Chapter 678 : The Demon Monarch's Forbidden Blade

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

According to the news transmitted by Vast Righteousness True Lord, the enemy beyond Chariot Water Island was formidably powerful. Not only was there a vast fleet comprised of over one hundred Demonic Ship [enchanted warships used by demonic forces], but also three Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm [a stage just below the Primordial Spirit Realm] Heavenly Demons.

The leader among them was a demon named Garuda Demon Monarch, a peerless prodigy from within the Outer Realm Fiend Race [a powerful demonic race from beyond this world].

This demon possessed a Demon God [a physique of immense demonic power] constitution. He had already cultivated to the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm a millennium ago. Although he had not broken through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] Realm in the intervening thousand years, he was now mere inches away from the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core].

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

This sword was a world-shaking Slaughter [a concept representing ultimate destructive power] treasure, its grade reaching the lofty Sixth Rank Low-Grade [the lowest tier of the sixth rank]. Its power was such that even Vast Righteousness True Lord and Sea-Calmer Path Master joining forces could only barely fight him to a standstill.

After reading the letter, Desolate Heaven Path Master could not help but say with a grave expression, "That Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword ranks first among this world's ten great Pure Lunar 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, while the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword is formidable, the one in Garuda Demon Monarch's possession is only Sixth Rank Low-Grade."

"Vast Righteousness True Lord's Vast Righteousness Heaven Sword, and even Sea-Calmer Path Master's Sea-Calmer Divine Pearl are not inferior to it. It is merely that the Sea-Calmer Pearl is not adept at offense, and Vast Righteousness True Lord's spiritual power cannot match that of a Half-Step Primordial Spirit cultivator." Access the full story on audio‑novel.com.

"Moreover, that Garuda Demon Monarch commands a Fiend Race Army [a vast legion of demonic soldiers], which greatly preoccupies their attention. Otherwise, the Garuda Demon Monarch would likely have already been driven back."

Having said this, Eldrin Chen concluded, "Once we strike and shatter the Fiend Race Army, the two Seniors will naturally be able to deal with the Garuda Demon Monarch."

Hearing this, everyone felt a slight sense of relief. As long as they did not have to face the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword [a legendary demonic blade of immense power] directly, they feared no Fiend Race [demonic horde].

The Master of Featherflight Pavilion pondered for a moment, exchanged a glance with Mysterious Void Path Master, and said, "If we can crush the Fiend Race, 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.

Exquisite 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.

If he, Eldrin Chen, had received a gift from the Long River Holy Land—a precious life-preserving talisman—then perhaps the Master of Featherflight Pavilion also enjoyed the covert patronage of a Path Lord [a master who has comprehended a fundamental Dao Path]. After all, they too were individuals with the potential to reach the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] realm.

Suppressing these thoughts, Eldrin Chen declared, "Now that our forces are assembled, we shall prepare to march."

The assembled forces marched toward the region of Chariot Water Island, flying for several days before finally arriving at the island's outer perimeter.

Eldrin Chen did not order an immediate advance. He first communicated with Vast Righteousness True Lord and the others via spirit talismans [enchanted slips of paper used for communication], then conducted a covert reconnaissance before returning to the fleet.

Before the great battle, Eldrin Chen gathered everyone and spoke directly: "According to our latest intelligence, the Fiend Race has clashed with Vast Righteousness True Lord and his forces seven or eight times within the vicinity of Chariot Water Island."

"They now have eighty-seven Treasure Ship remaining, and their Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where the nascent soul is formed] Demonic Cultivator likely number only around two hundred."

After some calculation, a glimmer of relief touched everyone's hearts. Mysterious Void Path Master stroked his beard with a smile and said, "By that reckoning, the Fiend Race's strength is slightly inferior to our own."

"Indeed," Master of Featherflight Pavilion also smiled, adding, "Furthermore, their Treasure Ship must have expended significant energy breaking out from the inner islands. After enduring several more battles, the energy reserves within those ships are likely critically low, relying entirely on Blood Crystal [crystals condensed from blood and demonic energy] for replenishment."

"Viewed this way, our advantage is considerable."

Everyone nodded in agreement, though Nine Rivers Path Master still voiced a concern: "However, the demonic Clan Patriarch under the command of the Garuda Demon Monarch [a powerful demon lord] remains. To truly rout them will likely require a fiercely brutal confrontation."

The assembled True Lord [a title for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] fell into a heavy silence. Crushing the Fiend Race would be no simple feat; such a battle could exact a grievous toll.

Eldrin Chen, however, furrowed his brow slightly in contemplation before speaking. "If we could first defeat, or better yet, slay the Garuda Demon Monarch, then the Fiend Race forces should collapse into a full retreat."

