Chapter 838 : Alliance of the Star Palaces

Having spoken thus far, he paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled few before continuing: "First, we must reinforce the other Star Palace Archipelago [the celestial island chain where the Star Palaces are located]. We must unite the Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a cultivator who has formed their Nascent Soul and comprehended a Dao Path] forces on the periphery to crush the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings that originate from beyond this world] there."

"If we can shatter the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon on the outer rim, then we can gather the combined strength of all the peripheral Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator, formed after the Nascent Soul stage] cultivators. With that, we can plan to lend a hand to the Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a cultivator walking the same path] trapped within the inner encirclement."

"Second, we must dispatch personnel with all haste to repair the damaged islands. The ruined Formation Eye [the core node or focal point of a magical formation] must be restored to bolster the power of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [the Grand Formation of the Zhou Heavenly Stars, a vast defensive array]."

Listening to this analysis from Eldrin Chen, the assembled leaders nodded in unanimous agreement.

Currently, the number of Nascent Soul Dao Lord within the Purple Realm [the Purple Realm, a major region of the cultivation world] could not match the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon. They could only hold the line by relying on the Formation [a structured arrangement of power, often for defense or attack]; their strength alone was insufficient to achieve victory.

Under such circumstances, the only path to breaking the powerful enemy was to unite every force that could be united, striving to create a numerical advantage on localized battlefields.

Only then might they gradually splinter the strength of the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, ultimately shifting the tide of the entire conflict.

"Then it is decided," one voice declared.

Understanding Eldrin Chen's intent, Lyra Jiang spoke: "We shall go to reinforce the other Star Palace Archipelago. Let those cultivators below the Primordial Spirit stage focus on repairing the Vermilion Bird Star Palace Archipelago [the Star Palace Archipelago associated with the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Symbols]."

"Then let us depart," came the final command. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio . novel . com.

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod and decisively led the group out, flying straight towards the White Tiger Star Palace Archipelago.

Guarding the White Tiger Star Palace Archipelago were four Primordial Spirit, Early Stage cultivators from the Eastern Sea Cultivation World and the Eastern Wastelands, three of whom were old acquaintances of Eldrin Chen.

These four were Yvonne the Violet Consort, Dawnlight, the Immortal Maiden, Jaxian Huan, and Freya Ji.

Among them, Dawnlight, the Immortal Maiden had broken through to the Primordial Spirit realm the earliest and already possessed a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure named 'Dawnlight Silk'. Freya Ji was next, also wielding a Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure called the 'Demon-Refining Bracer of the Nine Firmaments'.

Jaxian Huan and Yvonne the Violet Consort had the shortest time since their breakthroughs and did not yet possess a single Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure.

Outside the White Tiger Star Palace, five Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world] were laying siege. Faced with the defense of these four cultivators, the five demons' progress was exceedingly slow.

However, the five Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon were not overly concerned. Their goal was to pin down the several Nascent Soul Dao Lord [powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage who have comprehended a Dao] within the White Tiger Star Palace, allowing breakthroughs to be achieved more quickly on other battlefields.

Now, seeing Eldrin Chen and his companions arrive to attack, the five demons did not even wait to look; they decisively disengaged and fled.

"They flee with remarkable swiftness," someone remarked.

Watching the five Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon make their escape, a wave of relief washed over the group.

Yet, Eldrin Chen's expression grew increasingly grave. He watched the departing five Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this realm] with a deeply furrowed brow and said:

"These Heaven-Demon [demonic beings of celestial origin] have realized our strategy and denied us the chance to defeat them one by one. It seems a fierce battle is still unavoidable."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others shifted slightly.

Taking a deep breath, Dawnlight, the Immortal Maiden spoke, "Regardless, we are committed to this final struggle in the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [the great calamity unleashed by the Demonic Abyss]. The combined Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest mortal cultivation stage] forces of the Four Star Palaces number seventeen."

"Now that you have slain four Extraterrestrial Demon God [demonic deities from beyond this world], even if they gather for a pitched battle, we should have little to fear."

"Indeed," Jaxian Huan nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "We who walk the path of cultivation, what fear have we of battle?"

"*Whoosh—*"

At that moment, a streak of light shot through the distant void towards them.

Eldrin Chen caught the luminous message. After a brief glance, his countenance grew even more solemn.

Seeing this, Verdant Consort could not help but ask, "What is it?"

"The Black Tortoise Star Palace is no more."

Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and handed the Spirit Talisman [a paper inscribed with magical runes that can be activated to produce a specific effect] in his grasp to the others.

It turned out that not long before, the Two-Winged Heaven-Demon and three other Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this realm] had joined forces with another Demon Race Army, amassing a force of a full eleven Nascent Soul Celestial Demon [demonic beings of power equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm] to besiege the Black Tortoise Star Palace Archipelago.

