Chapter 677 : Siege of the Ghost Metal Archipelago

What the Flame Demon Race [a race of demons wielding fire and magma] never anticipated was that Eldrin Chen had already discerned the anomaly from several battle reports. He analyzed that the enemy on the Heaven's Profound Sect [a major human cultivation sect] battlefield was extraordinary and, without even pausing for rest, led his forces to reinforce them with astonishing speed.

The Human Race arrived far more swiftly than he had imagined. This fatal miscalculation, born from a moment of greed for glory, cost the Lord of the Flame Demons [the supreme ruler of the Flame Demon race] dearly.

Merely three days later, the three great forces of Eldrin Chen, Xuanxu the Daoist [a powerful human cultivator], and the Feathered Pavilion [a major human cultivation faction] converged. They assembled five Star Constellation Formation Eye [powerful formation cores that harness stellar energies] and mobilized over half the strength of the Three Veins Ancient Domain [a vast and ancient territory] to lay siege to the Ghost Metal Goat Region [a demon-held archipelago].

A full one hundred War Treasure Boat [massive enchanted vessels used for warfare] descended, accompanied by nearly three hundred True Lord [powerful cultivators at the Golden Core realm]. Among them were twenty supreme experts at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the penultimate stage of the Nascent Soul realm] and two Ancient Ancestor [venerable, ancient cultivators] at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a quasi-legendary realm bordering on Primordial Spirit]. Billions of lower-ranked cultivators followed, sealing the Ghost Metal Ram Archipelago [the demon stronghold] in an impenetrable encirclement.

Upon receiving the news, the Lord of the Flame Demons was stunned. In this dire moment, he could only grit his teeth and declare, "The Human Race host is overwhelmingly powerful. We are already severely depleted from prolonged battle. Attempting a breakout now is likely impossible."

"Our only hope is to capture Ghost Metal Goat Island [the central island of the archipelago]. By relying on this Spirit Island [an island rich with spiritual energy] to deploy a defensive Formation [a magical array or barrier], we might hold out until reinforcements arrive."

With that, the Lord of the Flame Demons ordered a frenzied assault on Ghost Metal Goat Island.

Yet, the hearts of the Flame Demon Race Nascent Soul [powerful demon cultivators] were already stirring with dissent. The Grand Elder of the Flame Demon Race [the second-in-command of the Flame Demons] secretly transmitted his thoughts to the other Demon Monarch [a title for powerful demon rulers]: "Our Clan Lord [the Lord of the Flame Demons] seeks to use us to breach the Star Constellation Formation Eye. He aims to claim a great merit to exchange for an opportunity to break through to the Primordial Spirit [a legendary cultivation realm]."

"Indeed," another voice echoed in their minds. "With his cultivation at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit, his chances of escaping alone are at least fifty or sixty percent. But what of us, mere cultivators of the True Lord Realm? As the encirclement tightens, our hope of survival grows ever more slender."

"To trade our lives for his chance at Primordial Spirit... what a beautiful dream he weaves." Visit audio_novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

Several Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms an immortal infant soul] demonic cultivators sneered coldly. Demonic cultivators were largely selfish and ruthless; they fought fiercely when the tide of battle favored them. Yet, when faced with enemies several times their own strength, who among them would care about the so-called Righteous-Demonic Great War [the grand conflict between the righteous and demonic paths]?

Immediately, quite a few Flame Demon True Lord [powerful cultivators of the Flame Demon race] began conserving their strength, preparing to seize the chance to flee the moment the great battle commenced.

By now, the spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the world] of Ghost Metal Island was nearly depleted. However, these Flame Demon True Lord dared not exert their full power, while the Celestial Profound Sect Members on the other side defended desperately, sparing no cost.

Consequently, even after a full day of relentless assault, the demonic forces could not breach that final, paper-thin line of defense.

By early the next morning, when the Human Race army had completely surrounded them from all directions, the Flame Demon Race [a race of demons wielding flame-based powers] immediately fell into utter chaos.

After just the initial clash, over a dozen demonic True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators, often at the Nascent Soul stage] began to flee for their lives. Seeing this, the remaining Flame Demon made a swift decision and scattered in all directions, following their lead.

"Damn it! Come back! Return to your posts!"

Lord of the Flame Demons roared in furious rage, but his commands were now useless. Xuanxu the Daoist and Feathered Pavilion Master joined forces, directly encircling the Lord of the Flame Demons.

Not only that, witnessing the complete rout of the Flame Demon army, Eldrin Chen immediately deployed the Ten Thousand Immortals Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation [a grand formation designed to suppress and vanquish demonic forces] to ensnare the Lord of the Flame Demons.

This Ten Thousand Immortals Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation was originally intended to counter the entire demonic army. Unexpectedly, the Flame Demon Race forces had fled in disarray. Thus, it was now repurposed to directly deal with this great foe who had reached the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a quasi-immortal realm just below the Primordial Spirit stage] realm.

