Chapter 629 : The Demonic Path to Ascension

For Demonic Path cultivators seeking to break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core], they must also see through their own karmic obstacles and steadfastly guard their original mind. Otherwise, they risk being devoured by the Demonic Fiend Qi [the corrupting energy of demons and fiends], their consciousness consumed, ultimately becoming monstrous creatures neither human nor ghost.

Surveying history, those Demonic Path cultivators from the Purple Realm who ascended to become Demon God [powerful demonic deities] were almost exclusively Human Race Dao Lord [Dao Lords of the human race] who had fallen into demonic ways.

Only Human Race Dao Lord of transcendent talent and insight, whose nature and comprehension were never lacking, could, even after falling, retain some semblance of their own cultivation philosophy, thereby possessing a greater chance of successful ascension.

Consider, for example, the foremost figure of the Demonic Path in the Eastern Wilderness Great Domain, the Netherworld Ancient Ancestor, or the supreme powerhouse of the Demonic Path in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, Longgu the Daoist. Both were originally Human Race Dao Lord who, in pursuit of greater power, fell from grace midway and converted to the Demonic Path.

Cultivators like Hemlock the Ancient Ancestor, who practiced the Demonic Path from childhood, are conversely seldom heard of attaining the Primordial Spirit Realm.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Regardless, since that Hemlock the Bloodweaver is preparing to gather Primordial Spirit [Primordial Spirit realm] cultivators, he is likely already plotting his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit realm."

"After all, this demon is the foremost Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator in the Eastern Sea. None can say for certain whether he can break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm. We must not underestimate him."

"Mm."

Lyra Jiang nodded, then said, "Yet there is no need for excessive worry. Should Hemlock the Bloodweaver attempt his breakthrough, we, the Human Race Dao Lord, will naturally not stand idly by."

"I understand that," Eldrin Chen sighed, then continued, "My concern is that he might seize the opportunity to break through during the coming Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the great calamity of the Demonic Abyss], when we, the Human Race Dao Lord, will be fully occupied and unable to divert our attention." Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel-dot-com.

"This..."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, a subtle weight settling in their hearts.

Nine Rivers Daoist pondered for a moment before speaking. "Regarding the matter of Hemlock the Bloodweaver, I will first notify the Star Palace."

"Our most pressing concern now is to decide what we should do."

Eldrin Chen then withdrew his thoughts. He glanced towards the Desolate Demon Ridge and, after a moment of contemplation, said, "We currently lack the strength to eradicate the Desolate Demon Ridge. We have no choice but to wait for another opportunity to act in the future."

"That seems to be our only option," said Kunling the Immortal Aunt [a powerful female cultivator], her gaze tinged with sorrow. "It is a pity that after this battle, the Demonic Cultivator forces on Nine Rivers Continent will grow stronger. Who knows how many mortals will be plunged into the Demonic Tribulation [a period of great suffering and chaos caused by demonic forces]."

Everyone's eyes flickered at these words. Having suffered a bitter setback in this battle, the arrogance of the Demonic Cultivator on Nine Rivers Continent would surely swell. From now on, the pressure on their fellow Human Race cultivators across the continent would increase manifold.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen spoke up. "Let us wait another century. If within a hundred years our strength can advance another step, perhaps we can still pacify this Desolate Demon Ridge before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied cataclysmic event involving demonic forces] arrives."

Upon hearing this, they fell silent once more. A mere century—how could it be so easy to advance one's cultivation significantly in such a short span?

Perhaps within a hundred years, Tianlu Sect Master might be fortunate enough to break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage. But with him alone at the Nascent Soul Late Stage, it would likely still be insufficient to completely suppress the Desolate Demon Ridge, which had the backing of Hemlock the Bloodweaver.

If they cannot eradicate the Desolate Demon Ridge within a hundred years, then when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm arrives, they will likely have to leave a significant portion of their strength behind to guard against Desolation Morgrim and his ilk.

Seeing this, Nine Rivers Daoist offered a faint smile and said, "Very well. All of you, cultivate diligently. We shall meet for battle again in a hundred years."

"Victory in this campaign would be most welcome. However, if we cannot take the Desolate Demon Ridge, then when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm descends, this old man will personally station himself outside the Desolate Demon Ridge to eliminate any threats from your rear."

"Then it is settled."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod, and thus the matter was decided.

Not long after, the army withdrew with their treasure ship. As the vessel sailed through the void, several Chen Clan True Lord gathered together, their expressions shadowed by concern.

