Chapter 1274 : Legacy of the Dusk Sun Ark

"Is that... the Eighth Rank Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship [a legendary vessel capable of traversing the heavens]?"

Gazing at the Treasure Ship, Lyra Jiang's expression shifted subtly, a look of profound awe washing over her features.

Solara's face also paled dramatically. She drew a sharp breath and declared, "That is the Dusk Sun Celestial Ark [a celestial vessel of immense power]. Legends claimed it was destroyed nearly ten million years ago. To think it still exists in this world."

As Solara recounted its tale, the assembled immortals understood the origins of this Ancient Vessel.

This Dusk Sun Celestial Ark was once the treasure of the Zhang Immortal Clan, the Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal who has forged a connection with the world itself] force that was the previous master of the Setting Sun Blessed Land. In that era, the Dusk Sun Zhang Clan boasted seven Earth Immortal within its ranks. Their Clan Lord [the supreme leader of a clan], having reached the Earth Immortal Nine Layers [the ninth and pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm], reigned as the undisputed hegemon of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas.

Alas, during the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] nine million years ago, the Zhang Clan Clan Lord failed in his attempt to breach the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a transcendent state between Earth Immortal and true Celestial Immortal] and fell to a powerful enemy. The Zhang Immortal Clan never recovered from this blow. It was rumored that the Dusk Sun Celestial Ark itself was shattered by a mighty expert from the Demonic Tribe.

Who could have imagined that after nearly ten million years, this Dusk Sun Celestial Ark would reappear in the world.

At this thought, a shadow of despair fell upon the faces of the immortals. An Eighth Rank Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship! How terrifyingly powerful such a vessel must be.

Such a supreme Ancient Vessel required the spine of an eighth-rank Heaven-Opening Ancient Beast [a primordial beast of immense power] to serve as its Dragon Bone [the central keel or framework], fused with countless Immortal Treasures and Spiritual Object [objects imbued with spiritual energy] to be forged successfully.

The resources consumed in its creation were tenfold that of a peerless treasure of the same rank. One could say that even a low-grade World Creation [a concept of creation and genesis] Ancient Vessel was worth at least ten times a low-grade World-Opening Treasure [a treasure capable of creating or stabilizing a minor world], rivaling a High Grade Heaven-Opening Treasure in value. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio_novel.com.

And having consumed such vast resources, its might was truly staggering to behold.

Furthermore, this artifact was specifically refined to counter the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive formation that protects a blessed land] of an Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a sacred realm cultivated and inhabited by an Earth Immortal]. Once unleashed in an assault, it would likely be potent enough to threaten even an Eighth Rank [the eighth tier of power, corresponding to the Earth Immortal realm] grand Formation.

The Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [the Grand Formation of the Zhou Heavenly Stars, a vast stellar defensive array] of the Abyssal Sea Region was not an Eighth Rank Formation per se, but rather an aggregation of hundreds of millions of immortal-grade and spirit-grade formations.

With these countless formations converging as one, further empowered by the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos [an ancient bell artifact that commands the celestial bodies] which governed the multitude of stars, the combined might it unleashed indeed reached the level of an Eighth Rank formation.

Even an existence at the mid or late stages of the Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a powerful immortal being] would find it difficult, if not impossible, to easily shatter the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

Yet, whether it could withstand this Eighth Rank Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship [an ancient vessel of the eighth rank, capable of parting the heavens] was a question that left everyone present with not a shred of confidence in their hearts.

At this thought, a sense of despair could not help but seep into the hearts of the assembled immortals.

"Wait."

Suddenly, Lyra Jiang keenly perceived something amiss and spoke out, "If our foe possesses an Eighth Rank Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship, why did they not deploy this Ancient Vessel [an ancient, powerful ship or craft] to breach the formation from the very beginning?"

Upon hearing her words, the immortals were momentarily taken aback, and expressions of puzzlement dawned on their faces.

Logically speaking, with the power of the Eighth Rank Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship, it should have been absolutely impossible for the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation to withstand it. Yet, the enemy chose to let countless disciples and followers perish rather than deploy it, clearly indicating they must be apprehensive about something.

(Recommendation for reading app omitted for translation.)

With this thought in mind, Solara, the Immortal Maiden's eyes emitted a golden light as she activated her Innate Divine Ability, the Solar Divine Eye, to scrutinize that Ancient Vessel. She indeed detected its anomalous state.

"It truly is half-destroyed."

A moment later, Solara withdrew her gaze, a flicker of delight in her heart as she spoke.

It turned out this Ancient Vessel had indeed been nearly annihilated in the past. Over forty percent of its hull had been shattered by a formidable enemy wielding a World Creation [the foundational act of shaping a new world or reality] great axe. The internal Formation Patterns [the intricate energy circuits and arrays that empower artifacts and formations] and Rule Power [the authority and energy derived from comprehending and wielding fundamental cosmic laws] had suffered immensely severe damage.

After the Setting Sun Blessed Land acquired it, they had been continuously repairing this World Creation Ancient Vessel.

Unfortunately, constrained by Duskfall Ancient Ancestor's insufficient artifact-forging prowess and the lack of adequate precious materials, the restoration of this World Creation Ancient Vessel had consistently progressed with difficulty.

