Chapter 628 : Betrayal of the Nascent Soul

"Ah—!"

Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden [a powerful female cultivator], her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] seized, was abruptly swept away by the black banner in the midst of the chaos.

"Junior Sister!"

Witnessing Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden being captured, Tianlu Sect Master [the leader of the Tianlu Sect] saw red. Disregarding the immense drain on his Mana [the spiritual energy used to power techniques], he summoned forth his Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword [a sword forged from crystal imbued with terrestrial fire] and launched a furious assault against Great Qian Recluse [a renowned solitary cultivator].

Zhenlei the Daoist [the Daoist of Thundering Lightning] wore an expression of utter disbelief, unable to accept that his longtime friend had turned traitor. His voice trembled with shock as he uttered, "Great Qian, you…"

"Do not blame this old man!"

"Hemlock the Ancient Ancestor [a supremely powerful and ancient demonic cultivator] promised me," the Great Qian Recluse declared, his voice devoid of remorse, "that if I pledged myself to his banner, he would aid my breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the penultimate stage of the Nascent Soul realm]."

Utterly unrepentant, Great Qian Recluse sneered, his face a mask of savage glee. "I have been trapped at the Nascent Soul, 6th Tier [the sixth tier of the Nascent Soul realm] for two full Millennium [a period of one thousand years]. If achieving the Nascent Soul Late Stage requires me to walk the demonic path, then so be it!"

"Hemlock the Bloodweaver."

The name sent a chill through the assembled cultivators. Hemlock the Bloodweaver was reputed to be the foremost among the ancient Nascent Soul [a major cultivation stage where one forms a spiritual infant] demonic patriarchs of the Eastern Wastelands [a vast and perilous region]. Support the author by reading on audio–novel.com.

This foe is the overlord of the Star Lake Ancient Domain and a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who cultivates using demonic or unorthodox methods]. Not only does his cultivation reach the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm [a transitional state just below the Nascent Soul realm], but he also wields a Pure Yin Demonic Treasure [an artifact of immense power forged from pure Yin energy], the Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade.

Eldrin Chen understood even more clearly the nature of Hemlock the Bloodweaver. This fiend had been a sworn enemy of Qing the True Lord for many years. One of the pivotal factors in the downfall of the Vast Sea Chen Clan had been the machinations of this very Hemlock the Bloodweaver.

At this thought, even Nine Rivers Daoist paled, fearing that Hemlock the Bloodweaver might descend upon this place.

However, Eldrin Chen quickly regained his composure and spoke in a loud, clear voice, "There is no need for concern. Although Hemlock the Bloodweaver possesses formidable power, he is also a thorn in the side of the great powers of our Human Race. It is unlikely he would dare to leave his demonic lair recklessly."

"Therefore, this beast certainly will not appear here."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Hemlock the Bloodweaver did not take action, the situation would not deteriorate to its worst possible outcome.

Tianlu Sect Master fought with frenzied desperation, unleashing the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword at any cost in a desperate attempt to reclaim the Nascent Soul [the embryonic spiritual form of a cultivator, representing a major leap in power] of Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden.

Eldrin Chen intercepted Desolation Morgrim and said to Lyra Jiang, "Leave Desolation Morgrim to me. You go and hold off Fang the Elder Demon."

"Understood."

With that, Lyra Jiang surged forward to confront Fang the Elder Demon.

Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lila joined the fray in quick succession, their intent clear: to aid Tianlu Sect Master in reclaiming the Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator, the foundation of their power and consciousness] of Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden.

The battle raged for another quarter of an hour. Cultivators like Nine Rivers Daoist and Eldrin Chen held their ground well enough, but Daoyi Qiu and the other Nascent Soul, Early Stage experts felt their Mana [the spiritual energy used to fuel spells and techniques] reserves dwindling perilously. To continue fighting would court disaster.

At this critical juncture, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang. In that shared moment of understanding, they unleashed their Demonic Qi [a potent and malevolent form of spiritual energy] and struck.

Lyra Jiang raised her hand, and with her Twofold Divine Radiance [a divine technique that emits a dual-layered light capable of immobilizing targets], she pinned Morgrim Qian's Demonic Banner [an enchanted banner infused with demonic power] in place. In the same breath, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve. With a resonant *shing*, his Thousand-Demon Slaying Sword cleaved through the air, severing the Demonic Banner with brute force and freeing the captive Nascent Soul of Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden.

Seizing the opportunity, Tianlu the Daoist swiftly retrieved the Nascent Soul. He then channeled his power into the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword [a sword forged from mystical crystal, imbued with the power of earth and fire], its surge of energy forcing the battling elder demons to momentarily retreat.

"We cannot fight like this,"

Eldrin Chen thought swiftly and declared with resolve, "Battling within the heart of the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range thick with demonic energy and malevolent beings] puts us at a disadvantage. We withdraw and regroup."

"I shall cover the retreat!"

Nine Rivers Daoist roared his assent. He summoned forth his nine Heavenly River Immortal Sword [celestial swords that move with the fluidity and force of a heavenly river], weaving a defensive net of gleaming steel that intercepted the assaults from Pyroclast the Elder Demon and the others, providing cover as the allied forces disengaged.

Once they had withdrawn beyond the borders of the Desolate Demon Ridge, the pursuing Nascent Soul elder demons ceased their chase, their forms melting back into the ridge's sinister shadows.

They held the advantage in numbers, and possessed a top-tier Nascent Soul cultivator like Nine Rivers Daoist. Furthermore, the Ten Thousand Immortals Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation was firmly anchored just beyond the borders of Desolate Demon Ridge.

