Chapter 36 : Journey to the Green Sun

The Grand Elder was responsible for guarding the strategic location of Pingyang County. To avoid being ambushed and decapitated before he could even activate the City Defense Grand Formation, this magical artifact had never left his side for many years.

To increase their chances of success on this journey, the group not only retrieved the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Banner, but also decided to bring forth the Ninefold Resonance Bell.

Early the next morning, the party of five departed from Verdant Chariot Mountain. Along the way, they stopped at Pingyang County to retrieve the Ninefold Resonance Bell before finally heading towards the Green Sun Sect.

The mountain gate of the Green Sun Sect was located deep within the State of Chu, in Qing Province, a staggering two hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Yu County.

The group traveled without rest for nearly half a year before they finally arrived before the mountain gate of the Green Sun Sect.

At the Green Sun Sect, they met Caleb Chen. Having been away from the family for over two decades, Caleb Chen was initially somewhat reserved. Seeing their exhaustion, he quickly invited them inside to sit down.

Looking at the five travel-worn figures, the youngest Elder of the Verdant Generation smiled bitterly. "Because of Qingyuan's matter, I feel deeply ashamed to have troubled several Elders to travel thousands of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to help."

"Do not speak like that," Third Elder shook his head. "You came from the family. The family will always be your roots, your most solid foundation."

Mordecai Chen, who had watched Caleb Chen grow up, asked with concern, "How have you been these years at the Green Sun Sect?"

Hearing their words of concern, Caleb Chen felt a sudden sting in his eyes. He swallowed the emotion, holding it back.

Seeing this, the group exchanged glances and wisely refrained from further questions.

They all understood the true state of the Green Sun Sect. Ever since the previous sect master of the Green Sun Sect passed away a century ago, the sect had changed over these years.

The current sect master, Xu the Ancient Ancestor, had seized his position by scheming against his own senior brother. This naturally fostered a corrupt atmosphere where those above set a poor example for those below.

However, after Xu the Ancient Ancestor took control of the sect, he exhausted the Clan Treasury to purchase a Golden Core Formation Pill and successfully broke through to the Golden Core Realm. In the end, he managed to preserve the foundation of the Green Sun Sect, though whether this was ultimately good or bad remained uncertain.

In such a Green Sun Sect, a cultivator like Caleb Chen who lacked powerful backing likely did not have an easy time.

Thinking of this, Mordecai Chen could only offer words of comfort. "Endure it a little longer. Once you break through to Foundation Establishment, everything will become much easier."

They conversed for a while, exchanging news of the major events that had occurred within the family over the years. Before they knew it, more than an hour had passed.

Seizing the opportune moment, Eldrin Chen asked, "For this mission to slay a demonic beast, which one have you decided to target?"

Caleb Chen shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his face. "In previous years, we were allowed to choose which beast to slay ourselves. But this year, Wei the Elder, who is responsible for distributing the Foundation Establishment Pill at the sect, changed the rules. He now directly assigns us specific missions."

"He claimed it's because only three batches of Foundation Establishment Pill were refined this year, and the final yield of pills is lower than usual, so the difficulty has been increased."

After speaking, he handed over a bamboo scroll with a bitter smile. As everyone took it and read its contents, their expressions turned grim.

The demon beast Caleb Chen was tasked with slaying this time was a Second-Order Verdant-striped Ape [a type of ape-like demon beast with green stripes]. While not the most powerful among Second-Order demon beasts, the Verdant-striped Ape was far from easy prey.

This was because they were a pack-dwelling species. Generally, a pack capable of producing a Second-Order Verdant-striped Ape would consist of at least one hundred Vital Essence Refinement Stage Green Ape [a common, lower-tier ape demon beast].

To slay a single Foundation Establishment Stage Verdant-striped Ape, Caleb Chen would likely face the combined assault of over a hundred Green Ape. This presented a formidable challenge.

"It seems someone within the Green Sun Sect must have taken a fancy to Qingyuan's Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in establishing one's cultivation foundation]," Fourth Elder remarked, his expression shifting. "Perhaps we should wait another ten years. The next allocation might yield more pills, and the task might not be so difficult."

