Chapter 1269 : The Calm Before the Storm

Within the Setting Sun Sea [a vast and perilous sea region], the air of calamity [a foreboding energy signifying great tribulation] was thick and pervasive, yet in a corner of this sea, upon a certain Immortal Island [an island inhabited by immortal cultivators], an extraordinary tranquility reigned.

This place was Wind Mist Island. Ever since Skywind the Daoist achieved a breakthrough into the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a realm just one step below the legendary Earth Immortal], the Liu Immortal Clan residing on Wind Mist Island had already become the second most powerful force within the Setting Sun Sea.

From that moment on, the Liu Immortal Clan grew confident that they could weather this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict ordained by fate], believing their clan was destined to emerge as a new Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal who has merged their being with the earth itself] level power.

This confidence of the Liu Immortal Clan stemmed from the formidable strength of Skywind the Daoist. After all, he had not only cultivated the World-Opening True Body [a legendary physique capable of splitting the primordial chaos], but also possessed two Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal artifacts]: the True Dragon Relic and the Boundless Black Scale Armor.

Coupled with the World-Opening Treasure known as the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos, Skywind the Daoist's combat prowess far surpassed that of many ordinary Six Tribulation Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has survived six heavenly tribulations at the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm].

With such staggering power, backed by the support of his patron Tianyan the Ancient Ancestor, the rise of Skywind the Daoist seemed almost preordained.

This was not just the belief of the various immortals and deities in the surrounding seas, but also the conviction held by the Liu Immortal Clan themselves.

At that moment, before the mountain gate of Wind Mist Island, two cultivators from the Liu Clan stood guard, their expressions betraying profound boredom.

One of them glanced at the boundless sea in the distance. Seeing no imminent danger, he shook his head and remarked, "They all say the Great Tribulation is perilous. Yet, it has been over a thousand years since its onset, and our Liu Clan has yet to face any formidable enemy?"

The other guard chuckled upon hearing this. "Though the Great Tribulation is indeed treacherous, those drawn into its vortex are still living beings, with their own fears and calculations." For the best reading experience, visit https://audio-novel.com.

"Our Liu Clan now commands awe across the eight directions. Within the Setting Sun Sea, we are considered a top-tier power. Who would dare come here to court death?"

"Indeed," the other man nodded, a smile gracing his lips. "I've heard the Clan Lord is in seclusion, consolidating the power of his World-Opening True Body [a supreme physical form capable of splitting primordial chaos]."

"Once His Excellency emerges, he will personally enter the tribulation to slay the Demonic Monsters [malevolent beings born from chaos and calamity] and achieve his Dao."

"I've heard the same," the second man chimed in, his smile widening. "I also heard our Ancient Ancestor has already reached an agreement with the Violet Flame Abode of Bliss. Once he breaks through to the Earth Immortal Realm [a profound immortal realm where one becomes one with the world's essence], he will join the Violet Flame Abode of Bliss as a Grand Elder."

"When that time comes, our Liu Immortal Clan will also be counted among the direct, true inheritors of the Violet Flame Abode of Bliss."

As the two conversed, a sudden, palpable shift in the atmosphere made them freeze.

They looked up into the Void [the formless, boundless space between realms], and saw two figures of incomparable majesty striding forth.

"Who goes there?!"

Remembering their duty, one of the guards managed to call out.

The newcomers paid him no heed. The figure on the left merely flicked his sleeve, unleashing a radiant streak of light that shot forth like a comet.

That radiance soared into the heavens, transforming in an instant into a celestial wheel that blotted out the sky and sun, crashing down with a thunderous roar to suppress Wind Mist Island.

"BOOM—"

In that very moment, the dazzling celestial wheel struck Wind Mist Island, causing the island's protective glow to flicker and tremble violently.

In but a single breath, a great earthquake shook Wind Mist Island. Though the power of its Formation barely managed to withstand the blow, the losses were grievous, and countless living beings perished.

"Who dares attack us?!"

Under sudden assault, eight streaks of immortal light instantly shot forth from Wind Mist Island—the eight Immortal of the Liu Clan.

At their head was Skywind the Daoist. Having been abruptly attacked, he could no longer remain in seclusion. With a slightly altered expression, he emerged immediately.

"Duskfall Ancient Ancestor, Setting Sun Daoist."

He glanced at the two figures in the sky, his face darkening as he spoke, "You two Fellow Daoist, this old man and the Setting Sun Blessed Land bear no enmity. Why do you strike against my Wind Mist Island today?"

