Chapter 595 : The Gathering of Immortal Clans

With a few brief exchanges, the group swiftly finalized their plan.

Soon, Lior Chen and the Old Patriarch began issuing the Conscription Decree, mobilizing the Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation families] of The Vast Sea and Ji Continent to prepare their forces for war.

Mobilizing the cultivators of two great continents for battle was no simple task. Both The Vast Sea and Ji Continent lay millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] distant from the Heaven's Spine Mountains.

Even traveling one way at the speed of a Fourth Rank Treasure Boat [a high-grade flying vessel] would require three full months.

Fortunately, following the war in The Vast Sea thirty years prior, the Chen Clan had slain numerous Demon King [powerful demonic beasts]. Their materials had since been forged into over forty Fourth Rank Treasure Boat.

Combined with the treasure boats accumulated by Chen Nation and The Vast Sea over the years, these War Treasure Boat [vessels specifically designed for warfare] now numbered ninety-seven in total.

In times of war, such War Treasure Boat became strategic assets. Thalion Chen commandeered them all by decree, then compelled the Various Great Immortal Clans to contribute both funds and personnel.

Eradicating the Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use evil, soul-devouring methods] was a matter of grave importance. If left unchecked today, these fiends might slaughter an entire clan tomorrow to forge a single Demonic Treasure [an artifact powered by blood sacrifice and evil arts].

Faced with such a pivotal cause, the Various Great Immortal Clans understood the stakes. The majority of Immortal Clan cooperated fully.

Those who could contribute manpower did so. Those who could not offered resources instead—lending War Treasure Boat, Formation Flags [flags used to set up defensive or offensive arrays], Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts], Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], and even post-war reward materials. Every member of the Human Race was obligated to contribute to the purge of the Demonic Cultivator. Published by audio - novel . com. All rights reserved.

After a full year of relentless preparation, the Chen Immortal Clan had not only amassed supplies worth hundreds of millions of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation], but had also mustered an army of over six hundred thousand cultivators.

The weakest among these six hundred thousand cultivators were at the Qi Refinement, Late Stage [the late stage of the first major realm of cultivation, focusing on refining one's vital energy], with many being elderly veterans. It was clear they had steeled their hearts, prepared to meet their end in the coming battle.

"Who knows how many will fall before this conflict is over," Eldrin Chen murmured, a shadow of sorrow crossing his features.

Seated in meditation upon the deck of the Verdant Jade Phoenix Feather Ship, he gazed down at the nearly one hundred Fourth Rank War Treasure Boat [powerful enchanted vessels designed for warfare] below, and a sigh escaped his lips.

A Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land was not so easily purged. The Ridge of the Black Fiend sprawled across millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], a festering wound that had drawn in demonic cultivators from several surrounding continents. To call it a kingdom of Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use unorthodox, often malevolent methods to gain power] was no exaggeration.

Though they had gathered supplies worth hundreds of millions of Spirit Stone, if the war turned against them, that vast fortune might not even suffice for compensation to the families of the fallen, let alone for rewarding the survivors.

Noticing his somber mood, Lyra Jiang beside him gently took his hand. "Do not worry overmuch," she consoled. "For this campaign, Yvonne Nation, Ling Nation, and even dozens of Golden Core Immortal Clan [powerful clans whose patriarchs have reached the Golden Core realm] from the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent have been summoned. Our combined strength is more than enough to suppress the Ridge of the Black Fiend."

"The pivotal question now is whether Magnus the Virtuous can successfully execute Black Malignancy Elder Demon."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. The key to vanquishing the Ridge of the Black Fiend lay with its master, the Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor. If that ancient fiend was not slain, the lowly Qi Refinement [the first major realm of cultivation] Demonic Cultivator could likely replenish their numbers within two or three centuries.

After all, the natural lifespan of a Qi Refinement Demonic Cultivator was short. Even if they were not slain in battle, a new generation would arise to replace them within a hundred years.

Not to mention that these Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic or malevolent energies] routinely turn on each other; using the blood and bones of their own sect brothers to refine Demonic Treasure [enchanted artifacts imbued with demonic power] is a common occurrence for them.

Furthermore, as long as Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor is eliminated and the Demonic Spring [a sinister natural spring that emits malevolent energy] at Black Malignancy Ridge is destroyed, the Ridge of the Black Fiend will no longer possess the Baleful Qi [a type of malevolent spiritual energy] required by Demonic Cultivator, and thus will naturally be unable to nurture any more of them.

Returning to the main topic, as the treasure ships continued their journey, they unknowingly arrived at the Heaven's Spine Mountains.

With the protection of the two Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage], Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, the convoy encountered no attacks from Demonic Monsters [monstrous beasts tainted by demonic energy] along the way.

In truth, the sight of nearly one hundred Fourth Rank Treasure Boat [powerful enchanted vessels] soaring through the skies was even more intimidating than a hundred Golden Core, Late Stage great Demon King [powerful demon beast rulers]; ordinary Demonic Monsters simply dared not approach.

It was only after the treasure ships crossed the Heaven's Spine Mountains and reached the outskirts of the Ridge of the Black Fiend that Eldrin Chen met their reception party, led by Verdant Spirit True Lord.

Upon meeting Verdant Spirit True Lord, Eldrin Chen inquired, "What is the situation?"

