Chapter 277 Sacrificing Life for the Sword

At this very moment, the key battles raging in the distance had taken a drastic turn for the worse.

With the exception of Lyra (Person Name), both the Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure) and Elder Zhang were at a disadvantage. Under such unfavorable circumstances, the Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure) risked being suppressed once its energy was depleted.

Although Elder Zhang possessed formidable magical power, the master of the demonic cavern opposing him was no less formidable. Most critically, within the confines of the demonic cavern, this demonic entity could unleash combat prowess rivaling that of a Golden Core Perfection cultivator.

In this situation, Patriarch Zhang had already fallen into an absolute disadvantage, where a single misstep could likely lead to his perilous demise.

Elder Zhang scanned his surroundings, a grim realization settling in his heart. Seeing the dire situation unfold before him, he steeled himself with the resolve to meet his end.

He let out a bitter laugh, then suddenly declared in a resounding voice, "Even if I die today, old man, I will make your Demon Cavern pay a grievous price."

As his words fell, he forcibly disintegrated his physical form, his Golden Core hurtling toward the Sky-Piercing Immortal Sword ensnared by baleful energy, wrapped in flesh and blood.

Not good.

The Cave Lord of the Demonic Abyss sought to intercept, but alas, it was already too late.

Elder Zhang offered his own Golden Core as sacrifice to the sword, causing the Celestial Sword of the Azure Heavens to erupt with overwhelming power that forcibly severed the demonic spring's shackles of baleful energy.

It turned out that Patriarch Zhang was a direct descendant of the Azure Sky Immortal Sword's original master. Though millennia had passed, through his Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivation and a blood sacrifice ritual harnessing their shared lineage, he had unexpectedly elevated the sword's power to its absolute zenith.

This took everyone by surprise, for no 1 had expected that Elder Zhang would have such a connection to the Sky-Spanning Immortal Sword, nor that he would possess such overwhelming and resolute determination. At this moment, the Sky-Spanning Immortal Sword had fully awakened, as if wielded by a Nascent Soul True Monarch himself. With its first strike, it cleaved the Cave Lord of the Demon Abyss clean in 2.

Even after the Cave Lord of the Demon Abyss exhausted all his methods, only a single Golden Core managed to escape.

The second sword strike descended upon the Elder Demon of Taicang. Unscathed by grievous injury, the demon’s power here had even reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core realm.

However, even he dared not face such a strike head-on. At the cost of shattering 3 demonic treasures and sustaining severe injuries, he managed to flee.

The first sword strike consumed Master Zhang's bloodline essence, the second exhausted all of this man's cultivation base.

After 2 strikes, Elder Zhang’s bloodline and cultivation were completely depleted, and he fell silently on the spot. The might of the Sky-Piercing Immortal Sword diminished considerably.

It ceased its assault on the Golden Core demonic cultivator and instead surged forward to join the Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure) in besieging the 7 Baleful Demon Skull.

Even though the 2 Refining Devil Supreme Treasures were not at their peak state, their combined efforts still managed to suppress the arrogance of the 7 Baleful Demon Skull.

Seeing 3 of the 4 Golden Core old demons escape, the blood-robed elder still sought to flee for his life, but alas, it was already too late.

With bitter hatred, Lyra struck, unleashing the Divine Light of the 5 Void Tribulations. In a single blow, she annihilated the fiend between heaven and earth.

Although they had slain an old Golden Core demon and destroyed the Cave Lord of the Demon Abyss's physical form, the price paid in this battle was far too great.

Lyra let out a sigh, realizing they could no longer continue the battle. The fight had already lasted nearly 2 hours; any longer and the combat effectiveness of Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion cultivators—along with Purple Mansion demonic beasts—would gradually diminish.

Meanwhile, the demonic cultivator had a constant replenishment of baleful energy, and would inevitably recover his peak combat prowess. If this dragged on, the Ancient Abyss Demon of Taicang would most likely return to join the battle.

The 2 supreme demon-subduing treasures had been severely depleted during the previous Cataclysm of the Demon Abyss, and neither had yet regained their peak state. Even if the battle continued, it would likely prove difficult to suppress the 7 Baleful Demon Skull.

She glanced up at the sky and sighed helplessly before addressing the crowd, "Let's retreat for now. We'll reclaim our honor another day."

"These demonic cultivators."

Eldrin cleaved a Zifu-stage demonic cultivator in 2 with a single sword strike, his gaze chillingly cold.

The army began an orderly retreat, with Eldrin and several other False Core experts providing cover at the rear.

After half an hour, they finally emerged from the Demonic Abyss Cave. Hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators and numerous Purple Mansion Elders, disregarding their usual dignified demeanor, could not help but collapse onto the ground to begin expelling the baleful energy.

