Chapter 139 : Clash of Frost and Crimson Blades

Seeing its initial strike fail, the Frost Python [a powerful serpentine demon beast with control over ice] widened its eyes, unleashing two beams of soul-chilling, bone-deep divine light.

"The Soul-Severing Frost Soul Radiance [a divine ability that directly attacks and severs the spiritual soul]!"

"Activate the Six Harmonies Divine Subjugation Formation [a defensive formation array] now!"

Eldrin Chen shouted. A luminous barrier instantly unfolded from the treasure vessel, intercepting the Soul-Severing Frost Soul Radiance.

This Soul-Severing Frost Soul Radiance was the Frost Python's innate divine ability. It specialized in wounding a cultivator's spiritual soul [the core consciousness and life force of a cultivator]. Once struck, a cultivator would often perish from severe soul trauma; even a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a major cultivation realm] would suffer grievous injury.

Fortunately, Kael Chen and the others reacted swiftly, directly activating the treasure vessel's defensive Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack] to block this fearsome ability.

The group was not one to merely endure attacks. Eldrin Chen immediately summoned forth his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a magical sword imbued with solar fire energy] and slashed towards the Frost Python, forcing the beast to deploy its seven Frost Immortal Sword [enchanted swords of ice] to parry and entangle the blazing blade.

Simultaneously, the Old Patriarch once again channeled energy into the Three Treasures Crimson Gold Flags [a set of three formation flags], unleashing their attached divine ability: 'Crimson Gold God-Slaying Sword Aura [a sword aura of crimson and gold capable of slaying deities]'.

This ability was a mutated form of a Demon Race [the race of demonic beings] Innate Divine Ability [a powerful ability born with a creature]. Now, amplified by the Old Patriarch's cultivation and empowered by the Formation, it transformed into a crimson-gold sword aura that soared into the sky and cleaved downward. Its power was in no way inferior to a full-force strike from a Violet Sanctum Cultivator.

The Frost Python's gaze sharpened. Lacking a Third-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] to defend itself, it had no choice but to expel its Inner Pill [the condensed core of a demon beast's cultivation and life force] to meet the attack. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel[dot]com.

With a deafening roar, the Demon Core [the condensed essence of a demon beast's cultivation] collided with the Crimson Gold God-Slaying Sword Aura. The resulting shockwave of energy tore hundreds of Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] long fissures across the earth.

After that single clash, the radiance of the Demon Core dimmed by a fifth, clearly having sustained minor damage.

Once its Demon Core was damaged, the beast swallowed it back into its belly, not daring to recklessly deploy this trump card again.

The Frost Python [a powerful serpentine demon beast with control over ice] shifted its gaze and unleashed its divine ability, 'Soul-Severing Frost Soul Radiance' [a beam of soul-numbing frost light]. Realizing it could not quickly breach the protective formation of the Impenetrable treasure ship, it redirected its assault towards the Old Patriarch.

Yet Eternal Profound Chen let out a cold laugh. With a wave of his hand, he activated the Three Treasures Crimson Gold Flags [a set of three crimson and gold formation flags] and summoned a third divine ability.

"Glazed Adamantine Barrier."

A golden, Glazed-like barrier materialized, shielding the Old Patriarch and completely blocking this innate Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beasts and fiendish cultivators] divine ability.

After all, it was merely an early Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation] demon beast without a signature magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. Having consecutively unleashed its innate divine ability, its Inner Pill [the core of a demon beast's power, similar to a cultivator's Golden Core], and its magical treasure, the Frost Python had already expended over thirty percent of its spiritual energy.

Seeing its initial onslaught fail to subdue its foes, the Frost Python realized these two opponents possessed extraordinary strength, each capable of matching it blow for blow. Fighting one against two, its chances of survival looked grim.

Yet it did not panic. With a furious roar, it summoned over a dozen Second Rank [equivalent to the Foundation Establishment realm for cultivators] demon beasts, breaking them away from their own skirmishes to swarm and encircle this battlefield.

Fortunately, the seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators [cultivators at the second major realm of cultivation] aboard the treasure vessel were not just for show. They quickly unleashed their magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] to intercept the demon beasts.

Kael Chen and the other Chen Clan cultivators further activated the Solar Trueflame Formation [a formation art that channels solar fire energy], driving the Solar Fire Heart-Locking Spike [a fire-attribute magical weapon] to strike down, instantly slaying one second-rank midgrade [a demon beast equivalent to a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator] demon beast.

Seizing this opportunity, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch showed no mercy, relentlessly launching attacks with magical treasures [enchanted artifacts] and divine abilities against the Frost Python [a powerful serpentine demon beast with ice attributes].

The Frost Python proved truly formidable. Even as Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch repeatedly employed the Blazing Heaven Sword [a powerful sword technique] and attacked with a second-rank high-grade magical treasure [a top-tier artifact for the Foundation Establishment realm] among other means, the beast countered each assault with a different spell.

