Chapter 1193 : Celestial Soldiers and the Abyssal Daoist

These Celestial Soldiers and Generals cultivate a special Cultivation Art [a mystical technique for cultivation], their refined Immortal Essence [the purified energy core of an immortal] possesses identical attributes, and the Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force] within each of them is, in fact, a Formation Tool [a magical artifact designed to serve as a component or anchor for a formation].

Do not be fooled by their number, which is less than one hundred. Once these Celestial Soldiers and Generals activate the Lifebound Formation Tool [a formation tool bound to their life force] within them, using their own bodies as Formation Eyes [the core anchors of a magical formation] to deploy the Celestial Soldiers Grand Formation [the Grand Formation of the Celestial Soldiers], capturing an ordinary Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is anchored to the earthly realm] would be well within their capabilities.

Typically, when the Celestial Court [the heavenly bureaucracy and military] needs to subjugate an Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a territory blessed and ruled by an Earth Immortal], dispatching several hundred Celestial Soldiers, or at most a thousand-strong unit of Celestial Soldiers and Generals, is usually sufficient.

The sight of a mere hundred Celestial Soldiers being sent to Verdant Chariot Mountain [a mountain location] was therefore profoundly shocking to Eldrin Chen.

"Is this not Abyssal Sea [a sea location]'s Verdant Chariot Mountain, and are you not Abyssal Daoist [the Daoist of the Abyss] in person?"

The Celestial General [a commander of celestial forces], seeing Eldrin Chen emerge, did not wait for him to speak and posed the question directly.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. Seeing that the Celestial Soldiers and Generals showed no immediate intent to attack, he immediately cupped his hands in salute. "I am indeed Abyssal Daoist. May I inquire as to the purpose of your esteemed visit?"

"Good, that is correct."

The Silver-Armored Celestial General [a celestial general clad in silver armor] gave a slight nod, then said with a faint smile, "We have come today to deliver an imperial decree."

"The first matter," he continued, "is that the Celestial Court requires the repair of an Ancient Salvation Ark [an ancient vessel of salvation], necessitating the conscription of a great many Artificers [masters of artifact crafting and enchantment] to assist. As an Immortal Rank High Grade [a high-grade immortal realm] Artificer, you are required to accompany us." Original English translation available at audio-novel*com.

"Rest assured, once the Ancient Salvation Ark [a legendary vessel of immense power] is repaired, a substantial reward shall naturally be bestowed."

"Secondly, I have heard that your Second Son, Xander Chen, possesses extraordinary talent and excels in training Dao Soldiers [elite cultivator-warriors]. He is hereby specifically conscripted to take up a post within the Western Abyss Celestial Palace."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a subtle sigh of relief.

He had some knowledge of the Western Abyss Celestial Palace. Its full title was the 'Western Qi Divine Abyss Immortal Palace Celestial Palace', and it served as the Celestial Palace of the Human Race Immortal Court [the supreme governing body of humanity in the Immortal Realms] within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea.

Among the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, the Human Race Immortal Court stood as one of the paramount sovereign powers. Yet, within the confines of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, their authority and reach were significantly more limited.

Take the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea before them, for instance. The Celestial Court maintained only a single Celestial Palace within its vast expanse.

Furthermore, apart from the successive Palace Masters themselves, almost all Divine Lord [a title for high-ranking immortal officials] and Immortal Official [administrators of the Immortal Court] within this palace were natives of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea who had ascended to Immortal [the state of immortality].

This was because Immortal Domain like the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain were situated deep within the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation]. The Immortal Spirit Qi [the spiritual energy of the immortal realms] here was far too sparse, and most Immortal Official from the Primal Immortal Domain were unwilling to be stationed in such a place.

This resulted in a stark contrast between the Azure Firmament Immortal Court and the Central Immortal Court. Within the Human Race Immortal Court, one needed to be at least a Heaven Immortal [a high-ranking immortal] to be eligible for the title of Divine Lord, and Celestial Soldiers required a minimum cultivation of Ascendant Immortal [an immortal who has ascended from the mortal realm].

Yet, within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, even Earth Immortal [immortals bound to the earthly realm] could be granted the title of Divine Lord. Here, they used Primordial Spirit [cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage] as soldiers and Ascendant Immortal as Celestial Generals…

"Wait!"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted sharply. The Azure Firmament Immortal Domain typically used Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm cultivators as its celestial soldiers and Ascendant Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the first stage of true immortality] realm cultivators as its celestial generals.

Yet, the weakest among these celestial soldiers before him were all at the Ascension to Immortality Realm [the final major realm before achieving true immortality]. This was utterly unlike the standard of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain.

At this thought, he could not help but glance at this group of Celestial Soldiers and Generals [the military forces of the heavenly realms]. A realization flashed through his mind in an instant: "These Celestial Soldiers and Generals seem to have come from the Central Immortal Court [the supreme governing body of the immortal realms]."

"Has our notification been understood by you, honored sir?"

Just as Eldrin Chen's thoughts were racing, the celestial general spoke up to inquire.

Eldrin Chen quickly reined in his wandering thoughts and replied, "I am now aware."

"Good. Remember to report to the Western Abyss Celestial Palace within one Millennium [a period of one thousand years]."

