Chapter 627 : The Ridge's Final Stand

The Infant Soul True Lords [powerful cultivators at the Infant Soul stage] could no longer afford to hold back. They unleashed their Spiritual Treasure Immortal Swords [enchanted flying swords of immense power] in a concerted assault. After a full quarter of an hour [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen minutes] of relentless bombardment, the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent, protective energy field formed from demonic essence] shielding the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with demonic entities] finally began to falter.

"BOOM—"

With a final, resonant *clang*, the Nine Rivers God-Slaying Swords [a legendary set of nine divine swords] wielded by Nine Rivers Path Master descended. The protective Demonic Fiendish Energy of the Desolate Demon Ridge could bear the strain no longer and was torn asunder, creating a gaping breach.

Immediately after, the Myriad Immortals Demon-Subduing Grand Formation [a vast, heaven-shaking formation designed to suppress demonic power] pressed down with overwhelming force, finally shattering the mountain-guarding Demonic Fiendish Energy of the Desolate Demon Ridge completely.

"Now!"

Nine Rivers Path Master moved as one with his sword, transforming into nine streaks of sword-light that shot like lightning toward the heart of the Desolate Demon Ridge.

Eldrin Chen and the others followed close behind, each True Lord [a title for high-level cultivators] radiating palpable killing intent as they surged into the breach.

"Damnation—!"

Seeing the situation turn dire, Desolation Old Demon hastily summoned a billowing, blood-red mist to block the incoming attacks.

This treasure was named the Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil [a sinister defensive treasure crafted from Netherworld Miasma]. Its core material was the Netherworld Miasma [a toxic, soul-corrupting vapor from the depths of the Netherworld]. To forge its vessel and complete its refinement, he had performed a blood sacrifice using the vital essence of countless millions of cultivators, a gruesome process that took two times seven—fourteen—full years. Read the full novel exclusively on audio~novel.com.

Although this treasure's offensive capabilities are not formidable, it can defend against all manner of flying swords magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and even possesses the wondrous ability to taint and corrupt an opponent's magical treasure.

"Ah! My Spiritual Treasure [a cultivator's personally bonded magical artifact]!"

Longbeard Path Master's expression shifted slightly as he realized his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force] had been contaminated, its radiance dimmed by more than thirty percent.

Caught off guard, many of the cultivators saw their magical treasure tainted. Their faces changed color in unison as they hurriedly withdrew their Spiritual Treasure.

Eldrin Chen also withdrew his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords with a grimace. He found the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword unscathed, but the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a divine ability manifesting as a sword of pure yang water] was already stained with bloody filth, its spiritual light noticeably dimmed—a clear sign its artifact spirit had suffered damage.

"Sizzle—"

A crisp sound rang out as Eldrin Chen channeled Solar True Flame [a divine ability of pure solar fire] to refine and purge the corrupting power from the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword, allowing him to finally release a slight sigh of relief.

With a single Superior Grade Demonic Treasure [a top-tier artifact forged with demonic energy], Desolation Old Demon had repelled the combined assault. He let out a sinister laugh. "You think you can slay this old man? How presumptuous."

Witnessing this, Nine Rivers Path Master nearby raised his voice in warning. "Beware that Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil! This treasure can only be countered by fire-attribute Primordial Solar [a high cultivation realm associated with pure yang energy] magical treasure or Divine Ability [supernatural techniques mastered by high-level cultivators]."

"I will handle it."

Eldrin Chen roared, immediately unleashing boundless Solar True Flame [a supreme flame embodying the essence of the sun] to descend upon his foe.

Bolstered by the Heavenly Flame Magical Power [a divine art that commands celestial fire], the Solar True Flame incinerated all in its path. When it met the Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil [a demonic treasure woven from netherworld miasma], it burned with even greater fury, as if oil had been poured on a fire.

In an instant, infinite flames swept across heaven and earth, utterly igniting the Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil.

"No—!"

Desolation Old Demon's face twisted with shock and disbelief.

His Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil had been forged from the baleful miasma of the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and darkness]. It was supposed to be impervious to the burning of most True Flame [flames of pure spiritual energy]. In theory, even if the Solar True Flame countered it somewhat, the effect should not have been this devastating.

Alas, the Solar True Flame wielded by Eldrin Chen far surpassed his expectations. It possessed the terrifying power to ignite even the supremely Yin and frigid miasma of the Netherworld. The vast Primordial Solar [a high cultivation realm associated with the primal sun] energy blazed forth, a conflagration that could not be quenched.

In mere moments, the Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil was reduced to ashes. A Superior Grade Demonic Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact of demonic origin] was thus destroyed.

This demonstrated the truly astonishing power of the Heavenly Flame Magical Power and its overwhelming potency against Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow dark, demonic paths]. It was the bane of all demons under heaven.

"You dare! You seek death!"

Witnessing his beloved Ink Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] being destroyed, Desolation Old Demon's face twisted with furious rage.

Counting the earlier, half-destroyed Myriad Demons Soul Devourer Banner, this Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil [a demonic treasure that emits a veil of blood and smoke] was already the second Superior Grade Demonic Treasure [a top-tier demonic artifact] that Eldrin Chen had ruined for him, filling his heart with a mixture of shock and fury.

At this thought, Desolation Old Demon's killing intent boiled over. He directly summoned the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword [a demonic sword famed for slaying immortals] and slashed it towards Eldrin Chen.

