Chapter 835 : The Vermilion Bird Stands Alone

Faced with such a predicament, the group fell into deep contemplation, each searching for a way to break the deadlock.

After a long moment of silence, it was Vast Righteousness True Lord who finally spoke, his voice measured. "The true power lies with the Primordial Spirit Great Power [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual essence into a powerful, independent entity] within the inner regions. They are the true peak existences of the Purple Seal Realm. The ultimate outcome of this conflict will be decided by them."

"The only thing we can do," he continued, "is to hold the Four Symbols Star Palaces Archipelago. By doing so, we provide vital support to the Heavenly Starry Sky Grand Formation [a grand defensive array that draws power from the celestial bodies]. That is the greatest assistance we can offer them."

"It seems that is our only course of action," another voice conceded, heavy with resignation.

The Master of Featherflight Pavilion nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed with profound gravity.

Silence descended once more, thick with unspoken tension.

Within mere days, a fleet of hundreds of Demonic Ship [ships powered by demonic energy and used for invasion] crossed the void and descended upon the Vermilion Bird Star Palace.

Upon the decks of those dark, oppressive vessels stood ranks of Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from realms beyond this world]. They stood like a host of Demon God [supreme demonic entities] piloting their dreadnoughts through the starry sea.

At that moment, a winged Heavenly Demon opened its cold, gleaming eyes. "Comrades," it said, its voice devoid of warmth, "before us lies the Vermilion Bird Star Palace. Who among you will take the vanguard?"

The other demons remained motionless. One chuckled darkly, "We heard you, Brother Demonic Dragon, were slain at the Four Symbols Star Palaces a millennium ago. Perhaps you wish to test your mettle there once more today?" Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel.com.

The Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor [a supreme demonic sovereign who has fallen into the deepest abyss] narrowed his eyes, a flicker of cold light passing through them, yet he spoke a moment later: "Very well. I have long wished to see if an old acquaintance from days past still remains!"

As the words of the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor fell, the Demonic Dragon Defying World Halberd [a polearm of immense demonic power] in his hand swept forth like a True Dragon [a dragon of the highest purity and power] cleaving the heavens. It carried a force that could topple all creation, sweeping through the Cosmos [the vast, ordered universe] as it slashed towards the Vermilion Bird Star Palace [the celestial palace associated with the Vermilion Bird constellation].

"Wretched beast! How dare you!"

At that very moment, an enraged shout echoed through the void.

In the space of a single breath, the Sea-Calmer Divine Pearl [a legendary divine artifact] shot across the void, intercepting the earth-shattering Demonic Dragon Defying World Halberd.

"It's you!"

Seeing that the one who intervened was the Sea-Calmer Path Master [a renowned master of the Sea-Calmer Path], the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor's expression shifted dramatically. A murderous aura surged to the heavens as he brandished his celestial halberd, immediately engaging the Sea-Calmer Path Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Sea-Calmer Path] in fierce combat.

One was a True Dragon who had fallen into the Nine Nether Abysses [the nine deepest layers of the underworld], the other a Primordial Solar Path Lord [a supreme master of the Primordial Solar cultivation path] famed throughout the Eastern Barrens [a vast, desolate eastern continent]. From the very first clash, they fought with cataclysmic force, turning heaven and earth upside down.

One Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [an artifact imbued with the pure power of the primordial sun] after another clashed with Primordial Solar Divine Ability [supreme techniques channeling primordial solar energy]. In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over thirty moves, yet neither could gain a decisive advantage.

"It seems Brother Demonic Dragon cannot yet subdue him."

At that very moment, the Heavenly Demon with wings sprouting from its back sneered coldly before speaking. "Let us also make our move. If we delay the battle and incur the wrath of Demon God [a supreme ruler among demonic beings], we cannot bear the consequences."

"Clang—"

Scarcely had the Heavenly Demon's words fallen when the clear ring of a sword echoed.

A tall, slender figure made his move. In a single instant, he unleashed a blood-black demonic sword, slashing it directly towards Sea-Calmer Path Master.

