Chapter 1263 : A Millennium of Tribulation and Ascent

The Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and upheaval] stretched on, vast and seemingly endless.

Under the relentless onslaught of the boundless Beast Tide [a massive, overwhelming surge of demonic beasts], a full Millennium [a period of one thousand years] passed in the blink of an eye. Throughout this Millennium, the ceaseless tides of beasts battered against The Vast Sea, a war of attrition that raged without pause. For the entire Abyssal Sea Region, it was a conflict of unprecedented scale and ferocity.

Many Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation], Golden Core [the fourth major realm of cultivation], and even Nascent Soul Cultivators [practitioners of the fifth major cultivation realm] were born into this Great Tribulation. From the very moment they set foot upon the path of cultivation, they were thrust into the heart of the Great Tribulation.

Some struggled to cross the raging torrents of the Great Tribulation; others cultivated and honed their skills amidst its chaos. A rare few even rose to prominence within the tribulation's crucible, ascending all the way to the realm of a Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a master who has reached the Nascent Soul realm].

Far more, however, perished within the calamity's grasp, their lives extinguished before they could even witness the passing of a single Millennium.

The mortal world witnessed seas turn to mulberry fields and mulberry fields to seas. Generations of low-level cultivators came and went. For many Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation], Purple Mansion, and even Golden Core Realm practitioners, the Great Tribulation had become a grim and familiar reality.

They had grown up within the shadow of the endless Demonic Beast [monstrous creatures tainted by demonic energy] Great Tribulation. Taking shifts to reinforce the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing the power of the celestial stars] was, aside from their own cultivation, the most common task of their lives.

Now, at long last, a change was finally beginning to stir. "This Beast Tide... it seems noticeably thinner than in years past," a voice murmured.

At the periphery of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, a young man in azure robes stood, his expression grave and contemplative.

This azure-robed youth was Qingxuan the Daoist. He was that very same timid young cultivator, his heart once filled with fear, who had witnessed the initial eruption of the Great Tribulation all those years ago. Official source: audi0-n0vel.c0m. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Now, a full Millennium [a period of one thousand years] has swiftly passed. Amidst the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of immense scale and danger], he has repeatedly distinguished himself with meritorious deeds. This has not only tempered his own path of cultivation but also earned him multiple commendations from the Immortal Alliance [a grand coalition of immortal cultivators].

Unbeknownst even to himself, his cultivation has advanced to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the Nascent Soul stage, where one's spiritual core manifests as a primordial spirit]. He has now become a Pure Yang Dao Lord [a Dao Lord who has mastered the Pure Yang principle, a title of great respect] presiding over his own Spirit Island [an island rich in spiritual energy].

Although the Beast Tide [a massive, overwhelming surge of demonic beasts] still appears boundless, as one who has witnessed the great war of the Millennium Beast Tide, he can clearly perceive that the tide has grown noticeably thinner.

At this thought, Qingxuan the Daoist murmured, his eyes flickering, "It seems the opportunity for a counterattack is approaching."

Having spoken, Qingxuan the Daoist lifted his gaze towards the Nine Firmaments [the highest heavens, a mythical realm], where a solitary, immovable figure stood.

"It is almost time."

High in the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realm], Eldrin Chen stood with an expression of profound calm.

Throughout the Millennium of relentless warfare, he had unleashed the River of Cosmic Star Sword Qi [a supreme sword technique manifesting as a river of stellar energy] on three separate occasions. Countless cultivators of the Human Race had fought day and night in a grueling stalemate against the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic races].

Unnoticed by many, the beast tide stirred by Su Wei Ancient Ancestor had suffered devastating losses. What remained of the Demonic Beast Tribe [tribes of demonic beasts] now amounted to less than thirty percent of their initial numbers at the war's outset. Many tribes had been utterly annihilated in the conflict.

Such catastrophic losses were enough to cripple the Su Wei Sea [a vast demonic territory] for generations. It would likely take tens of thousands of years for them to recover their Deep-Seated Foundation [profound foundational strength, often accumulated over millennia].

And if the remaining Demonic Beast Tribe forces were also to be lost in the Abyssal Sea Region, the Su Wei Sea would likely suffer a crippling blow to its foundations, requiring over a hundred thousand years to recover.

With these thoughts in mind, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards the boundless Demonic Tribe horde in the distance, his brow furrowing slightly with concern.

He saw the endless Demonic Tribe forces gathering once more, coalescing into another vast Beast Tide [a massive, overwhelming charge of demonic beasts] that surged towards the Abyssal Sea Region.

Lyra Jiang, witnessing this, remarked with calm composure, "It appears they are truly making their final, desperate gamble."

"Indeed,"

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement before continuing, "After this assault, Su Wei Ancient Ancestor will likely have no choice but to reveal his true intentions to us, with daggers drawn."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen observed the boundless Beast Tide sweeping across the heavens, advancing deep into the vast expanse of the Abyssal Sea Region.

