Chapter 598 : The Hundred Ghosts Unleashed

As the scroll unfurled with a violent tremor, over one hundred figures cascaded from its painted surface—each one a ferocious and malevolent spectral fiend.

"Beware! It is the Hundred Ghosts Scroll [a malevolent artifact that imprisons and commands spectral entities]!"

Lyra Jiang [a powerful cultivator] paled dramatically, instantly recognizing the origins of this Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged through malevolent and often sacrificial means].

This Hundred Ghosts Scroll was itself a superior-grade Demonic Treasure. The hundred ghosts sealed within had once all been Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power] Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use malevolent, life-draining methods to advance their power], forcibly sacrificed and refined by Black Malignancy Elder Demon [a powerful and ancient demonic cultivator].

The Hundred Ghosts Scroll was crafted from the tanned hides of countless Demonic Cultivator, including the skins of several Nascent Soul [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one births a spiritual infant from the golden core] Demon Monarch [a title for a demonic cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul realm].

After Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor completed the scroll's forging, he spent a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] feeding the imprisoned ghosts the flesh, blood, and souls of mortals and cultivators alike, perversely elevating all hundred specters to the Golden Core, Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core realm].

Now, as the Hundred Ghosts Scroll descended, a horde of one hundred Golden Core, Late Stage spectral cultivators surged forth, sending a chill of dread down the spines of every combatant present.

"This is already the fifth superior-grade Demonic Treasure! Just how many of these accursed artifacts does this fiend possess?"

As Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a formidable cultivator] channeled his Spiritual Treasure [a righteous artifact forged through orthodox means] to counter the Hundred Ghosts Scroll, he could not help but feel the immense pressure bearing down upon him.

Demonic Cultivator faced far fewer restrictions when crafting their Demonic Treasure. Unlike the orthodox Spiritual Treasure, which demanded rare and precious spiritual materials, these malevolent artifacts required only sufficient quantities of mortal and cultivator lives as sacrificial fuel to be brought into existence. Join our community of readers at audio-novel-dot-com.

Though the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor was merely at the Nascent Soul, 7th Tier [the seventh stage of the Nascent Soul realm], he could produce five superior-grade Demonic Treasure [powerful artifacts forged with demonic energy] in a single move, and this might not even be his full arsenal.

Even a cultivator at Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the peak of the Nascent Soul realm] would typically possess only three or four Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [the highest quality of enchanted artifacts], their wealth paling in comparison to that of the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor.

It was no wonder so many cultivators fell to the Demonic Path [the unorthodox and malevolent cultivation path]; once one abandoned the moral constraints of humanity, the difficulty of acquiring cultivation resources plummeted drastically.

"Heh heh heh..."

Just as Eldrin Chen's expression turned grave, the hundred specters surged forward with overwhelming murderous intent, their eerie, mocking laughter echoing as they charged toward him.

Witnessing the rampant ferocity of the hundred specters, a cold glint flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. The Earth-Fortress [a supreme defensive divine ability manifesting as an earthen fortress] hovering above his head transformed into a majestic golden bell that descended to suppress the heavens and earth.

"Boom—"

A resonant toll of the bell echoed, the golden ancient bell imposing its will upon the world, forcing the hundred specters to stagger back in retreat.

Seizing this moment, Eldrin Chen soared into the sky. He erupted with Nascent Soul Qi [the pure, foundational energy of the Nascent Soul realm], elevating his Mana [the internal energy or power used for cultivation and spells] to a level comparable to an ordinary Nascent Soul, 6th Tier [the sixth stage of the Nascent Soul realm]. Then, he activated the Great Divine Ability [a supreme and powerful cultivation technique] known as the Phantom-Splitting Sword Art [a sword art that creates phantom duplicates of the blade].

Ruthless Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power imbued within a sword technique] erupted instantly. Countless illusory sword gleams coalesced within Eldrin Chen's form, poised to be unleashed and annihilate the hundred specters.

Yet, in that very instant, Eldrin Chen stirred his will, once more channeling the Divine Ability Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure solar essence], merging the power of the two Divine Ability into one.

