Chapter 120 : The Fall of Ink-Wash Ridge

Regrettably, ninety years ago, when the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic, devastating invasion by monstrous beasts] struck, the Wang Immortal Clan was utterly annihilated overnight, and Ink-Wash Ridge was subsequently occupied by Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that have absorbed spiritual energy and gained power].

At that time, the previous sect master of the Green Sun Sect had recently passed away, and the newly ascended leader, Xu the Ancient Ancestor, had only just broken through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core] realm. Coupled with internal strife that had sapped their strength, the Yang Province immortal clans suffered a grievous defeat in that conflict.

The Green Sun Sect lost two of its Purple Mansion Ancestor [powerful cultivators of the second major realm, where one opens a spiritual palace within the dantian], and several Purple Mansion Ancestor from the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan [clans led by a Purple Mansion realm cultivator] across Qing and Yang Provinces also perished. In the end, they only managed to repel the assault from Earth Lion Ridge by relying on the Spirit Vein [a natural geological formation that concentrates and emits spiritual energy] beneath Scorched Sun Mountain.

Although they repelled the Demonic Tribe [organized groups of intelligent demonic beasts]'s offensive, the price was exceedingly steep. The lands west of the Scorching Sun Mountain Range, spanning over twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], including the Ronan Mountains, were seized by Demonic Beast. The Wang Immortal Clan, situated too close to the borders of the Demonic Beast territories, met a tragic and inevitable fate of complete subjugation.

The entire Wang Immortal Clan was nearly wiped out, with hundreds of thousands of mortals and cultivators perishing. Ink-Wash Ridge, with its Second Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a high-quality spirit vein suitable for Foundation Establishment realm cultivation], has since become a lair for a Demonic Beast Tribe.

"Although the Wang Clan was destroyed, high-level Demonic Beast possess considerable intelligence. They likely did not destroy the Spirit Medicine Garden [a garden specifically cultivated to grow spiritual herbs]. The Spirit Medicine [plants infused with spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation] planted on Ink-Wash Ridge are probably still there."

"Therefore, with the Spirit Medicine Garden on Ink-Wash Ridge left untended and unharvested for a century, even if many Spirit Medicine have withered, a significant number must certainly remain."

Varen Wei paused briefly before continuing, "Among them, there will undoubtedly be Verdant Origin Ganoderma [a specific type of spiritual fungus], and their medicinal potency should have reached full maturity by now."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply as he cast a measured glance at Varen Wei.

"What are you implying?" Experience the full epic at https://audio-novel.com.

"I will not conceal the truth from you," Varen Wei nodded, speaking bluntly. "The Demonic Beast Tribe on Ink-Wash Ridge is not weak. Therefore, I wish to invite you to join me in a covert strike."

"This old man has broken through to the Purple Mansion [a profound cultivation stage beyond Foundation Establishment] once before. My True Essence [the refined spiritual energy of a cultivator] is thirty percent more potent than that of a Foundation Establishment, Peak Stage cultivator. I believe my strength is sufficient to handle two or three Foundation Establishment, Late Stage opponents."

"I have also heard of your prowess, which I fear is in no way inferior to my own. If the two of us join forces, even against a formidable Second Rank Demonic Beast [a powerful monster equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator] tribe, we would have ample room to maneuver, advancing or retreating as we please."

"Should we inadvertently provoke a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [a monstrous beast of immense power, equivalent to a Purple Mansion cultivator], together we would still have a fair chance of escaping with our lives."

After listening, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment and concluded the venture was indeed feasible.

With the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss [a powerful enchanted sword] and the Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword [a sword imbued with thunder and flame] in his possession, he was not entirely defenseless against a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast. Even if truly pursued by such a creature, he could rely on the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat [a magical vessel renowned for its speed and defensive capabilities] to make his escape.

Nevertheless, he inquired, "Would it be just the two of us on this journey?"

"Of course," Varen Wei nodded, his expression grave. "After all, it is Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that cultivate and possess spiritual power] territory. That Ink-Wash Ridge lies a mere few ten-thousand Li-lengths [a Li-length equals five hundred meters] from where a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast resides."

"Without cultivation at the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage level, anyone venturing recklessly into its depths would find it difficult to return alive."

"With just the two of us, we can move like the wind—strike swiftly and retreat immediately. That approach offers greater certainty of success."

"Very well, I agree to this matter."

Eldrin Chen felt reassured and accepted the proposal.

They wasted no time. Once the Barter Convention concluded, the two of them departed from the market.

However, before leaving, Eldrin Chen purchased five or six Second Rank low to middle-grade magical tools. Altogether, they cost over eight thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. This was nearly enough to fully equip Caleb, Silas, and Kael Chen with their respective magical tools.

After bidding farewell to the Scorching Sun Market, the two of them journeyed across the Scorched Sun Mountain Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] and entered the depths of the Demonic Tribe Territory.

Yet, at that very moment, twenty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away from the Scorching Sun Market, two figures stood amidst a scene of devastation.

The cultivator surnamed Yan gazed at the battle-scarred ground beneath his feet, its surface crisscrossed with fissures. He let out a breath tinged with lingering fear and could not help but remark.

