Chapter 422 : A Cursed Gift and a Demon's Gaze

In accordance with the final wishes of Varen Wei, his funeral rites were conducted with great simplicity.

However, upon hearing that Eldrin Chen himself was attending to pay respects, a significant number of Violet Sanctum Cultivator from across Chu Nation arrived bearing gifts, their true intent clearly to make an appearance before Eldrin Chen.

He paid these gestures little mind. After Varen Wei's cremation, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He departed from Tian'e Mountain that very day.

Upon returning to Spirit Isle Lake, Eldrin Chen presented the pitch-black demonic box to Exquisite Jiang. A cold smile touched his lips as he said, "These Demonic Cultivator have already set their sights upon me."

"The Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse?"

Exquisite Jiang's pupils contracted sharply, a flash of keen, lethal intent passing through her eyes.

This Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse was a notoriously fearsome Divine Ability [a supernatural power cultivated to a profound level] of the Demonic Path [the cultivation arts and philosophies aligned with demonic and destructive forces]. This particular ability could be enacted through three distinct methods.

The first method was to forcibly unleash it during direct combat with an enemy. This application held the lowest potency, equivalent only to an elementary-level Divine Ability.

The second method involved using a personal item belonging to the intended target—such as flesh, blood, skin, or clothing—as a medium to channel the Divine Ability.

This approach dramatically amplified the curse's power. There were historical accounts of Demonic Cultivator at the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core cultivation stage] successfully ambushing formidable enemies who had reached Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle of mastery within the Golden Core stage] using precisely this technique. The story continues at audio—novel.com.

He performed the ritual for seven times seven, forty-nine days, tormenting his foe with the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse [a malevolent curse that binds demonic energy into threads that entangle the victim's spirit] for that entire duration, ultimately driving his enemy to the brink where their vital essence and blood were nearly exhausted, allowing him to be slain with ease.

The third method involves a medium object. A Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner of unorthodox, often malevolent cultivation arts] would expend tremendous resources to forge a medium for the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse. Should a cultivator come into contact with it unawares, the curse would invade their body.

A curse activated in this manner is exceedingly difficult to purge. Unless the caster is slain, it clings to the cultivator's being like a festering bone-deep ulcer, firmly rooting itself within hidden parts of their body. Once it erupts, it is enough to ensnare the cultivator in Demonic Fiendish Energy [a corrupt and malevolent form of spiritual energy] and bring about their death.

This final method is typically how high-ranking Demonic Cultivator control their subordinates and is seldom effective for secretly ambushing enemies.

Eldrin Chen kept his personal belongings very secure, leaving the Demonic Cultivator no means to acquire them. Thus, they were forced to seek the third method.

However, getting close to Eldrin Chen was no simple task. Any ordinary Demonic Cultivator, or even a righteous-path cultivator under their control, would have their abnormal aura detected by him the moment they approached.

Furthermore, the Chen Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] had never ceased its triennial inspections for Demonic Cultivator among its members, from mortals to cultivators alike, for centuries.

Left with no choice, the Demonic Cultivator devised a vile scheme. They intended to use a close friend like Varen Wei as a conduit to secretly plant the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse upon Eldrin Chen.

Yet, Varen Wei proved more resolute and unyielding than they had anticipated, causing the precious medium they had crafted at great cost to fall squarely into Eldrin Chen's hands.

After understanding the cause and effect, Exquisite Jiang said with a hint of lingering fear, "It is fortunate that Varen Wei did not disappoint you. Otherwise, you might have faced grave trouble."

"It is of no consequence."

Eldrin Chen shook his head and spoke calmly, "I am protected by my Lifebound Immortal Sword. Common Divine Ability curses and hexes cannot harm me. Furthermore, my various thunder-based Divine Ability arts and the Solar True Aegis are particularly effective at countering Demonic Path Divine Ability techniques."

"As long as this Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse is not being driven by an Infant Soul Cultivator, I am more than capable of withstanding it."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang also nodded. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Within the vicinity of Ji Continent, the only ones with the capability to activate such a Divine Ability are the Demonic Cultivator of Black Fiend Demon Ridge."

"Yet, according to Varen Wei's account, this attack originated from Demonic Ape Mountain. Does that not seem unusual?"

"That is precisely what puzzles me," Eldrin Chen agreed with a nod. He channeled Solar True Flame to incinerate the medium of the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse, then added, "But now I understand."

"The one who acted now is likely the Black Fire True Person who fled in defeat from our hands before."

