Chapter 151 : The Water Spirit Pearl Gambit

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

Upon hearing this, the others also revealed faint smiles. While the Demon Race coveted the flesh and blood of the Human Race, the Human Race also yearned for the Spiritual Vein [a concentrated vein of spiritual energy within the earth] possessed by the Demon Race.

For example, within Heavenly Python Lake, there was a fourth-rank Positive Water Earth Vein [a spiritual vein of pure, positive water energy]. The supreme treasure it nurtured, the 'Water Spirit Pearl' [a pearl of condensed, pure water essence], was the very essence of the world's water element cycle and an exceedingly precious artifact.

The 'Water Spirit Pearl' was of immense value. It could assist a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum realm] with a Water Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for the water element] in breaking through to the Golden Core Realm [the Golden Core realm], its efficacy nearly on par with the Five Elements Spirit Fruit.

Exquisite Jiang wished to complete her Five Elements Spiritual Root [a spiritual root encompassing all five elements]. Currently, she still lacked the Water Spiritual Root. That 'Water Spirit Pearl' was the crucial medicinal catalyst needed to complete the final Spiritual Root [innate elemental affinity].

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

Since they were determined to clash with the Demon Race once more, they resolved to strike the Heavenly Python Demon King with complete surprise.

They planned to rest and recuperate, then, before the Heavenly Python Demon King could receive any news, several Violet Sanctum [Violet Sanctum realm experts] and the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship would transport fifty Foundation Establishment Cultivator [Foundation Establishment realm cultivators] together to join the battle outside Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Fengyang Market was approximately one hundred fifty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from Heavenly Ruins Mountain. For a spirit ark to cover that distance would require roughly seven or eight days.

Thus, they agreed that in ten days, Exquisite Jiang herself would lead the assault, seeking out the Heavenly Python Demon King for a decisive duel. The story continues at audio-novel-dot-com.

At that time, the group would concentrate their forces for a surprise assault while the demonic beasts were caught off guard. Their goal was to first slay one or two Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts [powerful demonic beasts equivalent to Violet Sanctum realm cultivators] to weaken the Demon Race's strength before engaging them in a full-scale battle.

"..."

After finalizing the plan, the group rested for a night, recovering most of their True Essence [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by practitioners], and then set off for Heavenly Ruins Mountain.

Due to the urgency, the Third-Rank Treasure Ship could only accommodate just over thirty people. Consequently, the several Violet Sanctum Patriarchs had no choice but to each carry a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators while flying on their swords.

Even Eldrin Chen, who possessed a third-rank Lifebound Immortal Sword [a sword bound to its wielder's life force], ended up carrying three Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword could fly thirty thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] per day. Even with the added weight slowing it down, its speed was not much less than that of the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Ship.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. By the evening of the seventh day, the group finally arrived within the Heavenly Ruins Mountain Range.

The group flew to a point three thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the main peak of Heavenly Ruins Mountain and descended upon a desolate mountain.

Patriarch Yang consulted a map and let out a slight sigh of relief. "We are still early. There are two days left before the agreed-upon time."

This was a strategic war map. It not only detailed the terrain surrounding the Heavenly Ruins Mountain Range but also marked the distribution of the main forces of the Demon Race.

Patriarch Yang motioned for Eldrin Chen and the other cultivators with Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a violet-colored spiritual core within their dantian] level combat prowess to gather beside him. Pointing at the map, he began to analyze the current situation.

"At present, Heavenly Ruins Mountain is encircled by the Demon Race [a collective term for sentient, often bestial, beings that cultivate demonic arts]. Over a hundred thousand demonic beasts have occupied dozens of the surrounding Spiritual Vein [subterranean currents of concentrated spiritual energy, often mined for Spirit Stones or used as cultivation sites] for logistical support, completely surrounding the main peak of Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

"Look here. The western flank is held by the Azure Flame Fox [a type of fox demon beast known for its azure-colored flames] clan. They have two Azure Flame Fox beasts, the strongest at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Violet Sanctum realm] and the weaker one merely at the Violet Sanctum 1st Tier [the initial, foundational tier of the Violet Sanctum realm]."

"The eastern flank is held by the Six-Winged Golden Butterfly [a powerful butterfly demon beast with six shimmering golden wings] lineage. They also have two Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a demonic beast that has reached the Violet Sanctum realm of cultivation], one at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage and the other at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the early phase of the Violet Sanctum realm]."

"The southern flank, closest to us, is held by the Golden-Horned Savage Bull [a brutish bull demon beast distinguished by its metallic horns] clan. This direction, however, boasts three Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast: one at the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage and two at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage."

"As for the northern flank, the Heavenly Python Demon King [the sovereign ruler of the python demon beasts in this region] holds it personally, with no other Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast in attendance."

