Chapter 232 Attacking Qingyang Mountain

The second formation was the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura. This array required the combined efforts of 7 Purple Mansions, 40-9 Foundation Establishments, and 4,900 Qi Refiners to activate.

Once activated, its power rivals a full-force strike from a Golden Core, Peak Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert, not the slightest bit inferior to the Youxuan Tiangang.

The third formation was the Crimson Pupil Demon Eye. Though its power could not compare to the previous 2, it required only over a 1000 cultivators and a single Zi Palace realm expert to activate. Its force barely rivaled a strike from a Golden Core cultivator. The advantage of this technique lay in its ability to be unleashed repeatedly.

It is a pity that the Celestial Python Demon King's (Demon Beast) most powerful technique, the Celestial Python Devours the Heavens Art, was not preserved. Otherwise, the power of this vessel would have been another 30 percent stronger.

The final formation was the Spirit Gathering Array, the core of this treasure ark and the source of its energy.

In addition, there were various other formations such as levitation arrays, flight arrays, and so on, but all of them were merely at the level of Tier 3 formations.

It must be said that this colossal treasure vessel truly lived up to its reputation as a war treasure. Capable of carrying over 10,000 cultivators in a single journey and traversing 30,000 li in a single day, it was undoubtedly a formidable asset on grand battlefields.

Of course, such massive treasure ships were also insatiable gold-devouring beasts. Even when fully charged with the energy stored from a fourth-order spirit vein, they could typically sustain only 1 all-out battle.

However, if powered by spirit stones, each activation of the 7 Slayers Demon-Slaying Sword Aura would consume 100,000 spirit stones. Firing it twice was equivalent to discarding a third-grade superior magic treasure, demonstrating the exorbitant cost involved.

To transport the cultivators from Yu County, Lyra piloted the treasure ship over, landing it before Verdant Chariot Mountain.

"Quick, board the treasure ship."

Eldrin glanced at the Chen Family cultivators behind him and commanded.

No sooner had he spoken than he soared onto the treasure ship, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lyra (Person Name) as they watched the Chen Family cultivators boarding below.

"How is the situation?"

"I've already made 5 trips before this. All the manpower has been transported to Qingzhou, and this is the final vessel."

Lyra said with a smile, "The Sky Python Treasure Ship can transport over 10,000 cultivators in a single trip. It only took 5 voyages to deliver 50,000 people."

With the addition of cultivators from Qingzhou, the number of combatants for this battle had nearly reached completion.

Over a 1000 Chen Clan cultivators swiftly boarded the treasure ship. The cultivators on deck activated the formation arrays, setting the vessel soaring toward Qingzhou.

Traveling aboard a fourth-tier, lower-grade grand treasure vessel, they covered over 200,000 li in merely 7 or 8 days, arriving at the territory governed by the Qingyang Sect.

At the foot of Mount Qingyang, Eldrin also witnessed the encampment where the army of cultivators was stationed.

At this moment, the main camp had gathered a full 70 to 80 1000 cultivators, with over 3 100 alone at the Foundation Establishment stage. It could be said that the 3 provinces had mustered their entire strength.

To eradicate the malignant influence of the Qingyang Sect completely, numerous immortal clans had mobilized almost their entire forces, leaving only a single Foundation Establishment cultivator to guard each family. The vessel carrying Eldrin represented the final wave of cultivators to arrive at the scene.

Upon arriving at the main camp, Lyra (Person Name) summoned all the Zifu-stage cultivators to the treasure ship for a council meeting.

After the group exchanged greetings, Lyra (Person Name) turned her gaze to everyone and asked, "Honored colleagues, what is the current state of the Verdant Sun Sect?"

Beside them, Xavier said with a grave expression, "The Verdant Sun Sect is now trapped on Mount Verdant Sun. It seems they intend to stake everything on 1 final, desperate stand."

"Do they still possess such resolve?"

Eldrin frowned, unconvinced that someone like Chongyang would ever possess the resolve to sacrifice himself for the sect's unresolved debts.

Old Master Qian shook his head. As a Violet Mansion cultivator of Qingzhou, he understood the Qingyang Sect better than anyone. He said, "Old Master Mo and Old Master Liu grew up in the Qingyang Sect since childhood. Their loyalty to Old Master Xu might not run deep."

"However, their attachment to the Qingyang Sect spanned centuries. Now that the 2 of them were in charge, even if others harbored secret schemes, they likely wouldn't be able to escape."

Lyra frowned slightly before asking again, "How are things at the Origin Mountain and the Daybreak Valley now?"

Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly. Both the Origin-Starting Mountain and the Daybreak Valley possessed upper-third-grade spirit veins, each underpinned by an upper-third-grade earth pulse beneath.

