Chapter 611 : The Flame Demon's Infernal Domain

"If that were the only issue, it would be manageable. The main problem is that the leader, the Flame Demon Monarch, possesses cultivation at the Nascent Soul Late Stage level, making him exceedingly difficult to deal with."

"Furthermore, that Flame Demon Monarch is bolstered by the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean river of potent fire-aspected spiritual energy], granting him a near-bottomless well of Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques]. Even a Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator might struggle to subdue him in a one-on-one confrontation."

Mentioning this, the Tianlu Sect Master added with a bitter smile, "To be perfectly honest, had I not prepared thoroughly this time and had the protection of the Tianlu Command, this old man might have met his end within that Underground Fire Vein."

"So that is the situation."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. A Flame Demon Monarch born within an Earth Vein [a concentrated ley line of elemental earth energy] over several Millennium might have a slightly weaker foundation and Mana reservoir compared to a Human Race cultivator at the Nascent Soul Late Stage level. However, with the endless empowerment of the Underground Fire Vein, its combat prowess would undoubtedly be formidable and troublesome.

Seeing that the matter was now clear, the Tianlu Sect Master continued, "That is precisely why I sought an alliance with your clan."

"Your Chen Clan boasts six True Lord [a title for high-level cultivators, often at the Nascent Soul realm]. Combined with the strength of our Tianlu Sect, we would stand a reasonable chance of seizing that Underground Fire Vein."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The Flame Demon [a general term for fire-aspected demons], bolstered by the Underground Fire Vein, possesses a seemingly inexhaustible supply of Mana. Even if your Tianlu Sect and our Chen Clan were to commit our full forces, victory is far from assured."

"What are you suggesting?" asked the Tianlu Sect Master, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

Lyra Jiang, who understood Eldrin Chen best, took over the conversation. "The Violet Consort, the Immortal Maiden has already reached the Nascent Soul, 3rd Tier level. Her strength is not weak even among Nascent Soul, Mid Stage cultivators." Find thousands of chapters at audio - novel . com.

"Moreover, Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal is the reincarnation of a True Lord [a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul realm] and has now cultivated to the Nascent Soul, 4th Tier realm. With their assistance, our chances of success are significantly greater."

"This..."

Tianlu Sect Master hesitated slightly. The value of a Fifth Rank High Grade Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent fire-attribute spiritual energy] was utterly staggering. Throughout the entire Three Veins Ancient Domain, there were no fewer than several hundred Fifth Rank low to mid-grade Earth Vein [a terrestrial channel of concentrated spiritual energy], yet those that could reach the Fifth Rank High Grade level numbered merely a dozen or so.

Such an immense fortune would surely tempt even the most elite Nascent Soul Immortal Clan. Once seized, his confidence in breaking through to Nascent Soul Late Stage would increase dramatically.

In his heart, he was reluctant to involve too many others. For every additional True Lord who joined, his Tianlu Sect's share of the final spoils would diminish by a portion.

Seeing his expression, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "Even if our two families combined possess the strength to overcome that Flame Demon Race, they are backed by a Fifth Rank Earth Vein. Subduing them would likely come at a grievous cost."

"Setting other considerations aside, even if we successfully capture this Underground Fire Vein, the value of a Fifth Rank High Grade Earth Vein is such that it would stir the greed of cultivators at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection realm."

"If, in the process, our two families lose several True Lord, will we still be able to hold and defend this Underground Fire Vein?"

His words gave the others pause. Longbeard the Daoist also transmitted a voice message to Tianlu Sect Master, "The Abyssal Daoist speaks true wisdom. With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied great calamity involving demonic forces] less than two hundred years away, we cannot afford to deplete our combat strength at this juncture."

"Furthermore, the most pressing matter remains your breakthrough to Nascent Soul Late Stage."

"That is indeed a fair point."

Tianlu Sect Master nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "However, this Underground Fire Vein was discovered by us first and lies within our Heavenly Abode Continent. Therefore, after the matter is concluded, this old man hopes to have the first pick of the treasures."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly, understanding that the other party's desire for first pick stemmed from a fear of missing the opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage.

With this thought, he nodded and said, "I can make the decision on this matter."

"Excellent." Tianlu Sect Master finally revealed a smile, then continued, "As for Violet Consort Mountain and Ethereal Void Mountain, this old man is not familiar with them. I must trouble Fellow Daoist to notify them on my behalf."

"That can be easily arranged."

Seeing Tianlu Sect Master agree, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a faint smile.

