Chapter 298 : A Strategic Conquest Unveiled

"So that's how it is."

Everyone was overjoyed, never imagining that Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen had kept their plans so utterly secret.

They had even managed to deceive their own allies, no wonder the Demon Race [the collective term for non-human, often antagonistic, sentient beings] had suffered such a heavy blow. Thinking of this, they couldn't help but offer flattery: "With the strategies and power of you two, it was only fitting that the Demon Race met with this calamity."

"Enough, let's discuss what comes next."

Exquisite Jiang halted the stream of praise, her gaze turning towards the direction of Scorching Sun Mountain.

She pondered for a moment, then declared, "After this battle, Earth Lion Ridge stands alone and unsupported. Within three days, they will surely begin to retreat to preserve their strength."

"Therefore, I intend to ride the momentum of this great victory and lead our forces to conquer the territory held by Heavenly Python Lake, expanding the borders for the Human Race."

Upon hearing this, expressions of wild elation spread across everyone's faces.

Unlike the situation over eighty years ago, the primary reasons Exquisite Jiang had abandoned Heavenly Python Lake back then were threefold.

First, their strength was insufficient. At that time, Heavenly Ruins Mountain possessed only Exquisite Jiang as a Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden spiritual core] level combatant. Their subordinate forces consisted merely of the various Immortal Clan [powerful, cultivation-focused families with long lineages] from Border Province. With such limited power, attempting to hold a Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain [a mountain with a powerful spiritual energy vein, suitable for high-level cultivation] deep within Demon Race territory carried far too great a risk. Access the full story on *audio-novel.com*.

Furthermore, back then, Exquisite Jiang was at a critical juncture of her breakthrough to the Golden Core realm, making it unsuitable for her to rashly take risks and occupy the Spirit Mountain.

The second reason was geographical. At that time, Scorching Sun Mountain had fallen, leaving Heavenly Python Lake isolated beyond the borders. Occupying it would have inevitably drawn attacks from Demonic Ape Mountain, Earth Lion Ridge, and Crimson Scorpion Ridge.

The third reason was deteriorating internal relations. Their ties with the Verdant Sun Sect were already nearly severed. Exquisite Jiang also harbored the idea of first securing Green Sun Mountain, consolidating the three prefectures, and only then turning her ambitions towards the Demon Race Territory.

These three reasons combined forced Exquisite Jiang to reluctantly abandon that immensely precious Fourth-Rank Spiritual Vein and its Earth Vein [a deep, stable source of earth-attribute spiritual energy].

Now, a century later, the landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation.

Today, Exquisite Jiang has broken through to the Golden Core Realm, her power having increased manifold compared to the past. Coupled with the Heavenly Ruins Alliance's current strength, which far surpasses its former self, the situation is utterly different.

The geographical environment has also changed significantly. With the Crimson Scorpion Ridge Demon King slain, the territory of Crimson Scorpion Ridge will likely descend into great chaos for the next several decades, leaving it with little capacity to concern itself with Heavenly Python Lake.

Although Demonic Ape Mountain and Earth Lion Ridge still flank Heavenly Python Lake, Demonic Ape Mountain is kept in check by the Purple Abyss Sect.

As for Earth Lion Ridge, it is restrained by Scorching Sun Mountain, sufficient to deter it from focusing its full might on Heavenly Python Lake.

In this battle, the Black Flood Dragon Demon King and the Crimson Scorpion Demon King were slain. Following the rout of Heavenly Python Lake's Violet Sanctum and Foundation Establishment demon beasts, nearly half of them were also cut down.

After capturing Exquisite Jiang [the beautiful and powerful female cultivator], clearing the various Spirit Mountain [mountains rich in spiritual energy] would become much easier.

"Since we have decided to act, we must commit ourselves fully and without reservation,"

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist and clan leader] declared. After a moment of contemplation, he continued, "We shall first mobilize the Celestial Python Treasure Ark [a massive, fortress-like flying treasure ship] to seize Heavenly Python Lake [a demon-occupied lake region]. Once that is done, we can turn our attention to capturing the various third-rank Spirit Mountain [mountains rich in spiritual energy] held by the Demon Race [a race of malevolent, beast-like cultivators]."

To achieve a swift and decisive victory, Exquisite Jiang mustered the Celestial Python Treasure Ark. That very day, she drew ten thousand elite cultivators from Heavenly Ruins Mountain [the main stronghold of the Chen Clan] and embarked with this army aboard the treasure ark, heading deep into the territory of Heavenly Python Lake.

The Celestial Python Treasure Ark truly lived up to its reputation as a weapon of war. Despite the distance of over four hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] between Heavenly Python Lake and Heavenly Ruins Mountain, the ark traversed it in a mere ten-plus days.

Upon arriving at Heavenly Python Lake, Eldrin Chen observed that a defensive Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used for protection or attack] had already been activated over the lake for some time.

"As expected, they have a Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array designed to protect a mountain or territory]," he noted.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang and then activated the offensive grand formation of the Heavenly Python Treasure Ship [another name for the Celestial Python Treasure Ark].

