Within the Chen family, the elders were stunned upon learning of this matter. Unlike Elian, they had always practiced cultivation step by step, meticulously referencing annotations, and seeking guidance from the patriarch or Elian when encountering ambiguities. They cultivated cautiously, never imagining such extraordinary feats.
Across the vast Chu Kingdom, it was unheard of for someone to criticize a cultivation method as flawed, then revamp it completely and enhance its effectiveness by 20%. It was simply astonishing and almost incomprehensible.
This was either extraordinary insight or unparalleled talent, and Elian had certainly not squandered his gift. Over the years, he had even begun merging his primary cultivation methods, Blazing Sun Void Ascension Technique, and Path of Fiery Void, and had already made substantial progress.
He had created an entirely new Foundation Establishment technique, which he named Solar Flame Sutra. It combined the dominance of the Blazing Sun Void Ascension Technique with the incinerating properties of the Path of Fiery Void. The new technique's power surpassed both its predecessors, producing spiritual energy that was notably potent and domineering.
Furthermore, a pure yang divine ability had started to take shape alongside the spiritual energy produced by this technique. Though the technique was only complete up to the third level of Foundation Establishment and far from becoming a full-fledged divine ability or Purple Mansion method, Elian was confident that with deeper cultivation and comprehension of the Pure Water Green Lotus Codex, he would eventually evolve it into a Purple Mansion-level technique.
After distributing the acquired magical treasures, Elian handed over three top-tier second-grade talismans from Wei Mingyuan's spoils to Chen Qingwan and the third elder.
With the meeting concluded, Elian flew back to Linghu Isle to strengthen its defenses. Over ten days, he successfully incorporated the Earth Marsh Pearl into the island's protective array, significantly boosting its fortifications.
With a top-tier second-grade spiritual vein and matching formation, a single Foundation Establishment cultivator could defend the island against three to five late-stage Foundation Establishment enemies.
Time flowed like water, and three years passed in the blink of an eye.
A message arrived from Tianxu Mountain: the Sky Python Demon King had finally assembled its army, leading 300,000 demon beasts to storm Tianxu Mountain.
"They're finally here," Elian sighed softly as he emerged from his closed-door cultivation.
Every beast chaos was a catastrophic ordeal. The pressure on Yu County was immense, and it was uncertain how many cultivators would perish this time.
Before leaving, Elian summoned Chen Xianyan and issued strict instructions.
"For the family, Linghu Isle and Pingyang City are of utmost importance," he said gravely.
"You are responsible for defending Linghu Isle. No matter what happens, you must not leave Linghu Isle."
Chen Xianyan hesitated, then asked, "Even if Yuyang Market calls for help?"
"No," Elian said firmly.
"If Yuyang Market can't hold, you going there would only mean your death."
"By staying on Linghu Isle, you may at least be able to use the array's power to slay a few second-grade demon beasts."
"Moreover," Elian's gaze sharpened, his tone turning cold, "you must guard against diversion tactics."
"I understand," Chen Xianyan nodded. She knew that the Chen family had a mortal enemy in Yu County. Although it was unlikely the Lin family would strike during the beast chaos, they might try to harm the Chen family through others.
After leaving Linghu Isle, Elian flew to Pingyang City, met with the patriarch, and then proceeded to Yuyang Market.
Before departing, he left behind the Sunlit Divine Fire Array as a trump card for Chen Nianchuan and Chen Xianling. Designed initially to kill the Thunderstorm Roc, this formation required two Foundation Establishment cultivators and eighteen ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators to operate.
Its attack power rivaled that of two or three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators working together, making it a formidable defense.
Upon arriving at Yuyang Market, Elian found that over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators had already gathered there. Ancestors Yang Zhengyuan and Xu Daoyuan were also stationed at the market.
Elian also encountered some familiar faces, including Liu Juejian, the head of the Liu family from Feng County, and Yu Lingyan, the first elder of the Yu family from Ling County.
Elian had met Liu Juejian recently, so there was little to discuss. Yu Lingyan, however, was an old friend of Meng Xinghe. Thirty years ago, she was already at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and now her cultivation had advanced to the seventh level.
Upon seeing Elian, Yu Lingyan's eyes lit up.
"It's been many years, and Fellow Daoist Chen's cultivation has become even more profound."
"You flatter me," Elian replied with a polite smile, bowing slightly.
"Thank you all for coming to Yu County's aid."
Liu Juejian smiled warmly.
"Yu County is closest to Tianxu Mountain and bears the greatest pressure among the three counties. For our own safety, we must support you."
Although Feng County also bordered the vast wilderness, the two-thousand-mile-long Tianyuan Mountain Range shielded it, reducing the pressure compared to Yu County.
After some pleasantries, the cultivators stationed themselves in Yuyang Market, awaiting news from Tianxu Mountain.
As the humans were in a defensive posture, their next moves depended on the demons' strategies. They could only wait and adapt accordingly.
This waiting period stretched into three months.
During this time, Sky Python besieged Tianxu Mountain and launched relentless attacks. The battles were fierce, but thanks to Tianxu Mountain's protective arrays, the defenders suffered relatively low casualties. Meanwhile, the Sky Python Demon King's army of 300,000 beasts lost over 50,000.
However, news arrived via Jiang Linglong's Horizon Sound Transmission Mirror that the spiritual liquid in Tianxu Mountain's spirit pool was nearly depleted. Without replenishment, the fourth-grade formations would become inoperable.
Refilling the pool of a third-grade top-tier spiritual vein required 80,000 to 90,000 spirit stones—a staggering cost. Fortunately, with the support of various families in the border regions, Tianxu Mountain had prepared sufficient spirit stones and was able to sustain its formations.
Seeing the siege failing, the Sky Python Demon King personally joined the fray but gained no advantage. Jiang Linglong confronted the demon king in battle, and before a decisive outcome could be reached, Lin Qianshu activated the formation and wounded the demon king.
Frustrated, the Sky Python Demon King abandoned the assault and surrounded Tianxu Mountain instead. Its position was too critical to bypass.
If it left Tianxu Mountain alone, its lair at Sky Python Lake would become vulnerable. Jiang Linglong, with her strength, could easily seize the unprotected fourth-grade spiritual vein.
To avoid such a scenario, the Sky Python Demon King surrounded Tianxu Mountain and devised a new strategy. It summoned its subordinate Purple Mansion beasts and sent its trusted lieutenant, the Purple-Striped Wolf King, eastward with 100,000 demon beasts to attack the heart of Chu Kingdom.
If the three counties of Bianzhou Region fell to the beasts, Tianxu Mountain would become an isolated stronghold, inevitably falling into the demon king's grasp.
Upon learning of the demons' movements, Jiang Linglong immediately relayed the news to the three counties via the Horizon Sound Transmission Mirror.
When Elian, who controlled the mirror in Yu County, received the message, he promptly informed the two ancestors and the Foundation Establishment cultivators at Yuyang Market.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D