Chapter 150 : Supporting Celestial Ruins Mountain

Without a Golden Core demon king to command them, should the battle turn into a protracted struggle, the beast horde would collapse on its own long before the human forces were defeated.

The Purple-Spotted Wolf King (Demon Beast) knew full well it would be difficult to control low-level demonic beasts for long. Unwilling to get bogged down in a protracted battle, it decisively split its forces and launched a swift 1000-li strike against Feng Prefecture.

In this way, bypassing Yuyang Market which gathered half of Bianzhou's military strength, attacking Fengyang Trading Post (Location) became much easier.

Although Fengyang Trading Post (Location) was situated upon a third-grade spirit vein, nearly all of its stored spirit stones had been dispatched to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) and Yuyang Market.

Without a reserve of spirit stones, relying solely on the spiritual energy of a third-tier, lower-grade spirit vein, its defensive capabilities paled in comparison to the Yuyang Market's formidable defenses, which were bolstered by a reserve of 100,000 spirit stones.

Moreover, there was only Xavier, a single Purple Mansion Elder here, and the number of cultivators was merely 70 to 80 percent of that in Yuyang Market.

It could be said that had it not been for the Chen family's unexpectedly formidable combat prowess, the Purple-Spotted Wolf King (Demon Beast) would likely have succeeded. With the human forces besieged from both front and rear and their morale thrown into disarray, it might well have triggered a catastrophic collapse.

Provided that the demon beast army outside Yuyang Market could intercept Yu County, preventing the main forces from Bianzhou from reinforcing the area.

Unfortunately, it had thoroughly gauged the combat prowess of a human Golden Core cultivator, yet it never anticipated that the Chen Clan would produce 2 Foundation Establishment cultivators with Golden Core-level strength.

Little did anyone expect that Eldrin (Person Name) possessed such astonishing combat talent. Today, he completely routed the demonic beast horde beyond the Setting Sun Marketplace, and this grave miscalculation became the very root of their defeat.

However, this crushing defeat of the demon race did not signify the end of the beast tide. On the contrary, the true core battlefield remained locked in arduous and bitter combat.

The beast tide calamity was no single sect's concern. Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) had now endured over half a year under siege by demonic beasts, completely depleting the spiritual liquid within its sacred pools.

Within the Celestial Ruins Mountain, survival now relied entirely on the reserve of several 100 1000 spirit stones. The Celestial Python Demon King maintained its siege without launching a full assault, continuously deploying small forces to steadily deplete the spiritual energy of Celestial Ruins Mountain.

If this continues, even if we manage to hold out, the spirit stones consumed would ultimately cripple the prominent families of Border Province.

However, Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) was far too crucial. If they failed to defend it and allowed the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) to march its army into Border Province, the entire region would be exposed to the ravages of demonic beasts. Countless immortals would then become blood-soaked sustenance for these monstrous creatures.

"Providing support is indeed worth considering, but we cannot launch an assault recklessly."

Eldrin spoke with a trace of gravity, "We must first ascertain the true strength of the demonic tribes."

Hearing this, all eyes turned to Xavier. This Eldrin Ancestor had long been confined to Fengyang Trading Post, maintaining consistent contact with Celestial Ruins Mountain.

Xavier nodded and said, "Just 2 days ago, I inquired with Patriarch Jiang about the extent of forces surrounding the Celestial Python Demon King."

"Grand Elder Jiang's implication aligns closely with our initial projections."

"Almost identical." Elder Yang's expression shifted slightly before he spoke, "That makes 20-5 Purple Mansion beasts."

Hearing this, everyone had a rough idea of the situation.

The Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) reigned over a domain spanning hundreds of thousands of miles, commanding 6 tribes of Zifu-level demon beasts: the 6-Winged Golden Butterfly, Azure Flame Fox, Golden-Horned Savage Bull, Thunder Roc, and the Direwolf Clan.

In addition, the Celestial Python Lake (Location) was home to the Celestial Python tribe, and at its peak, the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) commanded over 30 Zifu-level demon beasts.

It was just over 30 years ago when Lyra single-handedly slew both a Purple Palace Demon Roc and a Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss in 1 battle, significantly weakening their forces.

Moreover, over the past 100 years, Lyra (Person Name) had slain 7 or 8 Zifu-level demonic beasts, in addition to those that had succumbed to the exhaustion of their lifespans. As a result, the strength of the Celestial Python Lake (Location) lineage had actually diminished considerably compared to a century ago.

Thus, when the time for battle arrived, after repeated investigations, the cultivators of Border Province concluded that under the command of the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) were 20-5 Purple Mansion realm demon beasts.

At the onset of this beast tide, the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) launched a ferocious assault on the Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) defensive formations. Seizing the opportunity, Lyra (Person Name) utilized a fourth-tier formation to slay 4 Purple Mansion-level demon beasts.

In the battle at Yuyang Market, the group had slain 3. Now, in the clash at Fengyang Trading Post (Location), they had eliminated 5 more. Combined, they had eradicated a total of 12 Purple Mansion demon beasts. This meant the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) likely had only 13 Purple Mansion demon beasts remaining by its side.

"There shouldn't be a dozen or so."

Old Ancestor Yang shook his head and said, "The Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) commands vast territories and resources. He would never leave the Celestial Python Lake (Location) unguarded."

"Otherwise, if some powerful Zi Palace cultivator were to set up a fourth-level killing array in its lair, wouldn't it be left homeless?"

"Thus, at least 5 or 6 Purple Mansion beasts will remain within Celestial Python Lake (Location)."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces lit up with joy.

Xu Daoyuan couldn’t help but beam with joy, yet still remarked, “If so, there should only be 7 or 8 Zifu-level demon beasts remaining by the Celestial Python Demon King’s side.”

