Chapter 847 Tragic Outcome

"Senior!"

Eldrin's eyes burned crimson as he sought to muster 1 final effort, yet he was halted by the firm intervention of Saint Lord Dorian.

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) also grabbed him, his expression grave as he said, "We cannot die here. How else can we defend the Eastern Wastelands (Location)?"

"Let us preserve our strength for now, and plan our counterattack for another day."

Eldrin's heart ached with every step. Though he and his companions glanced back repeatedly, they ultimately pressed forward with resolute determination, cutting a path of slaughter toward the outer perimeter.

At the moment of parting, he witnessed the black dragon soaring into the heavens, saw 1 Daoist sovereign after another sacrificing themselves as rearguard, and beheld countless legendary figures whose names once shook the world buried forever in this place.

Until much later, after the group had fought their way across several million li, they finally broke through the chaotic battlefield and caught up with the human treasure ship fleet that had withdrawn from the Zhou Tian Star Islands.

A few more days passed, and several Primordial Spirit Dao Lords returned 1 after another, each appearing heavily wounded.

It was not until 3 days later that the Master of the Endless Sky Pavilion gathered everyone aboard the Pure Yang treasure ship, the "Sea-Quelling Vessel of the Endless Sky Pavilion."

Brother Tianya.

On the treasure ship at this moment, everyone gazed at the Master of the Endless Sky Pavilion, awaiting his address.

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion swept his gaze across the assembled guests, noting that only some 30-plus Dao Lords of the Nascent Soul were seated in attendance.

Even with the addition of Eldrin (Person Name) and others possessing combat prowess at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit (Cultivation Realm) level, they only amounted to around 40 combatants with Primordial Spirit strength. His eyes faintly darkened at the realization.

This battle was fought with such devastating ferocity that the total number of Nascent Soul experts from the 3 races—humans, demons, and monsters—in the Violet Realm amounted to no more than 1 100 and 50.

In this battle, the human race deployed over 80 Primordial Spirit Dao Lords. Combined with the 30-some participants from the demon and monster races, a total of approximately 120 Primordial Spirit Dao Lords took to the field. It could be said that this was virtually an all-out deployment of forces.

Yet in this single battle, over 30 percent of Eldrin Dao Lords perished outright, another 30 percent had their physical forms destroyed, leaving only these 30 to 40 Eldrin Dao Lords with any remaining combat strength.

However, most of those whose physical bodies remained intact had still suffered significant injuries. Their faces were pale, and it was uncertain how much of their combat prowess they could muster.

At this thought, the master of Tianya Pavilion could not help but reveal a trace of bitterness on his face.

He let out a sigh before speaking, "Fellow Daoist Taiyuan fell in the Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss while covering our retreat."

Boom—

Though he had anticipated it, hearing it confirmed directly from the Pavilion Master of the Sky’s Edge, Eldrin felt as though a colossal bell had struck deep within his soul, leaving his mind reeling and faint.

The battle was fought with devastating brutality. 9 supreme experts of the Violet Realm found themselves trapped within the formation, locked in a tense standoff against the physical form of Donghuang.

Among the peak Ninth-Level Spirit Severing experts who had not entered the formation, the Hall Master of Tai Xuan perished together with the Primordial Flame Demon, while the Hall Master of Li Fire had his physical body destroyed, rendering him incapable of battle for hundreds of years.

Sword Saint Lin Tianqi and the 9 Nether Demon Sovereign fought to a stalemate, inflicting mutual devastation. Now locked in combat at the edge of the boundless firmament, both have sustained unprecedented injuries that would likely require hundreds of years to fully recover.

Now that Daoist Taiyuan had fallen in battle, only the master of Tianya Pavilion remained capable of unleashing combat prowess.

At this thought, Eldrin suppressed the distracting thoughts in his heart, took a deep breath, and said, "May I ask, Senior, where should we go from here?"

"Yes, what should we do?"

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions turned grave.

Now that the Zhou Tian Stars Grand Array had been lost, the human race could only retreat in defeat, yet this battle was likely far from over.

Now that the human race has suffered a new defeat, with even the great immortal clans and the Eldrin (Person Name) severely wounded, it presents a perfect opportunity for the Outer Demons to press their advantage and pursue the victory.

As expected, after a brief respite, the Outer Demons would surely strike again. Seizing the moment while the human race had no time to recover their strength, they aimed to breach both the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm and the Eastern Wastelands (Location) in 1 decisive assault.

At this thought, everyone’s faces revealed an expression of extreme urgency.

