Chapter 581 : A Raid into Demonic Territory

"Those nearby, such as Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal and Yvonne the Violet Consort, are all temporarily unable to disengage."

As Eldrin Chen finished speaking, he personally wrote a letter and handed it to Lila, saying, "Take this letter to the Heavenly Lake Continent and the Qi Kingdom, and deliver it to Ancestor Mo and Zixu the Daoist."

"Leave this matter to me."

Lila nodded. Having just broken through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms their immortal infant soul] realm in the Extreme Northern Ice Plains, she was indeed the most suitable person to deliver the message.

After Lila departed, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "The Demonic Monsters [powerful, malevolent creatures born of demonic energy] have not yet learned of our return. This is the perfect opportunity to catch them off guard."

"I plan to take advantage of the current weak defenses at Purple Jade Lake. First, I will go there and thoroughly ransack the lair of the Violet Jade Heavenly Python [a mighty serpentine demon beast], to see how much that pains them."

Upon hearing this, the others felt a stir in their hearts. This war had nearly shattered the The Vast Sea, and the compensation for the fallen after its conclusion would be a colossal expense. If they could successfully raid Purple Jade Lake, their losses would be greatly reduced.

With this thought, the Old Patriarch nodded, yet a trace of unease remained. "But Purple Jade Lake lies deep within the territory of the Demonic Tribe [a powerful alliance of demonic beings]. Isn't it too perilous for you to venture there recklessly?"

"It is of no concern. I possess the Yin-Yang Void Realm [a supreme treasure capable of manipulating space]. Even a Demon Emperor [a sovereign ruler among demonic beings] at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm] would find it difficult to detain us."

Eldrin Chen said, sweeping his sleeve to reveal several Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts]. He continued calmly, "During our time in the Extreme Northern Ice Plains, we gained some modest spoils. These treasures are of little use to us. You may select from them as you see fit." The complete novel can be found at http://www . audio-novel.com.

These several Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] were precisely the treasures he had obtained from his battles in the Extreme Northern Ice Plains. One was the Primordial Severance Ruler acquired from Tengyun the Cloudrider, while the other three were the Coiling Dragon Staff and the Golden Bracelet Spiritual Treasure.

A flicker of delight crossed their faces. After a moment of contemplation, the Old Patriarch reached for the Coiling Dragon Staff and declared, "This old one possesses dual Spiritual Root [innate spiritual affinity] of Metal and Fire. This artifact suits me best."

Kael Chen took the Primordial Severance Ruler. Such a potent offensive Spiritual Treasure, when paired with his Creation Azure Duckweed Sword, would significantly augment his combat prowess.

Yet, he did not simply claim it. A thoughtful gleam entered his eyes as he added, "It so happens my accumulated Clan Merit Points [a points-based credit system within the clan] are sufficient. I shall exchange them for this treasure."

Only then did Eldrin Chen fully comprehend. The Verdant Jade Demon Emperor was a trove of precious materials from head to tail. Its dragon bones could be forged into a Fifth Rank Treasure Boat or a spirit vessel, its Inner Core [the condensed spiritual core of a powerful demonic beast] could be refined into a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a legendary pill that aids in forming the Nascent Soul], and even its scales were extraordinary items.

After Kael Chen slew the beast, he had deposited these treasures into the Clan Treasury, receiving a substantial sum of Merit Points in return.

The Old Patriarch chuckled at this, then turned to Eldrin Chen. "That Verdant Jade Demon Emperor was the consort of the Purple Jade Demon Emperor. It possessed a mid-grade Defensive Spiritual Treasure called the 'Azure Cloud Mist Veil'. Having acquired it, Kael no longer lacks for defensive artifacts."

Beside them, Elara Lin gazed at the Golden Bracelet Spiritual Treasure. She couldn't help but steal a glance at Lyra Jiang, seeming on the verge of speaking, yet her own reserve of Merit Points was insufficient.

Lyra Jiang remained silent, her gaze simply shifting meaningfully towards Eldrin Chen.

Understanding the cue, Eldrin Chen promptly handed the Golden Bracelet Spiritual Treasure to Elara Lin, offering a gentle smile. "Come to think of it, I failed to present a congratulatory gift when you achieved your Nascent Soul [the spiritual infant stage of cultivation] breakthrough. Consider this artifact a reward from your master's husband."

"My gratitude, Grandmaster."

Elara Lin accepted the treasure bracelet, a smile naturally gracing her features.

Seeing this, Lyra Jiang then took out a piece of Frost Soul Profound Crystal and handed it to her, saying, "We obtained several pieces of Frost Soul Profound Crystal this time. Take this to advance your Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword."

In her early years, the cultivation art Lila practiced was obtained from Elara Lin, so naturally, their Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded and nurtured magical artifact] were also the same.

Now that she had acquired the Frost Soul Profound Crystal, she wouldn't even need to deduce the Spiritual Treasure Chapter [the specific scripture or method for refining this treasure]; she could simply borrow it from Lila and proceed with the sacrificial refinement for its advancement.

