Chapter 435 Zhou Heavenly Stars Formation (Formation)

Throughout the world, which Nascent Soul immortal clan doesn't possess a population of several billion? The number of mortals in the Ji Clan far surpasses the total population of any single nation among the 6 Kingdoms of Ji Zhou.

In fact, the Chen Clan now had over 50 million mortals under its dominion—a population that already surpassed the total number of mortals across the 3 frontier prefectures, reaching 1-twentieth of the entire Chu Kingdom's populace.

Out of a population of 50 million mortals, following the 1-in-a-1000 ratio, there would only be approximately 50- to 60-1000 cultivators.

This amount might not be considered small for ordinary Golden Core clans, but for a top-tier Golden Core clan like the Chen Family, it was pitifully meager.

Take for instance the Wang Clan of Tianxing Province or the Huo Clan of Tianming Province—each commands over a 100 1000 cultivators, with populations numbering in the hundreds of millions.

Now, the growth of the mortal population in the Chen Family had slowed considerably, primarily because the Pingyang Ancient Plains could no longer sustain a larger populace.

In stark contrast, the 100,000-li Great Wilderness was an exceptionally flat expanse of barren plains. After 60 years of cultivation by the Chen Family, it had become preliminarily habitable for mortals.

Once fully developed, its fertile land alone would be sufficient to sustain billions of mortal beings.

After all, this realm was nourished by spiritual energy, and its grain yields far surpassed anything imaginable in his previous life.

At this thought, Eldrin spoke: "The next beast tide is less than 50 years away."

1 100 and 20 years ago, Feiye the Nightbane (Person Name) foretold that a great upheaval would occur within 3 cycles of 60 years. Now that the time draws ever closer, by my estimation, this Beast Tide uprising is likely to be unprecedented in its devastation.

The old clan leader nodded, his expression grave as he said, "To clear the human tribulation for the head of the Ji Clan in advance, the Ji Clan has been scheming for years. Once they emerge, it will undoubtedly be a thunderous strike."

"We must make our plans early and prepare for every eventuality."

"Indeed, so we must act swiftly." Eldrin placed his piece on the board, his pupils filled with solemn intensity. "We shall first transplant the spiritual roots and deploy the Zhou Tian Stars Demon Refining Grand Formation."

"When the time comes and the spiritual vein advances to the fourth-grade superior rank, we might still rely on this formation to hold back the onslaught of demons and monsters."

"Setting up an array is no easy task..."

The Elder Uncle shook his head. According to his conception, the Fifth-Level Zhou Tian Xing Chen Great Array required 365 third-level spirit vein cities, plus 1 fifth-level spirit vein serving as the array eye to be successfully deployed.

The Chen Family could meet neither of these conditions. Even acquiring the 365 third-grade array artifacts alone would require such a massive expenditure that it would severely cripple their current financial resources.

At that thought, he spoke up: "Let's simplify this for now. Setting up the Celestial Dipper Star-Refining Demon Array may yield slightly inferior effects, but it still ranks among the finest fourth-tier formations."

"That could work." Eldrin nodded, then asked, "Do we have enough materials for the formation artifacts?"

"Lake Tianxu periodically yields third-order shell pearls, and the clan vault has indeed amassed quite a few. We should be able to gather all 30-6, and we lack none of the auxiliary materials either."

Chen Changxuan spoke, then continued, "However, for the core formation device of the Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, we still lack a suitable artifact in our possession."

"Leave this matter to me, I'll find a way."

Seeing the old clan leader at a loss, Eldrin pondered for a moment before speaking up.

The Elder Uncle nodded and resumed his game of Go with Eldrin (Person Name).

Eldrin departed from Pingyang City and flew directly back to Spirit Isle Lake upon his sword.

Returning to Spirit Isle Lake (Location), he recounted the events to Lyra (Person Name) and said, "To set up the Cosmic Star Formation, the core array artifact should ideally be forged from high-grade spirit pearls, then tempered with Celestial Star Metal."

The clan still had a piece of fourth-tier Stellar Treasure Gold in their collection, but high-grade Spirit Clam Pearls were exceedingly difficult to obtain.

Lyra, however, gave a faint smile and calmly stated, "There is a Golden Core, Late Stage Spirit Clam King in the Great Kun River. I shall go slay it and bring it back."

Eldrin (Person Name) still looked somewhat concerned as he shook his head. "The Great Kun River connects to the Emerald Ripple Lake, and it remains perilous. Now that you've forged the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), the demon tribes would likely mobilize their entire force to hunt you down the moment you step into their territory."

"I shall be the 1 to go."

In the end, he decided to head to the Great Kun River himself.

But Lyra was also concerned about him, so she simply declared, "I will go with you. With our combined strength, even if a Demon Emperor were to come, it would be difficult for them to keep us here."

In the end, Eldrin still couldn't persuade Lyra, and the 2 could only head toward the Great Kun River together.

To catch the demon clan off guard, they teleported directly to the Sky Ruins Lake, then silently concealed their forms as they flew toward the Great Kun River.

Following the Great Kun River for over 3,000,000 miles, they finally reached its deepest reaches and infiltrated the territory of the Spirit Shell Demon King.

"Ahead lies Spirit Shell Bay."

Gazing at the Great Kun River ahead, Eldrin spoke with a grave expression.

In the years since the Kingdom of Chu (Location) began its meteoric rise, the demon kings across this realm have gradually forged an alliance.

Though many of the demon kings harbored deep-seated enmity toward 1 another—some even bound by natural rivalry—they had no choice but to set aside their pride and unite in mutual defense, all for fear of the formidable reputations of Eldrin and Lyra.

Now, nearly all the demon lord territories within the Emerald Mist Lake had expended immense resources to have the powerful lake overlords set up protective formations for them—Spirit Shell Cove was naturally no exception.

At this thought, Lyra said gravely, "The formation here is of an extremely high grade. Even if we strike, we won't be able to instantly kill the Spirit Shell Demon King. By then, we will inevitably alert the enemy."

"Even if we slay the Spirit Clam Demon King, he would still manage to deliver the message to Emerald Wave Lake. By then, we might very well find ourselves being hunted by a Demon Emperor."

Eldrin nodded, furrowing his brow as he said, "It seems we'll have to wait for it to emerge and strike it down in 1 blow before it can react."

"But who knows when it will emerge?" Lyra shook her head.

"Then lure it out."

Eldrin (Person Name) finally spoke, "Luring out a Golden Core Demon King is no simple task."

He tempted him with benefits—few treasures could stir the heart of a Golden Core, Late Stage demon king. To sway him, Eldrin produced a Water Element Treasure Pearl.

The Water Element Treasure Pearl (Spiritual Object) was exceptionally precious, ranking among the finest treasures for the Spirit Shell Demon King's cultivation—more than enough to stir its desire.

To make the accident appear more authentic, Eldrin and Lyra deliberately left the Water Element Treasure Pearl over several 100 1000 miles away, then lured several evenly-matched Purple Mansion Demonic Beasts into competing for it.

In the end, that Water Element Treasure Pearl (Spiritual Object) was seized by a great demon of Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm). Yet, as he found it impossible to eliminate the opponent, the news ultimately leaked out.

As the nearest Demon King, the Spirit Shell Demon King immediately charged out from the spiritual vein upon learning the news, determined to seize that Water Element Treasure Pearl (Spiritual Object).