Chapter 270 : The Bell's Ascendant Power

Gazing upon the golden Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell [a powerful defensive bell imbued with the essence of earth] before him, a flicker of joy passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes.

With this Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell in hand henceforth, his defensive capabilities would ascend to another tier. Combined with his Solar True Aegis [a divine defensive technique manifesting a shield of solar essence], he should fear little even when besieged by multiple cultivators of equal rank.

After all, aided by the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual throne that enhances one's spiritual energy reserves], his spiritual energy reserves far surpassed those of ordinary peers.

Moreover, this Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell was not merely a formidable defense; it also possessed potent suppression and offensive capabilities. It served as an excellent tool for both pinning down powerful foes and launching crushing assaults.

Its sonic attacks, in particular, were a devastating area-of-effect technique capable of harming the soul. Once this bell tolled, lower-ranked cultivators and demonic beasts could have their souls shattered on the spot, coughing up blood and perishing instantly.

"The defensive power of this Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell is truly Extraordinary. It should be able to withstand the Treasure Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation that magical treasures must endure to ascend in grade]," Eldrin Chen murmured.

His eyes glinted with determination as the idea of elevating this treasure's grade took root in his mind.

However, before he could proceed with the treasure's ascension, a message arrived from the Verdant Azure Mountains [a mountain range known for its spiritual energy], reaching Green Sun Mountain [the Chen family's mountain stronghold] and temporarily interrupting his plans.

"..."

Green Sun Mountain. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio—novel.com.

Within the secluded cultivation abode of Exquisite Jiang.

Eldrin Chen, Elara Lin, and four or five others were seated, their expressions grave as they looked upon Exquisite Jiang.

Of those present, aside from Eldrin Chen, all were disciples of Exquisite Jiang. She had not taken many disciples; those Eldrin Chen was most familiar with were Tea Rose Su, Elara Lin, and Like Dream Willow.

Beyond these few, most of her other disciples had already passed away, their lifespans exhausted.

Among the seated Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one opens a mystical palace within] cultivators, only one was not her direct disciple. This person was named Orchid Stream Qin, and she was a disciple of Elara Lin.

Observing the look in Exquisite Jiang's eyes, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly as he asked, "Is the news from the Verdant Azure Mountains true?"

"Grand Granary True Person paid a visit yesterday. It can no longer be doubted."

A flash of sharpness passed through Exquisite Jiang's eyes as she spoke with calm finality.

It turned out that not long before, the sect master of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect from the Verdant Azure Mountains, Grand Granary True Person himself, had come to Chu Nation. He had visited, in turn, the Firmament Sword Sect, the Purple Abyss Sect, and the Heavenly Ruins Alliance.

The purpose of Grand Granary True Person's journey was to invite these three great sects to join forces in an assault on the Demon Cave.

Elara Lin [a cultivator of the Chen Clan] wore a grave expression as she could not help but ask, "With the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] imminent, why is the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect [a major immortal cultivation sect] inviting us to attack the Demon Cave [a stronghold of demonic cultivators] at this very moment?"

"That Demon Cave has committed a heinous act, thoroughly enraging the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect."

Exquisite Jiang [a powerful female cultivator and ally] let out a sigh and began to explain calmly.

It turned out that not long ago, Yan Old Demon [a notorious demonic cultivator] had recovered from his injuries and broken through to the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one condenses a golden spiritual core].

After this fiend's breakthrough, he immediately sought to cultivate the Great God Ability [a powerful and sinister demonic art] known as the Blood Demon Clone [an art that creates clones from blood and essence]. Having suffered at the hands of Exquisite Jiang and the Chu Nation [a human nation], and with his aura now marked by the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword [a legendary immortal sword], this demon did not set his sights on Chu Nation.

Instead, he targeted the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, which also resided within the Verdant Azure Mountains [a vast and spiritually rich mountain range]. Now, the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect had been established in the Verdant Azure Mountains for thousands of years. Generation after generation of its cultivators took wives and concubines, establishing eight or nine cities of varying sizes deep within the mountains.

Most of these cities were located in relatively flat areas where mortals could barely survive. However, the unique terrain of the Verdant Azure Mountains meant a single city could not support too many mortals, hence they were divided into eight or nine separate settlements.

The mortals across these cities numbered in the hundreds of millions, forming the very foundation of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect's legacy. It was precisely because of these mortals that the sect had been able to produce three Golden Core True Person [a title for a cultivator who has reached the Golden Core Realm].

This time, after Yan Old Demon's breakthrough, the power of the Demon Cave surged dramatically, and they turned their covetous eyes toward the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect.

Led by Yan Old Demon and three other ancient fiends, tens of thousands of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use demonic and often bloody methods] launched a surprise attack on three of the smaller cities. These cities, lacking the protection of a Golden Core True Person, stood no chance against the siege by tens of thousands of cultivators and a Golden Core [realm] old demon.

