Chapter 493. 3 Demons of the Isle of Bleached Bones (Location)

Because the treasure ships appearing at the border between nearshore and distant seas were either newly departed vessels abundant with spiritual energy, or war treasure ships that had endured long voyages with severely depleted spiritual power.

The former scenario involved treasure ships at full combat strength—tough nuts to crack that demons and monsters usually avoided. Their targets were always those vessels that had traversed the vast Spirit-Severing Sea, their spiritual energy severely depleted.

At present, the Zhang Clan's treasure ship belonged to the former category, so Eldrin was not particularly concerned about any unforeseen incidents.

Indeed, that was how the journey unfolded. They had sailed for tens of millions of miles, encountering several Nascent Soul realm demons and monsters along the way. Yet when Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) summoned the 1000-Demon Slaying Sword (Magic Treasure) as a deterrent, these Demon Emperors and Devil Lords all withdrew.

A fully operational fifth-grade treasure ship, combined with the presence of a Nascent Soul True Monarch, wielded immense deterrence.

The demons were unwilling to take risks, which finally drove them away from the edge of the Spirit-Sea of Extinction and deeper into the open sea.

Thus time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, over a year had passed. On this day, while Eldrin (Person Name) was in secluded cultivation, he suddenly sensed the spiritual energy between heaven and earth growing vibrant and abundant, washing over him like a gentle spring breeze.

"This is..."

Eldrin emerged from his secluded cultivation chamber, only then realizing that the spiritual energy had imperceptibly grown far more concentrated.

Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) approached and gazed at the endless expanse of sea ahead. "The spiritual energy between heaven and earth grows increasingly dense," he remarked. "It seems we are nearing the Distant Sea Cultivation Realm."

As he spoke, Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) wore an increasingly solemn expression.

After a full year of voyage, they were finally approaching the edge of the Spiritless Sea. However, the treasure ship had been continuously activating the fifth-tier formation to harness the power of water element throughout the year, depleting nearly all of its stored spiritual energy.

By now, the treasure ship could no longer unleash sufficient power, and the danger would multiply greatly should they encounter an assault from a Demon Emperor or a Devil Lord.

At this thought, Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) urged them on, "We've reached the edge of the Sea of Severed Spirit. Endure a little longer—once we arrive at the Distant Sea Cultivation Realm, we'll be safe."

The treasure ship continued its voyage into the depths of the East Sea, and in the blink of an eye, another 2 days had passed.

As the distant sea cultivation realm drew ever nearer, the expressions of the group grew increasingly cautious.

Not long before, they had encountered a Nascent Soul demon. However, it seemed wary of Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) and the 1000-Demon Slaying Sword (Magic Treasure). In the end, the demon did not strike but withdrew without a trace.

Though the Nascent Soul demon had departed, Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) summoned Eldrin (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name), speaking with measured concern: "The demonic cultivator who spied upon us moments ago before retreating is known as the Blackbone Old Demon."

This demon was a true devil lord from the distant Isle of Bleached Bones (Location). Within the Isle of Bleached Bones (Location), there existed 3 devil monarchs of the Nascent Soul stage. Apart from this demon, the other 2 were the Ancient Bone Demon and the Blood Bone Demon.

"I fear he may return and bring the other 2 devil lords from the Isle of Bleached Bones (Location) with him."

Eldrin exchanged a glance with Lyra, his expression turning grave. "What level of power does this Skeletal Demon Island possess?" he inquired.

"You have seen that Blackbone Old Demon yourself, merely at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm). The Bloodbone Old Demon is scarcely different from him. Though their demonic arts and demonic treasures are extraordinary, they are hardly remarkable when viewed across the entire Nascent Soul realm."

Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage spoke, pausing briefly as his tone grew solemn. "However, that Old Bone Demon is truly extraordinary. This demon cultivates the Great Bone Art and has already reached the Nascent Soul, 4th Tier (Cultivation Realm)."

