Chapter 888. Farewell to the Mortal World, 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 treasure 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 precious gourds."

Dorian nodded, then stroked his long beard with a chuckle. "That golden gourd was refined by the Demon-Subduing Divine Monk into a Pure Yang Buddhist Treasure within the Western Extremity's Tranquil Spirit Temple."

By that count, only the Orange Gourd had yet to reveal itself.

"It seems that to break this near-immortal formation, we must quickly find the final 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 shall remain etched in 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 Abominations and thwart the all-out invasion of the Outer Realm Fiend Gods.

At this thought, Haoyuan Daojun added, "The 7 Treasures Gourd is a tribulation-calibrated treasure, and those of us who obtain the 7 Treasures are likewise tribulation-calibrated individuals."

"Rest assured, everyone. With the great calamity now approaching, 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, even the Demigod Ancestor (Cultivation Realm) had refrained from contending for it—perhaps he too understood it was 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, the Eldrin of the Violet Firmament stroked his long beard and said, "Although the 7 Treasures Gourd Formation possesses formidable power, it requires profound cultivation to activate."

"We too must diligently cultivate, and during this time, devote ourselves to refining the Treasure Gourd. Only by possessing sufficient cultivation strength and fully unleashing the power of the 7 Treasures Gourd can we hope to break that near-immortal grand formation."

"Very well."

Eldrin nodded and declared decisively, "In that case, we shall withdraw our troops for now."

"Let us return and recuperate for several 100 years. When all 7 Sacred Calabashes have emerged into the world, we shall come back to reclaim the Star Archipelago in 1 fell swoop and quell this Abyssal Tribulation."

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

Before long, he arrived at the master of the Tianya Haige and met the master of the Tianya Haige in his seclusion chamber.

Senior!

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

At this moment, the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion was left with nothing but a fractured primordial spirit, clearly having suffered unprecedented devastation.

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion, utterly enfeebled, managed a bitter smile and said, "That Black Dragon has bided its time for tens of thousands of years. We have all underestimated him."

"Senior..."

Eldrin felt a surge of complex emotions, immediately channeling his life force energy to continuously heal the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion.

可是那天涯海阁之主摇了摇头，而后开口说道：“那黑龙隐忍数万年，甚至不惜违背轮回大誓，实力在元神九重之中怕是都算得上顶尖。”

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 shattered.

With such severe injuries, it was fundamentally impossible to aid his recovery unless 1 possessed the legendary Yin-Yang Immortal Elixir.

"Fortunately, that Black Dragon was severely wounded by this old man unleashing the combined might of the Zenith and Nadir Swords, rendering it incapable of battle for hundreds of years to come."

The master of the Endless Sky Pavilion was exceedingly frail at this moment, yet his expression was unusually solemn as he declared, "I have now exhausted all means of recovery. I leave no final words behind."

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

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

"Senior..."

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

He remained silent, continuously channeling his life force, yet he could not prolong the life of the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion by even a single breath.

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin cursed himself for not being a 9 Heavens Immortal, for lacking the supreme celestial arts and divine powers to grant the master of the Endless Sky 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 certain 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 a serene and elegant countenance, a glimmer of anticipation shining between his brows, he spoke with measured composure, "Though our acquaintance has been brief, you and I can be considered ageless companions—friends who have shared years in spirit."

"Alas, this parting from the mortal world is profound, with no certain date of return."

“I only hope that after countless lifetimes, I may see you again in the immortal realm, or perhaps meet you once more amidst the mortal dust.”

"Perhaps by then, we shall still recognize 1 another and sit together to discourse upon the Dao."

"Take care on your journey, Senior..."

Eldrin whispered, reaching out to grasp the final strands of light rain in the void. He felt threads of Dao Charm unfolding before his eyes, tear streaks tracing paths down his cheeks.

Before his end, even the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion would dissolve into the Dao before his very eyes, unfolding her lifelong comprehension of the laws for him to witness and understand.

Such a person of noble and selfless character earned his utmost respect, along with a touch of indescribable emotion.

He rose to his feet and stepped out of the Tianya Haige. Every single Yuanshen Daojun present 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 Tianya Haige has passed away, he is the only 1 among the human race truly capable of steering the overall situation.

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 Primordial Spirit.

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

"You are the mightiest warrior of our human race since this old man, and I hope you will shoulder the responsibility to stabilize the situation in the Violet Realm, safeguarding our billions of fellow humans!"

Recalling the final words of the Lord of the Skyreach Pavilion, Eldrin remained silent for a long while.

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

"Senior, I accept your request!"

"From this day forth, even if the heavens were to collapse, I would hold them aloft..."

Chapter 1 The biting northern wind swept across the mountain ridge like countless icy blades. Lin Feng tightened his worn deerskin coat, his gaze fixed on the faint glow emanating from the cliffside cave ahead. 3 years. For 3 years, he had been guarding this desolate mountain, awaiting the day his master would emerge from secluded cultivation. A crisp chime suddenly echoed from the cave, its sound piercing through the howling wind. Lin Feng's eyes lit up—this was the signal of successful cultivation breakthrough! "Master!" He rushed forward but froze mid-step. The cave entrance shimmered as a translucent figure emerged, floating half an inch above the ground. It was his master, Yun Ji, yet not entirely—her form flickered like moonlight on water. "Feng'er," the ethereal voice seemed to come from all directions, "my cultivation has reached the Great Perfection stage, but my physical form cannot withstand the Heavenly Tribulation." Lin Feng's heart clenched. "What about your body...?" "Scattered like smoke." Yun Ji's spirit form gestured toward the cave. "Inside lies my legacy—the 9 Revolutions Mysterious Art cultivation manual and 32,000 spirit stones. Take them and leave this place at once." "But master, I—" "Listen carefully." Yun Ji's spirit began dissolving into specks of light. "The Heavenly Mystery Sect has been hunting me for over a 100 years. Now that my physical form is destroyed, they will detect it immediately. You must reach the Mortal Severing Valley before dawn, or..." Her warning faded with her dissipating form. Lin Feng knelt and kowtowed 3 times, his forehead touching the frozen ground. When he looked up, only drifting specks of spiritual light remained. Inside the cave, he found everything exactly as described: a jade slip containing the 9 Revolutions Mysterious Art and a storage pouch filled with glimmering spirit stones. But beside these lay an unexpected item—a pitch-black sword that seemed to absorb all surrounding light. Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) As his fingers brushed the sword hilt, a surge of icy spiritual energy shot up his arm. Visions flooded his mind: towering palaces crumbling, cultivators soaring through blood-red skies, and finally, Yun Ji's smiling face. "So this is why they pursued you, master..." Lin Feng murmured, understanding dawning. He secured the treasures and leaped from the cliff, riding the wind like a descending leaf. Behind him, 3 beams of light pierced through the clouds—the pursuers had arrived. The game of cat and mouse had begun anew, but this time, the mouse carried a dragon-slaying sword.