Chapter 1242 : Forging the Nine Dragons Cauldron

"This Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron is of extreme antiquity. It is the ultimate treasure, the heirloom of the bygone Setting Sun Celestial God, the 'Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron', which was then divided and formed."

"The Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron!"

Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor's countenance shifted dramatically, and he could not suppress his shock as he exclaimed, "An Innate Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos, containing innate laws]! The Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron!"

"Precisely!"

Duskfall Ancient Ancestor nodded, then began to recount a tale from the distant past in a measured, storytelling tone.

Eighty million years ago, before the Setting Sun Celestial God emerged into the world, his companion Innate Treasure, the Crimson Sun Halberd, was seized from him.

Thereafter, lacking an Innate Treasure to protect his person, his strength ranked among the lowest even amongst the various Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain.

To augment his own power, and to survive the impending Calamity Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial of immense destructive power], the Setting Sun Celestial God, after profound reflection and bitter resolve, determined to forge an Innate Treasure of his own.

To craft this supreme treasure, the Setting Sun Celestial God spent ten million years. He sought out nine pieces of eighth-rank immortal metal and nurtured nine True Dragon [primordial dragon beasts of immense power] to the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm.

Thereafter, he flayed the True Dragon, extracting their sinews and bones. Their dragon souls and Dragon Bone were refined into the cauldron, yielding nine supreme-grade World-Opening Treasure [treasures of such power they are said to be capable of cleaving open a new world]." Discover more cultivation stories at www . audio-novel.com.

Yet this alone was insufficient. To forge this Innate Treasure [a primordial artifact born from the essence of creation itself] to its ultimate completion, the Setting Sun Celestial God [a deity embodying the power of the dying sun] ventured deep into the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before the cosmos was ordered], seeking out a wisp of Innate Qi [primordial energy, the fundamental substance of creation].

Thereafter, using this strand of Innate Qi as its foundation, the Setting Sun Celestial God fused the nine cauldrons into one, forcing them to reverse their nature and ascend to an innate state. This culminated in the forging of an Innate Supreme Treasure [the highest class of primordial artifact]—the Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron.

"Alas, though the Setting Sun Celestial God succeeded in creating the 'Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron,' He Himself suffered grievous wounds within the Primordial Chaos,"

"Before His injuries could heal, the Calamity Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly tribulation marking the end of an era] erupted in full force, and He too failed to survive that boundless calamity."

Duskfall Ancient Ancestor narrated this tale with a voice tinged with profound melancholy.

He sighed, his eyes reflecting ages of sorrow. "After the fall of the Setting Sun Celestial God, the Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron split apart once more into the nine True Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [cauldrons imbued with the power of true dragons to stabilize realms], most of them severely damaged."

"Of these nine ancient cauldrons, three that remained intact were seized by major powers from beyond the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. Three others fell into the hands of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace and other once-magnificent factions of that era."

"The remaining three were all critically wounded. The Treasure Spirit [the sentient consciousness of a powerful artifact] dragon souls of two were placed within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land [a blessed realm of abundant spiritual energy] to recuperate. The Black Dragon Cauldron vanished without a trace, while the Crimson Dragon Cauldron and the Golden Dragon Cauldron were left within the Setting Sun Blessed Land."

"Yet the passage of time was too vast. The Setting Sun Blessed Land changed masters several times over the eons. By our generation, one of the two great cauldrons originally kept there had been lost, leaving only the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron remaining."

At this point, Duskfall Ancient Ancestor gazed at the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron in his hand. "The cauldron you see before you is one of those original nine True Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron."

"The Lord Azure Dragon of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace possesses the Azure Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron, which is one of the nine cauldrons that remains completely intact."

"The Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron, the Nine True Dragon Cauldrons..."

The Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor's expression shifted with profound shock. Recalling the might of the Azure Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron, he spoke with a tremor of awe and fear: "These Nine True Dragon Cauldrons are peerless Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasures."

"Could it be that this Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron can also be restored to its full, primordial power?"

"Your guess is correct."

The Duskfall Ancient Ancestor nodded, then continued: "When the Crimson Dragon True Soul merges with the treasure cauldron, it becomes a World-Opening Treasure."

"However, this treasure has lain dormant for countless years, and the wounds it suffered in antiquity were grievous indeed. Restoring it will require a vast ocean of primordial Qi [the fundamental life-force energy of the cosmos] and resources."

"By placing it within our Blessed Land to nurture it, and by investing massive quantities of fire-attribute Spiritual Objects and Immortal Treasures, its power will gradually be restored."

"This process may be slow, spanning several hundred thousand years, but in time, our Setting Sun Blessed Land should possess a peerless Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure to anchor its destiny and fortune."

"A peerless Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure!"

Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor murmured to himself, his heart also overflowing with boundless, wild joy.

A supreme-grade World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of the highest order, capable of shaping and stabilizing nascent worlds]! This is a peerless treasure that would drive even an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a supreme being who has transcended mortality and attained the Earth Immortal realm] to madness.

Even among those who have reached the Late Stage Earth Immortal [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm], it is likely that only a rare few would be deemed worthy of touching such a treasure, for it is far too precious.

Only those who have surpassed the limits of the Earth Immortal [a realm of cultivation representing profound power and longevity] and comprehended Dao Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of the universe]—the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very threshold of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm]—might possess one or two treasures of this caliber in their hands.

Moreover, this Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron is one of the Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron. If all nine ancient cauldrons were gathered once more, the ninth-rank Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation, possessing innate, world-shaping power] known as the "Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron" could potentially reappear in the mortal realm.

