Chapter 1128 : Echoes of a Shattered Star

The emergence of the Bloodspring Demon Domain [a realm corrupted by demonic energy and bloodsprings] was an unforeseen complication, presenting a rather thorny predicament for the two of them.

Given their strength, if they were to explore this ancient star and find themselves caught in a pincer attack by the Bloodspring Demon Domain, it would likely introduce a great deal of perilous uncertainty.

After pondering the matter deeply, Eldrin Chen could not help but inquire, "I wonder, what is the true extent of the power currently residing upon this star?"

Without hesitation, Skywind the Immortal proceeded to explain to Eldrin Chen, "This ancient star is named the Verdant Spirit Ancient Star [an ancient celestial body imbued with verdant spiritual essence]. In ages past, it was a Heavenly Circuit Stars [stars that form part of a grand celestial array] of the Blessed Land [a land of profound spiritual fortune and natural blessings] grade."

"When the Sage-King of the Grand Abyss shattered the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a legendary formation encompassing the heavenly stars], this star suffered grievous wounds. Not only did its grade fall significantly, but the Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has attained immortality while remaining bound to the earthly realm] grade Star Deity within it was slain on the spot."

"Thereafter, over the course of several hundred million years, this ancient star recovered from the brink of utter destruction and gave birth to the Star Soul Race."

"The Star Soul Race?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly, a flicker of puzzlement crossing his features.

Skywind the Daoist gave a solemn nod and explained with grave seriousness, "The Star Soul Race is a peculiar and unique race."

"They are born from the convergence of stellar radiance, naturally capable of cultivating by harnessing the light of the stars. They can wield Stellar Power [the raw, concentrated power of the stars] to strike down formidable foes, yet they possess no physical bodies of flesh and blood." Experience the full epic at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"However, the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] power of the Star Soul Race is exceptionally formidable. Once they transcend the Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the heavenly trial to ascend to immortality], they can cultivate a stellar physique, transforming into 'Nine Heavens Star Spirit'."

"Nine Heavens Star Spirit?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. He had heard whispers of these Nine Heavens Star Spirit.

This lineage possessed stellar physiques by nature, born with stellar Great Divine Ability [powerful supernatural arts], their strength rivaling that of true Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] who had achieved Ascend to Immortal Eternity [the state of eternal immortalhood].

Considering this, Eldrin Chen asked with grave seriousness, "What is the true strength of the Nine Heavens Star Spirit upon this ancient star?"

"They are not to be underestimated."

Skywind the Daoist drew a deep breath, his expression turning profoundly solemn. "In my youth, after cultivating the Great Perfection Immortal Physique [a physique perfected for immortality], I was arrogant, believing few in the Ascension Immortal Realm [the realm of those who have ascended to immortality] could rival me. Thus, I ventured onto this ancient star."

"During the Initial Entry [the initial phase of entry], I indeed swept all before me, seizing several rare and precious treasures from within."

"Alas, the respite was brief. Before I could delve deeper, I found myself besieged by Star Spirit [spiritual entities born of stellar essence]."

"At that time, seven Star Spirit took action against me, among them three were Nine Heavens Star Spirit of the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the late stage of the immortal ascension realm]."

Speaking of this, Skywind the Immortal said with lingering fear, "If I had not already cultivated my Gale Wind Divine Body to its peak back then, granting me survival capabilities not inferior to a Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality cultivator, I likely would have perished within."

"Even so, it was perilously close that year; I nearly lost my life."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly.

The Liufeng [Liufeng Wind] is also known as the Changhe Wind, and along with the Wind, it is one of the Eight Winds [the eight cardinal winds, each possessing unique divine properties].

That Wind is the wind from the southeast, while this Wind is the wind from the west, imbued with Western Pole Metallic Gold Power [the sharp, cutting power of metallic essence from the Western Pole], and possesses a speed rare in all the world.

When Skywind the Daoist perfected his Gale Wind Divine Body, he gained not only overwhelmingly fierce offensive power but also speed that could truly be called peerless.

That he still almost lost his life made Eldrin Chen's expression grow even graver, and he could not help but inquire,

"It is said that a perfected Gale Wind Divine Body possesses an edge not inferior to immortal metal and speed that does not pale before a Golden Roc's."

"With such Divine Ability, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] still nearly met his end there?"

Skywind the Immortal shook his head and spoke with a trace of dread, "That Nine Heavens Star Spirit [a celestial being born from stellar essence] had cultivated to the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm, allowing its Stellar Body to reach perfection."

"In a one-on-one duel, this old man naturally fears none, yet I hold no certainty of triumph against three foes at once."

"Moreover, within that starry expanse, an aura of even greater power stirred from its ancient slumber. Had I not fled with utmost haste..."

