Chapter 715 : The Ancient's Game of Peace

Simultaneously, deep within the Black Tortoise Sea [a vast, cold northern sea region] of the distant Eastern Sea [the vast eastern ocean], two figures, one old and one young, sat calmly across from each other, engaged in a game of Go [a strategic board game].

The elder was hunched over, his hair a stark, snowy white, appearing as if he were a tree on the verge of crumbling into dust.

With a slight movement of his brow, he gazed into the distant void and spoke with serene detachment, "That young scion of the Ji Clan [a prominent cultivation clan] has finally made his move against that fellow, Blood God."

The youth's brow furrowed slightly. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke, "Ancient Ancestor, this battle will reshape the balance of power in the Eastern Sea. It is the perfect moment for you to intervene."

"Once the Ji Clan reclaims Blood God Island, the strength of the Human Race [the collective term for human cultivators] in the Eastern Sea will surely surge. They will likely begin to encroach upon our territories piece by piece. Why do you sit idly by and ignore this conflict?"

Upon hearing this, the elder set down the Go stone in his hand and shook his head. "Conflict with others inevitably sows seeds of enmity. The reason this old man has lived for one hundred and seventy thousand years is by forging bonds of goodwill, not by brandishing strength and seeking battle."

"Over these long years, how many peerless Heaven's Chosen [prodigies blessed by heaven] have fallen on their path to enlightenment? I alone have endured to this day, and it is precisely because I choose to walk the path of peace with others."

The youth frowned, unable to hold back his words. "But if the Human Race grows too powerful, our Demonic Tribe [a collective term for non-human, often beast-derived, cultivators] will surely suffer."

"Foolish child, what is this 'Demonic Tribe' you speak of?"

Ancestor Black Tortoise [a venerable and ancient demonic cultivator] shook his head with a bitter smile. "The so-called Demonic Tribe is merely a label for the myriad races of the world. Dragons do not dwell with serpents; the great roc finds no companionship among the sparrows of the forest. Our very natures differ, our races are distinct, and many are mortal enemies to one another. How can we possibly be considered a single, unified tribe?" This chapter is provided by audio-novel . com. Support the original.

"The so-called Demonic Tribe [a collective term for myriad non-human races, often used pejoratively], is merely a designation imposed upon our myriad races by the Human Race [the dominant human civilization] because of their overwhelming power within the Purple Realm [a vast and ancient cultivation world]. It serves to separate myself from the multitude of races, proclaiming them as the heaven-favored and noble ones."

"Since the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for myriad non-human races, often used pejoratively] is fundamentally composed of myriad races, true unity is an impossibility." Ancestor Black Tortoise [an ancient and powerful demonic progenitor] spoke methodically, then continued with calm assurance. "The myriad races possess inherently different natures; some are malevolent, while others are benign."

"Some races harbor an irreconcilable enmity towards the Human Race [the dominant human civilization], while others possess the potential for coexistence."

The youth listened quietly, then ventured hesitantly, "Are you suggesting that once the Human Race [the dominant human civilization] consolidates its power in the Eastern Sea [a vast oceanic region within the cultivation world], they will not turn against us?"

"Precisely so." Ancestor Black Tortoise [an ancient and powerful demonic progenitor] placed a piece upon the board, his tone detached. "In the days when Jiang the Sovereign Emperor [a legendary human emperor who attained immortality] achieved his Dao, this old one contributed significant effort. Most of the Immortal [the highest realm of cultivation, transcending mortality] lineages within the Human Race [the dominant human civilization] also share some connection with me."

"Otherwise, do you believe that with my strength alone, I could have wrested this Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred site for cultivation and enlightenment] of the Eastern Sea [a vast oceanic region within the cultivation world] Azure Dragon [a mythical dragon associated with the east and wood element] from the grasp of an Immortal [the highest realm of cultivation, transcending mortality] like Jiang the Sovereign Emperor [a legendary human emperor who attained immortality]?"

"Such karmic ties exist?" The youth drew a sharp breath, looking at Ancestor Black Tortoise [an ancient and powerful demonic progenitor] with astonishment. "With such connections, Ancient Ancestor [a venerable title for an ancient progenitor], it is no wonder you have held sway within the Purple Realm [a vast and ancient cultivation world] for nearly two hundred thousand years."

"It is merely clinging to a fading existence, hardly worthy of being called 'holding sway over the world'."

Ancestor Black Tortoise [an ancient and powerful demonic progenitor] shook his head, then continued with serene detachment. "As long as the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world, a great threat to all] do not breach our defenses, let the cultivators of the three paths—human, Demonic Monsters [monstrous beings that cultivate demonic arts], and others—squabble as they will. So long as they do not disturb this old one's cultivation, they may do as they please."

Meanwhile, within the depths of the Distant Sea Cultivation World [a remote and perilous cultivation realm far from the central continents], in the Tengshe Sea [the Sea of the Soaring Serpent, a domain ruled by powerful serpentine demons] and the Great Roc Sea [the Sea of the Great Roc, a domain ruled by immense avian demons], astonishing and ambitious speculations were also taking shape.

The Soaring Serpent Demon Progenitor [a powerful ancient serpent demon], blocked mid-air by a single figure, let out a cold laugh. "You've fallen to the demonic path yet still labor for the Human Race. A pity you've forsaken a glorious future. You shall never glimpse the realms of Immortal or Demon in this lifetime."

"What matter is becoming an Immortal or a Demon? This old man seeks only to guard a sliver of peace for this world."

