Chapter 629 : The Demonic Path's Perilous Ascent

For Demonic Path cultivators seeking to break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core cultivation stage], they must also overcome their own karmic obstacles and steadfastly guard their original mind. Otherwise, they risk being devoured by the Demonic Fiendish Energy [the corrupting energy inherent to demonic cultivation], ultimately transforming into monstrous beings that are neither human nor ghost.

Throughout history, those from the Purple Seal Realm who ascended to become Demon God [powerful demonic deities] were almost exclusively Human Race Path Lord [a master of a cultivation path] who had fallen into demonic ways.

Only Human Race Path Lord of truly transcendent talent, whose temperament and comprehension were never lacking, could maintain their own cultivation philosophy even after embracing darkness, thereby possessing a greater chance of successful ascension.

Consider, for example, the foremost figure of the Demonic Path in the Eastern Barrens Domain, the Netherworld Patriarch, or the supreme powerhouse of the Demonic Path in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, the Longgu Path Master. Both were originally Human Race Path Lord who, in their pursuit of greater power, fell from grace midway and converted to the Demonic Path.

Cultivators like the Blood-Refining Patriarch, who have practiced the Demonic Path since childhood, are rarely heard of reaching the Primordial Spirit Realm.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Regardless, the fact that the Blood-Refining Old Demon is gathering Infant Soul Cultivator [cultivators at the nascent soul stage] in such a manner suggests he is already plotting his breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit realm."

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

"Mm."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement. "Yet there is no need for excessive worry. Should the Blood-Refining Old Demon attempt his breakthrough, our Human Race Path Lord will certainly not stand idly by."

"I understand that," Eldrin Chen sighed before continuing. "My concern is that he might seize the opportunity to break through during the coming Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity involving demonic incursions], when our Human Race Path Lord will be fully occupied and unable to spare attention for him." This chapter is provided by audio-novel-dot-com. Support the original.

"This..."

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

Nine Rivers Path Master pondered for a moment before speaking. "Regarding the matter of Blood-Refining Old Demon, I will go and inform the Stellar Palace."

"Our most pressing concern now is to consider 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 a time and choose another opportunity to wage war."

"That seems to be the only course of action," said Earth Spirit Immortal Maiden, her gaze tinged with sorrow. "It is a pity that after this battle, the Demonic Cultivator forces on the Nine Rivers Continent will grow stronger. Who knows how many mortals will be plunged into the calamity of the demonic path."

Everyone's eyes flickered upon hearing this. Having suffered a bitter setback in this battle, the arrogance of the Demonic Cultivator on the Nine Rivers Continent would likely swell. The pressure facing their fellow Human Race cultivators on the continent in the future would undoubtedly increase greatly.

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

Upon hearing this, they fell silent again. Advancing one's strength significantly in a mere hundred years was far from easy.

Perhaps within that century, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master might be fortunate enough to break through to the Infant Soul Late Stage. But even with the addition of one more Infant Soul Late Stage cultivator, it would likely still be difficult to completely suppress the Desolate Demon Ridge, which had the backing of the Blood-Refining Old Demon.

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 forces behind to guard against Desolation Old Demon and his ilk.

Seeing this, Nine Rivers Path Master smiled faintly and said, "Very well. All of you, cultivate diligently. We shall meet for battle again in a hundred years."

"If we are victorious in this battle, all will be well. If we cannot take the Desolate Demon Ridge, then when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm arrives, this old man will personally station himself outside the Desolate Demon Ridge to eliminate the threat from your rear."

"Then it is settled."

Eldrin Chen nodded, and thus the matter was decided.

Not long after, the army withdrew with the Treasure Ship. As the Treasure Ship sailed through the void, several Chen Clan True Lord sat together, their expressions tinged with worry.

Eternal Profound Chen's face was grave. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "In this battle, our Chen Clan lost five Golden Core cultivators. Caleb has also fallen."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a sharp pang in his heart. Those five Golden Core cultivators were all prominent figures within the Chen Clan, each leaving a deep impression on Eldrin Chen. They were juniors he had watched grow up with his own eyes.

