Chapter 367 : Golden Cores Against the Abyss

Of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance, aside from Elara Lin remaining behind to hold the fort and the Old Patriarch being in secluded cultivation to consolidate his Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden-hued core], the other four Golden Core Cultivators had all arrived at this place.

Counting them all, the number of Golden Core Ancestors gathered for this battle had reached ten. This was already close to the peak strength of the Chu Kingdom four hundred years ago, before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity where demonic forces surged from the depths of the earth].

By this measure alone, the force participating in this battle was more than twice as powerful as it had been a century prior.

The ten Golden Core Ancestors each took their seats. After assessing their combined strength, Freya Ji spoke, "Our power for dealing with the Demon Cave Cavern now far surpasses what it was in the past. There is no need for overly complicated tactics."

"We shall deploy the Verdant Formation Plate to set up a Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts to create powerful magical effects], then mobilize the two War Treasure Boats of the Heaven's Ruin Alliance to launch a direct assault. We will breach their defenses by sheer force."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Although the defenses of the Demon Cave Cavern were formidable, the overall strength of the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World had long since eclipsed its level from a century ago, following several major victories.

The Heaven's Ruin Alliance alone had seen its power swell by more than double. Setting aside the Golden Core True Person, the number of Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators who have opened the third major energy center, the Purple Mansion, within their bodies] had increased from thirty or forty back then to over sixty now.

The other major powers had also grown significantly. For this battle, the participating Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation, the second major stage] numbered over one thousand, and one hundred twenty-seven Purple Mansion Cultivators had answered the call.

With such overwhelming might, bolstered further by the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasures—the Firmament Immortal Sword and the Mirror of the Vast Heaven [a legendary mirror capable of reflecting and containing vast energies]—and with the even more powerful Freya Ji personally overseeing the operation, taking the Demon Cave Cavern should proceed without major incident.

Taiwu the True Person, seated nearby, nodded but added a note of caution, "The Demon King [a powerful ruler among demonic beasts] of Black Eagle Ridge has already broken through to the Golden Core, Late Stage. Someone will need to be tasked with containing him." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel`com.

"This matter can be easily handled."

Lyra Jiang's eyes flickered slightly as she spoke calmly, "Before this battle, I had someone negotiate with the Yuan Immortal Clan of Yan Nation. The three True Persons of the Yan Nation Cultivation World will keep him occupied.

"Once this battle concludes, we can simply eliminate him on our way back."

"Then it is settled."

Taiwu the True Person revealed a pleased expression. For many years, the Verdant Immortal Sect had viewed Black Eagle Ridge as a formidable threat gnawing at its vitals.

However, the speed of the Black Eagle Ridge was peerless within its realm. Even when surrounded by Golden Core, Late Stage cultivators, it could easily escape to safety.

Thus, for over a thousand years, the Verdant Immortal Sect had been powerless against it. Only a supreme Golden Core cultivator like Lyra Jiang possessed a reasonable chance of slaying it.

Once their strategy was decided, they moved against the Demon Cave Cavern. Taiwu the True Person personally deployed the Verdant Formation Plate, and nearly one hundred thousand cultivators joined forces, using Demon-Refining True Flame to suppress the Demonic Qi [the malevolent energy cultivated by demonic practitioners] within the cavern.

Then, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang personally powered two War Treasure Boat, expending several hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] without hesitation to unleash twelve consecutive strikes of the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura.

Such overwhelming power was nearly equivalent to a Golden Core Great Perfection cultivator attacking at full strength twelve times. Even the outer Demonic Malignancy Barrier of the Demon Cave Cavern could not withstand it and was torn asunder.

"Take action."

Freya Ji's eyes flashed with determination as she soared into the depths of the Demon Cave Cavern, with Eldrin Chen and the others following closely behind.

Upon entering the Demon Cave Cavern, Eldrin Chen immediately unleashed a blast of Yang Fire Divine Thunder [a righteous divine thunder technique of pure yang fire]. In an instant, the resplendent divine thunder erupted, sweeping away swathes of Demonic Qi [the corrupt energy cultivated by demonic beings] and reducing numerous Demonic Cultivator to ashes on the spot.

After this, Eldrin Chen addressed the group that had followed him in. "The Demonic Fiend Qi [a particularly vile and invasive form of demonic energy] will seep into your bodies," he warned. "Therefore, this battle must be swift and decisive."

"If we cannot secure the Demonic Spring [a corrupted spiritual spring that is the source of the demonic energy] within two shichen-time [one shichen equals two hours], then the Foundation Establishment Cultivator may retreat after that time has passed."

"We understand," they replied.

Seeing their nods of assent, Freya Ji commanded, "We split into three forces. End this quickly."

