Chapter 370 : Star Fragment and the Demon-Subduing Treasure

"Then let us join forces and lend Immortal Maiden Ji a hand."

Eldrin Chen spoke, then activated his Solar True Flame [a pure and potent flame born from the essence of the sun], continuously searing the Demonic Spring [a corrupted font of spiritual energy tainted by demonic forces].

All those present joined the effort, unleashing a myriad of techniques to assail the Demonic Spring. They labored ceaselessly for three full days before finally managing to tear the Demonic Spring asunder.

After the Demonic Spring collapsed, Freya Ji raised her hand and produced a pearl that shimmered with the brilliance of a star, her face alight with joy.

This Star Fragment [a shard of celestial material that fell from the heavens] was of exceptionally high grade and was a relatively versatile heavenly material. It could be fused into almost any Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to enhance both its substance and its power.

If fused into a Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force and soul], it could elevate a cultivator's Life-Bound Magical Treasure to become a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a higher-grade treasure with its own nascent spirit, born from a cultivator's lifebound artifact].

With this Star Fragment in hand, and aided by the feedback from her Dao Body [a rare and powerful innate physique], the 'Profound Yin Constitution' [a constitution attuned to the profound and mysterious Yin energies], Freya Ji could now advance one of her Life-Bound Magical Treasure into a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a pinnacle-grade treasure of immense power, capable of suppressing demonic forces].

Wielding a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, Freya Ji's chances of forging a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the highest-grade Nascent Soul, formed in perfect resonance with the Heavenly Dao] would increase dramatically, and her confidence in surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the trial of heavenly lightning that tests cultivators seeking to advance to higher realms] would be nearly absolute.

Freya Ji took the Star Fragment and said, "This Star Fragment is of use to me. You may divide the remaining treasures amongst yourselves."

Upon hearing this, no one voiced an objection. Though they knew this item was the most precious treasure within the Demon Cave Cavern [a cavernous lair inhabited by demons]. Read the full novel exclusively on *audio-novel.com*.

Yet it was also clear that one of the primary reasons Freya Ji had attacked the Demon Cave Cavern was precisely for this Star Fragment [a fragment of celestial material containing immense power].

After annihilating the Demon Cave Cavern, Freya Ji spoke again: "This Demonic Spring [a corrupted spiritual spring] bears a Dao Marker [a metaphysical anchor point left by a powerful entity] left behind by an extraterrestrial Demon God. Every thousand years when the Demonic Abyss [a dimensional rift to a demonic realm] opens, the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] will seize the opportunity to ignite this Demonic Spring by following the Dao Marker."

"Only a cultivator who practices a Pure Yang Dao Method [a cultivation art of ultimate yang purity] Divine Ability can erase it."

As she spoke, her gaze turned to Eldrin Chen. "Your Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure solar essence] is the optimal means to erase this Dao Marker."

Everyone present revealed looks of pleasant surprise. Qian the Sect Master then said, "We beseech Fellow Daoist Chen to take action and assist the Chu Kingdom in severing this root of future calamity."

"The opening of the Demonic Abyss is still six hundred years away. Why the urgency?"

Lyra Jiang frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing. "With Eldrin's current cultivation, even if he were to activate his Pure Yang Dao Method to refine and purge this Dao Marker, it would consume at least three Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years]. Furthermore, his cultivation would make no progress during that entire process."

"Such a monumental price—can you afford to bear it?"

Upon hearing this, Qian the Sect Master's expression turned somewhat awkward, and he fell silent.

For every Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the third major realm] under heaven, three Jiazi-time of lifespan is a cost that almost concerns the very path of their Dao.

Unless one's cultivation had reached an absolute impasse, spending such time to refine a Dao Marker [a metaphysical anchor left by a powerful being, often containing their will or essence] was an exceedingly foolish act. How many in this world possessed such selfless devotion?

This was also a fundamental reason why the Demon God [a supreme entity of malevolent power] had left numerous Dao Marker within the Purple Realm [a mystical realm within the cultivation world]. Over countless centuries, these markers continuously transformed into Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [areas corrupted by demonic energy, shunned by righteous cultivators], yet they remained nearly impossible to eradicate completely.

Eldrin Chen's gaze paused briefly, and he spoke with a faint smile, "There is no need for haste, esteemed friends. In the future, should I cultivate to the Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core cultivation stage], or successfully break through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent soul entity], I will then consider refining this Dao Marker."

Upon hearing this, the group nodded in understanding. If Eldrin Chen were to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm, the difficulty of refining this particular Dao Marker would diminish significantly.

Although the Demonic Spring [a corrupted wellspring of demonic energy] had been destroyed, a considerable amount of Demonic Qi [the malevolent energy cultivated and used by demonic practitioners] still lingered within the Demon Cave Cavern [the cavernous lair of demonic beings].

Fortunately, with the Demonic Spring gone, the Demonic Qi within the Demon Cave Cavern became like duckweed without roots—much simpler to purify and refine.

Rallying a host of one hundred thousand cultivators, they prepared vast quantities of Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to construct and power mystical formations] and summoned a mighty, surging Demon-Refining True Flame [a sacred flame specifically designed to purify demonic corruption] to cleanse the Demon Cave Cavern.

