Chapter 488: Is There Still a Future? Sword River Venerable

The Sky-Swallowing Rat, in its human form, had a long white beard that nearly touched the ground. He was short, slightly hunched, and his face was covered in wrinkles and age spots that are typical of the elderly. These were actually signs that his physical body had reached its limits, manifesting as visible changes in his appearance. At first glance, he gave the impression that his life was nearing its end.

Yet, he spoke with considerable power.

After giving his assurance, he transformed into a streak of white light. Unlike everyone else attempting to escape the giant cauldron's vortex, he actively rushed into it, following the pull. With his astonishing escape speed, combined with the immense suction, he plunged into the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron before the Seven Cloud Elders could even react.

The old men exchanged bewildered glances. "What... what's happening?" "Did one of their Grand Perfection cultivators just commit suicide?"

Patriarch Blue Cloud frowned deeply. "This old man seems familiar..."

As soon as he said this, it instantly triggered a memory in Patriarch Yellow Cloud's mind, hidden in a dusty corner. He exclaimed, "No, stop activating the spirit treasure! That dwarf is the Sky-Swallowing Rat!"

Clearly, as a demon king who once roamed freely across the realm, a few elders still remembered his past—a glorious past that had even ignited local wars.

However, it was already too late.

"—Sky-Swallowing Art!" The moment he passed through the vortex, the Sky-Swallowing Rat's body transformed into a pitch-black, lightless shadow, a testament to light being completely devoured! His innate divine ability, the Sky-Swallowing Art, turned him into a second source of devouring power. This power, combined with the devouring vortex created by the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron, emitted two completely opposing suction forces.

The original spatial crushing power came from the spirit treasure's might. Now, the two suction forces had become like a grinding mill, twisting all living beings and inanimate objects drawn into them into fragments. As more was devoured, the black sphere formed by the Sky-Swallowing Rat continuously expanded.

Once its suction surpassed that of the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron, it would cause an imbalance, releasing a super-strong chaotic force field storm. At the same time, the spirit treasure itself would be temporarily stunned, losing its spiritual essence. It would be like a person falling into a coma, unable to react.

By the time the Seven Cloud Elders realized what was happening, it was too late. What was even more desperate was that they couldn't just stop channeling their magic power, or the devouring sphere would grow even faster. If they withdrew, the point of imbalance would abruptly accelerate.

Similarly, if they could maintain their magic power output and keep the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron overpowering the Sky-Swallowing King until he reached his expansion limit, they would naturally resolve the crisis. Moreover, because it was a fifth-rank spirit treasure, it would be extremely difficult for the Sky-Swallowing King to contend with it. His own endurance limit might not even surpass the spirit treasure itself. This possibility also existed.

But regardless of the outcome, the Sky-Swallowing King's objective had been achieved: to delay the full manifestation of the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron's power. The Five-Color Saint Lord and his allies were not passive observers. With the strategic goal achieved, preventing the spirit treasure from unleashing overwhelming single-target destructive power, his plan had already succeeded.

"—Attack!" Upon realizing the Sky-Swallowing Rat's success, the Five-Color Saint Lord was the first to react. A phantom image of a five-colored deer immediately appeared behind him, and the iridescent divine light emanating from its antlers shone down. This directly imbued the Seven Cloud Elders with a saint-like peaceful state of mind, making them desire nothing, do nothing, and feel as if they were floating, merging with the heavens. Their very lives and possessions became unimportant.

This Five-Colored Five-Virtue Pacifying Divine Light, when used on powerful individuals, could both aid in spiritual enlightenment and, like a mind-dulling effect, cause targets to lose their reverence for life. They would no longer value their own lives!

This was precisely where its danger lay. Among the stunned Seven Cloud Elders, Patriarch Yellow Cloud and Patriarch Red Cloud, both Grand Perfection cultivators, were the first to recover. But just as they perceived the problem, Bishop Nether鵬, transformed into a "beast-man" with a human body and a bird's head, had already lunged before them.

