Chapter 367 : Alliance of Golden Cores

Aside from Elara Lin remaining behind to guard the clan and the Old Patriarch being in seclusion to consolidate his Golden Core [the solidified spiritual core of a high-level cultivator], the other four Golden Core Patriarchs of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance had all arrived at this place.

Tallying them up, the number of Golden Core Patriarchs participating in this battle had actually reached ten. This was already close to the peak strength of the Chu Nation prior to the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm four hundred years ago.

Calculated on this basis alone, the forces engaged in this battle were more than twice as powerful as they had been a century prior.

The ten Golden Core Patriarchs each took their seats. After assessing their combined strength, Freya Ji spoke, "Our power for dealing with the Demon Cave this time far surpasses that of previous campaigns. There is no need for overly complicated tactics."

"We shall use the Azure Verdancy Formation Disk to deploy a Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies energy for offense or defense], then mobilize the two War Treasure Ships of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance to launch a direct assault. We will force our way in."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Although the defenses of the Demon Cave were formidable, the overall strength of the Chu Nation Cultivation World had long since far exceeded its level from a century ago, following several major victories.

The Heavenly Ruins Alliance alone had seen its power swell by more than double. Setting aside the Golden Core True Persons, the number of Violet Palace Cultivators [cultivators who have opened their Violet Palace, a major spiritual center] had increased from the thirty or forty of yesteryear to over sixty now.

The other major powers had also grown significantly. Consequently, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators [cultivators who have established their spiritual foundation] participating in this battle numbered over one thousand, and one hundred twenty-seven Violet Palace Cultivators had answered the call.

With such overwhelming force, augmented by the two Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasures—the Vault Heaven Immortal Sword and the Heaven's Vault Mirror—and with the even more powerful Freya Ji personally overseeing the operation, taking the Demon Cave should proceed without major incident.

The True Person Great Defense seated nearby nodded, yet added a note of caution, "The Demon King [a powerful demonic cultivator or entity] of Black Eagle Ridge has already broken through to the Golden Core Late Stage. Someone will need to contain him." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel.com (official site).

"This matter is easily handled."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered slightly as she spoke calmly, "Before this battle, I had someone negotiate with the Yuan Immortal Clan of Yan Kingdom. The three True Persons cultivating in the Immortal Realm of Yan Kingdom will keep him occupied."

"Once this battle concludes, we can simply eliminate him on our way back."

"Then it is settled."

True Person Great Defense revealed a pleased expression. The Verdant Azure Immortal Sect had long been wary of Black Eagle Ridge, this persistent threat at their very heart.

It was just that the speed of Black Eagle Ridge was top-tier among peers of its realm. Even when surrounded by cultivators at the Golden Core Late Stage, it could easily escape with its life.

Thus, for over a thousand years, the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect had been unable to deal with it. Only a supreme Golden Core expert like Exquisite Jiang had a reasonable chance of slaying it.

Once their strategy was decided, they moved to act against the Demon Cave. True Person Great Defense personally deployed the Azure Verdancy Formation Disk. Nearly one hundred thousand cultivators on the field joined forces, using the Demon-Suppressing True Flame to suppress the demonic energy within the Demon Cave.

Then, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang personally powered two War Treasure Ship, expending several hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] without hesitation to unleash twelve consecutive strikes of the Seven Stars Demon-Beheading Sword Formation.

Such a torrent of power was nearly equivalent to a cultivator at the Golden Core Perfection unleashing their full strength twelve times in a row. Even the outer Demonic Fiendish Energy Barrier of the Demon Cave could not withstand it and was torn open, creating a breach.

"Take action."

Freya Ji's eyes, light and sharp, narrowed as she soared into the depths of the Demon Cave. Eldrin Chen and the others followed closely behind.

Upon entering the Demon Cave, Eldrin Chen casually unleashed a Blazing Third Fire Divine Thunder. In a flash, majestic divine thunder erupted, sweeping away swathes of demonic miasma and instantly reducing numerous Demonic Cultivator to ashes.

After this, Eldrin Chen turned to the assembled group and declared, "The Demonic Fiendish Energy [a corrupting energy that can seep into a cultivator's body and spirit] will infiltrate your forms. Therefore, this battle must be swift and decisive."

"If we cannot secure the Demonic Spring [a corrupted spiritual spring that is the source of demonic energy] within two Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], then the Foundation Establishment Cultivator may retreat after that time has passed."

"We understand," they replied.

Seeing their nods of assent, Freya Ji commanded, "We split into three forces. Strike fast, end it quickly."

The group acknowledged and led their assigned teams, plunging deeper into the winding passages of the Demon Cave according to the plan.

