Chapter 844 : Ancestral Tome of the Void

Yet this alone was insufficient. The number of Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world] was simply too vast. The Human Race needed a portion of their forces to maintain the Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation [a grand defensive array that mimics the cosmos], and for a moment, they still struggled to decisively breach the enemy's defensive line.

"Alas—"

At that very moment, a sigh resonated through the air.

From the depths of the void, an ancient and unadorned tome soared forth, intercepting two Primordial Spirit, Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Nascent Soul cultivation realm] Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.

Immediately following, a figure clad in simple, archaic Daoist robes strode through the air, positioning himself squarely before the two Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.

"The Heaven-Derivation Tome!"

"Netherworld Ancient Ancestor, how dare you betray the Demon God [the supreme deity of the demonic path]!"

In an instant, the pupils of the two Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon contracted, their faces contorting with shock and fury.

The one who had intervened was none other than the formidable Netherworld Ancient Ancestor, a name that shook the heavens and the earth.

This Netherworld Ancient Ancestor was originally the paramount powerhouse of the Heaven's Secrets Lineage [a lineage specializing in divination and celestial secrets] within the Purple Realm. He was once known by the Daoist title Heaven-Derivation Daoist, and his supreme treasure, the Heaven-Derivation Tome, was one of the three great Heavenly Secrets Treasures [artifacts of celestial divination and fate] of the Purple Realm. Discover more cultivation stories at audio‑novel.com.

Yet for reasons unknown, this Netherworld Ancient Ancestor [a powerful and ancient demonic cultivator] had descended into the Demonic Path [the unorthodox and malevolent cultivation path], becoming one of the most terrifying Demonic Path Ancient Ancestor within the Purple Realm [a major realm in the cultivation world].

Now, the Netherworld Ancient Ancestor's cultivation had reached the lofty Ninth Layer Nascent Soul realm, his combat prowess alarmingly formidable. With a single move, he intercepted two Late Stage Primordial Spirit Heaven-Demon [powerful demons from beyond this world].

"Betraying the Demon God [the supreme ruler of the demonic forces]?"

The Netherworld Ancient Ancestor let out a cold sneer, his tone laced with indifference. "If this old man did not act, allowing the Demon God to enter the Purple Realm, would my Life Soul [the core of one's life force and destiny] be spared?"

"You—!"

The two Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [Heaven-Demons from beyond this realm] narrowed their eyes, then laughed coldly. "You have turned to the True Demon [the purest and most potent demonic path] Dao. You are destined to fall under the hand of the Demon God Majesty."

"Daring to defy now is merely a futile last stand, a path to your own doom."

"That is no concern of yours."

The Netherworld Ancient Ancestor snorted coldly, then turned his gaze towards Riverlord Chang and the Star Palace Master, a mocking smile on his face. "Why do you still hesitate? Do you expect this old man to risk his life to seal the Heavenly Scar [a rift or tear in the fabric of the heavens] for you?"

"Alas—"

Seeing that Netherworld Ancient Ancestor was unwilling to commit his full strength, the two could only sigh before charging towards the far end of the Demon Abyss Heavenly Scar.

Yet before the End of the Demonic Abyss, Netherdeep Demon Venerable sat cross-legged in the void. Watching the two charge towards him, his eyes held a cold glint as he spoke, "Why seek your own demise?"

"BOOM—"

As his words faded, Netherdeep Demon Venerable pressed down with a single palm, immediately forcing the two into a steady retreat.

Having repelled his foes with one move, Netherdeep Demon Venerable placed his hands behind his back. He strode forth like a deity or demon descended from the Nine Heavens, his twin palms seemingly capable of suppressing an entire realm.

"Before me, Netherdeep the Sacred Venerable, even a mighty expert of the Ninth Layer Nascent Soul would have to crawl. How dare you strike?"

"Perish!"

This Netherdeep Demon Venerable possessed an aura that overshadowed mountains and rivers. He did not summon various Spiritual Treasure to face his enemies, relying solely on his bare hands. Yet with them, he swept aside all opposition, striking even a supreme treasure like the Long River Setting Sun Scroll—a Supreme Treasure of Pure Yang—and sending it flying.

He was a supreme powerhouse who had forged his path through the Demonic Body Refinement Dao [a cultivation path focused on tempering the physical body to demonic perfection]. He had honed his physical form to the very limits of the mortal realm, an unparalleled existence merely a single step away from a Demi-Immortal Physique.

Whether it was Star Palace Master or Riverlord Chang, even joining forces, they were no match for him.

"Strike it down!"

With a furious roar, the Star Palace Master channeled the Superior Pure Yang Divine Abilities of his lineage, coalescing the stellar radiance of the Nine Heavens into a blade of light and unleashed a wrathful slash towards the Demon Venerable.

Yet even such a supreme Divine Ability was insufficient to impress Netherdeep Demon Venerable.

The Netherdeep Demon Venerable's physical form was flawless like glazed porcelain, imbued with an indestructible divine nature that even a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure would struggle to breach.

The stellar divine sword, potent enough to slay a Primordial Spirit, Late Stage [the spiritual core of a cultivator at the late stage], shattered into fragments of starlight upon striking the Netherdeep Demon Venerable's body.

