Chapter 889 : Leaving the Mortal World Behind, No Return in Sight

As the gourds gathered to a total of 4, Eldrin spoke up, "We now have the purple, cyan, blue, and yellow divine gourds here."

"If we also account for Fellow Daoist Li Huo's Li Fire Treasure Gourd (Magic Treasure), we now possess 5 of the 7 treasure gourds."

Dorian nodded, then stroked his long beard with a chuckle. "That golden gourd is housed within the Western Extremity's Tranquil Spirit Temple, where the Demon-Subduing Divine Monk has refined it into a supreme Yang-infused Buddhist treasure."

"By that count, only the orange gourd remains unseen."

"It seems that to break this near-immortal formation, we must quickly find the last treasure gourd."

Eldrin gave a slight nod and said, "Brother Li Fire's physical form has been destroyed. It will require another 4 100 years for him to fully recover."

"During this time, I hope everyone will keep a close watch for any traces of the Orange Gourd(Magic Treasure)."

"This matter will naturally be kept close to our hearts."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The 7 Treasures Gourd was 1 of humanity’s hidden safeguards against the Eldrin.

If they could truly gather all 7 treasure gourds, perhaps only then would they possess the means to utterly defeat the eldritch demons and completely thwart this full-scale invasion by the Outer Gods.

At this thought, Haoyuan Daojun spoke once more, "These 7 Treasures Gourds are artifacts of calamity, and we who have obtained them are likewise fated to face this tribulation."

"Rest assured, everyone. As the great calamity approaches, the Seventh Treasure is fated to emerge."

Hearing this, everyone felt reassured. The 7 Treasures Gourd was a miraculous treasure born of heaven and earth. In the past, the Demigod Ancestor (Cultivation Realm) had refrained from contending for it, perhaps recognizing it as an object destined for calamity.

Now that matters have reached this point, if the Will of Heaven and Earth still exists, it should soon manifest itself.

At this thought, Elder Zixiao stroked his long beard and remarked, "Although the 7 Treasures Gourd Formation possesses formidable power, it requires profound cultivation to activate."

"We too must diligently cultivate, and during this time, we must further refine the treasured gourd. Only by possessing sufficiently powerful cultivation and fully unleashing the might of the 7 Treasures Gourd can we hope to breach that near-immortal grand formation."

"Very well."

Eldrin (Person Name) nodded and declared with resolve, "In that case, we shall withdraw our troops for now."

"Return and recuperate for several 100 years. Once all 7 Sacred Gourd treasures have emerged into the world, we shall come back to reclaim the Star Archipelago in 1 decisive move and quell this Cataclysm of the Demonic Abyss."

After the crowd dispersed, Eldrin did not linger. He immediately set off for the Celestial Horizon Pavilion.

Before long, he arrived at the master of the Sky-Ocean Pavilion and met the master in his secluded cultivation chamber.

"Senior!"

The moment he laid eyes on the master of the Skyreach Pavilion, Eldrin's voice faltered abruptly, his fists involuntarily clenching tight.

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion was now reduced to a mere fragment of his primordial spirit, clearly having suffered unprecedented devastation.

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion, utterly weakened, revealed a bitter smile and said, "That Black Dragon has bided his time for tens of thousands of years. We’ve all underestimated him."

"Senior..."

Eldrin felt a surge of inexplicable emotions in his heart. He swiftly channeled his life force energy, continuously healing the master of the Celestial Horizon Pavilion.

But the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion shook his head and said, "That Black Dragon has endured for tens of thousands of years, even going so far as to violate a Soul Oath of Reincarnation. His power is likely among the pinnacle of those at the 9th-layer Spirit Soul realm."

At this point, the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion said with a grave expression, "His power is likely only A Step Away (Time & Distance) from the Half-Immortal Realm. Should you encounter him, you must never act recklessly."

It turned out that during this battle, the master of the Ends of the Earth Pavilion, whose injuries had not yet healed, had resorted to desperate measures to block the black dragon. In doing so, he had ended up with his physical body completely destroyed and his primordial spirit left fractured and incomplete.

With such severe injuries, it was fundamentally impossible to aid his recovery unless 1 could obtain the legendary Yin-Yang Immortal Elixir (Magical Elixir).