As the formations of the 2 spirit veins possessed formidable power, the Qingyang Sect was unwilling to abandon them, intending to use these veins to deplete the strength of the prominent families.

Elder Qian had long been prepared. Upon hearing this, he responded, "The Guardian of Qiyuan Mountain is Chongyang (Person Name), while Mordecai (Person Name) holds the position at Tianming Valley."

"Before we assault Qingyang Mountain, these 2 spiritual veins must be eradicated."

"Otherwise, we not only risk being attacked from both front and rear, but they might also breach the ancestral dojos of the great clans in our rear territories."

Lyra's eyes flickered slightly before she spoke with perfect composure.

Eldrin frowned upon hearing this. Both of them had karmic ties with the Chen family—Mordecai had once leveraged his power to oppress others, while the Lin family had been utterly annihilated by the Chens.

However, this person never troubled the Chen family afterward, showing a clear understanding of their own standing.

Not only had Chongyang (Person Name) caused the death of the Chen family's former patriarch, but he had also forced over a 100 of the clan's cultivators to perish. Coupled with the blood debt of his slain son, a final reckoning between the 2 was inevitable.

At this thought, Eldrin resolved to volunteer: "Allow me to lead the Bianzhou Prefecture and our cultivators to handle the Qiyuan Mountain front."

Lyra glanced at him and handed over a third-rank, superior-grade Rune of Forbidden Breaking. "Be careful."

Eldrin nodded, then stored away the treasure talisman.

The defensive formation of Mount Qiyuan was remarkably powerful; even an ordinary False Core cultivator would likely find it impossible to breach.

In this battle, Eldrin and Xavier joined forces, leading 6 Zifu-level combatants from Bianzhou along with several dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators. They were determined to capture Qiyuan Mountain in 1 decisive assault.

Elder Qian and Elder Fang journeyed together to the Daybreak Valley, resolved to conquer it in a single decisive strike.

As for Lyra (Person Name), she joined the main force in encircling Green Sun Mountain with a dual purpose: to prevent the Purple Mansion cultivators of Green Sun Sect from swarming out in full strength, and to guard against Patriarch Xu making a sudden assault.

Now, Eldrin led the group all the way to the foot of Mount Qiyuan, only to discover that the mountain was already deserted, with Chongyang having long since vanished without a trace.

Eldrin couldn't help but frown as he found Qian Xingming scavenging supplies atop the mountain peak.

This individual was a Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator from the Qian Clan, having only broken through to the Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) a year ago after consuming the Violet Qi Cloud Vein Pill.

Seeing this person gathering supplies without any signs of a struggle, Eldrin couldn’t help but ask.

"Fellow Daoist Qian, you were tasked with encircling Qiyuan Mountain. Where is Chongyang (Person Name) now?"

"So it's Fellow Daoist Chen. Come, come, take a look at the treasures I've seized."

As Eldrin approached, Qian Xingming smiled and said.

Eldrin frowned, and Xavier at his side inquired, "Fellow Daoist Qian, military affairs take precedence."

"Answer me."

Qian Xingming gave an awkward smile and quickly added, "That Chongyang (Person Name) actually fled without a fight, moving with such speed that even I couldn't catch up to him."

Eldrin's gaze turned slightly cold as he turned and led the group back to inspect the underground fire vein beneath the mountain.

A short while later, Kael (Person Name) approached from the side and leaned in to whisper closely to the group.

"Chongyang (Person Name) fled for his life 3 hours ago."

Qian Xingming had no desire to risk his life against Chongyang (Person Name). After exchanging a dozen or so moves with him, he let the man go.

Only then did the crowd understand that Chongyang (Person Name) possessed cultivation at the sixth level of the Purple Mansion and wielded a third-tier superior-grade magic treasure.

Yet Qian Xingming was unwilling to risk severe injury in a bloody battle with him. After merely a few exchanges, he released Chongyang (Person Name).

Hearing that Chongyang (Person Name) was simply let go like this, everyone’s gazes turned icy, their hearts simmering with suppressed fury.

By letting the tiger return to the mountains today, Chongyang might well come back to trouble them in the future, while the Qians, on the contrary, had done Chongyang a favor.

"This Qian Xingming..."

Eldrin cast a glance toward the mountain peak, his expression serene as he remarked:

"Do you possess any tracking methods that can locate the trail of Chongyang (Person Name)?"

