Chapter 489 : The Price of Purification

"This..."

Eldrin Chen's expression darkened slightly, and he couldn't help but ask, "Is there truly no way to save it?"

"It is already too late."

"The optimal window to extract the Blood Fiend Miasma [a malevolent, blood-based corrupting energy] has already passed. Even if we expend immense effort and resources to purge it, we would only be left with a ruined physical vessel."

"It would be better to simply abandon this fleshly body and spend three hundred years within the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of recreating a cultivator's body] to forge a new one."

Nine Rivers True Lord shook his head with a bitter smile. He explained to Eldrin Chen that the Blood Fiend Heart-Piercing Nail [a vicious enchanted artifact] was exceptionally malicious. The residual Blood Fiend Miasma [a malevolent, blood-based corrupting energy], having invaded his internal organs, was now nearly impossible to eradicate completely.

His Five Viscera and Six Bowels [the core internal organs in traditional cultivation physiology] and vital essence had been tainted. Unless he were a cultivator who practiced the Primordial Solar Path Art [a cultivation method harnessing the pure, purifying energy of the primordial sun], it would be exceedingly difficult to purify this defiling power.

The only remaining method was to refine it away using an overwhelmingly potent Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] or a rare spiritual medicine. However, employing such a forceful approach, even if successful in removing the corruption, would inevitably devastate the physical body beyond repair.

After finishing his explanation, his gaze turned grave as he looked at Eldrin Chen. "Once I discard this body and enter the Nirvana Pool [a mystical pool capable of recreating a cultivator's body] to rebuild my form, I will be unable to take action for three hundred years."

"I fear the demonic fiends will not let this opportunity pass. I wonder... could I entrust Nine Rivers Island to your care for the time being?" This chapter appears courtesy of http://www . audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly. The usage rights to a Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [a vein of earth energy ranked fifth in potency] and an Earth Vein [a natural conduit of terrestrial spiritual energy] were a tempting offer, one that would stir the heart of any Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core] or even a rogue Infant Soul True Lord [a cultivator whose nascent soul has matured into an independent spiritual entity].

After a moment of contemplation, however, he shook his head. "Our journey to the Eastern Sea Cultivation World [the world of cultivation centered around the Eastern Sea] is for a matter of great importance. Furthermore, we do not plan to linger here long and would find it difficult to provide long-term guardianship."

"Alas, I thought that might be the case."

"It seems I must seek the aid of my friends within the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance [a major alliance of cultivators in the Eastern Sea region]," sighed the Nine Rivers True Lord [a title meaning 'Lord of Nine Rivers']. He then made another request: "But before a suitable True Lord [an honorific title for a cultivator of the Infant Soul realm] arrives, could you, Fellow Daoist, assist this old man by watching over the place for a short while?"

"That is only reasonable," Eldrin Chen nodded, giving his promise. "We can remain here for a brief period. I only hope the delay will not be too long."

"You have my word, Fellow Daoist. I will not impose upon your time for long."

As he spoke, a rare smile touched the features of the Nine Rivers True Lord.

With that matter settled, Exquisite Jiang produced the precious treasures they had seized from the battle.

These treasures were the carapace and physical remains of the Bixia Demon Emperor [a powerful turtle-like demon sovereign], along with the immensely valuable Demon Emperor Infant Soul [the nascent soul of a slain demon emperor, a potent source of spiritual power].

Surveying the three items, she stated calmly, "We all contributed significantly to this battle. Let us divide the spoils amongst ourselves."

"There is no need for such formality."

The Nine Rivers True Lord hastily declined, shaking his head. "You were the ones who slew the Bixia Demon Emperor, and you also saved my life. How could I possibly have the gall to claim a share of the spoils?"

"You need not worry about that, True Lord,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a calm, faint smile. "Had you not intercepted the Black-robed True Lord, my wife and I would have found it difficult to achieve such a result."

"Moreover, you sacrificed your Metallic Gold Demon-Slaying Sword Talisman and deployed the Eight Trigrams Demon Refining Formation Flags. One could say your contribution was even greater than ours."

"As for the debt of saving your life, let us consider it a strand of Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect that binds all actions] between us. Perhaps when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied great calamity originating from a demonic abyss] arrives, we may yet support each other."

Hearing this, the Nine Rivers True Lord gave a slight, inward nod of approval.

He had indeed contributed the most in this battle. Furthermore, having more friends meant more paths in life. If every act of Karma were settled immediately, one would struggle to forge true friendships and find mutual support in times of future hardship.

With this thought, the Nine Rivers True Lord spoke. "This old man will remember the life-saving grace. I shall repay you in the future, Fellow Daoist."

