Chapter 1578 : The Demon Sovereign's Ascension

"Boom—"

After shattering the Universe, the group seized and carried away the remaining half of the fractured Universe.

In that fleeting moment, the other half of the shattered Universe flowed like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, completely refined into the body of the Demon Sovereign.

"Hum—"

Following that, a thunderous sound erupted.

Clad in robes of profound darkness, the Demon Sovereign stood tall within the boundless Dimensional Void. Three beams of Karmic Fiend Crimson Light illuminated the myriad realms, casting his form like a world-ending Ancient Demon against the backdrop of the Endless Dimensional Space.

"Did he succeed?"

The Vajra Saint murmured, his voice tinged with profound shock.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, his gaze turning intensely grave. "Not quite," he said. "It seems he is still half a step short."

At this moment, Eldrin Chen sensed it faintly. Although the Demon Sovereign's current power far surpassed that of the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation, it still seemed to fall somewhat short compared to the might of the former Myriad Spirit Patriarch.

"Indeed," Xuan Yu Path Master nodded in agreement upon seeing this. "We tore through half of the Universe [the totality of all existence], preventing him from completely sacrificing it to achieve perfection. His current strength should now be comparable to that of an Eighth Tribulation Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]."

Hearing this, everyone felt a slight sense of relief.

If the Demon Sovereign [a supreme ruler of demonic forces] had achieved the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary, perfect foundation for cultivation], then everyone present would have had no choice but to retreat in defeat.

Since the Demon Sovereign had not taken that crucial final step, he had ultimately failed to undergo a qualitative metamorphosis.

Considering this, the Blazeflame Divine Spirit spoke up, "In that case, let us thoroughly suppress and slay this demon today."

As her words fell, she immediately took action. She channeled the Southern Brightness Solar Fire [a supreme solar flame that incinerates all things], its all-consuming blaze seeking to refine the Demon Sovereign into nothingness.

"Southern Brightness Solar Fire?"

Facing this assault, the Demon Sovereign spoke with utter calm. "The Southern Brightness Solar Fire is indeed one of heaven and earth's most supreme flames. Yet, your cultivation is ultimately insufficient to unleash its ultimate, boundless might."

"Today, I shall show you what a truly peerless demonic flame looks like."

With those words, the Demon Sovereign flicked his sleeve, unleashing a dazzling torrent of demonic fire that cascaded down.

This flame burned with the chill of the Nine Nether Abysses [the deepest, coldest realms of the underworld], radiating a power of ultimate Yin and profound cold that actually suppressed the Southern Brightness Solar Fire [a divine fire of pure solar essence].

"The Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Flame."

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly with shock.

The Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Flame [a legendary flame born from the deepest netherworld] ranked ninth among the Ten Great Heavenly Flames, while the Southern Brightness Solar Fire held the third position. Yet in their clash, it was the solar fire that found itself at a disadvantage.

This clearly showed that the Demon Sovereign's current cultivation base firmly overpowered that of the Blazeflame Divine Spirit.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Eldrin Chen immediately moved to assist. With a sweep of his sleeve, he summoned boundless Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the supreme flame of primordial Yang, leader of all solar fires], joining forces with the Southern Brightness Solar Fire to resist the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Flame.

Combined, their power actually managed to hold back the overwhelming might of the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Flame.

"The Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame?"

The moment he saw the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame, the Demon Sovereign's pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of killing intent surfacing within them.

The Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame was the foremost of all Primordial Solar [pertaining to the primordial, purest essence of the sun] flames and ranked second among the Ten Great Heavenly Flames. Were it not for the Solar Heavenly Emperor having attained the Dao through the Solar Great Path, this flame would even have been a contender for the top spot.

Most crucially, this flame suppresses all impure and defiled energies within heaven and earth. It is the natural bane of all Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic or malevolent energies] and Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who harness the power of spirits and ghosts]. Once fully matured, it exerts immense pressure and suppression upon Demonic Cultivator.

"Slay them—!"

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, the Demon Sovereign [a title for a supreme ruler among demons] flicked his sleeve, unleashing a blindingly brilliant sword energy that cleaved through the air towards Eldrin Chen with devastating force.

Yet how could the others stand idly by? In that very instant, Violet Mystery Path Master, the Vajra Saint [a Buddhist saint of indestructible diamond-like body], and Xuan Yu Immortal all moved simultaneously, their intent clear—to engage the Demon Sovereign in a decisive, life-or-death battle.

That Demon Sovereign possessed combat prowess that shook the heavens, his power already brushing against the threshold of the Eighth Tribulation Earth Immortal [the realm of an Earth Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] domain. However, the five opponents facing him were no pushovers either.

Among their ranks, four possessed combat strength equivalent to a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundation built upon the perfect fusion of two primordial energies]. Even against an existence with a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundation built upon the perfect fusion of three primordial energies], they should have been capable of putting up a formidable fight.

