As the Thunder Roc was about to disappear from sight, a wave of disappointment surged through the hearts of the group.
Just when despair was about to take hold, the Thunder Roc let out a sorrowful cry, and its Thunder Flash Escape technique was abruptly interrupted. It plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the wilderness below.
Elian's face lit up with surprise, and he hurriedly flew over on his sword. He found the Purple Mansion Thunder Roc covered in blood, with wisps of West Pole Metal Flame emerging from its wounds, relentlessly burning its flesh.
It turned out that during its battle with the group, the Thunder Roc had repeatedly forced itself to use magical treasures and techniques, exacerbating its injuries and resulting in a devastating backlash.
"Caw—"
At the brink of death, the Thunder Roc's eyes showed a sorrowful plea as it gazed at Elian. Unable to resist any further, it knew that even if Elian refrained from acting, the exhaustion of its life essence and spiritual energy would lead to a slow, agonizing death under the West Pole Metal Flame's torment.
The process promised to be excruciating and prolonged, so it now begged Elian for a swift end.
"Ring—"
The sound of a sword rang out. With a calm expression, Elian activated the Fiery Void Sword, ending the Thunder Roc's life on the wilderness ground.
In the vast wilderness, humans and beasts were sworn enemies. The demon race preyed on humans, and a Purple Mansion demon like this one would never have spared mortals.
If Elian spared the beast today, it might one day feast on millions of innocents. As a human cultivator, Elian would never show mercy.
After slaying the Thunder Roc and extracting its demon core, the old patriarch and the others suppressed their injuries and approached with joy on their faces.
Chen Changxuan, unable to contain his excitement, looked at the demon core in Elian's hand and said, "Elian, this victory and the spoils are thanks to you."
"It wasn't just me," Elian responded seriously despite his joy.
"This battle was a collective effort. Without everyone, we might not have been able to slay this demon. It's not just my achievement."
"True," the old patriarch nodded, still somewhat shaken.
"No one expected this demon to wield the Thunderfire Sword."
As he spoke, the old patriarch handed the Thunderfire Sword to Elian.
"Your Purple Sun Furnace was nearly destroyed in this battle. Even if repaired, its power will likely diminish by thirty to forty percent."
"But with the Thunderfire Sword, the Purple Sun Furnace becomes less significant."
Elian didn't refuse. The old patriarch, already equipped with the Blazing Fire Divine Flags and two high-grade second-tier magical treasures, had no capacity to wield the Thunderfire Sword. Elian was the only one in the family capable of utilizing such a weapon.
Taking the Thunderfire Sword, Elian couldn't hide his excitement. A lower-tier third-grade magical treasure typically started at a value of thirty thousand spirit stones, and flying swords were the most expensive among them.
With this sword, Elian now had a trump card. Once unleashed, not even high-grade second-tier defensive magical tools could withstand it.
As Elian admired the sword, the old patriarch cautioned, "Don't reveal this sword unless absolutely necessary."
"I understand," Elian replied with a solemn expression.
The Thunderfire Sword had once been the life-bound celestial sword of the Yang clan's ancestor in Ling County. Now that it was in his possession, the Yang clan might come to reclaim it if they found out.
After storing the Thunderfire Sword, Elian turned to the old patriarch and asked with concern, "How are your injuries?"
"Nothing serious," the old patriarch reassured him.
"Although the Blazing Fire Divine Flags were broken, I've reached the ninth stage of Foundation Establishment. These injuries won't harm my foundation."
"With a year or two of rest, I'll return to my peak condition."
Relieved, Elian smiled.
"That's good to hear."
After a brief rest, the group began dismantling the Purple Mansion Thunder Roc.
The Thunder Roc's flesh and hide were tainted with residual West Pole Metal Flame and had turned to ashes, rendering them unusable.
Elian salvaged the demon's bones, intending to bring them along with the demon core to Tianxu Mountain. The core could be used by Jiang Linglong to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, while the innate patterns within the Thunder Roc's bones might allow them to be forged into a magical treasure.
After collecting the bones, the group recuperated in the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling for three days until their injuries stabilized. Then, they flew back to Yu County.
The entire mission, from departure to return, took only eleven days. It ended so swiftly that even the family's own cultivators were caught off guard. The short time frame left no opportunity for hidden enemies to react or report, ensuring no disruptions for the family.
Upon returning to Pingyang City, the old patriarch immediately went into seclusion to recover. Elian, too, didn't leave for Tianxu Mountain right away.
Instead, he returned to Linghu Isle and secluded himself for a month to recover from the aftereffects of the Explosive Essence Pill. Only then did he set out for Tianxu Mountain.
This time, he brought the Thunder Roc's demon core and bones, reaching Tianxu Mountain in just over ten days.
Without delay, he went to the Tianxu Pavilion, where Liu Rumeng greeted him with a smile. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon. What brings you here this time?"
"To be honest, I've come to see Ancestor Jiang," Elian replied, forgoing pleasantries.
Hearing him mention Jiang Linglong, Liu Rumeng's eyes glimmered with a hint of amusement. She nodded and said, "Master has mentioned before that if you came looking for her, you could go directly to her cave dwelling."
"Follow me."
Elian was momentarily stunned but quickly composed himself and followed Liu Rumeng to the peak of Tianxu Mountain.
At the entrance of the spiritual pool cave dwelling, Liu Rumeng respectfully announced, "Master, I've brought Elian of Qingyuan Mountain to see you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Elian felt a divine sense sweep over him, pausing briefly before retreating.
"Let him in."
Elian stepped into the spiritual pool cave dwelling alone. Though it wasn't his first time entering, the atmosphere today was different.
Mist enveloped the surroundings, and Elian's spiritual sense could only extend three feet ahead.
After walking a dozen steps, he stopped abruptly, startled by the sight before him. Through the mist, a figure emerged from the spiritual pool.
The figure was indistinct through the haze, but her willow-like waist, alluring curves, and otherworldly beauty struck Elian like a combination of a celestial maiden and an enchanting demoness.
Jiang Linglong emerged from the spiritual pool, clad in a white gown that concealed her figure. She stepped out of the mist, exuding an unparalleled allure.
...
46+ chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D