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 [powerful cultivators who have formed their nascent soul]."

"The Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor to the north, and the Heavenly Star Sect from the Heavenly Star Continent should act to contain him. Over at the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range, the Heavenly Reed Sect and Vast Righteousness True Lord should be able to hold back the Black Fiend Patriarch and the two Demon Emperor [rulers of powerful demon tribes]."

At this point, he shook his head again and added, "It is a pity the Vast Sea region currently lacks a leader. There is no one who can restrain the Golden Rhino Demon Emperor."

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly. If the Golden Rhino Demon Emperor were to attack, the Chu Nation would likely face great trouble.

Contemplating this, he fell into deep thought for a long moment before speaking. "Our only course now is to muster 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 our only option," Old Patriarch nodded in agreement. "Over the years, I have gathered some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures [rare and potent spiritual resources]. While we still have time, let us forge some Formation Flag [enchanted banners used to anchor defensive arrays] to strengthen the defenses of our Spirit Mountain [a mountain imbued with potent spiritual energy]."

"Agreed."

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

He and the Old Patriarch also threw themselves into the work, personally overseeing the forging of Fourth Rank Formation Artifact [powerful enchanted artifacts of the fourth rank, used for large-scale formations]. They first reforged several dozen Formation Artifact of varying grades, reinforcing the defensive Formation [a structured arrangement of energy, often for defense or confinement] around both Green Chariot Mountain and Spirit Isle Lake.

After centuries of meticulous preparation, both Spirit Mountain were now fortified with a vast number of Formation Artifact. Empowered by the Fourth Rank Superior Grade Spiritual Vein [a subterranean conduit of concentrated spiritual energy] beneath them, breaching these defenses would require significant effort even for a newly ascended Demon Emperor. Read the full novel exclusively on audio~novel.com.

Even Exquisite Jiang found time to assist. She dismantled the partially destroyed Primordial Unity Heaven-Sealing Formation and the Four Symbols Formation Flags into their raw materials, then reforged them into a new set of Five Elements Return to Origin Formation Flags.

This set of Formation Flags was deployed across the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland. When integrated with the Heavenly Stellar Grand Formation, its defensive power increased by several fold.

With these two Formations standing guard, if Eldrin Chen then stationed Golden Core Cultivators there, even a powerhouse at the Infant Soul level would struggle to breach the defenses in a short time.

By the time the Formation Flags were fully deployed, two years had passed. With the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] imminent, Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang proceeded directly to the front lines at Heavenly Ruins Lake.

Upon arrival, Eldrin Chen was surprised to find Verdant Grace Chen still stationed there, and she had not yet attempted her breakthrough into the Golden Core Realm.

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

Years earlier, Verdant Grace Chen had delayed her own cultivation progress for many years to help Eldrin Chen acquire Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. It was unexpected to find her still occupied with frontline duties.

She shook her head gently, offering a faint smile. "The number of cultivators mobilized for this Beast Tide is immense. The Heavenly Ruins Alliance is stretched thin for personnel. Right now, which member of our clan isn't busy with urgent tasks?"

"Do not worry about me. I can enter seclusion for my breakthrough after this Beast Tide concludes. It will not be too late."

"That is foolishness."

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, his tone resolute as he declared, "I will handle the arrangements for Heavenly Ruins Lake. You return to Ancient Barren City to hold the fort, safeguarding our clan's mortals and, in the meantime, preparing supplies for us."

After seeing off Verdant Grace Chen, Eldrin Chen promptly convened a meeting of the Golden Core Cultivators from Chu Nation.

This gathering included Golden Core Cultivators not only from Chu Nation, but also from the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect and the Firmament Sword Sect of the Verdant Azure Mountains.

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

The Chen Clan already boasted seven Golden Core Cultivators: Eldrin Chen, the Old Patriarch, Lior Chen, Kael Chen, Lila, Silas Chen, and Caleb. Adding the two guest elders, Recluse of Elegant Verse and his wife, brought their total to a formidable nine Golden Core Cultivators.

