Chapter 272 Delving into the Devil's Cave

Since the most profound Elder Zhang had spoken thus, the others naturally steeled their resolve.

Lyra cast a glance at Taicang the Venerable Sage before finally speaking up, "What has the Yan Kingdom said on their end?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name). During this journey, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) had not only come to Chu Kingdom (Location) to seek aid, but had also visited the cultivation world of Yan Kingdom (Location).

After all, the Black Eagle Ridge bordered the Yan Kingdom, and while the pressure wasn't as intense as from the Chu Kingdom, they remained a shared sworn enemy.

Taicang the Venerable Sage shook his head and couldn't help remarking, "The Deng Clan has been locked in a tense standoff with the immortal families of Yan Kingdom these years. They've already fought 3 battles over that fourth-order water vein."

When I arrived, they were still locked in fierce combat and unwilling to divert the Black Eagle Ridge forces for our sake.

Eldrin frowned slightly. The reason the Black Eagle Demon King had been able to dominate the Cerulean Peaks Range for so many years was his unparalleled flying speed, a rarity in this world.

The Black Eagle Demon King possessed a cultivation base of merely Golden Core, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm). Yet, with his extraordinary speed and formidable combat prowess, this demon could both strike fiercely and retreat effortlessly. Even a perfected Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert would find it difficult to restrain him.

Moreover, the terrain of the Cerulean Peaks Range (Location) was complex, so both Black Hawk Demon Kings could only contain them, finding it difficult to truly slay them.

This Yan Kingdom (Location) cultivation world.

"What era is this, and you’re still fighting to the death over a few resources?"

Elder Zhang furrowed his brows and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

He understood clearly that the Yan Kingdom, situated deep within the Ji Continent, had not seen its territories breached by demonic beasts for over 2 1000 years.

This land was guarded by a True Monarch of the Ji Clan. Even if the casualties in the Chu Kingdom’s cultivation world grew dire, it would hardly affect them. The Black Eagle Demon King was nothing more than a minor nuisance, far less threatening than the scattered demonic beasts lurking in Lake Yan.

From the perspective of immortal clans like the Deng Family in Yan Kingdom, since these matters wouldn't affect them anyway, why risk falling from grace by confronting demons and monsters?

It would be wiser to conserve our strength for now, so we may better respond to the Ji Clan's conscription in the days to come.

Elder Lin of the Azure Sky Sword Sect furrowed his brow before speaking, "Since the Yan Kingdom cannot intervene, we must retain at least 2 Golden Core cultivators as a precaution against being attacked from both front and rear."

Elder Zhang cast a glance at Elder Lin and nodded. "Junior Brother Lin, you and Elder Taiwu shall take charge of containing the forces at Black Eagle Ridge."

"Leave it to me."

Elder Lin nodded. Grandmaster Taiwu was the Great Elder of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, whose cultivation had already reached the Golden Core, 3rd Tier (Cultivation Realm).

However, this individual had forged a Mid-grade Golden Core, enabling him to battle across a minor cultivation realm. He could contend with cultivators at the Golden Core, 4th Tier (Cultivation Realm), and with their combined strength, containing the threat at Black Eagle Ridge would pose no significant issue.

After accepting the mission, Elder Lin headed to the Verdant Azure Sect, preparing to join forces with Taiwu Zhenren to contain the Black Eagle Ridge.

Another person departed, leaving behind the remaining Golden Core cultivators: Elder Zhang, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name), Elder Taiqing, Fairy Lingji, and Lyra (Person Name).

With the addition of over 130 Zifu (Cultivation Base) cultivators, it could be said that the assembled force remained formidable, possessing considerable confidence in cleansing the Demonic Abyss Cave.

"Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion cultivators have nearly all assembled." Supreme Purity Elder gazed at the demonic cavern and couldn't resist asking, "Shall we commence the assault now?"

"Not so fast."

Lyra shook her head, her eyes flickering with gravity as she said, "This Demonic Abyss Cave contains a sea of Nether Demonic Fiend Qi, while the Netherspring Astral Malice at its entrance is potent enough to repel even Golden Core, Late Stage cultivators."

"To avoid depleting our strength before the battle even begins, we'd best mobilize a large number of low-level cultivators to breach this Netherspring Yin Veil."

