Chapter 681 : Sword's Vengeance and Ancient Grudges

At that very moment, a peerless sword radiance within Eldrin Chen's sleeve trembled, unleashing a thread of pure, penetrating killing intent.

This startled Eldrin Chen, who couldn't help but ask, "Senior?"

"Garuda!"

The Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power imbued within a sword technique] of the Green Abyss Sword instantly retracted, uttering only those two words.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, his gaze shifting to the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol [a manifested avatar of immense demonic power] of the Garuda Heavenly Demon hovering in the void above.

He understood the reason for the Green Abyss Sword's killing intent. In the battle of old, Qingyuan Dao Lord had fallen by the hand of the Garuda Heavenly Demon, and the Green Abyss Sword itself had been shattered in that very demon's grasp.

Who could have imagined that after several Millennium [a period of one thousand years], this Garuda Heavenly Demon had cultivated to the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage, to the point where even a single Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol it left behind now possessed combat power rivaling a true Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high stage of cultivation].

With this realization, Eldrin Chen transmitted a message to the Green Abyss Sword: "Senior, be at ease. That this Garuda Demon Monarch has a Gara Dharma Idol for protection suggests a deep connection to the Garuda Heavenly Demon. Today, we shall claim him as interest on an old debt."

"Agreed."

The Green Abyss Sword replied with cool detachment, its thread of killing intent growing ever more resolute. This novel is serialized on http://www . audio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

Meanwhile, the battle upon the Firmament had reached its zenith.

Wielding the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword and manifesting the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol [a supreme demonic projection embodying immense power], the Garuda Demon Monarch stood alone, repelling the combined assault of three supreme treasures: the Sea-Steadying Divine Pearl, the Virtuous Heaven Sword, and the Five Directions Treasure Banner.

Especially that Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol, which was almost like a Primordial Spirit Realm Heavenly Demon [a powerful class of demon] incarnate, actually suppressed the entire group single-handedly, leaving them gasping for breath.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Xuanxu the Daoist's pupils contracted sharply. He immediately produced a violet-gold Spirit Talisman [a paper or jade slip inscribed with powerful seals and spells] and hurled it at the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol.

This talisman was named the Purple-Gold Divine Thunder Talisman [a talisman that unleashes devastating violet-gold divine lightning]. It was a Sixth RankTreasure Talisman [a pre-made, single-use artifact of immense power] refined by the Eastern Desolate Holy Land's Lin Clan Grand Elder, Violet Firmament Dao Lord. It could unleash the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder [a supreme lightning technique of the violet heavens] against powerful foes and possessed extreme potency against Demonic Cultivator.

The talisman transformed into Violet Firmament Divine Thunder and crashed down with a thunderous roar. Amidst the flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, it struck the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol head-on, causing its radiant aura to dim by nearly a third.

"A fine treasure indeed, Brother Xuanxu!"

Seeing this, Maris the Sea Steader quickly intensified his assault with the Sea-Steadying Divine Pearl, exclaiming with fervor, "This Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol cannot be sustained for long! Attack now with all your might!"

Hearing his words, everyone pressed their attacks. The Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol was merely a temporary incarnation; its greatest weakness was its limited Mana [the spiritual energy used to fuel techniques and artifacts], making it fundamentally incapable of maintaining Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, here referring to that level of combat power] level combat prowess for an extended duration.

Now that the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol's overwhelming offensive was checked, the Garuda Demon Monarch found himself momentarily unable to break through the encirclement, plunging him into a desperate and arduous struggle.

The great battle raged for a full day and night. Seeing that he had exhausted every trick and still could not break the blockade, the Garuda Demon Monarch could not help but reveal a trace of anxious desperation.

Realizing the situation was dire, the Garuda Demon Monarch cast a glance at his Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol [a powerful demonic avatar]. He understood that if myself wished to escape alive, it would require paying a devastatingly steep price.

With this thought, he gritted his teeth and poured his power into the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol, driving it to ignore all incoming attacks in a desperate bid to force a breach.

The Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol took a direct strike from the Virtuous Heaven Sword, suffering grievous wounds, yet it pressed on, charging recklessly towards the void enveloped by the Five Directions Treasure Banner [a formation banner that seals space in five directions].

"We cannot let him escape!"

The expressions of the several great powers present shifted dramatically. If the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol attacked with its full might, it would undoubtedly tear the Formation asunder.

Although the Five Directions Treasure Banner possessed seventy to eighty percent of the power of a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a treasure of pure Yang energy, the highest grade], it was still insufficient to withstand such an all-or-nothing assault.

In that fleeting, lightning-fast moment, Xuanxu the Daoist could no longer afford to worry about the toll on his treasures. For the second time, he summoned forth the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique of immense power] and unleashed it.

This Violet Firmament Divine Thunder talisman could be activated three times. To obtain it, Xuanxu the Daoist had not only paid a tremendous price but also incurred an immense debt of favor to Violet Firmament Dao Lord.

