Chapter 362

Are the Abyss Clan gone mad? As long as we spread the news from here and buy a little more time, our human cultivators can inflict a huge and painful blow on the Abyss Clan from another direction.

Translation: "Are the Abyss Clan gone mad? As long as we spread the news from this place and delay a bit longer, our human cultivators can inflict a huge and painful blow on the Abyss Clan from another direction!"

We need to keep the quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks 「」. Should we keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully; we should preserve punctuation but not necessarily the Chinese quotes. Usually we replace with English quotes. But we can keep the Chinese quotes? Better to use English double quotes. However we must not add explanatory words. We'll translate the content, using English punctuation.

Thus: "Are the Abyss Clan gone mad? As long as we spread the news from this place and delay a bit longer, our human cultivators can inflict a huge and painful blow on the Abyss Clan from another direction!"

We need to keep the exclamation and question marks.

Now output: 【1】 Are the Abyss Clan gone mad? As long as we spread the news from this place and delay a bit longer, our human cultivators can inflict a huge and painful blow on the Abyss Clan from another direction!

But we need to keep the line as a single line.

Proceed similarly.

Inside the conference hall of Listening Fragrance Pavilion, a middle-aged cultivator wearing deep azure battle robes and with a somewhat exaggerated black leather pouch at his waist couldn't help but speak.

Translation: Inside the conference hall of Listening Fragrance Pavilion, a middle-aged cultivator wearing deep azure battle robes and with an exaggerated black leather pouch at his waist couldn't help but say.

Inside the conference hall of Listening Fragrance Pavilion, a middle-aged cultivator wearing deep azure battle robes and with a somewhat exaggerated black leather pouch at his waist couldn't help but say.

This person is one of the Nascent Soul cultivators who later came to Listening Fragrance Pavilion, also the protector of Xiao Wuxian, the Ghost Insect Old Devil of Fengdu City, Wei Haiyuan.

Translation: This person is one of the Yuan Ying cultivators who later arrived at Listening Fragrance Pavilion, also the protector of Xiao Wuxian, the Ghost Worm Old Devil of Fengdu City, Wei Haiyuan.

Daoist Wei, please stay calm; since the Abyss Clan made this choice, they surely have their own plans.

Translation: "Fellow Daoist Wei, please stay calm; since the Abyss Clan made this choice, they surely have their plans."

The speaker this time is a female cultivator seated in the main seat, wearing a purple robe and with a silk veil covering her face.

Translation: The speaker this time is a female cultivator seated in the main seat, wearing a purple robe and with a silk scarf covering her face.

Regarding her, none of the many Nascent Soul cultivators present dared to look down on her in the slightest.

Translation: Regarding this person, many Yuan Ying cultivators present dare not slight her in the slightest.

Because she is the only mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator among everyone present!

Translation: Because she is the only mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivator among those present!

She is also one of the cultivators who rushed to reinforce Listening Fragrance Pavilion this time.

Translation: She is also one of the cultivators who rushed to reinforce Listening Fragrance Pavilion this time.

This person is known as the "Purple Robe True Lord," hailing from the strongest sword sect in the Eastern Realm, the Wu Xiang Sword Sect.

Translation: This person is called "Ziyi Zhenjun", hailing from the Formless Sword Sect, the strongest sword sect in the Eastern Border Cultivation World.

Originally, because she was stationed here, Yunhe and the other first-batch garrison cultivators could have left on their own, but the Abyss Clan's sudden renewed attack trapped them here.

Translation: Originally, because she was stationed here, Yunhe and the other first‑batch garrison cultivators could have left on their own, but the Abyss Clan's sudden renewed attack trapped them here instead.

"But now we are trapped here; I don't know how long the Listening Fragrance Pavilion's protective grand formation can hold." Wei Haiyuan said in a low voice.

Translation: "But now we're trapped here; I don't know how much longer the Listening Fragrance Pavilion's sect‑protecting grand formation can hold." Wei Haiyuan said in a low voice.

