Chapter 150 : The Wolf King's Gambit

Under such circumstances, without a Golden Core Demon King holding the line, a prolonged war of attrition would inevitably lead to the collapse of the demon beast horde long before the Human Race forces could be broken.

The Purple-Spotted Wolf King, keenly aware of the difficulty in controlling low-tier beasts over an extended period and wishing to avoid a grinding stalemate, opted instead to divide its forces and launch a swift, long-distance strike against Feng County.

By bypassing Sunward Market, which concentrated half of Border Province's military strength, and attacking Fengyang Market instead, the assault would prove far easier.

Although Fengyang Market possessed a Third-order Spiritual Vein, its reserves of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] had largely been transferred to Heavenly Ruins Mountain and Sunward Market.

Without a stockpile of Spirit Stones, relying solely on the ambient spiritual energy from a Third Rank Lower Grade Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] rendered its defenses far weaker than those of Sunward Market, which held a reserve of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Furthermore, this place had only Xavier Xu, a single Violet Sanctum Patriarch [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Sanctum, the third major cultivation realm], and the number of cultivators present was merely seventy to eighty percent of those at Sunward Market.

It could be said that had the combat prowess of the Chen Clan not been so unexpectedly formidable, the Purple-Spotted Wolf King would likely have succeeded. With the Human Race forces caught between two fronts and their morale thrown into chaos, a rout might well have ensued.

This was contingent, of course, on the demon beast army outside Sunward Market being able to pin down Yu County, preventing the main force of Border Province from reinforcing the market.

Alas, while it had accurately gauged the strength of the Human Race Violet Sanctum cultivators, it had failed to anticipate that the Chen Clan would produce two Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators of the second major realm] possessing combat power rivaling that of a Violet Sanctum expert.

Even more unforeseen was the astonishing martial talent of Eldrin Chen, whose actions this day led to the complete collapse of the demon beast forces outside Sunward Market. This critical miscalculation became the root cause of its ultimate defeat. Your portal to cultivation novels: site: audio-novel.com.

However, this major defeat of the Demon Race did not signify the end of the Beast Tide. On the contrary, the true core battlefield was still locked in a grueling and protracted struggle.

The Beast Tide was not a matter for a single family. Heavenly Ruins Mountain had now been besieged by demonic beasts for over half a year, long enough to completely deplete the spiritual liquid within its Spirit Pool [a pool that concentrates and stores spiritual energy].

Currently, the defense of Heavenly Ruins Mountain relied entirely on a reserve of several hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. The Heavenly Python Demon King had chosen to encircle rather than assault, continuously dispatching small forces to whittle away at the mountain's spiritual energy reserves.

If this continued, even if they held out, the final toll in consumed Spirit Stone would cripple the various great clans of the Border Province.

Yet Heavenly Ruins Mountain was far too crucial. If it fell and the Heavenly Python Demon King marched its main army into the Border Province, the entire province would be laid bare to the demonic beasts' rampage. Countless Immortal Clan [clans of cultivators] would then be reduced to mere sustenance for the beasts.

"Providing reinforcements is indeed worth considering, but we cannot charge in recklessly,"

said Eldrin Chen, his expression grave. "We must first ascertain the true strength of the Demon Race."

Upon hearing this, all eyes turned to Xavier Xu. This Violet Sanctum Patriarch [a cultivator who has opened their Violet Palace, a core cultivation stage] had been holding the line at Fengyang Market and had maintained communication with Heavenly Ruins Mountain throughout.

Xavier Xu nodded and said, "I inquired with Patriarch Jiang just two days ago regarding the forces surrounding the Heavenly Python Demon King."

"According to Patriarch Jiang, the situation aligns closely with our initial estimates."

"The difference is negligible," Patriarch Yang remarked, his expression shifting slightly. "That would make it twenty-five Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts [powerful demonic creatures at the Violet Sanctum realm]."

Upon hearing this, everyone present had a rough estimate in mind.

The Heavenly Python Demon King [a powerful serpent demon sovereign] dominated a territory spanning hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. The Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts under his command comprised six distinct tribes, including the Six-Winged Golden Butterfly [a demonic butterfly with six golden wings], the Azure Flame Fox [a fox demon wreathed in azure fire], the Golden-Horned Savage Bull [a ferocious bull demon with golden horns], the Thunderclap Great Roc [a giant roc whose wings create thunderclaps], and the Wolf Demonic Tribe [a tribe of wolf demons].

Including the Heavenly Python Tribe [the serpent demon tribe] from Heavenly Python Lake [the demon king's lair], the Heavenly Python Demon King commanded over thirty Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts at the peak of his power.

