Chapter 422 The Story Behind

In accordance with Varen's (Person Name) final wishes, his funeral arrangements were carried out with utmost simplicity.

Upon hearing that Eldrin (Person Name) himself had come to bid farewell, quite a few Violet Mansion cultivators from the Chu Kingdom (Location) personally paid visits bearing gifts—clearly aiming to catch Eldrin (Person Name)'s eye.

He paid no mind to these matters. After Varen’s cremation, Eldrin did not linger and departed Tian’e Mountain that very day.

After returning to Spirit Isle Lake (Location), Eldrin (Person Name) presented the pitch-black demonic box before Lyra (Person Name) and sneered coldly, "These demonic cultivators have already set their sights on me."

Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) Entanglement Curse?

Lyra's pupils contracted slightly, a sharp glint of killing intent flashing in her eyes.

This Entangling Curse of the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) is a notorious demonic path supernatural power with 3 distinct methods of execution.

The first method involves forcibly executing it during combat with an enemy. This approach yields the lowest potency, merely equivalent to that of an elementary-level supernatural ability.

The second method of spellcasting involves obtaining a piece of the enemy's flesh, skin, clothing, or other personal items to serve as a medium for channeling mystical power.

This method of execution could greatly enhance the potency of the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) Entanglement Curse. There was once a Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) demonic cultivator who used this very technique to ambush a powerful foe at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core realm.

He performed the ritual for 40-9 days, tormenting his adversary with the Entangling Threads Curse of Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) throughout this period. In the end, he drove his enemy to the brink of exhaustion, their vital essence nearly depleted, allowing him to deliver the final blow with ease.

The third type involves a medium. At great cost, demonic cultivators forge a medium for the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) Entanglement Curse. Once a cultivator comes into unprotected contact with it, the curse will invade their body.

The Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) Entanglement Curse invoked through this method is exceptionally difficult to eradicate. Unless the caster is slain, it will remain rooted deep within the cultivator's being like persistent decay. Once triggered, it can overwhelm the cultivator with Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) entanglement, leading to certain death.

This final method was typically used by high-level demonic cultivators to control their subordinates, making it exceedingly difficult to employ for covertly sabotaging enemies.

Eldrin's personal belongings were meticulously preserved, leaving the demonic cultivators with no means to track them. Thus, they had no choice but to resort to the third method.

Yet approaching Eldrin was no simple matter. Any ordinary demonic cultivator—or even righteous path practitioners under their control—would instantly trigger his awareness of their aberrant presence the moment they drew near.

The Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) had never ceased its triennial inspections for demonic cultivators among its mortal-origin practitioners, a tradition upheld for hundreds of years.

Left with no alternative, the demonic cultivators devised a sinister scheme. They sought to covertly plant the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) Entanglement Curse upon Eldrin (Person Name) through trusted companions like Varen (Person Name).

However, Varen was more unyielding than they had anticipated, causing the medium they had expended immense resources to refine to fall completely into Eldrin's hands.

After understanding the entire story, Lyra said with lingering fear, "Fortunately, Varen didn't disappoint you, otherwise you might have been in trouble."

"It's nothing to worry about."

Eldrin shook his head and calmly stated, "With my lifebound immortal sword protecting me, ordinary divine abilities and curses cannot harm me. Moreover, various thunder techniques and the Solar True Yang energy possess inherent power to suppress demonic arts."

"As long as it isn't a Nascent Soul cultivator activating this Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) Entanglement Curse, I can withstand it through sheer force."

Hearing this, Lyra also nodded, her eyes flashing with a sharp gleam. "Within the vicinity of Ji Province, the only ones capable of wielding such a divine ability are the demonic cultivators from the Ridge of the Black Fiend."

"Yet according to Varen's account, the attackers this time came from the Demon Ape Mountain. Isn't this somewhat unusual?"

"That is precisely what puzzles me." Eldrin nodded, summoning Solar Truefire to incinerate the medium of the Demonic Fiend Qi Entanglement Curse before continuing, "But now I understand."

"The 1 taking action now should be the Black Flame True Master who was defeated and fled from us back then."