What he said is also one of the biggest concerns on many people's minds present.

Translation: What he said is also one of the biggest concerns on many people's minds present.

The Purple Robe True Lord followed everyone's gaze toward Yunhe, who was sitting on the other side, lost in thought.

Translation: Ziyi Zhenjun followed everyone's gaze to Yunhe, who sat lost in thought on the other side.

"Daoist Yun, what do you think?"

Translation: "Fellow Daoist Yun, what do you think?"

*Tap, tap, tap*

Translation: Tap, tap, tap

Yunhe rested one hand on the table, lightly tapping his forefinger on the surface; he did not answer immediately, and although everyone was anxious, no one urged him.

Translation: Yunhe rested one hand on the table, lightly tapping his fingertip against the surface; he did not answer immediately, and although everyone was anxious, no one urged him.

After a moment, he raised his head, looked toward the Purple Robe True Lord, and spoke softly:

Translation: After a moment, he raised his head, looked toward Ziyi Zhenjun, and spoke softly:

"If what Daoist Ji said is true, the Abyss Clan has dispatched a sacrificial elder comparable to a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, plus dozens or more fourth-stage Abyss beings and beasts comparable to early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators; even if they lack a method to break the formation, a frontal assault would, given Daoist Feng's mastery of this formation, last at most three days."

Translation: "If Fellow Daoist Ji is correct, the Abyss Clan has deployed a sacrificial elder comparable to a mid‑stage Yuan Ying cultivator, plus dozens or more fourth‑level Abyss clansmen and beasts comparable to early‑stage Yuan Ying cultivators; even if they lack a way to break the formation, a frontal assault would, given Fellow Daoist Feng's mastery of this formation, last at most three days."

Three days!

Translation: Three days!

Everyone's hearts were shaken.

Translation: Everyone's hearts jolted.

In just three days, it's impossible for human cultivators' reinforcements to arrive that quickly.

Translation: In just three days, human cultivator reinforcements could not possibly arrive that quickly.

After all, human cultivators are mostly scattered across various places; although the racial turmoil has given them the intention to gather, they still aren't as well-prepared as the Abyss Clan.

Translation: After all, human cultivators are mostly scattered everywhere; although the alien turmoil has given them the intention to gather, they are still far less prepared than the Abyss Clan.

Moreover.

Translation: Moreover.

In a short time, human cultivators cannot, like the Abyss Clan, quickly unite from scattered fragments into a united front; their mutual hatred and interest conflicts cannot be resolved that quickly.

Translation: In a short time, human cultivators cannot, like the Abyss Clan, quickly unite wholeheartedly; their mutual grudges and conflicts of interest cannot be smoothed over so quickly.

This is also the biggest problem human cultivators must face.

Translation: This is also the biggest problem human cultivators must face.

Let's take a simple example: if human cultivators unite, among the top powers like the Tai Xuan Zhengyi Sect, Wu Xiang Sword Sect, Black River Valley, and Fengdu City, who would take the lead?

Translation: Take a simple example: if human cultivators unite, who would lead among these true top powers—the Grand Mystery Orthodox Sect, the Formless Sword Sect, the Black River Valley, and Fengdu City?

But don't only see the crisis; under this enormous crisis, there will inevitably be unimaginable benefits as well.

Translation: But don't just see the crisis; under this enormous crisis, unimaginable benefits inevitably accompany it.

Whoever becomes the leader will surely gain the greatest benefits.

Translation: Whoever becomes the leader will surely gain the greatest benefits.

Once the racial turmoil ends, the side that gains huge benefits will very likely be able to dominate the other forces.

Translation: Once the alien turmoil ends, the side that obtains huge benefits will very likely be able to dominate the remaining forces.

Therefore, this three-day period may very well be their final preparation time.

Translation: Therefore, this three‑day period may very well be their final preparation time.

It's even possible they won't have three days at all.