Watching as the treasures were distributed, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before handing the Azure-Gold Ancient Zun to the Old Patriarch, saying, "This treasure is a Special Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure with unique, non-combat functions]. Not only is its grade as high as Middle-Grade Spiritual Treasure, but it can also synthesize body-tempering precious liquid."

"Keep it with you, Old Granduncle, as a hidden trump card."

"A Middle-Grade Spiritual Treasure..."

Thalion Chen did not refuse. He took the Azure-Gold Ancient Zun into his hands, caressing it with evident fondness and reluctance to let it go.

Having broken through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms their infant soul] realm over twenty years ago, he had possessed only a single Lifebound Spiritual Treasure—the 'Golden Radiance Blazing Fire Sword'. He never imagined that to this day, he would gain two more Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts], including one that was a Middle-Grade Spiritual Treasure.

At this thought, Thalion Chen said with delight, "With these two Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts of great power] in hand, though my Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated by practitioners] is still somewhat lacking, my combat prowess should rank among the powerful even within the Nascent Soul, Early Stage."

"We can test our mettle in this battle."

Watching their joyful expressions, Eldrin Chen fell into a contemplative silence.

After all, the Violet Jade Heavenly Python was a Nascent Soul Late Stage Great Demon. Such an existence was not something an Nascent Soul, Early Stage cultivator could contend with. Though confident in his own formidable strength, he dared not guarantee he could definitively hold the creature at bay.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "Unless absolutely necessary, we should avoid a direct confrontation with the Purple Jade Demon Emperor. Let us first plunder the Purple Jade Lake, then see if they are willing to sit down and negotiate."

Lyra Jiang also nodded, then glanced at the others and said, "You must complete the refinement of these Spiritual Treasure as swiftly as possible. Our very survival may depend on them in a critical moment." Your portal to cultivation novels: *audio-novel.com*.

"Understood."

The group stored the Spiritual Treasure and set about the joyous task of refining them with eager hands.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang quietly teleported to the Azure Lotus Continent. Upon arrival, they skirted the Great Kun River, concealed their auras, and began making their way toward Purple Jade Lake.

To avoid alerting the Purple Jade Demon Emperor, they did not even engage the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor on this journey. Flying stealthily for over eight hundred myriad Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they finally reached the fringes of Purple Jade Lake.

"There are quite a few Demonic Monsters within the Purple Jade Lake. We must proceed with caution."

Eldrin Chen said, his expression grave as he studied the map.

The Purple Jade Lake spanned over six million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Within its expanse lay two Fifth Rank Spirit Vein: one named the Violet Jade Isle, and the other known as the Serpent-Scorpion Isle.

The Violet Jade Isle possessed a Fifth Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a vein of earth rich in spiritual energy], along with a Fifth Rank subterranean Water Vein [an underground current of spiritually charged water]. The Serpent-Scorpion Isle, meanwhile, was the territory of the Crimson Serpent Demon Emperor and the Celestial Scorpion Demon Emperor.

After a moment of silent contemplation over the map, Eldrin Chen spoke. "The Serpent-Scorpion Isle lacks a Fifth Rank Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array formation]. The Violet Jade Isle, however, is protected by a Fifth Rank Formation."

"We shall tackle the easier target first. After securing the Serpent-Scorpion Isle, we strike immediately at the Violet Jade Isle and then withdraw without delay."

"Agreed."

Lyra Jiang nodded. The two of them reduced their flight speed and proceeded with stealth. After more than ten days of cautious travel, they finally arrived undetected before the Serpent-Scorpion Isle.

A brief reconnaissance revealed the island was garrisoned by only three Golden Core Demon King [powerful demonic beasts that have condensed a Golden Core], a clear sign that the bulk of its forces had been dispatched to the front lines.

With the defenses so depleted, there was nothing left to discuss. Eldrin Chen issued the command without hesitation. "Now."

The Serpent-Scropion Isle was defended by only a single Quasi-Fifth Rank Formation [a magical defensive array] and lacked a Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic beast equivalent to a human Nascent Soul cultivator] to hold the line. Naturally, it could not withstand the assault of the two cultivators.

In the span of a mere dozen breaths, they had forcefully breached the island's defenses and slaughtered the remnants of the Demonic Tribe [a faction of demonic cultivators and beasts] stationed there.

After scattering the Demonic Tribe, Eldrin Chen immediately delved into the heart of the Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] and seized control of this vital resource.

A thorough search of the island yielded one piece of Wood Vein Treasure Jade [a precious jade imbued with potent wood-attribute spiritual energy] and three stalks of Fifth Rank Spirit Medicine [exceptionally rare and potent spiritual herbs]. Among these three Spirit Medicine [plants cultivated for their potent spiritual and medicinal properties], two were Myriad Poison Fruit [a fruit containing a complex, potent venom], while the other was a Tribulation Transcendence Flower [a legendary flower said to aid in surviving heavenly tribulations]. Support the author by reading on audio-novel dot com.