Chapter 682 : Victory at Water Chariot Island

"Excellent!"

Everyone nodded in agreement and immediately surged toward the battlefield beneath their feet.

With the addition of several Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators whose spiritual core is on the verge of fully manifesting] and the presence of two Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [artifacts of immense power forged from the purest Yang energy], the outcome of the ensuing conflict was a foregone conclusion.

The demonic forces swiftly fell into a rout. Leading the Human Race armies, the cultivators pressed their counterattack relentlessly, pursuing the foe for three days and three nights until the demonic horde was utterly annihilated.

After this battle, the demonic army within the Vermilion Bird Star Palace Archipelago [a constellation of islands named for the mythical Vermilion Bird] was almost completely wiped out. Only a single Half-Step Primordial Spirit commander, having sensed the danger early, managed to escape with a small remnant of Demonic Cultivator [beings who cultivate power through demonic or unorthodox means].

After a brief clearing of the battlefield, a temporary council was convened on Water Chariot Island.

Within the Grand Hall, Xuanxu the Daoist cast a glance at Eldrin Chen and spoke plainly, "The reason for our overwhelming victory in this battle rests entirely on Fellow Daoist Chen's strategy and decisive intervention."

"It can be said that the foremost credit for this triumph belongs to none other than Fellow Daoist Chen."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]," Eldrin Chen replied with a wave of his hand and a smile. "Without the Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure wielded by Brother Maris and Senior Magnus, and without your Treasure Talisman [a powerful single-use enchanted seal], Brother Xuanxu, such a result would have been impossible to achieve."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, each face breaking into a smile of shared accomplishment. Read the full novel exclusively on http://www . audio-novel.com.

Magnus the Virtuous also smiled faintly, then sighed and said, "Although this battle was a great victory, the casualties were also extremely heavy. Alas."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a slight pang in his heart.

This battle was the most grand-scale conflict he had ever experienced. Although they had won the war, they had paid a tremendous price during the day and night of bitter fighting.

Although the specific casualty statistics were not yet fully tallied, it was estimated that no less than twenty percent of the cultivators had perished. Those who survived were almost all wounded, with very few emerging unscathed.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Fortunately, our reserves of Healing Pill [a pill that accelerates the healing of wounds and replenishes vitality] are still relatively ample. I have already ordered the army to rest and recuperate, to recover from their injuries as swiftly as possible."

Everyone nodded. Then, Magnus the Virtuous spoke again, "Not long ago, news came from the Azure Dragon Starry Sky Archipelago. They reported being attacked by the demonic Clan Lord's forces, and two of their Formation Eye [a critical node that anchors and powers a large-scale defensive or offensive magical array] have already been breached."

"What should we do now? Should we dispatch troops to reinforce the Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago?"

Upon hearing this, the others all turned their gazes towards Eldrin Chen. After this battle, their trust in Eldrin Chen's strategic command had reached a great height, and they naturally wished to hear his counsel.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking, "According to the current intelligence, the enemy forces facing the Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago are no fewer, and likely greater, than what we faced."

"After our great battle, everyone is physically and mentally exhausted, and the spiritual energy within our Treasure Ship [a large, ship-shaped magical artifact used for transportation and warfare] is far from replenished. Even if we were to reinforce the Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago now, I fear it would be difficult to alter the course of their battle."

"Moreover, the main force of the demonic army from the Black Tortoise Domain has most likely concluded their campaign. They are situated close to the Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago and will undoubtedly merge their forces with those stationed there."

"If we were to go there now, we would likely fail to rescue them and instead end up sacrificing myself."

Upon hearing this, the assembled individuals exchanged uncertain glances.

Eldrin Chen's deduction was indeed correct. After conquering the numerous Immortal Clan of the Extreme Northern Ice Plains, the forces from the Black Tortoise Star Palace Archipelago would certainly turn their attention to the remaining Vermilion Bird Star Palace and Azure Dragon Star Palace.

For once these two Star Palaces fell, the remaining forces of Jaxian Lu and the White Tiger Star Palace Archipelago would surely be unable to withstand the assault of the four demonic Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high level of power].

Furthermore, with three Star Palace Archipelago lost as defensive bulwarks, the morale of the Human Race armies from the Southern Wilderness Cultivation World stationed at the White Tiger Star Palace Archipelago would undoubtedly collapse, likely triggering a full-scale rout.

The defenders of the Vermilion Bird Archipelago were formidable, having recently shattered a demonic host under the Garuda Demon Monarch. The demonic Clan Lord [the leader of a demonic clan or force] from the White Tiger Star Palace Archipelago would not rashly risk an attack on them.

