Chapter 352 : The Demon-Subduing Wheels Descend

Perhaps this did not inflict significant harm upon Ignatius the Blazing Lord, yet it caused the entity to feel genuine, searing pain.

This seemed to enrage it utterly. Crimson flame Qi [the vital energy associated with the fire element] boiled across its colossal arm, an endless torrent of fiery power that scorched the Firmament [the heavens, the sky], as if it sought to overturn heaven and earth itself.

"BOOM—"

Just as the expressions of the assembled cultivators shifted drastically, and they prepared to flee for their lives, the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts used to create magical effects] within the secret realm finally reacted.

Eldrin Chen saw it then—a crimson, broken wheel manifesting high in the Firmament, erupting with boundless Demon-Subduing Divine Radiance [a holy, purifying light capable of suppressing demonic entities]. It slammed down, piercing directly into the skull of Ignatius the Blazing Lord, eliciting a world-shaking, agonized shriek from the demon.

Immediately after, a second treasure wheel, this one of a pale azure hue, descended with crushing force, pressing Ignatius the Blazing Lord down, suppressing it once more.

"Two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [artifacts of the highest order, specifically forged to combat and seal demonic powers]," Eldrin Chen murmured, his pupils contracting slightly.

Beside him, Lyra Jiang's gaze also turned grave. After a long moment of silence, she spoke thoughtfully, "These two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure have likely been locked in a stalemate with this Ignatius the Blazing Lord for millennia."

"To suppress a being as powerful as Ignatius the Blazing Lord... it is no wonder the Formation eventually began to fail."

All of them felt a profound sense of awe in their hearts, and could not help but feel a surge of relief at having escaped with their lives from this venture. Published by audio-novel.com. All rights reserved.

Eldrin Chen also let out a sigh of relief, yet a moment later, his expression turned grave as he said, "With such a massive disturbance here, Astrael will likely be able to sense it."

"Then we shall not hide."

Lyra Jiang took a deep breath and looked at the nearby Formation. "With this Formation, it is almost as if we have gained the combat power of one or two additional Golden Core Great Perfection cultivators."

"Coupled with our own not insignificant strength, it is better to make a stand against him here than to have him constantly hounding us."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen also felt the plan was sound. He decisively took out a large sum of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to restore the Formation to its peak condition.

After completing this task, everyone began to recover their mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques], preparing to wait for the optimal moment to strike.

After waiting for approximately one and a half Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], a streak of light shot across the horizon. From a great distance, a furious roar echoed forth.

"How dare you, Heaven's Ruin Alliance Leader! How dare you, Chu Kingdom Sword Immortal!"

"You dare interfere with someone this venerable one has set his sights upon? Today, you shall all remain here forever!"

In his towering rage, Astrael unleashed his full power, summoning forth a resplendent ancient bell and hurling it with devastating force.

Qingci the Recluse's expression sharpened with alarm. "Beware!" he cried out urgently. "That is the Six-Soul Bell [a sinister magical treasure that traps and utilizes the souls of its victims]!"

The Six-Soul Bell was one of Astrael's Lifebound Magical Treasure [a cultivator's personally forged and soul-bound enchanted artifact]. Legend spoke of a mighty immortal treasure in the Celestial Realm bearing the same name.

Naturally, Astrael had no access to the true forging method of that celestial Six-Soul Bell. However, he had slain six Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual power into a golden core] with this bell and refined their primordial spirits into its form.

With six Golden Core [the condensed spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] souls imprisoned within, this Six-Soul Bell had become a tyrannical unorthodox treasure [an artifact forged through sinister or demonic means]. Its power had surpassed the Fourth Rank High Grade [a high-grade treasure of the fourth rank] and reached the threshold of a quasi Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of legendary power, nearly reaching the supreme grade].

Though the title of quasi Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure was mere flattery, when fueled by Astrael's False Nascent Soul [a pseudo-immortal soul realm, powerful but not a true Nascent Soul] cultivation, it was potent enough to suppress an ordinary Golden Core, Late Stage [a cultivator in the late stages of the Golden Core realm].

The fact that this fiend led with such a formidable Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] revealed both the depth of his fury and the seriousness with which he regarded his opponents.

"Stay vigilant!"

Eldrin Chen shouted the warning and immediately channeled the Formation [a structured arrangement of power, often for defense or attack] to activate the Purple-Gold Glazed Armor [a suit of enchanted armor with a purple-gold, ceramic-like finish], intercepting the devastating strike.

Seeing his Six-Soul Bell blocked, a cold glint flashed in Astrael's eyes. Without hesitation, he summoned his second Lifebound Magical Treasure—this one was the Celestial Star Furnace [a magical furnace capable of harnessing celestial and stellar energies].

The Celestial Star Furnace [a legendary furnace of immense power] was forged from a fragment of the heavens, a Star Fragment [a piece of celestial matter imbued with cosmic energy]. Its material grade reached the Fifth Rank, and it was the very Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] that had made Astrael famous.

