Chapter 487 : The Demon Emperor's Weakening Shell

As the crowd murmured amongst themselves, the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation] in the sky above finally began to gradually subside.

The Bixia Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic beast resembling a mythical turtle-dragon hybrid], with its potent bloodline and formidable shell, had unsurprisingly weathered the Nascent Soul Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly trial one must endure to advance to the Nascent Soul Realm].

Its Turtle Shell was extraordinary, having transformed into an object akin to a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a treasure nurtured and grown with one's own life force and cultivation, possessing profound power and connection to its wielder], its defensive capabilities rivaling the finest Inferior Grade Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure specifically designed to suppress and vanquish demonic entities, though of the lowest tier within that classification].

Sheltered by this mighty carapace, it had not suffered grievous wounds, though its mana and vital essence were severely depleted.

"Now!"

Seeing the Bixia Demon Emperor weakened and drained, the cultivators aboard the Treasure Boat [a flying vessel imbued with magical properties] wasted no time in concealing their forms. They immediately unleashed their Divine Ability [profound supernatural techniques born from deep cultivation] and Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts channeling spiritual power] in a furious assault.

However, a significant number of Demonic Tribe [a tribe or faction of demonic beasts and cultivators] members stood guard for the Bixia Demon Emperor here. Instantly, a host of Demon King [powerful demonic beasts equivalent to Golden Core cultivators] surged forward to intercept. Lucian Lu watched as numerous Demon King blocked their path, a slight frown creasing his brow. Yet, his resolve remained unshaken. "Ignore them," he commanded coolly. "Press forward with all speed."

In that moment, the prepared Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has achieved the Golden Core Realm] provided covering fire, allowing the eleven Ancient Ancestor [a venerable elder of immense age and power within a clan or sect] of Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core Realm] cultivation to close in on the Bixia Demon Emperor.

"How dare you!"

As the group charged forth, a roar of fury thundered from the heavens. Original English translation available at audio_novel.com.

It was actually the Boulder Demon Emperor seated cross-legged upon the Firmament, who manifested a cyan stone treasure axe and brought it cleaving down.

"Beware! It is the Boulder Axe!"

The expressions of the group shifted slightly. This was the Boulder Demon Emperor's famed Spiritual Treasure. Forged from Fifth Rank Boulder and fused with an immense Earth Attribute Ore Vein, its weight surpassed that of a vast mountain range.

One could say its power was peerless in its sheer, overwhelming force. A direct blow from it was something even the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword would likely not dare to meet head-on. For Golden Core True Person like them, a glancing touch would mean instant death and utter shattering.

Just as panic began to spread, Lucian Lu spoke up. "Do not concern yourselves with the Boulder Demon Emperor. Our focus is solely on the Bixia Demon Emperor."

Sure enough, a dazzling divine radiance erupted across the sky. The Nine Rivers True Lord had appeared, unbeknownst to all, blocking the horizon. He summoned forth a bracelet of chaotic, primordial hue.

"It is the Primordial Gold Bracelet!"

A wave of relief washed over the cultivators. The Primordial Gold Bracelet was the Nine Rivers True Lord's Lifebound Spiritual Treasure. It seemed to perfectly counter the Boulder Axe, holding it firmly at bay.

With the Nine Rivers True Lord intercepting the Boulder Demon Emperor, they could finally breathe easier. Without delay, they unleashed their Flying Sword and Magical Treasure against the Bixia Demon Emperor.

Yet, even besieged by eleven Golden Core, Late Stage experts, the Bixia Demon Emperor showed not a trace of fear. Transforming into human form, the turtle shell atop its head flew out, erecting a thick, golden barrier of light.

This luminous barrier possessed unparalleled defensive power, rendering the combined assault of over a dozen Supreme Grade Magical Treasures utterly ineffective.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Lucian Lu frowned, his gaze turning icy as he spoke, "This beast's defenses are too formidable. Let us trap it with the Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner."

"Agreed."

The others nodded. Led by Lucian Lu, the eight Golden Core True Persons joined forces, unleashing the Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner to envelop the void, successfully trapping the Bixia Demon Emperor within its confines.

This Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner was a trump card Nine Rivers True Lord had refined over several millennia, capable of unleashing eight distinct esoteric forces: Heaven [the celestial principle], Earth [the terrestrial principle], Water [the flowing principle], Thunder [the crashing principle], Mountain [the immovable principle], Separated Flame [the scorching principle], Marsh [the nurturing principle], and Wind [the swift principle].

As the eight Golden Core True Persons continuously channeled their power, a relentless barrage of thunder, flame, Wind, and other esoteric forces descended, causing the radiance of the Bixia Demon Emperor's Turtle Shell to flicker and scatter chaotically.

Seeing the Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner prove effective, Lucian Lu said with relief, "This abomination is expending immense mana. If we just press our advantage, we are certain to slay it here."

Witnessing this from the sky, Nine Rivers True Lord felt a measure of reassurance settle in his heart, believing their chances of successfully beheading the Bixia Demon Emperor in this battle were now considerable.

With this thought, he spoke with a hint of triumph, "Boulder, it seems your descendant's fate is sealed today. His tribulation is inescapable."

"Is that so?"

