriousness settling in their hearts.

The group spoke no more, continuing to wait for the arrival of the Purple Abyss Sect [a major orthodox cultivation sect].

They waited for ten full days. Seeing that Violet Consort Yan had still not arrived, Elder Lin of the Firmament Sword Sect [a sect renowned for its sword cultivation] could not help but remark, "What is the matter with our two fellow Daoists from the Purple Abyss Sect today? Why have they not yet come?"

As they were speaking, several streaks of radiant light flew over from the horizon.

The arrivals were Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort [a title for a powerful and esteemed female cultivator]. She led over twenty Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, a higher stage of spiritual development] as they flew to the vicinity and landed beside the assembled group.

Exquisite Jiang [a powerful female cultivator] blinked, a flicker of concern in her eyes, and could not resist asking, "Sister Spirit Consort, why has Fellow Daoist Violet Consort [a respectful form of address for Violet Consort Yan] not come today?"

"I was just about to mention it."

Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort took a steadying breath, her expression turning grave as she spoke. "The Demon Ape residing in Demonic Ape Mountain has fallen into demonic corruption [a state of being consumed by malevolent energies and losing one's original nature]."

"What?!"

The others' faces paled with shock, and they could not suppress their exclamations of alarm.

Demonic Ape Mountain is currently territory held by the Demon Race. However, a millennium ago, much like Demon Cave, it was a Forbidden Land [a perilous, spiritually tainted region] controlled by Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who harness destructive, often soul-corrupting energies for power].

In that era, the entire Chu Nation Cultivation World marshaled its strength to utterly annihilate Demonic Ape Mountain in a single, decisive war. A mighty expert who cultivated the Primordial Solar Path Art [a cultivation method harnessing the pure, purifying power of the primordial sun] employed a profound Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] to refine and transform the mountain itself, turning the entire area into a Calamity Ruins [a wasteland scarred by ancient cataclysm]. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel`com.

The Purple Abyss Sect has a lineage spanning over eight hundred years. Eight centuries ago, the territory now held by Purple Abyss Sect belonged to the Violet Sun Sect, a sect led by a Sovereign [a powerful cultivator at the Sovereign realm]. That Violet Sun Sect also practiced the Primordial Solar Path Art, and its domain even encompassed the lands of Demonic Ape Mountain.

Their exalted expert took residence upon the Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth] at Demonic Ape Mountain, using the Primordial Solar Path Art to continuously refine the Demonic Spring [a corrupted spiritual spring], intending to transform it into a Spirit Mountain [a mountain suffused with potent, beneficial spiritual energy].

However, disaster struck later when the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor broke through to the late Infant Soul [a high stage of spiritual cultivation] realm. In a single, devastating conflict, it obliterated the Violet Sun Sect and seized this Spirit Mountain from the Human Race. The refinement of the Demonic Spring was thus abandoned halfway, all previous efforts coming to naught.

Subsequently, the Spiritual Vein at Demonic Ape Mountain was handed over by the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor to the Demonic Ape Clan for their use.

The Purple Abyss Sect inherited a portion of the legacy from the Violet Sun Sect and has consistently been engaged in conflict with Demonic Ape Mountain.

At this moment, Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort spoke with a grave and solemn expression, "That Demonic Ape Demon King has fallen into demonic corruption by drawing upon the power of the Demonic Spring. After his corruption, his strength has increased dramatically, allowing him to break through to the Golden Core Late Stage."

"To guard against the Demonic Ape Demon King, Sister Violet Consort has taken the Purple Abyss Furnace to the borderlands."

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged uneasy glances, their faces etched with deep concern.

The Demonic Chariot Demon King has broken through to the Golden Core Late Stage. What is more terrifying is that it will cause Demonic Ape Mountain to revert into a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a perilous region tainted by demonic energy]. This poses a significant threat to the Chu Nation.

True Person Taiqing nearby could not help but ask, "With a subordinate Demon King succumbing to demonic corruption, will the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor not intervene?"

"Demons and fiends are birds of a feather, all sworn enemies of our Human Race. In the eyes of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon King, as long as it does not threaten him and continues to obey his commands, the nature of the subordinate matters little."

"Furthermore, after the Demonic Ape Demon King's corruption, it is no longer considered pure Demon Race. This allows it to circumvent the pact between the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor and the Ji Clan, enabling it to attack our Chu Nation without waiting for the century-long truce to expire."

Having lived for over eight hundred years, True Person Zhang understood the intricacies of these matters all too well.

He sighed, casting a glance around the assembly. "Without the Purple Abyss Furnace, do we still proceed with this battle?"

The group fell into a contemplative silence. The Purple Abyss Furnace's Violet Abyss Divine Flame was the bane of demonic creatures and a primary weapon for assaulting the Demon Cave.

Now, before the battle had even begun, this crucial supreme treasure was rendered unusable. It was an inauspicious start, a truly ill omen.

Seeing the hesitation among the others, the Grand Granary True Person rose to his feet. "Esteemed colleagues," he declared, "if we do not strike the Demon Cave now, I fear it will become a calamity of immense proportions in the future."

"The Beast Tide will erupt in little over a decade. If we fail to slay at least one or two of those demonic fiends, we will face grave consequences."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present shifted subtly, a shadow of concern passing over their faces.

Observing their reaction, the Grand Granary True Person pressed his advantage. "With the addition of a Golden Core expert, the strength of the Demon Cave has surged significantly," he continued, his voice firm.

"Our Verdant Azure Immortal Sect is already caught between the pincers of the Black Eagle Demon King and the Demon Cave. I fear we may not withstand the pressure."

The others nodded in grim agreement. Black Eagle Ridge harbored not one, but two Demon King-level beings, while the Demon Cave was home to an old demon at the Golden Core Late Stage.

In contrast, the Grand Granary True Person was only at the Golden Core 6th Tier, and the other two Golden Core elders of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect were merely at the Golden Core Early Stage. Their combined strength was likely insufficient to hold the line.

If these two great demonic Forbidden Land were allowed to rampage unchecked, even the mighty Firmament Sword Sect would find it difficult to subdue them.

Now, the Purple Abyss Sect must face a new Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land. When that time comes, the Heavenly Ruins Alliance will also be caught in a pincer attack from Heavenly Python Lake and Earth Lion Ridge.

This situation is likely to be extremely perilous. A single misstep could inflict unprecedented devastation upon the Chu Nation Cultivation World.

At this thought, the assembled cultivators exchanged glances. True Person Zhang made a resolute decision and declared.

"Even at a significant cost, we must utterly eradicate the Demon Cave."

"If that proves impossible, we must at least slay one or two of those Golden Core Patriarchs." For more chapters, visit audio-novel.com for the complete novel.