Chapter 453 : The Sword's Ominous Warning

After the overall battle arrangements were settled, the group dispersed to garrison various Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy]. Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, having just advanced in cultivation, remained at their original post.

Once the others had departed, Eldrin Chen paced restlessly for a moment, a thread of unease in his voice. "The Demonic Tribe [a collective of monstrous beings that cultivate demonic arts] has already mobilized its forces. The great battle will erupt within three months. Why has the Ji Clan still not made a move?"

Lyra Jiang also furrowed her brow. After a long pause, she said, "My cousin is meticulous and deliberate. He never acts unless he is certain of complete success."

"He has likely been laying plans for many years. If he has not yet struck, he must be waiting for the perfect moment to act."

"Let us hope so."

A faint tremor passed through Eldrin Chen's heart. As the day of battle drew near, an inexplicable weight of pressure settled upon him.

Suppressing his restless thoughts, Eldrin Chen strode from the Grand Hall and began his final preparations for the coming conflict.

Not long after leaving the hall, while inspecting the cultivators stationed at various posts, Eldrin Chen passed by the Teleportation Formation [a magical array capable of instant transportation across vast distances]. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [his lifebound immortal sword] within his body gave a faint shudder, radiating a sliver of killing intent.

"The immortal sword is warning me."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He observed the three Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their third major energy center, the Purple Mansion] guarding the formation. One of them had a faint shadow over the center of his forehead—a subtle sign that something was amiss. For more chapters, visit audio–novel.com for the complete novel.

In an instant, Eldrin channeled the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword within him. As expected, the sword resonated faintly, detecting a deeply concealed Demonic Path curse art within that Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened the third major energy center, the Purple Mansion].

With this realization, Eldrin Chen reached out, his hand grasping toward the Purple Mansion Cultivator.

The man was clearly not in his right mind. Seeing Eldrin Chen's palm descending, he immediately tried to destroy the Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances].

Yet, before Eldrin Chen's hand even arrived, the pressure of its mere approach immobilized the man completely, allowing Eldrin Chen to effortlessly subdue and seize him.

After suppressing this Purple Mansion Cultivator, the commotion drew the attention of many. Lyra Jiang and Elara Lin approached, their expressions grave. "What happened?" they asked.

"Act now," Eldrin Chen commanded urgently. "Go and secure control of the Teleportation Formation arrays on the other Spirit Mountain [mountains imbued with concentrated spiritual energy].

Eldrin Chen's face was etched with solemnity. The others grasped the situation instantly. Several Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a Golden Core, the fourth major realm] immediately departed, swiftly securing the remaining Teleportation Formation arrays.

Finally free to act, Eldrin Chen employed a Soul-Seizing Talisman [a magical scroll used to forcibly extract memories] to probe the captive Purple Mansion Cultivator's mind.

The Purple Mansion Cultivator had originally been a member of the Xu Clan within the Heaven's Ruin Alliance. As an internal member of the alliance, he had been entrusted with the crucial duty of guarding the Teleportation Array Disk [the core control artifact for the teleportation formation].

However, the Demonic Monsters [malevolent beings that cultivate through destructive or corruptive means] had anticipated this. They had secretly implanted him with the Black Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse [a sinister, thread-like curse that ensnares the victim's will] from Black Malignancy Ridge. Once ensnared by this demonic curse, the man was no longer in control of his own actions.

Following the instructions from Black Malignancy Ridge, he was to destroy the Teleportation Formation [a magical array enabling instantaneous travel over vast distances] of several Spirit Mountain [mountains imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] at the critical moment of the great battle, thereby shattering the forces of the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World one by one.

This scheme of the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use malevolent and soul-corrupting arts] was utterly insidious. Instead of sending hidden Demonic Cultivator to cause chaos, they secretly controlled Righteous Path Cultivator [practitioners who follow orthodox, virtuous cultivation methods] through a Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique].

Had it not been for Eldrin Chen's meticulous nature and the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [a sacred blade forged to vanquish demonic entities] residing within him, he might never have detected the anomaly.

After uncovering the truth, Lyra Jiang spoke with grave solemnity. "We previously only investigated cultivators practicing demonic arts, overlooking those Righteous Path Cultivator who had been controlled by the Demonic Cultivator."

"It is fortunate you discovered this irregularity. Otherwise, this battle could have brought us immense calamity."

Eldrin Chen's eyes turned cold, glinting with lethal intent. "The Demonic Cultivator would not rely on a single hidden gambit. We must conduct a thorough purge without delay."

That very night, Eldrin Chen ordered the assembly of all cultivators at or above the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified] realm. He summoned the Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure, the Mirror of the Vast Heaven [a legendary artifact that reveals truth and dispels illusions], to personally examine those cultivators under demonic control.

Relying solely on the Mirror of the Vast Heaven was deemed insufficient. They further compelled every cultivator of Foundation Establishment rank and above to ascend the Heart-Inquiry Platform [a mystical platform that tests the purity of one's heart and intentions], subjecting each to a meticulous, individual screening.

