Chapter 274 : Sword of Solar Fire, Demon's Retreat

In contrast, those Violet Sanctum Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of unorthodox, often malevolent cultivation arts], who had long secluded themselves within the Demon Cave [a lair or stronghold of demonic cultivators] and rarely ventured out, failed to recognize the newcomer's identity for a moment.

Of course, this was also related to the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword's significantly increased power after its advancement to the fourth rank.

Fourth-rank Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power wielded by high-level cultivators] are exceedingly rare, and advancing one is an arduous feat. As this sword's advancement had occurred mere months prior, the Demonic Cultivator had not yet received the news, leaving them momentarily unable to identify the figure's true identity.

"A century ago, when I first saw him, he was merely at the Foundation Establishment 1st Tier [the first stage of the Foundation Establishment realm], yet he defeated two Foundation Establishment [cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm] working in tandem, slaying both Junior Brother Zhang and Daylight Wonder Zuo."

"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 formed a Golden Core, a powerful condensed energy source] might not be able to subdue him."

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

Hong Old Demon sneered coldly and, seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, stealthily fled into the distance.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen, having merged his body and sword into one, unleashed brilliant azure sword energy that cleaved through the air with overwhelming force. He faced seven or eight Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators at the Violet Sanctum realm] without a trace of fear.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword revealed its unparalleled sharpness. Wherever it passed, demons and fiends faltered, and it severed seven or eight third-rank Demonic Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by demonic cultivators] in succession.

"How insolent!" Visit audio-novel.com (official site) to enjoy the complete series.

The Violet Sanctum Late Stage old demon, witnessing Eldrin Chen unleash his divine might, immediately summoned his life-bound Demonic Treasure, the Black Blood Sack [a vile magical artifact that corrupts spiritual energy and flesh], and sent it billowing forth to envelop his foe.

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy as he recognized the origin of this treasure. The Black Blood Sack was an exceptionally malevolent magical weapon born from the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that often employs cruel and destructive methods].

The method of forging this artifact was unspeakably cruel. To refine it to the Third Rank Superior Grade [a high tier of power for magical artifacts], one needed to capture three million three hundred thirty thousand mortals and infect them with a virulent plague until they perished.

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

Once forged, the artifact's power was profoundly sinister. It specialized in corrupting an opponent's magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] and defiling their spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by practitioners].

Even a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage [an advanced stage of cultivation], if enveloped by it, would find both their spiritual energy and physical body utterly polluted, ultimately dissolving into a pool of festering blood.

In years past, Hong Old Demon had also succeeded in crafting such a treasure, only for it to be ultimately destroyed by Old Patriarch's Solar Fire Soul-Burning Formation Flags [a powerful formation that harnesses the purifying flames of the sun].

Now, seeing this Violet Sanctum Late Stage old demon dare to wield such an abomination, Eldrin Chen swept his sword energy [condensed spiritual power shaped like a blade] in a fierce arc. With a resonant *clang*, he cleaved the Black Blood Sack clean in two. Moreover, Solar Fire [a divine ability manifesting purifying solar flames] surged along the sword's edge, instantly incinerating the remnants into ashes.

"Aaaargh—!" The old demon let out a pained cry, spraying a mouthful of blood. "My Demonic Treasure!"

Witnessing the lethal sharpness of Eldrin Chen's Immortal Sword [a sword of legendary, near-immortal grade], the group of Violet Sanctum [a major cultivation realm] old demons felt the urge to retreat. They began directing the surrounding Foundation Establishment [the realm following Qi Refinement] Demonic Cultivator [practitioners of the demonic path] to swarm the attack while they themselves sought an opportunity to disengage and flee for their lives.

Yet at that very moment, the group had already carved a bloody path through the ranks of the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic, often malevolent, methods], and several Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator [cultivators at a stage just below the Golden Core Realm] gave chase.

The Old Patriarch cast a sweeping glance over the battlefield and, with a flick of his hand, unleashed the Venus Stellar Pearl. Instantly, the Polarity Dual Energy [the opposing forces of Yin and Yang] within the seven Stellar Treasure Pearl began to revolve, transforming into a torrent of Polarity Annihilation Vase Energy that cascaded down upon the enemy.

The might of this single strike rivaled a full-force assault from a Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator, and it was a devastating area-of-effect Divine Ability [a supernatural power or technique mastered through cultivation].

For a moment, the Polarity Dual Energy annihilated everything in its path. Countless Vital Essence Refinement [Qi Refinement stage cultivators] and Foundation Establishment [Foundation Establishment stage cultivators] among the Demonic Cultivator had their physical bodies torn asunder. Even the Violet Sanctum [Zifu stage] Demonic Cultivator were forced to devote their full strength merely to resist the crushing pressure.

Seizing this golden opportunity, Eldrin Chen summoned forth several Immortal Sword [enchanted swords of immense power], including the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords and the Formless Sword, to strike at the powerful foes. In that brief window, he managed to slay several of the Violet Sanctum Demonic Cultivator.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword proved itself worthy of its title as a Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [an ancient sword of immense solar power]. Against the suppressed early and mid-stage Violet Sanctum Demonic Cultivator, it cut through them as easily as slicing through melons and vegetables.