Verdant Spirit True Lord replied, "We have already surrounded the Demonic Cultivator on the demonic ridge. We were only waiting for your arrival."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod of acknowledgment. As The Vast Sea was farther from this place, their contingent was among the last to arrive.

Although the Ridge of the Black Fiend is said to span several million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], its Demonic Spring is comparable to a Fifth Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a high-quality nexus of spiritual energy]. The area it actually influences is essentially confined to its core region, spanning roughly ten thousand Li-length.

Beyond the influence of the Demonic Spring, the Demonic Fiend Qi [a malevolent and corrupting spiritual energy] only scattered in the most minute traces. Therefore, the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who harness demonic and fiendish energies] mostly cultivated within the areas shrouded by the Demonic Fiend Qi.

Earlier, when the first wave of cultivators from the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent arrived, they coordinated with Magnus the Virtuous and swiftly managed to trap the majority of the Demonic Cultivator within the ten-thousand-Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] expanse of the Ridge of the Black Fiend.

Having reached this conclusion, Eldrin Chen declared, "Then let us depart with haste and swiftly encircle the Ridge of the Black Fiend."

The Fourth Rank War Treasure Boat [a massive, fortified vessel used for warfare and transport] could only travel two hundred thousand Li-length in a single day. After flying for more than ten days, they finally arrived at the Ridge of the Black Fiend.

Upon meeting Magnus the Virtuous, Eldrin Chen observed that Yvonne the Violet Consort, Freya Ji, and Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal had all already gathered at this location.

Of course, in this campaign, the Chen Clan still contributed the most force. Apart from Eldrin Chen and his two dao companions, Thalion Chen and Elara Lin were also present. Furthermore, Daoyi Qiu participated in this battle in the capacity of a guest elder for the Chen Clan. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com (official site).

Adding Magnus the Virtuous and his disciple to the count, the number of Human Race True Lord [a title for powerful human cultivators] participating in this battle had surprisingly reached twelve.

Naturally, the Chen Clan had not mobilized its entire strength. Lyra Jiang's Lifebound Primordial Embryo [a powerful, independent spiritual avatar born from a cultivator's soul] remained stationed within Immortal Apricot Island, ready to defend the various Spirit Mountain [mountains rich in spiritual energy] of the Chen Clan at any moment via the Teleportation Formation.

With the Mana [spiritual power used to cast spells and techniques] of her Second Primordial Embryo at the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage realm, once she activated the Formation [a structured array of magical power], she could hold out for a considerable time even if the Purple Jade Demon Emperor attacked at its peak strength—long enough for Eldrin Chen to return with reinforcements.

As the gathered True Lord [a title for high-level cultivators] convened, Magnus the Virtuous smiled and said, "Now that you are here, we can begin planning the commencement of this battle."

"Mm." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then inquired, "How many have arrived?"

Yvonne the Violet Consort had arrived a step earlier and had already tallied the forces. With a light laugh, she replied, "From the Six Kingdoms of Ji Continent, five hundred thousand cultivators have come. Our Yvonne Nation and Ling Nation have fewer; combined, we've mustered only forty thousand."

"Calculating it that way," Eldrin mused, "adding the Human Race cultivators from the Heaven's Spine Mountains, there should be over one million two hundred thousand cultivators assembled."

Eldrin Chen nodded once more, a sliver of reassurance settling in his heart.

One million two hundred thousand cultivators, and most were seasoned veterans, their cultivation realms predominantly at the Qi Refinement, Late Stage. This force represented more than half the strength that could be drawn from both the Ji Continent and The Vast Sea combined.

Although the Black Malignancy Ridge boasted of hosting millions of Demonic Cultivator, the true number likely did not exceed two million. Furthermore, the cultivation levels among these Demonic Cultivator were uneven. In a true confrontation, they would certainly be no match for this host of one million two hundred thousand veteran Clan Elder cultivators.

"It's not so certain," Eldrin countered thoughtfully. "The Demonic Cultivator have the Demonic Spring to replenish their forces. The longer this drags on, the greater their advantage becomes. A complete victory is far from assured."

"It seems we must seek a swift resolution, to breach the Demonic Fiend Qi [the malevolent, corrupting energy cultivated by demonic practitioners] as quickly as possible."

Turning this thought over in his mind, Eldrin Chen asked, "Have any forces from the neighboring Celestial Star Continent, or the Heavenly Abode Continent, come to join the campaign?"

"Very few have come." Verdant Spirit True Lord shook his head, a note of resignation in his voice. "The Celestial Star Continent is caught between the pincers of the Great Roc Ridge and the Great Qian River, both territories of Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demon-kind]. They dare not divert their strength for a distant expedition."

"The Heavenly Abode Continent fares even worse. The emergence of the Flame Demon Race from within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire has placed immense pressure on the Tianlu Sect."

"Fortunately, the Ji Clan dispatched several True Lord to aid us. They are holding back the Celestial Crane Demon Emperor and the Tengshe Demon Emperor, allowing us to concentrate our forces for an assault on the Ridge of the Black Fiend."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen sighed, "Were it not for the pact signed with the Purple Jade Demon Emperor, I doubt I could have mobilized all six hundred thousand cultivators from The Vast Sea to come here." This content originates from audio-novel*com. Please respect copyright.