Chapter 1211 : Trial of the Heavenly Stele

He saw that Six Stars Immortal [an immortal cultivator whose power is associated with six celestial stars] had to battle fiercely for thousands of exchanges, fighting for three days and three nights before achieving victory. In contrast, Void-Refining Immortal [an immortal cultivator who refines the void], relying on the protection of his Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest rank among immortal artifacts], focused solely on offense without defense and thus concluded his battle even earlier.

"Finally, I have defeated him."

Having vanquished his formidable foe, Six Stars Immortal wiped the sweat from his brow with trembling hands, yet a glimmer of joy surfaced on his face.

After breaking through to the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the advanced stage of the Immortal Ascension cultivation realm], this Six Stars Immortal had participated in the Heavenly Stele Sea Sword Contest [a grand martial contest held at the Heavenly Stele Sea] three times. The first time, he was defeated before even clearing the initial round of the Sword Competition.

The second time, his cultivation had advanced to the Eighth Level of Immortal Ascension Realm. He defeated powerful opponents and passed two rounds, only to fall at the crucial third barrier.

This time, he had come bearing a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure, yet he restrained himself from activating it, relying solely on his own strength to overcome his adversary. This proved he had indeed made substantial progress.

"First, restore your Mana [the spiritual energy used to power magical arts and techniques]. The coming struggle to qualify for the Heavenly Stele will be a true trial."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke.

Six Stars Immortal was among the last batch of Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] to conclude their battles. Shortly after his victory, the third round of the Sword Competition came to a complete end.

Eldrin Chen looked up and surveyed the scene. After successfully passing all three rounds of the Sword Competition, the number of Immortal who had earned the right to compete for the chance to comprehend the Heavenly Stele had dwindled to less than one-tenth of the original, leaving roughly just over ten thousand. Official source: www . audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

In addition to the previous several thousand Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the pinnacle stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm], a total of over twenty thousand Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] have now secured their qualification.

"The number of Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] this year is greater than in previous years."

Witnessing this, Six Stars Immortal could not help but sigh, a trace of solemnity coloring his expression.

He had participated in the Sword Competition [a grand martial contest held before the Celestial Stele] three times. In the previous two occasions, the participating Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] numbered only around one hundred thousand. After clearing the three trials of the Sword Competition, the remaining participants would not exceed ten thousand.

This time, however, there were a full twenty thousand. The difficulty of securing a qualification to contemplate the Celestial Stele had increased by more than double.

Thinking of this, Six Stars Immortal also nodded and said, "Indeed. With the Myriad Immortals Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity that befalls all immortals] drawing near, all immortals hope to increase their strength by a few more degrees, to better their chances of surviving the Myriad Immortals Tribulation. A larger number of participants is to be expected."

"True. It seems we must be cautious in this coming battle."

Eldrin Chen also gave a slight nod, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

Regarding the quota for contemplating the Celestial Stele, Eldrin Chen held absolute confidence in his heart.

However, Six Stars Immortal and Void-Refining Immortal [an immortal title meaning 'One Who Refines the Void'] did not share this certainty. This was especially true for Void-Refining Immortal, whose cultivation was merely at the Sixth Level of Immortal Ascension Realm [the sixth stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm], placing his strength far below that of the others.

Even with the protection of the Crimson Flame Gilded Armor, it is not guaranteed that one can secure a spot to comprehend the Comprehending Laws Celestial Stele.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh softly. For Void-Refining Immortal, he had already offered all the help he could. Given his current cultivation realm, even if he were given an ordinary Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure, he would be unable to wield it.

"We do our utmost and leave the rest to fate. Whether he can seize the qualification depends on his own Creation."

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred slightly. He raised his head to look at the celestial pillars, and a faint frown creased his brow.

He saw that upon the three thousand celestial pillars, two thousand already had Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to a higher state of existence] figures standing upon them. Only the remaining thousand pillars stood vacant.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly in his heart. Those two thousand pillars had long been allocated among the hundreds of Blessed Land [a place of profound spiritual energy and natural blessings] within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. They had no right to contest for those. The remaining thousand pillars were the true prize for which the assembled Immortals would vie.

And now, many Demon Immortal [an Immortal who originates from or follows a demonic path] deities had already ascended the pillars, preparing to begin the struggle for the Celestial Stele qualifications.

