Chapter 731: Spirit Rock Star Monarch
The gentle breeze brushed through, rustling the woods.
Ning Daoran stood firm amidst the wind. Though he had not broken through, his whole body exuded an unparalleled aura. Even though he had not reached the Divinity Transformation stage, he already carried a trace of its essence!
"City Lord Ning, please enter the array to rest. Leave the rest to me!"
"Very well!"
Ning Tianyi transformed into a streak of fiery-red tunneling light and entered the grand array.
Ning Daoran lightly flipped his hand, and the miniature Hand-held Green Peak in his palm descended with a deafening crash, "Peng!" Clouds of dust erupted as the mountain instantly transformed back into its true form as Chasing Moon Peak, stationed at the northernmost part of Liangyi Sect. It seamlessly fused with the surrounding land, perfectly connected to the ground below.
"Jie jie~~~"
A swarm of Stone Spirits and Blood Demons surged forward.
Ning Daoran hefted the Big Green Dragon, hovering above Chasing Moon Peak. At this moment, clarity enveloped his mind—a sensation indescribable yet profoundly illuminating.
It felt as though his spirit had merged with heaven and earth, his connection with the supreme path bathing through his whole being!
Though he was not a Divinity Transformation cultivator, as long as he remained within the borders of Chasing Moon Peak, he stood as a Half-step God Transformation!
With Ning Daoran's profound foundation, his combat abilities now rivaled those of true Divinity Transformation cultivators. Furthermore, utilizing Divinity Transformation power didn't require any consumption of Immortal Origin Power, as he had none to begin with.
To achieve the feat of wielding Divinity Transformation power while still a Nascent Soul cultivator—it had finally come to fruition!
"Boom~~~"
The Big Green Dragon raised high into the air. In an instant, thunder and lightning filled the heavens. Just a casual swing of his spear brought forth celestial phenomena. As the spear radiance swept across, over a thousand Stone Spirits and Blood Demons were shattered into fine powder!
"…This…"
Ning Tianyi's eyes lit up with astonishment.
Lin Xuyan, Liu Wushuang, and others were utterly stunned, their jaws hanging wide open.
In the skies, Ning Daoran made only a few movements and instantly subdued the army of Stone Spirits and Blood Demons. Moments later, the Stone Spirits howled in misery, tucking their tails as they retreated back into Breaking Realm Mountain.
Ning Daoran slowly took a seat, officially assuming command at Breaking Realm Mountain.
"Xuyan."
He turned to the array and said, "City Lord Ning has guarded Chasing Moon Peak for six months, laboring tirelessly. Prepare a banquet immediately to express our gratitude to him. I will remain here to guard this peak and won't be joining the feast."
"Understood, brother!"
Lin Xuyan stepped forward respectfully and said, "City Lord Ning, you've worked tirelessly. Please head to the main peak and try Liangyi Sect's Spiritual Tea. What is your verdict, City Lord?"
"That will do."
Ning Tianyi waved toward Ning Daoran and laughed, "I happen to be weary; I'll take a brief respite then."
After everyone left, Ning Daoran sat cross-legged on the peak, alone atop Chasing Moon Peak. The gentle breeze passed by, leaving the scene feeling exceedingly lonely and barren.
A few days later, Ning Tianyi departed.
Liangyi Sect returned to tranquility once again. Ning Daoran remained at Chasing Moon Peak, cultivating. If a Stone Spirit army attacked, he would raise his spear to defend. If none came, he immersed himself in cultivation. The days passed peacefully.
...
Time flowed like a stream; seven years swept by in the blink of an eye.
Over the seven years, the Stone Spirit army made only minor attacks and lacked their previous overwhelming fervor. Yet Ning Daoran did not believe the Demon Nightmare in Breaking Realm Mountain had given up. The army's dormancy felt more like preparation for an even greater strike.
Early morning.
Ning Daoran slowly opened his eyes, rising to his full height atop the peak. His body exuded wisps of Evergreen energy, making him appear radiantly immortal.
However, at that moment, power churned unceasingly within Breaking Realm Mountain. A wave of Black Tide began seeping from the valleys within.
