Chapter 630 Primordial Spirit Ancestor

As if standing on the edge of an abyss, as if treading on thin ice.

With just a single glance, Eldrin felt his scalp go numb, as if he were about to sink into an unfathomable abyss.

Lyra was utterly stunned. After hesitating for a dozen or so breaths, she suddenly exclaimed in astonishment, "Elder Qingxu!"

"It is I."

In the center of the great hall, the figure spoke. Clad in a full-length black robe, His towering stature appeared exceptionally majestic and peerlessly distinguished.

In that instant, Eldrin understood this man's identity, yet an even deeper chill gripped his heart.

Few in the Violet Realm could make Lyra (Person Name) address them as Martial Uncle, and this man who called himself Qingxu could be none other than the legendary Qingxu Dao Lord who once shook the heavens.

Yet what truly astounded him was that after the cataclysm at the Demon Abyss, the Daoist Qingxu had not perished. Instead, unbeknownst to all, he had descended into the demonic path. This revelation struck him as utterly inconceivable.

Lyra (Person Name) couldn't believe her eyes either, her face full of shock as she exclaimed, "Martial Uncle, how could you have fallen into demonic cultivation..."

Azure Ruins Dao Lord fell silent, standing motionless for a long moment before finally speaking. "A cultivator's entire life is spent defying fate, seeking the path to transcend this mortal dust."

"Yet there are times when even primordial spirit Dao Lords like us cannot master our own destinies."

Like an ant falling into a mighty river, even when struggling with all my might, I could scarcely alter my fate against the torrent's relentless surge.

The ceremonial crown atop Daoist Qingxu’s head veiled his features, obscuring the turbulence and expression beneath. Yet, an aura of profound desolation radiated from him, permeating heaven and earth.

He suddenly let out a self-mocking laugh and spoke with detached calm.

"Some matters are beyond my choosing."

Eldrin gazed at that peerlessly noble figure, his heart sinking ever deeper.

He took a deep breath and finally couldn't resist asking, "Senior, what exactly happened back then?"

"That affair from back then."

Qingxu Daojun shook his head, then after a moment of deep contemplation added, "During the great war of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm all those years ago, our Jianghuang lineage were all thorns in the side of a certain Outer Realm demonic god."

My senior brother and I were besieged by the Outer Realm Demons. Later, an Outer Realm Devil God struck from across the boundless void, and my soul was corroded by its demonic laws of the great dao.

As Elder Qingxu recounted the tale in his measured voice, the 2 finally understood the truth of what had transpired all those years ago.

In that great battle of yore, both Daoist Qingxu and Daoist Zihuan fell prey to the machinations of the Outer Demons. Daoist Zihuan perished in glorious martyrdom upon the battlefield, while Daoist Qingxu barely managed to fight his way out alive.

But by the time he realized what was happening, he discovered his Life Soul had already been corroded by the Demonic Path's laws. Even his powerful spirit, forged from the union of 3 souls, could barely resist it.

All these years he had fallen into the Fallen God Ridge because the demonic path's law was ceaselessly corroding his life soul, seeking to completely dominate his will.

"By relying on the natural barrier of the Violet Realm to resist the Soul-Corroding Art of the Outer Realm Demonic Deity, I can barely maintain some semblance of consciousness for now."

"However, over these years, I've lost many memories and must expend ever greater power to resist the demonic path's laws. The time I can remain lucid grows increasingly scarce."

Elder Voidwalker’s expression grew solemn as he reached this point. “Once the Cataclysm of the Demon Abyss begins, a rift will be torn between heaven and earth.”

"Then the will of the Outer Realm Demon God could seep a strand into this world, and I would find it difficult to escape the fate of having my soul completely dominated."

Hearing this, Eldrin and Lyra exchanged a glance, a chill creeping across their brows.

The next Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss would arrive in just 1 100 and 50 years—such a brief span rendered them utterly powerless to alter the course of events.

Lyra’s expression shifted slightly as she couldn’t help but ask, “Is there truly no way to resolve this?”

"Even a casual move from the Demon God is not so easily countered."

Qingxu Daojun shook his head, appearing to accept his fate with a measure of tranquility.

He stood there in silence, his gaze briefly falling upon Eldrin before he suddenly spoke, "You cultivate the power of Celestial Fire. If you could refine the Pure Yang Celestial Flame, there might be a slim chance to suppress the demonic principles entrenched in my Life Soul."

"But by then, it will already be too late."

Eldrin remained silent. The Pure Yang Celestial Flame was a supreme immortal fire; mastering it would be enough to ascend and become an immortal. However, this would likely require at least tens of thousands of years to accomplish.

Lyra felt a stifling ache in her heart, knowing this might very well be their last civil conversation. Should they meet again, they would likely be mortal enemies.

She took a deep breath, her pupils tinged with crimson as she spoke softly, "Has Elder Uncle summoned us here to entrust us with a task?"

"Hmm."

Eldrin (Person Name) stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze shifting toward the screen. "Qing'er (Person Name), come out now."

As he spoke, an exquisitely beautiful woman stepped out from the side and strode before the crowd.

Qing Ji!

The moment she saw the approaching figure, Lyra's face lit up with ecstasy.

Her heart swelled with both joy and shock. Years ago, to cover her escape, Qing Ji (Person Name) had fled toward the Eastern Wastelands (Location) under her name and vanished without a trace. 1 could say Qing Ji had faced this peril in her stead.

