Chapter 1211 : Trial of the Celestial Stele

It was only after witnessing the Six Stars Immortal [an immortal whose power is associated with six celestial stars] engage in a fierce battle spanning thousands of exchanges, a contest that raged for three days and three nights before he emerged victorious, that Eldrin Chen realized the contrast. The Void-Refining Immortal [an immortal title signifying mastery over refining the void], relying on the protection of his Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade], had adopted a purely offensive stance, allowing him to conclude his own battle even sooner.

"Finally, I have defeated him."

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

Since his breakthrough into the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the later stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation realm], this Six Stars Immortal had participated in the Celestial Stele Sea [a mystical sea of celestial steles used for trials] sword trials three times. On his first attempt, he was defeated before even clearing the first trial.

The second time, having advanced to the Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier [the eighth tier within the Ascendant Immortal realm], he managed to defeat his opponents and pass two trials, only to fall at the crucial third gate.

This time, he had come armed with a Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure, yet he restrained himself from activating it. His victory was achieved solely through his own strength, a clear testament to the substantial progress he had made.

"First, restore your spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by immortals]. The struggle for the qualification to comprehend the Celestial Stele [a celestial monument containing profound mysteries] that follows will be the true ordeal."

Observing this, Eldrin Chen spoke.

The Six Stars Immortal was among the last batch of Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] to conclude their battles. Shortly after his victory, the third trial of the sword contest came to a complete end.

Eldrin Chen lifted his gaze. After successfully passing all three trials, the number of Immortal who had earned the right to contend for the chance to study the Celestial Stele had dwindled to less than one-tenth of the original, leaving only around ten thousand individuals. Original publication: audio-novel.com (official site) - The source of this chapter.

Including the previous several thousand Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier cultivators, a total of over twenty thousand Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality] have now secured their qualification.

"This year's number of Immortal surpasses that of previous years," someone remarked.

Witnessing this, Six Stars Immortal could not help but sigh, his expression turning grave.

He had participated in the Celestial Stele [a mystical monument inscribed with profound truths] Sword Tournament three times before. In the previous two, the participating Immortal numbered only around one hundred thousand, and after clearing the three trials, fewer than ten thousand would remain.

This time, however, there were a full twenty thousand. The difficulty of securing a spot to comprehend the Celestial Stele had more than doubled.

Thinking this, Six Stars Immortal nodded in agreement. "Indeed. With the Myriad Immortals Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity that befalls all immortals] drawing near, every immortal seeks to bolster their strength, hoping to increase their chances of surviving it. A larger turnout was to be expected."

"True. It seems we must tread carefully in this upcoming battle."

Eldrin Chen also nodded slightly, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

Regarding the chance to comprehend the Celestial Stele, Eldrin Chen harbored absolute confidence in his heart.

However, Six Stars Immortal and Void-Refining Immortal did not share such certainty, especially the latter. His cultivation was merely at the Ascendant Immortal 6th Tier level, and his strength fell far short of the others.

Even with the protection of the Crimson Flame Gilded Armor [a powerful suit of enchanted armor], it was far from certain that one could secure a spot to comprehend the Path Principles Comprehension [a profound art of understanding the fundamental laws of cultivation] from the Celestial Stele [a mystical monument inscribed with cosmic truths].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh softly. He had already done all he could to aid Void-Refining Immortal [the Immortal who refines the Void]. With his current level of cultivation, even if he were given an ordinary Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade], he would be unable to wield it effectively.

"We do our utmost and leave the rest to fate. Whether he can seize the qualification depends on his own Creation [fortune, destiny, or innate potential]."

A thought stirred within Eldrin Chen. He lifted his gaze towards the summit of the Celestial Pillar [a towering pillar that reaches towards the heavens], his brow furrowing slightly.

He saw that upon the three thousand Celestial Pillar, two thousand were already occupied by standing Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality], leaving only a thousand pillars vacant.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly. Those two thousand pillars had long been allocated among the hundreds of Blessed Land [realms of exceptional spiritual abundance] within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [the Divine Abyssal Sea of Western Essence]; they were not open for contention. The remaining thousand pillars were the true prize for which the assembled immortals would vie.

