Chapter 855 On the Eve of a Breakthrough

The Dragon Vein Black Gold Shield and the Profound Heaven Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) Wheel followed closely—both were low-grade Pure Yang Spirit Treasures. Among these 2 treasures, the former was a supreme defensive artifact, which Eldrin (Person Name) had prepared to help his clansmen withstand the lightning tribulation.

The 'Mysterious Heaven Crimson Flame Wheel' was a supreme treasure of slaughter, capable of releasing the 'Mysterious Heaven Crimson Flame Qi'—a true fire that could incinerate demons and monsters. It was precisely the optimal choice for deploying the mountain-protecting grand formation within the Sea of Flaming Prisons.

At this moment, Eldrin took out the Profound Heaven Crimson Flame Qi Wheel and began setting up the mountain-protecting grand formation.

After 3 months of arduous work, he finally completed the arrangement of the Profound Heaven Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) Grand Formation.

After setting up the grand formation, Eldrin journeyed once more to the Gu Yuan Mountain Range, intending to deploy the Demon Dragon's Reverse World Halberd to establish a protective mountain formation above the peaks.

When Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) understood his purpose, he couldn't help but ask, "This Demon Dragon's Rebellion Halberd (Magic Treasure) is a supreme weapon of slaughter. By deploying it to set up a grand formation in Gu Yuan Mountain (Place Name), do you intend to undergo the heavenly tribulation here?"

"I haven't made up my mind yet."

Eldrin shook his head and spoke, "However, the Gūyuán Mountain is 1 of the 3 ancient veins' foundational structures and a crucial barrier of the Eastern Wastelands."

"I fear the invasion of the Outer Demons may lead to the fall of Gu Yuan Mountain."

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) froze momentarily upon hearing this, then couldn't resist asking: "Now that the Outer Realm Demons are being held back by the Horizon Ocean Pavilion, how could they possibly reach Eastern Wastelands (Location)?"

"This is the latest news regarding the extraterrestrial demons." Eldrin shook his head and handed an ancient text to Lyra, saying, "Take a look at this."

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) took the letter and, after a brief glance, his expression abruptly shifted as he exclaimed, "How could this be?"

It turned out that not long ago, after the army of the Outer Realm Demonic Clan had recuperated for 3 years, they began to launch an assault on the Eastern Sea Cultivation World.

This time, the Outer Realm Demons had learned their lesson. Instead of launching a full assault on the Celestial Horizon Pavilion, they dispatched a dozen or so Outer Realm Demons to surround it.

Then, a dozen or so Outer Realm Demonic Deities banded together, leading a 100 million-strong demonic army aboard demonic vessels to rampage westward.

These demonic legions were immensely powerful; even Nascent Soul immortals would be unable to withstand them, facing imminent annihilation within moments.

Thus, in just a few short months, vast stretches of the Eastern Sea's cultivation realm had fallen under conquest.

"This Demonic Abyss calamity has left every major immortal clan severely wounded. Now, our Violet Realm's millions across all territories have withdrawn to their respective domains to recuperate and rebuild."

"With the strength of the Eastern Sea cultivation world alone, we stand no chance against the army of Outer Realm Demons."

Eldrin spoke in a measured tone, sighing deeply before continuing, "Our Violet Realm has suffered devastating losses this time. It will take hundreds, if not thousands, of years of recuperation before we can recover."

"Now the Outer Realm Demonic Tribe has launched an assault on the Eastern Sea, not only to seize living space but also to deny us any opportunity for recuperation and recovery."

"Alas—"

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) set down the letter and couldn't help but let out a sigh.

He was well aware of the Extraplanar Demonic Tribe's intentions, yet could only feel a sense of helplessness despite his concerns.

Within the Violet Realm, although most Nascent Soul Dao Lords were unwilling to pledge allegiance to the Outer Realm Demons, there were no small number of Core Formation demonic cultivators who had sworn fealty to them.

These demonic cultivators are now wreaking havoc across the land. Since humanity occupies over half of the Violet Realm, they have inevitably been drawn into expending vast amounts of energy and resources.

Unless it was a decisive battle against the Outer Fiends, the Dao Lords of humanity's Central Ancestral Domain and other territories were no longer willing to confront the Outer Demons in the East Sea.

Without a Sun-Pure grade spatial spirit treasure, even a Primordial Spirit, Late Stage cultivator would find it difficult to slay a Primordial Spirit Demon. Prolonged engagements with them would only hinder the recovery efforts in the rear.

