Chapter 259

Black sand churns, black wind howls.

Translation: Black sand churned, black wind howled.

Old Iron is entirely a demon god bursting forth from the black sandstorm, surging ahead with a sudden burst faster than Liuguang.

Translation: Lao Tie was exactly a demon god rushing out of the black sandstorm, a sudden surge faster than Liuguang.

a sudden surge faster than Liuguang

A strike as thick as a water barrel fiercely struck, solidly hitting the chest of the Heavenly Dragon elder.

Translation: A thick-as-a-water-tank scepter struck heavily, solidly hitting the chest of the Heavenly Dragon Elder.

solidly hitting

With a loud bang, the air burst open; the towering Heavenly Dragon elder roared, was blown away several thousand meters by the staff, flying backward along the straight passage, and crashed headfirst into the wall at the far end of the passage, several thousand meters away.

Translation: With a booming blast, the air exploded; the tall Heavenly Dragon Elder roared, was struck flying several thousand meters by the staff, shooting backward along the straight passage, and slammed headfirst into the wall at the far end of the passage several thousand meters away.

several thousand meters

Upon the violent impact, a large expanse of golden light burst from the wall at the end of the passage.

Translation: Under the violent impact, a large patch of golden light burst from the wall at the end of the passage.

Within the golden light, flames and lightning spewed forth; the Heavenly Dragon elder was shaken violently by the flames and lightning, cried out in agony as he was flung back several hundred meters, bouncing and rolling over a thousand meters along the smooth passage before finally stabilizing his body.

Translation: Within the golden light, flames and lightning spewed out; the Heavenly Dragon Elder was shaken violently by the flames and lightning, crying out as he was flung back several hundred meters, bouncing and rolling over a thousand meters on the smooth passage before finally stabilizing his body.

several hundred meters and over a thousand meters

"Damn it!" the Heavenly Dragon elder struggled to his feet, glared at Old Iron, then burst into loud laughter: "All you elders, the restrictions within the Triple-Linked City are quite effective against the cold qi in our bodies."

Translation: "Damn it!" the Heavenly Dragon Elder struggled to his feet, glared at Lao Tie, then burst out laughing: "Elders, this restriction within the Triple-Linked City is quite effective against the cold qi in our bodies."

is quite effective against the cold qi in our bodies

A grating sound of muscles and bones writhing came, and the Heavenly Dragon elder's body began to rapidly expand.

Translation: A grating sound of muscles and bones writhing came, and the Heavenly Dragon Elder's body began to swell rapidly.

He quickly swelled to about ten meters, patches of black dragon scales erupting beneath his skin; he soon became a pitch-black half-dragon humanoid, his eyes glowing red as he fixed his gaze on Old Iron.

Translation: He quickly swelled to about ten meters, black dragon scales sprouting all over under his skin. He soon turned into a pitch-black half-dragon humanoid, his eyes blood-red as he stared at Lao Tie.

about ten meters pitch-black half-dragon humanoid

About forty elders, their bodies steaming with Cold Qi and struggling to stand, were first startled, then delighted.

Translation: About forty elders, their bodies steaming with Cold Qi to the point they could barely stand, were startled, then delighted.

About forty their bodies steaming with Cold Qi to the point they could barely stand

They all shot backward simultaneously, unleashing various divine abilities to attack the surrounding passage.

Translation: They all shot backward into the air, each unleashing divine abilities to attack the surrounding passage.

Some breathed fire, some spewed sword light, some swung heavy punches, some charged bodily; altogether, roughly forty elders attacked the passage almost simultaneously, causing the entire passage to blaze with dazzling light.

Translation: Some breathed blazing fire, some sprayed sword light, some swung heavy punches, some charged bodily. In short, the roughly forty elders almost simultaneously attacked this passage, and the whole passage burst forth with blinding light.

roughly forty

Flames and lightning roared, accompanied by a delicate, lovely beautiful song; colorful radiance filled the passage, and a faint fragrance swiftly spread through the air.

