Chapter 545 : Legacy Treasures Tainted

"We have gained something, only..."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh, then retrieved the legacy treasures from the Storage Bracelet.

As everyone laid eyes upon the several treasures, their hearts first leapt with joy, then sank with a sudden, heavy thud.

The five legacy treasures from the Celestial Vault Isle were all priceless. The two pieces of Five Veins Treasure Jade were respectively a Golden Vein Spirit Jade and an Earth Vein Spirit Jade. The remaining items were two strands of Earthly Dao Essence and one strand of Heavenly Dao Qi [a primordial, heaven-aligned spiritual energy].

Unfortunately, all these treasures were tainted by lingering resentment and baleful aura [a malevolent spiritual energy], causing their value to plummet drastically.

The Five Veins Treasure Jade were in a better state. After all, they were not Demonic Treasure [magical artifacts corrupted by demonic energy] that had been forcibly infused with Demonic Qi [demonic spiritual energy] by a Demonic Cultivator, so the contamination of baleful aura was not excessively severe.

If Eldrin Chen purified them with his Solar True Flame [a pure yang flame technique], it would likely take about a year or two to dissolve the resentment and baleful aura. However, the Earth Mother Qi [the nurturing, earth-aligned primordial energy] and the Heavenly Dao Qi were far more delicate.

"The Earth Mother Qi cannot be refined with True Flame [a cultivator's pure spiritual flame]. It seems we will need to purchase some Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid [a spiritual liquid that cleanses impurities from the heart and spirit]."

Gazing at the Earth Mother Qi, the Old Patriarch could not help but voice his distress. To cleanse the baleful aura and Grudge [a powerful, lingering resentment] from the Earth Mother Qi using Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid, at least ten full drops would be consumed.

Two portions would require twenty drops, amounting to a full one hundred million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This expenditure was enough to purchase a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a top-tier artifact specialized for vanquishing demons]. No wonder Thalion Chen felt such acute heartache. Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.

Old Patriarch Having spoken thus far, he turned his gaze towards the Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial Qi of the Heavenly Dao, the purest form of spiritual energy], then shook his head and said, "This Heavenly Dao Qi has undergone a strange mutation after being tainted by turbid energies. If used to attempt a Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms their infant soul] breakthrough, I fear there is a risk of falling into demonic corruption."

"This treasure... alas..."

Expressions of regret appeared on everyone's faces. The value of Heavenly Dao Qi was truly immeasurable.

A single portion of Heavenly Dao Qi could be exchanged for a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact], and there would be plenty of people scrambling to make that trade.

For such a treasure was far too precious. Not only could it be used to break through to the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul realm achieved with the aid of Heavenly Dao Qi], it was also the primary ingredient for refining the Heavenly Dao Pill [a legendary pill that aids in realm advancement]. And that Heavenly Dao Pill was the Treasure Pill [an exceptionally rare and potent pill] required for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Nascent Soul realm].

Observing their expressions, Eldrin Chen collected the several treasures, then stated, "The Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal [an immortal title meaning 'Ethereal Void'] of Ling Nation possesses the formula for concocting the Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid [a spiritual liquid that cleanses the heart and mind of impurities]. He undoubtedly has some Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid in his possession."

"How many Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] remain in the Clan Treasury? I shall journey to Ethereal Void Lake in a few days to purchase some Heart-Purifying Spirit Liquid."

Old Patriarch shook his head, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "After your breakthroughs to Nascent Soul, the consumption of Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements] was immense. Coupled with the recent construction of the Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances], the Spirit Stone reserves in the Clan Treasury have long been depleted by more than half."

"What remains now is likely only thirty million Spirit Stone. We shall have to levy contributions from the clan members."

"Lacking funds once more."

Eldrin Chen could not help but take a deep breath. The higher he advanced in his cultivation, the more he realized the resources in his hands were insufficient.

With no other choice, he could only shake his head and say, "The Chen Clan has only just broken through to become a Nascent Soul Immortal Clan. We are indeed facing a shortage of resources. As for the spiritual liquid from Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal, I will exchange it with her using other Spiritual Object."

With that, the meeting had nothing more to discuss.

After concluding the meeting and waiting for everyone to leave, he noticed Kael Chen had remained behind.

"Alas!" Eldrin Chen looked at him and sighed, saying, "I knew you would seek me out."

"The value of Heavenly Dao Qi [the primordial energy of the Heavenly Dao, the supreme cosmic law] is immeasurable," Kael Chen nodded, then continued, "If I miss this opportunity, I will never encounter such a chance again."

"Have you truly considered this carefully?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned grave. He stood up and spoke with solemnity, "Refining Heavenly Dao Qi is perilous beyond measure. Once you succumb to demonic transformation, there is no path of return."

Clad in a black robe, Kael Chen sat there in serene meditation.

It had to be admitted that ever since he had first guided Demonic Qi [the corrupting energy of the demonic path] into his body all those years ago, Kael Chen's bearing had grown increasingly transcendent.