In a Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time], billions of dazzling golden sword rays surged forth. It was as if the celestial Ronan [a name], composed of countless suns, had transformed into myriad Immortal Sword [a celestial-grade sword] descending to cleave the heavens, their overwhelming Pure Yang Power [the fundamental power of pure, untainted solar energy] flooding the world and drowning all in its path.

Such Pure Yang Power [the fundamental power of pure, untainted solar energy] is the natural bane of demonic Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. Now, bolstering the peerless offensive might of a Sword Dao [the Way of the Sword, a profound sword cultivation art] Great Divine Ability [a supreme-level divine ability], its lethality against Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic or unorthodox methods] increased not merely by severalfold.

In the span of a mere breath, a hundred Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where spiritual energy condenses into a golden core] malevolent ghosts were reduced to ashes by the countless golden sword rays.

Even the Hundred Ghosts Scroll [a demonic treasure scroll housing a hundred ghosts] was pierced through with countless holes. Strands of Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure solar essence] crept along the treasured scroll, setting it ablaze until it was utterly consumed, leaving only drifting cinders.

"A Great Vehicle Divine Ability [the pinnacle tier of divine abilities, representing the Great Vehicle or ultimate path]," someone gasped.

Horror dawned in the hearts of the onlookers. They understood that by fusing Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure solar essence] with his Divine Ability of manifesting sword infants from light, Eldrin Chen had attained a new comprehension of this Great Divine Ability [a supreme-level divine ability]. He had cultivated it to the realm of a Great Vehicle Divine Ability [the pinnacle tier of divine abilities, representing the Great Vehicle or ultimate path].

This was not merely a Great Vehicle Divine Ability [the pinnacle tier of divine abilities, representing the Great Vehicle or ultimate path]; it was an entirely new Pure Yang [a state or power of pure, untainted solar essence] Sword Dao [the Way of the Sword, a profound sword cultivation art] Great Divine Ability [a supreme-level divine ability].

Only the might of a Great Vehicle Divine Ability [the pinnacle tier of divine abilities, representing the Great Vehicle or ultimate path], amplified by the principle of elemental counteraction, could destroy a Fifth Rank High Grade [a high-grade treasure of the fifth rank] Demonic Treasure [a treasure forged with or infused by demonic energy].

"Ah! My Demonic Treasure [a treasure forged with or infused by demonic energy]!" a voice, thick with anguish, cried out.

A superior-grade Demonic Treasure was destroyed, and Black Malignancy Elder Demon let out a pained cry.

He shrieked miserably, his face a mask of savage killing intent as he glared at Eldrin Chen, roaring, "This old man will see you dead!"

As his words fell, Black Malignancy Elder Demon raised his hand and summoned a black demonic awl. This awl, forged from Mysterious Iron [a rare, spiritually conductive metal], had actually reached the grade of Fifth Rank High Grade.

This Nether Soul Awl was the bane of Defensive Magical Treasures and Protective Aegiss [defensive magical techniques]. Ordinary Fifth Rank Defensive Spiritual Treasures and defensive Great Divine Abilitys [powerful supernatural arts] would likely be unable to withstand it.

Not only that, he also directed the main body of the Five-Demon White Bone Jar to press down upon Eldrin Chen.

Caught between these two assaults, the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell was instantly sent flying. Eldrin Chen coughed up blood from the corner of his mouth, suffering internal injuries. For the best reading experience, visit audi novel.com.

As the precious awl prepared to strike again, Eldrin Chen was about to activate the Yin-Yang Void Realm to teleport away.

However, Lila was nearby. She immediately expanded the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda, using the body of this Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure to block the blow.

"Damn it!"

Seeing this, Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor prepared to attack once more. Finally, Magnus the Virtuous's face twisted with fury.

"Do you truly believe this seat does not exist?"

It was then that Magnus the Virtuous erupted with Nascent Soul Qi, elevating his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] to the realm of Nascent Soul Great Perfection. He then unleashed a vast and mighty Great Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique of immense power].

