Chapter 452 : Forging the Mountain's Shield

"You need not worry," Old Patriarch shook his head, his expression still grave. "By my estimation, the Ji Clan lineage alone likely possesses at least seven or eight True Lord [a title for powerful cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul Realm]."

"The Golden-Winged Great Peng Demon Emperor to the north, and the Celestial Star Sect from the Celestial Star Continent should act to contain him. Over at the Heaven's Spine Mountains, the Tianlu Sect and Magnus the Virtuous should be able to hold back the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor and the two Demon Emperor [rulers of powerful demonic tribes]."

At this point, he shook his head again and continued, "It is a pity that The Vast Sea currently lacks a leader; there is no one who can restrain the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor."

Eldrin Chen's gaze narrowed slightly. If the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor were to attack, the Chu Kingdom would likely face significant trouble.

With this thought, he pondered silently for a long moment before speaking. "Our only course of action now is to deploy our forces in preparation and stockpile as many Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and strategic supplies as possible."

"That is indeed the only way," Old Patriarch nodded in agreement. "Over the years, I have gathered some Heaven and Earth Treasures [rare materials born from the convergence of natural energies]. While we still have time, let us forge some Formation Flags [magical banners used to anchor and power defensive arrays] to strengthen the defenses of our Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with concentrated spiritual energy]."

"Agreed."

With war looming, Eldrin Chen mobilized a large number of clan cultivators to begin crafting the Formation Flags.

He and the Old Patriarch also threw themselves into the work, personally overseeing the forging of Fourth Rank Formation Tool [powerful magical artifacts designed to anchor grand defensive formations]. They first reforged several dozen Formation Tool of varying grades, using them to reinforce the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts for defense or other effects] protecting both Verdant Chariot Mountain and Spirit Isle Lake.

After centuries of meticulous cultivation, both Spirit Mountain were now fortified with a vast network of Formation Tool. Empowered by the Fourth Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] beneath them, breaching these defenses would require even a newly ascended Demon Emperor to expend considerable effort. For more chapters, visit audio-novel*com for the complete novel.

Even Lyra Jiang found time to assist. She dismantled the partially destroyed Taiyi Heaven-Sealing Formation and the Four Symbols Flag Formation, extracting their raw materials to forge a new set of Five Elements Origin-Returning Formation Flags.

This set of Formation Flags was deployed within the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness. When integrated with the Heavenly Stems Stars Grand Formation, its defensive capabilities were enhanced by severalfold.

Guarded by these two formidable Formation, and with Eldrin Chen coordinating the defense alongside Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a solidified core of spiritual energy] stationed there, even a Golden Core Grade [a level of power equivalent to a Golden Core realm expert] powerhouse would find breaching their defenses a daunting task.

By the time the Formation Flags were fully deployed, nearly two years had passed. With the Beast Tide Calamity [a periodic invasion by hordes of demonic beasts] looming, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang decided to proceed directly to the front lines at Heaven's Ruin Lake.

Upon arrival, Eldrin Chen was surprised to find Chen Elara still stationed there, having not yet attempted her breakthrough into the Golden Core [the realm where a cultivator condenses their spiritual energy into a solid, golden-hued core] realm.

He immediately approached Chen Elara, his brow furrowed with concern. "Aunt, why are you still here?" he asked. "Your most urgent task should be seclusion to attempt your Golden Core breakthrough."

Years earlier, Chen Elara had delayed her own cultivation to help Eldrin Chen acquire Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. It was troubling to see her still occupied with frontline duties instead of pursuing her crucial advancement.

She shook her head gently, a soft smile gracing her features. "This Beast Tide Calamity has drawn an unprecedented number of cultivators into the fray," she explained. "The Heaven's Ruin Alliance is stretched thin for manpower. Right now, is there a single cultivator in our clan who isn't overwhelmed with duties?"

"Do not worry about me. I can enter seclusion for my breakthrough once this Beast Tide Calamity has concluded. It will not be too late."

"That is folly."

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, hardening with resolve. "I will handle the arrangements at Heaven's Ruin Lake," he declared firmly. "You must return to Ancient Desolate City. Guard our clan's mortal kin there and, in the meantime, oversee the preparation of our supplies."

After seeing Chen Elara off, Eldrin Chen promptly convened a council of the Golden Core Cultivators from Chu Kingdom.

In addition to those from Chu Kingdom, the Golden Core Cultivators in attendance included representatives from the Verdant Immortal Sect and the Firmament Sword Sect of the Cerulean Peaks Range.

The Firmament Sword Sect sent three of their Golden Core Cultivators, while the Verdant Immortal Sect contributed a full two.

