Translator: CinderTL
Among the Wu Ji Sect's ten Giant Flying Ships, one stood out. Its hull was adorned with more intricate and profound array patterns.
Yin Shuo stood proudly at the ship's bow, gazing at the azure sky ahead.
Ye Hua suddenly emerged from the rear cabin and approached Yin Shuo.
"Fellow Daoist Yin Shuo," Ye Hua said, "we've just established contact with the Liangyi Sect through the Starry Line Formation. They're approximately 80,000 li north of our current position."
"Does Fellow Daoist Xuan Chengzi have a plan?" Yin Shuo asked.
"Xuan Chengzi proposes that we join forces with the Cui Clan to strike directly at Fangzhudao's southern flank, while they launch their assault from the east," Ye Hua replied. "This pincer movement will split the enemy's forces, preventing them from reinforcing either flank."
Yin Shuo pondered for a long moment before slowly agreeing. "We'll proceed as Xuan Chengzi suggests. Inform the Cui Clan of this plan immediately."
On another Giant Flying Ship, Song Wen, Le Liang, Jiang Lu, and Meng Lengyu sat facing each other.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang Lu," Le Liang began, "why did you bring your granddaughter to the Eastern Region? She's only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. If a major battle breaks out, she'll be utterly helpless."
As he spoke, Le Liang glanced back at Jiang Yan, who stood by the ship's railing, gazing out at the azure sea. Over the past three months, Le Liang had grown close to Jiang Lu and his granddaughter. He had become particularly fond of Jiang Yan, whose heart remained refreshingly innocent.
Jiang Lu replied, "Where in the Chaotic Sea is truly safe now? The Wu Ji Sect has deployed its elite forces, leaving Wu Ji Island virtually undefended. If the Demon Race were to launch a surprise attack, not a single soul on the island would survive. Jiang Yan's cultivation is too weak. I'd rather keep her by my side—at least then I can have some peace of mind."
Le Liang then turned to Meng Lengyu. "Hall Master Meng, why did you bring your young master to the Eastern Region as well?"
Meng Lengyu's gaze fell on Meng Cao, who stood not far from Jiang Yan. A helpless expression crossed her face. "He insisted on coming. He said he wanted to witness the Human-Demon War firsthand."
Le Liang gently cautioned, "Young Master, your words are rather reckless. The battlefield is fraught with peril; caution is paramount."
Meng Lengyu replied, "Thank you for your advice, Fellow Daoist Le. I'll keep a close eye on him."
Just then, Jiang Yan's voice, as melodious as a lark's, suddenly rang out. "Grandpa, there's a massive island ahead. Is that Fangzhudao?"
Song Wen abruptly produced a jade slip, channeling Spiritual Power into it. A Sea Chart materialized in the air. After studying it for a moment, he declared, "We haven't reached Fangzhudao yet. That's Azure Cloud Island, still 300,000 li from our destination."
His certainty stemmed from personal experience. Years ago, he had sought refuge on Azure Cloud Island to evade pursuit by the Xing Clan.
Song Wen walked to the ship's rail and gazed at the island. Azure Cloud Island spanned thousands of li and teemed with Spiritual Qi. The Demon Race, which had occupied the Eastern Region for decades, would never have allowed such a valuable territory to fall into disrepair.
Even from afar, the island appeared heavily fortified with demons. The silhouettes of demon beasts roamed the mountainous forests.
"Attention, everyone!" Ye Hua's voice suddenly boomed across all the Giant Flying Ships. "Azure Cloud Island ahead is likely heavily garrisoned by the Demon Race. Increase vigilance and prepare for battle! Huang Shang, scout the island immediately."
No sooner had the order been given than the Star Chariot Divine Ship, leading the fleet, surged forward with a sudden burst of speed toward Azure Cloud Island.
Huang Shang, the man Ye Hua had mentioned, was at the helm of the Star Chariot Divine Ship.
A hundred li from Azure Cloud Island, a circular opening, thirty feet in diameter, suddenly materialized at the ship's bow. Spiritual energy surged violently from within, and intricate rune patterns gradually illuminated, radiating a terrifying pressure.
Suddenly, a dazzling white beam erupted from the opening, streaking directly toward Azure Cloud Island.
Boom!
A deafening roar echoed across the sea as the white beam struck the island, tearing through the rock formations as easily as a hot knife through butter.
The Star Chariot Divine Ship maintained its speed, soaring over the island while continuing to unleash the devastating beam. Trees, mountains, and demon beasts alike were ripped apart, leaving a deep, bottomless trench in its wake.
The ground trembled as if a natural disaster had struck. Countless birds and beasts fled in terror, plunging the entire island into chaos.
Watching the Star Chariot Divine Ship ravage the island, Ye Hua frowned slightly.
"Fellow Daoist Yin Shuo, it seems the Demon Race has abandoned this island. Only low-level demons remain."
"We can't afford to be complacent," Yin Shuo replied. "Send a Giant Flying Ship to thoroughly purge the island. Spare not even the youngest demon beast, not even those freshly born."
Ye Hua nodded and then addressed the Giant Flying Ship where Song Wen was stationed, his voice booming across the water. "Meng Lengyu, your ship will land on the island and eradicate all remaining members of the Demon Race."
Song Wen's ship carried disciples from the Alchemy Hall and Zhenbao Hall. These two halls had relatively few members, so they shared a single Giant Flying Ship.
The disciples of the Alchemy Hall were responsible for refining medicinal pills. On the battlefield, these pills could mean the difference between life and death for cultivators, and sometimes even influence the course of battle. As such, the Alchemy Hall disciples were considered particularly valuable.
To protect these vital alchemists from unnecessary losses, Ye Hua rarely assigned them to dangerous missions like island sweeps.
However, since entering the Eastern Region, they had traversed countless islands of varying sizes. The Alchemy Hall's constant exemption from combat assignments had stirred discontent among the other halls.
Internal discord was a cardinal sin in warfare. Despite the presence of Ye Hua and Yin Shuo, both Nascent Soul cultivators, maintaining internal harmony was crucial to morale.
Azure Cloud Island was vast but posed minimal danger. Thus, Ye Hua decided to deploy the Alchemy Hall disciples for this cleanup operation, both to appease the other halls and to provide them with some combat experience.
Song Wen turned back to glance at the flagship where Ye Hua and Yin Shuo were stationed.
Yin Shuo had always been reclusive, and Song Wen had never had the opportunity to approach him. The Human-Demon War presented Song Wen with a golden opportunity to finally connect with Yin Shuo.
The Giant Flying Ship lowered its bow towards Azure Cloud Island and swiftly descended, hovering in the airspace above the island.
Four smaller flying ships rapidly detached and fanned out in the cardinal directions to scour the island.
Each smaller ship carried two Golden Core cultivators, ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, and nearly a hundred Qi Refining cultivators. Song Wen shared a ship with Jiang Lu.
The clearance operation was straightforward. The ships hugged the terrain, and whenever demons were spotted, the ten Foundation Establishment cultivators would activate their spirit tools to eliminate them. If the demon numbers were too great, the ships would either halt or dispatch ground teams to clear the area.
Suddenly, a towering mountain loomed ahead.
Monkeys darted frantically through the dense forests clinging to the mountain slopes. Scattered among the trees were crude treehouses, revealing the surprisingly advanced intelligence of these creatures, who had learned to build simple dwellings.
(End of the Chapter)
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