Chapter 49 : Expedition to the Demon Wolf Mountain

After speaking, her tone softened slightly as she measured her words: "You needn’t worry so much."

"Since the Master has decided to intervene, this battle is surely within his grasp."

"Moreover, our Master has made it clear that after this battle concludes, contributions will be recognized and rewarded. Those who fall in combat shall receive posthumous compensation, while those who distinguish themselves shall earn merits. Should you achieve notable triumphs, even Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) may be bestowed as rewards."

Before she could even finish her words, Eldrin exchanged a glance with the old clan leader, and his face immediately lit up with astonishment and delight.

Patriarch Jiang had always been fair. Since he had spoken these words, the 2 of them naturally began to entertain certain thoughts.

Launching a war against the demon race was no overnight endeavor. Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) had been preparing for a considerable length of time. Even after Eldrin (Person Name) and his companions arrived at Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), they still had to wait 2 full months before the campaign commenced.

For this battle, Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) had essentially deployed its entire force. Not only had Patriarch Jiang dispatched 15 of his 17 foundation-building disciples, but he also conscripted every last foundation-building cultivator within the territory of Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).

Including outsiders such as Eldrin (Person Name), the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators alone had reached 50-3. Additionally, over 6,000 Qi Refining cultivators had been conscripted.

To enhance the combat effectiveness of the group, Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) assembled these cultivators into teams of 1 100, each led by a Foundation Establishment cultivator to command the formation, and issued a set of formation flags.

Eldrin was also issued a set of formation flags, tasked with commanding over a 100 Qi Refining cultivators. He discovered that when the group jointly activated these flags, they could summon the Western Extreme True Flame, unleashing power formidable enough to rival a demonic beast at Foundation Establishment, Late Stage.

"These Qi Refining cultivators possess varying levels of cultivation, with distinct techniques and spiritual energies, yet they can jointly activate such an astonishing formation."

"It is said that Patriarch Jiang is proficient in alchemy, formations, artifacts, and talismans alike, and now I see his reputation is well-deserved."

Standing beside Eldrin, Chen Changxuan couldn’t help but marvel at the set of array flags. As a second-tier, high-grade Array Master, he acknowledged that his skills paled in comparison to Patriarch Jiang’s.

The Demonic Wolf Mountain lay 70,000 li northwest of Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location). With thousands of cultivators advancing together, their journey could be described as an earth-shaking procession.

To avoid detection by the demon tribe, Patriarch Jiang also deployed a third-grade mid-tier silk handkerchief artifact, conjuring a 10-li fog to conceal their tracks.

Advancing at such a rapid pace still took over 3 months before they finally arrived at the foot of the Demon Wolf Mountain.

"Is this the Demon Wolf Mountain?"

The great battle was imminent. As Eldrin gazed upon the vast mountain range ahead, he couldn't help but feel a trace of pressure in his heart.

As the name suggests, the demonic tribe entrenched on the Demon Wolf Mountain is none other than the Dire Wolf Clan. The clan possesses formidable strength, boasting not only 2 Eldrin Dire Wolves, but also being led by the Purple-Spotted Wolf King (Demon Beast)—a powerful demonic creature at the Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm).

It could be said that the Direwolf Clan was 1 of the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast)'s right-hand forces. If not eradicated, they would undoubtedly become a grave threat to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) in 30 years.

"The 3 demonic wolves have all reached the Violet Mansion realm. Patriarch Jiang is about to face all 3 of them alone—this will likely be a bitter battle." The old clan leader stood beside Eldrin, his expression grave as he said, "When the fighting begins, do not leave the protective formation, and stay close to me."

"I will." Eldrin nodded.

Elsewhere, a great battle was about to erupt as Patriarch Jiang finally emerged from the swirling mists.

Eldrin (Person Name) cast a glance over, and at first sight was struck by breathtaking splendor. Upon closer inspection, he found the beauty utterly transcendent, until after several gazes he could scarcely tear his eyes away.

She stood there in silence, clad in a white wide-sleeved flowing immortal dress, enveloped in a faint, hazy sword radiance. An aura of sharp intensity made it impossible to meet her gaze directly.