Chapter 1: The Reborn Youth Mount Canglan, Outer Sect. A dilapidated wooden house stood silently in the mountain breeze. Inside, a youth of 15 or 16 years lay on a simple bed, his face pale as paper. Suddenly, his eyelids fluttered, and he awoke. "Where... am I?" The youth struggled to sit up, his mind a chaotic whirlpool of memories. He was Ye Chen, an outer sect disciple of the Mount Canglan Sect. 3 days prior, during a sparring session with his senior apprentice brother Zhang Hu, he had been severely injured by a malicious blow. The original Ye Chen had already perished from his wounds, and now, inhabiting his body was a soul from the modern world—a top-tier assassin who went by the same name. "I've actually... crossed over?" Ye Chen surveyed the crude surroundings, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. In his previous life, he was the legendary "Asura" of the assassin world, feared by all. Yet now, he found himself reduced to a lowly outer sect disciple in a cultivation world, bullied and oppressed. Just then, the door was kicked open with a loud crash. A burly young man swaggered in, his face etched with arrogance. It was none other than Zhang Hu. "Ye Chen, have you finally croaked?" Zhang Hu sneered, his eyes sweeping over Ye Chen with undisguised contempt. "If you're not dead yet, hand over the 3 Low-Grade Spirit Stones your family sent you last month. Consider it compensation for my efforts in 'teaching you a lesson'." Ye Chen's gaze turned icy. In the Mount Canglan Sect, outer sect disciples received only 1 Low-Grade Spirit Stone per month as cultivation resources. These 3 Spirit Stones were his sole means of survival. "Get out," Ye Chen said coldly. Zhang Hu was momentarily stunned, as if he couldn't believe his ears. This waste, who usually trembled at the sight of him, actually dared to talk back? "Have you grown a death wish, you little bastard?" Zhang Hu's face darkened, and he stepped forward, grabbing for Ye Chen's collar. But before his hand could reach its target, Ye Chen's wrist shot out like lightning, clamping down on Zhang Hu's arm. "Crack!" A clear, crisp sound of breaking bone echoed through the room. "Ah—!" Zhang Hu let out a blood-curdling scream, his face contorting in agony. He stared in disbelief at Ye Chen. "You... you..." In that moment, he felt an overwhelming, murderous aura emanating from Ye Chen, so intense it sent chills down his spine. This was no longer the timid Ye Chen he knew; it was like facing a completely different person. "Pass on my message to those who sent you," Ye Chen said, his voice cold and detached. "If they want my Spirit Stones, they can come and get them themselves. Now, get lost!" With a forceful shake, Zhang Hu was sent stumbling back several steps before crashing heavily to the ground. "You... just you wait!" Clutching his broken arm, Zhang Hu scrambled away in a panic, not even daring to look back. After Zhang Hu had fled, Ye Chen let out a soft sigh. His current body was far too weak; that single move just now had nearly drained all his strength. He sat cross-legged on the bed, retrieving 3 faintly glowing Spirit Stones from under his pillow. These were the Low-Grade Spirit Stones Zhang Hu had coveted. "In this world, strength is everything." Ye Chen closed his eyes, circulating the Mount Canglan Sect's most basic cultivation technique—the Canglan Art. As the technique flowed, the Spirit Stones in his hands began to emit a faint glow, wisps of spiritual energy seeping into his body along his meridians. Time slipped by unnoticed. When Ye Chen opened his eyes again, the 3 Spirit Stones in his hands had already turned into piles of gray powder. "A mere first level of Qi Refining..." He shook his head. This speed of cultivation was far too slow. Just as he was lost in thought, a strange sensation suddenly arose in his mind. It was as if something was calling out to him. Following this instinct, Ye Chen focused his consciousness. The next moment, his entire being trembled violently. Within his sea of consciousness lay a small, ancient bronze cauldron, exuding an aura of boundless antiquity. "This is... the Primordial Cauldron?" Countless memories surged forth, and Ye Chen's eyes blazed with excitement. The Primordial Cauldron was a treasure his previous life's soul had accidentally obtained. It was precisely because of it that he had ended up crossing over. He never expected it to have followed him into this new life. With a thought, Ye Chen's consciousness entered the world within the cauldron. Boundless and vast, the space seemed to transcend time itself. At its center floated a cluster of faint, purple flames. "The Primordial Sacred Flame!" Ye Chen's breath caught. This was 1 of the Primordial Cauldron's most miraculous abilities—it could nurture the Primordial Sacred Flame, which in turn could purify all things and refine them into their most essential form. He immediately took out the Low-Grade Spirit Stones that had been reduced to powder. Under the nourishment of the Primordial Sacred Flame, the discarded Spirit Stone powder actually began to slowly coalesce, eventually forming a brand new Spirit Stone. Moreover, the spiritual energy contained within it was several times more potent than before! "This is incredible!" Ye Chen's heart raced. With the Primordial Cauldron, he could recycle used Spirit Stones, even enhancing their quality. This was utterly defying the heavens! He quickly sat down again, entering a state of cultivation. This time, the speed of his cultivation was 10 times faster than before! In the span of a single night, he broke through to the second level of Qi Refining! As dawn broke, Ye Chen opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. "Zhang Hu, just you wait. Soon, I will make you pay for everything, tenfold and a hundredfold!"