Seven years had passed since the Black Tide last appeared outside Breaking Realm Mountain, yet this time, its intensity seemed unprecedented.
He immediately sent out a Sound Transmission Talisman to Lin Xuyan, alerting him.
Soon after, Lin Xuyan, Liu Wushuang, and Liangyi Sect's top cultivators arrived, one after another, charging toward Chasing Moon Peak.
"Such dense Demon Nightmare Qi!"
Lin Xuyan stood alongside Ning Daoran, frowning deeply. "Brother, you are in harmony with Chasing Moon Peak. Have you sensed anything?"
"Indeed."
Ning Daoran faintly nodded. "There is turbulence hidden within Breaking Realm Mountain. I fear this upcoming assault will be immense… Xuyan, immediately send word to nearby sects. Request reinforcements for Liangyi Sect. After seven years of dormancy, this attack will undoubtedly be aimed at wiping us out entirely."
"Understood!"
Lin Xuyan turned swiftly, ordering several Nascent Soul cultivators to notify the major sects in the area. Their superior tunneling speed made them perfect for the task, ensuring reinforcements would arrive swiftly. For char&a^ct#e$r. s-h^ee$t#s+ and g&loss^ari@e+s, vi.sit MV|LE^MP@Y%R.
"They're coming…"
Liu Wushuang gazed into the distance, biting her silver teeth.
Above Breaking Realm Mountain, dark clouds were converging rapidly—an abyss of shadows descending upon all below. The surging Black Tide brought with it countless hordes of Stone Spirits, Spirit Rune Blood Demons, and other evil beings whose numbers far surpassed those from their first all-out siege seven years ago.
Most troubling to Ning Daoran was the distinct presence of a Demon Nightmare Qi comparable to the Divinity Transformation stage!
"Be cautious, a Divinity Transformation!"
He abruptly raised his hand, sending a wave of gentle mana that pushed everyone back. His voice rang out gravely, "Retreat immediately! Leave Chasing Moon Peak. This time, the Stone Spirits carry a Divinity Transformation powerhouse!"
"What?!"
Lin Xuyan gasped, "Then you…"
"Do not worry for me. Focus on defending the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array. That alone is your utmost priority!"
At that moment, a streak of fiery light burst through the black clouds, hurtling straight toward Chasing Moon Peak—a Flaming Axe Blade, brimming with Divinity Transformation power!
"How laughable!"
Ning Daoran spread his fingers wide, and the Fire Cloud Shield soared skyward, enveloping the summit of Chasing Moon Peak!
"Clang~~~"
Metal clashed with stone, producing a thunderous reverberation. Though the Divinity Transformation power was blocked by the Fire Cloud Shield, its residual shockwaves rippled outward, forcing Lin Xuyan, Liu Wushuang, and others into hurried retreat backed by the array. Finally, the ripples were absorbed entirely by the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array, which crackled ominously under the strain, severely damaged.
"Impressive."
Amid the gusts of wind, a green-robed figure emerged.
An elderly man draped in robes of green, wearing inner armor of matching hue, clutching a fiery-red battle axe. His body radiated Divinity Transformation power, and a mocking smirk adorned his face. "Well, well, who would have thought a mere Nascent Soul cultivator in this Lower Realm could withstand a strike from me? Boy, let me ask you—have the Divinity Transformation elites of this realm all perished? Must a Nascent Soul like you guard the mouth of Breaking Realm Mountain?"
"Of course not."
Ning Daoran chuckled lightly. "The Divinity Transformation great cultivators of the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World are peerless beings, their mana boundless. To handle an old scoundrel like you, they don't need to lift a finger. A Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator like me is already more than capable."
"Outrageous!"
The elder scowled darkly. "Enough. Know this—I am Spirit Rock Star Monarch of the Breaking Realm Army. At least you'll die knowing whose hands killed you."
"Spare me the nonsense."
Ning Daoran raised the Big Green Dragon and declared coldly, "If you have the skill, then come kill me. If not, crawl back into Breaking Realm Mountain!"
"Courting death!"
Spirit Rock Star Monarch roared in fury, his form bursting with Demon Nightmare Qi. He lifted his battle axe and conjured another axe light, sending it hurtling toward Chasing Moon Peak.
