Chapter 693 : A Pact of Shadows and Steel

Eldrin Chen listened in silence, a glint of killing intent flickering deep within his pupils.

For the first two or three centuries following each eruption of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, the Demonic Cultivator within the Eastern Wastelands were always at their most rampant and brazen.

This was because the Human Race forces within the Eastern Wastelands were often grievously wounded by the cataclysm, with many high-ranking cultivators fallen or injured, leaving them at their most vulnerable state.

This was especially true for the numerous Golden Core True Person and Nascent Soul True Lord who had sustained injuries. To prevent their wounds from worsening, they were often forced into seclusion for many years to recuperate, severely limiting their ability to take action.

Fortunately, this time, the injuries suffered by Eldrin Chen and Kael Chen were not severe, allowing them the freedom to deal with these fiends.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen said thoughtfully, "I had originally planned to recover from my wounds swiftly and allow the clan to recuperate and rebuild for some years. Yet, these demonic fiends grow too bold; we must intervene and rein them in."

"Indeed," Kael Chen nodded in agreement before continuing, "A few newly advanced Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator are not too troublesome in themselves. The true concern is that the Demonic Tribe will likely not stand idly by and allow us to succeed."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present grew solemn. According to the pact established during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, Nascent Soul-rank and above beings from the Demonic Tribe were forbidden from attacking the Human Race during the calamity. However, now that the cataclysm had passed, they would undoubtedly relish any opportunity to hinder humanity's recovery.

Eldrin Chen's expression hardened slightly. He then turned to Silas Chen and asked, "Has there been any word from Azure Wave Lake and Purple Jade Lake?"

Silas Chen's face darkened at the question. He could not help but reply, "There has been no word from Azure Wave Lake yet. However, the Purple Jade Demon Emperor has repeatedly dispatched Golden Core Great Demon into The Vast Sea to gather intelligence." Dive deeper into the Dao at audi novel.com.

"By my reckoning, the three-hundred-year pact signed with the Purple Jade Demon Emperor is nearly at its end." Eldrin Chen's expression darkened, his gaze turning grave as he spoke. "It seems the Purple Jade Demon Emperor is also growing restless, unable to contain itself any longer."

Seeing this, Thalion Chen could not help but voice his thoughts. "In that last great battle, nearly every Nascent Soul [the stage of cultivation where one forms an immortal infant soul] expert on the Ji Continent was wounded. Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal, Violet Consort, the Immortal Maiden, and even Senior Magnus all require one to two centuries of secluded meditation to recuperate."

"Should we not also rest and regroup for a time, waiting until everyone's injuries have healed before moving against these Nascent Soul Demon Fiend?"

"We cannot afford to wait." Eldrin Chen shook his head, his expression solemn. "These Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods to gain power] have only just broken through; their strength is still negligible. But if we allow them to consolidate their cultivation and forge their Demonic Treasure [powerful artifacts imbued with demonic energy], they will become far more troublesome foes."

"Furthermore, leaving them be would inflict grievous losses upon the lower-realm cultivators of The Vast Sea, which would ultimately impact the production of our Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth]."

Lyra Jiang also nodded, pondering for a moment before speaking. "A mere handful of Nascent Soul, Early Stage Demonic Cultivator is not too great a concern. What worries me is the possibility of them forming an alliance with the Purple Jade Demon Emperor. That would undoubtedly bring us significant trouble."

"Then let us act swiftly." After a moment's consideration, Eldrin Chen declared. "Old Granduncle, your injuries are the most severe. You should enter seclusion to heal first. The rest of us will cleanse The Vast Sea of these Demonic Cultivator."

The Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a territory dominated and fortified by demonic cultivators] within The Vast Sea is named Blood Cavern Island.

This Blood Cavern Island was, many years ago, once an exceedingly powerful Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land.

However, after the Vast Sea Chen Clan relocated here, the then-magnificent Chen Clan could not tolerate another power sleeping soundly beside its own bed. Naturally, they launched a campaign and utterly purged the island.

Thereafter, Blood Cavern Island [a demonic island stronghold] fell into decline for several Millennium [a period of one thousand years]. It was only on this day that multiple Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivators [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm through demonic or unorthodox methods] had reclaimed this place.

"This is Blood Cavern Island [a demonic island stronghold]."

Outside Blood Cavern Island [a demonic island stronghold] at this moment, Eldrin Chen gazed calmly at the demonic isle before him, a glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

By his side stood a full five True Lords [a title for cultivators who have reached the Golden Core realm]: Lyra Jiang, Kael Chen, Silas Chen, Elara Lin, and Lila.

Although Lyra Jiang and Elara Lin and the others had not yet fully recovered from their previous injuries, they could still muster most of their combat strength. They felt confident they could handle the four Nascent Soul Demon Fiends [demonic beings who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] on Blood Cavern Island [a demonic island stronghold].

