Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

To the north of the Chiling Mountains, a thousand miles away, stands a desolate mountain.

This place is deserted, with steep peaks and cliffs on all sides. The rocks are weathered and riddled with holes, resembling a strange stone pillar that is about to collapse and extremely difficult to climb.

But atop the mountain, four figures sat cross-legged, their origins unknown.

Suddenly, one of them slowly opened his eyes. He was dressed in a white robe, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a handsome appearance. It was Chen Yuan.

As he did this, the other three also opened their eyes.

Chen Yuan said, "Yin Hui has triggered the Fire Lotus Mark, and She Zhelin will have to ask the other three demon generals for help."

Qin Wuyai clapped his hands and laughed: "Fellow Daoist Chen is truly a master of foresight. This time, by stirring up trouble, he has thrown She Zhelin into disarray."

Daoist Cangsong stroked his beard, his gaze toward Chen Yuan somewhat complicated: "Even if Fellow Daoist Chen doesn't believe what he's saying, once She Zhelin knows the power of the ancient Tai Xuan Sect, he'll become a frightened bird after seeing that Tai Xuan Token, no matter how much he doubts it."

A hint of curiosity flashed in Lu Wangquan's eyes: "The Tai Xuan Token actually has such an effect?"

Daoist Cangsong sighed: "In ancient times, the Tai Xuan Sect was extremely powerful. Only Nascent Soul cultivators could become elders of the sect and obtain a Tai Xuan Token."

"This token is made from the finest spiritual material, Golden Jade, and is equivalent to a top-tier magic weapon that will not be destroyed for 100,000 years."

"It was also made using the unique refining techniques of the Tai Xuan Sect, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to imitate."

"From its establishment to its destruction, the Tai Xuan Sect only produced a little over thirty Tai Xuan Tokens."

"But after that ancient war, only a few have survived, and most of them have been damaged."

"Subsequently, for various reasons, these Tai Xuan tokens disappeared one after another, or were destroyed by someone."

"The Tai Xuan Token in Fellow Daoist Chen's hand may be the last intact Tai Xuan Token in the human world."

Chen Yuan's heart stirred, and he remembered the green-robed array spirit on Tongtian Island.

How many of those missing Tai Xuan Tokens ended up in his hands and were placed in the Tongtian Pavilion?

He asked, "Since the Tai Xuan Token is so sturdy, comparable to a top-tier magic weapon, why are there so few that have survived?"

Daoist Cangsong said helplessly, "No matter how sturdy a top-tier magic weapon is, it is still extremely fragile in a battle between Nascent Soul cultivators."

"In that ancient war, the Tai Xuan Sect was a pillar of the human world, and almost all of its elders were killed or injured."

"The Tai Xuan Tokens they possessed were either destroyed in the battle or ended up in another world."

"Afterwards, the Tai Xuan Sect was destroyed, and the Tai Xuan Token sealed within the sect was scattered in various places, making it even more difficult to find."

"Our sect has been searching for a complete Tai Xuan Token, but we have always missed it and have not been able to obtain it."

"If I had known before leaving the human realm that Fellow Daoist Chen possessed a perfectly intact Tai Xuan Token... what a pity, what a pity."

He shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes.

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "The Tai Xuan Token is so rare that She Zhelin might not be able to recognize it."

"But the Tai Xuan Token is just icing on the cake. As long as She Zhelin knows about that ancient war, and sees me and Fellow Daoist Cangsong, both Nascent Soul cultivators, he will definitely ask the other three demon generals for help, no matter how many flaws he has."

"Ultimately, no matter how fierce the infighting among the eight royal families is or how deep the grudges are, as they are all demons, there is always room for reconciliation."

"The relationship between the demon race and the human race is one of life and death, irreconcilable enmity."

"Now we hide in the shadows, creating a fake army of cultivators, and deliberately leaving many flaws, making it difficult for people to figure out what's real and what's fake."

“She Zhelin is certainly eager to find out our background, but he is also somewhat cautious and will not hold back at all.”

Lu Wangquan nodded: "Fellow Daoist Chen is absolutely right. The only concern now is that Ao Cang and Xiong Tunhai might have reservations and not extend a helping hand to the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan."

