Chapter 523 : Flight of the Desolate Demon

"It is a Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure of immense power, nearing the legendary Pure Yang grade]!"

The remaining two elder demons wore expressions of utter terror. After a single glance at the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword [a sword forged from earthfire and mysterious crystal] in the hand of the Tianlu Sect Master, they could no longer bear to continue the fight. They fled from the battle in frantic haste.

"You have failed me!"

Watching the two demons escape, Desolation Morgrim revealed a pained expression.

Had they held out for just another half a shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], he would have had a great chance to severely wound Eldrin Chen, perhaps even slay this most troublesome foe. Alas, their retreat had come far too soon.

Facing three formidable enemies alone, with one of them wielding a Quasi-Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure, even Desolation Morgrim did not possess such audacious courage.

Thus, he could only withdraw with a sigh of resignation, transforming into a streak of escaping light as he fled towards the mountain pass.

"You shall not escape!"

With a furious roar, Eldrin Chen channeled his Twofold Divine Radiance [a divine ability that manipulates the dual polarities of Yin and Yang], intending to pin Desolation Morgrim down.

Yet Desolation Morgrim merely sneered. He summoned his Desolation Heaven Divine Aegis [a divine protective shield embodying the power of desolation] to block all attacks, vanishing in an instant beyond the horizon's edge. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel[dot]com.

"Do not pursue."

Lyra Jiang halted Eldrin Chen, shaking her head with a grave expression.

Eldrin Chen turned back, only then taking a proper look at Tianlu Sect Master. He noticed the old True Lord appeared somewhat pale, his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] clearly significantly depleted.

Although this old sect master possessed formidable Mana, his foundation was ultimately that of an Earthly Dao Nascent Soul [a Nascent Soul formed through the Earthly Dao path, considered less potent than the Heavenly Dao path]. Engaging in successive battles against a Nascent Soul, Mid Stage and a Nascent Soul, Early StageDemonic Cultivator [a practitioner who follows a demonic path, harnessing malevolent energies] naturally consumed a great deal of his Mana.

This was especially true for the final act of forcibly activating the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword, which, while it slew a powerful foe, also drained a full two-tenths of his Mana.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen looked at Tianlu Sect Master and inquired, "How are you feeling, Brother?"

"I will manage. It is merely a substantial depletion of Mana," Tianlu Sect Master replied with a bitter smile. "A pity my cultivation is insufficient. Forcibly activating the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword beyond my current realm exacts too heavy a toll."

"Were my cultivation to break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, the Mana cost of wielding the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword would be drastically reduced."

Eldrin Chen nodded, sighing softly. "A shame we failed to slay Desolation Morgrim this time. He will surely become a dire threat in the future."

"Worry not," Lyra Jiang said with a light laugh. "Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range inhabited by powerful demonic cultivators] harbors only five or six Demonic Cultivator. This time, we have slain one and destroyed the physical body of another. This significantly weakens the forces of the Desolate Demon Ridge."

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen's eyes brightened as he spoke. "Now that Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with powerful demonic beings] has been suddenly and severely wounded, and Desolation Morgrim [the ancient demon lord ruling the Desolate Demon Ridge] has suffered heavy backlash injuries, this is the perfect moment to strike against them."

"This..."

Tianlu Sect Master hesitated for a moment, then pondered aloud. "Perhaps we should wait a little longer. Let us wait another thirty years. In thirty years, this old man will attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Nascent Soul realm, representing immense power and longevity]. Our chances of success will be significantly greater then."

Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.

The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, world-shaking calamity where demonic energy surges from the abyss] draws near. Repairing the Green Abyss Sword will likely require considerable time. Therefore, the sooner we reclaim the Green Abyss Sword, the better.

With this thought, he contemplated briefly before speaking again. "The Desolate Demon Ridge is now grievously wounded. This is our optimal window to act."

"The Desolate Demon Ridge lies within the Nine Rivers Continent. Logically, it should be dealt with by the fellow cultivators of the Nine Rivers Continent. Since we are taking the initiative to move against the Desolate Demon Ridge, the powers of the Nine Rivers Continent cannot simply stand by. They must lend their strength to this endeavor."

"The Nine Rivers Continent?" Tianlu Sect Master nodded upon hearing this, then mused, "The Nine Rivers Daoist of the Nine Rivers Continent possesses cultivation at the Nascent Soul Eighth Layer [the eighth layer of the Nascent Soul realm, denoting profound mastery]. Enlisting their aid should indeed be sufficient."

