Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 761 Before the Storm
The phoenix's light became dazzling, some of its crimson feathers turned gold, and the tips of its wing feathers all turned gold.

When it flaps its wings, they glitter and attract attention.

The most striking feature is the extra purple tail feather, which is red, yellow, blue, white, and purple.

As the phoenix flies, it sways its tail feathers, scattering sparkling droplets that decorate the sky like a fairytale dream.

Ji An felt that the colors of the fire phoenix's tail feathers had a special meaning. The power of fire magic could be judged by color, with the colors ranging from weakest to strongest as red, yellow, blue, white, and purple.

"Haha, you deserve great credit for possessing this fire-elemental spiritual treasure. I will reward you handsomely in a few days."

Now let's go out and find out what happened, and then do some testing.

Having the magical treasure in hand, it's only natural to test its power. It's still early, so we should head to Crimson Flame Peak in the morning.

"it is good."

Qin Yan sealed off the earth fire, deactivated the magic array that enhanced it, then made a hand seal to open the stone door and said:

"Please, my true lord."

The two stepped out of the fire chamber and saw several people outside with bloodshot eyes, using their magic to suppress the anger rising in their hearts, panting heavily.

Qin Yan scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed. The sealing array in the Earth Fire Chamber was only at the mid-level of the third rank, which was completely unable to prevent the sound emitted by the spiritual treasure from leaking out; it could only reduce its power slightly.

He immediately took out several top-grade third-tier mind-stabilizing talismans and activated them one by one, slapping them onto the individuals.

A soft white light enveloped the three of them, and their emotions immediately stabilized.

He said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect the power of the magic weapon to be so great, I forgot to remind you."

"Sect Leader, Senior Brother Yuxiao, didn't you carry any mind-stabilizing talismans with you?"

At this point in time, it should be common sense to carry combat supplies with you at all times.

Master Yuxiao shook his head, "Just now I was so angry that I forgot I had a calming talisman to use."

Lin Jiuxiao smiled wryly, "Me too. I didn't expect the magic weapon to be so powerful. If you hadn't intervened, it would have taken us a while to calm down."

His face suddenly lit up with joy, and he said:

"Congratulations, True Lord. Obtaining this spiritual treasure will greatly alleviate the pressure your sect will face in the future."

The stronger the power of the spiritual treasure, the safer the sect will be.

Ji An gently shook his head and said:

"This is the extra power of the Flame Banner above the ground, but this effect weakens very quickly. I estimate that the effective range is only about 100 feet."

Another point is that this effect is not directly fatal; it can only serve as a restraining force.

It will have an effect when facing a true demon army, but it is not obvious.

Qin Yan thought for a moment and added:

"The influence of the spiritual treasure on a Golden Core cultivator reaches seventy or eighty feet, on a Chaoyuan cultivator it is one hundred and twenty feet, and on an enemy at the Foundation Establishment level it is about one hundred and sixty feet."

These data are test results from the inheritance process and should be relatively reliable.

In the era when the Five Elements Sect still existed, replicas of the Innate Five Directions Flags were favored by many cultivators, resulting in a wealth of test data being preserved.

Ji An nodded slightly and changed the subject:
"Sect Leader, what brings you here to see me?"

Lin Jiuxiao coughed twice to clear his throat and briefly explained the situation in Falling Maple Valley. He then transmitted his voice to the fact that they would be facing at least six Nascent Soul cultivators.

Ji An frowned slightly and pondered for a moment:

"I need to investigate the situation outside before making any plans. Master Yueying, you don't need to contact Master Chongxuan for now. We'll discuss everything after I've investigated."

He wasn't afraid if most of his Nascent Soul stage enemies were at the early Nascent Soul stage; it would just be a matter of casting more spells. What he was worried about was how many enemies he had, with strength similar to the True Demon he had encountered at Yuanhe Mountain.

This is also why he strives to improve his cultivation level; by advancing his cultivation by one small realm, he can deal with things more easily.

With both the quality and total amount of mana increased, he gained greater combat endurance, and the power of his spells was further enhanced.

Even a mere 10% improvement can be a matter of life and death for many enemies.

The sect was not actually attacked, and he did not make a move. He even endured the insults from the traitor Chen Xingzhou. Why?

He understood that the first strike would yield the greatest results, and he wanted to inflict as much damage as possible.

Once he makes his move, the enemy will become more vigilant and won't give him as many opportunities.

Today's mission is both reconnaissance and slaughter. The true demon army is assembled, so there's no need to search for them one by one.

After his cultivation level reached the second level of the Nascent Soul stage, his flight speed when releasing the Golden Light of the Earth increased by nearly 10%, greatly enhancing his safety.

His strategy from then on was to operate like a guerrilla force, only bullying weaker enemies and avoiding tougher ones.

