Chapter 671 : The Demon Tide Approaches

It was impossible for Eldrin Chen not to be cautious. The Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy] within the Star Moon Island region were all Formation Eye [key nodes of a defensive formation] for Star Sun Island. These Fourth Rank Spirit Island [high-grade spiritual islands] possessed formidable defenses; even a Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [a powerful enchanted warship] would require two full days of assault to breach them.

And two days was more than enough time for Eldrin Chen to lead reinforcements to the scene.

For the enemy to simultaneously shatter three Spirit Island [spiritual islands], leaving them no time to even call for aid, they likely possessed at least a dozen or more Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [powerful enchanted warships].

Thalion Chen's expression turned grave. He drew a deep breath and said, "The enemy has at least twenty or more Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [powerful enchanted warships]. Moreover, they are systematically eliminating the Spirit Island [spiritual islands] along their path. It is clear they intend to dismantle the Formation Eye [key formation nodes] of our Star Sun Island one by one."

Witnessing this, Lyra Jiang inhaled deeply before speaking. "It seems the demonic horde truly intends to draw our main force away, creating an opportunity to breach one of our primary Formation Eye [key formation nodes]."

"Fortunately, we did not divert too many forces to reinforce Water Chariot Island. Otherwise, we might not have been able to withstand this."

Old Patriarch also nodded in agreement. "Then how should we fight this battle?" he asked.

"Since the demons are determined to seize our Star Sun Island, they must possess substantial strength," Eldrin Chen mused for a moment before continuing. "We will stall for now. Wait for our allied forces to gather, then seek an opportunity for a decisive engagement."

"We will also use this time to scout their true strength before making further plans."

Once the decision was made, Eldrin Chen immediately issued orders to the seven Fifth Rank Spirit Island [supreme-grade spiritual islands] under the command of Star Sun Island. He then personally flew to the front lines to gather intelligence. Access the full story on audio-novel dot com.

With the Yin-Yang Void Realm [a mystical artifact that manipulates the void between Yin and Yang] in his possession, his ability to escape was exceptionally formidable. Furthermore, the Star-Gazing Tower [a tower artifact that obscures one's aura and wards off divination] concealed his presence and guarded against celestial reckoning. Thus, he had little fear of being trapped by the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world].

Merely three days later, Eldrin Chen returned to Star Sun Island [the central fortified island in the region]. With a grave expression, he addressed the assembled leaders: "This demonic legion belongs to the Six-Wings Demon Race [a powerful demon clan distinguished by their six wings]. They command twenty-three Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [massive, fifth-grade enchanted warships], and their forces include forty-six Nascent Soul [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual essence forms an independent infant soul] level Heavenly Demons or above."

"Among them are five at the Nascent Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Nascent Soul realm]," he continued, his tone heavy. "Their strength is not to be underestimated."

Upon hearing this, the faces of all present shifted. Within the entire Star Sun Island region, the number of Human Race True Lord [a title for powerful human cultivators, typically at the Nascent Soul realm] barely exceeded thirty. Those at the Nascent Soul Late Stage numbered even fewer.

Currently, the only True Lord [a title for a Nascent Soul realm cultivator] at the Nascent Soul Late Stage were merely Tianlu Sect Master and Desolate Wilderness Sect Master. Even counting Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang, they had only four such powerhouses.

Facing an enemy whose overall strength was at least one-third greater was more than sufficient to decisively tilt the scales of the coming battle.

Kael Chen surveyed the assembly and spoke bluntly: "In these past few days, we have already lost thirty-seven Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy, often used as cultivation bases]. If we do not dispatch forces to confront them directly, we can only watch helplessly as the Spirit Island are captured one by one."

Tianlu Sect Master's expression was somber. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "My Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword [a sword forged from mysterious crystal infused with earth and fire energies] has been deployed to reinforce the defensive Formation [a complex array or magical barrier]. To sally forth and intercept them now would likely lead to a disadvantageous engagement."

His words cast a pall of silence over the group. The military might of the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon was overwhelming. To meet them in open battle beyond the protection of the Spirit Island fortifications would be akin to throwing an egg against a stone.

Yet, to do nothing was equally perilous. If they stood by as island after Spirit Island fell, the day would inevitably come when the enemy host laid siege to Star Sun Island itself.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Can the surrounding Spirit Island [a landmass rich in spiritual energy] of the stellar mansions spare any forces for support?"

The Tianlu Sect Master shook his head and replied, "I contacted Nine Rivers Daoist not long ago. The Net Deer Archipelago where he is stationed has also been assaulted by the demonic horde. However, the scale of the enemy forces remains unclear, so he dares not act rashly."

