Chapter 732 : Golden Wings of the Divine Slash

"A perfect opening!"

Seizing the fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen cast aside all thoughts of holding back his trump card and unleashed the Heaven Trigram Golden Wing Slash.

In that instant, a pair of golden wings unfurled from his back with a resonant hum. With a sharp *shriek*, he transformed into a streak of Dao Gold light, crossing the distance to appear before the Black Crocodile Demon Emperor. In the same motion, he summoned the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, their blades converging in a single, devastating strike that pierced through the demon emperor, pinning his massive form lifelessly in the void.

Pitiful was the Black Crocodile Demon Emperor, a mighty being at the Infant Soul Late Stage. Had he focused solely on escape, even a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul might have struggled to stop him.

He never anticipated that Eldrin Chen possessed the Heaven Trigram Golden Wing Slash, an art capable of seizing that split-second opportunity to bridge the vast distance and deliver a fatal blow.

Simultaneous with Eldrin Chen's strike, Exquisite Jiang acted with perfect synergy. She summoned the Nine Dragon Wheel, its power manifesting to momentarily ensnare the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor.

"How dare you!"

In the mere span of a single breath, witnessing the death of the Black Crocodile Demon Emperor, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor erupted in fury. He could no longer restrain himself and unleashed the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler, its immense power descending with the intent to obliterate both Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort.

Yet, Eldrin Chen possessed the Heaven Trigram Golden Wing Slash. With a single beat of his wings, he could traverse a hundred and eight thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of void. In almost the same breath he had taken to slay his foe, he was already soaring to intercept, placing himself between the two women and the incoming attack.

With a casual flick of his sleeve, the Azure Abyss Sword shot forth from within, its blade ringing with a clear, resonant *clang* as it met the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler in a titanic clash of energies. Find this and other novels at site: audio-novel.com.

"Booming thunderous roar—"

The clash between the two Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [spiritual treasures of immense power, forged with the essence of the primordial sun] erupted in a cataclysmic collision, cleaving the void for tens of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] around them, leaving behind a web of spatial fissures.

Seeing that even the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler [a legendary ruler artifact capable of measuring the heavens, carved from divine green jade] could not subdue Eldrin Chen, the expressions of the Gold and Silver Emperors shifted slightly.

Now that the Black Crocodile Demon Emperor had fallen in battle, continuing the fight would significantly increase the peril for the two of them.

With this thought, the Golden Dragon Fish Demon Emperor immediately sent a mental message to the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor: "Your Majesty Demon Emperor [a title for a supreme ruler among demonic beings], it seems victory eludes us today."

"The road ahead is long. Why not wait until you break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a profound advancement in power] realm before making another move?"

Hearing this, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's pupils contracted with a flash of icy coldness, which he instantly suppressed.

They held no advantage in today's battle. To continue would likely result, at best, in mutual destruction.

Although the Gold and Silver Emperors had consumed his Dragon Transformation Fruit [a miraculous fruit said to grant draconic power or form] and owed him a favor, that debt had its limits. They probably would not risk their lives fighting to the death for his sake.

If he refused to retreat, the Gold and Silver Emperors would likely turn and leave, which could trigger a rout and lead to even greater losses.

With this thought, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor channeled his Greenjade Heavenly Blade to force the others back, then spoke with a chilling gaze, "Eldrin Chen [the cultivator known as Eldrin Chen, also called Returning Abyss], I have witnessed your methods today."

"Back then you were but a minor figure. I never imagined you would grow into such a formidable threat. Once I break through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a cultivator, representing immense power] realm, I shall return to settle this score."

Having spoken, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor led his forces in a retreat into the distance.

Watching the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor prepare to depart, the Violet Jade Demon Emperor suppressed the murderous intent raging in his heart.

In truth, he was loath to withdraw from this battle, for he yearned to slay Kael Chen and claim his vengeance. Yet, the decision was not his alone to make.

Five centuries ago, he alone had been enough to make the entire Chen Clan view him as a dire threat. Now, he feared he was utterly outmatched by the Chen Clan's might.

"We've done it!"

As the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor retreated, a wave of profound relief washed over the assembled cultivators.

A faint smile touched the lips of the Recluse of Verdant Verse [a cultivator known for his elegant poetry and reclusive nature]. He could not contain his elation. "The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor has wisely withdrawn. Our Myriad Ruins Province can finally establish a firm foothold along the shores of the Vast and Misty Marsh."

