Chapter 667 - 114: Surprise Attack

"Blazing Flame Mountain... Why did it have to be Blazing Flame Mountain?" Zhan Tianxia stared at the mark on the map, his thick eyebrows knitting together tightly.

At that moment, Song Changsheng, Niu Dazhuang, Shen Qingxiu, Bai Zhengchun, and the others were all gathered together, their eyes fixed on the map.

Hearing Zhan Tianxia’s question, Shen Qingxiu extended a jade-like finger and pointed to a mark on the map over Blazing Flame Mountain. "Beneath Blazing Flame Mountain lies a Tier Three Fire Spirit Vein. Although the cultivation environment is harsh, it’s an ideal location for refining large-scale Magical Artifacts.

Senior Brother, don’t forget who crafted the Quasi-Celestial Ship in Changsheng’s possession."

"Lu Tianchou... You’re saying their goal is a Celestial Ship?" Zhan Tianxia’s expression instantly darkened.

Although Celestial Artisans were a branch of Artifact Refiners, clear differences had long since emerged after so many years of evolution.

Artifact Refiners excelled at creating various types of Magical Artifacts and Talisman Treasures.

Celestial Artisans, on the other hand, specialized in constructing large-scale Magical Artifacts, such as Celestial Ships, Cross-Domain Flying Ships, and fortress cities like Luoxia City.

The requirements for constructing such devices were exceptionally strict. Not only did they demand sufficient materials, but a Fire Spirit Vein was also a necessity. On top of that, it required the coordinated efforts of numerous Celestial Artisans, Array Masters, and Artifact Refiners.

The immense destructive power of a Celestial Ship was something even Purple Mansion Cultivators would find difficult to match.

If the Blood Demon Sect had truly abducted these three Celestial Artisans to build a Celestial Ship, it would be a catastrophe for the Daqi Cultivation World, and the Blood Demon Sect’s power would rapidly swell.

"Hmph. The gall of them. This time, we must teach them a harsh lesson. It would be even better if we could take this opportunity to eradicate these Blood Demon Remnants as well," Zhan Tianxia said coldly.

"Senior Brother, don’t get too greedy. Let’s first figure out how to rescue Master Lu and the others."

"That’s simple. I’ve already contacted the Golden Crow Sect, Celestial Vein Sect, Celestial Sword Sect, Demon Suppression Hall, Huansha Sect, and Hundred Herbs Hall. They will all send people to join the battle. In three days, we’ll rendezvous at Little Cyan Peak, five hundred li outside Blazing Flame Mountain, and then launch a surprise attack together."

At this point, Zhan Tianxia paused, his eyes sweeping around the room. "As for our sect, I’ll have to trouble you, Junior Sister, to make the trip with Dazhuang."

"Understood." Shen Qingxiu nodded slowly.

After the meeting concluded, Shen Qingxiu, Song Changsheng, and Niu Dazhuang set off for Little Cyan Peak with Li Anmin.

Little Cyan Peak was near Ming Province and quite far from Bian Province. By the time Song Changsheng’s group arrived, the people from the other sects had nearly all assembled.

The lineup gathered at Little Cyan Peak this time could only be described as extravagant—they were all Purple Mansion Cultivators.

Among them, the Golden Crow Sect had sent two people, as had the Celestial Vein Sect. The Celestial Sword Sect had sent only one: Ling Jiuxiao, whom Song Changsheng had met once before.

In addition, there were five other Purple Mansion Cultivators from the Demon Suppression Hall, the Huansha Sect, and the Hundred Herbs Hall.

Three of them were from the Demon Suppression Hall, one of whom was the current Vice Hall Master, making it the faction that had contributed the most.

Thirteen Purple Mansion Cultivators in total. This force was enough to sweep through any power in the Daqi Cultivation World short of a Golden Core Influence!

"If nothing unexpected happens, Vice Hall Master Wang should be the one commanding this battle," Shen Qingxiu said softly to Song Changsheng and Niu Dazhuang from her position slightly to the rear.

