Chapter 152 : The Water Spirit Pearl Gambit

"If we can severely cripple the demonic beasts' combat strength, perhaps in the future we might even find an opportunity to counterattack Celestial Python Lake."

Hearing this, the others also revealed faint smiles. While the demonic beasts coveted human flesh and blood, humanity also yearned for the spiritual veins [geographical formations that concentrate spiritual energy] possessed by the beasts.

For instance, within Celestial Python Lake, there flowed a fourth-rank Ren-Shui Earth Vein [an earth vein imbued with the essence of the Water element]. The supreme treasure it nurtured, the Water Spirit Pearl [a crystalline orb containing the pure essence of water, a key component in the natural cycle of water energy], was an exceptionally precious artifact.

The Water Spirit Pearl held immense value, capable of assisting a Purple Mansion cultivator [a cultivator at the third major realm of cultivation] with a Water Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the Water element] in breaking through to the Golden Core realm. Its efficacy was nearly on par with that of the Five Elements Spirit Fruit.

Lyra Jiang sought to complete her Five Elements Spiritual Root [a rare spiritual constitution granting affinity for all five fundamental elements]. She currently lacked only the Water Spiritual Root, and that Water Spirit Pearl was the crucial medicinal catalyst needed to complete the final root.

A short while later, the group finalized their strategy for the decisive battle.

Since another clash with the demonic beasts was inevitable, they resolved to strike the Celestial Python Demon King with utter surprise.

Their plan was to rest and recuperate, then, before the Celestial Python Demon King could receive word of their movements, have several Purple Mansion cultivators and the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ark [a flying treasure ship designed for combat] transport fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators [cultivators at the second major realm] to join the battle just beyond Celestial Ruins Mountain.

The distance between Fengyang Trading Post and Celestial Ruins Mountain was approximately one hundred fifty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. For the spiritual ark to traverse this distance would require a little over seven or eight days.

Thus, they agreed that ten days hence, Lyra Jiang herself would lead the assault, seeking out the Celestial Python Demon King for a decisive duel. Support the author by reading on http://www . audio-novel.com.

At that moment, while the demonic beasts were caught off guard, the group would concentrate their forces for a surprise assault. Their plan was to slay one or two Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] demonic beasts first, thereby weakening the demonic horde's strength, before engaging them in a full-scale battle.

"..."

After finalizing the plan, the group rested for a night, recovering the greater part of their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated and stored within a cultivator's body], and then set off for Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Due to the urgency, the Third-Rank Treasure Ship [a flying vessel of significant magical power, corresponding to the third rank of treasures] could only barely squeeze in a little over thirty people. Consequently, the several Purple Mansion Ancestors had no choice but to each carry several Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one establishes a solid foundation for the spiritual path] cultivators by flying on their swords.

Even Eldrin Chen, who possessed a Third-Rank Lifebound Immortal Sword [a cultivator's personally bonded sword, growing in power with them], ended up carrying three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss could fly thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a day. Even though its speed decreased somewhat after carrying three extra people, it was still not much slower than the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat.

In the blink of an eye, seven days rushed past. By the evening of the seventh day, the group finally arrived within the mountain range of Celestial Ruins Mountain.

The party flew to a point three thousand Li-length from the main peak of Celestial Ruins Mountain and descended upon a desolate mountain.

Yang the Ancient Ancestor consulted a map and let out a slight sigh of relief. "We've arrived with time to spare. There are still two days until the agreed-upon time."

This map was a tactical war chart. It not only detailed the terrain surrounding the Celestial Ruins Mountain range but also marked the distribution of the main demonic forces.

Yang the Ancient Ancestor gathered Eldrin Chen and the other Purple Mansion [the third major cultivation realm, where a cultivator opens a spiritual palace within their dantian]-level combatants to one side. Pointing at the map, he began to analyze the current situation.

"At present, Celestial Ruins Mountain is encircled by the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic beast forces]," he stated. "Over a hundred thousand Demonic Beast [creatures that have cultivated spiritual energy and gained intelligence and power] have occupied dozens of surrounding Spirit Vein [geological formations that concentrate and emit spiritual energy] for logistical support, besieging the main peak of Celestial Ruins Mountain."

"Look here. The western flank is held by the Azure Flame Fox [a fox-type demon beast with control over azure-colored flames] clan, with two of their kind in command. The stronger one has reached the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm], while the weaker is merely at the first layer of the Purple Mansion."

"The eastern flank is controlled by the lineage of the Six-Winged Golden Butterfly [a butterfly-type demon beast with six golden wings], also two Purple Mansion-level beasts. Their cultivation is similarly one at Purple Palace, Mid Stage and one at Purple Palace, Early Stage [the early stage of the Purple Mansion cultivation realm]."

"The southern flank, closest to us, is held by the Golden-Horned Savage Ox [a powerful ox-type demon beast with distinctive golden horns] tribe. This direction, however, boasts three Purple Mansion-level beasts: one at Purple Palace, Mid Stage and two at Purple Palace, Early Stage."

