Chapter 136 : The Demonic Horde's Onslaught

Upon hearing the news, Xu Darius [the patriarch of the Xu Clan] looked grave and could not help but ask, "One hundred thousand Demonic Beasts [supernatural creatures that have cultivated and gained power, often hostile]? Besides the Purple-Spotted Wolf King, are there other leaders from the Purple Mansion Demonic Tribe [tribes of demonic beasts led by a Purple Mansion realm leader] among them?"

"Within this Demonic Beast Army [a large, organized force of demonic beasts], there are at least four Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts [demonic beasts that have reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm]."

"Apart from the Purple-Spotted Wolf King, the Demon Wolf Tribe [a tribe of wolf-type demonic beasts] has another wolf at the Purple Mansion First Layer [the initial stage of the Purple Mansion realm]. Additionally, there is a Thunder Roc [a giant, thunder-manipulating bird of prey] in the early Purple Mansion stage, along with an Azure Flame Fox [a fox demonic beast wielding azure-colored flames] also in the early Purple Mansion stage,"

Eldrin Chen stated gravely, adding another point. "Furthermore, there are likely other Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts hidden within the Demonic Beast horde, concealed for now and not yet discovered."

The group nodded in understanding. Stroking his long beard, the venerable Yang Zhengyuan [the revered elder of the Yang Clan] then spoke.

"The Heaven's Sword Demon-Slaying Grand Formation [a powerful defensive formation designed to counter demonic and monstrous forces] at Yuyang Market is the bane of such fiends. Although the Second Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a high-quality vein of earth that channels potent spiritual energy] cannot unleash its full power, it should still be sufficient to contend with the Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts," he declared.

"Even if the spiritual energy within the Spirit Spring [a natural spring imbued with concentrated spiritual energy] is exhausted, we still have over a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] and five thousand Qi Refinement Cultivators [cultivators in the initial stage, refining their vital energy]. With so many cultivators channeling their mana to sustain it, we can hold the line for at least a month, even if these monsters attack in full force."

"Within that month, we can calmly mobilize Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Purple Mansion Cultivators [cultivators who have opened their Purple Mansion, a higher spiritual core] from both Yu County and Ling County, and even summon additional Qi Refinement Cultivators."

"Moreover, we have prepared one hundred thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] to fuel the grand formation. In a critical moment, using these Spirit Stones can sustain our defenses for another month. Therefore, it should be difficult for the demonic beasts to easily breach our Yuyang Market."

Hearing the words of Yang Zhengyuan, the assembled cultivators let out a collective sigh of relief. Official source: audio-novel*com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Xu Darius [the patriarch of the Xu Clan] offered a faint smile and said, "Within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness [a vast, desolate, and monster-infested expanse], Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy] are exceedingly rare."

"Low-tier Demonic Beast [monsters that absorb spiritual energy] possess dim intellect. Without the personal command of the Celestial Python Demon King [a powerful serpentine demon ruler], it is likely that a significant portion of the Demonic Beast Army [a horde of monstrous creatures] will become lost within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness. At most, perhaps sixty or seventy thousand will manage to reach our Yuyang Market [a trading hub for cultivators]."

"Let us wait and observe for now, to see if his true target is indeed the Yuyang Market."

Upon hearing this, everyone present inwardly sighed. The Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness—that was a territory even vaster than Bianzhou [a border province].

The Great Wilderness [the general wildlands] is dominated by plains; its terrain is, in truth, quite suitable for mortal settlement and prosperity.

Yet, after every Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion by monstrous hordes], tens of thousands of Demonic Beast inevitably become stranded within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness. These beasts breed and multiply in the wilds, spawning vast numbers of offspring.

This is the primary reason the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness remains perpetually inhospitable for mortal habitation—the Demonic Beast there can never be fully eradicated.

Time flowed on, swift and relentless, amidst their anxious vigil.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, the Demonic Beast Army had traversed more than half of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness, and then an event occurred that left them utterly astounded.

The Demonic Beast horde split its forces. One half continued its direct march toward the Yuyang Market. The other half, however, summoned a Third Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] to conceal their tracks and vanished into the Vast and Boundless Wilderness [an immense and trackless wildland].

"What in the world is going on?"

Within Yuyang Market, the other half, upon receiving this news, could finally no longer remain seated.

Yang the Ancient Ancestor personally summoned the Foundation Establishment Cultivator responsible for tracking and could not help but repeatedly inquire about the whereabouts of the other Demonic Beast Army.

That Foundation Establishment Cultivator was so nervous that sweat poured down his face. Wiping his brow, he spoke with a hint of trepidation.

"That Purple-Spotted Wolf King is immensely powerful. To avoid detection, I dared not get too close and could only observe using the Thousand-Mile Star-Gazing Art [a long-range scrying technique]."

"Unexpectedly, they employed a magical treasure to conceal their movements, making it utterly impossible for me to discern where they had split their forces."

"Damnation!"

Xu Darius's expression shifted, revealing a look of grave seriousness.

If the Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that cultivate demonic energy] attacked openly, they might still manage a measured response. However, if the beasts launched a surprise assault, the potential devastation would be far greater.

