Chapter 678: Flame Demon Crown

When the Barro Flame Demon's head hit the ground, everyone's nerves relaxed.

The sky‑filled spears of light dissipated like bubbles.

Reslin produced the Purple Source Soul Crystal, which he had obtained when Lei En exchanged it at Albert Bay and which can permanently contain a soul. He tossed the crystal soul to the real Mirror Image, letting it absorb the Barro Flame Demon's soul, while his true self flashed beside Dao En Sosi.

The wildman priest blocked the Barro Flame Demon for two seconds, perfectly creating an opening to slay the enemy.

The teammates gathered around.

Yizite didn't even glance at the Barro Flame Demon's corpse; they turned into a black shadow and instantly appeared beside Dao En Sosi, sheathed their war blade, and asked concernedly, "Dao En Sosi, how are you?"

The wildman priest, his life or death unknown, lay face‑down on the ground, a large pool of blood streaming beneath him.

"Um…"

It seemed he heard a teammate's voice, and he let out a painful groan, replying with difficulty, "I shouldn't die; turn me over."

"Alright."

Axi Na bent down, carefully flipping Dao En Sosi's body onto his back so everyone could see his wounds, and involuntarily inhaled a cold breath.

Dao En Sosi's waist bore a massive wound that cut in from the right side, the intestines in his abdomen shredded into a mushy mass until it stopped at the lumbar vertebrae. Such a severe injury would be fatal to an ordinary person.

But for Dao En Sosi, whose vitality is extremely tenacious and who knows Healing Technique, timely treatment would be enough.

The teammates felt a surge of relief.

The Barro Flame Demon's slash was a frantic, painful swing, not fully powered, and it was partially blocked by the Earth Holy Scripture Dao En Sosi wore at his waist, mitigating most of the damage. Dao En Sosi's glorious chain armor was also extremely sturdy, reinforced by multiple layers of Divine Technique, making his defense formidable.

Multiple factors plus coincidence kept the wildman priest from being waist‑cut, saving his life.

"Cough…"

Dao En Sosi spat out a few mouthfuls of blood, trying to cast Healing Technique on himself, only to find his soul energy depleted.

Reslin had already taken a high‑efficacy Healing Technique scroll from the Nebula Ring, ripped it open without hesitation, and holy light fell upon Dao En Sosi, rapidly mending his injuries. Yizite also poured various precious healing demon pills into Dao En Sosi's mouth, their concerned face tense.

Beilake's holy light on his hand kept flashing as he released Restoration Technique.

Dao En Sosi's bleeding stopped quickly, and the wound healed at a visibly rapid pace. After regaining some strength, he cast Healing Technique on himself, his complexion gradually reddening as he slowly rose.

"I'm fine now, thank you all."

The wildman priest looked at the Earth Holy Scripture, now torn to shreds, shook his head regretfully; the scripture had accompanied him for decades, holding deep sentiment.

"Thanks to the Mother Goddess's protection." Dao En Sosi knelt half‑down, whispering a prayer, his eyes full of devotion.

The teammates were overjoyed.

Then they all turned together to look at the Barro Flame Demon's corpse, and only at that moment did they realize what they had done.

Beilake's face showed disbelief: "We killed Dima'etu, a Demon Lord, and the strongest Barro Flame Demon!"

"Yes."

"We did it!"

Yizite seemed dazed, murmuring softly at first, then his voice grew louder as boundless excitement filled his heart, his whole body trembling with exhilaration, and he shouted, "We did it, we killed a Barro Flame Demon, goddess above! We really did it!"

"Hahaha…" Dao En Sosi burst into loud laughter, indescribably happy.

Reslin's face also showed a faint smile.

Then everyone felt aches all over their bodies, exhausted and sore, as if they had endured a seven‑day, seven‑night war.

"Heavens!"

Axi Na, disregarding her appearance, plopped down.

On her left thigh lay a deep, bone‑visible wound left by the Barro Flame Demon, already slowly healing. It was the most perilous battle Axi Na had ever faced, yet she felt no regret, only a satisfying sense of achievement.

Leaving the Storm Sanctuary was for adventure and travel; isn't that what she pursued?

Except for Reslin, every teammate bore injuries.

The majority were burns.

The Barro Flame Demon constantly emitted terrifying high‑temperature flames; anyone who approached would be burned. Without Phoenix Blood Demon Pills and Advanced Flame Protection Technique, the fight would have turned everyone to ash in less than half a minute.

Beilake kept his distance from the Barro Flame Demon and never got burned.

But while clearing those Demon troops, he was besieged by several legendary great demons, taking hard hits and sustaining serious injuries.

