Chapter 454 : Shattered Siege at Heavenly Ruins

She made no attempt to conceal her Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force, growing in power with them]. Instead, she directly summoned forth the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for its power to slay even immortals] to meet the formidable foe head-on.

Although the forces from Great Kun River and Crimson Scorpion Ridge had assembled over a dozen Demon King [powerful demonic beings equivalent to the Golden Core realm], they were utterly routed, crying out in terror, within an astonishingly short span of time.

The battle lasted a mere half-day. Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang alone slew eight Golden Core Demon King [Demon Kings who have attained the Golden Core cultivation stage]. The remaining high-ranking members of the Demon Race [a collective term for demonic beings and monsters] scattered in disarray, while the lower-ranked demons lost all command and coordination.

In just half a day, the siege at Heavenly Ruins Lake was shattered. The low-ranking Demon Race [a collective term for demonic beings and monsters] in this battlefield could no longer pose any meaningful threat to them.

With time still on their side, they proceeded to Earth Lion Ridge. There, they joined forces with the Old Patriarch and others to assault the Demon Race [a collective term for demonic beings and monsters] coalition advancing from the direction of the Savage Ox Ancient Plain.

This engagement was resolved with even greater speed. In little more than a quarter of a day, the Demon Race [a collective term for demonic beings and monsters] forces at Earth Lion Ridge were also slaughtered and put to flight.

With two of the three fronts now secure, Eldrin Chen immediately diverted his course to Demonic Ape Mountain. He sought out Kael Chen and Patriarch Qian, who were stationed there, and inquired, "How far have the Demon Race [a collective term for demonic beings and monsters] from Golden Rhino Ridge advanced by now?"

"According to the intelligence received three days ago, they were merely tens of thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away from us," Patriarch Qian replied, his expression grave.

Exquisite Jiang's brows furrowed slightly. "Why is the most recent report from three days ago?" she asked.

"Because scouting the movements of Golden Rhino Ridge is far too perilous," Kael Chen shook his head, his tone calm. "We have dispatched five Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Violet Sanctum stage, the third major realm] one after another to gather intelligence. Not a single one has returned alive." This novel is serialized on audio_novel.com. Visit for updates.

"At most, they could only manage to send back a single Communication Talisman [a magical slip used for long-distance messaging] before their end."

"They were merely scouting the periphery. How could even a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a major realm of power] fail to survive?" Old Patriarch's pupils contracted sharply, and he could not help but exclaim with shock, "Could it be that a Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] has personally arrived?"

A sense of trepidation settled in the hearts of the group, and unease colored their expressions.

Seeing their unsettled demeanor, Eldrin Chen spoke up to reassure them. "The movements of a powerhouse at the Demon Emperor level would certainly be under the close watch of the Ji Clan."

"So there is no need for you to worry. If a Demon Emperor were to attack, the Ji Clan would not simply stand by and do nothing."

Hearing his words, the group felt a slight wave of relief.

When the sky falls, the tallest will hold it up. As long as they did not have to face an Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a Demon Emperor whose power is comparable to a human cultivator's Infant Soul stage] directly, everything else was manageable.

Returning to the matter at hand, considering the immense pressure facing Demonic Ape Mountain, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang decided to personally take command and garrison the location.

They waited at Demonic Ape Mountain for a full seven or eight days before the demonic horde from Golden Rhino Ridge finally arrived from their long march.

Eldrin Chen stood atop the Heavenly Vault [a high vantage point], activating his mystic vision to survey the Demon Race army. He saw a vast sea of demonic beasts, numbering in the millions.

Merely the formidable auras emanating from the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] numbered over thirty or forty. Among them were even powerful demonic beasts at the Golden Core Late Stage [the peak of the Golden Core Realm, just before the breakthrough to the next major realm].

If that were all, Eldrin Chen would have remained utterly unafraid. The most critical factor, however, was that within the Demon Race [a collective term for intelligent, often malevolent, beast-like beings that cultivate demonic arts] were two auras as potent and blazing as twin suns.

They were two golden giant rhinoceroses, towering a thousand Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] high. Their bodies resembled two majestic divine mountains from the Primordial Era [a mythical age of antiquity and great power], each footfall capable of crushing ancient rivers and mountains.

"It truly is them?"

Among the group, Xavier Xu's face turned ashen pale.

Even though he now held the esteemed status of a Golden Core Cultivator [a practitioner who has successfully formed a Golden Core], facing such mountain-like Demon Emperor [a title for a ruler or supreme power among demonic beings] True Lord [the title for a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit Realm, the fourth major stage] filled him with a sense of near-despairing powerlessness.