However, over thirty years ago, Exquisite Jiang [a formidable female cultivator] slew two of them in a single battle—a Violet Sanctum Demonic Roc [a demonic roc] and a Violet Sanctum Thunder Roc [a thunder roc]—significantly weakening their forces.

Furthermore, over the past century, Exquisite Jiang had slain seven or eight more Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts. Combined with those who had perished after exhausting their natural lifespans, the strength of the Heavenly Python Lake faction was considerably diminished compared to a century prior.

Therefore, as the war commenced, after repeated investigations, the forces of Border Province [a frontier province] concluded that the Heavenly Python Demon King commanded twenty-five Violet Sanctum Demon Race [Violet Sanctum realm demonic beings].

At the outset of this Beast Tide [a massive invasion by demonic beasts], the Heavenly Python Demon King launched a fierce assault on the Formation [a defensive energy array] protecting Heavenly Ruins Mountain [a strategic mountain stronghold]. Seizing the opportunity, Exquisite Jiang utilized a Fourth-Rank Formation [a powerful defensive array of the fourth rank] to eliminate four Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts.

Another three were slain in the battle at Sunward Market [a trading outpost], and now, five more have fallen in the clash at Fengyang Market [another frontier market]. That makes a total of twelve Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts eliminated. Consequently, the number of Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts remaining by the Heavenly Python Demon King's side should be thirteen.

"It likely is not thirteen,"

Patriarch Yang shook his head and spoke, "The Heavenly Python Demon King has vast holdings and a great legacy. It cannot possibly leave the Heavenly Python Lake unguarded."

"Otherwise, a single powerful Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within their body] cultivator could lay down a fourth-rank killing formation in its lair, leaving it utterly homeless."

"Therefore, at least five or six Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [demonic beasts whose power is equivalent to the Violet Sanctum realm] will remain within the Heavenly Python Lake."

Hearing this, everyone present revealed expressions of pleasant surprise.

Path Abyss Xu could not help but show his delight, yet still felt compelled to add, "That means the number of Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast remaining by the Heavenly Python Demon King's side should only be seven or eight."

"Then it is entirely possible for us to coordinate with Patriarch Jiang and strike together to repel them." Official source: audi novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"It is indeed worth attempting,"

Xavier Xu also nodded in agreement. After a moment of contemplation, he added, "With the Horizon Communication Mirror [a magical artifact capable of long-distance communication across vast distances] here, we can first discuss the matter with Patriarch Jiang."

With their minds made up, the group proceeded to the Spirit Pool [a pool concentrated with spiritual energy, often used for cultivation or powering formations] within the Fengyang Market and activated the Horizon Communication Mirror.

The treasure mirror drew upon the power of the Spiritual Vein [a subterranean conduit of concentrated spiritual energy that nourishes the land]. Runes upon its surface ignited in a brilliant cascade, and within the ensuing haze, the scene of another distant realm gradually came into view.

On the other side of the treasure mirror, a woman opened her eyes, her gaze turning to look through it.

Xavier Xu looked at the person and said with a smile, "Young Friend Willow, I wonder if Patriarch Jiang is currently available."

The person on the other side was precisely Like Dream Willow, a disciple of Exquisite Jiang. Like Dream Willow glanced at the group of people on the other side of the Horizon Communication Mirror, stood up, and nodded as she spoke.

"Please wait a moment, everyone."

After only a brief moment, Exquisite Jiang appeared on the other side of the mirror.

She was clad in a snow-white gown, and between her brows lingered a trace of sharp, unyielding killing intent, clearly having just returned from the thick of battle.

Through the Horizon Communication Mirror, her eyes first glanced at Eldrin Chen, then she opened her mouth to ask.

"How did it go?"

During these past days, she had been communicating with everyone via the Horizon Communication Mirror and was well aware that today was the crucial day for the planned major battle.

Seeing now that everyone was unharmed, she understood the battle had most likely been won. Thus, her current question pertained to the extent of their victory.

After all, repelling and slaying the Purple-Spotted Wolf King were two entirely different levels of achievement, with a vast gulf between them.

"This battle is a resounding victory."

Patriarch Yang spoke, reporting the battle's spoils and each participant's contribution, and also conveying the group's intentions to Exquisite Jiang.

After listening, Exquisite Jiang said with a smile gracing her features, "With this great victory, we have now slain twelve Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast. The forces of the Heavenly Python Demon King have suffered casualties exceeding half of their Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast."

"Such heavy losses, once they reach Heavenly Ruins Mountain, will likely force the Heavenly Python Demon King to withdraw his forces entirely."

"Nevertheless, we must press our advantage. While the Heavenly Python Demon King's strength is greatly diminished, we should weaken them further. This will significantly reduce the pressure we face from the Demon Race in the future." Visit site: audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.