Chapter 626 : Alliance at the Demon Ridge

Departing from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a vast, perilous sea of eternal flames], Eldrin Chen piloted the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship [a majestic vessel shaped like a crimson dragon] towards the Nine Rivers Continent.

For this expedition, the high-level cultivators of the Chen Clan had nearly emptied their stronghold. All of the clan's Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have formed their nascent soul, a core spiritual entity] were mobilized, and even the guest elder Quentin Qiu joined the venture. Only the Second Primordial Embryo [a powerful spiritual clone] of Exquisite Jiang remained behind to guard the Ji Continent.

To further ensure the success of this battle, Exquisite Jiang had invited Violet Consort Yan, seeking to bolster their chances of victory.

The Heavenly Reed Sect also dispatched three of its Infant Soul [cultivators]. Besides the Heavenly Reed Sect Master, the sect's Grand Elder, Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily, and its Second Elder, Longbeard Path Master, all set out together.

The Nine Rivers Continent lay tens of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] from the Ji Continent. The Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship flew for over a month before finally reaching the borders of the Nine Rivers Continent.

Just as they entered the outer reaches of the Desolate Demon Ridge [a mountain range infested with savage demonic beasts], several True Lords [a title for high-ranking cultivators] of extraordinary bearing came forward to greet them. At their head was an elder with an immortal's grace and a sage's demeanor.

The elder smiled upon seeing the group and said, "Sect Master of the Heavenly Reed Sect, Fellow Cultivator Eldrin, you have finally arrived."

"We have kept you waiting, fellow Daoists."

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master exchanged greetings with the Nine Rivers Path Master before introducing him to Eldrin Chen and the others. "This is the renowned Nine Rivers Path Master."

"Your esteemed reputation precedes you." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at https://audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen cupped his hands in greeting towards Nine Rivers Path Master and quickly discerned the identities of the group.

Within the Three Veins Ancient Domain, there were only slightly over thirty Late Stage Infant Soul Great Cultivator [powerful cultivators at the peak of the Infant Soul stage]. Each was a figure of significant renown, and Eldrin Chen naturally possessed some knowledge of them.

This Nine Rivers Path Master had already lived for over five thousand years, his cultivation reaching the lofty Infant Soul Late Stage. He was famed throughout the land for a set of swords known as the Nine Rivers God-Slaying Swords.

That set of Nine Rivers God-Slaying Swords comprised nine blades. Legend held they were named after contemplating the nine great rivers within the Three Veins Ancient Domain. Each sword had been refined to the rank of a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], the culmination of five millennia of accumulated effort and resources by the Nine Rivers Path Master.

With this set of Immortal Sword [divine swords] in hand, his offensive prowess was formidable, said to rival even that of some great powers at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul.

Besides the Nine Rivers Path Master, the Nine Rivers Continent was home to three other Infant Soul True Lord [esteemed lords of the Infant Soul realm]: namely, Earth Spirit Immortal Aunt, Thunder Trigram Path Master, and the Great Heaven Recluse.

Among these three, the Great Heaven Recluse possessed the highest cultivation, his strength reaching the Infant Soul 6th Tier.

Both Earth Spirit Immortal Aunt and Thunder Trigram Path Master were merely at the Infant Soul Early Stage. It was said they had only attained the Mortal Path Infant Soul [a common, less potent method of reaching the Infant Soul realm], so their combat prowess was likely rather unremarkable.

After the introductions were complete, the Nine Rivers Path Master spoke, "The Desolate Demon Ridge is a festering threat at the very heart of our Nine Rivers Continent. We are profoundly grateful for your aid in confronting it."

"There is no need for such formalities," came the reply.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. Mentioning the Desolate Demon Ridge [a forbidding mountain range infested with demonic cultivators], he inquired further, "What is the current situation?"

"We still cannot gain the upper hand," Thunder Trigram Path Master shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. "That Desolate Demon Ridge possesses profound foundations. Even with the combined strength of our entire continent, we have yet to secure any advantage."

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master [the leader of the Heavenly Reed Sect] nodded, sighing. "That Desolation Old Demon's cultivation has reached the Infant Soul 8th Tier [the eighth level of the Infant Soul stage]. Within the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use demonic energy and often cruel methods] Forbidden Land [a territory saturated with demonic energy, empowering its defenders], his power is amplified to at least rival a Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the peak of the Infant Soul stage]."

"Moreover, with the endless supply of demonic energy bolstering him, I fear even two or three ordinary Infant Soul Late Stage [cultivators at the late stage of the Infant Soul realm] joining forces might not be enough to subdue him."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions grew solemn, and they fell into deep contemplation.

Among them, Nine Rivers Path Master was the strongest, capable of barely holding his own against a Great Perfection of Infant Soul cultivator. The Heavenly Reed Sect Master, wielding the Earthfire Profound Crystal Sword [a powerful magical sword forged from earthfire and profound crystal], possessed strength comparable to an Infant Soul Late Stage expert.

Adding Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang to their ranks, they had enough power to contend with Desolation Old Demon. However, attempting to slay him within the heart of the Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land presented an immense challenge.

