Chapter 296 : Clash of Kings and Swords

"Three Demon Kings."

The Human Race cultivators atop Heavenly Ruins Mountain could not help but reveal expressions of shock and terror at this sight.

At this moment, even the Violet Sanctum Cultivators felt a surge of dread, their faces turning grave and solemn.

With three Demon Kings attacking simultaneously, the remaining power of the Spirit Mountain's grand defensive formation was insufficient; it likely could not hold for long.

"They have finally appeared, have they?"

Eldrin Chen stepped calmly into the air, his expression unchanged as he gazed at the three Demon Kings in the sky.

He glanced at the twenty-some Violet Sanctum Cultivators beside him and spoke with tranquil authority, "Fellow Daoists, this Mountain Protection Formation can hold no longer. To prevent severe damage to the Spirit Mountain, let us sally forth together."

"*Clang!*"

As his words fell, he transformed into a streak of sword light and soared into the sky, appearing just outside the grand formation of the Spirit Mountain.

The moment he left the Spirit Mountain, a ferocious aura assailed him. It was the Black Flood Dragon Demon King, pouncing towards him with murderous intent. This chapter is provided by www . audio-novel.com. Support the original.

Eldrin Chen stood upon the void, having retreated ten thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] in an instant. His expression remained unreadable as he spoke, "Black Flood Dragon [a powerful, serpentine water demon], do not be impatient. Your demise shall come in due time."

"ROAR—"

A ferocious draconic roar shook the heavens. The Black Flood Dragon's [a powerful, serpentine water demon] whiskers bristled, its icy gaze fixed upon Eldrin Chen.

Its vertical pupils gleamed with a murderous chill, and its voice held a tone of utter indifference. "Words are meaningless. Today marks the end of your life."

The several Demon Kings [powerful demonic beings, equivalent to the Golden Core realm in human cultivation] present understood that Eldrin Chen was likely a second Exquisite Jiang [a prodigious female cultivator known for her talent and power]. Naturally, they had no intention of allowing him to mature further.

The Golden Lion Mastiff [a majestic, lion-like demonic beast] stood atop a great peak to the east. The Crimson Scorpion Demon King [a powerful demon lord with a scorpion form] hovered in the northern void. Dozens of Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts [demonic creatures equivalent to the Violet Sanctum realm in cultivation] circled above, silently completing their encirclement of Eldrin Chen.

With the trap sprung, the Golden Lion Mastiff [a majestic, lion-like demonic beast] let out a cold sneer, its gaze frigid. "Eldrin Chen, though you are hailed as the Sword Immortal of the Chu Nation [a sovereign state in the cultivation world] and called the foremost cultivator of the Violet Sanctum realm [the third major stage of cultivation] within its borders, your arrogance has been your undoing."

"Today, we come with the sole purpose of ending you."

"Your strength is not insignificant, but you stand alone. Had you fled at the outset, you might have had a sliver of hope. But now, do you truly believe you have any chance of survival?"

The Golden Lion Mastiff [a majestic, lion-like demonic beast] paced forward. Its hundred-Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] frame was as imposing as a mountain peak, resembling a divine beast from the Primordial Era [the mythical first age of the world] standing amidst the clouds.

Eldrin Chen observed the scene with serene composure, his voice calm as he stated, "Who told you I was alone here?"

"Clang—"

In that very instant, the clouds in the sky were torn asunder by countless rays of brilliant light.

Everyone looked up to see a woman of breathtaking beauty, clad in a flowing white gown, standing silently upon the Heavenly Vault.

"Exquisite Jiang! How could she be here?"

The Golden Lion Mastiff Demon King exclaimed in shock, a flicker of disbelief crossing its eyes.

They could not fathom how Exquisite Jiang, who was supposed to be holding her position at Scorching Sun Mountain, could have possibly arrived at Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

After all, at Scorching Sun Mountain, the Earth Lion Demon King was explicitly tasked with monitoring Exquisite Jiang. How could it have let her slip away?

"If she is here... then who is at Scorching Sun Mountain?"

"We've been deceived!"

The three Demon King [a powerful demonic ruler] realized the truth in that instant—there was only one possible explanation. Exquisite Jiang must have been hiding within Heavenly Ruins Mountain all along, not at Scorching Sun Mountain.

Yet, by the time this fleeting thought crossed their minds, it was already far too late.

Exquisite Jiang descended from the heavens like a falling star, her Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword cleaving directly towards the Crimson Scorpion Demon King. From the very first clash, the Demon Kings were caught completely off guard.

A person's reputation casts a long shadow. The moment they saw Exquisite Jiang strike, the three Demon Kings reacted as one, joining forces in a desperate attempt to withstand her assault.

But her allies were no mere spectators. Eldrin Chen summoned his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords without hesitation, their lethal arcs aimed squarely at the Black Flood Dragon Demon King.

Simultaneously, the Old Patriarch and Xavier Xu joined the fray, their spiritual energies clashing against the ferocious Golden Lion Mastiff. For more chapters, visit audio-novel-dot-com for the complete novel.

"You seek death!"

With a thunderous roar, the Black Flood Dragon Demon King spat forth its Black Flood Dragon Immortal Sword in a vicious counter-strike. It then conjured a Fourth Rank Low-Grade [a mid-tier classification for magical artifacts] magical treasure—the Path Ruins Crown [a ceremonial crown imbued with ancient, ruinous power].