Once most of the enemies in the early Nascent Soul stage are killed, and then a large number of low-level True Demons and Demon Lords are killed, the pressure on the sect's protective formation will be greatly reduced.

Master Moonshadow hurriedly replied, "I will obey your decree."

She had no say in what to do, and Zhenjun asked her purely out of respect and to save face. Besides, what she said did make sense.

Ji An nodded slightly, "Let's go to Crimson Flame Peak and wait for that most despicable enemy to come knocking!"

"Haha, please, Your Excellency."

A smile spread across Lin Jiuxiao's face. Many disciples of the sect had been looking forward to this day. As long as the True Monarch could display his power, morale would surely soar.

Qin Yan said cheerfully, "I'll go too."

Master Yueying, unaware of the topic of conversation, asked:

"True Lord, may I go?"

"of course can."

Ji An smiled and replied that there are only a few dozen people left in Fallen Maple Valley now, and the inheritance is as if it has been cut off. Even if the True Demon Tribulation ends in the future, it will be difficult to restore it to its former glory before the catastrophe.

Let the other side see his strength; maybe he can recruit some disciples.

At that time, we will designate a hilltop called Falling Maple Hall and see if they are willing to join the sect.

A very real problem is facing the cultivators of Fallen Maple Valley: once the great calamity ends, the Western Continent will inevitably be dominated by one power.

Even if other forces do not become vassals, they still struggle to survive and have little chance of significant development.

The Golden Spirit Sect will inevitably establish Immortal Cities and Dao Academies everywhere, selecting the best Qi Refining stage cultivators, leaving less and less room for other forces to survive.

The leader of Maple Valley should be able to see reality clearly: if they don't join, they will either gradually perish or leave the Western Continent to seek other opportunities.

The teleportation array lit up, and Ji An and the others walked out of the stone house and flew to the mountain peak.

A profound sense of disappointment washed over Moonshadow Immortal. She saw the Crimson Flame Peak filled with spiritual light, and high-grade spiritual trees like bright pearls adorning the mountains and forests.

The sheer number of third-tier spirit trees here dazzled her. She had been constantly awestruck since entering the Golden Spirit Sect, and when she discovered the presence of a top-grade third-tier spirit vein, she began contemplating the sect's future. Seeing this scene before her only intensified her despair.

This ally is too powerful; they will leave Fallen Maple Valley far behind in the future.

Lin Jiuxiao looked up at the sky and said in a deep voice:
“These days, Chen Xingzhou would come every day at noon, and his insults would spread throughout the surrounding area, which made many of the disciples resentful.”

"If you're willing to take action today, everyone will surely feel proud and honored."

He transmitted his voice, "True Lord, according to the intelligence we just received, there should be many Nascent Soul level enemies gathered near the mountain gate."

Chen Xingzhou's daily actions must have ulterior motives; perhaps it's a trap set by the true demons.

Regardless of the past of the Chen family of Puyun Mountain, Chen Xingzhou, as a Nascent Soul level 'cultivator,' only knows how to talk, which seems suspicious.

Ji An responded telepathically, "I know what I'm doing."

Every action has its underlying logic. Regardless of Chen Xingzhou's motives and purposes, he was determined to get the other party's head today, as long as the other party came.

If Qin Yan hadn't been able to upgrade the grade of the Ground Flame Banner, he would have made his move long ago and wouldn't have waited so long.

He summoned five magical treasures. The next moment, the Azure Dragon roared, the White Tiger howled, the Fire Phoenix soared, and the Black Tortoise controlled the waves. Only the Earth Qilin remained quiet, standing obediently on his shoulder.

Although the Qilin is small in size, seeing it gives people a sense of solidity, like a mountain.

Ji An activated his magic power and discovered that if he converted his magic power into fire elemental energy for output, the magic weapon would resonate with him, forming a wonderful connection.

He controlled his magic to unleash the Blazing Fire, and flames bloomed on the mountaintop, resembling layers of white and purple peonies, magnificent and elegant.

Lin Jiuxiao and the others sensed the raging fire elemental energy in the air and couldn't help but feel a sense of fear.

Judging from the aftershocks of the spell, it could harm them.

The blazing white-purple fire cloud spread extremely quickly; if one didn't escape fast enough, they could be severely injured.

At this moment, the blooming peony began to shrink, transforming into a giant phoenix. With a loud cry, it exploded with a deafening roar, like a meteor shower falling to the ground, with thousands of fireballs trailing fiery tails as they burst open.

Ji An smiled. He discovered that the power of the spell had increased by nearly 60% compared to before, which was truly unbelievable.

The spell first unleashes a large-area fire attack, then contracts to focus on enemies in the central area, and finally explodes to deal secondary damage over a large area.

Metal-based spells can deal more damage to true demonic entities, but fire-based spells are more effective in demonic energy and can ignite it, making them more suitable for 'mowing down' demonic forces.