This battle had ended in a crushing defeat for the human race, yet the Outer Fiends had also paid a staggering price. Should both sides regroup and clash again, victory would remain an uncertainty.

A millennium later, when some of the fallen Primordial Spirit Dao Lords reincarnated and returned, and once the others recovered from their injuries, they could even gradually suppress the Outer Realm Demons.

But if the Outer Realm Demons seize the Eastern Wastelands (Location) and the Eastern Sea cultivation world, humanity's living space will drastically shrink, while the Outer Realm Demons' power will rapidly recover.

As the balance of power shifted, humanity found it increasingly difficult to expel the eldritch demons from beyond the realms, forced to watch helplessly as the demonic tribes continued to establish their vile demonic forbidden grounds.

When the number of forbidden demonic lands exceeds a certain threshold, the Outer Realm Demons can deploy the World Refining Array to gradually corrode the Violet Realm's heavens and earth, ultimately refining it into the Defiled Earth of the Demonic Abyss.

In this manner, it would only take 3 1000 years to contaminate over half of the Violet Realm. The Outer Realm Demon God could then completely refine the will of this world, turning the entire Violet Realm into nourishment for its cultivation.

When that time comes, all living beings in the Violet Realm shall find no refuge. Whether you are a mere mortal or a Demigod Ancestor (Cultivation Realm) whose might shakes the heavens, all shall become sustenance for the Outer Realm Demonic Gods.

Faced with such a dire situation, even the master of the Tianya Pavilion dared not delay.

He took a deep breath and spoke, "Our only recourse now is to regroup, then rely on the sacred lands of the Eastern Sea cultivation world to face the Outer Demons in battle once more."

"Only by repelling the onslaught of the Outer Demons can we blunt their momentum and win a breathing space for all living beings of the Violet Realm."

"Another duel?"

Everyone's expressions shifted slightly, each face clouding with distress.

Among those present, each bore significant injuries. Even with the protective formations of sacred grounds like the Dorian Immortal Isle and the Sky-Reaching Sea Pavilion at their backs, they likely had no certainty of complete victory.

And if the fight continues, there will likely be more casualties.

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion observed the sorrowful expressions of the assembly, yet resolutely declared, "Honored allies, this battle shall be our foundation-establishing conflict."

"If we don't fight, I'm afraid the entire Eastern Sea cultivation world will have to be handed over to others. By then, Eastern Wastelands (Location) would likely become indefensible as well. What's truly at stake here are your loved ones and the very places where you cultivate."

Hearing this, several Dao Lords from the Eastern Wastelands (Location) and the Eastern Sea nodded in agreement.

This concerned their vital interests. To give up now would be like carving flesh from their very bones—naturally, they were determined to fight another round.

The Dorian Saint Monarch swept his gaze over the crowd and declared, "Do not fear him. Though we have suffered heavy casualties in this battle, the losses of the extraterrestrial demons are far greater than ours."

"As long as we stand united and rally fellow cultivators guarding the remaining sacred lands for battle, victory may not be beyond our grasp."

Hearing this, everyone could not help but nod slightly.

Although the Violet Realm suffered heavy casualties in this battle, the Outer Fiends also lost a great number of their own.

The extraterrestrial demons numbered close to 2 100. While Eldrin and others were still on the periphery, they had already eliminated over 20 of these demons.

In the brutal war that ensued, the great human masters struck down foes from all directions. The Daoist Priest Taiyuan alone fought fiercely against a dozen or so Soul Demons, among whom were 2 at the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm).