Indeed, that was precisely the case. When Blackflame True Monarch was deceived by Eldrin and Lyra back then, his physical body was severed in a single battle.

Later, this wretch fled to the Demonic Ape Mountains seeking refuge, terrified of incurring the wrath of Patriarch Black Fiend. There, he utilized the power of the demonic spring to suppress the Entangling Curse of Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) within his body, barely managing to cling to life.

The Golden Core demonic cultivators of the Demonic Ape Mountain watched as the Blackfire Ancestor’s Nascent Soul disciple arrived, and they too coveted the methods of the Blackfire True Lord.

After some discussion, they devised a sinister plan. Several Golden Core old demons joined forces, harnessing the power of the Demonic Ape Mountain's infernal spring to plant the Demonic Fiend Qi Entangling Thread Curse upon Eldrin.

The reason for taking such measures was that Eldrin's meteoric rise over the years had increasingly struck fear into the hearts of the demonic cultivators.

Although wary of the Ji Clan's power, the Nascent Soul realm demons dared not openly break all pretense of cordiality. However, the Demon Ape Mountain bordering Chu Kingdom grew increasingly restless.

Setting aside the Refining Demon Supreme Treasure, Lyra's current power had already approached half that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch. If Eldrin were to break through to the Golden Core, Late Stage, then I'm afraid the end of the Demon Ape Mountain would be at hand.

After much deliberation, the Golden Core demonic cultivators of the Demonic Ape Mountain resolved to strike first against Eldrin. They conspired to ambush him using the Entangling Threads Curse of the Demonic Fiend Qi.

As they had anticipated, this Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) Entanglement Curse would either severely wound or outright kill Eldrin (Person Name). At the very least, it would force him to spend 60 years dispelling the curse, leaving him with little energy to focus on cultivation.

But they could never have imagined that while Varen (Person Name) agreed on the surface, he secretly handed the demonic cultivator’s hidden scheme over to Eldrin (Person Name).

What Eldrin did not know was that, in order to force Varen to submit, the Demonic Ape Mountain had also secretly taken control of Varen's direct grandson.

Alas, Varen never mentioned this matter in the end. His legitimate grandson was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator—given the ruthless nature of demonic practitioners, it was impossible for him to emerge alive. Dwelling on it further would only bring needless distress.

This was only because the demonic cultivators lacked sufficient strength to covertly control the Wei Clan, and they themselves recognized they had no confidence in escaping Eldrin’s discerning eyes or the surveillance of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance. Otherwise, they would likely have held the entire Wei Clan hostage.

After piecing together the whole story, Eldrin spoke solemnly, "Since their ambush in the Demon Ape Mountains has failed, they'll likely hold a grudge against the Wei family. The entire Wei Immortal Clan could be in grave danger."

"The Demon Ape Mountain dares to act so boldly. It is time we took action against them."

Lyra also nodded, then murmured thoughtfully, "However, the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures requires 1 final year to advance. It has now reached the most critical juncture, and I cannot easily withdraw."

"It's not particularly difficult." Eldrin pondered briefly before continuing, "Have the clan and the Sky Ruins Alliance dispatch forces to surround Demonic Ape Mountain first. I shall request the Mirror of the Vast Heaven and the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword from Master Qian to guard the perimeter of Demonic Ape Mountain."

"Once the elite troops of the Chu Kingdom are deployed for the assault, and after the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures completes its ascension, you shall bring him to reinforce me."

Hearing this, Lyra nodded. "It seems this is our only option."

After finalizing his plan, Eldrin journeyed to Qingyang Mountain that very night and retrieved the Mirror of the Vast Heaven.

He then visited the Azure Sky Sword Sect to seek out Patriarch Qian. As slaying demons and vanquishing evils stood as the foremost duty of human cultivators, Patriarch Qian fully grasped the pivotal significance of this impending battle.

