"The power of the Nascent Soul Old Monster is simply beyond our ability to resist..."

"The Blood Pupil Old Demon has pursued relentlessly, entering the Fog Mountain."

"Of the twenty Golden Core Cultivators traveling with us, almost all have perished... Even Taoist Friend Xu Shi’s whereabouts are unknown, his life or death uncertain..."

Pausing for a moment, Array Peak Master continued:

"Afterward, the Blood Pupil Old Demon pursued all the way to Lingxuan City, preparing to attack."

"Several Golden Core Stage Taoist friends sacrificed their lives to hold off him, ultimately buying a bit of time to activate the City Defense Array..."

"Currently, the Blood Pupil Old Demon is rallying demon cultivators, preparing for a full-scale assault on Lingxuan City..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen furrowed his brows.

Did the Nascent Soul Old Monster really take action personally?

That indeed is a fatal blow to the Righteous Alliance.

Lin Chen took a deep breath and asked:

"Martial Uncle Wang, what should be done... Can we hold Lingxuan City?"

Array Peak Master smiled bitterly upon hearing the words.

"That’s a Nascent Soul Ancient Demon that’s lived for thousands of years... Where could the confidence come from?"

"All we can do is see how long we can delay..."

"However, the array arranged in Lingxuan City previously can still hold off to some extent; the Blood Pupil Old Demon cannot possibly kill us all..."

"He’ll need some time to amass the Demon Sect army, and we should have time to prepare..."

Han Jihai’s face also darkened upon hearing this, asking:

"Old Wang, what do we do now?"

"Do we stay within city defenses?"

Array Peak Master shook his head and said:

"I’m still unsure. I’ve used Transmission Voice to report the news to the Sect Leader..."

"Such a significant matter still requires the Sect Leader’s decision."

"For now, let’s stay in Qinghe City, and if Lingxuan City encounters danger, we must support them immediately."

"Otherwise, if both cities fall, Celestial Pill Sect is in grave danger!"

Lin Chen nodded after hearing this; for now, there seems no better option.

...

In the evening, Lin Chen returned to his residence, pondering the current situation of the Righteous Alliance.

The act of using a traitor to maneuver successfully was indeed a success this time.

With Lin Chen’s assistance, the Righteous Alliance could be said to have achieved a major victory this time.

They eliminated twenty Golden Core cultivators, and even the Puppet Hall Master was slain by Lin Chen.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Demon Sect’s elite and high-end combat strength was reduced by almost half after this battle.

Yes, before the arrival of the Blood Pupil Old Demon, the entire battlefield situation was under the control of the Righteous Alliance, occupying an absolute advantage.

But the problem is, the Blood Pupil Old Demon arrived at the last moment.

It caused significant damage to the Righteous Alliance’s side.

The final result can only be considered mutually damaging...

Although more Golden Core cultivators from the Demon Sect died, the Demon Sect’s overall strength is also superior to the Righteous Alliance.

Therefore, the result of this battle for the Righteous Alliance can only be deemed acceptable.

"But the Blood Pupil Old Demon... How should it be dealt with?"

"Nascent Soul Cultivators, only another Nascent Soul can oppose them..."

Lin Chen muttered.

Even though his Martial Path Realm has entered the Martial Monarch Realm, he has no confidence in dealing with the Blood Pupil Old Demon.

This is a Nascent Soul who’s lived for thousands of years, far more powerful than those in the early stage of Nascent Soul.

"Alas, no matter what... The rewards from the previous battle haven’t been collected yet."

"First, demand the repayment from the Righteous Alliance... If the Righteous Alliance faces real danger, I may have to involve myself..."

"Currently, the situation is not yet a defeat for the Righteous Alliance."

Lin Chen silently thought to himself.

If he can fight for ten more years.

Once he enters Nascent Soul himself, where will he still fear the Blood Pupil Old Demon?

But now... the standoff situation is rather a precious opportunity for Lin Chen to grow.