"Fellow Daoist Jiang makes a valid point."

Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) nodded thoughtfully. "The Ancient Azure Disc (Magic Treasure) and Heavenfire Demon-Subduing Array (Formation) I've brought," he mused, "can not only breach the Netherspring Demonic Qi (Cultivation Phenomenon), but also seal the entrance to the Devil's Abyss Cavern (Location)."

"However, this place lacks a spiritual vein. It requires a great number of cultivators channeling their vital energy to activate it."

"That should be manageable."

Elder Zhang nodded slightly, his gaze shifting toward Lyra (Person Name). "Fellow Daoist, since you've lent me the Heavenly Python Treasure Ark (Magic Treasure), I shall dispatch several tens of thousands of low-level disciples from the Azure Sky Sword Sect (Sect Name) to assist."

At this point, the value of the War Treasure Ship became evident.

Under normal circumstances, mobilizing tens of thousands of cultivators at once would require at least a year or 2.

However, Elder Zhang borrowed Lyra's (Person Name) treasure ark and transported tens of thousands of cultivators from the territory of the Azure Sky Sword Sect in just 1 month's time.

Once all the summoned cultivators had assembled, Taicang the Venerable Sage deployed the Azure Antiquity Platter and the Celestial Fire Devil-Smelting Array. Drawing upon the spiritual energy of tens of thousands of Qi Refining cultivators, he began purging the Abyssal Spring Venomous Shrewdness through the refining flames of the grand array.

Endless Refining Demonic True Flames raged at the cavern entrance, clashing violently with massive waves of Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root). The searing flames continuously eroded the power of the Netherspring Gangsha.

The Demon Cavern truly lived up to its name as a forbidden ground for demonic cultivators. Even with tens of thousands of cultivators continuously activating formation arrays to refine it, the process still took a full 3 months to deplete the majority of its power.

Seeing the opportunity had arrived, the group decided to delay no longer.

Lyra activated the Sky Python Treasure Ark and unleashed 3 strikes of the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Qi in succession.

This sword aura was like the final straw that broke the camel’s back, ultimately cleaving open the entrance to the demonic lair.

"All cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm and above, follow this old man and charge in together!"

Elder Zhang declared, taking the lead as he rode his sword and soared inside.

Several Golden Core Realm experts and Purple Mansion Ancestors immediately surged in close behind, heralding the imminent eruption of a fierce battle.

Before stepping inside, Eldrin (Person Name) gazed at the several False Core cultivators beside him—Xavier (Person Name) from the Heavenly Ruins Alliance and Patriarch Fang among them—his expression grave as he spoke.

"We cultivators of the Sky Ruins Alliance should enter together, so we can watch each other's backs."

"Understood."

The 20-some Zi Palace cultivators of the Sky Ruins Alliance also nodded, a trace of gravity flashing through their hearts.

Eldrin spoke, his gaze shifting to the family’s few Violet Mansion cultivators. In this battle, the Chen family had practically deployed almost all of their strength.

Aside from Caleb (Person Name), who had just broken through to the Violet Mansion realm, and Chen Qingwan who remained to guard the clan, Kael (Person Name), Lior (Person Name), and Chen Ethan (Person Name) had all arrived at this location.

Exchanging a glance with the old clan leader, Eldrin added, "Follow behind the old clan leader and myself. Should we encounter any cultivator at Purple Palace, Late Stage or above, remember—do not force a confrontation."

As the group spoke, they had already charged together into the Demonic Abyss Cave.

Upon entering the Devil's Cave, Eldrin swung his sword and cut down several Qi-training demonic cultivators, yet his brow involuntarily furrowed slightly.

"What formidable suppression."

The old clan leader met his gaze and couldn't help but slightly change expression.

Any cultivator, regardless of their cultivation level, would find their strength suppressed by the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) upon entering the Devil's Cave, able to wield only 70 percent of their true power.

Fortunately, Eldrin and the old clan leader practiced the "Sunfire Separation Sutra." This pure yang cultivation technique was most effective in suppressing demons and malevolent spirits, so their strength remained largely unaffected.

But the others all paled drastically, and even the Golden Core Elders revealed grave expressions. Only Lyra's Great Luo Golden Core remained unrepressed, capable of unleashing its full power.