Chapter 598 : Unleashing the Hundred Ghosts

As the scroll shuddered violently, over a hundred figures tumbled from its painted surface—each one a ferocious and malevolent ghost or demonic entity.

"Beware! It is the Hundred Ghosts Painting [a demonic artifact that imprisons and commands spectral beings]!"

Exquisite Jiang's expression shifted dramatically as she recognized the origins of this Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged through malevolent and often sacrificial means].

This Hundred Ghosts Painting was also a Superior Grade Demonic Treasure [a top-tier artifact of immense demonic power]. The hundred ghosts sealed within it were once Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power] Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use cruel, sacrificial, or otherwise evil methods to advance their cultivation], forcibly sacrificed and refined by Black Fiend Patriarch.

The material for this Hundred Ghosts Painting was refined from the skins of countless Demonic Cultivator, including even the hides of several Infant Soul [the stage following Golden Core, where the cultivator's nascent soul is formed] Demon Monarch [powerful rulers among demon-kind].

After forging this Hundred Ghosts Painting, Black Fiend Patriarch spent a millennium feeding the hundred ghosts within the painting the flesh, blood, and souls of mortals and cultivators alike. Through this gruesome nourishment, he had actually raised the cultivation of all hundred ghosts to the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core Realm].

As the Hundred Ghosts Painting descended now, it unleashed a horde of a hundred Golden Core Late Stage Ghost Cultivator [spirits or spectral beings who practice cultivation]. The sheer onslaught sent a chill down the spines of all the combatants.

"This is already the fifth Superior Grade Demonic Treasure! Just how many of these accursed things does this fiend possess?"

While channeling his Spiritual Treasure [a righteous artifact forged through orthodox means and imbued with spiritual power] to counter the Hundred Ghosts Painting, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel the mounting pressure.

Demonic Cultivator showed no scruples in the materials used to forge their Demonic Treasure. Unlike the exacting and pure requirements for orthodox Spiritual Treasure, they needed only sufficient numbers of mortals and cultivators as sacrificial fodder to bring their vile artifacts into being.

Though the Black Fiend Patriarch was only at the Infant Soul 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Infant Soul cultivation stage], he could produce five Superior Grade Demonic Treasure [exceptionally powerful enchanted artifacts aligned with demonic energy] with a single move, and this might not even be his full arsenal.

Even a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle of the Infant Soul stage] would typically possess only three or four Superior Spiritual Treasure [top-tier enchanted artifacts imbued with pure spiritual energy], their wealth paling in comparison to that of the Black Fiend Patriarch.

It was no wonder so many cultivators fell to the Demonic Path [a cultivation methodology that embraces dark, destructive, and often immoral practices]. Once one abandons the moral constraints of humanity, the difficulty of acquiring cultivation resources plummets drastically.

"Heh heh heh..."

Just as Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave, a tide of one hundred spectral fiends surged forth, their killing intent blotting the heavens, accompanied by eerie, twisted laughter as they charged towards him.

Witnessing the rampant ferocity of the hundred ghosts, a cold glint flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. The Bulwark Earth Imperial Bell [a powerful bell artifact that channels the unyielding and sovereign power of earth energy] above his head shot forth to suppress them with overwhelming force.

"BONG—"

A single, resonant toll of the bell echoed. The golden Ancient Bell [an ancient, powerful bell artifact] pressed down upon heaven and earth, its power so immense it forced the hundred ghosts to recoil and retreat.

Seizing this moment, Eldrin Chen soared skyward. He erupted with his Infant Soul Essence [the concentrated spiritual power of the Infant Soul stage], elevating his mana to a level comparable to an ordinary Infant Soul 6th Tier [sixth level Infant Soul cultivator]. Then, he activated the Great God Ability [a supreme divine technique] known as the Light-Splitting Shadow-Condensing Sword Art [a sword art that splits light and condenses shadows into lethal blades].

Boundless sword intent erupted in an instant. A single, illusory yet supremely sharp sword gleam, embodying the concept of Path Void [the Void of the Dao, representing emptiness and transcendence], began to coalesce within Eldrin Chen's body, poised to be unleashed and annihilate the hundred ghosts.

Yet in that very instant, Eldrin Chen focused his will and once more activated the divine ability Solar True Flame, merging the power of the two supernatural arts into one.

