Chapter 272 : Allies and Ancient Foes

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

Exquisite Jiang cast a glance at Grand Granary True Person and inquired, "What is the word from Yan Kingdom?"

Upon hearing this, the group turned their gazes toward Grand Granary True Person. For this journey, Grand Granary True Person had not only come to Chu Nation seeking aid but had also ventured to the Immortal Realm [the world of cultivators] of Yan Kingdom.

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

Grand Granary True Person shook his head and could not help but say, "The Deng Clan is currently at daggers drawn with the Yan Kingdom Immortal Clan Alliance. Over these past years, they have clashed three times over a single fourth-rank Water Vein [a concentrated underground flow of water-attuned spiritual energy]."

"When I arrived, they were still locked in battle and were unwilling to divert forces to help us contain Black Eagle Ridge."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. The reason the Black Eagle Demon King had been able to dominate the Verdant Azure Mountains for so many years was its peerless, heaven-defying speed in flight.

Though the Black Eagle Demon King's strength was only at the Golden Core Mid Stage, its incredible speed and formidable combat prowess made it a foe that could strike and retreat at will. Even a Golden Core Late Stage True Person would find it exceedingly difficult to pin it down.

Coupled with the complex terrain of the Verdant Azure Mountains, the two Black Eagle Demon King could only be contained, their true eradication a far more challenging prospect.

"This Yan Kingdom cultivator Immortal Realm..." Continue reading this story at audio - novel . com.

"What era is this, and still they fight to the death over mere scraps of resources."

True Person Zhang furrowed his brow, 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, demonic beasts had never breached its borders.

With Ji Clan True Lord holding the fort here, even the most grievous casualties in the Chu Nation Cultivation World could scarcely affect them. The Black Eagle Demon King was but a minor skin ailment, posing less of a threat than the scattered demonic beasts within Yan Lake.

From the perspective of an Immortal Clan like the Deng Clan within the Yan Kingdom, since these troubles did not touch them, why risk a fatal fall by confronting the demonic horde?

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

Elder Lin of the Firmament Sword Sect frowned, then spoke. "Since the Yan Kingdom cannot act, to prevent being attacked from both front and rear, we must leave at least two Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a solid golden core of spiritual power] experts behind as a precaution."

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

"Leave it to me."

Elder Lin gave a firm nod. True Person Great Defense was the Grand Elder of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, his strength already at the Golden Core 3rd Tier.

However, this individual had forged a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a high-grade core of condensed spiritual power], enabling him to contend across a minor cultivation boundary. He was powerful enough to face a cultivator at the Golden Core 4th Tier [the fourth layer of the Golden Core stage]. With the two of them joining forces, containing the threat from Black Eagle Ridge should not pose a significant problem.

After accepting the mission, Elder Lin departed for the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect to join True Person Great Defense in their efforts to contain Black Eagle Ridge.

With another person gone, the remaining Golden Core Cultivator [masters who have condensed a Golden Core] present were True Person Zhang, Grand Granary True Person, True Person Taiqing, Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort, and Exquisite Jiang.

Augmented by over one hundred and thirty Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Sanctum, a spiritual sea within], the assembled force remained formidable. They possessed a reasonable chance of cleansing the Demon Cave.

"The Foundation Establishment [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] and Violet Sanctum Cultivator are nearly all assembled," True Person Taiqing observed, gazing at the Demon Cave. He could not help but ask, "Shall we commence the assault now?"

"Not yet."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, her eyes flashing with gravity. "This Demon Cave is saturated with vast quantities of Shadow Demon Demonic Fiendish Energy [a corrupting, shadowy demonic essence]. The Shadow Spring Hardened Malice [a solidified barrier of malevolent shadow energy] at its entrance is potent enough to withstand even a Golden Core Late Stage [a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage] cultivator's assault."

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

"Fellow Daoist Jiang [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] speaks wisely,"

Grand Granary True Person nodded in agreement. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The Verdant Azure Ancient Array Disk [an ancient formation-controlling artifact] and the Heavenly Flame Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation [a mighty formation that harnesses celestial fire] I have brought can not only shatter the Shadow Spring Hardened Malice, but also seal the exit of the Demon Cave."

"However, this place lacks a Spiritual Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth]. It will require a great number of cultivators channeling their Vital Energy [the foundational life force cultivated within a practitioner's body] to activate it."

"That can be arranged."

True Person Zhang nodded and looked towards Exquisite Jiang. "Fellow Daoist, lend me your Celestial Python Treasure Ark [a flying treasure shaped like a celestial serpent], and I will mobilize some low-ranking disciples from the Firmament Sword Sect."

At this juncture, the utility of the War Treasure Ship [a massive vessel designed for transporting troops and supplies over great distances] became fully apparent.

