Chapter 724 : A Pact of Blades and Stars

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking. "To avoid being caught between two fronts when we establish our continent, perhaps we should first deal a heavy blow to one of the opposing forces."

"That is a sound strategy," Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement, then asked, "But which one should we target first?"

Eldrin Chen considered briefly before replying, "The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor is formidable, and he wields the Green Jade Heaven-Measuring Ruler. We would not hold the advantage in a direct confrontation."

"It would be better to first deal with the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor. There is a greater chance we could successfully surround and hunt him."

Upon hearing this, Ethereal Mistress Ling also nodded. "That makes sense. Fellow cultivators from Heavenly Dawn Continent and Heavenly Star Continent would surely lend their full support if they knew we were moving against the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Race."

"Moreover, the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor. If he learns we are targeting the Roc Emperor, he is more likely to kick him while he's down than to offer any aid."

"Then it is settled," Eldrin Chen affirmed with a nod and a smile. "I will arrange for letters to be sent to our allies on Heavenly Dawn Continent and Heavenly Star Continent, requesting their assistance in this endeavor."

"Once this battle is concluded, we can then focus our efforts on establishing the new continent."

To prevent any leaks, Eldrin Chen dispatched Kael Chen personally to Heavenly Dawn Continent and Heavenly Star Continent. His mission was to discuss the plan with the several Infant Soul-level powers in those regions.

Good news arrived swiftly. The dominant power of Heavenly Star Continent, upon hearing that the forces of Ji Continent were preparing to strike, immediately agreed to join the effort wholeheartedly. They decided to commit their full strength, dispatching three True Lord-level experts to participate in the coming battle. This novel is serialized on audio~novel.com. Visit for updates.

Furthermore, Heavenly Dawn Continent [a major landmass in this cultivation world] was also willing to contribute a sum of money to provide resource support for the group.

After receiving the news, Eldrin Chen informed the Mortal Path [a specific cultivation tradition or school] cultivators: "The three major powers of Heavenly Dawn Continent have each indicated they are willing to offer one Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a precious elixir that aids in forming the Nascent Soul cultivation stage] as remuneration."

"One Nascent Soul Formation Pill from each? They're truly treating us like beggars!"

Upon hearing this, Recluse of Verdant Verse [a title for a reclusive cultivator] could not help but let out a derisive laugh.

Originally, Heavenly Dawn Continent possessed greater strength than Heavenly Star Continent [another major continent], boasting a full three Infant Soul Immortal Clan [powerful clans led by cultivators at the Infant Soul stage] and eight True Lord [a high-level cultivation realm, equivalent to Nascent Soul stage].

However, over the past two centuries, the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor [a powerful avian demon sovereign] had slain four of their True Lord, and the remaining four seemed thoroughly cowed, willing only to provide material support.

Yet even this material aid was pitifully scant, which explained Recluse of Verdant Verse's disdain.

"There's no helping it. Their own situation is dire,"

Eldrin Chen said, shaking his head. He understood the circumstances of Heavenly Dawn Continent quite well. In recent years, the continent had lost two Fifth Rank Spiritual Vein [sites of concentrated spiritual energy, ranked by potency] and vast swathes of territory. The treasuries of the three Infant Soul Immortal Clan were nearly depleted from the fighting.

Eldrin Chen did not particularly value this meager support, nor did he wish to jeopardize greater goals by haggling with Heavenly Dawn Continent, so he agreed to the arrangement.

"With the addition of the three fellow cultivators from the Heavenly Star Sect, our forces now hold an overwhelming advantage over the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor. The time to act has come."

"Indeed. But how shall we proceed?"

Violet Consort Yan spoke, then turned her gaze towards Eldrin Chen.

It was clear that after the battle at the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, everyone had come to trust in Eldrin Chen's strategic command.

Noticing their expectant looks, Eldrin Chen unfurled a map and began his analysis. "The Golden-Winged Great Roc Clan currently commands six Demon Emperors, holding dominion over four Spirit Mountains."

"Among them, Golden Wing Peak, Earth Tremor Valley, and Blazing Fire Island are each anchored by a Fifth Rank Low-Grade Spiritual Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy], with a single Demon Emperor guarding each location."

"The core territory of the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor is the Divine Bird Peak. Not only does it possess a Fifth Rank High-Grade spiritual vein, but it is also defended by three Demon Emperors."

Having laid out the enemy's strength and terrain, Eldrin Chen took a deep breath. "Assaulting a Demon Race-held Spirit Mountain is no simple task. It is time-consuming, resource-intensive, and often yields little reward for the effort."

