Chapter 107 Preparing to Hunt Monsters, Resolved to Gamble

"The strength of a Purple Mansion beast is truly terrifying. We may not be able to subdue it."

The old clan leader pondered for a moment before cautiously replying, "Alone, you stand little chance against the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast). Your mission should focus on reconnaissance—prioritize caution above all else."

"If you encounter the demonic roc, do not engage. Wait until we return to the clan to discuss our strategy."

"Good."

Eldrin nodded in acknowledgment and soared away from Pingyang City on his sword. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss traveled 30 1000 miles a day, and Eldrin had already entered the 100-1000-mile Great Wilderness after merely 2 days of flight, beginning his search for the Purple Palace Demon Roc.

The search lasted for over 3 months, yet the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast) vanished like a stone sinking into the ocean, disappearing within the vast wilderness spanning tens of thousands of miles. Despite the relentless efforts of dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators from Border Province and Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), not a single trace of the demonic creature could be uncovered.

"Could it be that the demonic roc has already escaped the 100,000-li Great Wilderness?"

Eldrin felt a trace of disappointment in his heart. High-level demonic beasts had become exceedingly difficult to slay, as their combat prowess and escape techniques were remarkably formidable.

Chapter 1 The Purple Palace, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) demon roc could traverse 20 to 30 1000 li in a single day. Escaping this mere 100-1000-li expanse of wilderness would require but a few days' effort. With 3 months having passed, the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast) could have fled this place countless times over.

As time dragged on, the crowd grew increasingly disappointed, realizing it was likely impossible to locate the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast). Thus, most major immortal clans of Bianzhou had no choice but to reluctantly abandon the search.

"What a pity, such a heaven-sent opportunity was missed just like that."

Unable to locate Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast), Eldrin (Person Name) prepared to ride his sword toward Yu County when suddenly his sword light wavered slightly, pausing mid-air.

"Judging by this location, we're not far from the cave abode left behind by Elder Yang."

"Over 20-some years have passed. With our clan's power greatly strengthened now, perhaps we can dispatch personnel to seize that spirit vein."

With this thought in mind, Eldrin rode his flying sword toward Yang Yuanqing's cave abode.

After all, that cave abode was situated upon a second-grade spirit vein. If we were to set up formation arrays and station 1 or 2 Qi Refinement, Late Stage cultivators to develop spirit fields there, it might very well bring our clan another substantial stream of revenue.

After flying approximately several 1000 li, his eyes flickered with caution. He descended on his sword glare early, landing while still over a 100 li away.

Continuing his leisurely stroll for about a dozen miles, he slightly furrowed his brow, sensing something amiss. Low-level demonic beasts were hardly uncommon within the 100-1000-mile expanse of the Great Wilderness, yet not a single 1 appeared here—truly defying all logic.

"Could it be..."

Eldrin's gaze flickered with a trace of shock. He immediately concealed his aura and advanced cautiously, finally halting his steps a full 20 miles away from the ancient cultivator's abode.

"Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast), so this is where you've been hiding."

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he fixed his gaze intently on that ancient cultivator's abode.

Eldrin did not approach any closer to observe, for an Early Stage Purple Palace realm demonic beast's spiritual sense could envelop an area of 10 li around itself. Were he to step within that 10-li radius, he would undoubtedly be detected by the Purple Palace demonic beast. Yet even so, this distance was more than sufficient.

The Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast) should currently be recuperating within its cave abode by drawing upon the spiritual spring. Its injuries were far more severe than anticipated—so grave that it could no longer completely conceal its aura.

For at least 20-some li in every direction, faint traces of its aura had dispersed, driving away all low-level demonic beasts in fright.

"The Zifu realm demonic beast is terrifyingly powerful. Let's return and make thorough preparations before coming back to slay it."

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Eldrin quietly retreated over a 100 miles away before soaring back to Pingyang City on his sword. Upon returning, he immediately reported the situation to the Old Clan Leader.

The old clan leader was utterly exhilarated. Without delay, he summoned Lior (Person Name) and Chen Seraphina (Person Name), informing them of the news regarding the demonic roc. He then declared:

"Rather than secretly fleeing, it chose to remain deep within the 100-1000-Mile Untamed Wilds to heal its wounds. This suggests the Demon Peng's injuries must be critically severe—otherwise, it would never dare linger in these treacherous lands."

"For our Chen Family, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. Even if it requires paying a considerable price, we must slay that Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast)."

Chen Seraphina (Person Name) was also visibly excited, her face flushing crimson as she asked, "Granduncle, how do you plan to deal with that Thunder Roc?"

The old clan leader calculated for a moment, then stroked his beard and said, "Thanks to the spiritual peaches from Eldrin (Person Name), I broke through to the ninth layer of Foundation Building last year."

"Now, with the aid of the Blazing Soul Incineration Array and my full arsenal of magical treasures and abilities, my strength should be comparable to nearly half a First-Level Violet Mansion cultivator. With the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss in hand, Eldrin's power is undoubtedly on par with my own."

"That Thunderstorm Roc is only at the first level of the Zi Mansion, and likely lacks any decent artifacts. Now that it's severely wounded, in theory, the 2 of us joining forces should give us a 60 percent chance of victory."

"However, to guard against any unforeseen circumstances, we must exert ourselves to the utmost."

He paused in contemplation for a moment before continuing, "Very well. Over the years, our clan has forged 3 sets of Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation Banners. I shall refine and merge them into a single set—the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Formation."