Especially Caleb. He was one of the clan's few cultivators at the Golden Core Late Stage, a true candidate for Infant Soul True Lord.

He was born during the clan's most vulnerable days and had painstakingly advanced step by step to reach the Golden Core 8th Tier.

He had been waiting for just one more Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, considered a significant unit of time in fate and destiny] to attempt his breakthrough into the Infant Soul Realm [the stage of cultivation where one's nascent soul is formed and nurtured]. To perish in this battle now was a bitter, untimely end he had never envisioned.

"Alas!"

Lila's expression was also tinged with sorrow. When Eldrin Chen had brought her back, his cultivation was already nearing the Violet Sanctum [a major realm where one opens and refines their Violet Palace, a core spiritual center], leaving him little time to care for her. In truth, she had been raised from childhood by Silas.

Caleb Chen was Silas's own blood brother. Now that Caleb 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 profound sense of urgency, heavy and suffocating, settled upon his shoulders. Continue your cultivation journey at audio–novel.com.

The true Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied, cataclysmic invasion from the demonic abyss] had not yet arrived. This was merely an assault on a single Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a territory forbidden to ordinary cultivators, often controlled by demonic sects]. They had gathered forces several times the enemy's strength to besiege Desolate Demon Ridge, yet still they had been caught off guard and suffered grievous losses.

If this was the result of a single battle, what horrors awaited them when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm finally descended, and they faced the onslaught of countless demonic hordes?

"I must break through to the Infant Soul Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Infant Soul Realm] as soon as possible and find a way to repair the Azure Abyss Sword," he resolved inwardly.

Though these thoughts churned within him, Eldrin Chen's face remained an impassive mask, betraying nothing of the storm inside.

He understood that he was the Heaven-Propping Pillar of his family [a legendary artifact symbolizing unwavering support and stability]. Even in the face of the greatest difficulties, he could not show a trace of fear.

Thus, with a gaze of profound calm, he spoke evenly, "Let us first return and recuperate, mending our injuries with all haste. A century from now, we shall launch a single campaign to utterly annihilate the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with malevolent demons] and avenge Caleb and the others."

"Agreed."

Lila nodded, unable to suppress a long, weary exhalation.

"..."

The Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship [a majestic vessel shaped like a crimson dragon] continued its journey toward Ji Continent. It had flown countless thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] when, without warning, the fabric of heaven and earth trembled violently, and the very space around them shattered like glass.

Eldrin Chen felt the world lurch and sway. He swiftly flew out from the Treasure Ship, his face a mask of shock. "Beware!" he cried out. "It's a spatial rupture!"

"How can this be?"

Exquisite Jiang also paled dramatically. The spatial fabric of the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world] was renowned for its incredible resilience. Aside from rare Spatial Spiritual Treasure [artifacts capable of manipulating space], not even an Infant Soul Cultivator [a powerful master who has formed their nascent soul] could tear through the void.

Yet now, the void itself was fracturing before their eyes, a phenomenon that defied all their understanding and expectations.

In that very instant, Eldrin Chen felt an overwhelmingly terrifying will [a powerful mental or spiritual force] sweep over him, locking onto him with unerring precision.

Yet, a moment later, the residual waves of that will brushed past Exquisite Jiang and then paused ever so slightly.

"Hmm—"

With that soft exclamation, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang felt the heavens and earth spin and the void invert. In the space of a single thought, the space surrounding them was displaced, and they were instantly swallowed into the Boundless Void [the infinite, chaotic expanse between worlds], vanishing into the fractures of the void.

"Husband!"

Watching the two disappear, Lila and the others' expressions changed drastically. They frantically tried to pull them back, but it was utterly futile.

At the same time, Eldrin Chen felt the world turn upside down and the void flip over. In the time it takes for a thought to form, they found themselves within a vast, shadowy Great Hall.

And within that Great Hall, a figure clad in black robes, crowned with a supremely dignified imperial headdress, stood silently. A pair of eyes gazed at them, profound and unreadable. Join our community of readers at audio_novel.com.