Chapter 953 : The Flaming Prison's Dilemma

The entirety of Old Granduncle's cultivation base was derived from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary sea of eternal, scorching flames]. Should he ever depart from it, his combat prowess would be drastically diminished.

Furthermore, it is fundamentally impossible for the mortal world to nurture an Immortal-grade Fire Vein [a concentrated source of fire-attribute spiritual energy]. Unless Eternal Profound Chen is willing to forsake the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, he will never be able to use it to cultivate to the realm of Ascension and Attainment of the Path [the legendary state of becoming a true immortal].

And once he abandons the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, the vast majority of the spiritual power and cultivation he gained from it would also be lost along with its source.

He is not the Verdant Seal Patriarch, lacking that patriarch's world-shaking, heaven-defying talent. Should he give up the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, forget about attaining immortality—merely cultivating back to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core] would be an arduous, near-impossible task.

Eldrin Chen gathered his wandering thoughts. From his sleeve, he produced an Immortal Lotus Pill [a supreme elixir said to cleanse and elevate one's spiritual foundation] and handed it to Eternal Profound Chen. "Since your spiritual power has reached a state of perfect harmony, Old Granduncle, you should seize this opportunity to advance further, to cultivate to the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the peak of the Primordial Spirit realm]," he advised.

Without hesitation, Eternal Profound Chen accepted the Precious Pill [a term for a high-grade elixir]. "If I advance another step," he said, "the Eight Trigrams Treasure Flag [a powerful enchanted banner based on the eight trigrams] should be able to reach its completed form."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, choosing not to dwell on the topic further.

His gaze swept over the assembled group before he spoke, his voice carrying a weight of purpose. "Less than a century remains until the next Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, catastrophic eruption of demonic energy from a great abyss]."

"Before that time comes, we must act to preemptively eliminate certain threats."

"The time is indeed ripe," Exquisite Jiang agreed with a nod, yet a trace of solemnity colored her expression. "But with our current strength, I wonder what our chances truly are of suppressing and slaying it?" Continue reading this story at audio-novel.com.

"With our combined strength, augmented by several grand formations, suppressing it should not be difficult."

Eternal Profound Chen spoke, yet shook his head with concern. "However, the Eastern Sovereign's Physical Body [the preserved corporeal form of an ancient Heavenly Sovereign] is incredibly resilient and possesses Immortality [a legendary power of indestructibility]. Completely annihilating it will likely prove exceedingly difficult."

"Regardless, we must try."

Eldrin Chen's expression was grave, but his tone held firm resolve. "The Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation realm or world] holds numerous Immortal Inheritance [legacies and techniques left by ascended immortals]. If we can fully suppress the Eastern Sovereign's Physical Body, there may yet be means to utterly destroy it."

"True." Verdant Consort nodded in agreement before posing a question. "The power of the Eastern Sovereign's Physical Body is far too immense. Without strength approaching the Demigod [a realm just below true divinity] level, one likely lacks even the qualification to engage it in battle."

"Who do you plan to have participate in this fight?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying. "For this battle, Exquisite and I will take the lead. Combined with the Eight Trigrams Treasure Formation [a powerful formation based on the eight trigrams] and others deployed by the Lord of the Path Palace and his allies, along with the Big Dipper Seven Stars Grand Formation [a grand formation harnessing the power of the seven stars of the Big Dipper] and the Seven Treasures Gourd Formation [a formation centered on a magical gourd containing seven treasures], we may still have a sliver of hope."

"Chirp chirp!"

At that moment, a small, fiery-red bird perched on Eldrin Chen's shoulder let out a cheerful cry, its eyes sparkling with eager anticipation.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen smiled, gently stroking the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird [a mythical bird of fire and the sun]. "I almost forgot about you," he said warmly. "You too can lend me your strength."

The Solar Fire Vermilion Bird [a mythical bird of blazing solar fire] possesses the lineage of a Postnatal Divine Spirit [a spirit born after the creation of the world, inheriting immense power]. It is innately endowed with mastery over the Crimson Brilliance Solar Fire [a supreme flame of pure solar essence] Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing cultivation and reality]. Though still in its youth, having been born nearly a millennium ago, it can now barely harness a portion of the Crimson Brilliance Solar Fire's power.

In its current state, the Solar Fire Vermilion Bird's combat prowess is likely no weaker than a Demigod Patriarch [a supreme cultivator halfway to godhood]. If it unleashes its full might, its strength could even far surpass that of a typical Demigod Patriarch.

With its aid, Eldrin Chen gains several more degrees of certainty for the coming conflict.

"A pity the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword forged from solar flame and abyssal essence] is not yet fully nurtured. Otherwise, this battle might have been considerably easier,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself with a resigned shake of his head, after finalizing the roster for the impending confrontation.

"..."

Eastern Sea Cultivation World, within the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago [a vast constellation of spirit islands].

Over a thousand years had passed since the Human Race reclaimed the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago and once again took dominion over these mountains and seas.

