Chapter 855 : Guardian Formations of Ancient Flames

The Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Shield and the Profound Heaven Crimson Flame Wheel were of secondary importance, both being low-grade Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure imbued with the purest Yang energy]. Among these two treasures, the former was a Bodyguard Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade protective treasure], which Eldrin Chen intended to prepare for his clansmen to use in weathering their Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a heavenly trial of thunder and lightning].

As for the 'Profound Heaven Crimson Flame Wheel', it was a supreme treasure of slaughter, capable of unleashing the True Flame [a flame of profound purity and power] known as 'Profound Heaven Crimson Flame', which could incinerate Demonic Monsters. It was precisely the optimal choice for setting up the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation] within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen took out the Profound Heaven Crimson Flame Wheel and began the work of deploying the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation.

After three months of diligent effort, he finally succeeded in completing the deployment of this Profound Heaven Crimson Flame Grand Formation.

Once the grand formation was established, Eldrin Chen journeyed once more to the Guyuan Mountain Range, intending to use the Rebellious World Halberd of the Demon Dragon to set up a Mountain Guardian Grand Formation upon Gu Yuan Mountain.

Understanding his purpose, Maris the Sea Steader could not help but ask, "The Rebellious World Halberd of the Demon Dragon is a supreme treasure of slaughter. By using it to establish a grand formation here on Gu Yuan Mountain, do you intend to undergo your tribulation on this very peak?"

"I have not yet decided,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head before continuing, "However, Gu Yuan Mountain is a Three Veins Ancient Domain [an ancient land where three spiritual veins converge] and serves as one of the key defensive bulwarks of the Eastern Wastelands."

"I fear that an assault by the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world] could lead to the loss of this mountain."

Upon hearing this, Maris the Sea Steader was momentarily taken aback and inquired, "Currently, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon are held at bay by the Horizon Sea Pavilion. How could they possibly reach the Eastern Wastelands?" Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at *audio-novel.com*.

"This is the latest intelligence concerning the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon." Eldrin Chen shook his head, handing an ancient text to Lyra Jiang. "Please, take a look."

Maris the Sea Steader took the missive. After a brief glance, his expression shifted dramatically. "How could this be?"

It transpired that not long ago, after a period of reorganization lasting Three Years Later, the Demon Race Army from the Outer Realm had begun their assault on the Eastern Sea Cultivation World.

This time, the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon had learned their lesson. They did not launch a direct assault on the Horizon Sea Pavilion. Instead, they dispatched over ten of their kind to besiege the stronghold.

Following this, more than ten Extraterrestrial Demon God joined forces. Leading a vast Demon Race Army numbering in the hundreds of millions, they boarded their Demonic Ship and swept westward in a relentless advance.

The might of this Demon Race Army was overwhelming. Even the great Nascent Soul Immortal Clan could not withstand their onslaught, facing utter annihilation in the blink of an eye.

Thus, within the span of mere months, vast swathes of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World had fallen under demonic dominion.

"The recent Demonic Abyss Cataclysm has left the Various Great Immortal Clans grievously wounded," Eldrin continued. "Now, the forces from across our Purple Realm have withdrawn to their respective territories to recuperate and rebuild."

"The strength of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World alone is utterly insufficient to oppose the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon horde."

Eldrin Chen spoke with measured gravity, concluding with a heavy sigh. "Our Purple Realm has already suffered catastrophic losses this time. It will require centuries, if not a full Millennium, of peaceful cultivation to recover our former strength."

"Now that the Outer Realm Demon Race has dispatched troops to attack the Eastern Sea, it is not merely to seize territory for survival, but also to deny us any opportunity to recuperate and rebuild our strength."

"Alas—"

Maris the Sea Steader set down the letter, unable to suppress a sigh.

He understood the intentions of the Outer Realm Demon Race all too clearly, yet he felt a sense of powerlessness, as if his hands were tied.

While most Nascent Soul Dao Lord within the Purple Realm were unwilling to submit to the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, the number of Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator who *had* pledged allegiance to them was far from insignificant.

These Demonic Cultivator now wreaked havoc across the land. Since the Human Race occupied the greater part of the Purple Realm, they were inevitably forced to divert immense resources and attention to contain the chaos.

Unless a decisive, final battle with the Extraterrestrial Demonic Fiend was imminent, the Dao Lord from the Human Race's Central Ancestral Domain and other territories were no longer willing to maintain a costly stalemate against the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon in the Eastern Sea.

Without a Pure Yang Grade Spatial Spiritual Treasure [a treasure capable of manipulating space itself], even a Primordial Spirit, Late Stage powerhouse found it exceedingly difficult to permanently slay a Nascent Soul Celestial Demon. Prolonging the conflict would only further drain the time needed for recovery in the rear.

Moreover, after successive wars, the Human Race Dao Lord had shed too much blood. Continuing to fight risked allowing factions like the Black Dragon and other Demonic Tribe to reap the benefits.

Thus, at this juncture, few Nascent Soul Dao Lord remained in the Eastern Sea. Aside from the handful stationed by the Horizon Sea Pavilion [the Pavilion at the Horizon's Edge], only the local cultivators of the Eastern Sea itself held the line.