Qin Wuyai laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Lu is overthinking it. We will leave behind several dozen Nascent Soul cultivators to launch a fierce attack on the Red Ridge Mountain Range's great formation."

"In order to relieve the siege of the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan, She Zhelin will not hide anything, and may even exaggerate our strength."

“When Ao Cang and Xiong Tunhai learned that a cultivator from the human realm had crossed over to the other realm, and that he was an elder of the Tai Xuan Sect, how could they sit idly by?”

Chen Yuan said calmly, "Even if Ao Cang and Xiong Tunhai disregard the overall situation and are short-sighted, it is actually a good thing for us."

"If they don't even believe what She Zhelin said, they won't worry about the ascension passage having problems."

"We can first kill She Zhelin and Kun Chenglie, and then destroy the Jiaolong and Shuanglie Xiong clans, which is much easier than the original plan."

All three wore smiles. Chen Yuan had proposed a plan to alert the enemy in the Wolf Soul Hall, and after learning about the records of the ancient war by the demon race of this world from the records of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan and the white-robed youth, they decided to proceed.

Ordinary demons and low- to mid-level demon generals are completely unaware of that dark period in the demon race's history.

However, the patriarchs of the eight royal families and the high-ranking demon generals knew the details very well.

As long as the four reveal their identities as cultivators from the human realm, She Zhelin will definitely seek help from the outside world.

Originally, Daoist Cangsong wanted to disguise himself as an elder of the Taixuan Sect to put further pressure on She Zhelin.

However, Chen Yuan produced the Tai Xuan Token, and Cang Song Daoist, surprised, handed the matter over to Chen Yuan.

Qin Wuyai then suggested that the white-clad youth infiltrate the Red Ridge Mountains as a hidden move.

As the eldest elder of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan, he would certainly be viewed with suspicion by She Zhelin.

She Zhelin would never have imagined that the white-robed youth, a high-ranking demon general and the dignified elder of the demon royal family, would actually bow and scrape to the human race, and that he had even been marked with a fire lotus in his body.

A young man in white used the Fire Lotus Mark to send a message to Chen Yuan, so the four of them would have a clear understanding of the demon race's movements, greatly increasing their chances of winning.

After a final discussion, the four decided that only Chen Yuan and Daoist Cangsong would come forward, while Qin Wuyai and Lu Wangquan would remain hidden in the shadows for the time being.

Although the demon race is unlikely to let their guard down, even the slightest carelessness could give the four of them a significant advantage.

Qin Wuyai said, "To avoid any unforeseen complications, She Zhelin may send a demon general to seek help from the three royal clans at any time."

"Then please, Fellow Daoist Chen and Fellow Daoist Cangsong, do as we discussed earlier and intervene, but remember to show mercy and do not leave the person seeking help behind."

The Taoist Cangsong said calmly, "I know what I'm doing."

Chen Yuan said, "If the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan was able to build a secret passage that stretches for a thousand miles, the Blood-Eyed Spirit Serpent clan should also be prepared."

"Perhaps She Zhelin has another clever method to send the demon general away, and we are not even able to stop him."

Qin Wuyai pondered for a moment and said, "Fellow Daoist Chen is right, but the Blood-Eyed Spirit Serpent clan's demon generals may leave the Crimson Ridge Mountains at any time."

"Fellow Daoists, you should return to the Red Ridge Mountains as soon as possible, lest you be unable to act in time and arouse suspicion in She Zhelin's heart."

Chen Yuan nodded slightly and stood up: "Please wait here, fellow Daoists. We will be right back."

Daoist Cangsong also stood up, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said: "After She Zhelin sent out demon generals to ask for help, if we can break through that great formation, kill She Zhelin first, and then wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. Dealing with those three demon generals should be much easier."

The three were taken aback. Lu Wangquan shook his head: "Fellow Daoist Cangsong also saw it. That Five Elements Formation is based on a giant spiritual vein, and its defensive capabilities are extremely strong."

“At critical moments, She Zhelin can also personally control the great formation, further increasing its power.”

