Chapter 236 : The Final Assault on Green Sun Mountain

The Mountain Guardian Grand Formation of Green Sun Mountain truly lived up to its reputation as a Fourth Rank Middle Grade defensive array. Despite a relentless siege by seventy to eighty thousand cultivators working in shifts day and night for three full months, it had yet to be breached.

However, the constant assault had drained the spiritual energy within the mountain's Spirit Pool [a natural reservoir of concentrated spiritual energy]. They were now forced to replenish the formation's power using Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation].

If this continued, they would not be able to hold out for much longer.

"We cannot delay any further,"

Lyra Jiang declared, her expression grave as she stood amidst the void.

While they could continue to expend the Green Sun Sect's reserves by throwing low-level cultivators at the problem, further delay risked Xu the Ancient Ancestor emerging from seclusion prematurely. If he personally took command of the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts used for defense, attack, or cultivation] to launch a counterattack, the situation would become far more troublesome.

Currently, the Green Sun Sect cultivators were retaliating from behind the safety of their Formation, but they had not yet unleashed the full offensive power of the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation against the lower-ranked besiegers.

This was because Mo the Ancient Ancestor was unable to fully harness the formation's offensive capabilities and was unwilling to waste its precious energy.

However, if a Golden Core Ancestor [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual essence representing a major advancement] were to take control, they would likely be unable to protect the low-level cultivators in their ranks, leading to devastating casualties.

Therefore, she resolved to commit their full strength in a decisive assault, aiming to shatter the Green Sun Sect's Mountain Guardian Grand Formation in one fell swoop. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com.

"Activate the Heaven-Devouring Serpent Treasure Boat [a massive, enchanted vessel designed for warfare and transport]."

This time, Lyra Jiang personally channeled her power into the Heaven-Devouring Serpent Treasure Boat, carrying over ten thousand cultivators as they began their assault on the grand defensive formation of Green Sun Mountain.

She unleashed the treasure boat's most formidable offensive divine ability. The Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura [a concentrated blade of energy formed from the combined power of seven stars, designed to vanquish demons] swept across nearly a thousand Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], cleaving down from the vast expanse of the Firmament [the sky or heavens].

This Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura was amplified by the combined might of over ten thousand cultivators, jointly channeled by Lyra Jiang and seven Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within their dantian] experts, along with forty-nine Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] cultivators. A single strike possessed the power to shatter heaven and earth, its overwhelming force nearly rivaling an attack from a Golden Core, Perfection Stage [the pinnacle of the fourth major cultivation realm, where one's golden core is perfected] expert.

With just one blow, the defensive light barrier of the Green Sun Sect dimmed by thirty percent.

"Disaster!"

Seeing the perilous situation, Liu the Ancient Ancestor swiftly seized the Formation Plate [a control disk used to manage a formation's operations] that controlled the formation from Mo the Ancient Ancestor.

Channeling his full power at the False Core Realm [a quasi-realm between Purple Mansion and Golden Core], he managed to restore a significant portion of the defensive barrier's light. Yet, before he could even catch his breath, another Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura descended, striking the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array protecting a mountain or sect] and dimming its radiance by another large margin.

"The enemy possesses a weapon of war."

"We cannot continue like this."

Liu the Ancient Ancestor [the patriarch of the Liu Clan] wore a grave expression, understanding that if the battle continued in this manner, their defenses would likely be shattered within a few more strikes.

He concluded that the only recourse was to take the initiative, to see if they could breach the enemy's Treasure Boat [a large, enchanted vessel used for warfare and transport] and disrupt this formidable assault.

The Formation [a structured arrangement of energy and artifacts that creates powerful magical effects] employed by the Green Sun Sect was known as the Green Sun Heavenly Aegis Formation [a defensive and offensive formation of the Green Sun Sect], and it was comprised of two core formation artifacts.

One was called the Heavenly Aegis Treasure Disk [a disk-shaped treasure that projects a powerful defensive barrier]; the protective light curtain it could unfold was potent enough to withstand forceful attacks from a cultivator at the Golden Core, Peak Stage [the pinnacle of the Golden Core cultivation stage].

The other was named the Green Sun Heaven Blade [a powerful blade artifact imbued with Green Sun energy]. This Green Sun Heaven Blade was a formidable Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] of the Third Rank Middle Grade [a mid-grade level within the third rank of power]. When amplified by the Formation, at its peak it could unleash six blades of verdant solar radiance, each strike comparable to a full-power blow from a Golden Core, Peak Stage expert.

Though Liu the Ancient Ancestor, with his False Core [a quasi-Golden Core state] cultivation, could not unleash its full might, the attacks he commanded were still comparable to a strike from a Golden Core, Late Stage [the late stage of the Golden Core realm] cultivator.

With Liu the Ancient Ancestor pouring his full power into the artifact, a dazzling blade of energy instantly materialized. It transformed into a thousand-Zhang-length [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] arc of destructive light, cleaving through the air towards the Heaven-Devouring Serpent Treasure Boat.

Lyra Jiang reacted with lightning speed, immediately activating the Profound Abyssal Heavenly Aegis [a defensive ability that conjures a shield of abyssal energy] within the Formation. A dark, protective aegis enveloped the Treasure Boat, deflecting the incoming blade strike.

"Profound Abyssal Heavenly Aegis," she intoned, the name of the defensive technique hanging in the charged air.

Seeing the formidable strength of this defensive Divine Ability [a powerful supernatural technique], Liu the Ancient Ancestor once again channeled his power into the Green Sun Heaven Blade, unleashing two more consecutive slashes.

The Profound Abyssal Heavenly Aegis [a powerful defensive technique] proved to be formidably resilient. Though it trembled and swayed precariously after withstanding three consecutive strikes, it had not yet been completely shattered.

