Chapter 1258 : Alliance Forged in the Abyssal Sea

Skywind the Daoist paused for a moment, then instantly grasped the meaning behind Eldrin Chen's words.

He let out a bitter laugh and spoke, "Although Tianyan the Ancient Ancestor is an Ancient Ancestor of the Middle Stage Earth Immortal realm, he has over two hundred Immortal descendants and juniors under his wing. His Earth Immortal World [a personal realm cultivated by an Earth Immortal] is also stretched rather thin."

"Moreover, with my current strength, I should strive for the opportunities within this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity that reshapes fate and destiny]. I will not seek his shelter to avoid it."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then inquired, "In that case, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a cultivator of similar standing], how do you plan to enter the tribulation?"

"How to enter?"

Skywind the Daoist glanced at Eldrin Chen and said, "Your meaning, Fellow Daoist, is that you wish for me to come to the Abyssal Sea and lend you my strength?"

"Precisely."

Eldrin Chen nodded in affirmation and continued, "The Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace is one of the central figures of this Great Tribulation. I fear the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas region will become one of the core battlegrounds of the calamity."

"I feel my strength is insufficient. I wish to ask you, Brother, to join forces with me to withstand this Great Tribulation together." Immerse yourself in the complete world at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

"Join forces..."

Skywind the Daoist's eyes flickered slightly, and he fell into contemplation.

After a moment, he looked towards the direction of the Setting Sun Sea [a vast sea in the western reaches of the immortal realm], his brow furrowing slightly as he said, "My Wind Mist Island [a major island domain under his stewardship] lies within the Setting Sun Sea, along with tens of millions of my clansmen and all our assets."

"Once I come to your Abyssal Sea [the deep, perilous sea region under Eldrin Chen's dominion], how could my clansmen ever bear to leave all that behind? Let us speak no more of this matter."

Having said this, Skywind the Daoist shook his head, declining Eldrin Chen's proposal.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen frowned slightly. He understood the thoughts in Skywind the Daoist's heart. After all, Skywind the Daoist had attained the Dao [reached a high state of enlightenment and power] nearly a million years ago and had managed Wind Mist Island for nearly that same span of time.

Upon that Wind Mist Island resided not only the seven Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality and attained immortality] of his Liu Clan, but also hundreds of millions of Liu Clan cultivators practicing their arts, and countless billions of mortals living and multiplying there.

For a clan of such immense scale to contemplate relocating to the Abyssal Sea Region was nearly an impossibility.

Not to mention, he had managed Wind Mist Island for several hundred thousand years; the industries and resources within were the very lifeblood of the Liu Immortal Clan.

Whether Skywind the Daoist came to the Abyssal Sea Region alone or brought several of his clan's Immortal with him, it would mean abandoning the entire clan's countless cultivators and their vast holdings.

After all, he was not an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a supreme cultivator who has transcended mortality and can create a pocket world], capable of using an Earth Immortal World [a self-contained pocket dimension created by an Earth Immortal] to hide countless clan members and assets within the Void [the formless, empty space between realms].

From this perspective, Skywind the Daoist still found it difficult to make a firm decision.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen sighed once more and could not help but advise, "Brother Daoist, the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking calamity that occurs in cycles] is about to descend. Protecting one's clan will be no easy feat."

"If you lack the confidence to withstand the Great Tribulation, it is better to make a clean break decisively."

"There are still several Millennium [a period of one thousand years] remaining, which should be sufficient to relocate your core clan members and the majority of your cultivators to the Abyssal Sea. You can always reclaim your assets and industries after the Great Tribulation has passed."

"I understand."

Skywind the Daoist nodded, yet the counsel did not truly take root in his heart.

He stroked his long beard and said with a smile, "I thank you for your kindness. However, my Wind Mist Island has been fortified over many years and is now as impregnable as a citadel. Not even a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of achieving Earth Immortal status] could seize it."

"Moreover, my strength is no longer what it once was. Even if a formidable enemy were to attack, I am confident in my ability to handle it."

At this point, Skywind the Daoist smiled again and added, "Furthermore, within the Setting Sun Blessed Land, it is highly likely that the Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor will be drawn into the tribulation."

"His cultivation is but A Step Away from the Earth Immortal realm. When the Great Tribulation descends, he will likely be the one standing at the forefront, allowing this old man to remain in relative safety."

