Chapter 597 : Clash of Ancient Treasures

Seeing Eldrin Chen lay bare his final reserves, the others naturally held nothing back. Yvonne the Violet Consort and the rest continuously unleashed their treasured Spirit Talisman [a talisman imbued with spiritual power] and divine thunderbolts. Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal brought forth a Fifth Rank High Grade Spirit Talisman [a talisman of immense power, ranked fifth grade high] from his previous life's collection and blasted it downward.

"Damnation!"

The three Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms an infant soul] elder demons within the Ridge of the Black Fiend saw this and frantically drove their Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged and powered by demonic energy] and Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique] forward to block the assault.

That Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor not only activated his Lifebound Demonic Treasure [a demonic treasure bound to one's life force], the Black Malignancy Demon Banner, but also summoned a second Lifebound Demonic Treasure—the 'Black Malignance Mountain-Cleaving Axe'—to parry the blows.

Yet this was still insufficient. He produced a third Demonic Treasure, a majestic ancient furnace of crimson hue.

This treasure was named the Crimson Phoenix Crucible [a crucible forged from the bones of a supreme phoenix], said to be refined from the bones of a Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm] demonic phoenix, its defensive capabilities ranking among the finest under heaven.

The Crimson Phoenix Crucible was once the Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact used to protect and signify the authority of a major clan] of a top-tier Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [an immortal clan led by a Nascent Soul cultivator]. After that Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators] declined, the treasure fell into the hands of the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor and was corrupted into a Demonic Treasure.

After deploying three superior-grade Demonic Treasure in succession, the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor finally managed to hold off the combined onslaught, creating a stalemate that proved difficult to break through immediately.

As the battle threatened to bog down once more, Magnus the Virtuous made his move again. This time, he did not activate his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure bound to one's life force], but merely flicked his sleeve, releasing a single golden Spirit Talisman.

"*Clang—*" Original publication: audio-novel[dot]com - The source of this chapter.

In a single Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time from Buddhist cosmology, less than a second], that golden Spirit Talisman transformed into a peerlessly dazzling sword radiance. It was as if a sun had descended and coalesced into an Immortal Sword cleaving downwards, or a Golden Crow [a mythical solar bird] had taken flight from the Nine Heavens to strike horizontally across the firmament.

"Golden Crow Transforms into Sword Talisman."

The moment he saw this Spirit Talisman, the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor's expression changed drastically. He immediately channeled all his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] to defend.

The Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique] inscribed upon this Golden Crow Transforms into Sword Talisman was named 'Golden Crow Transforms into Sword, Slaying Divinity Art'. This Divine Ability was a genuine Pure Yang Divine Ability [a technique of ultimate yang/positive energy, potent against darkness and demons], a world-shaking, peerless art whose fame resonated across the land.

Moreover, this 'Golden Crow Transforms into Sword, Slaying Divinity Art' was a unique secret art of the Lin Clan, a Human Race Sacred Land [a place of immense spiritual power and heritage] within the Eastern Wastelands. It was one of the Lifebound Divine Abilities [a supreme technique intrinsically linked to a cultivator's life force] cultivated by the Lin Clan Clan Lord, Lin Tianqi.

Although this Spirit Talisman before them was merely at the quasi-sixth rank, the power it unleashed was enough to shake heaven and earth, barely brushing against fifty percent of the might of the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core, a high stage of cultivation].

Such majestic, heaven-defying power was fundamentally unstoppable. With a sharp *clang*, it completely shattered the protective miasmic barrier of the Ridge of the Black Fiend.

Instantly, countless Demonic Cultivators suffered backlash and perished on the spot. Even the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor coughed up blood from the corner of his mouth, clearly sustaining significant internal injuries.

"BOOM—"

A deafening explosion followed. Seizing the opportunity, Thalion Chen gathered the true power of the Ten Thousand Immortals Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation, mobilizing force nearly comparable to a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a powerhouse on the verge of the Primordial Spirit Realm] expert. With a raised hand, he struck down, utterly crushing the Demonic Fiend Qi [the malevolent energy of demons and fiends] permeating the Ridge of the Black Fiend.

Having suffered such a blow, Demonic Spring [a demonic stronghold] was also reeling from the backlash, likely unable to maintain its mountain-protecting Baleful Qi [a malevolent, corrosive energy] for a short while.

Seeing the Demonic Fiend Qi [a dense, demonic energy field] shattered, Eldrin Chen immediately summoned his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords and unleashed a sweeping strike. "The Demonic Spring will recover in merely three Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours]," he declared. "Let us act swiftly together."

The twelve True Lords [powerful cultivators of the True Lord realm] acted in unison, instantly surrounding the three Demonic Path [the faction of demonic cultivators] True Lords.

Magnus the Virtuous, with the 'Virtuous Demon-Suppressing Pagoda' [a pagoda-shaped treasure for subduing demons] hovering above his head, the 'Ancient Virtuous Demon-Subduing Scroll' [an ancient scroll imbued with purifying power] at his back, and the Virtuous Heaven Sword in his hand, sought out the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, cornering him with no path for escape.

