CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 249: THE BACKUP PLAN

The passing time is unhurried, and in the blink of an eye, a year has passed.

This year was undoubtedly especially prolonged in the eyes of the cultivators defending White Camel Peak and those attacking outside.

The power of the Mountain Protection Array on White Camel Peak is even stronger than Luo Yunqing had anticipated.

Despite him having gradually dispatched hundreds of Qi Cultivation Cultivators and over a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators to join the mountain-attacking army over the year, the Chen Family cultivators on White Camel Peak have also relentlessly infused their magical power into the array to enhance its potency.

Thus, after a year of attacks, not mentioning the manpower lost on Luo Yunqing’s side due to the counterattacks from the cultivators on White Camel Peak, the consumption of Spirit Stones just to replenish magical power amounted to as many as seventy to eighty thousand!

Of course, the Chen Family on White Camel Peak suffered even greater losses.

The Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Vein at White Camel Peak was unable to sustain the continuous consumption of the Mountain Protection Array just three months into the siege. The subsequent endurance relied entirely on the Chen Family substituting Spirit Vein’s Spiritual Qi with Spirit Power from Spirit Stones and cultivators to activate the array.

Conservatively estimated, defending through this year, the Chen Family’s consumption of Spirit Stones surpassed 150,000 Spirit Stones, nearly double that of the mountain-attacking cultivators!

Fortunately, this sum of Spirit Stones was not solely borne by the Chen Family. Zhang Yunpeng of the Yellow Sand Sect had already clearly promised in communications that the Yellow Sand Sect would undertake half of the Chen Family’s defense costs afterward.

During this year, Zhouyang never appeared; instead, he borrowed a quiet chamber from Chen Ping’an for secluded cultivation.

By virtue of a year’s arduous cultivation, aided by the power of elixirs, his cultivation successfully ascended to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, bringing him closer to opening the Purple Mansion.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, Sect Leader Zhang sent news today that Luo Yunqing, in order to completely capture us, has managed to persuade Iron Staff Elder and Elder Cangyun, two loose cultivator Purple Mansion cultivators, to come to Baisha River Oasis to assist."

"Yet strangely, under such circumstances, he says not to worry, claiming some will come to support us, and advises us to act accordingly, preparing to engage out of array."

"Do you know what exactly is he up to?"

On this day, Zhouyang, who had just advanced to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, was suddenly called out of his seclusion chamber by Chen Ping’an, only to hear his bewildered words.

After listening to Chen Ping’an, countless thoughts ran through Zhouyang’s mind, and suddenly a flash of insight came to him, as if he understood something, revealing a mysterious smile: "Since Sect Leader Zhang said so, it probably isn’t false. Elder Chen should just transmit his orders!"

Seeing him like this, Chen Ping’an slightly frowned, his expression displeased: "It seems Fellow Daoist Zhou knows Sect Leader Zhang’s intentions but is unwilling to inform Chen. Do you still not trust Chen?"

Zhouyang hurriedly shook his head upon hearing that: "Elder Chen misunderstood. I absolutely have no intention to conceal from Elder Chen. It’s just that I’m only guessing right now and dare not make rash conclusions. If Sect Leader Zhang’s intention is different from my guess, saying it now would mislead the Elder!"

"Alright then, if that’s the case, Chen will pass Sect Leader Zhang’s instructions then!"

Chen Ping’an looked deeply at Zhouyang, nodding, and decided not to pursue the matter further.

After Chen Ping’an left, Zhouyang gazed attentively toward the outside of White Camel Peak, muttering to himself: "Has Elder Cao finally decided to act? I wonder how much strength he has restored now!"

Jiang Yuyan still remains in seclusion, refining the "Outer Dao Golden Core," and needs at least another half-year to come out. This has been reported several times in Zhang Yunpeng’s communications.

Thus, Zhouyang knew that except for Cao Wenjin, who had been hiding in the cave and undergoing seclusion after possession, even if Zhang Yunpeng himself came, he wouldn’t dare to say he could certainly break the siege of White Camel Peak.

And Cao Wenjin, as long as he acts, despite his cultivation not yet restored to the Golden Core Stage, is definitely unmatched by the two loose cultivator Purple Mansion cultivators and Luo Yunqing.

At this moment, Luo Yunqing still doesn’t know that Cao Wenjin, whom he thought was gravely injured and could not heal, has already possessed and has the strength to act.

He is currently delighted by the arrival of two loose cultivator Purple Mansion cultivators to assist.

"Grateful for the aid from both fellow Daoists; Luo is deeply thankful. Please rest assured, both Daoists, once we break White Camel Peak, the Chen Family’s treasure vault and the treasures upon the mountain cultivators will be yours to each select five items first!"

Outside White Camel Peak, Luo Yunqing made a promise full of joy to the two invited loose cultivator Purple Mansion cultivators, Iron Staff Elder and Elder Cangyun.

Though Iron Staff Elder and Elder Cangyun’s cultivation is only at the fourth layer of the Purple Mansion, they have been famed for years with formidable proficiency.

When the two join forces, Luo Yunqing admits that if he were to confront them, he would likely be compelled to retreat after a while in the encounter.

With these two reinforcements joining, the Mountain Protection Array of White Camel Peak certainly cannot hold any longer.

