Chapter 274 : Sword of the Ascendant Flame

In contrast, those Purple Mansion Demonic Cultivators [practitioners of malevolent arts who have reached the third major cultivation realm], who had long secluded themselves within the Demon Cave Cavern [a notorious stronghold for demonic practitioners] and rarely ventured out, failed to recognize the newcomer at first glance.

Of course, this was also because the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a legendary immortal sword imbued with the power of Separated Flame], having advanced to the Fourth Rank [a grade of power equivalent to the Golden Core realm], had seen its might increase dramatically.

Fourth Rank Immortal Swords [immortal swords of Golden Core grade] are exceedingly rare, and their advancement is a feat of immense difficulty. As this particular sword had ascended merely a few months prior, the Demonic Cultivators [practitioners of unorthodox, often malevolent, cultivation arts] had not yet received the news, leaving them momentarily unable to place the wielder's identity.

"The first time I saw him a century ago, he was merely at the first layer of Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation], yet he defeated two Foundation Establishment cultivators working in tandem and slew both Zhang Morgrim and Zuo Zhouqi."

"Now, after just over a hundred years, this Eldrin Chen has undergone a profound metamorphosis. I fear even an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed their spiritual power into a Golden Core, the third major realm] might find it difficult to subdue him."

"If you wish to throw your lives away, go right ahead."

Hong Morgrim let out a cold sneer and, seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, stealthily fled into the distance.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen, having merged his form with his sword, unleashed azure sword auras that cleaved through the air with overwhelming force. He faced seven or eight Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators of the third major realm, where one opens the Purple Mansion within their dantian] without a trace of fear.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss revealed its unparalleled sharpness. Wherever it passed, demonic monsters faltered, and it severed seven or eight Third Rank [a grade of power equivalent to the Purple Mansion realm] Demonic Treasures [powerful artifacts forged and wielded by demonic cultivators] in succession.

"How presumptuous!" Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel .c om.

The Purple Mansion, Late Stage elder demon, witnessing Eldrin Chen's formidable display of power, unleashed his Lifebound Demonic Treasure, the Black Blood Canopy [a vile magical treasure that corrupts a cultivator's essence and tools], sending it to envelop Eldrin.

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy as he recognized the origin of this artifact. The Black Blood Canopy was an exceptionally malevolent Demonic Path Magical Treasure.

The method of forging this treasure was utterly abhorrent. To refine it to the Third Rank High Grade required capturing three million three hundred thirty thousand mortals, infecting them with a virulent plague until they perished.

Their hair would then be gathered and woven into the demonic vessel, which was subsequently tempered day and night with the tainted, plague-ridden blood until completion.

Once forged, the treasure's power was profoundly sinister, specializing in corrupting a cultivator's Magical Tool [enchanted implements] and True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body].

Even a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivator, if ensnared beneath its canopy, would find both their True Essence and Magical Tool utterly defiled, ultimately dissolving into a pool of festering blood.

In the past, Hong Morgrim had also succeeded in forging such a treasure, only for it to be ultimately destroyed by Old Patriarch's Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation Flags.

Now, seeing this Purple Mansion, Late Stage elder demon dare to wield such an abomination, Eldrin Chen swept his sword aura forth. With a resonant *clang*, he cleaved the Black Blood Canopy clean in two. Separated Flame [a potent, purifying spiritual flame] surged along the sword's edge, reducing the remnants to ashes.

"Agh—!" The elder demon cried out in agony, spewing a mouthful of blood. "My Demonic Treasure!"

Recognizing the lethal sharpness of Eldrin Chen's immortal sword, the group of Purple Mansion elder demons felt the urge to retreat. They began maneuvering to escape while simultaneously driving the surrounding Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of heretical, power-at-any-cost cultivation arts] to swarm and delay their foe.

Yet at that very moment, the group had already carved a bloody path through the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic, often malevolent, arts]. Several False Core Cultivator [cultivators who have formed a flawed, unstable imitation of a Golden Core] gave chase.

Old Patriarch cast a sweeping glance over the battlefield and, with a flick of his hand, unleashed the White Metal Star Pearl. The seven stellar treasure pearls whirled with the dual energies of Yin and Yang, transforming into a torrent of Yin-Yang Annihilation Vapor [a destructive vapor born from the mutual annihilation of opposing Yin and Yang forces] that cascaded down upon the foe.

The might of this single strike rivaled a full-force assault from a False Core Cultivator, and it was a devastating area-of-effect divine ability.

For a moment, the Yin and Yang energies annihilated everything in their path. Countless Qi Refinement [the initial stage of cultivation, focusing on refining one's vital energy] and Foundation Establishment [the stage where a cultivator solidifies their foundation for future advancement] Demonic Cultivator had their physical bodies torn asunder. Even the Purple Mansion Demonic Cultivator [demonic cultivators who have opened their Purple Mansion, the spiritual sea within] were forced to devote their full strength merely to resist the crushing pressure.

Seizing this golden opportunity, Eldrin Chen summoned his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, the Formless Sword, and several other immortal swords to strike at the powerful enemies. In that brief window, he managed to slay multiple Purple Mansion Demonic Cultivator.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss proved itself worthy of its reputation as a Pure Yang Immortal Sword [an immortal sword imbued with the pure, unadulterated power of Yang]. Against the suppressed Purple Mansion Early to Mid Stage Demonic Cultivator, it cut through them as effortlessly as slicing melons or chopping vegetables.

