Chapter 1257 : The Gathering of Immortal Titans

Her eyes flickered slightly before she spoke, "The Ancient Ancestor once said that in this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of fate and calamity], a total of six Half-Step Celestial Immortal [beings who have ascended to the very threshold of true immortality] have been drawn into the calamity. On one side are those who initiated the Great Tribulation, namely the Heaven's Malignancy Clan Patriarch and the Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace."

"Within the Divine Race [a race of powerful, god-like beings], two Half-Step Celestial Immortal have also entered the fray: the Profound Heart Deity and the Haoyan Deity. Both are existences at the pinnacle level of Half-Step Celestial Immortal."

"As for your Human Race, two protagonists of this Great Tribulation have also been drawn in. One is the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace, and the second is the Lord of the Ye Ruins Divine Sea."

"This Great Tribulation revolves around them."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

Within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, aside from the two Grotto-Heaven [a superior realm of existence, a paradise for cultivation] of Western Qi and Divine Abyss, there are a total of thirty-four Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Each of these beings at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal level is a power that commands awe throughout the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. Even when viewed across the entire Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, they are considered top-tier powerhouses, second only to those supreme Heaven Immortal [true immortal beings who have ascended to the heavenly realm].

That only six Half-Step Celestial Immortal have entered this Great Tribulation is still a matter of no small consequence.

Regarding the strength of the six protagonists of this Great Tribulation—the Heaven's Malignancy Clan Patriarch and the Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace—Eldrin Chen had little understanding.

As for the two Half-Step Celestial Immortal of the Divine Race, Profound Heart Deity and Haoyan Deity, Eldrin Chen was hearing of them for the first time and could be said to know nothing about them at all. Original publication: *audio-novel.com* - The source of this chapter.

However, he had heard of the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace. This was a Half-Step Heavenly Immortal Paragon who had weathered four Dao Tribulations and was rumored to have comprehended the power of Dao Principles. Enfeoffed by the Celestial Court as the Flowing Fire Star Lord, his strength was considered formidable indeed.

Divine Lord Ye Ruins had weathered five Dao Tribulations and had slain two Half-Step Celestial Immortals. Whispers spoke of his potential for the Great Luo realm, as he cultivated three supreme Great Daos—Rules, Immortal Physique, and Dao Fruit—with the weakest among them having reached the Perfection of World Creation.

Currently, Divine Lord Ye Ruins had already forged his Heaven Immortal Dao Fruit. Awaiting only the cultivation of the World-Opening True Body and the Laws of the Dao, he stood poised to take that final step.

In terms of both power and foundation, this Divine Lord could rank within the top three across the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. Among all Half-Step Celestial Immortals within the entire Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, he was counted among the very pinnacle.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before murmuring, "Compared to Divine Lord Ye Ruins, the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace seems to be at a slight disadvantage."

"Indeed, that is precisely my concern,"

Solara nodded in agreement, then spoke. "My Glazed Blessed Land maintains good relations with the Flowing Fire Star Palace. By convention, entering the tribulation should lead me there, where I could lend him my aid."

"However, the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace was forced into this calamity. Had the Thousand Streams Daoist not been ambushed and fallen by the Heaven's Malignance Tribe, he likely would have remained aloof."

"Given this, I fear his chances of emerging triumphant from the Great Tribulation are uncertain."

"This..."

Eldrin Chen's expression was somber. The fact that the Heaven's Malignance Tribe and the Western Abyss Dragon Palace had slain the Thousand Streams Daoist clearly signaled their intent to use the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas as one of their primary points of assault to initiate this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict ordained by fate].

As the saying goes, no egg remains unbroken when the nest is overturned. If the Flowing Fire Star Palace could not withstand the Heaven's Malignance Tribe and the Western Abyss Dragon Palace, then the Abyssal Sea Region, situated within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, would likely find itself in dire straits as well.

Seeing their concern, Solara spoke up, "You need not worry overmuch. The Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace, as a half-step Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a being on the cusp of achieving the highest state of immortal cultivation], is certainly no easy mark."

"Moreover, the Human Race possesses many formidable experts. In this tribulation, numerous powerful figures are bound to be drawn into the fray. It is not certain that no one can restrain the Heaven's Malignancy Clan Patriarch and the Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace."

"That is true."

Eldrin Chen let out a slight sigh of relief before continuing, "However, the Flowing Fire Star Palace is the very epicenter of this Great Tribulation. With our current strength, intervening there directly would be perilous; a single misstep could see us consumed by the calamity."