"This is most troublesome."

Yang the Ancient Ancestor [the revered progenitor of the Yang Clan] knit his brows with grave concern and issued a command, his voice low and steady. "First, inform the counties of Feng and Ling Counties [the neighboring regions of Feng and Ling]. Have them dispatch additional personnel to investigate the trail of that Demonic Beast [a monstrous creature that cultivates through demonic means] horde and remain vigilant against any sudden assault."

"As for our immediate task, we must first deal with the enemy before us."

Upon hearing this, the assembled cultivators could only nod in solemn agreement.

The Demonic Beast horde had already suffered losses of nearly three-tenths after crossing the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness [a vast and perilous expanse of untamed land]. Now, only seven-tenths remained, yet that still numbered over seventy thousand beasts.

Though this force of seventy thousand Demonic Beast had split its numbers, more than thirty thousand strong of the Demonic Beast Army [the organized military force of demonic beasts] had successfully traversed the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness. Their spearhead now pointed directly at Yuyang Market [a major cultivation market and trading hub].

This was a force not to be underestimated. The many cultivators of Yu County [a county within the Chu Kingdom] needed to respond with utmost caution, lest a great calamity be unleashed. Experience the full epic at site: audio-novel.com.

In the blink of an eye, another half-month passed.

Amidst the anxious waiting of the defenders, the Demonic Beast Army of over thirty thousand finally crossed the Celestial Ruins Mountain [a mountain range known for its ancient ruins] and surged into the heart of Yu County, laying siege to Yuyang Market.

Yuyang Market lay less than eight thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness. From its very founding, one of its core purposes had been to serve as a bulwark against Demonic Beast incursions.

Its position was of paramount strategic importance. Unless the Demonic Beast Army intended to scale the towering, ten-thousand Li-length peaks of the Heaven's Fate Mountain Range [a formidable mountain range], Yuyang Market stood as the first and most formidable obstacle barring their path into Bianzhou [a border province of the Chu Kingdom].

However, for low-tier Demonic Beast [a creature that has absorbed spiritual energy and gained monstrous power] with nascent and dim-witted intelligence, traversing relatively ordinary terrain is manageable. But to recklessly attempt crossing such a vast and treacherous mountain range would be folly. Long before they could emerge on the other side, their ranks would likely be scattered and decimated within the peaks and valleys.

The Purple Mansion Demonic Tribe [a tribe of demonic beasts whose leaders have reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm], possessing intellect no weaker than that of ordinary humans, would naturally never employ such a foolish strategy. Their options are limited: either detour around the formidable Heaven's Fate Mountain Range, or they must first breach and conquer the Yuyang Market that stands defiantly in their path.

Within the walls of Yuyang Market, the gathered cultivators watched the sky-darkening tide of Demonic Beast [creatures that have absorbed spiritual energy and gained monstrous power] with expressions etched in grim solemnity.

Mu Clan Patriarch Mu Xuanming's face was a mask of grave concern. He could not help but turn towards the two Ancestors standing at the forefront, his voice heavy with apprehension as he spoke.

"Honored Seniors,"

"The Demonic Beast [creatures that have absorbed spiritual energy and gained monstrous power] are now at our gates. What is our course of action?"

Xu Darius pondered for a long moment before replying, "From my observation, among the beasts below the walls, I count four Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts whose power is equivalent to the human Purple Mansion cultivation realm]."

"The leader is the Purple Palace Demon Roc from Thunderclap Valley, a fiend at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Purple Mansion realm]. The other three are an Azure Flame Fox, a Six-Winged Golden Butterfly, and a Frost Serpent—all of them are Purple Palace, Early Stage [early stage Purple Mansion realm] Demonic Beast [creatures that have absorbed spiritual energy and gained monstrous power]."

"Furthermore, after a careful tally, I estimate the number of Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast [demonic beasts equivalent to the Foundation Establishment realm] exceeds one hundred."

"Yet, the Purple-Spotted Wolf King remains unseen. Its whereabouts are unknown, and it is surely lurking somewhere in the shadows."

Beside him, Yang the Ancient Ancestor furrowed his brow, stroking his long beard as he spoke. "It appears the Purple-Spotted Wolf King has already withdrawn with his [a large, organized force of demonic beasts], concealing their whereabouts. Who knows where they have gone now."

"That does seem to be the case," Xu Darius nodded, unable to resist adding, "With their Purple-Spotted Wolf King absent, they are left with merely four Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts possessing power equivalent to the Purple Mansion cultivation realm]. I believe our strength is sufficient to engage them in battle."

"What do you think about taking the initiative and striking them while their forces are divided, to shatter their ranks?"

Yang the Ancient Ancestor pondered for a moment, roughly calculating the strength of both sides, then shook his head. "The [a powerful demonic roc of the Purple Mansion realm] possesses strength at the Purple Mansion Sixth Layer. Its cultivation is on par with my own, and its speed is exceedingly swift."

"Moreover, the other three Purple Mansion Demonic Beast are not weak. If we rashly attack and become entangled, and the Purple-Spotted Wolf King suddenly returns to flank us, the consequences would be dire." Find this and other novels at audio–novel.com.