Yet, upon arriving outside Blood Cavern Island [a demonic island stronghold], Eldrin Chen sensed something amiss. From a patch of distant void, a group of figures began to stealthily encircle them.

"The Purple Jade Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic ruler]."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly as he recognized the identity of the approaching force.

The arrivals were not just the Purple Jade Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic ruler], but also two of his subordinate Demon Emperors [rulers of demonic races]: the Hundred Venoms Celestial Scorpion [a demon emperor in the form of a giant, venomous scorpion] and the Crimson Blood Demon Serpent [a demon emperor in the form of a crimson serpent]. Furthermore, there were four other Demon Emperors [rulers of demonic races] he had never seen before.

Among those four Demon Emperors [rulers of demonic races], two were newly ascended Demon Emperors [rulers of demonic races] cultivated by the Purple Jade Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic ruler] in recent years. The other two were figures clad in scales of gold and silver, respectively.

The newly ascended Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] was not yet a grave concern, but the figure clad in gold and silver scale armor—Eldrin Chen had a fair idea of its origins.

These two demons were known as the Gold and Silver Twin Emperors. It was said they had attained their Dao [achieved enlightenment and power] from being a Golden Dragonfish and a Silver Dragonfish respectively, and their cultivation had already reached the lofty Nascent Soul, 6th Tier [the sixth major stage of spiritual ascension, where one forms an immortal soul].

The Golden Dragonfish and Silver Dragonfish were both extraordinary, rare bloodlines within the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic races], their heritage not inferior in the slightest to that of the Flood Dragon [a powerful aquatic dragon species].

Coupled with the complementary nature of their Mana [the refined spiritual energy wielded by cultivators], their combined strength was even sufficient to contend against a great power at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Nascent Soul realm].

"Hahaha, Abyssal Daoist [a title for a cultivator associated with profound mysteries], did you ever imagine this day?"

The Purple Jade Demon Emperor looked at Eldrin Chen and could not help but let out a roaring laugh. Read the full novel exclusively on http://www . audio-novel.com.

It turned out that long ago, having learned from the lesson of being besieged by Eldrin Chen and his allies, he had heeded the counsel of the Hundred Venoms Celestial Scorpion [a demon sovereign known for its myriad poisons]. He began cultivating new Demon Emperor while also befriending and rallying aid from the Demonic Tribe to lend myself a hand.

Now, three hundred years later, he had not only nurtured two new Nascent Soul Demon Emperor, but had also secured the assistance of the Gold and Silver Twin Emperors.

At this moment, the Purple Jade Demon Emperor had brought a full seven Demon Emperor. Adding the four Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow a demonic path and have reached the Nascent Soul realm] from The Vast Sea, their forces numbered a formidable eleven Nascent Soul True Lord [an honorific title for a Nascent Soul stage expert], outnumbering the Chen Clan by five.

Watching the grim expression on Eldrin Chen's face, the Purple Jade Demon Emperor sneered coldly, "Today, I shall let you taste the bitterness of being overwhelmed by superior numbers."

"Now!"

As the words of the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor fell, he led the others in a coordinated assault.

In the blink of an eye, a chaotic melee erupted in full force, with the assembled Nascent Soul Cultivators [powerful cultivators who have formed a nascent soul, a higher state of being] already locked in fierce combat.

Eldrin Chen faced the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor alone. After exchanging over a dozen blows, he began to feel the pressure of the engagement.

This battle placed the Chen Clan in a highly disadvantageous position. He alone contended with the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor, while Lyra Jiang was locked in combat with the Gold and Silver Twin Emperors. Meanwhile, Kael Chen found himself besieged by both the Hundred Venoms Celestial Scorpion and the Crimson Blood Demon Serpent.

The remaining two newly-advanced Demon Emperor [rulers of powerful demonic races], along with four Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow a demonic path and have reached the Nascent Soul realm], joined forces to besiege Silas Chen, Elara Lin, and Lila.

Had they been at their peak, they might have held their ground. However, Lyra Jiang's Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a powerful artifact intimately connected to a cultivator's life force] was not yet fully repaired, Lila's signature Magical Treasure, the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda, had been destroyed, and the rest of their group were all severely wounded.

If the battle continued in this manner, the members of the Chen Clan risked their injuries worsening drastically, and there was even a danger of someone falling in battle.

Realizing this, Eldrin Chen could no longer afford to hold back. He decisively summoned forth the Green Abyss Sword.

After all, the Green Abyss Sword was a genuine Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact of immense yang-aligned power]. Even though Eldrin Chen's Mana [the spiritual energy used to power techniques and artifacts] was depleted, its unleashed might far surpassed that of ordinary Spiritual Treasure. Visit audio novel.com to enjoy the complete series.