Over these years, Kael Chen's Dao Heart [the cultivator's core will and spiritual resolve] has grown increasingly resolute, his will and fortitude ever more formidable. All of this stems from a trace of demonic nature within his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator].

This is not a case of his spirit being corrupted by Demonic Qi [malevolent spiritual energy]. Rather, it is the act of subduing Demonic Fiend Qi [a potent, chaotic form of demonic energy] with boundless fortitude and an indomitable Dao Heart, then using the demonic nature within this Demonic Fiend Qi to temper his own will.

For many years, this sliver of demonic nature has ceaselessly tempered Kael Chen's Primordial Spirit. His Dao Heart has felt as if shackled by a weight of countless tons, yet through this crucible, it has been refined into something increasingly unbreakable.

Kael Chen sat cross-legged. His features were strikingly handsome, his deep eyes holding a glint of that demonic nature, making him resemble a True Demon [a pure-blooded, high-ranking demon] seated in meditation. Yet, there was also an aura of sanctity about him, like an immortal undergoing metamorphosis within a demonic chrysalis.

He gazed at the Heavenly Dao Qi [Primordial Chaos Qi, the fundamental energy of creation and cosmic order], his eyes preternaturally calm, deep as an abyss, yet a faint smile touched his lips.

"Resentment. Blood Malignancy." Read the full novel exclusively on audio_novel.com.

"I shall use these to forge my Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed by comprehending and integrating with the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic law]. If I can subdue these demonic thoughts, I will lay the foundation for immortality."

"If I cannot subdue them..." His words trailed off momentarily. He reached out and grasped the Heavenly Dao Qi, then looked calmly at Eldrin Chen and said, "...then you must kill me."

Eldrin Chen remained silent. He then offered forth a strand of Earth Mother Qi [the nurturing, foundational energy of the earth].

Clad in robes white as snow, Eldrin Chen looked upon Kael Chen, like a banished immortal gazing down upon a True Demon. After a long while, he finally spoke: "In ancient times, there were Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao] who turned to demonhood in a single night. And there were also Demon Monarch [a powerful demon ruler] who, in a single moment of enlightenment, comprehended the path to Ascend to Immortal Eternity [achieving immortality and eternal life]."

"In my view, the paths of Immortals and Demons may diverge, yet all methods ultimately converge to the same end."

"The so-called distinction between Immortal and Demon is but a matter of a single thought, not the difference between Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by orthodox practitioners] and Baleful Qi [a malevolent and corrupting form of energy often harnessed by demonic cultivators]."

"As long as you refrain from heinous acts like blood sacrifices of mortals, even if you tread the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that harnesses destructive and often corrupting energies] and refine the world's Baleful Qi, in my eyes, you are no different from an Immortal."

"But should you fail to subdue your desires, committing atrocities like blood sacrifices or other unspeakable evils, I will personally cut you down."

"Immortal and Demon paths diverge, yet all methods converge. The so-called distinction between Immortal and Demon is but a single thought."

"One thought leads to Immortality, another to Demonic ruin. So this is the true nature of Immortals and Demons."

Kael Chen murmured to himself, a faint smile touching his lips.

Only today did he understand that whether it was the Blood God Ancient Ancestor who cultivated the Blood God's Dao, or even the Netherworld Ancient Ancestor who founded the Netherworld [a realm of death and shadow] path, none of them truly embodied the essence of Immortal or Demon.

Only by fortifying one's Dao Heart [the cultivator's core will and spiritual resolve], refusing to drown in the endless sea of desire, can one become a true Demon.

Many Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who follow unorthodox, often destructive cultivation paths], as they cultivate, forget their original intent. In the end, their minds are devoured by their desires, becoming mere puppets shrouded in Baleful Qi.

Only by seeing through the demonic tribulations can one become a true demon who stands shoulder to shoulder with an Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality and ascended beyond the mortal realm].

Kael Chen murmured, his words carrying the serene weight of a Buddha holding up a flower in silent understanding:

"I once guided Fire Fiend Qi [a chaotic, destructive energy of pure flame] into my body, letting it sear my meridians and flesh, using the agony of the physical form to temper my will."

"I once guided Demonic Fiend Qi [a corrupting energy that inflames base desires and inner demons] into my body, igniting the cravings of my heart, using the torment of the spirit to forge and solidify my resolve."

"Now, I guide the essence of resentment into my Nascent Soul [the embryonic spiritual form of a high-level cultivator], letting it disturb my soul and will, using this to further refine my Dao Heart [the cultivator's fundamental understanding and commitment to their path]."

"Fire Fiend Qi or Demonic Fiend Qi, what of them? Resentment is no different. They are merely tribulations meant to temper my Dao Heart."

His figure stood tall and slender, like an immortal undergoing metamorphosis within a demonic chrysalis.

He rose to his feet, a black robe draping his form. A faint, tranquil smile touched his handsome features. "Do not worry. These tribulations will not defeat me. They will only make me stronger."

"I shall be reborn through each trial, continuously surpassing my former self, using this very process to knock upon the gates and inquire of the Immortal Path what lies beyond." The story continues at audio-novel . com.