Ethereal Mistress Ling also smiled. "Indeed. By founding this new province and establishing its foundation, we who are its pioneers shall share in its boundless fortune and destiny. Perhaps this very fortune will grant me the chance to glimpse the realm of the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Infant Soul cultivation realm]."

Their elation was entirely justified, for the opportunity to establish a new continent held immense benefits for them all.

Take Ethereal Mistress Ling for example. In her previous life, she had been a Infant Soul 4th Tier cultivator. After falling in battle during the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm and undergoing reincarnation, she was born lacking a wisp of Innate Energy [the primordial life force one is born with]. This had drastically increased the difficulty of her subsequent breakthroughs.

Now, though she had broken through to the Infant Soul Mid Stage several centuries ago, Violet Consort Yan, who achieved the same breakthrough around the same time, had already cultivated to the Infant Soul 6th Tier. Ethereal Mistress Ling remained at the Infant Soul 4th Tier, a clear testament to the arduousness of her Path [the unique spiritual and martial journey of a cultivator].

With the establishment of the new continent imminent, Ethereal Mistress Ling could sense her Path becoming significantly smoother, as if guided by fate itself.

As for Eldrin Chen, success in this endeavor would further accelerate his cultivation speed. It was not impossible that he might reach the Great Perfection of Infant Soul before the next Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Let us proceed to Divine Bird Peak and see if the enemy forces there have withdrawn." Original publication: audio-novel[dot]com - The source of this chapter.

Upon their arrival at Divine Bird Peak, they found the hostile forces surrounding the peak had indeed retreated.

Nine Rivers Path Master stroked his beard with a smile. "That Primordial Era Savage Ox Demon Emperor possessed formidable strength, yet he was wary of the prestige of your Chen Clan," he said. "After exchanging fewer than ten moves with this old man and realizing he could gain no advantage, he withdrew in haste."

Hearing this, the group could not help but show relieved smiles. Immortal Maiden Six Desires remarked, "It seems the establishment of this great continent may proceed even more smoothly than we anticipated."

"..."

Meanwhile, within the depths of Azure Wave Lake.

The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor gazed with detached calm at the assembled Demon Emperors beside him, yet the longer he thought, the more his fury swelled within.

In their glorious past, Azure Wave Lake had boasted multiple great powers at the Infant Soul Late Stage, such as the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon and the Melancholy Inscription Lord, and even prodigies with astonishing bloodlines like the Five-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python.

Little did he expect to be so thoroughly outmaneuvered by Dorian Ji. The Melancholy Inscription Lord turned out to be a disciple of Dorian Ji who had undergone a tribulation rebirth, and the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon was, in fact, his Second Primordial Embryo [a second, independently cultivated spiritual body].

This affair had been a bone stuck in the throat of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor for centuries, a festering wound in his heart that fueled his profound hatred for Dorian Ji.

Now that Dorian Ji had broken through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], surpassing him utterly in intellect, strategy, and raw power, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor could only vent his enmity upon Eldrin Chen and his allies.

Yet, after this latest battle, the Black Crocodile Demon Ancestor [a powerful demonic beast], whom he had painstakingly nurtured to the Infant Soul Late Stage, had fallen once more.

As for the remaining Gold and Silver Emperors, though they had only reached the Infant Soul Late Stage after consuming his Dragon Transformation Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit that can catalyze a dragon-like transformation], today's events made it clear their loyalty was far from assured.

With these thoughts churning, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor found the storm of rage within him increasingly impossible to quell.

"Dorian Ji, Eldrin the Way Lord!"

The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's heart was a tempest of hatred, a sea of wrath. In his fury, he shattered several precious treasures on the spot.

The Violet Jade Demon Emperor nearby, ever observant, saw that the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's rage had not yet subsided. Seizing the moment, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this humble one has a plan that may avenge the Black Crocodile Demon Emperor."

"Oh?"

The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor's gaze shifted, cold and sharp. "Speak," he commanded.

The Violet Jade Demon Emperor fell silent for a long moment before speaking, each word deliberate and heavy. "Breach the Wild Goose Range Mountains."

"What did you say?!"

Everyone present paled, their faces etched with disbelief.

The Wild Goose Range Mountains formed the natural boundary between the Azure Wave Lake and Myriad Ruins Province. West of the mountains lay the vast expanse of the Azure Wave Lake; to the east stretched the Myriad Ruins Province.

To breach the Wild Goose Range Mountains would unleash the full fury of the Azure Wave Lake's waters, utterly drowning the Myriad Ruins Province beneath a cataclysmic flood. Find this and other novels at audio~novel.com.