Chapter 674 : A Desperate Defense of the Star Palaces

"Third Elder, guard your words!"

Tianlu Sect Master hastily cut him off, though his own expression was also grim.

The reason was that not long ago, a Primordial Spirit Realm Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] had suddenly assaulted the Black Tortoise Star Palace Archipelago, successively breaching two of its major stellar Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy].

Seeing the foe was merely a newly advanced Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest cultivation stage before ascension], the Wang Clan Dao Lord [a title for a master of the Dao, a supreme cultivator] left his Spirit Island intending to slay it.

Unexpectedly, a full four Nascent Soul Dao Lord [cultivators who have formed their nascent soul, a powerful life-essence] lay in ambush. After a fierce battle, the Wang Clan Dao Lord only managed to escape by sacrificing his physical body.

However, with his physical form destroyed, the Wang Clan Dao Lord was clearly no longer fit for battle. His current whereabouts were unknown, and this had triggered the collapse of the Black Tortoise Star Palace Archipelago defenses.

After everyone had finished reading the report, Eldrin Chen spoke. "Currently, the four Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon are leading the demonic horde in pursuit of the Black Tortoise Star Palace's fleeing forces. Within half a year to a year at most, they will certainly turn their attention to our other Star Palaces."

"Dao Lord Nine Abysses's proposal is this: he will activate the Star Constellation Grand Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing stellar power] to hold off the four Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, while we fight with everything we have to defend the Spirit Island under our command."

Everyone nodded in understanding. When activated by a Nascent Soul Dao Lord, the Human Race's Four Directions Star Palace Grand Formation could summon the Four Directions Star Palace True Spirits [powerful astral guardians] to battle. These four True Spirits could each unleash combat power rivaling a Primordial Spirit cultivator.

Now, with the Black Tortoise Star Palace Archipelago fallen, one of the Four Symbols Star Spirits [the four celestial beasts representing the cardinal directions] was lost. Yet, the formation could still summon the three remaining Star Palace True Spirits: the Vermilion Bird [the celestial phoenix of the south], the Azure Dragon [the celestial dragon of the east], and the White Tiger [the celestial tiger of the west]. Official source: audio_novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

In the past, the Human Race had laid two hidden contingencies within the outer Four Directions Star Palace Archipelago that could activate the Star Palaces' True Spirits [the sentient spiritual guardians of the celestial palaces].

One was Dao Lord Nine Abysses of the White Tiger Star Palace, and the other was the Dao Lord Wang of the Extreme Northern Ice Plains. Now, the Dao Lord of the northern Wang Clan has had his physical body destroyed and gone missing, but Dao Lord Nine Abysses still presides over the overall situation.

With Jaxian Lu's cultivation at the third level of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, once he summons the three Four Symbols Star Spirits [the spiritual avatars of the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise constellations], his chances of resisting four newly ascended Nascent Soul Celestial Demon [demons who have reached the Nascent Soul stage] are not insignificant.

However, this hinges on ensuring that the two major Star Palace Archipelago of the Azure Dragon and the Vermilion Bird do not fall. Otherwise, relying solely on Jaxian Lu and the Star Spirit of the White Tiger Star Palace, they would likely be unable to withstand those four Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this world].

Thinking of this, the group let out a slight sigh of relief. The current situation, at the very least, still offered an opportunity for salvation.

Seeing that their hearts had settled somewhat, Eldrin Chen spoke up. "Everyone, I have a thought I wish to discuss and seek your counsel on."

"Please speak, Brother Eldrin, the Abyss."

The great victory in the recent battle had elevated Eldrin Chen in everyone's esteem, and now they naturally looked to him for leadership.

Noting this, Eldrin Chen gave a nod and continued. "Although Dao Lord Nine Abysses's intention is for us to hold our ground and defend, I believe that a strategy of pure defense is ultimately doomed to fail."

"Would it not be better to capitalize on our great victory and the fact the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon have not yet reacted? We could swiftly aid the major Star Constellation Formation Eye [the core nodes of a celestial formation] besieging the Vermilion Bird Star Palace, then concentrate our forces to completely eradicate the demonic forces around the Vermilion Bird Star Palace beyond Water Chariot Island?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed drastically. Tianlu Sect Master said uneasily, "The demonic forces are currently formidable. Without the protection of the Formation, engaging them in open battle would be far too perilous."

"Indeed, our complete victory in this battle was largely due to the Formation," another voice chimed in.

