Chapter 190. Raid on Cangkun Mountain (Location)

In the end, Percival left only 1 Foundation Establishment cultivator behind, while the remaining dozen or so followed him aboard the Chen family's treasure vessel.

Eldrin urged the treasure boat forward, first making his way to Feng County to locate the Xu Immortal Clan.

The Xu Clan had resolved to go all out in this battle. In addition to their 2 Purple Mansion Elders joining the fray together, they had also mobilized a full 16 Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After picking up the Xu family cultivators, the group spent 2 days steering their treasure ark to Spirit Province, where they joined forces with the Yang Clan.

"Brother Yang, can you intervene?" Xavier inquired upon arriving at the Yang residence.

Yang Yuanhe shook his head, a trace of anguish clouding his features. "Although the Elder Uncle still possesses some combat prowess, I fear it would only aggravate his injuries."

"I still need to recuperate for 20 years to restore my injuries to 70 or 80 percent. Only then can I take action without major consequences."

Hearing this, they all felt a pang of sorrow, as if mourning a fellow creature's demise.

On the path of cultivation, conflicts with others are unavoidable, and casualties are inevitable. Many have lost their lives in moments of utter astonishment.

Not everyone could match Eldrin's thunderous methods. In truth, whether in combat prowess or mystical abilities, few among his peers in the Chu Kingdom could rival him.

Most individuals were like Yang Zhengyuan; those who managed to survive an encounter with a Golden Core Demon King were truly blessed by the heavens’ greatest favor.

Hearing this, a complex expression surfaced in Xu Daoyuan’s eyes—a mix of sympathy and grim satisfaction. He then said, “Since Brother Yang is unable to take action, please lend us the Violet-Gold Heavenly Net Shroud (Magic Treasure).”

"After all, Cangkun Mountain (Location) possesses a third-grade mid-tier formation. With this, our safety will increase by several degrees."

Eldrin (Person Name) only now noticed that Xu Daoyuan (Person Name) seemed to have a strained relationship with Yang Yuanhe (Person Name).

This reminded him of a rumor he had once heard: it was said that after Xu Daoyuan (Person Name) had broken through to the Violet Mansion, he had once wished to exchange for the Yang Fire Divine Thunder (Divine Power) with the Yang Family.

Xu Daoyuan was now only about a decade older than the old clan leader. When he broke through to the Purple Mansion realm, he was merely a 100-some years old—a rare young prodigy of the Purple Mansion in the Chu Kingdom.

Yang Yuanhao, envious of Xu Daoyuan's innate talent, explicitly refused to exchange the Li Fire Divine Thunder, thus sowing the seeds of enmity between them.

Seeing Xu Daoyuan’s expression, Yang Yuanhe’s face turned cold. Only a cultivator at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage could wield the Violet Gold Heavenly Net Shield.

As for Xavier, he possessed the Qian Golden Fire Dragon Scissors, and the 1 most suited to wield the Amethyst Gold Heavenly Net Canopy was likely Xu Daoyuan. However, the 2 did not get along well, making him extremely reluctant to lend the Amethyst Gold Heavenly Net Canopy to Xu Daoyuan. Meanwhile, his relationship with Percival was also rather distant.

The most critical issue was that if the magical treasure fell into another's hands, there was a risk of its flaws being exposed, potentially leading others to discover a way to counter it.

Just as he hesitated, a streak of light flew out and landed in Eldrin’s hand—it was none other than the third-grade, superior-quality artifact, the Violet Gold Heavenly Net Shield.

A faint flicker of emotion crossed Eldrin's face. Before he could voice his question, a voice drifted into his ears.

"I observe that Fellow Daoist Eldrin possesses profound and pure magical power, which should be more than sufficient to activate this Violet Gold Heavenly Net Canopy."

"I shall lend this item to you, Fellow Daoist, as the Yang Clan's contribution to this battle. I entrust it to your care."

Yang Zhengyuan was the 1 who spoke. Hearing his words, Eldrin nodded and said, "With this item in our possession, it should be enough to ensure our safety."

After retrieving the treasures, the group wasted no time and immediately urged the treasure boat to fly toward Cangkun Mountain (Location) through the night.

This time, the group had gathered 6 Purple Mansions and a full 40 Foundation Establishment cultivators. It could be said that this battle would demand every ounce of their strength.

Cangkun Mountain (Location) was merely over 10 1000 li from the Yang Immortal Clan. After flying through the night, the group arrived before the Cerulean Peaks Range (Location) early the next morning.

After merely resting for 1 shichen and taking a few elixirs to replenish their spiritual power, they launched a surprise assault on Cangkun Mountain.

Li Heyuan (Person Name), who was guarding Cangkun Mountain (Location), felt a surge of terror as he watched 6 Purple Mansion cultivators charging toward him. Without hesitation, he immediately activated the mountain-protecting formation.

A third-tier mid-grade Ji Earth Treasure Seal propped up heaven and earth, transforming into a square ethereal seal that shielded Cangkun Mountain (Location).

Just as he activated the formation, the cultivators had already charged onto Cangkun Mountain. Countless magical treasures bombarded the mountain-protecting array, yet none could breach it in a short time.

"Let's make this quick."

As the Ji Earth Heaven Kun Grand Formation was activated, Xavier (Person Name) shouted loudly.

He acted with decisive swiftness, immediately deploying a top-grade tier-3 Rune of Forbidden Breach. In an instant, the treasure rune transformed into a streak of light that shot into the grand formation. Countless array patterns erupted abruptly, throwing the entire mountain-protecting formation into disarray.

For a moment, the glow of the mountain-protecting formation dimmed by half. The defensive barrier, which could have withstood cultivators at the Purple Palace, Late Stage for several days, now trembled violently under the assault of the crowd.

