Chapter 613 : Vein of Fire and Swordlight

"Hmph."

Lyra Jiang let out a cold snort and surreptitiously pinched Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen drew a sharp breath and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Since it's getting late, let us prepare to make our move."

With the decision to act made, the group of fifteen True Lord [a powerful cultivator rank] steeled their spirits and began adjusting their states in preparation for the coming battle.

A moment later, Eldrin Chen and the other twelve True Lord joined forces, piloting their treasure ship with its cargo of over two thousand cultivators into the heart of the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean river of fire and spiritual energy]. Only Thalion Chen and two others remained behind to maintain the defensive Formation [a mystical array or barrier].

No sooner had they entered the depths of the Underground Fire Vein than Eldrin Chen saw streaks of fire lashing towards them. A seemingly endless tide of low-tier Flame Demon [demonic entities born of fire and malice] surged forth, relentlessly assaulting their position.

The Flame Demon Monarch [the ruler of the Flame Demons], seeing they had brought over a dozen True Lord, was clearly intending to expend these lesser Flame Demon to drain the invaders' Mana [the spiritual energy used to power techniques and spells].

Lyra Jiang observed this and said to Elara Lin, "Elara, act swiftly."

"Understood."

Elara Lin gave a firm nod and instantly activated the Myriad Swords Ethereal Demon-Slaying Grand Formation [a grand formation that unleashes countless ethereal sword projections]. In that instant, ten thousand streaks of sword light crisscrossed the void, weaving a tapestry of annihilation. With unstoppable force, they began to relentlessly grind down the innumerable Flame Demon. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio_novel.com.

In that single, fleeting clash, tens of thousands of Flame Demon were slain, instantly shattering the enemy's front and sending them into a chaotic rout.

Simultaneously, over a thousand Purple Mansion Cultivator [cultivators who have established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm] unleashed their arts, launching attacks against the demonic horde from the safety of the treasure ships.

The great battle raged for three Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours]. In the end, the Flame Demon were utterly routed, their forces broken and scattered.

Seeing the low-tier Flame Demon slain and dispersed, Eldrin Chen transformed into a streak of sword-light and shot forward. His killing intent was palpable as he commanded, "Now!"

The twelve True Lord [powerful cultivators who have attained the True Lord realm] saw this and surged toward the heart of the Underground Fire Vein. The Flame Demon Monarch could no longer contain itself. With boundless murderous aura, it finally strode forth.

"Human Race, you seek your own doom!"

A roar that shook heaven and earth erupted. Eldrin Chen looked up to see five towering Demon God [entities of immense demonic power, akin to deities of their kind], wreathed in flame and blotting out the sky, striding toward them.

They bore a striking resemblance to the former Ignatius the Blazing Lord, yet their forms were wreathed in pitch-black demonic flames and stood far more colossal.

The leading Flame Demon Monarch stood three thousand Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] tall, gripping a crimson war spear like a pillar holding up the heavens. With a gaze of utter indifference, it thrust its weapon forward.

"Beware!"

Lyra Jiang's gaze sharpened. She summoned the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword to parry, only to watch the divine blade be sent flying back by the impact.

"It's a Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact born alongside a powerful being] born of its essence!"

Eldrin Chen drew a sharp breath and joined forces with Lyra Jiang, the two moving in concert to confront the Flame Demon Monarch.

The Flame Demon Monarch's companion Spiritual Treasure was truly formidable. Forged from the primordial fire essence within the Underground Fire Vein, it had reached the Fifth Rank High Grade [a pinnacle tier of power for enchanted artifacts]. Its destructive might was virtually peerless under the heavens.

Daring not to be careless, the pair poured their full power into unleashing their various Spiritual Treasure, clashing head-on with the Flame Demon Monarch.

The others were not idle either. They moved with disciplined precision according to their battle plan, each seeking to swiftly eliminate their designated foe.

Though the four Flame Demon True Lord [powerful demon lords of the flame lineage] were mighty, they were instantly overwhelmed and forced onto the defensive under the group's coordinated assault.

Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal fought with seamless synergy, swiftly joining forces to encircle and press the weakest of the Flame Demon True Lord.

Both possessed combat power at the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage [a profound stage of spiritual cultivation]. Working in tandem, they easily cornered the demon lord, leaving it no path for retreat. Seeing her opening, Lila summoned the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda and brought it crashing down.

"Aaaaargh—!"

With a final, agonized shriek, the Flame Demon True Lord found its physical form utterly shattered by the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda. Seizing the moment, Yvonne the Violet Consort instantly channeled her Lifebound Grand Divine Ability, the Violet Cosmos Void-Slashing Blade, and in a flash of devastating light, cleaved the demon's Nascent Soul [the spiritual core of a cultivator that houses their consciousness and power] cleanly in two.

"How dare you!"

To witness a Flame Demon True Lord slain in the span of mere moments sent a shockwave through the battlefield.

Enraged beyond measure, the Flame Demon Monarch roared, its crimson war-spear lashing out to parry its foes before unleashing its own Lifebound Grand Divine Ability, 'Flame Demon Blood Sword'. A blade of black and crimson energy surged forth, a torrent of malice aimed directly at Lila.

"Do you truly think I do not exist?"

