Chapter 385 : The Immortal-Refining Furnace's Might

As Lyra Jiang recounted the tale, a wave of awe surged through Eldrin Chen's heart.

The higher one's cultivation realm, the more difficult it becomes to challenge those above. Eldrin Chen had long understood the might of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage], yet he never imagined that a single Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang [a treasure of the highest order, forged with pure yang energy] could possess such terrifying power.

Seeming to sense Eldrin Chen's astonishment, Lyra Jiang spoke calmly:

"That Immortal-Refining Furnace is a supreme-grade Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang. It has slain not one, but multiple Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world] of the Nascent Soul Realm. Among all the Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang within the Purple Realm [a vast and powerful cultivation domain], it ranks within the top ten."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. Such a treasure must indeed possess extraordinary qualities. To bear the name Immortal-Refining Furnace spoke of an audacious spirit, a will daring enough to refine even immortals and demons.

Gazing at Demonic Flame Mountain, Lyra Jiang said with a faint smile, "It is said that a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] ago, the flames within this Demonic Ape Mountain could incinerate even a Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core]. Now, they have weakened enough for a Golden Core True Person to traverse the area."

"It seems that in another one or two Millennium, these demonic flames will gradually extinguish. Then, even Purple Mansion [the cultivation realm above Foundation Establishment] and Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their Foundation] will be able to cross over and reach the Celestial Star Continent."

"The demonic flames of the Demonic Flame Ridge are extraordinary. We must still proceed with caution."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, and the two began their descent into the heart of the Demonic Flame Ridge.

The terrain of the Demonic Flame Ridge was treacherous, a labyrinth of raging infernos. Above the Firmament [the vault of heaven], Demonic Fiend Qi [a malevolent, demonic energy] and demonic fire roiled upwards, coalescing into a vast, enduring shroud known as the Demonic Malignancy Aegis Clouds [a canopy of baleful demonic energy]. This baleful canopy had persisted for three full Millennium, showing no sign of dissipating. Discover more cultivation stories at audio~novel.com.

Attempting a direct crossing was immensely difficult, so the two could only proceed at a moderate altitude, urging the Green Sun Treasure Boat to travel laterally.

However, under the interference of the demonic flames, their flight speed slowed considerably, and their Mana [the spiritual energy used to fuel magical arts] consumption increased dramatically.

Within this forbidden land, the two flew for a full month before finally traversing the greater part of the Demonic Flame Ridge.

"In a few more days, we will have crossed the Demonic Flame Ridge entirely."

"This journey has truly been arduous."

Eldrin Chen spoke, feeling a slight sense of relief.

The environment of the Demonic Flame Ridge was exceedingly harsh; cultivators below the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified core of spiritual energy] simply lacked the power to cross it.

Although the two of them possessed profound Mana, in such an environment they needed to constantly channel their energy to resist the demonic flames, a task that was immensely draining on both mind and spirit.

"Something is wrong."

Suddenly, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow.

Lyra Jiang also rose to her feet, meeting Eldrin Chen's gaze. Her expression was grave as she said, "Judging by these formation patterns, they appear to be Demonic Path Formation Runes [sinister sigils used to channel demonic energies]."

In that very instant, they had sensed a surge of power from a formation. Yet, how could such power exist within Demonic Flame Ridge?

Both were high-level Formation Master [masters of the esoteric art of creating and manipulating magical arrays], and thus immediately recognized the anomaly.

"Let us investigate first."

So saying, Eldrin Chen concealed his presence and flew out silently.

Before long, following the trail of the formation's energy, they arrived atop a mountain range wreathed in searing flames.

They observed the terrain of this mountain for a long while. Finally, a look of deep concern settled on Eldrin Chen's face, and he could not help but speak.

"I perceive that this formation gathers boundless demonic flame energy. The power concentrated here, once unleashed, would be enough to shake heaven and earth—perhaps even threaten a Nascent Soul True Lord [a supreme cultivator whose soul has formed an independent infant-like entity within their dantian]."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement. With her Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to cast spells and techniques] rivaling that of a False Nascent Soul [a cultivator who has achieved power comparable to the Nascent Soul realm through special means, but lacks the true spiritual infant], even she felt a lethal threat emanating from the power converging at the heart of this Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies energies according to esoteric principles].

They deduced the layout by studying the mountains and rivers. Finally, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow and stated, "The foundation of this Formation was laid using a blood sacrifice ritual. This is undoubtedly the work of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who pursue power through vile, often sacrificial, means aligned with demonic forces]."

"Which fiend dares to lay such a sinister Formation here, and for what purpose?"

The two of them pondered for a long while, their minds beginning to deduce the identity of the one who had set the formation.

To establish a formation of this caliber was undoubtedly the work of a Nascent Soul-level power. With the Ji Clan standing guard over Ji Continent, the surrounding Demonic Cultivators had been largely subdued.