He took the Heaven-Spanning Immortal Sword and followed Eldrin, flying ahead toward the Demon Ape Mountain.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled across the snowy plains, whipping up flurries of ice crystals that shimmered under the pale moonlight. Amidst this desolate landscape, a lone figure sat cross-legged atop a glacial peak, his robes fluttering violently in the gale. Yun Che's eyes snapped open, twin pools of ancient wisdom flashing within their depths. "Finally," he whispered, his breath forming misty clouds in the frigid air. "After 3 1000 years of seclusion, I've broken through to the ninth layer of the Heavenly Ice Art." His voice, though soft, carried an immense weight that seemed to make the very mountain tremble. The snow around him began to swirl faster, forming intricate patterns that glowed with ethereal blue light. Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed from the distance. "Yun Che! Your 9 heavenly tribulations have arrived!" The sky darkened as 9 colossal lightning dragons descended from the heavens, their electric forms illuminating the entire mountain range. Each beast carried enough power to vaporize a city, their combined might enough to make even immortals tremble. Yun Che merely smiled. With a flick of his wrist, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss materialized in his hand, its blade humming with primordial energy. "Come then," he said calmly. "Let us see what heaven's wrath can do against 1 who has cultivated for 10 1000 years." The first lightning dragon struck with the force of a meteor impact. Yun Che didn't bother to dodge, allowing the electricity to wreathe his body in arcs of brilliant light. The heavenly lightning refined his flesh and bones, tempering them to unprecedented levels. "Again!" he shouted, his voice now ringing with battle lust. 8 more times the lightning fell, each strike more powerful than the last. Yet Yun Che stood firm, his cultivation base stabilizing with each passing tribulation. When the final bolt dissipated, a golden halo appeared above his head - the mark of a newly ascended Heavenly Immortal. He sensed the approach of another presence. "Show yourself, elder of the Hidden Sword Sect." An old man in grey robes materialized from the shadows, his eyes wide with awe. "Senior... you've successfully transcended the heavenly tribulation? But that's impossible! The records show that no cultivator has survived all 9 tribulations in over a 100 1000 years!" Yun Che waved his hand dismissively. "The heavenly dao is but another path to tread. Tell me, what news from the mortal realm?" "The various sects are gathering at the Dragon Phoenix Platform," the old man reported nervously. "They've discovered the location of the Chaos Heaven Scripture. The Violet Cloud Sect, Northern Snow Palace, and even the mysterious Shadow Moon Pavilion have all sent their young masters." A cold smile touched Yun Che's lips. "After all these years... they still scramble for that ancient artifact." His gaze turned distant. "Very well. It's time this old monster showed these youngsters what true power looks like." With a snap of his fingers, space itself tore open before him. He stepped through the spatial rift without a backward glance, leaving the stunned elder alone on the mountain peak. The old man trembled as he watched the portal close. "He... he didn't even use a transportation array! Just who exactly is this senior?" Far away, in a bustling ancient city, Yun Che emerged from another spatial tear directly into a crowded tavern. The patrons barely noticed his sudden appearance - such was the mastery of his spatial manipulation. He ordered a jar of wine and took a slow sip, his spiritual sense already scanning the entire city. Countless cultivators filled the streets, their power levels ranging from the lowly Qi Refinement stage to the mighty Golden Core realm. Dozens of conversations reached his ears simultaneously. "Did you hear? The young master of the Violet Cloud Sect brought 50 elite disciples with him!" "They say the scripture contains techniques lost for millennia!" "My sect master is willing to offer 10 1000 high-grade spirit stones for any information!" Yun Che chuckled to himself. How amusing these mortal struggles seemed after his long cultivation. He placed a single mid-grade spirit stone on the table - enough to buy the entire tavern - and stood to leave. Outside, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. Yun Che's eyes narrowed as he sensed a familiar energy signature coming from a nearby alley. "Well now," he murmured. "This is unexpected." A young woman in tattered robes was desperately fending off 3 burly cultivators, her movements clumsy but filled with raw determination. What caught Yun Che's attention, however, was the peculiar jade pendant hanging from her neck - an artifact he hadn't seen since the ancient war 30 1000 years ago. Without hesitation, he stepped into the shadows of the alley. "I suggest you gentlemen find other prey today."