Chapter 200 : A Desperate Stand at Violet Sanctum

With the cultivation levels of Distant Grain Yang and Tea Rose Su, if they were at their peak strength and joined forces, they might barely have withstood this strike.

But now, already wounded and further hampered by the Violet Sanctum Demonic Python, it was utterly impossible for them to survive this blow.

Witnessing Distant Grain Yang on the brink of death, Cyrus Yang could no longer restrain himself. Ignoring the injuries within his body, he disregarded everything to channel his Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword and slash towards the Mountain-Splitting Soul-Severing Axe.

Yet, being merely at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage, how could he possibly block a Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] wielded by a Violet Sanctum 9th Tier demonic beast?

In but an instant, the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword suffered a grievous blow, its radiance dimming as it was sent flying back.

However, Cyrus Yang had prepared for this. Seizing the fleeting moment his sword bought him, he forcefully activated the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield and hurled it forth to intercept the Mountain-Splitting Soul-Severing Axe, finally managing to parry the lethal strike.

At that very moment, Xavier Xu and Percival Pan unleashed their full power. Their two Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure battered the Purple Blood Pagoda until its light trembled violently, forcing the Purple Blood Heavenly Python to devote its full attention to the defense.

"ROAR—"

Yet, at this juncture, a cold glint flashed in the pupils of the Black Horned Python as it let out another earth-shaking bellow.

It used its Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure to block Elara Lin's Nine-Condensed Profound Ice Spike, then, relying on its Art of Divine Subjugation [a powerful body-strengthening technique] to endure their combined assaults, it unleashed the Black Miasma Divine Light [a deadly beam of corrosive dark energy] straight at Cyrus Yang. Official source: audio—novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

To protect Cyrus Yang, he had already deployed his Third Rank Superior Grade defensive magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used for protection] and his Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force]. At this moment, he could only muster the strength to activate the Violet Calamity Tribulation Thunder Pearl [a pearl that unleashes calamitous violet thunder] to block the attack.

Yet in an instant, the treasure was sent flying. The residual power of the Black Miasma Divine Light [a divine light technique that unleashes a corrupting black miasma] continued its assault on Cyrus Yang unabated.

Facing this life-or-death strike, Cyrus Yang forcibly channeled the Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique born of a third-tier blazing fire]. A tearing pain erupted from his internal injuries, causing the spiritual energy he had gathered to falter, diminishing by half. The power of the unleashed divine ability was greatly reduced.

His heart sank in that fleeting moment, but it was too late to remedy the situation. The Black Miasma Divine Light swept aside the weakened Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder and, its momentum barely checked, slashed toward Cyrus Yang. It shattered his final protective aura in one blow and invaded his meridians [the channels through which spiritual energy flows in the body].

"Aaaargh—!"

Cyrus Yang let out a wretched cry, suffering a grievous and brutal wound. Yet, a ferocious glint flashed in his eyes.

Having reached this point, he simply cast aside any attempt to suppress his injuries. He swallowed an Instant Life-Seizing Pill [a pill that seizes one's remaining lifespan for immediate power] and, recalling his magical treasure and flying sword, threw himself into a desperate fight to the death with the Black Horned Python [a massive serpent demon with black horns].

That Instant Life-Seizing Pill was a third-rank Precious Pill [a high-grade medicinal pill] used for such desperate, final stands. Upon consumption, it forcibly suppresses all non-lethal injuries within the body, allowing the user to fight unimpeded. However, once the battle concludes, the user's Vitality [the foundational life force essential for cultivation] will be utterly exhausted, leading to certain death.

"You fiend! This old man will fight you to the end!"

After taking the pill, Cyrus Yang's aura surged and boiled over, tinged with the resolve of one marching to his doom. He hurled himself into the mortal combat against the Black Horned Python.

Seizing this opportunity, Eldrin Chen had already gained an overwhelming advantage. He drove his two Immortal Sword [enchanted swords wielded by cultivators] in a fierce assault. In merely seven or eight exchanges, he slew the Crimson Flame Python, whose combat prowess in the water had diminished.

The remaining Frost Python was even less of a match for him. Within the span of a few breaths, it too was slain within the lake's waters.

After consecutively slaying three formidable foes, Eldrin Chen fought as if bathed in blood, the aura of slaughter around him boiling to its peak.

His gaze shifted towards the opponents of Tea Rose Su and Yang Yuanhe. That piercing glare frightened the demonic python to its core, causing it to turn and flee in terror.

Yet Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh and once more summoned forth the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to strike.

Witnessing his divine might, the Purple Blood Heavenly Python and the Black Horned Python were both shocked and consumed by hatred. However, the Black Horned Python was already fully occupied, unable to disengage from the assault of three opponents. Only the Purple Blood Heavenly Python had a sliver of strength to spare.

The Purple Blood Heavenly Python let out a furious roar. While using the Purple Blood Pagoda and the Mountain-Splitting Soul-Severing Axe to hold off and contain the two cultivators, it simultaneously commanded a third-rank middle-grade Immortal Sword to slash towards Eldrin.

Eldrin Chen's eyes were cold and indifferent; he did not even raise an eyebrow. He summoned the Great Geng Immortal Sword to intercept the blow.

