Chapter 488 : A Sword's Decisive Strike

"My fate is sealed."

Yet, in that very instant, Eldrin Chen made his move. He summoned the Twofold Divine Radiance [a divine ability that manifests two opposing yet complementary beams of light], ensnaring the Supreme Grade Magical Treasure [a treasure of the highest quality, possessing immense power]. Then, he unleashed the Triad Divine Thunder [a divine ability that calls down three simultaneous, devastating bolts of heavenly thunder], finishing off Pyroclast the Elder Demon in a single, decisive strike.

Simultaneously, freed from the Separated Flame Banner [a magical banner that can control and separate flames], the Bixia Demon Emperor finally broke free from its confinement.

Seeing the sword radiance transformed from the Metallic Essence Demon-Slaying Sword Talisman [a powerful talisman that unleashes a sword beam imbued with the essence of metal to slay demons] slashing towards it, the demon emperor hastily urged its lifebound turtle shell to block, successfully parrying the killing blow that Nine Rivers True Lord had prepared for so long.

"It's over."

Witnessing their trump card fail, the hearts of the Human Race cultivators sank like stones.

But in that same fleeting moment, a clear sword chime resonated through the air. A dazzling, peerless sword radiance soared and cleaved down, aiming directly for the head of the Bixia Demon Emperor.

Lyra Jiang, who had been maneuvering on the periphery, had finally seized the most critical opportunity. She unleashed the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword famed for its power to slay even immortals], its blade descending upon the Bixia Demon Emperor's skull.

Already severely depleted of its primordial energy, the Bixia Demon Emperor was caught utterly off guard by this ambush. Faced with the strike from the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [an immortal sword specifically forged to subdue demonic beings], it had almost no time to react before its head was severed by a single, clean cut.

"Agh—!" Access the full story on audio‑novel.com.

The Bixia Demon Emperor [a powerful turtle-like demonic beast ruler] let out a wretched shriek, its Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their life essence and power] fleeing in a panic, desperately trying to vanish into the depths of the void.

However, Eldrin Chen had gone to great lengths to conceal his true strength, even deceiving Nine Rivers True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator], a fellow Human Race True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator]. How could he possibly allow his prey to escape so easily?

With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a mystical mirror capable of traversing space] shot through the air, capturing both the Nascent Soul and the turtle shell of the Bixia Demon Emperor within its Treasure Mirror [a general term for a magical mirror artifact].

"It is done."

Having slain a Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [a demonic beast ruler whose power is equivalent to a human Nascent Soul cultivator], Eldrin Chen allowed himself a brief sigh of relief. Yet, with the battle raging fiercely around him, there was no time for celebration. He immediately summoned the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a powerful magical sword imbued with abyssal fire] and shot towards the chaotic skies.

"How is this possible?"

In the span of a single breath, the Human Race forces had suddenly revealed two additional True Lord-level combatants, catching the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic beast factions] completely off guard.

Boulder Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic beast ruler known for its immense defensive strength], Lorcan, Scion of Lethe, and their third companion wore identical expressions of stunned disbelief before instantly clashing with Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang.

Eldrin Chen surged towards Lorcan, Scion of Lethe, while Lyra Jiang launched her assault against the Boulder Demon Emperor. Seizing the opportunity, Nine Rivers True Lord unleashed his full power, firmly blocking the path of the Black-Robed Cultivator.

"Where did these two come from?"

Lorcan, Scion of Lethe parried the relentless assault from Eldrin Chen, a flicker of apprehension crossing his features.

His face a mask of shock and fury, he turned his gaze toward Boulder Demon Emperor and couldn't help but send a frantic mental message: "The Human Race [the collective term for humanity in this cultivation world] was hiding this trump card all along. How did you not have even a whisper of this intelligence?"

"I had no idea either."

Boulder Demon Emperor was also flustered. The sudden turn of events allowed Eldrin a moment to piece things together. It was clear their opponents were unaware they had invited Lorcan, Scion of Lethe and his guardian.

Yet, under these circumstances, their foes had concealed two True Lord [a high-level cultivator, equivalent to a Nascent Soul realm expert]-level combatants. This meant their target was never the mere Bixia Demon Emperor; they had been aiming for him from the very beginning.

As this realization dawned, a cold sweat broke out on Boulder Demon Emperor's back. He felt he had narrowly escaped a calamity, and a profound sense of belated fear washed over him.

Seeing Boulder Demon Emperor seemingly paralyzed by fear, Lyra Jiang seized the opportunity. She raised her voice, declaring loudly, "Fellow Daoist Nine Rivers [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], hold on just a little longer! Violet Consort True Lord and Lingxu the Ethereal Lord are already positioned on the perimeter."

"Today, our net will close, and these three fiends shall be utterly annihilated!"

"Disaster!"

A jolt of panic shot through Boulder Demon Emperor. In that instant, he abandoned his duel with Lyra Jiang. He immediately summoned a radiant escape light and shot into the sky, shouting urgently, "Both of you, flee! We cannot wait for the Human Race to complete their encirclement!"

"You... vermin!"

Witnessing Boulder Demon Emperor abandon him and flee, Lorcan, Scion of Lethe's face turned livid with rage.