Translation: Flames, thunder, and a delicate, lovely beautiful song rang out; colorful light mist filled the passage, and a faint fragrance rapidly spread through the air.

a delicate, lovely beautiful song

The elders were scorched by flames, bombarded by lightning, and shaken all over by some unknown attack.

Translation: The elders were burned by flames, bombarded by thunder, and shaken all over by some unknown attack.

Tiny ice crystals continually seeped from their pores, and their aura grew stronger as the crystals were released.

Translation: Tiny ice crystals continually seeped from their pores, and their aura grew stronger as the ice crystals were secreted.

A female elder of the Phoenix clan waved her right hand; her fingertip split, releasing a drop of essence blood. A strand of golden light enveloped it, sensing her bloodline aura, the lightning that had repeatedly struck her head vanished at once.

Translation: A female elder of the Phoenix Clan waved her right hand, her fingertip splitting open as a drop of essence blood flew out. A strand of golden light enveloped that drop of essence blood; sensing the female elder's bloodline aura, the lightning that had been striking her head repeatedly dissipated at once.

a drop of essence blood a strand of golden light sensing the female elder's bloodline aura the lightning that had been striking her head repeatedly dissipated at once

The female elder, singed and somewhat disheveled from being struck, laughed, and her whole body erupted in crimson firelight.

Translation: The female elder, somewhat singed and disheveled from the blow, laughed, and her whole body erupted in crimson flames.

Old Iron thundered toward her, bringing his staff down with a fierce blow.

Translation: Lao Tie stomped forward with heavy steps, slamming his scepter down hard.

The female elder's body exploded into countless sparks of fire, as if shattered by Old Iron's staff; his staff swung through empty air, he staggered, spun awkwardly in place, then steadied himself.

Translation: The female elder's body exploded into countless sparks of fire, as if shattered by Lao Tie's scepter strike. Lao Tie's scepter swung at empty air, he wobbly spun once in place before steadying himself.

The myriad sparks of fire suddenly contracted inward; the female elder reformed her body within the crimson phoenix true fire, waved her right hand, and a blazing flame-forged longsword came down heavily on Old Iron's neck.

Translation: The myriad sparks of fire suddenly contracted inward; the female elder reformed her body in the crimson phoenix true fire, waved her right hand, and a longsword condensed from blazing flame came down heavily on Lao Tie's neck.

This blow was quite heavy; Old Iron's massive frame staggered, and he retreated two steps to the side.

Translation: This blow was quite heavy; Lao Tie's massive frame staggered, and he retreated two steps to the side.

"What great strength!" Old Iron stared in surprise at the female elder: "Not bad, not bad. Looks like you can withstand a few more strikes from me."

Translation: "What great strength." Lao Tie stared in surprise at the female elder: "Not bad, not bad. Looks like you can withstand a few more strikes from me."

"What a tough body." The female elder's eyes shone as she fixed her gaze on Old Iron's sturdy frame: "Senior, constant fighting harms harmony… how about we set a time to drink fine wine and chat about romance? The Phoenix clan welcomes a powerful cultivator like you to join us."

Translation: "What a tough body." The female elder's eyes shone as she fixed her gaze on Lao Tie's sturdy frame: "Senior, all this fighting harms harmony… How about we set a time, drink some fine wine, and chat about romance? The Phoenix Clan welcomes a powerful cultivator like you to join."

Old Iron was taken aback.

Translation: Lao Tie was taken aback.

Wu Tie was astonished.

Translation: Wu Tie was astonished.

Jin Mancang then burst into loud laughter: "These high-ranking officials of the Triple-Linked City have rotted to the core… this old hag, she doesn't even spare a dog-headed person… hahaha, as long as they're male and physically strong, she won't let any of them go."

Translation: Jin Mancang then burst out laughing: "These high-ranking officials of the Triple-Linked City have rotted to the core… This old hag, she doesn't even spare a dog-headed person… Hahaha, as long as it's male, as long as the body is sturdy enough, they won't let it go."

old hag

"I am a jackal head, a jackal head!" Old Iron roared back at Jin Mancang.