Seeing its single strike had failed to save its kin, the Purple Blood Heavenly Python roared again in fury. It activated its trump card divine ability, the Heavenly Python Devouring Heaven Art [a formidable serpentine technique that seeks to engulf and consume its target], intending to devour the Great Geng Immortal Sword in one fell swoop.

Yet, having suffered greatly from this technique in the past, everyone was already guarding against it. Seeing the demonic python attempt to wreak havoc with this ability once more, Xavier Xu produced a small, exquisite bell.

"Tinkling chimes!"

The delicate bell emitted crisp, ringing sounds. Ripples of formation patterns swept through the void, actually suppressing the Purple Blood Heavenly Python's Heavenly Python Devouring Heaven Art [a divine ability that allows the user to devour and absorb the essence of heaven and earth].

This treasure was named the 'Void Treasure Bell' [a magical bell capable of stabilizing and controlling space]. It was a superior-grade Third Rank Superior Grade magical treasure and a special artifact in the hands of Violet Consort Yan.

The 'Void Treasure Bell' could stabilize the void and was specifically designed to counter devouring-type divine abilities. For this battle, Exquisite Jiang had borrowed it precisely to neutralize the Purple Blood Heavenly Python's Heavenly Python Devouring Heaven Art.

Having failed twice to interfere with the rescue attempts, the Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the first major stage within the Violet Sanctum realm] demonic python finally reached its end.

The Violet Sanctum Early Stage python tried to flee but was momentarily blocked by Tea Rose Su's Supple Wood Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique imbued with the vitality and suppleness of wood]. When it raised its defensive magical treasure to block, it was held back by Yang Yuanhe. In the end, it was beheaded by the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. Support the author by reading on audio‑novel.com.

After slaying this Violet Sanctum Early Stage demonic python, Eldrin Chen's Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword cultivated as one's lifebound magical treasure, sharing a profound connection with its wielder] seemed faintly shrouded in an aura of baleful energy, sending a chill down the spine of the Purple Blood Heavenly Python.

"How can such a god of slaughter exist?"

By this point in the battle, everyone was aghast at Eldrin Chen's innate talent for combat. He truly seemed like a born, peerless Sword Immortal [an honorific title for a supreme master of the sword path]. His sharp, Slaughter-inspired combat instincts were enough to unsettle even a Violet Sanctum Late Stage [the final major stage within the Violet Sanctum realm] expert.

At this juncture, the Purple Blood Heavenly Python was no longer willing to risk its life recklessly. It stubbornly maintained its defensive magical treasure, the Purple Blood Pagoda, and attempted to maneuver and stall for time, waiting for reinforcements from the lower-tier demon beasts.

Yet Eldrin Chen calmly rode his sword forward to engage. Tea Rose Su and the others moved to assist, but Eldrin Chen stopped them.

He shook his head and spoke calmly, "You are injured. Do not take the risk. Go and help hold back the lower-tier demon beasts instead."

"Understood."

The two nodded. In their wounded state, facing a Violet Sanctum Late Stage demon beast carried the risk of death, but dealing with Foundation Establishment beasts would be far easier.

Seeing Eldrin Chen fly towards it, the Purple Blood Heavenly Python's pupils instantly turned cold. Yet, it spun around and fled into the distance.

However, Eldrin Chen unleashed two divine thunderbolts in succession, striking the Purple Blood Pagoda and causing its protective glow to flicker. He then commanded the Great Geng Immortal Sword to slash forward.

At the same time, Xavier Xu swallowed a Purple Essence Pill [a pill that restores spiritual energy], recovering thirty percent of his spiritual power. He then summoned the Golden Fire Dragon Shears to strike.

Not to be outdone, Percival Pan on the other side channeled his spiritual energy into the Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure—the 'Mountain and River Chart'—manifesting a vast landscape of mountains and rivers to press down with crushing force.

"Hmph—"

The Purple Blood Heavenly Python snorted coldly. After all, it was a Violet Sanctum Late Stage demon beast. Even with its injuries not fully healed, in a one-on-one fight, Eldrin Chen would certainly not be its match.

Yet, facing the simultaneous assault of three Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one forms a Violet Palace within their dantian] cultivators, it found itself at a disadvantage. These were no ordinary rogue cultivators. Each wielded a Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact that serves as the ultimate guardian of a major clan or sect], and all three were of Third Rank Superior Grade [a high-quality tier of magical artifacts, powerful enough to threaten Violet Sanctum cultivators]. Any single one of these treasures demanded its full attention, let alone all three converging upon it.

With a furious roar, the Purple Blood Heavenly Python [a powerful serpentine demon beast with purple-hued blood and scales] twisted its massive form, narrowly evading the strike from the 'Mountain and River Chart' [a magical scroll that can manifest the weight and power of mountains and rivers]. It raised its Purple Blood Pagoda [a pagoda-shaped defensive treasure forged from its own essence] to block the Golden Fire Dragon Shears [a pair of giant, fiery shears that move like a dragon], while simultaneously channeling spiritual energy into the Mountain-Splitting Soul-Severing Axe [a massive axe capable of cleaving mountains and severing souls]. The axe descended with terrifying force, aiming directly for the Great Geng Immortal Sword [a legendary sword of immense sharpness and metallic power]. Official source: audio-novel`com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.