Having considered this, Nine Rivers Path Master spoke, "If this old man and the Heavenly Reed Sect Master join forces, along with Fellow Cultivator Eldrin and his companion, we should be able to suppress Desolation Old Demon. Can the rest of you manage to eliminate the remaining two Infant Soul True Lord [a title for powerful Infant Soul stage cultivators] old demons?"

The remaining few exchanged glances. The Great Heaven Recluse stated, "This old man is sufficient to suppress that Qian Old Demon. With the assistance of one more Infant Soul Mid Stage [a cultivator at the middle stage of the Infant Soul realm] expert, we should be able to defeat him."

"Then I shall lend you my aid," Eldrin Chen said.

Immortal Maiden Heavenly Daylily spoke up. Her cultivation was at the Infant Soul 4th Tier level. Although she could not compare to Great Heaven Recluse or Qian Old Demon, she still counted as a top-tier combatant.

Seeing this, Thunder Trigram Path Master smiled faintly and said, "My thunder techniques are most effective at suppressing Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using demonic and often malevolent methods]. I can assist you in suppressing that Qian Old Demon."

"Then dealing with the remaining Qian Old Demon will be straightforward."

Eternal Profound Chen stroked his beard with a smile, his confidence growing substantially.

This time, the Nine Rivers Continent had dispatched four Infant Soul [the stage of cultivation where one's nascent soul is formed] cultivators. The Chen Clan had sent five True Lord [a title for cultivators at the Golden Core stage]. The Heavenly Reed Sect had also contributed three True Lord. Adding Violet Consort Yan and Quentin Qiu to their ranks, their forces could be considered exceedingly ample.

Fourteen True Lord against three Infant SoulDemonic Cultivator, plus one old demon whose physical body had been destroyed—even if unexpected events occurred, it should be sufficient to hold the line. Access the full story on audio_novel.com.

Having reached this conclusion, Eternal Profound Chen said, "There is no need to speak of honor or righteousness when dealing with Demonic Cultivator. Since our numbers are sufficient, let us first slay that Jin Old Demon and Qian Old Demon, then join forces to deal with Desolation Old Demon."

"Then it is decided."

Upon hearing this, everyone present revealed smiles, feeling victory was firmly within their grasp.

After concluding their deliberations, the group decided to rest for a few days to prepare their forces. In the blink of an eye, seven days passed.

On this day, beyond the Desolate Demon Ridge, millions of cultivators had gathered. Each held high their Formation Flag and activated the Myriad Immortals Subduing Demons Formation. An infinite tide of killing intent flooded the void, clashing violently with the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a malevolent, corrupting energy that permeates demonic strongholds] emanating from the Desolate Demon Ridge.

"Begin the assault,"

Eldrin Chen uttered calmly. Treasure ships and countless cultivators surged into action, their combined might aimed at shattering the protective shroud of Demonic Fiendish Energy surrounding the Desolate Demon Ridge.

The great battle raged for several shichen-time [a conventional short duration, roughly fifteen to thirty minutes]. Seeing the radiant barrier of the Desolate Demon Ridge remain formidably strong, Exquisite Jiang frowned slightly and remarked, "The Demonic Fiendish Energy here is significantly more potent than that of the Black Fiend Demon Ridge. It seems this battle will not be easily won."

Eldrin Chen also wore a grave expression. The greater the concentration of Demonic Fiendish Energy within a Demonic Cultivator Forbidden Land, the more it amplified the combat prowess of high-ranking Demonic Cultivator practitioners.

In the past, the Obsidian Fiend Old Demon had relied on the Demonic Spring [a fount of concentrated demonic energy] within the Black Fiend Ridge to contend with the Vast Righteousness True Lord. Now, the Desolation Old Demon possessed even greater cultivation, and the Demonic Fiendish Energy saturating the Desolate Demon Ridge was more formidable still. This foe would likely prove even more troublesome than the Obsidian Fiend Old Demon.

With this thought, his expression shifted. "Do not hold back," he declared. "It is best we end this swiftly and decisively."

"Agreed,"

The Nine Rivers Path Master nodded. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a sapphire-hued treasure talisman, sending it crashing down upon the Desolate Demon Ridge.

Under the talisman's devastating assault, the glow of the Desolate Demon Ridge's Demonic Fiendish Energy dimmed by nearly a third in an instant, its defensive power greatly weakened.

"Mysterious Origin Barrier-Breaking Talisman."

Eldrin Chen's expression brightened with delight. This Mysterious Origin Barrier-Breaking Talisman was a Fifth Rank High-Grade formation-breaking treasure talisman, supremely effective against this type of Mountain Protection Formation.

However, such a talisman was of immense value, treasured only by a few powerful factions with Infant Soul Late Stage cultivators. Even the Heavenly Reed Sect possessed no such treasure. He never imagined that Nine Rivers Path Master would have one.

It was clear that Nine Rivers Path Master had been preparing for this moment for a long time, having specifically acquired this treasure to deal with Desolate Demon Ridge.

"Now!"

Seizing the moment as the radiance of Desolate Demon Ridge dimmed, Eldrin Chen immediately channeled his power into the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Boat and unleashed a series of Two Polarities Divine Thunder strikes upon the formation below. Find this and other novels at audi0-n0vel.c0m.