Chapter 1307 : The Seven Souls Soul Banner
Netherus dared not meet the blow head-on. His eyes blazed with a scorching immortal light.
In the space of a snapped finger, he summoned forth an ancient, pitch-black banner. The banner was covered in intricate Dao Patterns [mystical inscriptions representing the fundamental principles of the cosmos]. From within it emanated an aura of boundless malice, and upon its surface were etched seven vividly lifelike, malevolent ghosts.
"This is..."
"Beware! It is the Seven Souls Soul Banner [a supremely evil artifact that traps and refines the souls of powerful beings]!"
Seeing this, Solara cried out in alarm, recognizing the origins of this treasure.
Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he instantly deduced the artifact's history.
This Seven Souls Soul Banner was an exceptionally wicked Unorthodox Path [a cultivation method that defies orthodox principles, often involving dark arts] Magical Treasure. Its banner pole was forged from the bones of an Immortal [a being who has ascended to a higher plane of existence through cultivation], and its cloth was tanned from the very skin of celestial beings.
The malevolent ghostly souls sealed within were refined from the True Spirit [the core spiritual essence and consciousness of a cultivator] of those same immortals and deities.
In his early years, Netherus had obtained the method to forge and refine this treasure. On his path of cultivation since, he had slain dozens of Immortal, including seven powerhouses at the level of Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of becoming an Earth Immortal, a being of immense power tied to the mortal realm].
The True Spirit of all these formidable beings had been utterly refined and imprisoned within this Seven Souls Soul Banner. The story continues at audio-novel . com.
Within the Seven Souls Soul Banner [a malevolent banner that traps and commands powerful souls] before him were seven primary souls, each forged from the spirits of powerful Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to a higher state of being] who had reached the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a quasi-legendary realm just below the Earth Immortal stage]. Tempered for a million years by Netherus with the power of the Netherworld [the underworld or realm of the dead], they had become utterly terrifying malevolent ghosts and fierce spirits.
Perhaps a single one was not overwhelming, but should all seven primary malevolent souls emerge together, even an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a legendary cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm and founded a lineage] would likely turn and flee.
"*Hum*."
As Netherus brandished the evil banner, seven supremely vicious malevolent ghosts flew forth in an instant, their combined presence actually suppressing the might of the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a mighty cauldron artifact capable of suppressing worlds].
Eldrin Chen felt immense pressure bearing down upon him. Frowning slightly at the center of his brow, he remarked, "A truly formidable evil treasure!"
Seeing this, Netherus sneered coldly, "My Seven Souls Soul Banner still lacks one primary soul. It seems you are the perfect candidate to fill that role."
"Prepare to die."
As his words fell, Netherus shook the Seven-Soul Malevolent Ghost Banner once more. The seven malevolent ghosts joined forces, unleashing a supremely Yin [the passive, dark, feminine principle in Chinese cosmology] and frigid Netherworld Ghost Flame [a ghostly flame born from the deepest nether realms] that soared into the sky, blazing towards Eldrin Chen.
This Netherworld Ghost Flame was a famously extreme Yin-type flame. When driven by the power of the soul banner, its might was actually comparable to an Orthodox [a supreme, foundational level] grade World-Opening Divine Ability [a divine ability of legendary power capable of shaping or cleaving worlds].
It swept across the Firmament [the heavens, the sky] as if to incinerate heaven and earth itself, yet it also possessed the power to freeze the Void [the empty space between realms, often associated with spatial laws]. "This is troublesome," Eldrin murmured.
Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He immediately channeled the Primordial Chaos Pure Yang Flame, unleashing it in a sweeping arc, intending to use the Pure Yang Celestial Flame [a supreme celestial fire of pure Yang essence] to counter this Netherworld Ghost Flame [a spectral flame born from the netherworld's deepest resentments]. To his surprise, he found his Pure Yang Celestial Flame was instead being suppressed and forced onto the defensive.
This was not due to any inherent weakness of the Pure Yang Celestial Flame. The Pure Yang Fire [the ultimate fire of pure Yang, the zenith of celestial flames] was, after all, the supreme Yang fire of heaven and earth, the natural bane of all sinister, corrupt, and unclean entities across the myriad realms. It *should* have been the most potent counter to the Netherworld Ghost Flame.
Unfortunately, the Pure Yang Celestial Flame wielded by Eldrin Chen had only reached the realm of Laws of the Dao [the profound principles and natural order governing all existence], not yet touching the domain of true Rules. Faced with the Netherworld Ghost Flame emanating from the Seven Souls Soul Banner, it was still somewhat inadequate.
Fortunately, while the Pure Yang Celestial Flame struggled to suppress the Netherworld Ghost Flame, Eldrin Chen could still use it to shield himself, remaining unafraid of the ghost flame's baleful power. Coupled with the might of the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron, he managed to hold his own in the fierce duel, never truly falling into a disadvantageous position.
Thus, the bitter struggle wore on. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of exchanges had passed, yet the contest remained deadlocked, neither side able to gain a decisive upper hand.
By this point in the battle, both combatants could be considered to be fighting at full strength, and their consumption of energy was by no means insignificant. Eldrin Chen's countenance remained as steady as ever, but a trace of solemnity had crept into Netherus's expression.
As the grand melee raged on, several more Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have transcended the Nascent Soul realm but not yet fully solidified their Earth Immortal foundation] from the Demonic Tribe had fallen under the concerted assault of the allied forces. Even the Celestial Demon Emperor had met his end, slain by the hand of Verdant Consort.
