Chapter 455 : The Wasteland's Final Stand

Simultaneously, at the Firmament Sword Sect and the Purple Abyss Sect, the final Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has condensed a Golden Core, representing the third major stage of cultivation] guarding their respective mountain gates also emerged from their Path-Field [a sect's primary territory and spiritual land].

Caleb from Green Chariot Mountain and Silas Chen from Spirit Isle Lake also utilized Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel across vast distances] to rush to the aid of Demonic Ape Mountain at the first possible moment.

Deep within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland, Lior Chen was bidding farewell to Verdant Grace Chen. Before he departed, she grasped his hand and said, "With this Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] leading the assault, the coming battle will be perilous beyond measure. Let me accompany you."

"No."

Lior Chen shook his head resolutely, his expression firm. "Within the thirty-six cities of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland reside tens of millions of our Chen Clan mortals. This land is the very foundation of our clan and must not be compromised."

"After I leave, you are the only one who can fully unleash the power of the Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] woven into this wasteland. Therefore, you must guard it well and await news of our victory."

Verdant Grace Chen paled slightly, fully understanding the critical importance of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland.

Wordlessly, she clenched her jaw, tears welling in her eyes as she finally gave a silent nod. She watched mutely as he stepped into the Teleportation Formation and vanished from sight.

"..."

As cultivators from across Chu Nation continued to arrive, the number of Human Race Golden Core Cultivator gathered at Demonic Ape Mountain swelled. Before anyone realized it, their ranks had already grown to twenty. Discover more cultivation stories at @udio-novel.com.

Simultaneously, beyond the borders of Demonic Ape Mountain, the Demon Race of the Golden Rhino Bloodline had laid siege to the mountain, their forces arrayed in a tight ring. The assault had begun, a relentless tide of attacks crashing against its defenses.

The two Demon Emperor [powerful demonic sovereigns] held back, not yet joining the fray. Yet, several dozen Golden Core Demon King [demonic monarchs of the Golden Core realm] descended from the skies, launching a furious assault upon the Formation [defensive energy array] protecting Demonic Ape Mountain.

Though formidable, bolstered by six or seven War Treasure Ship [massive enchanted warships], the mountain's Formation strained under the ceaseless onslaught of several dozen Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators of the Golden Core realm].

Naturally unwilling to let the defensive array shatter, Kael Chen soared forth, his sword ablaze. With a single, overwhelming strike, he forced back multiple Demon King.

"Insolent wretches!"

Witnessing Kael Chen's display of divine might, a powerful Demon King at the Golden Core Late Stage roared with fury. Malice radiating from its form, it surged into the sky to confront him.

At the same time, Old Patriarch also took to the air. Having now stepped into the Golden Core Late Stage, the seven Venus Stellar Pearl [stellar pearls named for the planet Venus] in his hands erupted with dazzling immortal light. They transformed into forty-nine Metallic Gold Sword Radiance [blades of metallic golden sword energy] that slashed through the air.

This set of Formation Artifact [artifacts designed to work in concert within a formation] had each ascended to the rank of supreme-grade magical treasure [enchanted artifact]. Individually, their power was not overwhelming, but combined, their might was extraordinary, rivaling even the thirteen Frigid River Immortal Swords wielded by Frigid Stream True Person of the Vast Sea.

Now, the forty-nine Metallic Gold Sword Radiance lashed out in an unending storm, forcing a host of Demon King into a desperate retreat. Seven of them joined forces, yet even their combined strength could not subdue him.

"Incredible power."

A Golden Rhino Bloodline Demon King at the Golden Core Perfection stage roared furiously, brandishing a rod of Adamantine Mystic Iron that weighed as much as countless mountains and smashed it forward.

Eternal Profound Chen furrowed his brow. While the Venus Stellar Pearl was a superior Formation Artifact for area attacks, it might not hold an advantage against these top-tier Demon King of the Golden Rhino Bloodline, renowned for their thick hides and immense strength.

Fortunately, there were several Golden Core Cultivator present. Sect Master Qian of the Firmament Sword Sect and Elara Lin had both reached the Golden Core Late Stage.

One by one, the Golden Core Cultivator joined the fray, barely managing to hold back the assault of the Demon King. Yet, the pressure they faced remained immense.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang stood atop the Spirit Mountain peak, their gazes grave as they watched the two distant Golden Rhino Demon Emperor.

Beings at the Demon Emperor level possessed extraordinary power. Even they had to proceed with utmost caution, leaving them little room to divert their attention to the Golden Core Grade battlefield.

Meanwhile, the two Golden Rhino Demon Emperor hovered silently in the sky.