"Fellow Daoist Luo is truly straightforward. Then my old self and companion shall thank Daoist in advance."

The white-haired Iron Staff Elder and Elder Cangyun exchanged glances, old faces unable to conceal smiles.

Their agreement to assist was originally sparked by a desire to profit along, now satisfied with Luo Yunqing’s "understanding," they were certainly content.

Next, Luo Yunqing let his cultivators rest for two days, regaining energy and restoring magical power.

Two days later, led by three Purple Mansion cultivators, dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators along with over a thousand Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators pressed towards White Camel Peak.

"They’re coming! Whether life or death, it all depends on this battle!"

On White Camel Peak, Chen Ping’an watched the swarm of sword lights approaching in the sky, his face turned exceedingly serious.

The outcome of this battle would determine the future fate of their Chen Family.

They have no retreat!

There was nothing left to say; Luo Yunqing had said all he could in the past year, so when he arrived outside White Camel Peak, he directly unleashed several magical artifacts at the protective shield formed by the Mountain Protection Array.

Upon seeing this, Iron Staff Elder and Elder Cangyun gave sinister smiles and each summoned their magical artifacts to join the attack array.

With the three Purple Mansion cultivators striking together, the array’s protective shield enveloping White Camel Peak shook violently.

Once the Foundation Establishment cultivators and Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators joined the attack as well, under the assault of countless magic and magical artifacts, the array’s shield was reduced to a thin layer in less than a quarter of an hour.

"No, the array can’t hold anymore!"

Chen Ping’an, as the controller of the array, had a face flushed with the strain from the impending collapse of the Mountain Protection Array.

Generally speaking, the more powerful the array, the higher the cultivation required of its controller.

If the controller’s cultivation does not match the array’s rank, even if the array’s shield is not broken, the controller may fall due to the backlash from the array when facing strong enemy attacks.

It is said that arrays above Tier Five can use powerful magical artifacts as stabilizing objects to replace cultivators.

However, the magical artifacts used must be at least Tier Five, and not just one or two.

"Hold on a little longer, Elder Chen, hold on a little longer, Sect Leader Zhang would never deceive us in such a critical matter; reinforcements should be arriving soon!"

Zhouyang shouted encouragement to Chen Ping’an while channeling magical power into the array to maintain the protective shield.

At this point, they could only place their trust in Zhang Yunpeng.

After enduring for another quarter of an hour, a change finally occurred!

Suddenly, a golden sword light flashed from behind Luo Yunqing and the others.

As soon as this golden sword light appeared, it charged directly at the three Purple Mansion cultivators, including Luo Yunqing.

"Where did this unfamiliar Purple Mansion cultivator come from?"

Luo Yunqing stared in astonishment at the golden sword light, perplexed by the origins of the exceptionally young cultivator emanating from it.

From the aura, the master of this golden sword light possessed a Fifth-Layer Purple Mansion cultivation.

A Purple Mansion cultivator with such cultivation appearing so young should have left an impression on him.

While he was filled with doubt, the golden sword light stopped in mid-air, and from within came an elderly voice that almost made him fall off his flying sword, "Luo Yunqing, do you still recognize this old man?"

"Cao... Old Ghost Cao, you’re Old Ghost Cao!"

Luo Yunqing stuttered in shock, then without a word, retrieved his artifacts and fled the battlefield.

The deep-seated fear in his heart left him no courage to confront Cao Wenjin, even though his cultivation appeared higher than Cao Wenjin’s.

Cao Wenjin would not let this traitor escape so easily and immediately prepared to unleash his Tier Five flying sword to slay the traitor.

But just then, Zhouyang’s voice suddenly rang out from White Camel Peak.

"Elder Cao, spare his life for now. I have already reserved his head, so please let him live a few more years!"

Cao Wenjin had heard of Zhouyang’s Dao Heart oath, and upon hearing Zhouyang’s request, a strange look flashed in his eyes. He promptly redirected his sword light toward the two loose cultivators in the Purple Mansion.

Iron Staff Elder and Elder Cangyun were already scared witless upon hearing Luo Yunqing reveal Cao Wenjin’s identity.

Seeing Cao Wenjin abandon Luo Yunqing, the traitor, and rush towards them, the two were so terrified that their souls almost left their bodies, fleeing desperately from the battlefield with no intention of confronting Cao Wenjin.

However, their desire to escape was contingent on Cao Wenjin’s willingness to allow it.

"Hmph!"

Amidst his escape, Iron Staff Elder heard a bone-chilling snort in his mind, followed by a stab of pain emanating from the Divine Soul within his Purple Mansion, causing him to clutch his head and scream in agony.

Before he could recover from the soul-deep pain, a sharp golden sword light cleaved through the defenses of his magical artifacts and spells, beheading him on the spot.

Witnessing this scene, Elder Cangyun had no doubt left about Cao Wenjin’s identity. The old man promptly kneeled mid-air without any dignity, repeatedly kowtowing and pleading for mercy, "Elder Cao, spare me, I surrender, I surrender, please spare..."

The golden sword light sliced through the sky, abruptly cutting off Elder Cangyun’s pleas for mercy.

Cao Wenjin demonstrated his stance through action.