Chapter 95 : Conquest of the Supple Wood Vein

"This Supple Wood Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the vital energy of wood], is quite good."

After storing the Supple Wood Essence, Eldrin Chen had a thought flash through his mind.

The Supple Wood Essence was a first-rank treasure [a valuable item of the lowest cultivation tier]. It could be used to refine first-rank high-grade magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], or as an ingredient in alchemy. It could indeed be considered a fine treasure.

As soon as the group entered the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a subterranean spiritual vein rich in wood energy], they swiftly exterminated all the Supple Wood Demon Race [demonic creatures born from and attuned to wood-element spiritual energy] in the immediate vicinity.

Watching the others gather their spoils, Elara Lin cautioned, "Everyone, stay vigilant. This Supple Wood Earth Vein has never been exploited before. The accumulated numbers of the Demon Race [a collective term for monstrous, often malevolent, spiritual beings] here are likely substantial."

Seizing the moment before the Supple Wood Demon Race could fully mobilize, the cultivators all took action, striving to slay as many of the Supple Wood Demon Race as possible.

Eldrin Chen rode forth on his Solar Fire Ascension Sword [a flying sword imbued with the power of the sun and flame], cutting a path alongside the main force as they slaughtered the Supple Wood Demon Race. He channeled his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a sword technique that harnesses solar fire energy] into his attacks, his offensive power not the least bit inferior to that of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced phase of the second major cultivation realm] cultivator.

In fact, leveraging the elemental advantage of his cultivation art and his Immortal Sword [a general term for a cultivator's primary flying sword, a symbol of their martial path], he found it even easier to dispatch these Supple Wood Demon Race than an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator would.

In the brief span of half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], he consecutively slew members of the Supple Wood Demon Race, even felling several Second Rank [demonic creatures equivalent in power to the Foundation Establishment realm] Supple Wood Demon Race. His performance was nothing short of spectacular.

After roughly the time it takes for a large cup of tea to cool, the group had successively slain between sixty and seventy Second Rank Supple Wood Demon Race. Only then did the Demon Race within the Supple Wood Earth Vein finally begin to react in force. Support the author by reading on audi0-n0vel.c0m.

High-ranking members of the Supple Wood Demon Race [a race of plant-based demons with wood-aligned powers] had issued orders, causing the vast majority of their kind to begin withdrawing and fortifying themselves within the core of the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a spiritual land vein rich in supple wood essence].

"It seems we are still in for a protracted battle," Eldrin Chen remarked.

With a single sword stroke, he cleaved through a Second Rank [equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage] Supple Wood Demon Race. As he collected the small clump of Supple Wood Elite Essence [a refined spiritual essence extracted from high-rank Supple Wood Demons] that fell, he shook his head with a sigh of resignation.

The Supple Wood Elite Essence was a precious material for alchemy and artifact forging. This single clump before him was worth over a thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. In this engagement, he had slain four or five Second Rank demons, and the Supple Wood Elite Essence he had gathered was already valued at four to five thousand Spirit Stones.

Unfortunately, the Supple Wood Demon Race had now rallied. The Yao tribes [a general term for demonic or monstrous races] proficient in the Supple Wood [a wood-element divine ability] had all converged. From here on out, claiming further kills would likely require a bitter and hard-fought struggle.

"Let us move out," she declared.

After allowing the group to rest and recuperate, and confirming there were no casualties, Exquisite Jiang led them flying towards the heart of the Supple Wood Earth Vein.

They flew for over two hundred Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] before finally halting before a towering mountain range.

"Master, the Second Rank Supple Wood Demon Race likely number over a hundred," Elara Lin observed, gazing at the mountains before them, her voice hushed. "Moreover, there are two Supple Wood Demon Race at the Violet Sanctum Realm [the third major cultivation realm] among them."

Elara Lin looked upon the mountain range before them and could not help but speak in a low voice.

The Supple Wood Demon Race had dwelled within this Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth energy] for untold ages. By gathering the power of Supple Wood [a life-giving, flexible wood-elemental energy], their cultivation had advanced to formidable heights over the long eons.

This was especially true for the two strongest Third Rank Supple Wood Demon Race. Born from the essence of Supple Wood, their power in the outside world would be equivalent to ordinary Third Rank demonic beasts.

However, within this Supple Wood Earth Vein, amplified by the abundant Supple Wood energy, their combat prowess was elevated by nearly half a realm.

Exquisite Jiang gazed at the mountain peak, a faint, shimmering light flickering in her eyes. After a long moment, she spoke, "The Demon King [the ruler of a demon horde] of these Supple Wood Demon Race is one of their kind at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage."

"Violet Sanctum Late Stage?"

Elara Lin's expression turned grave. A Third Rank Superior Grade Supple Wood Demon Race, its power boosted by half a realm within this Supple Wood Earth Vein... wouldn't that make it nearly equivalent to a Fourth Rank Demon Race?

"Fear not," Exquisite Jiang replied, her composure unshaken, her voice brimming with confidence. "Leave the Supple Wood Demon King to me. You need only hold off the other Demon Race for half a shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours]. That should be enough time for me to conclude the battle."

"It seems that is our only course,"

Elara Lin agreed with a nod. She then rallied the group to advance upon the Supple Wood mountain range before them.

