Chapter 889 : The Gathering of the Sacred Gourds

Seeing that four of the treasure gourds had now been gathered, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "Here we have the purple, azure, blue, and yellow treasure gourds."

"If we also count Fellow Path Solar Fire's Solar Fire Treasure Gourd, we now possess five of the Seven Treasures Gourd."

Dorian Ji nodded, then stroked his long beard with a smile. "The golden gourd resides within the Western Pole Serene Spirit Temple, where it has been refined by the Demon-Subduing Divine Monk into a Primordial Solar Buddhist Treasure."

"By that reckoning, only the Orange Gourd remains unseen in the world."

"It seems that to dismantle this Formation—this Near-Immortal Grand Formation—we must swiftly locate the final treasure gourd."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of agreement. "Elder Brother Solar Fire's physical form was destroyed; his recovery will require four hundred years."

"During this time, I hope everyone will remain vigilant for any trace of the 'Orange Gourd'."

"We will naturally keep this matter close to our hearts," they all affirmed.

Everyone nodded in unison. The Seven Treasures Gourd represented one of the Human Race's crucial countermeasures against the Outer Realm Demon God.

If they could truly assemble the complete Seven Treasures Gourd, perhaps only then would they have the power to decisively defeat the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon and thoroughly thwart this full-scale invasion by the Outer Realm Demon God. Read the full novel exclusively on audio . novel . com.

With this thought, the Vast Abyss Path Lord spoke once more: "This Seven Treasures Gourd is a treasure destined for the tribulation [a magical artifact whose emergence is tied to a great cosmic calamity]. Those of us who obtain the seven treasures are likewise individuals fated to face this tribulation."

"Rest assured, all of you. Now that the great calamity approaches, the seventh treasure is also destined to emerge."

Hearing this, the group felt their hearts settle. The Seven Treasures Gourd was a miraculous treasure of heaven and earth. In the past, the Demigod Patriarch had not intervened to seize it, perhaps understanding it was an object tied to a tribulation.

Now, at this juncture, if the will of heaven and earth still existed, it should soon manifest.

Thinking this, the Violet Firmament Path Lord stroked his long beard and said, "Although the Seven Treasures Gourd Formation [a powerful defensive or offensive array powered by the seven gourds] possesses formidable power, it requires profound cultivation to activate."

"We must also diligently cultivate and spend this time further refining our treasure gourds. Only with sufficient strength and the ability to fully unleash the power of the Seven Treasures Gourd can we hope to breach that Near-Immortal Grand Formation."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then made a decisive pronouncement: "Since that is the case, we shall withdraw our forces for now."

"We will return, recuperate, and cultivate for several centuries. Once all seven of the Seven Treasures Gourd have emerged, we shall return in full force to reclaim the Stellar Archipelago and quell this Demonic Abyss Tribulation once and for all."

"..."

After the others had dispersed, Eldrin Chen did not linger. He immediately set off for the Horizon Pavilion.

Not long after, he arrived at the Horizon Pavilion and was ushered into its Seclusion Chamber, where he beheld Senior Horizon.

"Senior!"

The moment he laid eyes on Senior Horizon, Eldrin Chen's voice caught in his throat. His fists clenched involuntarily, a wave of emotion washing over him.

Before him, Senior Horizon was but a fragmented, incomplete Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], a testament to wounds of unprecedented severity.

The Senior Horizon was terribly weak. A bitter smile touched his ethereal form as he spoke, "That Black Dragon [a powerful draconic entity] bided his time for tens of thousands of years. We all underestimated him."

"Senior..."

Words failed Eldrin Chen. Heart heavy, he immediately channeled his Life Force Magic Power [a healing art that draws upon vital life energy], pouring its restorative energies ceaselessly into Senior Horizon.

Yet, Senior Horizon shook his head, his voice a faint whisper. "That Black Dragon endured for millennia, even willing to break his Oath of Reincarnation [a profound vow binding one's soul across lifetimes]. His power... even among the peak of the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier, he must rank among the very strongest."

His expression grew grave. "His strength is likely but a single step from the Demigod Realm [a realm bordering on divinity]. Should you encounter him, you must not act recklessly."

It turned out that during this battle, Master of the Horizon Pavilion [the master of a renowned pavilion] had not yet recovered from his injuries. In his desperate effort to hold back the Black Dragon [a powerful draconic fiend], he had ended up with his physical body utterly destroyed and his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] grievously damaged.

