Chapter 260: Chapter 212 Immortal Fate, Refining Demon!
[Magical Treasure: Blood Flame Fork]
[Level: Second-order]
[Description: The ’Withered Vine Elder,’ a Slaughter Ring Sea Cultivator, forged this artifact using Mother-child Yin Soul and one hundred thousand filthy blood sacrifices. It is capable of defiling ordinary Flying Sword Magic Treasures. The Withered Vine Elder created a total of twenty-four Blood Flame Forks, scattering them throughout the human realm to collect Qi-Blood, vitality, and resentment, thereby strengthening himself. Each Blood Flame Fork contains a spell of bloodline karmic curse — father passes to son, an endless cycle of inheritance. This is one of the twenty-four Blood Flame Forks.]
...
[Status: You are cursed]
...
"Blood Flame Fork."
"Curse."
Chen Jichuan stared at his left shoulder, seeing a fork seemingly forged from blood flames embedded deeply in his flesh and bones, intertwined with his Qi-Blood, linked to his viscera, and resonating with his Divine Soul.
With Chen Jichuan’s current cultivation, it is almost impossible to extract.
"The Blood Flame Fork contains a curse."
"Dai Xiong, who somehow came into contact with it, learned the ’Blood Flame Technique’ and relied on sacrificing living beings to strengthen himself. In this world, I am identified as Dai Xiong’s son. Whether in terms of bloodline or karmic link, the will of heaven cannot detect any loophole."
"If Dai Xiong dies, this Blood Flame Fork will follow the bloodline karma and land on me."
Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but sigh to himself.
Not because he was cursed, but for Dai Xiong.
"With the Blood Flame Fork embedded in me, it means Dai Xiong is already dead."
Chen Jichuan shook his head, "Such a pity."
The ’Blood Flame Fork,’ though a Demon Dao Treasure, could also be seen as a sinister weapon. Yet for someone ordinary like Dai Xiong, it represented a monumental opportunity. From enduring a lifetime of struggle in obscurity, he found a way through sacrificing lives to achieve some manner of success.
If fortune had favored him further, and he cultivated to an immensely high level, freeing himself from the constraints of the Blood Flame Fork, he could have left behind a legend in the Immortal Cultivation World.
A shame.
Dai Xiong’s story ends here.
"The world of Da Chao lacks Upper Immortal cultivators, but it is not short on formidable mortal experts."
"Dai Xiong was merely at the Third Layer of Transforming Strength. While the Blood Flame Fork is a Second-order Magical Treasure, hidden deep within his flesh, it was difficult even to detect, let alone use effectively."
"Faced with nationwide pursuit, Dai Xiong ultimately couldn’t escape alive."
Chen Jichuan silently sighed.
A fleeting sense of regret.
But their days together were brief, and the relationship was merely nominally father and son, so there wasn’t much emotional weight attached.
Not long after, Chen Jichuan put thoughts of Dai Xiong aside and turned his attention to the ’Blood Flame Fork’ that threatened his survival.
"The Blood Flame Fork affects one’s mind and delays cultivation."
"It must be removed quickly."
After all, it is a Second-order Magical Treasure, and behind it lurks the manipulations of the Withered Vine Elder whose depths remain unknown. In a short time, Chen Jichuan could still maintain his inner clarity, but over time, he would inevitably be corroded and fall into irredeemable doom.
At that moment.
Although dying and starting over could be an option.
In this life, he would have worked only to benefit another, wasting a full ten million Source Power.
...
The gap in cultivation is too vast.
Chen Jichuan did not foolishly act rashly. He had learned both the ’Jielang Spell’ and the ’Hundred Solutions Spell,’ which were spells designed to repel evil techniques and eradicate curses.
But with his current cultivation level, forcibly using these spells would be akin to a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot.
It might even result in backlash.
"The Blood Flame Fork won’t allow me peaceful cultivation. I must quickly locate the Immortal Cultivation World and seek an expert to help me remove the Blood Flame Fork."
With his resolve set in mind, Chen Jichuan stood up.
Beside him.
"That was exhilarating!"
"Exhilarating!"
Song Dazhi had just executed a set of punches with relish, stopping only now, his dark-skinned face full of contentment and glee.
Chen Jichuan paused and ultimately chose not to share news of Dai Xiong’s death with Song Dazhi.
...
The next morning.
"Little Zong."
"Little Zong."
Song Dazhi ventured deep into the cave at dawn, yet he didn’t find a trace of Chen Jichuan.
Somewhat puzzled.
He then checked outside the cave, at the spot where the two would often practice, but again found nothing.