Translation: "I am Hu Lang Tou, Hu Lang Tou!" Lao Tie roared back at Jin Mancang.

With a wave of his right hand, a vast expanse of black wind and sand howled toward the Phoenix clan's female elder; Old Iron bellowed: "Don't say I lack this function… even if I had it… you still don't meet my aesthetic."

Translation: He waved his right hand, a vast expanse of black wind and sand howled toward the Phoenix Clan's female elder, and Lao Tie loudly roared: "Don't say I don't have this function… even if I do… you don't meet my aesthetic."

"I'm just like that kid Huaguang—I have a cleanliness obsession, a cleanliness obsession!" Old Iron's eyes glowed with a dark light as he glanced askance at the female elder, who had once again turned into fire and retreated, and he shook his head firmly.

Translation: "I'm just like that kid Huaguang, I have a cleanliness obsession, a cleanliness obsession!" Lao Tie's eyes emitted a gloomy light; he glanced askance at the female elder, who had once again turned into firelight and retreated backward, and he shook his head firmly.

I have a cleanliness obsession, a cleanliness obsession!

The Heavenly Dragon elder who was first blown away by Old Iron's staff turned into a black streak of light and rushed over.

Translation: The Heavenly Dragon Elder first sent flying by Lao Tie's scepter strike turned into a black streak of light and rushed over.

Wu Tie's massive metallic wings behind him beat violently; he transformed into dozens of afterimages and instantly appeared before the Heavenly Dragon elder.

Translation: Wu Tie's massive metallic wings behind him flapped violently, he turned into dozens of afterimages, and in an instant arrived before the Heavenly Dragon Elder.

The Heavenly Dragon elder unleashed a heavy, powerful punch; Wu Tie's body flickered, suddenly appearing to his left, then his right, then behind him, then above his head.

Translation: The Heavenly Dragon Elder unleashed a heavy, powerful punch; Wu Tie's body flickered, suddenly appearing to his left, then his right, then behind him, then above his head.

The White Tiger's Fissure emitted a low tiger roar, full of deterrent power, the battlefield's killing intent roaring into his ears; the Heavenly Dragon elder's body tensed slightly, and his punch trajectory became somewhat disordered.

Translation: The White Tiger Rend let out a low tiger's roar, full of deterrent power, full of battlefield killing intent; the tiger's roar entered his ears, the Heavenly Dragon Elder's body tensed slightly, and his punch trajectory became somewhat disordered.

In the snap of a finger, Wu Tie thrust a thousand and eight spears at the Heavenly Dragon elder.

Translation: In the snap of a finger, Wu Tie thrust a thousand and eight spears at the Heavenly Dragon Elder.

The pale spear light resembled a thousand and eight meteors tearing through space, accompanied by a deafening tiger roar, piercing the Heavenly Dragon elder's dragon scales.

Translation: The pale spear light resembled a thousand and eight meteors tearing through space, accompanied by a deafening tiger's roar, piercing the Heavenly Dragon Elder's dragon scales.

Droplets of blood sprayed; the Heavenly Dragon elder's arms burst apart, his legs shattered, and his whole body was riddled with fist-sized blood cavities.

Translation: Spots of blood sprayed; the Heavenly Dragon Elder's arms burst apart, his legs shattered, and his whole body was pierced with fist-sized blood holes.

Blood spurted; the Heavenly Dragon elder's proud, sturdy dragon scales, before the terrifying edge of the White Tiger's Fissure, were like a slightly tougher piece of cowhide, and Wu Tie merely needed to exert a little force to rend his body.

Translation: Fresh blood spattered; the Heavenly Dragon Elder's proud, sturdy dragon scales, before the terrifying edge of the White Tiger Rend, were like a slightly tougher piece of cowhide, and Wu Tie merely exerted a little force to tear open his body.