"Alas."

After emerging from the Demonic Cave, Eldrin gazed at the numerous cultivators surrounding him, a flicker of dejection passing through his heart.

Before this battle commenced, a total of 5 Golden Core cultivators had entered. However, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) betrayed the cause, the Supreme Purity Master was slain by his own sect leader's treachery, and Sect Leader Zhang met a truly heroic death.

Only Lyra (Person Name) and Spirit Princess Fairy managed to escape, while the demonic cultivators merely lost Blood Robe Ancestor—a single Golden Core cultivator in battle. It could be said this was an utterly devastating defeat.

Fortunately, the master of the demon cave had his physical body destroyed. Even with the power of the demonic spring to reconstruct it, it would still require the consumption of 60 years.

Venerable Sage Taicang (Person Name) had sustained severe injuries, while Old Demon Yan fared even worse—his Golden Core (Cultivation Base) had been shattered, temporarily causing his cultivation to plummet to the False Core (Cultivation Base) realm.

For both sides, this was an excruciatingly brutal war.

Boom—

In the brief moment Eldrin's thoughts flickered, 2 streaks of radiance shot out from the Demon Abyss Cave—precisely the Heaven-Soaring Immortal Sword and the Mirror of the Vast Heaven breaking through its confines.

"Retreat."

Gazing at the Demon's Maw Cavern before her, Lyra shook her head and said.

In such a situation, continuing the fight would be futile—even with the Heavenfire Demon-Suppressing Formation and the Azure Cyclic Array encircling the Devil's Abyss Cavern.

Next, there was the chaos of demon beasts, and for now, they lacked the strength to besiege the Demon Cave.

As the great army withdrew, several messages were sent out in succession.

7 days later.

Within the dojo of the Vaulted Heaven Sword Sect, inside a grand hall.

Several figures sat cross-legged in the hall, their expressions grave.

Aside from Eldrin (Person Name), all those present were Golden Core realm cultivators: Lyra (Person Name), Fairy Lingji, Elder Qian of the Azure Sky Sword Sect, Elder Lin, and finally, Elder Taiwu of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect.

At this moment, Elder Qian of the Azure Sky Sword Sect cast a gaze toward Taiwu Zhenren, a flicker of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"Grandmaster Taiwu, your Azure Sword Sect caused the fall of our sect leader. You must provide an explanation for this."

"This matter..."

Grandmaster Taiwu’s face was etched with deep sorrow. In the span of a single night, his senior apprentice-brother, the sect leader, had turned traitor—even going so far as to slay their junior apprentice-sister. It was a turn of events far beyond anything he could have foreseen.

Upon receiving this news, Elder Taiwu asked to have it repeated several times before the reality truly sank in.

Even now, Grandmaster Taiwu felt his mind was in a daze, his thoughts muddled and confused.

After a long while, he swallowed hard and said tremulously, "This matter is indeed our fault—the fault of Cangqing Immortal Sect."

"Our sect possesses a mid-fourth-grade Earth Essence Vein, which will give birth to the next Earth Essence Pearl in 1 jiazhi cycle. We shall offer it to you as compensation when the time comes."

1 Earth Essence Pearl was clearly insufficient, but as he watched Grandmaster Taiwu trembling unsteadily, Grandmaster Qian felt a pang of heartache.

Grandmaster Taiwu was already 7 100 and 50 years old, with fewer than 2 centuries remaining in his lifespan. The sect possessed only 3 remaining Foundation Establishment Pills. If more than 2 were offered as compensation, the Azuregale Immortal Sect would risk severing its legacy.

Lyra, standing nearby, also remarked, "Our crushing defeat in this battle was the result of a joint scheme by the Demon Lord and the Monster Emperor. We cannot place all the blame on the Verdant Azure Sect."

Hearing this, Master Qian abandoned any further thoughts of seeking additional compensation.

He looked at Lyra and couldn't resist asking, "Fairy Jiang, with 2 Golden Core, Late Stage experts now in the Demon Abyss Cave, I fear this has become a grave threat. What should we do?"

"If the Demon Lord and the Monster Emperor have set their schemes, then this is no longer merely our own affair."

Lyra spoke calmly, her gaze fixed on the distant void: "Send word to the Ji Kingdom, and inquire of the Ji Clan."