"Crack!" Visit site: audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

A crisp sound echoed as the Netherdeep Demon Venerable delivered a devastating blow to the Star Palace Master, striding forth like a Demon God [a being of immense demonic power]. "Beneath the Demi-Immortals, I am invincible! You alone are not enough to face me!"

"Arrogant fool!"

Riverlord Chang bellowed in rage. The Long River Setting Sun Scroll in his hand unfurled like a tidal wave, while a violet treasure lamp descended, releasing a torrent of Ignatius Celestial Fire [a divine flame of heavenly origin].

"Violet Flame Heart Lamp [a magical lamp that channels and projects violet celestial flames], Long River Setting Sun Scroll [a mystical scroll depicting a long river under a setting sun, capable of unleashing vast watery energies]."

Netherdeep Demon Venerable murmured, a flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes.

The Long River Setting Sun Scroll was a treasure that shook the world, and the Violet Flame Heart Lamp was also a legacy artifact from an Ancient Immortal. The Profound Capital Violet Flame upon it did indeed possess some restraining power against him.

However, that was all it amounted to. To truly deal with him, the Netherdeep Demon Venerable was still far from sufficient. With a cold sneer, he summoned forth a deep violet Treasure Furnace encircled by a Nine Dragons Disc.

"Disaster."

The moment he laid eyes on this Treasure Furnace, Riverlord Chang's expression changed drastically, and he desperately tried to recall the treasure in his hand.

Alas, it was already too late. The deep violet Treasure Furnace, wreathed by the Nine Dragons Disc, let out a resounding *clang* as its lid swung open.

A torrential surge of Profound Capital Violet Flame, along with the Violet Flame Heart Lamp itself, was sucked into its maw. Only his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, the Long River Setting Sun Scroll, was barely snatched back in time.

"The Demon-Slaying Crucible."

Only then did the Star Palace Master draw a sharp breath, his face pale as he spoke.

This Demon-Slaying Crucible was truly too astonishing. This artifact was originally forged by Jiang the Sovereign Emperor after his ascension to immortality, crafted from the incomplete Immortal Material known as 'Nine Dragons Divine Stone'. It was left as the near-immortal-grade treasure to guard the Jiang Clan.

It was merely two Millennium ago, when the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm erupted, that the Jiang Clan Immortal Clan [a clan whose members cultivate the path to immortality] was annihilated overnight, and this treasure fell into the hands of the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world]. Who would have thought it would now be refined and wielded by this Netherdeep Demon Venerable.

"A treasure nearly an Immortal Treasure [an artifact of legendary power wielded by true immortals]... how are we supposed to fight that?"

Gazing upon the Demon-Slaying Crucible before them, expressions of utter despair dawned on everyone's faces.

A supreme Quasi-Immortal Treasure [a treasure of power just below that of a true Immortal Treasure], wielded by an existence at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm]—the might it could unleash was truly staggering to contemplate.

With the Demon-Slaying Crucible in hand, the Netherdeep Demon Venerable was virtually an invincible presence within the Primordial Spirit Realm [the cultivation realm focused on refining one's spiritual core].

At this moment, observing the expressions on the faces of the group, the Netherdeep Demon Venerable let out a cold, sneering laugh. "The lot of you are hardly worth my attention."

"Where is Lin Tianqi? If he were here, perhaps he could manage to wound me!"

"Hmm—"

Just then, from within the boundless void, a faint, clear hum of a sword resonated.

An immensely vast and profound Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power embodied in a swordsman's technique] surged upwards from the farthest reaches of heaven and earth. Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow, sensing the twin swords within his own body—the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords—stirring in response.

Yet at the infinite horizon where heaven and earth met, a figure clad in black robes appeared, dragging a long sword as he slowly strode forward.

The newcomer's posture was tall and slender, yet somewhat gaunt. His long, flowing hair hung still about his shoulders, but his eyes shone with the brilliance of celestial stars.

"Lin... Tianqi!"

Netherdeep the Sacred Venerable gazed upon the approaching figure, his brow furrowing for the first time.

Tianqi Lin offered no reply. He merely cast a glance over the assembled crowd before speaking with serene calm. "I was in secluded cultivation, breaking through to the Ninth Layer Nascent Soul. I have arrived a step late; I beg your pardon."

He spoke these words with casual ease, then continued his silent, steady advance.

His pace was not swift, yet none dared to obstruct his path. For before him, an indomitable, unyielding Sword Intent [a conceptual force of pure cutting will, honed by a master swordsman] was coalescing.

This was a Sword Intent forged to slay immortals. Even a mighty being at the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage [an advanced stage of spiritual cultivation where one's soul essence is profoundly refined] would be cleaved in a single strike should they stand in its way.

Only when he had traversed the void to stand before the assembly did he turn his gaze to Netherdeep the Sacred Venerable, speaking softly, "I have nurtured a single breath of Sword Intent within my breast for over three Millennium [a period of one thousand years]."

"Now, at last, it has reached perfection. Might I trouble you for a lesson?"

"Clang—" [the sharp, resonant sound of metal striking metal]

With those words, he unleashed a single, decisive sword stroke, cleaving straight forward.

To bend but never break, to strike with a sword and harbor no regrets, to dare draw his blade against any foe—this was the path of a Sword Cultivator [a practitioner who focuses their entire cultivation on the way of the sword].

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