Chapter 628 : Betrayal of the Blood-Refining Path

"Ah—!"

Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was seized, and in her haste, she was swept away by the Black Banner.

"Junior Sister!"

Witnessing Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily's capture, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master's eyes blazed crimson. Disregarding the toll on his spiritual power, he unleashed the Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword and launched a furious assault against Great Heaven Recluse.

Thunder Trigram Path Master wore an expression of utter disbelief, unable to accept that his longtime friend had turned traitor. "Great Heaven," he stammered, voice thick with shock, "you..."

"Do not blame this old man!"

"Blood-Refining Patriarch has promised me," Great Heaven Recluse declared with a sneer, "that if I pledge myself to his banner, he will aid my breakthrough to the Infant Soul Late Stage."

The Great Heaven Recluse showed no remorse, his face twisted into a vicious grin. "I have been trapped at the Infant Soul 6th Tier for two thousand years. If attaining the Infant Soul Late Stage requires me to walk the demonic path, so be it!"

"Blood-Refining Old Demon."

The others' expressions shifted grimly. Blood-Refining Old Demon was renowned as the foremost Infant Soul demonic cultivator in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. This content originates from AUDIO-NOVEL.COM. Please respect copyright.

This individual is the overlord of the Star Lake Ancient Domain, a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who cultivates power through demonic or unorthodox means]. Not only does his cultivation reach the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [a stage just below the Primordial Spirit realm], but he also wields the Pure Lunar Demonic Treasure [a powerful artifact imbued with lunar and demonic energies], the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade [a divine blade used for refining blood essence, associated with heavenly demons].

Eldrin Chen understood even more clearly the nature of the Blood-Refining Old Demon. This foe had been a sworn enemy of Verdant Seal True Lord for many years. One of the key factors in the downfall of the Vast Sea Chen Clan had been the machinations of this very Blood-Refining Old Demon.

At this thought, even Nine Rivers Path Master paled, fearing the Blood-Refining Old Demon might come to this place.

However, Eldrin Chen quickly regained his composure and spoke loudly to reassure them, "There is no need for concern, everyone. Although the Blood-Refining Old Demon 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 the Demon Cave [a cave or lair inhabited by demons] recklessly."

"Therefore, this fiend certainly would not dare to appear here."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Blood-Refining Old Demon did not personally intervene, the situation would not deteriorate to its worst possible outcome.

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master fought with frenzied desperation, sparing no cost to unleash the Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword [a sword forged from a rare crystal ore imbued with earth and fire energies], hoping to reclaim the Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core of a cultivator] of Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily.

Eldrin Chen intercepted the Desolation Old Demon and said to Exquisite Jiang, "Leave this Desolation Old Demon to me. You go and stop the Fang Old Demon."

"Understood."

With that, Exquisite Jiang charged forward to deal with the Fang Old Demon.

Violet Consort Yan and Lila joined the fray in quick succession, their intent clear: to aid the Heavenly Reed Sect Master in reclaiming the Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core of a cultivator, the foundation of their future Primordial Spirit] of Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily.

Another quarter of an hour [one Ke-time equals fifteen minutes] of fierce combat passed. Cultivators like the Nine Rivers Path Master and Eldrin Chen held their ground well enough, but Quentin Qiu and the other Infant Soul Early Stage [the initial phase of the Infant Soul realm] experts were beginning to feel the strain on their spiritual power reserves. To continue fighting would soon turn perilous for them.

At this critical juncture, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang. Understanding passed between them in an instant, and they struck in perfect unison.

Exquisite Jiang raised her hand, unleashing the Two Polarities Divine Light [a divine light technique embodying the opposing forces of Yin and Yang] to immobilize the Demonic Banner [an evil enchanted banner] wielded by Qian Old Demon. In the same breath, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve. With a resonant *shing*, the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword [a sword renowned for slaughtering countless fiends] cleaved through the air, severing the Demonic Banner with sheer force and freeing the trapped Infant Soul of Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily.

Seizing the opportunity, the Heavenly Hut Path Master swiftly retrieved the Infant Soul. He then channeled his power into the Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword [a sword forged from profound crystal ore imbued with earthly fire], its radiant energy forcing back the old demons embroiled in the chaotic melee.

"We cannot fight like this,"

Eldrin Chen thought swiftly and declared with decisive clarity, "Battling within the heart of the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with demons] puts us at a disadvantage. We withdraw and regroup."

"I shall cover the retreat!"

The Nine Rivers Path Master roared, unleashing the Nine Heavenly River Immortal Swords [a set of nine immortal swords that move like celestial rivers]. Their blades wove a defensive tapestry of light, intercepting the assaults from Blazing Fire Old Demon and the others, providing crucial cover as the allied forces made their orderly withdrawal.

Once they had cleared the boundaries of the Desolate Demon Ridge, the pursuing Infant Soul old demons ceased their chase, unwilling to venture further from their fortified territory.

With their overwhelming numbers, including a top-tier Infant Soul cultivator like Nine Rivers Path Master, and the Myriad Immortals Demon-Subduing Grand Formation [a powerful formation designed to suppress demonic forces] sealing the perimeter of the Desolate Demon Ridge, their position was formidable.

Although the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who harness demonic energy for power] had three Infant Soul Late Stage experts, once they ventured beyond the Desolate Demon Ridge and lost the amplification of the demonic miasma, they would find no advantage.