That Black Malignancy Ridge was almost eradicated once every Millennium, and the most recent Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor had only arrived within the last few centuries.

Even so, the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor was still pinned down by the Ji Clan within the Ridge of the Black Fiend, utterly unable to extricate himself.

Under such circumstances, finding a Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator capable of coming here to lay down a Formation was nearly impossible. Original publication: audio-novel`com - The source of this chapter.

Lyra Jiang's eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly spoke, "Wait, it doesn't necessarily require a Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator to be present for the setup."

"A Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator could fully refine the Formation array, prepare various contingencies, and then have a Golden Core Demonic Cultivator act as a proxy to deploy it."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a wave of relief. Although this would still require at least a Golden Core Late Stage Demonic Cultivator to accomplish,

as long as it wasn't a Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator, they could handle it. Moreover, a Golden Core Cultivator's cultivation base would be insufficient; any formation deployed by proxy would inevitably contain fatal flaws.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "This demonic formation gathers the power of infernal flames, likely to refine a Demonic Flame Yin Thunder Pearl [a potent thunder pearl forged from demonic yin flames]."

"The power of such a thunder pearl rivals a single strike from a Nascent Soul [a cultivator whose soul has taken infant form] expert. If used in an ambush, it could even severely injure a Nascent Soul True Lord [a powerful master of the Nascent Soul realm]."

"That should be the case," Lyra Jiang agreed. After further deduction, she said a moment later, "Judging by the lingering power of the Formation [a structured array that channels energy], this array has likely been in place for a full three hundred years."

"The gathered Demonic Flame Yin Thunder Pearl [a potent thunder pearl forged from demonic yin flames] must be nearing completion. The day of its final forging cannot be far off."

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly. "Let us deduce its workings, find a flaw in the Formation [a structured array that channels energy], and see if we can claim the fruits of these Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who draw power from malevolent or corrupt sources]' centuries of labor for ourselves."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang also nodded. The significance of a Fifth-Rank Thunder Pearl [a thunder pearl of the fifth rank, a treasure of immense power] needed no elaboration.

If they could obtain one, their means of self-preservation would be vastly enhanced, enough to give even a Nascent Soul True Lord [a powerful master of the Nascent Soul realm] a moment's pause.

Thus, they continued their analysis of the Formation [a structured array that channels energy]. They toiled for four or five months, yet frustratingly, they could find no exploitable weakness in the array's structure.

As the aura emanating from the Demonic Flame Yin Thunder Pearl [a potent thunder pearl forged from demonic yin flames] grew ever more potent, a trace of anxiety began to color their expressions.

Suddenly, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with a spark of insight. "I have a plan," he declared.

"What is it?" Lyra Jiang asked, her eyes lighting up with hope.

Eldrin Chen smiled and explained, "This Formation was, after all, crafted by a Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator [a demonic practitioner who has reached the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation]. For cultivators of our current realm to find its flaw is exceedingly difficult."

"However, it was not personally laid down by the Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator. They likely did not possess a deep understanding of this land's spiritual topography and natural momentum."

"Therefore, we can seek its weakness within the very lay of the land itself."

"An excellent strategy."

Delight spread across Lyra Jiang's features, and she immediately began to deduce and calculate, following the mountain's contours and energy flows.

For half a month, the two of them labored. Finally, they pinpointed a flaw in the terrain's spiritual configuration. They burrowed upward from the earth's depths, tracing the weakness, and discovered a hollow passage that led them through.

Once inside the Formation's perimeter, they concealed their auras completely and began their silent ascent toward the mountain's peak.

"Who goes there?" a voice abruptly challenged.

Suddenly, a chorus of startled exclamations erupted from the mountain peak. A black-robed Golden Core Demonic Cultivator [a powerful practitioner of unorthodox and malevolent arts who has reached the Golden Core stage] wore an expression of utter shock, completely bewildered as to why two cultivators had abruptly materialized from within the Formation [a complex arrangement of energy and symbols designed to create specific magical effects].

Lyra Jiang was the first to strike. She instantly summoned the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword and sent it cleaving through the air toward her foe.

The enemy cultivator hastily conjured a Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged and empowered by demonic arts] to parry the blow, then attempted to disengage and retreat. Alas, it was too late. With a resonant *shing*, the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords were already upon him.

In this moment of dire peril, he desperately summoned a Black-Gold Blood Cauldron [a sinister cauldron forged from dark metal, said to be tempered with blood sacrifice] in a frantic attempt to block. Unfortunately, Eldrin Chen merely raised his hand and unleashed the Magnetic Treasure Mirror. With a *whoosh*, the cauldron was irresistibly drawn into the mirror's depths.

"Damnation—!" For more chapters, visit *audio-novel.com* for the complete novel.