The Celestial Star Furnace shone with a deep azure radiance, resembling a fallen, brilliant star. With a deafening *clang*, it struck the world, causing heaven and earth to tremble violently.

Faced with such an assault, even the Formation [a structured array of power used for defense or attack] jointly maintained by the group began to strain under repeated blows. Lyra Jiang had no choice but to intervene, unleashing the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword [a sword of legendary power capable of slaying immortals].

Although the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword possessed extraordinary might, relying on this single sword to contend with the Celestial Star Furnace proved insufficient. With no other option, Lyra Jiang also summoned the Eight Desolations and Six Realms Cauldron [a mighty cauldron embodying vast cosmic domains]. Only by combining its power with the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword could they barely hold back the Celestial Star Furnace.

Seeing his two Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure intimately connected to a cultivator's life force and soul] being held at bay, a flicker of cold light passed through Astrael's eyes. Incredibly, he summoned a third Life-Bound Magical Treasure.

This treasure was an ancient bronze shield. With a resonant *clang*, it erupted in dazzling, treasure-like radiance and descended through the air with crushing force.

He was actually using a Defensive Magical Treasure [a magical treasure primarily designed for protection] as an offensive Magical Treasure, hurling it down from the sky. Yet, this shield was forged from high-grade ancient metal, possessing a weight akin to countless mountains. If it truly landed, even their Formation might not withstand the impact. Original publication: audio‑novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Left with no recourse, Eldrin Chen was forced to unleash his full power. First, he deployed the Magnetic Treasure Mirror [a mirror that manipulates magnetic forces] to disrupt and restrain the shield. Then, he summoned the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a pair of celestial swords] to engage it in a fierce dance of blades.

"How vexing," he muttered.

Seeing that his three Life-Bound Magical Treasure could not subdue the trio, Astrael acted once more. He summoned several Fourth Rank Magical Treasure of the High Grade, along with other powerful Magical Treasure, and unleashed a torrent of divine abilities, raining down a cascade of devastating attacks.

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. Such a torrential assault could likely overwhelm even two or three cultivators at the Golden Core Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm].

Though their own strength was not lacking, without the aid of the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts to produce specific magical effects], they would likely be unable to withstand Astrael.

Fortunately, bolstered by the Formation, they joined forces to channel its power, amplifying the might of the Crimson-Gold Glazed Armor to its zenith before unleashing the Golden Radiance Glazed Flame [a divine ability manifesting as a conflagration of golden, crystalline fire] to incinerate the oncoming assault.

After consecutively deploying six waves of the Golden Radiance Glazed Flame, several of Astrael's Fourth Rank High Grade Magical Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank, high grade] could no longer hold, their potency greatly diminished.

By this point in the battle, though fury still burned within him, Astrael began to feel the stirrings of retreat.

Channeling his Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bonded to a cultivator's life force and soul] was not overly taxing, but the repeated unleashing of divine abilities and Fourth Rank High Grade Magical Treasure had drained his mana reserves significantly.

If this fight cost him too much of his vital essence, his future chances of successfully breaking through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spirit forms an independent, embryonic soul] would be substantially reduced.

"This husband-and-wife pair, Lyra Jiang and her spouse, possess formidable power. They have yet to even employ their Great Divine Ability [a supreme, signature technique of immense power]," he thought grimly.

"Even if I expend all my means to shatter this Formation, it is not certain I could slay them."

"Should they then unleash their Great Divine Ability, I would at best suffer severe damage to my vital essence, and at worst, a crippling wound that could sever my very path to the Dao."

With this thought, Astrael wisely chose to retreat for the moment.

His gaze turned slightly icy, laced with a hint of killing intent as he said, "A fine Alliance Leader of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance, a fine Chu Kingdom Sword Immortal indeed. Today, this old man has truly witnessed the methods of you two."

"However, this old man has pressing matters today. Another day, I shall return to experience your Great Divine Ability [a supreme and powerful supernatural technique]."

Astrael delivered this cold threat, his expression frigid, before transforming into a streak of flowing light and flying away.

Watching Astrael depart, everyone present let out a collective sigh of relief.

Eldrin Chen wore a grave expression, his face somber as he spoke. "A False Nascent Soul Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a flawed or incomplete Nascent Soul] is indeed formidable. Such power likely requires the combined strength of five or six Golden Core, Late Stage cultivators to contend with."

Lyra Jiang also looked grave. Her own strength was not inferior to a Golden Core Great Perfection cultivator, sufficient to oppose two or three Golden Core, Late Stage experts. However, Eldrin Chen's power was only at the level of a Golden Core, Late Stage cultivator.

If the two of them were to face Astrael head-on, they would likely only possess the ability to defend themselves. Of course, Astrael also feared Lyra Jiang's Divine Light of the Five Void Tribulations, and would not risk a life-or-death struggle with them unless absolutely necessary. The complete novel can be found at audio~novel.com.