Once they had cleared the Desolate Demon Ridge, Eldrin Chen surveyed the group. He realized that nearly every Infant Soul True Lord present bore injuries, each one visibly worse for wear.

"Junior Sister."

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master gazed at the Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily before him, his eyes welling with aged tears.

The Infant Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their life force and cultivation base] of the Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily flickered dimly, its radiance tainted by a clinging, malevolent black light. Her spectral form was contorted in an expression of profound agony. Continue reading this story at audio–novel.com.

It was painfully clear. Although rescued, the Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily's Infant Soul had been deeply corrupted by the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a vile, corrupting energy born of demonic realms]. Reforging a physical body was now impossible, and she teetered on the precipice of a complete descent into demonic madness.

"Alas."

Witnessing this, Nine Rivers Path Master let out a heavy sigh. "The Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily's Infant Soul is tainted to its very foundation by the Demonic Fiendish Energy. Reconstructing a mortal vessel is beyond reach. The only path forward now is to undergo a tribulation rebirth [a perilous process of discarding the current body and soul to start cultivation anew]."

"It seems that is the only way."

Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily [a powerful female cultivator] wore an expression of pain, yet there was a faint hint of relief in her sigh.

With the Heavenly Reed Sect [a major cultivation sect] having accumulated resources for thousands of years, she naturally had also cultivated the Nirvana Tribulation Transmigration Art [a supreme art that allows one to be reborn after death, retaining memories and cultivation potential]. This granted her the chance to live another lifetime. However, reaching the Infant Soul Realm [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is fully formed] again through re-cultivation would likely require several centuries of arduous effort.

Aside from Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily, the Chen Clan [a prominent cultivation family] guest elder Quentin Qiu was also in poor shape. Among the assembled True Lord [a title for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage], his cultivation base was the lowest.

As the saying goes, one picks the softest persimmon to pinch. Although Quentin Qiu had fought with extreme caution, Blazing Fire Old Demon [a notorious and powerful demonic cultivator] had managed to sever a section of his arm with the Blazing Flame Spirit-Severing Sword [a demonic sword that severs spiritual connections and inflicts lasting damage]. Fire Fiend [malevolent fire-attribute spiritual entities] had invaded his body. It was feared he would need to recuperate for two full Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years, also called a Jiazi] to recover completely.

The others were not faring well either. Fortunately, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator from the Chen Clan] had ordered the retreat in a timely manner. Those with higher cultivation bases among them remained in relatively intact condition.

Witnessing the miserable state of his companions, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh. "This battle is my fault," he said. "If I had held my patience and waited another thirty years, allowing Brother Tianlu to break through to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Nascent Soul realm], our next confrontation might have been far less arduous."

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

Nine Rivers Path Master [a senior cultivator and ally] shook his head, then spoke. "We had accounted for all the Demon Emperor [a title for powerful demon rulers] and Demon Monarch [a title for high-ranking demon lords] in the surrounding regions. Yet, we never anticipated that Blazing Fire Old Demon and Fang Old Demon [another powerful demonic cultivator] would intervene. This, too, is my failing for not thoroughly scouting the true strength of the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with powerful demons]."

Hearing this, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master [the leader of the Heavenly Reed Sect] said, his face etched with murderous intent, "That Blood-Refining Old Demon [a demonic cultivator who refines his power from blood] operates from the distant Star Lake Ancient Domain [an ancient and dangerous region]. Why would he meddle in the affairs of our Three Veins Ancient Domain [the ancient domain where the story primarily takes place]?"

Upon hearing these words, Eldrin Chen felt a slight stir in his heart, a flicker of profound confusion appearing in his eyes.

It was Nine Rivers Path Master who seemed to know something, his gaze turning grave as he said, "That Blood-Refining Old Demon has been at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [a transitional state just below the Primordial Spirit realm] for a full two thousand years. By now, he has likely touched the threshold of becoming a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit realm and established their own unique cultivation path]."

"That is precisely why he seeks to subjugate Desolation Old Demon and the others. His aim is most likely to secure guardians for his own breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement in power and longevity] realm."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted dramatically, each face revealing disbelief.

Thunder Trigram Path Master pondered for a moment, his expression solemn. "How is that possible? Could that Blood-Refining Old Demon truly break through to Primordial Spirit?"

Even as he spoke, Thunder Trigram Path Master's face still held a trace of skepticism.

Within the Purple Seal Realm, the total number of Demonic Path [cultivation arts that harness dark, corruptive energies, often at the cost of the practitioner's sanity] Primordial Spirit cultivators does not exceed twenty. Of these fewer than twenty Demonic Path Primordial Spirit Path Lords, over seventy percent were originally Human Race Primordial Spirit Path Lords who fell into the Demonic Path.

This is because, while Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of the Demonic Path] possess formidable combat strength and cultivate faster than righteous path practitioners, the difficulty of breaking through major cultivation realms is far greater for them.

The reason lies in the cultivation process itself. Practitioners of the Demonic Path are gradually eroded by the power of Demonic Fiendish Energy [a corruptive, chaotic energy that fuels demonic arts], their minds becoming greedy, unprincipled, and prone to wild swings of emotion. They sink into their desires, losing both their humanity and their vigilance.

Only a very few Demonic Path cultivators can maintain their original heart and break through to the realm of Infant Soul True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has condensed their nascent soul, a precursor to the Primordial Spirit]. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio . novel . com.