Chapter 323 Advancing to Refining Demon Treasure

However, the Ziyuan Sect was now unable to participate in this battle. Lady Yan Zi of the Ziyuan Sect had vanished decades earlier, taking the Violet Abyss Furnace (Magic Treasure) with her as she departed from the Chu Kingdom (Location). Even figures like the Lingji Fairy (Person Name) and Mujin Fairy (Person Name) had disappeared to parts unknown.

Eldrin had a general understanding of the situation—Yan ZiJi was most likely attempting her breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm, while the upper echelons of the Violet Abyss Sect had probably gathered to safeguard her ascension.

The birth of a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul was certain to shake dozens of surrounding continents.

If the breakthrough were to occur in the Chu Kingdom, neither the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor nor the demonic cultivators would stand idly by. I fear it would inevitably trigger a terrifying war.

Indeed, this was precisely the case. Not only had Yan Zijie now departed from the Eastern Wastelands, but she had done so with the covert support of the Ji Clan behind her.

Breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm consumes an immense amount of spiritual energy and requires the assistance of a fifth-grade spiritual vein. With the Ji clan offering such unstinting support, it is certain that before long, Yan ZiJi will become 1 of the hidden aces among the human race in Ji Zhou.

To return to our story, Eldrin and Sect Leader Qian personally stormed the Demon Ape Mountain. Fighting side by side, they slaughtered a dozen or so demonic cultivators at the Purple Mansion realm, forcing the host of fiends to retreat entirely into the depths of Demon Ape Mountain.

Once the demonic cultivators were trapped, the 2 simply stationed themselves outside the Demonic Ape Mountain, effectively besieging this forbidden territory of demonic practitioners.

Meanwhile, the war machines of the Sky Ruins Alliance and the Azure Sky Sword Sect had already been set in motion. Countless cultivators began gathering aboard spirit vessels.

After several 100 years of development, the strength of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance and the Azure Sky Sword Sect had grown significantly.

Particularly the Heavenly Ruins Alliance, which now had over a dozen Golden Core cultivators participating in the expedition. The Chen Clan alone contributed 5: Kael (Person Name), the Old Patriarch, Lior (Person Name), Lila (Person Name), and Chen Silas (Person Name).

The Heavenly Ruins Sect also had Elara (Person Name), Su Mingwei, and Liu Rumeng, who had recently achieved a breakthrough.

Several affiliated immortal clans also had Golden Core cultivators arriving, including the Xu and Qian families. Among the Qian Clan, Qian Changxu (Person Name) was also a Golden Core cultivator who had broken through less than 10 years ago—and this didn’t even account for Eldrin (Person Name) and his dao companion.

To eradicate the demonic cultivators in this campaign, Eldrin left Liu Rumeng, Kael, and Lior to hold the fortress against potential attacks from the demon tribe. Nearly all the remaining Golden Core cultivators were mobilized for this all-out assault.

Cultivators below the Golden Core realm also participated in significant numbers. Across the entire Chu Kingdom, the number of Aura Mansion realm cultivators joining the battle had already exceeded 3 100.

This number had already increased more than threefold compared to when Eldrin (Person Name) was young.

The reason was not only due to the flourishing prosperity of the Chu Kingdom (Location), but also because they had conquered the Heaven's Ruins Prefecture and the Earth Lion Prefecture.

The Tianxu Province alone spanned half the size of the Chu Kingdom, while the Dishu Province’s territory already approached nearly 2-thirds of the Chu Kingdom’s expanse.

Such a vast territory naturally brought with it abundant resources. As development gradually progressed, they had already obtained dozens of small and micro spirit stone veins, not to mention other materials.

Today, the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) alone already boasted 40-3 Eldrin Realm cultivators, with Foundation Establishment cultivators numbering over 2 100.

In fact, as the trend of self-initiated Foundation Establishment among the Chen Clan gradually waned over the years, more and more cultivators began resorting to the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object). Among these 3 100–some individuals, a considerable number had already broken through using the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object).

To return to our story, with the mobilization of a great number of cultivators, it took only half a year before they had completely surrounded the Demonic Ape Mountain.

Eldrin did not act immediately. After handing the Mirror of the Vast Heaven to the elder clan leader, he directly teleported through the formation array to the Yan Kingdom's training grounds of the Heavenly Ruins Sect.