If this continued, the Demonic Tribe army risked a complete and utter rout. Should that happen, even with their three Earth Immortal [progenitors who have fully ascended beyond the mortal cultivation realms, possessing power that can shape continents] possessing world-shaking combat prowess, it would likely be too late to turn the tide.
Moreover, and most crucially, Netherus was an Eight-Calamity Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]. While his combat power was sufficient to suppress a First Layer Earth Immortal, his reserves of Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power techniques and sustain a cultivator's power] were far inferior to those of a true Earth Immortal Progenitor.
After hundreds of fierce exchanges, despite having consumed several priceless Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [elixirs of supreme grade, marked with cloud-like patterns, capable of rapidly restoring immense amounts of spiritual energy] to replenish his Mana, the Mana within his body was now depleted by seventy percent. To fight on would risk his Mana running dry entirely.
With this thought, he turned his gaze toward Eldrin Chen and mused inwardly, "This man has exchanged hundreds of blows with me. His Mana [the spiritual energy used to fuel cultivation arts and techniques] reserves should be nearly depleted as well. Yet he still seems to possess strength to spare. Could it be he harbors some extraordinary treasure?"
"No, that's not it. This man possesses Five Spiritual Roots [an exceptionally rare and balanced innate spiritual aptitude encompassing all five elemental affinities]. His body must surely contain a treasure capable of storing vast amounts of Mana."
Upon reaching this conclusion, Netherus felt a sliver of retreat stir within his heart. He cast a deep, penetrating look at Eldrin Chen before letting out a cold, derisive laugh. "Today's battle ends here!"
"Once This Sovereign [a grand and arrogant title used by powerful cultivators, implying supreme rulership] has dealt with the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, I shall return to claim your head!"
As the final word fell, Netherus shot skyward like an arrow, intent on making his escape.
Eldrin Chen merely responded with a faint, knowing smile. With a flick of his sleeve, he took a single, earth-shattering step forward and unleashed a fist strike aimed directly at Netherus. For more chapters, visit audio . novel . com for the complete novel.
In that instant, Eldrin Chen activated the Heaven's Might Command [a powerful enchanted artifact that augments the user's physical strength], causing his bodily power to surge by thirty percent in the blink of an eye. Boundless, overwhelming force descended in a horizontal arc, seeking to cripple Netherus with a single, devastating blow.
Netherus paid this assault no mind, his heart brimming with absolute confidence. As an Eight-Calamity Immortal [a cultivator who has survived eight heavenly tribulations, possessing immense power and longevity], he believed that not even an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a foundational figure who has attained immortality while remaining bound to the earthly realm] could truly slay him. He immediately began to transform, intending to flee using the Swiftflight Light [a high-speed movement technique that allows the user to travel as a beam of light].
Yet, in that very same fleeting moment, his eyes caught sight of a blindingly radiant ancient mirror standing sentinel at the very edge of the Firmament [the vault of heaven, the sky].
Under its oppressive might, the vast expanse of heaven and earth for countless millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] around them froze solid. Then, the entire scene was wrenched away and pulled into a boundless, featureless void.
"A spatial treasure [a magical artifact capable of manipulating space]?"
Netherus exclaimed in disbelief.
"Boom!"
A thunderous crash echoed as Eldrin Chen sent Netherus flying with a single punch, his expression icy as he spoke.
"This is the first time the Ethereal Void Domain has descended upon the mortal realm. To perish beneath this Divine Ability is a fate not unbefitting your life!"
With those words, Eldrin Chen advanced, pressing the attack and forcing Netherus into a relentless retreat.
With the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform at his side, even after successive fierce battles, he still possessed ample Mana [the spiritual energy used to power divine abilities and magical treasures]. Now, employing his various Immortal Treasure [a supreme grade of magical artifact] against Netherus and bolstering his physical form with the Heaven's Might Command, he had finally and utterly suppressed his foe.
After another hundred exchanges, Netherus, his Mana finally depleted, was sent flying once more. Even the Seven Souls Soul Banner, that vile World Creation [a supreme cultivation realm] treasure, was torn asunder on the spot.
"I shall slay you to prove my Dao [the fundamental path and principle of cultivation]!"
Having dealt a grievous blow to Netherus, Eldrin Chen's eyes blazed with incandescent light. Boundless Mana converged within his flesh, and immense Geng Metal Power [a divine ability harnessing the power of the Geng Metal element] erupted from his body. With overwhelming force, he punched straight through the indestructible physical form of the Primordial Nether Dragon.
"If you kill me, Thousand Dragons Lake will never let you go!"
In his final moments, Netherus was filled with a torrent of bitter resentment. He possessed earth-shaking combat prowess, enough to slay an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a powerful stage of existence]. His Divine Ability [supernatural powers granted by profound cultivation] and Immortal Treasure [a supremely powerful enchanted artifact] were not one whit inferior to those of Eldrin Chen.
His defeat did not stem from a lack of strength, but from the exhaustion of his own Mana [the spiritual energy that fuels a cultivator's techniques and powers].
Although he had consumed several incredibly valuable Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [a rare and potent elixir that restores spiritual energy] during the battle, it could not compare to the several-fold Mana reserves provided by the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform.
After such a prolonged and grueling clash, he was utterly spent. How could he possibly withstand Eldrin Chen's full-powered strike? "BOOM!"
No matter how fiercely he raged against his fate, there was no reversing the tide of his defeat and demise. Experience the full epic at audio_novel.com.