Although the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect received support from a Golden Core True Person [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, a solidified mass of spiritual energy within the dantian], they only managed to protect a single city in time.

Two cities were bloodily purged in a single night, with over twenty million mortals sacrificed in a horrific blood ritual. This atrocity, so utterly devoid of humanity, ignited the full fury of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect's Golden Core True Person.

To exact vengeance, the sect master of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, Grand Granary True Person, personally came to Chu Nation to beseech its three great immortal sects to join forces and eradicate this scourge once and for all.

"These Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use dark, often sacrificial, methods to gain power]..."

After hearing the account, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy, his killing intent boiling over.

The others were equally shocked. Tea Rose Su couldn't help but ask, "Master, should we intervene?" Original publication: audio - novel . com - The source of this chapter.

"Of course we intervene."

"And we must intervene with our full strength."

Exquisite Jiang stated calmly. If they did not lend their aid now...

...then later, when the Demon Cave picked off the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect's cities one by one and devoured vast quantities of Human Race flesh and blood, its power would surely swell tremendously.

When the time comes and the restraining influence of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect is gone, the Demon Cave [a notorious stronghold of demonic cultivators] will undoubtedly become a dire threat, and the one to face the brunt of the trouble will be the Chu Nation.

Eldrin Chen also nodded, stating calmly, "If we do not aid them now, who will help us when we face difficulties in the future?"

Since both had spoken, the matter was thus settled.

One decree after another was issued from the Horizon Communication Mirror [a magical artifact for long-distance communication], reaching the various major Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan [powerful clans led by cultivators of the Violet Sanctum realm] within the Heavenly Ruins Alliance.

For this assault on the Demon Cave, it was decided that the main force would consist only of cultivators at or above the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation]. As for Vital Essence Refinement [the first stage of cultivation] cultivators, only ten thousand would be mobilized to power the Heavenly Python Treasure Ship [a massive, ship-shaped magical treasure].

To participate in the battle with their full strength, the hundreds of Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan [clans whose patriarchs are at the Foundation Establishment realm] and the dozen or so Violet Sanctum Immortal Clan under the banner of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance all dispatched over half of their forces.

More than twenty Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators of the third major realm] alone were mobilized, and over three hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators of the second major realm] were drafted.

To prevent the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods] from escaping the Demon Cave and attacking them from behind, Exquisite Jiang immediately summoned the Green Sun Treasure Ark [a flying treasure shaped like a majestic ark]. She then transported Eldrin Chen, the other Violet Sanctum cultivators, and the Foundation Establishment Cultivator to the Verdant Azure Mountains.

By this time, the Firmament Sword Sect [a powerful sword cultivation sect] and the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect had already taken action. Nearly a hundred Violet Sanctum Cultivator and four Golden Core Patriarch [powerful cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, the fourth major realm] had surrounded the Demon Cave, sealing it off completely.

Unlike the Heavenly Ruins Alliance and the Purple Abyss Sect, which needed to guard against demon beasts, these two sects were long-standing mortal enemies of the Demon Cave. They had essentially emptied their nests for this assault.

Aside from leaving a single Golden Core Patriarch to guard their Spirit Mountain against the Black Eagle Demon King, the Grand Granary True Person [the leader of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect], the Second Elder, and the True Person Taiqing of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect had all arrived outside the Demon Cave.

Of their sect's more than sixty Violet Sanctum Cultivators [cultivators who have opened their Violet Palaces, the third major realm], a full forty had come for this battle.

The sect master True Person Zhang and the elder True Person Lin of the Firmament Sword Sect [a sword cultivation sect] had also come, bringing several dozen of their own Violet Sanctum Cultivators with them.

When Eldrin Chen arrived outside the Demon Cave, he saw the four Golden Core True Persons [cultivators of the Golden Core realm, the fourth major realm] and several Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivators [cultivators at the peak of Violet Sanctum realm, approaching Golden Core] gathered together atop a pavilion-shaped magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] floating in the sky.

Upon seeing Exquisite Jiang, one of them called out, "Fellow Daoist Jiang [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], Fellow Daoist Chen, please join us."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered, recognizing the speaker as Sect Master Zhang of the Firmament Sword Sect.

He had met this True Person Zhang once before during the campaign against Zhang Old Demon. This True Person Zhang possessed cultivation at the Golden Core Late Stage, making him the foremost expert in all of Chu Nation.

Moreover, with his profound spiritual power, he could barely unleash a fraction of the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword's might, rendering his combat prowess truly formidable.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists."

Exquisite Jiang led Eldrin Chen forward, offering the assembly a calm and measured greeting. Discover more cultivation stories at audio . novel . com.