Chapter 1307 : The Seven Souls Banner Unleashed

Nether Grand Austerity dared not meet the attack head-on. His eyes blazed with a scorching Immortal Radiance [a divine light of immense purity and power].

In the space of a snapped finger, he summoned forth a pitch-black ancient banner. The banner was covered in intricate Dao patterns and exuded an aura of boundless malice. Seven vividly lifelike malevolent ghosts were depicted upon it.

"This is..."

"Beware! It is the Seven Souls Soul Banner!"

Recognizing the artifact's origin, Sun Consort cried out in alarm.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he instantly deduced the treasure's dreadful history.

This Seven Souls Soul Banner was an exceptionally vile heretical path [a path of cultivation that employs evil and forbidden methods] magical treasure. Its banner pole was forged from the bones of Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality], and its cloth was tanned from the hides of divine beings.

The malevolent ghostly souls sealed within were refined from the True Spirit [the spiritual core and consciousness of a cultivator] of those same immortals and gods.

In his early years, Nether Grand Austerity had obtained the method to craft and refine this banner. Throughout his cultivation journey, he had slain dozens of Immortal, including seven powerful experts at the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a realm just below that of a full Earth Immortal] level.

The True Spirit of all these formidable beings had been utterly refined and imprisoned within this Seven Souls Soul Banner. Official source: audio~novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Within the Seven Souls Soul Banner before him were seven primary souls, each forged from the powerful Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] of a Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm Immortal. Tempered for a million years by Nether Grand Austerity with the power of the Netherworld [the underworld or realm of the dead], they had now become utterly terrifying malevolent spirits.

Individually, they might not be overwhelming, but with all seven primary malevolent souls unleashed simultaneously, even an Earth Immortal Patriarch would likely turn and flee.

"*Hummm—*"

As Nether Grand Austerity shook the sinister banner, seven ferocious and hideous ghosts surged forth in an instant. Their combined presence actually managed to suppress the might of the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron.

Eldrin Chen felt a tremendous pressure bearing down upon him. A slight frown creased his brow as he remarked, "A truly formidable evil artifact!"

Seeing this, Nether Grand Austerity 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."

With those words, Nether Grand Austerity shook the Seven-Soul Malevolent Ghost Banner once more. As the seven ghosts combined their power, a plume of supremely Yin and frigid Netherworld Ghost Flame [a ghostly fire born from the deepest nether] soared into the air, blazing towards Eldrin Chen.

This Netherworld Ghost Flame was a famously potent Yin-aligned fire. When driven by the soul banner, its power rivaled that of a genuine World-Opening Heavenly God Ability [a divine ability of the highest order, capable of shaping worlds].

It swept across the Heavenly Vault [the dome of the sky], a conflagration that seemed intent on scorching heaven and earth itself, while simultaneously possessing the power to freeze the very void.

"This is somewhat troublesome."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He immediately channeled the Primordial One Primordial Solar Flame to surge forth, intending to use the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the supreme celestial fire of the sun] to counter this Netherworld Ghost Flame [a spectral fire born from the netherworld]. To his surprise, he found the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame was actually being suppressed and forced onto the defensive.

This was not because the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame was weak. One must understand that the Primordial Solar Flame is the Supreme Solar Fire [the ultimate fire of the heavens and earth], the natural bane of all sinister, corrupt, and unclean things within the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms of existence]. It should have been the most effective counter to the Netherworld Ghost Flame.

Unfortunately, the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame that Eldrin Chen commanded had only reached the realm of Path Principles [the fundamental laws of a cultivation path], not yet touching the domain of true Rules. Faced with the Netherworld Ghost Flame unleashed by the Seven Souls Soul Banner, it was still somewhat insufficient.

Fortunately, while the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame struggled to suppress the Netherworld Ghost Flame, Eldrin Chen could still use it to shield himself, remaining unafraid of the ghost flame's power. Coupled with the might of the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron, he managed to hold his own in the battle without falling into a disadvantage.

Thus, the fierce battle raged on. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of exchanges had passed, yet the outcome remained deadlocked.

By this point in the great battle, both combatants could be considered to be fighting at full strength, and their consumption of spiritual energy was by no means insignificant.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained as calm as ever, but a trace of solemnity appeared on Nether Grand Austerity's face.

As the battle reached this stage, several more Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the verge of becoming Earth Immortals] from the Demon Race had fallen under the combined assault of the allied forces. Even the Heavenly Demon Emperor had met his end at the hands of Verdant Consort.

If they continued to fight like this, the Demon Race army would likely collapse completely. By then, even with their three Earth Immortal [immortals bound to the earth realm] possessing world-shaking combat prowess, it would probably be too late to turn the tide.