"Well, first go demand repayment from the Righteous Alliance..."

"Then accumulate some Spirit Stones; soon enough, it will probably reach the Fourth Stage of the Devouring Spirit Root."

Thinking of this, Lin Chen employed the Earth Escape Technique to covertly burrow underground.

After transforming into the appearance of Xu Shi, Lin Chen stealthily infiltrated the Guardian Mansion of Qinghe City.

...

Qinghe City, Guardian Mansion.

Taking advantage of the night, Lin Chen smoothly infiltrated it.

Upon seeing Lin Chen, Array Peak Master suddenly showed delight.

"Taoist Friend Xu, you’ve escaped smoothly?!"

Array Peak Master clearly understood that the main target of the Blood Pupil Old Demon was him.

Yet even so, Xu Shi still managed to escape, showing his formidable strength.

In contrast, those Golden Cores of the Righteous Alliance were simply mowed down along the way, and nearly half fell in battle...

The difference is evident.

Lin Chen’s expression was calm, nodding and saying:

"Managed to escape by luck..."

"This time, I’ve come to collect the battle rewards..."

Array Peak Master nodded upon hearing this, even though the arrival of the Blood Pupil Old Demon ultimately caused heavy losses for the Righteous Alliance.

But in this battle, the Righteous Alliance still managed a costly victory.

What’s more, Lin Chen put forth significant effort, there’s no reason not to settle the payment.

The Righteous Alliance wouldn’t dare not settle.

Array Peak Master took out a Storage Bag, smiling wryly:

"Taoist Friend Xu’s skills are indeed exceptional, but this price is too high..."

"Within this Storage Bag are 400,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones, jointly gathered by Changchun Sect and Celestial Pill Sect."

"Taoist Friend Xu slew ten early Golden Core stage, four mid Core Formation stage, and two late Core Formation stage... Even Wu the Old Monster perished at your hands."

"Thanks to the help of Taoist Friend, we hope you won’t find it insufficient..."

Lin Chen nodded, accepting the Storage Bag.

Four hundred thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones, not too far from the promised amount, Lin Chen could still accept it.

"With these Spirit Stones... the distance to the third stage of Devouring Spirit Root is not far..."

Lin Chen silently calculated in his heart, there’s still a gap of about three million Lower Grade Spirit Stones.

Currently in the eastern part of Qing State, only the Righteous Alliance and the Demon Sect could provide such a large sum of Spirit Stones in one go.

"If I want to advance to Third Tier Spirit Root in a short time, I still need to earn another fortune..."

Lin Chen thought silently to himself.

Thus, he asked:

"Peak Master Wang, I’ve heard... the Righteous Alliance has suffered heavy losses this time?"

After hearing, Array Peak Master sighed and said:

"Alas, that Blood-Eyed Old Monster’s tactics are truly terrifying. Chased in Fog Mountain, then alone pursued to Lingxuan City."

"Killed several Golden Core Elders from Celestial Pill Sect and our Changchun Sect..."

"If he rallies the Demonic Army for a large-scale attack, I’m afraid..."

Array Peak Master showed a difficult expression, then gritted his teeth and said:

"Taoist Friend Xu, you could defeat Wu the Old Monster’s puppet, but against that Blood-Eyed Old Demon, are you confident?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

After hearing this, Lin Chen replied with a wry smile:

"Peak Master Wang, you overestimate me."

"How can I, a mere Late Golden Core, be able to fight that Blood-Eyed Old Demon?"

"His cultivation... it’s at least mid Nascent Soul, isn’t it?"

After hearing this, Array Peak Master’s heart became even more hopeless.

Could it be that the Righteous Alliance really has no way?

Just relying on a single Blood-Eyed Old Demon might suppress the two cities at the Righteous Alliance’s frontline...

Array Peak Master’s face carried an unwilling expression, yet was helpless.