The Hulking Demon Emperor stared intently at Demonic Ape Mountain for a long while before finally speaking. "I still sense no trace of Ji Clan True Lord. Could it be they truly intend to abandon Chu Nation?"

"I doubt it," countered the Female Demon Emperor of the Golden Rhino Bloodline, her expression turning serious. "The Ji Clan ranks among the top three supreme Infant Soul Immortal Clan in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, even overshadowing Azure Wave Lake. Such a powerful Immortal Clan would never act so cowardly. We must remain vigilant."

"Such a powerful Immortal Clan would never act so cowardly. We must remain vigilant."

The Female Demon Emperor paused briefly, then continued with a faint smile, "However, regardless of their preparations, we can still flatten the Chu Nation in this battle."

The Hulking Demon Emperor also nodded. Beings at this level either did not act at all, or once they decided to move, it would inevitably be an earth-shattering event.

Since they had resolved to strike, they certainly would not be fighting alone and thus had no fear whatsoever of the Ji Clan.

With this thought, the Hulking Demon Emperor spoke with a cold sneer, "Then let us begin."

As the words fell, the two Golden Rhino Demon Emperor stepped forth into the sky, their overwhelming golden auras blazing across the heavens as they advanced.

The Hulking Demon Emperor summoned a golden war spear. In an instant, it erupted with a dazzling golden divine light and thrust downward, aiming directly for the Mountain Protection Formation. Official source: *audio-novel.com*. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"Trouble! It's the Golden Rhino Divine Spear!"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly as he recognized the origin of this golden war spear.

The Golden Rhino Divine Spear was the signature magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] of the Hulking Demon Emperor, and also his most precious Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to its user's life force, growing in power with them].

This treasure was forged from the golden horn atop the head of a Golden Rhino Demon Emperor, refined and fused with Fifth Rank Western Pole Metallic Gold [a legendary metal of supreme hardness and sharpness], becoming a Demon-Slaying Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure specifically designed to slay demonic beings] of unparalleled Slaughter [killing power].

Without a doubt, if this spear strike landed true, the entire Mountain Protection Formation of Demonic Ape Mountain would be shattered, and the thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] mountain range itself would be pierced through.

"We cannot let it succeed."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes turned icy cold in an instant. In a flash, she merged her body with her sword, transforming into a dazzling streak of sword light that soared into the sky. With a sharp *clang*, she deflected the Golden Rhino Divine Spear away.

"What a formidable Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power wielded by an immortal]."

Golden Rhino Demon Emperor's gaze instantly sharpened with cold intent, and he immediately abandoned his assault on the mountain-protecting Formation [a defensive array or magical barrier].

To him, the pressure exerted by Exquisite Jiang was greater than that of the entire Chu Nation Cultivation World.

In an instant, both Golden Rhino Demon Emperor figures attacked simultaneously, unleashing their magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] and Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique] horizontally towards Exquisite Jiang.

Eldrin Chen naturally could not stand by and watch them gang up on Exquisite Jiang. He immediately summoned the Two Polarities Divine Thunder and activated his Immortal Sword magical treasure to intercept the Female Demon Emperor.

"You dare to block my path?"

The Female Demon Emperor sneered coldly, conjuring a golden Spiritual Treasure [a high-grade magical treasure] flying sword that shot forth to slash at him.

This treasure, much like the Golden Rhino Divine Spear, was forged from her own lifebound horn and refined by fusing it with Fifth Rank Supreme Lunar Acrid Metal [a rare, cold, and sharp metal imbued with lunar essence].

Such artifacts possess extraordinary latent potential, harboring the power to ascend to the level of a Mid-Grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact specifically designed to suppress demonic beings]. However, their foundational formation patterns [the magical circuits that empower an artifact] are too rudimentary, preventing them from unleashing the ultimate power inherent in their exceptional materials.

The reason this Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword cultivated as part of one's very being, growing in power with its wielder] has reached the grade of a Spiritual Treasure [an artifact with a nascent sentient spirit] is primarily due to the Innate Formation Pattern [a natural, pre-existing magical circuit] contained within the horn and its extraordinary material quality.

As the Immortal Sword [a sword wielded by immortal beings] cleaved towards him, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly. He had not yet fully discerned the Demon Emperor's [a ruler among demonkind] methods, and this was not the optimal moment to reveal his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a sentient magical treasure bound to one's life force].

With this thought, he could only call out urgently, "Senior, your aid!"

"*Hummm—*"

In that instant, the Heaven's Vault Mirror erupted with boundless might. Soaring into the sky, it bathed the heavens and earth in a radiant, pristine light. A single, dazzling beam of mirror-light shot forth, illuminating the Female Demon Emperor directly. For uninterrupted reading, go to audi0-n0vel.c0m.