Moreover, after successive great battles, the human Dao Lords had shed far too much blood. To continue fighting would only play into the hands of the Black Dragon and the other demonic races.

Thus, by this time, few Dao Lords remained in the East Sea. Aside from the several Dao Lords stationed at the Endless Sea Pavilion, only the local cultivators of the East Sea remained behind.

With this level of power, confronting the legion of Extraplanar Demons and defending the Eastern Sea Cultivation World would undoubtedly be an arduous task.

At this thought, Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) took a deep breath and said, "What do you think we should do? Should we dispatch troops for support?"

"No." Eldrin shook his head and sighed. "The other domains are unwilling to deploy troops for now. Providing support alone would merely be delivering ourselves to certain death."

"We are already severely weakened. Another large-scale conscription would inevitably leave our rear defenses exposed."

"These years, demonic cultivators have grown increasingly rampant. In the mere dozen or so years since the Abyssal Cataclysm, they've already blood-sacrificed dozens of Nascent Soul immortal clans."

"If we allow them to continue their blood sacrifices and let several Primordial Spirit (Cultivation Realm) demons emerge, I fear the entire Eastern Wastelands (Location) would become utterly desolate, growing progressively weaker."

"Most likely, the other major territories are in a similar situation."

At this point, Eldrin also felt somewhat powerless.

He drew a deep breath and spoke, "I have already sent a letter to the Ends of the Earth Pavilion, ordering the major immortal clans to retreat to the sacred lands in the Eastern Sea."

"If the great sacred lands cannot tolerate us, we shall retreat to our Eastern Wastelands. By holding the Dragon-Severing Mountains and Guyuan Mountains defensive lines, we can stop their advance."

"If, after several 100 years, our Purple Realm produces more Eldrins (Cultivation Realm) and the reincarnated Eldrin (Cultivation Realm) powerhouses return, we may seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack."

"So that's how it is."

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) nodded, then took a deep breath and said, "It appears the formation array of the Gu Yuan Mountain Range is truly extraordinary. Let me contribute my share as well."

"Take this as well to set up the formation."

As he spoke, he retrieved a golden treasured bracelet from his sleeve and handed it to Eldrin (Person Name).

Gazing at the precious bracelet, Eldrin’s expression faltered slightly as he couldn’t resist asking, “This is Dinghai’s personal protective treasure—are you truly willing to deploy it for the formation?”

This treasure was none other than the pure-yang spiritual artifact known as the "Vajra Demon-Shattering Bracelet." It had been acquired by Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) from the ruins of the Celestial Mountain—a supreme Buddhist relic from ancient times, possessing a grade as high as mid-tier sixth rank.

During the previous Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) relied on this artifact to slay a Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon, demonstrating its extraordinary power.

"Since Brother Guixu is willing to part with the Demon Dragon's World-Reversing Halberd, how could my Vajra Demon-Shattering Bracelet possibly compare?"

Maris the Sea Steader (Person Name) shook his head and said with a smile, "Moreover, this Gu Yuan Mountain Range is now my current cultivation sanctuary."

"That makes sense." Eldrin smiled, taking the Vajra Demon-Subduing Bracelet as he said, "1 mid-grade Pure Yang demonic treasure, plus another mid-grade Pure Yang Buddhist treasure."

"With these twin treasures of Buddha and Demon, we can undoubtedly set up a world-shocking grand formation. It should be sufficient to withstand a heavenly demon at the Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm)."

With those words, he began setting up the grand formation.

With Eldrin's current mastery of formations and innate comprehension, aided by Maris the Sea Steader and backed by the resources of the 3 Veins Immortal Alliance, establishing this mountain-protecting grand formation felt remarkably within reach.

It was just that his cultivation level was somewhat low, and it took him a full 3 years to finally complete the formation's setup.

Once fully deployed, the formation was known as the 'Vajra Demonic Dragon Grand Formation'. This formation reached the high-grade of the sixth tier, capable of summoning Vajra Treasure Rings to suppress all demons, or transforming into a demonic dragon of peerless slaughter—each manifestation possessing the might of Primordial Spirit, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm).

And Eldrin, having arranged all of this, immediately returned to the Ji Province.

