Chapter 272 : Alliance Forged in Ancient Shadows

Since the most profound cultivator present, Zhang the True Person, spoke thus, the others naturally steeled their resolve.

Lyra Jiang glanced at Taicang the Venerable and still asked, "What is the word from Yan Kingdom?"

Upon hearing this, the others all looked towards Taicang the Venerable. For this journey, Taicang the Venerable had not only come to Chu Kingdom seeking aid but had also visited the Cultivation World [the world where cultivators reside and pursue the Dao] of Yan Kingdom.

After all, Black Eagle Ridge bordered Yan Kingdom. Although the pressure there was not as immense as in Chu Kingdom, it was still a shared, ancient foe.

That Taicang the Venerable shook his head and could not help but say, "The Deng Clan and the Yan Nation Immortal Clan Alliance are now at daggers drawn. Over these past years, they have fought three battles over a single Fourth Rank Water Vein [a vein of earth imbued with potent water-element spiritual energy, suitable for Golden Core Realm cultivation]."

"When I arrived, they were still locked in a great conflict and were unwilling to divert their forces to contain Black Eagle Ridge for us."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. The reason the Black Eagle Demon King had been able to dominate the Cerulean Peaks Range for so many years was its possession of a flight speed rarely seen under heaven.

That Black Eagle Demon King possessed strength only at the Golden Core, Mid Stage level. Yet, relying on its extraordinary speed and formidable combat prowess, this demonic beast could both attack fiercely and retreat swiftly. Even a Golden Core, Late Stage True Person would find it difficult to pin it down.

Coupled with the complex terrain of the Cerulean Peaks Range, the two Black Eagle Demon King could only be contained, their true eradication proving elusive.

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"What era is this, that we still fight to the death over mere scraps of resources?"

Zhang the True Person furrowed his brows, unable to suppress a sigh.

He understood in his heart that the Yan Kingdom Cultivation World was situated deep within the heartland of the Ji Continent. For over two thousand years, its borders had never been breached by Demonic Beast hordes.

With Ji Clan True Lord holding the line here, even the most grievous casualties in the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World could scarcely affect them. The Black Eagle Demon King was but a minor skin rash, a lesser threat compared to the scattered Demonic Beast lurking within the Yan Lake.

To immortal clans like the Deng Clan of Yan Kingdom, since these troubles could not reach them, why risk a fall from grace by confronting the demonic hordes?

Better to conserve their strength for now, to better answer any future summons from the Ji Clan.

The Lin the Elder from the Firmament Sword Sect frowned, then spoke. "Since Yan Kingdom will not act, to prevent being attacked from both front and rear, we must leave at least two Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid golden core] cultivators behind as a precaution."

Zhang the True Person glanced at Lin the Elder and nodded in agreement. "Junior Brother Lin, you and Taiwu the True Person shall go to contain the forces at Black Eagle Ridge."

"Leave it to me."

Lin the Elder gave a firm nod. Taiwu the True Person was the Grand Elder of the Verdant Immortal Sect, his strength already at the Golden Core, 3rd Tier [the third layer within the Golden Core realm, signifying significant advancement].

However, the Middle Golden Core [a mid-grade core formed during the Golden Core breakthrough] forged by this individual allowed him to contend across a minor realm, enabling him to face cultivators at the Golden Core, 4th Tier [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solid golden core of spiritual power]. With the two of them joining forces, containing the threat from Black Eagle Ridge should not pose a significant problem.

After accepting the mission, Lin the Elder departed for the Verdant Immortal Sect [a major righteous cultivation sect], intending to coordinate with Taiwu the True Person [a True Lord cultivator] to jointly contain the forces at Black Eagle Ridge.

With another person having left, the remaining Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have solidified their spiritual power into a Golden Core] present were Zhang the True Person, Taicang the Venerable, Taiqing the True Person, Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden, and Lyra Jiang.

Coupled with over one hundred and thirty Purple Mansion Cultivator [practitioners who have opened their third spiritual sea, the Purple Mansion], the assembled force remained formidable, possessing a reasonable chance of cleansing the Demon Cave Cavern.

"The Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] and Purple Mansion Cultivator are nearly all assembled," Taiqing the True Person remarked, gazing at the Demon Cave Cavern. He could not help but ask, "Shall we commence the assault now?"

"There is no need for haste."

Lyra Jiang shook her head, her eyes flashing with gravity. "The Demon Cave Cavern is saturated with vast quantities of Shadow Demon Malignancy Qi [a corrupt, shadow-tinged spiritual energy that erodes life and cultivation]. The Shadow Spring Aegis Malignancy [a dense, protective barrier formed from condensed shadowy malignant energy] at its entrance is potent enough to withstand even Golden Core, Late Stage [advanced Golden Core] cultivators."

"To avoid depleting our strength before the true battle even begins, it would be best to mobilize a large number of lower-realm cultivators to breach this Shadow Spring Aegis Malignancy."

"Fellow Daoist Lyra [a respectful form of address between cultivators] speaks wisely."