Such severe wounds were beyond healing unless one possessed the legendary Polarity Immortal Water [a mythical water of supreme restorative power].

"Fortunately, that Black Dragon was gravely wounded by the combined might of my Horizon Sea's Edge Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords]. It will not have the strength to fight again for several centuries."

Though now incredibly feeble, the Master of the Horizon Pavilion spoke with utmost solemnity. "My fate is sealed, and I have no final wishes to impart."

"However, after my demise, for three hundred years, the Human Race will lack a Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the peak of the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage] cultivator to oversee our affairs."

"You are the mightiest warrior among our Human Race after me. I charge you with this duty: to shoulder the responsibility, to stabilize the situation in the Purple Seal Realm [a major cultivation realm], and to protect the hundreds of millions of our people!" Join our community of readers at (audio-novel.com).

"Senior..."

Eldrin Chen's heart trembled as he tried to speak, but the words ultimately died in his throat, leaving only silence.

Wordlessly, he continuously channeled his Life Force Magic Power [a healing technique that uses one's own life force], yet even this could not kindle a single spark of life within the Master of the Horizon Pavilion.

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of bitter regret. He hated that he was not a Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal [a supreme immortal being], that he lacked the divine arts and Great God Ability [a supreme divine technique] to grant the Master of the Horizon Pavilion another lifetime.

"Foolish child."

"Alas!"

Watching Eldrin Chen channel his spiritual power, the Master of the Horizon Pavilion let out a sigh.

He gazed quietly at Eldrin Chen, observing the expression on Eldrin Chen's face, and a serene, gentle smile touched his lips.

In this moment, he understood. Some things needed no words; Eldrin Chen would do them regardless. He could depart in peace, his heart at ease.

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

The Master of the Horizon Pavilion began to emanate a dazzling shower of light, a sign that his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was dissolving back into the Great Dao.

His countenance was tranquil, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. He spoke with calm acceptance, "Though our years differed greatly, you and I became friends. Our acquaintance was brief, yet we were comrades for many seasons."

"A pity, that this parting takes me far from the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals], with no promise of return."

"I can only hope that after a thousand lifetimes, I might see you again in the Immortal Realm [the realm of the ascended immortals], or perhaps our paths will cross once more within the Mortal Dust."

"Perhaps by that time, we will still recognize each other and sit together to discourse upon the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation and the universe]."

"Farewell, Senior…"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly. He reached out, grasping at the final wisps of light-rain in the void, feeling the unfolding of profound Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation and the universe] before his very eyes. A solitary tear traced a path down his cheek.

With his final breath, Master of the Horizon Pavilion had chosen to dissolve into the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation and the universe] right before Eldrin's eyes, manifesting and elucidating a lifetime's worth of comprehension and insight into the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation and the universe].

Such a person, of such noble, selfless, and virtuous character, filled Eldrin with immense reverence and a complex, ineffable emotion.

He rose to his feet and stepped out of the Horizon Pavilion. The gazes of numerous Primordial Spirit Path Lord [cultivators who have reached the Primordial Spirit realm and comprehended their own Path] fell upon him, each pair of eyes holding a glimmer of desperate hope.

A wave of immense, crushing pressure seemed to materialize before him.

Now that Master of the Horizon Pavilion had passed, Eldrin was, in truth, the only one left within the Human Race capable of steering the course and holding the line.

For he alone, wielder of the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique born from the fusion of the Five Elements and the Primordial Sun], possessed the power to pose a genuine threat to an existence at the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth and pinnacle stage of the Primordial Spirit realm].

"However, after this old man's passing, for three hundred years, the Human Race will lack a Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [a cultivator at the ninth and pinnacle stage of the Primordial Spirit realm] to anchor our defenses and guide our fate."

"You are the mightiest warrior of our Human Race [the collective of humanity] since my time. I hope you can shoulder this responsibility, uphold the situation in the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world], and shelter the billions of our Human Race people!"

Recalling the final words of the Master of the Horizon Pavilion, Eldrin Chen fell into a prolonged silence.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, a glint of unshakable resolve within them. He finally murmured to himself, as if giving an answer to the Master of the Horizon Pavilion.

"Senior, I promise you!"

"Henceforth, even if the heavens themselves should fall, I will be the one to hold them up…" Continue your cultivation journey at https://audio-novel.com.