Chapter 722 : The Demon's Bloody Trail

Eldrin Chen declared, then summoned the Star Observation Tower and began attempting to divine the whereabouts of the Blood-Refining Old Demon.

As a Demonic Cultivator at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm, and with his Celestial Mechanism [the natural order and workings of fate] obscured by a Pure Lunar Demonic Treasure, the Blood-Refining Old Demon was already exceedingly difficult to track through divination.

This was especially true after he had previously used the 'Blood Cicada Molting Great Divine Ability' [a forbidden art that allows a cultivator to shed their mortal form like a cicada to escape a deadly fate] to transfer his calamity, causing the deaths of the Desolation Old Demon and several other Demonic Cultivator as his substitutes. After that event, even a Primordial Spirit Path Lord would struggle to trace his movements.

It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen had failed to foresee the Blood-Refining Old Demon's surprise attack on the Chen Clan.

Fortunately, during the recent battle, the Blood-Refining Old Demon's physical body had been slain by a single strike from the Vast Righteousness True Lord, leaving three drops of his Vital Essence Blood [the concentrated life force and spiritual power within a cultivator's blood] in their possession. This finally gave Eldrin Chen a tangible link with which to pinpoint the demon's location.

"Today, we shall test the accuracy of this divination and find where that fiend hides," Eldrin Chen murmured.

As he activated the Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path, the myriad Stellar mechanisms within the Star Observation Tower whirred to life. Their celestial dance finally coalesced into a hazy, shifting image.

The vision revealed a vast, indistinct Sea of Blood. Within it, the Blood-Refining Old Demon sat cross-legged in the void. Above him, the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade writhed like a living blood fiend, locked in a fierce and continuous struggle with its wielder. They seemed to be engaged in a powerful, internal confrontation.

"The demonic blade is rebelling against him!"

"A perfect opportunity." Continue reading this story at www . audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred, and his gaze instantly sharpened with a piercing intensity.

With a forceful exertion of his spiritual power, he retrieved a drop of the Blood-Refining Old Demon's essence blood to serve as a medium. Then, he activated the Polarity Annihilation Fallen God Curse [a supremely vicious curse that harnesses opposing forces to annihilate a target's very soul], transforming it into a terrifying curse that launched a long-range assault against the Blood-Refining Old Demon.

At that moment, the Blood-Refining Old Demon was locked in a stalemate with the demonic saber. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelmingly vicious surge of Polarity [the fundamental, opposing forces of Yin and Yang] power strike him.

Two immense, opposing forces—one of bone-chilling Yin cold, the other of boundless Yang heat—entwined violently within his body. Their fusion triggered a cataclysmic collision.

Under normal circumstances, the Blood-Refining Old Demon, with his Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivation level just below the Primordial Spirit realm] cultivation, could have resisted the curse. But now, grievously wounded and pouring all his energy into contending with the demonic saber, how could he possibly withstand such an attack?

"BOOM—"

A world-shaking explosion erupted. The Polarity Annihilation Fallen God Curse blasted the Blood-Refining Old Demon's physical form into dust and fragments.

At the brink of death, the demon once more activated the Blood Demon Reincarnation Grand Art [a forbidden art that allows a demonic cultivator to be reborn through a blood clone], attempting to achieve Rebirth [a form of resurrection] by relying on the power of his Blood Demon Clone [a clone formed from condensed blood essence].

Yet, the Polarity Annihilation Fallen God Curse clung to him like maggots to bone, pursuing his fleeing soul essence. It struck again, pulverizing his newly formed Blood Demon Clone into nothingness.

After several such cycles, just as the Blood-Refining Old Demon sought one last desperate escape, the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber [a sentient, blood-devouring demonic blade] flashed with a crimson light. It pinned the demon's essence firmly within the confines of his final Blood Demon Clone, sealing his fate.

"Aaaah—"

A cry of utter despair echoed, and Blood-Refining Old Demon ultimately failed to escape with his life, being utterly annihilated from the world.

Thus, the once awe-inspiring Blood-Refining Old Demon finally fell, vanquished by the curse arts of Eldrin Chen.

Witnessing the demise of Blood-Refining Old Demon, Verdant Consort could not help but draw a deep breath and said, "We have finally slain this fiend."

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded, yet added, "But I have a feeling that the final strike from the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade seemed somewhat... anomalous."

"Oh?"

Exquisite Jiang's brow furrowed slightly before she spoke. "Can you divine the location of the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber?"

"The Purple Seal Realm is vast beyond measure. A Demonic Treasure [an artifact of great power forged with demonic energy] of this caliber, if it truly wishes to conceal itself... I fear none but an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] or a supreme Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a legendary artifact of the highest order, like the Heaven Observation Mirror], could possibly trace its whereabouts. For ordinary means, it would be an impossibility."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then drew another deep breath. "Moreover, I sense that the Sea of Blood [a realm or domain associated with blood and demonic cultivation], where the Blood-Refining Old Demon hailed from, is likely no benign place either."