In a flash, billions of dazzling golden sword rays surged forth, like a celestial river formed from countless suns transforming into innumerable Immortal Sword that cleaved down. They carried the vast and mighty power of Primordial Solar [the purest, most potent form of solar energy] to drown everything in their path.

The power of Primordial Solar inherent in Solar True Flame was the natural bane of demonic treasures. Now, amplified upon the peerless offensive might of the Sword Path [the Dao of the Sword] Great God Ability, its lethality against Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use dark, corrupt methods to gain power] increased not by mere folds, but by an order of magnitude.

In the span of a single breath, a hundred Golden Core [a major cultivation stage where spiritual energy condenses into a solid core] malevolent ghosts were reduced to ashes by the countless golden sword rays.

Even the Hundred Ghosts Painting was pierced through with a thousand holes. Strands of Solar True Flame crept along the treasure scroll, setting it ablaze until it was utterly consumed, leaving only drifting cinders.

"A Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a supreme level of mastery for a supernatural art, granting immense power]," someone gasped.

The onlookers were struck with awe, realizing that by fusing Solar True Flame with his Sword Path technique, Eldrin Chen had attained a new comprehension of this Great God Ability. He had cultivated it to the realm of a Great Vehicle Divine Ability.

This was not merely a Great Vehicle Divine Ability; it was an entirely new Primordial Solar-infused Sword Path Great God Ability.

Only the might of a Great Vehicle Divine Ability could, amplified by its elemental supremacy, destroy a Fifth Rank High-Grade [a high-quality treasure of the fifth tier] Demonic Treasure [a magical artifact forged with or empowered by demonic energy].

"My Demonic Treasure!" wailed the old demon, his voice filled with anguish.

The destruction of a Superior Grade Demonic Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact forged with demonic power] elicited a pained cry from Black Fiend Patriarch.

He let out a shrill, agonized shriek, his face contorted with savage killing intent as he glared at Eldrin Chen. "I will see you dead, old man!" he roared.

As his words faded, the Black Fiend Patriarch raised his hand and summoned a sinister black spike. This weapon, forged from Wraith Mystic Iron [a rare, ghostly metal imbued with yin energy], had astonishingly reached the Fifth Rank High-Grade [a pinnacle level of power for artifacts].

This Wraith Demon Spike [a demonic spike specialized in piercing spiritual defenses] was the bane of defensive treasures and protective auras. Ordinary Fifth Rank Defensive Spiritual Treasure [fifth-rank protective artifacts] and defensive Great God Ability [powerful divine protective techniques] would likely fail to withstand its assault.

Not stopping there, he also commanded the main vessel of the Five Demons of White Bone Jar [a jar artifact housing five bone demons] to bear down upon Eldrin Chen, seeking to crush him with its immense weight.

Caught in this pincer attack, the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell [a mighty bell embodying the unyielding essence of earth] was instantly sent flying. The impact forced a trickle of blood from Eldrin Chen's lips, inflicting internal injuries.

As the sinister spike prepared to strike again, Eldrin Chen was about to activate the Polarity Void Mirror [a mirror capable of short-range spatial teleportation] to evade.

However, Lila was nearby. She immediately expanded the Frost Soul Jade-Condensing Pagoda [a pagoda that radiates soul-chilling cold and condenses protective jade energy], using the formidable Treasure Body [the indestructible physical form of a high-grade spiritual treasure] of this Superior Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-grade enchanted artifact] to block the lethal blow.

"Damn it all!"

Seeing this, the Black Fiend Patriarch moved to press his attack, but Vast Righteousness True Lord finally erupted in fury, his expression turning thunderous.

"Do you truly believe this venerable one does not exist?"

At that moment, Vast Righteousness True Lord erupted with his Infant Soul Essence [the condensed spiritual core of an Infant Soul cultivator], pushing his magical power to the realm of Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle stage of the Infant Soul realm]. He then activated a supremely majestic Great God Ability [a divine-level technique of immense power].

Above the heavens, a vast and righteous aura swept across mountains and rivers. An endless tide of pure, untainted energy descended like a crushing weight, forcing the Obsidian Fiend Old Demon to cough up blood and retreat in defeat.