"The Zhang Clan truly possesses some formidable methods."

"Hmph!"

Not far away, Wei Mingyuan's expression was grim. He let out a cold snort and said, "Three Second Rank High Grade Magical Tools [enchanted artifacts of significant power], one Sunflower Water Divine Thunder Pearl [a treasure pearl imbued with the power of Sunflower Water Divine Thunder], and two Second Rank High Grade Treasure Talismans [powerful single-use enchanted scrolls]. What a costly expenditure just to deal with a single Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"Had I not brought the Green Sun True Flame Talisman [a powerful talisman that unleashes the concentrated true flame of the Green Sun], I might not have been able to subdue them."

As he spoke, he retrieved a Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for storing items] from among the remains on the ground and took out the Li Fire Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with the essence of Separated Flame].

Seeing the Li Fire Crystal secured, Wei Mingyuan's face lit up with ecstasy. "With this treasure, my hope of breaking through to the Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within the dantian] is within reach. It was worth expending the Green Sun True Flame Talisman."

"It is indeed a cause for celebration that you have obtained the Li Fire Crystal, Senior Brother," said the cultivator surnamed Yan. Yet, a trace of unease colored his voice. "However, two members of the Zhang Clan [a prominent cultivation clan] managed to escape. I fear there may be repercussions."

Wei Mingyuan's eyes narrowed slightly at these words, a cold glint within them. "The old dog from the Zhang Clan at the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer [the peak of the second major cultivation realm] perished beneath the Green Sun True Flame Talisman. The remaining two are of no consequence."

"My concern is that they might lodge a formal complaint against us," Severus hesitated, his voice laced with worry. "After all, our magical tools and divine abilities are too distinctive. They could not have failed to recognize them." Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel.com.

"What is there to fear?"

Wei Mingyuan sneered, his gaze sharp with murderous intent. "If they dare come to the Green Sun Sect [a major orthodox cultivation sect] to accuse us, I have more than enough means to ensure they never set foot alive within the sect's gates."

"Furthermore," he continued, "once my meridians recover in a few years, I will attempt my breakthrough to the Purple Mansion. When that day comes, our lineage will boast two Purple Mansion cultivators. Who would dare challenge us then?"

"I am pressed for time. First, I will eliminate that whelp from the Chen Clan [a cultivation clan] to avenge Zuo Yuannian. Then, I shall return to Green Sun Mountain [the sacred mountain and headquarters of the Green Sun Sect] to enter seclusion."

It is said that Eldrin Chen and Varen Wei crossed the Eight-Thousand-Mile Scorching Sun Mountain Range and stealthily flew into the Demonic Tribe Territory. They flew for three days before finally reaching the Edge of the Ink-Wash Ridge [the borderlands of the Ink-Wash Ridge].

"Be cautious. We are now deep within what counts as the heartland of the Demonic Tribe."

Standing before the mountain range, Varen Wei wore an expression of deep solemnity.

Eldrin Chen also felt a measure of gravity. This Ink-Wash Ridge, with its Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy], was now occupied by the Golden Python Monkey [a simian demonic beast tribe known for its serpentine strength and golden fur] tribe, whose strength was by no means insignificant.

The two men scouted the area discreetly and discovered that this Golden Python Monkey tribe numbered around three thousand strong, all of them formidable First Rank Demonic Beast [demonic beasts equivalent to Qi Refinement cultivators]. There were over a dozen Second Rank Golden Python Monkey [demonic beasts equivalent to Foundation Establishment cultivators], and even three that had reached the Foundation Establishment, Late Stage.

"If it were only the Golden Python Monkey tribe, you and I could handle them with our combined strength,"

Varen Wei said, his gaze growing even more intense. "But this Demonic Tribe territory is merely twenty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the Third Rank Spirit Vein at Verdant Mastiff Mountain. A Purple Mansion Demonic Tribe [a tribe led by a demonic beast of Purple Mansion realm strength] could reach here in a single day's travel."

"If we cannot conquer this place within one day, I fear our only option will be to flee for our lives."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "We can come and go freely by flying sword. The first rank Golden Python Monkey pose little threat. It is the dozen or so Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast we must be wary of."

"If we can rout the Golden Python Monkey, we can naturally harvest all the Spirit Medicine [plants imbued with spiritual energy, used in alchemy] from the Ink-Wash Ridge. If we cannot defeat them swiftly, then we must seize whatever we can and retreat."

After deliberating, the two decided to launch a night raid. If they could catch the Demonic Beast off guard and slay a few of the Second Rank Golden Python Monkey in a surprise attack, it would significantly increase their chances of victory.

Under the cover of night, they stealthily infiltrated the Ink-Wash Ridge. With the sudden ring of a sword, Eldrin Chen struck first, unleashing the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss to slay one of the Second Rank Golden Python Monkey.

Varen Wei reacted with equal swiftness. He summoned a Second Rank High Grade Sword Pill, transforming it into a White Metallic Essence Sword Radiance that descended like judgment, cutting down another Golden Python Monkey in a single clash.

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