Upon hearing this, everyone was momentarily taken aback. The Heavenly Reed Sect Master said with a bitter smile, "Fellow Daoist, you jest. With the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword in its grasp, I fear even if Vast Righteousness True Lord and Sea-Calmer Path Master joined forces, they would have no certainty of slaying the Garuda Demon Monarch."

"Not to mention the Fiend Race Army fleet..."

As the Heavenly Reed Sect Master spoke, he noticed Eldrin Chen's gaze shift towards the Master of Featherflight Pavilion and the Mysterious Void Path Master. His expression involuntarily turned cold.

Contrary to expectations, the Master of Featherflight Pavilion addressed Eldrin Chen, saying, "Elder Brother Mysterious Void and I do indeed have some hidden trump cards in reserve. However, if we cannot guarantee the death of the Garuda Demon Monarch, employing them would likely be a waste of our foundational resources."

"And that is not all," the Mysterious Void Path Master mused before speaking. "If we assist you two Seniors in slaying the Garuda Demon Monarch, I fear the two Fiend Race Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators who have half-stepped into the Primordial Spirit realm] cultivators would be left unchecked."

Eldrin Chen nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Using the Myriad Immortals Demon-Subduing Grand Formation, how long could you entrap those two Fiend Race Half-Step Primordial Spirit cultivators?" Continue your cultivation journey at audio—novel.com.

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master calculated briefly before replying, "Approximately one Ke-time [fifteen minutes]."

"That is insufficient time," the Mysterious Void Path Master shook his head. "The Garuda Demon Monarch has been a renowned power for many years and wields the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword. Even if we all joined forces, it would be impossible to slay it in a mere quarter of an hour."

The Long River Path Master also offered a wry smile. "A Half-Step Primordial Spirit powerhouse possesses immense strength. It would require at least five Infant Soul Late Stage [cultivators at the late stage of the Infant Soul realm] experts to barely hold one off. To simultaneously restrain two would likely demand ten such Infant Soul Late Stage Great Powers."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Among their group, there were only slightly over twenty Infant Soul Late Stage cultivators. They also needed to contend with the Infant Soul Late Stage arch-demons within the Fiend Race Army. At most, they could likely spare only five Infant Soul Late Stage experts.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking, "Bring me the intelligence on the two Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator whose spiritual core is partially formed, a transitional stage between Nascent Soul and full Primordial Spirit] experts from the Fiend Race [a race of malevolent, often demonic beings]."

Soon, someone brought the information on the Fiend Race. After giving it a cursory glance, Eldrin Chen revealed a smile. "Heaven itself aids me," he said.

The Mysterious Void Path Master [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered the Dao of Mystery and Void] also took a look and chuckled. "Fellow Daoist, your Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure that manipulates opposing forces and void energy] is a Superior Spiritual Treasure [a high-grade enchanted artifact]. It seems this battle will indeed be worth fighting."

The reason was that among those two Half-Step Primordial Spirit experts of the Fiend Race, one was a great power from the Vajra Divine Fiend Race [the Adamantine Divine Fiend Race, known for their indestructible bodies].

That Half-Step Primordial Spirit expert of the Vajra Divine Demon [an Adamantine Divine Demon] was born from Netherspring Demonic Metal [a rare, sinister metal formed in netherworld springs], making it a Fiend Race with an innate Metal Spiritual Root [a spiritual root affinity for the Metal element, granting exceptional talent in Metal-based cultivation].

This race could be said to be uniquely blessed by heaven. Not only did they possess peerlessly powerful physical bodies, but they were also highly resistant to attacks from various Divine Ability [supernatural techniques and powers mastered by cultivators] and even Immortal Sword [swords wielded by immortals, possessing immense power].

However, they also possessed a fatal flaw. Because their bodies, their Demonic Treasure [magical treasures used by demonic cultivators], and even their Divine Ability were all of the Metal attribute, they were exceptionally vulnerable to being countered by Primordial Magnetism Power [a primordial magnetic force that disrupts and controls metal].

Eldrin Chen's Spiritual Treasure [a general term for magical treasures], the Polarity Void Mirror, possessed formidable Primordial Magnetism Power, specifically designed to counter all manner of Immortal Sword and Divine Ability magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

Coupled with his Heavenly Flame Magical Power [magical power derived from heavenly flames], which was the bane of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow demonic or unorthodox paths], it could be said that this Vajra Divine Demon would likely be unable to unleash even half of its capabilities when facing Eldrin Chen. Access the full story on audio–novel.com.