Chapter 151 : The Water Spirit Pearl's Allure

"If we can severely cripple the Demonic Tribe's combat strength, perhaps in the future we might even find an opportunity to counterattack Celestial Python Lake."

Hearing this, the others also revealed faint smiles. While the Demonic Tribe coveted the flesh and blood of humankind, humans also coveted the Spirit Vein [a vein of earth that concentrates and channels spiritual energy] of the Demonic Tribe.

For example, within that Celestial Python Lake, there was a fourth-rank Flood Water Earth Vein [an earth vein imbued with the essence of the Flood Water element]. The supreme treasure it nurtured, the 'Water Spirit Pearl' [a pearl formed from the concentrated essence of water spiritual energy], was the very quintessence of the heaven and earth's Water Element Cycle [the natural circulation and transformation of water essence], making it an exceptionally precious artifact.

The 'Water Spirit Pearl' was of immense value. It could assist a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their spiritual foundation within the Purple Mansion realm] possessing a Water Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the water element] in breaking through to the Golden Core [the realm where a cultivator condenses their spiritual essence into a solid, golden core] realm. Its efficacy was nearly on par with that of the Five Elements Spirit Fruit.

Lyra Jiang wished to complete her Five Elements Spiritual Root [a spiritual root encompassing affinities for all five fundamental elements]. Currently, she still lacked the Water Spiritual Root. That 'Water Spirit Pearl' was the crucial medicinal catalyst needed to complete her final Spiritual Root [the innate channels within a person that determine their affinity for absorbing spiritual energy of specific elements].

A short while later, the group had finalized their strategy for the decisive battle.

Since they were still determined to clash with the Demonic Tribe once more, they resolved to strike the Celestial Python Demon King with complete surprise.

After resting and regrouping, they planned to capitalize on the fact that the Celestial Python Demon King had not yet received word of their movements. Several Purple Mansion [the spiritual realm above Foundation Establishment] experts, along with the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat [a magical vessel imbued with the power to slay demons], would transport fifty Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] to join the battle just beyond Celestial Ruins Mountain.

The distance from Fengyang Trading Post to Celestial Ruins Mountain was approximately one hundred fifty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Traveling this distance at the speed of the Spirit Boat [a vessel powered by spiritual energy] would require a little over seven or eight days.

Thus, they agreed that ten days hence, Lyra Jiang herself would lead the assault, seeking out the Celestial Python Demon King for a decisive confrontation. This content originates from audi0-n0vel.c0m. Please respect copyright.

When the time comes, we will catch the Demonic Beasts off guard, concentrate our forces for a surprise assault, and slay one or two Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts first. After weakening the Demonic Tribe's strength, we will then engage them in a full-scale battle.

After finalizing the plan, the group rested for a night, recovering the greater part of their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by practitioners], and then set out for Heaven's Ruin Mountain.

Due to the urgency, the Third-Rank Treasure Ship could only barely accommodate a little over thirty people. Consequently, the several Purple Mansion Ancestors had no choice but to each carry a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators while flying on their swords.

Even Eldrin Chen, who possessed a Third RankLifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force and soul], ended up carrying three Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss could fly thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] per day. Even after carrying three people, which slowed its speed considerably, its pace was not much inferior to that of the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Boat.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed in haste. By the evening of the seventh day, the group finally arrived within the Heaven's Ruin Mountain Range.

The party flew to a point three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the main peak of Heaven's Ruin Mountain and descended upon a desolate mountain.

Ancestor Yang consulted a map and let out a slight sigh of relief. "We have arrived with time to spare. There are still two days until the appointed time."

This map was also a war chart. It not only contained the topography surrounding the Heaven's Ruin Mountain Range, but also marked the distribution of the main forces of the Demonic Tribe.

That Ancestor Yang then beckoned Eldrin Chen and the other few individuals with Purple Mansion [a major cultivation stage above Foundation Establishment] combat prowess to his side. Pointing at the map, he began to analyze the current situation before them.

"At present, Celestial Ruins Mountain [the primary stronghold of the human cultivators] is besieged by the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for intelligent, monstrous races]. Over a hundred thousand Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures, often used as soldiers or beasts of burden] occupy several dozen surrounding Spirit Vein [natural conduits of spiritual energy, vital for cultivation and resource production] for logistical support, encircling the main peak of Celestial Ruins Mountain."

"Observe," he continued, "the western flank is held by the Azure Flame Fox [a cunning demonic beast clan known for its illusory foxfire] tribe. They have two Azure Flame Fox of that rank; the strongest possesses cultivation at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Purple Mansion realm], while the weaker one is merely at the Purple Mansion First Layer [the initial layer of the Purple Mansion realm]."

"The eastern flank is held by the Six-Winged Golden Butterfly [a swift and deadly insectoid demonic beast] lineage, also with two Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts equivalent in power to human Purple Mansion cultivators]. Their cultivation levels are similarly one at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage and one at the Purple Palace, Early Stage [the early phase of the Purple Mansion realm]."

"The southern flank, closest to us, is garrisoned by the Golden-Horned Savage Ox [a brutish and physically powerful demonic ox clan] tribe. This direction, however, boasts three Purple Mansion Demonic Beast: one at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage and two at the Purple Palace, Late Stage [the late phase of the Purple Mansion realm]."