Faced with the combined might of six combatants possessing False Core-level power, even the Purple Mansion Demonic Cultivator found it impossible to defy the heavens. The group slaughtered over a dozen of these Purple Mansion Demonic Cultivator, causing the Demonic Cultivator ranks to completely collapse and rout.

Witnessing the Demonic Cultivator forces break and flee, the Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern's expression twisted into one of frantic fury. Yet, this fiend truly lived up to being a Golden Core, Late Stage Demonic Cultivator.

Even confronted with such a dire situation, he did not flee. Instead, he summoned several Demonic Treasure [magical artifacts forged and powered by demonic arts] and launched a relentless assault against the group, desperately trying to buy more time.

His Blood-Transmuting Demon Blade was especially fearsome, its baleful aura dominating the field. So potent was its power that even Lyra Jiang, fighting in concert with the others, found it difficult to break through his defenses and defeat him.

Seeing that time could no longer be delayed, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the other combatants possessing False Core [a cultivation stage just below the true Golden Core Realm] strength. He cautioned them, saying,

"We shall lend our aid, but be cautious. Intervene from a distance using your Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and do not recklessly charge forward."

"Understood."

The group nodded in agreement and began to surge forward, encircling and attacking Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern.

To ensure this battle yielded results, Lyra Jiang had lent the group several Fourth Rank Low Grade Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts] that she herself had little use for.

Elara Lin summoned forth her Ink Snow Immortal Sword, Xavier Xu unleashed his Green Sun Demon-Piercing Shuttle, Fang the Ancient Ancestor brought forth the Heaven and Earth Ethereal Dragon Seal, and Hibiscus, the Immortal Maiden of the Violet Abyss Sect wielded the Heaven-Scorching Golden Sun Lamp. Find this and other novels at audio~novel.com.

Coupled with Eldrin Chen's Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss and Crimson Sun Void-Immolating Crucible, the relentless assault began to wear on Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern, a constant vexation he could scarcely endure.

For half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], the two sides clashed. Time and again, Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern sought to eliminate the meddlesome False Core Cultivator [cultivators at the False Core stage], but each attempt was thwarted by Lyra Jiang.

Faced with such a stalemate, he finally found himself at a disadvantage. In a duel between cultivators, once the tide turns against you, reversing it becomes a formidable task; a single misstep could lead to severe injury or even death.

After dozens more exchanges, Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern grew weary. Fearful that Lyra Jiang might seize an opening to deploy the Mirror of the Vast Heaven for a fatal strike, the seed of retreat finally took root within him.

He desperately activated his defensive Demonic Treasure [an enchanted artifact forged with demonic energy], the Shadow Demon Pagoda, and slashed out with the Blood-Transmuting Demon Blade to parry the combined assault. Ultimately, he managed to tear open a gap in their encirclement and fled for his life.

"You think you can escape?"

In that very instant, Lyra Jiang's eyes flashed with cold light. She instantly summoned forth the Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations [a supreme offensive technique that harnesses the annihilating power of five cosmic calamities].

This Great Divine Ability [a supreme and powerful supernatural technique] possessed unparalleled destructive force. It tore through the endless void and struck directly at the Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern. At this moment of life and death, the Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern desperately reinforced his Shadow Demon Pagoda, yet its defenses were shattered in an instant.

At the critical moment, the fiend managed to evade the fatal blow, but his left arm was completely obliterated, reduced to motes of dust by the Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations.

Though grievously wounded, the Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern, drawing upon his formidable power, transformed into a crimson blade of demonic energy and shot deep into the heart of the demonic caverns.

"A pity."

"We failed to slay that monster."

Lyra Jiang's face was somewhat pale as she spoke with regret.

The Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations was an offensive Great Divine Ability. When fueled by her spiritual power, it possessed the might to slay even Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm] demonic monsters.

Unfortunately, the environment within the Demon Cave Cavern was peculiar, and coupled with the old fiend's extreme speed, he barely managed to evade this strike.

"It matters not," Lyra Jiang said calmly. "This beast has suffered a grievous wound. Its strength will diminish by ten to twenty percent, making the ensuing battle considerably easier."

Eldrin Chen approached and handed her a Pill to restore her mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques].

After swallowing the Pill and recovering a measure of her mana, Lyra Jiang wasted no time. She led the group deep into the heart of the Demon Cave Cavern.

This time, with no high-ranking Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use malevolent and often sacrificial methods to gain power] to bar their way, their progress was swift. In merely half a month, they reached the core where the Demonic Spring [a font of corrupted spiritual energy that empowers demonic beings] lay.

The location of the Demonic Spring was an immense cavern at the earth's heart. To call it a cavern, however, was an understatement; it was more akin to an entire subterranean world.

The moment Eldrin Chen entered, he sensed the profound depth of this underground realm. It stretched for thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], a vast and yawning expanse.

"*Hmm*—"

Just then, a clear, resonant sword cry echoed from the depths of the Demon Cave Cavern.

Their gazes snapped towards the sound. They saw that Zhang the True Person [a title for a Golden Core realm cultivator] had already cleaved his way through the cavern's passages, arriving one step ahead of them.

At this moment, Zhang the True Person was locked in a fierce battle against two Golden Core-realm Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic or unorthodox methods]: Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern and Yan Morgrim.

"Perfect timing."

Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Zhang the True Person let out a hearty laugh and said, "Fellow Daoist Lyra, quickly escort Senior Mirror of the Vast Heaven to suppress the Demonic Spring [a corrupted spiritual spring that serves as a source of demonic energy]." Original English translation available at audio-novel .c om.