Although the Demonic Cultivator forces had three Nascent Soul Late Stage experts, once they ventured outside the Desolate Demon Ridge and lost the empowering influence of the Demonic Qi [corrupt spiritual energy], they would gain no advantage.

Once they had cleared the Desolate Demon Ridge, Eldrin Chen surveyed his companions. He realized then that nearly every Nascent Soul True Lord present bore wounds; none had emerged from the ordeal unscathed.

"Junior Sister."

Tianlu Sect Master gazed upon the Nascent Soul of Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden, his eyes welling with aged tears.

Although rescued, Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden's Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator] had been tainted by Demonic Fiend Qi [a vile, corrupting energy]. Reforging a physical body was now impossible, and a grave danger of falling into demonic madness loomed over her. Official source: audio-novel . com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

The spiritual radiance of Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden's Nascent Soul had dimmed, its form shrouded in a clinging darkness, her expression etched with profound agony.

"Alas."

Witnessing this, Nine Rivers Daoist sighed heavily and declared, "The foundation of Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden's Nascent Soul is corrupted beyond cleansing. Reconstructing a mortal vessel is no longer feasible. The only path forward now is to undergo a tribulation and begin cultivation anew."

"It seems that is the only way."

Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden's expression held a trace of pain, yet she also seemed to exhale a slight sigh of relief.

Having cultivated for several Millennium with a Deep-Seated Foundation, she naturally had also practiced the Nirvana Tribulation Transference Art [a profound art that allows one to transfer the calamity of a tribulation and potentially be reborn], granting her the chance to live another lifetime. However, to re-cultivate back to the Nascent Soul Realm [the realm where a cultivator forms their immortal soul essence] would likely require several centuries of arduous effort.

Aside from Tianxuan the Immortal Maiden, the Chen Clan's guest elder, Daoyi Qiu, was also in a sorry state. Among the assembled True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators, often at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul realm], his cultivation base was the lowest.

As the saying goes, one picks the softest persimmon to pinch. Although Daoyi Qiu had been exceedingly cautious in this battle, Pyroclast the Elder Demon had still managed to sever a section of his arm with the Blazing Spirit-Severing Sword. His body had been invaded by Fire Fiend Qi [a malevolent, corrosive energy born of demonic fire], and he would likely need to recuperate for two Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years] to fully recover.

The others were not faring much better, though fortunately, Eldrin Chen had withdrawn the forces in a timely manner. Those with higher cultivation levels had managed to... Observing the wretched state of his companions, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh. "This battle is my fault. Had I held my patience and waited another thirty years, allowing Brother Tianlu to break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, engaging them then might have been far less arduous."

"There is no room for so many 'what ifs'," came the reply.

Nine Rivers Daoist shook his head, then spoke. "We accounted for all the Demon Emperor and Demon Monarch [titles for supremely powerful demonic rulers] in the surrounding regions. Yet, we never anticipated Pyroclast the Elder Demon and Fang the Elder Demon would intervene. This, too, is my failing for not fully ascertaining the strength lurking within the Desolate Demon Ridge [a treacherous mountain range infested with ancient demons]."

Hearing this, Tianlu Sect Master's face darkened with palpable killing intent. "That Hemlock the Bloodweaver resides far away in the Star Lake Ancient Domain. Why would he meddle in the affairs of our Three Veins Ancient Domain [an ancient domain named for its three major spiritual veins]?"

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred slightly at these words, a flicker of doubt appearing in his gaze.

It was Nine Rivers Daoist who seemed to know something, his expression turning grave. "That Hemlock the Bloodweaver broke through to the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm [a transitional state just below the full Nascent Soul realm] a full two Millennium ago. By now, he has likely brushed against the threshold of becoming a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a Nascent Soul cultivator who has comprehended a profound Dao principle, granting them immense power]."

"Therefore, his desire to subdue Desolation Morgrim and the others was likely motivated by a need to secure guardians for his own breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core and cultivation stage before ascension] realm."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present shifted dramatically, each face revealing a look of utter disbelief.

Zhenlei the Daoist pondered for a moment, his gaze turning grave. "How could that be? Could Hemlock the Bloodweaver truly be on the verge of breaking through to Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core and cultivation stage before ascension]?"

Even as he spoke, a trace of skepticism remained etched upon Zhenlei the Daoist's features.

Within the Purple Realm, the total number of Demonic Path Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core and cultivation stage before ascension] cultivators did not exceed twenty. Of these fewer than twenty Demonic Path powerhouses, over seventy percent were originally Human Race Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator who has formed a nascent soul infant within their dantian] who had fallen from grace and descended into the Demonic Path.

This was because, although Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who harness corrupt and violent energies for power] possessed formidable combat strength and generally cultivated at a faster pace than Righteous Path Cultivator [cultivators who follow orthodox, harmony-seeking methods], the difficulty of breaking through major cultivation realms was far greater for them.

The reason lay in the very nature of their path. In the process of their cultivation, Demonic Path practitioners were gradually corroded in mind and spirit by the power of Demonic Fiend Qi [a corrupt and malevolent form of spiritual energy]. This erosion bred greed, capriciousness, and a loss of moral compass, causing them to drown in their base desires and lose both their humanity and their vigilance.

Only a rare few among Demonic Path cultivators could maintain their original heart and clarity of purpose, allowing them to shatter the barriers and ascend to the realm of Nascent Soul True Lord [a supreme cultivator who has formed a nascent soul infant within their dantian]. Continue your cultivation journey at audio novel.com.