"Of course, if the four of us attack together, we'll break through sooner or later, but it will take at least ten days to half a month." "If we corner She Zhelin, and he disregards the lives of his people, detonating the great formation to escape, our entire plan will fail, and we might even suffer casualties."

Daoist Cangsong sighed softly: "How could I not know that such a great formation, which has been in place for tens of thousands of years and is guarded by a demon general, is extremely difficult to break through."

"But once the other three demon generals arrive, we will have to face four demon generals working together, which is far too risky."

Although Qin Wuyai was at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and Chen Yuan promised to quickly kill a demon general, he still had doubts.

Qin Wuyai stood up and looked at Chen Yuan meaningfully: "Fellow Daoist Chen has refined the blood of the True Spirit and is proficient in thunder magic, and thunder magic is known for its great power."

"If Fellow Daoist Chen can summon heavenly lightning with even greater power than when we besieged Yin Qianjie, he might be able to forcefully break through that Five Elements Formation and gain the upper hand."

Lu Wangquan and Daoist Cangsong also looked over, a hint of anticipation flashing in their eyes.

All four of them had trump cards up their sleeves, but unlike Chen Yuan, they dared not promise to quickly kill a demon general.

Chen Yuan's trump card is definitely more powerful than the two of them.

Chen Yuan said calmly, "I am confident that I can kill a demon general, but breaking a great formation will be much more difficult."

"It is beyond Chen's capabilities to do it alone."

"However, if the three of you also go all out, there might be a chance that you can forcefully break the great formation."

Qin Wuyai's eyes flashed, and he asked, "We will naturally not hold back. May I ask how Fellow Daoist Chen's trump card compares to those four heavenly lightning bolts?"

Instead of answering, Chen Yuan asked, "That jade ruyi spiritual treasure can only severely injure Yin Qianjie. Fellow Daoist Qin must have other supernatural abilities. Could you reveal a little about them?"

"What methods can Fellow Daoist Cangsong and Fellow Daoist Lu use?"

Qin Wuyai remained silent, while Lu Wangquan and Cangsong Daoren also showed hesitation on their faces.

Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes: "Fellow Daoist Cangsong wants to break through the formation first, but refuses to reveal his trump card. This battle is related to our ascension plan. Do you expect me to do the work alone?"

Daoist Cangsong sighed softly, a hint of reluctance in his eyes: "Very well, we will soon have to fight the four demon generals, so I have nothing to hide."

"I have a four-colored barrier-breaking talisman left over from the Tai Xuan Sect. Even if it cannot break the Five Elements Formation, it can weaken its power by at least 20%."

The three of them looked enlightened; no wonder Daoist Cangsong had suggested breaking the formation first.

The barrier-breaking talisman is an ancient talisman that ordinary cultivators may never have heard of in their entire lives, but it is not a secret to Nascent Soul cultivators.

I've heard of the barrier-breaking talisman, which is specifically designed to counter various array formations and restrictions. It ranges in color from one to nine.

The effect of the talisman increases exponentially with each additional color added to its color.

A single-colored barrier-breaking talisman can only break ordinary magic arrays, but the legendary nine-colored barrier-breaking talisman is already a celestial-grade talisman, capable of breaking celestial arrays.

The Four-Colored Restriction-Breaking Talisman may seem ordinary, but its effect on restraining Nascent Soul formations is already quite significant.

If it weren't for She Zhelin guarding the Red Ridge Mountains, this barrier-breaking talisman might have been able to break the formation directly.

However, the method for crafting the barrier-breaking talisman has long been lost, and even a single-colored barrier-breaking talisman is extremely rare.

Only a giant sect like Shaoxuanmen, with a history of tens of thousands of years and a deep connection with Taixuanmen, would have a talisman for breaking restrictions passed down.

However, since Daoist Cangsong only revealed this matter today, it seems that he did not initially intend to use the barrier-breaking talisman.

However, he was even less willing to deal with the four demon generals working together, so at the last moment, he took out the barrier-breaking talisman.

Lu Wangquan hesitated for a moment before saying, "I can unleash the full power of the Wind Phoenix Feather in my hand and summon a Wind Phoenix at the early stage of Demon General level to assist me within half an hour."

"But after losing this Phoenix Feather, my strength will decrease by at least 30%, and I'm afraid I'll have no chance of stopping a Demon General again."

