Chapter 261. Attacking Scorched Sun Mountain

This Golden Flame Art ranked among the top 3 out of over a dozen Golden Core cultivation techniques.

The old clan leader hesitated for a moment, then still shook his head and said, "Although this cultivation method possesses dual attributes, in my view, your Sunfire Meridian Scripture holds greater potential."

"I believe that 1 day, you will be able to advance it to the fifth rank, or even the sixth."

Hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) smiled faintly.

Numerous factors influence the potency of cultivation techniques. Multi-attribute techniques follow the path of mutual integration, ultimately empowering spiritual energy to greater heights.

Single-attribute cultivation methods pursue specialization and sublimation. For instance, fire manifests in tens of thousands of variations—progressing from mortal flames to Pure Yang True Fire, and further to the legendary Great Dao of the Sun. Fundamentally, this represents a process of refinement and metamorphosis.

The Sunfire Scripture was founded upon a grand vision. As Eldrin continued to refine and expand its principles through cultivation, it theoretically possessed the potential to ultimately guide 1 to the realm of a Solar Immortal Lord, forging a true sovereign of the sun.

To specialize in a single attribute is to pursue utmost purity and authenticity. Among the 3 1000 great paths, each leads to immortality. Any road, when traversed with relentless transcendence to its absolute extreme, becomes truly awe-inspiring.

However, Eldrin (Person Name) possessed soaring ambitions, so he simultaneously cultivated techniques of all 5 elements, determined to forge an extraordinary path.

He intended to progress step by step, advancing the cultivation methods of all 5 attributes continuously. Then, by extracting their essence and merging them into 1, he would create a rudimentary prototype of the 5 Elements technique.

Throughout the ages, countless prodigies have emerged, and quite a few cultivators have actually attempted this very path.

It can be said that the entire cultivation system of the present era was forged through generations of sages who tirelessly explored, innovated, and refined its foundations.

However, it was still exceedingly rare to see someone like him deducing 5 types simultaneously. Over the years, he had ceaselessly studied the techniques of predecessors, advancing step by step while standing on the shoulders of giants, striving to forge a path uniquely his own.

It is precisely because of the continuous emergence of individuals like Eldrin that the current world of immortal cultivation has blossomed into such a vibrant tapestry.

Through a 1000 methods and 10 1000 divine abilities, through profound arts and wondrous techniques, spiritual treasures and immortal artifacts—the vast world of cultivation has continuously perfected itself in this very manner.

The old clan leader was no match for Eldrin, yet he held absolute confidence in Eldrin.

In his view, these rudimentary cultivation manuals drafted by Eldrin might 1 day evolve into supreme immortal scriptures capable of shaking the world—treasures even Nascent Soul Dao Lords would desperately covet.

Eldrin smiled faintly, yet still handed over the Golden Flame Evasion technique. "Though cultivation methods can restore vitality, this Golden Flame Evasion is truly extraordinary—it requires simultaneous possession of both metal and fire spiritual roots to practice."

The Golden Light Blazing Fire Sword is also a first-rate demon-slaying immortal sword, far more powerful than your Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade.

"I suggest you melt down the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade and reforge the sword embryo of the Golden Flame Sword of the Returning Abyss. The Golden Flame Escape Technique can also be cultivated."

"That's a brilliant idea."

The old clan leader gave a faint smile and took the Golden Flame Art in 1 swift motion.

The wonders of the Golden Flame Evasion Art need no elaboration, while the Golden Flame Sword proved even more extraordinary.

From Eldrin's perspective, this sword was conceived with extraordinary vision and possessed immense potential for refinement. Should Eldrin's cultivation advance to profound heights in the future, elevating it to the realm of a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure would pose no difficulty whatsoever.

As for how powerful it would become when refined into a life-bound spiritual treasure, that would depend entirely on Eldrin's mastery in both array formations and artifact crafting.

For now, the third-level Golden Light Blazing Fire Sword was quite satisfactory. Before reaching the fourth level, the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) spirit blade's material could substitute for Blazing Fire Gold Crystal.

The old clan leader stored away the cultivation technique, yet did not immediately begin to comprehend it, for Eldrin had informed him that Lyra was about to make a move against the Azure-Maned Lion King.

The 2 hastily summoned Lila (Person Name), Lior (Person Name), and Kael (Person Name).

After the 5 Purple Mansion cultivators of the family had gathered in Pingyang City, Eldrin informed everyone about the impending war and said,

"The outcome of this battle, whether we can slay the Azure-Maned Lion King, will determine the outcome of the beast tide 30 years from now."

