Chapter 143 : Alliance of the Ancient Counties

At that time, Yu County and Ling County will combine their forces. Adding the two Purple Mansion Ancestors from the Yang Family, Xu Darius, and the two from the Chen Clan, we will be able to assemble a force of over forty Foundation Establishment cultivators and five combatants of Purple Mansion caliber.

"Excellent. Let it be done thus."

The group nodded in agreement, accepting the counsel of Eldrin Chen.

Swiftly, they proceeded to arrange the deployment of personnel. It was decided to draw ten Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Yu County. Combined with the forces from Feng and Ling Counties, this would form a contingent of twenty Foundation Establishment Cultivator in total.

Considering that Yuyang Market borders the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness and might face attacks from Demonic Beast [powerful beasts infused with monstrous energy], it was decided to leave two Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivators and six other Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators to garrison the location.

These two Foundation Establishment, Late Stage cultivators were, firstly, the Clan Patriarch of the Lin Clan, Mordecai Lin. After his failed attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation stage where one's spiritual foundation expands into a grand internal mansion], his vitality was severely damaged, and now he has less than five years of lifespan remaining.

However, he had successfully opened one-tenth of a Purple Mansion Dao Meridian [a spiritual channel required for advancing to the Purple Mansion realm]. If he fights with his life on the line and activates the Heaven's Sword Demon-Slaying Grand Formation [a powerful defensive and offensive array] at Yuyang Market, he should be able to hold off a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

The other person was Meng Aethelstan. Eldrin Chen had specifically requested him to remain behind. As a precaution, Eldrin asked this Granduncle to keep an eye on the Chen Clan and, at a critical moment, to also supervise Lin Mordred.

This Lin Mordred had signed a peace treaty with the Chen Clan and was also bound by the Heaven's Ruin Mountain Covenant [a mutual defense pact]. He should not dare to act against the Chen Clan at such a time.

But it is better to be safe than sorry. Should Lin Mordred lose his mind, Meng Aethelstan, who holds control over half of the Heaven's Sword Demon-Slaying Grand Formation's authority, along with the several Foundation Establishment cultivators in the city, should be able to restrain him. Visit audio‑novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

After repeatedly instructing Meng Aethelstan, Eldrin Chen set off that very night, propelling the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat [a formidable spirit vessel designed for combat] towards Ling County.

Having mobilized their forces northward immediately after receiving the news, the cultivators of Ling County were already on the move. After flying the spirit boat for three days, covering roughly fifty to sixty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], Eldrin Chen and his family encountered the Ling County contingent led by Ancestor Yang Yuanhe.

They then escorted them back into Yu County, where they joined forces with the local cultivators.

The group rested for a day. From their reserve of one hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], they extracted ten thousand to fully replenish the spiritual energy of the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat. Only then did they activate the vessel to proceed towards Feng County.

The Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat could only carry thirty individuals at once, yet there were forty Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] present. They managed to squeeze in thirty-five, but the vessel could hold no more.

Without a superior-grade Flying Sword, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could only travel three to five thousand Li-lengths per day, and such flight would severely deplete their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner's body].

With no other choice, the three Purple Mansion Ancestor [powerful cultivators who have opened their spiritual core, the Purple Mansion]—led by Yang the Ancient Ancestor—took to their swords personally. Each carried two Qi Refinement Cultivators [cultivators in the initial stage of refining their vital energy] and flew directly towards Yu County.

The flight speed of the three Ancestors slightly surpassed that of the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat. Thus, in less than three days, the group had traversed over fifty thousand Li-lengths of the Great Wilderness and reached their destination.

They halted about a thousand Li-lengths from the Fengyang Trading Post [a major trading hub and cultivation market]. Yang the Ancient Ancestor studied a map, his expression grave as he calculated. "Our position," he stated, "is in a desolate mountain northeast of Yu County, still over a thousand Li-lengths from the Fengyang Trading Post."

"According to our intelligence, the Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures that absorb spiritual energy, often hostile to cultivators] horde besieging the Fengyang Trading Post still numbers over eighteen thousand. Besides the Purple-Spotted Wolf King, there are three other Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts that have reached the Purple Mansion cultivation realm]."

Yang the Ancient Ancestor spoke with grave solemnity, meticulously outlining the objectives of this campaign to the assembled group.

"The Demonic Beast Army is substantial, with over sixty Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast among them. However, with forty Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds the foundation for their Dao] reinforcements, the lower-tier Demonic Beast should be manageable."

"The true challenge lies with the four Purple Mansion Demonic Beast. The Purple-Spotted Wolf King goes without saying, but the strength of the other three beasts also gives us pause."