He raised his foot and lightly stepped in the air, as if there were steps below supporting him and lifting him into the air.

The magical artifact moved at his command, and the earthen Qilin emitted a yellow spiritual light that enveloped his body. Outside the yellow light, white, black, blue, and red colors flowed together, forming an armor of light.

Ji An quietly sensed it for a while, then thought to herself:
'My defensive capabilities have increased by about 35%, hehe, I'm much more durable now.'

The magical artifacts form the first defensive circle, releasing the hardness of metal and stone to form the second defense.

Although it is only a Golden Core level spell, when activated by the mana of a Nascent Soul Level 2 cultivator, and with the additional enhancement of the mid-grade Gengxin Golden Dao Seed, the resulting defensive power is at least between a top-grade third-tier and a low-grade fourth-tier defensive magic weapon.

His muscles, bones, skin, and flesh are equivalent to a low-grade fourth-tier defensive magic weapon, forming a third layer of defense. Conservatively speaking, it is enough to withstand the beatings of a top-tier sixth-level Nascent Soul cultivator.

He possesses a golden aura that seems to reach the ground, so the enemy's attacks might not even be able to touch him.

Ji An landed and smiled confidently:

"Gentlemen, based on experience, the enemy will arrive in half an hour. Let's sit down for now and see how my true combat power is later."

He thought he should set out a pot of hot tea and check if the tea was still warm when he returned after killing his way around the sect.

Just as Guan Yu warmed his wine before beheading Hua Xiong, I, Ji An, warm my tea to vanquish the demons.

Master Yueying flattered:
"May the True Lord achieve a resounding victory and spread the fame of cultivators."

"Haha, I'll do my best."

Jiupan Mountain.

A brazier burned in the cave, fueled by an unknown type of oil. The flames had a bluish-green outer layer, and the air was filled with a peculiar, indescribable odor.

The cave is ten zhang high, and on the innermost platform is a stone chair carved with various skull reliefs, covered with a huge white tiger skin with black stripes.

Morag sat on his throne, looking down at the people at the banquet.

Below the stage were large, long wooden tables, each about ten feet long and five feet wide, laden with various kinds of meat.

Each table is occupied by a Nascent Soul level cultivator or a true demon; there are eight such cultivators in total.

Zhu Changhe coughed lightly and asked:

"Lord Mo, the army has been gathered for over a month now, why not order an attack on the Golden Spirit Sect's mountain gate?"

Morag ate the meat in his hand and said:

"When attacking Fallen Maple Valley, I found that if the attack is not saturated, the efficiency will be greatly reduced. So this time, we will wait a little longer and then launch a full-scale attack around the clock after gathering more strength, so that the enemy's mountain-protecting formation will not have any chance to breathe."

At that time, the entire army will be deployed, waves will be assigned, and everyone, including myself, will be involved.

The spiritual veins where the protective mountain formation is rooted are of a higher grade. He was unwilling to waste several years slowly building it up, and the merit gained from merely conquering the Western Continent was not enough for him.

After eliminating the last enemy, he turned towards the Ten Thousand Mountains to coordinate an attack on the Qingqiu demon clan.

He paused, revealing gleaming white teeth, and pushed his palm forward:
"In about two months, another mid-Nascent Soul ally will arrive. At that time, we will launch a full-scale attack. Within a year, I will stand on the summit of the Golden Spirit Sect to celebrate our victory."

The true demons shouted fervently, "We are willing to die for you, sir!"

Several human cultivators quickly echoed this sentiment.

Chen Xingzhou twitched his nose; he didn't particularly like the smell of burning grease.

"Lord Mo, I don't understand the point of having me provoke the Golden Spirit Sect every day. Those cultivators are determined to be cowards."

He got bored after shouting and cursing for half a month, but was ordered to continue.
Morag smiled. "Changhe, explain it to him."

"In previous years, Xuan Yin Sect cultivators confirmed that a Nascent Soul Tribulation had occurred within the territory of Jin Ling Sect, and some cultivators had successfully overcome the tribulation."

Everything they did was primarily to lure and kill this Nascent Soul level enemy.

If we can successfully kill this Nascent Soul cultivator, the enemy's morale will inevitably collapse.

"But the enemy is simply unwilling to fight."

"It's alright. This can demoralize the enemy's lower-level disciples. We're just idling around anyway, so we might as well make a profit."

Chen Xingzhou stood up. "I've finished eating, everyone. Let's set off."

"Lord Mo, I shall take my leave."

Chen Xingzhou, Zhu Changhe, Yun Nianrong, and two Nascent Soul level True Demons left the cave and fled on black winds.

A Nascent Soul stage True Demon put down the bone and asked, puzzled:
"Lord Mo, what abilities does Chen Xingzhou possess that have earned your favor and led you to provide him with resources to break through to the Nascent Soul stage?"

(End of this chapter)