Chapter 580 : The Decade of Crimson Tides

It turned out that after Eldrin Chen departed, the news gradually spread and eventually reached the Demonic Monsters [a general term for malevolent creatures born of demonic energy].

Initially, the Demonic Monsters made no move. It was only a decade ago, when it became clear Eldrin Chen had not returned, that Purple Jade Lake [a powerful demonic territory], which borders The Vast Sea, launched a Beast Tide [a massive, coordinated assault by demonic beasts].

At first, both sides exercised restraint, and the intensity of the Beast Tide remained below the Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm where one forms an immortal infant soul] level. That changed the day Kael Chen fought with blood-maddened fury and slew a Demon Emperor [a ruler among demonic beings, equivalent to a human Nascent Soul cultivator] from Purple Jade Lake, escalating the conflict into an all-out war.

This war has raged for a full decade, plunging The Vast Sea into a great calamity. To date, the Heaven's Ruin Alliance has lost over forty Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed a golden spiritual core within their dantian]. The Chen Clan alone has seen four of its Golden Core True Person [an honorific title for a Golden Core cultivator] fall.

To resist Purple Jade Lake, a great number of Chen Clan cultivators had no choice but to march to The Vast Sea. Even the clan's three Nascent Soul Ancient Ancestor [venerated elders who have reached the Nascent Soul realm] have been stationed there, holding the line for many years.

"Purple Jade Lake,"

Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and spoke directly. "Seal the news of our return immediately. No one is to make a move."

"Understood."

The Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened their Purple Mansion, a spiritual sea within the mind] from the Chen Clan nodded promptly and isolated the lower-realm clan members responsible for guarding the Teleportation Formation [a mystical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances].

After settling his two disciples, Lila and the other, at Verdant Chariot Mountain, the group did not linger. They immediately used the Teleportation Formation to reach Immortal Apricot Island and quietly sought out the Old Patriarch. Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel[dot]com.

"You have finally returned."

Seeing their return, Thalion Chen immediately grasped Eldrin Chen's hand with fervor, then nodded at Lila and said, "Excellent, truly excellent. You have also broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm [the fourth major stage of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual infant within the dantian]. It seems we can finally launch our counterattack in this war."

"Let us gather everyone first."

Without further ado, Eldrin Chen immediately proceeded to the Grand Hall and sent word to summon Elara Lin and Kael Chen.

Within the Grand Hall, six individuals sat facing one another: Eldrin Chen, Lyra Jiang, Lila, Old Granduncle, Kael Chen, and Elara Lin.

Seeing that everyone was present, Eldrin Chen activated a Formation [a mystical array or pattern used to channel energy for defense, confinement, or other purposes] to seal the hall from within and without. Only then did he furrow his brow and ask, "What exactly happened in this battle?"

It was no wonder Eldrin Chen was taken aback, for this conflict had unfolded outside his expectations.

According to his projections, Dorian Ji was still in seclusion, consolidating his cultivation base, and had not yet departed from the lands of the Ji Continent. Logically, the forces of Purple Jade Lake should not have risked an assault on The Vast Sea.

Furthermore, after Eldrin Chen's departure, the strength of the Chen Clan was somewhat diminished; they should not have taken the initiative against the Demonic Monsters. Therefore, a large-scale battle escalating to the Nascent Soul level would have been disadvantageous for both sides.

At these words, the expressions of those present darkened slightly. After a moment, Kael Chen spoke up, "The fault for this matter lies with me."

"Had I not slain the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor, I would not have so thoroughly enraged the Purple Jade Demon Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. Before he could voice his question, the Old Patriarch spoke, "This conflict was not Kael's fault. Celestia Meng fell by the hand of the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor. Kael's righteous fury was to be expected."

"Celestia Meng?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Eldrin Chen's heart.

The Meng Clan and the Chen Clan had been intermarrying for generations. He vaguely recalled first meeting Celestia Meng at his Foundation Establishment celebration banquet. At that time, the Meng Clan Clan Lord had even attempted to arrange a match between them.

However, Eldrin Chen had felt no inclination towards Celestia Meng, and the matter had been quietly dropped.

It was said that in his youth, Kael Chen had once harbored affection for Celestia Meng, though she had gently declined his advances. Who could have guessed that this sentiment, after centuries, would remain a binding tie?