The Chen Clan itself already fielded seven Golden Core Cultivators: Eldrin Chen, the Old Patriarch, Lior Chen, Kael Chen, Lila, Silas Chen, and Caleb Chen. Adding the two guest elders, Qingci the Recluse and His Wife, brought their total to a formidable nine.

This count did not even include the four Golden Core True Persons from Lyra Jiang's Heaven's Ruin Sect. With such overwhelming strength, Eldrin Chen was unanimously elected as the commander of this allied force.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the assembly. With twenty Golden Core True Persons now seated before him, a measure of confidence settled in his heart. A Chu Kingdom led by such power might not fare poorly, even against the lineage of the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor.

Before the council began, Eldrin Chen glanced toward the delegation from the Verdant Immortal Sect and inquired, "How fares Taiwu the True Person?"

The leader of the Verdant Immortal Sect contingent, Mingwu the True Person, replied with evident sorrow. "Our sect master entered his final meditation two years ago. With the Beast Tide Calamity imminent, his final wish was for his passing to remain concealed, lest it shake the morale of our forces."

"Old friend..."

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

Upon careful calculation, Taiwu the True Person's lifespan should indeed have been exhausted. It was just that he had been so busy in recent years that he had neglected to pay attention to this matter.

"Alas, please accept my condolences."

He sighed and did not discuss the topic further.

Qian the Sect Master looked over the assembled group and spoke up at this moment. "So far, Ji Clan has not released any news or issued any decrees. Does this mean the conflict likely will not escalate to the True Lord Grade [the realm of Nascent Soul cultivators]?"

Everyone wore smiles. They had not received any warnings from Feiye the Night's Bane and were unaware that this battle might be extraordinary. Read the full novel exclusively on audio_novel.com.

In their view, with a great battle imminent and Ji Clan still taking no action, it seemed the clan was not yet fully prepared for an all-out confrontation.

Furthermore, Chu Kingdom's strength had grown significantly, and it was now guarded by Lyra Jiang, who had successfully forged the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword. As long as the conflict did not involve battles at the True Lord Grade, weathering this Beast Tide Calamity [a massive invasion by demonic beasts] should be effortless for Chu Kingdom.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Lyra Jiang. Knowing they could not yet reveal the truth, he could only say, "Everyone, although Ji Clan is unwilling to act, we must not let our guard down."

"The Demonic Tribe's movements have grown increasingly bold in recent years. No one knows if a True Lord [a Nascent Soul realm expert] among them might lose patience and forcibly attack us, igniting a war at the True Lord Grade."

"This..."

The expressions of everyone present shifted dramatically. Old Patriarch spoke up at the opportune moment: "Therefore, we cannot afford to be complacent either. We must concentrate our forces to prepare for battle."

"In this way, even if a Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] makes a move, we must hold out until the True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul realm] reinforcements from the Ji Clan arrive."

Having said that, Eldrin Chen began arranging the defense of the Demonic Tribe Territory.

Among the front-line territories, Demonic Ape Mountain, Heaven's Ruin Lake, and Earth Lion Ridge had all been connected by Teleportation Formation [a magical array enabling instantaneous travel over vast distances].

It was decided that each Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy] would be garrisoned by a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivators. This way, even if they were attacked by a Demon Emperor, they would not be instantly overrun and could hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive via the Teleportation Formation.

As long as Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang could provide timely support, even an opponent of Demon Emperor caliber might not gain an advantage, buying enough time for the True Lord from the Ji Clan to arrive.

To this end, Kael Chen and the Verdant Immortal Sect would garrison Demonic Ape Mountain, while Old Patriarch and the Firmament Sword Sect would hold Earth Lion Ridge.

Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang would be stationed at Heaven's Ruin Lake, ready to support either of the two Spirit Mountain at a moment's notice.

The siblings Caleb Chen and Silas Chen would garrison Spirit Lake Isle and Verdant Chariot Mountain respectively, as the two Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a rare and immensely valuable spiritual plant] located there absolutely could not be lost.

The Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness [a vast and perilous expanse of untamed land] was entrusted to Chen Elara and Lior Chen. As a couple, one a False Core [a cultivator who has formed a pseudo-core, a step below a true Golden Core] and the other a Golden Core Cultivator, they were more than capable of unleashing the full might of the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array that protects a mountain stronghold].

These Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of spiritual energy, vital for cultivation] outposts were equipped with Teleportation Formation [magical arrays that allow instantaneous travel across vast distances]. Should the front lines face a dire crisis, they could, at a moment's notice, reinforce the battlefront through these Teleportation Formation. This content originates from http://www . audio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.