Chapter 138 : A Desperate Alliance Against the Beast Tide

"At this point, I have no better solution," he said, his expression grave.

He continued, speaking with solemn weight, "My only recourse is to have Yang Yuanhe mobilize the Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] from Ling County, committing every available resource to muster reinforcements for your aid."

"Here is my proposal," he stated. "I, this old man, will do my utmost to engage and delay the four Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [demonic beasts possessing power equivalent to the Violet Sanctum cultivation realm] outside the Sunward Market."

"You cultivators from Feng County should return. Join forces with Yuanhe and attempt to reinforce Fengyang Market. See if you can hold the line against the Purple-Spotted Wolf King."

Upon hearing Patriarch Yang's words, many faces in the gathering darkened with worry and distress.

For the cultivators of Yu County, the sudden withdrawal of five Foundation Establishment [cultivators] and one Violet Sanctum [cultivator] would make the battles to come exceedingly difficult.

As for the cultivators of Feng County, even with the return of Path Abyss Xu, they might still fail to withstand the assault led by the Purple-Spotted Wolf King—a Violet Sanctum Late Stage [demonic beast] commanding tens of thousands of lower-tier demonic beasts.

That Purple-Spotted Wolf King had previously, with the aid of a few Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [demonic beasts], managed to briefly contend with Exquisite Jiang, a testament to its formidable power. Furthermore, it commanded two other Violet Sanctum Early Stage [demonic beasts] within its ranks.

Just as despair began to settle over the assembly, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the Old Patriarch and finally spoke.

"Esteemed Seniors," he began, his voice clear. "If we, your juniors, first defeat the four Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast besieging the city, then concentrate our combined forces to reinforce Feng County, perhaps we can break this deadlock." Visit audio–novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

"Defeat the Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast outside the city?"

Path Abyss Xu revealed a flicker of delight, but it was quickly replaced by a furrowed brow as he shook his head. "If we were confident of defeating it, why would this old man be frowning so deeply?"

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with the Old Patriarch, who stepped forward at the opportune moment and spoke.

"Senior, this old man and my nephew here, if we join forces, have a fair chance of confronting a Violet Sanctum Early Stage demonic beast."

"Moreover, we possess a treasure vessel."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship.

"This vessel..." The Yang Patriarch's eyes lit up with surprise. "So it was you who slew the Thunderclap Demonic Roc."

Stroking his beard, he nodded with a smile. "Judging by the formation patterns inscribed upon it, this treasure ship must be engraved with the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation."

"That formation was created by Patriarch Jiang. I have witnessed its power firsthand. Once activated, its might rivals a full-force divine ability unleashed by a Violet Sanctum Mid Stage cultivator."

"If deployed at a critical moment, it could deliver a decisive, battle-ending blow."

Patriarch Yang spoke, his gaze filled with delight as he looked at Eldrin Chen.

If the two members of the Chen Clan could truly contend with a single Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a powerful demonic beast at the Violet Sanctum realm], and with the presence of this treasure ship, perhaps they could genuinely break the stalemate.

Thinking this, he stroked his long beard excitedly and said, "Since you possess such a trump card, we can indeed attempt a battle."

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Path Abyss Xu was even more thrilled, expressing his profound gratitude: "If this battle succeeds, your Chen Clan will be credited with a major contribution."

Having decided to engage the enemy, the group swiftly made their plans.

To strike a decisive blow, the various clans once again drew strength from Yu County, mobilizing every Foundation Establishment cultivator they could spare to Sunward Market.

In just three days, Sunward Market gained seven or eight more Foundation Establishment cultivators. The Chen Clan also recalled Caleb Chen, who was guarding Mystic Iron Mountain, and Kael Chen, who was stationed at Green Chariot Mountain.

With this wave of reinforcements, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators within Sunward Market had reached thirty-three.

Early that morning, the cultivators in the market prepared to take the offensive. The Foundation Establishment cultivators began distributing Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to channel power for battle formations] to the Vital Essence Refinement [the initial stage of cultivation where one refines their vital life energy] cultivators.

Most of these Formation Flags came from the allocation by Exquisite Jiang. In the past, Eldrin Chen had also used such Formation Flags during the great battle at Dire Wolf Mountain; they were invaluable assets on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, on the other flank, Eldrin Chen had long been prepared. Standing beside him were the Old Patriarch, Caleb Chen, Kael Chen, and seven other Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have solidified their cultivation foundation].

These Foundation Establishment Cultivators would board the treasure vessel Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship [an enchanted ship designed for slaying demons] with him. The ship's Guardian Formation [a protective energy array] would not only allow them to attack their foes without restraint but would also require them to channel their power to activate the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Formation [a powerful sword array] at critical moments.