Such large War Treasure Ship [massive, fortified vessels used for warfare and troop transport] could only travel thirty thousand Li-length per day—a speed comparable to a Violet Sanctum Early Stage [the third major realm of cultivation] cultivator. Against a Golden Core Cultivator [the fourth major realm of cultivation], they were little more than slow-moving targets, posing little threat.

However, when deployed against hordes of low-level demonic beasts or stationary Formation, the destructive potential of a War Treasure Ship was truly formidable.

The Heavenly Python Treasure Ship [a massive, ship-shaped magical treasure] erupted with dazzling radiance. Over ten thousand cultivators channeled their power in unison, activating the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura [a powerful, star-aligned sword technique]. With three successive, earth-sundering strikes, they forcibly shattered the Fourth Rank Low-Grade Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive barrier of significant power] that shielded Heavenly Python Lake.

Once the grand formation was breached, Eldrin Chen was the first to charge into the breach, his figure a streak of lethal intent.

A Violet Sanctum Late Stage Demon Crocodile [a powerful reptilian demon beast] lurking within the lake attempted to flee for its life. Eldrin Chen let out a cold snort and gave chase. His Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords] flashed, unleashing over a dozen arcs of razor-sharp sword energy. In the span of barely ten exchanges, the demon crocodile's head was severed from its body.

Elated, the multitude of cultivators aboard the treasure ship surged into Heavenly Python Lake, beginning the grim task of cleansing the lake of its countless lesser demonic beasts.

"Finally, it is taken," Eldrin Chen murmured, a wave of relief washing over him.

After dispatching the few remaining Violet Sanctum Demonic Beast left to guard the lake, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang exchanged a look of shared triumph and weary satisfaction. Join our community of readers at audio-novel-dot-com.

Nearby, Xavier Xu, Patriarch Fang, and the others wore expressions of genuine joy. They clasped their hands and bowed respectfully towards Exquisite Jiang and Eldrin Chen. "Our congratulations to you both," they said in unison, "on acquiring another Fourth-Rank Spirit Mountain [a mountain peak imbued with potent spiritual energy]."

"Ha ha ha!" Eldrin Chen's laughter rang out, rich and full. He then led the group of Violet Sanctum Cultivator [powerful cultivators at the Violet Sanctum stage] towards the archipelago at the heart of the lake.

From within the Spirit Pond, Eldrin Chen retrieved a Water Essence Treasure Pearl [a precious pearl containing the refined essence of water], his face alight with triumph as he declared, "I have coveted this treasure for years. Finally, it is mine."

The Water Essence Treasure Pearl possessed myriad wondrous uses. Not only could it aid water-attributed demonic beasts in their cultivation, it was also a superior treasure for alchemy and artifact forging, and could even assist in breaking through to the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core].

Though the others eyed it with longing, they possessed a clear sense of their own standing.

In terms of both strength and contribution to this battle, all of them combined likely fell short of Eldrin Chen. Naturally, they had no grounds to contest his claim.

Exquisite Jiang did not rush to tally the spoils of war. Instead, she personally dismantled the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array that shields a mountain or territory] of Heavenly Python Lake. Then, using the Dragon Transformation Blade as the primary Formation Eye [the core artifact that anchors and powers a formation array], she combined it with the Fourth-Rank Magical Treasure Final Water Pearl to erect a formidable Final Water Dragon-Slaying Grand Formation [a powerful water-based formation designed to suppress and slay dragon-type entities].

Once the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts that produces specific magical effects] was established, Exquisite Jiang gathered everyone and stated, "Although we have captured Heavenly Python Lake, the territory encompassing both the lake and Heavenly Ruins Mountain spans a vast four hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]."

"Within it lie seven third-rank Spirit Mountain [mountains imbued with spiritual energy] and five Third-Rank Earth Vein [geological formations that channel earth-attribute spiritual energy]. We must secure these as swiftly as possible."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The nature of Demon Race Territory differed greatly from that of the Human Race.

The domain of Heavenly Python Lake covered four hundred thousand Li-length, slightly larger than the Three Prefectures Region held by the Heavenly Ruins Alliance. Yet, it contained only seven Third-order Spiritual Vein [veins of concentrated spiritual energy] and a mere five Earth Vein.

The primary reason was that lower-tier members of the Demon Race lacked the knowledge to develop the land or the methods to nurture Spiritual Vein.

The Heavenly Ruins Alliance spans a vast territory of over three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] across three provinces. Within its borders lie more than thirty Third-order Spiritual Vein [a high-grade source of concentrated spiritual energy]. However, the vast majority of these thirty-plus Spiritual Vein [natural conduits of spiritual energy] were artificially cultivated over the course of several millennia.

In contrast, the Heavenly Python Lake region possesses extremely few Third-order Spiritual Vein [high-grade spiritual energy sources], and its Earth Vein [geological conduits of terrestrial energy] are similarly scarce. It is certain that numerous hidden Third-Rank Earth Vein [high-grade terrestrial energy sources] lie concealed within its territory, awaiting future discovery and gradual development by the Heavenly Ruins Alliance.

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Exquisite Jiang spoke with a gentle smile. "Now that Heavenly Python Lake has been newly secured, I must remain here to oversee and guard against any unforeseen events. I am, for the time being, unable to leave my post. I must trouble you all to handle this matter."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod, his voice calm and resolute. "I will lead them to take care of it." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel . com.