Chapter 1236 : A Calamity's Ominous Portent

As the words fell, Eldrin Chen activated the Yin-Yang Star Path [a profound cultivation art that harmonizes the forces of Yin and Yang with stellar energies], manifesting the Cosmic Star Array Power [a divine ability to perceive fate and causality through the patterns of the stars] to perform divinations.

In but a fleeting moment, he sensed a surge of Baleful Qi [a malevolent and destructive energy born from calamity and slaughter] pervading the heavens and earth, a faint shroud of this malign energy veiling the Void [the fundamental emptiness from which all things manifest], yet its source remained elusive to his sight.

"Could it be the approach of the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of immense change and destruction that reshapes the world], causing the birth of worldly calamity-energies?"

"Something feels amiss."

Eldrin Chen murmured, his heart heavy with contemplation.

He performed the divinations again and again, faintly sensing a familiarity within this Baleful Qi. After a moment, realization struck, and his pupils contracted slightly.

"This aura... it belongs to the Heaven's Malignance Tribe [a powerful demonic race said to be born from the very essence of cosmic calamity and destruction]!"

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred slightly, finally confirming the origin of this pervasive energy.

He relayed this discovery to the two women. Upon hearing it, Lyra Jiang frowned and said, "The Heaven's Malignance Tribe leads the seven great Hundred Spirit Immortal Races [a coalition of powerful immortal races and clans] of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea in the western reaches of the cultivation world]. Could it be they intend to intervene in this conflict?"

"Not necessarily." Verdant Consort pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "The Heaven's Malignance Tribe is born from the energy of calamity itself. Perhaps they seek to harness the cataclysmic energies released by the destruction of the Earth Immortal World [a lower realm within the vast cosmology of cultivation worlds] to elevate their own cultivation." For uninterrupted reading, go to audi0-n0vel.c0m.

"Perhaps that is so."

Eldrin Chen spoke, then continued, "My Pure Yang Celestial Flame [a divine flame of pure yang essence] is exceptionally effective at countering the Heavenly Malignancy Race [a malevolent race born from celestial calamity]. Dealing with them would be somewhat easier."

Mentioning this, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of reassurance settle within him.

However, he exercised caution. Using a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power], he materialized a letter to send back, instructing several of his clan's Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] to bring the Heavenly Dragon Subduing Demon Sword Formation [a formidable sword formation designed to subdue demons] and conceal themselves just outside the Crimson Sun Sea Region. This was to facilitate a swift extraction should a critical moment arise.

With this preparation complete, Eldrin Chen stepped forward into the heart of the Crimson Sun Sea Region.

Yet, the moment he crossed into the region's core, Eldrin Chen sensed several auras of immense and majestic power.

There were roughly a dozen such majestic auras. Eight of them resided within the realm of Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of becoming an Earth Immortal], while four had transcended beyond, clearly belonging to four Earth Immortal Progenitor [an Earth Immortal who is also a founding progenitor of a lineage].

Among those four auras, one stood out as particularly formidable. It blazed with a brilliance akin to a scorching sun of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], its radiance overwhelming the presence of all others.

"Such an overwhelmingly powerful aura,"

"Radiant as the celestial sun, majestic and vast. This individual's presence is second only to Divine Lord Glaze."

Eldrin Chen pondered inwardly, his gaze drifting toward the figures upon the Firmament [the highest heavens]. A faint crease formed between his brows.

There were twelve figures in total, each holding their own ground. Eldrin Chen could roughly deduce their origins; these individuals were the paramount powerhouses of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea.

Among them, on the left stood an old man and a youth. The youth was the Duskfall Ancient Ancestor from the Setting Sun Sea, while the elder was the Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor, a cultivator who had transcended five heavenly tribulations [a measure of immense power and longevity].

To the right were three figures. The leader possessed an enchanting, voluptuous form—a stunningly beautiful demonic consort.

Though he did not know her name, by her bearing alone, Eldrin Chen surmised she must be the Earth Immortal Progenitor [a foundational ancestor who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] of the Fire Phoenix Bloodline, the Peerless Demon Immortal of the Phoenix Roost Sea, whose veins flowed with the purest Phoenix Bloodline [a lineage granting immense power and affinity for fire].

Of the two figures behind her, Eldrin Chen recognized one. Clad in azure robes was the Azure Simurgh Immortal Maiden, who had participated years ago in seizing the Fourth Grade Heaven's Pillar [a mythical pillar of immense spiritual significance].

After all these years, this Azure Simurgh Immortal Maiden had already broken through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a transitional state just below the full Earth Immortal realm], proving herself a true Heaven's Chosen [a prodigy favored by destiny].

The other figure Eldrin Chen did not know, but he could roughly guess this person was a Half-Step Earth Immortal Ancestor from the Phoenix race.

The figures at the forefront hailed from the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, an Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a sacred land suffused with energy suitable for Earth Immortals] located within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas.

The Verdant Stream Ancient Sect was the third-ranked power within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. This time, they had sent a full four Immortals [beings who have transcended mortality]. Their leader was one of the sect's Grand Elders, whose cultivation had already reached the profound Third Level Earth Immortal realm.

The remaining three individuals had all reached the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of becoming a true Earth Immortal], each possessing formidable and extraordinary strength.

And the final figure was that presence, resplendent as the celestial sun. His aura was so potent it rivaled the very scorching sun of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms]. Merely standing there in stillness, he already eclipsed the presence of the other Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal whose power is rooted in the earth and its energies] progenitors.

