The three of them exchanged more words, and the conversation only ended when the sun set.
Ji Feixue did not leave immediately. She stayed at Qingyang Mountain to accompany Jiang Linglong for several days before flying toward the Demon Lair.
She had come to suppress the Demon Lair, but it was difficult to completely settle the matter with just one battle. She could only guard the area in front of the Demon Lair.
The Nether Spring within the Demon Lair had a grade no less than a fifth-grade spiritual vein, and the Demon Lair had been corrupted for thousands, even tens of thousands of years. Attacking the Demon Lair was no easier than attacking a human fifth-grade spiritual mountain.
In such an environment, the strength of demon cultivators would increase by thirty percent, while human cultivators would need to expend spiritual energy to resist the malevolent aura.
In short battles, the gap was only thirty percent, but after prolonged combat, one would soon realize that their spiritual power could not match the demon cultivators. This back-and-forth would result in a sixty percent difference.
Even with Ji Feixue's strength, she could not break the entire Demon Lair by herself.
The most crucial factor was the Nether Spring. As long as the fountain remained, no matter how many times they broke through the Demon Lair, it would be futile.
Years ago, Lin Mohe used a precious Thunder Tribulation Pearl to destroy a third-grade superior underground fire vein. The reason he succeeded was that the fire vein's energy was extremely volatile.
If it had been any other type of vein—gold, wood, water, or earth—it would have been impossible to destroy without a fifth-grade Thunder Tribulation Pearl.
Such veins were the earth's lifeblood. Once a vein reached the fourth grade, it would gather the energy from hundreds of thousands of miles of land, and human power would be insufficient to shake it.
High-grade spiritual veins were similar. A fifth-grade spiritual vein was already connected to the earth's core. Even if one used a magic weapon to destroy it, the spiritual lake would eventually be able to reassemble itself.
In fact, even demon cultivators would need to employ extreme measures to destroy a spiritual vein above the fourth grade. For example, Old Demon Yan destroyed the Yang family's third-grade vein by slaughtering countless mortals, using their blood to turn it into a blood fountain.
Nether Spring were particularly difficult to destroy. Even using a magic weapon specifically designed for refining demons could only temporarily suppress them. They could only be fully refined with pure Yang Dao methods.
Once, the last patriarch of the Purple Abyss Sect, with his cultivation at the peak of the Gold Core stage, attempted to refine the Nether Spring of the Demon Ape Mountain using pure Yang Dao methods. The process was expected to take a century.
Unfortunately, after just one cycle of fifty years, the effort was sabotaged by the demon race, preventing the completion of the refinement. This allowed the Demon Ape Demon King to revive the fountain.
The reason for this failure was that the Nether Spring was as deeply rooted as a malignant tumor. Additionally, the Purple Abyss Sect's patriarch's cultivation wasn't enough. If a Nascent Soul True Monarch had used the pure Yang Dao methods, the process would not have taken as long.
Returning to the present, after Ji Feixue left, Elian did not stay long at Qingyang Mountain. The next day, he returned to Linghu Isle.
With only a few years remaining before the next demon beast tide, he wanted to upgrade one or two more fourth-grade magic weapons before the second demon beast disaster arrived.
Once back on Linghu Isle, life returned to its usual stability.
"…"
In the blink of an eye, several years passed.
One day, dark clouds covered the sky over Linghu Isle, and the azure spiritual fish in the lake submerged, trembling in fear.
Further out, large flocks of purple-patterned geese hid in the reed beds, none daring to emerge.
In the sky, a golden ancient bell floated quietly. It had an aura of supreme authority, resembling a chaotic bell suppressing heaven and earth.
The Sovereign Earth Bell was undergoing its tribulation. This magic weapon had extraordinary defense, and after several years of nurturing and refining by Elian, it had absorbed a large amount of Metal and Earth energies, reaching a lower fourth-grade level. It now had enough strength to survive the thunder tribulation.
"Boom—"
Thunder rumbled as a dazzling bolt of lightning fell from the sky, striking the golden ancient bell directly.
The bell was indestructible, and despite the bolt of tribulation hitting its body, it only left a faint scar.
Seeing this, Elian's heart tightened slightly, understanding that this magic weapon had nearly a hundred percent chance of surviving the tribulation.
Indeed, after three rounds of tribulation lightning struck down, the Sovereign Earth Bell, with only minor damage, successfully passed the tribulation and ascended.
"Truly, a superior defense magic weapon."
Elian nodded calmly. Different magic weapons had different functions, and the chance of surviving the tribulation varied.
Although the Sovereign Earth Bell was made of only a third-grade superior material, as a defensive magic weapon, its chances of surviving the tribulation after advancing were naturally very high.
Weapons like the Fiery Void Sword, which were offensive, also had a chance of surviving the tribulation, but it was accompanied by significant danger. It would be better to forge a fourth-grade magic weapon to integrate into it to ensure a greater chance of success.
However, auxiliary magic weapons like the Pure Water Green Lotus Platform had a much harder time surviving the tribulation, requiring an extremely rare Water Treasure Pearl to pass it.
After storing the Sovereign Earth Bell, Elian descended onto the island in the center of the lake. He glanced at the spiritual pool and noticed a slight stir.
A vortex of spiritual energy appeared in the center of the lake, pulling spiritual energy into the secluded chamber within the pool.
"Three times of seclusion, and it has finally succeeded."
Elian's eyes flickered with joy.
Not long ago, Chen Xianyan had entered her third seclusion to break through to the Purple Mansion stage. She had finally stepped into the Purple Mansion realm.
Now, at 137 years old, Chen Xianyan's breakthrough to the Purple Mansion was not exceptionally young, but it was still very impressive.
After all, she had broken through to the Purple Mansion on her own, which meant her chances of breaking through to the Golden Core later on were also higher, closing in on the level of a typical extraordinary spirit root genius.
"She has connected to the Purple Mansion's spiritual vein. It seems like it will take another month to convert her spiritual energy."
Seeing that his family had produced another Purple Mansion cultivator, Elian felt a sense of satisfaction.
He called for Yaya and smiled as he spoke, "I'm going to Pingyang City. You stay and guard your Xianyan sister."
"Understood."
Yaya nodded, then hesitated before speaking, "A while ago, when you were in seclusion, a woman came looking for you."
"Oh?" Elian's eyes moved slightly as he asked, "Who was it?"
"Her name is Yu Qingyan. She said she needed to talk to you about something important."
"I understand."
Elian mounted his sword and left Linghu Isle, heading first to Pingyang City.
In Pingyang City, he found the Patriarch. It had been some time since they last met due to the upgrading of their personal magic weapons.
However, Chen Changxuan seemed different today. His expression was somewhat solemn, a mix of concern and a hint of joy.
The two of them sat facing each other. Elian didn't immediately ask, but instead, he began making tea.
Elian, dressed in white, carefully prepared the Dao-tea: heating the kettle, placing the tea leaves, warming the cups, and pouring the tea. His movements were smooth and elegant, giving a refined and pleasant atmosphere.
After preparing the tea, he handed a cup to the Patriarch with a smile, saying, "Every time I visit, I can't resist trying the freshest Dao-tea."
Then, seeing the Patriarch's expression, he asked with a smile, "What's troubling you so much?"
...
100+ chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D