Chapter 154 : Heaven-Sword's Resurgence

"We cannot let this vile creature escape."

Seeing it attempt to flee, Yang the Ancient Ancestor bellowed a command and urgently signaled for the others to give chase.

Xavier Xu gritted his teeth, his mind agreeing that they could not let such a golden opportunity slip away. A Demonic Beast at the Purple Palace, Peak Stage possessed overwhelming combat power; typically, even two or three cultivators at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage might struggle to subdue it.

Once decided, Xavier Xu retrieved a treasure talisman from his Storage Bag. Upon activation, the talisman transformed into a blade of azure-white sword aura [a solidified manifestation of sword intent and energy] that shot across the void with a metallic *shing* to strike its target.

This talisman was named the 'Firmament Heaven-Sword Talisman', containing the divine ability known as 'Firmament Heaven-Sword'. This technique was the signature, sect-guarding divine ability of the Firmament Sword Sect within the Chu Kingdom.

The power of this divine ability was utterly terrifying, its reputation for slaughter and conquest resonating throughout the Chu Kingdom, earning it the title of the kingdom's foremost offensive technique.

It was said that the current sect master of the Firmament Sword Sect had even used this ability to slay a Demonic Cultivator of the Golden Core Realm. During the Demonic Tribulation [a period of great calamity caused by demonic forces] instigated by the Withered Bone Elder Demon one hundred and fifty years prior, it was this very man who, alongside the previous sect master of the Green Sun Sect, had joined forces to subdue the foe.

Legend held that the Withered Bone Elder Demon had been struck a blow by the Firmament Heaven-Sword, a wound that ultimately allowed the previous Green Sun Sect sect master to seal and annihilate him using the sect's supreme treasure, the 'Mirror of the Vast Heaven'.

Now, as the Firmament Heaven-Sword manifested once more within the Vast and Boundless Wilderness, even though it was merely contained within a Third Rank High Grade Treasure Talisman, the might it displayed far surpassed that of ordinary Third Rank High Grade divine abilities.

The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent, already suppressed by the combined assault of magical treasures and techniques from Eldrin Chen and the others, found itself with no ordinary means left to parry this final, devastating strike. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel`com.

At this critical juncture between life and death, it could only spit out its Demonic Core [the condensed essence and power source of a demonic beast] to block the attack, hoping to preserve its own life.

"Clang—"

The sword's hum shook heaven and earth. The Firmament Heaven-Sword [a supreme sword technique that calls upon the power of the heavens] traversed a thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] of void in an instant and crashed down upon the Demonic Core with a thunderous impact.

The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent [a powerful serpent demon with violet-hued blood and a voracious nature] let out a pained shriek. Though it had blocked the strike, its Demonic Core was severely damaged, actually cleaved open with a visible crack.

Damage to a Demonic Core is a catastrophic loss for any Demonic Beast [a beast that cultivates demonic energy]. Henceforth, barring some heaven-defying opportunity, it would have no hope of ever breaking through to the Demon King Realm [a powerful realm equivalent to the Golden Core stage for cultivators].

Yet, its life was preserved. It frantically swallowed its damaged Demonic Core and immediately fled into the distance.

Before anyone could give chase, a massive serpent tail swept down from the sky, stirring up a tempestuous gale that blocked their path.

It was the Celestial Python Demon King [a powerful python demon king] who had intercepted their attacks. With a cold, reptilian glare at the group, it understood that with the Violet-Blooded Serpent defeated, continuing the fight would leave it surrounded. A desire to retreat took hold.

"We cannot let it escape!"

Watching the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent flee several thousand Zhang-lengths away, Yang the Ancient Ancestor [the revered founding ancestor of the Yang Clan], having just lost his clan's supreme treasure, could no longer remain still. Defying the intimidating presence of the Celestial Python Demon King, he urged his Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword [a flying sword imbued with the power of thunder and blazing fire] forward in pursuit.

"Disaster."

Eldrin Chen's heart lurched. He wanted to intervene and offer aid, but it was already too late.

The Celestial Python Demon King's gaze instantly turned icy. From its eyes erupted two beams of crimson radiance that shot downwards—this was the infamous Demonic Tribe divine ability, the 'Crimson Pupil Demon Gaze' [a lethal gaze attack that channels demonic energy through the eyes].

The moment he saw the Crimson Pupil Demon Gaze, Yang the Ancient Ancestor jolted awake from his impulsive rage, realizing with a shock his own recklessness.

He hurriedly summoned his Yang Fire Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique of pure yang fire] and unleashed his Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword, while desperately activating his Purple-Gold Heaven's Net Canopy [a defensive canopy woven from purple-gold energies] in a frantic attempt to block the strike.

The crimson radiance swept forth, shattering the Yang Fire Divine Thunder and leaving a web of cracks upon the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword before crashing against the Purple-Gold Heaven's Net Canopy.

The Purple-Gold Heaven's Net Canopy held for barely half a breath before being utterly torn asunder. The remaining sliver of crimson light, still possessing a tenth of its initial power, tore through Yang the Ancient Ancestor's flesh with a sickening *shriek*, leaving a ghastly wound that pierced deep into his vitals.