The celestial general nodded. He seemed to have pressing matters at hand and prepared to take his leave.

Watching his hurried departure, Eldrin Chen's curiosity about this conscription was piqued. He rose and cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "Might this General deign to inform me," he asked, "is this conscription solely for myself, or are there others summoned as well?"

The Celestial General shook his head, then spoke with a smile, "This time, the number of Artificer [a cultivator specializing in crafting magical items] being conscripted exceeds several hundred. You will understand once you arrive."

The Celestial General said no more, seemingly needing to continue delivering imperial decrees, and departed hastily with his celestial soldiers.

After he left, Lyra Jiang could not help but voice her concern, "Will it be dangerous to go to the Western Abyss Celestial Palace [the celestial court governing the Western Abyss region]?"

"It should not be."

Eldrin Chen shook his head and said, "After all, it is the celestial palace of the Human Race Immortal Court [the supreme governing body of human immortals], not the private garden of some single Grotto-Heaven and Abode of Bliss [a realm of paradise or secluded cultivation sanctuary]."

"Moreover, as members of the Human Race, we will inevitably have to deal with the Celestial Court sooner or later." This novel is serialized on audio–novel.com. Visit for updates.

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

Their original intention had been to claim a Divine Lord [a title for a powerful deity or immortal] position directly at the Western Abyss Celestial Palace after breaking through to the Earth Immortal [a high-level immortal realm], thereby joining the middle-to-upper echelons of the Celestial Court.

Now, making contact with this Western Abyss Celestial Palace ahead of schedule might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Setting this thought aside, Lyra Jiang spoke again, her tone pensive, "The one who delivered the decree this time appears to be a close confidant of the master of the Western Abyss Celestial Palace."

"It seems the Ancient Salvation Ark [a legendary vessel of immense power] requiring repair is no simple matter."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "Legend holds that the lordship of the Western Abyss Celestial Palace [the supreme seat of power over the Western Divine Abyss Sea] changes hands once every thirty million years. Yet, the appointed time for such a transition has not yet arrived."

"Could some unforeseen event have transpired?"

Finding no clear answer within his thoughts, Eldrin Chen set the matter aside for the time being.

That Western Abyss Celestial Palace was the sovereign seat ruling the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea in the western reaches of the immortal world]. To hold such a position required power at the very least of a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [an immortal whose power and presence can be felt across all realms].

He was but a single Immortal of the Ascension Immortal Realm [the foundational stage of true immortality]. There was little point in concerning himself with the affairs of such exalted beings.

Setting these thoughts firmly aside, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "I hear Xander Dao's cultivation base has stabilized sufficiently. Let him conclude his seclusion and accompany me."

The Western Abyss Celestial Palace lay at a tremendous distance from the Abyssal Sea Region [the region encompassing Eldrin's domain]. A direct flight would take no less than eight hundred years.

To ensure they would not miss the appointed date, Eldrin Chen wasted no time. Taking Xander Dao Chen with him, he traveled to the Meteor Sea [a sea region known for its spatial anomalies] and utilized a Void Gate [a portal facilitating instantaneous travel across vast distances] to journey directly to the Western Abyss Celestial Palace.

Upon their arrival at the Western Abyss Celestial Palace, they found several immortal maidens [attendants of high status in celestial palaces] already awaiting them for some time.

The leader was an Immortal Consort clad in Nyssa. Upon seeing the two, she gave a slight nod and spoke, "Are you Eldrin, the Abyssal Immortal? Your Majesty has been awaiting your arrival for some time."

"Awaiting us?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his mind.

Yet, in the next instant, a smile graced his lips. "Please, lead the way," he said.

Following the Immortal Consort, they soon arrived within the confines of a secluded courtyard.

Within the courtyard, several ancient trees stood in silent vigil. Beneath their boughs, a Go board was set, flanked by two seated figures.

One was an elder with hair and beard white as snow, his bearing the very picture of an immortal sage [a being who has attained a high level of spiritual cultivation and longevity].

The other was a middle-aged man dressed in scholarly robes, his demeanor refined and elegant.

Eldrin Chen could not perceive the depth of their auras [the spiritual presence and power radiating from a cultivator]. Recognizing the middle-aged man, his expression shifted subtly with recognition.

"It's him?"

Xander Dao Chen was also somewhat taken aback and spoke hesitantly, "Master?"

"Disciple, come quickly and brew a pot of tea for our esteemed guest."

The middle-aged man spoke indifferently, yet continued to play the board game with deliberate calm.

Upon hearing this, Xander Dao Chen obediently stepped forward to prepare the tea.

At the same time, Eldrin Chen observed the two men carefully. A flicker of surprise stirred within him, and he began to form a vague guess about their identities. He immediately rose to his feet and clasped his hands in a respectful salute. "I pay my respects to you, Seniors."

"There is no need for such formalities."

The middle-aged man remained silent, but the elderly man smiled warmly and said, "We have long heard that you, Abyssal Daoist, possess the potential to attain the Great Luo [the supreme, transcendent realm of cultivation]. Today, we specifically summoned you for a meeting. Truly, you are no ordinary mortal." Published by audio–novel.com. All rights reserved.