This demon was named Blood Soul Heavenly Demon [a powerful demon who cultivates by devouring blood and souls]. The demonic sword he wielded was called the Demonic Fiendish Energy Soul-Slaying Sword [a blade forged from condensed fiendish energy, capable of severing souls]. Its grade was as high as Sixth Rank Mid-Grade [a classification denoting a powerful magical artifact], ranking him among the three strongest of the eight Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [Heavenly Demons who have attained the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage].

Such a treacherous ambush would naturally not be allowed to succeed by the members of the Three Veins Immortal Alliance. Thus, Vast Righteousness Path Lord immediately intervened, summoning his Vast Righteousness Heaven Sword [a sword embodying vast and righteous power] to engage the demon in combat.

Seeing this, the winged Heavenly Demon sneered once more. "A single Vermilion Bird Star Palace [a celestial palace associated with the Vermilion Bird constellation] harbors two top-tier Primordial Spirit Early Stage [cultivators at the initial phase of the Primordial Spirit realm] cultivators. It seems I have not come to the wrong place."

As his words faded, he conjured an iron rod crackling with Thunderclap [a technique manifesting the power of thunder] and joined the assault on Vast Righteousness Path Lord.

In the blink of an eye, the battle erupted in full fury. The eight Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [demonic beings originating from realms beyond this world] soared into the air, intent on overwhelming the two cultivators.

Master of Featherflight Pavilion, Verdant Consort, and Exquisite Jiang had no choice but to join the fray. Yet, upon engaging the enemy, they found themselves outnumbered, gradually being forced onto the defensive.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Master of Featherflight Pavilion immediately declared, "The Star Constellation Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array that seals the surrounding space] has locked down the void. Fighting to the death here would be unwise. Let us retreat into the formation to defend."

"Agreed!"

Vast Righteousness Path Lord made the decisive call and swiftly led the group back within the protective confines of the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and flows used for defense, attack, or cultivation].

With five combatants possessing Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high level of power] level strength guarding them, bolstered by the power of the Vermilion Bird Star Palace's Formation, they could at least hold off the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons originating from realms beyond the known world] for a time.

However, this was merely a temporary reprieve. The Blood Soul Heavenly Demon [a type of demon that feeds on blood and souls], seeing them turtle up within the formation, spoke directly, "Since they've chosen to hole up in their formation, we shall simply shatter its Formation Eye [the core node or anchor point of a formation, its most critical and vulnerable component]."

As the Blood Soul Heavenly Demon spoke, it suggested leaving a few Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [demons possessing power equivalent to the Primordial Spirit realm] to keep watch over the defenders, while dispatching the main force to systematically dismantle the Formation Eye. Read the full novel exclusively on audi novel.com.

But Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor [a mighty dragon emperor from the deepest nether realms] grew impatient. A murderous glint flashed in its eyes as it declared, "No need for such tedious measures. I have brought with me the Earth-Shattering Talisman [a powerful talisman capable of causing catastrophic tremors and ruptures in the earth]."

"Oh?"

The other demons paused, surprise giving way to gleeful anticipation.

The Earth-Shattering Talisman was a Primordial Solar Treasure Talisman [a talisman of the highest grade, imbued with the pure, potent energy of the primordial sun] of Sixth Rank Superior Grade [the pinnacle of the sixth major tier of cultivation power]. Its destructive force was sufficient to effortlessly breach a Sixth Rank Mountain Protection Formation [a high-level defensive array designed to shield an entire mountain]. Shattering the Vermilion Bird Star Palace's Formation would be a trivial matter in comparison.

However, this object is a supreme treasure even for a Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivator [a demonic practitioner who has cultivated their spiritual core to the Primordial Spirit stage]. Most cultivators at the early or middle stages of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core cultivation stage] could never hope to obtain it. It is truly unexpected that the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor [the sovereign ruler of the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragons] could produce such an item.

The winged Heavenly Demon's face lit up with delight. He immediately spoke, "Then I implore you, Elder Brother, to act swiftly and shatter this Formation [a structured arrangement of energy used for defense, attack, or cultivation]."