Above the heavens, a torrent of majestic, righteous energy surged towards Ronan, an endless tide of pure aura pressing down with overwhelming force, forcing Black Malignancy Elder Demon to retreat, blood spraying from his mouth.

At the critical moment, Black Malignancy Elder Demon summoned a crimson cloud of blood, which finally managed to block the assault from Magnus the Virtuous.

"It is the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud,"

Yvonne the Violet Consort exclaimed, her composure shattered as she recognized the origin of this seventh Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged and empowered by demonic cultivation].

The Myriad Souls Blood Cloud is refined from the essence and blood of countless mortals and cultivators, fused with Demonic Fiend Qi [the corrupt, malevolent energy cultivated by demons] and the mists of the Nine Heavens. When unfurled, it renders the user impervious to myriad techniques, ranking among the supreme defensive Demonic Treasure.

Judging by the sheer volume of this Myriad Souls Blood Cloud, the mortal blood consumed in its forging could likely fill several great lakes. The number of common folk who perished to create it must be beyond counting, in the tens or hundreds of millions. No wonder even Yvonne the Violet Consort was shaken.

"*Clang!*"

Lyra Jiang urged her Immortal Sword [a divine blade of peerless sharpness and power] to descend, cleaving through the female Demon Monarch before her. Her gaze turned icy as she declared, "The Black Malignancy Elder Demon possesses numerous Demonic Treasure, and the Demonic Spring provides him with a ceaseless wellspring of Mana."

"Magnus the Virtuous alone may find it difficult to slay him. Let us swiftly eliminate the remaining foes, then lend our aid to the True Lord."

"Agreed."

The group nodded in unison, continuously channeling their Divine Ability and unleashing their Magical Treasure in a relentless assault.

Though the remaining demonic fiends and the female Demon Monarch possessed formidable strength, they could not withstand the group's coordinated siege and were ultimately slain one by one within the void.

"Damnation!"

Witnessing his subordinates being slaughtered, Black Malignancy Elder Demon revealed a flicker of fear.

His power, though considerable, largely relied on the Demonic Spring and the might of his multiple Demonic Treasure. Now that the Hundred Ghosts Scroll and the Five-Demon White Bone Jar had been destroyed, he found it difficult to withstand the group's combined force.

With this thought, he retreated entirely into the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud, relying on his remaining Demonic Treasure and the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud itself to desperately fend off the attacks, hoping to hold out until the mountain-protecting Demonic Fiend Qi could be restored.

Eldrin Chen and the others pressed their siege, yet found their methods insufficient to breach the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud. Meanwhile, Magnus the Virtuous was being barely held at bay by Black Malignancy Elder Demon, who used his few remaining Demonic Treasure to parry the attacks.

Seeing their assault falter against his defenses, Black Malignancy Elder Demon cackled with a sinister laugh, "Kekeke... You cannot kill this old man today! In the days to come, I shall hunt you down one by one and refine each of you into a demonic thrall to serve beneath my throne!"

"Is that so?"

Magnus the Virtuous's voice turned icy in an instant, as he finally seized the opportune moment and unleashed his full power.

In that very instant, a blindingly brilliant radiance descended from the Firmament. This light blazed with a golden splendor, emitting a brilliance of unparalleled intensity.

It was as if a sun had plummeted from the Nine Heavens Above, carrying with it the power to annihilate heaven and earth as it crashed down upon the Myriad Souls Blood Cloud.

"This is—"

Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor's expression shifted dramatically, revealing a look of utter despair.

And from across the battlefield, Magnus the Virtuous spoke with calm finality: "Heaven and Earth possess Virtuous Righteousness [the fundamental principle of moral integrity and cosmic justice], and the very source of all this righteous energy is the Great Sun of the Nine Heavens Above."

"This Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] was conceived by this humble self not long ago. It is named 'Vast Sun Cleansing Heaven and Earth' [the Great Solar Purge of Heaven and Earth], also known as the 'Grand Divine Art: Nine Heavens Starfall' [the Grand Celestial Art of the Nine Heavens' Stellar Descent]." The complete novel can be found at www . audio-novel.com.