Chapter 49 : The March of Celestial Ruins

After speaking, her tone softened slightly, and she weighed her words carefully before continuing, "You need not be so concerned."

"Since our Master has decided to take action, it means she has sufficient confidence for this battle."

"Moreover, our Master has made it clear that after this campaign concludes, rewards will be distributed based on merit. Those who fall in battle will receive compensation, and those who distinguish themselves will be granted prizes. Should you achieve notable feats, even a Foundation Establishment Pill [a rare elixir that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm] could be bestowed as a reward."

Once she finished speaking, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch exchanged a glance, their faces immediately lighting up with delight.

Jiang the Ancient Ancestor had always been fair and just. Since she had given her word, the two of them naturally began to entertain certain hopes.

Launching a war against the demonic tribes was not an undertaking to be completed in a single day. Celestial Ruins Mountain [a major cultivation sect and territory] had been preparing for a long time. Even after Eldrin Chen and the others arrived at Celestial Ruins Mountain, they still had to wait for two full months before the forces finally set out.

For this campaign, Celestial Ruins Mountain had essentially emptied its stronghold. Not only had Jiang the Ancient Ancestor mobilized fifteen of her seventeen personal disciples who had reached the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual foundation is solidified] realm, but she had also conscripted every single Foundation Establishment Cultivator within the territory of Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Including outsiders like Eldrin Chen, the number of cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm alone had swelled to fifty-three. Furthermore, they had conscripted over six thousand Qi Refinement Cultivators [cultivators in the first major realm, focused on refining their vital energy].

To bolster the combat effectiveness of the assembled force, Celestial Ruins Mountain organized the cultivators into units. Each unit comprised one hundred individuals, led by a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator who would command the formation's core. Each unit was also issued a set of Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to channel and focus group power into a unified magical formation].

Eldrin Chen was also issued a set of Formation Flags and tasked with leading a unit of over one hundred Qi Refinement Cultivators. He discovered that when the group channeled their power in unison through these Formation Flags, they could unleash the Western Pole True Flame [a potent, purifying flame of immense destructive power], generating enough force to contend with a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage [an advanced stage within the Foundation Establishment realm] demonic beast. This novel is serialized on audi novel.com. Visit for updates.

"These Qi Refinement Cultivators possess such varied cultivation bases and disparate spiritual energies, yet they can jointly activate such an astonishing formation."

"It is said that Jiang the Ancient Ancestor excels in alchemy, formations, artificing, and talismans alike. Now I see the reputation is well-deserved."

Standing beside Eldrin Chen, Chen Thalion gazed at the set of Formation Flags and could not help but exclaim in awe. As a Second Rank High Grade Formation Master, he acknowledged privately that his own skills fell far short of Jiang the Ancient Ancestor's.

Demon Wolf Mountain lay seventy thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] to the northwest of Celestial Ruins Mountain. The journey of several thousand cultivators was a spectacle of formidable momentum.

To avoid premature detection by the demonic tribes, Jiang the Ancient Ancestor also deployed a Third Rank Middle Grade Silk Gauze Magical Tool [an enchanted artifact made of silk], which conjured a mist spanning ten Li-length to conceal the army's advance.

Even traveling at such a pace, it still took over three months before they finally reached the foothills of Demon Wolf Mountain.

"So this is Demon Wolf Mountain?"

With the great battle imminent, Eldrin Chen felt a flicker of pressure in his heart as he surveyed the vast mountain range ahead.

True to its name, Demon Wolf Mountain was dominated by the Demon Wolf Tribe. This tribe's strength was formidable, boasting not just two Purple Mansion [a major cultivation stage] demon wolves, but also a leader, the Purple-Spotted Wolf King, a powerful demonic beast at the Purple Palace, Late Stage.

It could be said the Demon Wolf Tribe was one of the key arms of the Celestial Python Demon King. If not eradicated, they would undoubtedly become a dire threat to Celestial Ruins Mountain in thirty years.

"Three Purple Mansion Demonic Wolf Sovereigns. For Jiang the Ancient Ancestor to face all three alone, I fear this will be a bitter struggle indeed," said Old Patriarch, standing beside Eldrin Chen with a grave expression. "When the battle commences shortly, do not leave the formation's protection, and do not stray far from my side."

"I understand," Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement.

As the confrontation on the other side was about to erupt, Jiang the Ancient Ancestor finally emerged from the veil of clouds and mist.

Eldrin Chen looked over. At first glance, he was struck by her breathtaking beauty; a closer look revealed a peerless elegance, and after a few moments, he found it difficult to tear his gaze away.

She was clad in a flowing white gown with wide sleeves, standing serenely amidst a faint, shimmering aura of sword light. A sharp, intimidating presence radiated from her, making one hesitant to look directly.

