Chapter 687 Aftermath of the Battle, Devastation

Elder Longgu trod the path of using demons to subdue demons, employing methods even more ruthless than those of demonic cultivators. With a swift activation, the Blood-Cloud Snare descended from above, instantly ensnaring the 9 Nether Demon Dragon Emperor.

In his prime, the Netherworld Dragon Emperor would have had some chance of escaping. But earlier, his battle against the 9 Abysses Daoist had already depleted 30 percent of his mana. After the fierce fight with the others, another 20 percent was exhausted. Now, he retained only half of his power.

Moreover, after the Dragon Pearl was seized by Daoist Longgu through a surprise attack, losing this trump card left him utterly unable to break free from the restraints of the Blood-Cloud Net.

At the critical moment of life and death, the 9 Nether Abyssal Dragon Emperor proved decisively ruthless. He forcibly executed the Demonic Path Soul Transmigration Art within his sleeve, escaping with a wisp of his soul essence through celestial tribulation.

"What a pity."

Watching the 9 Serenities Dragon Emperor depart for his reincarnation, Daoist Longgu couldn't help but let out a regretful sigh.

Had the 9 Abyssal Dragon Emperor reacted just a moment slower, he would have been able to unleash his supreme demonic art to corrupt the other’s soul, refining it completely into a puppet. By then, the 9 Abyssal Dragon Emperor would have lost even the chance to undergo a tribulation rebirth.

Although the 9 Serenities Dragon Emperor has now fallen, his Primordial Spirit Dao Fruit remains intact. In a 1000 years, he will likely be able to cultivate back to the Primordial Spirit Realm once more.

However, this was not the moment for contemplation. The moment Ancient Elder Long appeared, several Outer Realm Demons had already begun fleeing for their lives. Since Ancient Elder Long had made his move, he naturally wouldn't pass up the opportunity to eliminate these demonic cultivators.

He soared into the heavens and gave chase to several Nascent Soul demonic cultivators.

Before Eldrin could even voice his gratitude, Daoist Longgu had already departed, leaving him to finally regain a sliver of composure.

Chen Changxuan approached and, upon seeing that Eldrin (Person Name) had no life-threatening injuries, promptly grasped his hand and said, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright. Focus on recovering your wounds first."

"Elder Uncle."

Eldrin's eyes reddened slightly. In this battle, Chen Changxuan had nearly exhausted all of his innate essence blood to save him, causing his hair to turn streaked with gray in an instant.

Vital Essence Blood was of paramount importance. Chen Changxuan had expended far too much of his Vital Essence Blood, likely equivalent to forfeiting a full 1 1000 years of his lifespan.

Not only Chen Changxuan, but also Lila (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name) who stood nearby had suffered severe injuries while saving him. Lila (Person Name)'s superior-grade spiritual treasure, the Frost Soul Condensed Light Pagoda (Magic Treasure), was destroyed in that battle.

Meanwhile, Lyra’s (Person Name) life-bound spiritual treasures were almost half-destroyed, and it would likely require a considerable amount of rare spiritual materials to restore them.

Yan Zi had also suffered significant injuries. Had it not been for the extraordinary power of the Zihuan Dun Kong Mirror (Magic Treasure), she might not have survived the tribulation of this day.

Reflecting on the devastating losses they had just suffered, Eldrin took a deep breath before distributing the elixirs from his possession to everyone. "This time," he said, "we made it through thanks to all of you."

"Alas."

Chen Changxuan swallowed a healing elixir, and after recovering slightly, he scanned his surroundings.

He gazed upon the devastating battlefield, knowing all too well that the Chen family's low-level cultivators had likely suffered casualties no less than 40 to 50 percent. The thought pained him deeply as he spoke with a heavy heart, "Send Lior (Person Name) to scour the battlefield. Prioritize distributing the healing pills."

"Uncle." Eldrin's heart ached as he could no longer hold back his tears, his voice choked with emotion. "Uncle Lior has fallen in battle."

Chen Changxuan remained silent for a long while before finally rising to his feet. "I shall handle this matter personally," he said. "And while I'm at it, I shall gather the remaining belongings of your Uncle Lior (Person Name)."

Eldrin (Person Name) watched his receding figure in silence, feeling as though his silhouette grew ever more solitary.

Over the years, Eldrin had scarcely involved himself in the family's affairs. Chen Changxuan presided over all major matters, while Lior handled nearly all trivial day-to-day tasks.