After trapping the Lord of the Flame Demons, the group began their pursuit to annihilate the demonic army.

The combined might of the allies was nearly threefold that of the demonic forces, granting them an utterly overwhelming advantage in this hunt.

Even the formidable Flame Demon True Lord found themselves outmatched, facing a storm of attacks where two fists could not fend off four hands.

The great battle raged for a full day and night. Save for a scant few Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator who paid a grievous price to escape with their lives, the remaining Flame Demon Race were virtually exterminated.

Yet, even as the Flame Demon horde was vanquished, the conflict high above in the Firmament between several Half-Step Primordial Spirit Ancient Ancestor had not yet concluded.

The Lord of the Flame Demons possessed terrifying power, simultaneously wielding three Quasi-Pure Yin Demonic Treasure. He withstood the assaults of Xuanxu the Daoist and the Feathered Pavilion Master without falling, even coming perilously close to breaking the Ten Thousand Immortals Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation on several occasions.

Seeing that this struggle could drag on for several more days, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Let us, the combatants of Nascent Soul Late Stage strength, join the fray and lend our aid to Brother Feathered Pavilion and the others."

"Agreed."

More than twenty mighty True Lord of Nascent Soul Late Stage prowess joined the assault. They unleashed a relentless barrage, hurling Immortal Sword and Spiritual Treasure against the Lord of the Flame Demons.

Pitiable was that Lord of the Flame Demons, a peerless demonic sovereign who once held genuine hope of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm. Now, he had reached his final, desperate end.

Besieged by two formidable foes, already grievously wounded, and now assailed by the combined onslaught of the gathered cultivators, he was ultimately hacked to pieces amidst the void by a storm of blades.

Upon careful consideration, such a demise for a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the very cusp of attaining the Primordial Spirit realm] is exceedingly rare indeed.

After all, Nascent Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Nascent Soul cultivation realm] powerhouses are themselves extraordinarily uncommon. To be simultaneously besieged by several dozen such mighty figures, including two Ancient Ancestor-level existences at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit stage, borders on the impossible.

"My deepest gratitude for your lifesaving grace."

After the Flame Demon Race [a race of demons wielding flame-based powers] was eradicated, the final Nascent Soul Late Stage powerhouse of the Heaven's Profound Sect, his body covered in wounds, stepped forward, his voice choked with emotion as he offered his thanks.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the surroundings, realizing that of the once preeminent great Sect [a major organization of cultivators] of the Eastern Wastelands, only eleven Nascent Soul True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul realm] now remained alive. This novel is serialized on audio—novel.com. Visit for updates.

Having lost two successive Sect Masters in a row, the strength of the Heaven's Profound Sect had plummeted repeatedly. It was likely they could no longer even maintain their position within the top ten powers of the Eastern Wilderness.

"Alas."

Eldrin Chen sighed, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "Grieve, but do not be consumed by it."

After the battlefield was cleared, Eldrin Chen did not immediately lead his forces to reinforce Water Chariot Island. Instead, he addressed the assembly, "Honored allies, after these successive battles, our cultivators are utterly spent."

"Let us rest and regroup here on Ghost Metal Island for seven days, before marching our forces to Water Chariot Island."

After this battle, the trust everyone placed in Eldrin Chen grew even deeper. Even Feathered Pavilion Master spoke with deference, saying, "We shall follow Fellow Daoist Chen's plan."

Through this series of relentless battles, although the forces under Eldrin Chen's command had not suffered catastrophic losses, a great many cultivators had been wounded.

Many had rushed to the next battlefield before their previous injuries had fully healed. Fighting consecutively like this had left them all, body and soul, utterly exhausted.

Even those who were not wounded had severely depleted their Mana [the spiritual energy used to power magical arts] and Spiritual Sense [a cultivator's extended spiritual awareness]. It would likely require a not-insignificant period of rest and recuperation for them to recover.

Furthermore, the reserve of spiritual energy stored within the Treasure Ship [a massive, enchanted vessel used for transport and warfare] had been more than half consumed through the successive engagements. It needed to be fully replenished before any large-scale military campaign could be undertaken again.

However, with the war situation being tense, Eldrin Chen dared not allow for an extended period of rest. After merely seven days of regrouping—enough time to fully recharge the Treasure Ship's spiritual energy—he left behind those with more serious injuries and led the forces onward toward Water Chariot Island.

Before setting out for Water Chariot Island, Eldrin Chen received a Spirit Talisman [a magical slip of paper or jade used for communication] sent by Magnus the Virtuous. He promptly convened a council of all the commanders.

At the council, Eldrin Chen passed the Spirit Talisman around for the others to examine. His expression grave, he spoke, "Esteemed allies, the enemy forces at Water Chariot Island are even more formidable than anticipated. We must proceed with the utmost caution in this coming battle." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audi novel.com.