Even now, many Demon Immortal [immortals of demonic origin] and Divine Spirits [innate spiritual beings of great power] had already ascended the Celestial Pillar, preparing to begin their struggle for the qualification to approach the Celestial Stele.

Seeing this, the Six Stars Immortal [the Immortal of the Six Stars] explained, "To ascend to the peak of a Celestial Pillar and, through successive victories, become the last one standing upon it, is to earn the right to contemplate the Celestial Stele."

"Furthermore, any contender who can defeat five powerful adversaries in a row will also gain the recognition of the Celestial Pillar and directly receive the qualification to study the Celestial Stele."

"Defeat all challengers and become the last one standing?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, and having reached this conclusion, he spoke aloud: "During the Celestial Stele Sword Duel, the one who ascends the platform first is bound to be at the greatest disadvantage."

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

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

Upon hearing this, the others nodded. Exquisite Jiang said calmly, "We shall watch you secure your place first, then choose our moment to contend for a Celestial Pillar."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. As his words faded, he stepped forward, materializing atop one of the Celestial Pillar. Read, share, and discuss at https://audio-novel.com.

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

"Human?"

Watching Eldrin Chen ascend, the figure paused briefly, then spoke: "Judging by your aura, your cultivation seems no higher than the Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier. Do you truly intend to make an enemy of me?"

"A Peerless Demon Immortal [a demonic cultivator of extraordinary power who has transcended mortality]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, having roughly guessed the identity of the being before him.

This was a Peerless Demon Immortal [a supreme-level demonic immortal], whose bloodline foundation was exceptionally extraordinary. Though his cultivation had only reached the Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier [the eighth level of the Ascendant Immortal realm], his combat power already approached the domain of the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the ninth and pinnacle level of the Ascendant Immortal realm].

Even so, Eldrin Chen felt no great pressure. He spoke with calm composure, "It is said the Grand Granary Black Fish is a rare Nine Heavens [the legendary Nine Heavens] variant within the Demon Race [the race of demons]. Today, I shall test its mettle."

"Hmph!"

The Demon Immortal [a demon who has attained immortality], having its true nature discerned, showed no anger, only a cold sneer. It gripped an Obsidian Gold Great Halberd [a massive halberd forged from obsidian-infused gold] and brought it crashing down with crushing force.

The Grand Granary Black Fish clan was a uniquely gifted lineage among the Demon Race, renowned for their formidable physical bodies. The one before him was astonishingly powerful.

Though its cultivation was merely at the Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier, the strength of its physical form rivaled that of an Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier.

Now, wielding its Great Halberd, it cleaved through the air with overwhelming force. Surging Immortality [the power of immortal might] shook the Six Harmonies [the six directions of space] and the Eight Desolations [the eight desolate corners of the world]. A pressure of Immortality and Immortal Radiance [the radiant light of immortality] descended to suppress all.

"Impressive."

Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up, a spark of genuine excitement igniting within him at the prospect of such a worthy challenge.

He did not unleash the power of his Divine Ability, relying solely on the might of his Primordial One Indestructibility Body. Raising his hand, he cleaved down with sheer physical force, meeting the Obsidian Gold Great Halberd head-on.

"BOOM—"

A deafening crash echoed, and both combatants were thrown back by the force. 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 Heavenly Vault, Eldrin Chen stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Feeling a faint numbness in his palm, he praised, "The physical prowess of the Grand Granary Black Fish clan is indeed Extraordinary. You can already match strength with a Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier."

The Grand Granary Black Fish was even more shaken. His clan was renowned for their physical might, born with the strength to tear apart Demon King-level beings and raised on a diet of Nine Heavens Great Roc. 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 Obsidian Gold Great Halberd.

Consider this: he had wielded the Great Halberd to strike down his foe, while Eldrin Chen had met it with bare hands. The advantage should have been his, yet in the exchange, he was the one pushed back. This alone revealed the terrifying potency of his opponent's physical form. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel dot com.