Chapter 198 : Frostblade's Desperate Stand

Seeing Eldrin Chen targeted by three Purple Mansion Demonic Beast simultaneously, Elara Lin's eyes narrowed slightly. She summoned her Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword and surged forward to engage.

She was a cultivator at the fifth layer of the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian]. Backed by Lyra Jiang's support, she wielded two Third Rank High Grade [a classification denoting the power and quality of cultivation resources] magical treasures. With such formidable combat strength, she was likely among the elite even within the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Purple Mansion realm].

In an instant, she soared into the air, intent on forcibly intercepting one of the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts whose power is equivalent to a cultivator in the Purple Mansion realm].

"Hiss—"

Yet, in that very moment, a streak of profound black light shot from the darkness, aiming directly for the distant Su Mingwei.

Su Mingwei was embroiled in a chaotic melee amidst a swarm of demonic beasts, just preparing to disengage and support Eldrin Chen.

Faced with the sudden ambush, she first activated her Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure personally refined and bound to a cultivator's life force], the Verdant Wood Divine Flame Canopy, releasing its Verdant Wood Divine Flame [a divine flame born from the essence of verdant wood] to block the attack. She then hurriedly summoned a Third Rank Middle Grade Defensive Magical Treasure [a magical treasure specialized for protection].

But in a flash, her Verdant Wood Divine Flame was extinguished. Even her Defensive Magical Treasure was pierced through. The terrifying black light, its momentum barely checked, shattered her Protective Aegis [a shield of protective energy surrounding a cultivator] and began corroding her meridians.

The assault was too sudden. As Su Mingwei suffered this grievous wound, the nearby Chen Thalion swiftly expanded his Crimson-Gold Banner of the Three Treasures to shield her, drawing her into its protective embrace.

The battle had just begun, yet two cultivators at the Purple Palace, Early Stage [the initial phase of the Purple Mansion realm] were already injured. A shadow of foreboding passed through the hearts of all present. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio—novel.com.

Only at this moment did the group realize that deep within the lake waters, a profound black demonic serpent was coiling its way towards them. The cultivation of this demonic beast was astonishingly high, reaching the Purple Mansion Seventh Layer [the seventh stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm].

Even more startling was the faint black horn beginning to protrude from its head and the glint of slaughterous light within its pupils.

"This is bad. This serpent's bloodline is undergoing ancestral reversion [a process where a creature's lineage awakens ancient, more powerful traits]; it should be on the verge of transforming into a flood dragon,"

Xu Darius exclaimed. A serpent nearing draconic transformation would likely be thirty percent more powerful than an ordinary beast at the Purple Mansion Seventh Layer.

In that instant, everyone finally understood. During the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts], the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent [a powerful serpent demon king], responsible for guarding its lair, had gone to the front lines. The reason was now clear: the Celestial Python Demon King had secretly nurtured a Purple Palace, Late Stage [a cultivator or beast at the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm] to guard Celestial Python Lake.

Facing such a Purple Palace, Late Stage ambush, it was no wonder Su Mingwei had been wounded from the outset. She had only broken through to the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm above Foundation Establishment] a little over thirty years prior. Her current cultivation was merely at the Purple Mansion Second Layer, and as a master alchemist, her combat prowess was not her strong suit.

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen scanned his surroundings. Yang Yuanhe was seriously injured, and Su Mingwei's combat effectiveness was reduced by half.

Those who still had strength to fight and could intercept this Black-Horned Serpent were now only Elara Lin, Xu Darius, and Yang Zhengyuan, who dared not unleash his full power.

Realizing this, he called out loudly to the three, "That fiend's bloodline has reverted. It is likely even more troublesome than the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent." "Leave these three abominations to me. You must go and hold back the Black-Horned Serpent."

Elara Lin, Xu Darius, and Yang Zhengyuan exchanged a glance. They understood they could not allow the Purple Palace, Late Stage Black-Horned Serpent to attack freely. Thus, the three joined forces and advanced to meet it.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] stood alone against three foes, engaging in battle with two Purple Mansion, Early Stage [the third major realm of cultivation, focusing on opening the spiritual mansion within] and one Purple Mansion, Mid Stage demonic serpent.

"Clang—!"

Meanwhile, the more than sixty human Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a stable foundation for their power] cultivators aboard the two Treasure Boats [enchanted vessels used for travel and combat] finally coordinated their efforts. Unleashing their combined might, they managed to block the outer perimeter of the inner lake, holding back the tide of Low-Rank Demonic Beasts [monstrous beasts of the lower cultivation ranks].

At that moment, Old Patriarch [the venerable leader of the Chen Clan] stood guard over the two severely weakened allies. While protecting them, he simultaneously channeled his own magical artifacts [enchanted tools used by cultivators] to engage the final Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [a monstrous beast whose power is equivalent to the Purple Mansion realm].

