Chapter 864 : Ancient Mansion and the Demonic River

The two of them gathered the treasures within the Ancient Immortal Cave Mansion and prepared to depart.

Although this Ancient Immortal Cave Mansion was excellent, it was built upon the Spiritual Vein beneath the Beneath Heavenly Mountain. Unless an extremely long-distance Teleportation Formation connecting the two locations was established, this place could not be permanently occupied.

Before parting, Eldrin Chen gazed at the Ancient Immortal Cave Mansion and said, "This cave mansion possesses a Sixth Rank Superior Grade Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth]. Abandoning it completely would be a great shame."

"I happen to have three Sixth Rank Void Gem [a rare spatial-aligned gemstone used in high-level formations]. Once the Spiritual Vein at Spirit Isle Lake ascends in rank, I plan to deploy a Cross-Continent Teleportation Formation here."

"Agreed."

Lila also nodded. This Heavenly Mountain Immortal Mansion was a cultivation paradise for her. If a Teleportation Formation could be established, she could cultivate here frequently in the future.

With that, the two set off for the Eastern Region Great Wasteland.

Passing by Drifting Snow Palace, they used its Teleportation Formation to reach the Long River Holy Land.

However, the moment they arrived at the Long River Holy Land, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, his expression turning grave.

Within this Long River Holy Land, he actually sensed a towering, overwhelming demonic aura [a corrupt and malevolent form of energy]. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel.com (official site).

"The situation seems amiss,"

Eldrin Chen frowned. After exchanging a glance with Lila, he stated, "Let us go and investigate first."

The two soared into the heavens. With the ease of a leisurely stroll, they traversed ten thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of void and arrived at the source of the demonic aura.

There, amidst the surging waters of the Eastern Barrens Ancestral River, sat a figure clad in black robes. He endured the endless scouring of the Long River Waters [the primordial waters of the ancestral river], yet could not suppress the overwhelming demonic nature that swept through heaven and earth.

Lila's expression shifted repeatedly. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, "Hadn't Elder Brother Kael's demonic nature long been ground away, his demonic heart nearly cleansed entirely?"

"How can such a cataclysmic demonic aura remain?"

Beside Kael Chen, the Vast Abyss Path Lord was frantically channeling his magical power, desperately trying to suppress the demonic nature raging within him.

Seeing Eldrin Chen and Lila arrive, he immediately cried out, "Brother Eldrin, he has succumbed to the demonic path! Lend me your strength!"

"Agreed!"

With that single word, Eldrin Chen took a step forward and unleashed a torrent of Primordial One Magical Power [the foundational, supreme magical energy of creation].

His spiritual power far surpassed that of Vast Abyss Path Lord, and with effortless ease, he suppressed the demonic nature raging within Kael Chen.

The Vast Abyss Path Lord let out a sigh of relief, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "Brother Kael's demonic nature has flared up again. The demonic heart within him is likely already deeply entrenched and unshakable."

"For hundreds of years, the waters of the Eastern Barrens Ancestral River have washed over him day and night. Far from cleansing the demonic taint within, they have instead tempered and forged an Indestructibility Demonic Heart [a heart of demonic essence that grants near-immortality and immense power]."

As he spoke to this point, an expression of utter astonishment appeared on the face of the Vast Abyss Path Lord.

Since ancient times, those who have managed to temper an Indestructibility Demonic Heart have all been true seeds of a Demon God [a supreme being of the demonic path, possessing god-like power].

Such beings, upon achieving a great enlightenment, can ascend to immortality in a single thought. Conversely, if they succumb to darkness, they can directly attain the realm of an Immortality Demon God.

This filled the Vast Abyss Path Lord's heart with both awe and dread. He was awed by Kael Chen's unwavering Dao Heart [the foundational will and resolve of a cultivator], yet terrified he might become the next Outer Realm Demon God [a demonic deity originating from beyond this world], bringing cataclysmic disaster upon the Purple Seal Realm.

With this thought, a flicker of killing intent passed through the heart of the Vast Abyss Path Lord.

Eldrin Chen, who had observed everything, immediately placed a hand on the Vast Abyss Path Lord's shoulder and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

"Set your mind at ease. If that day ever comes, the responsibility will fall to me."

Eldrin Chen spoke with serene detachment, then turned his gaze to Kael Chen and retrieved a gourd of golden, pure water from his robes.

This was the Buddhist Sect's supreme treasure, the 'Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water' [a sacred water blessed by the Buddha's light, capable of cleansing impurities and demonic influences], which Eldrin Chen had obtained during his visit to the Western Pole Serene Spirit Temple.

He had originally thought this Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water would be used upon the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, never imagining it would instead be used upon Kael Chen himself.

"Upon reflection, perhaps this very scene today was already within the calculations of that Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk?"

As this thought flashed through his mind, Eldrin Chen sprinkled the radiant, golden 'Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water' over Kael Chen.