Most crucially, he still possessed a Skeleton Demon Skull (Magic Treasure) capable of unleashing a Soul-Snatching Bone Demon Light specifically designed to counter defensive artifacts. Even a mid-fourth-tier defensive spiritual treasure could not withstand its power.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin's pupils abruptly contracted.

That 'Bone-Snatching Soul-Devouring Demonic Light' could not be blocked even by spiritual treasures. It specifically targeted a cultivator's soul and nascent soul. Even a Nascent Soul True Monarch, if caught off guard and enveloped by it, would have their soul forcibly extracted from their physical body, only to be gradually eroded and utterly annihilated by the demonic light.

Contemplating the astonishing power of this treasure, Eldrin couldn't help but remark, "I wonder if Your Excellency possesses the means to counter it?"

"For this journey, I've borrowed a spiritual treasure from a close friend, 1 that can offer us a certain degree of protection..."

With that, Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) produced a small, ancient bell cast in violet gold.

As he explained, Eldrin understood the origin of this treasure. It was named the Violet Gold Soul-Calming Bell, a rare and unique spiritual artifact possessing wondrous uses: suppressing souls, warding off evil forces, and resisting curses and divinations.

After his introduction, he added, "Cultivators with powerful souls possess greater resistance to the Skeleton Soul-Devouring Demonic Light."

"Moreover, those who cultivate the Pure Yang Dao Art or profound thunder-based supernatural abilities can also develop a certain resistance to this demonic light."

"Alas, you have only reached the Golden Core Realm. Though you have refined your spiritual power through your Natal Artifact, your divine soul can hardly compare to us Nascent Soul True Lords."

"Remember this," Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) spoke with an expression of utmost gravity, "Should those 3 demons attack, you must stay behind me at all costs, lest the demonic cultivators seize an opportunity to strike."

"Of course I understand."

Eldrin nodded slightly, a flicker of reassurance settling in his heart. Having tempered their consciousness with the 5-Colors Divine Refinement Liquid, the strength of their spiritual souls likely far surpassed that of even Human Path Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

Additionally, the protection of the 5 Elements Divine Lightning would grant some resistance against this demonic path technique.

After carefully instructing the 2, Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name) gazed at the Violet Gold Soul-Calming Bell in his hand and remarked, "It's a pity this treasure is merely a low-grade spirit treasure. I fear it may not fully withstand the Skull of the Skeletal Demon."

"Otherwise, with your assistance and my 1000-Demon Slaying Sword (Magic Treasure), we would surely have no fear of the 3 fiends from the Isle of Bleached Bones (Location)."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly. The 1000-Demon Slaying Sword, a fifth-tier, high-grade magic treasure, served as the Zhang immortal clan's ultimate heirloom blade.

With this demon-subduing immortal sword in hand, specially designed to vanquish demons and evil spirits, countless fiends along the way retreated at the mere sight of it.

After the 3 had deliberated, Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage (Person Name), fearing a demonic assault, spared no expense and spent a vast sum of spirit stones to replenish nearly half of the spiritual energy within the treasure ship.

Such a treasure ship could restore some of its combat power, enough to lend them a hand in critical moments.

Thus, in the blink of an eye, 7 days had passed. As they drew ever closer to the edge of the Sea of Severed Spirit, just when everyone was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the demonic creature finally arrived.

"It has come after all."

Eldrin stood at the prow, his expression grave as he gazed into the depths of the void. At the distant edge of the sea, an expanse of black clouds swept across the horizon, blotting out the sky.

From within that mass of black clouds emerged 3 figures radiating overwhelming auras. At their forefront was a man clad in gray robes, his gaze piercing like twin suns as it swept across the scene.

"I see who it is now—the old freak Dao Xuan."

"Heh heh heh, a treasure ship carrying cargo no less. It seems this old man is about to make a fortune today."

"White Bone Elder Demon!"

Daoxuan the Enlightened Sage's expression shifted. For days, the treasure ship had been advancing at full speed in an attempt to shake off the Isle of Bleached Bones, yet they had now encountered this worst-case scenario.