Chapter 452 Pre-War Council

"You need not worry." The old clan leader shook his head, yet still spoke gravely: "By my estimation, the Ji bloodline alone should have at least 7 or 8 True Monarchs."

"The Golden-Winged Great Peng Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) from the north will likely be contained by the Heavenly Star Sect from Tianxing Province. As for the Heaven's Spine Mountains (Location), the Heavenly Hut Sect and Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name) should hold back Patriarch Black Malice along with the 2 Demon Emperors."

At this point, he shook his head and continued, "What a pity that The Vast Sea (Location) is now like a ship without a rudder, with no 1 capable of restraining the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor (Demon Beast)."

Eldrin's eyes narrowed slightly. If that Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor were to attack, the Chu Kingdom would likely face considerable trouble.

At this thought, he pondered silently for a long moment before speaking: "Our only course now is to deploy forces defensively and amass as many spirit stones and strategic supplies as possible."

"That seems to be the only way." The old clan leader nodded solemnly. "Over the years, I've gathered some heaven-and-earth spiritual treasures. While we still have time, let us forge some formation flags to reinforce the defenses of our spirit mountain."

"Good."

With the great war looming, Eldrin mobilized a large number of clan cultivators to begin forging formation banners.

He and the old clan leader also grew busy, personally crafting fourth-order array artifacts. They first refined several dozen array artifacts of varying grades, reinforcing the formations around Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) and Spirit Isle Lake (Location).

After centuries of meticulous cultivation, the 2 spiritual mountains had been embedded with countless array instruments. Empowered by a top-grade tier-4 spiritual vein, even a newly ascended Demon Sovereign would find it somewhat challenging to breach these defenses.

Lyra also found a moment to spare. She disassembled the half-destroyed Taiyi Heaven-Sealing Formation and 4 Symbols Flag Formation into raw materials, then reforged them into a complete set of 5 Elements Origin-Returning Formation Flags.

This set of array banners was deployed across a 100-1000-mile expanse of untamed wilderness. When integrated with the Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, its defensive capabilities increased by no less than severalfold.

With the protection of these 2 arrays, even a Golden Core-level expert might not be able to hold the defense if Eldrin were to coordinate with Golden Core cultivators in guarding it.

After setting up the array flags, 2 years had already passed. As the beast tide crisis loomed imminent, Eldrin and Lyra decided to head directly to the frontlines at Tianxu Lake.

On the front lines, Eldrin discovered that Chen Qingwan was still there and had not yet broken through to the Golden Core realm.

He quickly grabbed Chen Qingwan, furrowing his brow as he said, "Aunt, why are you still here? Your priority should be secluded cultivation to break through to the Golden Core stage."

Chen Qingwan had delayed her attempt to breach the Golden Core Realm for years, all to procure the 5 Elements' Essence for Eldrin. Yet now, to her surprise, she remained entangled in the frontlines.

She shook her head, then said with a faint smile, "Too many cultivators have joined this campaign against the demonic beasts. The Celestial Ruins Alliance is stretched thin—every cultivator in our clan is buried in work these days."

"Don't trouble yourself over me. I can just as well begin my secluded cultivation breakthrough after this beast tide chaos is over."

Foolish.

Eldrin's expression shifted slightly as he declared resolutely, "I will handle matters at the Sky Ruin Lake. You return to Ancient Barren City to guard our mortal clan members and incidentally prepare supplies for us."

After seeing off Chen Qingwan, Eldrin directly convened a meeting with all the Golden Core cultivators of Chu Kingdom.

Apart from those from the Chu Kingdom, the Golden Core cultivators participating this time also included members from the Cerulean Peaks Range’s Azure Heaven Sect and the Firmament Sword Sect.

The Azure Sky Sword Sect dispatched 3 Golden Core cultivators, while the Verdant Dawn Immortal Gate sent a full 2 Golden Core cultivators as well.

The Chen Clan now boasted 7 Golden Core cultivators: Eldrin, the Old Patriarch, Lior, Kael, Lila, Chen Silas, and Chen Caleb. With the addition of the Clear Verse Wanderers couple as guest elders, they commanded a full 9 Golden Core experts.