Moreover, the most critical point was that as an Eight Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], while Nether Grand Austerity possessed combat power sufficient to suppress a First Layer Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal at the foundational first layer of their realm], his own reservoir of spiritual energy was far inferior to that of a true Earth Immortal Patriarch.

After hundreds of exchanges in their fierce clash, even after consuming several priceless Immortal Pill [elixirs of immortal grade] to replenish his energy, the spiritual power within him was now seventy percent depleted. To continue fighting would risk his energy reserves running dry.

With this thought, he looked towards Eldrin Chen and mused inwardly, "This man has fought me for hundreds of rounds; his energy consumption should be immense as well. Yet he still seems to have strength to spare. Could he possess some Exotic Treasure [a rare and wondrous magical artifact]?"

"No, that's not it. This man possesses Five Spiritual Roots [a constitution attuned to all five elemental spiritual energies]; he must surely harbor a treasure within him that stores vast reserves of power."

Upon reaching this conclusion, a sliver of intent to withdraw stirred within Nether Grand Austerity. He cast a deep, penetrating glance at Eldrin Chen before letting out a cold laugh. "Today's battle ends here!"

"Once I have dealt with the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, I shall return to claim your head!" For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel . com.

As his words faded, Nether Grand Austerity shot skyward like an arrow, intending to make his escape.

Eldrin Chen merely offered a faint smile. With a flick of his sleeve, he stepped forward, his fist already descending like a meteor towards Nether Grand Austerity.

In that instant, Eldrin Chen activated the Heavenly Might Token [a token that channels celestial power], causing his physical might to surge by thirty percent in a flash. Boundless, overwhelming force crashed down, aimed at crippling Nether Grand Austerity with a single, devastating blow.

Nether Grand Austerity paid it no heed, brimming with confidence. As an Eight Tribulations Immortal, not even an Earth Immortal Patriarch could truly slay him. He immediately began to transform into a streak of Escape Radiance [a radiant light used for swift escape] to flee.

Yet in that very instant, his gaze was seized by a sight at the very edge of the Heavenly Vault. An ancient mirror of blinding radiance stood resolute within the Nine Heavens Above.

Beneath its oppressive might, the vast expanse of heaven and earth for countless millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] around froze solid, then was violently drawn into a boundless, featureless space.

"A spatial treasure [a magical artifact that manipulates or contains space itself]?"

Nether Grand Austerity exclaimed in disbelief, his voice laced with shock.

"BOOM—"

A thunderous impact echoed as Eldrin Chen drove a fist into Nether Grand Austerity, sending the demon hurtling backward. His expression was icy as he spoke.

"This 'Void Cosmos Heaven Realm' descends upon the mortal realm for the first time. To perish beneath this Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] is a fate not unbefitting your existence!"

With those words, Eldrin Chen advanced, a relentless storm of attacks forcing Nether Grand Austerity into a desperate, stumbling retreat.

Bolstered by the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne, his spiritual energy reserves remained ample despite the prolonged battle. Now, wielding his array of Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts used by high-level cultivators] against Nether Grand Austerity and further empowered by the Heavenly Might Token enhancing his physical form, he had finally gained complete dominance over his foe.

After another hundred exchanges, Nether Grand Austerity's energy finally began to falter. He was sent flying once more, and even his sinister Seven Souls Soul Banner, a World-Opening [a realm of power capable of creating worlds] grade evil treasure, was torn asunder on the spot.

"Slay you, to prove my Path!"

Having dealt a grievous blow to Nether Grand Austerity, Eldrin Chen's eyes blazed with incandescent light. His boundless magical power surged and converged within his physical form. An overwhelming Metallic Gold Power erupted from his very body, its force so immense it shattered through the legendary Indestructibility Physique of the Primordial Era Nether Dragon.

"If you kill me, the Thousand Dragon Lake will never let you go!"

In his final moments, a torrent of bitter resentment flooded Nether Grand Austerity's heart. He possessed earth-shaking combat prowess, enough to suppress and slay an Earth Immortal Patriarch. His arsenal of Divine Ability [profound supernatural techniques] and Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] was in no way inferior to Eldrin Chen's.

His defeat did not stem from a lack of martial might, but from a deficiency in his own foundational magical energy.

Though he had consumed several priceless Immortal Pill [elixirs of immense power] during the battle, it could not compare to the several-fold amplification of magical energy provided by the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne.

After such a prolonged and grueling clash, he was utterly spent, completely drained. How could he possibly withstand Eldrin Chen's full-powered, decisive strike?

"BOOM—"

No matter how profound his unwillingness, it could not reverse the tide of his defeat and demise. Official source: audio-novel.com (official site). Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.