"Then we have no choice but to stall,"

Kael Chen stated. The strategy of delay meant fortifying themselves within the Spirit Island [a landmass rich in spiritual energy] and waiting for a more opportune moment.

The Star Sun Archipelago comprised over seven hundred islands. If the demons did not divide their forces, it would likely take them several years to conquer each one individually. Yet, if they *did* split their army, that could present an opportunity.

However, stalling in this manner would result in a pyrrhic victory at best. For every Fourth Rank Spirit Island [a high-grade spiritual landmass] that fell, they would lose at least several thousand cultivators, with perhaps none surviving.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking. "On Star Sun Island, we have established a quasi-Nascent Soul Grade [a level approaching the Nascent Soul cultivation stage] Formation [a mystical defensive or offensive array] using the Dual Polarity Treasure Lotus and the Earthfire Mysterious Crystal Sword. Its offensive and defensive capabilities are exceptionally formidable."

"Why not temporarily abandon those Fourth Rank Spirit Island [high-grade spiritual landmasses]? Let us concentrate our forces, fortify Star Sun Island, and engage the demonic horde in a decisive battle here?"

His words caused everyone present to pause in mild astonishment, surprised by Eldrin Chen's proposed course of action.

Noting their expressions, Eldrin Chen continued, "A prolonged defense is bound to fail. Even if we buy time, it will deplete our strength immensely. It is better to clench our hand into a single fist—to gather our superior forces and strike the enemy where they least expect it."

Tianlu Sect Master hesitated, unable to refrain from asking, "Would abandoning several hundred Spirit Island [islands imbued with spiritual energy] come at too great a cost?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then spoke with a faint smile, "To preserve land at the cost of people is to lose both. To preserve people at the cost of land is to gain both."

"Do they not wish to pluck our subsidiary Spirit Island one by one, then breach a single Formation Eye [a critical node in a mystical formation] of the stellar mansions?"

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, a flash of killing intent igniting in his eyes, "I shall let them come and test the defenses of this Star Sun Island. Let us see whether Star Sun Island falls, or they break their heads against its walls."

There was one thing Eldrin Chen left unsaid: he was a man who refused to entrust his fate to the hands of others.

The situation at Water Chariot Island remained unclear, and the stellar Spirit Island belonging to the other great star palaces might not hold firm either. Should those other stellar Spirit Island collapse, the blow to morale and to the Star Constellation Grand Formation [a grand celestial defensive array] would be immense. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at site: audio-novel.com.

Rather than be gradually consumed piece by piece, it was better to shatter the stalemate swiftly, seeking to create an opportunity to outnumber the foe and sway the course of the war.

Well aware of Eldrin Chen's temperament, Lyra Jiang spoke up, "Though losing the support of several hundred Spirit Island would weaken the Formation [mystical defensive array] power of Star Sun Island by thirty to forty percent..."

"...we possess the Two Extremities Earthfire Sword Formation [a powerful sword array harnessing opposing elemental forces]. Combined with the Star Constellation Grand Formation, victory may indeed be within our grasp."

Seeing that Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang had settled on this strategy, Tianlu Sect Master declared, "So be it. Then let us summon Desolate Wilderness Sect Master and the others, and prepare ourselves for the great battle to come."

After making his decision, Eldrin Chen issued the command. Cultivators stationed across the various Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy] were ordered to abandon their posts and begin converging upon Star Sun Island.

Thanks to Eldrin Chen's prior orders, the garrisons on each Fourth Rank Spirit Island [a high-grade spiritual island] were not large. Consequently, the evacuation proceeded with astonishing speed.

With only a few thousand cultivators per Spirit Island, a single Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [a massive enchanted vessel] could transport the personnel from dozens of islands in a single day. In less than ten days, every Spirit Island was emptied of its defenders.

To concentrate their forces further, Eldrin Chen even recalled the garrisons from islands guarded by major continental powers like the Desolate Wilderness Sect and over a dozen other Immortal Clan [powerful cultivation clans], funneling them all to Star Sun Island.

In a short span, Star Sun Island became a fortress mustering eighteen Fifth Rank Treasure Boat, a host of over two million Human Race cultivators, and a formidable assembly of thirty-seven Nascent Soul True Lord [powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage].

While this force was still slightly inferior to the Six-Winged Demon Race in raw numbers, when combined with the formidable defensive Formation [a powerful magical array] of Star Sun Island, their strength could be considered evenly matched.

When news of this maneuver reached the Six-Winged Demon Race, the Lord of the Six-Wings Demon Race sneered coldly. "The Human Race fools commanding Star Sun Island are utter incompetents. To abandon hundreds of Spirit Island... they deliver a heaven-sent victory right into my hands." This novel is serialized on audio-novel[dot]com. Visit for updates.