Faced with the combined might of six combatants possessing Pseudo-Core Realm strength, even the Violet Sanctum Demonic Cultivator found it impossible to defy the heavens. The group cut down over a dozen of these Violet Sanctum Demonic Cultivator, causing the demonic cultivator ranks to completely collapse and flee in disarray.

Witnessing the Demonic Cultivator rout, the expression of the Lord of Demon Cave [the ruler of the demonic cave stronghold] twisted into one of frantic fury. Yet, true to his status as a Golden Core Late Stage Demonic Cultivator, he did not falter.

Even in the face of such a dire situation, he refused to flee. Instead, he summoned several Demonic Treasure [magical artifacts infused with demonic power] and continued his relentless assault on the group, desperately trying to buy more time.

The ferocious aura of the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber [a demonic blade that can transform blood into power] was overwhelming. Its baleful might was such that even Exquisite Jiang and the others fighting together found it difficult to break through his defenses and defeat him.

Seeing that they could delay no longer, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the other cultivators possessing Pseudo-Core Realm combat strength and spoke a word of caution.

"We shall lend our aid, but be cautious. Intervene from a distance with your magical treasures [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]; do not recklessly close in."

"Understood."

The group nodded in quick succession and began to charge forward, surrounding and attacking the Lord of Demon Cave.

To ensure this battle yielded results, Exquisite Jiang had lent them several Fourth Rank Low-Grade magical treasures [enchanted artifacts] she no longer used.

Elara Lin summoned her Ink Snow Immortal Sword, Xavier Xu unleashed his Green Sun Demon-Warding Shuttle, Patriarch Fang brought forth his Heaven and Earth Void Dragon Seal, and the Purple Abyss Sect's Immortal Maiden Hibiscus presented her Sky-Burning Golden Sun Lamp. This novel is serialized on audi novel.com. Visit for updates.

Coupled with Eldrin Chen's Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and Crimson Sun Void-Burning Furnace, the combined assault began to wear on the Lord of Demon Cave's patience.

After half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours] of fierce combat, the Lord of Demon Cave repeatedly attempted to slay the meddlesome Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivators, but each time was thwarted by Exquisite Jiang.

Faced with such a predicament, he finally fell into a disadvantageous position. In a duel between cultivators, once one is forced onto the back foot, turning the tide becomes exceedingly difficult, and a single misstep can lead to severe injury or death.

The Lord of Demon Cave fought on for several dozen more exchanges. Fearful that Exquisite Jiang would seize an opening to unleash the Heaven's Vault Mirror for a fatal strike, his resolve to retreat finally took hold.

He deployed his defensive Demonic Treasure the Shadow Demon Pagoda, and with a sweeping slash of the Blood-Transforming Demon Saber, he managed to tear open a gap in the encirclement and fled for his life.

"Think you can escape?"

In that very instant, Exquisite Jiang's eyes flashed with sharp light. She instantly unleashed the Void Five Tribulations Divine Light.

This offensive Great God Ability possessed unparalleled destructive power, striking across the vast void directly at the Lord of Demon Cave. At this life-or-death moment, the Lord of Demon Cave desperately reinforced the Shadow Demon Pagoda, yet his defensive Demonic Treasure was instantly shattered.

At the critical juncture, the fiend managed to evade the fatal blow, but his left arm was completely obliterated, reduced to a cloud of ash by the Void Five Tribulations Divine Light.

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

"A pity."

"We failed to slay that fiend."

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

The Void Five Tribulations Divine Light was an offensive Great God Ability; when fueled by her spiritual power, it was capable of slaying even Golden Core Late Stage demons.

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

"It matters not," Eldrin Chen stated. "That 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 spiritual power [the energy used by cultivators to perform techniques].

After swallowing the pill and recovering a portion of her power, Exquisite Jiang wasted no time. She led the group deep into the heart of the Demon Cave.

With no high-ranking Demonic Cultivator to obstruct them this time, their progress was swift. In merely half a shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], they reached the core where the Demonic Spring lay.

The location of the Demonic Spring was an immense Earth's Core Cavern. It was less a cavern and more an entire subterranean world.

Upon entering, Eldrin Chen immediately sensed the profound depth of this underground realm. It spanned at least several thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in expanse.

"*Hummm—*"

At that very moment, a clear, resonant hum of a sword echoed from the depths of the Demon Cave.

Their gazes snapped towards the sound. They discovered that True Person Zhang had already forged ahead of them, having carved a path straight through the Demon Cave's passages.

At this moment, Daoist Zhang was single-handedly locked in a fierce battle against two Golden Core Demonic Cultivators: Lord of Demon Cave and Yan Old Demon.

"Perfect timing," he declared.

Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Daoist Zhang let out a hearty laugh. "Fellow Daoist Jiang," he instructed, "take the Heaven's Vault Mirror and go suppress the Demonic Spring immediately!" Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel . com.