The value of such a peerless treasure is, therefore, self-evident. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel . com.

"With this object, I have hope of breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm, and even advancing to the Late Stage Earth Immortal," the Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor whispered inwardly, a tide of boundless elation surging within his heart.

He suddenly remembered something else and turned his gaze toward the Duskfall Ancient Ancestor. "During this journey, the Black Dragon True Soul [the purified, essential spiritual core of a Black Dragon] fell into the hands of the Abyssal Daoist," he said.

"What do you think? Should we make a move against him to reclaim that Black Dragon True Soul?"

"Black Dragon True Soul [the spiritual essence of a primordial black dragon]"

Duskfall Ancient Ancestor [an ancient and powerful cultivator] furrowed his brow slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said: "That Black Dragon True Soul [the spiritual essence of a primordial black dragon] is the Treasure Spirit [the sentient consciousness inhabiting a powerful magical artifact] of the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a legendary cauldron artifact of immense power]. If we obtain it, we might be able to deduce the whereabouts of the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a legendary cauldron artifact of immense power]."

"We inherit part of the Dao lineage of the Setting Sun Celestial God [a powerful celestial deity], so we must retrieve that object eventually. However, the present moment likely is not yet the right time."

"With the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-altering event] imminent, the Heaven's Malignance Tribe [a tribe of malevolent demons] and the Demonic Tribe [a powerful faction of demonic cultivators] are sure to make their moves. Let us return first to restore the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a powerful cauldron artifact]. We can make plans for the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a legendary cauldron artifact of immense power] once the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-altering event] begins to stir. It will not be too late then."

Upon hearing this, Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor [an ancient and powerful cultivator] could only give a slight nod. His gaze then turned as cold as Time [a profound cultivation art]. "If that is the case, then we shall let him cling to life a while longer."

Within the Abyssal Sea [a vast and mysterious ocean realm], at the Verdant Chariot Mountain [a sacred mountain], inside the Immortal Hall [a grand hall for immortal gatherings].

Eldrin Chen sat with a grave expression at the head of the hall. To his left and right, Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort [a powerful immortal consort] sat side by side.

The remaining twenty or so Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] of the Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal powers], including Kael Chen, Ethan Chen, and Ancestor Black Tortoise [an ancient and venerable immortal], were seated on either side. Each wore a look of puzzlement.

Seeing that everyone had assembled, Peng the Roc Demon Sage [a mighty demon sage in the form of a roc] could not help but inquire: "Alliance Lord [the leader of the Immortal Alliance], this urgent summons—has some great matter occurred?"

"Indeed, such urgency... surely a major event is about to unfold?"

The assembled immortals, upon hearing this, all asked with grave expressions.

Eldrin Chen did not answer immediately. Instead, his gaze swept over the gathered figures, and after a moment, he sighed, "Esteemed ones, I fear the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, and even the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, are about to descend into great turmoil."

"This..."

The faces of the immortals shifted slightly at his words.

They exchanged glances, and finally, the Master of the Dao Palace inquired, "May we ask what exactly has transpired?"

"Alas," Eldrin Chen sighed, "The Heaven's Malignance Tribe and the Western Abyss Dragon Palace are stirring a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of calamity and karmic reckoning]. It is likely they are the instigators of the next Great Tribulation."

Eldrin Chen let out another sigh and then began to narrate the events of his journey in detail.

After listening, the expressions of the immortals changed drastically, a profound sense of dread growing within their hearts.

The Clan Lord of the Heaven's Malignance Tribe seeks to unleash the Great Tribulation, using the boundless calamitous energy to break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of a true celestial immortal]. Meanwhile, the Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace aims to seize this opportunity to establish a True Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a blessed paradise realm founded by a True Dragon].

Finding their purposes aligned, these two forces have joined hands. The tribulation they will unleash together is certain to be of unimaginable, boundless scale.

The Human Race and the Divine Spirits and Gods, Two Races, as the masters of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, would naturally not stand idly by and allow their rise. However, the Grotto-Heaven and Abode of Bliss [realms of profound cultivation that transcend worldly calamities] remain aloof from tribulations and may not intervene.

Of course, there will certainly be Clan Elder Ancestors and major powers who willingly enter the tribulation, seeking to contend for supremacy and seize the opportunity to advance further. There will also be compassionate Immortal [beings who have ascended to a higher state of existence through cultivation] willing to shelter the Hundreds of Millions of Living Beings.

Among the Demonic Monsters and even the Hundred Races, there are likely many powerful figures who wish to use this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event ordained by the heavens to reshape fate and power] as a springboard for their own ascension.

It can be foreseen that this Great Tribulation will sweep across vast territories. Not merely the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, but likely the entire Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea will be plunged into its depths. Only when a victor is decided will the Great Tribulation finally subside.

"The Great Tribulation approaches; Immortals vie for the crown."

"Billions of souls, millions of Immortal, if they cannot traverse this Great Tribulation, will likely all turn to dust."

"This is the great tide of the Heavenly Dao [the fundamental principle governing the cosmos], the law of cosmic Reincarnation [the cyclical process of death and rebirth]. It cannot be altered; its course is irreversible."

"Be it the master of the Heaven's Malignance Tribe, or the Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace, they too are caught within this Great Tribulation."

"The difference lies in this: the Hundreds of Millions of Living Beings and the millions of Immortal are but leaves and dust within the calamity. Only they are the true protagonists of this Great Tribulation." Read, share, and discuss at audio_novel.com.