"The Grand Elder [a senior, high-ranking elder in a sect or clan] of the Flowing Fire Star Palace, Thousand Streams Daoist [a Daoist title meaning 'Master of a Thousand Streams']. Legend says his cultivation has already reached the Seventh Level Earth Immortal [the seventh tier of power within the Earth Immortal realm], placing him second only to the master of the Shooting Star Abode of Bliss and Divine Lord Glaze. He is the third most powerful expert within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas."

Eldrin Chen murmured under his breath, his expression turning profoundly grave.

It was said this Thousand Streams Daoist had lived for over thirty million years. Even the master of the Flowing Fire Star Palace would address him as 'Founding Patriarch,' a testament to his supremely venerable status.

For such a Pinnacle Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal at the peak of their power] at the Seventh Level of Immortal Ascension Realm [the seventh tier of the realm where one ascends to true immortality] to personally descend upon this Crimson Sun Blessed Land [a land blessed by the power of the crimson sun]—his mere presence alone was enough to darken the countenances of the other three Earth Immortal Progenitor [an Earth Immortal who is also a founding ancestor of a lineage]. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio . novel . com.

The Grand Elder from the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect glanced at Thousand Streams Daoist, his expression shifting slightly as he spoke, "I never imagined one of your esteemed stature, Fellow Daoist Thousand Streams, would deign to contend with us for this Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a land imbued with power suitable for Earth Immortals]."

"Hahaha!"

Thousand Streams Daoist laughed heartily, then turned his gaze towards the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden from the Phoenix Roost Sea. "This Phoenix Roost Sea is one of the Blessed Land [a place of concentrated spiritual energy and natural fortune] belonging to the Demonic Tribe [a tribe or race of demonic beings] of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. Did you not also traverse hundreds of millions of Li-lengths to come here, Ronan?"

The voluptuous Immortal Maiden from the Phoenix Roost Sea remained unmoved. She glanced at the Azure Simurgh Immortal Maiden beside her before replying with calm composure, "The collapse of this Crimson Sun Earth Immortal Realm [the immortal realm once ruled by the Crimson Sun Earth Immortal] and the reappearance of the Crimson Sun Blessed Land into the mortal world was aided by one of my junior disciples. Naturally, we are entitled to a share of the spoils."

"That makes sense."

Thousand Streams Daoist gave a slight nod, then stroked his beard and said, "To be frank, our Flowing Fire Star Palace is determined to claim this Crimson Sun Blessed Land. However, I am not an unreasonable man."

"If you are all willing to leave the Crimson Sun Blessed Land to our Flowing Fire Star Palace, then we shall cede all the various treasures within the Blessed Land [a pocket dimension of immense spiritual richness] to the rest of you."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted slightly.

In all fairness, the most valuable aspect of the Crimson Sun Blessed Land was undoubtedly the Blessed Land itself.

The combined worth of the World-Opening Treasure [a legendary artifact capable of creating or stabilizing pocket dimensions] inside and the legacy of the Crimson Sun Blessed Land likely did not amount to half the value of the Blessed Land. By demanding the Crimson Sun Blessed Land, the Flowing Fire Star Palace was directly claiming the lion's share of this expedition's spoils.

With this thought, the others all turned their gazes towards the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden.

The Phoenix Roost Sea [a paramount power within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, renowned for its connection to the phoenix lineage] was a top-tier force within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, boasting several Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very threshold of ascending to true immortality] among its ranks. With the backing of the Immortal Phoenix Grotto-Heaven from the Myriad Demons Ancestral Domain, its strength surpassed that of the Flowing Fire Star Palace by a significant margin.

Yet, the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden merely shook her head, her expression serene as she stated, "In that case, we shall leave it to Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

Hearing her words, the others felt a pang of regret, but they understood it was the most logical outcome.

The cultivation base of the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden was merely at the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [a mid-level realm for cultivators who have attained a profound connection with the earth's spiritual essence], far inferior to this Thousand Streams Daoist. Furthermore, the Phoenix Roost Sea was located far beyond the Seventh Layer Sea Region. It simply wasn't worth offending the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a powerful local sect] over this matter.

Having reasoned this through, the assembled figures ceased their further discussion, tacitly accepting this outcome.

Seeing this, the Thousand Streams Daoist smiled and spoke, "Since everyone is in agreement, I hope that when the Blessed Land [a region of exceptionally dense spiritual energy and natural treasures] reappears, you will show some restraint in your contention. Please do not shatter my humble Blessed Land in the process."

Upon hearing these words, the crowd remained silent.

To the side, the observing Eldrin Chen felt a subtle shift in his gaze.

With several Earth Immortal Blessed Land [Blessed Lands governed by Earth Immortals] present and voicing no objection, he, a mere Half-Step Earth Immortal [one who has touched the threshold of the Earth Immortal realm but not fully ascended], naturally had no room for bargaining.

For him, even if he obtained the Crimson Sun Blessed Land, he would be utterly incapable of defending it. Therefore, it had never been his target from the start.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen settled his mind and waited patiently.

An immeasurable stretch of time seemed to pass. Then, the Void [the empty space between realms] trembled faintly, and a brilliant fissure slowly began to tear open within it.

"The heavens and earth are sundering."

"The Blessed Land... is about to re-emerge into the world!" For more chapters, visit audio-novel[dot]com for the complete novel.