Chapter 154 : The Firmament Sword's Descent

"We cannot let this vile creature escape!"

Seeing it attempt to flee, Patriarch Yang shouted loudly, urgently signaling for everyone to give chase.

Xavier Xu gritted his teeth, his mind agreeing that they could not let such a golden opportunity slip away. A Violet Sanctum Peak Stage demonic beast possessed combat power far too formidable; typically, even two or three Violet Sanctum Mid Stage cultivators might not be able to subdue it.

Once the decision was made, Xavier Xu retrieved a precious talisman from his Storage Bag. Upon activation, the talisman transformed into a blade of azure-white sword energy [a solidified, razor-sharp manifestation of sword intent and spiritual power] that, with a metallic *shing*, cleaved through the void to strike its target.

This talisman was named the 'Firmament Heaven Divine Sword Talisman', containing a divine ability [a supreme supernatural technique] known as the 'Firmament Heaven Divine Sword'. This divine ability was the sect-protecting supreme technique of the Firmament Sword Sect, a major power within Chu Nation.

The might of this technique was utterly astonishing, its Force Extreme [peerless, overwhelming power] renowned throughout Chu Nation for its Slaughter [annihilating, god-slaying] force, earning it the title of the nation's foremost offensive divine ability.

It was said that the current sect master of the Firmament Sword Sect had even used this technique to slay a Golden Core Realm Demonic Cultivator. During the demonic tribulation instigated by Desiccated Bone Old Demon one hundred and fifty years prior, it was this very man who, alongside the previous sect master of the Verdant Sun Sect, joined forces to confront the enemy.

Legend held that it was a strike from the Firmament Heaven Divine Sword that wounded Desiccated Bone Old Demon, ultimately allowing the previous sect master of the Verdant Sun Sect to suppress and execute him using the sect's Sect-Suppressing Supreme Treasure, the 'Heaven's Vault Mirror'.

Now, the Firmament Heaven Divine Sword reappeared within the vast expanse of the Great Wasteland. Though it was merely a Third Rank Superior Grade precious talisman, the power it unleashed far surpassed that of ordinary Third Rank Superior Grade divine abilities.

The Purple Blood Heavenly Python was already suppressed by the magical treasures and techniques of Eldrin Chen and the others. At this critical moment, it had no ordinary means left to block this final, devastating blow. For more chapters, visit audio-novel . com for the complete novel.

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

"Clang—"

The sword's cry shook heaven and earth. The Firmament Heaven Divine Sword traversed a thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] of void in an instant and slammed down upon the Demon Core with a thunderous impact.

The Purple Blood Heavenly Python let out a pained shriek. Though it had blocked the strike, its Demon Core was severely damaged, a visible crack now marring its surface.

Damage to a Demon Core is a catastrophic loss for a demonic beast. Henceforth, barring a heaven-defying opportunity, it would have no hope of ever breaking through to the Demon King [a powerful realm for demonic beasts, equivalent to the Golden Core stage for human cultivators] realm.

Yet, its life was spared. Swallowing its damaged Demon Core in a frenzy, it immediately fled into the distance.

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

It was the Heavenly Python Demon King intercepting their attacks. The Heavenly Python Demon King cast a frigid glare at the group. Knowing the Purple Blood Demonic Python was defeated and that continuing the fight would lead to being surrounded by the Human Race, it too began to consider retreat.

"We cannot let it escape!"

Watching the Purple Blood Heavenly Python flee several thousand Zhang-lengths away, Patriarch Yang, having just lost his Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of immense power used to protect and symbolize a clan's legacy], could no longer remain still. Defying the intimidating presence of the Heavenly Python Demon King, he activated his Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword and gave chase.

"Disaster!"

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

The Heavenly Python Demon King's gaze instantly turned icy. Twin beams of crimson light erupted from its eyes, unleashing a renowned Demon Race divine ability: the 'Crimson Pupil Demon Gaze' [a demonic eye technique that unleashes destructive beams of energy].

The moment he saw the Crimson Pupil Demon Gaze, Patriarch Yang jolted from his impulsive rage, realizing his recklessness.

He hastily summoned his Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder [a powerful thunder technique imbued with triple fire essence] and hurled his Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword, simultaneously activating his Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield [a defensive treasure woven from purple gold threads] in a desperate attempt to block the attack.