He was born into a small family that had even perished early on, but by a stroke of luck, he obtained an ancient inheritance, which enabled him to successfully transform into a god.

His magical treasures and supernatural powers were inferior to those of Cangsong Daoist and Qin Wuyai. His strongest trump card was only a natal feather of the Wind Phoenix Demon General, making him mediocre among Nascent Soul cultivators.

But in order to ascend to the upper realm, he still reluctantly took out the phoenix feather.

Chen Yuan and Lu Wangquan were close friends, and Chen Yuan immediately comforted Lu Wangquan, saying, "It's alright. If we can break the great formation, She Zhelin will not escape death. Only three demon generals will remain. Fellow Daoist Lu will not need to deal with a demon general alone."

Lu Wangquan's expression softened slightly, and Chen Yuan then looked at Qin Wuyai: "I wonder what trump cards Fellow Daoist Qin has?"

Qin Wuyai looked back at Chen Yuan and smiled, "It seems that Fellow Daoist Chen is already confident that he can break the great formation?"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "That depends on what other methods Fellow Daoist Qin can come up with."

Qin Wuyai's smile faded, and he slowly said, "I have an ancient remnant treasure in my possession, which can only be used once more, and its power is still considerable."

"Based on the Four-Colored Restriction-Breaking Talisman, it can further weaken the power of that Five Elements Grand Array by 20%."

"Sixty percent left..." Chen Yuan muttered to himself, then suddenly turned to look at Lu Wangquan, "Fellow Daoist Lu, besides summoning a Wind Phoenix Demon General, can you unleash all the wind power contained within that Wind Phoenix Feather at once?"

Lu Wangquan frowned and nodded: "Of course, but in doing so, some of its power will be lost."

"With the power of the Five Elements Formation today, if She Zhelin were to personally control it again, it could only be weakened by a little over 10%, and it could only last for ten breaths."

Daoist Cangsong looked disappointed: "Less than 50% remains. It seems that even if the four of us hold back, we will not be able to break through this formation in one go."

Qin Wuyai shook his head: "If all those Nascent Soul cultivators attack together, they can at least weaken the Five Elements Formation by half."

"Fellow Daoist Chen only needs to reduce the power of the formation by 40% to forcefully break it."

Daoist Cangsong sighed: "Fellow Daoist Qin, please don't make things difficult for Fellow Daoist Chen. This formation is based on a giant spiritual vein and relies on the power of heaven and earth."

"I believe that Fellow Daoist Chen possesses astonishing strength and is confident in killing a Demon General in the early stages."

"But to neutralize forty percent of the great formation's power in one go is more than ten times harder than killing the demon general..."

Chen Yuan said calmly, "The remaining forty percent will be left to me."

Daoist Cangsong was taken aback, looking at him with suspicion: "Fellow Daoist Chen's thunder magic is so powerful?"

Lu Wangquan advised, "This matter was just a whim of Fellow Daoist Cangsong; there's no need to force it."

"We will proceed according to our original plan. Although the risks are greater, it is better than using up our trump cards on the Five Elements Formation."

Qin Wuyai stroked his beard and smiled: "Fellow Daoists, do not worry. The blood of the True Spirit has endless uses. Since Fellow Daoist Chen has spoken, he must be confident."

The two men still looked somewhat doubtful. Chen Yuan gave Qin Wuyai a deep look and said, "That's right, I am confident that I can break through the formation."

"However, to use this method, I need to consume a treasure."

"After this battle, in addition to the agreed-upon spiritual treasure or divine weapon, I, Chen, would like to select an extra treasure as compensation. What do you three think?"

Qin Wuyai laughed and said, "If we can break the great formation and kill She Zhelin first, our chances of winning this battle will increase greatly. What is a mere treasure? I have no objection."

Cangsong Daoren and Lu Wangquan agreed without hesitation. Whatever treasures Chen Yuan wanted, they were still in the hands of the demon race. What was so difficult about being generous with other people's money?

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "Then it's settled. We'll break the formation once the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan requests reinforcements from the demon general and leaves the Crimson Ridge Mountains." (End of Chapter)