There, Longgu the Daoist [an ancient human cultivator] laid out a board for the game of Go [a strategic board game of territorial capture]. His gaze was calm, fixed upon the game manual as he spoke. "Brother Tengshe, with our level of cultivation, a fight to the death would likely prove inconclusive."

"Rather than waste our strength for mutual ruin, shall we instead settle this over a game?"

Meanwhile, deep within the Great Roc Sea [a vast ocean domain ruled by great roc demons], two Great Roc Demon Progenitor [ancient progenitors of the roc demon race] were preparing to depart when they sensed two immensely powerful auras manifesting in the depths of the void before them.

The Azure-Winged Great Roc Demon Progenitor [one of the two great roc progenitors] furrowed his brow, then settled back down with a shake of his head. "Enough. For the sake of a mere Blood God Ancient Ancestor, it is not worth provoking a death struggle with the Human Race."

And within the Crystal Dragon Palace [the crystalline underwater palace of the dragon race], located in the profound depths of the Eastern Sea, an elegant White Dragon [a noble dragon of pure white scales] regarded the figure before her, her expression profoundly complex. "I wondered how the Violet Radiance Thunder Dragon Jade [a legendary jade containing the essence of a violet thunder dragon] could have transformed into a true dragon. To think it was merely another's Second Nascent Soul [a powerful cultivation technique that splits one's soul core to create a second, independent entity]."

"Should I address you as the Violet Radiance Thunder Dragon, or as Dorian, the Sage Lord?"

"What meaning does such a distinction hold now?"

The thunder dragon, its form crackling with Violet Thunderbolt [a potent lightning of violet hue], coiled and uncoiled in the water, its voice tinged with complexity. "I must bar your path. If you were to intervene in this battle, my true self would likely fail to secure the Blood God Sea Region."

"Very well," the White Dragon [a powerful dragon with scales white as snow] snarled, its voice sharp with fury and humiliation. "I took you as my Dao Companion [a cultivation partner bound by profound vows], yet you have schemed against me from the very beginning."

"Since that is the case," it continued, its tone glacial, "I shall imprison you within this Dragon Palace, forever barred from leaving the White Dragon Sea [a vast, frigid sea domain ruled by the White Dragon]."

Seeing this, the Violet Radiance Thunder Dragon [a majestic dragon wreathed in violet lightning] grew flustered, stammering in disbelief, "My Lady, let us discuss this calmly."

Setting aside the affairs of the several Demon Progenitors [ancient, supremely powerful demonic beings], within the Blood God Sea Region [a crimson-hued sea tainted by demonic blood and malevolent energy], a great battle was now poised to erupt.

As Blood God Island [the central stronghold of the Blood God Cultivators] was breached, two Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor [powerful cultivators whose souls have formed an infant-like spiritual entity, granting immense power] charged at the forefront. Without hesitation, they unleashed their Divine Ability [profound supernatural techniques] and hurled their Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] towards the Blood God Island Ancient Ancestor.

Facing their combined assault, the Blood God Ancient Ancestor showed not a shred of fear. Though Fighting One Against Two, his cultivation had reached the Third Layer of Nascent Soul [a high stage within the Nascent Soul realm], allowing him to withstand their attacks without yielding an inch. This content originates from @udio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.

"First, exterminate the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use malevolent, often blood-based or soul-devouring methods], then lend our aid to the Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao, the fundamental cosmic principle]."

It was at this moment that the Ji Clan Grand Elder spoke, his voice cutting through the chaos.

At his command, hundreds of Nascent Soul True Lord [a respectful title for a Nascent Soul realm expert] soared forth, giving chase to the fleeing Demonic Cultivation True Lord.

The Demonic Cultivator on Blood God Island were nearly countless, yet those at the Nascent Soul level numbered only around one hundred. Now, pursued by several times their number of Human Race Nascent Soul, they were inevitably forced onto the defensive.

Eldrin Chen and his allies joined the fray, swiftly driving the Demonic Path cultivators into a desperate retreat.

"This is bad!"

Blood God Ancient Ancestor sensed the impending disaster immediately. Most Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic or unorthodox methods] were selfish and opportunistic; faced with a battle they were certain to lose, they would scatter and flee in no time.

With this thought, Blood God Ancient Fiend unleashed eight Blood Demon Clone [powerful avatars formed from condensed blood and demonic essence] down into the fray.

Given Blood God Ancient Ancestor's cultivation at the Third Layer of Nascent Soul [the third stage of the Nascent Soul realm], the manifested Blood Demon Clone were immensely powerful, each possessing combat prowess comparable to a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm].

As these eight Blood Demon Clone joined the battle, they slaughtered over a dozen Nascent Soul True Lord [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] in mere moments.

"Beware the Blood Demon Clone!"

A Half-Step Primordial Spirit from the Eastern Sea Cultivation World shouted a warning before charging forward to intercept one of the Blood God Clone.

The Eastern Sea Cultivation World had only around ten Half-Step Primordial Spirit in total. Three of them had joined this battle, and they now stepped forward one after another, each engaging and holding back one of the Blood Demon Clone.

Eldrin Chen swept his gaze across the battlefield. Four Blood Demon Clone still wreaked havoc. Their power was terrifying; without strength at least at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the final stage of the Nascent Soul realm], it was impossible to withstand them. For a moment, they pressed down upon the allied forces, leaving them seemingly helpless.

Seeing the situation turn critical, Eldrin Chen stepped forward without hesitation, launching an assault against one of the Blood Demon Clone [a sinister technique that splits the caster's essence into multiple, independent, blood-soaked duplicates]. Continue reading this story at audio~novel.com.