Now without Lior to assist, everyone else was separated from the elder by too many generations. I’m afraid no 1 could ever be as convenient and close to use as Lior had been.

"Sigh…"

Just as Eldrin was sinking deeper into sorrow, he felt a soft presence draw near.

Lyra (Person Name) interlocked her fingers with his, her pale face filled with resolute determination as she comforted him, "You still have me. We'll walk this path together. So long as we attain immortality someday, we will surely find them again."

After the great army had rested in the White Tiger Sea for 3 days, Dao Lord Jiuyuan flew back to the White Tiger Spirit Island.

Upon returning to the island, his first order of business was to summon Eldrin and a dozen or so other key figures who had contributed most significantly to this battle.

In the grand hall, Daoist Jiuyuan cast a glance at the assembly and spoke without preamble. "In this battle against the 4 Eldritch Abominations from beyond the heavens, Fellow Daoist Longgu and I have slain 2. Of the remaining 2, 1 fled gravely wounded, while the other had their physical form utterly annihilated."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Though the remaining 2 Eldritch Horrors from Beyond the Heavens still posed considerable trouble, their grievous injuries had rendered them incapable of overturning the heavens. They could no longer shift the tides of this battle.

After observing everyone's expressions, that Eldrin (Person Name) continued, "The merits you've earned are considerable. Once the war concludes, rewards will undoubtedly be bestowed."

After the meeting concluded, Lu Jiuyuan dismissed the assembly but specifically retained several cultivators from the Eastern Wastelands—Eldrin, Magnus the Virtuous Lord, and Maris the Sea Steader.

After the others had departed, Lu Jiuyuan (Person Name) spoke, "Young friends from the Eastern Wastelands, in this battle I deliberately had you engage the enemy first and unleashed the 9 Netherworld Demon Dragon (Summoned Creature) upon you. Do you harbor resentment?"

Everyone fell silent upon hearing this, their expressions tinged with profundity.

3 days had passed since the great battle, and the cultivators had long since drawn their conclusions. Whether the Eastern Barren Cultivation World had struck first or the Southern Barren cultivators had initiated the conflict, devastating losses would have been inevitable.

Not only that, had Lu Jiuyuan kept the 9 Nether Demonic Dragon Demon Emperor restrained while releasing the other newly-ascended Primordial Spirits, they might have barely managed to hold out, avoiding such devastating losses.

However, this meant Lu Jiuyuan would certainly have no confidence in breaking through the 3 Nascent Soul demonic cultivators, and the battle would descend into an even more brutal stalemate.

It could be said that in this battle, Lu Jiuyuan was gambling—betting that before the 9 Netherworld Dragon Demon Emperor could break through their defenses, he would join forces with the 2 stellar spirits, the White Tiger and the Vermilion Bird, to crush the 3 Eldritch Abominations in 1 decisive strike.

However, it was foreseeable that regardless of whether he could defeat the 3 Nascent Soul demonic cultivators, they would undoubtedly pay an unimaginably heavy price.

The 9 Abyss Dao Lord noticed the expressions of the crowd and could roughly discern the thoughts swirling in their minds.

He offered no further explanation, merely sighing as he said, "This battle will determine whether we can defend the 4 Symbols Star Palace. Even if you all despise this old man, I would still proceed as I have done."

"If there be a 1000 kinds of karma, this old man shall bear them all."

As he spoke these words, the 9 Abyss Dao Lord showed not a trace of remorse in his eyes.

Seeing how forthright Daoist Jiu Yuan was, Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) shook his head, took a deep breath, and said, "Even if we hold resentment, the 1 we resent is that person from the Northern Plains’ Wang Family."

Seeing this, Lord Jiuyuan (Cultivator) shook his head and said, "Go tend to your wounds first. In a few days, we must reclaim the 4 Direction Star Palace Archipelago."

The group disembarked from the treasure ship and returned to its deck. Lyra (Person Name) still had words stuck in her throat that she had to spit out, "This 9 Abyss Dao Lord clearly knows we've traveled 10 1000 li to offer support, yet he actually made us take the vanguard in the battle."

"In my opinion, he intends to preserve the strength of the Southern Wilderness cultivation world."

Eldrin (Person Name) remained silent for a long while before finally speaking, "The only regret is that among us, there is no Primordial Spirit to take command of the situation."

Lu Xuan Yuan was a member of Lu Jiuyuan’s clan. It was only natural for him to show some favoritism, fearing that the family’s prodigy, Eldrin (Person Name), might fall at the hands of the Outer Demons.