The Beast-Human Fusion secret art of the Nether Beast Path cultivators made this mutated form ideal for combat, offering flexibility, a powerful physique, and netherworld divine abilities. Lunging forward, his feet were like bird talons. He savagely clawed at their faces. From a third-person perspective, it strangely looked as if Bishop Nether鵬 was offering them bird heads to eat. His legs splayed out as he lunged.

Patriarch Red Cloud and Patriarch Yellow Cloud would not be so easily critically wounded. At the crucial moment, they forcibly snapped back to consciousness, and two special clouds, one red and one yellow, flew out from their sleeves. They transformed into formless barriers, dissolving Bishop Nether鵬's brute force and netherworld demon power like cotton. The force swirled around inside the cloud-shaped treasures, and like leveraging a small weight to move a thousand pounds, all of it was reflected back.

Bishop Nether鵬 was flung back by his own brute force. While still airborne, a dark-yin small sword swiftly flew out, turning into a thin black line that swept towards the necks of the two elders. This was his innate magic treasure: the Netherworld Cursed Sword!

It specialized in sneak attacks and sudden bursts. Patriarch Red Cloud had ample experience dealing with this treasure, as it wasn't his first time clashing with Bishop Nether鵬. Patriarch Yellow Cloud was slightly less experienced, but still wouldn't perish immediately.

Bishop Nether鵬's attacks were relentless, pinning them down and preventing them from splitting their attention within a few short moves. Simultaneously, the Five-Color Saint Lord's assault arrived. His target was none other than Patriarch Purple Cloud, the weakest among the Seven Cloud Elders. With the second tactical objective achieved—the two strongest distracted by Nether鵬—he intended to reduce their numbers! This would allow the Sky-Swallowing Art to unleash its full effect, causing the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron to completely cease functioning for a period.

This window of opportunity was crucial for them to conquer the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

The Five-Color Saint Lord's innate magic treasure was unexpectedly ferocious, a typical demonic artifact—a Demon Head! A Demon Head was a unique demonic treasure forged using the heads of living beings, supplemented with their vital and vicious souls. It was very popular in ancient times but rarely seen now.

This was because such artifacts consumed even more living beings than the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. The number of living beings required to forge a Demon Head was already astronomical, and its growth, cultivation, and advancement demanded even more lives. The Red Kite realm no longer met the conditions for the mass creation of "Demon Heads."

Taihu Lake, on the other hand, could, but the Sword Sect's control was so strict that there was virtually no chance for such artifacts to emerge. No one had expected the Five-Color Saint Lord, who was known for his benevolence and virtue, to possess such an innate magic treasure. This meant he was also a demonic cultivator... a demon race demonic cultivator! It was astonishing that this had never been noticed.

Wang Yu's spiritual sense, attached to Ice Soul Fairy's shoulder, fully played the role of a "camera," transmitting images from different perspectives to his main body. This allowed him to observe the battle calmly and contemplate the various pieces of intelligence that emerged.

This Demon Head appeared to be the skull of an ancient fierce beast. Its lower jaw protruded, bearing tusks and sharp teeth. Two spiraling horns, like those of a bighorn sheep, grew from behind its forehead. Its facial features resembled a human's but were sharper. There was no flesh on it, yet the bones themselves were blood-red. Strands of white hair grew from the bones, emitting a chilling, translucent spiritual glow. Its eye sockets were dark hollows, burning with two pale grey flames.

Rushing out from the Five-Color Saint Lord's sea of qi, it rapidly grew to the size of a house and instantly swallowed Patriarch Purple Cloud, who was disoriented and dazed by the five-colored divine light. Demonic energy surged. The Demon Head expanded, then rapidly contracted. After several repetitions, it became largely still.