Seeing Tianlu Sect Master's resolve firming, Eldrin Chen smiled. "In that case, once we return, we shall prepare to take action."

"Agreed," Tianlu Sect Master nodded, stroking his long beard. "The Nine Rivers Daoist is an old acquaintance of mine. I shall journey to the Nine Rivers Continent to discuss this matter with them. I have little doubt they will be quite willing to participate."

"Then I shall trouble you, Brother Daoist."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, cupped his hands in salute towards Tianlu Sect Master, and then took his leave.

Not long after, the three Demonic PathTrue Lord—Desolation Morgrim and his companions—returned to Desolate Demon Ridge.

Desolation Morgrim looked at Qian Morgrim and Jin Morgrim flanking him, a flicker of rage passing through his heart. Yet, considering both were Demonic Cultivator of the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage, he forcibly suppressed his murderous intent.

With the killing intent reined in, his expression turned grave as he spoke. "Junior Brothers, I fear we have stirred up a calamity of immense proportions today!"

"Why do you say that, Senior Brother?" Experience the full epic at audio–novel.com.

The two demons exchanged a glance, uncertainty clouding their features.

"Are you worried about those three from the Abyss?" Qian Morgrim pondered for a moment before replying. "Senior Brother, you may be overthinking this."

Seeing this, Jin Morgrim also nodded in agreement. "Though we were defeated today, our cultivation and combat prowess rank among the world's finest. Even if we cannot best those three, we should still possess considerable confidence in our ability to protect ourselves."

"You have courted a great disaster, yet remain blissfully unaware of it."

Desolation Morgrim let out a bitter laugh, his face etched with worry as he said, "Today, when I crossed blades with Eldrin Chen, do you know why I could not gain the upper hand?"

"Because his Divine Ability is formidable?" Jin Morgrim ventured hesitantly, then nodded. "That man forged a Great Vehicle Divine Ability while still in the Nascent Soul, Early Stage. He is likely the next Magnus the Virtuous."

"No, that's not it," Desolation Morgrim replied, his expression grave and cautious. "I observed that his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] is unnaturally profound and dense. I fear he conceals a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a treasure intimately bound to a cultivator's soul, growing with them] specifically for storing Mana!"

"He possesses another Lifebound Spiritual Treasure?"

The two Demon God [a title for supremely powerful demonic cultivators] were visibly shaken, their faces paling with sudden, profound dread. "A Great Luo Nascent Soul [the pinnacle foundation for the Nascent Soul realm, granting immense potential]! Could it be that the Human Race is about to produce another Jiang the Sovereign Emperor, another Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to immortality]?"

"Disaster! This is a calamity, a true calamity!"

Jin Morgrim paced frantically, like an ant on a hot pan. After several agitated circles, he blurted out, "When Jiang the Sovereign Emperor emerged in ages past, he slaughtered eighty-five out of every hundred Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use malevolent, often sacrificial methods to gain power] in the Purple Realm. Even Nascent Soul demon progenitors could not escape that cataclysm."

"It has long been said that Abyssal Daoist possesses an exceptionally fierce and ruthless nature. This man might even surpass Jiang the Sovereign Emperor in that regard."

"If he were to achieve immortality, would it not spell a cataclysm sweeping across the world for us Demonic Cultivator?"

Thoroughly terrified, the two demons turned to Desolation Morgrim. Qian Morgrim could not contain himself. "This man bears the mark of an Immortal Ascension Progeny [one destined by fate to achieve immortal ascension]. Once he rises to power in the future, our doom is certain. Senior Brother, you must devise a plan, and quickly!"

"Haaa—"

Desolation Morgrim drew a deep breath, pondered for a long while, and then said, "This matter is beyond our capacity to decide. This old man intends to make a trip to Falling God Ridge and report this affair to Thanatos the God-Slayer."

"If Thanatos the God-Slayer is willing to take action, then Eldrin Chen will surely meet with calamity. I fear even the Dorian Ji behind him may not be able to protect him."

Having said this, Desolation Morgrim spoke again, "You two should remain here at Desolate Demon Ridge for now. Wait for my return."

With those words, Desolation Morgrim departed from Desolate Demon Ridge and set off towards Falling God Ridge, one of the two Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [forbidden sanctuaries for demonic path cultivators] within the Eastern Wilderness.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen remained completely unaware of Desolation Morgrim's movements. He had just returned to Spirit Isle Lake and was preparing to convene the clan's cultivators to discuss the campaign against Desolate Demon Ridge. Find this and other novels at audio~novel.com.