"Where could he have gone?"
Song Dazhi grew concerned.
Heading back to the cave’s depths for a closer look, he finally spotted a letter and a scroll of martial arts tucked in a corner.
The martial arts scroll recorded a set of techniques.
Song Dazhi didn’t bother reading it; he directly opened the letter, which read: "Thank you, Uncle Song, for your care during these days. But I cannot truly grow under your wing, nor help my father like this. So forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye. I must venture into the wilderness to rigorously train and strive to complete the training of the ’Great Vajra Fist.’ When the day comes, I’ll return to fight alongside Uncle Song and my father..."
The letter was succinct, yet conveyed everything clearly.
"Run away from home?!"
Song Dazhi quickly finished reading, his heart flaring with panic: "The deep mountains and forests are teeming with wild beasts. If anything were to happen to Little Zong—"
Song Dazhi dared not dwell on the thought.
He hurriedly collected the letter and scroll, left an imprint within the cave to inform Dai Xiong, and then promptly descended Liangye Mountain to pursue Chen Jichuan’s trail.
In his thinking.
Chen Jichuan, being young and his cultivation far inferior to his own, couldn’t have gone very far, so there was hope of catching up to him.
Yet little did he know, Chen Jichuan had already deployed the ’Taiyin Primordial Magnetic Stealth Technique,’ crossing dozens of mountain peaks overnight and fleeing hundreds of miles away.
Vanishing without a trace.
Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.
...
Ten years later.
On this day.
Slaughter Ring Sea, Radiant Light Domain, Immortal Fate Island.
Song Dazhi paddled a small boat to this island, his face weathered with years of hardship.
"Immortal Fate Island."
"I’ve finally arrived."
Song Dazhi’s face reflected both joy and sorrow.
A full ten years.
First searching around Liangye Mountain for traces of Dai Zong, only to find no leads. Then returning to Liangye Mountain, neither finding Dai Zong nor encountering Dai Xiong.
Thus, Song Dazhi secretly infiltrated Da Chao.
Where he discovered that Dai Xiong, the infamous ’Blood-Handed Man Slaughter,’ was already eliminated by the joint pursuit of the court’s Six Gates Bureau, the Demon Suppression Department, and five major Jianghu sects.
Neither the Six Gates Bureau, nor the Demon Suppression Department, nor the five sects were forces that Song Dazhi could contend with.
Furthermore, Dai Zong was still missing, so Song Dazhi had to temporarily suppress his hatred, staying alive to continue searching for Dai Zong.
Two years searching within Da Chao.
Still no trace.
Then recalling the map Dai Xiong had left him prior, instructing him that if anything went wrong, he should take Dai Zong and follow the map’s directions to seek Immortal Fate.
Song Dazhi guessed that Dai Zong might have taken the chance to embark on a quest for immortality overseas.
And so, crossing mountains and seas, enduring countless trials and dangers.
Eight long years.
Finally arriving at the map’s destination—
Immortal Fate Island.
...
Ancient tales spoke of immortals dwelling beyond the seas.
Thus, among mortals, countless determined individuals, seekers of the Dao, braved endless peril, crossing mountains and waters in pursuit of immortal beings and enlightenment.
Ninety-nine percent, however, perished along the way, leaving only bones behind.
But a rare few, blessed with tenacity and determination, as well as good fortune, managed to traverse the treacherous terrain and locate the lone habitable island thousands of miles out at sea.
Immortal Masters and Immortal Sects often paid visits to the island to select disciples.
Over time.
The island’s original name became untraceable, and it came to be known as ’Immortal Fate Island,’ representing the chance to attain immortality.
Dai Xiong, who had spent half his life on the battlefield, dreamed in his moment of triumph only of returning home to reunite with his family, even forsaking Immortal Fate.
He had never imagined that upon returning, he would find his wife’s lonely grave and his son sleeping in a dog kennel.
His heart burned with hatred.
Determined to kill all who had humiliated his wife and child throughout the years, resulting in a blood-soaked massacre that ultimately cost him his life as well.
This life left him without Immortal Dao.
"Brother can’t make it."
"I’ll go in his place."
Song Dazhi stepped upon Immortal Fate Island, filled with thoughts of Dai Xiong and his son: "I must find Little Zong! Bring him back so we can avenge my brother!"
Song Dazhi’s primary goal in coming to Immortal Fate Island was to search for Dai Zong.
Even if Dai Zong wasn’t here, he aimed to master Immortal Techniques to aid his search. Then, he would return to Da Chao to exact vengeance on those who had taken Dai Xiong’s life.
