Chapter 624. Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name)

Within the grand hall of Spirit Isle Lake (Location), 5 True Lords had gathered.

Chen Changxuan glanced at Eldrin and inquired, "You've just returned and immediately summoned us. Has something major occurred?"

Eldrin nodded and recounted the events to the group.

Everyone’s expressions turned grave upon hearing this. Lila (Person Name) spoke with a solemn tone, "The Desolate Demon Ridge (Location) is not weak in strength. Wouldn’t it be somewhat premature to move against them now?"

"Indeed." The old clan leader also furrowed his brow, unable to resist reminding them: "Currently, Kael (Person Name) hasn't returned to the clan yet, and Silas (Person Name) will need another 30 years before attempting his Golden Core breakthrough. Perhaps we should wait a while longer?"

"It's not that I don't wish to wait," Eldrin sighed before speaking. "Even if we retrieve the sword tip of Senior Qingyuan, its restoration will require considerable time. We'd best help it recover before the Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss arrives."

Hearing this, the group exchanged glances and suppressed the thoughts stirring in their hearts.

Once the Abyssal Cataclysm erupts, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch would face considerable risk of falling. Should the Chen Clan possess a Pure Yang Immortal Sword as their hidden trump card, their confidence in weathering this calamity would be substantially heightened.

With this thought in mind, Elara declared, "In that case, let us fight with all our might."

"So be it."

The old clan leader spoke, then continued, "This battle is too far from Ji Continent. It would be unwise for us to mobilize a large number of low-level cultivators."

"It matters not." Eldrin spoke with detached composure, a faint glimmer shifting in his eyes. "The 9 Rivers Continent is also a major realm. Having those lower-level cultivators contribute their efforts would suffice."

"The conscription of cultivators over there will take at least several more years. For now, we can dispatch some cultivators above the Purple Mansion realm to provide assistance."

"Very well." Upon hearing this, Chen Changxu stroked his long beard and said, "The 9 Rivers Taoist is a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. With our Chen Clan and the Tianlu Sect joining forces, our chances of victory in this battle are already quite substantial."

Within the vast Eastern Wastelands (Location), humanity occupied 6 ancient domains: the Starry Lake Ancient Domain, the 7 Stars Ancient Domain, the Long River Ancient Domain, the Myriad Voids Ancient Domain, the Stellaris Ancient Domain, and the 3 Veins Ancient Domain where Ji Province was located.

Among these ancient domains, the Starry Abyss was held by the Astral Pavilion, the Eternal River Domain served as the sanctuary of the Flowing Heaven Sect, while the 10 1000 Voids Territory stood as the dominion of the Lin Clan.

In truth, during the distant epochs of the past, the human race once possessed 8 ancient domains. What are now known as the Fallen God Ridge and the Nethersea correspond precisely to the former Seventh and Eighth Ancient Domains.

The Nethersea's Elder Nether, once a revered human Nascent Soul Dao Lord, fell into demonic ways over 3 1000 years ago through a single moment of delusion. He comprehended the legendary Nether Demonic Path, thus descending into a state that shook the world as a dreaded Demonic Cultivator Nascent Soul.

Yet, thousands of years ago, the Mountain of Fallen Divinity was also a sacred land of the Human Race's Dao Lords, guarded by 1 of the Human Race's Dao Lords.

Alas, the essence blood and birth characters of that Human Dao Lord fell into the hands of a Demon God. Several Heavenly Demons cultivated in the Path of Providence joined forces to cast a vicious curse upon him, leading to his tragic demise.

After the Human Dao Sovereign perished, both his physical body and primordial spirit transformed into black blood, corrupting a vast Dao Sovereign sacred ground into a forbidden land.

From then on, the Fallen God Ridge was occupied by the demonic path's Primordial Spirit, Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name), thus transforming it into a revered sanctuary for demonic cultivators feared throughout the realm.

At this very moment atop the Celestial Fall Ridge, the Ancient Devil of the Wilds knelt cautiously before a great hall, trembling as he awaited something.

After a long while, the grand hall's doors swung open, and a woman emerged—her figure nearly flawless, her countenance as sublime as a celestial being's.

Greetings, Your Holiness.

The Elder of the Abyss hastily performed a ceremonial salute, his expression radiating profound reverence.

She cast a glance at Eldrin, her eyes as still and lifeless as a stagnant pond. "The Ancestor requests your presence. Follow me."

The Ancient Devil rose to his feet, his expression reverent as he followed her into the grand hall.

No sooner had he stepped into the great hall than the Eldritch Abomination felt an overwhelmingly vast demonic might pressing down upon him. For a moment, the trembling in his heart intensified.

In the center of the great hall stood a figure draped in black-and-gold robes. His form was tall and majestic, like a deity or demon standing immovable, obscuring the terrifying Hugo (Person Name) behind him.

The Elder of the Desolate took a deep breath and promptly prostrated himself, saying, "This junior pays homage to the Sacred Venerable. May the Sacred Venerable enjoy eternal life and ascend to become an undying true fiend."

"There is no need for formalities."

Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) stood in silence, his gaze fixed intently upon the Aged Demon of Desolation for a long moment before he finally spoke. "Tell me more about the situation in the Returning Abyss."

"Hmm..."

The Ancient Devil took a deep breath and promptly informed Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) of the situation. He then couldn’t help but add, “If that Daoist of the Returning Abyss truly possesses the bearing of a Great Luo Nascent Soul, I fear it would spell calamity for our demonic path. I implore you, Ancestor, to strike him down while he is still in his cradle.”