Besides the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, the Ridge of the Black Fiend [a demonic mountain ridge] was also defended by two other Demonic Path True Lords, both of them women of striking beauty.

One possessed a fiery, alluring figure, while the other bore a delicate, pitiable appearance. Were it not for the Baleful Qi [a malevolent, corrosive energy] that clung to them, they would resemble two elegant female cultivators.

However, Eldrin Chen knew their identities well. They were both disciples of the Black Malignancy Elder Demon and served as his Furnace Cauldrons [cultivation vessels or partners used to refine one's power, often with dark connotations] and concubines.

Most Demonic Cultivators [practitioners of demonic arts] were exceptionally cruel, and an entity like the Black Malignancy Elder Demon was ruthless to the extreme.

Over the course of several millennia, this demon had taken over a thousand disciples. Most of these disciples were refined by the Black Malignancy Elder Demon into cruel Demonic Treasures [magical artifacts forged through demonic means].

Occasionally, a few Demonic Cultivators would advance to the True Lord realm. Yet, to prevent his disciples from challenging his position, most of the male cultivators among these newly ascended True Lords were refined by the Black Malignancy Elder Demon into demonic puppets.

The female cultivators fared slightly better; after advancing to the True Lord realm, they became his dual cultivation Furnace Cauldron [a partner used in a cultivation technique that involves absorbing their vital essence]. However, most were drained to death during his cultivation sessions. Only these two, having won his favor, managed to survive.

In truth, the Baleful Qi [a malevolent and destructive form of spiritual energy] at the Ridge of the Black Fiend was not inferior to that of a Fifth Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a location with an exceptionally rich and pure concentration of spiritual energy]. By all logic, it should have been able to sustain over a dozen Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms an immortal infant soul] cultivators. Yet, currently, there were only three Demonic Path True Lord. This starkly revealed the ruthless nature of Black Malignancy Elder Demon.

Now, at this critical juncture of life and death, facing the siege of over a dozen Human Race True Lord, the two women looked at Black Malignancy Elder Demon with utter terror, pleading, "Husband, save us!"

"Hmph, useless things."

Black Malignancy Elder Demon's expression turned icy. Yet, he understood that if the two perished, he himself would likely be unable to withstand the combined assault of the group.

With this thought, he flicked his sleeve and produced a pitch-black demonic jar, hurling it directly at the crowd. Original English translation available at audio_novel.com.

The jar flew into their midst, inverted itself mid-air, and unleashed five dark demonic entities. Astonishingly, each one possessed cultivation at the Nascent Soul level.

"Beware! It's the Five-Demon White Bone Jar [a sinister magical treasure that seals and commands five powerful demonic souls]!"

The moment Eldrin Chen saw the five demonic entities, his expression instantly turned grave.

The Five-Demon White Bone Jar was a creation of utmost cruelty. Black Malignancy Elder Demon had spent over three thousand years forging this artifact, meticulously cultivating five Demonic Path practitioners to the Nascent Soul stage, only to sacrifice them for this vile treasure.

Whenever a disciple broke through to the Nascent Soul realm, Black Malignancy Elder Demon would flay them alive, using their bones to forge the jar's body and refining their flesh, blood, and Nascent Soul into demonic fiends.

Once this treasure was completed, each fiend possessed Mana comparable to a Nascent Soul, Mid Stage cultivator. Although these fiends lacked Fifth Rank Demonic Treasure artifacts and their Divine Ability techniques were not exceptional, they could still unleash combat power rivaling an Nascent Soul, Early Stage expert.

It could be said that the power of this single Five-Demon White Bone Jar alone was enough to rank it as a superior-grade Demonic Treasure, a truly sinister and grotesque Demonic Treasure.

Lyra Jiang also furrowed her brow, her expression grave as she declared, "Let us attack together and slay these fiends."

With those words, she charged forward, engaging one of the female Demonic Cultivator fiends alone. The rest of the group joined the assault, aiming to swiftly eliminate the five demonic entities.

Eldrin Chen targeted a Nascent Soul fiend. His Heavenly Separated Twin Swords danced with lethal grace, and within mere exchanges, he forced the Nascent Soul fiend into a desperate retreat.

"Cleave!"

After a dozen or so clashes, Eldrin Chen channeled his power, causing the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords to merge with a resonant *clang*. With a single, decisive stroke, he bisected a Nascent Soul fiend, leaving its dissipating form in the void.

"How can he be this powerful?"

Witnessing Eldrin Chen's relentless onslaught, Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor's face paled with sudden alarm. The combat prowess Eldrin Chen was now displaying was potent enough to pose a genuine threat to him.

"This one must not be allowed to live!"

With murderous intent kindling in his heart, Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor decisively unleashed his Nascent Soul Qi [the profound life-force energy of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator]. He forcefully commanded several of his Demonic Treasure [enchanted artifacts forged with demonic energy] to block Magnus the Virtuous, then summoned a pitch-black scroll to suppress Eldrin Chen from above.

The scroll depicted numerous lifelike human figures, their number astonishingly reaching one hundred. Find thousands of chapters at audio—novel.com.