"When the time comes, Lior (Person Name) and Seraphina (Person Name), both of you at Foundation Establishment realm, shall jointly anchor the formation. With a dozen or so Qi Refining, Ninth Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators assisting, the combined power unleashed should rival that of 2 or 3 Foundation Establishment, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) experts."

No sooner said than done. That very night, Eldrin and the old clan leader urgently forged the formation flags together.

Fortunately, the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Formation was originally modeled after the Blazing Sun Divine Fire Formation, so modifying it now wasn't overly difficult.

The 2 of them reforged the 18 Fire Banners as crucial secondary array eyes, then retrieved 2 mid-grade, second-tier magical instruments to serve as key array tools.

The 2 second-grade array artifacts were the Green Ape Pearl (Magic Treasure) and the Heart-Lock Barrier Breaker. The Green Ape Pearl (Magic Treasure) was a magical instrument that Eldrin (Person Name) had phased out of use.

Eldrin now possessed 4 second-tier, high-grade magical instruments. These artifacts were of limited use to him, so he was better off employing them as formation tools.

The Barrier-Breaking Heart-Lock Spike was Lin Baixi's renowned magic treasure, considered a premium piece among second-tier, medium-grade artifacts. After its owner was slain by Eldrin (Person Name), this treasure fell into the hands of the Chen Family.

To adapt this treasure to the Li Fire Soul Incineration Array, the Old Patriarch spared no effort in sacrificing its lifespan. Within a mere half day, he infused it with vast amounts of Li Fire energy, transforming it into the Li Fire Lockheart Spike.

After transforming into the Li Fire Lockheart Spike, this magical treasure could now serve as the slaughter array tool for the Li Fire Soul Incineration Array, its power having intensified yet another degree.

However, due to the violent fusion of the 5 Elements essence, which compressed half a month's work into merely half a day, the material of these Li Fire Lockheart Spikes (Magic Treasure) had been damaged. Henceforth, they could only be activated 10 times.

Once activated 10 times, this treasure would be unable to withstand the formation's power and shatter into a pile of fragments.

However, for everyone present, as long as they could slay the Purple Palace Demon Roc (Demon Beast), losing a single mid-grade tier-2 magical instrument was hardly unacceptable—even sacrificing several top-grade tier-2 instruments would be considered worthwhile.

After refining the magical artifact, Lior urgently gathered 18 cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. Without alerting anyone, they quietly departed from Verdant Chariot Mountain with the entire group.

Chapter 1 The biting mountain wind swept across the cliffside, carrying with it the scent of decayed leaves and damp earth. Lin Xuan stood at the precipice, his white robes fluttering like a lone crane ready to take flight. 1 100 years had passed since he first set foot on the path of cultivation, yet the memory remained vivid in his mind. "Senior Brother Lin, the Sect Leader summons you to the Grand Hall," a young disciple called out, his voice barely a whisper against the howling wind. Lin Xuan nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on the distant peaks shrouded in mist. He had been in seclusion for 3 years, breaking through to the seventh layer of the Eternal Frost Art. The spiritual energy within his dantian now flowed like a mighty river, powerful and relentless. Upon entering the Grand Hall, Elder Mingzhen's voice echoed with authority. "The Demon Faction grows bolder by the day. We've received word they're gathering at the Serpent's Pass." Lin Xuan's expression remained placid. "How many are we facing?" "Over a 100 demonic cultivators," Elder Mingzhen replied, his fingers tracing the carved dragon on his armrest. "But their leader has reached the late stage of Golden Core Realm." A murmur swept through the hall. Lin Xuan merely smiled. "Then I shall take the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. It has been 20-some years since it last tasted demonic blood." The elder's eyes gleamed with approval. "Take 32,000 spirit stones from the treasury and 3 bottles of Soul Nourishing Pills. This mission will require your utmost strength." As Lin Xuan bowed and turned to leave, a junior disciple rushed forward. "Senior Brother, I've prepared the Wind Chasing Boots and a dozen or so Teleportation Talismans for your journey." Night had fallen when Lin Xuan reached the outskirts of the Serpent's Pass. The moonlight cast an ethereal glow upon the twisted trees, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. He could feel the demonic energy thick in the air, suffocating and cold. Suddenly, dark figures emerged from the shadows. "The illustrious Lin Xuan," a voice dripping with malice spoke. "We've been waiting for you." Without a word, Lin Xuan unsheathed the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. The blade erupted in crimson flames, illuminating the darkness with its fiery glow. Spiritual energy surged around him, causing the very air to tremble. The demonic cultivators charged simultaneously, their dark artifacts spewing poisonous mist. Lin Xuan's movements were a blur—each swing of his sword released waves of pure yang energy that disintegrated the demonic fog. The ground cracked beneath their feet, and trees splintered from the shockwaves of colliding powers. "Frost Moon Descends!" Lin Xuan shouted, and the temperature plummeted. Countless ice crystals formed in the air, sharp as daggers, and shot toward his enemies. The lead demonic cultivator barely managed to raise his black banner in defense, but the ice shattered it to pieces. "You... you've reached the Great Perfection stage!" the demon screamed in disbelief. Lin Xuan's eyes held the calm of countless battles fought over thousands of years. "This ends now." A brilliant light erupted from his sword, piercing through the darkness like a falling star. When it faded, only silence remained. Breathing steadily, Lin Xuan sheathed his sword. The demonic energy had dissipated, replaced by the pure spiritual energy of the natural world. He looked up at the moon, its silver light bathing the cleansed battlefield. The path of cultivation was long and fraught with peril, but he would continue forward, step by step, toward the pinnacle that few had ever reached.