Chapter 545 : Legacy Treasures and Tainted Power

"We have gained something, but..."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh and proceeded to retrieve the legacy treasures from his storage bracelet.

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

The five legacy treasures from Celestial Dome Island were all priceless. The two pieces of Five Veins Precious Jade were respectively Gold Vein Spirit Jade and Earth Vein Spirit Jade. The remaining items were two strands of Earthly Path Energy [a potent spiritual essence embodying the power of the earth] and one strand of Heavenly Path Energy [a potent spiritual essence embodying the power of the heavens].

Unfortunately, all these treasures had been tainted by lingering resentment and baleful aura [a malevolent spiritual energy born from violence and death], causing their value to plummet drastically.

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

If Eldrin Chen purified them with his Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure yang energy], it would likely take about a year or two to dissolve the resentment and baleful aura. However, the Earth Mother Energy [another term for Earthly Path Energy, a potent spiritual essence of the earth] and the Heavenly Path Energy were far more delicate.

"The Earth Mother Energy cannot be purified with True Flame [a pure, high-temperature flame used in cultivation]. It seems we will need to purchase some Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid [a rare spiritual liquid that purifies the mind and spiritual objects]," Eldrin Chen said.

Looking at the Earth Mother Energy, the Old Patriarch could not help but voice his distress. To cleanse the baleful aura and resentment from the Earth Mother Energy using Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid, it would require at least ten full drops.

Two portions would consume twenty drops, amounting to a staggering one hundred million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. This expenditure was enough to purchase a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a top-tier magical artifact specifically designed to suppress demons], which explained why Eternal Profound Chen felt such acute heartache. This chapter appears courtesy of https://audio-novel.com.

Old Patriarch Having spoken thus far, he turned his gaze towards the Heavenly Path Energy [a supremely pure spiritual energy, said to be a condensation of the world's natural laws], then shook his head and said, "This Heavenly Path Energy has undergone a strange mutation after being tainted by impure energies. Using it for a Infant Soul [the stage where a cultivator's nascent spiritual consciousness is formed] breakthrough would carry the risk of falling into demonic madness."

"This treasure... alas..."

Everyone present wore expressions of deep regret. The value of Heavenly Path Energy was truly inestimable.

A single portion of Heavenly Path Energy could be exchanged for a Superior Spiritual Treasure [a high-grade enchanted artifact], and there would be many clamoring to make that trade.

Such a treasure was exceedingly precious. Not only could it be used to break through to the Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a specific, high-quality variant of the Infant Soul realm], it was also the primary ingredient for refining the Heavenly Path Pill [a legendary elixir]. And that Heavenly Path Pill was a Precious Pill [a rare and powerful type of cultivation elixir] capable of aiding a breakthrough to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul realm].

Observing their expressions, Eldrin Chen collected the treasures and said, "The Ethereal Mistress Ling of Ling Nation possesses the formula for concocting the Heart-Cleansing Spirit Liquid [a spiritual liquid that purifies the heart and mind, warding off inner demons]. She undoubtedly has some in her possession."

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

Old Patriarch shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. "After your breakthroughs to Infant 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 may have to levy contributions from the clansmen."

"Lacking funds once again."

Eldrin Chen could not help but take a deep breath. The higher his cultivation realm advanced, 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 just broken through to become an Infant Soul Immortal Clan [a clan whose patriarch has reached the Infant Soul cultivation realm]. Our resources are indeed quite strained. I will use other Spiritual Object [objects imbued with spiritual energy] to trade with Ethereal Mistress Ling for her spiritual liquid."

With that, the meeting had little left to discuss.

After concluding the meeting and waiting for the others to depart, 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 Path Energy [a supreme spiritual energy that embodies the laws of heaven] is immeasurable," Kael Chen nodded, then continued, "If I miss this opportunity, I will never encounter such a fateful chance again."

"Have you truly considered this carefully?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned grave and solemn. He stood up and spoke with utmost seriousness, "Refining Heavenly Path Energy is perilous beyond measure. Once you succumb to demonic corruption, there is no path of return."

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

It had to be admitted that ever since he had guided demonic energy into his body years ago, Kael Chen's bearing had grown increasingly transcendent.

Over these years, Kael Chen's Dao Heart [the core conviction and will of a cultivator] has grown increasingly resolute, his will and fortitude ever more formidable, all thanks to a trace of demonic nature [a corrupting influence that can enhance power at great risk] within his divine soul [the spiritual core of a being].