Taicang the Venerable nodded in agreement. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The Verdant Ancient Formation Plate [an ancient artifact used to deploy powerful formations] and the Heavenly Fire Demon-Refining Grand Formation [a grand formation that harnesses heavenly fire to purify demonic entities] I have brought can not only shatter the Shadow Spring Aegis Malignancy, but also seal the exit of the Demon Cave Cavern."

"However, this place lacks a Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy within the earth]. It would require a vast number of cultivators channeling their True Qi [the refined energy cultivated within a practitioner's body] to activate it."

"That can be arranged."

Zhang the True Person nodded and looked towards Lyra Jiang. "Fellow Daoist, if you lend me the Heaven-Devouring Serpent Treasure Boat [a large, enchanted vessel used for transportation and warfare], I can mobilize several tens of thousands of low-rank cultivators from the territories of the Firmament Sword Sect."

At this juncture, the true value of a war-grade treasure vessel became apparent.

Under normal circumstances, assembling tens of thousands of cultivators would require at least one or two years.

Yet, by borrowing Lyra Jiang's Treasure Boat, Zhang the True Person transported the required multitudes from the Firmament Sword Sect's domains in a mere month. This chapter appears courtesy of audi novel.com.

Once the conscripted cultivators had gathered, Taicang the Venerable deployed the Verdant Ancient Formation Plate [an ancient artifact used to anchor and empower large-scale formations] and activated the Heavenly Fire Demon-Refining Grand Formation [a grand formation designed to purify demonic energies with celestial fire]. Tens of thousands of Qi Refinement Cultivators [practitioners at the foundational stage of cultivation] poured their mana into the formation, using its power to smelt and erode the Shadow Spring Aegis Malignancy [a potent, defensive miasma of shadowy, demonic energy].

A boundless sea of Demon-Refining True Flame [a purifying flame technique used against demonic forces] roared against the entrance to the Demon Cave Cavern, clashing endlessly with the vast quantities of Shadow Demon Malignancy Qi [a corrupt, shadow-tinged energy]. This relentless assault steadily consumed the power of the Shadow Spring Aegis Malignancy.

The Demon Cave Cavern lived up to its reputation as a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a perilous stronghold of demonic practitioners]. Even with tens of thousands of cultivators continuously fueling the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and symbols used to produce magical effects], it took a full three months to deplete the majority of its defensive might.

Seeing their opportunity had finally arrived, the assembled forces decided to delay no longer.

Lyra Jiang activated the Heaven-Devouring Serpent Treasure Boat and unleashed three consecutive strikes of the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura.

These sword auras were the final straw that broke the camel's back, finally cleaving open the entrance to the demonic cavern.

"All cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm and above, follow this old man inside to slay the foe."

With those words, Zhang the True Person was the first to soar in on his flying sword.

Several Golden Core True Person and Purple Mansion Ancestor followed closely behind, flooding into the cavern as a great battle was about to erupt.

Before entering, Eldrin Chen looked at the several False Core Cultivator from the Heaven's Ruin Alliance beside him, such as Xavier Xu and Fang the Ancient Ancestor, and spoke with a grave expression.

"Let us from the Heaven's Ruin Alliance enter together, so we may watch each other's backs."

"Understood."

The more than twenty Purple Mansion Cultivator from the Heaven's Ruin Alliance also nodded, a sense of gravity flashing in their hearts.

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned to the several Purple Mansion Cultivator from his clan. For this battle, the Chen Clan had committed nearly its full strength.

Aside from Caleb, who had just broken through to the Purple Mansion, and Chen Elara who remained to guard the clan, Kael Chen, Lior Chen, and Ethan Chen had all arrived at this place.

After exchanging a glance with the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "Stay behind the Old Patriarch and myself. If you encounter any cultivator at or above the Purple Palace, Late Stage, remember, do not recklessly step forward."

As they spoke, the group surged forward together, plunging into the depths of the Demon Cave Cavern.

Upon entering the Demon Cave Cavern, Eldrin Chen swept his sword, cutting down several Qi Refinement Demonic Cultivator. He couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Such potent suppression," he murmured.

The Old Patriarch met his gaze, his own expression shifting subtly.

Any cultivator, regardless of their cultivation level, would find their power suppressed by a third upon entering the Demon Cave Cavern, their strength reduced to a mere seventy percent of its usual potency. This was the effect of the pervasive Shadow Demon Malignancy Qi [a corrupting, shadowy energy born of demonic influence].

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch cultivated the 'Solar Separated Flame Scripture'. Such a Pure Yang Cultivation Art [a cultivation method harnessing the pure, untainted energy of the sun] was supremely effective at countering demonic entities and malignant energies, allowing them to retain most of their combat prowess.

The others, however, all showed signs of strain. Even the several Golden Core True Person present wore expressions of grave seriousness. Only Lyra Jiang, with her Great Luo Golden Core [a supreme-grade Golden Core representing the pinnacle of foundation for a cultivator], remained unaffected by the suppression, able to wield her full, formidable power. Original publication: audio-novel`com - The source of this chapter.