Chapter 311 : The Corrupting Path of Demonic Cultivation

Though he knew deep down this task was nearly impossible, and even if completed, his hope of breaking through to the Infant Soul realm remained exceedingly slim, it was, at the very 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 as it pleased for all he cared.

Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent, corrupting spiritual energy] and other sinister energies differ from Fire Fiend [a violent, elemental spiritual entity]. These baleful energies do not impair a cultivator's combat prowess nor harm their physical body, but they erode the cultivator's soul and their Path Heart [the core of a cultivator's will and connection to their chosen Dao].

Therefore, cultivators who tread the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that embraces corruption and malevolent energies] or other wicked paths often find their personalities warping further. Their greed and depraved thoughts are amplified without limit, and without astonishing willpower, it is nearly impossible to maintain their original nature.

This is the reason why Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of the Demonic Path] are often so profit-driven and capable of committing utterly deranged acts.

Yet, simultaneously, because of issues with willpower and Path Heart, Demonic Cultivator and other wicked path cultivators find it increasingly difficult to advance in the later stages. The challenge of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core] is more than ten times harder for them than for righteous path cultivators.

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

Unable to control their own desires, their souls corrupted by the sinister Demonic Fiendish Energy, they eventually become muddled and confused.

Their very memories can be washed away by the Demonic Fiendish Energy, forgetting their past lives and becoming a demonic entity utterly enslaved by its unchecked desires.

This is the primary reason righteous path cultivators despise the Demonic Path and are unwilling to walk such a vile road. Support the author by reading on audio-novel`com.

Although the Essence Plundering Art [a forbidden technique that steals the life force and cultivation base of others] was not as malevolent as the pure Demonic Path [the cultivation path that embraces chaos, destruction, and selfish desires], it was ultimately born from its twisted principles. Having practiced this heretical way in secret for many years, the Deng Clan Patriarch's very soul had been corroded by the accumulated resentment and hatred inherent in the Essence Plundering Art.

In the past, he had relied on his formidable cultivation to keep these dark desires in check. But now, with the opportunity for a breakthrough into the Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed, a major milestone] shimmering before him, he was finally overwhelmed, his reason drowned beneath a tide of wicked thoughts.

A cruel sneer twisted his lips. "If we join forces with Earth Lion Ridge, even if capturing them proves impossible, we should have a fair chance of cutting them down for good."

"You may attempt to make contact. But ensure our identities remain completely concealed."

Seeing the clan leader's assent, Heaven Leviathan Deng's face lit up with grim delight.

"I shall make the arrangements at once."

"..."

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

The trio had returned to Chu Nation. Violet Consort Yan bid farewell to her two companions.

Before departing, she paused, a thought giving her pause. "The direct lineage of the Deng Clan practices that vile path. There is no telling if their higher echelons have also tread that dark road."

"From now on, you should still exercise a bit more caution."

"Mm." Exquisite Jiang nodded, speaking calmly, "Within twenty years, I will break through to the Golden Core Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual core solidifies and gains immense power]. When that time comes, I will naturally be able to deal with them."

Upon hearing this, Violet Consort Yan nodded in agreement. Given Exquisite Jiang's profound foundation and deep reserves, a breakthrough to the Golden Core Mid Stage would undoubtedly bring about a tremendous transformation. At that point, a mere Deng Clan would certainly be of no concern.

Furthermore, as long as the Deng Clan possessed even a shred of rational thought, they most likely would not dare to make a move against them.

"Then, until we meet again."

After bidding farewell to Violet Consort Yan, Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen flew towards the Heavenly Ruins Alliance.

Upon returning to Green Sun Mountain, and to prevent the Creation Energy [the primordial life-giving force within a demon beast's core] within the Black Flood Dragon Demon King's Inner Pill [the condensed spiritual core of a high-level demon beast] from continuing to dissipate, the two immediately set to work, igniting the furnace to refine the Golden Core Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in the formation of a Golden Core].

This was the third time the two had refined the Golden Core Formation Pill. Not only was Exquisite Jiang highly proficient, but even Eldrin Chen had grown quite adept at the steps involved, his skill honed by repeated practice.

Harnessing the power of the fourth-rank earthfire, they spent over a month refining the Black Flood Dragon's Demon Core and the Heavenly Heart Grass into medicinal liquid. Then, they meticulously added and refined each auxiliary ingredient one by one.

This process continued for three months, culminating in the condensation of merely two and a half globules of the final medicinal liquid.

"A pity, much of the medicinal potency has been lost."

Gazing at the medicinal liquid within the alchemical cauldron, Exquisite Jiang remarked with a hint of regret.

