Chapter 718 : Blood Sacrifice Over the Wilderness

With those words, the voice of Xuan Fang faded into nothingness, revealing it had been merely an Avatar [a projected manifestation of one's will or power] all along.

"What urgent matter could it be? He's likely just eager to devour the Heaven's Profound Sect," came the retort.

Watching the departing figure, Hemlock the Bloodweaver let out a cold, derisive snort.

Yet, a mere moment later, his expression shifted, hardening into resolve as he muttered to himself, "Once I've performed the blood sacrifice upon the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness to restore my strength, I shall return to seize him and force him to reveal the whereabouts of the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam."

It turned out Hemlock the Bloodweaver had never ceased his obsession with locating Nyssa Qu. His current alliance with Xuan Fang served a dual purpose: first, to seek vengeance against Eldrin Chen, and second, to use the opportunity to investigate the trail of Nyssa Qu.

His gaze fixed intently upon the vast expanse of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness below, Hemlock the Bloodweaver summoned a Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged with malevolent or demonic energies] and unleashed a devastating slash towards the land.

"Huummm—"

Sensing the terrifying power of Hemlock the Bloodweaver's full-force strike, the entire Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness erupted with a radiance of blinding intensity. A crystalline protective dome materialized, resembling a colossal glass bowl inverted over the earth.

The Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness, as the foundational stronghold of the Chen Clan, was not only guarded by two Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a powerful natural conduit of spiritual energy] but also comprised three thousand cities, each anchored by a Third Rank Spirit Vein, serving as Formation Eye [a key nodal point in a mystical defensive or offensive array].

Having nurtured this land for several Millennium, the Chen Clan had woven these countless Formation Eye into the Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation that mimics the celestial firmament]. When fully activated, its defensive power was formidable enough to withstand assaults from even a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the very cusp of achieving the Primordial Spirit realm]. Published by @udio-novel.com. All rights reserved.

Facing the full-force strike of Hemlock the Bloodweaver, the Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation remained completely unscathed.

"The Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation!"

Hemlock the Bloodweaver's expression shifted slightly. He had not expected the Chen Clan to possess such a Deep-Seated Foundation [a profound and well-established base of power and resources] at this location.

A faint sense of foreboding settled in his heart. The defensive power of this formation was such that, unless he employed the Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade, he feared he could not breach it even after half a month of relentless assault.

With this realization, Hemlock the Bloodweaver could only grit his teeth and channel his power into the Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade, slashing it towards the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

"BOOM—"

A deafening explosion echoed. The Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade truly lived up to its reputation as a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-grade magical treasure of pure Yang energy]. Although it had not yet fully regained its former might, the power channeled by Hemlock the Bloodweaver alone was enough to dim the radiance of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation by a full thirty percent.

The one guarding this location was the Second Primordial Embryo [a powerful clone or avatar technique] of Lyra Jiang. Seeing Hemlock the Bloodweaver wield the Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade, she immediately spoke, "Notify the Old Patriarch at once to come and reinforce the defense."

"We are already here."

A Teleportation Formation flared to life, and Thalion Chen arrived at the scene via the formation without a moment's delay.

The Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness was merely several tens of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Verdant Chariot Mountain. The moment it came under attack, Old Patriarch sensed the anomaly. Furthermore, once the Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing stellar energies] was activated, every major Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy] would send out a warning.

Upon arriving at the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy], Thalion Chen immediately summoned the Treasure Banner of the Eight Trigrams. He guided it to settle into the Formation Eye [the core node and power source of a formation], his expression grave as he spoke.

"The attacker is Hemlock the Bloodweaver. I fear we cannot hold him off. Go quickly and request Magnus the Virtuous's aid in battle."

"*Clang—*"

Even as he spoke, another crimson blade-light cleaved down from the heavens, striking the radiance of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a formation that channels the power of the celestial stars] and causing it to dim drastically.

That Hemlock the Bloodweaver, heedless of his Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power techniques and treasures] expenditure, consecutively channeled his Pure Yin Demonic Treasure [a demonic artifact of pure Yin energy] to unleash three devastating slashes. The Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation shattered under the assault.

Yet, in its place, eight treasure banners erupted with divine light. The eight divine powers of Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Wind, Water, Separated Flame [a spiritual object representing the element of fire], Mountain, and Marsh intertwined, coalescing into a formidable force that surged forth to attack.

"The Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner!"

Hemlock the Bloodweaver's face paled with alarm. He hastily urged his Blood-Transmuting Demon Blade [a demonic blade that refines and consumes blood essence] to launch a relentless counter-offensive.

Indeed, this Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner was extraordinarily potent. Empowered by the Spirit Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth], its might was vastly amplified, reaching a level that could even threaten a powerhouse at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator on the verge of forming their Primordial Spirit, the spiritual core] realm.