"So, aside from the Heavenly Python Demon King, there are seven Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast in total." Eldrin Chen studied the map, pondering for a moment before asking, "Is there any news of the Purple Blood Heavenly Python [a direct descendant of the Heavenly Python Demon King, known for its potent purple bloodline]?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned grave. The Purple Blood Heavenly Python was a direct blood descendant of the Heavenly Python Demon King. Its cultivation had already reached the Violet Sanctum 9th Tier [the ninth and penultimate tier of the Violet Sanctum realm], and its combat power surpassed even that of the Purple-Spotted Wolf King [a powerful wolf demon king known for its distinctive purple spots] by thirty percent. It was the Heavenly Python Demon King's most formidable right-hand.

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

"When the Heavenly Python Demon King marches to war, the Purple Blood Heavenly Python remains to guard Heavenly Python Lake [the primary lair and territory of the Heavenly Python lineage]." Patriarch Yang shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "This has been the established pattern in years past. The Purple Blood Heavenly Python would not abandon Heavenly Python Lake."

Hearing this, the group collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Xavier Xu smiled and said, "Then we shall proceed with the original plan. In three days, we attack the Golden-Horned Savage Bull."

Eldrin Chen also nodded with a faint smile. According to their strategy, in three days, Exquisite Jiang would take the initiative to seek out the Heavenly Python Demon King for a duel of swords.

Meanwhile, they would seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Golden-Horned Savage Bull. Furthermore, Elara Lin within Heavenly Ruins Mountain would also make her move, joining forces with them to pincer the Golden-Horned Savage Bull from both sides.

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

After finalizing their plans, the group began to restore their depleted True Essence [the refined, potent energy cultivated by adepts]. This desolate mountain wilderness was poor in ambient spiritual energy, forcing them to rely on Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] for recovery—a rather inefficient transaction.

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye. Once the group had fully restored their peak condition, Patriarch Yang produced a Third-Rank Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact of significant power] to conceal their presence. Under its cover, they stealthily advanced towards the garrison of the Golden-Horned Savage Bull clan. Find this and other novels at audio novel.com.

That Third-Rank Magical Treasure was named the Mist and Cloud Veil. Forged from refined Nine Heavens Cloud and Mist Essence [a rare, ethereal spiritual material], it was only of Third Rank Lower Grade [a specific tier of power for artifacts], yet it was perfectly capable of masking their movements.

Shrouded by this treasure, even a demon beast at the Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the initial phase of a major cultivation realm] would struggle to detect their approach without meticulous scrutiny.

"Ahead lies Azure Bull Mountain," someone whispered.

They pressed onward, reaching the Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] occupied by the Golden-Horned Savage Bull in just half a day.

Azure Bull Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy] was a Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy] under the jurisdiction of Heavenly Ruins Mountain [a major mountain sect]. It had long been rented out to rogue cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] and resided near Heavenly Ruins Mountain. When the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive onslaught of demonic beasts] descended, these Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators naturally dismantled the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense, attack, or other purposes] here and sought refuge within Heavenly Ruins Mountain itself.

After the cultivators departed, the vacated Spirit Mountain was temporarily occupied by the Golden-Horned Savage Bull [a powerful, aggressive bovine demon beast with golden horns] tribe.

"Let us not act hastily. We must conceal our auras perfectly and wait for Patriarch Jiang to make the first move," Eldrin Chen advised.

Upon reaching Azure Bull Mountain, the group did not rush to attack, choosing instead to bide their time and await a signal.

After waiting for approximately two Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], a resonant sword cry suddenly erupted from the direction of Heavenly Ruins Mountain. Everyone witnessed a dazzling sword radiance soaring into the heavens several hundred Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, streaking directly northward.

"Now!"

Seeing that Exquisite Jiang had initiated the assault, Eldrin Chen was the first to surge forward, charging up the slopes of Azure Bull Mountain.

The others followed closely behind. Xavier Xu, his expression grave, reminded the cultivators of the Mortal Path [a foundational cultivation method].

"The Six-Winged Golden Butterfly [a swift, six-winged demonic insect] and the Verdant Sun Fox are merely a few hundred Li-length away. Given the speed of a Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast [a demon beast equivalent in power to a Violet Sanctum realm cultivator], reinforcements could arrive within half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes]. Therefore, we must conclude this battle with swift and decisive force."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen soared into the heavens. His Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword swept across the Heavenly Vault, piercing through two Foundation Establishment [the third major stage of cultivation] demonic beasts in quick succession.

The sudden assault by another fifty Foundation Establishment Cultivators and six combatants possessing Violet Sanctum [the fourth major stage of cultivation] strength caught the Golden-Horned Savage Bull tribe completely off guard. Within the span of a dozen breaths, over thirty of their Foundation Establishment demonic beasts had been slain.

"Moo—!"

Several thunderous bellows echoed as three Violet Sanctum Demonic Beasts from the Golden-Horned Savage Bull tribe charged forth. Find thousands of chapters at audio–novel.com.