Thalion Chen's face was grave, his gaze contemplative as he spoke. "In this battle, our Chen Clan has lost five Golden Core cultivators. Caleb has also fallen."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a sharp pang in his heart. Each of those five Golden Core cultivators was a prominent figure within the Chen Clan, individuals Eldrin Chen knew well—juniors he had watched grow from childhood.

This was especially true for Caleb Chen. He was one of the clan's few cultivators at the Golden Core, Late Stage, a true seed with the potential to reach the Nascent Soul True Lord realm.

He had been born during the clan's most fragile era and had painstakingly advanced step by step to reach the eighth layer of the Golden Core realm.

He had been waiting for just one more Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years] to attempt his breakthrough into the Nascent Soul Realm [the realm where a cultivator's soul forms an independent infant-like entity]. It was a bitter fate to fall in this battle before achieving that goal.

"Alas!"

Lila also wore a pained expression. When Eldrin Chen had brought her into the clan, his cultivation was already nearing the Purple Mansion [the realm where spiritual energy condenses into a foundational palace within the dantian], leaving him little time to care for her. In truth, she had been raised from childhood by Silas.

Caleb Chen was Silas's blood brother. Now that Caleb Chen had fallen in battle, she was at a loss for how to break the news to Silas.

"Caleb."

The deaths of Caleb and several other juniors sent a chill through Eldrin Chen's heart, a crushing sense of urgency settling upon him like a physical weight. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio—novel.com.

The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied cataclysm where demonic forces surge from the abyss] had not yet arrived. This was merely an assault on a single Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a territory corrupted and ruled by demonic cultivators]. Furthermore, they had gathered forces several times their enemy's strength to besiege Desolate Demon Ridge, yet they had still been caught off guard and suffered heavy losses.

If this was the result now, what would become of them when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm finally descended, and they faced the onslaught of countless Demonic Monsters [creatures born of or corrupted by demonic energy]?

"I must advance to the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Nascent Soul realm] as soon as possible and find a way to repair the Green Abyss Sword [a legendary enchanted blade]," he resolved inwardly.

Though these thoughts churned within him, Eldrin Chen's expression remained an unreadable mask.

He understood that he was the pillar holding up his family's sky; even in the face of the greatest adversity, he could not show a trace of weakness.

Thus, his gaze remained serene as he spoke calmly, "Let us first return and recuperate. Heal your injuries with all haste. A century from now, we shall join battle and utterly annihilate Desolate Demon Ridge, and then we shall avenge Caleb and the others."

"Agreed."

Lila nodded, unable to suppress a sigh of relief.

The Crimson Flood Dragon War Junk continued its flight towards Ji Continent. Having traversed countless tens of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], the very fabric of heaven and earth suddenly trembled violently, and the entire expanse of space began to shatter.

Eldrin Chen, feeling the world shake, swiftly flew out from the treasure ship. His face filled with shock, he exclaimed, "Beware! It's a spatial rupture!"

"How can this be?"

Lyra Jiang also paled dramatically. The spatial fabric of the Purple Realm was incomparably sturdy; aside from special spatial Spiritual Treasures [enchanted artifacts with spatial properties], not even Nascent Soul Cultivators [cultivators who have formed their Nascent Soul, a higher stage of cultivation] could tear through the void.

Yet now, the void itself was fracturing—a sight far beyond their comprehension.

And in that very instant, Eldrin Chen felt an overwhelmingly terrifying consciousness sweep over them, locking onto him with pinpoint accuracy.

Yet, in the very next instant, the lingering ripple of that divine will swept over Lyra Jiang once more, and the voice paused ever so slightly.

"Hmm—"

With that soft exclamation of surprise, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang felt the heavens and earth spin violently. The very space surrounding myself was wrenched and displaced, instantly devoured into the boundless void, vanishing within the fractures of the ethereal expanse.

"Husband!"

Witnessing their disappearance, Lila and the others paled, their expressions shifting drastically. They frantically tried to pull them back, but it was utterly futile.

At that same moment, Eldrin Chen felt reality invert and the void flip. In the span of a single thought, they found themselves standing within a vast, shadowy Grand Hall.

And within that Grand Hall, a figure clad in black robes, crowned with a regal and supremely dignified headpiece, stood in silent stillness. A pair of profound eyes gazed upon them, holding them in a deep, contemplative silence. This novel is serialized on AUDIO-NOVEL.COM. Visit for updates.