"As for the northern flank," the speaker's voice grew graver, "it is personally held by the Celestial Python Demon King [the supreme commander of the besieging demonic forces], with no other Purple Mansion Demonic Beast in attendance."

"So, aside from the Celestial Python Demon King, there are seven Purple Mansion Demonic Beast in total." Eldrin Chen studied the map, pondering for a moment before asking, "Is there any news of the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent [a direct descendant of the Celestial Python Demon King, renowned for its ferocity]?"

At his words, solemn expressions settled upon everyone's faces. The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent was the bloodline descendant of the Celestial Python Demon King. Its strength had already reached the ninth layer of the Purple Mansion [a major cultivation realm representing a significant leap in power], and its combat prowess surpassed even that of the Purple-Spotted Wolf King [a previously encountered powerful demonic beast leader] by thirty percent. It was the Celestial Python Demon King's most formidable right hand.

If it were present, it would undoubtedly be the greatest variable in their plans.

"When the Celestial Python Demon King campaigns, the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent remains to guard Celestial Python Lake [the demon king's ancestral lair and territory]." Yang the Ancient Ancestor shook his head, a faint smile appearing. "This has been the established pattern in years past. The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent would not abandon its duty at Celestial Python Lake."

Hearing this, the assembly collectively released a breath they hadn't realized they were holding. Xavier Xu chuckled lightly and said, "Then we shall proceed with the original plan. In three days, we strike the Golden-Horned Savage Ox."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a faint smile. According to the group's plan, in three days, Lyra Jiang would take the initiative to seek out the Celestial Python Demon King for a Sword Competition [a formal duel between cultivators, often to the death].

Meanwhile, they would seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Golden-Horned Savage Ox. Furthermore, Elara Lin from within Celestial Ruins Mountain would also join the fray, coordinating with them to attack the Golden-Horned Savage Ox from both sides.

If this battle succeeded, it would undoubtedly turn the tide of the conflict, dealing a severe blow to the Demonic Tribe's combat strength.

After finalizing their strategy, the group began to restore their depleted True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by a Foundation Establishment or higher realm cultivator]. This desolate mountain wilderness was poor in ambient spiritual energy, forcing them to rely on Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to recover their cultivation. It was not the most efficient use of resources.

By the next day, the party had fully recovered. Yang the Ancient Ancestor then produced a Third Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of the Purple Mansion grade] to conceal their presence. Under its cover, they stealthily advanced towards the territory guarded by the Golden-Horned Savage Ox tribe.

This Third Rank Magical Treasure was named the Cloud Mist Canopy. Forged from Nine Heavens Cloud Mist Essence [a rare, ethereal spiritual material gathered from high-altitude clouds], it was only Third Rank Low Grade, yet it effectively masked their movements and auras. This novel is serialized on www . audio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

Shielded by this treasure, even a Purple Palace, Early Stage Demonic Beast would struggle to detect them without a meticulous search.

"Ahead lies Verdant Ox Mountain," one of them whispered.

They pressed on, reaching the spirit mountain occupied by the Golden-Horned Savage Ox by midday.

Verdant Ox Mountain was a spirit mountain under the jurisdiction of Celestial Ruins Mountain, typically leased to Rogue Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators not affiliated with a major clan or sect] in the surrounding area. When the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion of demonic beasts] descended, these Foundation Establishment Rogue Cultivator naturally dismantled the local defensive formations and sought refuge within the fortified Celestial Ruins Mountain.

After the cultivators departed, the spiritual mountain they left behind was temporarily occupied by the Golden-Horned Savage Ox tribe.

"Let's not rush to act," Eldrin Chen advised. "We should conceal our auras well and wait for Jiang the Ancient Ancestor to make the first move."

Upon arriving at Verdant Ox Mountain, the group did not act hastily, choosing instead to bide their time and await a signal.

After waiting for approximately two Shichen-time [a conventional unit of time equal to two hours], a resonant sword cry suddenly erupted from the direction of Heaven's Ruin Mountain. Everyone saw a dazzling sword radiance, hundreds of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, piercing the heavens and streaking directly northward.

"Now!"

Seeing that Lyra Jiang had initiated the assault, Eldrin Chen was the first to soar into the sky, charging towards Verdant Ox Mountain.

The rest of the group followed closely behind. Xavier Xu, the Ancient Ancestor, wore a grave expression as he cautioned everyone.

"The Six-Winged Golden Butterfly and the Azure Flame Fox are merely a few hundred Li-length away. At the speed of a Purple Mansion Demonic Beast, they could reinforce this position within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn. Therefore, we must conclude this battle swiftly."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen soared into the heavens. His Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss swept across the firmament, its piercing light consecutively cleaving through two Foundation Establishment Demonic Beasts.

Once more, fifty Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have solidified their foundation in the Dao], supported by the combat power of six Purple Mansion [cultivators who have opened their spiritual mansion] experts, launched a surprise attack. The Golden-Horned Savage Ox [a powerful, horned bovine demonic beast] tribe was caught completely off guard. Within mere moments—a dozen heartbeats at most—over thirty Foundation Establishment Demonic Beasts [demonic beasts equivalent to the Foundation Establishment realm] lay slain.

"Moo—!"

Several thunderous bellows echoed like rolling thunder as three Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts [demonic beasts of the Purple Mansion realm] from the Golden-Horned Savage Ox tribe charged forth from their ranks. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio—novel.com.