This time, it was not merely an endless Beast Tide; the various Demon Immortal [a powerful demonic cultivator who has attained immortality] had also mustered a great fleet of Treasure Ship [enchanted vessels used for transport and warfare by cultivators]. These ships soared through the skies, carrying countless Demonic Tribe Dao Soldiers [specially trained and equipped cultivator-soldiers] into the fray.

Yet, Eldrin Chen remained unperturbed. After a conflict spanning A Millennium Has Passed, he had gained a profound understanding of the formidable power of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

Relying solely on these Treasure Ship and the Beast Tide, the Su Wei Sea forces stood no chance of breaching the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation. Their only purpose was to deplete the Abyssal Sea Region's reserves of spiritual energy and resources like Immortal Source [a primordial source of pure, condensed spiritual energy].

Without a moment's hesitation, Eldrin Chen once more gathered boundless Stellar Power, unleashing for the fourth time an endless torrent of stellar sword energy [a concentrated flow of sword-shaped energy infused with the power of the stars].

As this boundless river of stellar sword energy took form, in that instant, countless stellar sword energies drowned out everything in their path.

Whether it was the Sixth Rank Treasure Boat or the Primordial Spirit [the highest spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their true self] great demons, facing this endless tide of stellar sword energy was akin to defying the heavens themselves. In the blink of an eye, they were reduced to dust, utterly annihilated within the vast sea.

When calm finally returned, the hundreds of millions of demonic beings had suffered over half their number slain or wounded. The survivors began a frantic retreat, fleeing desperately towards the rear.

Regarding this, Su Wei Ancient Ancestor paid it no mind.

Through a Millennium of warfare, he had thoroughly discerned the activation conditions for the Cosmic Star Sword Qi. He spoke decisively, "Once this River of Cosmic Star Sword Qi is unleashed, it cannot be activated again for three hundred years." Official source: audio-novel dot com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"Now is the best opportunity to breach the formation. It is time to witness the methods of your Dragon Race."

Aethelred Ao gave a slight nod, his expression calm as he stated, "This grand formation is indeed extraordinary. However, the reserve of spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the world] within it has likely been depleted by more than half."

"For this campaign, my Thousand Dragons Lake has specially brought a treasure for breaking formations. It should be sufficient to suppress it temporarily."

As his words fell, Aethelred Ao looked towards the Nine Heavens Above and clasped his hands in salute. "I beseech the three Ancient Ancestors to make your move."

"Chant."

As his words fell, a Dragon's Roar echoed between heaven and earth. From the horizon, three Nine Heavens True Dragon [legendary supreme dragon beings] coiled into the sky, blotting out the sun.

They opened their maws, each spewing forth a dazzlingly brilliant pearl. One contained the power of the Vault of Heaven, one the power of the Netherworld, and one the power of Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals]—three distinct types of Rule Power [the fundamental laws that govern reality].

"The Triad Wonder Pearls!"

Su Wei Ancient Ancestor [Ancient Ancestor Su Wei] took one look, and his expression shifted slightly with shock.

The Triad Wonder Pearls were the Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a treasure intimately connected to its master's life force and cultivation] of the Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace. They respectively contained the three Rule Power of Heaven, Earth, and Man. When combined, they would transform into a Triad Wonder Formation."

The Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace had established his Dao [cultivation path] for many years, and it was with these Triad Wonder Pearls that he had forged his formidable reputation. He was hailed as one of the figures in the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea with the greatest potential to break through to the Heaven Immortal [a supreme immortal realm] realm.

This alone spoke volumes about what an astonishing supreme treasure this set of Triad Wonder Pearls was.

The set of Triad Wonder Pearls before them now was clearly not the original Peerless [a supreme grade of treasure] World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of legendary, world-shaping power] version, but a replica forged by Thousand Dragons Lake. Its grade was merely that of a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure.

Even so, such an Immortal Treasure possessed immense power. The three resplendent pearls intertwined and spiraled, ultimately transforming into a World-Startling Immortal Formation that descended with crushing force, slamming against the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

"Boom!"

In a single Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time], heaven and earth roared as All Things Lose Color was unleashed.

Driven by the combined power of three Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the verge of attaining Earth Immortal status], the might of the Triad Wonder Pearls [a set of three powerful enchanted pearls] had reached the domain of World Creation [the primordial act of shaping reality], actually blasting a breach through the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive array based on celestial star patterns].

In that instant, countless Human Race cultivators were drenched in blood, perishing amidst the tribulation under the backlash of the shattered formation.

"Hmm?"

Watching the Formation [a structured arrangement of power for defense or attack] being breached, Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly.

With the aid of Luna, the Consort, Stella, and Solara, he was confident he could repair the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation in an extremely short time.

Yet at this moment, Eldrin Chen saw an opportunity. Exchanging a glance with the other Immortals, he halted his actions to mend the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation. The complete novel can be found at audi0-n0vel.c0m.