txolops Chapter 73: The Mission to Attack the Black Wind Mountains
Chapter 73: The Mission to Attack the Black Wind Mountains
A few days later, at dawn, Wang Tianlong was engrossed in studying the basic methods of the "Five Elements Transformation Secret Record" in his cave when a transmission talisman flew in, waking him from his cultivation and ordering him to go to the main hall immediately.
Wang Tianlong dared not delay. He straightened his robes and then transformed into a gentle breeze, flying towards the main hall.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was solemn. Dozens of cultivators had gathered, conversing in small groups. Wang Tianlong glanced around and found that these cultivators all possessed considerable power, at least at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, with some even reaching the late stage. Among them were reinforcements wearing standard Spirit Realm armor, Nascent Soul cultivators from various human forces, and even some lone cultivators.
"It seems like something big is about to happen," Wang Tianlong thought to himself.
Just then, his gaze fell upon a cultivator dressed in a green robe. This person possessed a calm and composed aura, having already reached the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm; it was none other than the Azure Wood Venerable, with whom he had previously had an encounter!
"Fellow Daoist Qingmu?" A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Tianlong's eyes, then he understood. Master Qingmu had been stuck at the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage for many years. Back then, the two of them obtained the Azure Mist Fruit together, and he must have consumed the fruit to successfully break through.
He stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Qingmu, how have you been? Congratulations on your great progress in cultivation, breaking through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm!"
Master Qingmu was talking to a cultivator beside him when he heard the voice and turned around. Seeing Wang Tianlong, his face immediately lit up with joy: "Fellow Daoist Wang! Haha, it really is you! I have long heard of 'True Man Shenfeng' displaying his divine power in the Chaotic Star Sea, and I have been looking for an opportunity to visit you!"
He looked Wang Tianlong up and down, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Now Wang Tianlong was already in the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and his strength was unfathomable, which made him feel a great deal of emotion.
"I was just lucky," Wang Tianlong said modestly, his gaze falling on Qingmu Shangren. "Fellow Daoist, your mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation is truly genuine. It seems you have successfully refined that Azure Mist Fruit."
"Indeed." Venerable Qingmu nodded, a hint of lingering fear and relief on his face. "Speaking of which, I must thank Fellow Daoist Wang for his leniency back then. If it weren't for the Azure Orchid Fruit, I don't know how long I would have had to wait to break through. I just never expected that the Void Heaven Palace would cause such a huge commotion..."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Master Qingmu lowered his voice and asked, "Fellow Daoist Wang, do you know why we have been summoned here?"
Wang Tianlong shook his head: "I just arrived and am unaware of the situation yet. But judging from this setup, the mission is definitely not simple."
"Yes." Master Qingmu's expression was solemn. "I heard that there seems to be a new development on the side of the Ancient Demons. Several seniors are preparing to take the initiative to eliminate several important strongholds of the Ancient Demons within the territory of the Great Jin Dynasty."
As the two were talking, Linglong Demon Consort, Xuanhun Master, and Xuanqingzi, along with other high-ranking members of the allied forces, filed into the front of the main hall.
The hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the front.
Master Xuanhun's gaze swept across the assembled cultivators in the hall like lightning. His voice was steady and powerful: "According to reliable intelligence, the Ancient Demons have established a crucial stronghold in the Black Wind Mountains in the northwest of the Great Jin Dynasty. Not only are large quantities of magic crystals and supplies stockpiled there, but there is also an intercontinental teleportation array. The Ancient Demons intend to use this place as a springboard to continuously transport demonic armies from other continents to the Great Jin!"
Upon hearing this, all the cultivators in the hall paled in shock. If the ancient demons were to complete this formation, the allied forces of the human realm would face an endless demon army, and the situation would spiral completely out of control!
"Therefore, we have decided to take the initiative, destroy this stronghold, and disrupt the teleportation array!" Venerable Xuanhun's tone was resolute. "This mission will be led by myself, with the Demon Consort Linglong stationed at Kunwu Mountain to provide support. We need to select twenty Nascent Soul cultivators to form an elite squad to carry out this raid."
He paused, his gaze lingering on several late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in the crowd for a moment before finally settling on Wang Tianlong: "Wang Tianlong, Qingmu Shangren, Caiyi... you twenty people step forward."
The cultivators whose names were called stepped forward, their expressions solemn. Wang Tianlong and Master Qingmu exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity and determination in each other's eyes.
"This mission is exceptionally dangerous," Master Xuanhun said in a deep voice. "The Black Wind Mountains are densely populated with demonic energy, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack. Furthermore, at least one ancient demon at the late Nascent Soul stage is stationed there. You must infiltrate the mountains, locate the teleportation array, destroy it, and, if possible, damage the demonic crystal warehouse. Remember, do not linger in battle. After completing the mission, retreat immediately!"
