Chapter 44 Fated Rivals, Fierce Battle

Chen Qingmu was a senior cultivator of the Qing generation. At 70-6 years of age, he was nearly as old as the Grand Elder himself. Yet, he had only broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement 2 years prior, thus failing to qualify as a family elder. Instead, he was granted the title of Clan Elder.

Chen Changming was 1 of the few remaining cultivators of the Chang generation. When he broke through to the 9th level of Qi Refinement 5 years ago, he was already 90-4 years of age. Considering the hardships of travel, he had not been taken along during the trip to the Sunpeak Sect back then.

The clan had no choice but to summon this 90-9-year-old elder from seclusion, as they were critically short of hands to activate the Sunfire Banner of Solar Blaze.

Chen Nian Yong was the most accomplished cultivator of the Nian generation after Eldrin (Person Name). 2 years senior even to Fifth Elder Chen Qing Wan, he had barely broken through to the ninth layer of Qi Refinement at the age of 50-9.

This was only possible because the clan lacked a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator. Eldrin specifically took out 20 spirit peaches and several Qi Gathering Pills, essentially forcing growth, to help him break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining just before the month's deadline.

In recent years, the clan had suspended stipend distributions and even borrowed spirit stones from its members, resulting in sluggish cultivation progress among its practitioners. Excluding the Grand Elder and the still-recuperating Second Elder, managing to gather 6 cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining was now considered quite remarkable.

"Not bad. We can at least gather 6 cultivators at the 9th level of Qi Refinement to activate the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Array."

The old clan leader revealed a faint smile. With the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Array, it was equivalent to gaining an additional Foundation Establishment, Early Stage cultivator, increasing their chances of victory by another 30 percent.

"Since preparations are complete, it's time to depart."

This trip to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) involved far fewer personnel than in previous years. However, aside from the old clan leader and Eldrin (Person Name), all 6 of the Chen Family's cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining who could be mobilized had been dispatched. In a way, this could be considered an all-out deployment of their forces.

However, the number of people in the caravan this time far exceeded that. Nearly a 100 cultivators from various remaining prefectures had hitched a ride with the Chen Family, hoping to traverse the perilous 100-1000-li barren wilderness alongside the merchant convoy.

Without the cultivation of Qi Refinement, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), attempting to reach Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) alone would likely entail grave perils. Thus, it became customary to journey alongside the merchant caravans of the 6 great Foundation Establishment immortal clans headed for Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).

For the family, each cultivator who hitched a ride would pay 1 spirit stone. This not only provided an additional source of income but also enhanced the caravan’s deterrent presence, so they naturally agreed with pleasure.

The caravan journeyed onward, and in the blink of an eye, over 3 months had passed. They had traveled a staggering distance of 70,000 to 80,000 li.

The sky was as clear as if freshly washed on this day.

Amidst the vast wilderness overgrown with wild grasses, a merchant caravan of about a 100 people was resting on the plains.

At the center of the caravan, the cultivators of the Chen family gathered together. Chen Nianyong gazed at the vast expanse of the desolate plains before him and couldn't help murmuring in a low voice.

Beyond this wasteland, just another 20 1000 li and they would reach the Celestial Ruins Mountain.

"Could it be that we guessed wrong? Perhaps those few simply don't dare to show up?"

Eldrin smiled faintly and declared with unwavering certainty, "Rest assured, they will be even more anxious than we are."

"Look, aren't they coming?"

No sooner had his words faded than several figures soared into view from the distant horizon.

The Old Clan Leader rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the distant figures. "2 Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zuo Family, Lin Taihe, and the Zhang Devil... Wait, there's 1 more."

His gaze sharpened as he noticed that among those individuals stood a burly, unfamiliar black-robed cultivator whose aura far surpassed the other 4.

At this thought, he immediately whispered to Eldrin, "Judging by that man's aura, he's likely a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage demonic cultivator. Let me handle him. Conceal your presence for now and strike when the time is right."

"Good."

A grave expression crossed Eldrin's (Person Name) face. The emergence of a Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) demonic cultivator had abruptly introduced unforeseen variables into this battle.