Contrary to all expectations, Boulder Demon Emperor remained exceptionally calm. He even sneered coldly, "Nine Rivers Ancient Eccentric, you are the one who fails to see the peril at your own doorstep."

"Disaster!"

The thought flashed through Nine Rivers True Lord's mind. In that fleeting instant, a dazzling crimson radiance descended from the sky, carrying a sinister, corrupting malice. It struck him, piercing clean through his shoulder.

Having cultivated for several Millennium, he was an experienced True Lord after all. Though caught completely off guard, Nine Rivers True Lord managed to hastily summon a Magical Treasure to block the worst of the blow before retreating in a frantic escape to a distant point in the void.

After evading the follow-up, Nine Rivers True Lord suppressed his injuries, his spirit still reeling. Only then did he turn to see what had ambushed him: a blood-red treasure spike.

"Bloodthirsty Heart-Piercing Spike!" Your portal to cultivation novels: site: audio-novel.com.

Nine Rivers True Lord drew in a sharp, cold breath. The Bloodthirsty Heart-Piercing Spike was a Fifth Rank Demonic Treasure [a supremely powerful enchanted artifact of the demonic path], forged through an exceptionally vile and cruel process. It required Nine Abyssal Yin Iron [a rare, profoundly cold and malevolent metal from the deepest abyss] and the refined essence-blood of countless millions from the Human Race to complete its ritual refinement.

This treasure was the pinnacle of malice and wickedness. It possessed the power to corrupt an opponent's Magical Treasure and Divine Ability [a supernatural power cultivated to a profound level], specializing in countering Protective Aegis [a defensive barrier of condensed spiritual energy] and Defensive Magical Treasure. Furthermore, it could corrode both the physical body and the spirit soul of its victim.

The Bloodthirsty Heart-Piercing Spike before him had already reached the Fifth Rank Middle Grade [a mid-tier level of immense power]. No wonder it had so easily pierced through his defensive Divine Ability and Protective Magical Treasure, grievously wounding Nine Rivers True Lord with a single strike.

"You have some knowledge after all."

At that very moment, two figures stepped forth from the void.

One of the two was the blood-robed Lorcan, Scion of Lethe, the other was the ever-silent Black-Robed Elder.

Lorcan, Scion of Lethe wore a cold smile, speaking with a hint of mockery, "This was prepared especially for you. How does it feel?"

"Pfft—"

Nine Rivers True Lord spat out a mouthful of blood, a trace of despair coloring his expression.

Ambushed by this Bloodthirsty Heart-Piercing Spike, even a top-tier True Lord at the Nascent Soul Late Stage would suffer grievous wounds. He, a mere Nascent Soul, Early Stage cultivator, how could he possibly suppress such an injury?

At this moment, he felt only a vile, malignant energy [a corrupting force born of negative spiritual energy] polluting his mana and spirit soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator], leaving him unable to muster his power and even inducing a heavy, drowsy sensation.

Forcing his spirit to focus, he finally looked at the black-robed figure beside Lorcan, Scion of Lethe and uttered a bitter laugh, "For a titan of the Demonic Path at the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage to resort to a cowardly ambush from the shadows..."

Unexpectedly, the black-robed elder demon spoke: "Had I not struck from ambush, you would have fled with single-minded purpose. Even I could not have stopped you."

"Well played! A fine scheme indeed!"

Nine Rivers True Lord let out a bitter laugh, the Nascent Soul Qi [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a Nascent Soul cultivator's core] within his body erupting violently.

In that moment, the Nascent Soul Qi he had painstakingly accumulated over a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] boiled over, astonishingly increasing his mana by more than fifty percent.

He was originally a powerful True Lord [a title for a cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm] of the Nascent Soul, 3rd Tier [the third layer of the Nascent Soul realm]. Now, disregarding the depletion of his Nascent Soul Qi, his explosive outburst temporarily suppressed the injuries and the blood-filth malignance within him, unleashing mana comparable to that of a Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [a cultivator in the middle stages of the Nascent Soul realm] cultivator.

"This is bad!"

On the battlefield below, Lucian Lu, seeing the situation turn dire, urgently shouted, "Quickly, slay the Bixia Demon Emperor! Then lend my Master a hand!"

As he spoke, he could no longer afford to conserve his trump cards. With a metallic *shing*, he summoned the Metallic Essence Demon-Slaying Sword Talisman [a powerful talisman that transforms into a sword of metallic essence energy to slay demons], which transformed into a dazzling sword radiance that soared into the sky, aiming to shatter the Bixia Demon Emperor's tortoise-like shell defense.

"I was waiting for you to expose a flaw."

And in that very instant, from amidst the crowd, Blaze the True Person, who wielded the Separated Flame Banner [a magical banner that commands the power of separated flames], revealed a cold sneer.

Seizing the perfect moment, he suddenly retracted his Blazing Fire Banner and instead unleashed a Supreme Grade Magical Treasure [a magical treasure of the highest possible quality and power] to strike.

Lucian Lu, focused solely on rescuing his Master, had recklessly expended a great deal of his mana to activate the Fifth Rank Sword Talisman [a sword talisman of the fifth rank, possessing immense power]. Now, witnessing Blaze the True Person's sudden ambush, a look of utter despair washed over his face. Original publication: AUDIO-NOVEL.COM - The source of this chapter.