Speaking to this point, Skywind the Immortal seemed to recall something, a flicker of dread crossing his features.

He drew a deep breath, his expression grave as he declared, "Within those celestial ruins, there slumbered at least one Star Spirit [a primordial being born from the essence of a star] of the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the pinnacle stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm, one step from true divinity]."

"The Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality!"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed deeply, a shadow of solemnity settling upon him. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel`com.

With the combined might of himself and Skywind the Immortal, two or three ordinary Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [cultivators at the advanced phase of the Immortal Ascension Realm] foes would scarcely give them pause.

Yet, if their adversary boasted an existence at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality, this battle promised to be a grueling trial, for they would be fighting upon the enemy's very ground.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen inhaled deeply, his gaze turning towards the Bloodspring Demon Domain. "This Bloodspring Demon Domain [a demonic realm suffused with blood and malevolent springs] has encircled the Starry Ruins, its covetous desire plain to see."

"Perhaps we can set a tiger upon a wolf—force its hand to assault the Starry Ruins [ancient ruins formed from fallen stars] with greater urgency."

Skywind the Immortal [an immortal cultivator] nodded upon hearing this, yet also shook his head. "Judging by the situation," he said, "Hemlock the Elder Demon [a powerful ancient demon] has likely trapped the ruins for at least a hundred thousand years."

"Their prolonged inaction suggests they lack absolute confidence in success. They are most likely waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I doubt they will make a move for tens of thousands of years."

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] gave a slight nod of agreement, recalling the intelligence gleaned from the two Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator [demonic cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm].

According to the memories of those two Nascent Soul Demonic Cultivator, the Bloodspring Demon Domain [a domain ruled by a powerful demonic sect] had been mobilizing for war and continuously forging War Treasure Boat [massive enchanted warships used for large-scale conflict] for as long as they could remember.

This relentless production of War Treasure Boat had continued for untold millennia. The Bloodspring Demon Sect [the ruling demonic sect of the Bloodspring Demon Domain] had likely amassed no fewer than a thousand Sixth Rank [a powerful tier of cultivation] Demonic Ship [demonic warships]. This represented an utterly staggering Deep-Seated Foundation [a profound and formidable accumulation of power and resources].

To put this in perspective, during the climactic confrontation between the Purple Realm [a major human cultivation realm] and the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a race of powerful demons from beyond this world], the peak number of Sixth RankWar Treasure Boat deployed by either side numbered only in the dozens.

Furthermore, the several True Demon [powerful, high-ranking demons] of the Bloodspring Demon Sect had been roaming the starry void, seemingly searching for a way to sever the Deep-Seated Foundation of the Star Soul Race [a celestial race with a deep connection to the stars].

"The strength of this Bloodspring Demon Sect may not be much weaker than that of the Crimson Dragon Clan [a powerful clan of crimson dragons]," Eldrin mused.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. After a moment of silent thought, he spoke aloud: "The Bloodspring Demon Domain hesitates to act simply because they feel they lack complete certainty of victory."

"Secondly, from their perspective, the damaged Starry Ruins [the celestial ruins where the Star Soul Race resides] is a cage. The Star Soul Race trapped within cannot escape. They believe they have all the time in the world to slowly wear them down."

"But what if we provoke them, make them believe *they* do not have that much time? What would they do then?"

Upon hearing this, Skywind the Immortal's pupils contracted slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, clasping his hands behind his back. "If you were Hemlock the Elder Demon, and you had inadvertently discovered the Starry Ruins [a legendary ruin left behind by the fallen Ancient Celestial Court], and had guarded it patiently for over a hundred thousand years, awaiting the perfect moment to act..."

"...and then, at that very moment, an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] at the Fourth Level of Immortal Ascension [the fourth major stage of immortal cultivation], journeying through the starry void, discovers both the Bloodspring Demon Domain [a demonic realm] and the Starry Ruins, and even manages to escape with his life from your grasp."

"What would you do?"

Skywind the Immortal listened, then brought his palms together with a laugh. "Marvelous! What exquisite strategy, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

With Skywind the Daoist's keen intellect, the implication was instantly clear; he grasped Eldrin Chen's intent in a flash of insight.

After all, from Hemlock the Elder Demon's perspective, the Starry Ruins were a treasure of incalculable worth, one that would likely stir the desire of even an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a progenitor-level immortal whose power is rooted in the earth].

And Eldrin Chen was merely an Immortal at the Fourth Level of Immortal Ascension. No matter how astonishing his combat prowess, he would pose no significant threat and held no qualification to contend for the Starry Ruins.

Yet, once Eldrin Chen escaped, he would undoubtedly summon allies to explore the ruins. When that time came, the Bloodspring Demon Domain would face grave peril. The complete novel can be found at audio~novel.com.