"Those three Demonic Beast are the Crimson Flame Serpent, the Golden-Horned Savage Ox, and a wolf from the Demon Wolf Tribe."

"Among these three Purple Mansion Demonic Beast, the Crimson Flame Serpent hails from the Celestial Python Lake, sharing kinship with the Celestial Python Demon King much like the Frost Serpent does."

"However, this Crimson Flame Serpent possesses cultivation at the fourth layer of the Purple Mansion [a major realm of cultivation focused on refining the spiritual core], making it considerably more formidable than the Frost Serpent and demanding a cautious strategy."

"The Purple Mansion Demonic Wolf is at the Purple Mansion First Layer, clearly a recent breakthrough. Its power ranks among the weakest within the Purple Mansion realm, and Eldrin Chen felt confident he could hold his own against it."

"The Golden-Horned Savage Ox cultivates at the Purple Mansion Third Layer. This lineage possesses immense physical strength, and its fleshly body is considered exceptionally powerful even among the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic beast races], often withstanding attacks from magical tools of equivalent rank."

"Yet, the Golden-Horned Savage Ox harbors a significant flaw: its spiritual energy reserves are exceptionally weak for its tier. While Demonic Beast generally possess less spiritual energy than human cultivators of the same realm, the Golden-Horned Savage Ox is among the very weakest in this regard."

Therefore, the Golden-Horned Savage Ox's mana reserves are thin; it is estimated that after unleashing its divine abilities a few times, it will be reduced to relying on physical combat.

Yang the Ancient Ancestor calculated for a moment, then furrowed his brow and said, "That Purple-Spotted Wolf King is immensely powerful. This old man would need to join forces with Fellow Daoist Xavier Xu to contend with it."

"What about the other three Purple Mansion Demonic Beast? Are you confident in handling them?"

The group exchanged glances. Xu Darius pondered briefly before speaking, "I can deal with the Crimson Flame Serpent."

"However, it is, after all, at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage. If the battle drags on too long, I fear I may not be able to withstand it."

Seeing that the two strongest Demonic Beast were accounted for, everyone's gaze turned to Yang Yuanhe.

As the third Purple Mansion Ancestor present, Yang Yuanhe gritted his teeth and said, "I have some confidence in handling that Purple Mansion Demonic Wolf, but if it were the Golden-Horned Savage Ox, I fear I could only barely hold it off." Support the author by reading on www . audio-novel.com.

Yang the Ancient Ancestor glanced at Yang Yuanhe, then shifted his gaze to Eldrin Chen and his companion. After a moment's thought, he spoke again.

"You have not cultivated the techniques and divine abilities of the Purple Mansion Realm. Your Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Refined Gold Water-Avoiding Pearl, is not particularly potent in power. I fear you would struggle to slay the Purple Mansion Demonic Wolf."

"It would be better for you to engage the Golden-Horned Savage Ox and let the two young friends from the Chen Clan take action to behead that Purple Mansion Demonic Wolf."

Since his own clan's Ancient Ancestor had issued the command, even though Yang Yuanhe felt somewhat confident in his heart, he could only accept this assignment.

Seeing his agreement, Yang the Ancient Ancestor produced a set of Formation Flags. This set of Formation Flags was named the 'Yang Fire Demon-Refining Formation Flags'. These Formation Flags were of the Third Rank Low Grade tier and were one of the treasured foundations hoarded by the Yang Family.

The power of these 'Yang Fire Demon-Refining Formation Flags' was formidable. With only nine Foundation Establishment Cultivators joining forces to activate them, they could barely withstand a Purple Palace, Early Stage Purple Mansion Demonic Beast.

Yang the Ancient Ancestor selected nine Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the assembled group, distributed the Formation Flags to them, and then addressed Yang Yuanhe.

"I assign these nine to assist you. Their combined strength is nearly equivalent to two Purple Mansion Cultivators, sufficient to defeat that Golden-Horned Savage Ox."

"As for the Purple Mansion Demonic Wolf..."

Yang the Ancient Ancestor spoke, his gaze shifting to Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch, his expression filled with expectation.

"You shall board the treasure boat and, with the aid of seven other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, jointly deal with the Purple Mansion Demonic Wolf."

"Whether this battle can turn the tide rests upon the two of you."

The Old Patriarch exchanged a glance with Eldrin Chen, his face grave as he said, "That demon wolf's strength is a notch weaker than the Frost Serpent. With the two of us joining forces, we are certain to achieve a decisive victory."

"Then my mind is at ease."

Yang the Ancient Ancestor let out a sigh of relief and continued, "As agreed, Fellow Daoist Xavier Xu will venture out of the city to engage the enemy tomorrow. When that happens, we shall strike from behind. We are certain to catch them completely off guard." Official source: audio–novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.