For this assault, the three paths were divided thus: one for the Heavenly Ruins Alliance, another combining the forces of the Purple Abyss Sect, the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, and the Firmament Sword Sect, while Freya Ji personally commanded the third contingent alone.

This way, each path possessed the power of a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [an artifact of immense power specifically forged to counter demonic forces], ensuring the ambush and defeat suffered a century prior could not be repeated.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang carved a path of carnage along the left flank. The Demonic Cultivator forces retreated in disarray before their advance. After surging forward for over three hundred thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], they finally encountered formidable resistance.

The adversaries were none other than Yan Old Demon and the Lord of Demon Cave. The moment their gazes fell upon Eldrin Chen and his companion, a flicker of cold apprehension and wariness passed through their eyes.

"Damnation! How did they end up on this route?"

Shock and fury warred within the two fiends. The Heavenly Ruins Alliance boasted a full four Golden Core experts. With Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, both possessing combat power rivaling the Golden Core Late Stage, this force was more than they could easily handle.

This grim realization prompted Yan Old Demon to turn to the Lord of Demon Cave, his voice tense. "What's our move?"

"We fight our way out." For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel . com.

The Lord of Demon Cave gritted his teeth as he spoke. This was different from the conflict a century prior. This time, their opponent was Freya Ji.

Freya Ji possessed a Superior-Tier Golden Core [a Golden Core of exceptional purity and power], her spiritual energy reserves rivaling eighty or ninety percent of an Infant Soul True Lord. Furthermore, she wielded a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest grade, specifically potent against demonic forces]. This combination of power made her nearly equivalent to half an Infant Soul True Lord in combat strength.

Such might was utterly beyond his capacity to resist. Holding the Demon Cave was an impossibility.

Their only viable escape route was to exploit the chaos while Freya Ji assaulted the main demonic stronghold, using the distraction to flee through the entrance of the Demon Cave itself.

The group split into three separate paths. They had only a thirty percent chance of encountering Freya Ji, and this time, fate indeed did not bring her before him. Yet, he never imagined he would instead cross paths with Exquisite Jiang.

His sole purpose now was survival. Even knowing full well the formidable power of Exquisite Jiang, he had no choice but to steel his nerves and press forward.

"Attack!"

When humans and demons meet, there is naturally nothing to discuss.

Exquisite Jiang was the first to charge forth. She summoned her Immortal Sword magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] and began a relentless assault on the Lord of Demon Cave.

Simultaneously, Eldrin Chen soared into the sky. The Celestial Abyss Twin Swords in his hands danced with overwhelming force, pressing down on Yan Old Demon so fiercely the demon could scarcely catch his breath.

This Yan Old Demon had broken through to the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power] realm one hundred and fifty years prior. However, having his physical body destroyed by Eldrin Chen back then had cost him a full Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years, a significant unit of time in cultivation] of precious time.

Consequently, his cultivation had only recently advanced into the Golden Core 2nd Tier. His spiritual power was far inferior to Eldrin Chen's, and he was immediately forced into a desperate, retreating defense.

Furthermore, trapped within the Demon Cave all these years and deprived of the vital essence of mortal flesh and blood, Yan Old Demon had been unable to re-cultivate the Blood Demon Clone [a sinister technique that splits one's essence to create duplicate bodies] he had lost. Thus, he now possessed only two remaining Blood Demon Clone avatars.

Under these circumstances, how could he possibly be a match for Eldrin Chen? Those two Blood Demon Clone avatars, barely at the Pseudo-Core Realm [a sub-realm approximating but not truly reaching the Golden Core stage], had no chance to wreak havoc. Eldrin Chen dispatched them with two swift strokes of his sword, settling the account.

"Blood Demon Clone [a sinister technique to create a duplicate of oneself using blood and demonic energy]."

Witnessing his Blood Demon Clone being destroyed, Yan Old Demon let out a sharp cry of alarm.

Realizing the situation had turned dire, he hastily shouted, "Grand Granary Old Demon, if you do not act now, we may not escape this place today!"

"Heh heh heh!"

With a sinister cackle, Grand Granary Old Demon summoned a jet-black demonic sword and sent it slashing forward.

In that battle years ago, both the Lord of Demon Cave and Yan Old Demon had their physical bodies destroyed; only Grand Granary Old Demon managed to preserve his corporeal form.

Although he had been gravely wounded back then, he recovered after a relatively short period of recuperation.

At that time, he had desired to devour the Golden Core [the solidified core of spiritual power formed at the Golden Core stage] of both the Lord of Demon Cave and Yan Old Demon. However, the two demons joined forces and, leveraging the power of the Demonic Spring [a spring tainted with demonic energy] and their long-fortified Demon Cave, managed to hold him at bay. Continue reading this story at audio-novel.com.