Translation: It might even be less than three days.

Because this all hinges on the Abyss Clan lacking a method to break the formation; if they had such a method, perhaps they couldn't hold out even a day.

Translation: Because all this assumes the Abyss Clan has no way to break the formation; if they do, perhaps they couldn't hold out even a single day.

However, the Purple Robe True Lord understood another layer of Yunhe's words and asked:

Translation: However, Ziyi Zhenjun caught another layer of meaning in Yunhe's words and asked:

"What if we entrust this formation to Daoist Yun to oversee?"

Translation: "What if we entrust this formation to Fellow Daoist Yun to oversee?"

Yunhe pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and gave his answer.

Translation: Yunhe pursed his lips, thought briefly, and gave his answer.

"Under the previous conditions, I might be able to hold for five days."

Translation: "Under the previous conditions, I might be able to hold for five days."

Five days!

Translation: Five days!

This caused many eyes to flash with excitement.

Translation: This caused many eyes to flash with sharp light.

Although it's only two extra days, for these Nascent Soul cultivators two days is but a blink, yet it could bring about a huge variable.

Translation: Although it's only two extra days, for these Yuan Ying cultivators two days is but a moment, yet it could bring about a great variable.

"What do you think, Daoist Feng?" the Purple Robe True Lord then looked toward Feng Qingdan.

Translation: "What do you think, Fellow Daoist Feng?" Ziyi Zhenjun then turned to Feng Qingdan.

Upon hearing this, Feng Qingdan naturally had no objection; she immediately took out the formation plate of the Listening Fragrance Pavilion's protective grand formation and handed it to Yunhe to show her stance.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Feng Qingdan naturally had no objection; she immediately took out the formation disk of the Listening Fragrance Pavilion's sect‑protecting grand formation and handed it to Yunhe to show her stance.

In this Abyss Clan attack, her Listening Fragrance Pavilion will inevitably suffer the greatest loss; now being able to hold out a few more days might bring about more turning points.

Translation: In this Abyss Clan attack, Listening Fragrance Pavilion will surely suffer the greatest loss; being able to hold out a few more days might bring about further turning points.

"Alright, then please trouble Daoist Yun to expend some extra effort; all resources and manpower within Listening Fragrance Pavilion can now be mobilized at your discretion, and the Purple Robe will do its best to inform the sect immediately of what's happening here, possibly creating a turning point." The Purple Robe True Lord made the decision outright, acting decisively.

Translation: "Good, then please trouble Fellow Daoist Yun to expend more effort; all resources and manpower within Listening Fragrance Pavilion are now at your disposal, and Ziyi will try to notify the sect immediately of what happens here, possibly bringing some turning point." Ziyi Zhenjun made the decision outright, acting decisively.

She continued:

Translation: She continued:

"Of course, if the formation is broken, you all know what will happen; by then, how to escape this place and evade the Abyss Clan to preserve strength will depend on each of your means, and the Purple Robe will also do its utmost to buy time for you, striving to prevent the Abyss Clan's sacrificial elder from inflicting too great an impact on you."

Translation: "Of course, if the formation is broken, you all know what will happen; by then, how to escape this place and how to avoid the Abyss Clan to preserve strength will depend on your own means, and Ziyi will do her utmost to buy time for you all, striving to prevent the Abyss Clan's sacrificial elder from inflicting too great an impact."

Everyone nodded in agreement, feeling an immense heaviness in their hearts.

Translation: Everyone nodded, feeling only a profound heaviness in their hearts.

Now pondering why the Abyss Clan is doing this has no practical significance; for them at present, there are only two possibilities.

Translation: Now pondering why the Abyss Clan is doing this has no practical meaning; for them now there are only two possibilities.

One, they successfully hold out until a turning point appears; although no one knows whether such a turning point will truly occur, this situation would be most favorable for them.

Translation: One, successfully hold out until a turning point appears—though no one knows if such a turning point will really occur—but this situation would be most advantageous for them.

