Chapter 1045: Ice Ape Tribe

This power was more than enough to obliterate a large sect.

Chen Qian took out a sea chart, pointing at it as he spoke: "This chart marks the significant strongholds of the demon race. Fellow Daoists, which stronghold do you think would be best to attack?"

Wang Changsheng's gaze swept across the map, noting dozens of marked strongholds, including those of the Black Phoenix Clan, Mystic Tortoise Clan, Splitting Eagle Clan, and several other demon races.

"We have thirteen Nascent Soul cultivators; if we're going to do something, let's make it count. I propose we attack the island controlled by the Flood Dragon Clan. They are the leaders of the South Sea demon race, and even severely damaging them would be a significant blow. Since we're deep behind enemy lines, we can't stay too long, or we risk a counterattack from the demons. Our plan should be to strike the Flood Dragon Clan and then withdraw. What are your thoughts, fellow Daoists?"

Li Jiong made the suggestion, emphasizing that with thirteen Nascent Soul cultivators, there was no need to pick an easy target.

"The Flood Dragon Clan? Transformed flood dragons are far more formidable than Nascent Soul cultivators of the same level. Even powerful artifacts struggle to harm their physical bodies. Even if they stood still, multiple fellow Daoists might not be able to kill them. This plan is not advisable."

"Exactly! Transformed demons are inherently more powerful than Nascent Soul cultivators of the same rank. Furthermore, the Flood Dragon Clan's stronghold is deep within the Myriad Demon Sea, making it easy for the demons to encircle and annihilate us once they react. I suggest we target the Ink Kylin Clan. They possess the bloodline of the Water Kylin and hold considerable influence among the demon race. Their physical bodies aren't as strong as the Flood Dragon Clan's, and they aren't as fast as the Black Phoenix Clan."

The Nascent Soul cultivators each voiced their opinions, but they couldn't reach a consensus.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan remained silent. The Wang family had only been developing in the South Sea for just over a century, whereas the other Nascent Soul cultivators present represented powers that had thrived in the South Sea for at least five millennia. Their understanding of the demon race far surpassed Wang Changsheng's, which is why he refrained from speaking.

Li Jiong looked at Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, why are you so quiet? Please share any opinions you might have."

"We don't have extensive knowledge of the demon race, so we'll leave the decision to Madam Han, Fellow Daoist Chen, and Fellow Daoist Li! I trust that the three of you will devise a suitable plan."

Wang Changsheng replied politely. In the cultivation world, strength commanded respect. The choice of which stronghold to attack would ultimately be made by the most powerful cultivators; the discussion was merely a courtesy.

"The Flood Dragon Clan is too powerful; I believe we should choose a different target. The Ice Ape Clan is quite strong; during their heyday, they were on par with the Flood Dragon Clan. Their stronghold isn't too far from here either. Most importantly, their base has an Ice Glaze Fruit tree that is over ten thousand years old. Ice Glaze Fruit is known for its marrow-cleansing and meridian-purifying effects. Cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage who consume it will find it easier to advance to the Nascent Soul stage later on. However, its primary use is for refining Ice Glaze Jade Liquid. This spiritual liquid is highly beneficial for the advancement of spirit beasts and also aids somewhat in their transformation. Of course, spirit beast transformation is not easy and cannot be achieved by simply consuming one or two Ice Glaze Fruits."

The young woman in the green dress said with a smile that she possessed a top-grade third-tier flood dragon. If it could consume Ice Glaze Jade Liquid, there would be a high probability of it advancing to the fourth tier. With a fourth-tier flood dragon as her spirit beast, few Nascent Soul cultivators would be able to contend with her.

While the Flood Dragon Clan and the Black Phoenix Clan might possess more rare spiritual treasures, both races were incredibly powerful. Provoking them would not end well.

"I hear Madam Han has a top-grade third-tier green flood dragon. If it were to consume some Ice Glaze Jade Liquid, it would have a high chance of advancing to the fourth tier, wouldn't it?"

Li Jiong smiled, speaking with a knowing tone.

