Chapter 542: The Two Plans of the Demon Clan

In the East Wasteland, nestled within a verdant mountain range, Patriarch Qinghua and Patriarch Heihu were deep in discussion, both wearing solemn expressions.

"This trouble has escalated significantly; it's getting out of hand. The immortal cultivation worlds of the South Sea and Northern Frontier have also joined in, launching a three-pronged attack on our demon race."

Patriarch Heihu said with a frown. He had no regrets; if it meant advancing his cultivation further, the deaths and injuries of some tribesmen were inconsequential. After all, un-transformed demonic beasts were not considered his true kin.

"Even during our demon race's peak, we were no match for the three immortal cultivation worlds of the East Wasteland, Northern Frontier, and South Sea. You've taken too big a gamble this time. I hope your intelligence isn't flawed, otherwise, not only will all this effort be in vain, but we'll also have to cede vast territories, making our future much harder."

Patriarch Qinghua was somewhat displeased. After advancing to the Soul Transformation stage, she had set her mind on ascending to the Upper Realm. However, ascension was extremely difficult. To ascend, one either had to cultivate to the seventh layer of the Soul Transformation stage or find a spatial node to illicitly cross over. As they still had considerable lifespans, they naturally preferred not to sneak across.

"Don't worry, I've made two-pronged preparations. Even if we can't find True Monarch Tianlang's meditation cave, we must acquire that Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree. Sister Qinghua, you reached the Soul Transformation stage earlier than me; you must have a contingency plan, right? Don't hold back. Bring out your trump card! When the three immortal cultivation worlds attack our demon race, it's our strength that will be depleted."

Patriarch Qinghua nodded gravely and said, "I have some connections with the Azure Scale Clan of the Sea Race. I can ask them to help block the immortal cultivators from the South Sea cultivation world. However, the Azure Scale Clan won't help for free; we'd have to give them some territory and form an alliance. The Azure Scale Clan ranks among the top ten in the Sea Race. As for the Northern Frontier, it's entirely human, so we can't do anything about them except strengthen our defenses. In the East Wasteland, we need to create a bigger commotion to draw the attention of the Seven Great Immortal Sects, which will make it easier for your subordinates to operate. But do you really have confidence in acquiring that Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree? This fruit is one of the main ingredients for refining Nascent Soul Condensing Pills. Although the tree isn't at the Myriad Flower Palace's main headquarters, they will certainly dispatch heavy forces to guard it."

"Of course. I have a wood demon under my command, a spirit wood that has achieved sentience. There's a high chance he can acquire the Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree. The Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree is one of the few spiritual trees in the cultivation world that cannot be transplanted; once moved from its original location, it immediately withers and disappears. This is precisely why Myriad Flower Palace couldn't transplant the tree and instead deployed personnel to set up formations to guard it. Even if we can't acquire the Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree itself, harvesting the fruits or destroying the tree would also suffice. We absolutely cannot allow the human race to keep the Phoenix Cry Fruit Tree. With this tree, their chances of producing Nascent Soul cultivators are significantly higher."

"Let's hope so! By the way, since your avatar instigated the war, the Seven Great Immortal Sects will surely investigate. Why don't you recall him? It would save you the pointless loss of an avatar."

Patriarch Heihu grinned and said, "I have my own arrangements. Thank you for your concern, Sister Qinghua."

Hearing this, Patriarch Qinghua found it difficult to say anything further.

In Wu State, at the Cloud Goose Grassland, there were hundreds of massive steaming craters on the ground, and numerous demonic beasts lay sprawled in pools of blood.

Tens of thousands of demonic beasts were ferociously attacking Pingyao City, with various spells bombarding its protective formation. The surface of Pingyao City was riddled with craters, and a section of the city wall had collapsed, revealing glimpses of immortal cultivators' corpses. During a recent attack, demonic beasts breached the formation. Although the formation quickly recovered, a group of demon birds and beasts seized the moment of the breach to storm into the city, resulting in the tragic deaths of some cultivators at the hands of the beasts.

