Chapter 494 : Treasure Ship Standoff

However, being a figure of the True Lord [a powerful cultivator whose Primordial Spirit has matured into an infant form] realm, he naturally harbored no fear towards the three Demonic Path [cultivation arts aligned with demonic or malevolent principles] True Lord. His gaze turned grim as he spoke, "By blocking the Treasure Ship [a large, heavily armed vessel used for transporting valuable goods across dangerous territories] of my Zhang Clan, do you three intend to detain this old man as well?"

"Heh—"

Blood Bone Old Demon let out a cold sneer, his eyes icy. "Hand over the Treasure Ship and leave behind all the treasures aboard," he said with chilling clarity, "and we will naturally let you depart."

"So there is no room for negotiation."

With those words from Path Mystery True Lord, he waved his hand. Instantly, the defensive Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used to create protective barriers, traps, or other magical effects] upon the Treasure Ship activated with a resonant hum.

One by one, Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a stable, crystalline Golden Core within their dantian] manned the Demon-Hunting Crossbow [a large, magically-enhanced siege weapon designed to fire bolts capable of piercing demonic hides] and Demon-Slaying Cannon [a powerful artillery piece that fires concentrated blasts of energy effective against demons], training their deadly sights upon the several Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic or unorthodox paths, often drawing power from malevolent sources] True Lord.

This Treasure Ship was outfitted with forty-nine Demon-Hunting Crossbow. Each one was of the Fourth Rank Superior Grade [a high-quality classification for artifacts or formations], their power rivaling a full-force strike from a cultivator at the Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm, where the core is perfectly refined] stage.

The Demon-Slaying Cannon were even more Extraordinary in their might, graded at the Fifth Rank Low-Grade [a classification for very powerful artifacts]. At full power, their blasts were potent enough to seriously injure an Infant Soul True Lord [a True Lord whose Primordial Spirit has fully formed into an infant-like entity, representing a significant leap in power].

Unfortunately, the exorbitant cost of the Demon-Slaying Cannon meant the Treasure Ship carried only three of them—a number that felt somewhat lacking.

These Demon-Slaying Cannon were difficult to aim effectively against a swift Infant Soul True Lord. They were better suited for assaulting stationary targets like fortified Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy, often serving as a cultivation base] or demonic strongholds. Against the three demons, they served more as a deterrent than a reliable threat. This novel is serialized on audio-novel.com (official site). Visit for updates.

Even so, the three old demons revealed wary expressions. They transformed into streaks of demonic light, weaving through the void to avoid being locked onto by the Demon-Slaying Cannon.

The White Bone Old Demon transformed into a rainbow streak, his voice a demonic tide that swept forth: "Having traversed hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of void, I wonder how much spiritual energy remains on your Treasure Ship to fire that cannon a few more times?"

"You are welcome to test it!"

Path Mystery True Lord sneered coldly while ordering his crew to continue piloting the Treasure Ship forward. If he could avoid a fight, he was unwilling to clash with these three demons.

They tangled for two full days before the Black Bone Old Demon finally lost patience. His figure shot forth like a rainbow, closing to within several thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of the void. He then summoned a blood-red demonic saber and slashed towards the ship.

"The Blood-Transforming Demon Saber!"

Path Mystery True Lord's expression turned icy. With a flick of his sleeve, he summoned a brilliant azure Immortal Sword to meet the attack.

The Immortal Sword was inlaid with seven dazzling gemstones that radiated shimmering patterns of Dao [the fundamental principle or path of the universe]. Its power actually suppressed the infamous Blood-Transforming Demon Saber, a weapon renowned among Demonic Cultivators.

"It's the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword!"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. The Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword wielded by Path Mystery True Lord was indeed Extraordinary, a rare and formidable Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword.

Almost simultaneously, Blood Bone Old Demon and White Bone Old Demon struck in unison, both launching their assault towards the Treasure Ship in an attempt to breach its defensive Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols that creates a protective barrier].

White Bone Old Demon was intercepted by Path Mystery True Lord, who unleashed the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword to hold him at bay, while Blood Bone Old Demon continued his relentless charge forward.

"We cannot let him get any closer!"

The Human Race cultivators aboard the Treasure Ship were visibly shaken. If an Infant Soul [the fourth major stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed] Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who uses unorthodox, often malevolent methods to gain power] closed in, the spiritual energy reserves currently stored within the ship would likely be depleted swiftly.

Immediately, they all sprang into action, channeling their power to fire the Demon-Hunting Crossbow [a large, enchanted crossbow designed to pierce demonic defenses] and the Demon-Slaying Cannon [a heavy artillery piece that fires concentrated blasts of spiritual energy].

Yet, the Blood Bone Old Demon twisted and weaved with uncanny agility, managing to evade the barrage of attacks in an astonishingly short span of time.

The first blast from the Demon-Slaying Cannon—missed!

The second projectile from the Demon-Slaying Cannon—missed again!

A third shell from the Demon-Slaying Cannon soared through the air, seemingly on target to strike the Blood Bone Old Demon, only to shatter a mere cluster of bloodied bones left in his wake.

"It's the Blood-Bone Substitution Art [a sinister technique that allows the user to sacrifice a portion of their own flesh and bone to instantly teleport a short distance, leaving a decoy behind]!"

"Disaster!" [a common exclamation of alarm or impending doom]

As Blood Bone Old Demon closed in, a collective dread settled in the hearts of the group.