This time, Ning Daoran was prepared. Swinging the Big Green Dragon, he executed a perfect counterstrike, meeting the axe head-on. In an incredible clash of energies, the two were evenly matched!
"Oh?"
Spirit Rock Star Monarch expressed surprise, then ceased holding back. Summoning vast amounts of Demon Nightmare Qi, he launched a relentless assault on Chasing Moon Peak!
Meanwhile, Ning Daoran raised the Water Cloud Golden Bamboo Sword Formation, unleashing the Golden Silk Sword to duel against his opponent.
Standing atop Chasing Moon Peak, he truly embodied a Half-step God Transformation. Combined with his profound foundation, he was capable of battling Spirit Rock Star Monarch. But to kill him would require more than just ordinary tactics.
"What are you waiting for?"
Spirit Rock Star Monarch roared while fiercely attacking Chasing Moon Peak, "Break through their array! Wipe out Liangyi Sect! A mere Chasing Moon Peak cannot possibly resist the might of our Stone Spirit army!"
"Jie jie~~~"
The countless Stone Spirits and Spirit Rune Blood Demons bypassed Chasing Moon Peak, rushing headlong toward the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array!
Ning Daoran's brows furrowed deeply. He could not hold them off alone. Relying on his own strength was futile against the overwhelming numbers of the Stone Spirit army. The ultimate burden would fall onto Liangyi Sect to hold them at bay at the northern back mountain battlefield!
"Charge!"
Lin Xuyan unsheathed his sword and shouted solemnly.
Behind him, countless disciples of Liangyi Sect formed themselves into battalions, sword arrays rising swiftly, aligning along the edges of the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array to mount their defense.
Moments passed.
Ning Daoran sensed trouble brewing. This Stone Spirit army was far stronger than previous invasions. The Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array's energy was depleting alarmingly fast—nearly twenty percent drained within just half a cup of tea's time. At this rate, the Stone Spirit army would soon breach the two massive arrays and invade Liangyi Sect!
This was something Ning Daoran could not influence directly. Battling against Spirit Rock Star Monarch already demanded his full attention!
At that moment, Lin Xuyan's voice reached Ning Daoran through the transmission: "Brother, today's Stone Spirit army is overwhelming. I will lead Liangyi Sect disciples in a death-defying struggle, but you face a Divinity Transformation Stone Spirit. If you cannot hold, retreat with Chasing Moon Peak. Better to preserve the mountain now than lose everything later. Brother, you must not fall!"
"Don't worry!"
Ning Daoran replied gravely, "Though I cannot spare the energy to aid you, I will certainly slay this Divinity Transformation Stone Spirit. The rest is up to you."
...
Soon, the first massive Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array was on the brink of collapse.
Ning Daoran withdrew it, promptly replacing it with the second array to fend off the enemy. Meanwhile, sects from nearby regions had begun arriving to assist Liangyi Sect, the Yunhe Sect among them—their proximity allowing them to reach the battlefield first.
Within Liangyi Sect, numerous formations sprang up all at once. Lin Xuyan, Liu Wushuang, and others displayed tactical brilliance, adapting to a point-formation strategy to delay the enemy's advance—keeping the Stone Spirit army locked within the back mountain area.
Atop Chasing Moon Peak.
Ning Daoran swung the Big Green Dragon repeatedly, deploying every treasure at his disposal. Yet, he refrained from involving Old Lu, Little Bai, and others in battle, unwilling to risk their lives against the Divinity Transformation-level demon. Instead, he dispatched them to confront Stone Spirits.
With a flick of his sleeve, Ning Daoran sent Spirit Garden Cave Heaven into the array, commanding, "Strike when the moment is right. Do not act recklessly!"
"Understood, young master!"
Little Bai transformed into a White Dragon, his sweeping tail launching a group of Stone Spirits skyward in an instant.
Big Stupid Deer let out a resonant call, charging into the enemy ranks like an unstoppable force.
...
"Hm, still worrying about others?"
Spirit Rock Star Monarch sneered, "You'd better focus on yourself—you're about to meet your end!"