"The struggle for a Foundation Establishment Pill is never easy," countered Mordecai Chen and Mortimer Chen in unison. "Besides, how many decades does a cultivator truly have? To hesitate now is to risk a lifetime of regret."

After a moment's thought, Caleb Chen spoke up cautiously. "The Verdant-striped Ape truly are perilous. Perhaps waiting ten years is the wiser course. The task may be simpler then."

Eldrin Chen surveyed the group and stated firmly, "There is no need for indecision. While the Verdant-striped Ape are formidable, we are not without our own means. As a last resort, I still possess the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Talisman [a powerful talisman that unleashes divine solar flames]."

Hearing this, the group relaxed slightly. With the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Talisman as their ultimate safeguard, they dared to consider confronting even a Second Rank Mid-Grade demon beast, let alone a mere Second Rank Lower Grade Verdant-striped Ape.

Their resolve solidified, the group set out on their journey to hunt the demon beast.

Deep within the heartland of the State of Chu, Second-Order demon beasts had become a rare sight. Locating a specific Foundation Establishment-level beast within the vastness of Qing Province was no simple task.

However, as this was an official mission, the Green Sun Sect had naturally conducted prior reconnaissance. The six of them journeyed forth, and after two months of travel, they finally discovered the lair of the Verdant-striped Ape.

The Verdant-striped Ape had concealed themselves deep within a remote mountain range, occupying a Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel that concentrates and emits spiritual energy]. It was clear they had thrived and multiplied there for many years.

Upon reaching the foothills of the mountains, the group first scouted the area to assess the situation before gathering to formulate a plan.

Third Elder spoke first, his voice grave. "I have taken count. There are one hundred and thirteen of these Verdant-striped Ape in total."

"Aside from the Foundation Establishment Stage alpha, there are nine others at the Vital Essence Refinement Late Stage. The remainder pose little threat."

Eldrin Chen closed his eyes, recalling the terrain. He then picked up a branch and sketched a map of the surrounding area on the ground.

"The Verdant-striped Ape are numerous and their strength is not to be underestimated. A direct confrontation would be unwise."

"However, their intelligence is limited. We can attempt to defeat them piecemeal."

As he spoke, he used the branch to circle a valley on his makeshift map, a faint smile touching his lips.

"This terrain is treacherous. If we can lure them here and block the escape route, then deploy the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Grand Formation [a powerful fire-based trap formation], we can catch them like turtles in a jar."

"A sound plan," they all agreed. Third Elder declared, "Then let the preparations begin."

To increase their chances of victory, the group began to alter the landscape.

They arrived at the valley, summoned their flying swords and magical tools to reshape the terrain, and then laid down the Formation Banner [a flag used to anchor and control a formation]. They labored until utterly exhausted before finally ceasing.

After completing these tasks, they did not act hastily. First, they rested for a night to Recovery [replenish their spiritual energy], waiting until the next day to commence their operation.

The group infiltrated the territory of the Verdant-striped Ape [a powerful, green-striped simian demon beast] and began covertly slaying isolated individuals.

However, the Verdant-striped Ape were pack creatures. The group had only managed to kill three or four before they were discovered by the Demonic Ape [the general term for the ape demon beasts] and pursued.

The cultivators hastily retreated. After fleeing for over ten Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Eldrin Chen noticed that only a dozen or so Demonic Ape were giving chase. He immediately turned back.

"Let's finish them first!"

As the words left his lips, he summoned the Verdant Leaf Sword [a swift, leaf-shaped flying sword] into the air and cleaved one of the Verdant-striped Ape clean in two.

Several Vital Essence Refinement Peak Stage cultivators attacked together. In the time it takes to burn a few incense sticks [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes], they had hacked the dozen or so Verdant-striped Ape into pieces, slaughtering them all.

"Not bad at all," Eldrin Chen remarked.

With the first battle concluded in victory, a smile appeared on Eldrin Chen's face. "Let's continue," he said.

The group employed the same tactic once more, returning to the territory of the Verdant-striped Ape to lure out and slay more of the beasts.