Chapter 725 : A Sword's Reluctant Promise

"Since Brother Featherflight is determined to make this attempt, I will naturally lend my aid."

Eldrin Chen clasped his hands in a respectful salute and thus agreed to the matter.

Seeing this, the Master of Featherflight Pavilion finally let out a sigh of relief and said, "With your assistance, Worthy Brother, the weight upon my heart has been lifted considerably."

In truth, the Master of Featherflight Pavilion had also entertained the thought of borrowing the Azure Abyss Sword to face his tribulation, but he suppressed the notion almost instantly.

That sword was a Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a supreme artifact forged with the essence of the primordial sun], its value was utterly inestimable and it was simply unthinkable to entrust it to another's hands. Furthermore, using a Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure to withstand a tribulation would grievously wound or even damage it, regardless of success or failure.

After all, the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation that tests a cultivator's Primordial Spirit] was a trial imposed by heaven and earth. Even if a Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure managed to withstand it, it would likely require ten Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years] of recuperation to restore its full power. How could such a treasure be lent out lightly?

Leaving aside whether Eldrin Chen would be willing to lend his Immortal Sword [a sword wielded by an immortal] for the tribulation, even if Eldrin Chen were willing, the Azure Abyss Sword itself would likely not consent.

In the past, the Azure Abyss Sword had agreed to aid Eldrin Chen in overcoming his Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, but it had never promised to help anyone else face their Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of heavenly thunder].

Returning to the main thread, Eldrin Chen departed from Azure Luan Province and soon returned to Ji Continent.

Upon his return, Exquisite Jiang could not help but ask immediately, "How did it go?" Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel dot com.

"The mission is accomplished, and I have finally succeeded in borrowing it."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. Several days prior, he had already spent time attuning himself to and refining the Feather-Falling Divine Light Mirror.

Upon hearing this, the assembled group all smiled slightly. One of them then spoke, "In that case, let us send word to our three fellow Daoists on the Heavenly Star Continent and instruct them to prepare to make their move."

"..."

Early the next morning, the group stealthily made their way to Golden Wing Peak to set up their ambush.

To settle the outcome with a single decisive battle, the forces from Ji Continent had mobilized nearly their entire strength.

More than a dozen Infant Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators whose souls have reached the Infant Soul stage] were committed to the fight. From the Chen Clan, this included Eldrin Chen and his three Daoist companions, plus Kael Chen, Elara Lin, and Ethan Chen, making a total of seven Infant Soul cultivators.

Furthermore, both Violet Consort Mountain and Ethereal Void Mountain contributed two Infant Soul cultivators each: namely, Violet Consort Yan and Spirit Consort, along with Ethereal Mistress Ling and Soaring Void Path Master.

In addition, Quentin Qiu from Vast Sea, the Chen Clan's guest elder Recluse of Verdant Verse, and the hegemon of Qi Nation, Patriarch Mo-ink, also joined the battle.

In total, a formidable force of fourteen True Lord [a title for high-level cultivators] was committed to the fight. It could truly be said that the entire Ji Continent had emptied its nests for this confrontation.

Fortunately, Golden Wing Peak was not far from Ji Continent, and Ji Continent itself was dotted with Teleportation Formation [magical arrays designed for instantaneous travel over vast distances]. Even if something unexpected truly occurred, they could return swiftly.

Nevertheless, to guard against any unforeseen events, Eldrin Chen first activated the Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path [a profound art of divination and fate calculation] to perform a divination.

The divination arts of cultivators, their Celestial Mechanism [the art of reading fate and heavenly secrets], were not omniscient or omnipotent. Calculating the fates of lower-realm cultivators often yielded fruitful results, but once it involved high-realm cultivators, the path ahead would become shrouded in thick mist. One could only vaguely discern auspicious or ominous signs.

After repeatedly performing the divination and confirming no significant calamity lay ahead, Eldrin Chen led the group towards Golden Wing Peak.

They traveled covertly until they reached the outskirts of Golden Wing Peak, where Eldrin Chen began using the Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path to veil their Celestial Mechanism and conceal the group's forms from sight.

Not long after they had lain their ambush, three True Lord [a title for cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] from the Heavenly Star Sect arrived and encircled the area outside Golden Wing Peak.

The three from the Heavenly Star Sect acted with startling speed. Not only did they come personally, but they also brought a Fifth Rank Treasure Ship [a powerful enchanted vessel] for a surprise assault, clearly intent on seizing Golden Wing Peak in one fell swoop.

Faced with this sudden attack, the Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings] atop Golden Wing Peak was caught completely off guard.

Its cultivation was merely at the Infant Soul Early Stage [the initial phase of the Nascent Soul realm], while the opposing force consisted of a full three Infant Soul cultivators and a Fifth Rank Treasure Ship. The Heavenly Star Sect Master was himself a cultivator at the Infant Soul 5th Tier [the fifth layer of the Nascent Soul realm], making him far beyond the demon emperor's ability to contend with.

Seeing the situation turn dire, the demon emperor immediately sent a message to Divine Bird Peak, desperately seeking reinforcements.