Demon Head artifacts were typically used in conjunction with a secret art called Soul-Devouring Art, which could refine almost any living being swallowed by the Demon Head, converting them into resources for the artifact's growth. Since Patriarch Purple Cloud hadn't escaped, he was very likely dead, and his demise was so swift that no one could have anticipated it.

This brief window finally allowed Patriarch Red Cloud and Patriarch Yellow Cloud, both Grand Perfection cultivators, to break free from Bishop Nether鵬's entanglement. They swept up their remaining four companions and retreated several dozen zhang. They moved from the cauldron's rim to a position closer to its ear-like handles. They exchanged startled and uncertain glances, all realizing the problem. Almost simultaneously, they said, "Purple Cloud is gone."

The Five-Color Saint Lord truly lived up to his title. He had effortlessly killed a late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator, a feat attributable to his meticulously calculated steps, luring the enemy into a death trap.

Patriarch Blue Cloud, who was ranked sixth, felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He realized that with Patriarch Purple Cloud gone, he, an eighth-level Nascent Soul cultivator, was now the weakest. His sense of security vanished quickly, especially because Purple Cloud's demise felt incredibly vulnerable, making him instinctively believe that the Five-Color Saint Lord was stronger than both Patriarch Red Cloud and Patriarch Yellow Cloud. Much stronger, in fact, since those two couldn't have killed Purple Cloud so swiftly; even slaughtering a pig wasn't that easy.

The reality was indeed similar, but due to his racial bloodline, the Five-Color Saint Lord wasn't as proficient in combat as everyone imagined. While his combat ability was not weak, its strength was limited. He excelled more in strategic planning and intelligence gathering. The Sky-Roc King's actual combat power was superior to his, but he couldn't out-strategize him, always losing prearranged duels. If he were to suddenly encounter a new opponent, his weaknesses would be fully exposed.

Unfortunately, no one could create such an opportunity.

Even Wang Yu, observing in secret, was shaken by this power. A late-stage Grand Cultivator, at the peak of their cultivation, was gone in an instant. This impact was comparable to the oppressive feeling brought by a Soul Transformation Venerable, and the Five-Color Saint Lord had utilized this point very effectively.

He remained silent, merely staring at the remaining six Cloud Elders with cold eyes, sending shivers down the spines of the cultivators.

"The situation is dire. Without Patriarch Purple Cloud's magic power support, the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron's power will significantly decrease. If the Sky-Swallowing Rat continues..." The sentence was left unfinished, but the meaning was clear.

If the chaotic force field truly erupted, the air throughout the Cloud Mist Mountain Range would be filled with chaotic tearing forces. One could easily be pulled and suddenly change direction while flying, as if by an unseen hand. Losing a strategic opportunity was minor; having a fatal weakness exposed was major!

This problem was also difficult to solve. Amidst their brief contemplation, Patriarch Green Cloud suddenly said, "Oh no, where is the Sky-Roc King? He disappeared as soon as the fighting started." Indeed, where was the Sky-Roc King?!!!

The enemy clearly had four Grand Perfection cultivators, but one disappeared during the fight, and they didn't notice it immediately. This showed just how powerful the Five-Color Divine Light's mind-dulling effect was. This was also related to the overwhelming combat they had just faced; when highly focused, people easily overlook things outside their immediate objective. The Sky-Roc King had simply been overlooked.

In less than a few breaths, a deafening explosion erupted from beneath their feet. Due to the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron's enormous size after being enlarged, it almost completely covered the main gate of the Azure Cloud Sect. Without using spiritual sense to observe, it was impossible to discern the situation below. And in such a state, who would dare to be distracted? This created a strange phenomenon, like the darkest spot being directly under a lamp.

At that moment, the entire main gate of the Azure Cloud Sect had exploded, its protective spiritual array rendered useless. The mountain itself looked like a blooming lotus, revealing a deep, bottomless pit. Complex, dense spiritual energy continuously surged within it.