"How is it going?"

Upon arriving at the Heavenly Ruins Sect, Eldrin couldn't refrain from speaking up.

Lyra stood guard before the spirit pond, her face etched with solemnity.

The Heavenly Ruins Sect's dojo was originally the ancestral land of the Deng Clan, possessing a mid-grade fourth-tier spiritual vein. Located far from the demon tribes' territories, it became their final chosen site for the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) to undergo its ascension.

"It should be within 3 months."

Lyra said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Eldrin gave a slight nod, his gaze fixed upon the spiritual pool before him. Within its depths, a suit of glazed armor shimmering with tri-colored precious light rotated slowly.

It glowed with an inner radiance, continuously drawing spiritual energy from the spirit pool, steadily illuminating the spiritual treasure array patterns within the precious armor.

The patterns of that spiritual treasure-grade formation were extraordinarily potent. Merely igniting a single strand required consuming a vast amount of spiritual energy. Even after successively absorbing 8 fourth-grade spiritual veins, it had only been activated roughly 70 to 80 percent.

It must be said that the price was steep. Once the spiritual energy within the ley line was completely drained, it would take a full 60-year cycle for it to return to its peak. During this period, the concentration of spiritual energy in the ley line would diminish by 30 to 50 percent.

Even so, the 2 of them were filled with immense anticipation. The more spiritual energy the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) absorbed, the more astonishing its power would become.

No 1 knew how much time had passed, but on this day, the array patterns of the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) finally ignited completely.

Streaks of spiritual treasure-grade formation runes radiated with dazzling brilliance, each strand possessing the terrifying divine might to shake the heavens and earth.

"Crack, crack, crack—"

Amidst a series of crisp cracking sounds, vast impurities were forcibly expelled from the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure), its very essence undergoing sublimation.

At last, the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) dispersed, its components flying out 1 by 1 and assembling themselves upon Lyra (Person Name)'s body.

Once clad in the treasure armor, Lyra discovered that the Glazed Treasure Armor continuously adapted to her form, ultimately transforming into a resplendent, form-fitting battle gown that exquisitely accentuated her graceful silhouette.

Eldrin gazed at her flawless figure, feeling his throat grow dry as he grasped her hand and asked, "How does it feel?"

Lyra's cheeks flushed slightly as she willed the treasure armor to transform, reshaping it into an opulent gown. Only then did she speak with delight, "This Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures truly lives up to its extraordinary reputation."

As Lyra recounted, Eldrin came to understand the profound mysteries contained within the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures.

As a supreme treasure for refining demons, this Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) possesses 3 divine abilities of a numinous treasure, the first being the Glazed Vajra Body.

This divine ability could safeguard a cultivator's soul and physical form, sufficient to withstand evil path curses and techniques of grand supernatural caliber.

The second is called the 3 Treasures Glazed Aegis. This divine ability can manifest a tri-colored glazed barrier, making it an extremely powerful demon-refining technique for defense.

Moreover, the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) possessed formidable innate defense. Once Lyra (Person Name) donned this treasure, even without activating its divine protective abilities, the armor's defensive strength alone was sufficient to withstand ordinary supreme-grade magical artifacts.

The third was known as the 3 Jewels Glazed Spirit Enhancement Art. This divine ability served as an auxiliary technique of the Demon-Subduing Treasure (Magic Treasure), capable of temporarily elevating a cultivator’s magical power to an immense degree.

With Lyra's cultivation base, it was said that after refining the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures, her magical power would surge by another significant margin, reaching 90 percent of a Golden Core cultivator's capacity.

With such a formidable amplification, its combat prowess might not be far inferior to that of Crimson Flame the Blazing Lord (Person Name).

The only drawback was that the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) possessed limited energy reserves, requiring over a century to replenish fully after each major battle.