The second is to accumulate strength now, then, when the formation breaks, break through the Abyss Clan's encirclement and slaughter, each relying on their own abilities.

Translation: The second is to now accumulate strength, wait for the formation to break, then break through the Abyss Clan's encirclement and slaughter, each relying on their own abilities.

But given the immense force the Abyss Clan has deployed this time, even the Purple Robe True Lord cannot guarantee that he himself will definitely succeed in breaking out.

Translation: But the Abyss Clan has mobilized such tremendous force that even Ziyi Zhenjun cannot guarantee she will surely break through successfully.

Here they currently have Yunhe, Wei Haiyuan, Feng Qingdan, Mu Ya Zi, Lian Hua Lao Zu, and Ji Liu Yun—six early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators—plus the Purple Robe True Lord, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Translation: Here we now have six early‑stage Yuan Ying cultivators—Yunhe, Wei Haiyuan, Feng Qingdan, Muyazi, Lianhua Laozi, and Ji Liuyun—plus Ziyi Zhenjun, a mid‑stage Yuan Ying cultivator.

As for the Abyss Clan side, currently known are: one sacrificial elder, three ordinary sacrificers, and several dozen first-stage fourth-level Abyss beings and beasts; their strength is about double that of Yunhe's group, with some to spare.

Translation: As for the Abyss Clan side, currently known are one sacrificial elder, three ordinary sacrificers, and a dozen or so fourth‑level early‑stage Abyss clansmen and beasts; their strength is more than double ours, with some to spare.

It's even possible this isn't the full force the Abyss Clan has deployed; given their decisive demeanor, more powerful reinforcements may continue to arrive.

Translation: It's even possible this isn't the full force the Abyss Clan has deployed; given their decisive posture, even more powerful reinforcements may continue to arrive.

This time truly is a moment when Nascent Soul cultivators will feel a mortal threat to life and death.

Translation: This is truly a moment when Yuan Ying cultivators will feel a threat to life and death.

Not to mention cultivators who haven't reached the Nascent Soul realm; it's a nine-deaths-one-life situation.

Translation: Not to mention cultivators who haven't reached the Yuan Ying realm—they face a nine‑deaths‑one‑life situation.

Boom!!

Translation: Boom!!

Just as Yunhe and the others were still discussing how to respond, a sudden tremendous roar accompanied by violent shaking of the ground caused everyone's faces to change instantly.

Translation: Just as Yunhe and the others were discussing how to respond, a sudden tremendous roar accompanied by violent ground shaking made everyone's faces change.

Yunhe even more so immediately snatched the faintly glowing formation plate from the table, swiftly poured mana and spiritual sense into it, and shouted lowly: "The Abyss Clan is already attacking the formation!"

Translation: Yunhe even more so immediately seized the faintly glowing formation disk on the table, swiftly poured mana and divine sense into it, and shouted lowly: "The Abyss Clan is already attacking the formation!"

For a moment.

Translation: For a moment.

Everyone turned into several streams of flowing light and shot out of the hall.

Looking outward from within the great formation, countless pitch-black Abyssal tribe and Abyssal beasts, too many to count, have already surrounded this place; some Abyssal tribe cultivators and even Abyssal beasts are employing their respective means, bombarding the protective great formation of Tingxiang Lou.

On the immense formation barrier, flashes of white light sparkle from all directions, and the entire ground and pavilions of Tingxiang Lou emit mournful wails.

Yunhe manipulated the formation plate, his face solemn.

The protective great formation of Tingxiang Lou is called the "Thousand Illusion Departing Sound Formation"; like other mountain-protection formations, it is not purely defensive, causing cultivators who enter to be affected by phantom sounds, and even outside the formation it has a certain influence.

However, this influence diminishes greatly outside the formation, and it clearly has little effect on the Abyssal tribe.

In fact, its effect is merely the formation's protective ability.

Therefore, after a simple understanding of this formation, Yunhe began to make some adjustments to it.

