Chapter 311 : The Corrupting Path of Demonic Qi

Though he knew full well this task was nearly impossible, and even if completed, his hope of breaking through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, immortal entity] was exceedingly slim, it was at least a sliver of hope.

As for what would become of the Deng Clan after his failure, once he was dead, the great flood could rage for all he cared.

Demonic Fiend Qi [a corrupting spiritual energy that erodes the mind and soul] differs from Fire Fiend Qi [a volatile spiritual energy that can harm the physical body]. This type of malignant energy does not affect a cultivator's combat prowess nor injure their physical form, but it corrodes their spirit soul and their Dao-heart [the core of a cultivator's will and connection to their path].

Therefore, cultivators who tread the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that embraces corruption and often involves harming others] or the Unorthodox Path [a cultivation path that uses morally questionable or forbidden methods] often find their personalities becoming increasingly twisted. Their inner greed and wicked thoughts are amplified without limit, and without astonishing willpower, it is profoundly difficult to maintain their original nature.

This is the reason why Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow the Demonic Path] are often utterly self-serving and commit acts of madness.

Yet, simultaneously, because of issues with willpower and Dao-heart, Demonic Cultivator and those on the Unorthodox Path find it increasingly difficult to break through at later stages. The difficulty of reaching the Nascent Soul realm is at least ten times greater for them than for those on the righteous path.

Aside from an exceedingly rare few with truly staggering willpower who can pierce through the inner demonic obstructions, almost all Demonic Cultivator will ultimately have their spirit souls eroded.

Unable to control their own desires, their souls corrupted by the wicked Demonic Fiend Qi, they eventually become muddled and confused.

Even their memories can be utterly washed away by the Demonic Fiend Qi, forgetting their past lives and becoming a fiend unable to restrain its desires.

This is the primary reason why Righteous Path Cultivator [cultivators who follow orthodox, morally upright methods] despise the Demonic Path and are unwilling to walk such a wicked road. For more chapters, visit AUDIO-NOVEL.COM for the complete novel.

Although the Essence Plundering Art [a forbidden technique that steals the life essence and cultivation base of others] was not as vile as the outright evils of the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that embraces corruption, slaughter, and forbidden arts for power], it was, after all, born from its twisted roots. Deng Clan Patriarch had secretly practiced this Unorthodox Path [a cultivation method that deviates from orthodox, righteous principles, often involving harmful or forbidden techniques] for many years, and his spirit soul had been corroded by the lingering grudges and resentments the art inevitably brought.

In the past, he had managed to control his darker impulses through sheer force of will and cultivation. But now, with the opportunity for a Nascent Soul [a major cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual infant, representing a massive leap in power and longevity] breakthrough laid before him, he was ultimately overwhelmed and his reason drowned beneath a tide of sinister thoughts.

With a vicious sneer, he declared, "If we join forces with the denizens of Earth Lion Ridge, then even if we cannot capture them alive, we should have a fair chance of cutting them down."

"You may go and attempt to make contact. But you must ensure our identities remain completely concealed."

Seeing the Clan Patriarch agree, Deng Skylark could not hide his look of elation.

"I shall make the arrangements immediately."

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

The trio had returned to the Chu Kingdom, and Yvonne the Violet Consort bid farewell to her two companions.

Before departing, she paused in thought, then added a final warning. "The direct lineage of the Deng Clan practices that Unorthodox Path. There is no telling how many among their upper echelons have walked this dark road."

"From now on, you would do well to exercise a measure of caution."

"Mm." Lyra Jiang nodded, her tone calm as she stated, "Within twenty years, I will break through to the Golden Core, Mid Stage [the fifth major stage of cultivation, representing a solidified spiritual core]. Once that happens, dealing with them will be a simple matter."

Hearing this, Yvonne the Violet Consort nodded in agreement. Given Lyra Jiang's profound Deep-Seated Foundation [the quality and stability of a cultivator's spiritual base] and inherent potential, her breakthrough to the Golden Core, Mid Stage would undoubtedly trigger a monumental transformation. At that point, a mere clan like the Deng would be of no concern whatsoever.

Furthermore, as long as the Deng Clan possessed even a modicum of rational thought, they would most likely refrain from taking any action against them.

"Then, until we meet again."

After bidding farewell to Yvonne the Violet Consort, Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen set their course and flew towards the Heaven's Ruin Alliance [a coalition of cultivation forces].

Upon returning to Green Sun Mountain, to prevent the Creation Qi [the primordial energy of creation and life] within the Black Flood Dragon Demon King's Inner Core [the condensed spiritual core of a powerful demonic beast] from dissipating further, the pair immediately set to work, igniting the furnace to refine the Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in the formation of a Golden Core].

This was the third time the two had undertaken the refinement of the Golden Core Formation Pill. By now, not only Lyra Jiang, but even Eldrin Chen had grown familiar with the intricate steps of the process, his movements guided by practiced ease.

Harnessing the power of the Fourth Rank [a classification denoting power level, here referring to the earthfire's intensity] earthfire, they spent over a month meticulously refining the Black Flood Dragon's Demonic Core [the spiritual core of a demonic beast] and the Heavenly Heart Herb [a rare spiritual herb] into a potent medicinal liquid. One by one, they added and refined the auxiliary ingredients into the mixture.

