Chapter 612 Powerful Flame Demon 3

He glanced at the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship and remarked with a hint of envy, "I never imagined your Chen Clan has already constructed a war treasure ship. Truly enviable for this old man."

At this point, the Sect Master of Heavenly Abode also revealed a hint of complicated expression.

As a former Nascent Soul-level great sect, the Heavenly Abode Sect once possessed 5 Tier-5 war treasure ships, and even maintained 2 such vessels in active service.

Alas, in that great battle a 1000 years ago, the Tianlu Sect suffered devastating losses. Not only did their previous sect leader, who had reached the late Nascent Soul stage, fall in combat, but both of their War Treasure Ships were completely destroyed in the cataclysm.

"Alas."

The Sect Master of Tianlu sighed softly, then quickly composed himself and smiled. "With this Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship, our chances of victory in this battle have increased by over tenfold."

Everyone boarded the treasure ship, which then continued flying deeper into the Blazing Prison Sea of Flames.

After flying for merely half a day, they arrived at the deepest part of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, halting before a massive volcanic crater.

At that moment, above the volcanic crater, a dazzling tri-colored radiance bloomed, firmly sealing the crater.

Eldrin looked closer and saw 3 distinguished Nascent Soul True Lords, each holding a formation flag. It was clear they were channeling the formation to seal the volcano.

"This is the Triple Element Demon-Sealing Array. Had it not been for this formation over the past period, the Flame Demon tribe would likely have broken out from the underground fire veins long ago."

As he spoke, the Sect Master of Tianlu revealed a trace of solemnity between his brows.

The Tri-Element Demon Sealing Array was 1 of the foundational legacies of the Heavenly Reed Sect, requiring the combined efforts of 3 Nascent Soul True Lords to activate. Currently, those channeling the formation were the Grand Elder, the Third Elder, and the Fourth Elder of the Heavenly Reed Sect.

The Grand Elder of Tianlu Sect was a woman at Nascent Soul, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm). Upon seeing the sect master, she said, "Elder Brother, your arrival is most timely. Had you delayed but a few more days, I fear even our efforts would have failed to contain it."

"My gratitude to the elders for your diligent efforts during this period."

The Sect Master of Tianlu gave a nod to the trio, then gathered everyone to deliberate near the crater.

He cast a glance at the crowd and began, "The underground fire vein lies within this colossal lava volcano. Apart from the Flame Demon Monarch, the most troublesome adversaries inside are those 4 Flame Demon True Lords."

"Beyond that, there are the endless low-level Flame Demons. There must be at least 1,000,000 of them inside, which could cause us considerable trouble."

At this point, a trace of solemnity crept onto his face. Though low-level fiends possessed meager cultivation, when 1,000,000 flame demons joined forces in attack, even a True Monarch would have to furrow his brow.

These low-level flame fiends are best left for low-level cultivators to harvest. Although there are over 10,000,000 cultivators in the Heavenly Abode Continent (Location), it's useless if they cannot enter the Sea of Blazing Flames.

Lila (Person Name) arched her brow slightly upon hearing this and said, "With our Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship (Magic Treasure), we only need a single True Monarch (Cultivation Rank) to pilot it and activate the Myriad Swords Soaring Sky Demon-Slaying Array (Formation). Even countless low-tier Flame Demons (Demon Race) would pose no threat."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Zijie (Person Name) couldn't help but sweep her divine sense across the Scarlet Drake Treasure Ship, then exclaimed delightedly, "This Myriad Swords Soaring Sky Demon-Slaying Array (Formation) would surely be the bane of low-level demons."

The Sect Master of Tianlu finally breathed a sigh of relief. With this vessel and the 2,000+ cultivators at or above the Purple Mansion realm participating in the expedition, they no longer had to worry about being harassed by low-level Flame Demons.

At this thought, he finally said, "Then let us discuss our battle strategy."

"Among those 5 Flame Demons, aside from the Flame Demon Monarch, 1 possesses cultivation at Nascent Soul, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm), while the other 3 merely have cultivation at Nascent Soul, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm). How do you propose we arrange our battle strategy?"