At that moment, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a glance, finally abandoning all pretense of concealment.

In an instant, Exquisite Jiang made her move. She summoned the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword and sent it soaring through the air, its blade aimed directly at Blood Bone Old Demon.

"Beware, it's the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword!" [a legendary sword famed for vanquishing demonic beings]

The Blood Bone Old Demon's pupils contracted sharply. His figure jerked to a halt, barely evading the lethal strike. Find this and other novels at audio novel.com.

Yet, Eldrin Chen struck simultaneously, unleashing the Trinity Divine Thunder [a supreme lightning technique of immense destructive power] against his foe.

Cornered and with no room left to maneuver, the Blood Bone Old Demon had no time to dodge. In a flash, he raised a hand, summoning a crimson Demonic Banner. From its depths, countless blood-red phantoms surged forth to meet the attack.

This Demonic Banner was the Blood Bone Old Demon's personal Demonic Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a demonic cultivator's life force], known as the Blood Fiend Demonic Banner. It was an artifact of profound and vile malevolence.

Crafted from human skin and tempered with the essence of countless Human Race lives, this treasure had ascended to the Fifth Rank [a high tier of power for magical artifacts]. One could scarcely fathom the oceans of blood and mountains of corpses that had fueled its ascent.

"Audacious fiend!"

The moment he saw that Demonic Banner, Eldrin Chen's gaze blazed with killing intent. He immediately channeled more of his spiritual power, splitting the Trinity Divine Thunder into three thousand separate bolts of divine lightning that rained down.

The three thousand Thunderclap bolts converged into a veritable Sea of Thunder, an overwhelming deluge that drowned everything in its path, reducing the countless blood phantoms to ashes.

This Primordial Solar Divine Thunder, a Great God Ability, was supremely effective at countering such Demonic Treasure. With a single devastating strike, it grievously wounded Blood Bone Old Demon's Demonic Banner, purifying more than half of its blood phantoms.

"My Demonic Treasure!"

Watching his blood phantom Demonic Banner suffer such damage, Blood Bone Old Demon let out a pained shriek. He immediately unleashed a barrage of Divine Ability [powerful supernatural techniques] in a desperate attempt to breach the Formation [a structured array of energy used for defense or attack] and slay Eldrin Chen.

However, Exquisite Jiang had been prepared for this. With another swift sword stroke, she summoned forth the Golden Rhino Immortal Sword, its blade finding its mark on Blood Bone Old Demon.

Yet, the Blood Bone Old Demon proved formidable indeed. In an instant, his form dissolved into a swirling mass of blood and bone, only to reconstitute itself in the distance.

"The Blood-Bone Substitution Art [a forbidden technique that allows a cultivator to sacrifice a part of their essence to evade a fatal blow]?"

Exquisite Jiang's eyes narrowed sharply. She unleashed the Two Polarities Divine Light to lock him in place, then channeled the Void of Five Calamities Light towards him. Her gaze was piercing as she declared, "Let's see how many more times you can use that substitution!"

The vast and mighty Great God Ability [a supreme divine technique] descended once more, shattering Blood Bone Old Demon into fragments. Yet, in the next instant, he reappeared deep within the void.

Seeing this demon could not be slain, Path Mystery True Lord warned, "Though his combat prowess ranks last among the three fiends, his ability to preserve his life is arguably the greatest."

"If we cannot seal the void, we are merely wasting our spiritual power. We will never be able to truly slay him."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes snapped open with sudden understanding. He immediately summoned the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical mirror that governs the polarity of void and substance]. A beam of mirror-light shot forth, firmly pinning Blood Bone Old Demon in place within the void.

"Now!"

In that very moment, Exquisite Jiang struck again. She unleashed the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword [a divine sword famed for slaying even immortals], its blade sweeping down to cleave Blood Bone Old Demon in two.

As the Immortal Sword descended upon him, Blood Bone Old Demon felt a surge of mortal danger. He tried to channel his power and activate a Divine Ability [a supernatural technique powered by spiritual energy] to flee, but the very void around him had congealed. For a crucial moment, he found himself utterly immobilized.

In his panic, he cried out in desperation, "Senior Brother, save me!"

"Hmph—"

In that fleeting instant, the White Bone Old Demon finally made his move.

His eyes snapped open with sudden intensity. Suppressing the Path Mystery True Lord, he then extended his aid to the Blood Bone Old Demon.

Contrary to all expectations, the treasure he summoned forth was not the Skeletal Demon Skull that Eldrin Chen had anticipated, but a blade of pure, dazzling white—an Immortal Sword [a peerless sword forged with immortal techniques].

The Immortal Sword gleamed with an aura of Vast Righteousness [boundless and unwavering moral principle]. With a resonant *clang*, it effortlessly parried the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword [a sword famed for slaying celestial beings], sending it rebounding back.

"That is... the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword [a sword forged to vanquish a hundred types of spirits]!"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly in recognition, understanding the profound origins of this blade.

The Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword and the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword [a sword forged to vanquish a thousand types of demons] were a pair, one aligned with sinister spirits, the other with vile demons. In the past, Eldrin Chen had obtained the methods to forge this pair of Immortal Sword. To combat the Demon Race [a race of malevolent, power-hungry beings], he had successfully crafted the Thousand Demons Demon-Slaying Sword. Yet, he had never undertaken the forging of its counterpart, the Hundred Spirits Immortal-Slaying Sword. Access the full story on audio-novel dot com.