Heeding the command, the cultivators surged forward as one, launching their assault up the mountain slopes.

Although the Supple Wood Demon Race were numerous, the Demon Race generally possessed low intelligence before reaching the Third Rank. Most lacked even basic , so their combat power naturally fell short of the Human Race.

The Supple Wood Demon Race were born from the essence of Supple Wood [the Wood Element's vital energy]. They did not even possess an Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of a demon beast], making them several times weaker than ordinary demon beasts of the same rank.

If this battle were taking place elsewhere, even if the number of Supple Wood Demon Race was double that of the Human Race Foundation Establishment cultivators, they might not necessarily overcome the group.

But here, within the Supple Wood Earth Vein [a geographical formation rich in Wood Element spiritual energy], these Second Rank Demon Race were supported by an abundance of Supple Wood essence. Their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner] seemed nearly inexhaustible. Coupled with the coordinated attacks from a multitude of First Rank Supple Wood Demon Race, the human cultivators found themselves severely constrained in the fight.

"Cleave!"

Amidst the chaotic melee, Eldrin Chen let out a resonant cry. With a metallic *shing*, he summoned forth his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and beheaded a Second Rank Low-Grade Supple Wood Demon Race. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel-dot-com.

Before he could catch his breath, a stream of radiant light shot towards him, launched by another Supple Wood Demon Race of a deep verdant hue.

He glanced at it, his eyes narrowing slightly. This Supple Wood Spirit [a spirit entity born of Wood Element energy] possessed cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Bolstered by the Earth Vein, its True Essence potency approached the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage.

A Supple Wood Demon Race of such cultivation, even if only employing its innate magical techniques, was a force not to be underestimated.

Eldrin Chen activated his Ninefold Resonance Bell, its protective chime forming a barrier that intercepted the Supple Wood spell. In the same motion, he sent his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword slicing through the air towards his foe.

The Supple Wood Spirit [a spirit born from ancient wood, possessing plant-like attributes] refused to yield, continuously channeling its True Essence [the refined life force cultivated by practitioners] to unleash several spells, engaging Eldrin Chen in a fierce magical duel.

Although this Supple Wood Spirit possessed a vast reservoir of True Essence, it ultimately lacked a proper magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] and formidable divine abilities. After dozens of exchanges, it inevitably began to lose ground against Eldrin Chen.

After thirty exchanges, Eldrin Chen seized an opening. He activated the Violet Light Mirror, directing its beam towards the creature. The mirror's radiance was specially potent against magical treasure shields and True Essence barriers. In an instant, it shattered the Supple Wood Spirit's protective aura and caused a slight stagnation within the beast's internal energy flow.

"Hmm."

A clear sword hum resonated. Capitalizing on the moment, Eldrin Chen commanded the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to strike, cleaving the Supple Wood Spirit cleanly in two.

No sooner had he slain this Supple Wood Spirit than he realized the broader situation was turning grim. In the distant sky, Tea Rose Su was being relentlessly pushed back under the assault of another Supple Wood Spirit.

Her opponent was an aberrant Supple Wood Spirit. This creature already had one foot across the threshold into the third rank and, astonishingly, wielded several Second Rank High-Grade magical treasure.

"That Supple Wood Demon Race [a race of plant-based demons] possesses Extraordinary intelligence. It seems on the verge of a breakthrough to the Violet Sanctum [a major cultivation stage where the practitioner opens a mystical palace within their dantian]," Eldrin Chen observed, his gaze sharpening.

With a single glance, Eldrin Chen assessed the threat. The Supple Wood Demon Race was formidably strong. Leveraging its magical treasure and the seemingly inexhaustible power drawn from the surrounding Supple Wood [a divine ability related to flexible, resilient wood], it was overwhelming Tea Rose Su, who was at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment [the stage where a cultivator solidifies their foundation for future advancement].

This was the home ground of the Supple Wood Demon Race. If the battle dragged on until Tea Rose Su's True Essence was depleted, the outcome would be dire.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen acted decisively. He summoned forth the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and sent it cleaving towards Tea Rose Su's opponent.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword was a Primordial Solar Immortal Sword [a divine blade imbued with the essence of the primordial sun], a natural bane to all demons and fiends under heaven, and particularly lethal to the Supple Wood Spirit. Transforming into a sword radiance six Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] long, its sheer presence and aura were no less imposing than a Second Rank Upper-Grade Immortal Sword [a top-tier immortal weapon of the second rank], its momentum truly vast and majestic.

Seeing the extraordinarily Extraordinary azure sword radiance descending upon it, the Supple Wood Spirit dared not be negligent. It immediately channeled its Supple Wood Divine Light [a divine radiance of supple wood], directing the beam towards the attacking sword.

The Supple Wood Divine Light was an innate divine ability of the Supple Wood Demon Race [a race of plant-based demons], typically only mastered by third-rank Supple Wood Spirit. While its offensive power was not overwhelming, it possessed the unique property of immobilizing flying swords and magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators].

The fact that this Supple Wood Spirit had cultivated such an ability was a clear indication it was on the very cusp of breaking through to the third rank.

Now, with this divine ability unleashed and powered by the demonic spirit's True Essence [the refined, foundational energy of a cultivator], it manifested as a verdant beam of light that swept down and ensnared the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, binding it tightly and preventing its immediate escape. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel . com.