With this level of strength, to confront the armies of the Outer Realm Demon Race and defend the Eastern Sea Cultivation World would be an arduous task, fraught with immense difficulty.

Contemplating this, Maris the Sea Steader drew a deep breath and said, "What do you think we should do? Should we dispatch reinforcements?"

"No." Eldrin Chen shook his head, sighing as he spoke. "The other domains are unwilling to send troops for now. For us to support them alone would be nothing but a suicidal march."

"Our forces are already severely depleted. Another large-scale conscription would inevitably leave our rear defenses hollow."

"In recent years, the Demonic Cultivator have grown increasingly brazen. In the mere decade and a half since the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, they have dared to perform blood sacrifices on dozens of Nascent Soul Immortal Clan."

"If we allow them to continue these blood rites unchecked, allowing several Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] demon fiends to emerge, I fear the entire Eastern Wastelands will be left desolate, with nine out of ten homes empty. Our lands would only grow weaker." This chapter is provided by site: audio-novel.com. Support the original.

"I suspect the other major territories face much the same predicament."

Speaking to this point, Eldrin Chen also felt a sense of powerlessness.

He took another deep breath, then spoke. "I have already sent word to the Horizon Sea Pavilion, instructing the Various Great Immortal Clans to retreat and hold the few Sacred Land [sanctified places of immense spiritual power] within the Eastern Sea."

"If those Sacred Land cannot accommodate them all, they are to withdraw to our Eastern Wastelands. We need only hold the two defensive lines of the Dragon-Slaying Mountain Range and the Guyuan Mountain Range to block the enemy's advance."

"If, after several centuries, our Purple Realm [a major cultivation realm] produces more Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cultivators, and the Nascent Soul Great Power [a supreme cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage] who underwent the Reincarnation Tribulation [a perilous trial of death and rebirth] return, then we can seize the opportunity to launch a counter-offensive."

"I see."

Maris the Sea Steader nodded, then took a deep breath and said, "It seems the Formation [a mystical defensive or offensive array] guarding this Guyuan Mountain Range is truly extraordinary. In that case, I shall contribute my share as well."

"Take this artifact for the formation's construction."

As he spoke, he withdrew a Golden Treasure Bracelet from his sleeve and handed it to Eldrin Chen.

Gazing at the precious bracelet, Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. He couldn't help but ask, "This artifact is your Bodyguard Supreme Treasure [a cultivator's most vital protective treasure], Maris. Are you truly willing to use it for the formation?"

This treasure was none other than the Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a treasure imbued with the purest Yang energy] known as the 'Vajra Demon-Breaking Bracelet'. Maris the Sea Steader had obtained it from within the Heavenly Mountain Ruins, a supreme treasure of an Ancient Buddhist Sect, its grade reaching the mid-tier of the Sixth Rank [a high level of power for magical treasures].

During the previous Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, Maris the Sea Steader had relied on this very artifact to slay a Nascent Soul Celestial Demon [a powerful demon at the Nascent Soul stage], a testament to its formidable power.

"Brother Eldrin did not hesitate to offer the Rebellious World Halberd of the Demon Dragon. What significance does my Vajra Demon-Breaking Bracelet hold in comparison?"

Maris the Sea Steader shook his head with a smile. "Moreover, this Guyuan Mountain Range is now my Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred site for cultivation and gathering], the very ground upon which I tread my current path of cultivation."

"That is true," Eldrin Chen chuckled, taking the Vajra Demon-Breaking Bracelet. "One mid-grade Pure Yang Demonic Treasure [an artifact forged with demonic energy, yet refined to a pure state], coupled with one mid-grade Pure Yang Buddhist Treasure [a sacred artifact imbued with the purifying power of Buddhist enlightenment]."

"With this pair of Buddhist and Demonic Treasures, we can undoubtedly lay down a world-shaking grand formation. It should be sufficient to withstand a Heaven-Demon [a powerful demonic being from the higher realms] of the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage."

Having said that, he immediately set about constructing the formation.

Given Eldrin Chen's current mastery and comprehension of Formation [the art of arranging spiritual energy into structured arrays for defense, attack, or other effects], aided by Maris the Sea Steader and the resources now available to the Three Veins Immortal Alliance, setting up this Mountain Guardian Grand Formation proceeded rather smoothly.

His only limitation was his slightly lower cultivation base. In the end, it took him a full three years to complete the construction of this grand Formation.

Upon completion, the formation was named the 'Vajra Demonic Dragon Grand Formation'. This formation reached the mid-grade of the Sixth Rank, capable of unleashing the Vajra Bracelet to suppress all demons or transforming into a demonic dragon of peerless slaughtering prowess, both manifestations possessing power equivalent to the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage.

With this task finished, Eldrin Chen immediately returned to the Ji Continent.

Seeing that Lyra Jiang and the others had emerged from seclusion, he said with a smile:

"Now that your injuries have healed and Old Granduncle has accumulated sufficient foundation, it is time to begin the breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual core ascends to a primordial, near-immortal state]."

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