Chapter 298. Occupying Celestial Python Lake (Location), Water Element Treasure Pearl (Spiritual Object)

"So that's how it is."

Everyone was overjoyed, never expecting Lyra and Eldrin to have kept their secrecy so impeccably.

Even they were deceived, no wonder the demon race suffered such a heavy loss. At this thought, they couldn't resist flattering: "With the schemes and power of you 2, it was only fitting for the demon race to face this calamity."

"Very well, let us discuss what comes next."

Lyra silenced the flattery from the crowd, her gaze fixed toward the direction of Scorched Sun Mountain.

She pondered for a moment before saying, "After this battle, the Earth Lion Ridge can no longer hold its ground. They will surely begin their retreat within 3 days to preserve their strength."

"Thus, I intend to capitalize on our decisive victory and lead our forces to conquer the territories surrounding Celestial Python Lake (Location), expanding the domain of our human race."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with ecstasy.

Unlike the situation over 80 years ago, back when Lyra chose to abandon Celestial Python Lake, there were 3 primary reasons.

Firstly, due to insufficient strength, the Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) had only Lyra (Person Name) as a single Golden Core combatant back then, with its subordinate forces limited to the major immortal clans of Border Province. Relying solely on such strength to occupy a fourth-order spirit mountain deep within demon territory posed far too great a risk.

Moreover, Lyra was at a critical juncture of breaking through to the Violet Mansion Realm at that time, making it unsuitable for her to rashly venture into occupying a spirit mountain.

Second, due to geographical circumstances, when Scorched Sun Mountain (Location) fell, Celestial Python Lake (Location) became isolated beyond the mainland. Seizing it would inevitably provoke a joint assault from Demon Ape Mountain (Location), Earth Lion Ridge (Location), and Crimson Scorpion Ridge (Location).

Third, due to the deterioration of internal relations, their relationship with the Qingyang Sect had nearly reached a breaking point. Lyra (Person Name) also harbored the idea of first seizing Mount Qingyang, consolidating control over the 3 provinces, and then setting sights on the demon race's territory.

For these 3 reasons combined, Lyra had no choice but to abandon that incomparably precious fourth-order spirit vein and earth vein.

Now, 1 100 years had passed, yet the landscape had undergone a tremendous transformation.

Now that Lyra had broken through to the Golden Core Realm, her power had increased by more than just several times compared to the past. Moreover, the current strength of the Sky Ruins Alliance far surpassed what it once was, truly making it a far cry from its former self.

Now, the geographical landscape has also drastically changed. With the Scarlet Scorpion Ridge's demon king slain, the territory of Scarlet Scorpion Ridge is likely to plunge into great chaos over the next few decades, leaving it with no time to concern itself with Celestial Python Lake (Location).

Although the Demon Ape Mountain and the Earth Lion Ridge still maintained a pincer formation against the Celestial Python Lake, the Demon Ape Mountain was now restrained by the Ziyuan Sect.

As for Earth Lion Ridge, it is restrained by Scorched Sun Mountain (Location), which is sufficient to prevent it from fully targeting Celestial Python Lake (Location).

In this battle, the Black Flood Dragon (Demon Beast) and the Crimson Scorpion Demon King (Demon Beast) were slain. As the Foundation Establishment demon beasts of Celestial Python Lake (Location) crumbled in defeat, nearly half of them were also eliminated.

Once Lyra is captured, cleansing the various spirit mountains will become much easier.

"Since we're going to fight, we must go all out."

Eldrin spoke thoughtfully, pausing for a moment before continuing, "Let us first deploy the Celestial Python Treasure Ark to seize Celestial Python Lake. Afterward, we shall turn back and capture those third-order spirit mountains held by the demon tribes 1 by 1."

To resolve the matter swiftly, Lyra mobilized the Heavenly Python Treasure Ark. That very day, she deployed 10,000 elite cultivators from Celestial Ruins Mountain, transporting the entire army aboard the ark deep into the heart of Celestial Python Lake's territory.

The Celestial Python Ark truly lived up to its reputation as a war vessel. Despite the Celestial Python Lake (Location) being over 400,000 li from the Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location), it covered the immense distance in merely a dozen or so days before arriving.

Upon arriving at Celestial Python Lake (Location), Eldrin (Person Name) discovered that a defensive formation had long been activated over the lake.

"Indeed, there is a mountain protection array."

Eldrin and Lyra exchanged a glance before activating the Heaven-Serpent Treasure Ship’s grand offensive formation.

Such massive war treasure vessels travel at a mere 30,000 li per day—a speed comparable to that of a Purple Palace, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator. Thus, they pose little threat to Golden Core (Cultivation Realm) experts, serving only as passive targets for their attacks.

However, when deployed against hordes of low-level demonic beasts and immobile formations, the war treasure ship could unleash truly astonishing power.

The Celestial Python Treasure Ship erupted in a dazzling radiance as over 10,000 cultivators jointly activated the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura. After delivering 3 consecutive strikes, they forcibly shattered the lower fourth-grade mountain-protecting formation over Celestial Python Lake (Location).

After breaching the great formation, Eldrin was the first to charge inside.

In the lake, a Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) demon crocodile attempted to flee. With a cold laugh, he gave chase, the Twin Li Fire Swords of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) unleashing over a dozen sword beams in succession. In merely 10 moves, the demon crocodile’s head was severed.

The many cultivators aboard the treasure ship were also overjoyed, charging into the Celestial Python Lake (Location) to begin clearing out the lake's countless low-level demonic beasts.

"Finally, we've taken it."

After slaying the several Zifu-level demonic beasts left behind, Eldrin and Lyra exchanged a knowing smile.

Xavier (Person Name), the Old Patriarch Fang, and the others nearby all wore joyous expressions as they cupped their hands toward Lyra (Person Name) and Eldrin (Person Name) in salute.