Eldrin Chen snorted coldly. With a thought, he commanded the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords to merge. A brilliant, interwoven river of sword light erupted, meeting and holding back the onslaught of the Flame Demon Blood Sword. This novel is serialized on @udio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

Acting in perfect unison, Lyra Jiang struck. She summoned the Twofold Divine Radiance, its stabilizing power instantly pinning the crimson war-spear in place, freezing its murderous momentum.

"Aaaargh—!"

Trapped and furious, its assault thwarted, the Flame Demon Monarch bellowed in rage, pouring its power into the spear in a desperate, continuous barrage against the duo.

Yet, this demon's combat prowess was inferior even to an ordinary Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator. Its sole advantage lay in the boundless Mana [the spiritual energy used to power techniques and spells] provided by the Underground Fire Vein. But an endless well of power meant little when faced with the overwhelming skill and coordination of Eldrin Chen and his partner; it stood no chance of suppressing them.

With the Flame Demon Monarch unable to intervene, Lila and the others naturally unleashed their full power, swiftly encircling and besieging the few remaining Flame Demon True Lord.

In the span of a single Ke-time [one Ke-time equals fifteen minutes], two Flame Demon True Lord at the Nascent Soul, Early Stage were slain on the spot. Only the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage Flame Demon and the Flame Demon Monarch remained, struggling desperately to hold their ground.

"Hahaha!"

Tianlu Sect Master, driving his Heavenly Furnace Command to deliver a crushing blow to his foe, laughed heartily, "It seems this battle's conclusion is at hand!"

"It should be so," came the agreement.

Hearing this, smiles spread across everyone's faces. Once the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage Flame Demon was slain, the remaining fight would hold little cause for concern.

"Slay them! Slay them all!"

Seeing the tide turn against him, the Flame Demon Monarch immediately summoned a crimson treasure lotus. It unfurled, projecting a shield of fiery Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] that deflected the attacks of Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, and surged toward the location of the beleaguered Flame Demon True Lord.

"It's the Fire Source Treasure Lotus!"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed with recognition. The Fire Source Treasure Lotus was a supreme Spiritual Object of the Fifth Rank High Grade, a treasure of immeasurable value whether used in refining Pill [a spiritual elixir for cultivation] or forging Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

The Flame Demon Monarch before them held in its grasp a Fire Source Treasure Lotus that had been refined into a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure. Its defensive power could truly be described as peerlessly formidable.

Especially within the environment of this Underground Fire Vein, the might of the Fire Source Treasure Lotus was amplified by more than thirty percent. It actually managed to withstand the assaults of Eldrin Chen, making it difficult for him to breach its defenses.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen urged his Heavenly Separated Twin Swords to merge and cleave forward, shouting loudly, "We cannot let them join forces!"

"BOOM—"

At the critical moment, a brilliant flash of Dual Polarity Divine Thunder erupted from the void, striking the Flame Demon Monarch and sending it flying backward.

It was Elara Lin, who, after shattering the Flame Demon horde with her Crimson Flood Dragon War Junk, had seized the moment to unleash the Dual Polarity Divine Thunder mounted upon the treasure ship, repelling the Flame Demon Monarch.

Seizing this opportunity, Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal grasped the timing perfectly. With a single sword stroke, he beheaded the Flame Demon True Lord.

"It is done."

With the last Flame Demon True Lord slain, no matter how powerful the remaining Flame Demon Monarch was, it could not possibly withstand the combined assault of over a dozen True Lord.

Yet, just as expressions of triumph began to grace the faces of the cultivators, an overwhelmingly majestic and terrifying aura erupted with a thunderous roar from the very core of the ancient ruins.

"BOOM—"

A deafening roar echoed between heaven and earth. In the distance, the boundless sea of molten rock parted, revealing a divine demon seated cross-legged between the firmament and the abyss. It stood ten thousand Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] tall, its entire body flowing with crimson flames.

It sat in serene stillness amidst the lava, an indescribable force field enveloping the world. Its presence was like the tolling of an ancient, colossal bell, its reverberations striking directly at the hearts of all who witnessed it.

And from the boundless edge of the sky, a brilliant, dazzling golden divine light enveloped its form. Vaguely, it seemed as if a star itself was descending from the heavens.

"This…"

The onlookers stared, dumbfounded, watching the ever-descending radiance at the horizon. Their hearts pounded violently within their chests.

Eldrin Chen also felt his mouth go dry. After a long moment of silence, understanding dawned upon him in an instant, revealing the cause and effect of this spectacle.

The ten-thousand-Zhang-tall Flame Demon before them was a Flame Demon Monarch Emperor that had already successfully received its Earthly Soul [one of the three spiritual souls in cultivation lore, representing the connection to the mortal world]. It was now in the process of receiving its Heavenly Soul [the celestial soul, representing connection to the heavens] to attempt a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm [the Nascent Soul stage, where a cultivator's spiritual core forms into an independent primordial spirit].

Should this fiend succeed, it would ascend to become a Molten Rock Demon Progenitor, an ultimate, peerless existence standing at the very pinnacle of this world.

They—including Eldrin Chen himself—were merely a tribulation [a heavenly trial or calamity faced during cultivation breakthroughs] in its path.

"So, I am to be the Heavenly Tribulation [the divine trial or calamity that tests a cultivator's resolve and strength during a major breakthrough] for the Flame Demon Monarch's ascent to the Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core and state of being for a cultivator]." Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel dot com.