The sequence of events was this: the Purple Jade Lake sought to encroach upon The Vast Sea. Celestia Meng met her end amidst the ensuing calamity. This tragedy drove Kael Chen to a fury born of love and loss, compelling him to slay the Verdant Jade Heavenly Python.

After listening, Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly before asking, "What is the current situation, then?"

"Allow me to explain."

Old Patriarch began to speak, his voice steady as he laid out the current state of affairs.

Five years ago, after the fall of the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor, the master of Purple Jade Lake, the Violet Jade Heavenly Python, flew into a towering rage. He marshaled the full might of Purple Jade Lake in a relentless pursuit to slay Kael Chen and avenge the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor.

Now, nearly half of The Vast Sea had been overrun by Purple Jade Lake, forcing the Human Race forces to retreat and fortify the territories behind Immortal Apricot Island.

Not only that, but the lands beyond Immortal Apricot Island were now completely encircled by the forces of the Purple Jade Demon Emperor. The two sides had been locked in fierce combat here for over three years.

Mentioning this, the Old Patriarch said with a bitter smile, "That Purple Jade Lake is home to five Demon Emperor: the Purple Jade Demon Emperor, the Verdant Jade Demon Emperor, the Crimson Serpent Demon Emperor, the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor, and the Celestial Scorpion Demon Emperor."

"The Verdant Jade Demon Emperor was slain by Kael, while the Golden Rhinoceros Demon Emperor has blockaded the approach to Violet Consort Mountain. The remaining three have all converged here before our Immortal Apricot Island." Dive deeper into the Dao at audio–novel.com.

Eldrin Chen pondered silently, beginning to calculate the balance of power between the two sides.

Among these Demon Emperor, the Purple Jade Demon Emperor was a great Demon Emperor of the Nascent Soul Late Stage, his strength unfathomably profound. Even Eldrin Chen had no confidence in facing him alone; it would require a joint effort with Lyra Jiang to contend.

The crimson Demon Emperor was also at the Nascent Soul, Mid Stage. Kael Chen should be capable of handling him. As for the remaining Demon Emperor, the members of the Chen Clan could hold them at bay.

Though his thoughts ran thus, Eldrin Chen shook his head. Given the strength of Purple Jade Lake, even if they committed their full force and could match the enemy, the certainty of achieving a decisive victory was slim.

Moreover, once the True Flame [a supreme cultivation art of immense power] is fully unleashed, it is certain that a True Lord [a powerful cultivator at the Golden Core realm] will fall. The loss of any one of the several True Lord from the Chen Clan would be a devastating blow to Eldrin Chen, a sacrifice he naturally could not bear to make in such a trade.

Furthermore, even if they managed to hold Immortal Apricot Island in the end, it was highly likely they would be unable to reclaim the half of The Vast Sea [a vast and spiritually rich ocean region], for Purple Jade Lake possessed a Nascent Soul Late Stage Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings], a foe far beyond their ability to handle with ease.

And The Vast Sea was the Chen Clan's greatest source of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements]. Should that be lost, the Chen Nation alone could never sustain the cultivation needs of the Chen Clan's six True Lord.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen asked, "How much longer can Immortal Apricot Island hold out?"

"The spiritual energy within the Spirit Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated spiritual energy] has long been insufficient. We are currently using Spirit Stone to replenish the Spirit Vein,"

Thalion Chen said, then, after calculating their supplies, added with a bitter laugh, "Our stockpiled Spirit Stone can last for two more years at most. After that, we will have no choice but to sell off various assets to exchange for more Spirit Stone to keep going."

"And that's assuming the enemy maintains its current level of assault. If Purple Jade Lake were to press the attack regardless of casualties, we likely wouldn't last long at all."

He continued, his tone resigned, "This time, Purple Jade Lake is serious. Not only are they attacking us here, but they have also invited several Demon Emperor to restrain our allies, preventing them from coming to our aid."

"Fortunately, you have returned now. With our combined strength, we should be able to defend Immortal Apricot Island."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however, and declared, "We must not only defend Immortal Apricot Island, we must force Purple Jade Lake to withdraw its forces and compel them to sign a treaty with us."

As he spoke, a flicker of killing intent flashed within his gaze.

Seeing this, Lyra Jiang beside him could not help but ask, "What do you mean?"

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, his expression calm and composed as he stated.

"Strike the enemy's vital points. Only by making them feel the pain will they learn to fear us, and thus dare not act recklessly." Visit (audio-novel.com) to enjoy the complete series.