"If we cannot slay it, I fear there will be devastating casualties during the beast tide 30 years from now."

"So we must go all out."

Everyone nodded upon hearing this. Without the Green Sun Sect to share the burden, relying solely on Lyra (Person Name) alone would make the pressure immense in 30 years.

The Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) would never stand idly by as the human race grew stronger. Within 30 years, a new demon king was certain to emerge from the Celestial Python Lake (Location), leading a beast tide to assault the humans.

Of course, the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) would most likely not dispatch demon kings to participate in the battle personally, for if it were to deploy its forces, the Ji Clan would never stand idly by.

Once the 2 Nascent Soul forces joined the battle, it was bound to become exceptionally brutal. Regardless of victory or defeat, both sides would suffer devastating losses—even Golden Core experts would inevitably fall.

But even if the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) did not join the battle, the presence of at least 3 demon monarchs from the 2 demon king territories alone would likely prove troublesome for Lyra (Person Name).

This was precisely why Lyra was determined to reclaim Scorched Sun Mountain. If they failed to retake it this time and slay the Azure-Maned Lion King, even Celestial Ruins Mountain might not withstand the onslaught 30 years later.

The group understood the gravity of the situation. Kael (Person Name) pondered for a moment before asking solemnly:

"Since we are going to fight, how many clan members should be mobilized for this battle?"

"We will no longer deploy low-level cultivators. We must concentrate our high-level cultivators to achieve total victory in a single battle."

Eldrin shook his head, a trace of solemnity flashing in his tranquil eyes.

Since it was a swift, decisive battle, the Chen Clan naturally prepared to go all out. For this confrontation, aside from deploying all 5 of their Purple Mansion Elders, they also mobilized 30 Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After transferring 30 people, the family was left with only around 10 Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Fortunately, those who remained—Silas, Caleb, and Qing Wan—had each set foot halfway into the Zi Mansion Realm, enabling them to fully unleash the power of a third-tier formation.

After making their decision, the group spent 7 days gathering all the Foundation Establishment cultivators from their clan. They then boarded the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Ark and set off for the Qingyang Sect.

In just 7 or 8 days, they arrived at the Qingyang Sect.

After waiting another half month at the Qingyang Sect, all participants slated for the battle had arrived.

In this battle, over a dozen Purple Manor clans under the Heaven's Ruin Alliance joined forces, deploying 30 Purple Manor cultivators and 200 Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Seeing that the team was assembled, Lyra (Person Name) wasted no words. That very day, she led the group straight toward Scorched Sun Mountain (Location).

To prevent any news from leaking, Lyra (Person Name) did not deploy the Heavenly Python Treasure Ark for this battle, opting instead for the Green Sun Treasure Ark.

The Qingyang Treasure Ark was 1 of the 6 fourth-tier magical treasures of the Qingyang Sect. This vessel was graded as lower-tier fourth-grade, with a precious Void Gem (Spiritual Object) fused within its core.

The treasure vessel measured only 10 feet in length, yet due to the fusion of the Void Gem (Spiritual Object), its interior space expanded vastly, capable of accommodating 300 cultivators.

Lyra urged the Green Sun Treasure Ark forward, covering 2 100 1000 miles in a single day. In merely 2 days, they arrived beyond the Scorched Sun Mountain.

With such astonishing speed, the demonic tribes had no time to react before their enemies were already at their gates.

"Whoosh—"

A streak of cyan light streaked across the sky, soaring over Scorched Sun Mountain.

The Azure-Maned Lion King instantly recognized Lyra (Person Name). With a thunderous roar, he commanded the demonic beasts of Scorched Sun Mountain (Location) to surround her.

The Earthlion Ridge had always been more powerful than Celestial Python Lake (Location). Moreover, after capturing Jiaoyang County 70 years ago and obtaining vast quantities of human flesh and blood, the Azure-Maned Lion King now commanded an army of exceptional strength and formidable numbers.

With a single furious roar, over 20-some Purple Mansion beasts and several 100 Foundation Establishment beasts closed in from all sides.

Lyra cast a glance at Scorched Sun Mountain and released everyone from confinement, her eyes sharp as she declared.

"Make it quick."