The group acknowledged her order and, leading their respective forces, pressed deeper into the Demon Cave Cavern according to the plan.

For this assault, the three-pronged advance was divided thus: one path for the Heaven's Ruin Alliance, another for the combined forces of the Violet Abyss Sect, the Verdant Immortal Sect, and the Firmament Sword Sect, while Freya Ji personally led the third contingent.

This ensured each path possessed the power of a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [an artifact of immense power specifically designed to counter demonic forces], making a repeat of the ambush and betrayal that occurred a century ago impossible.

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang pressed forward along the left flank, carving a path through the retreating Demonic Cultivator. After advancing over three hundred thousand Li-length, they finally encountered formidable foes.

The adversaries turned out to be Yan Morgrim and the Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen and his companion, a flicker of wary apprehension flashed in their cold gazes.

"Damnation, why are *they* on this route?"

Shock and fury warred in the two demons' eyes. The Heaven's Ruin Alliance boasted no fewer than four Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core] experts, including Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, whose combat prowess rivaled that of the Golden Core, Late Stage. This force was more than enough to give them a dire challenge.

With this grim realization, Yan Morgrim couldn't help but ask the Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern, "What should we do?"

"We fight our way out." This novel is serialized on audio . novel . com. Visit for updates.

The Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern gritted his teeth as he spoke. This assault was different from the one a century ago. This time, Freya Ji herself had come.

Freya Ji possessed a Superior Golden Core [the highest quality of Golden Core formation, granting immense power and potential], her spiritual power already reaching eighty to ninety percent of a true Nascent Soul True Lord [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where the cultivator's spirit forms a separate, powerful entity]. Wielding a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a pinnacle-grade enchanted artifact specifically designed to suppress demonic forces], her strength was nearly equivalent to half a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Such power was utterly beyond his capacity to resist. Holding the Demon Cave Cavern was an impossibility.

Their only hope for survival lay in exploiting the chaos of Freya Ji's assault on the main cavern, using the distraction to flee through the entrance of the Demon Cave Cavern.

The group had split into three paths. They had only a one-in-ten chance of encountering Freya Ji. This time, fate indeed did not bring her to him. Yet, he never imagined he would instead cross paths with Lyra Jiang.

But for the sake of survival, even knowing the formidable power of Lyra Jiang, he had no choice but to steel his nerves and press forward.

"Attack."

When righteous cultivators and demonic fiends meet, there is naturally nothing to discuss.

Lyra Jiang was the first to surge forward, summoning her immortal sword Magical Treasure to unleash a relentless assault upon Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen soared into the heavens, his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords weaving a deadly tapestry of light that left Yan Morgrim gasping for breath.

This Yan Morgrim had broken through to the Golden Core Realm one hundred and fifty years prior. However, having his physical body destroyed by Eldrin Chen back then had cost him a full Jiazi-time [a sixty-year cycle] of wasted time.

Now, his cultivation had only just stepped into the Golden Core Second Layer, his mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques] far inferior to Eldrin Chen's. He was immediately forced into a desperate, step-by-step retreat.

Furthermore, trapped within the Demon Cave Cavern all these years without access to the flesh and blood essence of mortals, Yan Morgrim had been unable to cultivate anew the Blood Demon Clone [a sinister technique that splits one's essence into separate, powerful avatars] that had been destroyed. Thus, he now possessed only two remaining Blood Demon Clone avatars.

Under such circumstances, how could he possibly be a match for Eldrin Chen? Those two False Core Realm [a state where a cultivator has formed a flawed, unstable Golden Core] Blood Demon Clone avatars barely had a chance to unleash their menace before Eldrin Chen ended them with two swift strokes of his sword.

"Blood Demon Clone [a sinister technique that creates a duplicate of oneself using blood and demonic energy]."

Watching his Blood Demon Clone be destroyed, Yan Morgrim let out a sharp cry of alarm.

Realizing the situation had turned utterly dire, he hastily shouted, "Taicang the Elder Demon, if you do not act now, we may not escape this place today!"

"Heh heh heh!"

With a sinister cackle, Taicang the Elder Demon unleashed a shadow-black demonic sword, sending it slashing through the air.

In that battle years ago, both Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern and Yan Morgrim had their physical bodies destroyed, leaving only Taicang the Elder Demon with his original form intact.

Although he had suffered significant injuries back then, he had recovered after a relatively short period of recuperation.

At that time, he had desired to devour the Golden Core [the condensed essence of a cultivator's power at the Golden Core stage] of both Lord of the Demon Cave Cavern and Yan Morgrim, but the two demons, joining forces and leveraging the Demonic Spring [a spring tainted with demonic energy] and their long-established Demon Cave Cavern, managed to hold him at bay. For uninterrupted reading, go to www . audio-novel.com.