Chapter 991 : Heavenly Thunder and the Demon's Escape
"A pity, to have let him slip away..."
Watching the Catastrophe Demon God [a powerful demonic deity embodying calamity and ruin] escape with its life, Exquisite Jiang spoke with a tone of regret.
Regarding this, Eldrin Chen remained remarkably calm, for it had been within his expectations. An Outer Realm Demon God [a demon god originating from beyond the known realms] was a member of the Nine Heavens Heavenly God Demons [a formidable faction of celestial and demonic beings], its cultivation and combat prowess were truly earth-shattering, making it naturally difficult to slay utterly.
Eldrin Chen did not pursue the Catastrophe Demon God. He understood that once he left the Purple Seal Realm, without the suppression of the world's will, his current strength would be insufficient to truly vanquish the demon god.
Furthermore, that Catastrophe Demon God was backed by the Demonic Abyss [a bottomless pit of demonic energy and corruption] and had the assistance of the Netherweave Demon God [a demon god associated with shadowy, ensnaring powers]; it would likely be no easy foe to deal with.
Of course, the most crucial reason was that the skies above the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago [a constellation of islands floating in the void] were now thick with thunderclouds; the Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the heavenly trial one must pass to ascend to immortality] had already begun to gather.
In this battle, he had exerted his full power. His awe-inspiring, immortal-defying combat prowess could no longer be restrained, and the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the celestial lightning trial that tests cultivators] had ultimately converged upon him.
The most pressing matter now was to swiftly transcend this Immortal Ascension Heavenly Thunder Tribulation and successfully cultivate his Immortal Path Fruit [the metaphysical fruit representing one's attainment on the path to immortality].
Eldrin Chen gazed at the Nine Heavens Heavenly Thunder Tribulation gathering in the firmament. With serene composure, he took a step forward, ascending into the sky, and declared, "The Heavenly Thunder Tribulation descends. All of you, withdraw beyond three million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. Do not approach the tribulation zone."
Hearing his words, the assembled crowd immediately retreated to a safe distance. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel*com.
They gazed with unbridled excitement at the figure in the void, their faces alight with ecstatic joy.
This time, the Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful entity from beyond this realm] had been ambushed and grievously wounded, its power drastically diminished. It was now clearly incapable of hindering Eldrin Chen's path to ascension any longer.
It must be said, the phenomena accompanying this Immortal Ascension Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the cataclysmic trial of heavenly thunder one must endure to ascend to immortality] were truly earth-shattering and awe-inspiring.
Even before the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the manifestation of heavenly punishment via thunder] descended, the Future [a being associated with the concept of time or prophecy] launched its assault. The boundless Tribulation Cloud [ominous clouds heralding a heavenly tribulation] had already gathered for nine nights under the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms]. An endless stream of Thunderclap [a thunderous sound or strike] and Tribulation Cloud poured forth from the void, ultimately coalescing into a vast, five-colored immortal Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.
"This is the Great Five Elements Primordial One Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the supreme heavenly thunder tribulation embodying the primordial power of the five elements]!"
As this Heavenly Thunder Tribulation gradually took form, the expression of the observing Path Master changed abruptly, recognition dawning as he identified the origin of this Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.
A slight furrow appeared between Eldrin Chen's brows as he, too, comprehended the profound origins of the Great Five Elements Primordial One Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.
The Great Five Elements Primordial One Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was of extraordinary origin, counted among the most terrifying of all Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the fated trials for ascending to immortality]. The annals of the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world or dimension] held legends of it appearing only once before.
In ancient times, when Purple Seal Immortal Lord [a legendary immortal sovereign] ascended to immortality, it was said he too faced this same horrific Ascendant Immortal Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation for ascending immortals].
Furthermore, an ancient rumor within the Purple Seal Realm held that the realm's most powerful offensive Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique], 'Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder' [a divine thunder technique of the great five elements and primordial sun], was comprehended and created by the Purple Seal Immortal Lord after he successfully endured his Immortal Ascension Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.
Thereafter, Purple Seal Immortal Lord used the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder as a foundation to create the 'Great Five Elements Pure Lunar Divine Thunder,' intending to fuse them and create the 'Great Five Elements Primordial One Divine Thunder'.
Unfortunately, Purple Seal Immortal Lord failed and did not succeed in recreating this Primordial One Divine Thunder.
As for why success was not achieved, no specific rumors have been passed down. Some say the path was too arduous, while others claim Purple Seal Immortal Lord spent too little time in the Mortal Realm.
However, Eldrin Chen felt that the reason seemed to be more than just that.
Regardless of whether the old rumors were true or false, witnessing the Great Five Elements Primordial One Heavenly Thunder Tribulation approach with his own eyes now, a trace of solemnity appeared between Eldrin Chen's brows.
"Boom! Rumble!"
Thunder roared and lightning flashed as winds rose and clouds churned.
Just as shock settled in the hearts of the onlookers, the towering Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic tribulation of heavenly thunder] descended upon them.
The Five-Colored Divine Thunder struck down like a World-Annihilating Thunderclap, and fear colored the faces of all who witnessed it.
Sensing the terrifying power contained within that Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Earth Mystery Path Venerable paled with horror and could not help but exclaim, "With my level of cultivation, I fear I could not withstand even this first strike of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation."
