Chapter 46 Decimating Foes, Total Victory

At the same time, Eldrin outside maneuvered the nascent sword embryo to shift its course. The sword radiance carved a dazzling arc across the heavens before descending with a metallic ring, severing Zuo Zhouqi's head from his shoulders.

This young Foundation Establishment cultivator, merely 60-some years of age with over a 100 years of lifespan remaining, was utterly annihilated just like that. Not even a Nascent Soul True Monarch could bring him back to life.

Witnessing Zuo Zhouqi's death, Old Devil Zhang finally revealed a look of terror. All will to fight drained from him as he decisively snapped 3 fingers and performed the Blood Evasion Art to flee for his life.

The Blood Evasion Art was incredibly swift. 8 years ago, this demon had launched a surprise attack, shattered the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation, and slain 7 of the Chen Clan’s Elders (Person Name).

At that time, the Old Clan Leader unleashed the Blazing Heaven Sword with bitter hatred, yet this demon relied on the Blood Shadow Escape Art to flee from Chen Changxuan's grasp.

Now, as he employed this technique once more, Eldrin (Person Name) realized that even he could not catch up.

However, after flying no more than a 100 zhang, the old demon crashed headlong into a sea of blazing celestial flames. A piercing shriek tore from his lips as his Blood Evasion Art was shattered, sending him crashing heavily to the ground.

It turned out that the Third Elder and the other 5, disregarding their injuries, had forcibly activated the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation. By sheer chance, Zhang the Demonic Elder had stumbled right into their trap.

"Spare me, I beg you!"

"I had no choice but to enter that Demonic Cave, old man."

At death's door, the old fiend revealed a look of terror. Gazing at Eldrin, he repeatedly begged for mercy.

Eldrin looked up and saw that the demon had lost an arm, all its fingers were gone, and its body was so badly burned it was unrecognizable, emitting a nauseating stench of charred flesh.

With such severe injuries, even if the Old Devil Zhang survived, the Scorching Sun Celestial Flames that had invaded his meridians would torment him day and night, condemning him to a life of perpetual agony.

“When you assaulted the clan leader and slaughtered 7 of my Chen Clan Elders, when you ordered the blood sacrifice of 3,000 mortals in our Chen Clan’s Pingyuan Town, when you sought to offer 100,000 of my Chen bloodline descendants to refine the Blood-Transmuting Demon Blade (Magic Treasure) —”

"Did you ever imagine this day would come?"

"Back when you breached the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation and slaughtered 7 of my Chen Clan Elders, now you meet your end by that very same formation. Such is the wheel of karma—retribution never misses its mark."

Eldrin let out a soft sigh. The sword embryo transformed into a flash of sword light that descended, cleaving Zhang the Demonic Elder in 2.

All this may sound slow, but it happened in the blink of an eye.

From Zuo Zhouqi's death to the slaughter of the Old Devil Zhang, it all transpired within a few short breaths. By the time the remaining few snapped out of their shock, it was already too late.

At the brink of life and death, the group swiftly summoned their magical artifacts, seizing the moment of entering the formation to eliminate Chen Changxuan.

However, the old clan leader was highly experienced in magical combat. Within the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss formation, his power surged as naturally as a fish takes to water—how could they possibly hope to eliminate him?

In just a few breaths' time, Eldrin resolved the battle and charged straight over.

Once inside the formation, Eldrin went straight to Lin Taihe, alleviating some of the pressure on the old clan leader.

Lin Taihe was already struggling against the surging Li Fire within the formation, and now faced with Eldrin's assault, he found himself in an increasingly dire predicament. Forced to maintain his defensive artifact with 1 hand, he could only channel his energy into 2 other magical instruments to engage Eldrin in a frantic duel.

Elsewhere, Chen Changxuan steadied himself from the dizziness of wielding the Blazing Heaven Sword, his gaze turning icy as it fell upon Zuo Mingxu and the Old Demon Hong. Cold calculation flickered in his eyes as he weighed which of them should face his next strike.

Between the 2, although Elder Demon Hong possessed profound cultivation and formidable demonic treasures, he was thoroughly suppressed by the Li Fire Soul Incineration Array, capable of unleashing only 60 to 70 percent of his true strength.

Especially after his signature magic treasure, the Black Blood Cloak, was destroyed, the demon no longer dared to deploy any demonic treasures in retaliation. He could only rely on a single Blacklight Dharma Blade and a golden orb artifact to face his opponents.