The Void-Shattering Talisman could only disrupt the grand formation for approximately 1 shichen (Time & Distance). Aware of this precious window, the cultivators unleashed their magic treasures and divine abilities with desperate fervor, launching an all-out assault.

"Damn it."

The defensive formation was on the verge of collapse, and Li Heyuan's(Person Name) expression shifted repeatedly.

Gritting his teeth, he activated another artifact within the formation—a pale yellow treasure banner. In an instant, the banner erupted with dazzling streams of light, unleashing a divine thunderbolt that tore through the air.

"It is the Ji Earth Divine Thunder."

The moment he laid eyes on this divine thunderbolt, Eldrin raised his hand and summoned the Violet Gold Celestial Canopy. It transformed into a shimmering veil of purple-gold mist, shielding the group and deflecting the blow.

It turned out that the precious banner was named the Ji Earth Divine Thunder Banner, inscribed with the divine ability known as Ji Earth Divine Thunder. If the grand formation remained intact, it could unleash 6 strikes of Ji Earth Divine Thunder against an opponent, with each blow rivaling the full-force attack of a cultivator at the Purple Palace, Peak Stage.

Relying on this divine ability, even an ordinary Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator would hesitate to assault Cangkun Mountain (Location).

However, the power of this formation has now diminished by half, and the might of the Ji Earth Divine Thunder has weakened to the level of Purple Palace, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm).

Although Eldrin could only unleash 70% of the Violetgold Celestial Canopy's power, it was more than sufficient to withstand the Banner of Jitu Divine Thunder.

Boom—

Li Heyuan saw that his first strike had failed to gain any advantage, so he channeled his energy into the treasured banner once more, unleashing 3 divine thunderbolts in rapid succession.

The Violet Gold Celestial Net Shield truly lived up to its reputation as a top-grade Tier-3 magic artifact. Even after being struck by 4 consecutive Tier-3 divine thunderbolts, it steadfastly held its ground against the onslaught.

At this point, Li Heyuan finally panicked, his face etched with anxiety as he spoke.

"Xavier, Eldrin, for what reason do you dare invade our Qingyang Sect?"

"You are committing treason and rebellion! Are you not afraid that Elder Xu will settle scores with you all in the future?"

Xavier (Person Name) let out a cold sneer. While driving the Dry Gold Fire Dragon Scissors (Magic Treasure) to assault the formation, he declared in a loud voice, "Patriarch Xu (Person Name) seized his position by scheming against his own senior apprentice-brother—he was a jackal in human skin from the very beginning."

"The peoples of Border Province have always been self-reliant and independent. We never held any master-servant relationship with the Azure Sun Sect, so how could there be any talk of rebellion?"

"While we endured countless hardships to fend off the demon tribes, you have been monopolizing the greatest spiritual vein in Border Province. How utterly unjust! Today, we shall drive your Qingyang Sect out of Border Province for good."

Xavier's words struck at the heart with every syllable, causing Li Heyuan's expression to shift repeatedly.

Chapter 1: The Awakening The mountain peaks pierced the heavens like jagged swords, shrouded in mists that swirled with spiritual energy. Here, amidst the clouds, stood a young man named Eldrin, his robes tattered but his eyes burning with determination. "9 Revolutions of the Celestial Art—I've finally reached the third layer," he murmured, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. The breakthrough had been brutal, tearing through his meridians like wildfire. Yet, the power coursing through him now was undeniable. In his spatial pouch, he counted his resources: 12,500 spirit stones, a dozen or so healing pellets, and the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss—a legacy from his master. It was all he had left after the sect's destruction. Suddenly, a voice echoed from the shadows. "Eldrin, you cannot hide forever." He spun around, gripping the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. "Xuan Mo," he spat. "You betrayed us for the Dark Cloud Sect's promises. Was it worth it?" The tall figure emerged, clad in black robes, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "The strong survive, the weak perish. That is the law of the cultivation world. You, with your pathetic third-layer cultivation, are nothing but an ant." Eldrin's mind raced. Xuan Mo was at least at the fifth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage. A direct confrontation was suicide. But he remembered his master's words: "True strength lies not in raw power, but in wisdom and resolve." "Then come, ant though I am," Eldrin said, his voice steady. "Let us see who truly understands the Dao." He channeled his spiritual energy, the air around him humming. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss flared to life, wreathed in crimson flames. This was not just a battle of cultivation—it was a test of will, a clash of destinies forged over countless years of struggle. The first strike came from Xuan Mo, a wave of dark energy that shattered the stones where Eldrin had stood. But Eldrin was already moving, his body a blur as he executed the Cloud-Stepping Tread. He had practiced this movement technique for nearly a 1000 hours, and now it was his only advantage. "Fleeing like a rat?" Xuan Mo taunted, launching another attack. Eldrin didn't reply. He focused, drawing upon the deepest reserves of his power. The third layer of the 9 Revolutions of the Celestial Art granted him insight beyond mere force. He saw the flaws in Xuan Mo's technique—the slight imbalance in his stance, the hesitation in his energy flow. With a swift motion, Eldrin thrust the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss forward. Not at Xuan Mo, but at the ground beneath him. The earth erupted, not with raw power, but with precise spiritual disruption. Xuan Mo staggered, his connection to the dark energy faltering for a mere second. It was enough. Eldrin closed the distance, his sword aimed true. "For my master," he whispered. "For the sect." The blade pierced Xuan Mo's defenses, and a scream tore through the mountains. The battle was over. As Eldrin stood panting, he knew this was only the beginning. The path of cultivation was long, filled with tribulations and countless challenges. But with each step, he would grow stronger. 1 100 years had passed since he first began this journey, and he was ready for the next. He looked toward the horizon, where the sun rose over the endless peaks. Somewhere out there were answers, power, and perhaps, vengeance.