Lyra’s eyes flickered slightly before she spoke. “Elara possesses ample magical power, but her Ice Spiritual Root is ill-suited for prolonged combat within the fire vein. You shall take charge of activating the treasure ship.”

"Alright." Elara nodded.

Eldrin’s brow twitched slightly as he said, “Our cultivation levels are higher, so we will hold off the Infernal Fiend Monarch for now. You must swiftly eliminate the 4 Infernal Fiend Lords.”

"Good."

Seeing that they had agreed to take on the most troublesome opponents, the Heavenly Abode Sect Master smiled faintly and said, "Then this old man shall handle the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) Flame Demon."

"Alright." Eldrin nodded slightly before inquiring, "How fares your recovery from the injuries, fellow daoist?"

"It is of no consequence." The master of the Heavenly Abode spoke calmly, "This old man's injuries are not severe. Having taken a Soul-Returning Elixir, my wounds have now mostly healed."

"Good."

The others heaved a collective sigh of relief upon seeing this.

Someone was holding off the 2 most troublesome Flame Fiend True Lords, making the subsequent arrangements much more manageable.

According to their plan, Yan Zijie (Person Name), Lingxu Xianzi (Person Name), and Lila (Person Name)—3 cultivators of formidable power—decided to concentrate their strength to first eliminate 1 of the demonic beings. By breaking the stalemate swiftly, they could then assess the situation and reinforce the others as needed, preventing the battle from dragging on excessively.

Elder Mo the Ancient 1, the Second Elder of the Tianlu Sect, the Old Patriarch, and Qiu Daoyi were to intercept the other 2 Blaze Fiend True Monarchs. They need not slay their foes—only hold out until Lila and her 2 companions could turn the tide.

As for the Old Patriarch and the 2 remaining Elders of Tianlu Sect, they were tasked with activating the Triple Element Demon-Sealing Array to block the entrance to the subterranean fire vein, preventing the Flame Demon tribe from escaping.

They were also a reserve force, ready to reinforce the others at a moment's notice should the tide of battle shift.

However, after hearing the arrangements, Chen Changxuan turned to the Grand Elder of Tianlu Sect and said, "Fairy Tianxuan's magical power is formidable. Why not enter the underground fire vein while I take charge of the formation flags for you?"

"This..."

The few individuals were momentarily taken aback, but soon grasped the Old Patriarch's intention.

If the 3 members of the Tianlu Sect were left to preside over the Triple Element Demon-Sealing Array in this battle, and if the Tianlu Sect were to collude with the Flame Demon, using the array to block our retreat, it would inevitably lead to a catastrophic disaster.

Although the possibility was virtually nonexistent, Chen Changxuan, having cultivated to a state of profound wisdom through centuries of experience, still accounted for this contingency.

As long as he controlled 1 of the array flags, even if the greatest upheaval occurred, their path of retreat would remain secure.

The others quickly grasped the implication as well. The master of the Heavenly Abode Sect chuckled apologetically, "My oversight. It is only fitting that Elder Changxuan should wield the array banner."

Seeing this, Celestial Xuan finally handed the array flags to Chen Changxuan and said with a smile, "These array flags are the foundation of our Heavenly Reed Sect, Fellow Daoist. Pray do not damage them."

"1 must cherish it."

Chen Changxuan took the array flag, a faint smile finally gracing his features.

After arranging the battle plans and eliminating all concerns, the group felt their confidence growing substantially. Yet Lila (Person Name) approached Eldrin (Person Name) with visible worry, saying, "The Flame Demon Monarch possesses formidable power. You and my sister must exercise extreme caution."

"Rest assured, the Flame Demon Monarch is no match for me."

Eldrin smiled faintly. Having now reached the Nascent Soul, 3rd Tier in cultivation, his power had grown significantly compared to years past. As he spoke, he mused that even the Flame Demon Monarch was likely far inferior to the Purple Jade Demon Emperor.

The others also laughed heartily upon seeing this. They had made thorough preparations for this battle, confident that even if they couldn't slay the Flame Demon Monarch, they wouldn't suffer significant losses.

