138: Chapter 138 The White Bone Demon Lord

In the quiet room, the lamplight flickered.

Lin Yue sat upright in the main seat, his expression fluctuating slightly under the dim yellow light.

The information obtained from Soul Searching was like a cold tide, wave after wave impacting his mind.

White Bone Demon Venerable.

One of the three Demon Venerables of the Black Lotus Cult, a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator who practices the White Bone True Scripture, refining bones from living people and turning white bones into soldiers. His subordinate White Bone Demon Army is notoriously fierce, having once slaughtered three small cities in the Central Region and refined one hundred thousand living beings.

This man is cruel, bloodthirsty, and extremely vengeful.

After Blood Lotus Venerable retreated back to the Central Region, he would certainly exaggerate matters to provoke this Demon Venerable.

And according to the Black Lotus Cult's usual style of operation, retaliation... would definitely not take longer than a month.

"One month..."

Lin Yue muttered softly to himself, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.

Time is too tight.

Even with the starfall sword, star armor, star dragon nascent soul, and the Cave Heaven assistance... facing the Late Nascent Soul Stage White Bone Demon Venerable, the chances of victory are still slim.

Not to mention, the opponent also has a notorious White Bone Demon Army under his command.

"Master, it is not necessarily hopeless."

Haotian's voice rang out in the Sea of Consciousness:

"Although White Bone Demon Venerable is strong, he has traveled a long distance and must be fatigued. Meanwhile, we hold Luoxia City, possessing the City Protecting Great Formation, the dragon roar cannon, War Department Cultivators, and favorable timing and terrain."

"Furthermore, we have allies."

Lin Yue's eyes shifted slightly:

"Are you referring to... the Qinglan Sect and the Seven Star Alliance?"

"Precisely."

Haotian analyzed:

"The Qinglan Sect and the Black Lotus Cult have old grudges, and Sect Master Mo Chen's attitude today has made that clear. Although the Seven Star Alliance's stance is complex, since Mysterious Yang Master agreed to cooperate, he will not stand by and watch the Black Lotus Cult rampage through the Southern Territory—that would be a slap in the face to the Seven Star Alliance."

"Moreover..."

Haotian paused:

"Master, don't forget that Star Radiance is backed by the Star Track Pavilion. If we can get the Star Track Pavilion to formally intervene, even just by sending a few Star Gazing Emissaries, it would be a huge help."

Lin Yue pondered for a moment and slowly nodded:

"That makes sense."

He stood up and walked to the window.

The night was deep, and the starlight was dim.

But inside Luoxia City, the lights were still bright.

Post-war reconstruction, casualty treatment, military equipment maintenance... everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

This city was the result of two years of his dedication.

It absolutely cannot be destroyed by the Black Lotus Cult.

"Haotian."

"Present."

"From now on, the Cave Heaven must run at full capacity. All output from the spirit fields must prioritize the War Department. dragon soul spirit spring and Star Fruit, any resource that can increase combat power, must be supplied without limit."

"Understood."

"Also, I need you to deduce a Formation."

"A Formation?"

"Using the Star Dragon Evil-Breaking Formation of the Star Lords Palace as a blueprint, and combining it with Luoxia City's City Protecting Great Formation, design a large-scale compound Formation that can cover the entire city and restrain the White Bone Demon Army."

Lin Yue's gaze was sharp:

"If the Materials are insufficient, requisition them from the warehouse, buy them outside, or... seize them."

"In short, I want to see this Formation completed within a month."

"Yes!"

Haotian agreed and immediately began the deduction.

Lin Yue then turned and left the quiet room.

He had people to see... The next morning, in the Council Hall of the City Lord's Manor.

Lin Yue, Star Radiance, and Mysterious Yang Master sat opposite each other.

The atmosphere was even heavier than the day before.

"White Bone Demon Venerable..."

Elder Xuan Yangzi frowned deeply after hearing Lin Yue's account:

"I have heard of this person. Three hundred years ago, he slaughtered one hundred thousand Loose Cultivators in the White Bone Wasteland in the Central Region, building the White Bone Demon City with human bones. His fierce reputation shook the heavens. Later, he was besieged by the Righteous Path Alliance, severely injured, and fled, disappearing for a century. I didn't expect him to have joined the Black Lotus Cult."

"Late Nascent Soul Stage, White Bone Demon Army..."

Star Radiance's face turned pale:

"Can Luoxia City... withstand an enemy like that?"

"Luoxia City alone certainly cannot stop them."

Lin Yue said calmly:

"Therefore, I need allies."

He looked toward Elder Xuan Yangzi:

"Elder Xuan Yangzi, when can the Seven Star Alliance's reinforcements arrive?"

Mysterious Yang Master was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"At the fastest... it will still take twenty days."

"That's too slow."

Lin Yue shook his head:

"White Bone Demon Venerable will definitely arrive within a month. If the Seven Star Alliance reinforcements only arrive after twenty days, we will only have ten days left to prepare. If we fight hastily then, we are bound to lose."

