Chapter 377 : A Daring Raid into Demon Territory

"Not necessarily," he replied.

Not Night Ji raised a hand and projected an illusory map of the Void Path.

The others looked up to see it was a topographic map of the Ji Continent and the Azure Wave Lake region.

The map marked the territories of over a dozen Golden Core Demon Race powers, with the location of the Void Gem Mine Vein specially highlighted.

"The importance of this Void Gem Mine Vein needs no elaboration. The Demon Race understands its value as well, so it will undoubtedly be heavily guarded," he stated.

"With our Nascent Soul True Lord [a powerful cultivator whose soul has formed a nascent infant-like form] experts mutually restraining each other, your chances of successfully capturing it are slim."

"Moreover, it lies deep within Demon Race territory. Even if you could seize it, holding it long-term would be nearly impossible. At best, you could plunder its resources and retreat."

Not Night Ji spoke calmly, then shifted his gaze to several Demon King Spirit Mountain [mountains rich in spiritual energy]. "Therefore, the main force of Golden Core cultivators from the Ji Continent should feign an attack on the mine vein. Meanwhile, a separate, elite force should strike swiftly at one of their Spirit Mountain."

"They've established a network of Teleportation Formation [magical arrays for instantaneous travel] connecting their major Spirit Mountain. If we are fast enough and strong enough to capture one mountain with lightning speed, we can use their own network to seize several more in rapid succession."

"Our goal is to slay the greatest number of Demon Race and capture the most formation control hubs in the shortest time. Only then can we turn this setback into a gain." For the best reading experience, visit audio~novel.com.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, then he shook his head and said, "To completely seize control of the Teleportation Formation [a mystical array for instantaneous travel across vast distances] before the Demon Race [a race of malevolent beings that cultivate demonic arts] can even react... I fear even a cultivator at the Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm] would find it impossible."

Not Night Ji gave a slight nod, his expression calm as he stated, "That is precisely why I have come to seek you out personally."

The group exchanged glances. Before they could voice their questions, Not Night Ji produced a black pagoda.

"This treasure is named the 'Six Heavens Black Prison Pagoda'. It is a unique auxiliary Exotic Treasure [a rare type of magical artifact with special, non-combat functions], its value rivaling that of a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [a top-tier artifact specifically designed to suppress demonic beings]."

"Its power is sufficient to suppress any Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and flows, often used for defense, attack, or cultivation] below the Fifth Rank [the fifth tier in the grading system for cultivation items] in the space of a single breath."

As he spoke, Not Night Ji's gaze settled on Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang. "Coupled with your combat prowess, it should be more than enough to instantly seize control of the Teleportation Formation, preventing the Demon Race from even having time to send out a warning."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered with thought. "If we add Violet Consort's Violet Cosmos Void Escape Mirror [a supreme divine ability that allows for instantaneous teleportation through void space] into the equation," she proposed, "then our success would be virtually assured."

"Then this battle shall be entrusted to you."

Noctis the True Lord stated calmly. He meticulously reiterated the plan to the group, finally leaving the Six Heavens Black Prison Pagoda behind before his avatar dissolved into the void.

Merely two days later, Violet Consort Yan arrived at Earth Lion Ridge [a rugged mountain range], accompanied by Immortal Maiden Spirit Consort and Immortal Maiden Hibiscus.

As she arrived, Exquisite Jiang spoke, "With your Violet Cosmos Void Escape Mirror [a mystical mirror that allows for instantaneous teleportation across vast distances], this plan should now be feasible."

"If we cannot seize enough Teleportation Formation Disk [portable disks that can instantly create teleportation arrays] in this battle and disrupt the Demon Race's Teleportation Formation [magical arrays used for long-distance transportation], it will be far more troublesome to assault their Spirit Mountain [a mountain peak imbued with potent spiritual energy, often serving as a demonic stronghold] in the future,"

Violet Consort Yan said with a furrowed brow, her expression grave.

Pressed for time, the group did not linger at Earth Lion Ridge. They immediately concealed their auras and stealthily made their way towards Crimson Scorpion Ridge.

This operation demanded speed and decisive victory. Therefore, only Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a stable, crystalline Golden Core within their dantian] were participating. The Heavenly Ruins Alliance, the Purple Abyss Sect, and the Firmament Sword Sect had essentially committed their full strength.

The Purple Abyss Sect dispatched three Golden Core experts. The Firmament Sword Sect sent Sect Master Qian and Soaring Serpent Ling. The Verdant Azure Immortal Sect contributed True Person Great Defense. That alone made six Golden Core True Person [a formal title for a Golden Core stage cultivator].

Being closer, the Heavenly Ruins Alliance had mobilized all its Golden Core Cultivator. Besides the couple Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, five other Golden Core True Person from the Chen Clan were joining the fray: Eternal Profound Chen, Kael Chen, Xavier Xu, the Recluse of Elegant Verse, and Elara Lin.

