After she finished speaking, her tone softened. She paused briefly and added, "You need not worry too much."
"Since my master has decided to act, it means there is sufficient confidence in this battle."
"Furthermore, my master has already stated that after the war, merits will be rewarded. Compensation will be provided for those who fall in battle, and rewards will be given to those who achieve notable contributions. If your contributions are significant, even a Foundation Establishment Pill might be awarded."
Upon hearing this, Elian and the old patriarch exchanged glances, their expressions lighting up with joy.
Ancestor Jiang was known for her fairness, and since she had made this declaration, the two of them naturally had some ideas. (From now on I will call her Ancestor Jiang, it fits better because she is a Purple Mansion cultivator)
Starting a war against the demon clans was no small matter. Tianxu Mountain had been preparing for a long time. Even after Elian and the others arrived, they waited two more months before setting out.
For this battle, Tianxu Mountain went all out. Of the seventeen Foundation Establishment disciples nurtured by Ancestor Jiang, fifteen were dispatched. In addition, all Foundation Establishment cultivators within Tianxu Mountain's jurisdiction were summoned.
Including external participants like Elian, there were fifty-three Foundation Establishment cultivators in total, alongside more than six thousand Qi Refining cultivators.
To boost their fighting power, Tianxu Mountain organized these cultivators into groups of one hundred, each led by a Foundation Establishment cultivator and equipped with a set of formation flags.
Elian was also given a set of formation flags and tasked with leading over one hundred Qi Refining cultivators. He discovered that when the group worked together to activate the flags, they could unleash the Western Extreme True Fire, a power sufficient to contend with a late Foundation Establishment demon beast.
"These Qi Refining cultivators have varying cultivation levels and techniques, yet they can work together to activate such an impressive formation."
"It's often said that Ancestor Jiang is a master of alchemy, formations, tools, and talismans. It seems that reputation is well-deserved."
Standing beside Elian, the old patriarch couldn't help but marvel at the flags. As a second-tier high-grade formation master, he admitted he was far inferior to Ancestor Jiang.
Wolf Demon Mountain lay seventy thousand miles northwest of Tianxu Mountain. The journey of thousands of cultivators was a grand spectacle.
To avoid detection by the demon clans, Ancestor Jiang employed a third-tier mid-grade artifact, a silk veil, which transformed into a ten-mile-wide mist to conceal their movements.
Even so, it took over three months of rapid travel to reach the base of Wolf Demon Mountain.
"So this is Wolf Demon Mountain?"
As the battle loomed, Elian gazed at the vast mountain range ahead, feeling a trace of pressure.
As its name implied, Wolf Demon Mountain was home to the wolf demon clan. Their strength was formidable, boasting not only two Purple Mansion wolves but also the Purple-Striped Wolf King, a powerful late Purple Mansion demon beast.
The wolf demon clan was one of the Sky Python Demon King's closest allies. If left unchecked, they would undoubtedly become a significant threat to Tianxu Mountain in thirty years.
"Three Purple Mansion wolves... Ancestor Jiang plans to face all three at once. It will be a grueling battle," the old patriarch said gravely, standing beside Elian.
"During the battle, stay within the formation and don't stray far from me."
"I will," Elian nodded.
As the battle approached, Ancestor Jiang finally emerged from the mist.
Elian glanced over and was momentarily captivated. Upon closer inspection, her beauty was both stunning and awe-inspiring, with an ethereal sword light faintly enveloping her, exuding an aura of sharpness that made it hard to look directly at her.
"So that's the legendary Sword Intent Body Protection," Elian murmured. "It's said that a fourth-tier natal celestial sword can merge completely with its wielder, remaining with them at all times."
"Anyone attempting to attack such a sword cultivator would face immediate retaliation from the natal celestial sword, capable of slaying enemies from a thousand miles away. It's a perfect blend of offense and defense—unparalleled in combat."
"But Ancestor Jiang is only at the peak of the Purple Mansion stage. I wonder how she managed to break through the limits of a natal artifact and elevate the Tianxu Immortal-Slaying Sword to fourth-tier Golden Core level."
The old patriarch spoke with admiration in his eyes.
"A fourth-tier natal celestial sword is enough to make even Golden Core cultivators cautious, yet its consumption is only a third of other tools at the same level."
"That's why Ancestor Jiang requires so much Five Elements Essence. Ordinary third-tier high-grade natal artifacts don't need annual purchases of 20,000 spirit stones' worth of Five Elements Essence for refinement."
"This is also why Jiang Linglong is called the number one Purple Mansion cultivator of Chu. Over two centuries, she has slain more than ten Purple Mansion enemies, including human, demon, and even devil cultivators, earning an unparalleled reputation."
"Other female Purple Mansion cultivators are addressed as 'Fairy' or 'Senior,' but Jiang Linglong is called 'Daoist Jiang' or 'Ancestor Jiang,' titles earned with the heads of her enemies."
Elian quickly suppressed the ripple of admiration in his heart, silently reminding himself, "All infatuation at first sight is merely being captivated by beauty."
"Hmm."
In the distance, Jiang Linglong's gaze subtly shifted, landing on Elian for a moment before pausing briefly.
Beside her, Lin Qianshu followed her gaze, her pupils reflecting a trace of surprise.
"He's reached Foundation Establishment? He looks barely over twenty and already broke through on his own. He's likely to be one of us in the future."
"Master truly has a discerning eye, recognizing such talent with a single glance."
"You've misunderstood," Jiang Linglong replied with a serious expression. "I just think he's quite good-looking."
"And his aura isn't bad either."
Lin Qianshu: "…"
As the battle loomed, there was no time for jokes. Jiang Linglong retracted her gaze and refrained from making any grand speeches. She simply declared, "This battle must be swift. Any slacking or trickery will be dealt with after the end."
"Begin."
Known for her fairness and sharp demeanor, Jiang Linglong commanded both respect and fear. No one dared to slack off.
Over six thousand cultivators launched a sudden assault on Wolf Demon Mountain, catching the wolf demon clan completely off guard.
Within two hours of the battle's start, the wolf demons were forced to retreat step by step, ultimately cornered at the third-tier high-grade spiritual vein atop the mountain.
However, by then, the Purple Mansion wolves of the mountain had organized a counterattack, rallying their forces.
The wilderness was teeming with countless beasts. After seventy years of reproduction since the last Beast Tide, the demon clans near Wolf Demon Mountain had amassed tens of thousands of first-tier beasts.
Facing the overwhelming numbers, the human cultivators quickly felt the mounting pressure.
"Activate the formation flags together—no slacking!"
At the critical moment, Elian took charge of the flags and shouted.
The hundred-plus cultivators worked in unison to activate the formation flags, unleashing waves of Western Extreme True Fire that burned the demon beasts into retreat step by step.
...
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