Chapter 246 : The Black Fiend's Resurgence

This mountain range stretched vast, its breadth exceeding five million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Its peaks rose and fell in endless undulations, formed by the interlocking of countless great mountains.

Within its harsh environment, venomous insects and Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures born of demonic energy] ran rampant, and the terrain was exceedingly complex, making it nearly uninhabitable for ordinary mortals.

Yet, precisely because it held numerous Spirit Vein [subterranean channels that concentrate and emit spiritual energy] and no small amount of high-grade resources, it was also a treasured land where Rogue Cultivator [cultivators not affiliated with major sects or clans] and Demonic Tribe [tribes of demonic beasts or demonic cultivators] entrenched themselves.

Here resided many Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core palace] and even Golden Core Rogue Cultivators, as well as reclusive Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators of the fifth major realm, where one forms an infant spiritual soul]. Deep within the mountains, several Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [demon beasts that have reached the Nascent Soul realm] were said to lurk.

What truly gave Eldrin Chen pause was the Ridge of the Black Fiend [a mountain ridge infamous as a stronghold of demonic cultivators]. That place was the domain of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often cruel methods, drawing power from demonic energy].

It was said the Ji Immortal Clan had assaulted the Ridge of the Black Fiend multiple times over the millennia. In ancient eras, they had utterly destroyed it again and again. Yet, every few millennia, the Ridge of the Black Fiend would rise once more, birthing new Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator.

The current master of the Ridge of the Black Fiend was the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, a demonic fiend of immense power at the Nascent Soul [the fifth major cultivation realm] realm. He cultivated the Black Malignancy Demonic Qi [a corrosive and vile demonic energy technique], and his cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

Since the Black Malignancy Elder Demon seized the Ridge of the Black Fiend three hundred years ago, the Ji Clan had launched two successive campaigns against it, yet they consistently failed to eradicate this blight.

What was truly chilling was that within the Eastern Wastelands, there were many such Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [places shunned by righteous cultivators, serving as strongholds for demonic powers] similar to the Ridge of the Black Fiend. Even if the Righteous Path Cultivator [cultivators who follow orthodox, virtuous methods] paid a bloody price to completely purge one, after a millennium, it would always find a way to return. Find this and other novels at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Moreover, new Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a region corrupted by demonic energy, serving as a sanctuary and stronghold for demonic cultivators] are born with each passing era. For instance, the Demon Cave Cavern [a notorious demonic stronghold] was a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land that emerged one thousand three hundred years ago and has since continuously drawn hordes of Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic and often malevolent methods] to cultivate within its depths.

These lands serve as sanctuaries for Demonic Cultivator, yet they are also terrifying, blood-soaked lairs. Their environments are often extraordinarily hostile; Righteous Path Cultivator [practitioners who follow orthodox, virtuous cultivation paths] who enter may find their Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques] corrupted and their strength diminished by a significant margin.

Even if righteous powerhouses employ Pure Yang Dao Method [a cultivation art harnessing pure, untainted Yang energy] to utterly purge a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land, they often find themselves powerless against the pervasive reality of such blights scattered across the Eastern Wastelands [a vast, desolate, and often dangerous region].

For Eldrin Chen, both the territories of Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings, possessing immense power] and the Ridge of the Black Fiend [a mountain range known for its malevolent aura and dangers] were places best left undisturbed.

Choosing the path of utmost caution, he deliberately detoured for several hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], crossing the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness [a vast, untamed expanse] from the domain held by Magnus the Virtuous.

Now, this Magnus the Virtuous was originally named Harlan Jiang. He was a renowned Nascent Soul True Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul stage, a high level of power] within the Eastern Wastelands, having cultivated a Virtuous Righteousness [a divine ability embodying pure virtue and righteousness] that made him the natural bane of all Demonic Monsters [monstrous beings born of or aligned with demonic energy].

Two Millennium [a period of one thousand years] ago, relying on his formidable power, he ventured deep into the Heaven's Spine Mountains [a majestic and perilous mountain range] and slew a Demon Emperor. He then claimed the majestic Virtuous Peak [a mountain peak symbolizing righteousness], thereby carving out a vital passage for the Human Race between the Ji Continent and the Heavenly Abode Continent.

The depth of Magnus the Virtuous's Mana was unfathomable. Even Demonic Monsters at the Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm where one forms a spiritual infant or soul] realm regarded him with trepidation. Within the borders of his domain, no Demonic Monsters exceeding the Purple Mansion Realm [the cultivation realm following Foundation Establishment, where one opens their spiritual sea] could exist.

It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen dared to traverse the vast expanse of the Heaven's Spine Mountains.

He flew onward through the Heaven's Spine Mountains, covering over two million Li-length. He noticed the mountain peaks growing ever taller, and the energy required for flight increased severalfold.

"The altitude here must be nearly one hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]."

Gazing at the distant peak that pierced the heavens, Eldrin Chen let out a heavy breath.

Throughout his past and present lives, such a majestic and imposing mountain was truly a sight rarely seen in the world.

At the mountain's summit, the astral winds were already formidable. At this height, ordinary Qi Refinement Cultivators would likely find it difficult to take a single step.

Only cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm or above could barely manage to Sword Flight across, though their Mana consumption would increase dramatically.

Eldrin Chen understood that this place was likely near the highest point of the Heaven's Spine Mountains, and so he urged his Flying Sword onward.