Yizite, as if it cost nothing, produced demon pills and Healing Technique scrolls to treat his teammates.

"Don't waste time," Beilake reminded, "Hurry and extract Dima'etu's flesh‑and‑blood essence. If we're late, the demon's essence will dissipate too much, not enough for you to ascend to Saint Rank; all our hard work would be in vain."

The teammates all nodded in agreement.

The dark elf originally wanted to claim the extra time wasn't needed, but seeing everyone's resolve, he stopped being pretentious.

He flickered to the Barro Flame Demon's corpse, saw Reslin standing before the severed massive head, clutching a purple crystal clearly a soul stone.

"Did you capture its demon soul?" Yizite asked hurriedly.

When attacking the Barro Flame Demon to inflict greater damage, he activated Soul‑Rending Touch, causing his war blade to slice soul fragments, which left the demon's soul incomplete and possibly unable to be captured by the soul stone.

Reslin's real Mirror Image nodded, "Success."

The Purple Source Soul Crystal revealed the Barro Flame Demon's demon soul, fragmented and missing most Elements, but luck held that the coveted Legendary Element—the Flame Demon Crown still remained.

The remaining Elements contained a few extremely powerful ones, but this broken demon soul could not be merged; only the Arcane Element and Psychic Element could be stripped out to forge a Law Seal.

However, as long as they obtain the Flame Demon Crown, the journey won't have been in vain.

"Great!"

Yizite sincerely felt glad for Reslin.

If the soul capture failed, he didn't know how he could repay Reslin's contribution.

The plan to slay Dima'etu was extremely perilous; even after years of preparation, he severely underestimated the Barro Flame Demon's power. Without Reslin, not only slaying it but even the lives of himself and his teammates might have been lost.

Reslin was the decisive force in killing the Barro Flame Demon, accounting for at least seventy percent of the credit.

The whole team, in Danmofu, used Teleportation Technique to maintain momentum, destroyed the Demon Nest to lure Dima'etu away from the Abyssal Gate, sealed the space to block its teleportation, bound it with Fire Leap during combat, broke its defense with the Spear of Light, and finally prevented it from self‑detonating at death… all of which depended on Reslin.

Missing any step would render the plan impossible to succeed.

He glanced around at the twenty‑six Reslins and grew more convinced that a Reslin's strength was unfathomable.

The Dark Elf even entertained the thought that, even without his own or his teammates' involvement, a lone Reslin might be able to kill the Baro Flame Demon.

"Not a Holy Soul Wizard, yet possessing such overwhelming power…"

"What exactly is Reslin's background?"

Yizite shook his head, cast curiosity aside, then rubbed his hands excitedly and leapt onto the massive corpse of the Baro Flame Demon.

Dimatu's wings had been cut off, its head removed, and its body was riddled with severe wounds from the torrent of Light Spears; its soul was equally fragmented. Even so, the evil aura and scorching heat emanating from the Baro Flame Demon's corpse still sent chills down one's spine.

The Dark Elf stood on the corpse's chest, and in the blood‑filled pit beneath his feet a huge heart still beat slowly.

He inhaled deeply, his hands pressing against the demon's skin, scorching like hot coals.

Then he activated the Demonic Hunter's core ability, the green tattoos on his body flared, and his hands infused with corrupt energy as he began extracting the demon's blood‑flesh essence.

A massive surge of energy was drawn out and gathered in Yizite's hands.

A few minutes later.

The Baro Flame Demon's corpse shrank slightly; though it still appeared immensely massive, the terrifying aura had vanished, leaving only a lifeless ordinary corpse.

The Dark Elf held a blood crystal in his hand.

The crystal, the size of a fist as if blood had solidified, contained unimaginable power—it was the life essence of a Baro Flame Demon.

By assimilating it, the Demonic Hunter could have a chance to ascend to Saint Rank.

Yizite's hands trembled uncontrollably.

The years‑long plan had finally succeeded, only one step away from the ultimate goal. Yet now was not the moment for fusion and ascension; he needed time to restore his condition to its peak, make thorough preparations, and only then would he strike at the Saint Rank.

The teammates gathered, each wearing a smile.

Belak took the Baro Flame Demon's corpse; it was top‑grade alchemical material, extremely valuable, and Yizite had promised it to him beforehand.

Both of Dimatu's weapons were epic‑grade; the flame whip was damaged, but the decapitation sword remained intact.

Daoensosi picked up the heavy decapitation sword; the oddly shaped blade, over three meters long, weighed at least five thousand pounds, and even with his strength it was hard to swing without Divine Technique augmentation.

Moreover, the sword was so massive that ordinary people could never wield it.

"Who wants it?"