"Muya Zi Daoist, the formation node at three hundred zhang to the southeast"

"Lianhua Daoist, the formation node directly ahead at five hundred zhang needs."

"Feng Daoist"

As Yunhe's words were spoken one after another, everyone acted in turn, adjusting the formation nodes under his command.

Although this may reduce the formation's might, its protective ability will certainly increase.

As expected.

After everyone cooperated with Yunhe to adjust the formation, the violent shaking of the ground and pavilions ceased; although the Abyssal tribe's attacks continued and the white light on the formation barrier did not stop, everyone could feel the increase in the formation's protective strength, and their gazes toward Yunhe became increasingly solemn and approving.

And while Yunhe was altering the formation, his mind was also pondering some matters.

"Even if this formation cannot hold out much longer, hoping that human cultivators will quickly unite; it would be better to hope that the Abyssal tribe strikes lightly."

"Breaking the formation is inevitable, so we must flee this place as soon as it breaks; as the one maintaining the formation, I can seek the best opportunity for myself."

"Elder."

On the Abyssal side, atop a huge Abyssal beast, a similarly black-robed, hunched Abyssal sacrificial elder clutching a pitch-black staff.

However, the string of bones, metal pieces, and black scales hanging from this staff, forming its ornament, is more numerous than that of the previous Abyssal sacrificial.

Moreover, perched on her staff is a black crow slowly preening its feathers.

Hearing someone call her, the Abyssal sacrificial elder slowly turned half her body, revealing a pallid, aged, gloomy face.

"Have we arrived?"

"Yes." Beneath the Abyssal beast, an Abyssal cultivator bowed extremely respectfully and said: "The 'Wu Mai Zhu' has been sent from within the clan."

Hearing this, the sacrificial elder's seemingly turbid eyes flashed with sharp light, and she said in a deep voice:

"Break the formation!"

"Yes!"

Immediately, that Abyssal cultivator hesitated not a moment, turned and headed straight for Tingxiang Lou's protective great formation.

What Yunhe feared most still came to pass.

This time the Abyssal tribe had prepared a precious formation‑breaking treasure, and all of his prior plans and arrangements would be utterly disrupted because of it.

But the fact is that not everything can unfold as Yunhe anticipated, especially in matters where he can only think of ways to protect himself.

"Daoist friend, your information won't be wrong, will it?"

Gazing at the formation that flickered with white light, the sacrificial elder said in a low voice.

The black crow that had been leisurely preening its feathers stopped moving, let out a soft laugh, and said: "This is natural; the item is in the hand of a Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator right here."

"Late Jie Dan Stage?" The sacrificial elder seemed somewhat surprised by this.

The object for which the Abyssal tribe has gone to such great lengths is actually in the hand of a human Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator?

"This person's identity is not simple; if he flees back into human cultivator territory, then even you elders would find it hard to obtain it again." The crow said with a hint of mockery.

"Hmph!" The sacrificial elder snorted coldly, "Humans, the Abyssal tribe will surely be destroyed!"

To this, the black crow did not respond, merely the smile in its eyes tinged with a hint of contempt.

"Destroy the human race?"

"Are humans merely showing off their might in this realm?"

Boom!!

A tremendous roar, like heaven and earth collapsing, suddenly rang out; the great formation enveloping Tingxiang Lou, at this sound, shattered like glass.

"Formation broken!"

"Elder, if not now, when?" the crow's eyes narrowed, and it said in a stern voice.

Upon hearing this, the sacrificial elder glanced askance at it; a surge of mighty power rose from her body, and the ornament on her staff immediately rang out with a clear 'ding-dong' sound.

And as this sound spread, the Abyssal beings present instantly went berserk, charging into Tingxiang Lou.

"I hope what you said is true." The sacrificial elder narrowed her eyes.

The black crow flapped its wings twice and laughed.

"What happens next is up to you, Elder; I also have an old friend I need to meet."

(End of chapter)