Tianxing Sect Master could not hold back either, his face etched with anxiety as he prepared to offer further persuasion.

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened, cutting off Tianxing Sect Master mid-sentence. "Listen to my analysis, everyone," he stated directly.

"Although the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this realm] possess formidable strength, the number of demons that have broken through to our periphery is still limited."

As he spoke, he used his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by practitioners] to conjure an Ethereal Map. "Look," he continued, pointing. "The main demonic force, comprising nearly two hundred Demonic Ship [enchanted vessels used by demonic cultivators], is besieging the routed forces of the Black Tortoise Star Palace. Furthermore, they have committed over one hundred Fifth Rank Demonic Ship to press the attack at Water Chariot Island."

"Add to that the forces they must keep stationed to guard against the Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago, how many troops do you think they truly have left to spare?"

The assembly was momentarily stunned, their panic receding slightly as they grasped his logic.

Seeing their composure return, Eldrin Chen pressed on. "Therefore, I am convinced that the demonic forces positioned around the Spread Mansion Moon Deer and other island chains are merely a feint—a show of strength meant to deter us from sending reinforcements. The Six-Winged Demon Race legion we defeated was likely already a significant portion of their elite forces."

"If we let this opportunity for a decisive strike slip away, and wait for the main demonic strength from the Black Tortoise Star Palace front to swing its forces here... do any of you genuinely believe we could still hold our ground then?"

"Indeed," Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal drew a deep breath, then could not help but speak out: "Had it not been for Fellow Daoist's reminder, we would likely have stubbornly remained entrenched upon our Spirit Island [a landmass rich in spiritual energy, often used as a cultivation base]."

"Waiting until the demonic army arrived to besiege us, we would have watched helplessly as they isolated and surrounded our Spirit Island one by one, then concentrated forces severalfold or even tenfold our own to crush us individually. In the end, we might not even have had a chance to break through their encirclement."

Eldrin Chen nodded. This Lingxu the Ethereal Immortal had grasped his line of thinking.

In this world where cultivators revered strength above all, many never studied strategy. But as a man from a different time, he understood one principle deeply.

That principle was to concentrate superior force and engage the enemy at all costs, avoiding uncertain battles unless absolutely necessary.

It was precisely for this reason that, upon careful reflection, most of the Chen Clan's battles over the years had involved multiple members ganging up on a single foe. Continue your cultivation journey at @udio-novel.com.

Whether it was the early Celestial Python Demon King or the Earth Lion Demon King, or later adversaries like the Purple Jade Demon Emperor and Black Malignancy Ancient Ancestor, each had possessed strength seemingly insurmountable to Eldrin Chen at the time.

Yet those formidable enemies of the past had either met their end or suffered grievous wounds under the concerted assaults of Eldrin Chen and his allies.

Thinking back carefully, although Eldrin Chen's combat prowess was astonishingly potent, he had rarely engaged in solo duels. This revealed his profound aversion to fighting battles he was not confident of winning.

Now, even facing a completely unfavorable situation, he intended to concentrate all available forces at hand. He would only commit to battle after achieving at least a localized advantage over the demonic horde.

Only by achieving this can one ensure that even in defeat, the battle is not truly lost; and when possessing an advantage in strength, even a setback would seldom result in catastrophic losses.

Seeing that the others were persuaded by myself, Eldrin Chen declared, "Speed is paramount in warfare. The cultivators aboard the Treasure Ship need not disembark. Let them rest on the vessel tonight. Tomorrow, we shall set forth to reinforce Brother Nine Rivers and his forces."

After the others had departed, Lyra Jiang glanced at Eldrin Chen and noticed a shadow of deep concern upon his countenance.

Witnessing this, she could not help but inquire, "What troubles you? Are you still anxious about the impending battle?"

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "The Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this realm] advance with formidable momentum. I fear Dao Lord Nine Abysses may not be able to withstand their onslaught."

"Moreover, I worry that the enemy's strength in tomorrow's clash may exceed our expectations."

Lyra Jiang's brow furrowed slightly. "But did you not analyze that the demonic forces' remaining power should be limited?" she questioned.

"That was to deceive them."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. "Since the demonic horde did not assault the White Tiger Star Palace sector, it is highly probable another army lies concealed in the shadows," he explained.

"Their objective likely lies either in watching our Vermilion Bird Star Palace or lies in wait near the Azure Dragon Star Palace sector."

"This..."

Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] paused for a moment, unable to resist asking, "Then why did you deceive them?" Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel[dot]com.