Combining the multiple precious banners Divine Ability, he unleashed a series of astonishing Great Divine Ability [a supreme-level supernatural power]: the 'Heaven and Earth Dual Qi Aegis' [a protective shield formed from the dual energies of heaven and earth], the 'Gale Thunderclap Wings' [wings that conjure gales and thunderclaps for immense speed], the 'Yin-Yang Annihilating Demon-Dispelling Qi' [a purging energy born from the clash of Yin and Yang, capable of annihilating demonic forces], the 'Thunder-Marsh Sword' [a sword technique that manifests a marsh of crackling lightning], and the 'Thunder-Fire Demon-Slaying Divine Lightning' [a divine lightning imbued with thunder and fire, specifically forged to slay demons]. Each was a power of terrifying, awe-inspiring might.

After exchanging over a dozen moves with Old Patriarch, Hemlock the Bloodweaver found he could not gain the upper hand for the moment. This only fueled his growing fury and humiliation.

"Damnation! My wounds are not yet fully healed, and my Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade [a demonic blade that grows stronger by consuming blood] has not tasted fresh blood in a century. Otherwise, how could I allow such insolence from you?"

In the great battle a century ago, he had been wounded by Nyssa Qu's Seven-Colored Immortal Radiance [a radiant, seven-hued light of immortal power]. His injuries had yet to fully mend, and his Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade required copious amounts of blood to restore its former dreadful potency.

After lying low for a hundred years, Hemlock the Bloodweaver had only barely recovered his combat strength. He had been planning to blood-sacrifice the Chen Clan to reawaken his blade, never expecting to encounter such a formidable foe.

With his current power, Hemlock the Bloodweaver might be considered strong among those at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a transitional state approaching the Primordial Spirit realm], but he was a far cry from the terror he once inspired as the foremost figure of the Demonic Path [the collective term for practitioners of demonic cultivation arts]. Official source: audio novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

This realization, mingling with his rage, planted a seed of retreat in Hemlock the Bloodweaver's heart.

Yet, just as he was about to withdraw, he noticed Thalion Chen's hair was completely white, his visage gaunt and withered. He halted his retreat.

"So it's not some lofty master, but merely an old man whose vital essence has withered away," he sneered.

"With your depleted lifeblood, even if you can activate these Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner [a set of eight banners used to trap and refine demons using the principles of the Eight Trigrams], how long can you possibly sustain them?"

Hemlock the Bloodweaver let out a cold laugh. Disregarding the depletion of his Mana [the spiritual energy used to power magical arts], he once more summoned the Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade [a legendary demonic weapon of immense power] and slashed it towards the Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner.

Thalion Chen channeled his energy to reinforce the Formation [a structured array of magical power], stubbornly withstanding nine consecutive blows from Hemlock the Bloodweaver. The strain was immense, and he immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The expressions of Lyra Jiang's Second Primordial Embryo [a powerful technique that creates a secondary spiritual avatar] shifted slightly. She couldn't help but speak out, "Old Granduncle, please tend to your wounds first. Let me take over the channeling."

"Do not concern yourself with me!"

"This is my Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact bound to its wielder's life force and soul]. You cannot unleash its full power. We would not withstand him."

Thalion Chen's face remained stoic, but the Mana within him was now nearly exhausted.

After all, his opponent was a powerhouse at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a realm just below the legendary Primordial Spirit stage], and the Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade in his hand was a Pure Yin Demonic Treasure [a weapon of supreme yin-aligned demonic power] that had shaken the world.

Although the Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner was extraordinary, its grade was ultimately slightly inferior. Even with the Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] bearing the brunt of the consumption and backlash, the remaining recoil had left Thalion Chen grievously wounded, his Mana almost completely drained.

Yet, even at this moment, Thalion Chen's resolve was unshakable. Gritting his teeth, he wrung the last vestiges of his lifeblood from his heart, transforming it into a final, surging torrent of Mana. With a roar, he declared,

"Hemlock the Bloodweaver, the Heaven-Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Blade may be mighty, but with your Half-Step Primordial Spirit reserves of Mana, how many more such blows can you possibly muster?"

"Today, you seek to slaughter the hundreds of millions of my Chen Clan bloodline. Even if I must exhaust every last drop of my vital essence, this old man will fight you to the death!"

As the Old Patriarch's words fell, the boundless Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] within him surged into the Eight Trigrams Demon-Refining Banner, unleashing a strike that poured forth his entire being.

Behold! The three Formation Flags of Thunder, Separated Flame [a potent spiritual fire essence], and Wind erupted with world-shaking divine radiance. Converging their power, they manifested an earth-shattering, heaven-rending Great Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique]—the 'Thunder-Fire Gale Demon-Slaying Sword'.

This single strike possessed the unyielding ferocity of thunder, the surging immensity of the Separated Flame, and the blinding swiftness of the Wind. The wind fanned the flames, and the flames empowered the thunder's wrath.

These three primordial forces fused into one, giving birth to a peerless, utterly astonishing Divine Ability of unparalleled might.

"BOOM—" Original English translation available at audio-novel`com.