Chapter 674 : The Star Palace's Last Stand

"Third Elder, mind your words!"

The Heavenly Reed Sect Master hastily cut him off, though his own expression was also grim.

It turned out that not long ago, a Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core cultivation stage] Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] had suddenly attacked the Black Tortoise Star Palace [a celestial fortress named after the Black Tortoise constellation] archipelago, successively breaching two major stellar Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy].

That Wang Path Lord, seeing his opponent was merely a newly-advanced Primordial Spirit [cultivator], directly left the Spirit Island intending to slay him.

Unexpectedly, the demon had lain in ambush with a full four Primordial Spirit Path Lord [Path Lords of the Primordial Spirit stage]. After a fierce battle, the Wang Path Lord only managed to escape by sacrificing his physical body.

However, with his physical form destroyed, the Wang Path Lord had clearly lost all combat power. His current whereabouts were unknown, and this had triggered the collapse of the Black Tortoise Star Palace archipelago's defenses.

After everyone had finished reading, Eldrin Chen spoke: "Currently, the four Outer Realm Heavenly Demon are leading a Fiend Race Army [a demonic legion] 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."

"The Nine Abyss Path Lord's meaning is this: he will activate the Star Constellation Grand Formation [a grand stellar defensive array] to hold off the four Outer Realm Heavenly Demon, while we must fight with everything we have to defend the Spirit Island under our control."

Everyone nodded in understanding. When activated by a Primordial Spirit Path Lord, the Human Race's Four Directions Star Palace Grand Formation [the Grand Formation of the Four Directional Star Palaces] could summon the Four Directions Star Palace True Spirits [the guardian spirits of the four celestial palaces] to battle. These four great True Spirit [powerful spiritual entities] could each unleash combat power rivaling a Primordial Spirit cultivator.

Now that the Black Tortoise [one of the Four Symbols, a mythical black turtle-snake hybrid] Star Archipelago had fallen, one of the Four Symbols Star Spirits [the stellar spirits of the Four Symbols] was lost. However, the Vermilion Bird [the mythical crimson phoenix], the Azure Dragon [the celestial azure dragon], and the White Tiger [the legendary white tiger]—the three remaining Star Palace True Spirit—could still be summoned. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel.com (official site).

Back then, the Human Race had laid two hidden cards within the peripheral Four Directions Star Palace Archipelago, both capable of activating the True Spirit [the highest level of spiritual cultivation, representing a being of immense power] of the Star Palace.

One was the Nine Abyss Path Lord from the Southern Ridge Cultivation World, and the other was the Path Lord [a master of a profound cultivation path] of the Far North Icy Plains. Currently, the Path Lord of the northern Wang Clan has had his physical body destroyed and is missing, but the Nine Abyss Path Lord remains to oversee the situation.

With Nine Abyss Lu's cultivation at the Primordial Spirit 3rd Tier [the third level of the Primordial Spirit realm, a high stage of spiritual power], once he summons the three Four Symbols Star Spirits [divine manifestations representing the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise constellations], his chances of resisting four newly ascended Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [demonic beings who have reached the Primordial Spirit realm] are not insignificant.

However, this hinges on ensuring that the two major Star Palace Archipelago of Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird do not fall. Otherwise, relying solely on Nine Abyss Lu and the star spirits of the White Tiger Star Palace would likely be insufficient to withstand those four Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons originating from beyond this world].

Thinking this, everyone felt a slight easing of tension. The current situation, at the very least, still offered a chance for redemption.

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

"Please speak, Brother Eldrin."

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

Noting this, Eldrin Chen nodded and continued, "Although the Nine Abyss Path Lord's intention is for us to hold our ground, I believe that a purely defensive stance is ultimately doomed to fail."

"Would it not be better to capitalize on our great victory and the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon's momentary disarray? We could swiftly aid the besieged Star Constellation Formation Eye [the core nodes of a powerful astral formation] of the Vermilion Bird Star Palace, then concentrate our forces to decisively eliminate the Fiend Race forces threatening the Vermilion Bird Star Palace beyond Chariot Water Island?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed drastically. The Heavenly Reed Sect Master said uneasily, "The Fiend Race [the collective term for demonic cultivators and beings] is currently too powerful. To engage them in open battle without the protection of our Formation [a defensive or offensive array powered by spiritual energy] would be far too perilous."

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

The Heavenly Star Sect Master could not hold back either, his face etched with anxiety as he prepared to add his own plea.

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened, cutting off the Heavenly Star Sect Master before he could speak. "Everyone, please listen to my analysis," he stated directly.