"Attack!"

Seeing that the Netherworld Blood Smoke Veil and other such Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged with demonic energy] were gone, Nine Rivers Path Master finally unleashed his full power. With a wave of his hand, he summoned nine dazzling Immortal Sword [a sword wielded by immortal cultivators] and sent them streaking towards Desolation Old Demon.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang and the Heavenly Reed Sect Master joined the assault, surrounding Desolation Old Demon and engaging him in a fierce magical duel. This novel is serialized on audio-novel . com. Visit for updates.

If four powerful Infant Soul [the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage] experts joined forces in the outside world, even an ordinary cultivator at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the peak of the Primordial Spirit stage] might struggle to withstand them.

However, this Desolation Old Demon was empowered by the Demonic Spring [a spring of concentrated demonic energy], allowing him to recklessly channel his various Divine Ability [supernatural powers attained through cultivation] and Demonic Treasure without fear of exhausting his spiritual energy. This made him a surprisingly tenacious foe, one they could not subdue immediately.

The others, seeing the situation, turned their attention and began to besiege Qian Old Demon and Jin Old Demon.

Qian Old Demon and Jin Old Demon exchanged a glance, a flicker of fear in their eyes. Though their cultivation was at the Infant Soul Mid Stage [mid-stage Primordial Spirit realm] and they too were bolstered by the Demonic Spring, facing a coordinated assault from so many Infant Soul experts was a different matter. They found it nearly impossible to withstand the combined onslaught of ten True Lord [a title for powerful Primordial Spirit stage cultivators].

However, Desolation Old Demon remained utterly composed. With a cold sneer, he raised his voice and declared, "You have besieged Desolate Demon Ridge for several years. Did you truly believe this old man would be caught entirely unprepared?"

"Blazing Fire Old Demon, Fang Old Demon! What are you waiting for? Now is the time to strike!"

"Disaster!"

Nine Rivers Path Master's expression shifted dramatically. From the depths of the distant Demonic Spring, several powerful demonic figures surged forth.

There were five arrivals in total. The two leaders possessed cultivation bases at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the penultimate major stage of the Infant Soul realm], none other than Fang the Old Freak and Blazing Fire Old Demon.

Eldrin Chen recognized these two. Blazing Fire Old Demon hailed from the Crimson Demon Continent. Though his strength was merely at the Infant Soul 7th Tier [the seventh minor tier within the Infant Soul realm], he was reputed to have slain a Human Race Late Stage Infant Soul Great Cultivator [a powerful cultivator at the late stage of the Infant Soul realm].

It was said this demon cultivated a set of Blazing Fire Formation Flags [a set of enchanted banners used to deploy a fire-based formation]. The complete set consisted of six flags, capable of deploying the Blazing Fire Immortal-Refining Formation [a formidable formation said to be potent enough to refine even immortals]. Even a Infant Soul Late Stage Great Power [a title for cultivators of immense power] would not dare claim easy victory against it.

Fang Old Demon was a Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who follows demonic or unorthodox paths] Great Power from the Seven Stars Continent. Though his strength could not match Blazing Fire Old Demon's, he was still counted among the world's rare and formidable experts.

"Impossible! How could they be here?"

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master's face paled, an expression of utter disbelief washing over his features.

The lair of Blazing Fire Old Demon was razed by Heaven's Mystery Sect two hundred years ago, and the fiend vanished without a trace.

Five hundred years prior, Fang Old Demon also had his physical body destroyed by a Human Race Infant Soul Great Power, escaping with only his Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual form of a high-level cultivator]. Who would have thought he would appear here now.

Demonic Cultivators are steeped in mutual deceit and treachery; counting on them not to scheme against each other is a blessing. How could Desolation Old Demon possibly take them in?

Furthermore, inviting two Infant Soul Late Stage Demonic Cultivators—Desolation Old Demon likely lacks the power to keep them in check.

With this thought, the Heavenly Reed Sect Master spoke, "Could it be that a Primordial Spirit Patriarch [a Patriarch who has cultivated his spirit to its primordial, most powerful state] stands behind this?"

The others' expressions shifted slightly. Only a Primordial Spirit [the highest cultivated state of a cultivator's core spirit] old fiend could suppress these unruly Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual form of a high-level cultivator] demons.

But now was not the time for contemplation. Nine Rivers Path Master surged toward Blazing Fire Old Demon, his face a mask of fury. "Leave this wretch to me," he commanded. "The rest of you, deal with Desolation Old Demon!"

The sudden appearance of five Infant Soul Demonic Cultivators threw their plans into disarray. The great battle descended into utter chaos.

Yet, they held the advantage in numbers. Nine Rivers Path Master and Eldrin Chen and his comrades possessed formidable combat prowess, preventing a complete rout.

At that very moment, however, Great Heaven Recluse let out a sinister chuckle. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a demonic spike and hurled it at Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily who stood beside him.

The Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily was caught completely off guard. With a single, agonized shriek, her physical body was severed, leaving only her Infant Soul [the nascent spiritual form of a cultivator, vulnerable after the body's destruction] to flee in utter terror.

Seeing this, Qian Old Demon let out a cruel, gleeful laugh. With a flick of his hand, he summoned forth a Black Banner [a sinister, soul-capturing enchanted banner] and sent it sweeping towards the fleeing spirit. For more chapters, visit audio-novel[dot]com for the complete novel.