"Congratulations to you both on acquiring yet another fourth-rank spirit mountain."

"Ha ha ha."

Eldrin (Person Name) let out a hearty laugh, leading the group of Zi Palace cultivators as they soared toward the archipelago at the heart of the lake.

Emerging from the spiritual pond, Eldrin (Person Name) retrieved a Water Element Treasure Pearl (Spiritual Object), his face lighting up with joy as he exclaimed, "After coveting this treasure for years, it has finally fallen into my hands."

The Water Element Treasure Pearl (Spiritual Object) possesses boundless miraculous functions. Not only can it assist water-attributed demonic beasts in their cultivation, but it also serves as a superior treasure for alchemy and artifact forging. Furthermore, it can aid in breaking through to the Golden Core realm.

Though everyone's eyes were filled with greed, they still possessed self-awareness.

In terms of strength and contributions to this battle, all of them combined likely pale in comparison to Eldrin (Person Name), and thus they have no right to contend.

Lyra did not rush to tally the spoils of this battle. With her own hands, she dismantled the mountain-protecting formation of Celestial Python Lake, then used the Dragon-Transformation Saber as the primary array anchor. Together with the fourth-grade treasure Aqua Essence Orb, she constructed an Aqua Dragon-Slaying Grand Formation.

After setting up the formation, Lyra gathered everyone and said, "Though we've captured Celestial Python Lake, there remains a vast territory spanning 400,000 li within the boundaries of Celestial Python Lake and Celestial Ruins Mountain."

"Among them are 7 third-order spirit mountains and 5 third-order earth veins. We must seize them as quickly as possible."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The demon race’s territory was vastly different from that of the human race.

The territory of Celestial Python Lake (Location) spanned a vast 4 100 1000 li, slightly larger than the 3 provinces controlled by the Heavenly Ruins Alliance. However, it possessed only 7 third-order spirit veins and a mere 5 earth veins.

The primary reason was that low-level demons were incapable of developing the land or cultivating spirit veins.

The Heavenrend Alliance spanned approximately 300,000 li across 3 provinces, boasting over 30 third-order spirit veins. Yet the vast majority of these spirit veins had been artificially cultivated over thousands of years.

The Celestial Python Lake (Location) possessed extremely few third-order spirit veins, and its earth veins were pitifully scarce. Within its territory, there undoubtedly lay concealed numerous third-order earth veins, awaiting gradual exploration by the Tianxu Alliance in the future.

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Lyra (Person Name) said with a gentle smile, "Now that Celestial Python Lake (Location) has been initially secured, I must remain here to maintain stability and prevent any unforeseen incidents. For the time being, I cannot leave this place. I must trouble you all to handle this matter."

Eldrin nodded calmly and said, "I shall take them to handle this matter."

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of frost and decay. Li Ming, his robes torn and stained with blood, struggled to maintain his footing on the slippery, ice-covered rocks. His spiritual power was nearly depleted, a faint, flickering ember within his dantian. "Just a little further," he muttered through gritted teeth, his breath misting in the frigid air. "The cave of the Frozen Soul Herb must be close." Suddenly, a low growl rumbled from the shadows ahead. A massive Icefang Snow Leopard emerged, its fur the color of driven snow and its eyes glowing with a pale blue light. It bared its dagger-like fangs, each 1 dripping with condensed spiritual energy. Li Ming's heart sank. This was a Grade 3 demon beast, equivalent to a human cultivator at the 7th level of the Foundation Establishment realm. In his peak condition, it would have been a challenging fight. Now, gravely injured and with less than 10 percent of his spiritual power remaining, it seemed hopeless. He clutched the hilt of his sword, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. Its warm, fiery aura was a small comfort against the oppressive cold. He had no choice but to fight. "Come on then, you overgrown cat!" he shouted, forcing bravado into his voice. The Snow Leopard lunged. Li Ming sidestepped, his movements sluggish. The beast's claws grazed his arm, sending a jolt of numbing cold through his body. He countered with a sweeping arc of his sword, the Li Fire energy leaving a trail of crimson light in the air. The attack barely singed the demon beast's hide. *This won't do,* he thought desperately. *I can't win a battle of attrition.* He reached into his spatial pouch, his fingers closing around a small, cold jade vial. Inside was his last Heaven Returning Pill (Elixir), a treasure he had been saving for a true life-or-death moment. He popped the seal and swallowed the pill in 1 swift motion. A torrent of pure, violent spiritual energy erupted within him, flooding his meridians. The pain from his injuries vanished, replaced by a surge of immense power. His aura skyrocketed, temporarily pushing him to the peak of Foundation Establishment. The Snow Leopard paused, sensing the sudden shift. "Now," Li Ming said, his voice now steady and cold as iron. "Let's end this." He channeled the rampant energy into the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss. The blade erupted in flames, the heat so intense it caused the surrounding snow to instantly vaporize. He executed the third form of his family's sword art, the "Phantom Inferno Strike." His body became a blur. Dozens of afterimages flickered around the demon beast, each 1 striking simultaneously with the force of a blazing meteor. The Snow Leopard roared in confusion and pain, its icy defenses shattering under the relentless assault. With a final, decisive thrust, Li Ming plunged the fiery sword deep into the beast's skull. The Icefang Snow Leopard shuddered once and then collapsed, its body already beginning to melt the snow beneath it. Li Ming stood panting, the borrowed power from the pill already receding, leaving behind a profound emptiness. He quickly carved out the beast's demon core, a crystalline object pulsing with frost energy. "1 Grade 3 demon core," he whispered, storing it away. "That should be enough to exchange for a few 1000 spirit stones back at the sect." He looked up towards the hidden cave, a new determination in his eyes. His journey was far from over.