"Then what is City Lord Lin's intention?"

"I need the Seven Star Alliance to dispatch the first batch of reinforcements within three days."

Lin Yue looked directly at Mysterious Yang Master:

"It doesn't need to be many, but they must be elites. At least three Early Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators, one hundred Golden Core Cultivators, and five hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Additionally, I need at least one hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, as well as a batch of Formation Materials."

Mysterious Yang Master's expression changed:

"That's impossible! A mobilization of this scale requires joint consultation among the seven departments, which would take at least half a month..."

"Then act first and report later."

Lin Yue interrupted him:

"Elder Xuan Yangzi, you are a smart man. White Bone Demon Venerable heading south threatens not just Luoxia City, but the entire Southern Territory defense line. If the Southern Territory falls and the Spirit Devouring Clan breaks the Seal, who will be the first to suffer?"

He paused, speaking slowly and deliberately:

"It will be your Seven Star Alliance."

"The purpose of the Seven Star Alliance's establishment is to resist the Spirit Devouring Clan. If the defense line collapses due to internal procedures—can you bear that responsibility?"

Mysterious Yang Master's expression kept shifting.

After a long time, he let out a deep sigh:

"City Lord Lin, you truly... strike at the heart with every word."

"I am merely stating the facts."

Lin Yue's tone softened slightly:

"Of course, I won't let the Seven Star Alliance exert effort in vain. In exchange, I can hand over the complete Formation diagram of the Star Dragon Evil-Breaking Formation to you in advance, and I promise—after the war, Luoxia City will formally join the Seven Star Alliance and become a 'Core Member'."

Mysterious Yang Master's eyes lit up.

Core Member!

That means Luoxia City would be on equal footing with the Seven Departments of the Seven Star Alliance, sharing resources and jointly discussing major affairs.

This status was far superior to that of an outer member.

"Is that true?"

"My word is my bond."

Lin Yue nodded:

"But the prerequisite is that the Seven Star Alliance must show sincerity."

Mysterious Yang Master took a deep breath:

"Fine! This old man will take the gamble!"

He stood up:

"The first batch of reinforcements will arrive within three days. I will allocate the one hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones and Formation Materials under my personal name first, and process the paperwork later."

"Thank you, Elder Xuan Yangzi."

Lin Yue cupped his fists.

After seeing off Mysterious Yang Master, Lin Yue looked at Star Radiance:

"Star Envoy, regarding the Star Track Pavilion..."

"I have already sent a message back."

Star Radiance's expression was complex:

"The Elders in the Pavilion replied that they can send three Star Gazing Emissaries to assist, but... there are conditions."

"What conditions?"

"First, the Starfall Sect must sign a 'Watchmen Alliance' contract with the Star Track Pavilion, valid for one hundred years."

"Second, the part of the Star Lord Inheritance concerning the Star Dao must be made accessible to the Star Track Pavilion."

"Third..."

Star Radiance paused, lowering her voice:

"The Pavilion Master wishes to meet you."

"Meet me?"

Lin Yue was stunned.

"Yes."

Star Radiance nodded:

"The Pavilion Master personally said he wants to meet this Junior who can condense a 'star dragon nascent soul'."

Lin Yue was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head:

"Not now. White Bone Demon Venerable is approaching, and I cannot leave Luoxia City."

"The Pavilion Master anticipated that."

Star Radiance took out a palm-sized jade plate from her sleeve:

"This is the Void Mirror. It can project a Divine Soul phantom, allowing us to meet across millions of miles. The Pavilion Master said you can activate it anytime if you agree."

Lin Yue accepted the jade plate.

It felt warm and smooth in his hand, the jade delicate. Its surface was covered in star runes, and a bean-sized Void Realm Crystal was inlaid in the center.

"Alright."

He nodded:

"I will activate this mirror tonight at midnight."

"Then the first two conditions..."

"The Watchmen Alliance, we can sign. The Star Dao Legacy can also be shared."

Lin Yue said readily:

"But I also have conditions—the three Star Gazing Emissaries from the Star Track Pavilion must arrive within five days. Furthermore, they must bring ten tons of starfall iron, one hundred cubic meters of star sand, and fifty Void Realm Crystals."

Star Radiance gasped:

"This... this is too much! starfall iron and star sand are manageable, but Void Realm Crystals are extremely rare; the Star Track Pavilion only has a little over a hundred in stock..."

"White Bone Demon Venerable is worth this price."

Lin Yue said calmly:

"If the Star Track Pavilion deems it unworthy, then let's drop the matter."

Star Radiance bit her lip:

"I... I will send another message to inquire."

"I appreciate your trouble."

Lin Yue watched Star Radiance leave.

He was the only one left in the Council Hall.

He walked outside the hall and looked toward the east.

The morning sun was rising, casting rays of brilliant light.

