Chapter 120 : The Fall of the Ink-Splashing Ridge

Regrettably, ninety years ago, when the Beast Tide [a massive, coordinated assault by demonic beasts] surged forth, the Wang Immortal Clan was utterly annihilated overnight, and the Ink-Splashing Ridge was subsequently occupied by demonic beasts.

At that time, the previous sect master of the Verdant Sun Sect had just passed away, and the newly ascended master, Patriarch Xu, had only recently broken through to the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power]. Compounded by internal strife that drastically weakened their strength, this ultimately led to the Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] of Solar Province suffering a grievous defeat in that conflict.

The Verdant Sun Sect lost two of its Violet Sanctum Patriarch [powerful cultivators at the Violet Sanctum stage, the fourth major realm], and several Violet Sanctum Patriarch from the Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan across the Green Sun Two Provinces also fell. In the end, they only managed to repel the assault from Earth Lion Ridge by relying on the Spiritual Vein [a subterranean conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] beneath Scorching Sun Mountain.

Although they repelled the Demon Race [a collective term for sentient, often malevolent, beast races] offensive, the price was exceedingly steep. Over twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of territory west of the Scorching Sun Mountain Range was seized by demonic beasts. The Wang Immortal Clan, situated too close to the demonic beast territories, met a tragic and inevitable fate of being overrun.

Nearly the entire population of the Wang Immortal Clan, numbering in the hundreds of thousands of mortals and cultivators alike, was slaughtered. The Ink-Splashing Ridge, with its Second Rank High-Grade Spiritual Vein [a high-quality spiritual vein of the second rank], has now become a nesting ground for demonic beast hordes.

"Although the Wang Clan was destroyed, the higher-tier demonic beasts possess considerable intelligence. They wouldn't have mindlessly Oblivion [a state of complete spiritual and physical destruction] the Spirit Herb Garden [a cultivated garden for growing spiritual herbs]. The Spirit Herb [plants imbued with and capable of channeling spiritual energy] planted on that Ink-Splashing Ridge are likely still there."

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

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

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply as he glanced at Varen Wei.

"What are you implying?" The story continues at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

"I will not hide the truth from you," Varen Wei nodded, speaking bluntly. "The demon beast clans on Ink-Splashing Ridge are not weak. Therefore, I wish to invite you to join me in a covert strike."

"This old man has broken through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within their dantian] once before. My True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a practitioner] is thirty percent more potent than that of a Foundation Establishment Peak Stage [the pinnacle of the second major cultivation realm] cultivator. I am confident in my ability to handle two or three opponents at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced stage of the second major cultivation realm]."

"I have also heard of your strength, which I suspect is no less than my own. If we join forces, even facing a powerful Second Rank [a classification for entities, typically demon beasts, whose power corresponds to the Foundation Establishment realm] demon beast clan, we would have ample room to maneuver, able to advance or retreat as we please."

"And should we inadvertently provoke a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a demon beast whose power corresponds to the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm], together we would still have a fair chance of escaping with our lives."

After listening to his proposal, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment and concluded that the plan was indeed feasible.

With his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and Thunderbolt Blazing Fire Sword at hand, he was not entirely defenseless against a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast. Even if they were truly pursued by such a creature, he could rely on the speed of his Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship [a flying vessel enchanted for combat and travel] to make his escape.

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

"Of course," Varen Wei nodded, his expression turning grave. "After all, we are venturing into demon beast territory. Ink-Splashing Ridge lies only a few ten-thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from where a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast is known to reside."

"Without cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, anyone rashly delving that deep 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 us a greater chance 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.

Before leaving, however, Eldrin Chen purchased five or six Second Rank mid to low-grade magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators]. Altogether, they cost over eight thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. This was nearly enough to fully equip Caleb, Silas, and Kael Chen with their own magical treasure.

After bidding farewell to the Scorching Sun Market, the two journeyed past the Scorching Sun Mountain Spiritual Vein [a concentrated vein of earth that channels spiritual energy] and entered the Demon Race Territory.

"..."

At that very moment, twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the Scorching Sun Market, two figures stood silently.

The cultivator surnamed Yan gazed at the battle-scarred ground beneath his feet, its surface webbed with cracks. Heaving a sigh tinged with lingering fear, he could not help but speak.

"The Zhang Clan truly has some tricks up its sleeve."

"Hmph!"