Later, when Qing Ji went missing and her soul lamp was completely extinguished, Lyra (Person Name) assumed she had perished long ago. Never did she imagine they would meet again today.

Yet compared to Lyra's expression, Qing Ji's eyes remained utterly unperturbed. She simply stood there in silence, watching the 2 like a stranger.

"She no longer recognizes you."

Elder Qingxu spoke, a trace of anguish flickering in his eyes: "Back then, her soul was tainted by Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root). To resist its corruption and avoid descending into the demonic path, she cultivated the 'Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique (Cultivation Art)'."

“Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique (Cultivation Art)？”

Eldrin's expression abruptly shifted, for he had some understanding of this Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique (Cultivation Art) as well.

This method is a supreme immortal art passed down from the Celestial Realm. It is said that after cultivating it, a practitioner's soul can immerse itself in the illusionary realm of the mortal world to undergo tribulations and training, attaining the Great Dao within dreams.

However, this cultivation method was extremely perilous. Without immense mental fortitude and a resolute Dao heart, 1 could easily become lost in the illusions, never to awaken again.

Qing Ji cultivated this Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique (Cultivation Art), pouring all her will into it. Her physical form was thus stripped of the 7 emotions and 6 desires, leaving only a will of absolute rationality in control.

Thus, even as the power of the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) corroded her, she remained utterly unmoved, as if born devoid of emotion and desire.

Seeing that Eldrin was beginning to comprehend the Law of 7 Emotions and 6 Desires, the Dao Lord of Azure Abyss remarked, "Zhuangzi dreamed of a butterfly, and the butterfly dreamed of Zhuangzi. Cultivate the Red Dust Butterfly Dream Technique for 1 year, and a lifetime shall pass within the dream."

"This cultivation method has 3 thresholds: 1 100 years, 1 1000 years, and the final barrier at 3 1000 years."

"It is said that if an ordinary person experiences a 100 cycles of reincarnation in their dreams, they gain a sliver of hope for immortality. Should 1 endure a 1000 cycles, they would be deemed worthy of becoming an Immortal Lord."

"If 1 could awaken after accumulating the karmic fruits of 3 1000 lifetimes, they would grasp the laws of heaven and earth upon waking, ascending to immortality in a single breath."

Chapter 1: The Reborn Eldrin The sky above the 9 Heavens Continent was torn asunder by a blinding lightning strike. A thunderous roar echoed through the heavens as spatial cracks spread like spiderwebs across the firmament. From the deepest fissure, a wisp of azure soul energy drifted downward, eventually settling into the body of a youth lying unconscious in the mud of the Verdant Cloud Sect's back mountains. "Ugh..." The youth's eyelids fluttered open, revealing pupils that shimmered with ancient wisdom. "I, Eldrin, have actually been reborn?" Memories flooded his mind - he had been the supreme Eldrin of the Primordial Era, on the verge of breaking through to the Eternal Realm when betrayed by his closest disciple during the heavenly tribulation. Yet now, he inhabited the body of a 15-year-old outer sect disciple who shared his name, who had been beaten to death by bullies for refusing to surrender his monthly allotment of 3 spirit stones. Eldrin sat up, his new body aching in 10 1000 places. "What a pitiful state," he murmured, examining the thin limbs and damaged meridians. "This boy's spiritual roots are mediocre at best, and his cultivation has regressed to the first level of Qi Refining. But since fate has granted me a second chance, I shall reclaim everything that was mine!" He struggled to his feet, leaning against a withered spiritual tree. Closing his eyes, he began circulating the Heaven Devouring Art, a technique that had once made him invincible across the realms. The surrounding spiritual energy began to swirl toward him, forming visible vortexes. "Eldrin! You're still alive?" A sharp voice cut through his concentration. 3 outer sect disciples approached, their leader wearing a cruel smile. "Since you've recovered, hand over your spirit stones. This time, we'll take all 30-2 1000 you've been hoarding!" Eldrin's eyes snapped open, glowing with an otherworldly light. "Zhang Hu," he said, recognizing the bully from his host's memories. "You who killed my former self... your debt must be repaid." Zhang Hu laughed mockingly. "What nonsense are you spouting? Boys, teach this trash another lesson!" As the 3 charged forward, Eldrin raised a hand. "Azure Dragon Binding Technique!" he whispered. Spiritual energy coalesced into dragon-shaped bonds that immobilized the attackers instantly. "How... how is this possible?" Zhang Hu stammered, his face pale with terror. "You're just trash at the first level of Qi Refining!" Eldrin approached slowly, his gaze cold as ancient ice. "In my previous life, I commanded winds and clouds across countless realms. You insects dare block my path?" He pointed a finger, and a wisp of soul energy shot forth, obliterating Zhang Hu's cultivation base. "Consider this your punishment," Eldrin declared. "Now, leave my sight." After the bullies fled in panic, Eldrin retrieved a small pouch from his robes. Inside were 3 faintly glowing spirit stones - his entire worldly possessions. "With these, I can at least begin repairing these damaged meridians," he mused. "But first, I must find the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss that this body's ancestor left hidden in these mountains." His eyes turned toward the distant peaks where mist curled around towering cliffs. "The path to immortality is long and fraught with peril, but I, Eldrin, have returned. All who betrayed me shall tremble."