Just then, those few figures flew over, with Elder Zhang the Demon bellowing from afar.

"Old fool of the Chen family, come forth and meet your doom!"

"Defeated remnant, how dare you act so insolent!"

Chen Changxuan let out a cold sneer and soared into the air. With a sweep of his sleeve, he summoned a fiery dragon that charged toward Old Demon Zhang, claws bared and fangs gleaming.

This Fire Dragon Art was a mid-grade second-tier spell, and when executed with the old patriarch's cultivation base, its power could be considered remarkably formidable.

That Old Demon’s demonic treasures were all destroyed back then, and now he only had a single Second-Rank, Lower-Grade Demon Banner in his hand. It was utterly incapable of withstanding the Old Patriarch’s strike, and he was sent flying backward from the impact.

"Insolent."

Before the old clan leader could press his advantage, several others closed in. The Elder Hong, a cultivator at the 8th level of Foundation Building with profound mastery, summoned a Black Blood Shroud(Poisonous Artifact) to envelop him.

The moment the crowd laid eyes on this treasure, their expressions shifted. The Black Blood Toadstool Sack was an exceptionally vicious demonic artifact.

The crafting method of this treasure is exceedingly cruel, requiring the capture of 66,000 mortals to be infected and slain through plague arts. Their hair is then gathered to weave into a demonic artifact, which must be refined day and night with pestilential black blood for 20-7 days to complete.

Once refined, this treasure's power was exceptionally sinister, as it specialized in defiling others' magical artifacts and true essence.

Even a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), if caught directly beneath it, would have both their true essence and magical treasures corrupted, ultimately dissolving into putrid blood and meeting their demise.

"Death to the demons!"

The moment he laid eyes on this treasure, the old clan leader’s fury blazed. Without a second thought for holding back, he immediately unleashed the Li Fire Soul Incineration Array.

7 formation flags shot out from within him, swirling into the constellation of the Big Dipper that enveloped hundreds of zhang of sky. Surging Li Fire swept across the heavens.

This pure Yang Li Fire was most effective in suppressing demonic cultivators. As the Black Blood Shroud was scorched by the Li Fire, a series of crackling sounds erupted, and streams of foul black blood seeped out, only to be instantly incinerated into wisps of blue smoke.

"My treasure."

Seeing the demonic treasure damaged, Elder Hong was heartbroken. He swiftly activated the Black Blood Pouch (Magic Treasure), attempting to recall it.

But Chen Changxuan would not tolerate his insolence. He activated the Li Fire Soul-Burning Array, ensnaring the Black Blood Canopy within its grasp. The vast Li flames coiled around the treasure and scorched it, reducing it to ashes in an instant.

Array Flag Magic Treasure.

Zuo Mingxu drew a sharp breath. The Li Fire Banner of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) had achieved success with its very first strike, obliterating a second-grade, superior-tier demonic treasure.

At this moment, a sliver of fear had already taken root in his heart. Yet having come this far, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and press onward.

"Fellow cultivators, do not retreat."

"That old scoundrel must be eliminated today, or he will become a great calamity in the future."

Zuo Mingxu let out a loud shout, channeling his energy into a ritual implement that shot forth like a bolt of lightning—its lethal edge aimed directly between Chen Changxuan’s brows.

At the same time, the others also gritted their teeth and activated their magical tools and spells, launching a chaotic barrage of attacks.

Chen Changxuan’s eyes narrowed sharply. He recalled the Li Fire Incineration Array, transforming it into a formation banner that enveloped the surroundings. Surging li flames roiled relentlessly, blocking the assailants’ successive assaults with an almost impervious aura, as if defying all techniques.

The old clan leader fought 1 against 5, yet did not falter in the slightest, holding them at bay despite their prolonged assault.

At the same time, the Chen Clan members were no idle bystanders either. The Third Elder and others activated the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Banner, unleashing towering flames to assault Zuo Zhouqi—the weakest among the 5 adversaries.

This formation possessed extraordinary power. Even Zuo Zhouqi (Person Name) had no choice but to cautiously engage it, finding himself locked in an intricate struggle against its unyielding force.