This did not even include the 4 Golden Core Elders of the Heavenly Ruins Sect under Lyra (Person Name). Such overwhelming strength solidified Eldrin (Person Name)'s position as the alliance leader of the joint forces.

Eldrin scanned the room and found over 20 Golden Core Realm masters present. A trace of relief washed over him—with such formidable power gathered in Chu Kingdom, even facing the lineage of the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor might not leave them at a disadvantage under such leadership.

Before the grand assembly commenced, Eldrin glanced toward the crowd from the Azure Mist Sect and casually inquired, "How fares the venerable Taiwu True 1?"

The cultivator leading the Cangqing Immortal Sect was Elder Mingwu. With a pained expression, he said, "The Sect Leader passed away in seclusion 2 years ago. His final instructions were to keep his death concealed, as the beast tide approaches, to avoid unsettling the morale of our forces."

"My old friend..."

Eldrin's heart sank slightly. Another old friend had fallen.

Upon careful calculation, Eldrin's lifespan should indeed be nearing its end. Yet his constant engagements in recent years had left him no room to attend to this matter.

"Alas, please accept my condolences."

He let out a sigh and ceased discussing the topic any further.

Sect Leader Qian swept his gaze over the assembly and spoke, "So far, the Ji Clan has not released any news, nor have any imperial decrees been issued. It seems this conflict may not escalate to the level involving True Monarchs."

Everyone wore smiles on their faces. Having not received any guidance from Feiye the Nightbane (Person Name), they remained unaware that this battle might prove extraordinary.

In their view, with the great war looming, the Ji Clan had yet to make a move—a clear sign they were not fully prepared for an all-out confrontation.

The Chu Kingdom (Location) had now grown significantly in power, and with Lyra (Person Name) having forged the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword, as long as no battles involving True Lord-level combatants were involved, overcoming this beast tide would be as easy as turning over a hand.

Eldrin and Lyra exchanged a glance, both understanding that the information could not be revealed yet. Thus, he could only say, "Everyone, though the Ji Clan refuses to intervene, we must not let our guard down."

"These years, the demon tribes have grown increasingly restless. None can say whether their True Monarch experts might lose patience and forcibly strike against us, igniting a war at the True Monarch level."

"This..."

Everyone’s expressions shifted abruptly. The old clan leader spoke up at just the right moment, “That’s precisely why we cannot afford to be complacent. We must consolidate our forces and prepare for battle.”

"In that case, even if a Demon Emperor strikes, we must hold out until the Ji Clan's True Monarch arrives with reinforcements."

With these words spoken, Eldrin began arranging the defenses for the demon territory.

Within the frontier territories, Mount Fiend Ape, Sky Ruin Lake, and Earth Lion Ridge had all been connected through teleportation arrays.

The assembly decided to station 1 Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivator atop each spiritual mountain. This way, even if they were assaulted by a demon emperor, their defenses would not crumble instantly, allowing sufficient time for reinforcements to arrive via the teleportation formation.

As long as Eldrin and Lyra provide timely support, even a powerhouse at the level of a Demon Emperor might not gain any advantage, buying enough time until the True Monarch of the Ji Clan arrives with reinforcements.

To that end, Kael and the Azure Sky Immortal Sect would be stationed at the Demon Ape Mountain, while the Old Patriarch and the firmament Sword Sect would hold their position at the Earth Lion Ridge.

Eldrin and Lyra remained stationed at Sky Ruin Lake, ready to reinforce both spirit mountains at a moment's notice.

Chen Caleb and Chen Silas, the brother-sister pair, were stationed at Spirit Lake Isle and Verdant Chariot Mountain respectively. The 2 Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots there must be protected at all costs.

The vast wilderness spanning 100,000 li was entrusted to Chen Qingwan and Lior (Person Name). With 1 at the False Core realm and the other at the Golden Core realm, the married couple possessed sufficient cultivation to unleash the full potential of the mountain-guarding grand formation.

These spiritual veins were all equipped with teleportation arrays. Should the frontline battles grow critical, they would utilize these formations to reinforce the front when necessary.