In total, for this pivotal battle, Chu Nation and the Verdant Azure Mountains had mustered thirteen Golden Core True Person.

After the group stealthily infiltrated the vicinity of Crimson Scorpion Ridge, Exquisite Jiang cast a concealing spell to mask the auras of the Golden Core Patriarch [a venerable elder who has reached the Golden Core stage].

Her expression solemn, she issued final instructions before the assault. "As planned, Eldrin, Immortal Maiden Violet Consort, and I will form the spearhead for the main assault."

"I will personally activate the Six Heavens Black Prison Pagoda to breach the formation. Violet Consort Yan will then use the Violet Cosmos Void Escape Mirror to suppress the Teleportation Formation [a magical array that allows instantaneous travel across vast distances], after which Eldrin Chen will eliminate the remaining foes."

Eldrin Chen listened in silence. Their objective was to dismantle the Demon Race's network of Teleportation Formation [magical arrays for instantaneous travel]. At the very least, they needed to seize or destroy the Teleportation Formation Disk [the core control disk of a teleportation array] from over a dozen Demon Race Spirit Mountain [mountains rich in spiritual energy, often used as cultivation bases].

According to the plan, once they secured a Teleportation Formation, they would immediately use it to travel to and assault the next Spirit Mountain in the network.

A Teleportation Formation was a critical strategic location, invariably protected by powerful Formation [magical defensive arrays] and formidable guardians. Normally, breaching such a place in a short time would be exceedingly difficult.

Only the three of them, whose strength rivaled that of Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm] cultivators, could instantly dominate such a situation. This was precisely why Noctis the True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] had sought them out.

In truth, without the Six Heavens Black Prison Pagoda [a powerful pagoda-shaped magical treasure] to shatter the defensive formations, it would have been impossible for them to gain complete control of the Formation before the Demon Race could mount an effective response. Visit audio~novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

As Eldrin Chen and his two companions advanced along the Teleportation Formation network to attack each Spirit Mountain, the Teleportation Formation Disk at each location would need to be dismantled and retrieved after use. This task fell to the remaining ten Golden Core Cultivator [practitioners who have condensed a Golden Core, a solidified core of spiritual power].

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Places like Crimson Scorpion Ridge and the other Demon Race Spirit Mountain near our territory are manageable. But the deeper we push into Demon Race territory, the more perilous the subsequent Spirit Mountain become."

"Once we arrive, we must immediately dismantle the Teleportation Formation Disk. You will then need to retrieve them one by one."

"The heart of Demon Race territory is fraught with danger. You must all proceed with utmost caution."

Eternal Profound Chen nodded, then shook his head and said, "In three days, the Golden Core Cultivators of Ji Continent will attack the Void Gem Mine. The main force of the Demon Race will be drawn to them."

"As long as we dismantle the Teleportation Formations, they won't be able to return immediately. Furthermore, we are all Golden Core Cultivators. Even venturing deep into the heartland of the Demon Race should pose little threat, provided we avoid being surrounded by Golden Core-level foes."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. After all, penetrating deep into Demon Race territory and retrieving the Teleportation Formation components alone certainly carried inherent risks.

However, the thought that the Demon Race's main force would be occupied by the Ji Continent Golden Core Cultivators outside the Void Gem Mine eased their minds considerably.

Violet Consort Yan pondered for a moment before adding, "Very well. Those of weaker cultivation should not venture too deep. Those at the Golden Core Early Stage should be prioritized for positions on the periphery."

"Moreover, once you secure the Teleportation Formation Disk components, do not linger on the Demon Race's Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy]. Do not be tempted by any treasures upon that peak."

"We understand."

Everyone nodded in agreement and began to meditate, circulating their energy to restore their expended spiritual power.

According to the time agreed upon with Not Night Ji, the Ji Continent Golden Core Cultivators would launch their assault on the Void Gem Mine Vein within three days. At that time, the Ji Clan would also keep the Demon Race's Demon Emperor [a ruler among demons] occupied.

Once the Demon Race reacted and dispatched their Golden Core Demon Kings [Golden Core-level demon lords] as reinforcements, their group would begin systematically dismantling the Demon Race's Teleportation Formation networks, one by one.

On this day, the group lay concealed outside Crimson Scorpion Ridge, gazing at the distant ridge with solemn expressions etched upon their faces.

After an indeterminate length of time, True Person Great Defense calculated with his fingers and spoke, "By this hour, the battle at the Void Gem Mine should have already commenced."

"There is no need for haste,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his countenance calm as he stated, "Let us wait another shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours]. It is not too late to act once the Demon King's reinforcements have been drawn away." Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel.com.