This was the essence formed from the massive spiritual energy gathered by the spirit veins. The cries of the Azure Cloud Sect cultivators had already grown very faint. How much time had passed? The Sky-Roc King's wanton slaughter was almost wiping out their entire lineage.

A sense of despair enveloped the hearts of the elders. Even Patriarch Red Cloud, who had the strongest desire to resist, lost his determination to fight to the end. With things like this... how could they possibly win?

Whether comparing the strength or number of powerful individuals, they were too far behind. Their only reliance was the sect's guardian spirit treasure, but the Azure Sky Jade Cauldron had suffered a setback and could no longer unleash its full power. Further resistance would be futile, only increasing casualties.

Did they not see that the very foundation and future of the Azure Cloud Sect had been obliterated? The nearly one hundred Nascent Soul cultivators were not to be underestimated; they had already seized all the treasures to be plundered during this time. They were also assisting the Sky-Roc King in rapidly slaughtering the cultivators. Their efficiency was terrifying.

"What do we do?" "Venerable Sword River hasn't arrived yet. If we retreat rashly, won't the Sword Sect take advantage and demand an even higher price?"

Patriarch Yellow Cloud, seeing them still discussing prices at such a moment, couldn't help but cough up a mouthful of old blood. Almost suppressing his furious emotions, he spoke in a hoarse voice: "At a time like this, are you still debating this? If all the sect disciples are dead, the Azure Cloud Sect will exist in name only. What good are a few old folks like us? After such a monumental defeat, what true prodigies would ever choose to join our sect?!!"

Without talented individuals, it would be difficult to cultivate new Nascent Soul cultivators. Furthermore, the affiliated families and sects would certainly not contribute their talented individuals to the Azure Cloud Sect. A future of lacking new blood was now inevitable. And... did the Azure Cloud Sect even have a future?

Just as the six Cloud Elders found themselves in a desperate situation, and the Five-Color Saint Lord and his allies were about to launch a decisive, fatal attack, a tremendous splashing sound suddenly echoed from the clouds beyond the sky. Splashes parted layers of clouds and white mist, and at that moment, the concept of the Celestial River materialized!

A surging river flowed from the west, carving a path through the firmament. The leading waves maintained an impactful posture, and atop one wave, a small, flat-bottomed boat rested quietly. An old man in a straw cloak held a long, straight fishing rod. He calmly surveyed everyone below.

He sighed, "I arrived a step too late. The demon race is as fierce as ever."

The Five-Color Saint Lord's expression became solemn. He muttered, "Still a step too slow. It seems we'll have to pay a heavy price."

The Sky-Roc King swiftly teleported to the Five-Color Saint Lord's side and transmitted a message: "Retreat?" "No, we still have trump cards we haven't used."

The old man in the straw cloak was clearly the reinforcement invited by the Azure Cloud Sect, a Venerable from the Sword Sect with the title "Sword River." Bishop Nether鵬 possessed detailed intelligence on him. He immediately transmitted this information to the Five-Color Saint Lord.

The sheer detail of the intelligence made even the cunning Five-Color Saint Lord momentarily moved, though he didn't know where Bishop Nether鵬 had obtained it. But with this information, his confidence increased. He directly activated a token in his storage ring, then bowed respectfully to Venerable Sword River from afar. "Greetings, Venerable."

The old man in the straw cloak shook his head. "Five-Color Saint Lord, you have overstepped. Even the Azure Dragon, at the height of its power, dared not violate the agreement. You, young one, have quite the audacity."

"Not so, the words should not be spoken thus. This is an invitation from a Demonic Dao Venerable. When the human and demon races established their agreement, the Demonic Venerables were also present. How can their invitation treat the demon race as outsiders?" The implication was that he was a mercenary!

Their Northern Demon Race wouldn't take the blame for this!

However, Venerable Sword River was not one to strictly adhere to rules. His gentle expression gradually turned cold. "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. How can the agreement between the two races be altered by a few sophistries from you? —Kneel!"