As the golden Buddhist water fell, a *hiss* sounded from Kael Chen's body, and a plume of black vapor rose and dissipated. The heaven-shaking, earth-sundering demonic nature was finally suppressed. Find thousands of chapters at audi novel.com.

And at that very moment, Kael Chen finally regained clarity from his state of cultivation deviation [a dangerous loss of control during meditation that can lead to madness or death].

He opened his eyes, looked at Eldrin Chen, and gave a slight nod. "You have saved me once again," he said.

"The demonic nature is easy to extinguish, but the demonic heart is difficult to eradicate…"

"Originally, the cleansing baptism of the Long River Waters [the mythical waters of the Long River, said to wash away karma and purify the soul] was the best method to grind away a demonic heart. Yet, not only did it fail to eradicate yours, it instead aided you in cultivating the Indestructibility Demonic Heart [a state of demonic enlightenment where the heart becomes unshakable and impervious to external purification]."

Eldrin Chen spoke with measured calm, his gaze profound as an abyss. He studied Kael Chen for a long moment before ultimately leaving the question for Kael Chen himself to answer.

"Have you decided on the path you will walk next?"

"The Demonic Heart…"

Kael Chen's brow furrowed, then relaxed after a moment's contemplation.

Clad in a robe of black, he sat in serene meditation. His dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, and upon his handsome features rested an aura of sacred yet profane duality.

He extended a finger, observing a single drop of Buddha's Radiance Purifying Water [a sacred water imbued with the purifying light of the Buddha] upon its tip. Wisps of dark energy sizzled and evaporated upon contact with the holy liquid.

Feeling the heart-piercing pain in his fingertip and the visceral aversion and rejection rising from within, a faint, enigmatic smile touched his lips.

His smile held the ethereal grace of a banished immortal lifting his gaze, the captivating allure of a peerless Demon Monarch curling the corner of his mouth, and the unsettling beauty of a Underworld Blossom [a flower said to bloom only in the deepest nether realms] unfurling in the Depths of the Netherworld.

He then declared, "I wish to journey to the Western Pole Serene Spirit Temple. I desire to witness the solemn majesty of the Buddha's Dharma for myself."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen did not ask further questions. He simply rose and said, "I will take you there."

"..."

The two of them traveled via a Teleportation Formation to the Central Ancestral Domain. Then, Eldrin Chen expended his spiritual power without regard to open a spatial rift, arriving at the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain not long after.

Before the gates of the Serene Spirit Temple, Eldrin Chen stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Kael Chen, gazing upon the majestic holy land of this Buddhist Sect. Finally, he spoke.

"Within the annals of the Purple Seal Realm, there are records of those who achieved the Dao through Immortal-Demon Dual Cultivation [a perilous path that merges orthodox immortal and unorthodox demonic cultivation methods], and of those who attained enlightenment as Demigod Demi-Buddha [cultivators who have partially transcended mortality towards Buddhahood]. There are even tales of Demonic Buddha [a heretical path that twists Buddhist enlightenment with demonic power] practitioners ascending to immortality. Yet, never has there been one who achieved transcendence through Triple Path Cultivation [the simultaneous cultivation of the immortal, Buddhist, and demonic paths]."

"You wish to cultivate the immortal, Buddhist, and demonic paths simultaneously—this Triple Path Cultivation. You must understand, this path may very well be a dead end."

"A demonic heart that seeks Indestructibility [the ultimate state of being unbreakable and eternal], the path of Immortal-Demon Dual Cultivation..."

Kael Chen murmured to himself. After a long silence, he shook his head. "The path of cultivation has always been as difficult as scaling the heavens. If one abandons it simply because it seems impossible, then what is the point of cultivating at all?"

"Good. Over these years, you have finally comprehended your own path."

A rare smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips, and a glimmer of warmth appeared in his eyes. "Legend says that those who master Immortal-Demon Dual Cultivation... if they can truly obtain it, they will most likely ascend to the Celestial Immortal Realm [a higher plane of existence for true immortals] in the future."

"If you can forge the three foundations of the Demonic Buddha path to achieve immortality, your future potential may truly be boundless."

Kael Chen nodded, understanding that Eldrin Chen's words held truth.

As the saying goes, the three thousand Great Path all lead to the Dao [the ultimate principle and source of all existence].

Nothing is absolute; even the path of the Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons offers different choices to tread.

Beyond the orthodox three immortal paths of 'Fleshly Body Sanctification' [purifying and strengthening the physical form to an immortal state], 'Path Principles Comprehension' [comprehending the fundamental laws of the Dao], and 'Path Fruit Attainment' [attaining the fruit of one's cultivated path], there exist other, rarer roads within the world.

For instance, those who cultivate both immortality and demonic arts can comprehend the immensely powerful 'Immortal-Demon Path Fruit', which is considered a supreme-grade achievement even among Immortal Ascension Path Fruit cultivators. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel.com (official site).