Chapter 22 : Sword of Dawn's First Strike
"Clang—!"
As his words faded, a fiery crimson sword-light shot forth, cleaving towards the middle-aged beautiful woman.
It was Eldrin Chen, activating the formation and unleashing the Formation Artifact Solar Flame Sword. His strike was decisive, aiming first to eliminate the weakest of the trio—the middle-aged woman.
Her cultivation was merely at the Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier [the seventh stage of refining one's vital life energy]. Panicked, she summoned a black silk kerchief, a defensive magical instrument, hoping to block the blow.
Yet the Solar Flame Sword possessed overwhelming power, a strike even Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [ninth stage] cultivators would struggle to withstand, let alone her.
A thunderous explosion echoed as the silk artifact was sheared in two, instantly incinerated to ash by the sword's solar flame energy.
Undiminished, the Solar Flame Sword continued its lethal arc, aiming directly for the space between the woman's brows.
In that desperate moment, the burly middle-aged man reacted. He threw forth a small, blood-red shield. It expanded, conjuring a crimson barrier of light that intercepted the fiery blade.
This was a top-grade, first-rank Demonic Path [a cultivation method that harnesses dark, often sacrificial, energies] magical instrument, forged and empowered by the refined essence of countless mortal lives. Its barrier was remarkably Extraordinary, yet even after blocking the Solar Flame Sword, its glow dimmed by nearly half.
Seeing his first strike thwarted, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate. He channeled his energy once more, sending the Solar Flame Sword sweeping down in another blazing arc. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel-dot-com.
As a Formation Artifact [a powerful artifact designed to be the core of a defensive or offensive formation], the Solar Flame Sword [a sword that draws power from the dawn's first light] could only unleash nine strikes after accumulating a decade's worth of morning radiance. Consequently, its might was truly formidable.
As the second streak of sword light descended, the crimson shield radiance shattered with a resounding crack, forcing the three Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using malevolent, often soul-devouring methods] to scatter in a frantic, scrambling retreat.
"A Primordial Solar Formation Artifact [a supreme-grade artifact powered by the essence of the primal sun]!"
The hulking Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using malevolent, often soul-devouring methods] wore a grim expression, his heart aching as he looked at his severely damaged blood shield. Gritting his teeth, he produced a talisman.
This talisman was named the Six Ghosts Talisman [a one-use talisman sealed with six malevolent ghosts]. It contained six malevolent ghosts at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the final phase of refining one's life force energy]. Because crafting this talisman required high-quality materials and the capture of six such powerful ghosts, even Zhang Old Demon possessed only one or two of them.
Although its value was considerably less than a reusable treasure like the Seven-Soul Malevolent Ghost Banner [a banner that can summon and control seven powerful ghost souls], this disposable Six Ghosts Talisman [a one-use talisman sealed with six malevolent ghosts] could be nearly as effective in a critical moment.
As the six Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage [the final phase of refining one's life force energy] malevolent ghosts surged forth, Eldrin Chen immediately furrowed his brow in concern.
If these six ghosts were allowed to rampage unchecked, the Spiritual Field [fields nourished by spiritual energy to grow rare herbs] and the Spirit Goose [geese infused with spiritual energy, often kept for their eggs or feathers] on Lake Heart Island would be in peril, and even the two siblings would face grave danger.
Without a moment's hesitation, Eldrin Chen acted. He summoned the Solar Flame Sword [a sword that draws power from the dawn's first light] and unleashed six consecutive, blazing strikes. Each sword beam found its mark, reducing the six malevolent ghosts to dissipating ash.
"One strike remains," he thought, his gaze sweeping the battlefield. "For whom shall it be destined?"
After annihilating the six spectral fiends, Eldrin Chen cast a swift glance at the three remaining foes, a strategy flashing through his mind in an instant.
Although his previous sword strike had forced the trio to scatter into the misty clouds, he knew they would inevitably regroup if given enough time.
In that fleeting moment of thought, Eldrin Chen's pupils narrowed with a chilling glint.
"Injuring all ten fingers is not as effective as severing one." [A strategic proverb meaning it's better to completely eliminate one enemy than to wound many.]
"Cleave—!"
With decisive finality, he unleashed another sword strike, its lethal arc aimed directly at the female cultivator, the weakest among them.
Her cultivation was the most shallow, and having her demonic artifact destroyed had inflicted a severe backlash, leaving her grievously wounded.
Now, as the Solar Flame Sword descended upon her, stark terror contorted her features. In her panic, she could only muster a desperate defense with a single magical trident. It was a futile gesture; the sword cleaved through both weapon and wielder, bisecting them in a single, brutal stroke.
"Ah—!"
A scream, abruptly cut short, echoed across the island. The other two Demon God cultivators paled in horror. They immediately converged on the source of the sound, reuniting with haste born of fear.
The two men exchanged a glance at the bisected beautiful woman, their pupils contracting sharply, then shared a look of shock and fear.