"Fortunately, that Black Dragon was severely wounded by this old man unleashing the combined power of the Horizon-Spanning Twin Swords. It won't pose a threat again for hundreds of years."

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion was extremely frail at this moment, yet his expression was unusually solemn as he declared, "I am now beyond any hope of recovery, and I have no final words to offer."

"However, after my earthly demise, there will be no Ninth-Level Nascent Soul cultivator to steer humanity's course for 3 100 years."

"You are the mightiest warrior of our human race since my time. I trust you shall shoulder this responsibility, steady the situation in the Violet Realm, and shelter our billions of fellow humans!"

"Senior..."

Eldrin's heart trembled as he tried to speak, yet in the end, his words dissolved into silence.

Without a word, he continuously channeled his life force, yet could not prolong the life of the Master of the Endless Sky Pavilion by even a single breath.

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin bitterly wished he were a Ninth Heaven Immortal, possessing supreme celestial arts and divine powers to grant the master of the Horizon Pavilion another lifetime of longevity.

"Silly child."

"Alas!"

Watching Eldrin channel his spiritual power, the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion let out a sigh.

He gazed quietly at Eldrin, observing the expression on his face, and a serene smile graced his lips.

In this moment, he understood that some matters required no elaboration—Eldrin would act regardless. With this certainty, he could depart in peace.

"I know your heart, and I know the person you are."

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion began to emanate a dazzling shower of light—it was his Primordial Spirit undergoing Dao Sublimation.

With an elegant and serene countenance, a trace of anticipation glimmered in his eyes as he spoke with measured composure, "Though our acquaintance has been brief, you and I can be considered kindred spirits across the years—friends who share a bond that transcends time."

"Alas, this parting leads far from the mortal dust, with no day of return in sight."

"I only pray that after countless lifetimes, I may meet you again in the immortal realm, or perhaps encounter you once more amidst the mortal dust."

"Perhaps by then, we shall still recognize each other and sit together to discourse upon the Dao."

"Farewell, Elder…"

Eldrin whispered softly, reaching out to grasp the final strands of luminous rain in the void. He watched as threads of Dao Charm unfolded before his eyes, tear tracks glistening as they traced paths down his cheeks.

Before his end, even the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion would dissolve into the Dao before his very eyes, manifesting and unraveling a lifetime's comprehension of cosmic principles right before him.

Such a person of noble character and selfless virtue earned his utmost respect, along with an indescribable, complex sentiment.

He rose to his feet and stepped out of the Heavenly Horizon Pavilion. 1 Eldrin Daoist after another turned their gaze toward him, each revealing a glimmer of hopeful anticipation in their eyes.

This made him feel an immense pressure crashing down upon him.

Now that the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion has passed away, he is the only 1 among the human race truly capable of steering the grand scheme of things.

For only he, who wielded the Great 5 Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder, possessed the power to threaten those at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul.

"However, after my earthly demise, for 3 100 years the human race shall lack a Ninth-Level Nascent Soul cultivator to steer the course."

"You are the mightiest warrior among our human race since my time. I hope you will shoulder this responsibility, stabilize the situation in the Violet Realm, and protect the hundreds of millions of our human populace!"

Recalling the final words of the Lord of the Skyreach Pavilion, Eldrin (Person Name) remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, he opened his eyes with an air of unshakable conviction, ultimately murmuring to himself as if responding to the Master of the Endless Sky Pavilion.

"Senior, I accept your request!"

"Henceforth, even if the heavens were to collapse, I would hold them aloft..."