Determined in his heart.
Song Dazhi settled down on Immortal Fate Island.
In the first few days, he familiarized himself with the surroundings, and by the fourth day, he produced Dai Zong’s portrait, roaming the streets and asking one person after another.
Initially, he didn’t hold out much hope.
But to his great surprise—
"This person—"
"Wasn’t he the prodigy fought over by more than ten Immortal Sects on Radiant Light Island seven years ago?"
"I remember him."
"His name is ’Dai Zong.’ He became an Immortal Master at just twenty-one years old, stirring up a frenzy among various Immortal Sects, ultimately being accepted by Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion."
...
Suppressing his joy, Song Dazhi continued to ask around, finally confirming that the mentioned prodigy was indeed the ’Dai Zong’ he had sought for ten years.
"Unmatched Iron Fists sweeping away the Third Layer of Transforming Strength."
"Breaking through during the Ascension Arena battle, reaching Immortal Master at twenty-one."
"Coveted by numerous Immortal Sects."
"Accepted into Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion."
Song Dazhi’s investigations became more detailed as his hope and excitement grew.
He had thought Dai Zong might never be found, possibly having died in the wilderness. But to his shock, Dai Zong not only reached Immortal Fate Island but also seized his destiny, joining an Immortal Sect as a prodigy!
Immortal Master!
Song Dazhi learned clearly that this was a realm beyond mortals, granting a lifespan of three hundred years—a veritable evergreen among humanity.
"Radiant Light Island."
"Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion."
"Little Zong has become an Immortal Master and joined an Immortal Sect. If I recklessly seek him out, will he..."
Upon hearing news of Dai Zong, Song Dazhi’s heart urged him to find him immediately. But as his excitement waned, he worried that informing Dai Zong of his father’s demise might affect his Immortal Path.
Song Dazhi hesitated, unsure what to do next.
...
At the same time as Song Dazhi stepped onto Immortal Fate Island.
Thousands of miles away.
Radiant Light Island, as expansive as a continent, its mountains undulating, rivers coursing, stretched across the azure sea.
The Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion lay within.
Crown Lion Mountain.
Named for its peak resembling the crown of the mythical Divine Beast ’Xiezhi,’ the mountain exuded grandeur and dignity, symbolizing fairness and uprightness.
Within the mountain.
Cangyu Gorge meandered inward, its cliffs hung with bold stones, from which springs flowed and murmured endlessly. Halfway up the mountain, a giant rock bore Songfeng Pavilion.
Half Cloud Pavilion perched on a protrusion above, overlooking ancient trees cloaked in green, as though floating in the heavens.
At Dewdrop Gemstone Rock, sheer walls loomed; only one surface bore the inscription of the Nine Refinement Immortal Mansion ancestor’s calligraphy of the words ’Nine Refinement.’ The script, several feet across, radiated strength and vigor.
Within these cliffs was a hidden realm — a place for disciples to temper their hearts, for Pill Masters to practice alchemy, and for ancestors to refine demons!
Seven years ago.
It was common to hear chilling screams emanating from Dewdrop Gemstone Rock, sounds that made the hair stand on end. Yet, mercifully, the echoes dissipated within dozens of yards.
On this day.
"Ahhh!"
"Ughhh~"
Screams and wailing erupted from Dewdrop Gemstone Rock, eerie winds howling, only to abruptly cease. Soon after, a flash of light burst from within, and two figures emerged—
One was a white-haired, white-bearded elder with kind eyes and a friendly face.
The other bore a weathered expression, though his youthful features hinted at burgeoning maturity. With strikingly handsome features, he radiated both sophistication and a mysterious allure. His head of white hair and lightning-shaped mark between his brows lent him an air of ethereal charm and subtle menace.
His countenance and charisma intensified.
Enough to captivate any viewer at the first glance.
The white-haired youth, stepping out of Dewdrop Gemstone Rock, felt as though he had escaped from another world. He couldn’t help but murmur with a sigh: "Seven years of demon refinement, and I finally see the light of day again."
...
PS: A quick recommendation for a friend’s book, "Wood Leaf Cat Breeder." Feel free to check it out if you’re interested.
Summary: The protagonist is a Two-Tails Jinchuriki, starting with what could only be called a true hellscape opening. As a low-level spy for Konoha’s Root, the story begins with him being used as a transitional Jinchuriki by a dying Jinchuriki from the Land of Lightning.
That said, the above details aren’t the focus—what’s noteworthy is the author’s commitment to daily updates of ten thousand characters and monthly releases of four hundred thousand.