Chapter 197 : The Golden Core Pursuit

Knowing her friend had not truly heeded her advice, Violet Consort [the palace-attired beauty] could only sigh inwardly. She had long urged Lyra Jiang to break through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid golden core] as soon as possible, to elevate her cultivation before the once-in-a-millennium Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, world-shaking calamity where demonic forces surge from the abyss] arrived, thereby ensuring her own safety. Yet, Lyra Jiang remained steadfast in her Dao-heart [the cultivator's fundamental will and connection to the Dao], determined to pursue the elusive ideal of a Great Luo Golden Core [a supreme, flawless grade of Golden Core foundation], squandering over two hundred years in this single endeavor. At that moment, Lyra Jiang lowered her gaze and said, "In the Demonic Abyss over two centuries ago, even peerless Dao Lord [a title for a supreme master of the Dao] fell in battle. You must understand, without achieving immortality, everything ultimately amounts to nothing." "…" Early the next morning, Lyra Jiang led the group as they flew out from Heaven's Ruin Mountain and headed straight for Celestial Python Lake. Traveling light for this expedition, the weakest among them were Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one builds a stable foundation for their spiritual power] cultivators, and they were traveling aboard a Third Rank Treasure Ship [a flying vessel of significant power and speed], so their speed was naturally immense. They covered over twenty thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day, traversing four hundred thousand Li-lengths of Demonic Tribe Territory [lands dominated by demonic beasts and tribes] in just over ten days, arriving at the edge of Celestial Python Lake. In the desolate mountains about ten thousand Li-lengths from Celestial Python Lake, Lyra Jiang used a concealment Magical Tool [a general term for enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] to hide their presence, then distributed the pre-prepared Water-Avoiding Pearl [a magical pearl that creates a pocket of air, allowing one to move and breathe underwater] to everyone. "This battle will take place within the lake, likely reducing our combat effectiveness by twenty percent. Therefore, we must strike them with complete surprise. I will handle the Celestial Python Demon King. Your task is to swiftly defeat its subordinate Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion Demonic Beast [demonic beasts equivalent to the human Purple Mansion realm]." Eldrin Chen accepted the Water-Avoiding Pearl, his expression turning grave. According to prior reconnaissance, aside from its affiliated Demonic Tribe [a tribe or group of demonic beings], the Celestial Python Demon King should command six Purple Mansion Demonic Beast. Among these six, only the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent was at the Purple Mansion Late Stage [the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm]. There were two at the Purple Mansion Mid Stage [the mid stage], and the remaining three were at the Purple Mansion Early Stage [the early stage]. Among the human Purple Mansion [the third major realm, where one opens a mystical mansion within their dantian to store vast spiritual power] cultivators present, excluding Lyra Jiang, there were nine others. Among them, Xavier Xu, Xu Darius, Percival Pan, and Eldrin Chen all possessed combat power at the Purple Mansion Mid Stage level. Although Yang Zhengyuan's injuries were not fully healed, if he fought with reckless abandon, he could temporarily unleash Purple Mansion Mid Stage strength as well. With such force against the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast, they should theoretically hold the upper hand. After all, there were three fewer demonic beasts. While the demonic pythons could exert their full strength in the water, the Demonic Tribe Purple Mansion combatants were slightly weaker than their human counterparts of the same rank. This increase and decrease in advantages roughly balanced out. Xavier Xu took the Water-Avoiding Pearl, his expression solemn as he pondered for a moment before speaking. "That Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent was severely wounded by us back then and likely hasn't fully recovered. Now that I've broken through to the Purple Mansion Sixth Layer, with Fellow Daoist Percival's assistance, we should be able to handle it." Percival Pan nodded. He was a cultivator with a Thunder Spiritual Root [an affinity for lightning and thunder elemental energy], and his power would be relatively strong even in water. Furthermore, the Pan Family was once a powerful immortal clan with a Purple Mansion Late Stage expert. Although they had declined, they still possessed a Third Rank High Grade [a designation for the quality/power of artifacts or formations] magical treasure as their clan's foundational asset. With this, he was confident that joining forces with Xavier Xu would be sufficient to hold back the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent. After assigning the two most formidable opponents, everyone turned their gaze to Eldrin Chen. Xavier Xu said with a grave expression, "Fellow Daoist Chen possesses exceptional combat talent. For this battle, we hope you can be the first to break the stalemate." "Understood," Eldrin Chen replied with a serious nod. The number of Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast [demonic beasts at the Foundation Establishment realm] in the lake was likely immense. Although the two Treasure Boat [a type of