In the snap of a finger, the mighty Heavenly Dragon Elder of the Womb Storage Realm suffered severe bodily harm.

Translation: In the snap of a finger, the mighty Heavenly Dragon Elder of the Womb Storage Realm suffered severe bodily injury.

the mighty Heavenly Dragon Elder of the Womb Storage Realm

The Heavenly Dragon elder let out a hysterical roar, having been severely wounded by a mere ant of the Heavy Tower Realm.

Translation: The Heavenly Dragon Elder let out a hysterical roar; he was actually severely injured by a tiny ant of the Chonglou Realm.

He stared at Wu Tie in disbelief, then fixed his gaze on the White Tiger's Fissure in Wu Tie's hand.

Translation: He stared at Wu Tie in disbelief, then fixed his gaze on the White Tiger Rend in Wu Tie's hand.

"Primordial Divine Weapon… Supreme Divine Weapon, this is mine, it must be mine."

Translation: "Primordial Divine Weapon… Supreme Divine Weapon, this is mine, this must be mine."

Primordial Divine Weapon Supreme Divine Weapon

The Heavenly Dragon elder's eyes blazed with excitement as he flung his mouth open, faint wisps of smoke drifting out.

Translation: The Heavenly Dragon Elder's eyes bulged with excitement, spitting fire; he suddenly opened his mouth, and faint wisps of smoke drifted out.

Then a earth-shaking, high-pitched dragon roar surged into the sky.

Translation: Then, a earth-shaking, soaring dragon cry rose into the heavens.

Wu Tie felt his vision go black, as if his eyeballs were being hammered, nearly bursting.

Translation: Wu Tie only felt his vision go black, his eyeballs as if struck by a heavy hammer, nearly bursting.

If not for the fully enclosed eagle-head helmet of the Eagle God Armor protecting Wu Tie's head, the prelude to that dragon roar alone would have been enough to shatter his skull.

Translation: If it weren't for the Eagle God Armor's fully enclosed eagle-head helmet protecting Wu Tie's head, just the prelude to that dragon cry would be enough to shatter his skull.

He was like a leaf in the wind, flung backward against his will.

Translation: He was like a leaf in the wind, involuntarily flung backward.

The terrifying dragon's roar rippled outward in waves, indiscriminately attacking everyone in the passage.

Translation: The terrifying dragon cry wave after wave spread outward, indiscriminately attacking everyone in the passage.

Old Iron let out a low growl as a projection of the Rebirth Tower appeared above his head; a three-foot-tall black pyramid shed black divine light, protecting him and Witch Iron.

Translation: Lao Tie let out a low growl; a projection of the Rebirth Tower appeared above his head, a three-foot-tall black pyramid shedding black divine light, shielding him and Wu Tie.

The elders of all clans shouted in anger, and even several elders of the Tianlong clan furiously cursed their own brother for unleashing this indiscriminate divine ability attack.

Translation: The elders all shouted in anger, even several of the Heavenly Dragon Clan's elders wildly cursing their own brother who had unleashed this indiscriminate divine ability attack.

The dragon's roar shook the passage, bursting it with intense golden light; colorful clouds flashed wildly as flames and lightning rained down like a storm, and the Triple Linked City's internal defenses began indiscriminately attacking everyone in the passage.

Translation: The dragon cry shook the passage, causing it to spew intense golden light; colorful light flashed wildly, bolts of flame and lightning poured down like a downpour, and the Triple-Linked City's internal defense mechanism began indiscriminately attacking everyone in the passage.

Empowered by the Rebirth Tower under Old Iron's control, the black divine light was blasted, sending ripples spreading out.

Translation: With the Rebirth Tower under Lao Tie's control, even the black divine light was blasted into countless ripples.

The black sandstorm raised by Old Iron was blown to pieces; under this indiscriminate sealing attack, Witch Iron and Old Iron were like a small boat on a stormy sea, violently shaken, surrounded by a hazy, colorful blur, unable to see or hear anything.