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Sovereign The sky tore asunder, crimson lightning dancing across the heavens. Chu Xuan's primordial spirit trembled violently as the ninth heavenly tribulation descended. After 3 1000 years of cultivation, he had finally reached the pinnacle of immortal path, only to be betrayed by his most trusted disciple at this critical moment. "Master, forgive this disciple's offense." Yun Yao's voice echoed coldly across the shattered void. "The position of Immortal Sovereign belongs to me." Chu Xuan laughed bitterly, his primordial spirit beginning to dissipate. Just as consciousness faded, the ancient jade pendant at his chest—a relic passed down through generations—suddenly glowed with mysterious light. *** "Chu Xuan! Wake up this instant!" A sharp pain shot through his cheek. Chu Xuan opened his eyes to find a fat-faced steward glaring down at him, whip in hand. "You lazy worm! Still pretending to sleep? Get up and mine spirit stones!" The steward's spit sprayed across Chu Xuan's face. Memories flooded back—he had been reborn as a spirit stone miner in the Azure Cloud Sect, his current body merely 15 years old. This youth had been worked to death just yesterday. A cold gleam flashed in Chu Xuan's eyes. In his previous life, he'd been the revered Profound Heaven Immortal Sovereign; now, even a mere steward dared bully him? "Looking for death?" The steward raised his whip again, but froze when he met Chu Xuan's gaze. Those eyes contained depths that made his soul tremble. Chu Xuan slowly rose, his voice icy. "Do you know what happens to those who offend me?" The steward stumbled backward, then flushed with anger. "You worthless ant! I'll teach you a lesson!" Just as the whip was about to fall, a clear voice interrupted. "Enough!" A young girl in green robes approached, her bearing extraordinary. The steward immediately bowed respectfully. "Elder Martial Sister Lin!" Lin Qingxue glanced indifferently at the scene. "The sect leader has ordered all outer disciples to gather at the Grand Hall. There's no time for your delays." She then noticed Chu Xuan, surprised to find unusual composure in the young miner's eyes. Chu Xuan's heart stirred—this girl possessed rare Innate Spirit Body. In his previous life, he'd searched 3 1000 years for such a disciple. Following the crowd to the Grand Hall, Chu Xuan learned the Azure Cloud Sect faced imminent crisis. The neighboring Blood Demon Sect was pressing their borders, and the sect's foundation was at risk. "All outer disciples will receive basic cultivation techniques today," announced the Hall Master. "Those who reach the first layer of Qi Refining within 3 months may become inner sect disciples." Chu Xuan received the manual—the most elementary "Azure Cloud Art." To the Immortal Sovereign who had once commanded countless divine techniques, this was child's play. That night, seated cross-legged in his simple quarters, Chu Xuan began cultivating. Countless spiritual energies surged toward him, the phenomenon startling even the sect's elders. In mere moments, he broke through to the first layer of Qi Refining. Chu Xuan examined his body and sighed. "Such poor spiritual roots... But with the [Supreme Chaos Scripture] I created, rebuilding my foundation should be possible." He took out a low-grade spirit stone—his entire month's ration. "This meager spiritual energy won't even sustain basic cultivation. I need to find resources quickly." Remembering a secret realm near the Azure Cloud Sect that would soon open, Chu Xuan's eyes gleamed. That would be his opportunity. The next morning, as Chu Xuan headed toward the back mountains, a voice stopped him. "You there—halt!" 2 inner sect disciples blocked his path, their expressions arrogant. "Hand over your spirit stones, miner," the taller 1 demanded. "Save yourself some pain." Chu Xuan's gaze turned cold. "Scram." "What did you say?" The disciples were enraged. "You seeking death?" The shorter disciple threw a punch, carrying the power of early Qi Refining. To ordinary miners, this was unstoppable. But Chu Xuan simply flicked his sleeve. "Ah!" The disciple flew backward, crashing into a large tree. "You..." The other disciple stared in shock. "You've started cultivating?" Chu Xuan stepped forward, his aura overwhelming. "From today onward, I, Chu Xuan, am not someone you can bully." He snatched the spirit stones from the 2 disciples. "Consider this interest on what you've taken." Watching Chu Xuan's retreating figure, the 2 disciples exchanged terrified glances. Since when had miners become so powerful? Deep in the back mountains, Chu Xuan found a hidden cave. Activating the restrictions, he took out the stolen spirit stones—exactly 30-2. "30-2 spirit stones... Enough to attempt the [Divine Transformation Technique]." He formed hand seals, the spirit stones dissolving into streams of spiritual energy that poured into his body. His meridians rapidly expanded, his cultivation rising steadily. Suddenly, spatial fluctuations came from outside. A streak of light shot into the cave, transforming into an ancient scroll. Chu Xuan caught it, his expression shifting slightly. "The [Heavenly Codex of Creation]? Why is it here?" This was 1 of the 10 great divine artifacts of the immortal realm, lost for millennia. He never expected to find it here. Just as he was about to examine it, a powerful aura approached rapidly. "Thief! Return my sect's treasure!" A white-robed elder descended, his killing intent piercing bone-deep. Chu Xuan's heart sank—this was a Foundation Establishment expert!