Chapter 678 : The Demon Monarch's Sword

After reading the letter, everyone's expressions turned grave.

According to the news transmitted by Magnus the Virtuous, the enemy beyond Water Chariot Island was formidably powerful. Not only did they possess a vast fleet of over one hundred Demonic Ship [demonic enchanted vessels], but they were also led by three Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm [a realm just below the Nascent Soul stage] Heavenly Demons.

The leader among them was a demon named Garuda Demon Monarch, a peerless Heaven's Chosen [a title for a prodigy favored by destiny] from among the Outer Realm Demonic Race.

This demon possessed a Demon God [a supreme demonic physique] physique. He had already cultivated to the Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm over a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] ago. Now, another Millennium had passed. Although he had not broken through to the Primordial Spirit [the Nascent Soul realm, the spiritual core of a cultivator], he was already within a hair's breadth of the Primordial Spirit Realm.

Most crucially, Garuda Demon Monarch also possessed a life-bound Pure Yin Demonic Treasure [a supreme-grade demonic artifact of pure Yin nature]—the infamous 'Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword'.

This sword was a slaughtering supreme treasure that shook the world, its grade reaching the lofty Sixth Rank [the sixth major tier of power for artifacts and cultivators] lower-grade realm. Shockingly, even with Magnus the Virtuous and Maris the Sea Steader joining forces, they could only barely fight him to a standstill.

After reading the letter, Desolate Wilderness Daoist could not help but say with a grave expression, "That 'Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword' ranks first among this world's ten great Pure Yin Demonic Treasure. I fear none of us could withstand a single clash against it."

"It is indeed troublesome,"

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement before speaking. "However, although the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword is formidable, the one in Garuda Demon Monarch's possession is only at the Sixth Rank lower grade."

"Magnus the Virtuous's Virtuous Heaven Sword, and even Maris the Sea Steader's Sea-Steadying Divine Pearl [a divine pearl artifact famed for its stabilizing power], are not inferior to it. It is merely that the Sea-Steadying Pearl is not adept at offense, and Magnus the Virtuous's Mana [the spiritual energy or power reserves of a cultivator] cannot compare to that of a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core realm, approaching Nascent Soul]." Published by http://www . audio-novel.com. All rights reserved.

"Moreover, that Garuda Demon Monarch commands a demonic legion, which greatly preoccupies their focus. Otherwise, the Garuda Demon Monarch would likely have already been driven back."

Speaking to this point, Eldrin Chen concluded, "Once we strike and shatter the demonic legion, the two senior experts will naturally deal with the Garuda Demon Monarch."

Hearing this, everyone felt a slight easing of tension. As long as they did not have to face the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword directly, they feared no demonic foe.

The Feathered Pavilion Master pondered for a moment, exchanged a glance with Xuanxu the Daoist, and then said, "If we can crush the demonic forces, we might even have a chance to slay the Garuda Demon Monarch."

To the others, these words sounded ordinary, but to Eldrin Chen, they carried a different weight.

Lyra Jiang and Eldrin Chen exchanged a look, and she sent a silent mental message, "Could it be they have a hidden trump card?"

"Let us wait and see,"

Eldrin Chen replied calmly, though a strange intuition stirred within him.

He, Eldrin Chen, had received a boon from the Long River Sacred Land—a priceless life-preserving Spirit Talisman. It was possible the Feathered Pavilion Master also enjoyed the covert patronage of a Dao Lord, given their own potential to reach the Primordial Spirit realm.

Suppressing these thoughts, Eldrin Chen declared, "Now that our forces are assembled, it is time to march."

The assembled forces marched forth, heading towards the region of Water Chariot Island. After flying for several days, they finally arrived at the periphery of the island stronghold.

Eldrin Chen did not order an immediate assault. Instead, he first communicated with Magnus the Virtuous and the others using a Spirit Talisman [a talisman that transmits messages over long distances using spiritual energy]. After quietly scouting the situation, he returned to the fleet.

Before the great battle, Eldrin Chen gathered everyone and spoke directly: "According to our latest intelligence, the demonic forces within the Water Chariot Island perimeter have clashed with Magnus the Virtuous and his allies seven or eight times."

"They now have eighty-seven Treasure Ship [massive enchanted warships] remaining, and their Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator [demonic cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] likely number only around two hundred."

After some calculation, a flicker of relief passed through the hearts of those present. Xuanxu the Daoist stroked his beard with a smile and said, "By that reckoning, the demonic host's strength is now somewhat weaker than our own."

"Indeed," Feathered Pavilion Master also smiled, adding, "Furthermore, their Treasure Ship must have expended significant energy breaking out of the inner islands. After these successive battles, the energy reserves within those ships are likely critically depleted, relying entirely on Blood Crystal [crystallized essence of blood and demonic energy used as a power source] to replenish them."

"Viewed thus, our advantage is considerable."