Yang Yuanhe and Su Mingwei were gravely wounded. They hastily swallowed restorative elixirs [pills refined from spiritual herbs with medicinal properties] to mend their injuries and restore their depleted energy. Su Mingwei was in particular peril, having been struck by a divine ability [a supernatural technique born from profound cultivation] of the Black-Horned Serpent. Until she suppressed the chaotic energy raging within her meridians [the energy channels within a cultivator's body], it would be impossible for her to rejoin the fight.

The serpent's divine ability, 'Black Malignancy Divine Radiance', was insidiously vicious. Its corrupting black malignancy Qi [a malignant, destructive form of energy] had invaded Su Mingwei's meridians. If she dared to mobilize her power without first quelling this internal turmoil, she risked immediate death.

In the past, a Purple Mansion Demonic Roc slain by the Chen Clan had met a similar fate. That Thunder Roc had been struck by the Golden Lion Mastiff's Western Pole Metallic Essence Flame. By forcibly pushing its power to battle the Chen Clan cultivators, it had been unable to contain its wounds and perished.

Amidst the chaotic melee, Eldrin Chen stood alone against three Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts. From the first clash, the battle descended into a desperate, grinding stalemate.

"Cleave!"

In that instant, Eldrin Chen summoned the Luofu Diamond Seal above his head for protection. He then unleashed the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss and several of his own divine abilities against the three monstrous serpents. Yet, he quickly found the combat far more arduous than expected.

Among the three Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [powerful demonic beasts at the Purple Mansion cultivation level], one Crimson Flame Serpent and one Frost Serpent posed little threat, their cultivation merely at the Purple Palace, Early Stage [the initial phase of the Purple Mansion realm].

Only that Verdant-Blooded Demonic Serpent was at the fifth layer of the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation stage above Foundation Establishment]. Being a water-wood attribute demonic serpent, the Verdant-Blooded Demonic Serpent could unleash astonishing combat prowess within the water.

Furthermore, it possessed three Third Rank Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts]. One, named the 'Heavenly Lake Treasure Pearl', was a Third Rank Middle Grade Defensive Magical Treasure [a protective artifact]. It could project a shield of water essence aegis, granting it formidable defensive power.

Within the lake's embrace, this serpent could fight at one hundred twenty percent of its strength, momentarily stalemating even Eldrin Chen.

The two early-stage serpents, sheltering behind their stronger kin, harried him relentlessly with their divine abilities and treasures, making him feel constrained and unable to maneuver freely.

In the open sky, such tactics would be futile against him. But here, his mobility was severely hampered by the water, denying him the opening needed to swiftly eliminate the two weaker beasts. For the best reading experience, visit audio~novel.com.

"This cannot become a war of attrition!"

Eldrin Chen's mind grew heavy, recognizing the precarious stalemate of the battle.

This Celestial Python Lake was a stronghold of the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic beasts and cultivators]. The longer the fight dragged on, the more reinforcements would surely arrive.

Victory hinged on shattering the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast vanguard. Only by breaking their command would the lower-ranked Demonic Tribe forces lose their cohesion, allowing a decisive blow to be struck.

In the span of a single breath, Eldrin Chen resolved to stake everything on a decisive battle, forcing a breakthrough in the deadlock.

In that instant, he channeled every last drop of his mana into his Lifebound Immortal Sword, unleashing the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss in a cleaving arc towards the Verdant-Blooded Demonic Serpent.

With Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, the might of this sword strike was nearly equivalent to a full-force assault from a Purple Mansion Late Stage Cultivators cultivator. If it landed, even the Verdant-Blooded Demonic Serpent's Heavenly Lake Treasure Pearl would likely withstand only a few such blows.

"*Screech!*"

The piercing shriek of the sword caused the pupils of the three-headed serpent demon to contract sharply. It reacted immediately.

The Verdant-Blooded Demonic Serpent was the first to move, instantly activating its Third Rank Magical Treasure, the Verdant Radiance Blade, to intercept the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. However, the power of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss now approached the Third Rank High Grade level—how could it possibly be blocked?

In a mere instant, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss sent the Verdant Radiance Blade flying and continued its relentless descent towards the Verdant-Blooded Demonic Serpent.

The serpent demon's pupils narrowed once more as a second magical treasure shot forth to meet the attack. This treasure was named the Celestial Azure Law Sword.

A Law Sword differs from an immortal sword. An immortal sword focuses on the physical blade and sword aura, emphasizing the unity of sword and energy. A Law Sword, however, possesses a more fragile blade but is inscribed with divine ability formation runes, allowing it to unleash specific divine techniques against foes.

This Celestial Azure Law Sword contained a divine ability named 'Celestial Azure Sword Dragon' [a powerful technique that manifests a dragon of sword energy]. While devastatingly powerful, each use required years of careful nurturing within the sword before it could be invoked again.

At this moment, as it was activated, it transformed into a verdant dragon that surged forth to meet the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss head-on, seeking to block its path. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio–novel.com.