"The Ice Ape Clan also possesses numerous treasures. They inhabit ten-thousand-year-old glaciers, and it's rumored they have ten-thousand-year profound jade, along with many other rare ice-attributed spiritual items. However, the primary reason I chose the Ice Ape Clan is that their location isn't particularly far from here, which would allow for an easy retreat after our objective is achieved. This is, after all, the demon race's main lair. Fellow Daoist Li, you let a Nascent Soul stage demon escape earlier. Once the demon race gets wind of our presence, they will undoubtedly muster a large force to encircle and suppress us. We must strike swiftly and decisively. What are your thoughts?"

Li Jiong pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. Chen Qian also had no objections, and naturally, neither did Wang Changsheng and the others.

"Since we've chosen our target, let's depart now! We can discuss the specific attack route en route."

With a flick of Li Jiong's wide sleeve, a golden light shot forth, transforming into a foot-long golden jade shuttle. Its surface was carved with a sun pattern, and runes shimmered, radiating an imposing spiritual energy.

"Expand," he commanded.

As Li Jiong's command settled, the golden jade shuttle flared with light, expanding into a magnificent vessel over ten zhang long.

"Tsk, tsk, Fellow Daoist Li, this flying artifact is truly exceptional! It's rumored your sect possesses a flying spirit treasure, the Sun-Moon Shuttle, capable of traveling hundreds of thousands of miles a day. Is this that very treasure?" Wang Changsheng asked, his face alight with envy.

Li Jiong let out a hearty laugh. "Fellow Daoist Wang, you jest," he said. "The Sun-Moon Shuttle is one of the three great foundational treasures of our Sun-Moon Palace; how could it be in my possession? This Sun-Blaze Shuttle is merely a replica. Of course, its flying speed far surpasses that of ordinary flying artifacts. Hurry and board! The sooner we finish our task, the sooner we can leave the Myriad Demon Sea."

He was the first to jump aboard, followed by Wang Changsheng and the others. Once everyone was standing on the golden jade shuttle, Li Jiong performed a hand seal. The golden jade shuttle glowed intensely, emitting countless golden runes that coalesced into a pale golden light barrier, enveloping them all.

"Go!" he commanded.

The golden jade shuttle transformed into a streak of light, slicing through the air. In less than three breaths, the golden light vanished into the horizon as if it had never been there.

In the East Barrens, on a vast, boundless grassland, tens of thousands of cultivators were locked in combat with hundreds of thousands of demon beasts. Lower-ranked cultivators fought on the ground, while their higher-ranked counterparts engaged in battles high in the sky.

The ground was strewn with countless corpses, both cultivators and demon beasts. The air was thick with the stench of blood, and bodies lay piled like mountains.

A tragic scream pierced the air. A middle-aged man with a pair of black bat wings on his back plummeted from the sky, pinned to the ground by a misty blue flying sword. His eyes were wide open, as if he had witnessed something unfathomable in his final moments, and a finger-sized bloody hole marred his abdomen.

Wang Qingshan descended from above, landing on the hilt of the blue flying sword.

He gazed at the mountain of corpses, his brows furrowed in a deep frown.

The demon race had feigned a retreat, luring the cultivators into a full-scale assault. Seizing this opportunity, the demons mobilized their main forces to attack the Myriad Flower Palace while simultaneously launching a massive counteroffensive. The war reignited, catching humanity off guard, leading to severe losses and heavy casualties.

Many Golden Core cultivators who were close to Wang Qingshan had tragically perished in the demon counterattack. Wu Yun'er, too, had sustained severe injuries and was transferred to the rear for recuperation.

A strange hissing sound pierced the air, and like an ebbing tide, the demon beasts rapidly retreated. The cultivators did not give chase.

Some collapsed to the ground, others appeared numb, some wept while clutching corpses, and some laughed hysterically at the sky.

Neither the human nor the demon race truly wished to continue the conflict, but as long as their leaders failed to reach an agreement, the fighting was destined to persist.

A low horn blared, and some cultivators began collecting the fallen, while others retreated to Demon Repelling City.

Wang Qingshan let out a sigh of relief and flew towards Demon Repelling City.

Before long, Wang Qingshan arrived at the council hall, where the Carefree Sword Venerable sat in the main seat.

"Master, how much longer will this war drag on?" Wang Qingshan asked with a frown. Liu Mei'er had returned to the Myriad Flower Palace with Lin Siruo, and from what Wang Qingshan heard, it was to contend for the position of Palace Master.