This did not even account for the four Golden Core True Persons from Exquisite Jiang's Heavenly Ruins Sect. Such overwhelming strength naturally positioned Eldrin Chen as the commander of this allied force.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the assembly. With twenty Golden Core True Persons now present, a measure of calm settled in his heart. A Chu Nation fortified by such power, under their leadership, might not even suffer against the lineage of the Golden Rhino Demon Emperor.

Before the council began, Eldrin Chen glanced towards the delegation from the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect and inquired, "How fares True Person Great Defense?"

The leading cultivator from the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, Bright Wilderness True Person, replied with evident sorrow, "Our Sect Master passed into seclusion two years ago. With the Beast Tide [a massive invasion of demonic beasts] imminent, his final wish was for his passing to remain unannounced, lest it shake the army's morale."

"Old friend…"

Eldrin Chen felt a heavy weight settle in his heart. Another old friend had fallen.

Upon careful reflection, True Person Great Defense's lifespan truly should have been exhausted by now. It was just that Eldrin Chen had been so preoccupied with various matters in recent years that he had failed to pay attention to this.

"Alas, please accept my condolences," he said.

He sighed and did not dwell on the topic further.

Sect Master Qian surveyed the assembled group and spoke up. "Thus far, the Ji Clan has not issued any news or decrees. I believe this conflict likely will not escalate to the level of True Lord-rank cultivators, will it?"

Hearing this, the others wore relieved smiles. They had not received any guidance from Noctis the True Lord and were unaware that this battle might be of extraordinary significance. Support the author by reading on audio-novel.com (official site).

In their view, with a major battle imminent and the Ji Clan still taking no action, it seemed the clan was not yet prepared for a full-scale confrontation.

Furthermore, Chu Nation's strength had grown significantly, and it was now defended by Exquisite Jiang, who had successfully forged the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword. As long as the conflict did not involve True Lord-rank powerhouses, navigating this Beast Tide would be a simple matter for Chu Nation.

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang. They understood they could not yet reveal the truth. "Everyone," Eldrin Chen said, "although the Ji Clan seems unwilling to intervene, we must not let our guard down."

"The Demon Race's movements have grown increasingly bold in recent years. Who can say if a True Lord-rank powerhouse among them might lose patience and strike at us directly, igniting a war at the True Lord level?"

"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."

"This way, even if a Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] makes a move, we can hold out until the True Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered their Primordial Spirit] reinforcements from the Ji Clan arrive."

Having said that, Eldrin Chen began arranging the defense of the Demon Race Territory.

Among the frontier territories, Demonic Ape Mountain, Heavenly Ruins Lake, and Earth Lion Ridge were already connected by Teleportation Formation [a magical array that allows instantaneous travel over vast distances].

It was decided that each Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] would be garrisoned by a cultivator at the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core realm]. This way, even if they were attacked by a Demon Emperor, they would not be instantly overwhelmed and could hold out long enough for support to arrive via the Teleportation Formation.

As long as Eldrin Chen and Exquisite 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 Azure Immortal Sect would garrison Demonic Ape Mountain, while the Old Patriarch and the Firmament Sword Sect would hold Earth Lion Ridge.

Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang would be stationed at Heavenly Ruins Lake, ready to reinforce either of the two Spirit Mountain at a moment's notice.

As for Caleb Chen and his sister Silas Chen, they would garrison Spirit Lake Isle and Green Chariot Mountain respectively. The two Worldly Spiritual Root [a rare, naturally occurring nexus of profound spiritual energy] located there were absolutely vital and could not be allowed to fall.

The defense of the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Great Wasteland was entrusted to Verdant Grace Chen and her husband, Lior Chen. One at the Pseudo-Core Realm and the other a Golden Core Cultivator, their combined strength was more than sufficient to unleash the full defensive might of the Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array that draws upon the spiritual energy of a mountain range].

Each of these Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] was equipped with a Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel across vast distances]. Should the battle on the front lines grow desperate, they could, at a moment's notice, use these formations to reinforce the critical positions. Join our community of readers at audi0-n0vel.c0m.