Yet, in that moment, a sliver of fear crept into his heart. He was already being forced into a steady retreat by Eldrin Chen. To continue this fight would likely lead to a dire outcome.

Most crucially, he knew nothing of the true capabilities of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, nor whether they held further hidden trump cards. To fight blindly under such circumstances, risking his very life, would be the height of folly.

"Enough! To know oneself and one's enemy is the key to victory in a hundred battles. I shall settle this score with you on another day!"

With this thought, Lorcan, Scion of Lethe let out a cold sneer, then decisively summoned his escape light and fled into the distance. Your portal to cultivation novels: (audio-novel.com).

The Black-Robed True Lord watched as both his allies had chosen flight. He cast a regretful glance at the grievously wounded Nine Rivers True Lord. Given just one more quarter of an hour, he was certain he could have finished off the severely injured Nine Rivers True Lord.

Alas, with both his comrades gone, remaining alone now would only invite disaster upon himself.

With no other choice, the Black-Robed Elder Demon also transformed into a streak of bloody light and shot away, following hastily after Lorcan, Scion of Lethe.

"After them!"

The group gave a half-hearted chase for a few moments before coming to a halt.

The other Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] then seized the opportunity to slaughter the Golden Core Demon King [a demonic beast king possessing power equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator], each wearing expressions of glee as they prepared to plunder the Spirit Island.

"Return swiftly."

Nine Rivers True Lord [a title for a powerful Nascent Soul stage cultivator] gathered everyone back and then summoned his Fifth Rank [referring to the power level equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage] Treasure Boat [a magical vessel used for travel and combat], urging everyone to board the treasure vessel quickly.

No sooner had they boarded than, just as the group was about to voice their questions, Nine Rivers True Lord coughed up a mouthful of dark blood.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen also hurriedly spoke: "We were merely bluffing those three earlier. They will likely realize the truth soon enough."

Upon hearing this, a cold sweat broke out on everyone's brows. With Nine Rivers True Lord severely wounded and his Nascent Soul Qi [the refined spiritual energy of a Nascent Soul cultivator] largely depleted, if that Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Nascent Soul realm] Black-Robed Elder Demon were to turn back and attack, there would be no one capable of stopping him.

This thought spurred them into action. They even forsook looting the Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a location rich with spiritual energy of Nascent Soul grade] on Boulder Island, hastily channeling their power to propel the Fifth Rank Treasure Boat back the way they came.

And indeed, that is precisely what happened. Not long after, the three Nascent Soul [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one forms a Nascent Soul] Demonic Monsters [powerful, malevolent creatures born from demonic energy] realized they had been deceived and immediately gave chase from behind.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen's Fifth Rank Treasure Boat possessed extraordinary speed. Catching up to them was no easy feat, even for three Nascent Soul Demonic Monsters.

Although the three Nascent Soul [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual infant from their condensed core] Demonic Monsters [powerful, malevolent beasts that cultivate demonic energy] managed to close the distance a few times by expending vast amounts of their power, Eldrin Chen possessed the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void [a mystical treasure capable of manipulating the fundamental forces of reality]. With it, he could instantly transport the Treasure Boat [a vessel enchanted for flight and travel] across a hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of void, ultimately shaking them off their pursuit.

After fleeing for three full days, the group finally managed to escape back to the safety of the Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy, often used as a cultivation base].

Upon their return to the Spirit Island, Nine Rivers True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator, often indicating mastery over a specific domain or element] invited Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang into a secluded chamber. Without preamble, he bowed deeply before them.

"Rise quickly, True Lord [an honorific title for a Nascent Soul stage cultivator]." Seeing such a profound gesture, Eldrin Chen swiftly moved to the side and reached out to lift him up. "You must not humble us so."

"You both deserve this bow. Had it not been for your timely intervention, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term used between cultivators, meaning 'companion on the path'], I fear my fate would have been sealed in that calamity."

"Had I fallen, and the elite forces of Nine Continents Island [a major island territory] been wiped out, the hundreds of millions of Human Race [mortal and cultivator humans] on these islands would have become mere blood sustenance for the Demonic Monsters." A pale-faced Nine Rivers True Lord spoke with palpable dread. "Therefore, this bow is also offered on behalf of the Human Race of Nine Continents Island."

"This..."

Hearing his words, Eldrin Chen offered no further protest and accepted the gesture with solemn grace.

Only after the bow was completed did Eldrin Chen step forward to help him rise. "How fares your injury, True Lord?" he inquired.

"I fear the damage is severe..."

When Eldrin mentioned his injuries, Nine Rivers True Lord revealed a bitter smile, his expression filled with sorrow as he said, "This time, I was struck by the Blood Malignancy Heart-Piercing Spike [a vile, soul-corrupting demonic weapon]. I had no choice but to erupt with my Nascent Soul Qi [the refined life-force energy of a Nascent Soul cultivator] and fight with all my might."

"Now, the blood malignancy energy has invaded my organs, corrupting my very flesh and vital essence. Without sufficient Nascent Soul Qi to suppress it, I fear in less than one hundred days, this old man's body will dissolve into a pool of pus and blood." Original English translation available at http://www . audio-novel.com.