But Lin Yue's heart was shrouded in gloom.

White Bone Demon Venerable... Late Nascent Soul Stage... This battle would likely be the greatest calamity Luoxia City had faced since its establishment.

"City Lord."

A voice came from behind him.

Lin Yue turned around and saw that Lin Hu, Lin Shi, Lin De, Lin Cang, and others had gathered outside the hall at some point.

"You all..."

"City Lord."

Lin Hu knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice:

"All three thousand Cultivators of the War Department have returned to their posts. Those lightly injured can recover in three days, and those heavily injured can fight in ten days. Everyone... is willing to live and die with Luoxia City!"

"The three hundred Master Craftsmen of the Artifact Refining Hall are working day and night, fully repairing the dragon roar cannon and rushing to manufacture new Magical Artifacts."

Lin Shi also knelt down.

"All Alchemists in the Pill Hall have started their furnaces to refine Medicinal Pills—healing, recovery, and explosive pills, we have plenty!"

Lin De followed closely.

"Internal affairs, logistics, commerce... all departments are in position."

Lin Cang spoke last, his aged eyes tearful:

"City Lord, Luoxia City was built by your own hands, and it is the home of all of us. In this battle, we... will not retreat!"

"We will not retreat!"

"We will not retreat!"

"We will not retreat!"

The voices surged like a tide, echoing through the sky.

Lin Yue looked at these familiar faces, his eyes feeling slightly warm.

He took a deep breath and slowly said:

"Good."

"Then let the White Bone Demon Venerable see—"

"The backbone of my Starfall Sect!"

That night, at midnight.

The secret room of the City Lord's Manor.

Lin Yue sat cross-legged, the Void Mirror suspended before him.

The mirror surface rippled like water, and starlight flowed across it.

Following the technique taught by Star Radiance, he injected a wisp of his Divine Soul into the mirror.

The mirror surface suddenly lit up!

Within the light, a phantom figure slowly condensed.

It was an old man in white robes, with completely white hair and beard, a distinguished countenance, and eyes as deep as the starry sea.

He just sat there quietly, yet he seemed to be the center of the entire Universe.

"Junior Lin Yue greets the Star Track Pavilion Master."

Lin Yue bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities."

The old man spoke, his voice gentle but carrying an indescribable majesty:

"The star dragon nascent soul... is indeed extraordinary."

He examined Lin Yue, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes:

"After the Ancient Era, the Legacies of the Star and Dragon Soul were severed, and the star dragon nascent soul became a legend. I didn't expect it could reappear in you."

"It was merely luck."

Lin Yue was neither servile nor overbearing.

"Luck?"

The old man smiled:

"Being able to pass the Star Lord Three Trials, to achieve dual Origin Fusion, and to repel the Blood Lotus Old Demon... this is not luck."

He paused, then said seriously:

"Lin Yue, let me ask you—how much do you know about the Spirit Devouring Clan?"

Lin Yue's heart stirred, and he answered truthfully:

"I know a little. This clan sustains itself by devouring living beings and spiritual energy; where they pass, all life withers. Ten thousand years ago, they invaded this realm and were Sealed in the Burial Dragon Abyss by the Star Lord and other ancient mighty figures."

"More than that."

The old man shook his head, his tone grave:

"The true terror of the Spirit Devouring Clan lies in their ability to 'assimilate'."

"Assimilate?"

"Yes."

The old man slowly explained:

"Among the Spirit Devouring Clan, there is a special existence called the Parasite. They can invade a Cultivator's body, devour their Divine Soul, occupy their Physical Body, and retain most of their memories and abilities."

"Those who are Parasites appear no different from ordinary people, and can even continue to Cultivate and advance. But essentially, they are Puppets of the Spirit Devouring Clan."

Lin Yue's expression suddenly changed:

"Are you suggesting..."

"It is likely that high-ranking members of the Black Lotus Cult have already been Parasites."

The old man spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Otherwise, how dare the likes of Black Lotus Ancestor, Blood Lotus, and White Bone openly oppose the entire Cultivation World?"

A dead silence filled the secret room.

Lin Yue felt a chill rush from his spine straight to the crown of his head.

If this were true... then this battle would no longer just be a war between Luoxia City and the Black Lotus Cult.

It would be... the war between the Human Race and the Spirit Devouring Clan!

"Pavilion Master, what do you hope for me to do by telling me this?"

Lin Yue asked in a deep voice.

"Two things."

The old man held up two fingers:

"First, capture White Bone Demon Venerable alive. We need to confirm whether he has been Parasite."

"Second, guard the Burial Dragon Abyss. We absolutely cannot let the Seal completely collapse."

He looked at Lin Yue, his eyes as deep as an abyss:

"Lin Yue, this battle concerns not only the survival of the Southern Territory but also the safety of this realm."

"The Star Track Pavilion will fully assist you."

"But whether you can ultimately hold the line..."

"That is up to you."