The crimson light swept forth, shattering the Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder and leaving a web of cracks across the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword before crashing against the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield.

The Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield held for barely half a breath before being torn asunder. The remaining sliver of crimson light, still possessing a tenth of its initial power, tore through Patriarch Yang's flesh with a sickening *shriek*, leaving a grievous wound that reached deep into his organs.

"Aaaargh—!"

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

The Heavenly Python Demon King moved to finish him off, but Exquisite Jiang was already upon it, consecutively driving her two Lifebound Magical Treasure [magical treasures bound to a cultivator's life force, growing in power with them] forward in a furious assault. Their strikes dimmed the radiance of the demon king's defensive treasure and eroded its protective energy barrier [a cultivator's defensive aura] by seventy to eighty percent.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen and the others had already charged forward and were restraining Patriarch Yang, the Heavenly Python Demon King realized that continuing the fight would likely yield no advantage. It decisively gathered its power, shielded the Purple Blood Heavenly Python, and fled from Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

"The Mountain-Splitting Soul-Severing Axe."

Eldrin Chen caught Patriarch Yang, only to find the man was half-conscious. Even at this critical juncture, grievously wounded and teetering on the brink of death, this Yang Clan Patriarch was still fixated on his clan's Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure.

That Cyrus Yang rushed over, his hands and feet trembling as he tried to feed healing pills to Patriarch Yang, his demeanor bordering on utter disarray.

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

"The Yang Clan cannot be without you..." Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel . com.

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

Not far away, Exquisite Jiang descended. After a glance at Cyrus Yang, she raised her hand and sent a beam of light flying into Patriarch Yang's mouth, then spoke.

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

"This Azure Cloud Creation Pill can suppress his wounds 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 visibly at a loss.

The Yang Clan's Clan-Suppressing 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 this immense blow for the first time, finding it almost impossible to accept.

"..."

Without further discussion, the group summoned their flying swords and soared towards Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

After the Heavenly Python Demon King's departure, the Demon Race forces had already begun to crumble. Upon returning to Heavenly Ruins Mountain, Exquisite Jiang immediately led a pursuit to press their advantage.

The chase and subsequent battles lasted for over a month, only concluding when the Demon Race army had fully retreated deep into the Great Wasteland.

With the war's end, everyone finally allowed themselves a deep sigh of relief.

With Heavenly Python Lake's forces having withdrawn, for Border Province and Heavenly Ruins Mountain, this Beast Tide was effectively over.

After the war concluded, as everyone awaited the tally of the results, a mere half-month later, a shocking piece of news arrived.

On this day, Exquisite Jiang gathered everyone, her expression grave as she spoke.

"News has just arrived, passed on from the direction of Solar Province."

"Scorching Sun Mountain has been breached…"

"What?!"

Everyone's faces paled with shock. Distant Grain Yang lost his composure entirely, rising abruptly from his chair.

Exquisite Jiang nodded, her expression settling into a calm mask, though her eyes held a deep solemnity.

"The strength of Earth Lion Ridge has grown far too much compared to a century ago. The Earth Lion Demon King has broken through to the Golden Core Mid Stage. Furthermore, the Azure-Maned Lion under its command has also, at some unknown time, advanced to the Golden Core Realm."

"These two Demon King led an army of several hundred thousand Demon Race to besiege Scorching Sun Ridge. After being trapped and defending for half a year, the Verdant Sun Sect's Patriarch Xu actually fled without engaging in battle. He was pursued for three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] by the two lion kings."

"In the end, Patriarch Xu was severely wounded. Only by relying on the protection of the Verdant Sun Sect's Sect-Suppressing Supreme Treasure, the Heaven's Vault Mirror, did he barely manage to escape back to Green Sun Mountain."

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

The Green Sun Two Provinces [a region named for its verdant and sun-drenched lands] possessed formidable strength. The Verdant Sun Sect [a major cultivation sect] alone boasted sixteen Violet Sanctum Cultivators [powerful cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major realm]. Furthermore, the various Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm] clans scattered across the Green Sun Two Provinces collectively fielded another thirteen such Violet Sanctum Cultivators. Continue reading this story at audio-novel .c om.