The barbarian priest flung the decapitation sword before everyone; with a bang it kicked up a spray of earth.

All eyes turned to Asina; such a heavy, massive weapon could only be used by her. In battle Asina transformed into a giant, leading them to suspect she was not human but a rare Titan Giant.

Asina felt a stir of excitement.

The decapitation sword was not only a formidable weapon but also a symbol of honor.

Only a Baro Flame Demon could forge such a weapon; it signified their status. Usually when a Baro Flame Demon dies it self‑immolates, destroying the sword, so few ever fall into the world.

Each stray decapitation sword signified the death of a Baro Flame Demon.

"Asina, take this decapitation sword," Yizite urged.

Belak nodded repeatedly, "We earned this after much hardship; it proves we killed a Baro Flame Demon, we can't waste it."

"Besides, only you can wield it," the Holy Spear ranger said with a knowing smile.

Asina glanced at him, pursed a light smile, "Fine, I'll take it. I'll hang it on my bedroom wall as a trophy." She then placed the decapitation sword into the Nebula Ring, "Thank you all."

"Hahaha…"

Daoensosi laughed brightly, "Your trophy sliced me once, almost killed me; it truly deserves to be kept as a memento."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"I have a proposal," Yizite suddenly said, "Dimatu is dead, and we've nearly wiped out the elite of its demon army. Right now, the Abyssal Gate in Danmofu is underpowered; should we seize the chance to raid the Abyssal Gate and destroy it?"

"Fine!"

Daoensosi agreed without hesitation.

He has always taken it upon himself to cleanse evil; destroying a large Abyssal Gate would be a massive blow to the Abyss forces. For at least five years, the Abyssal forces in Danmofu's territory would be unable to recover, and the demon nests could not be rebuilt.

Belak, however, hesitated; the battle had drained him, and his stamina and spirit energy had not recovered.

Even without Dimatu guarding, the area around the Abyssal Gate remained perilous.

The demon legion alone could number tens of thousands, and dense demon nests nearby; if a demon lord surged out of the Abyssal Gate, it would be even more dangerous.

The Holy Spear ranger murmured a few times, offering no response.

Asina, however, was eager to try; she never wanted to miss a battle and welcomed the challenge.

"Reslin, what's your opinion?" the Dark Elf asked cautiously.

Everyone looked to Reslin, valuing his opinion highly. If Reslin decided not to go, none could; even if others insisted, lacking Reslin's powerful support—the most crucial teammate—would be tantamount to a suicide mission.

Moreover, Asina also listened to Reslin; if he didn't go, only three would remain.

"We can go."

Reslin decided quickly, "But we should depart immediately; once we reach the Abyssal Gate we'll have less than an hour. Within that hour, whether we destroy the Abyssal Gate or not, we must retreat."

Yizite and Daoensosi were overjoyed, then a doubt arose.

Daoensosi asked, "Is this too rushed? We need to recover stamina and spirit energy; Reslin, you've cast so many spells—do you still have enough spirit energy to cast?"

In fact, they had been wondering for a while.

From the start to the end of the battle, Reslin had released an unknown number of spells, all at seven circles or higher, mostly eight circles. For other legendary Wizards, just that void storm and the sky‑filled Light Spears would have drained them completely.

Yet Reslin still seemed to have reserves, as if his spirit energy were inexhaustible.

"You don't need to worry about me."

Reslin said calmly, without further explanation, "My Mirror Image lasts fifteen more minutes; leaving a minute earlier increases our chance to destroy the Abyssal Gate and makes everyone safer."

The Endless Storm Staff raised Mirror Image to nine circles, sustaining for twenty minutes.

True Mirror Image can last an hour, more than enough.

It will be seven days before True Mirror Image can be used again; now is his peak strength, his spirit‑energy reservoir nearly full, and he must seize the opportunity.

The teammates also realized this.

Yizite and the teammates quickly discussed a few sentences, "We'll rest for five minutes, recover some stamina and soul energy, then set out. If we find the situation beyond the Abyssal Gate is off, we'll abandon it immediately and retreat to Albert Bay."

Everyone silently nodded, and immediately sat down to meditate, racing against time.

The five minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

Because there were too many Mirror Images, Reslin didn't use the group teleportation technique, but opened a teleportation portal for everyone to step through.

After passing through two portals, the whole team was already close to that towering, earth‑spanning evil‑energy vortex.

Under the dim sky, a vast, black‑laden Abyss camp lay on the expansive land, countless Demons entrenched within the camp, surrounding a towering Abyssal Gate at its center, situated directly beneath the evil‑energy vortex, spewing out a boundless torrent of malevolent energy.

The massive Abyssal Gate, we've arrived!

(End of chapter)