Zuo Mingxu’s cultivation was slightly weaker, yet his magical tools were remarkably versatile. To prepare for this great battle, the Zuo Clan leader had exhausted the clan’s treasury and actually purchased 2 upper second-grade magical treasures.

Aside from the bronze-colored defensive pagoda, there was also a violet treasure mirror that could project shimmering amethyst radiance.

This mirror light could pierce through the protective radiance of guardian artifacts, and was even capable of forcibly severing a cultivator's connection to their magical treasures. Once enveloped by its glow, a cultivator's internal true essence would turn sluggish and resistant to circulation, causing their combat prowess to plummet at an alarming rate.

Unfortunately, Zuo Mingxu's cultivation was insufficient, allowing him to wield only 70% of this treasure's power. Its radiance could not penetrate the raging Li Fire of the Li Fire Soul Incineration Array, rendering it utterly incapable of harming the old clan leader.

Chen Changxuan shot a glance at Zuo Mingxu (Person Name), a flicker of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"This fiend has been fighting until now, and the spirit talismans on his body have likely been exhausted by the Li Fire Soul Incineration Array. Moreover, he has continuously activated second-tier, high-grade magical artifacts, depleting his spiritual energy. With his defensive artifacts gone as well, now is the perfect moment to strike him down."

"On the other hand, that Old Fiend Hong, though seemingly countered to the point of desperation, is ultimately a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator. I may not be able to eliminate him with a single strike."

"Better to behead Zuo Mingxu first, then refine this demon to death with the Li Fire Soul-Burning Formation Banner."

Thinking it, the old patriarch acted. He once again channeled the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. The crowd saw only a brilliant sword light soaring into the sky before it descended with a resonant clang, slashing toward Zuo Mingxu.

Not good.

Zuo Mingxu’s heart sank as he watched the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss slash toward him.

He desperately activated the Violet Treasure Mirror and the Mingxu Sword to block, but they were instantly knocked away. The sword radiance, dazzling as the sun, continued its unstoppable descent toward him.

"My life is over!"

Zuo Mingxu’s final thought flashed through his mind before he was cleaved in 2 by a single sword strike.

Boom—

In that very instant, the Eldrin seized a fleeting chance at survival.

He destroyed several of his own magic treasures in succession, forcibly blasting open a corner of the Li Fire Incinerating Divinity Formation. Then, he executed the Blood Evasion Art and soared away, vanishing beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.

"Chen Changxuan, I have now witnessed the prowess of this Li Fire Soul Incineration Array."

"But this day's grievance, this old man has committed to memory!"

"Quite decisive."

Watching the Old Fiend Hong flee, Chen Changxuan let out a cold laugh.

The old demon seized the perfect moment to flee. Had I not been channeling most of my energy into wielding the Blazing Heaven Sword at that instant, even the slightest obstruction would have trapped him within the Li Fire Soul Incineration Array, making him a turtle in a jar.

Seeing the Crimson Demon flee, Lin Taihe’s face twisted in despair. He turned to Chen Changxuan and pleaded, “Spare me, I beg of you!”

"Fellow Daoist Chen, for the sake of our acquaintance, spare my life."

"Do you still remember? Back in the Celestial Ruins Mountain, I even treated you to tea."

“At the brink of life and death, and this is the composure he shows.” Chen Changxuan shook his head and sighed, “No wonder he remained stuck at Foundation Establishment, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) for over 30 years before managing to break through.”

As his voice faded, the surging Eldrin Fire swept across. Lin Taihe held out for less than a quarter of an hour before being incinerated into ashes of calamity.

After the battle concluded, both of them had expended a considerable amount of spiritual power, yet this was no time to rest.

Amidst the chaos of the melee, over a dozen cultivators from the merchant caravan had seized the opportunity to snatch the 5 Elements Essence, with some already fleeing dozens of miles away.

The 2 of them slaying 4 Foundation Establishment cultivators thoroughly intimidated the crowd. Several terrified individuals hastily returned their 5 Elements essence, yet a few stubborn ones continued to flee for their lives.

After a brief cleanup of the battlefield, Eldrin and the old clan chief split up. Riding their swords across the heavens, they spent 1 shichen scouring the skies before hunting down all the remaining foes. Without ceremony, they executed them amidst the desolate wilderness.

When dealing with cultivators bold enough to raid merchant caravans, even if they were members of the 6 Great Families, the 2 showed no mercy. This was a common rule upheld by all 6 Families—should the opposing clan learn of it, they would raise no objections.