The area defended by Mo Caiyun and her five companions was precisely where the demonic beasts had breached the defenses.

Before their departure, Wang Changsheng had given Wang Qingjing a third-tier talisman. She was responsible for refining artifacts and repairing puppet beasts, so she didn't typically fight on the city walls. She had given the third-tier talisman to Zhao Zheng for protection.

Zhao Zheng promptly activated the third-tier talisman, eliminating over a dozen second-tier demon birds. They narrowly escaped danger, though Wang Qiuming was struck by several massive fireballs. Fortunately, his defensive artifact blocked most of the damage, and he only sustained burns that were not very severe.

Wang Qiuming was Wang Changsheng's grandson, and his injury made Mo Caiyun feel very guilty.

"Qiuming, how are you? Are you alright?" Zhao Zheng asked with concern, his face full of worry.

Wang Qiuming's pale face showed a faint smile as he said, "Uncle, I'm fine! We need to strengthen our vigilance; the demon race's attacks have intensified significantly recently."

"That's good you're okay! Qiuming, stay by my side and stick close to me." Mo Caiyun instructed with a solemn expression.

Wang Qiuming agreed, tightening his grip on the longsword in his hand.

A low horn blast sounded, and tens of thousands of demonic beasts swiftly retreated as if the tide were ebbing. Seeing this, Wang Qiuming and the others collectively let out a long sigh of relief.

"I wonder how Uncle Eighteen and Seventh Brother are doing. By now, they should have returned, shouldn't they?" Wang Qingjun murmured to himself.

A short while later, the cultivators on duty arrived, and Mo Caiyun and the others withdrew, returning to their quarters to rest. As soon as they returned to their residences, they saw Wang Qingshan.

After fleeing underground, Wang Qingshan hesitated repeatedly but ultimately decided to return to the front line. Firstly, his cultivation bottleneck remained unresolved. Secondly, with the great war between humans and demons, the Seven Great Immortal Sects had issued a clear decree: anyone who showed cowardice in battle would be severely punished. If he were to flee back to his family and be discovered, his family would be in trouble. Thirdly, the other clansmen were not particularly strong, and Wang Changhao had sacrificed his life to save him; how could he abandon his fellow clansmen and flee back to the family alone?

"Qingshan, you're back. Where's Eighteenth Brother?"

Wang Qingshan's gaze dimmed, and he said sorrowfully, "A Soul Transformation stage demon appeared on the demon side. On the way to escape, Uncle Eighteen sacrificed himself to cover me and died at the hands of the demonic beasts." The situation at the time was too dangerous; Wang Changhao could not possibly have survived.

"Qiuming, what happened to you? Are your injuries serious?" Wang Qingshan noticed Wang Qiuming's tattered clothes and asked with concern.

Wang Qiuming grinned and said, "It's nothing. The defensive artifact grandfather refined for me blocked most of the damage. It's a pity it was destroyed."

"It's good that you're alright. Ah, be more careful in the future. I hope this war ends soon! It's already been seven years, and we still don't know how much longer it will last." Wang Qingjun sighed, his face filled with worry.

Having just returned from the front line, they were all in heavy spirits. After a brief chat, they each returned to their respective quarters to meditate and rest.

In the Phoenix Cry Mountain Range, home to a branch of Myriad Flower Palace, one of the Seven Great Immortal Sects, exotic flowers and rare herbs dotted the landscape. Among the majestic peaks, one could see magnificent palaces or exquisite, compact pavilions. Several massive waterfalls cascaded down from great heights like silver chains, stirring up tremendous roars and mist. A team of cultivators rode clouds, traversing the skies. From time to time, groups of three to five colossal white cranes flew by, presenting a truly immortal scene!

Suddenly, a tremendous roar echoed, and alarms blared loudly. Over a dozen streaks of light flew in from the distance: seven Soul Transformation stage demons and ten Core Formation stage half-demons.

"Kill them all."

The Myriad Flower Palace disciples guarding the area rushed out of their quarters, led by Nascent Soul cultivators, to confront the demon race.