In response to his inquiry, Setting Sun Daoist remained utterly silent, continuing to channel his power and drive the Setting Sun Celestial Wheel down in a relentless press of suppression.

Under the suppression of this Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure, even the entire Wind Mist Island was shaken to its foundations. The Mountain Guardian Grand Formation trembled violently, as if it were on the verge of being completely shattered and sunk into the sea.

"This is bad!"

Skywind the Daoist's expression changed drastically. He channeled all his power into the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation to resist the assault from Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor, while asking indignantly, "We are all of the Human Race. Do you truly intend to commit such an act of utter annihilation?"

"Hmph—"

Only then did Duskfall Ancient Ancestor finally speak. He let out a cold sneer and said, "That Eldrin, the Junior shows no respect for his superiors. He dared to attack our Setting Sun Blessed Land within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land, proving he has already fallen onto the Demonic Path."

"Such a vile wretch should be despised by all immortals. Yet you, Skywind the Daoist, still dare to befriend him. It shows you are also one who cannot recognize the Mandate of Heaven. It is only fitting you face your tribulation today." This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel.com (official site).

"You—!"

Skywind the Daoist flushed crimson with rage, his voice thundering with fury, "Opportunities within a Blessed Land [a land of profound spiritual fortune] belong to the capable by right. You twist right and wrong so blatantly. Truly, when one wishes to condemn, no lack of charges can be found!"

"I see now. Your grudge against Fellow Daoist Eldrin is merely a pretext. Your true greed is for the Dao Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's Dao path] I have refined!"

Duskfall Ancient Ancestor offered no response to Skywind the Daoist's words, neither confirming nor denying them.

With a mere flick of his sleeve, he summoned forth a resplendent ancient wheel that soared into the heavens.

"The Duskfall Celestial Wheel!"

The moment he beheld that ancient wheel, Skywind the Daoist let out a roar of utter despair.

Before his cry could fade, the Duskfall Celestial Wheel transformed into a dying sun of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], descending with boundless, crushing might.

This Duskfall Celestial Wheel was the supreme treasure guarding the Setting Sun Blessed Land [a sacred realm of cultivation], forged from a fragment of bone from within the body of the Setting Sun Celestial God [a divine entity]. Imbued with the profound mysteries of boundless cosmic laws, its power was far beyond what Wind Mist Island could possibly withstand.

Even though Wind Mist Island had been fortified for hundreds of thousands of years, layered with countless protective Formation [magical defensive arrays], it paled in comparison to the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation of the Abyssal Sea.

The Abyssal Sea Region not only possessed the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, but was also defended by dozens of times more cultivators and scores of Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality]—perhaps enough to hold back this Setting Sun Celestial Wheel.

But Wind Mist Island fell grievously short. As the Duskfall Celestial Wheel descended, the island's myriad Formation shattered like mere bubbles.

In the span of a single clash, the entire Mountain Guardian Grand Formation of Wind Mist Island was utterly annihilated. The colossal island, spanning hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], was completely pulverized into fragments, sinking into the vast expanse of the Abyssal Sea Region.

Before such boundless cataclysm, the countless cultivators and mortals of the Liu Immortal Clan [the Liu Immortal Clan] upon Wind Mist Island perished in an instant.

Such a sudden and catastrophic calamity caused the entire Wind Mist Island to sink completely beneath the sea. The Liu Immortal Clan was nearly annihilated overnight.

Only a handful of Nascent Soul Dao Lord managed to survive by the skin of their teeth. Of the eight Liu Clan Immortals, three perished on the spot, while the remaining four were grievously wounded.

"Aaaaargh—!"

Witnessing the destruction of the Immortal Clan he had painstakingly built over millions of years, Skywind the Daoist was flooded with boundless hatred.

His eyes streamed with bloody tears as he frantically channeled the power of the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos. He unleashed this World-Opening Treasure to manifest countless phantom Starry Ancient Bell that descended to suppress Duskfall Ancient Ancestor, seeking a desperate, life-or-death struggle with this ancient Earth Immortal.

"Overestimating your own strength."

Faced with Skywind the Daoist's desperate assault, Duskfall Ancient Ancestor merely let out a cold sneer.

While the suicidal strike of Skywind the Daoist might have given pause to an ordinary Early Stage Earth Immortal,

Duskfall Ancient Ancestor was no ordinary foe. His cultivation had already reached the realm of a Third Level Earth Immortal, and in his hand, he wielded the mid-grade World-Opening Treasure, the Duskfall Celestial Wheel. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio - novel . com.