Translation: Lao Tie's kicked-up black sandstorm was further shattered to pieces; under this indiscriminate blockade attack, Lao Tie and Wu Tie were like a tiny boat on a stormy sea, their bodies violently rocking, their vision a hazy kaleidoscope—nothing clear to see, nothing audible.

The elders of all clans were also thrown into disarray; facing this overwhelming frenzied attack, they could only force out a bit of essence blood, using their own bloodline aura to shield themselves, which effectively weakened the sealing attack's power by about thirty percent.

Translation: The elders also fell into disarray; facing this all-encompassing frenzied assault, they could only force out a bit of essence blood, using their own bloodline aura to shield their bodies, which effectively weakened the blockade's attack power by about thirty percent.

We need to keep "about thirty percent" -> "about thirty percent". Good.

"Kill them."

Translation: "Kill them."

The Tianlong elder who unleashed the dragon's roar, causing great chaos, shuddered as blood light flashed across his body; his shattered arms and legs instantly regenerated, and his wounds vanished.

Translation: The Heavenly Dragon Elder, who had emitted the dragon cry and caused great chaos, shuddered; his body flashed with blood light, his shattered arms and legs instantly regenerated, and the blood holes on his body vanished.

After all, they are masters of the Womb Storage Realm, their command of divine techniques far surpassing that of the Heavy Tower Realm and the Life Pool Realm; in their hands, various divine abilities can unleash their full power.

Translation: After all, he is a master of the Womb Storage Realm, his grasp of divine techniques far surpassing that of the Chonglou Realm and the Meridian Pool Realm; in his hands, various divine abilities can exert their full power.

Moreover, the total mana and essence blood of the Womb Storage Realm are hundreds, thousands, or even more times those of the Life Pool Realm.

Translation: Moreover, the Womb Storage Realm's total mana and essence blood are hundreds, thousands, or even more times greater than those of the Life Pool Realm.

As long as they aren't killed in one blow, haven't exhausted their mana and essence blood, and can quickly heal their injuries, it's practically effortless.

Translation: As long as one isn't instantly killed, hasn't exhausted mana and essence blood, and can quickly repair one's injuries, it's practically effortless.

The Tianlong elder let out a loud, long howl, the dragon's roar unceasing; he waved his arms, drawing a strangely shaped Black Coiling Dragon Staff, and with both hands he swung it, smashing the black divine light radiating from the Rebirth Tower.

Translation: The Heavenly Dragon Elder let out a long howl, the dragon cry continuous; he waved both arms, drew out a strangely shaped black coiling dragon staff, and with both hands swinging, he smashed the black divine light emitted from the Rebirth Tower downward.

Several Heavenly Dragon Ancestors simultaneously awakened.

They looked at the White Tiger Rend in Wu Tie's hand, their eyes gleaming.

Their own brothers had taken a fancy to this long spear, so they didn't hesitate to unleash such a powerful attack.

Good stuff, naturally it belongs to them.

Even if they were blood‑brothers, there was no room for negotiation.

It could easily tear through the dragon scales and hide of a Heavenly Dragon Clan elder in Womb Storage Realm; the White Tiger Rend's lethality is terrifying—such a divine weapon, not seizing it for oneself is practically a sin.

They also transformed into towering half‑dragons, hauled out various heavy weapons, and haphazardly smashed them at the Rebirth Tower.

The other elders also realized that, among the Twelve Executrix Families, the Heavenly Dragon Clan was the most arrogant, the most hot‑tempered, and also the greediest; whatever they set their sights on, they would seize by any means.

That said, when it comes to greed, the elders of the other families are no better.

Good stuff, everyone wants it.

A few Udumbara Clan elders exchanged a glance, said nothing, and directly unleashed their clan's secret art, the Udumbara True Form Soul‑Slaughter Absolute Array.

Even the Soul‑Slaughter Absolute Array activated by Huayan alone was terrifyingly powerful; Wu Tie nearly had his soul shattered and died within it.