An Inner Pill from a Golden Core Early Stage [the third major realm of cultivation] demon 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-merging technique, integrating the half portion of pill liquid into the two full portions, and then began to condense the Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming the Golden Core cultivation stage].

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

"Two pills from one session is still quite acceptable." The story continues at audio~novel.com.

Eldrin Chen was quite satisfied. Given the loss of forty percent of the medicinal potency, for Exquisite Jiang to still refine two pills demonstrated an alchemical skill that was considered commendable even among Fourth Rank Mid-Grade [a high level of proficiency in alchemy] alchemists.

Storing away the two Golden Core Formation Pill, the pair did not linger and immediately proceeded to refine the Inner Pill of the Crimson Scorpion Demon King.

This Inner Pill was of the Fourth Rank Mid-Grade tier. The Creation [the fundamental life-giving and transformative energy] power contained within it was considerably more potent than that of a Golden Core Early Stage demon beast. In theory, under optimal conditions, it could yield five or six Golden Core Formation Pill.

However, the Demon Core [the core of power within a demon beast, equivalent to a cultivator's Inner Pill] from a Golden Core Mid Stage demon beast was exceedingly difficult to refine. Even the power of the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent spiritual fire] beneath Green Sun Mountain seemed somewhat insufficient for the task.

The two of them spent two months, even channeling their own spiritual power [the cultivated energy within a practitioner's body], to finally dissolve this Demon Core. In the end, it coalesced into six globules of medicinal liquid.

"The Heavenly Path [a legendary alchemical method] is incomplete, and my own alchemical skill is insufficient. Attempting to refine the maximum of six pills simultaneously now is nearly impossible,"

Exquisite Jiang stated calmly. She then employed the Pill Fusion Art [an alchemical technique for merging pill essences], merging one of the nascent pills into the other five, and began the most critical step: pill solidification.

After a long moment, a wisp of azure smoke arose as one of the medicinal globules dissipated into nothingness.

Her movements never faltering, she swiftly solidified the remaining four globules into pills. This time, no further mishaps occurred.

Having successfully refined four Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming a cultivator's Golden Core], a flicker of joy crossed her features, yet it was tinged with regret as she spoke.

"That fifth one is a pity. The medicinal potency of the Heavenly Heart Grass [a rare spiritual herb] is limited. With only a single stalk, it's simply not enough to refine five Golden Core Formation Pill."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, having also sensed the reason for that particular globule's failure to solidify.

It seemed that to refine more than five Golden Core Formation Pill in a single batch, the requirements were stringent. Not only was a specific level of Creation [the primordial creative force] power within the Inner Pill [the core energy source of a demonic beast] necessary, but one would also need at least two stalks of Heavenly Heart Grass.

Regardless, a total of six Golden Core Formation Pill [a rare and precious pill that aids in forming a cultivator's Golden Core] were refined across the two batches, filling Exquisite Jiang with immense joy.

She carefully stored them in jade boxes, handing two to Eldrin Chen. "In a few years, Old Granduncle will likely attempt his Golden Core Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid Golden Core] breakthrough," she said. "You must not refuse these."

"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated."

Eldrin Chen accepted the Precious Pill with a smile. With two Golden Core Formation Pill in hand, Old Patriarch would have enough for two attempts at breaking into the Golden Core Realm.

This concerned Old Granduncle's Path [the lifelong journey of cultivation and self-perfection], so he naturally would not decline.

Of the remaining four pills, Exquisite Jiang planned to reserve one for Elara Lin. Another would be sold to Violet Consort Yan, who intended to purchase it for Immortal Maiden Hibiscus of the Purple Abyss Sect.

The final two would be sold to Xavier Xu and Patriarch Fang. The Fang Clan and the Shyu Clan had barely touched their Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing accumulated good deeds and karma] during the recent Beast Tide [a catastrophic invasion by monstrous beasts]. By supplementing with approximately one million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], they could likely secure the Golden Core Formation Pill from her.

Soon after, news that Exquisite Jiang had successfully refined Golden Core Formation Pill spread throughout Chu Nation.

Xavier Xu and Green Plum Fang were overjoyed and began scrambling to borrow 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, advancing to the Pseudo-Core Realm [a transitional state between Foundation Establishment and the true Golden Core Realm]. Even without further external aids, they now possessed about a thirty percent chance of successfully breaking through to the Golden Core realm.

Now, if they could obtain another Golden Core Formation Pill [a rare elixir that aids in the breakthrough to the Golden Core realm], their chances of success would rise to a full fifty percent. This probability was more than enough for their entire clan to stake everything on a single, decisive gamble. The story continues at audio-novel[dot]com.