Chapter 1: The Rebirth of the Immortal Venerable The sky above the Cloudy Mist Mountains was shrouded in layers of ominous clouds, lightning snakes dancing within them. At the summit, a man in blue robes stood with his hands behind his back, gazing calmly at the heavenly tribulation gathering in the sky. "Fellow Daoist Ye, do you truly intend to challenge the Heavenly Tribulation of Nirvana?" A white-robed elder emerged from the void, his expression complex. "Even with your cultivation at the peak of the Mahayana stage, the chances of surviving this tribulation are less than 30 percent." Ye Chen turned his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Fellow Daoist Mu, we cultivators defy the heavens in our pursuit of the Dao. If we fear life and death, how can we tread the path of immortality?" As he spoke, the first wave of heavenly thunder descended. The violet lightning, thick as a bucket, tore through the sky, illuminating the entire mountain range. Ye Chen did not dodge. He formed a hand seal, and the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) shot into the sky, transforming into a fiery dragon that charged toward the thunder. Boom—! The collision of the 2 forces created ripples in space. The aftershock swept across a radius of 1 100 li, leveling countless ancient trees. Mu Yuan (Person Name) sighed softly. "Why must you go to such extremes..." "Fellow Daoist Mu, do you know why my cultivation has advanced so swiftly over the past 3 100 years?" Ye Chen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes burning with determination. "Because I have never once retreated in the face of heavenly tribulation!" The second wave of thunder descended, this time with 9 bolts intertwining like coiling dragons. Ye Chen took a deep breath and summoned his spiritual power. The 9 Revolutions Mysterious Art (Cultivation Method) circulated to its limits, causing his blue robes to flutter despite the absence of wind. Just as the thunder was about to strike, a sharp pain erupted from his dantian. His expression changed drastically—this was the backlash of demonic energy! "Not good!" Mu Yuan exclaimed, his figure flickering as he rushed forward. But it was too late. The heavenly thunder struck Ye Chen's body, and the demonic energy within him erupted completely. In an instant, his meridians shattered, and his cultivation base collapsed like a landslide. ... When Ye Chen opened his eyes again, he found himself in a simple room. The scent of medicinal herbs filled the air, and a young girl of 14 or 15 was dozing off by his bedside. "Y-You're awake?" The girl was startled by his movement, her clear eyes widening. "Don't move, your injuries haven't healed yet." Ye Chen was momentarily dazed. He clearly remembered being struck by the heavenly tribulation and his soul scattering—how was he still alive? He quickly checked his body and was shocked to discover that not only was his cultivation gone, but he was also in the body of a 15-year-old youth. "Where is this?" he asked hoarsely. "This is the outer sect of the Azure Cloud Sect (Sect Name)," the girl replied softly. "I found you unconscious at the back of the mountain, so I brought you back." Azure Cloud Sect? Ye Chen was stunned. Wasn't this the very sect he had annihilated 3 100 years ago when he was still the Immortal Venerable? He never expected that after failing to overcome the tribulation, he would be reborn in the body of an outer sect disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. "Thank you for saving me," Ye Chen said, calming himself. The girl shook her head. "My name is Lin Xiaoru (Person Name). What's yours?" "Ye Chen." Just as he finished speaking, the door was kicked open with a loud bang. Several arrogant young men in disciple uniforms walked in. "Lin Xiaoru, have you gathered the 10 low-grade spirit stones for this month's tribute?" the leader sneered. Lin Xiaoru's face paled. "Senior Brother Wang, please give me 2 more days. I'll have the spirit stones by then." "2 more days?" Wang Shan (Person Name) laughed coldly. "Do you think the sect rules are a joke?" He glanced at Ye Chen on the bed, his eyes flashing with malice. "Since you can't produce the spirit stones, how about using this kid's life as compensation?" As he spoke, he reached out to grab Ye Chen. A cold gleam flashed in Ye Chen's eyes. Although he had lost his cultivation, the combat experience and techniques of the Immortal Venerable remained. Just as Wang Shan's hand was about to touch him, he struck a precise blow to the acupoint on the opponent's wrist. "Ah!" Wang Shan screamed in pain, clutching his wrist and stepping back. "You dare to fight back?" The other disciples were also shocked. They never expected a seriously injured outer sect disciple to dare resist. Ye Chen slowly sat up, his gaze cold. "Get out." The simple words carried an undeniable authority, startling Wang Shan and the others into retreating several steps. "Y-You just wait!" Wang Shan threatened fiercely, but his retreating figure betrayed his fear. After they left, Lin Xiaoru looked at Ye Chen with concern. "You've offended Senior Brother Wang. I'm afraid he'll make things difficult for you in the future." Ye Chen smiled faintly. "Don't worry." He gazed out the window at the distant mountains, a flicker of determination in his eyes. Since the heavens had given him a chance to start over, he would once again tread the path of immortality and reclaim everything he had lost! But first, he needed to restore his cultivation. In this world where strength was paramount, without power, he was nothing more than an ant.