"Watch closely."

As soon as the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor finished speaking, he summoned forth a dazzlingly radiant treasure talisman and hurled it towards the Vermilion Bird Star Palace Archipelago [a chain of islands centered around the Vermilion Bird Star Palace].

The power unleashed by such a supreme treasure of the Sixth Rank Superior Grade [the highest quality tier within the Sixth Rank] was naturally world-shaking and earth-shattering.

In the blink of an eye, the entire Vermilion Bird Star Palace Archipelago trembled violently, and colossal tidal waves surged forth to engulf the heavens and the earth.

In that moment, hundreds upon hundreds of Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy] sank beneath the waves. Countless others were grievously wounded. The power of the grand Formation protecting the Vermilion Bird Star Palace Archipelago was drastically diminished.

"Disaster!"

Watching the Formation's light grow dim, Sea-Calmer Path Master [Varen Wei, a master of the Sea-Calmer Path] paled dramatically. That single strike had reduced the potency of the Vermilion Bird Formation [a defensive formation patterned after the mythical Vermilion Bird] by a full seventy to eighty percent. It was clear it could no longer withstand the assault of the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this realm].

Seeing this, the Nine Nether Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor immediately summoned his Demonic Dragon Defying World Halberd [a halberd wielded by a Demonic Dragon Emperor, symbolizing defiance against the world]. With one mighty cleave, he split the Formation's power asunder and charged directly at Sea-Calmer Path Master.

"Human Race [the collective term for humanity in this cultivation world], prepare to die!"

"Boom—"

The peerless grand formation erupted once more, plunging the world into a dizzying vortex where heaven and earth spun and all things shattered.

Exquisite Jiang and her four companions fought against eight Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [powerful demons who have cultivated their Primordial Spirit to a formidable level]. Even after Exquisite Jiang summoned her Second Primordial Spirit [a powerful technique that splits one's spiritual core to create a second, independent combat entity] to join the fray, they were ultimately forced onto the defensive.

The great battle raged for a full three days. Besieged by two powerful foes, Sea-Calmer Path Master finally could hold on no longer. He was grievously wounded and sent flying through the air.

"The battle is lost!"

Seeing they were no match for the Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world], Sea-Calmer Path Master forcefully activated his Sea-Calmer Arcane Power [a profound power related to calming and controlling vast bodies of water]. He used his Sea-Calmer Divine Pearl [a divine treasure capable of pacifying and commanding the seas] to churn the waters of the Eastern Sea against the formidable enemy. With a roar, he declared, "You must flee! I shall hold them off!"

"Escape? You think it will be that easy?"

The Heavenly Demon with wings sprouting from its back sneered coldly. It summoned a Thunderclap [a move or weapon imbued with the power of thunder] iron staff and struck out horizontally. The blow sent even the Sea-Calmer Divine Pearl flying away, and the attack aimed directly for Sea-Calmer Path Master's vital points.

Vast Righteousness Path Lord intervened, blocking the lethal strike. With a grave expression, he said to Verdant Consort and her companion, "Both of you possess the Banished Immortal's Bearing [a destined fate or aura of one who has transcended mortality and descended from the heavens]. It would be a profound waste for you to perish here."

"Return swiftly to the Eastern Region Great Wasteland. I will hold them off."

"No!"

A fierce killing intent blazed in the eyes of Exquisite Jiang. The Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword in her hand gleamed with a deadly edge, its aura fully unleashed as she was determined to slay one of the Outer Realm Demon Gods [powerful entities from beyond this world] and reverse the tide of battle.

In her grasp, the Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [a divine blade forged from the essence of the primordial sun] displayed power that was not the least bit inferior to an attack from a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master who has reached the Primordial Spirit stage of cultivation]. She relentlessly pressed her assault, forcing a Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [a demonic being of the Primordial Spirit realm] into a continuous, desperate retreat.

"She possesses such formidable combat prowess even before breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core stage of cultivation] realm. In the future, will she not become a second Imperial Sovereign Jiang?" Join our community of readers at @udio-novel.com.