Chapter 51: Nascent Soul Conference

The Golden Sun True Flame was a supreme yang flame, innately capable of restraining all demonic and evil energies.

The meridians within Jiuyou's body were entirely filled with Nether Demon Qi, cultivated through practicing the "Nether Capital Art." If he recklessly attempted to refine this flame into his body, it would be no different from inviting disaster. These two completely opposing forces would clash within his meridians, resulting in anything from chaotic mana flow and snapped meridians to complete destruction of his soul and body.

Any cultivator with even a modicum of knowledge would never commit such an act of self-destruction.

Therefore, to claim the Golden Sun True Flame as his own, he had to find another vessel through which to unleash the flame's power.

This vessel could not contain even a trace of Nether Qi. Its quality and power also needed to be exceptional to bear the Golden Sun True Flame and allow its might to be unleashed to the fullest.

Jiuyou's Natal Magical Artifact, the "Nine Nether Soul-Chaining Chains," had been nourished day and night for centuries by his own mana and Nascent Soul essence. It was already thoroughly saturated with Nether Demon Qi, making it a pure high-grade Demonic Path magical artifact. As incompatible as fire and water with the Golden Sun True Flame, it naturally could not serve as a vessel.

However, he already had the perfect choice in mind—Old Ghost Qingshan's Heavenly Azure Mountain Ancient Relic.

Although he had already refined this treasure and planted his Spiritual Mark upon it, he had never nourished it with his own mana. It had not yet been eroded by Nether Demon Qi and still retained its original attributes, making it just right to bear the Golden Sun True Flame.

Once he refined the flame, he would re-forge the Heavenly Azure Mountain treasure and find a way to merge the two. Its power would surely increase dramatically, transforming it into a top-tier ancient relic.

The dead Old Ghost Qingshan was still silently "contributing."

However, this matter was not urgent. Time waited for no one, and careful planning was required.

Jiuyou silently withdrew his thoughts. He hastily imprinted his own soul mark onto the Golden Sun True Flame, then sealed it away in a Specially Made Jade Box.

There were more pressing matters at hand.

In another month, Endless Island would host a Nascent Soul Conference. This was the first time in ten thousand years that Nascent Soul cultivators from the three major alliances had gathered together to discuss strategy.

With such a grand and important conference, of course he had to attend. This was not only a response to Endless Island's summons, but also a chance to use his current cultivation to intimidate those with ill intentions. Let them carefully consider this—the Ancestor of Soul Wraith Island was now a genuine Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator!

Jiuyou gently stroked the jade box containing the true flame, then stored it deep within his Storage Pouch.

"Besides that, this old man still needs to find a few fire-attribute cultivators, preferably those who cultivate Righteous Path techniques," he calculated silently.

If he wanted to refine and merge the Golden Sun True Flame with the Heavenly Azure Mountain treasure, using his own demonic mana to forcibly drive the process would likely backfire and invite a devastating rebound.

A faint smirk curled at the corner of Jiuyou's mouth.

Though the three alliances were now united against a common enemy, everyone harbored selfish motives. In the face of enormous threats or benefits, even former mortal enemies who hated each other could temporarily cooperate.

Look no further than the current alliance of the three factions—it was the best proof of this.

And at the upcoming Endless Island Nascent Soul Conference, many Nascent Soul cultivators from the Righteous Path, Demonic Path, and even the Heaven and Earth Alliance would attend. He could easily find two fire-attribute Nascent Soul cultivators with no grudges against him to help merge the true flame into the ancient relic. With his current cultivation, this was hardly a difficult task.

Furthermore, now that he was a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator and the true flame was completely in his possession, there were very few people in the entire Tianyuan Sea who dared to provoke him. There was naturally no need to hide the existence of the Golden Sun True Flame any longer.

Once news of this flame spread, all the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Demonic Path Alliance would likely regard him with fear and caution. His status within the Demonic Path Alliance would naturally rise as a result.

After all, in the world of immortal cultivation, cultivation realm came first, but beyond that, the most important thing was to make one's strength speak for itself. Revealing a few hidden cards to intimidate petty troublemakers was not necessarily a bad thing.

Having thought this through, Jiuyou let out a few cold laughs. Then, with mana flowing through his hands, he wasted not a single second, continuing to stabilize his realm and improve his cultivation.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Jiuyou set out alone from Soul Wraith Island. Before leaving, he instructed Canfeng to watch over the island and ensure nothing went wrong. Though this grandson of his had mediocre talent, he made up for it with obedience. Entrusting the island's affairs to him was something he could feel at ease about.

After breaking through to Mid-Nascent Soul, even his ordinary escape speed had increased considerably. In just a few days, the faint outline of Endless Island's mountain peaks could already be seen in the distance.

This Nascent Soul Conference was to be held in the Grand Hall of an auxiliary island on the outskirts of Endless Island.

Upon arriving, Jiuyou could tell at a glance that this grand hall had been newly built. It had no extravagant decorations and appeared somewhat crude. Even the formation patterns on the walls still exuded a fresh wave of mana fluctuations.

The higher-ups of Endless Island clearly still did not trust the other Nascent Soul cultivators, especially those from the Heaven and Earth Alliance and the Righteous Path Alliance. That was why they had not held the conference on the main island, but had instead chosen such a remote auxiliary island.

After all, people's hearts were hidden behind their chests. No one could say when this seemingly united alliance would fall apart.

The moment Jiuyou appeared, several Golden Core cultivators flew out from the island, rushing forward to greet him, afraid of showing even the slightest disrespect.

The leader swept his Divine Sense over Jiuyou and, upon discovering that this senior was a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, his eyes lit up. He hurried forward with cupped hands, his attitude even more respectful than it would have been toward an Early Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Senior, may I ask if you are a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator of our Demonic Path Alliance?"

Before his words had even faded, as he clearly saw Jiuyou's face, a flash of surprise crossed his features. He repeatedly bowed in greeting.

"So it's Senior Jiuyou of Soul Wraith Island! This junior has been disrespectful and failed to recognize you in time. I beg Senior to forgive me!"

As he spoke, fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his entire demeanor became trembling and fearful.

The Ancestor of Soul Wraith's reputation within the Demonic Path Alliance was not exactly favorable. This man, in particular, was known for being decisive and ruthless. If he said even one wrong word, he might not even know how he died.

Immediately, he stepped aside and made a respectful "please" gesture toward the grand hall's entrance.

"Senior, please enter."

Jiuyou's expression remained unchanged. He didn't even bother to glance at the Golden Core cultivator. With a flicker of movement, he stepped directly into the grand hall.

The moment he stepped inside, over a dozen gazes simultaneously turned toward him.

Those looks were complex and strange: some were filled with probing curiosity, others with scrutiny, some with undisguised hostility and displeasure, and a few even carried a faint murderous intent.

An almost imperceptible smirk curled at the corner of Jiuyou's mouth as he released his aura without any concealment.

The oppressive pressure of a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator spread through the grand hall like an invisible tidal wave.

Those gazes that had held hostility retracted by half the moment they touched this imposing presence. A few Early Nascent Soul cultivators even unconsciously averted their eyes, their faces slightly pale.

Though separated by only a minor realm, the difference between Early Nascent Soul and Mid-Nascent Soul was like heaven and earth.

Jiuyou's gaze swept calmly across the hall, taking in everyone's expressions, and sneered inwardly.

Among them, a blood-red figure stared at him, his eyes filled with shock and a hint of barely concealed envy.

Within the grand hall, the atmosphere was subtle and oppressive.

Outside the hall, the sea wind howled, and waves crashed against the shore.

...