"It would be wiser to retreat to my Abyssal Sea. We can rely on the Mountain Guardian Formation [a powerful defensive array] to hold our ground for a time."

"Once your cultivation has advanced further, we can then consider our next move."

Upon hearing this, Solara smiled and said, "You should consider this carefully. I am on the verge of undergoing my Earth Immortal Great Tribulation [the heavenly trial to ascend to the Earth Immortal realm]. This personal tribulation, erupting concurrently with the Great Tribulation, will inevitably attract an even greater convergence of calamitous forces."

"Your Abyssal Sea may not find itself any safer because of it."

"It is of no consequence."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, yet spoke thus: "Though the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity that periodically reshapes the world] is perilous, it also holds opportunities. If we unite our strength and rely upon the great formation, it is far better than facing the Great Tribulation without any sanctuary."

Hearing his words, Solara felt somewhat moved.

After all, the Abyssal Sea was distant from the core of the Great Tribulation, making it unlikely to attract beings at the Late Stage Earth Immortal [a high level of cultivation, representing immense power] realm or above. At least during the initial stages of the Great Tribulation, it should be sufficiently safe.

Thinking this, she could not help but glance at Luna Yue and Stella. Seeing them both nod in agreement, she said, "If that is the case, then we shall trouble you."

"Not at all. Having the three of you join our Abyssal Sea greatly strengthens our power. I could not be more pleased." Official source: *audio-novel.com*. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile.

Thus the matter was settled. Eldrin Chen led the three, piloting the immortal skiff back towards the Abyssal Abode of Bliss.

Midway through the journey, Eldrin Chen, gauging the strength of his new companions, could not resist asking, "Since we shall fight side by side, I must ask you to reveal your true capabilities. May I inquire as to the precise extent of your power?"

The three women exchanged glances. Finally, Solara spoke: "The Divine Lord [a title for a powerful deity or immortal] bestowed upon us certain treasures. When we join forces, we are sufficient to contend with a single Earth Immortal Progenitor [a progenitor-level being at the Earth Immortal realm]."

"That is good."

Having roughly gauged the strength of the three individuals, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of reassurance settle within his heart, and he gained a measure of confidence in weathering this tribulation.

Without saying more, Eldrin Chen led them back to the Abyssal Sea Region, arranged for their proper reception, and then proceeded towards the Abyssal Abode of Bliss.

Upon his arrival at the Blessed Land of Eldrin, the Abyss, he discovered Skywind the Daoist was already there, inhaling and exhaling Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, used by Immortals for cultivation] as if continuously consolidating his own cultivation base.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, congratulations!"

"Having now cultivated the World-Opening True Body [a legendary physical cultivation art that grants the power to split heaven and earth], it seems the path to Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm, one step below a Heavenly Immortal] is within sight."

Eldrin Chen felt a stir in his heart and promptly rose to offer his congratulations.

Skywind the Daoist raised his brow, gave a slight nod, and then said with a smile, "Thanks to your fortune, Fellow Daoist, I had the chance to refine that Azure Lotus Seed and finally broke through the bottleneck to cultivate the World-Opening True Body."

As he spoke, the joy on Skywind the Immortal's face grew increasingly unrestrained.

After cultivating the World-Opening True Body, his physical body now possessed World-Opening Power [the immense strength associated with the World-Opening True Body], making him barely capable of contending with an Earth Immortal Progenitor [an Earth Immortal who has founded a lineage or sect] through sheer force—a testament to its formidable power.

Moreover, not only that, after cultivating his Gale Immortal Body to the World-Opening True Body [a legendary physical cultivation state that grants immense durability and strength], his physical body became increasingly indestructible and unyielding. His Inner Core [the core dantian energy center within a cultivator's body] and meridians grew vastly more expansive, capable of containing nearly double the amount of True Essence [the refined, potent spiritual energy cultivated by high-level practitioners].

From this perspective alone, once Skywind the Daoist consolidates his cultivation base, he will no longer find it so strenuous to activate that World-Opening Treasure [a category of immensely powerful ancient artifacts], the 'Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos'. His combat prowess will have undergone a qualitative breakthrough.

Thinking of this, Skywind the Daoist repeatedly expressed his gratitude, saying, "This breakthrough truly leaves me indebted to you with a favor as vast as the heavens. Repaying it in full will likely be no easy task."

"Between you and me, such formalities are unnecessary."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then inquired further, "Regarding this impending Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, era-defining conflict ordained by fate], do you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], intend to enter the fray and face its tribulations?" Original English translation available at audio-novel . com.