Chapter 493 : A Deterrent Across the Demon Seas

For the treasure vessels that appear at the edge of the Inshore and Distant Sea regions, they are either those that have just set sail, their spiritual energy still abundant, or those that have journeyed vast distances, their spiritual energy greatly depleted War Treasure Boat.

The former type, with its combat power at its peak, is a tough nut to crack, and often the Demonic Monsters [powerful creatures corrupted by demonic energy] will not target them. Their prey are the vessels that have traversed the vast Spirit-Severed Sea [a desolate oceanic region where spiritual energy is nearly absent], their spiritual reserves critically low.

The Zhang Clan's treasure vessel currently fell into the former category, so Eldrin Chen was not overly concerned about unforeseen incidents.

And indeed, this proved true. They sailed for tens of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], encountering several Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator forms their immortal soul] level Demonic Monsters along the way. Yet, each time Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage manifested the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for vanquishing demons] as a deterrent, these Demon Emperor [rulers among demonic tribes] and Demon Monarch [powerful demonic cultivators] would retreat.

A Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [a mighty vessel of immense power] at the peak of its strength, coupled with a Nascent Soul True Lord [an honored title for a master of the Nascent Soul realm], presented a formidable deterrent indeed.

Unwilling to take such a risk, the Demonic Monsters allowed them to finally leave the fringes of the Spirit-Severed Sea and venture deeper into the Distant Sea.

Thus, time flowed on like a river. In the blink of an eye, over a year had passed. One day, while Eldrin Chen was in secluded cultivation, he suddenly sensed the spiritual vitality of heaven and earth becoming vibrant and rich, washing over him like a gentle, life-giving breeze.

"This is..."

Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed meditation and cultivation] and realized the ambient spiritual energy had grown denser, almost imperceptibly so.

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage approached as well. Gazing at the seemingly endless expanse of sea ahead, he said, "The spiritual energy between heaven and earth grows steadily richer. It seems we are drawing near to the Distant Sea Cultivation World [the more spiritually abundant and developed regions of the distant ocean]." Read the full novel exclusively on audi novel.com.

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage spoke, his expression growing increasingly grave.

After a voyage lasting a full year, they were finally nearing the edge of the Spirit-Severed Sea [a vast oceanic region devoid of spiritual energy]. Yet, after a year of constantly powering the Fifth Rank Formation [a powerful magical array] to harness Water Essence Power [the fundamental energy of water], the treasure boat's stored spiritual energy was nearly depleted.

Now, the vessel could scarcely unleash its full might. Should they encounter an attack from a Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beasts] or a Demon Monarch [a powerful demonic cultivator], the danger would increase dramatically.

With this thought, Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage urged them on: "We have reached the fringe of the Spirit-Severed Sea. Everyone, endure a little longer. Once we reach the Distant Sea Cultivation World [the outer regions of the sea where cultivation sects exist], we will be safe."

The treasure boat continued its journey deeper into the Eastern Sea, and in the blink of an eye, another two days passed.

As the distance to the Distant Sea Cultivation World shrank, the vigilance of everyone aboard grew sharper.

Not long before, they had crossed paths with a Nascent Soul [a realm of cultivation where one forms a spiritual infant] level Demonic Monsters [powerful beasts infused with demonic energy]. However, the creature seemed wary of Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage and the Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for slaying demons], and ultimately retreated without engaging.

Though the Nascent Soul Demonic Monsters had withdrawn, Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage summoned Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, his voice laced with concern. "The Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses demonic energy for cultivation] who spied on us and then departed is known as the Blackbone Elder Demon."

"That fiend is a True Lord [an honorific title for a Nascent Soul realm expert] of the Demonic Path [the collective practices and factions of demonic cultivation] from the distant sea's 'Isle of Bleached Bones' [a notorious island stronghold of demonic cultivators]. That isle harbors three Nascent Soul Demon Monarch [a title for a powerful demonic ruler]. Besides this one, the other two are the Whitebone Elder Demon and the Bloodbone Elder Demon."

"I fear he may return, bringing with him the other two Demonic Path True Lord from the Isle of Bleached Bones."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang, his expression turning grave. He inquired, "What is the strength of this Withered Bone Demon Island?"

"You have seen the Blackbone Elder Demon yourself; he is merely at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage. The Bloodbone Elder Demon is not much different. While their demonic arts and Demonic Treasure are formidable, they are not considered extraordinary within the Nascent Soul realm."

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage spoke, then paused briefly, his tone growing heavy. "However, the Whitebone Elder Demon is exceptionally formidable. This Demonic Cultivator practices the White Bone Grand Art and has reached the Nascent Soul, 4th Tier in cultivation."

"Most crucially, he possesses a 'Skeletal Demon Skull' that can unleash the White Bone Soul-Seizing Demonic Radiance, a radiance specifically designed to counter Protective Magical Treasure. Even a Fourth Rank Middle Grade Defensive Spiritual Treasure cannot withstand it."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply.