"If we were to commit our full force to breach one of these mountains, it would undoubtedly alert the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor to our intentions."

"Therefore, my plan is this: we lie in ambush outside Golden Wing Peak. First, let the fellow cultivators from the Heavenly Star Continent launch a sudden assault on the peak. This will draw the golden-winged Demon Emperors out to its aid."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up slightly, and they all felt that Eldrin Chen's plan was excellent.

Ethereal Mistress Ling smiled faintly and could not help but speak: "The other three Spirit Mountain are one thing, but that Divine Bird Peak possesses a Fifth Rank High-Grade Spiritual Vein and a Mountain Protection Formation. Without mobilizing a large army, it would require at least three Half-Step Primordial Spirit Patriarch joining forces to breach it."

"By employing Fellow Daoist's strategy of besieging a point to strike at reinforcements, we can greatly increase our chances of victory."

The others also nodded repeatedly. However, Violet Consort Yan still said, "That Golden-Winged Great Roc is, after all, a Demon Emperor of the Half-Step Primordial Spirit Realm, and its speed is renowned as an Extreme Speed under heaven. To slay it, we need to make more preparations."

"I have heard that the Featherflight Pavilion possesses a Spiritual Treasure named the Feather-Falling Divine Light Mirror [a magical mirror whose light can ground any flying creature], specifically designed to counter avian Demon Emperor. We could try to borrow it."

"Then I shall make the journey." Original English translation available at audio–novel.com.

Eldrin Chen spoke. That Feather-Falling Divine Light Mirror was a Quasi-Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure and one of the Featherflight Pavilion's foundational guardian treasures. An ordinary person likely would not have the face [the prestige and standing] to borrow such an item.

Acting on his word, Eldrin Chen used a Teleportation Formation that very day to reach Azure Luan Province. He sought out the Featherflight Pavilion and requested an audience with its Master of Featherflight Pavilion.

Given Eldrin Chen's current status and position, even a Half-Step Primordial Spirit cultivator would treat him as an equal. Naturally, the Featherflight Pavilion dared not show any neglect.

The Master of Featherflight Pavilion, whose physical body had been destroyed years before and had not yet fully reformed, received Eldrin Chen through an avatar [a spiritual projection of oneself].

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, he smiled and said, "Brother Eldrin, what brings you to my Returning Abyss Mountain today?"

"To be frank, I have come to seek your assistance, elder brother."

Eldrin Chen then explained the situation to the Master of Featherflight Pavilion.

The Master of Featherflight Pavilion listened, then laughed heartily and clasped his hands together. "The Feather-Falling Divine Light Mirror of our Featherflight Pavilion is a legacy treasure left behind by the Azure Luan Demon Ancestor. It is specifically designed to suppress all avian members of the Demon Race, making it the perfect counter to the Golden-Winged Great Roc Demon Emperor."

"You have come to the right place to borrow this artifact."

As he spoke, the Master of Featherflight Pavilion handed a glazed treasure mirror to Eldrin Chen.

The Master's straightforwardness took Eldrin Chen by surprise. A Quasi-Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a treasure approaching the power of the primordial sun] of this caliber was not something one could borrow without significant connections or cost. He had been prepared to pay a hefty price, yet the Master of Featherflight Pavilion had been so generous.

Noticing his expression, the Master smiled faintly, then his countenance turned solemn. "Brother Eldrin, to be honest with you, in another hundred years, I will face the trial of Heaven Soul Return [a critical tribulation where one's celestial soul undergoes a transformative return]."

"The trial of Heaven Soul Return!"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly as he instantly understood the reason behind the Master of Featherflight Pavilion's magnanimous gesture.

The so-called moment of Heaven Soul Return [the celestial alignment when one's Heavenly Fate is closest] refers to the time when a cultivator's Heaven Soul [the celestial destiny tied to one's soul] draws nearest. For a half-step Primordial Spirit Cultivator [a cultivator on the verge of the Primordial Spirit realm], this represents their optimal opportunity to achieve a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the realm of the spiritual core, a major milestone in cultivation].

Attempting a breakthrough during this window increases a cultivator's chance of success by approximately ten percent. Conversely, the farther one's Heaven Soul drifts, the more difficult it becomes to pull it down and anchor it, causing the likelihood of success to diminish greatly.

Such opportunities are rare, occurring as infrequently as once every two or three hundred years, or sometimes only once in a millennium. Naturally, the Master of Featherflight Pavilion was unwilling to let this chance slip by.

The reason for the Master of Featherflight Pavilion's forthrightness was his desire to enlist Eldrin Chen's aid in safeguarding his path during this critical endeavor. Read, share, and discuss at audio–novel.com.