"In that case, we could very well coordinate with Patriarch Jiang to strike together and drive them back."

"It's certainly worth a try."

Xavier also nodded, then contemplated for a moment before adding, "With the World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror in our possession, we should first consult with Patriarch Jiang before making any decisions."

With their minds made up, the group proceeded to the spirit pool within Fengyang Trading Post (Location) and activated the World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror (Magic Treasure).

The treasured mirror drew power from the spiritual veins, and arrays of mystical patterns instantly illuminated. Through the haze, 1 could glimpse the vista of another realm.

Across the treasure mirror, a woman opened her eyes, her gaze piercing through.

Xavier gazed at the man and said with a faint smile, "Young Friend Liu, I wonder if Patriarch Jiang is currently present."

The person opposite was none other than Lyra’s disciple, Liu Rumeng. Glancing at the group reflected in the World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror, she rose to her feet and gave a slight nod before speaking.

"Please wait a moment, everyone."

After only a brief moment, Lyra (Person Name) appeared on the other side of the mirror.

She was clad in a snow-white gown, her brows and eyes still carrying an untempered sharpness of killing intent—clearly having just returned from the fray of battle.

Through the World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror (Magic Treasure), his gaze first fell upon Eldrin (Person Name) before he spoke.

"How is the situation?"

During these days, she had been communicating with everyone through the World's-End Sound-Transmission Mirror (Magic Treasure) and knew clearly that today marked the crucial battle in their plan.

Seeing that everyone was unharmed, she surmised that the battle had most likely been won, and so her question now was about the outcome.

After all, repelling the Purple-Spotted Wolf King (Demon Beast) and slaying it were achievements of entirely different magnitudes—the disparity was immense.

"This battle has ended in a resounding victory."

Patriarch Yang began to speak, reporting the spoils of this battle and the contributions of each individual, and also informed Lyra (Person Name) of everyone's intentions.

After hearing this, Lyra (Person Name) also smiled and said, "Since our great victory in this battle, we have already slain 12 Purple Mansion demon beasts. Over half of the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast)'s Purple Mansion demon beasts have been killed or wounded."

"With losses this massive, once word reaches Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), the Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) will most likely withdraw his troops immediately."

"Nevertheless, we must press our advantage. While the Celestial Python Demon King's power is greatly diminished, we should strike again to further weaken their forces. This will significantly reduce the pressure we face from the demon tribes in our next confrontation."

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of frost and decay. A lone figure stood atop a jagged cliff, his black robes whipping violently in the gale. This was Li Ming, a young cultivator who had been stranded in this desolate mountain range for 3 months. "Still at the third level of Qi Refinement," he murmured, a bitter smile touching his lips. His spiritual sense swept across his dantian, where a mere wisp of spiritual energy swirled lazily. "At this rate, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage will take me another 10 years." He reached into his worn spatial pouch, retrieving a small porcelain bottle. Carefully, he poured out its contents—exactly 12 Foundation Building Pills, each gleaming with a soft golden light. They represented his entire savings from the past 5 years of arduous missions and bitter struggles. "12 pills. Only a 30 percent chance of success," he calculated grimly. The odds were not in his favor, but he had no choice. The Inner Sect competition was merely 6 months away, and only Foundation Establishment disciples could participate. The prize—a rare Heaven Grade cultivation technique—was too precious to pass up. Suddenly, his expression sharpened. His spiritual sense had detected something unusual about 5 li to the east—a faint but distinct fluctuation of spiritual energy, accompanied by the scent of blood. Without hesitation, Li Ming leaped from the cliff, his body descending as lightly as a feather. After a dozen breaths, he landed silently behind a large boulder, concealing his presence completely. Before him unfolded a scene of carnage. 3 cultivators in blue robes lay dead in the snow, their blood staining the pure white expanse crimson. Standing over them was a tall man clad in black, holding a sinister-looking blade that pulsed with dark energy—the Soul-Reaping Blade (Magic Treasure). "Fools," the black-clad man sneered, wiping blood from his blade. "Did you really think your paltry 50,000 spirit stones were worth my time? I was after your Core Formation technique all along." Li Ming's breath caught. A Core Formation technique! Such treasures were beyond price, capable of causing widespread slaughter in the cultivation world. The 3 deceased appeared to be disciples from the nearby Blue Cloud Sect, while the murderer... Li Ming recognized the emblem on his robe—the mark of the notorious Blood Demon Cult. Just as Li Ming considered retreating quietly, the black-clad cultivator's head snapped in his direction. "Who's there? Show yourself!" Realizing he had been detected, Li Ming stepped out from behind the boulder, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword—the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure). "A Qi Refination stage ant," the Blood Demon Cult disciple laughed contemptuously. "You've witnessed something you shouldn't have. Consider it your misfortune." He moved with blinding speed, the Soul-Reaping Blade slicing through the air toward Li Ming's throat. The dark energy emanating from the blade seemed to drain the very warmth from the surroundings. But Li Ming had anticipated this. His years of life-and-death battles had honed his instincts to perfection. Instead of retreating, he advanced, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss flashing crimson as it met the dark blade. A deafening clang echoed through the mountain pass as the 2 weapons collided. Spiritual energy erupted from the point of impact, sending shockwaves through the surrounding snow. To the Blood Demon Cult disciple's astonishment, his opponent hadn't been forced back. Instead, Li Ming stood firm, his expression calm and focused. "Impossible!" the cultist exclaimed. "You're merely at the third level of Qi Refinement! How can you match my ninth-level power?" Li Ming didn't bother answering. His sword technique changed, the flaming blade tracing intricate patterns in the air as he unleashed the 9 Revolutions Sword Art (Cultivation Technique). Countless sword shadows materialized, surrounding the cultist from all directions. The battle had truly begun.