And indeed, that was the case. Previously, the Black Fire True Person had been deceived by Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang. In the ensuing battle, his physical body was destroyed.

Later, fearing the wrath of the Black Fiend Patriarch, the wretch fled to Demonic Ape Mountain seeking refuge. There, he used the power of the Demonic Spring within the mountain to suppress the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse festering within him, barely clinging to life.

The Golden Core Demonic Cultivator of Demonic Ape Mountain, seeing this Infant Soul disciple of the Black Fiend Patriarch arrive, took note of the Black Fire True Person's capabilities.

After conferring, they devised a sinister scheme. Several Golden Core old demons joined forces, intending to use the power of Demonic Ape Mountain and the Demonic Spring to plant the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse [a vile curse that binds the victim with threads of demonic energy] upon Eldrin Chen.

The reason for this drastic measure was the growing dread that Eldrin Chen's meteoric rise in recent years had instilled in the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of dark, demonic arts].

Although the Infant Soul Realm [a high stage of cultivation] demonic beings, wary of the Ji Clan's might, dared not tear the facade of peace completely, the Demonic Ape Mountain faction bordering the Chu Nation was growing increasingly restless.

Setting aside the threat of the Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a powerful artifact specifically designed to suppress demons], Exquisite Jiang's current strength already approached half that of a true Infant Soul True Lord [a master of the Infant Soul Realm]. If Eldrin Chen were to break through to the Golden Core Late Stage, then the doom of Demonic Ape Mountain would likely be at hand.

After much deliberation, the Golden Core Demonic Cultivator elders of Demonic Ape Mountain resolved to strike first against Eldrin Chen, using the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse to ambush him from the shadows.

By their calculations, even if the Demonic Fiendish Energy Entangling Thread Curse failed to kill Eldrin Chen, it would at least grievously wound him, forcing him to spend an entire Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years] dispelling the curse and leaving him little focus for his cultivation. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel dot com.

What they never anticipated was that Varen Wei, while outwardly agreeing, would secretly turn around and deliver the Demonic Cultivator's treacherous plot directly into Eldrin Chen's hands.

Unbeknownst to Eldrin Chen, to force Varen Wei's compliance, Demonic Ape Mountain had also covertly taken control of Varen Wei's direct grandson.

Yet, in the end, Varen Wei never mentioned this matter. His grandson was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the stage of cultivation after Qi Refining]; given the ruthless nature of the Demonic Cultivator, there was no hope of him emerging alive. Speaking of it would only have sown needless sorrow.

Furthermore, Eldrin Chen would inevitably uncover the truth in time, making the revelation, or lack thereof, ultimately inconsequential.

This was still because the Demonic Cultivator's strength was insufficient; they were unable to silently seize control of the Wei Clan and also felt they lacked the confidence to escape the watchful eyes of Eldrin Chen and the surveillance of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance. Otherwise, they likely would have used the entire Wei Clan as a hostage.

After piecing together the cause and effect, Eldrin Chen spoke: "Having failed in their ambush this time, Demonic Ape Mountain will likely bear a grudge against the Wei Clan. The entire Wei Immortal Clan will be in grave danger."

"Since Demonic Ape Mountain dares to act so brazenly, it is time for us to move against them."

Exquisite Jiang also nodded, then pondered for a moment before saying, "However, the Three Treasures Glazed Armor still requires one final year to complete its advancement. It is now at the most critical juncture, and I cannot easily leave my post."

"It is not an insurmountable problem," Eldrin Chen contemplated, then proposed, "Let the clan and the Heavenly Ruins Alliance first mobilize forces to surround Demonic Ape Mountain. I, along with True Person Qian, will request the Heaven's Vault Mirror and the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword to stand guard outside the mountain."

"Then, we will deploy the elite forces of Chu Nation to launch the assault. Once the Three Treasures Glazed Armor completes its advancement, you can bring it to reinforce me."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang nodded. "That seems to be the only viable course of action."

After finalizing their plan, Eldrin Chen traveled to Green Sun Mountain that very night to formally request the aid of the Heaven's Vault Mirror.

He then proceeded to the Firmament Sword Sect to seek out Sect Master Qian. Slaying demons and vanquishing fiends is the foremost duty of cultivators of the Human Race, and Sect Master Qian understood the critical importance of this battle.

Taking up the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword, he accompanied Eldrin Chen as they flew ahead towards Demonic Ape Mountain. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel*com.