This battle inflicted grievous losses upon the Qian Clan, the Dao Lord Sacred Land [a sect or territory ruled by a powerful Dao Lord] tasked with defending the archipelago. Three of the Qian Clan's Nascent Soul Dao Lord [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm and are addressed as Dao Lords] and one Rogue Cultivator [a cultivator not affiliated with any major sect or clan] of Primordial Spirit [the realm above Nascent Soul] cultivation perished.

Among these four, two from the Qian Clan fell on the battlefield, while a third escaped with his physical body destroyed. The Rogue Cultivator of Primordial Spirit cultivation, 'Sky-Fleeing Recluse', fled without even offering battle.

The Qian Immortal Clan was one of the Central Continent Nascent Soul Immortal Clan [prestigious clans on the Central Continent with Nascent Soul cultivators]. This branch had only those three Nascent Soul Dao Lord. Unfortunately, lacking a Primordial Spirit, Mid Stage [a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Primordial Spirit realm] to anchor their defenses, they had been assigned to garrison the Black Tortoise Star Palace. This content originates from audio - novel . com. Please respect copyright.

Yet after this single battle, with two of their three Nascent Soul Dao Lord dead and the third gravely wounded, the Qian Immortal Clan would likely never recover from this blow.

At this thought, anxiety gripped them all. Jaxian Huan could not help but ask, "The Black Tortoise Star Palace was protected by the Grand Stellar Formation. How could it have fallen so swiftly?"

"Most likely, it was a Sixth Rank High Grade Formation-Breaking Talisman [an extremely powerful, single-use talisman designed to shatter defensive formations], or perhaps some other exceedingly rare, single-use Spiritual Object [an object imbued with potent spiritual power]."

Dao Lord Magnus closed his eyes, drawing another deep, steadying breath before he spoke.

Seeing the situation take a sudden turn for the worse, Maris the Sea Steader could not help the drumming anxiety in his heart. He then spoke up, asking, "Brother Eldrin, what shall we do now? Speak your mind."

Eldrin Chen took a deep breath. After a moment of contemplation, he declared with unwavering resolve, "That the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this realm] would spare no cost to breach the Black Tortoise Star Palace was always within our expectations."

"Otherwise, once our forces unite, they would lose any advantage in the ensuing battle."

Reflecting on the protracted nature of war, Eldrin Chen drew another steadying breath and stated, "Our most urgent task is to join forces with the Fellow Daoist [fellow cultivators] at the Azure Dragon Star Palace, lest we be picked off one by one by the Heaven-Demon [celestial demons]."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Lyra Jiang then said, "Then let us proceed to the Azure Dragon Star Palace."

Once the decision was made, Eldrin Chen acted decisively, leading the group towards the Azure Dragon Star Palace.

By the time they arrived at the Azure Dragon Star Palace, they discovered the Outer Realm [realms beyond this world] Demon Race Army had already encircled the Vermilion Bird Star Palace.

Fortunately, they were not too late. The Extraterrestrial Demon God [a supreme demonic entity from beyond], needing to recuperate slightly after the battle at the Black Tortoise Star Palace, had not yet managed to strike at the Azure Dragon Star Palace.

The group cut a bloody swath through the Demon Race Treasure Ship Fleet [a fleet of enchanted vessels] and entered the Azure Dragon Star Palace, where they met the Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator whose soul has taken nascent form] stationed there.

As it was a Millennium [a cycle of one thousand years] ago, the defense of this Azure Dragon Star Palace was still held by the forces of the Southern Ridge Cultivation World.

However, unlike the previous time, this Azure Dragon Star Palace [a celestial palace associated with the Azure Dragon constellation] was not only garrisoned by Jaxian Lu, but also by Separated Flame Daoist and Mingyuan the Daoist.

Particularly that Mingyuan the Daoist, this individual was an Immortal Seed [a prodigy groomed to achieve immortality] cultivated with the full resources of the Dao Palace Sacred Land [a holy land dedicated to the study of the Dao]. Although he had only recently Initial Entry [achieved the initial breakthrough into] the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm, his combat prowess was not inferior to that of a Primordial Spirit, Mid Stage cultivator.

By his strength alone, he could match at least two or three Primordial Spirit, Early Stage cultivators.

"Brother Eldrin, you have finally arrived!"

Seeing Eldrin Chen arrive, Separated Flame Daoist heaved a sigh of profound relief, pulling him aside and saying, "The current situation, and how to handle it, still relies on your judgment."

"Do not be anxious, Brother Separated Flame."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. After gathering everyone to sit, he began to speak, "To know your enemy and know yourself is the key to a hundred victories. Let us first calculate the balance of forces between both sides."

"Agreed."

That Mingyuan the Daoist nodded and spoke, "According to our current intelligence, among the Primordial Spirit cultivators who emerged from the inner region, there were a total of twenty-three."

"Now, with four slain by several Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators], only nineteen Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a title for a master of the Nascent Soul realm] remain."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present shifted subtly, a flicker of unease settling in their hearts.

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