After flying for over one hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Eldrin Chen saw a majestic city at the end of a vast, snow-capped mountain range.

"Virtuous Peak."

Virtuous Peak was the cultivation sanctuary of Magnus the Virtuous. Most Human Race cultivators passing through the Heaven's Spine Mountains would stop here to rest.

Moved by the legacy of Magnus the Virtuous, most cultivators would pay their respects and offer a sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] as support.

Eldrin Chen soared into Virtuous City and discovered that the number of cultivators within was not vast, yet the lowest among them were all practitioners at the Foundation Establishment realm [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation].

There were roughly two to three thousand cultivators here, the majority being Purple Mansion [the third major stage, where one constructs a spiritual abode within their dantian] and Foundation Establishment [practitioners at the Foundation Establishment stage] cultivators. A dozen or so auras radiated immense power, clearly belonging to True Persons of the Golden Core realm [the fourth major stage, where one condenses their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core].

"Truly worthy of a True Lord's [an honorific title for a Golden Core realm expert] Daoist sanctuary," he murmured.

"The power contained within a single Fifth Rank [refers to the spiritual grade of a location or formation, with Fifth Rank being exceptionally high] sanctuary far surpasses that of the entire Chu Kingdom."

Though a sense of awe washed over him, upon reflection, it seemed entirely reasonable.

The Chu Kingdom spanned less than a million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], utterly incomparable in scale to the Heaven's Spine Mountains, which stretched for thirty million Li-length. Support the author by reading on audio - novel . com.

After respectfully presenting five thousand Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] as tribute, Eldrin Chen did not depart immediately.

Having journeyed several million Li-length, his body and spirit were weary. The path ahead would take him across the even more treacherous Shadowwind Mountain, and he needed to restore himself to peak condition before setting out.

Within Virtuous City, he rented a Cultivation Cave [a secluded cavern or chamber imbued with spiritual energy, used for meditation and cultivation] and began to meditate, circulating and refining his True Essence [the purified spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body].

After two months of rest, on this day, Eldrin Chen felt his spirit had eased somewhat when suddenly, an ancient, drawn-out tolling of a bell echoed down from the mountain peak.

Eldrin Chen's brow twitched slightly. Upon exiting his Cultivation Cave, he saw a crowd of people, their faces alight with wild joy, flying toward the source of the tolling bell.

He hesitated for a moment, then stopped a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and inquired, "Young friend, what event does this bell signal?"

The cultivator, initially annoyed at being halted, quickly adopted a respectful smile upon realizing he was addressing a Purple Mansion Cultivator. "You must be newly arrived, Senior," he said.

"Every Sixty-Year Cycle, Magnus the Virtuous ascends the dais to expound upon the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in cultivation]. All Cultivators of the World are welcome to attend and listen."

Eldrin Chen was inwardly astonished. For a Nascent Soul True Lord to personally elucidate cultivation principles for lower-realm disciples was an exceedingly rare opportunity.

Most cultivators in the Heaven's Spine Mountains shared no kinship or direct ties with Magnus the Virtuous. Yet, this Human Race True Lord chose to guide them, illuminating their path forward.

For nearly two Millennium now, Magnus the Virtuous had held these lectures every Sixty-Year Cycle, resolving the doubts and confusions of countless cultivators.

This breadth of vision and magnanimity alone made him worthy of the title Magnus the Virtuous. It was no wonder his prestige soared so high, commanding respect from all Human Race cultivators he encountered.

Carrying a sense of awe, Eldrin Chen followed the crowd, flying up to the summit of Virtuous Mountain.

He saw a vast platform there, upon which sat a figure radiating an aura of profound virtue and immense power—none other than Magnus the Virtuous himself, preparing to begin his lecture.

Upon the snow-capped mountain peak, a grand Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred space for cultivation gatherings and lectures] was arrayed with three thousand meditation cushions arranged in orderly rows.

At the very front, a mere dozen or so positions were occupied by cultivators of the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power]. These Golden Core Ancestor [a respectful title for a Golden Core Realm cultivator], who typically commanded awe across entire regions, now sat with lowered brows and deferential expressions, awaiting the arrival of Magnus the Virtuous.

Behind them were several hundred more cushions, all occupied by Purple Mansion Cultivator [the second major stage of cultivation, where one opens and refines the spiritual residence within]. The vast majority in the rear were filled by Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the first major stage of cultivation, where one lays the spiritual foundation for their path].

Eldrin Chen found a seat among the Purple Mansion Cultivator and settled onto a cushion, his gaze subtly sweeping the surroundings.

He recognized no one among the assembled cultivators. Seeing his unfamiliar face, and noting his exceptionally rare aura and bearing, many offered him a nod and a faint smile of acknowledgment.

Seated beside him was an Azure-Robed Immortal Maiden. Her eyes studied Eldrin Chen, a flicker of surprise within them. "I perceive your cultivation is not weak, Fellow Daoist [a common respectful term used between cultivators], yet your face is entirely unfamiliar to me," she remarked. "You must have come from beyond the Heaven's Spine Mountains, I presume?"

"Indeed."

He nodded in affirmation, a smile gracing his lips. "Your discernment is keen, Immortal Maiden." For more chapters, visit site: audio-novel.com for the complete novel.