Chapter 664 Deploying Troops to the East Sea

Thus, even excluding the 10 years spent traveling to and from the battlefield, recuperating, and engaging in the great war itself, each Cataclysmic War of the Demonic Abyss required at least a full 30 years.

Once the Outer Realm Demons spare no cost to forcibly widen the Abyssal Rift for decades, this war shall persist for over 1 full sexagenary cycle.

For Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, how many 60-year cycles does 1 truly have in a lifetime?

Thus, for the cultivators parting ways here, if they failed to advance their cultivation amid this cataclysm, this farewell would become their final, eternal separation.

Chen Ethan fell silent for a long while, unwilling to dwell on the subject. Finally, he spoke, "I heard you've encountered remarkable serendipity—comprehending a great supernatural power and unexpectedly obtaining a spiritual treasure."

"How about joining forces in this battle and trying to slay a Nascent Soul Heavenly Demon?"

"Oh?" Soren the Heart-Seer (Person Name) blinked, then after a long moment shook his head with a bitter smile. "You're quite something—even when asking for help, you still carry such unshakable confidence."

Atop the Spirit Mountain, Eldrin watched the cultivators boarding the vessel with an unreadable expression, then picked up an account ledger to glance through it once more.

The ledger recorded the military forces and supplies mobilized this time under the Chen Clan's command.

For this campaign, the Chen Clan had mobilized nearly their entire force, conscripting a total of 1,200,000 cultivators. They amassed over 1.3 billion spirit stones, along with supplies—including various types of spirit rice, spirit talismans, magic treasures, and formation flags—valued at over a billion spirit stones.

Among them, aside from Nascent Soul True Monarchs, Golden Core cultivators alone numbered as many as 374. Of these 374 individuals, the Chen Clan’s own Golden Core cultivators accounted for 103.

Unbeknownst to all, the Chen Clan had now been an established Nascent Soul Clan for over 3 100 years.

Over the years, the Chen Family had developed rapidly. Back during the bloody battle against the Purple Jade Demon Emperor at The Vast Sea (Location), the family had only 30-some Golden Core cultivators.

Now, over 2 100 years later, the Chen Clan boasted as many as 129 Golden Core Elders—a figure that had multiplied severalfold.

However, the Chen family's rise to prominence was relatively recent. Aside from a select few elders like Chen Ethan, most members had achieved their breakthroughs within the last 2 to 3 100 years. The eldest among them was merely 5 100 and some years old.

Most of them possessed cultivation at the Golden Core, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm), with some having just broken through to the seventh layer of Golden Core. Only a handful had reached the eighth layer. Reaching the threshold of the Demonic Path’s Nascent Soul Realm would likely take them another cycle or 2—roughly 60 to a 100 years.

After briefly reviewing the account books, Eldrin turned to Lior and inquired, "How are things progressing on The Vast Sea's end?"

Lior said, "Nearly everyone has boarded. Only the final group remains, and they can assemble within 3 days."

Eldrin (Person Name) gave a slight nod, then cast his gaze toward the distant firmament. Across the boundless void, a dozen or so vessels could be seen soaring toward Green Lotus Province (Location).

The arriving vessel was the treasure ship of Yan. After disembarking, Yan Zi headed straight for the group and declared, "For this Abyssal Demon War, I'll have to hitch a ride with you all. I appreciate your assistance."

"Between you and me, there's no need for such formalities."

Lyra said with a smile, "Without a Tier-5 war treasure ship, Lady Yan Zi Ji has no means to launch a campaign across hundreds of millions of miles of mountains and rivers. She can only travel aboard our treasure ship to reach the destination."

In fact, it wasn't just Lady Yan Zi; Daoist Zixu, Immortal Lingxu, and even Mo the Ancient 1 had all communicated with Eldrin about boarding the Chen Clan's treasure ship to battle at the very end of the Demonic Abyss.

With the addition of these branches of cultivators, the Chen Clan's War Treasure Ship would be loaded with a full 2,000,000 cultivators, heading to battle in the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm.