Seeing this, Six Stars Immortal explained, "To ascend to the summit of a celestial pillar, one must continuously defeat powerful foes. The last one standing upon it will earn the right to contemplate the Celestial Stele."

"Furthermore, if a challenger can consecutively defeat five formidable opponents upon the platform, they will also gain the pillar's recognition and directly receive the qualification to contemplate the stele."

"Defeat all powerful foes and become the last one standing?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. Having reached this conclusion, he spoke aloud, "During the Sword Competition at the Celestial Steles, the one who ascends the stage first will inevitably be at the greatest disadvantage."

"However, as time passes and the slots for each Celestial Pillar are claimed one by one, the competition for the remaining pillars will grow increasingly fierce."

"I shall test the waters first. The rest of you may choose your moment to enter. There is no need to delay excessively."

The others nodded upon hearing this. Lyra Jiang said calmly, "We will watch you secure your slot first, then choose our moment to contend for a pillar."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. As his words faded, he stepped forward, materializing atop one of the Celestial Pillars. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio_novel.com.

Upon this pillar already stood a tall, slender figure clad in golden robes, its pupils gleaming with a dark, metallic light.

"Human?"

Watching Eldrin Chen ascend, the figure was momentarily taken aback before speaking, "Judging by your aura, your cultivation seems not to have surpassed the Seventh Level of Immortal Ascension Realm. Do you truly intend to make an enemy of this sovereign?"

"A peerless Demon Immortal [a demonic being who has ascended to immortality]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his mind already forming a tentative guess about the identity of the being before him.

This was a peerless Demon Immortal [a powerful immortal being of demonic origin], its bloodline foundation extraordinarily profound. Though its cultivation had only reached the Eighth Level of Immortal Ascension Realm, its combat prowess already brushed against the domain of the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality.

Even so, it presented little significant pressure to Eldrin Chen. He spoke with serene composure, "It is said the Taicang Black Fish is a rare Nine Heavens Exotic Species [a legendary and exceptionally rare breed] among the Demonic Tribe. Today, I shall test that claim."

"Hmph!"

The Demon Immortal, its true nature discerned, showed no anger, only a cold sneer. It gripped a Black-Gold Great Halberd and brought it crashing down with overwhelming force.

The Taicang Black Fish tribe was a uniquely gifted lineage within the Demonic Tribe, renowned for their formidable physical bodies. The one before him was astonishingly powerful.

Though its cultivation was merely at the Eighth Level of Immortal Ascension Realm, the strength of its flesh rivaled that of a true Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality cultivator.

Now, wielding its Great Halberd, it cleaved through the air. Surging, indestructible power shook the heavens and earth, and an immortal radiance of immense pressure descended.

"Impressive."

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with sudden interest, a hunter's thrill stirring within him at the sight of worthy prey.

He did not unleash the power of his Divine Ability, but instead fully manifested the might of his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body. Raising his hand, he cleaved down with sheer physical force, meeting the Black-Gold Great Halberd head-on.

"BOOM—"

A deafening explosion echoed. Both combatants were thrown back by the impact, and a terrifying shockwave swept across the celestial pillar, ravaging the heavens and earth for millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

When the chaos subsided, both stood at the edge of the world, their expressions slightly grave.

"Such formidable physical strength,"

High upon the Firmament, Eldrin Chen stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Feeling a faint numbness in his palm, he praised, "The physical prowess of the Taicang Black Fish race is indeed extraordinary. You can now contend with a Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality cultivator in raw strength."

The Taicang Black Fish was inwardly shaken. His race was renowned for their physical might, born with the strength to tear apart Demon King-level beasts and raised on a diet of Nine Heavens Great Rocs. Yet, against Eldrin Chen, he found himself at a disadvantage.

In that brief clash, while he seemed to hold his ground, his tiger's mouth [the fleshy part between thumb and forefinger] throbbed violently in secret, nearly causing him to lose his grip on the Black-Gold Great Halberd.

Consider this: he had wielded the Great Halberd with both hands to strike down his foe, while Eldrin Chen had met it with bare palms. He held the inherent advantage of weaponry, yet still found himself overpowered in the exchange—a testament to the other's monstrous physical fortitude. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio . novel . com.