Chapter 1 The biting northern wind swept across the mountain range, howling like countless vengeful spirits. Snowflakes danced wildly in the air, blanketing the jagged peaks in a layer of pristine white. At the summit of the highest mountain, a solitary figure sat cross-legged upon a massive bluestone, motionless as if carved from ice. Lin Feng had been meditating here for 3 full years. His black robes were tattered, his long hair matted with frost, yet his eyes shone with an unnerving intensity. Beneath the layers of ice covering his body, faint golden runes pulsed rhythmically, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy. "Finally," he whispered, his voice raspy from disuse. "The ninth layer of the Heavenly Ice Art is complete." Cracks appeared in the ice encasing him as he slowly rose. With a slight tremor, the frozen shell shattered, revealing robes that billowed despite the absence of wind. The snow within 10 meters of him instantly evaporated. He extended a pale hand, watching as spiritual energy coalesced into shimmering patterns above his palm. After a 100 years of relentless cultivation, he had finally reached the Foundation Establishment stage. His gaze drifted downward toward the sect nestled in the valley below. 3 years ago, he had been an outer disciple sweeping floors there. Now... A sharp whistle cut through the wind. A flying sword, glowing with crimson energy, descended from the sky. Riding it was a young man in exquisite blue robes, his expression haughty. "Lin Feng!" the newcomer called out, hovering just above the summit. "The sect leader summons you immediately." Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. "Zhang Yun," he said calmly. "What business does the sect leader have with a mere outer disciple?" Zhang Yun's lips curled into a contemptuous smile. "Don't pretend ignorance. The energy fluctuation during your breakthrough was detected by the elders. They suspect you've obtained some forbidden cultivation method." His eyes gleamed with greed. "Hand over whatever treasure you found, and I might put in a good word for you." For a moment, Lin Feng considered simply eliminating this nuisance. With his current power, vaporizing this arrogant inner disciple would take less than a breath. But he restrained himself—the sect leader was at the Golden Core stage, far beyond his current capabilities. "Very well," Lin Feng said mildly. "I shall accompany you." As they descended toward the main sect compound, Lin Feng's mind raced. The so-called "forbidden method" was actually the Heavenly Ice Art, a supreme cultivation technique from his previous life. He had awakened these memories just before being expelled from the sect 3 years ago. This time, things would be different. The main hall of the Flowing Cloud Sect was imposing, constructed from priceless Phoebe zhennan wood. 30-6 massive pillars, each carved with coiling dragons, supported the vaulted ceiling. At the center sat Sect Leader Wang Ming, flanked by 8 elders. "Lin Feng," Wang Ming's voice boomed, filled with authority. "How did you, a disciple with mediocre talent, achieve Foundation Establishment in just 3 years?" All eyes in the hall focused on Lin Feng, various emotions swirling within them—curiosity, suspicion, and outright greed. Lin Feng bowed slightly. "This disciple merely stumbled upon a small opportunity in the back mountains." "nonsense!" Elder Ma, responsible for discipline, slammed his hand on his armrest. "Even geniuses require at least 10 years to establish their foundation! Do you take us for fools?" Zhang Yun, standing nearby, added fuel to the fire. "Sect Leader, this disciple recommends searching him. We cannot allow forbidden methods to corrupt our sect's reputation." Wang Ming nodded slowly. "Lin Feng, for the sake of the sect, you will hand over whatever method you obtained." A cold smile finally touched Lin Feng's lips. "So this is the Flowing Cloud Sect's way? Robbing disciples of their opportunities?" The elders shifted uncomfortably, but Wang Ming's expression remained stern. "The sect's reputation must be protected." "Very well." Lin Feng straightened, no longer pretending deference. "But I'm afraid you lack the qualification to take what is mine." He released a fraction of his spiritual pressure. The air in the hall thickened instantly. The magnificent Phoebe zhennan wood creaked under the overwhelming force. The 8 elders paled, struggling to remain seated. Only Wang Ming remained composed, though his eyes widened in shock. "Y-You..." Elder Ma stammered, "This isn't ordinary Foundation Establishment!" Wang Ming rose slowly, golden light beginning to swirl around him. "It seems you've obtained quite the remarkable inheritance." His gaze turned predatory. "Unfortunately for you, I am at the mid Golden Core stage. Did you really think you could challenge me?" Lin Feng met his gaze steadily. "Would you care to test that theory?" Before Wang Ming could respond, a earth-shattering explosion rocked the entire mountain. The hall trembled violently, dust raining from the ceiling. "Report!" A disheveled disciple stumbled into the hall, face ashen. "Sect Leader! The Blood Demon Sect has launched a full-scale attack! Their elders have broken through our mountain gate defenses!" Chaos erupted. Wang Ming's face darkened. "All elders, with me! We—" His order was cut short as the main hall's doors exploded inward. A figure bathed in bloody light floated at the entrance, surrounded by swirling crimson energy. "Wang Ming," the intruder's voice echoed mockingly. "Did you miss me?" "Xue Batian!" Wang Ming snarled. "You dare attack my Flowing Cloud Sect?" The Blood Demon Sect leader laughed heartily. "Why wouldn't I dare? I've reached the late Golden Core stage! Today, your Flowing Cloud Sect will be erased from this world!" 2 overwhelming auras collided, pressing down on everyone in the hall. The weaker disciples had already collapsed, unconscious. In the chaos, Lin Feng remained perfectly calm. While everyone's attention was focused on the confrontation, he quietly withdrew a small, unadorned mirror from his sleeve—the Mirror of Past Lives. It was time to reclaim what was rightfully his.