"That is the legendary Sword Intent Protection. It is said that a fourth-stage Lifebound Immortal Sword can achieve unity of body and blade, where the Lifebound Immortal Sword coexists with the cultivator."

Anyone attempting to strike such a sword cultivator would instantly trigger an automatic counterattack from their Lifebound Immortal Sword, capable of slaying enemies a 1000 miles away. It could be said to master both offense and defense, possessing unparalleled combat prowess.

However, Patriarch Jiang was merely a cultivator at the Purple Palace, Peak Stage. No 1 knew what method he had employed to actually break through the limits of his life-bound magical treasure, elevating the Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword to the Fourth-Level Golden Core realm.

The old clan leader spoke, a trace of envy flickering in his eyes. That was a fourth-order lifebound immortal sword! Its power was formidable enough to give even a Golden Core Elder pause, yet it consumed only 30 percent of the energy required by artifacts of the same rank.

This was precisely why Elder Jiang’s demand for the 5 Elements’ essence was so immense. An ordinary top-grade third-tier natal magic treasure would never require an expenditure of 20,000 spirit stones annually to procure 5 Elements’ essence for its refinement.

This was precisely why Lyra (Person Name) was hailed as the foremost Golden Core expert of the Chu Kingdom (Location). Over 2 100 years, she had slain over 10 Golden Core adversaries, having essentially carved her way through human, demonic, and fiendish Golden Core cultivators alike. Through this relentless slaughter, she forged a reputation that commanded awe across the lands.

While other Violet Mansion cultivators were addressed as "Fairy" or "Senior," she was called Daoist Jiang or Ancestor Jiang—a title truly earned by decapitating her opponents.

Eldrin (Person Name) listened, swiftly suppressing a flicker of agitation within his heart. He could only silently recite to himself: "Enough. All love at first sight is merely attraction to superficial beauty in the end."

"Hmm."

In the distant sky, Lyra's eyes flickered slightly as her gaze fell upon Eldrin, then she paused for a brief moment in surprise.

Beside her, Elara (Person Name) followed her gaze, a flicker of surprise flashing in her pupils as she said.

"He actually achieved Foundation Establishment. Judging by his bone age, he's barely past 20, yet he's already built his foundation independently. I daresay he'll soon be 1 of us."

"Master truly has discerning eyes, spotting this promising seedling at a single glance."

"You've misunderstood."

Lyra shook her head, her expression earnest as she said, "I just think he's rather handsome."

"Hmm, the temperament is quite decent as well."

Elara (Person Name)：“…”

The war is imminent; this is no time for jest.

Withdrawing her gaze, Lyra (Person Name) did not bother with any lengthy battle mobilization and simply declared,

"This battle must be resolved with swift decisiveness. Should any attempt to shirk their duties, do not blame this sovereign for settling accounts when the harvest moon rises."

"Let us begin."

Lyra was known for her impartiality, yet her personality was as sharp as an unsheathed blade. The crowd both respected and feared her, leaving no room for anyone to dare engage in deceit or laziness.

Over 6,000 cultivators had gathered, launching a surprise assault on the Direwolf Mountains that caught the wolf-demon tribe completely off guard.

In just 2 hours since the great war began, the Direwolf Clan was forced into retreat, ultimately being cornered within the third-grade, superior spiritual vein atop Direwolf Mountain.

However, by this time, the Zifu realm demon clans on the Demon Wolf Mountain had already regained their composure and began organizing the demon beasts to launch a counterattack against them.

The Great Wilderness teemed with countless demonic beasts. After the Great Beast Tide, the demon tribes near the Howling Wolf Mountains had bred for nearly 70 years, accumulating no fewer than tens of thousands of Rank 1 demonic creatures.

Facing countless demonic beasts, the group soon felt an overwhelming pressure.

"Activate all the formation flags together. No slacking off."

At this critical moment, Eldrin (Person Name), commanding the formation flags, shouted at the top of his voice.

Over a 100 cultivators joined forces to activate the array flags, unleashing waves of Western Extreme True Fire that forced the demon tribes into relentless retreat.