Fortunately, the Chen Family had refined the Golden Rhino Treasure Ship (Magic Treasure), otherwise the Scarlet Flood Dragon Treasure Ship alone wouldn’t have been able to accommodate so many people. Had that been the case, they would have had to resort to using the war treasure ships of the Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance (Organization), which would hardly have been as convenient as relying on an acquaintance’s vessel.

Eldrin waited half a month until all cultivators had boarded the treasure ship and every Nascent Soul Lord had gathered before finally activating the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Ship to depart for Heaven's Spine Mountains.

They did not set out alone for this battle. Apart from Eldrin and his disciples, over a dozen Nascent Soul forces—including the Heavenly Star Sect, Heavenly Abode Sect, and even factions from the Primordial Wildlands—would gather at Heaven's Spine Mountains.

Upon arriving at Heaven's Spine Mountains (Location), Eldrin (Person Name) discovered over a dozen fifth-tier war treasure ships already gathered at the mountain peak, most originating from various Nascent Soul forces.

The primary reason so many factions had gathered at Haoran Peak was because of Magnus the Virtuous Lord.

The Ji Clan had long since departed for the Eastern Sea Immortal Realm to oversee major affairs. As 1 of the pinnacle powerhouses across the 3 ancient domains, Magnus the Virtuous Lord naturally stood as the central figure governing over a dozen or so surrounding continents.

After greeting the various True Lords, Eldrin sought out Magnus the Virtuous Lord.

"You've come at the perfect moment."

As he arrived, Magnus the Virtuous Lord handed a letter to Eldrin.

Eldrin opened it and couldn't help but show a glimmer of understanding. This letter was a transfer order from the Eastern Desolation Immortal Alliance, urging Magnus the Virtuous Lord to lead this army to advance into the Eastern Sea Cultivation World as soon as possible.

Setting down the letter in his hand, Eldrin inquired, "Since the army has fully assembled, it is indeed time to consider our departure."

"Hmm."

Magnus the Virtuous Lord (Person Name) nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "The Outer Realm Demons are no trivial matter. During this great war, you should stay close behind me. Remember—do not recklessly deploy troops on your own."

"Understood."

Eldrin nodded, his expression turning grave.

Approximately half a month later, the numerous treasure ships made their final resupply stop at Heaven's Spine Mountains (Location). Utilizing the spiritual energy concentrated there, they replenished the vessels' power reserves before setting course toward the Eastern Desolate Immortal Cultivation Realm.

A total of 18 war treasure ships soared toward the Eastern Sea cultivation realm with overwhelming grandeur.

A fifth-tier war treasure ship could traverse 1,000,000 li in a single day. As a supreme treasure of unparalleled might safeguarding the clan, it advanced with unstoppable momentum throughout its journey. Even when crossing demon-infested territories, it carved straight through without deviation—not a single demon dared stand in its path.

After flying for over 2 years, the group finally crossed the Star Lake Ancient Domain and arrived at the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm.

The Celestial Treasure Ship soared over the East Sea, where a group of True Monarchs had gathered, watching the boundless ocean in the distance with restless anxiety.

Chen Changxuan was visiting the Eastern Sea cultivation realm for the first time. Unaccustomed to the vast emptiness, he couldn't help but remark, "How much farther until we reach the Demonic Abyss?"

Eldrin came once, then shook his head and said, "It's still far too early. We've just arrived at the Nearshore Cultivation Realm, still hundreds of millions of miles away from the Open Sea."

And the location of that Demonic Abyss was at the very edge of the Distant Sea Cultivation Realm, a journey that would likely take several years to reach.

"So far away?"

Lila frowned slightly, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. "The spiritual energy reserves aboard the Crimson Flood Dragon Treasure Vessel are running dangerously low," she remarked with concern. "If this continues, I fear it won't sustain us much longer."

"In a few days, I'll find a place to replenish spiritual energy."

As Eldrin spoke, the Verdant Jade True Monarch approached.

Seeing Eldrin (Person Name), the Cyan Jade True Monarch smiled and said, "Fellow Daoists, our master requests your audience."