Although the Demon Sovereign's battle prowess was awe-inspiring, he had ultimately not fully stepped into that supreme domain. Simultaneously besieged by such powerful adversaries, even he found himself struggling, like a single pillar trying to support a collapsing hall.

"Troublesome."

Seeing that two fists were no match for eight hands, a flicker of icy intent passed through the Demon Sovereign's eyes.

With a sweep of his sleeve, an ancient formation diagram unfurled. Upon it, the Blood Demon Soul-Slaying Sword, the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword, and the Inner Demon Spirit-Annihilating Sword erupted with boundless Slaughter [the essence or aura of pure, annihilating slaughter] energy. This energy coalesced into an all-encompassing Sword Formation [a battle formation composed of and powered by flying swords] that descended upon the group, seeking to engulf them all.

"It's the Three Demons Slaying Immortals Formation again."

Seeing this, Violet Mystery Path Master flicked his sleeve and activated the Kui Ox Heavenly Drum to block, only to find this Sword Formation possessed unparalleled might. Even with his Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon fully unleashed, he could barely withstand its assault.

Witnessing this, Violet Mystery Path Master declared, "This formation cannot be overcome without three Primordial Unity [the highest tier of immortal cultivation] experts. Let us join forces and shatter it first."

As his words fell, Violet Mystery Path Master once again stepped into the grand formation.

Seeing this, Vajra Saint also charged into the formation. Blazeflame Divine Spirit glanced back at Eldrin Chen.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen showed no intention of entering, he immediately strode forward into its depths.

Witnessing this scene, Xuan Yu Path Master activated the Nine Heavens Milky Way Star Sand Sword to attack the Demon Sovereign while sending a mental message to Eldrin Chen: "Fellow Daoist, can you still hold on?"

Eldrin Chen swept his long sleeve, and the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords shot forth, cleaving towards the Demon Sovereign. "It's fine. I can still fight."

"Good. Then let us fight side by side."

As Xuan Yu Path Master's words faded, he flicked his sleeve, unleashing boundless Stellar [pertaining to the power of stars] Great God Ability. Nine Star Deity [divine beings embodying celestial bodies] avatars materialized and advanced, surrounding and attacking the Demon Sovereign from all sides.

Eldrin Chen cast a glance, his eyes narrowing slightly with focused intensity.

Truly worthy of an Earth Immortal Great Perfection who had cultivated for countless years, Xuan Yu Path Master's Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique], named 'Stellar Deriving My Path' [My Path Derived from the Stars], manifested nine avatars, each possessing combat power comparable to an Earth Immortal Great Perfection.

Although these avatars could not wield supreme treasures to strike powerful foes, their combined might could unleash astonishing force, sufficient to hold back a Half-Step Celestial Immortal who had laid a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundation built upon the singular, primordial essence of creation].

Meanwhile, the Demon Sovereign [a supreme ruler among demonic cultivators], besieged by the two, revealed a look of savage arrogance. "Xuan Yu, you brat! After all these years, you've made no progress whatsoever."

"If this is the extent of your skill, you shall remain here today."

As the words fell, the Demon Sovereign flicked his sleeve, summoning forth a banner of profound, light-devouring blackness—a Demonic Banner [an enchanted banner imbued with demonic power].

Soaring into the skies above Void Heaven, the banner trembled in the Demon Sovereign's grasp. Instantly, a boundless tide of shadowy Fiendish Energy [the corrupt spiritual energy cultivated by fiends and demons] engulfed the endless void.

"Kekeke!"

Amidst a chorus of shrill, mournful wails, tens of thousands of vengeful wraiths poured forth from the Demonic Banner, surging towards the group with murderous intent.

Witnessing this, Xuan Yu Immortal hastily activated his Divine Ability to defend, his expression turning grave as he urgently warned, "Beware! That is the Demonic Path [the cultivation arts of demons and fiends] supreme treasure—the Myriad Soul Banner [a banner that captures and commands countless tormented souls]!"

"Hmph—"

Eldrin Chen's expression darkened, and he immediately unleashed the boundless Thunderclap Force [a supreme thunder-based divine ability].

In that instant, billions of Thunderclap [thunderous strikes] inundated the void. The overwhelmingly domineering Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [divine thunder imbued with the essence of the primordial sun] drowned everything, causing the myriad spectral ghosts to shriek in agony. Countless were instantly reduced to ashes.

When Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of unorthodox and malevolent cultivation arts] refine their magical treasures, the materials they use are often extremely vile, sparing no wicked method.

The treasures of righteous path cultivators, however, typically require meticulously selected rare and precious materials for refinement, their substance often far surpassing that of the Demonic Path [the unorthodox and malevolent cultivation path].

Therefore, by comparison, while Demonic Cultivator often possess far more magical treasures than their righteous counterparts, these artifacts are also far more fragile.