"As for the northern flank," Yang the Ancient Ancestor continued, "that is where Celestial Python Demon King himself holds court, with no other Purple Mansion beasts in attendance."

"So, aside from Celestial Python Demon King, there are seven Purple Mansion-level beasts in total," Eldrin Chen mused, studying the map. After a moment's contemplation, he asked, "Any news of the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent [a powerful serpentine demon beast, descendant of the Celestial Python Demon King, with violet-colored blood]?"

At his words, solemn expressions descended upon the group. The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent was the direct bloodline descendant of Celestial Python Demon King. Its power had already reached the ninth layer of the Purple Mansion, making its combat prowess thirty percent greater than even the Purple-Spotted Wolf King. It was Celestial Python Demon King's most formidable right hand.

If it were present, it would undoubtedly be the greatest variable in their plans.

"When Celestial Python Demon King marches to war, the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent remains to guard Celestial Python Lake," Yang the Ancient Ancestor replied, shaking his head with a faint smile. "This has been the established pattern in years past. The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent would not abandon its watch over Celestial Python Lake."

Hearing this, the group let out a slight sigh of relief. Xavier Xu smiled and said, "Then we shall proceed with the original plan. In three days, we attack the Golden-Horned Savage Ox."

Eldrin Chen also nodded with a faint smile. According to the group's strategy, in three days, Lyra Jiang would take the initiative to seek out the Celestial Python Demon King for a Sword Competition [a formal duel between sword cultivators].

Meanwhile, they would seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Golden-Horned Savage Ox. Furthermore, Elara Lin from within Celestial Ruins Mountain would also make her move, joining forces with them to pincer the Golden-Horned Savage Ox from both sides.

If this battle succeeded, it would undoubtedly turn the tide of the conflict at once, dealing a heavy blow to the Demonic Tribe's combat strength.

After finalizing their plans, the group began to restore their internal True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body]. This desolate mountain wilderness was sparse in spiritual energy, so they could only rely on Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to recover their cultivation. It was not the most cost-effective method, but it was necessary.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived. Once the group had fully restored their peak condition, Yang the Ancient Ancestor produced a Third Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the third rank] to conceal their presence. Stealthily, they crept towards the garrison of the Golden-Horned Savage Ox clan. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel .c om.

That Third Rank Magical Treasure was named the Cloud Mist Canopy. This treasure was forged by refining Nine Heavens Cloud Mist Essence [a rare spiritual essence gathered from the highest clouds]. Although it was only Third Rank Low Grade, it was sufficient to shroud their movements.

With this treasure veiling them, even a Demonic Beast [a beast that has cultivated demonic power] at the Purple Palace, Early Stage [the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm] would likely fail to detect any anomaly without a meticulous search.

"Ahead lies Verdant Ox Mountain," someone whispered.

The group pressed forward, and within half a day, they arrived at the Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] where the Golden-Horned Savage Ox resided.

Verdant Ox Mountain was a Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy] under the jurisdiction of Celestial Ruins Mountain. It had long been leased to Rogue Foundation Establishment Cultivators [independent cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm] residing near Celestial Ruins Mountain. When the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating onslaught of demonic beasts] descended, these Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivator naturally dismantled the Formation [a defensive or offensive energy array] here and sought refuge within Celestial Ruins Mountain itself.

After the cultivators departed, the abandoned Spirit Mountain was temporarily occupied by the Golden-Horned Savage Ox tribe.

"Let us not act hastily. We must conceal our auras and wait for Jiang the Ancient Ancestor to make the first move," Eldrin Chen advised.

Upon reaching Verdant Ox Mountain, the group did not rush to attack, choosing instead to bide their time and await a signal.

After waiting for approximately two Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], a resonant sword cry suddenly erupted from the direction of Celestial Ruins Mountain. Everyone saw a dazzling sword radiance, several hundred Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, piercing the heavens and streaking northward.

"Now!"

Seeing that Lyra Jiang had already engaged, Eldrin Chen was the first to soar forth, charging directly toward Verdant Ox Mountain.

The others followed closely behind. Xavier Xu, the Ancient Ancestor, wore a grave expression as he cautioned the group, "The Six-Winged Golden Butterfly and the Qingyang Fox are merely a few hundred Li-length away. At the speed of a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [a demonic beast equivalent to a Purple Mansion realm cultivator], reinforcements could arrive within half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes]. We must conclude this battle swiftly."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen soared into the heavens, his Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss sweeping across the Firmament. The blade pierced through two Foundation Establishment Demonic Beasts in succession.

With the sudden assault of another fifty Foundation Establishment Cultivators and six combatants possessing Purple Mansion-level strength, the Golden-Horned Savage Ox clan was caught completely off guard. Within the span of a dozen breaths, over thirty of their Foundation Establishment Demonic Beasts were slain.

"Moo—!"

Several thunderous bellows echoed as three Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts from the Golden-Horned Savage Ox clan charged forth. Find thousands of chapters at http://www . audio-novel.com.