"You worry too much."

Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) pondered briefly upon hearing this, then responded with a serene smile, "To forge a Great Luo Nascent Soul, 1 must first harness the 9 Heavens Immortal Qi as a catalyst to shatter the shackles of the Great Luo."

"Now, the human race possesses only a few remaining wisps of immortal energy, all controlled by those old fogies in the Central Ancestral Domain. Had it truly been granted to him, the Returning Abyss would've long been taken and concealed within the Central Ancestral Domain."

At this point, Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) narrowed his eyes slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he remarked, "Though he never achieved the Great Perfection Nascent Soul, since the Abyssal Daoist (Cultivator) possessed the 5 Spiritual Roots, he must have attained the Great Perfection Golden Core."

"With such heavenly endowments, even if she cannot attain immortality, she is destined to become a pillar of humanity in the future. We must eliminate her before it's too late."

Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) remarked with detached calm before declaring with unshakable conviction, "So be it. This old man shall personally cast the God-Slaying Curse to send that Eldrin (Person Name) to his eternal rest."

"Hmm—"

As he spoke, he began to activate a demonic incantation to slay Eldrin (Person Name). Yet halfway through the casting, he let out a soft exclamation of surprise and withdrew the spell.

He calculated on the spot for a moment, a flicker of astonishment flashing in his eyes before he shook his head and remarked, "It seems that Eldrin has cultivated a protective divine ability related to the Heavenly Secrets. If I were to activate the curse, not only would I fail to eliminate him, but I might also alert the snake."

"Enough."

Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name) cast a slightly cold gaze before saying to the Eldritch Demon Elder (Person Name), "Return for now. This old man will arrange assistance to lend you a hand in this matter."

"I shall obey, Senior."

The Venerable Eccentric spoke respectfully as he withdrew.

After he had departed, Thanatos the God-Feller gazed at the Holy Maiden of the God-Falling Ridge and said, "Qing'er, through my divination just now, I unexpectedly discovered that the opportunity for the revival of your soul seems to lie with that little whelp of the Returning Abyss."

"Oh."

Qing’er replied quietly, her eyes as unfathomable as an abyss, betraying not a ripple of emotion.

"Alas."

Gazing at Qing’er’s utterly unperturbed expression, a rare trace of tenderness surfaced in Thanatos the God-Feller (Person Name). "My soul is under the control of an extraterrestrial demon god," he said. "I am no longer master of my own fate."

"Yet now the opportunity for your soul's revival has arrived. Even at the greatest cost, I shall pave your return to the Great Dao."

Chapter 1: The Reborn Youth The biting cold wind swept across the mountain ridge, carrying with it the scent of frozen earth and withered grass. On the jagged cliffs, a youth clad in tattered blue robes knelt motionless, his fingers digging deep into the frozen soil as if clutching at the last vestiges of life itself. "To think I, Chu Xingyan, once stood at the pinnacle of the Divine Transformation stage, now reduced to this..." A bitter smile touched his pale lips. The spiritual energy within his dantian had been completely shattered, leaving only faint traces of aura that flickered like dying embers. Suddenly, a burst of arrogant laughter echoed from behind. "Chu Xingyan! Did you truly believe the Inner Sect would allow a prodigy from the desolate lands to rise?" 3 figures emerged from the swirling mist, their white robes embroidered with the sigil of the Profound Sky Sect shimmering under the moonlight. The leader, a young man with sharp features, swung a long sword that gleamed with cold light. "Hand over the Heavenly Revolution Art, and we might grant you a swift death." Chu Xingyan slowly rose, his gaze sweeping over the familiar yet now distorted faces. "Elder Martial Brother Zhao, for the sake of a Earth-grade cultivation technique, you'd betray even your own master?" Zhao Lie's expression twisted. "In the world of cultivation, the strong prey on the weak. Today, you shall learn this truth with your death!" A flash of sword light shot forth, but at that critical moment, Chu Xingyan's eyes suddenly ignited with a strange crimson glow. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), which had been dormant for years at his waist, erupted with earth-shattering sword energy. "This is... a Blood Soul Sacrifice!" Zhao Lie's face contorted in terror. "You madman! You're burning your very soul!" Chu Xingyan laughed heartily, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Since you all crave my Heavenly Revolution Art, then accompany me to the netherworld!" A deafening explosion tore through the night sky. When Chu Xingyan reopened his eyes, he found himself in a simple yet clean room. The scent of medicinal herbs hung in the air, and morning light streamed through the window, casting dancing dust motes in its beams. "Yan'er, you're awake?" An elderly woman with silver hair rushed to his bedside, her wrinkled face filled with concern. "You've been unconscious for 3 days after falling from the back mountain. This grandmother of yours was worried sick." A flood of foreign memories surged into his mind—Chu Xingyan, 15 years old, an outer sect disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect, orphaned since childhood, raised by this elderly woman who managed the sect's herb garden... So the self-destruction had triggered some mysterious power, sending his soul back a 100 years, into the body of this youth who shared his name. He inwardly checked his condition and couldn't help but laugh bitterly. The meridians throughout his body were blocked, his dantian damaged—even worse than his previous life's starting point. But the next moment, his gaze fell upon a simple bronze mirror on the dressing table. Reflected in it was a delicate yet resolute young face. "Very well." A sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Since the heavens have given me another chance..." "I, Chu Xingyan, shall once again tread the path to the pinnacle of the cultivation world!"