Everyone nodded in agreement. However, Nine Rivers Daoist spoke up, "Yet the demonic Clan Lord [a powerful leader of a demon clan] forces under the command of the Garuda Demon Monarch [a powerful demon ruler resembling the mythical Garuda bird] remain. To truly shatter them will likely require a fierce and bloody confrontation."

Upon hearing this, the assembled True Lord [cultivators who have attained the True Lord realm, a high level of power] fell into a contemplative silence. Crushing the demonic legion would be no simple feat; such a battle could exact a grievous toll.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly in thought. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "If we could first defeat, or better yet, slay the Garuda Demon Monarch, the demonic forces would likely collapse into a full rout."

Upon hearing this, the assembly was momentarily taken aback. Tianlu Sect Master offered a bitter smile and said, "You jest, Fellow Daoist. With the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword in its grasp, I fear even Magnus the Virtuous and Maris the Sea Steader joining forces would have no certainty of slaying the Garuda Demon Monarch."

"Not to mention the vast demonic fleet arrayed against us…"

As Tianlu Sect Master spoke, he noticed Eldrin Chen's gaze shifting towards the Feathered Pavilion Master and Xuanxu the Daoist. A chill settled over his expression.

Contrary to expectations, the Feathered Pavilion Master addressed Eldrin Chen directly. "Brother Xuanxu and I do indeed harbor certain hidden trump cards. However, if we cannot guarantee the Garuda Demon Monarch's demise, employing them would be a grievous waste of our Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and accumulated cultivation base essential for future breakthroughs]."

"And there is more," interjected Xuanxu the Daoist after a moment of contemplation. "Should we aid you two seniors in slaying the Garuda Demon Monarch, the two remaining Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator whose power has transcended the Nascent Soul realm but has not fully coalesced into a Primordial Spirit] demons would be left with no one capable of restraining them."

Eldrin Chen nodded, pondering deeply before asking, "If we employ the Ten Thousand Immortals Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation, how long could it entrap those two Half-Step Primordial Spirit demons?" Continue reading this story at audio-novel dot com.

Tianlu Sect Master calculated swiftly. "Approximately one Ke-time [one Ke-time equals fifteen minutes]," he replied.

"Insufficient time," Xuanxu the Daoist shook his head. "The Garuda Demon Monarch has been a renowned power for centuries and wields the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword. Even with our combined might, slaying it within a mere quarter-hour is impossible."

Daoist Ronan the Longbeard added with a rueful sigh, "The might of a Half-Step Nascent Soul Powerhouse [a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core realm, possessing power approaching the Nascent Soul stage] is formidable. It would require at least five Nascent Soul Late Stage experts to barely hold one at bay. To contend with two simultaneously would demand ten such sovereigns."

A slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow. Among their forces, there were barely over twenty Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators. They also needed to contain the Nascent Soul Late Stage arch-fiends within the demonic horde. At most, they could spare only five of their late-stage sovereigns for this task.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking, "Bring me the intelligence on the two Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator who has partially transcended the Nascent Soul realm but not fully ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm] experts of the demon race."

Soon, someone brought the information on the demons. After a brief glance, Eldrin Chen revealed a smile and said, "Heaven itself aids me."

Xuanxu the Daoist also took a look and said with a laugh, "Fellow Daoist's Yin-Yang Void Realm [a spatial treasure that manipulates the forces of Yin, Yang, and void] is a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact]. It seems this battle will indeed be worth fighting."

The reason was that among the two demon race Half-Step Primordial Spirit experts, one was a mighty being from the Adamantine Demon God Race [a race of demons renowned for their indestructible, metallic bodies].

That Half-Step Primordial Spirit Adamantine Demon God was born from Netherspring Demon Gold [a rare metallic ore imbued with netherworld energies], a demon race with an innate Metal Spiritual Root [a spiritual affinity for the Metal element, granting exceptional talent in related cultivation arts].

This race could be said to be uniquely blessed by nature. Not only were their physical bodies peerlessly powerful, but they also feared neither the attacks of various Divine Ability [supernatural powers mastered by high-level cultivators] nor even those of Immortal Sword [a sword wielded by an immortal or a cultivator of immense power].

However, they possessed a fatal flaw. Because their bodies, their Demonic Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by demonic cultivators], and even their Divine Ability were all of the Metal attribute, they were exceptionally vulnerable to being countered by magnetic forces.

Eldrin Chen's Spiritual Treasure [a general term for powerful enchanted artifacts], the Yin-Yang Void Realm, possessed potent magnetic power, specifically designed to restrain all manner of Immortal Sword and Divine Ability Magical Treasure [another general term for enchanted artifacts].

Coupled with his Celestial Fire Mana [a cultivation art that harnesses the purifying flames of heaven], which was the natural bane of Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who follow a demonic or unorthodox path of cultivation], it could be said that this Adamantine Demon God would likely be unable to unleash even half of its capabilities when facing Eldrin Chen. Access the full story on www . audio-novel.com.