"That is the legendary Sword Intent Body Protection [a state where a sword cultivator's will and their blade become one, forming an automatic defensive aura]," Old Patriarch explained. "It is said that with a Fourth Rank Lifebound Immortal Sword, cultivator and sword can merge into a single entity. The Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's soul-bound primary weapon, growing in power with them] exists as an extension of the cultivator's very being."

"Should anyone attempt to strike such a sword cultivator, the Lifebound Immortal Sword within them will instantly and autonomously counterattack, capable of slaying foes from a thousand Li-lengths away. It is the pinnacle of offense and defense combined, granting peerless combat prowess."

"However, Jiang the Ancient Ancestor is only a cultivator at the Purple Palace, Peak Stage. I do not know what method she employed to shatter the conventional limits of a Lifebound Magical Treasure and elevate her Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword to the Fourth Rank Golden Core realm."

As he spoke, a flicker of envy shone in Old Patriarch's eyes. A Fourth Rank Lifebound Immortal Sword! Its power was sufficient to give even a Golden Core True Person [a master who has formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy] pause, yet it consumed only thirty percent of the spiritual energy required by a magical tool of equivalent rank.

This was precisely why Jiang the Daoist had such an immense demand for Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. An ordinary Third Rank High Grade Lifebound Magical Treasure would never require the annual expenditure of twenty thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] just to purchase Five Elements Essence for its refinement and empowerment.

It was precisely because of this that Lyra Jiang earned the title of the foremost Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] expert in the Chu Kingdom. Over the past two centuries, she had slain more than ten Purple Mansion adversaries. One could say she had carved her way through foes of all three kinds—human, demon, and monstrous—forging a reputation of awe-inspiring might with her blade.

Other Purple Mansion Female Cultivator might be addressed as 'Immortal Fairies' or 'Venerable Seniors,' but she, Lyra Jiang, was called Jiang the Daoist or Jiang the Ancient Ancestor—titles earned in blood and carved from the skulls of her enemies.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen quickly suppressed a flicker of agitation in his heart, silently reciting to himself: "Enough. All love at first sight is merely desire sparked by beauty."

"Hmm."

In the distant sky, Lyra Jiang's eyes shifted slightly, her gaze falling upon Eldrin Chen. She paused for a moment, a trace of surprise crossing her features.

Beside her, Elara Lin followed her line of sight. A glint of astonishment flashed in her pupils as she spoke. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel`com.

"He has already reached the Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] realm. Judging by his bone age, he is barely past twenty years, yet he achieved Foundation Establishment on his own. He will likely walk our path in the future."

"Master's vision is truly keen, to spot such a promising seedling with a single glance."

"You misunderstand."

Lyra Jiang shook her head, her expression utterly serious. "I merely thought he was rather pleasing to look at."

"Hmm, his bearing is also quite commendable."

Elara Lin: "…"

With battle imminent, this was no time for levity.

Withdrawing her gaze, Lyra Jiang did not bother with lengthy motivational speeches, simply declaring.

"This battle must be swift and decisive. Should any dare to shirk their duty or act deceitfully, do not blame me for settling accounts when this is over."

"Begin."

Lyra Jiang was known for her fairness, yet her personality was sharp and unyielding. The assembled cultivators both respected and feared her, and thus none dared to slack off.

A force of over six thousand cultivators converged, launching a sudden assault on Demon Wolf Mountain that quickly caught the demon wolf tribe off guard.

Within a mere two Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], the Demon Wolf Tribe was forced into a steady retreat, eventually being cornered within the Third Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a high-quality nexus of spiritual energy] atop Demon Wolf Mountain.

By this point, however, the Purple Mansion Demonic Tribe [a tribe of demonic beasts whose leaders have reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm] on the mountain had rallied and began organizing a counterattack with their demonic beasts.

Within the Great Wilderness [a vast and untamed land teeming with monsters], the number of demonic beasts was beyond counting. After the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating surge of monstrous creatures], the demonic tribes near Demon Wolf Mountain had proliferated for nearly seventy years, amassing a horde of First Rank Demonic Beast [the lowest tier of monstrous beasts] that numbered not in the thousands, but in the tens of thousands.

Facing this endless tide of beasts, the assembled cultivators soon felt the weight of immense pressure bearing down upon them.

"Activate the Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to channel power into a defensive or offensive array] in unison! No one is to shirk their duty!"

At this critical juncture, Eldrin Chen, who was presiding over the array's core, raised his voice in a commanding shout.

Over a hundred cultivators joined their power, channeling it through the Formation Flags. Waves of Western Pole True Flame [a potent, purifying flame of extreme yang nature] surged forth, scorching the vanguard of the demonic horde and forcing them into a chaotic, fiery retreat. Support the author by reading on audio novel.com.