Chapter 1: The Prodigy's Return The mountain mists coiled like ancient serpents around the jagged peaks of the Azure Dragon Sect. A young man in faded blue robes knelt before a stone tablet etched with fading characters, his fingers tracing the grooves of the words "Celestial Dawn Sanctuary." "Lin Feng, your cultivation progress remains stagnant at the third layer of Qi Refining," a cold voice declared. Elder Ming, his face a mask of frost, stood flanked by 2 disciples. "The monthly allocation of 1,500 spirit stones is wasted on you. From this day forth, you receive nothing." Lin Feng's knuckles turned white, but his voice was steady. "The path of cultivation is long, Elder. A single setback does not define a lifetime." "Arrogance!" 1 of the junior disciples sneered. "You, a mere outer disciple, dare to lecture an Elder? You've been stuck at this level for 3 years! Even mortals show more progress." Lin Feng rose slowly, his gaze sweeping over the mocking faces. "For thousands of years, countless have sought the Dao. Some soar to heavens in a day, others grind for a century to polish their jade. Who are you to measure my path?" He reached into his robe and produced a jade token, its surface shimmering with faint spiritual energy. "I, Lin Feng, hereby renounce my membership in the Azure Dragon Sect." A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. To voluntarily leave a major sect was unheard of. Elder Ming's eyes narrowed. "Foolish boy! Without the sect's protection and resources, you'll be dead within a month in the wilds." Lin Feng smiled, a faint, mysterious curve of his lips. "We shall see." As he descended the mountain path, the whispers followed him like autumn leaves. "Has he gone mad?" "20-some years of cultivation, wasted!" "Without the sect, he's nothing but prey for demonic beasts." At the foot of the mountain, Lin Feng paused before a crumbling shrine. From his spatial pouch, he retrieved a simple-looking ring—the Void Phoenix Band (Magic Treasure). "After 90-1000 years, I have returned," he whispered, slipping the ring onto his finger. A surge of primordial power coursed through his meridians, washing away the impurities that had plagued his cultivation. His spiritual sense expanded, piercing through the veils of reality to perceive the dancing spiritual energies of heaven and earth. The third layer of Qi Refining shattered like glass, then the fourth, the fifth... His cultivation soared relentlessly until it stabilized at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm. A figure materialized from the ring's essence—an ancient soul clad in robes woven from starlight. "Master," Lin Feng bowed deeply. "The Heaven-Devouring Art (Cultivation Method) slumbers within your bloodline," the ancient 1's voice echoed in his mind. "The Azure Dragon Sect was but a cage for a dragon. Your true journey begins now." Lin Feng's eyes gleamed with newfound wisdom. "The resources here are insufficient. I need at least 50,000 spirit stones to reform my foundation and prepare for the Golden Core tribulation." "North," the ancient voice guided. "Beyond the Scarlet River lies the Demon-Burying Abyss, where the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) awaits its true master." As twilight descended, Lin Feng reached a desolate valley. The air hummed with residual sword energy. Before him stood a massive stone stele, its surface scarred by lightning yet radiating terrifying power—the Thunder Emperor Monument (Divine Artifact). A group of cultivators in crimson robes blocked his path, their leader brandishing a flaming sword. "Halt! This territory belongs to the Blood Fiend Sect. Kneel and surrender your possessions, and we might spare your soul!" Lin Feng's expression remained placid as still water. "You seek to rob me?" "Rob you?" the leader laughed cruelly. "We'll devour your flesh and refine your soul! Your spatial pouch looks interesting—consider it your tribute to the Blood Fiend Sect!" "Then come," Lin Feng said softly. "Test your destiny against mine." The crimson-robed cultivators surged forward like a tide of blood, their evil arts casting sinister shadows across the moonlit valley. Lin Feng simply raised a finger, and the world stilled. The 1000 Illusions Finger Technique (Supreme Skill)! Phantom images blossomed throughout the valley—a 1000 Lin Fengs moving in perfect harmony. The crimson-robed cultivators stumbled, their attacks passing harmlessly through illusions. "Impossible!" the leader shrieked. "This is a lost technique of the Ancient Mystic Sect!" Lin Feng's true form appeared behind him. "Your knowledge ends where true power begins." A single touch, and the leader's flaming sword shattered to dust. The remaining cultivators stared in horror as their comrades fell 1 by 1, their cultivation bases completely erased. When the last enemy crumpled to the ground, Lin Feng collected their spatial pouches. His spiritual sense quickly inventoryed the contents: 32,000 spirit stones, a dozen or so healing pellets, and 3 mediocre magical weapons. "Barely sufficient to begin," he murmured, his eyes turning toward the northern wastes where greater challenges—and the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure)—awaited. The night wind whispered through the valley, carrying with it the first notes of a legend reborn. Some destinies cannot be abandoned, only delayed through the long river of time.