This was not a case of his soul being tainted by demonic energy, but rather of him subduing the Demonic Fiendish Energy with boundless fortitude and an Indestructibility Dao Heart, then using the demonic nature within that energy to temper his own will.

For many years, this sliver of demonic nature has ceaselessly tempered Kael Chen's divine soul. His Dao Heart has felt as if shackled by a weight of countless tons, forged through this relentless process into something increasingly unbreakable.

Kael Chen sat in meditation. His features were strikingly handsome, his deep eyes holding a glint of that demonic nature, making him resemble a True Demon seated in contemplation. Yet, there was also an aura of sacred purity about him, like an immortal undergoing metamorphosis within a Demonic Embryo [a vessel of pure demonic potential].

He gazed at the Heavenly Path Energy [a potent spiritual energy aligned with the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic order], his eyes preternaturally calm, deep as an abyss, yet a faint smile touched his lips.

"Resentment. Bloody malice." Official source: audio-novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"I shall use these to forge my Heavenly Path Infant Soul [a nascent soul cultivated in alignment with the Heavenly Dao]. If I can subdue the demonic thoughts, I can lay the foundation for an Immortal Root [a spiritual foundation of the highest purity]."

"If I cannot subdue them..." His words trailed off for a moment. He reached out and grasped the Heavenly Path Energy, his gaze utterly serene as he looked at Eldrin Chen. "Then you must kill me."

Eldrin Chen remained silent, offering a strand of Earth Mother Energy [a nurturing, foundational spiritual energy of the earth] as well.

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 silence, he finally spoke. "In ancient times, there were Path Lord [masters of a cultivation path] who transformed into demons in a single night. And there were also Demon Monarch [rulers among demons] who, in a single dawn, achieved profound enlightenment and Ethereal Ascension [a transcendent state of being]."

"In my view, the paths of Immortals and Demons may diverge, yet all methods ultimately converge at the same destination [all cultivation arts lead to the same ultimate truth]."

"The so-called distinction between Immortal and Demon lies not in the difference between spiritual power and baleful energy, but in a single thought within one's heart."

"As long as you refrain from acts like blood sacrifice of mortals, even if you cultivate the Demonic Path and refine the baleful energies of heaven and earth, in my eyes, you are no different from an Immortal."

"But if you cannot subdue your desires and commit heinous acts like blood sacrifice, 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 can make an Immortal, one thought can make a Demon. So this is the true nature of Immortals and Demons."

Kael Chen murmured to himself, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

Only today did he understand that figures like the Blood God Patriarch who practiced the Blood God Path Art, or even the Netherworld Patriarch who founded the Netherworld Path, could not truly define what it meant to be Immortal or Demon.

Only by fortifying one's Dao-heart [cultivator's core resolve and spiritual foundation] and refusing to drown in endless desire could one embody the true essence of a Demon—or transcend it.

Many Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate demonic arts], as they progress along their path, gradually forget their original intentions. In the end, their minds are devoured by desire, becoming puppets shrouded in baleful energy.

Only by seeing through the demonic illusions can one become a true demon who stands shoulder to shoulder with the Immortal [enlightened beings who have transcended mortality].

Kael Chen murmured, his words carrying the serene wisdom of a Buddha holding up a flower with a gentle smile:

"I once guided the Fire Fiend [a malevolent spiritual entity 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 the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a corrupting energy that feeds on base desires] into my body, igniting the cravings within my heart, using the torment of the spirit to forge and solidify my mental fortitude."

"Now, I guide the energy of resentment into my Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core formed after the Golden Core stage], letting it disturb my soul and will, using this to further refine my Dao Heart [the cultivator's fundamental resolve and connection to the Great Dao]."

"The Fire Fiend is one thing, the Demonic Fiendish Energy another, and the energy of resentment is no different. They are merely Tribulation [heavenly or self-imposed trials meant to test and temper a cultivator] to hone my Dao Heart."

His figure stood tall and slender, like an immortal undergoing metamorphosis within a Demonic Embryo [a cocoon of demonic energy used for profound transformation or rebirth].

He rose to his feet, a black robe draping his form. A trace of serene amusement flickered in his handsome eyes. "Do not worry. These Tribulation will not defeat me. They will only make me stronger."

"I shall undergo tribulation and Rebirth [a profound process of death and renewal, often leading to a higher state of being], continuously surpassing my former self. In this way, I shall knock upon the gates of the immortal path and see what lies beyond." For more chapters, visit audio-novel .c om for the complete novel.