This purification ritual lasted for a full eighty-one days. Only after ninety-nine percent of the Demonic Fiend Qi [a particularly vile and potent form of demonic energy] and Demonic Qi within the cavern had been incinerated did this Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land finally transform into a proper cultivation dao field [a sanctified site for cultivation practice].

During this period, Eldrin Chen and the others intended to hunt down the Black Eagle Demon King, only to discover that the two Demon King [powerful rulers of demonic beast tribes] of Black Eagle Ridge had already sensed the shifting tides. They had fled deep into the Demonic Tribe Territory [the vast, wild lands claimed by demonic tribes], taking the entire Black Eagle Demon Tribe with them.

Although the Demon King had escaped, the future held promise. With Black Eagle Ridge and the Demon Cave Cavern neutralized, travel and exchange between the Chu Kingdom and the Yan Nation Cultivation World would become far more secure and frequent. This would foster a greater flow of resources and knowledge between the two regions.

After handling these matters, Freya Ji found Lyra Jiang and teased, "Having obtained the Star Fragment this time, the next time we meet, you'll likely have to address me as Senior True Lord."

"Mind your manners; you should call me Aunt," Lyra Jiang said, raising her hand as if to swat her.

Lyra Jiang made a playful gesture to strike, and Freya Ji skipped away with a laugh.

Watching her depart, Eldrin Chen remarked, "Now that she has acquired the Star Fragment and will refine it into a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, her breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm is virtually assured."

"Indeed," Lyra Jiang nodded with a pleased smile. "She has waited over a century to attempt the Nascent Soul breakthrough, precisely for the Heavenly Dao Qi [a supreme-grade spiritual energy aligned with the Heavenly Dao]."

"Since she is preparing to ascend now, it seems the Ji Clan has managed to procure the Heavenly Dao Qi for her." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio–novel.com.

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. The Heavenly Dao Qi was an exceedingly rare treasure, a key ingredient for refining the 'Great Dao Heaven-Ascending Pill' [a legendary pill that aids in breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage]. Countless Nascent Soul True Lord coveted it yet could never obtain it.

Only a top-tier Nascent Soul Immortal Clan like the Ji Clan possessed the resources and influence to secure such a treasure for her within a mere century.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen said to Lyra Jiang, "Once the Beast Tide Calamity concludes in ten years, let us embark on a journey of our own."

"Agreed," she replied.

Lyra Jiang grasped his hand and nodded calmly.

To obtain Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial energy of the Heavenly Dao, essential for certain supreme breakthroughs], aside from Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul Realm] gathering it or Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a powerful lord among Nascent Soul cultivators] acquiring it from the End of the Nine Firmaments [the highest, most remote reaches of the heavens], one can only rely on unexpected serendipity or the opportune moment of Heaven and Earth Resonance [a rare celestial event where Heaven and Earth resonate, causing profound changes].

During the time of Heaven and Earth Resonance, Heavenly Dao Qi will descend from the Nine Firmaments. At that moment, it becomes a matter of seizing the opportunity through one's Creation [fortune, destiny, or karmic luck] and one's own capabilities.

Based on temporal calculations, the next opportune moment for Heaven and Earth Resonance is approximately two hundred years away. However, they could not place all their hopes solely on the chance encounter presented by the Heaven and Earth Resonance.

Journeying across the world would not only allow them to witness the customs and cultures of the Eastern Wastelands [a vast, untamed region in the east], but also expose them to many tidings and secrets they had never encountered before. In the course of their travels, they might very well stumble upon news regarding Heavenly Dao Qi.

After Freya Ji departed, the group convened a council.

The nine Golden Core [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the core of their power] gathered before the entrance to the Demon Cave Cavern. Lyra Jiang produced the spoils of war they had seized and said with a faint smile, "Let us deliberate on the rewards for this campaign and the compensation for the bereaved."

"The distribution of rewards is long overdue," someone remarked.

Joyful expressions appeared on everyone's faces. Those present had contributed their strength and resources to this battle, and it was only fitting they receive their due share of the bounty.

Eldrin Chen also wore a slight smile. The source of rewards for this campaign was twofold: first, the spoils obtained from the battle itself, and second, the resources provided by the various Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established cultivation families] who lacked the strength to send combatants, offered in lieu of contributing personnel.

Among these, the various Immortal Clan contributed five million Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. Beyond this, there were various assets valued at another five million Spirit Stones, bringing the total to approximately ten million Spirit Stones.

In addition, they seized all manner of supplies from within the Demon Cave Cavern.

The battle had utterly annihilated the Demon Cave Cavern. In its wake, they had slain three Golden Core [a high-level cultivator whose power is condensed into a golden core] and tens of thousands of Demonic Cultivators [cultivators who follow a dark, corrupting path]. The usable Magical Tools [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] and materials they confiscated were also worth several million Spirit Stones.

They also acquired three Fourth Rank Magical Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts]. The most precious was a Supreme Grade Demonic Treasure [a pinnacle-tier artifact of dark power] forged from Black Abyss Ancient Gold. Once melted down and reforged, this material was sufficient to craft a single Fourth Rank Immortal Sword [a powerful immortal-grade sword]. Support the author by reading on audio-novel . com.