The Path Ruins Crown manifested with an aura that seemed to both support the heavens and anchor the earth. It was once the ritual crown of a mighty cultivator, though how it fell into the claws of the Black Flood Dragon Demon King remained a mystery.

Bolstered by these two powerful artifacts, the Black Flood Dragon Demon King engaged Eldrin Chen in fierce combat. Yet, Eldrin Chen's mastery of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords and their Slaughter [a divine ability focused on overwhelming offensive power] was extraordinary. Even the demon king's potent bloodline heritage afforded it no advantage in the exchange.

After more than thirty consecutive exchanges, Eldrin Chen had yet to gain the upper hand when a shift occurred in the aerial battle above.

The Crimson Scorpion Demon King, fighting Exquisite Jiang alone, had now fallen completely into a disadvantage. Finding no other recourse, it began to contemplate retreat.

With a glance towards the other Demon Kings, it spoke, "All of you, withdraw first. Regroup with the Earth Lion Demon King before we engage them again."

No sooner had the Crimson Scorpion Demon King uttered these words than it fled desperately towards Scorching Sun Mountain. The Black Flood Dragon Demon King and the Golden Lion Mastiff, not daring to linger, immediately disengaged and soared into the distance.

Yet the cultivators had no intention of letting them escape so easily. Exquisite Jiang was the first to give chase, pursuing the Crimson Scorpion Demon King with lethal intent.

Eldrin Chen channeled his energy into the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, sending relentless slashes towards the Black Flood Dragon Demon King as he gave chase. "Everyone," he called out, "ignore the Golden Lion Mastiff for now. Focus on slaying the Black Flood Dragon Demon King first!"

The group surged forward in pursuit. However, the Golden Lion Mastiff unleashed its Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power cultivated by immortals and demons], the Western Pole Metallic Gold Flame [a formidable spiritual flame of metallic and fiery nature], to provide covering fire. This forced the Old Patriarch and the other four Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivators [cultivators at a realm just below the Golden Core] to divert their full attention to defending against the onslaught.

Seeing the Golden Lion Mastiff preparing to further shield the Black Flood Dragon Demon King's retreat, a cold glint flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes.

With Exquisite Jiang occupied chasing the strongest foe, the Crimson Scorpion Demon King, if these two Demon Kings managed to cover each other's withdrawal, there was a real risk they would both escape.

Realizing this, Eldrin Chen resolved to unleash his trump card.

"Two Polarities Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique that harmonizes opposing elemental forces]."

He channeled the two divine thunder runes within his body—the Blazing Third Fire and the Positive Water [a spiritual essence of pure yang water]. Instantly, fire and water merged, transforming into a dazzling red-and-blue Thunderclap [a concentrated bolt of divine thunder] that descended from the heavens, cleaving directly toward the Black Flood Dragon Demon King.

"BOOM—"

The mighty Thunderclap illuminated the entire void, its searing radiance swallowing everything as it traversed hundreds of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] through the empty air to strike its target.

At this moment of life-and-death crisis, the Black Flood Dragon Demon King, its face pale, desperately summoned its Black Flood Dragon Immortal Sword and the Path Ruins Crown. Still feeling insecure, it unleashed its defensive Art of Divine Subjugation [a mystical art for subduing divine beings] and the protective divine ability Profound Mystery Heaven Aura [a profound and mysterious heavenly protective aura].

In that instant, the Two Polarities Divine Thunder descended, striking with such force that it sent the Black Flood Dragon Immortal Sword and the Path Ruins Crown flying and shattered the Profound Mystery Heaven Aura.

However, the timing of this defensive maneuver was not optimal. The Black Flood Dragon Demon King, by deploying a series of techniques in rapid succession, ultimately managed to block the attack.

Eldrin Chen swallowed a Purple Essence Pill [a pill that replenishes spiritual essence], his face pale as he drew spiritual power from the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual throne imbued with yang water and verdant lotus energies]. He then continued to channel his energy, sending the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords slashing forth once more.

Although the Two Polarities Divine Thunder had failed to slay the Black Flood Dragon Demon King, it had successfully broken through its defensive Art of Divine Subjugation and two magical treasures, inflicting significant wounds upon the demon king.

At this point, nearly half of the Black Flood Dragon Demon King's combat capabilities had been crippled. Faced with the relentless assault of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, it could only rely on its offensive Divine Ability [a supernatural power granted by high-level cultivation], the Crimson Pupil Demon Gaze [a demonic gaze attack from crimson eyes], and the Heavenly Python Devouring Heaven Art [an art that summons a heavenly python to devour the sky] to mount a counterattack.

Eldrin Chen, wielding his twin Immortal Swords as his primary weapons and supplementing their might with the Five Elements Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the power of the five fundamental elements], launched a relentless assault. He pursued the Black Flood Dragon Demon King [a powerful demonic entity in the form of a black flood dragon] for over eight thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], driving it into a steady retreat until it was forced into a position of absolute disadvantage.

The Golden Lion Mastiff [a formidable demonic beast resembling a lion-mastiff hybrid] repeatedly attempted to provide aid, yet found itself hard-pressed to muster any significant support, constrained as it was by the combined efforts of Eternal Profound Chen and his allies. Support the author by reading on audio-novel . com.