Chapter 190 : Allies Gather for the Final Stand

In the end, Percival Pan left behind only a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator; the rest of his people boarded the treasure ship of the Chen Clan alongside him.

Eldrin Chen urged the treasure ship forward on its journey. Their first stop was Feng County, where they sought out the Shyu Immortal Clan.

For this battle, the Xu Clan had also resolved to commit their full strength. Not only did two of their Violet Sanctum Patriarch decide to join the fray, but they also mobilized a full sixteen Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

After picking up the cultivators from the Xu Clan, the group spent two days steering the treasure ship to Ling County, where they rendezvoused with the Yang Clan.

"Can Elder Brother Yang join the fight?" Xavier Xu inquired upon arriving at the Yang Clan.

Yang Yuanhe shook his head, a trace of sorrow clouding his features. "Although the Old Granduncle still possesses the strength for one more battle, forcing it would likely worsen his injuries."

"He needs another twenty years of recuperation to recover seventy or eighty percent. Only then would it be safe for him to act again."

Hearing this, a sense of shared sorrow, like foxes mourning a hare's death, settled upon the group.

On the path of cultivation, conflict with others was inevitable, and casualties were common. Many met their end in a moment of stunned disbelief.

Not everyone possessed the thunderous decisiveness of Eldrin Chen. In truth, whether in combat instinct or mastery of arcane arts, few within the Chu Nation at his level could even be mentioned in the same breath. The story continues at audio-novel`com.

Most people were like Cyrus Yang; those who managed to survive an encounter with a Golden Core Demon King could already count themselves as having received heaven's greatest fortune.

Hearing this, a complex expression flickered in Path Abyss Xu's eyes—a mixture of sympathy and a certain vindictive satisfaction. He then said, "Since Elder Brother Yang is unable to act, then I must ask you to lend out the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield."

"After all, Cangkun Mountain possesses a mid-grade third-tier Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, offense, or other mystical purposes]. With this treasure, our safety will be increased by several degrees."

It was at this moment that Eldrin Chen noticed the apparent discord between Path Abyss Xu and Yang Yuanhe.

This reminded him of a rumor he had heard. It was said that in the past, after Path Abyss Xu had broken through to the Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a mystical core within their dantian], he had once wished to exchange for the Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder [a powerful thunder-based divine ability] technique with the Yang Clan.

Path Abyss Xu was now only about ten years older than the Old Patriarch. Back when he broke through to Violet Sanctum, he was merely a little over a hundred years old—a rare young genius of the Violet Sanctum realm within Chu Nation.

Jealous of Path Abyss Xu's innate talent, Yang Yuanhe had explicitly refused the exchange for the Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder, thus sowing the seeds of this longstanding grudge.

Seeing the expression on Path Abyss Xu's face, Yang Yuanhe's countenance turned cold. Only the spiritual power of the Violet Sanctum Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Violet Sanctum realm] could properly activate the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield.

While Xavier Xu possessed the Golden Fire Dragon Shears, the one most suited to wield the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield was undoubtedly Path Abyss Xu. Their relationship was strained, and Yang Yuanhe was extremely reluctant to lend his Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield to Path Abyss Xu. Furthermore, his rapport with Percival Pan was also rather ordinary.

Most crucially, once a magical treasure fell into another's hands, there was a risk that its flaws might be discerned, leading to the discovery of a method to counter it.

Just as he hesitated, a streak of light flew out and landed in Eldrin Chen's hand. It was none other than the Third Rank Superior Grade Magical Treasure known as the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield [a defensive treasure woven from threads of purple gold, capable of forming a protective net].

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly. Before he could even voice his question, a voice reached his ears.

"I observe that Fellow Daoist Eldrin possesses profound and pure magic power, which should be more than sufficient to activate this Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield," the voice said.

"I lend this treasure to you, Fellow Daoist, as the Yang Clan's contribution to this battle. We entrust this task to you."

The speaker was Cyrus Yang. Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded and replied, "With this treasure in hand, I believe we can ensure our safety."

Having secured the treasure, the group wasted no further time. They urged their treasure boat onward through the night, flying straight for Cangkun Mountain.

For this battle, they had assembled a formidable force: six Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within] cultivators and a full forty Foundation Establishment Cultivator [the second major realm, where one solidifies their cultivation foundation] cultivators. It was an all-out effort.

"..."

Cangkun Mountain lay a mere ten thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the Yang Immortal Clan. After flying through the night, the group arrived before the Verdant Azure Mountains at the break of dawn the next day.