Seeing that Lyra and the others had already emerged from seclusion, he smiled and said:

"Now that your injuries have fully healed and Elder Uncle's cultivation foundation has sufficiently accumulated, the time has come to commence the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul 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 remained closed in deep concentration. The spiritual energy around him swirled like an invisible vortex, causing the falling snow to veer away before touching his robes. "Finally..." Lin Feng's eyelids fluttered open, his pupils flashing with a faint golden light. "The ninth level of the Frozen Soul Art is complete." He slowly rose, joints cracking like popping beans after years of immobility. With a casual wave of his hand, the accumulated snow and ice covering him instantly vaporized into mist. [Congratulations, Host, for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. The system has unlocked the mission function.] A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind. Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged. This mysterious system had appeared when he transmigrated to this cultivation world 15 years ago, yet it had remained dormant until his breakthrough today. "Show me the mission," he commanded inwardly. [Mission: Investigate the ancient ruins at the foot of the mountain. Reward: 1,000 spirit stones, 1 random low-grade magical treasure.] A translucent screen materialized before his eyes, displaying the mission details. Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. A 1000 spirit stones represented wealth beyond what most Qi Condensation cultivators could accumulate in a decade, not to mention a magical treasure—even a low-grade 1 could dramatically increase a cultivator's combat power. He leaped from the bluestone, landing soundlessly on the snow-covered ground dozens of meters below. His movements were fluid and graceful, completely different from the sluggishness he exhibited before his breakthrough. The mountain path was treacherous, covered in thick ice that would make ordinary mortals slip with every step. But Lin Feng moved as if walking on flat ground, his feet barely leaving impressions in the snow. This was the Lightbody Technique—a basic movement skill every cultivator learned. Halfway down the mountain, he suddenly stopped, his keen senses detecting something amiss. The air carried a faint metallic scent—the smell of blood. Following the scent, he arrived at a small clearing. 3 corpses in grey robes lay scattered on the ground, their blood staining the snow crimson. Judging by their clothing, they were outer disciples of the nearby Profound Ice Sect. Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. He recognized 1 of the bodies—it was Zhang Li, an outer disciple who had often mocked his slow cultivation progress. Now, Zhang Li lay dead, his face frozen in eternal shock, a gaping hole where his dantian should be. "Demonic cultivators," Lin Feng murmured. Only demonic practitioners would so brutally extract others' cultivation bases. He noticed faint footprints leading deeper into the mountains. Without hesitation, he followed them, moving as silently as a ghost through the snow-laden forest. After tracking for about an incense stick's worth of time, he heard angry shouts ahead. "Demon scum! The Profound Ice Sect will never let you get away with this!" Lin Feng concealed his presence behind a large snow-covered rock and peered ahead. In a larger clearing, 5 black-robed figures surrounded 2 Profound Ice Sect disciples—1 male and 1 female. The female disciple, in particular, caught Lin Feng's attention. Despite her disheveled state, her striking features were unmistakable—Su Lingxue, the number beauty of the outer sect, and also the reason many male disciples had envied and ridiculed Lin Feng. The leader of the black-robed figures laughed darkly. "Who will know? Once we're done with you, we'll take your cultivation bases and leave no evidence." Su Lingxue's face was pale, but her eyes burned with defiance. "Senior Brother Wang, let's fight them to the death!" The male disciple beside her, Wang Gang, gripped his longsword tightly, though his trembling hand betrayed his fear. "Junior Sister Su, I'll hold them off. You run!" Before he could finish speaking, 1 of the black-robed figures shot forward like a phantom, a curved dagger aimed at Wang Gang's throat. Wang Gang barely managed to block with his sword, but the impact sent him stumbling back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The difference in strength was too great—the demonic cultivators were all at least at the eighth level of Qi Condensation, while Wang Gang was only at the seventh level and Su Lingxue at the sixth. Just as the black-robed cultivator prepared to strike again, a cold voice cut through the air. "5 against 2? How... unfair." Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. Lin Feng stepped out from behind the rock, his tattered black robes fluttering in the wind, his expression calm. Su Lingxue's eyes widened in surprise. "Lin Feng? What are you doing here? Run!" The lead demonic cultivator sneered. "Another fool seeking death. Only at the fifth level of Qi Condensation? You're not even worth our time." Lin Feng smiled faintly. "Is that so?" He took a step forward, and his aura suddenly changed. The spiritual pressure around him intensified dramatically, the snow at his feet melting instantly. The golden light in his pupils grew brighter. The lead demonic cultivator's expression shifted from contempt to shock. "Foundation Establishment! Impossible!" Before he could react, Lin Feng had already moved. His figure blurred, appearing before the nearest demonic cultivator in an instant. A simple palm strike, yet it carried overwhelming force. "Frozen Soul Palm!" The air temperature plummeted. A pale blue palm print materialized and struck the demonic cultivator's chest. The man didn't even have time to scream before freezing into an ice sculpture, his expression forever locked in terror. The remaining 4 demonic cultivators stared in horror. A Foundation Establishment expert! Why would someone of that level appear in this remote mountain area? The lead demonic cultivator gritted his teeth. "Formation!" The 4 immediately moved into position, their black robes fluttering as they formed a sinister array. Dark energy gathered, forming a massive black skull in the air that shot toward Lin Feng. Lin Feng remained calm. He formed a hand seal with his right hand, and a translucent ice wall materialized before him. Boom! The black skull collided with the ice wall, shattering into fragments of dark energy. The ice wall stood firm, without even a crack. "How is this possible?" The lead demonic cultivator's face turned ashen. "Our 4 Souls Annihilation Formation can even threaten early Foundation Establishment experts!" Lin Feng didn't answer. With another wave of his hand, countless ice needles materialized in the air, raining down on the demonic cultivators like a storm. 2 of the cultivators failed to dodge in time, their bodies pierced through like sieves, collapsing to the ground. Only the leader and 1 other remained. The surviving demonic cultivator turned to flee, but Lin Feng was faster. A flash of sword light—the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) that Lin Feng had kept hidden for years finally revealed its edge. The sword energy swept past, and the fleeing cultivator fell, severed at the waist. Now only the leader remained. He looked at Lin Feng with a mixture of fear and hatred. "Who exactly are you? The Profound Ice Sect doesn't have a Foundation Establishment expert like you!" Lin Feng approached slowly, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) in hand glowing with a faint red light. "Just a passerby." The demonic cultivator leader suddenly laughed maniacally. "Fine, fine! Then let's die together!" His body began to swell rapidly—he was attempting to self-destruct! Lin Feng's expression turned serious. A Qi Condensation cultivator's self-destruction could indeed threaten a Foundation Establishment expert at such close range. But just as the demonic cultivator's body was about to explode, Lin Feng moved with incredible speed. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) in his hand transformed into a crimson streak, piercing through the man's dantian. The swelling stopped abruptly, the gathered energy dissipating like a deflating balloon. The demonic cultivator collapsed, his eyes wide with disbelief. Lin Feng retrieved his sword, not even glancing at the corpse. He turned to look at Su Lingxue and Wang Gang, who were staring at him in shock. Su Lingxue finally found her voice. "You... you're Lin Feng? How... how did you..." Lin Feng smiled slightly. "Some opportunities, that's all." He didn't explain further, instead walking over to the bodies and searching them. Besides some spirit stones and ordinary pills, he found a black token on the lead demonic cultivator. The token was engraved with a sinister ghost face pattern. [New mission triggered: Investigate the origin of the ghost face token. Reward: 3,000 spirit stones, mid-grade cultivation technique: Heavenly Thunder Art.] The system's voice sounded again. Lin Feng stored the token, then turned to leave. "Wait!" Su Lingxue called out. "Thank you for saving us, Senior Brother Lin." Her address had changed from "Lin Feng" to "Senior Brother Lin," reflecting the respect for his strength in the cultivation world. Lin Feng paused but didn't look back. "This place isn't safe. You should return to the sect quickly." With that, his figure flickered and disappeared into the snow-filled forest. Su Lingxue watched the direction he had left, a complex emotion in her eyes. The Lin Feng she remembered had been a mediocre outer sect disciple stuck at the third level of Qi Condensation for years, often mocked by others. But the person who had just appeared possessed the strength of a Foundation Establishment expert and had dispatched 5 demonic cultivators with ease. Wang Gang approached, his voice still trembling. "Junior Sister Su, was that really Lin Feng?" Su Lingxue took a deep breath. "Let's return to the sect and report this. Something big is about to happen." Meanwhile, Lin Feng had already arrived at the foot of the mountain. According to the system's directions, he found a hidden cave behind a waterfall. The cave was dark and damp, but Lin Feng could clearly see everything with his spiritual sense. The walls were covered in mysterious patterns that seemed to tell some ancient story. At the deepest part of the cave, he found a stone chamber. In the center stood a stone platform, on which lay a rusty bronze mirror. Just as Lin Feng was about to approach, a cold voice echoed through the stone chamber. "After all these years, someone has finally come."