Chapter 482 : The Boulder Demon Emperor's Ascent

"How could that be?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a faint smile.

Through their conversation, Eldrin Chen understood that Face River Lu was one of the managing cultivators of Nine Rivers Island, his status on the island second only to that Elder from the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance who was at the Infant Soul Realm.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "By the way, Fellow Daoist, we have yet to learn the purpose of your visit today."

Hearing him broach the main subject, Face River Lu's expression turned solemn, and he straightened his posture. "To be frank, I have come seeking your aid. I wish to ask both of you to lend Nine Rivers Island your strength."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly as he exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang.

Beside him, Exquisite Jiang frowned slightly, her crimson lips parting. "What do you mean?"

"Because to the west of our Nine Rivers Island, within the Boulder Sea Region, another Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] is about to ascend…"

Face River Lu explained in detail, a trace of helplessness coloring his expression. This chapter is provided by audio–novel.com. Support the original.

In recent years, the Human Race [the collective term for humanity in this cultivation world] has grown weaker along the Eastern Sea Coast, while the Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beasts and monsters] has become increasingly rampant and powerful.

The Boulder Sea Region lies a mere three million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Nine Rivers Island, yet it is home to an Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast that has reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm, equivalent to a human Nascent Soul cultivator].

That Demon Emperor [a title for a ruler-level demonic beast] is known as the Boulder Demon Emperor, the sovereign of the Boulder Turtle [a species of giant, rock-like turtle demon] clan. Although its cultivation is only at the Infant Soul Early Stage, its defensive capabilities are extraordinarily formidable, making it one of the greatest persistent threats to Nine Rivers Island.

Originally, Nine Rivers Island could still hold its ground against the Boulder Sea Region. However, in recent years, a Demon King [a title for a high-level demonic beast, typically at the Golden Core realm] of exceptionally potent bloodline has emerged from those waters.

It is said this demonic turtle is named the Bixia Demon King. Having awakened a trace of its Bixia Bloodline [the legendary bloodline of the divine turtle Bixia, known for immense strength and endurance], its power nearly rivals that of a Human Race cultivator at the Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade within the Golden Core cultivation realm]. Should it break through to the Infant Soul Realm, it would most likely attain an Earthly Path Infant Soul [a particularly stable and powerful type of Nascent Soul foundation].

"A single Superior-Tier Golden Core foe we did not fear. But according to my master's divinations, the Bixia Demon King's breakthrough to Infant Soul is imminent, likely within half a year."

Face River Lu said, a flash of gravity crossing his eyes. "We cannot allow it to achieve that breakthrough. Therefore, we plan to organize a hunt by high-level cultivators, striking at the critical moment of its ascension."

"I see."

After listening, Eldrin Chen frowned slightly before asking, "Hunting a Demon King is no trivial matter. Why not directly seek out familiar Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed their Golden Core, the core of their power]?"

Face River Lu shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "In truth, we have already invited several Golden Core Cultivator. We simply lack absolute confidence in our current preparations."

As he recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen grasped the gist of the situation.

Hunting an Infant Soul Demon Emperor was no simple feat, even one freshly ascended and grievously wounded by the tribulation.

Even after its breakthrough and the devastating blow from the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, the Bixia Demon King could only be threatened by cultivators possessing at least Golden Core Realm combat prowess.

And those capable of posing a significant threat to an Infant Soul Demon Emperor were only apex Golden Core cultivators like Eldrin Chen, those at the Golden Core Late Stage or even Golden Core Perfection.

It was precisely for this reason that upon learning of Eldrin Chen and his companion's arrival at Nine Rivers Island, Face River Lu hurriedly came to extend an invitation.

They hailed from the Eastern Region Great Wasteland Cultivation World, not the vicinity of Nine Rivers Island, making them an unforeseen variable, a potential surprise force that could catch the Demon Race of the Boulder Sea Region off guard.

Contemplating the difficulty of slaying a Demon Emperor, Face River Lu offered a bitter smile. "Every Golden Core Cultivator from the Human Race near Nine Rivers Island is already accounted for in the Demon Race's calculations. Since the Bixia Demon King dared to attempt the Infant Soul breakthrough, it must have been supremely confident."

"Moreover, it has the Boulder Demon Emperor and a host of Golden Core guardians protecting its ascension. Our chances of success are no more than three in ten."

"Yet, this is our final chance to slay the Bixia Demon King. Should it succeed in breaking through to the Infant Soul Realm, our foothold on Nine Rivers Island will surely shrink further."

Eldrin Chen listened in silence, keenly sensing the profound helplessness in Face River Lu's words.