However, Yan Zijie cast a thoughtful glance at Lyra (Person Name) and transmitted her voice, "I never expected someone of your temperament to tolerate her presence."

Chapter 1: The Reborn Eldrin The biting cold pierced deep into the bone marrow. Eldrin (Person Name) struggled to open his eyes, his vision blurred by a haze of crimson. Every breath drew in the metallic scent of blood mingled with the decay of mud. His body felt as though it had been shattered and reassembled, every nerve screaming in agony. This was... the Bloodmire Swamp? Memories flooded his mind—the betrayal by his closest brother, the ambush by 3 Great Perfection Stage cultivators, his spiritual roots severed, his dantian shattered... He should have died. Yet now... He looked down at his tattered robes, the standard grey disciple's garb of the Azure Cloud Sect (Sect Name), stained dark with blood. His hands were slender and pale, clearly those of a youth. This wasn't his body. Before he could process this, a sharp pain shot through his temples as fragmented memories surged forth. The body's original owner was also named Eldrin, an outer sect disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. At merely 15 years of age and the lowest First Layer of Qi Condensation Stage, he had been lured to this treacherous Bloodmire Swamp by his fellow disciples, robbed of the paltry 3 spirit stones he'd painstakingly saved for half a year, beaten unconscious, and left for dead. 3 spirit stones... a life. How tragically worthless. Eldrin (Person Name) coughed weakly, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. In his previous life, he had been the revered Flamedust Supreme, standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, commanding respect from countless sects. Who could have foreseen he would be reborn in the body of a lowly outer sect disciple after death? But since fate had granted him a second chance... His eyes sharpened, gleaming with a cold light reminiscent of a starved wolf lurking in the shadows. The debts of this life, and the vengeance of the last—he would collect them all, slowly and meticulously. Just then, hurried footsteps approached from a distance, accompanied by a clear, anxious voice: "Eldrin! Eldrin! Are you here?" Through the thick fog, a slender figure emerged. It was a young girl in similar grey robes, her features delicate and refined, though currently etched with panic. In her hand, she clutured a worn cloth pouch. Luna (Person Name). From the fragmented memories, Eldrin recalled her—the only person in the sect who showed this former owner any kindness. They had come from the same mortal village and entered the sect together. Seeing Eldrin covered in blood, Luna's (Person Name) eyes reddened instantly. She rushed over: "I heard Mark (Person Name) and the others led you to the Bloodmire Swamp... I knew something was wrong! How are your injuries?" As she reached out to check on him, her wrist was caught in a grip of iron. Eldrin (Person Name) stared at her, his gaze cold and penetrating: "Why are you here?" The intensity in his eyes startled Luna (Person Name). This was not the timid, hesitant Eldrin she knew. This gaze... was sharp, profound, and carried an immense pressure that made her breath catch. "I... I was worried about you..." She stammered, "I brought some healing medicine..." She nervously proffered the cloth pouch. Inside were 2 low-grade Healing Pills (Elixir), likely costing her several months' worth of savings. Eldrin (Person Name) studied her for a long moment before finally releasing her hand, his tone softening slightly: "I'm fine." He accepted the pills. In his current dire state, these were precisely what he needed. Watching him swallow the pills, Luna (Person Name) hesitated before speaking cautiously: "Eldrin... Mark (Person Name) and the others are from influential cultivation families. We... we can't afford to provoke them. Just... try to avoid them from now on..." "Avoid them?" Eldrin (Person Name) chuckled lowly, a trace of mockery in his eyes. In his previous life, he had trodden a path of carnage to the pinnacle of power, his very name striking fear across the cultivation realm. Since when did the mighty Flamedust Supreme ever need to avoid anyone? But glancing at his current feeble body, barely at the First Layer of Qi Condensation, he swallowed his words. Strength. He desperately needed to restore his strength. Suddenly, a strange sensation arose within him. Though his dantiana was shattered and his spiritual roots severed, his divine soul—the soul of a Supreme—remained intact. With a mere thought, his spiritual sense spread out, covering a radius of 1 100 zhang. Every blade of grass, every tree, every subtle movement within this range was vividly reflected in his mind. This