Now, to slay this Demonic Path Nascent Soul Seed [a cultivator with the potential to reach the Nascent Soul realm], the Garuda Demon Monarch, he cast aside all concern for preserving his precious talisman and immediately unleashed the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder once more.

Behold, the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder [a supreme heavenly thunder technique] crashed down with an unstoppable force, striking directly upon the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol [a colossal, terrifying manifestation of demonic power].

Although the Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol possessed astonishing might, it was ultimately merely a manifested Dharma Idol. Having already been struck by the Virtuous Heaven Sword [a divine sword embodying heavenly virtue], it was at the end of its strength. Now, subjected to the bombardment of the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder, it instantly erupted into a cataclysmic explosion of unparalleled violence.

A shockwave of incomparable force swept across the void, causing the Five Directions Treasure Banner [a formation banner array that seals the five cardinal directions] to dim and flicker. The very fabric of space it had sealed began to tremble and shudder.

"Cleave—!"

At that precise moment, the Garuda Demon Monarch [a supreme demon king of the Garuda race] widened his eyes in a flash. The Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword [a demonic sword forged to slay immortals] in his hand erupted with a peerless sword radiance. With a force that brooked no defiance, it tore through the Five Directions Treasure Banner Formation.

"Hahaha—!" For more chapters, visit audio-novel.com for the complete novel.

Seeing the Formation [a structured array of power used for defense, attack, or sealing] torn asunder, the Garuda Demon Monarch let out a roar of triumphant laughter. Once free from the confines of the Five Directions Treasure Banner grand array, the sky would be his to roam and the seas his to fly across. With no Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator who has nearly ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm] to bar his path, who could possibly stop him?

Yet, at that very instant, Eldrin Chen, who had long been prepared, snapped his eyes open. A gaze of absolute, annihilating intent locked onto the Garuda Demon Monarch.

"*Screech—!*"

A peerless azure sword radiance, amplified by the power of Celestial Fire Mana [a profound cultivation art that channels celestial fire energy], shot forth with an overbearing, world-cleaving force, aimed directly at the Garuda Demon Monarch.

In that instant, heaven and earth fell silent, as All Things Lose Color [a supreme sword technique that drains all color and vitality from the world] manifested.

That single arc of sword light became the only hue of eternity.

The full-powered strike of the Green Abyss Sword, further empowered by the Heavenly Flame Arcane Force [a profound divine ability that channels celestial fire, typically only usable by Nascent Soul Dao Lords], unleashed by Eldrin Chen in that fleeting moment, was a blow that could startle the heavens and make ghosts and gods weep.

The Garuda Demon Monarch [a powerful demon king of the Garuda race], having just shattered the Formation, had no time to catch its breath before it saw a sword light pierce before its eyes, annihilating its physical body into fragments on the spot.

Even its Nascent Soul [the spiritual infant formed within a cultivator's dantian, representing their condensed life essence and power] was incinerated by boundless Celestial Fire [a divine flame of heavenly origin]. Only a wisp of its remnant soul clung to the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword as it fled with its once-overbearing ferocity into the depths of the boundless void.

"Is it dead?"

It took a good while before the others finally reacted.

Maris the Sea Steader glanced at Eldrin Chen, his gaze lingering deeply on the Green Abyss Sword for a moment, before he finally clasped his hands and said, "Thanks to Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a cultivator of similar attainment] seizing the moment, otherwise it truly might have escaped."

"Indeed, indeed."

Everyone's faces lit up with joy and surprise. Feathered Pavilion Master also spoke with exceptional courtesy, "To think Fellow Daoist possesses such fortune. It truly makes the rest of us envious."

Magnus the Virtuous also nodded towards Eldrin Chen and said, "It is a pity we did not seize the Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary demonic blade forged to slay immortals]. Otherwise, this battle could truly be called a complete victory."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt regret. That Heavenly Demon's Immortal-Slaying Sword was a pure Pure Yin Demonic Treasure [a type of magical artifact forged with profound Yin energy, often associated with demonic paths].

The crafting method for such a Demonic Treasure [a powerful artifact forged through demonic arts] is not as inherently vile as ordinary demonic treasures. It is forged by refining a Sixth Rank Treasure Metal [a rare spiritual metal of the highest quality] and instilling it with the soul of a Heavenly Demon [a powerful entity from the demonic realms].

If it could have been captured, perhaps the Dao Lords [supreme masters who have comprehended a Great Dao] of the Central Ancestral Domain might have been able to purify and convert it into an orthodox Magical Treasure.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen also sighed, "That fiend still retains a wisp of remnant soul. If it has cultivated a soul-transference Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique], it might yet have a sliver of a chance to reincarnate in the future."

"Do not dwell on it. Slaying this demon is already our greatest triumph."

Xuanxu the Daoist spoke, then glanced at the battlefield beneath their feet. "This is not the time for lengthy discussion. Let us first rout the demonic army completely." Original English translation available at (audio-novel.com).