They rested for only a single Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], consuming a few elixirs [spiritual pills that restore energy or enhance cultivation] to replenish their magic power, before launching their assault on Cangkun Mountain.

Li Heyuan, who was guarding Cangkun Mountain, watched as six Violet Sanctum Cultivator charged towards him. His heart filled with terror, and he immediately activated the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array that draws upon the mountain's spiritual veins for protection].

A Third Rank Middle Grade Cultivable Earth Treasure Seal [a magical seal artifact that can be nurtured and grown] erupted, expanding to form a massive, square-shaped illusory Treasure Seal that enveloped and shielded Cangkun Mountain.

He had just managed to activate the Formation [an array or formation art] when the attackers descended upon Cangkun Mountain. Magical treasures rained down upon the Mountain Protection Formation, yet they could not breach its defenses in a short time.

"End this swiftly!"

Seeing the Cultivable Earth Heaven and Earth Formation [a powerful defensive formation that harmonizes with the earth and sky] spring to life, Xavier Xu shouted the command.

His actions were decisive. He immediately unleashed a Third Rank Superior Grade Formation-Breaking Treasure Talisman [a powerful talisman designed to disrupt and dismantle formations]. The talisman transformed into a streak of light that shot into the grand formation. Countless array patterns instantly shattered, throwing the intricate workings of the Mountain Protection Formation into chaos. Join our community of readers at audio‑novel.com.

Instantly, the protective glow of the Mountain Protection Formation dimmed by half. The defensive barrier, which could have held off a Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivator for days, now trembled violently under the relentless assault.

The Formation-Breaking Treasure Talisman could only disrupt the formation for about an hour. Knowing time was precious, everyone poured their energy into their magical treasures and divine abilities, launching a furious all-out attack.

"Disaster!"

Watching the defensive Formation on the verge of collapse, Li Heyuan's face shifted through a spectrum of emotions.

Gritting his teeth, he activated another Formation Artifact within the Formation. It was a pale yellow Treasure Flag. The flag erupted with a dazzling stream of light, tracing an arc through the air as it unleashed a divine thunderbolt.

"It's the Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder [a powerful earth-attribute divine thunder technique]!"

The moment he saw this divine thunder, Eldrin Chen raised his hand and summoned the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield. It transformed into a protective canopy of violet-gold mist, shielding the group and blocking the attack.

That Treasure Flag was known as the Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder Banner [a banner artifact inscribed with the Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder technique]. It was inscribed with the divine ability Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder. When the grand formation was intact, it could unleash six bolts of Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder, each strike possessing power comparable to a full-force blow from a Violet Sanctum Peak Stage cultivator.

With this divine ability at their disposal, even ordinary Violet Sanctum Late Stage cultivators would hesitate before daring to assault Cangkun Mountain.

However, the power of this Formation was now diminished by half. The might of the Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder had already fallen to the level of a Violet Sanctum Mid Stage attack.

Although Eldrin Chen could only unleash seventy percent of the Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield's power, blocking the strikes from this Cultivable Earth Divine Thunder Banner was not difficult for him.

"BOOM—"

Seeing his first strike fail, River Source Li immediately channeled his energy into the Treasure Flag once more, unleashing three consecutive divine thunderbolts.

The Purple Gold Heavenly Net Shield truly lived up to its reputation as a Third Rank Superior Grade magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators]. Even after being struck by four third-rank divine thunderbolts in succession, it held firm, successfully defending against the onslaught.

By this point, River Source Li finally panicked, his face etched with anxiety as he spoke.

"Xavier Xu, Eldrin Chen, why do you dare to assault our Verdant Sun Sect?"

"This is treason and rebellion! Do you not fear Patriarch Xu's retribution in the days to come?"

Xavier Xu let out a cold laugh. As he channeled energy into the Golden Fire Dragon Shears to assail the Formation [a defensive energy barrier or array], he declared loudly, "Patriarch Xu seized his position by treacherously ambushing his own senior brother—he is a jackal by nature."

"The clans of our Border Province have always stood strong and independent. We have never been vassals to the Verdant Sun Sect, so how can you speak of treason?"

"While we have endured countless hardships defending against the Demon Race [a race of malevolent beings], you have sat idle, enjoying the greatest Earth Vein [a concentrated ley line of terrestrial spiritual energy] in the entire Border Province. Where is the justice in that? Today, we will drive your Verdant Sun Sect out of the Border Province for good!"