Unless they could break through to the Nascent Soul Realm and replenish the energy of the Glazed Armor of the 3 Treasures (Magic Treasure) with their own Nascent Soul Qi (Spiritual Root), it could only be kept as a final trump card.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled across the mountain peaks, carrying with it the scent of frost and decay. Lin Feng tightened his tattered robe, his breath forming mist in the chill air. His gaze, however, remained fixed on the distant training ground where disciples clad in fine silk practiced their sword forms. "Still watching, Lin Feng?" A mocking voice cut through the wind. "Dreaming of becoming an immortal again?" Lin Feng didn't turn. He recognized the voice—it belonged to Zhang Hu, 1 of the outer sect disciples who never missed an opportunity to taunt him. "Even a toad dreams of eating swan meat," Zhang Hu continued, his laughter sharp. "You, with your pitiful talent, can't even gather 1,000 spirit stones, let alone afford the Foundation Establishment Pill." The words stung, but Lin Feng had grown accustomed to such ridicule over the past 3 years. He clenched his fists, the rough fabric of his robe straining against his knuckles. He remembered the day he'd arrived at the Cloud Sky Sect, full of hope and ambition. Now, at nearly 20 years old, he remained stuck at the third level of Qi Refining, his progress stalled for over a year. "Don't waste your time," another disciple chimed in. "Some people are just destined to be mortals." Lin Feng finally turned, his eyes meeting Zhang Hu's smug expression. "1 100 years from now," Lin Feng said, his voice quiet but steady, "we shall see who laughs last." Zhang Hu snorted. "Brave words for someone who can't even afford a decent cultivation technique." He gestured toward the mission hall. "There's a new batch of missions posted. Maybe you can earn enough for a Low-Grade Spirit Stone if you're lucky." As the disciples walked away, their laughter fading into the wind, Lin Feng allowed himself a bitter smile. He knew the odds were against him. The Foundation Establishment Pill cost 50,000 spirit stones—an astronomical sum for an outer sect disciple. Even the most basic cultivation manuals required thousands. His gaze drifted to the towering pagoda at the mountain's summit, where the inner sect disciples resided. They had access to rare resources, powerful artifacts like the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, and guidance from Elders who had lived for centuries. They didn't have to worry about spirit stones or basic pills. Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the mission board. Disciples crowded around the newly posted notices, their voices rising in excitement. "The Sect Leader has announced a special trial!" someone shouted. "The top performer will receive 100,000 spirit stones and a High-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill!" Lin Feng's heart leaped. This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for. Pushing through the crowd, he read the notice: *By order of Eldrin, Sect Leader of Cloud Sky Sect:* *All outer sect disciples are invited to participate in the Trial of the Ascent, commencing at dawn tomorrow. The trial will take place in the Whispering Woods, where participants must retrieve a Moonlight Bloom from the heart of the forest. The first to return with the flower shall receive the aforementioned rewards.* Whispers spread through the crowd. "The Whispering Woods? That's where Elder Ming perished last year!" "They say demon beasts have been sighted there recently." "Only a fool would risk it for a flower." Lin Feng felt a chill that had nothing to do with the mountain wind. The Whispering Woods were indeed dangerous—countless disciples had vanished within its misty confines over the years. But 100,000 spirit stones and a High-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill... This could change everything. As dusk settled over the mountains, painting the sky in shades of violet and gold, Lin Feng made his decision. He would enter the Whispering Woods. He would find the Moonlight Bloom. And he would prove to everyone—to Zhang Hu, to the sneering disciples, to the entire Cloud Sky Sect—that even a toad could someday reach the heavens. Back in his humble quarters, Lin Feng packed his meager belongings: a waterskin, some dried rations, and the only treasure he owned—a rusted dagger his father had given him before passing. He checked his spirit stone pouch; it contained precisely 327 spirit stones, barely enough to purchase a single Healing Pellet from the alchemy hall. He sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, attempting to meditate. The spiritual energy flowed into him, slow and reluctant as always. After what felt like an eternity, he managed to complete just 1 circulation cycle. His dantian felt no fuller than before. "Patience," he whispered to himself, repeating the mantra that had kept him going through 3 long years of disappointment. "The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step." Outside his window, the moon rose over the jagged peaks, its silver light filtering through the thin mountain air. Somewhere in the distance, a night bird called—a lonely sound that echoed through the vast emptiness between the stars. Tomorrow, he would step into the unknown. Tomorrow, he would gamble everything on a single chance at changing his destiny. For in the world of cultivation, where countless immortals had fallen and countless more would rise, even the weakest spark could someday start a wildfire that would consume the heavens.