Each of those Udumbara Clan elders possessed a soul strength over a hundred times that of Huayan, and by jointly activating the array, a subtle aura swept the passage, causing everyone—including the other elders' movements—to freeze abruptly.

"Damn it…" a few Paradise Bird Clan elders roared in angry embarrassment.

They also exchanged a glance, decided to go all out, and began to sing a wonderfully beautiful song.

Regardless of gender, every Paradise Bird Clan member possesses a gorgeous voice capable of emitting a bewitchingly beautiful song; when their song combines with the Udumbara Clan's Soul‑Slaughter Absolute Array, the power escalates exponentially.

The Paradise Bird Clan elders also understood that their clan is inept at close combat; sound attack is their sole divine ability.

The White Tiger Rend is useless to them.

But they could not stand by and watch the White Tiger Rend fall into the hands of the Heavenly Dragon, Heroic Lion, Holy Elephant, or Divine Turtle Clans.

Better yet, they would cooperate with the Udumbara Clan to seize the White Tiger Rend; whether it be the Heavenly Dragon Clan, the Heroic Lion Clan, or the Holy Elephant and Divine Turtle elders, whoever wants this divine weapon must pay for it in gold and silver.

What a great thing that would be!

The Paradise Bird Clan could also get a share—how wonderful.

Once the two clans joined forces, the several Heavenly Dragon Clan elders' movements became extremely slow, their ferocious, angry expressions softened considerably, and the corners of their mouths turned up in gentle smiles.

The elders of the other families all cursed aloud, having understood the intentions of the Udumbara and Paradise Bird Clan elders.

But now they were all trapped in the array, each desperately resisting the soul‑impact; after a few weak curses they had no strength left to speak.

Wave after wave of soul power struck the Rebirth Tower, causing the black divine light to ripple across large areas.

Wu Tie was about to ask Old Tie how to respond, when deep within his soul the Nuwa Clan's ancestral spirit, the Nuwa Empress, suddenly surged forth proactively, even joyfully.

Saying she "came forth" isn't quite accurate.

Wu Tie clearly sensed that the Nuwa Clan's ancestral spirit had left a tiny soul waypoint deep in his soul; sensing his massive soul attack, she… rushed from the immeasurable void along that waypoint.

How does one calculate the flight speed of soul power?

Wu Tie didn't know.

All he knew was that, as soon as the Udumbara and Paradise Bird Clan elders acted, the Nuwa Clan's ancestral spirit appeared almost instantaneously deep in his soul and then rushed forth without delay.

An ancient, sacred, inviolable aura enveloped the entire passage.

Even the passage's frenzied‑attack seal came to an abrupt halt.

The Udumbara and Paradise Bird Clan elders simultaneously let out terrified howls: "No… who are you!"

In the next instant, their eyeballs burst open, thick blood plasma gushing from all seven orifices; their souls were swallowed whole by a massive soul vortex, and then an enormous amount of soul energy—roughly equivalent to a Udumbara elder's total cultivation—continuously poured into Wu Tie's soul.

Wu Tie also let out a muffled groan, his vision went black, and blood began to seep from every pore.

Overwhelmed, overwhelmed once more.

After receiving a portion of the soul power from Huayan and Xuan Zhu earlier, Wu Tie was still overwhelmed this time.

The Udumbara Clan uses the Soul‑Slaughter Absolute Array to continually devour others' souls to strengthen itself; those Womb Storage Realm Udumbara elders have no idea how many cultivators' souls they have consumed over their lifetimes.

A single Udumbara elder's complete soul, purely in quantity, is comparable to about forty percent of the Pure Elegant Divine Soul.

Moreover, along with it came considerable cultivation experience in various divine abilities and secret arts of the Udumbara and Paradise Bird Clans.

Wu Tie clutched his head, blood continually dripping from his nostrils.

Old Tie stared blankly at the phantom of the Nuwa Empress with a human body and snake tail behind Wu Tie, his expression richly varied.