flying or sailing magical vessel] carried sixty Foundation Establishment cultivators, holding back the demonic horde would be extremely difficult. They needed to swiftly crush the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast to achieve a quick and decisive victory. The group rested for the night. Lyra Jiang specifically distributed two Purple Aura Pill [a pill that rapidly restores a cultivator's spiritual energy] to each person for restoring their mana. Eldrin Chen, possessing the Third Rank Middle Grade Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a cultivation platform that greatly enhances spiritual energy reserves], had three times the mana of a typical cultivator of his rank and was not lacking. After some thought, he handed his Purple Aura Pill to the Old Patriarch and reminded him gravely, "I observe that the Foundation Establishment Demonic Beast in the lake are exceedingly numerous, likely numbering in the hundreds. If the Foundation Establishment cultivators on the Treasure Boat cannot hold them back, we will need your Triple Treasure Crimson-Gold Formation Flags [a set of formation flags that unleash a powerful fiery formation]." The Old Patriarch nodded, accepting the two Purple Aura Pill. The Third Rank Soul-Burning Separated Flame Formation [a formation that unleashes soul-scorching flames] conjured by the Crimson-Gold Banner of the Three Treasures was most suited for large-scale battles, perfect for holding back Low-Rank Demonic Beast [demonic beasts of lower cultivation realms]. However, it consumed a tremendous amount of his mana; having the Purple Aura Pill would alleviate that burden considerably. Chen Thalion smiled, his expression earnest as he said, "You have matured greatly over these years, considering problems with increasing thoroughness." Eldrin Chen gave a faint smile, recalling that time at Spirit Apricot Mountain. Had the Old Patriarch not been cautious and changed their Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense, attack, or other effects], the two of them would likely have suffered a disastrous defeat. "…" That very night, the group flew on their swords towards Celestial Python Lake. Celestial Python Lake, spanning over ten thousand Li-lengths, was a vast and boundless expanse of water. In a previous life, one could have called it a sea without exaggeration. At the center of this ten-thousand-plus Li-length lake lay a cluster of islands. The Celestial Python Demon King resided in an inner lake situated among these islands. The group flew for ten thousand Li-lengths, penetrating deep into the island cluster of Celestial Python Lake and heading straight for the inner lake. The moment they arrived above Celestial Python Lake, the Celestial Python Demon King detected them and immediately roared, charging skyward. Seeing the Celestial Python Demon King actually leave the water to attack, many among the group felt a surge of delight. "Attack!" Lyra Jiang was the first to charge forward, commanding her Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword [a powerful immortal-slaying sword] to slash at the Celestial Python Demon King. Everyone else was equally thrilled, seizing the opportunity to unleash their magical treasures and divine abilities. Although the Celestial Python Demon King possessed formidable strength, it was forced onto the defensive. While it blocked the assaults with its Defensive Magical Treasure [a magical treasure specialized for protection], its mana was depleted by over ten percent. Seeing its mana drain by ten percent in just a dozen breaths, it could no longer hold its ground and turned to plunge into the Lake Heart Island [the central island within the lake]. By this time, the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast of Celestial Python Lake had finally arrived to provide support, engaging the group in battle. "Where do you think you're escaping to!" Seeing the Celestial Python Demon King flee into the water, Lyra Jiang's eyes flashed sharply as she transformed into a streak of sword light and pursued it downward. Naturally, the others could not let her venture into the lake depths alone. They could only use their magical treasures to temporarily repel the Purple Mansion Demonic Beast before chasing into the water to surround and hunt the Celestial Python Demon King. The Purple Mansion Demonic Beast were relentless, roaring and giving chase immediately. The Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent in particular, upon entering the water, displayed terrifying might, sending Yang Yuanhe flying back, blood spraying from his mouth. Seeing Yang Yuanhe severely injured, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed. He immediately shouted, "Proceed as planned! End this quickly!" Upon hearing this, Xavier Xu and Percival Pan immediately surrounded the Violet-Blooded Heaven-Devouring Serpent, aiming to hold back this Purple Mansion Late Stage great demon. At that moment, countless Demonic Beast [a general term for monstrous creatures imbued with demonic energy] swarmed forward. Amidst the chaotic melee, Eldrin Chen commanded his Flying Sword [a sword enchanted for flight and remote attack] to slash at a Purple Mansion Early Stage Crimson Flame Serpent. However, these great demons were not lacking in intelligence. They immediately recognized Eldrin Chen and, understanding he was a formidable opponent, two more Purple Mansion Great Demon [a title for powerful Purple Mansion realm demonic beasts] closed in from behind to surround him. "Be careful!" P.S.: Apologies, I was in too much of a hurry earlier and didn't notice a minor issue when splitting the chapter.