At the critical moment, the Obsidian Fiend Old Demon summoned a crimson cloud of blood, which finally managed to block the attack from Vast Righteousness True Lord.

"It is the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud [a demonic treasure forged from the refined blood essence of countless souls]!"

Violet Consort Yan exclaimed, her composure shattered as she recognized the origin of this seventh Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged with demonic energy and techniques].

The Myriad Souls Blood Cloud is refined from the blood essence of countless mortals and cultivators, infused with Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent, corrupting energy] and the mists of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms]. When unfurled, it renders the user impervious to myriad techniques, making it one of the most superior defensive Demonic Treasure.

Judging by the sheer volume of this Myriad Souls Blood Cloud, the mortal blood consumed in its forging could likely fill several great lakes. The number of mortals who perished to create it must be in the hundreds of millions. No wonder even Violet Consort Yan was shaken.

"*Clang!*"

Exquisite Jiang channeled her Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal-grade power] and brought it down, slaying the female Demon Monarch [a high-ranking demonic being] before her. Her gaze turned icy as she said, "The Obsidian Fiend Old Demon possesses numerous Demonic Treasure, and the Demonic Spring [a spring of demonic energy] provides him with a seemingly endless supply of magical power."

"With Vast Righteousness True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] alone, it would likely be difficult to slay him. Let us act swiftly to eliminate this formidable foe, then lend True Lord [a high-level title for a cultivator] a hand."

"Agreed."

The group nodded in unison, continuously channeling their divine abilities and unleashing their magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

Although the few remaining demonic leaders and the female cultivator Demon Monarch [a title for a powerful demon] possessed Extraordinary strength, they could not withstand the combined assault of the group. One by one, they were surrounded and slain within the void.

"Damn it all!"

Watching his subordinates fall, Black Fiend Old Demon's expression twisted with fear.

While his power was indeed Extraordinary, it largely relied on the Demonic Spring [a sinister spiritual spring] and the might of his multiple Demonic Treasure [demonic enchanted artifacts]. Now, with both the Hundred Ghosts Painting [a painting that summons spectral entities] and the Five Demons of White Bone Jar [a jar containing five bone demons] destroyed, he found it difficult to hold his ground against the assembled force.

With this thought, he retreated entirely into the protective shroud of the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud [a crimson cloud forged from countless souls]. Relying on his remaining Demonic Treasure and the formidable defense of the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud, he desperately parried the relentless onslaught, hoping to hold out until the mountain-protecting Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent protective energy field] could regenerate.

Eldrin Chen and the others pressed their siege, yet they soon realized their combined assaults could not breach the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud. Meanwhile, Vast Righteousness True Lord was being barely held at bay by the old demon, who used his few remaining Demonic Treasure to mount a stubborn defense.

Seeing their attacks prove Impenetrable [unable to penetrate] against his defenses, Black Fiend Old Demon let out a grating, triumphant laugh. "Cackle, cackle, cackle! You cannot kill this venerable one today! Mark my words, in the days to come, I shall hunt you down one by one and refine each of you into a demonic servant kneeling at my feet!"

"Is that so?"

Vast Righteousness True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator known for his immense moral authority]'s voice turned icy cold as he finally seized the fleeting moment and unleashed his full power.

In that instant, a beam of supremely dazzling radiance descended from the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky]. The light blazed with a golden brilliance, emitting a blinding, resplendent glow.

It was as if a miniature sun had plummeted from the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms], carrying the power to shatter heaven and extinguish earth as it smashed down upon the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud [a sinister treasure formed from countless condensed souls and blood essence].

"This is—!"

The Black Fiend Patriarch [a patriarch of a demonic sect]'s expression shifted drastically, revealing utter despair.

Facing him, the Vast Righteousness True Lord spoke with serene finality: "Heaven and Earth possess the Vast Righteous Energy [the fundamental, all-pervading energy of righteousness and moral order]. And the very source of all this righteous energy is the Great Sun [the supreme celestial body] of the Nine Heavens Above."

"This divine ability was recently conceived by this lord. It is named 'Vast Sun Cleansing Heaven and Earth' [Great Sun Purges Heaven and Earth], also known as 'Nine Heavens Starfall Great God Ability' [Nine Heavens Starfall Divine Technique]."