Far away, atop Divine Bird Peak [a sacred mountain inhabited by divine avian creatures], millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] distant, the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor [the sovereign ruler of the golden-winged roc demon race] received the news. He immediately summoned the three Infant Soul Demon Emperor [demon emperors who have cultivated their souls to the Infant Soul stage] residing on Divine Bird Peak to prepare reinforcements for Golden Wing Peak [the primary stronghold of the golden-winged roc lineage].

However, a Great Roc [a mythical giant bird of prey] clad in violet scales spoke up, unable to hold back a word of caution. "Daring to move against us with only the forces of Heavenly Star Continent [a continent under human control]... could this be a trap?"

"A trap?"

The Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor furrowed his brow slightly, then let out a cold, derisive laugh. "With my cultivation level, augmented by the Extreme Speed [a supreme movement technique] innate to our Golden-Winged Great Roc Lineage [the royal bloodline of golden-winged rocs], not even the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a powerful dragon sovereign] could hope to detain me."

"And among all the human-controlled continents surrounding the Golden Wing Demon Province [the demon territory ruled by the golden-winged rocs], there is no one from the Human Race who can match my might. Your worries are unfounded."

The Purple-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor [a high-ranking roc emperor with purple-hued wings] nodded in agreement, yet persisted, "Your words hold truth, sire. But even the mightiest fist struggles against four hands. I fear their schemes may run deeper." Original publication: audio-novel*com - The source of this chapter.

"That is a fair point,"

conceded the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor, his pride tempered by pragmatism. "Very well. Order the two Demon Emperor [powerful sovereigns of the demon race] from Earth Tremor Valley [a valley known for seismic activity] and Blazing Fire Island [a volcanic island] to mobilize. They shall accompany us to Golden Wing Peak."

"..."

The assembled forces waited beyond the borders of Heavenly Star Continent for a full five days. Yet, the promised reinforcements led by the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor never arrived. A palpable sense of anxiety began to creep among them.

Seeing this, the Recluse of Verdant Verse [a title for a reclusive cultivator known for elegant poetry] said with a grave expression, "Could it be that the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic sovereign of the golden-winged roc lineage] has sensed something amiss and already abandoned Golden Wing Peak [a mountain peak named for its association with golden-winged rocs]?"

"That is unlikely."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, weighing his words carefully. "That Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor possesses an exceedingly arrogant temperament. How could he sit idly by and watch the loss of a Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy] and the death of a Demon Emperor [a sovereign ruler among demonic beings]?"

"If he has not arrived yet, he has most likely gone to gather his forces. By that reckoning, they should be upon us within the next day or two."

Hearing this, the others nodded slightly in agreement. After all, the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor was a being at the Half-Step Demon Ancestor [a rank denoting immense power, just below the legendary Demon Ancestor level] level. His strength was considered nearly invincible even within the Infant Soul Realm [a high stage of cultivation where one's nascent soul is formed and nurtured]. It was impossible for him to back down so easily.

Reality proved their predictions correct. After waiting for roughly half a day more, just as the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array designed to shield a mountain or territory] guarding Golden Wing Peak was on the verge of collapse, five Golden-Winged Great Roc [majestic, golden-feathered demonic birds of prey] of imposing and formidable aura came soaring over.

The leader was clad in golden armor and wielded a massive golden Great Halberd [a long pole weapon with an axe-like blade]. Without hesitation, he brought the weapon down in a mighty cleaving strike aimed directly at the Heavenly Star Sect Master [the leader of the Heavenly Star Sect].

Witnessing the attack, the Heavenly Star Sect Master cried out in sheer terror, "Everyone, save me!"

A single blow from a Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a cultivator whose power has transcended the Infant Soul Realm and is approaching the legendary Primordial Spirit stage] was something even a late-stage Infant Soul Realm cultivator might struggle to withstand, let alone a mere mid-stage Infant Soul Realm cultivator like him.

"Now!"

At the critical moment, Eldrin Chen issued a command and surged forth into the fray.

Instantly, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords unleashed two dazzling arcs of sword energy [condensed, blade-like projections of spiritual power], their peerless sharpness aimed at the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor. The strike intercepted the Golden-Winged Great Roc's seemingly inevitable attack.

"Perfect timing."

Seeing Eldrin Chen intervene, the Golden-Winged Great Roc let out a cold laugh. Its golden Great Halberd swept across the heavens with an overbearing force, simultaneously clashing against the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords and still managing to hold a significant advantage.

Witnessing the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor's ferocity, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and Kael Chen immediately rushed forward to join the assault, seeking to relieve the pressure on Eldrin Chen.

The remaining cultivators also sprang into action, launching a concerted assault against the several Demon Emperor [supreme rulers of demonic races].

In this battle, the human side held overwhelming numbers. A full seventeen Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their nascent soul, a core spiritual entity] were besieging six Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor. From the outset, they held a decisive upper hand.

After merely thirty-some exchanges, an opportunity presented itself.

Ice Jade Condensing Light Mantra [a powerful mantra that freezes targets with glacial light], a Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical technique]. She trapped an Infant Soul Early Stage Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor in a prison of ice. Seizing the moment, Lila channeled her Frost Soul Coldlight Sword, delivering a cleaving strike that instantly slew the demon emperor amidst the void. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio - novel . com.