At the same time, Eldrin Chen glanced at the Solar Flame Sword and couldn't help but frown. After that strike, the accumulated dawnlight energy within the sword was completely spent, and even the mist conjured by the Mist Veil was beginning to dissipate.
"It seems another bout is unavoidable," he murmured.
Setting down the formation plate, Eldrin Chen charged towards the location of the two demons.
When cultivator and demons met, life-and-death struggle was inevitable. The gaunt old man struck first, summoning a sharp, whirling treasure wheel that sliced through the air towards Eldrin.
This was a first-rank, high-grade Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged and empowered by demonic cultivation arts]. While its power paled in comparison to top-tier demonic treasures like the Seven-Soul Malevolent Ghost Banner, it was still a formidable weapon in its own right. Original publication: AUDIO-NOVEL.COM - The source of this chapter.
As the spinning wheel hurtled towards him, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. He immediately channeled his energy, sending the Verdant Leaf Sword flashing through the air to intercept the attack.
Not stopping there, he continued to circulate his Vital Energy [the foundational life-force energy cultivated by practitioners], unleashing the Golden Light Blade. The flying sword shot forth like a meteor, its target the gaunt old demon's head.
The flying sword was blindingly fast. The Golden Light Blade closed the distance in an instant, arriving before the withered demon as swiftly as a falling star.
At this critical juncture between life and death, the gaunt old demon was prepared. With a swift incantation, he activated a small, pitch-black bell. The artifact emitted a shimmering curtain of light that enveloped him, successfully parrying the lethal thrust of Eldrin Chen's flying sword.
"A defensive demonic artifact."
Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered. This small bell was actually also a top-grade first-rank defensive demonic artifact [an enchanted item used by demonic cultivators for protection]. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of relief.
It was fortunate he hadn't used the Solar Flame Sword's final strike against this foe. With a top-grade defensive demonic artifact, this gaunt Demonic Cultivator could have withstood the Solar Flame Sword's full-powered assault.
Had that happened and failed to kill him, facing the combined attacks of one Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier and two Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage Demonic Cultivator would have put him in a perilously passive position.
"Brat, prepare to die!"
The battle unfolded in the span of a heartbeat. The hulking Demonic Cultivator struck at the same moment.
As the strongest of the trio, this demon, though his blood shield had been shattered and he had lost his defensive artifact, was still a force to be reckoned with.
He channeled his energy into a flying sword brimming with baleful aura, transforming it into a streak of sword light that soared through the air to cleave down upon Eldrin Chen.
Eldrin Chen showed not a trace of fear. The Verdant Small Shield in his hand unfurled a radiant barrier of light, effortlessly parrying the flying sword's attack.
The Verdant Small Shield was a masterwork artifact [a finely crafted magical item of superior quality]. Back then, a Vital Essence Refinement 7th Tier Demonic Cultivator had been able to rely on it to withstand the assault of two of Eldrin Chen's flying swords, a testament to its exceptional defensive prowess.
Now that this treasure had fallen into the hands of Eldrin Chen, its power, when channeled by his Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier cultivation base, surged by more than fifty percent, placing him in an unassailable position from the outset.
Relying on his profound Vital Energy and the formidable might of this defensive artifact, Eldrin Chen not only held his ground against two opponents but actually gained the upper hand in the clash.
After roughly a quarter of an hour of fierce magical combat, the gaunt old man, seeing the glow of his defensive demonic artifact dimming under the relentless assault of the Golden Light Blade, could hold out no longer. He cast a desperate glance at the hulking Demonic Cultivator.
"If this continues, we are both doomed."
"If you have any other tricks, use them now!"
Upon hearing this, the hulking Demonic Cultivator's expression turned icy.
His eyes glinted coldly as he summoned a mote of golden radiance and hurled it directly at Eldrin Chen.
"Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle!"
The moment he saw that golden glint, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted. He not only pushed his shield's protective aura to its absolute limit but also instantly activated a Golden Armor Talisman.
The Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle [a specialized First-Rank Superior Grade magical needle renowned for its ability to pierce defensive shields] is a peculiar type of First-Rank Superior Grade magical weapon. While its raw destructive power is not overwhelming, it specializes in countering defensive shield auras, and its effectiveness in this regard is often peerless.
As expected, the golden streak of light shot into the air with a sharp *whoosh*, hurtling directly towards him. Even the shield-light of the Verdant Light Shield [a magical shield artifact] could not withstand it, pierced clean through as a tiny hole appeared in its defense.
Fortunately, the Golden Armor Talisman [a defensive talisman that conjures golden armor] proved Extraordinary, transforming into a suit of golden armor that encased Eldrin Chen. Miraculously, it managed to block the Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle [a sinister needle-type treasure designed to pierce the heart and lock the soul].
In that moment of crisis, Eldrin Chen had no time for anything else. His first instinct was to summon the blade embryo. With a decisive strike, he sent the Golden Ray Heart-Locking Needle clattering to the ground, its radiant glow dimmed and extinguished. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel . com.