"Although the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this realm] possesses formidable strength, the number of Fiend Race forces that have broken through to our periphery is also limited."

As he spoke, he conjured a shimmering, illusory map with his spiritual power. "Look," he continued, pointing. "The main force of the Fiend Race, nearly two hundred Demonic Ship [warships powered by demonic energy], is besieging the routed army from the Black Tortoise Star Palace. Furthermore, they have committed over one hundred Fifth Rank [a high grade denoting significant power] Demonic Ship to press the attack at Chariot Water Island."

"Add to that the Fiend Race forces guarding against the Azure Dragon Star Palace Archipelago... how many troops do you truly believe they have left to spare?"

The assembled leaders were momentarily stunned, their panic receding slightly as they processed his words.

Seeing their composure return, Eldrin Chen pressed on. "Therefore, I am convinced that the Fiend Race presence in the archipelagos, including the Extended Net constellation's islands, is merely a bluff—a show of force to deter us from sending reinforcements. The Six-Winged Demon Clan [a specific demonic tribe known for its six-winged members] we just defeated was likely one of their elite units already."

"If we miss this window of opportunity, and wait until the demonic Clan Patriarch [the supreme leader of a demonic clan] from the Black Tortoise Star Palace front redirects his forces here... do any of you genuinely believe we could still hold our ground?"

"Indeed," Ethereal Mistress Ling [a powerful female cultivator] drew a deep breath, then could not help but speak out. "Had it not been for your reminder, Fellow Daoist, we would likely have stubbornly remained entrenched upon the Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy, often used as a cultivation base]."

"When the Fiend Race Army [the military forces of the demonic Fiend Race] finally launched their assault, 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 each in turn. In the end, we might not even have had a chance to break through their encirclement."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a brilliant and strategic cultivator] nodded. It seemed Ethereal Mistress Ling had grasped his intent.

In this world, where a cultivator's strength was paramount, few delved into the art of strategy. Yet, 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.

Reflecting on this, it was clear that the Chen Clan [the protagonist's family clan] had, over the years, often relied on overwhelming numbers to confront their foes. Published by audio‑novel.com. All rights reserved.

Whether it was the early adversaries like the Heavenly Python Demon King [a powerful serpent demon lord] and the Earth Lion Demon King [a mighty lion-like earth demon], or later enemies such as the Violet Jade Demon Emperor [a formidable demon emperor] and Black Fiend Patriarch [a patriarch of dark, fiendish cultivation], each had possessed strength that seemed insurmountable to Eldrin Chen at the time.

Yet, those once-formidable enemies had either met their end or suffered grievous wounds under the coordinated assaults led by Eldrin Chen and his allies.

Upon careful consideration, despite Eldrin Chen's astonishing individual combat prowess, he had rarely engaged a powerful foe alone. This revealed his profound aversion to entering a battle without overwhelming advantage.

Now, even with the overall situation unfavorable, he intended to gather every available force at hand. His aim was to create at least a localized superiority against the Fiend Race [the collective term for demonic races] before committing to battle.

Only by achieving this can one ensure that even in defeat, the battle is not truly lost. And when possessing a clear advantage in strength, even a setback is unlikely to result in catastrophic losses.

Seeing that his words had swayed the assembly, Eldrin Chen declared, "Speed is paramount in warfare. The cultivators aboard the Treasure Ship [a massive vessel capable of flight and housing many cultivators] need not disembark. Let them rest on the ship tonight. At dawn, we shall set out to reinforce Elder Brother Nine Rivers and his forces."

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

Seeing this, she could not help but ask, "What troubles you? Are you still worried about the coming battle?"

"Yes," Eldrin Chen nodded, his voice grave. "The Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this world] advance with ferocious momentum. I fear Nine Abyss Path Lord may not be able to hold them back."

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

Exquisite Jiang's brow furrowed slightly. "But did you not analyze that the remaining forces of the Fiend Race [a collective term for demonic cultivators and their allies] should be limited?"

"That was to deceive them."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. "The Fiend Race did not assault the White Tiger Star Palace [one of the celestial palaces guarding the realm's cardinal directions]. This strongly suggests another army lies hidden in the shadows."

"Their target is either to ambush us here at the Vermilion Bird Star Palace [the southern celestial palace], or they are poised to strike at the Azure Dragon Star Palace [the eastern celestial palace]."

"This..."

Exquisite Jiang was momentarily taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "Then why did you deceive them?" Support the author by reading on audio‑novel.com.