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

Yet, by borrowing Exquisite Jiang's treasure ark, True Person Zhang transported tens of thousands of cultivators from the Firmament Sword Sect's territories in a mere month. This chapter appears courtesy of audio . novel . com.

Once the conscripted cultivators had all arrived, Grand Granary True Person deployed the Verdant Azure Ancient Array Disk [an ancient artifact used to anchor and empower formations] and activated the Heavenly Flame Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation [a grand formation that harnesses celestial fire to purge demonic influences]. Tens of thousands of Vital Essence Refinement [the foundational stage of cultivation where one refines their body's vital essence] cultivators poured their spiritual power into the formation, using the Heavenly Flame Demon-Suppressing Grand Formation to begin the arduous process of refining away the Shadow Spring Hardened Malice [a solidified, malevolent energy born from a shadowy demonic spring].

Boundless Demon-Suppressing True Flame [a purifying flame technique specifically designed to counter demonic forces] roared forth, clashing against the massive influx of Shadow Demon Demonic Fiendish Energy [the corrupt, shadow-tinged energy emitted by shadow demons] at the entrance to the Demon Cave [a cavern infested with demonic entities]. The two opposing forces collided in a relentless struggle, steadily eroding the power of the Shadow Spring Hardened Malice.

The Demon Cave lived up to its reputation as a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land [a perilous region shunned by righteous cultivators]. Even with tens of thousands of cultivators continuously fueling the Formation [a structured arrangement that harnesses and amplifies spiritual power for specific effects], it took a full three months of relentless refining to diminish the bulk of its malignant power.

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

Exquisite Jiang unleashed the Celestial Python Treasure Ark [a formidable flying treasure shaped like a celestial serpent], consecutively executing three strikes of the Seven Stars Demon-Beheading Sword Formation [a powerful sword formation designed to slay demons].

This final surge of sword energy [the concentrated power of a cultivator's blade] proved to be the last straw that broke the camel's back, finally cleaving open the entrance to the Demon Cave [a cavernous lair infested with malevolent demonic entities].

"All cultivators at the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation, where one solidifies their spiritual foundation] realm and above, follow this old man in the charge!"

With those words, True Person Zhang [a title for a cultivator who has achieved the Golden Core realm] was the first to soar in on his flying sword.

Close behind him, the several Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have condensed a Golden Core, the pinnacle of the third major stage] and the Violet Sanctum Patriarch [a patriarch who has opened his Violet Palace, the fourth major stage] all surged in one after another; a great battle was about to erupt.

Before entering, Eldrin Chen looked at the several Pseudo-Core Realm Cultivator [cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment, possessing power approaching the Golden Core stage] from the Heavenly Ruins Alliance beside him—Xavier Xu, Patriarch Fang, and others—his expression grave as he spoke.

"Let us cultivators of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance enter together, so we may watch each other's backs."

"Understood."

The more than twenty Violet Sanctum Cultivator [cultivators who have opened their Violet Palace, the fourth major stage] from the Heavenly Ruins Alliance also nodded, a weight of solemnity settling in their hearts.

As Eldrin Chen spoke, his gaze turned to the several Violet Sanctum Cultivator from his own clan. For this battle, the Chen Clan had committed nearly its full strength.

Aside from Caleb and Verdant Grace Chen, who had just broken through to the Violet Sanctum and remained to guard the clan, Kael Chen, Lior Chen, and Ethan Chen had all arrived at this place.

Exchanging a glance with the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen then spoke again, "Follow behind the Old Patriarch and myself. If you encounter any cultivator at the Violet Sanctum Late Stage or higher, remember, do not recklessly step forward."

In the time it took to speak these words, the group had already charged together into the depths of the Demon Cave.

Upon entering the Demon Cave, Eldrin Chen dispatched several Demonic Cultivator at the Vital Essence Refinement stage with a sweep of his sword, yet he couldn't help but frown slightly.

"A formidable 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 three-tenths upon entering the Demon Cave, their strength reduced to a mere seventy percent of its usual potency by the pervasive Shadow Demon Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent, corrupting energy born of demonic and fiendish sources].

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch cultivated the 'Solar Solar Fire Scripture' [a supreme cultivation art harnessing the pure, purifying power of the primordial sun]. Such Primordial Solar [pertaining to the pure, foundational power of the sun] arts were supremely effective at countering demons and malignant spirits, leaving their combat prowess largely unaffected.

The others, however, paled visibly. Even the few Golden Core True Person [cultivators who have formed a Golden Core, a solidified core of spiritual power] among them wore expressions of grave concern. Only Exquisite Jiang's Great Encompassing Golden Core [a Golden Core of exceptional purity and vast capacity] remained unshackled by the suppression, allowing her to unleash her full might. Join our community of readers at site: audio-novel.com.