As expected, they would undoubtedly assault the nearest Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago first. After crushing the Human Race forces in the Azure Dragon Starry Sky, they would then turn their attention to the Vermilion Bird Starry Sky Archipelago.

Having grasped the strategic situation, everyone's expressions shifted with concern. Ivy the Verdant Enchantress could not help but ask, "If we do not aid the Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators] at the Azure Dragon Star Palace, then what course of action remains for us?"

Eldrin Chen studied the map before him, remaining silent for a long while. Finally, he drew a circle around the location marked for the White Tiger Star Palace.

Then, he took a deep breath, his gaze resolute as he declared, "While the demonic forces are assaulting the Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago, we shall mobilize our armies against the White Tiger Domain."

"This..."

The expressions of everyone present shifted dramatically. Feathered Pavilion Master could not contain his shock, exclaiming, "You intend to besiege a Demonic Path Primordial Spirit [a supreme cultivator whose soul has transcended mortal limits]!"

No one in the assembly could remain seated. They all rose to their feet, faces etched with disbelief.

Yet, Eldrin Chen remained unmoved. He merely gazed at the map and stated calmly, "That White Tiger Domain holds only four newly-advanced Demonic Cultivator Primordial Spirit [supreme cultivators whose souls have transcended mortal limits]. It possesses not a single demonic Treasure Ship [a massive enchanted vessel] nor any fleet."

"We can combine the forces of the entire Southern Wilderness Cultivation World, totaling close to six hundred Nascent Soul Cultivators [powerful cultivators who have formed an infant soul within their bodies], along with armies of cultivators numbering in the hundreds of millions. Together, we can assist Dao Lord Nine Abysses in besieging those four demonic Primordial Spirit [supreme cultivators whose souls have transcended mortal limits]." For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel dot com.

Upon hearing this, the assembly fell into a heavy silence. Each person was stunned by the sheer audacity of Eldrin Chen's plan.

What manner of existence was a Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of supreme cultivators whose souls have transcended mortal limits] practitioner? Such supreme beings were considered peerless overlords across the world; it was nearly impossible for them to be overwhelmed and slain by lower-realm cultivators through sheer numbers.

This was not a gap that mere quantity could bridge. Even an army of hundreds of millions of cultivators, facing a Primordial Spirit [a supreme cultivator whose soul has transcended mortal limits] expert, could only hope to form defensive formations for self-preservation. They would lack the capability to encircle and slay such a being.

Yet, to gather six hundred Nascent Soul [powerful cultivators who have formed an infant soul within their bodies] experts and three hundred Fifth Rank Treasure Boat [powerful enchanted vessels of the fifth rank] to besiege a Primordial Spirit [a supreme cultivator whose soul has transcended mortal limits]... such an event was unprecedented in all of history.

Seeing that no one spoke, Eldrin Chen broke the silence: "Although the Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivators [powerful demonic beings who have cultivated their Primordial Spirit to the Nascent Soul realm] are indeed Nascent Soul Celestial Demons [demons of immense power who have attained the Nascent Soul realm], they are all newly advanced within the past Millennium."

"With Senior Jaxian Lu and the three great star spirits—the White Tiger, the Azure Dragon, and the Vermilion Bird—we are not at a disadvantage against them."

"If we join the battle, we might be able to create an opening for Senior Jaxian Lu to slay one or two of those Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivators."

At this point, Eldrin Chen took a deep breath and spoke with calm resolve: "This is also our final chance. Once the demonic horde breaches the Azure Dragon Star Palace and the Vermilion Bird Star Palace, any hope of turning the tide will be lost."

"This..."

After a long silence, it was ultimately Magnus the Virtuous who spoke: "Eldrin's analysis is sound. The momentum of the demonic army is simply too overwhelming; we cannot possibly hold the Vermilion Bird Star Palace."

"Only by slaying one or two Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivators can we hope to secure victory in this battle."

The others were also somewhat persuaded. Maris the Sea Steader said, "If a few of us risk our lives to intervene, we might be able to pin down one Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this realm]."

"Rather than watch the situation deteriorate before our eyes, it is better to stake everything on one desperate gamble."

With the two strongest present, Maris the Sea Steader and Magnus the Virtuous, having given their approval, the others who were wavering gritted their teeth and agreed to Eldrin Chen's battle plan.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Since that is the case, let us all rest and recuperate for seven days. Use this time to recover fully, and then we shall dispatch our forces to the White Tiger Archipelago." This novel is serialized on audio-novel . com. Visit for updates.