After several rounds of investigation, a chill ran down their spines. Among the more than one thousand five hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivator participating in the war, over eighty had already been ensnared by the Black Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse [a sinister curse that binds the victim's soul with dark, entangling threads] from Black Malignancy Ridge.

Even among the Ancient Ancestor [venerated elders of immense age and power] of the Purple Mansion Realm [the third major realm, where one's spiritual consciousness expands into a 'Purple Mansion'], seven had fallen under the control of the Demonic Cultivator. Had the great battle commenced, they could have destroyed all the Human Race's Teleportation Formation arrays in a matter of moments.

After the investigation was completed, Qian the Ancient Ancestor spoke with a lingering sense of dread, "This Demonic Malignancy Entangling Thread Curse was hidden so deeply that even a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact designed to suppress demonic forces] would fail to detect it without meticulous scrutiny."

"Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Chen [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] observed with keen insight. Otherwise, our losses in this battle would have been utterly devastating."

Eldrin Chen remained expressionless, stating calmly, "Henceforth, the Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel] at each of these Spirit Mountain [mountains rich in spiritual energy] must be guarded by trusted Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm]. Anyone exhibiting the slightest anomaly is to be apprehended immediately."

"That seems to be the only course of action."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement, a nameless worry stirring within her heart.

Black Malignancy Ridge had now fully colluded with the Demonic Monsters [malevolent beings born of demonic energy], making the outcome of this conflict increasingly unpredictable. Find this and other novels at (audio-novel.com).

Through this purge, Eldrin Chen had finally rooted out the internal threats. Yet, the armies of the Demonic Tribe [a collective of demonic beings] were already advancing, their blades pointed directly at them.

Not long after, forces from Savage Ox Ancient Plains and Crimson Scorpion Ridge began their march. Several Demon King [a powerful ruler among demonic beasts] territories within the Great Kun River emptied their lairs entirely, surging down the mighty river's course toward Heaven's Ruin Lake.

These movements alone were formidable, but the development Eldrin Chen had feared most came to pass.

The Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic beast emperor] also mobilized its forces. Its subordinate Golden Core Demon King [a demonic beast king possessing a Golden Core] led the charge, its sights set on Demonic Ape Mountain, the stronghold defended by Kael Chen.

"Will the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic beast ruler] take action himself?"

Upon receiving the news, Eldrin Chen asked with a grave expression.

Lyra Jiang shook her head, a sharp glint in her eyes as she replied, "The main force at Azure Wave Lake [a major demonic stronghold] remains in place, but the vanguard under the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor's command has already begun to move. It seems the Demonic Tribe [the collective forces of demonic beings] can no longer restrain their impatience."

"I fear that is indeed the case."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Barring any unforeseen events, the Ji Clan Patriarch was expected to attempt to draw upon his Heavenly Soul [one of the three spiritual souls, representing celestial connection] and ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm within the next hundred and some years.

The Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor's territory bordered the Ji Continent, so it was only natural he would wish to probe the Ji Clan. Perhaps the Demonic Tribe was also waiting for an opportunity to deliver a crippling blow to the Ji Clan.

Contemplating this, a weight settled in Eldrin Chen's heart. "The Golden Rhinoceros tribe is known for its brutish and dim-witted nature. I've heard that even though the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor holds the esteemed position of a Nascent Soul Cultivators [a cultivator who has formed their Primordial Spirit], he remains notoriously tyrannical and overbearing."

"My fear is that he might cast aside all decorum and personally intervene against our Chu Kingdom."

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang's gaze also sharpened. She could only state, "Even if Golden Rhino Ridge [the mountain stronghold of the Golden Rhinoceros tribe] discards all face, we need not fear. With our current strength, we are more than capable of confronting the two Demon Emperor [rulers of demonic tribes] from Golden Rhino Ridge."

Eldrin Chen remained silent, yet within him, the battle intent of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [his lifebound immortal sword] seethed and boiled. An infinite Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power focused through a sword] surged, threatening to coalesce into a violet dragon-immortal sword, one that could soar forth and sever the heads of Demon Emperor.

Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for monstrous, intelligent beasts] had encircled Heaven's Ruin Lake.

Eldrin Chen gazed at the Demonic Tribe forces gathered at Crimson Scorpion Ridge and Great Kun River, his expression sharp with killing intent. "The pressure facing Demonic Ape Mountain from Golden Rhino Ridge is far greater than we imagined," he stated.

"We must act with decisive speed. Before the main force from Golden Rhino Ridge can reinforce Demonic Ape Mountain, we must shatter this allied Demonic Tribe army here."

"Agreed!"

Lyra Jiang gave a firm nod. Together with Eldrin Chen, they launched their assault, striking directly into the heart of the Demonic Tribe forces that had invaded Heaven's Ruin Lake. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio‑novel.com.