"If we can significantly weaken the beast clan's power, perhaps in the future, we might have a chance to counterattack Sky Python Lake."
Hearing this, everyone smiled. While the beast clan coveted the human race's flesh and blood, the humans also yearned for the spiritual veins possessed by the beasts.
For example, within Sky Python Lake was a fourth-tier Water Vein, which nurtured the supreme treasure "Water Spirit Pearl." This treasure, the essence of the natural water element cycle, was incredibly rare.
The Water Spirit Pearl was extremely valuable and could assist Purple Mansion cultivators with water spiritual roots in breaking through to the Golden Core realm. Its effects were comparable to the legendary Five Elements Spiritual Fruits.
Jiang Linglong, aiming to complete her Five Elements Spiritual Roots, still lacked the water spiritual root, and the Water Spirit Pearl was the key ingredient needed to complete it.
After some discussion, the group finalized their plan for the decisive battle.
Since they were preparing for another confrontation with the beast clan, they decided to catch the Sky Python Demon King off guard.
After resting, several Purple Mansion elders and the Seven-Star Demon Slayer Ship would transport fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators to join the battle outside Tianxu Mountain before the Demon King could react.
The distance from Fengyang Market to Tianxu Mountain was about 150,000 miles. With the speed of the spirit ship, the journey would take approximately seven to eight days.
They agreed to act ten days later when Jiang Linglong would personally engage the Sky Python Demon King in battle.
During this time, they would launch a concentrated assault, aiming to kill one or two Purple Mansion beasts and further weaken the beast clan's strength before engaging in an all-out battle.
Having set the plan, the group rested overnight, recovering most of their spiritual energy before setting out for Tianxu Mountain.
Due to time constraints, the third-tier spirit ship could only accommodate about thirty people. As a result, each Purple Mansion elder had to carry a few Foundation Establishment cultivators while flying on their swords.
Even Elian, equipped with his third-tier life-bound flying sword, Fiery Void Sword, carried three Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Fiery Void Sword could cover 30,000 miles per day. Although carrying additional passengers slowed its speed, it was still nearly as fast as the Seven-Star Demon Slayer Ship.
In the blink of an eye, seven days passed. By the evening of the seventh day, the group finally arrived at the Tianxu Mountain range.
The group landed on a barren hill 3,000 miles from the main peak of Tianxu Mountain.
Yang Patriarch glanced at the map in his hands and sighed in relief.
"We're early; we still have two days until the agreed-upon time."
The map was a war map, detailing not only the terrain surrounding Tianxu Mountain but also the distribution of the beast clan's main forces.
Yang Patriarch gathered Elian and the other Purple Mansion combatants to analyze the situation.
"Currently, Tianxu Mountain is under siege by the beast clan. Hundreds of thousands of beasts have occupied dozens of spiritual veins in the area to support their supply lines and have surrounded the mountain's main peak."
"To the west, the Blue-Flame Fox Clan is stationed, with two members of their clan present. The stronger one is in the mid-Purple Mansion stage, while the weaker one is only in the early stage."
"To the east is the Six-Winged Golden Butterfly Clan, also with two Purple Mansion beasts, one in the mid-stage and the other in the early stage."
"To the south, closest to us, is the Golden-Horned Bull Clan. This area is guarded by three Purple Mansion beasts—one in the mid-stage and two in the early stage."
"To the north, the Sky Python Demon King is personally stationed with no accompanying Purple Mansion beasts."
"So apart from the Sky Python Demon King, there are seven Purple Mansion beasts in total." Elian studied the map and, after a moment, asked, "Is there any news about the Purple-Blood Python?"
The group fell silent at the mention of the Purple-Blood Python. It was the progeny of the Sky Python Demon King, with a cultivation level at the ninth level of the Purple Mansion stage. Its combat power surpassed that of the Purple-Striped Wolf King by 30% and was considered the Demon King's most formidable lieutenant.
"If the Sky Python Demon King marches to war, the Purple-Blood Python always stays behind to guard Sky Python Lake," Yang Patriarch reassured them with a smile.
"That's been the tradition for years. The Purple-Blood Python won't abandon the lake." (That's a flag MUHAHA)
Hearing this, the group relaxed slightly. Xu Qianyang chuckled.
"Then let's proceed with the original plan. Three days from now, we'll strike the Golden-Horned Bull Clan."
Elian nodded. According to the plan, Jiang Linglong would confront the Sky Python Demon King in three days, while they would ambush the Golden-Horned Bulls. Lin Qianshu from Tianxu Mountain would also join the assault, allowing them to encircle the Golden-Horned Bulls.
If the operation succeeded, it would likely turn the tide and heavily damage the beast clan's forces.
After finalizing their strategy, the group began recovering their spiritual energy. In the barren wilderness, the sparse spiritual energy forced them to rely on spirit stones, an inefficient but necessary expense.
The next day, after fully recovering their strength, Yang Patriarch used a third-tier treasure to conceal their presence as they approached the Golden-Horned Bull Clan's location.
The treasure, called the Cloud Veil Screen, was refined from the essence of celestial clouds. Although it was only a third-tier lower-grade artifact, it could obscure the group's movements effectively.
Even an early Purple Mansion beast would struggle to detect them without careful scrutiny.
"Up ahead is Green Bull Mountain," Yang Patriarch announced as they arrived at the Golden-Horned Bull Clan's base after half a day of travel.
Green Bull Mountain, a spiritual mountain under Tianxu Mountain's jurisdiction, was once rented out to Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators. When the beast crisis began, the cultivators dismantled the formation and sought refuge in Tianxu Mountain.
With the mountain abandoned, the Golden-Horned Bull Clan took over.
"Don't rush. Conceal your aura and wait until Elder Jiang makes the first move," Yang Patriarch instructed.
The group remained in hiding until, two hours later, a sword's resounding hum echoed from Tianxu Mountain. They saw a brilliant sword light rise into the sky, heading northward.
"Attack!"
At Yang Patriarch's command, the group surged forward, launching a sudden assault on Green Bull Mountain.
Fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators, supported by six Purple Mansion combatants, caught the Golden-Horned Bull Clan off guard. Within moments, they slew over thirty Foundation Establishment beasts.
"Roaaar—"
Thunderous bull cries echoed as three Golden-Horned Bull Purple Mansion beasts emerged from their lair.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D