As the battle reached its climax, it finally manifested a defensive Art of Divine Subjugation [a type of powerful cultivation technique] that withstood their myriad assaults.

This divine ability was named the 'Profound Ice Armor Shield' [a shield conjured from profound ice energy]. It transformed into a glacial barrier of light, protecting its caster. For a time, their combined techniques could not breach it; even the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a sword imbued with solar fire energy] struggled to pierce its defense.

Seeing that he could not immediately shatter its defense, Eldrin Chen gritted his teeth and swallowed an Essence Burst Pill [a pill that temporarily surges a cultivator's spiritual energy].

When he was at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage, a single Essence Burst Pill could boost his True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] by fifty percent. Now that he had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, the pill's efficacy had diminished significantly, yet it still increased his True Essence by thirty percent.

Currently, Eldrin Chen's True Essence was not the slightest bit weaker than the Old Patriarch's. Having now consumed the Essence Burst Pill, his power surged past a certain threshold, his energy gaining a fleeting characteristic that vaguely rivaled true [the higher-order spiritual power used by Golden Core cultivators and above, superior to True Essence].

With a roar, Eldrin Chen once again summoned the Solar Fire Ascension Sword [his signature fire-attribute sword]. In a blinding instant, he unleashed nine consecutive slashes, finally chiseling a breach in the Profound Ice Armor Shield.

"A prime opportunity!"

Old Patriarch's eyes lit up. He once again activated the seven Three Treasures Vermilion Gold Formation Flag. A dazzling crimson-gold sword aura slashed down.

Eternal Profound Chen had seized the moment with perfect timing. The Crimson Gold God-Slaying Sword Aura struck true, shattering the defense with a metallic clang and piercing through the Frost Python's body, leaving a massive, gaping wound.

"Hsss—"

Struck by this sudden, grievous blow, the Violet Sanctum Demonic Python let out a pained cry. It could no longer maintain its defensive Art of Divine Subjugation. Filled with shock and fury, it could only turn and flee in another direction.

On the other side, Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. As if driven by pure combat instinct, he raised his hand, channeling his divine ability. He summoned and unleashed the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder. Official source: https://audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

A deafening roar echoed like a thunderclap from the heavens. A bolt of Thunderclap [a thunderous strike] crashed down from the sky, seemingly prescient, sealing off the Violet Sanctum Demonic Python's escape route. It struck with uncanny precision, landing directly on the serpent's vital spot [the metaphorical "seven inches," a critical weak point].

The demonic python, its magical power already mostly depleted and now struck by this divine ability, suffered a blow to its vital point. This final strike shattered its chance to flee, paralyzing it completely for a fleeting instant.

An instant was all Eldrin Chen needed. Seizing that single breath of opportunity, he channeled his azure-blue sword aura and brought it down in a cleaving arc, severing the Frost Python's head from its body.

With the enemy slain in one decisive strike, both Old Patriarch and Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of relief. While the battle might sound straightforward, it had consumed over half of their True Essence [the refined, potent energy cultivated within a practitioner's body].

Though they had slain the Violet Sanctum Demonic Python, the pair had no time to rest. They hastily swallowed two Restoration Pill [pills that restore spiritual energy and vitality] and charged directly towards the Azure Flame Fox.

Seeing the two cultivators bearing down on it, the Azure Flame Fox revealed a look of fear. It was already no match for Path Abyss Xu alone; now that its opponent had two helpers with Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm] level combat power, how could it possibly prevail?

In its panic, it immediately activated its Third-Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], the Supple Wood Verdant Spirit Pearl, hurling it at Path Abyss Xu before turning to flee for its life.

Yet Path Abyss Xu would not let it have its way. With a swift motion, Path Abyss Xu summoned his Life-Bound Magical Artifact [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force], the Void-Refining Bulwark Earth Cauldron, unleashing the divine ability 'Void-Refining Divine Flame' to ensnare the Supple Wood Verdant Spirit Pearl. In the same breath, he raised his hand and commanded a flying sword of Third Rank Lower Grade [the lowest tier within the third rank of magical treasures] to slash through the air.

Cornered by the flying sword and with its signature treasure immobilized, the Azure Flame Fox could only resort to its Innate Divine Ability [a powerful innate technique], 'Azure Flame Foxfire'. Streaks of azure foxfire erupted, forming a barrier against the third-rank flying sword, as the beast continued its desperate flight, heedless of all else.

Watching the demon fox still attempting to escape, Path Abyss Xu furrowed his brow. With a flick of his wrist, he launched a bolt of Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder straight at the creature.

Yet the Azure Flame Fox proved to be remarkably resourceful. At this critical juncture, it still possessed a final trick. In an instant, it split into three azure fox phantoms, evading the Bulwark Earth Divine Thunder and scattering in three different directions to flee.

"The Green Fox Illusionary Shadow Travel Art?"

"So this is the famed escape technique of the Azure Flame Fox clan?"

"Hmph—"

Path Abyss Xu let out a cold snort, a flicker of icy indifference surfacing in the depths of his pupils. Read the full novel exclusively on audio_novel.com.