This arduous process stretched on for three full months, culminating in the condensation of merely two and a half portions of the final pill liquid.

"A pity. A significant portion of the medicinal potency was lost."

Gazing at the medicinal liquid within the Alchemy Furnace, Lyra Jiang spoke with a tinge of regret.

An Inner Core from a Golden Core, Early Stage demonic beast should, in principle, be sufficient to refine three or four portions of pill liquid. With only two and a half portions remaining now, it was evident that at least forty percent of the medicinal potency had been lost.

Suppressing her thoughts, she employed the Pill Fusion Method to merge the half portion into the two full ones, then began the process of condensing the Golden Core Formation Pill.

No major mishaps occurred, and in the end, this furnace yielded two Golden Core Formation Pill.

"Two pills from one furnace is still quite acceptable."

Eldrin Chen was content. Given the forty percent loss of medicinal potency, for Lyra Jiang to still produce two pills meant her Alchemy skill was commendable even among Fourth Rank Middle Grade alchemists. Join our community of readers at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Storing the two Golden Core Formation Pill, the pair wasted no time and immediately began refining the Inner Core of the Crimson Scorpion Demon King.

This Inner Core was of the Fourth Rank Middle Grade grade. The Creation Power contained within it was considerably more potent than that of an Golden Core, Early Stage core. In theory, under optimal conditions, it could yield five or six Golden Core Formation Pill.

However, the Demonic Core of a Golden Core, Mid Stage beast was exceptionally difficult to refine. Even the power of the Underground Fire Vein beneath Green Sun Mountain proved somewhat insufficient for the task.

The two of them spent two months on the process, even channeling their own spiritual power to finally dissolve this Demonic Core, ultimately coalescing it into six portions of pill liquid.

"The Heavenly Dao [the fundamental principle governing the cosmos] is inherently incomplete, and my Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills] is also insufficient. At this moment, attempting to refine the maximum of six pills simultaneously is nearly impossible."

Lyra Jiang spoke with a calm expression, then employed the Pill Fusion Method [a technique to merge pill essences]. She fused one of the Pill [a refined spiritual medicine] essences into the other five, initiating the most critical step of pill condensation.

After a short while, a wisp of azure smoke arose as one of the pill liquified essences transformed into smoke and dissipated.

Without the slightest pause in her movements, she swiftly condensed the remaining four Pill essences into solid pills. This time, no further mishaps occurred.

Having refined four Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme pill that aids in forming a cultivator's Golden Core], her expression held a mix of joy and regret as she spoke.

"The fifth one is a pity. The medicinal potency of the Heavenly Heart Herb [a rare spiritual herb that stabilizes the heart-mind during breakthroughs] is limited. With only a single stalk, it is insufficient to refine five Golden Core Formation Pill."

"Indeed,"

Eldrin Chen also nodded in agreement, having sensed the reason for that particular pill essence's failure to condense.

It seemed that to refine more than five Golden Core Formation Pill in a single batch, not only were specific requirements placed on the Creation Power [the power to shape and give life to spiritual essence] within the Inner Core [the condensed spiritual core of a powerful beast], but also more than one stalk of Heavenly Heart Herb was necessary.

Regardless, having refined a total of six Golden Core Formation Pill across two batches, Lyra Jiang was still filled with immense joy.

She carefully stored them within a Jade Box [a container crafted from spiritual jade], handing two of the pills to Eldrin Chen. "In a few more years," she said, "Old Granduncle should be nearing his attempt to break through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one condenses their spiritual essence into a solid, golden core] realm. You must not refuse these."

"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated."

Eldrin Chen accepted the precious pills with a smile. With two Golden Core Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that significantly increases the chance of successfully forming a Golden Core] in hand, Old Patriarch would have enough resources for two attempts to assault the Golden Core realm.

This concerned Old Granduncle's very path of cultivation; naturally, he would not decline.

Of the remaining four pills, Lyra Jiang planned to reserve one for Elara Lin, while Yvonne the Violet Consort would purchase another for Hibiscus, the Immortal Maiden of the Violet Abyss Sect.

The final two would be sold to Xavier Xu and Fang the Ancient Ancestor. The Fang Clan and the Xu Clan had barely touched their Merit Points [a points-based credit system within an organization or sect] accumulated during the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts]. By supplementing those with nearly a million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], they could likely secure a Golden Core Formation Pill from her.

Not long after, news that Lyra Jiang had successfully refined the Golden Core Formation Pill spread throughout the Chu Kingdom.

Xavier Xu and Qingmei Fang were stirred with immense excitement. They began borrowing Spirit Stone from all quarters, desperate to purchase one of the precious pills.

They had each consumed a Golden Core Formation Pill roughly two decades prior, successfully advancing to the False Core Realm [a quasi-Golden Core state, less stable and powerful than a true Golden Core]. Even without further external aids, they now possessed a thirty percent chance of breaking through to Golden Core.

If they could obtain another Golden Core Formation Pill now, their odds would soar to a full fifty percent—a probability substantial enough to warrant staking the future of their entire clans. This novel is serialized on audio-novel`com. Visit for updates.