Under absolute realm suppression, it seems the Righteous Alliance has fallen into a desperate situation.

"Alas, this time the Blood-Eyed Old Demon will certainly rally the Demonic Army from behind."

"Once the army regroups again, I fear..."

Array Peak Master shook his head.

"Once the Demonic Army gathers, the Righteous Alliance’s frontline will likely collapse within months..."

"By then, we can only retreat from Fog Country and just hold Yanlai Country."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen frowned deeply.

Currently, the Demon Sect occupies within Purple Smoke Country.

While the Righteous Alliance still holds Fog Country and Yanlai Country realms.

Although the Demon Sect occupies the overall strength advantage, if a long-term war occurs.

Once the war extends over decades or centuries, the Demon Sect will inevitably lack successors.

Conversely, the Righteous Alliance can continuously birth Foundation Establishment and even Core Formation cultivators.

As the two realms surpass one in terms of area, cultivator numbers, or resources.

But if Fog Country falls again, the situation could immediately reverse...

Once the Demon Cultivators gain Fog Country, they will surely hold blood sacrifices, massacres.

At that time, billions of mortals within Fog Country will become nourishment for the Demon Sect, greatly increasing Demon Cultivators’ strength.

Conversely, the Righteous Alliance can only shrink further, holding Yanlai Realm.

By then, defeat of the Righteous Alliance is only a matter of time.

Lin Chen took a deep breath, saying:

"Peak Master Wang, though I’m not a match for that Blood-Eyed Old Demon..."

"But, what if I have a way to delay the Demonic Army’s attack time?"

Upon hearing this, Peak Master Wang was first stunned, then overjoyed.

"Taoist Friend Xu, are you serious? What method do you have..."

After this, Lin Chen smiled and said:

"Peak Master Wang, have you heard of Sky Thunder Seeds?"

"Of course, during the Battle of Jade Belt City, the rumored Sky Thunder Seeds gravely injured Ghost-Eyed Old Monster."

Array Peak Master nodded and said:

"Even before, even Blood-Eyed Old Demon suffered under Sky Thunder Seeds."

"Taoist Friend Xu, your intention is..."

Lin Chen nodded and said:

"Right, to be honest... I still have some Sky Thunder Seeds in my hand."

"As long as Peak Master Wang is willing, I can cause a fire in the rear of the Demon Sect... exploding several Sky Thunder Seeds, the Demonic Army will surely suffer heavy casualties."

"I think, given a fire in the rear, the Demon Sect also won’t have energy to continue attacking the two cities..."

"At worst, it can delay some time."

Upon hearing this, Array Peak Master immediately became excited.

Exactly! Those are Sky Thunder Seeds!

Below Nascent Soul cultivators, any slip-up poses a risk of falling!

If they’re truly able to explode the Sky Thunder Seeds, directly attacking the Demon Sect’s rear, it could definitely delay a lot of time...

Thinking of this, Array Peak Master quickly said:

"Taoist Friend Xu! If you can truly cause chaos in the Demon Sect’s rear, this favor our Righteous Alliance will certainly remember!"

Lin Chen felt slightly speechless in his heart.

What’s the use of your favor?

It’s not as practical as direct Spirit Stones...

Thus, Lin Chen said:

"Cough, cough, Peak Master Wang... our Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect is in business."

At this, Array Peak Master already understood and thus asked:

"Then Taoist Friend Lin, the price for Sky Thunder Seeds..."

Lin Chen thought for a moment, then extended a finger.

"One million Spirit Stones to detonate one Sky Thunder Seed!"

"As long as the Righteous Alliance can afford it, there are as many Sky Thunder Seeds as needed!"

Sky Thunder Seeds... as many as needed?

Array Peak Master froze; shouldn’t this thing be hard to refine? How can they have as many as needed...

But thinking of the methods of Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect, Array Peak Master nodded and said:

"Okay, I’ll inquire with Sect Leader first..."