Seeing Skywind the Daoist speak thus, Eldrin Chen wished to persuade him further, but in the end, he could only sigh and suppress the urge.

It was clear that Skywind the Daoist's resolve was firm. Not only was he unwilling to abandon his clan and legacy, but his recent surge in power had also filled him with the confidence to face the impending Great Tribulation.

Eldrin Chen understood well that Skywind the Daoist was an Immortal with an unshakable Dao-heart [the core conviction and will of a cultivator]. Once his mind was set, it would not be easily swayed, and further persuasion would be futile.

Thus, he could only offer a soft sigh, clasp his hands, and say, "Then I wish you, Fellow Daoist, success in transcending the Great Tribulation and forging the foundation of an Earth Immortal in one fell swoop."

"Hahaha!" Skywind the Daoist laughed heartily, returning the gesture. "Have no fear, Fellow Daoist. Once I have weathered the Great Tribulation, I shall descend the mountain to lend you my aid." Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel`com.

With those words, there was nothing more for either of them to say.

Eldrin Chen escorted Skywind the Daoist out of the Abyssal Abode of Bliss and watched as the daoist departed.

After his friend had vanished from sight, Eldrin Chen could not help but release a soft sigh, shaking his head slightly.

Noticing this, Lyra Jiang by his side spoke up. "Why the sigh, Husband?"

Eldrin Chen watched the departing figure of Skywind the Daoist and, only after he had vanished from sight, remarked, "This Fellow Daoist Skywind possesses considerable strength. If he could lend us his aid, the power of the Abyssal Sea Region would be greatly augmented."

"Moreover, the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation still lacks a pivotal treasure to command the celestial host and unleash its full, devastating might."

"The World-Opening Treasure in his possession, the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos [an ancient bell capable of harmonizing and commanding the power of the stars], would be the perfect choice for that pivotal role."

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang also felt a pang of regret.

She understood that if Skywind the Daoist had remained, the power of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation would have been vastly greater, significantly increasing their chances of surviving the impending Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial or calamity].

Alas, Skywind the Daoist was no Rogue Cultivator [a cultivator without sect or clan affiliation]. While his family and estate had supported his cultivation journey, they also bound him, making it impossible for him to abandon them.

"Let it be. Each follows their own path. He has the bonds of family; we cannot fault him for this,"

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, then drew Lyra Jiang close. "Though the Great Tribulation is perilous, if we stand united with one heart, we will surely emerge triumphant from its crucible."

Time flowed like a river, and the years slipped by like a shuttle through a loom.

While Eldrin Chen cultivated in seclusion within his mountain abode, three full Millennium [a period of one thousand years] passed in the mortal realm.

On this day, Eldrin Chen stood atop the peak of Verdant Chariot Mountain, watching the boundless calamitous aura [a foreboding energy that heralds great tribulation and catastrophe] converge. A trace of solemnity flickered across his brow.

At the horizon's edge, an immeasurable calamitous aura was coalescing. The vast expanse between heaven and earth grew dim and lightless, as if the very cosmos itself had been cast into a somber gloom.

"The calamitous aura suffuses all, draining color from the world."

"It seems the Great Tribulation has finally begun." Eldrin Chen sighed softly, his expression growing ever more grave.

He withdrew his gaze and turned to Lyra Jiang beside him, inquiring, "How fares the completion of the Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of the stars]?"

"It is finished," Lyra Jiang replied, a smile gracing her lips. "With the three masters from the Glazed Blessed Land presiding over the three islands, the Formation's power has increased by thirty percent."

"Excellent."

Eldrin Chen nodded, allowing himself a slight sigh of relief.

Ever since Solara and her two companions arrived in the Abyssal Sea Region three Millennium ago, they had proposed assisting in perfecting the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

Among the trio, two were Half-Step Earth Immortals [cultivators on the very cusp of attaining Earth Immortality], and the third was a peerless expert at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality. Moreover, they were masters of the Sun and Moon and stellar Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy]. Their participation in refining the grand formation was something Eldrin Chen had long yearned for.

At that moment, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately instructed the three individuals to complete the refinement of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a powerful defensive formation that draws upon the celestial power of the stars]. This content originates from www . audio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.