Not far away, Bright Distance Wei wore an unpleasant expression, letting out a cold snort as he spoke. "Three Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasures, one Final Water Divine Thunder Pearl, and two Second Rank High-Grade treasure talismans."

"Had I not brought the Green Sun True Flame Talisman [a powerful talisman that unleashes the purifying flames of the verdant sun], I truly might not have been able to subdue them."

As he spoke, he retrieved a Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for holding items] from among the corpses on the ground and took out the Solar Fire Crystal [a crystalized essence of condensed solar flame energy].

Seeing the Solar Fire Crystal in his grasp, Bright Distance Wei's face broke into a look of wild elation. "With this, my hope of breaking through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a violet palace within the dantian] is assured. It was worth wasting the Green Sun True Flame Talisman."

"Senior Brother obtaining the Solar Fire Crystal is naturally a cause for celebration," said the cultivator surnamed Yan. Yet, a trace of unease colored his words. "However, two members of the Zhang Clan escaped this time. I fear there may be trouble."

Upon hearing this, Bright Distance Wei narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice turning icy. "The Foundation Establishment 9th Tier old dog of the Zhang Clan perished beneath the Green Sun True Flame Talisman. The remaining two are of no consequence." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel[dot]com.

"I am merely concerned they might lodge a formal complaint against us," Senior Brother Yan hesitated, his voice laced with anxiety. "After all, our magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] and techniques are far too distinctive. They could not have failed to recognize them."

"What is there to fear?"

Bright Distance Wei sneered, a glint of murderous intent flashing in his gaze. "If they dare come to the Verdant Sun Sect to accuse us, I have more than enough means to ensure they never set foot alive within the sect gates."

"Furthermore, once my meridians recover in a few years, I will attempt my breakthrough to Violet Sanctum. By then, our lineage will boast two Violet Sanctum experts. Who would dare lay a finger on us?"

"I am pressed for time. First, I shall eliminate that whelp from the Chen Clan to avenge Remaining Years Zuo, then return to Green Sun Mountain for secluded cultivation."

"..."

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen and Varen Wei crossed the eight-thousand-Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] Scorching Sun Mountain Range and stealthily flew into Demon Race Territory. They traveled for three days before finally reaching the fringes of Ink-Splashing Ridge.

"Be cautious. We are now deep within the heartland of the Demon Race."

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

Eldrin Chen also felt a weight of seriousness. The Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] at Ink-Splashing Ridge was currently occupied by the Golden Python Monkey clan, a force whose strength could not be underestimated.

After a covert reconnaissance, they discovered the Golden Python Monkey tribe numbered around three thousand, all of them first-tier demon beasts [the lowest rank of demonic creatures] of considerable power. There were over a dozen Second Rank [the second major stage of demonic cultivation] Golden Python Monkey, and even three that had reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage [the advanced phase of the second major human cultivation realm].

"If it were only the Golden Python Monkey clan, our combined strength would be more than sufficient to handle them."

Varen Wei spoke, his gaze growing even more intense. "However, this place is merely twenty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the Third-order Spiritual Vein [a high-grade spiritual energy site] at Verdant Mastiff Mountain. A Violet Sanctum Demon Race [a demon cultivator who has reached the third major cultivation realm] could reach here in a single day."

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

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, pondering for a moment before speaking. "We can come and go freely by Flying Sword [a sword used for flight and combat by cultivators], so a single First Rank [the initial stage of demon beast cultivation] Golden Python Monkey poses little threat. However, we must be cautious of the dozen or so Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their foundation] demon beasts."

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

After discussing their strategy, the two decided to launch a night assault. If they could catch the demon beasts off guard and slay several of the Second Rank [equivalent to the Foundation Establishment realm for cultivators] Golden Python Monkey in the initial strike, their chances of success would increase significantly.

Under the cover of darkness, they stealthily infiltrated Ink-Splashing Ridge. With the sudden, sharp cry of a sword, Eldrin Chen struck first. He summoned his Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword and with a single, decisive blow, felled one of the Second Rank Golden Python Monkey.

Varen Wei reacted with equal swiftness. He unleashed a Second Rank High-Grade [a high-quality artifact at the Foundation Establishment level] Sword Pill [a condensed sphere of sword energy], which transformed into a brilliant white Metallic Gold Sword Radiance [a sword technique manifesting as a blade of metallic light]. In the blink of an eye, another Golden Python Monkey was cleaved in two. For more chapters, visit audio-novel dot com for the complete novel.