was... the Divine Soul Domain! Even in his previous life, he had only comprehended this ability after reaching the Divine Transformation Stage. To think it had manifested now in this mere Qi Condensation Stage body! Suppressing his excitement, Eldrin (Person Name) focused his spiritual sense, probing his own body. The damage was severe indeed. Not only were his spiritual roots severed and dantian shattered, but his meridians were also mostly blocked. Under normal circumstances, he would be doomed to mediocrity, never to tread the path of cultivation again. But... His spiritual sense settled on a black jade pendant hanging from his chest, stained with his blood. It appeared ordinary, yet at its core swirled a mysterious, ancient energy. This was... the ancestral heirloom the original owner's parents had left behind? Before Eldrin (Person Name) could examine it closely, the black jade pendant suddenly grew warm. A vast, profound cultivation method materialized directly in his mind: 《Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Codex》(Cultivation Method) What?! Eldrin (Person Name) was profoundly shocked. This was no ordinary cultivation method! It actually taught how to reconstruct a shattered dantian and rebuild severed spiritual roots using the very power of the heavens and earth! Such a method defied the natural order—it was simply unheard of! Just as he was immersed in astonishment, a burst of arrogant laughter echoed from afar: "Hah! So the trash isn't dead after all!" 3 figures emerged from the mist, led by a haughty youth in blue robes—Mark (Person Name). Behind him were his 2 lackeys, both sneering contemptuously at Eldrin (Person Name). Mark (Person Name) glanced covetously at Luna (Person Name), then glared at Eldrin (Person Name) with disgust: "To think you've got a little girlfriend who cares about you. Since you're not dead, hand over that jade pendant your parents left you, and I might consider letting you live a little longer." Jade pendant? Eldrin (Person Name)'s heart stirred, but his expression remained calm: "Oh? What if I refuse?" "Refuse?" Mark (Person Name) laughed as if he'd heard the biggest joke, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes, "Then I'll break your limbs and throw you into the Serpent Valley, let you experience what true agony is!" His 2 lackeys cracked their knuckles, stepping forward threateningly. Luna (Person Name) paled, instinctively stepping in front of Eldrin (Person Name): "You... you can't do this! The sect prohibits disciples from killing each other!" "Sect rules?" Mark (Person Name) snorted coldly, "In this godforsaken place, even if I kill you, who would know?" He raised his hand, gathering spiritual energy—the Azure Cloud Sect's signature technique, the Azure Cloud Palm (Cultivation Technique). Although he was only at the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, the power was more than enough to crush the severely injured Eldrin (Person Name). Just as the attack was about to land, Eldrin (Person Name) suddenly looked up, his eyes glowing with an eerie crimson light. A terrifying spiritual pressure erupted, instantly engulfing all 3 of them. Mark (Person Name) and his lackeys felt as if they'd been plunged into an ice cellar, their minds going blank. The spiritual energy gathering in their hands dissipated uncontrollably. This... this was the pressure of a Divine Soul! How... how was this possible?! Before they could react, Eldrin (Person Name) moved. Though his body was weak, his divine soul was that of a Supreme. Under the overwhelming spiritual pressure, the movements of the 3 appeared sluggish and clumsy in his eyes. Pfft— A muffled sound. Eldrin (Person Name) had somehow appeared behind Mark (Person Name), a sharp stone in hand piercing straight through his back. "You..." Mark (Person Name) looked down in disbelief at the bloody hole in his chest, then collapsed powerlessly. The 2 lackeys were terrified out of their wits. They never imagined that the trash they could easily bully would possess such terrifying power! "De... demon! He's a demon!" They turned to flee, but before they could take 2 steps, 2 more stones flew through the air, striking the back of their heads with precision. They crumpled to the ground, dead. From beginning to end, it took less than 3 breaths. Luna (Person Name) stood frozen in place, her pretty face full of shock and disbelief. This... this was the Eldrin she knew? Eldrin (Person Name) paid no mind to her reaction. He slowly wiped the blood from his hands, his gaze falling upon the black jade pendant. At this moment, the jade pendant grew warm again, and a new line of text appeared in his mind: [Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment Codex - First Layer: Initiated] [Karma Points +300]