"It's the Golden Rhino Demon Emperor couple. They broke through to the Infant Soul Realm [the fourth major cultivation stage, where one nurtures a nascent spiritual soul] over five hundred years ago. However, due to the slow progress of demonic beast cultivation, they are still only at the Infant Soul Early Stage [the initial phase of the Infant Soul Realm]."

Exquisite Jiang's expression was grave. One of these two Demon Emperor possessed cultivation at the Infant Soul 1st Tier [the first minor tier within the Infant Soul Realm], while the other's power reached the Infant Soul 2nd Tier [the second minor tier]. Either one would require their full, concerted effort to confront.

Now, with both Demon Emperor arriving together, even if the entire Chu Nation [a sovereign human nation within the cultivation world] combined its strength, it might still not be their match.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with her, then soared into the Heavenly Vault [the sky; the firmament]. He channeled his spiritual energy to amplify his voice, declaring, "Esteemed Golden Rhino Demon Emperor, our Chu Nation is separated from your Golden Rhino Ridge [the mountain stronghold of the Golden Rhino Demon Emperors] by the Great Kun River [a vast and significant river], a distance of several million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. One could say there is no necessary conflict between us."

"At present, Ji Continent is at war with Azure Wave Lake. You are both esteemed Demon Emperor [rulers of demonkind]. Why entangle yourselves in another's conflict?"

"Hahaha…"

Before Eldrin Chen could finish, thunderous laughter echoed from the void.

The two colossal, mountain-like golden rhinos were enveloped in a golden radiance, finally transforming into two golden-hued humanoid figures.

The leader wore golden scale armor and was a powerfully built, imposing man. The other was a graceful woman with a golden scale marking gracing her brow.

Upon reaching the Infant Soul Realm, members of the Demon Race gain the ability to assume human form. The Demon Emperor couple of the Golden Rhino Bloodline had now manifested their human visages. Your portal to cultivation novels: audi novel.com.

The Hulking Demon Emperor's eyes blazed with golden light as he regarded Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang. "We know of you two," he rumbled. "Ji Continent Sword ImmortalEldrin Chen, and Immortal Maiden Heaven's RuinExquisite Jiang. You both possess peerless talent within the Infant Soul realm."

"We can sense your abundant Vitality [life force]. Slaying you and devouring your flesh, blood, and Golden Core [the condensed core of a cultivator's power] might allow our cultivation to advance another step."

"Is that reason enough for us to act?"

"Hmph!"

Eldrin Chen let out a cold snort, his gaze turning towards Exquisite Jiang.

Exquisite Jiang also understood that this battle was ultimately unavoidable. She could only reply with a cold laugh, "The Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual core of a cultivator] of the Demon Race are also supreme treasures for refining Infant Soul Pills [pills that can aid in the formation of an Infant Soul]. We will be waiting for you."

As soon as their words fell, the two immediately descended back onto the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy].

Once back within the Formation [a defensive or offensive energy array], Eldrin Chen immediately summoned the Old Patriarch and said, "When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Even if we manage to hold off two Demon Emperor [rulers of demon clans], you will have great difficulty stopping the several dozen Golden Core Demon Kings [demonic beasts at the Golden Core stage]."

"Issue a conscription order immediately. Recall all the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation] and Violet Sanctum Cultivator [the second major stage of cultivation] cultivators from the other Spirit Mountains. Only by concentrating all our strength can we fight them."

"Understood."

The Old Patriarch nodded and promptly dispatched messengers to deliver the conscription order.

Soon, Golden Core Cultivator from across the various Spirit Mountains of Chu Nation received the summons. One by one, they began using the Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instant travel] to gather at Demonic Ape Mountain.

"..."

On the Spirit Mountain of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, a man with hair white as snow emerged from a secluded meditation chamber. With a solemn expression, he straightened his robes and strode purposefully towards the Teleportation Formation.

Before the Teleportation Formation, an aged cultivator of the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within the dantian] glanced at him and could not help but frown. "Junior Brother Clear Heart," he said, "are you truly going?"

"I go to atone for my father's sins."

The one called Clear Heart replied with serene detachment. He was the son of Grand Granary True Person and True Person Taiqing, once the darling of fortune, showered with boundless affection.

Yet, during the battle at the Demon Cave years ago, his father had turned traitor in a single night, personally taking the life of his own mother. When the news reached him, he guarded the ashes of Taiqing for three full years. When he emerged from seclusion, his hair had turned completely white.

Thereafter, he secluded himself deep within the ancestral shrine for many years, never stepping out. Unnoticed by all, and without relying on any external aids, he had cultivated his way into the Golden Core Realm [the fourth major realm, where one condenses a golden, life-essence core].

Now he stood before the Teleportation Formation, his expression calm as he stopped the old cultivator. "I will go," he stated.

"You stay. Help care for the newly ascended disciples of our sect. Preserve a drop of lifeblood for Cangqing." Visit site: audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.