Throughout this millennium, the Human Race tirelessly moved mountains and filled seas, restoring the myriad Spirit Island [islands rich with spiritual energy] that had once sunk beneath the waves. By now, the archipelago had regained the glorious prosperity it enjoyed millennia ago.

However, without an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] to re-establish the grand formation, the power of the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a celestial defensive array linking the stars] ultimately fell short of its peak from that bygone golden age.

Yet this sea region had regained its former prosperity, with countless cultivators and mortals thriving and multiplying upon its waves.

Today, however, was different. The atmosphere over the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago was unusually heavy and oppressive.

Upon the Nine Heavens, over a hundred Primordial Spirit Path Lord [cultivators who have mastered their Primordial Spirit and begun to comprehend the fundamental principles of the world] had gathered, each wearing an expression of utmost gravity.

"Screech—"

At that very moment, a phoenix's cry echoed from the far reaches of the Heavenly Vault.

The assembled Primordial Spirit Path Lord looked up to see a colossal, crimson Fire Phoenix blotting out the sky as it soared towards them on mighty wings. Access the full story on audio . novel . com.

"Is that... a Fire Phoenix?"

Despite their vast experience, the gathered Primordial Spirit Path Lord could not help but feel a tremor of awe.

The aura radiating from the Fire Phoenix was overwhelmingly potent. Its magnificent plumage shimmered with strands of Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths that govern reality and cultivation], each thread potent enough to slay a Primordial Spirit [a cultivator whose soul has coalesced into a powerful spiritual entity] cultivator.

Even Heaven Abandoned Lin, foremost among the Primordial Spirit present, could no longer remain seated. With profound solemnity, he declared, "This is a Nine Heavens True Phoenix [a legendary phoenix of immense power and purity]. The tales speak of it as a rare variant of the Nine Heavens Wind Phoenix—the Crimson Bright Vermilion Bird [a mythical firebird of supreme auspiciousness and devastating power]."

Upon hearing this, everyone was utterly astonished. The Crimson Bright Vermilion Bird [a legendary divine bird of fire and the south] was a rare variant from the Immortal Realm. If allowed to mature, it would reach at least the pinnacle realm of a supreme Divine Spirits [beings of immense spiritual power, often born from natural laws].

Such a creature was a Postnatal Divine Spirit [a divine spirit born into the world after its creation, as opposed to an innate one]. Upon reaching adulthood, it would stand among the very apex of Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation], with a significant chance of even attaining the status of an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a powerful immortal whose power is deeply connected to the earth and its energies].

Logically, such a lifeform should almost never be born within the Mortal Realm. It was unfathomable that one had now emerged here.

"Could it be," someone murmured, "that like the Supple Wood Azure Dragon [the divine dragon of wood and the east] of legend, this is a contingency left behind by an ancient Immortal?"

As they whispered among themselves, they saw the Immortal Phoenix [a mythical bird symbolizing rebirth and supreme grace] tear through layers of void and appear directly before the assembly.

Only then did they notice the minuscule figure standing upon the Immortal Phoenix's head.

The figure stepped forward. Instantly, the Crimson Bright Vermilion Bird transformed into a small, crimson divine bird that alighted upon his shoulder.

Clad in robes white as snow, Eldrin Chen walked through the air as if treading on solid ground. He resembled a Nine Heavens Banished Immortal [an immortal exiled from the highest heavens, often possessing an aura of transcendent loneliness and purity] descending to the mortal dust, radiating an aura of solitary nobility and sacred purity.

He casually stroked the Crimson Bright Vermilion Bird before turning his gaze to the assembled Mortal Path [cultivators who follow the path of mortality, seeking transcendence]. "My apologies for the wait," he said.

"Not at all, not at all," came the hurried replies.

None dared to show the slightest disrespect, immediately bowing deeply in greeting.

Only Heaven Abandoned Lin gave a slight nod before stating, "Now that you have arrived, it is time for this battle to commence."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment and inquired, "How are the preparations?"

The Master of Stellar Palace clasped his hands and replied with a smile, "The Seven Treasures Gourd have all arrived, and the Big Dipper Seven Stars Grand Formation can be deployed. We await only the opportune moment to strike."

"Good."

Eldrin Chen nodded again, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Path Lord. "I must trouble you all to enter the Heavenly Starry Sky Grand Formation and lend me your strength at the critical juncture."

"We understand."

Solemn expressions settled upon their faces, each fully comprehending the pivotal nature of the coming conflict.

This battle could no longer be avoided. For two thousand years within the Eight Trigrams Treasure Formation, the Human Race's Demigod and several Primordial Spirit Path Lord had been locked in a desperate struggle against the Outer Realm Demon God, a conflict that had exacted a truly immense toll.

If they could not slay the Outer Realm Demon God, within a hundred years, the Second Primordial Spirit [a powerful spiritual clone or secondary soul] of the Outer Realm Demon God would inevitably break free from the formation.

By then, attempting to slay the Outer Realm Demon God would be nothing short of a fool's dream.

This was their best chance, and their final one. If they failed to slay the Outer Realm Demon God in this battle, trapping its Second Primordial Spirit again would become a task of near-impossible difficulty. For the best reading experience, visit audio novel.com.