"Yes!" the crowd answered in unison.
"This is a map of the Black Wind Mountains, and a rough layout of the stronghold." Master Xuanhun waved his hand, sending twenty jade slips flying into everyone's hands. "You have one day to prepare. Meet here tomorrow morning and depart!"
The group took the jade slip, immersed their consciousness into it, and examined it carefully.
Wang Tianlong frowned slightly as he looked at the map in the jade slip, marked with numerous demonic arrays and patrol routes. This was indeed a tough nut to crack. However, high risk also meant high reward. If he could successfully destroy the teleportation array, the battle merit points would be considerable, bringing him one step closer to his goal of exchanging for the "Black Flame Pill."
"Fellow Daoist Wang," Master Qingmu approached Wang Tianlong, his expression somewhat worried, "This mission, I'm afraid..."
"Fortune favors the bold. If the ancient demons were to build the teleportation array, the human realm would never know peace."
Upon hearing this, Master Qingmu took a deep breath and nodded: "What you say is quite right, fellow Daoist. However, what about those three late-stage Nascent Soul ancient demons..."
"We'll meet force with force and water with earth." Wang Tianlong smiled calmly, patted Qingmu Shangren on the shoulder, and said, "Fellow Daoist Qingmu is now also in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and his strength has greatly improved, so there's no need to worry too much. Besides, with Xuanhun Shangren leading the team, we only need to follow the plan."
Even so, Wang Tianlong remained uneasy. He knew that in a battle of this caliber, anything could happen. He had to be fully prepared.
"Let's go, Fellow Daoist Qingmu." Wang Tianlong put away the jade slip. "Let's go back and prepare. Tomorrow, we'll go and meet that ancient demon from the Black Wind Mountains!"
The two bid farewell to the other cultivators and walked together out of the hall.
Wang Tianlong pondered: The Black Wind Mountain Range is filled with demonic energy, so I need to prepare some pills or talismans to resist its erosion.
Kunwu Mountain, inside Wang Tianlong's cave.
Wang Tianlong and Qingmu Shangren sat facing each other, with the jade slip containing details of the Black Wind Mountain Range spread out on the stone table between them.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, look here." Master Qingmu pointed to a mark on the map. "According to intelligence, the prototype of this intercontinental teleportation array is located in an underground cavern at the deepest part of the stronghold, heavily guarded. The magic crystal warehouse is located to its side and above, not far from each other."
Wang Tianlong's eyes were sharp as he carefully analyzed every detail on the map: "The entrance to the cave is narrow, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. The ancient demons have set up the 'Ten Thousand Demons Bone-Eroding Array' here. This array is extremely vicious, constantly eroding the spiritual power and physical body of those who enter it. A direct assault would come at too high a price."
"What should we do?" Master Aoki frowned.
"Since Venerable Xuanhun has chosen a surprise attack, he must have a plan," Wang Tianlong pondered. "We only need to follow his orders. However, we also need to be well prepared. Fellow Daoist Qingmu, you are skilled in wood-based supernatural abilities, which have a certain restraining effect on demonic energy. You can prepare more pills to restore spiritual power and purify demonic energy."
Master Qingmu nodded. "I have prepared the 'Qingling Pill' and the 'Yimu Rejuvenation Talisman.' As for you, Fellow Daoist Wang, although your cultivation is profound, this mission is dangerous, so you must be extra careful."
"Thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist." Wang Tianlong smiled slightly and took out a few items from his storage bracelet. "I have also prepared some trinkets."
He picked up a silver-white talisman that emitted faint spatial fluctuations: "This is a 'Restriction-Breaking Talisman,' obtained from the Void Heaven Palace. It has a remarkable effect on breaking restrictions and may come in handy at a crucial moment."
He picked up another jade bottle: "This contains 'Wind Concealment Powder.' After taking it, it can greatly enhance the concealment effect for a short period of time. Combined with my escape techniques, it shouldn't be difficult to infiltrate and investigate."
Finally, he took out a set of array flags: "This is a set of 'Minor Five Elements Demon-Trapping Array' array flags. Although its power is limited, its advantage lies in its speed of deployment. At critical moments, it may be able to hold off pursuers for a moment."
Master Qingmu looked at the treasures Wang Tianlong had taken out, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes. Each of these treasures was extremely valuable, especially the barrier-breaking talisman and the wind-concealing powder, which could be life-saving trump cards in critical moments.
"With Fellow Daoist Wang's thorough preparations, I am relieved," said Master Qingmu with a smile.
"It's just better to be prepared." Wang Tianlong put away the treasure, his expression turning serious. "Fellow Daoist Qingmu, we need to look out for each other on this mission."
"That's natural." Master Aoki nodded solemnly.
The two discussed some details of their cooperation until late at night before Aoki took his leave.