Currently, within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the vast world of cultivation centered on the Eastern Sea], the demonic and monstrous forces hold great power. Yet, this Nine Rivers Island is still located in the near-shore regions where the Human Race maintains relatively strong control, allowing them to barely suppress the demonic tide for now.

If one ventures deeper into the Eastern Sea, each Fifth Rank Spirit Island [an island with a powerful spiritual vein, suitable for high-level cultivators] in the outer sea regions controlled by the Human Race must almost invariably face several demonic forces of comparable strength simultaneously.

Many Spirit Island [islands imbued with spiritual energy] and sea territories have long fallen under the control of the Demon Race and Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use demonic or unorthodox methods]. Even the former Path-Field [a sect's primary territory and spiritual foundation] of Human Race Infant Soul Sect [a sect powerful enough to have an Infant Soul stage cultivator] like the Verdant Void Sect likely remains in the hands of Demonic Cultivator to this day.

If the Human Race can barely hold on in the near-shore and outer sea, the deep ocean has long been utterly dominated by demons and monsters. Remnants of Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this world] still dwell there, and all Human Race influence in those abyssal depths was extinguished many years ago.

Contemplating the hardships of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, Eldrin Chen felt a desire to contribute his strength to the cause of the Human Race.

However, he did not commit outright. "My Dao Companion and I have only just arrived in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World," he said cautiously. "We are still unfamiliar with the land and its people." Access the full story on audio-novel dot com.

"Allow us some time to consider. We shall give you our answer in a few days."

"That is only reasonable," Face River Lu nodded, his expression turning grave. "However, the Bixia Demon King [a powerful turtle demon king] is on the verge of a breakthrough. I must urge you both to decide swiftly."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen gave a calm nod, then smiled. "Since we are newcomers to the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, we would be grateful if you, Fellow Daoist, could enlighten us on the current situation here."

"Then you have asked the right person."

Face River Lu smiled and began to explain the power structure of the Human Race factions within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World to Eldrin Chen.

Within this Eastern Sea Cultivation World, the various powers are primarily governed by the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance, which itself is a coalition of over one hundred Infant Soul-level forces and two Path Lord Sacred Land.

Those two Path Lord Sacred Land are the Primordial Spirit sect 'Horizon Pavilion' and the Primordial Solar Immortal Clan 'Lin Clan'.

The Horizon Pavilion is stationed in the Outer Sea, a hegemon of the Eastern Sea whose lineage stretches back countless tens of thousands of years. It is said that in ancient times, several Patriarch from the Horizon Pavilion achieved Ascendant Immortal [the state of transcending mortality and ascending to the Immortal Realm] and ascended into the Immortal Realm.

Later, when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm erupted, the Path-Field [a sacred cultivation ground or territory] of the Horizon Pavilion was breached multiple times, yet they managed to rally and return each time.

To this day, they still have two Primordial Solar Path Lord [a title for a cultivator who has mastered the Dao at the Primordial Solar Realm] presiding over them, serving as the Human Race's stabilizing pillar within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, a testament to their astonishing depth of heritage.

The Lin Immortal Clan is a newly ascended Primordial Spirit Immortal Clan. Its Clan Patriarch, 'Starry River Path Lord', rose to prominence during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. Five hundred years ago, he summoned the Heaven and Earth Souls [the two higher spiritual souls required for a major breakthrough] and proved his Dao, attaining the Primordial Solar Realm. He now holds dominion over the Offshore Cultivation World.

Beyond the Human Race, the three Primordial Spirit old demons among the Demonic Cultivator also possess extraordinary origins.

Among those three old demons, one is named Kaya Heavenly Demon. This demon is a true Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity originating from beyond this world], hailing from outside the Purple Seal Realm. He is the most bitterly hated adversary of the Human Race.

The other two old demons were known as Blood God Patriarch and Longgu Path Master. The Blood God Patriarch, a Demonic Cultivator, practiced the Blood Demon Grand Art and was said to be the direct disciple of the Blood Demon Patriarch. His ability to preserve his own life was exceptionally rare in the world.

The final demon was named Longgu Path Master. This fiend was once a Path Lord of the Human Race who shook the world with his might. For reasons unknown, a single thought turned him to darkness, and in a single night, he became a Patriarch of the Demonic Path, a rarity even in this age.

Eldrin Chen listened quietly. Only after the man finished recounting the various powers of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World did he find an opportunity to speak. "My journey to the Eastern Sea Cultivation World is actually for a matter of Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect that binds all actions] in the outer sea territories," he began.

"I wonder if you, Fellow Daoist, have sufficient understanding of the situation in those outer sea domains." The complete novel can be found at audio . novel . com.