In addition, there were eighteen cultivators from the Chen Clan at the Vital Essence Refinement 9th Tier [the ninth and final stage of refining one's life force]. They brought with them the Solar Trueflame Formation [a formation that harnesses the power of the true sun's flames]. When fully unleashed, this formation's combat power was nearly equivalent to two or three cultivators at the late stage of Foundation Establishment [the stage of solidifying one's cultivation foundation], making it a rare and formidable asset.

After waiting another half a shichen-time [one shichen equals two hours], the distant Patriarch Yang glanced at the assembled forces and gave a nod of approval.

"Since all preparations are complete, let us commence the attack."

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At Patriarch Yang's command, the Human Race cultivators within the market surged forth, brandishing their Formation Flags [banners used to control and direct formation energy] as they charged into battle.

Seeing the Human Race army pour out, the Thunderclap Great Roc [a massive, thunder-summoning demonic bird] sneered and immediately began driving the lower-tier demon beasts forward to engage.

Now outside the protective range of the Sunward Market's Heavenly Sword Demon-Slaying Grand Formation [a grand formation of heavenly swords for slaying demons], the Demon Race held a numerical advantage over the Human Race in both Violet Sanctum [cultivators who have opened their third spiritual sea] and Vital Essence Refinement [cultivators refining their life force] ranks. Thus, they harbored no fear of a direct confrontation.

The great battle erupted instantly. The clash between the Human Race and the Demon Race forces ignited the final, decisive confrontation.

Yang Patriarch charged at the forefront, single-handedly holding back both the Thunderclap Great Roc and the Six-Winged Golden Butterfly. Astonishingly, he did not fall behind in the slightest.

Path Abyss Xu followed closely behind, summoning his Life-Bound Magical Artifact, the Void-Refining Bulwark Earth Cauldron [a massive cauldron artifact bound to its master's life force], and immediately intercepted the Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast known as the Azure Flame Fox.

The final beast, the Frost Python, attempted to swarm Path Abyss Xu. The Old Patriarch soared into the air, directly unleashing his own Life-Bound Magical Artifact, the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade [a spirit blade wreathed in crimson flames], and cleaved towards it.

Now, the True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated within a practitioner] within the Old Patriarch was eighty percent more potent than that of a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment realm. It nearly brushed against the level of half a Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation] expert.

Such profound True Essence empowered the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, causing it to erupt with a blade aura spanning over a dozen Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters]. Its power was now sufficient to threaten even a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast.

Although the Frost Python possessed cultivation at the Violet Sanctum 2nd Tier level, it was not foolish enough to meet this strike with its flesh. A cold glint flashed in its eyes as it let out a roar, spewing forth a wave of frigid air that rushed to meet the attack.

The overwhelming tide of cold swept forth, instantly dimming the radiance of the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade. The residual force of the blast even surged towards the Old Patriarch.

"A mere ordinary spell technique possesses such might?"

"These Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast are truly formidable."

Facing a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast at the peak of its power for the first time, the Old Patriarch could not help but narrow his eyes slightly.

He dared not delay. With a swift motion, he raised his hand and summoned the Three Treasures Crimson Gold Flags. The Treasure Flag unfurled, enveloping the void and erupting with a torrent of blazing Solar Fire [a divine flame embodying the essence of the sun]. The surging inferno instantly vaporized the overwhelming tide of frigid energy.

Seeing its technique blocked by the Formation Flag, the Frost Python [a serpentine demon beast of ice] narrowed its cold eyes. It opened its maw and spat forth seven streaks of pristine white sword light that shot through the air, slashing down with lethal intent.

Eldrin Chen looked up. He saw that the seven sword rays were crystalline and frigid, forged from thousand-year-old profound ice—they were Frost Immortal Swords [enchanted blades of ice], each one a Second Rank High-Grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators].

Although this set of Immortal Swords was not a Third-Rank Magical Treasure, when powered by the Violet Sanctum 2nd Tier cultivation base of the Frost Python, its might was still terrifying. A single strike from it could likely annihilate seven ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

At this critical moment, Eldrin Chen did not stand idly by. He urged the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship forward, carrying his companions with him. In the same motion, he raised his hand and unleashed the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, sending it slashing toward the enemy.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword was Eldrin Chen's Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword forged with and bound to its wielder's very life force], allowing him to channel its full power. It erupted with a thirty-zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] blade of sword energy, deflecting each of the seven Frost Immortal Swords in turn and successfully parrying the assault. Discover more cultivation stories at @udio-novel.com.