Enemies Meet, Fierce Battle

Chen Qingmu was an old cultivator of the Qing Generation. This year, he was already seventy-six, not much younger than the Grand Elder. Yet he had only broken through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining two years ago, so he had not become a Lineage Elder and could only hold the status of a clan elder.

Chen Changming was one of the few remaining cultivators of the Chang Generation. When he broke through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining five years ago, he was already ninety-four. Considering the hardships of travel, they had not brought him along when they went to the Azure Sun Sect.

This time, they truly lacked the manpower to activate the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Banner, so the Lineage had decided to send this ninety-nine-year-old elder into the field.

Apart from Chen Nianzhi, Chen Nianyong had the highest cultivation among the Nian Generation. He was two years older than Fifth Elder Chen Qingwan and had broken through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining just before turning fifty-nine.

That was only because the Lineage lacked cultivators at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. Chen Nianzhi had specially taken out twenty Spirit Peaches and several Qi-Absorbing Pills, essentially pulling up shoots to help them grow, allowing him to rush his breakthrough a month ago.

In the past few years, the Lineage had stopped issuing stipends and had even borrowed Spirit Stones from its clansmen, slowing the cultivation progress of the clan's cultivators. Setting aside the Grand Elder and the Second Elder, who was still recovering from his injuries, being able to gather six Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators now was already quite remarkable.

"Not bad. At least we can gather six Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators and activate the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Formation."

The Old Clan Leader revealed a faint smile. With the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Formation, it was equivalent to gaining another Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator. Their odds of victory had risen by another thirty percent.

"Since the preparations are complete, let us depart."

This time, far fewer people were going to Heavenly Ruins Mountain than in previous years. Yet aside from the Old Clan Leader and Chen Nianzhi, all six Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators the Chen Clan could mobilize had gone. In a sense, this could be called committing their entire strength.

However, the caravan numbered far more than that. Nearly a hundred cultivators from Yu Commandery had hitched a ride with the Chen Clan, intending to follow the merchant caravan through the dangerous Ten-Thousand-Li Great Wilderness.

Without Late Stage Qi Refining cultivation, trying to reach Heavenly Ruins Mountain alone would likely involve tremendous danger. Thus, following the merchant caravans of the six great Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans to Heavenly Ruins Mountain had become customary.

As for the Lineage, every cultivator catching a ride paid one Spirit Stone. Not only was that additional income, but it also increased the caravan's deterrent force, so they naturally welcomed it.

The merchant caravan traveled onward, and in the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed. They had covered a full seventy or eighty thousand li.

On this day, the sky was washed clean.

Within the Vast Expanse Wilderness, where wild grass grew thick, a merchant caravan of around a hundred people rested upon the plains.

At the center of the convoy, the Chen Clan cultivators had gathered together. Chen Nianyong looked at the empty Great Wilderness plains before him and could not help saying in a low voice.

"Once we cross this wilderness, another twenty thousand li will bring us to Heavenly Ruins Mountain."

"Did we guess wrong? Are those bastards simply too afraid to come?"

Chen Nianzhi smiled faintly and said with absolute certainty, "Rest assured, they are even more anxious than we are."

"Look. Aren't they here?"

The moment his words fell, several figures flew over from the far end of the sky.

The Old Clan Leader rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the distant group. "Two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zuo Clan, Lin Taihe, Zhang Old Devil... no, there is one more."

His eyes narrowed. Among them was a burly, unfamiliar cultivator in black robes, whose aura was far stronger than that of the other four.

Realizing this, he hurriedly said to Chen Nianzhi in a low voice, "Judging by his aura, he is likely a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Demonic Cultivator. I will handle him. Hide your aura for now, then strike later."

"Alright."

Chen Nianzhi's expression turned grave. The appearance of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Demonic Cultivator had added several unforeseen variables to this battle.

At that moment, the group flew over. From afar, Zhang Old Devil let out a long howl.

"Chen Clan old bastard, come out and meet your death!"

"A defeated foe dares to act so wildly?"

Chen Changxuan sneered and shot into the air. With a sweep of his sleeve, he sent a fire dragon flying forth, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws as it lunged at Zhang Old Devil.

The Fire Dragon Technique was a Tier 2 Mid-grade spell. Cast with the Old Clan Leader's cultivation, its power was quite extraordinary.

Zhang Old Devil's Demon Treasures had all been destroyed years ago. Now, he had only a Tier 2 Low-grade demon banner in hand, which could not possibly withstand the Old Clan Leader's strike. He was blasted backward.

"Arrogant!"

Before the Old Clan Leader could press his advantage, the others rushed forward. Hong Old Devil, at the Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment and possessing profound cultivation, brought forth a Black Blood Pouch that descended over them.

The moment everyone saw this treasure, their expressions changed. The Black Blood Pouch was an exceptionally vicious Demonic Path treasure.

Its method of refinement was too cruel. One had to capture sixty-six thousand six hundred mortals and use plague arts to infect them until they died of disease. Their hair was then woven into a demon artifact, which was refined day and night with plague-tainted black blood for twenty-seven days before completion.

Once refined, this treasure's power was equally evil. It specialized in tainting others' artifacts and True Essence.

Even a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, if covered head-on by it, would have both True Essence and artifacts contaminated, eventually transforming into pus and blood before dying.

"Evil demon, you deserve death!"

The instant he saw this treasure, the Old Clan Leader's fury surged to the heavens. No longer bothering to hold anything back, he directly unleashed the Soul-Burning Separation Fire Formation.

Seven Formation Flags flew from within his body, spinning into a seven-star formation that enveloped hundreds of zhang of sky as boundless Lihuo swept across the heavens.

This Pure Yang Lihuo was especially effective against Demonic Cultivators. When the Black Blood Pouch was scorched by the Lihuo, it crackled and popped as streams of foul-smelling black blood spilled out, only to be burned into wisps of green smoke in an instant.

"My treasure!"

Seeing his Demon Treasure damaged, Hong Old Devil was heartbroken. He activated the Black Blood Pouch, intending to retrieve it.

But how could Chen Changxuan allow him to act so wantonly? He activated the Soul-Burning Separation Fire Formation and swept the Black Blood Pouch inside. Vast Lihuo engulfed and burned the treasure, reducing it to ashes in an instant.

"Formation flag treasure."

Zuo Mingxu drew a sharp breath. On its first use, the Divine-Burning Separation Fire Banner had achieved success in a single strike, destroying a Tier 2 High-grade Demon Treasure.

By now, fear had already risen in his heart. But with matters having reached this point, he could only steel himself and advance.

"Everyone, do not retreat."

"If this old bastard is not eliminated today, he will become a grave threat in the future."

Zuo Mingxu shouted and activated an artifact, sending it forward with its blade pointed straight at Chen Changxuan's brow.

At the same time, the others gritted their teeth and activated their artifacts and spells, attacking amid clattering crashes.

Chen Changxuan's eyes narrowed. He recalled the Soul-Burning Separation Fire Formation, transforming it into Formation Flags that shrouded the surroundings. Surging Lihuo roiled without end, blocking their repeated attacks with an aura that seemed impervious to all methods.

The Old Clan Leader fought five alone and, for a time, showed no sign of falling behind, leaving them unable to gain ground despite their prolonged assault.

Meanwhile, the Chen Clan was not merely standing around. Third Elder and the others activated the Blazing Sun Heavenly Flame Banner, unleashing towering flames as they attacked Zuo Zhouqi, the weakest of the five.

This formation's power was extraordinary. Even Zuo Zhouqi could only face it with caution, forced into a bitter entanglement with it.