Just as Liu the Ancient Ancestor was preparing to unleash a fourth blow, he realized his spiritual energy was nearly depleted. He cried out in alarm,

"Disaster! My spiritual energy is insufficient!"

"What is happening at the spirit pool? Quickly replenish the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]!"

Mo the Ancient Ancestor also furrowed his brow, his expression shifting to one of concern as he glanced toward the direction of the spirit pool.

At that moment, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base] rushed over, his face a mask of panic. "Master! A calamity! Zhang the Ancient Ancestor has fled with the Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] from the spirit pool!" Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"Wasn't Zhang Darius stationed at Verdant Peak?"

The two Ancient Ancestor [a venerable, high-ranking elder] exchanged looks of profound shock, their hearts sinking.

At such a critical juncture, the few Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation] cultivators overseeing the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts] at Green Sun Mountain were almost exclusively those fiercely loyal to the Green Sun Sect.

The spirit pool was entrusted to Ming the Daoist, a cultivator at the Purple Mansion Fifth Layer [the fifth layer of the Purple Mansion realm]. They were unwilling to place even other Purple Mansion Elder [an elder who has reached the Purple Mansion realm] in such crucial positions if their trustworthiness was in doubt.

Take Zhang Darius for example. Although his cultivation had reached the lofty Purple Mansion Sixth Layer [the sixth stage of the Purple Mansion realm, a significant level of power], he was the junior fellow disciple of Xu the Ancient Ancestor. Their relationship was far from cordial; in fact, Zhang Darius harbored deep resentment towards Xu the Ancient Ancestor for having schemed against their senior brother to seize his position.

Consequently, Zhang Darius had been kept under house arrest within the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent fire energy, often used for cultivation or artificing]. He was only released to hold the fort now due to a severe shortage of manpower. Who could have foreseen that chaos would erupt the moment he stepped out?

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has established their foundational cultivation base, a core stage of power] wailed, "Zhang the Ancient Ancestor declared that the Sect Master has committed heinous acts devoid of conscience. Today, by having Lyra Jiang slay Xu the Ancient Ancestor, he seeks to avenge our senior brother and wash away the shame."

"Zhang Darius, that vile wretch!"

Liu the Ancient Ancestor nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. His eyes blazed with fury as he struggled to suppress his rage, unable to stop himself from asking,

"And your Uncle Ming? Where is he?"

The one responsible for guarding the Spirit Pool [a pool concentrated with spiritual energy, vital for cultivation] was Ming Qingxin, a cultivator at the Purple Mansion, Mid Stage [the middle phase of the Purple Mansion realm]. He was a trusted confidant of Liu the Ancient Ancestor.

Yet, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator's expression shifted slightly, his face etched with sorrow. "Uncle Ming was persuaded by Zhang the Ancient Ancestor. They... they fled together, taking the Spirit Stones [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation] with them."

"*Cough*—"

This time, Liu the Ancient Ancestor could no longer hold back. A spray of blood finally escaped his lips, and his visage instantly aged several years.

Mo the Ancient Ancestor [the venerable founder of the Mo Clan] wept openly, his voice choked with emotion as he looked at him and said, "Back then, I told you not to support Senior Brother Xu, but you insisted he was ruthless and decisive, the most suitable candidate."

"But I understood long ago that while this man appears ruthless on the surface, at his core he is petty and greedy, lacking the grand vision necessary for great undertakings."

"His method of squeezing the very marrow from the bones of the great clans has caused the Green Sun Sect [a major cultivation sect] to lose all popular support. Reaching this dire situation is only to be expected."

"Hahaha…"

Liu the Ancient Ancestor [the venerable founder of the Liu Clan] let out a bitter laugh, his tear-filled eyes gazing at Mo the Ancient Ancestor.

His expression held both regret and profound loneliness. "My choice was wrong."

"I have failed our Eldest Senior Brother, I have failed our Master [the revered teacher of the sect], and I have failed the Green Sun Sect."

"Go, all of you, go. Escape as many as you can. Preserve a single ember of the Green Sun Sect's legacy. Never return seeking vengeance."

"This old man will remain here alone, to represent the Green Sun Sect in its final stand!"

Liu the Ancient Ancestor sat in serene meditation, this elder who had lived for over four hundred years sitting as still and weathered as ancient, petrified wood.

Mo the Ancient Ancestor also let out a hearty laugh. He cared not for decorum and calmly sat cross-legged on the ground.

"This old man has but a few years left to live. I shall accompany you."

"Born of the Green Sun, buried with the Green Sun."

"Let us be buried together with the Green Sun Sect, preserving the final vestige of the Green Sun's noble spirit. Thus, we may face our ancestors in the Nine Springs Below [the underworld in Chinese mythology] with clear conscience!"

"BOOM—"

High in the Nine Heavens Above, the spiritual energy within the Heaven-Devouring Serpent Treasure Boat had finally been utterly depleted.

Lyra Jiang had prepared thoroughly. In one breath, she expended three hundred thousand Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] to recharge the Treasure Boat, unleashing three consecutive strikes of the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura.

Three attacks, each rivaling the might of a Golden Core Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Golden Core Realm] cultivator, descended. The howling song of the swords annihilated all in their path. The Green Sun Heavenly Aegis Formation shattered completely, and the seemingly impregnable Mountain Guardian Grand Formation was finally breached.

Countless cultivators, faces alight with savage glee, surged like a frenzied tide into Green Sun Mountain, ready to commence the final, decisive clash.

"HUM—"

At that very moment, a grand gate upon the summit of Green Sun Mountain swung open.

A middle-aged man with long, flowing hair stepped forth. His features were etched with a chilling calm as he trod upon the void itself, advancing with an air of profound stillness. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel[dot]com.