As soon as she finished speaking, an old man with white hair and a white beard stood up. He looked at the crowd and said in a resonant voice, "Fellow Daoists, as the saying goes, a snake cannot move without a head, nor a bird fly without wings.

Since this is a joint operation, we must choose a leader. Do you all feel that I am qualified?"

"Hall Master Wang surpasses us all in both cultivation and prestige. The Golden Crow Sect has no objection to him taking the lead."

"As they say, ’know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated.’ When it comes to understanding Blood Demons, the Demon Suppression Hall is second to none. The Celestial Vein Sect has no objections to Hall Master Wang leading."

"Hall Master Wang has everyone’s support. Luoxia City has no objection, either."

With the three great Golden Core Influences having spoken, the others naturally had no objections and chimed in with their agreement.

"Since all you Fellow Daoists trust me, I will naturally not disappoint you. Behold." With a great wave of his sleeve, Wang Tiansheng made a dozen or so Jade Bottles appear before everyone.

"These are the Demon-Exorcising Pills, specially refined by my Hall to counter Blood Demon Remnants. Taking just one pill will protect you from the corrosion of Demonic Qi for one ancient hour."

At these words, everyone’s eyes lit up. When fighting Evil Demons, especially a tricky Demon like the Blood Demon, Demonic Qi was the most troublesome aspect. A single moment of carelessness could allow the Demonic Qi to invade one’s organs and Sea of Consciousness, and it was extremely difficult to expel.

With these Demon-Exorcising Pills, the risks of this battle were greatly reduced.

After everyone had put away their Pills, Wang Tiansheng turned his gaze to Song Changsheng. "Fellow Daoist Song, you are the only Array Master present. If we encounter any Arrays, we will have to trouble you."

Song Changsheng smiled slightly upon hearing this. "This junior is duty-bound to help."

Wang Tiansheng gave him a friendly smile and then said, "There’s no time to waste. Everyone, let’s set out now!"

Purple Mansion Cultivators were extremely fast; the distance of five hundred li was crossed in but a moment.

Under Wang Tiansheng’s command, the group split up and stealthily subdued the hidden Blood Demon lookouts near Blazing Flame Mountain.

Then, one person from the Golden Crow Sect and one from the Celestial Vein Sect each stepped forward, taking out a Compass and a bell, respectively. They were seen murmuring a few lines of a Spell, and an invisible force immediately enveloped the entire Blazing Flame Mountain.

"Those two Magical Artifacts can release a special energy field that shields Space and severs the spatial nodes of Teleportation Arrays. They’ve prepared very thoroughly for this battle." Shen Qingxiu patiently explained to Song Changsheng and Niu Dazhuang, seeing this as an excellent opportunity for them to gain experience.

Hearing this, a thought struck Song Changsheng. ’The last time I was ambushed by the Blood Demons, did they use a similar treasure?’

"That’s right. I only found out later as well." Shen Qingxiu nodded grimly. Luoxia City still lagged considerably behind these two old Golden Core Major Sects.

While they were talking, Wang Tiansheng had already formulated a battle plan.

The thirteen of them would split into two groups. A group of nine would enter Blazing Flame Mountain to rescue Lu Tianchou and the others.

A group of four would blockade Blazing Flame Mountain, partly to prevent any from slipping through the net, and partly to act as a backup that could provide support at any time should the attack go poorly.

Niu Dazhuang was assigned to the latter group, which left him quite dejected for a while.

But it couldn’t be helped. If he didn’t stay behind, Shen Qingxiu would have to. As one of the main combatants in this battle, Wang Tiansheng would never have agreed to that.

Led by Wang Tiansheng, the group of nine charged in at top speed.

Many Blood Demon Sect Members were mercilessly blasted to death before they even knew what was happening.

By the time they reacted, Song Changsheng and the others had already entered the core of Blazing Flame Mountain...