"Aaaargh—!"

Yang the Ancient Ancestor let out a blood-curdling scream and plummeted from the sky.

The Celestial Python Demon King moved to pursue and finish him, but Lyra Jiang had already consecutively activated two of her Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded and most powerful enchanted artifacts] to strike. Their combined assault dimmed the glow of the demon king's defensive treasure, and its Protective Primordial Aegis [a protective barrier of primordial energy] was already seventy to eighty percent depleted.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen and the others had already charged forward and engaged Yang the Ancient Ancestor, the Celestial Python Demon King [a powerful serpentine demon ruler] understood that continuing the fight would likely yield no advantage. It decisively gathered its power, shielded the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent, and fled from Heaven's Ruin Mountain [a significant mountain range and cultivation site].

"The Mountain-Cleaving Soul-Severing Axe [a powerful magical axe capable of sundering mountains and severing souls]..."

Eldrin Chen caught Yang the Ancient Ancestor, only to find the man was half-conscious. Even at death's door, grievously wounded, this patriarch of the Yang Family was still fixated on his clan's supreme heirloom treasure.

Yang Yuanhe rushed over, his hands trembling as he tried to feed a Healing Pill [a medicinal pill for treating injuries] to Yang the Ancient Ancestor, his composure utterly shattered.

"Old Granduncle, you cannot leave! What will I do if you go?"

"The Yang Clan cannot be without you..." Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel .c om.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the Old Patriarch, a heavy, oppressive feeling settling in his chest.

Not far away, Lyra Jiang descended. After a glance at Yang Zhengyuan, she raised her hand, sending a stream of light into Yang the Ancient Ancestor's mouth, and then spoke.

Having done this, she shook her head and said, "His internal organs are damaged; the injury is extremely severe."

"This Azure Cloud Creation Pill [a high-grade pill with potent restorative properties] can stabilize his condition and preserve his life."

"However, after returning, he will need thirty years of recuperation to recover. Even after recovery, his combat prowess will be reduced by fifty to sixty percent, and his lifespan will likely be significantly diminished."

Yang Yuanhe stood rooted to the spot, still somewhat at a loss.

The Yang Family's clan-protecting supreme treasure was lost, and the Old Patriarch was grievously wounded and hovering near death. Yang Yuanhe, who had always sailed through life with smooth winds, was struck by such a devastating blow for the first time, finding it almost impossible to accept.

The group did not discuss the matter further. They summoned their Flying Sword [magical swords capable of flight] and soared towards Celestial Ruins Mountain.

After the Celestial Python Demon King [a powerful serpentine demon ruler] departed, the Demonic Tribe forces had already begun to crumble. Upon returning to Celestial Ruins Mountain, Lyra Jiang immediately led her people in a pursuit to press their advantage.

The pursuit and skirmishes lasted for over a month, only ceasing when the Demonic Tribe army had fully retreated into the depths of the Great Wilderness.

With the war concluded, everyone finally allowed themselves to breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Since Celestial Python Lake had withdrawn its forces, for Bianzhou and Celestial Ruins Mountain, this Beast Tide Calamity [a catastrophic invasion by demonic beasts] was effectively over.

After the war ended, everyone awaited the tally of the battle's results. Yet, merely half a month later, a shocking piece of news arrived.

On that day, Lyra Jiang gathered everyone, her expression grave as she spoke.

"News has just arrived, transmitted from the region of Yang Province."

"Scorched Sun Mountain has been overrun…"

"What!"

Everyone present paled in shock, and Yang Yuanhe lost his composure so completely that he rose from his chair.

Lyra Jiang nodded. Her expression had regained its calm, yet her eyes held a grave intensity as she spoke.

"The strength of Earth Lion Ridge has grown far beyond what it was a century ago. That Earth Lion Demon King has broken through to the Golden Core, Mid Stage, and the Verdant-Maned Lion under its command has also, at some unknown time, ascended to the Golden Core realm."

"Two great Demon King led an army of several hundred thousand from the Demonic Tribe to besiege Scorching Sun Ridge. After being trapped and defending for half a year, Xu the Ancient Ancestor of the Green Sun Sect chose not to fight but to flee. He was pursued by the two Lion Kings for three hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]."

"In the end, Xu the Ancient Ancestor was severely wounded. Only by relying on the protection of the Green Sun Sect's sect-guarding supreme treasure, the Mirror of the Vast Heaven [a legendary mirror capable of reflecting vast heavenly powers], did he barely manage to escape back to Green Sun Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but let his expression shift repeatedly.

The combined strength of Qing and Yang Provinces was formidable. The Green Sun Sect alone boasted sixteen Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have established their Purple Mansion, a core spiritual residence within the dantian], and the various Purple Mansion Family [families with at least one Purple Mansion realm cultivator as their pillar] across Qing and Yang Provinces added another thirteen such experts. This chapter is provided by audio-novel dot com. Support the original.