That 'White Bone Soul-Seizing Demonic Radiance' could not even be blocked by a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact]. It specifically targeted a cultivator's spiritual core, their Nascent Soul. If a Nascent Soul True Lord were caught off guard and enveloped by it, their soul would be forcibly extracted from their body and utterly eroded by the demonic light.

Contemplating the terrifying nature of this treasure, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "Do you have a means to counter it?"

"For this journey, I have borrowed a Spiritual Treasure from a friend. It can, to a certain extent, protect us..."

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage said, producing a small, ancient bell of purple and gold.

As he explained, Eldrin Chen learned of this treasure's origins. It was named the 'Purple-Gold Soul-Suppressing Bell', a rare Special Spiritual Treasure. It possessed wondrous uses: suppressing souls, repelling evil, and resisting curses and divination.

After his introduction, he continued, "Cultivators with powerful spiritual souls possess greater resistance to the White Bone Soul-Seizing Demonic Radiance [a sinister light that can capture and devour the souls of its victims]."

"Furthermore, those who cultivate Pure Yang Dao Method [cultivation arts aligned with the pure, untainted Yang energy of the sun], or possess profound Thunder Art Divine Ability [divine abilities that harness the purifying and destructive power of thunder and lightning], also have a degree of innate defense against such demonic radiance."

"Unfortunately, you are currently only at the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core] realm. Although your lifebound treasures have tempered your Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators to power spells and techniques], your spiritual souls likely cannot compare to us Nascent Soul True Lord [the fourth major realm, where the cultivator's spirit forms a nascent, independent soul entity]."

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage said, his expression turning gravely serious as he admonished them, "If those three demons attack, you must remember to stay close behind me, lest you be caught off guard by the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow a path of corruption, often sacrificing others for power]."

"We understand perfectly."

Eldrin Chen nodded, yet inwardly he felt a measure of reassurance. Their consciousness seas had been tempered by the Five Radiances Spirit Refining Art, making their spiritual souls arguably far more robust than even those of a Mortal Dao Nascent Soul True Lord. The story continues at audio-novel . com.

Coupled with the protection of his Five Elements Divine Thunder [a supreme divine ability that channels the purifying thunder of all five fundamental elements], he would possess significant resistance against such a Demonic Path Divine Ability.

After carefully instructing the pair, Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage gazed at the Purple-Gold Soul-Suppressing Bell [a bell forged from purple-gold that emits waves of energy to pacify and suppress hostile spiritual forces] in his hand and sighed, "A pity this treasure is only of inferior-grade Spiritual Treasure [a treasure that has developed its own sentient spirit, far surpassing ordinary magical treasures]. I fear it cannot completely block the Skeletal Demon Skull [a demonic treasure crafted from a powerful demon's skull, radiating malevolent energy]."

"Otherwise, with your assistance and my Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword, we would surely have nothing to fear from the three fiends of the Isle of Bleached Bones."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a subtle light. That Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword was a Fifth Rank High Grade treasure, the very Clan-Suppressing Immortal Sword [a legendary sword passed down through generations, symbolizing and protecting a clan's legacy] of the Zhang Immortal Clan.

With this Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a sword specifically forged to vanquish demonic beings] in hand, which specializes in countering Demonic Monsters [powerful creatures born of demonic energy], many such fiends they encountered along their journey were forced to retreat in fear.

After the three of them deliberated, Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage, fearing an attack from Demonic Monsters, did not hesitate to spend a vast sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to recharge the treasure boat's spiritual energy reserves by nearly half.

Thus, the treasure boat regained a measure of its combat power, sufficient to lend them a crucial hand in a moment of dire need.

In this manner, seven days passed in the blink of an eye. As they drew ever closer to the edge of the Spirit-Severed Sea [a vast, desolate ocean where spiritual energy is nearly absent], just when the group was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the Demonic Monsters finally arrived.

"They've come after all."

Eldrin Chen stood at the ship's prow, his expression grave as he gazed into the depths of the void. At the distant horizon where sea met sky, a mass of black clouds rolled forth, blotting out the heavens.

From within that shroud of darkness emerged three figures radiating overwhelming, sky-scorching auras. At their head was a man clad in gray robes, his gaze piercing like twin suns as it fixed upon them.

"So it's you, Daoxuan the Ancient Eccentric."

"Heh heh heh... and a cargo-laden treasure boat at that. It seems this old man is about to make a fortune today."

"Whitebone Elder Demon!"

Daoist Daoxuan, the Enlightened Sage's countenance shifted. For several days, the treasure boat had been advancing at full speed, intending to shake off the pursuit from the Isle of Bleached Bones. Yet, against all hopes, they had now encountered this worst possible scenario. Published by audio - novel . com. All rights reserved.