Heaven Abandoned Lin, Heavenly Gaze Path Master, and even Kunpeng Demon Sage all wore expressions of unprecedented gravity.
Though their strength was a half-step greater, they understood clearly that even if they could withstand this Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic divine punishment of thunder and lightning], they would likely suffer unprecedented, grievous wounds, making it utterly impossible to survive a second strike.
High above in the void, Eldrin Chen, facing this Heavenly Thunder Tribulation directly, remained utterly motionless.
He sat cross-legged upon the emptiness, his hair of purest white cascading down, allowing the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation to crash upon his physical form without resistance.
After enduring this blow, his Immortal Body [a body refined to an immortal, indestructible state], lustrous as Divine Jade, began to glow with an inner light. Astonishingly, not a single strand of his hair was severed.
"Is this the extent of the Great Five Elements Primordial One Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the supreme tribulation thunder embodying the primal power of the five elements]?" Access the full story on audio-novel-dot-com.
Having blocked the power of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation with his flesh, Eldrin Chen sensed the Oblivion-like force of the Thunderclap [the devastating impact of the heavenly thunder], and slowly opened his eyes.
Above in the Heavenly Vault [the dome of the sky], winds howled, clouds churned, and thunder roared with flashes of lightning.
Blinding white radiance erupted in wave after wave. The Heavenly Tribulation [the collective term for the heavens' punitive trials] seemed to rage with indignation, striking down with an overbearing, divine might.
Eldrin Chen allowed the cataclysmic Heavenly Thunder Tribulation to crash upon him. He weathered three consecutive strikes, yet remained as immovable and unshaken as a mountain peak.
It was only when the fourth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine punishment of thunder and lightning] descended that Eldrin Chen finally lifted his gaze, a trace of solemnity coloring his expression.
This fourth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was overwhelmingly fierce, its power nearly rivaling a full-force strike from an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality]. It crashed down with a deafening roar, scorching Eldrin Chen's physical body black.
Yet, that was the extent of its effect. Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of near-perfect resilience] had reached its zenith, achieving a state of true, flawless integration. Even an ordinary Immortal would find it difficult to inflict a mortal wound upon him.
While the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation had injured him, it was merely superficial damage. As the Life Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing vitality and restoration] circulated within him, those minor wounds vanished into nothingness in the blink of an eye.
The fifth and sixth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation strikes, though progressively more powerful, likewise failed to pose a lethal threat.
However, when the seventh Heavenly Thunder Tribulation descended, a renewed gravity settled upon Eldrin Chen's features.
The might of this seventh tribulation was immense, comparable to a full-power assault from a cultivator at the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm [a high tier of immortal cultivation]. Its ferocity was terrifying; even Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Body risked severe injury if he were to receive it head-on.
With a flick of his sleeve, Eldrin Chen summoned forth the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [a supreme thunder technique born from the fusion of the five elements and solar essence]. A cataclysmic collision erupted as the tribulation's radiance met the divine thunder, finally neutralizing the blow.
The eighth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was even more awe-inspiring, causing Eldrin Chen's brow to furrow slightly in concentration.
With a subtle gesture of his finger, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of peerless divine swords] shot into the heavens. In an instant, they sheared through the chaos, utterly annihilating the eighth tribulation strike.
"Such formidable Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine punishment of thunder and lightning that tests cultivators attempting to ascend to a higher realm]."
"Senior Eldrin's power has already far surpassed that of Imperial Sovereign Jiang."
Gazing at the terrifying tribulation in the sky, Earth Mystery Path Venerable could not help but take a deep breath, exclaiming in awe.
Several Demigod Patriarch [cultivators who have reached the half-step to divinity] nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Imperial Sovereign Jiang had attained his Dao [the supreme path or principle of cultivation] only nearly ten thousand years ago, and these very Demigod Patriarch had been among the witnesses to that tribulation back then.
Now, the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation faced by Eldrin Chen was far more formidable than that of the past. The power of merely the sixth bolt of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was already no less than the ninth bolt faced by Imperial Sovereign Jiang.
The final three bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation were even more terrifyingly boundless, possessing the power to slay an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality].
Had Imperial Sovereign Jiang faced such a Tribulation back then, he would likely have had no chance of achieving immortality.
At this thought, even one as proud as Heaven Abandoned Lin could not help but sigh, "The potential of Returning Abyss [a title referring to Eldrin Chen, implying his connection to the abyssal depths of power] is truly enough to rival that of a Great Encompassing [the Golden Immortal realm, a supreme state of cultivation]. In the future, he may very well become the second Great Encompassing Immortal Lord [a Golden Immortal Lord]."
Hearing this, expressions of joy appeared on everyone's faces.
If they truly could have a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a Golden Immortal, a pinnacle existence] as their backing, as long as Returning Abyss still remembered old ties, even if they were to enter Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] in the future, they might still receive his care and favor.
Just as a flicker of joy began to rise in the hearts of the onlookers, a violent peal of thunder erupted from the Heavenly Vault above. The final bolt of the Immortal Ascension Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the ultimate heavenly trial one must overcome to ascend to immortality] came shrieking down. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel dot com.