"Your sentiment is appreciated."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, then gazed at the tortoise shell of the Bixia Demon Emperor and said, "This object contains the concentrated essence of the Bixia Demon Emperor's entire being. It is sufficient to forge a Defensive Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact designed for protection]."

"I possess a Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intrinsically linked to its wielder's life force] that requires this material for reforging. I shall, with some embarrassment, claim it for myself."

The Nine Rivers True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] nodded, observing the demon emperor's physical form. "This fiend's bloodline is truly Extraordinary. If I use its flesh and blood essence to reconstruct my physical body, my future bodily fortitude may become exceptionally formidable."

"Its bones are also a crucial material for constructing a Fifth Rank [the fifth tier in a grading system for artifacts] demon-hunting Treasure Ship [a flying vessel imbued with magical properties]. I must also shamelessly request them."

"That is only fitting."

Eldrin Chen chuckled amiably. "This Demon Emperor's corpse is far too massive. Transporting it back would require me to constantly expend spiritual energy to operate the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical mirror capable of storing vast objects]. It is better left for you to use in building the Treasure Ship and restoring your physical form." Your portal to cultivation novels: audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Having said this, the trio turned their gazes toward the Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] of the Bixia Demon Emperor.

The Bixia Demon Emperor possessed an Extraordinary bloodline. The Infant Soul it had condensed was comparable to a Human Race cultivator's Earthly Path Infant Soul [a specific, potent method of forming the Infant Soul]. It contained an exceptionally abundant reservoir of primordial Creation Energy [the fundamental energy of creation and life], sufficient to refine three Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in the formation of the Nascent Soul, a higher stage of cultivation].

With this thought, the Nine Rivers True Lord spoke. "To refine the Nascent Soul Formation Pill, a large quantity of auxiliary Spirit Herb [plants imbued with spiritual energy] is still required. This old man shall take responsibility for gathering these Spirit Herb."

"When the time comes, I will commission a master from the Immortal Alliance [a powerful coalition of immortal cultivators] to perform the alchemy. Given the skill of a Fifth Rank High-Grade [a top-tier fifth rank] alchemist within the Immortal Alliance, they will undoubtedly succeed in refining three Nascent Soul Formation Pill."

"After the matter is accomplished, one of the pills will go to the alchemist of the Immortal Alliance, and the remaining two shall be split evenly between us?"

"Then I shall trouble you with this."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. Gathering the supplementary herbs for a single Nascent Soul Formation Pill was no simple task. Only a power like Nine Rivers Island, with its heritage spanning several millennia, possessed the sufficient depth of resources.

Since the other party was willing to exert this effort, it saved him considerable trouble.

After settling this matter, Eldrin Chen's expression held a trace of hesitation before he spoke. "I observed that the power of your Eight Trigrams Demon Refining Banner is truly Extraordinary, capable of allowing a Golden Core Cultivator to unleash combat strength rivaling an Infant Soul cultivator."

"I wonder if you could impart the method for this formation to us? I am willing to exchange it for cultivation arts or Divine Ability techniques."

"The Eight Trigrams Demon Refining Banner?" The Nine Rivers True Lord was momentarily taken aback, then suddenly laughed. "Your discernment is keen, Fellow Daoist."

"The refinement method for this set of Formation Flag was something I obtained by chance in my youth. Its potential power is far greater than what you've seen. It is merely my own insufficient cultivation and the lack of suitable materials for artifact forging that limited it to the potency of a Fifth Rank Low-Grade treasure."

"If you acquire this refinement method, you may study it well. Perhaps you can forge a set of Formation Flag that will shake the heavens and the earth."

As he spoke, the Nine Rivers True Lord handed a jade slip to Eldrin Chen. "As for an exchange, it is unnecessary. While such a treasure is said to be precious, creating a copy incurs virtually no cost."

"As long as you, Fellow Daoist, pledge not to sell it to others, then this set of Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and conduits used for defense, cultivation, or other mystical purposes] shall be gifted to you."

Eldrin Chen accepted it without declining, merely cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. "Since you are willing to bestow this gift, I shall accept it with gratitude."

Through this exchange, having obtained the extraordinary method for refining these Formation Flag [enchanted banners used as focal points or anchors for a larger mystical formation], both parties felt their bond had grown closer.

At that moment, Nine Rivers True Lord coughed heavily twice.

His face was pale, his aura weak as he spoke, "This old man's physical body cannot hold on much longer. Before I must abandon this fleshly vessel, I must make a trip to the Primordial Solar Immortal Clan Lin [an ancient and prestigious clan of immortal cultivators] and entrust the Grand Elder of the Lin Clan with refining a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in the formation and stabilization of a cultivator's Nascent Soul, the embryonic form of their immortal spirit]."

"It is not convenient to converse at length today. Once I have restored my physical form, I shall return for a proper discussion with you, Fellow Daoist." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio novel.com.