"..."

Simultaneously, at the very spot where the Blood-Refining Old Demon had fallen, another astonishing transformation began to unfold.

Vast, boundless Vitality [the life force and spiritual essence of all living things] converged, coalescing around one of the Blood-Refining Old Demon's Blood Demon Clone [a clone formed from condensed blood essence and demonic power] and carrying it before the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade.

From the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade, a wisp of remnant light descended, merging into the Blood Demon Clone. Not long after, it transformed into a handsome man clad in a Blood Robe.

A subtle movement flickered between his brows, and a trace of amusement flashed in his pupils as he spoke, "Thousands of years... To think a mere remnant of my consciousness would have the chance for Rebirth [a profound process of resurrection or reincarnation]."

"My dear disciple, Blood God, you have done *well*. Had you not stolen my protective Demonic Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact forged with demonic energy] back then, this master might not have perished at the hands of Imperial Sovereign Jiang."

"Now that I have returned, once I restore my cultivation to its peak, I shall settle our old accounts thoroughly, you ungrateful wretch!" Read the full novel exclusively on audio‑novel.com.

As he spoke these words, the handsome man glanced around, his expression turning cold. "Hateful... The methods of Imperial Sovereign Jiang were utterly ruthless, nearly grinding my soul to utter oblivion."

"Had I not left a sliver of my soul within the Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Divine Blade beforehand, I would have been truly annihilated, with not even a grave to mark my end."

"Yet even so, my soul was shattered into this mere remnant. Relying on this fragment to seize a body and revive... I fear it will take a millennium to recover even to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual core solidifies into an independent, powerful spirit]."

"..."

Regarding the matter of the Blood Demon's resurrection, Eldrin Chen remained entirely unaware.

After using a curse to slay Blood-Refining Old Demon, he turned his focus entirely to his cultivation. One part of his efforts was dedicated to preparing for Old Patriarch's venture into the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary and perilous sea of mystical flames].

Thus, time flowed swiftly by. In the blink of an eye, three decades had passed.

Early one morning, just as Eldrin Chen finished absorbing the Dawn Violet Aura [the vital purple energy of the rising sun, prized by cultivators], he noticed Exquisite Jiang strolling towards him.

She handed him a letter before speaking. "Violet Consort Yan and Ethereal Mistress Ling have sent word. They wish to discuss the establishment of a new Great Continent."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as the memory of the plan to establish a new continent resurfaced.

Back when Eldrin Chen had first broken through to the Infant Soul [the Nascent Soul stage, where a cultivator's spiritual core takes infant form], he had discussed this very matter with Violet Consort Yan and Ethereal Mistress Ling.

At that time, lacking sufficient strength, they had temporarily shelved the plan. Later, the upheaval of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm caused further delays. Thus, the project had been postponed for several centuries.

Logically, with their current power, establishing a continent would have been more than feasible even before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm. Yet, the group had always hesitated to take that definitive step, wary of acting rashly.

Because the territories they had seized largely belonged to the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic sovereign ruling over vast waters], establishing a new continent would be a direct affront to his authority.

Furthermore, once a new continent was established, they would no longer be under the direct protection of the Ji Clan [a powerful cultivation clan] of Ji Continent. At that point, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor would undoubtedly take action.

That Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor was not only at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [a stage just below the Primordial Spirit realm] but also possessed the Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure of the sun's essence] known as the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler [a legendary ruler that can measure fate] to stabilize his Fortune [the metaphysical concept of destiny and luck]. Should conflict erupt, the Chen Clan would likely face significant hardship.

Fortunately, by this time, the Chen Clan already boasted thirteen Infant Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators at the Infant Soul stage]. Violet Consort Mountain also had two True Lord: Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort and Violet Consort Yan. Ethereal Mist Lake had even produced three Infant Soul True Lord.

This collective strength was formidable. Moreover, Eldrin Chen wielded the Azure Abyss Sword [a legendary divine sword], meaning they had absolutely no reason to fear the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor any longer.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen nodded and declared, "Although establishing a new continent will inevitably lead to a confrontation with the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, our current strength leaves us utterly unafraid of him."

"Furthermore, as the pioneers of this new continent, we would receive the Fortune [the collective destiny and spiritual support] of its hundreds of millions of Human Race inhabitants. This would enhance our cultivation speed and opportunities for serendipity, which is of paramount importance to us."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement, then said with a smile, "My thoughts exactly. Therefore, I have already arranged for us to meet them three days from now at Verdant Lotus Isle." Dive deeper into the Dao at http://www . audio-novel.com.