His reason for bringing in Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal was not merely to bolster their strength; he also had myself own considerations.

The Chen Clan already possessed four Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade spiritual energy source]: Azure Lotus Continent, Spirit Lake Isle, the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Wilderness, and Immortal Apricot Island. Within the next century, they were also set to add the Spirit Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy] from Eight Trigrams Island.

Occupying such a significant share of the profits, the Chen Clan itself faces immense pressure. The clan's True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] cannot even find the time to venture out on distant journeys for personal cultivation, which inevitably hinders the cultivation progress of the clan members.

Therefore, bringing along Yvonne the Violet Consort and others serves a dual purpose: it allows us to incur a favor from them while simultaneously sharing the burden borne by the Chen Clan. Why would we not welcome such an arrangement? With this thought, Eldrin Chen smiled and continued, "My good friend, Fellow Daoist Mo, and the Chen Clan's guest elder, Daoyi Qiu, have both recently broken through to the Nascent Soul [the stage where a cultivator forms their infant soul] realm. Currently, neither possesses even a single Fifth Rank Spirit Vein [a high-grade source of spiritual energy]."

"Why not invite them to join? They need not receive a share of the profits. We need only promise them the right to garrison the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean vein of fire-attribute spiritual energy] after our success, along with an annual stipend. I am certain they would be most willing."

Upon hearing this, Longbeard the Daoist glanced at Tianlu Sect Master and transmitted a silent message: "This Eldrin Chen has gathered several friends. Should we not also call upon some allies for assistance?"

"Unnecessary," replied Tianlu Sect Master, having now accepted the situation. He transmitted his response without a change in expression. "Fellow Daoist Mo and Daoyi Qiu are offering their aid without claiming an equity stake—essentially working for free. Furthermore, they will garrison the Underground Fire Vein for us in the future. If we bring in more people, we would only further dilute our own share of the gains."

"For Eldrin Chen to begin forging such favorable connections now suggests he truly aspires to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the primordial spirit, a profound stage of cultivation] and is laying the groundwork early for protectors to aid him during his future Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] tribulation. We would do well to seize this opportunity to foster goodwill with him." Support the author by reading on audio_novel.com.

Longbeard the Daoist was inwardly shaken by these words and offered no further argument.

Seeing this, Tianlu Sect Master nodded with a smile. "Once we seize the Fire Vein [a vein of fire-attribute spiritual energy] within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a sea of eternal, imprisoning flames], we will need to station at least three True Lord there day and night to guard it. Having the assistance of Fellow Daoist Mo and Fellow Daoist Qiu will greatly alleviate the strain on our manpower. I agree to this condition."

"Excellent!" Eldrin Chen clapped his hands together, his smile widening. "With this settled, we can proceed to discuss the specifics of the operation and the distribution of responsibilities."

The three cultivators then delved into a detailed discussion, their voices low and serious as they planned their assault on the formidable Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

"Then it is settled," he declared.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, agreed upon a time with the Tianlu Sect Master, and the two then boarded the Verdant Jade Phoenix Feather Ship to fly back to Spirit Isle Lake.

Upon arriving at Spirit Isle Lake, he immediately summoned the clan's cultivators to arrange personnel for the coming battle. He also sent letters to Yvonne the Violet Consort and others, informing them of the situation.

The environment within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast, perpetually burning sea of magma and flame] was exceedingly harsh; even Foundation Establishment Cultivator [cultivators who have solidified their spiritual foundation] would struggle to survive there for extended periods. Therefore, for this campaign, Eldrin Chen had no intention of mobilizing a massive, resource-draining force.

Aside from the clan's True Lord [powerful cultivators at the Golden Core realm] level experts, he only brought several hundred cultivators at the Purple Mansion [the realm where one's spiritual sea condenses into a stable core residence] realm or above. However, he did bring along the Crimson Flood Dragon War Junk [a massive, dragon-shaped warship enchanted for battle].

Once these forces were assembled, Yvonne the Violet Consort and the others, having received his letters, promptly arrived at Spirit Isle Lake with their disciples in tow.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Eldrin Chen said, "Board the treasure ship first. We will discuss the details once we reach Heavenly Abode Continent."

The Crimson Dragon Treasure Ship [the Crimson Flood Dragon War Junk] could travel one million Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] in a single day. In just a few days, it arrived at the periphery of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

The edges of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire were already cordoned off by cultivators from Heavenly Abode Continent. The Tianlu Sect Master had been waiting for some time. Seeing their arrival, he laughed and said, "You have arrived even sooner than this old man anticipated." For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel . com.