To this day, although that forty percent of the hull had been patched up, the Immortal Treasures [divine-grade materials used in crafting supreme artifacts] and divine materials used were all of a grade lower. The internal Formation Patterns and cosmic laws were far from perfected compared to its prime state.

"The hull is incomplete, and even after repairs, it remains imperfect. This vessel's offensive power should only be eighty percent of its peak."

"Moreover, the repaired forty percent of the hull cannot bear the power of the guardian grand formation. Therefore, the eighth-rank immortal formation protecting the Ancient Vessel [a colossal, ancient ship of immense power] has not yet been restored. Currently, a Supreme-Grade Immortal Formation [a formation of the highest mortal grade, just below the Immortal rank] is being used as a replacement."

Solara explained in detail, then continued: "The power of a mere Supreme-Grade Immortal Formation is insufficient to protect an eighth-rank Ancient Vessel."

"Furthermore, in my judgment, the forty percent of the hull repaired on this Treasure Ship [a powerful vessel imbued with magical properties] is far too fragile. Should the Treasure Ship suffer a heavy blow, these sections would be the first to crack."

Hearing this, the assembled immortals felt a flicker of hope. Eastern Sovereign's eyes gleamed as he inquired, "Then how should we breach its defenses?"

At these words, Solara's expression grew solemn.

After a moment of contemplation, she spoke: "Duskfall Ancient Ancestor is aware of this Ancient Vessel's weakness. He will certainly not allow us to damage it easily." Original publication: audio-novel . com - The source of this chapter.

"Moreover, the Ancient Vessel is still protected by a Supreme-Grade Immortal Formation. Without the power of a World-Opening Grade [the realm of power capable of creating or destroying minor worlds] treasure, harming it would be difficult."

"We must seize the right moment, gathering the power of our World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of World-Opening Grade power] and all our strongest techniques to strike simultaneously. Only then might we have a chance to break through…"

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang's countenance shifted noticeably.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, she could no longer afford to conceal the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a mighty cauldron artifact capable of suppressing worlds]. With a sigh, she said, "Hold them off for a moment. I must retrieve a paramount treasure."

With those words, Lyra Jiang soared directly into the depths of the Abyssal Abode of Bliss.

She retrieved the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a supreme cauldron artifact capable of stabilizing realms]. Before departing, her gaze lingered on the heart of the Blessed Land [a realm of concentrated spiritual energy and profound natural laws], where Eldrin Chen remained in secluded cultivation. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

"Husband, with this Blessed Land veiling the Heavenly Secrets [the inscrutable workings of fate and cosmic principles], you are certain to survive until the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of cosmic upheaval and cleansing] concludes."

"But if the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [the Grand Array of the Zhou Heavenly Stars] is shattered and I, your humble wife, fail to transcend this tribulation... then we shall meet again only in another lifetime."

Lyra Jiang sighed once more. Leaving her Second Nascent Soul [a profound technique allowing a cultivator to manifest a second, independent spiritual core] to guard Eldrin Chen, she turned and flew without hesitation beyond the boundaries of the Abyss of the Abyssal End.

"BOOM—"

Simultaneously, beyond the Abyssal Sea Region, the great battle had already commenced.

The Setting Sun Blessed Land arrived, borne upon an eighth-rank Ancient Vessel [a primordial ship of immense power], and with its first move unleashed a world-shaking, heavenly might.

The Dusk Sun Celestial Ark erupted with a dazzling divine radiance, unleashing the eighth-rank Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] 'Dusk Sun World-Shattering Celestial Light' [the Heaven-Sundering Celestial Light of the Dusk Sun]. Its heaven-quaking, earth-rending force crashed against the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, producing a bell toll that echoed from antiquity itself.

The Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos stood firm within the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms], neutralizing the force of this eighth-rank World-Opening Divine Ability [a divine power of the highest order, capable of cleaving primordial chaos].

Yet even the power of the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos [a primordial artifact capable of resonating with the cosmic void] was being drained at an alarming rate to withstand such an Ancient Salvation Ark [a colossal vessel of ancient design, built for survival and conquest].

In that moment, countless cultivators maintaining the Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies power] perished. Across the various celestial nodes of the entire Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [the Grand Array of Zhou's Celestial Stars, a vast defensive network], the spiritual energy reserves, already significantly depleted, were instantly consumed by nearly half once more.

"Quickly, add more Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]! Replenish the Immortal Source [a concentrated wellspring of immortal-grade spiritual energy] at once!"

Upon the Immortal Island [islands suffused with immortal-grade spiritual energy] and Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy], cultivators opened their Storage Bag [a spatial artifact for holding items] and poured tens of thousands of Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], and even Immortal Source [a concentrated wellspring of immortal-grade spiritual energy], into the spiritual pools and Immortal Spring [a spring emitting immortal-grade spiritual water] to replenish the power source of the Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies power].

At the Formation Eye [the core control nexus of a formation array], the cultivators presiding over the Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies power] wore expressions of mingled terror and resolve. They had no choice but to step forward and replace those who had fallen or been grievously wounded.

"BOOM—"

Simultaneously, from within the distant Void [the empty, boundless space between worlds], the World Creation [the concept of world-creation or world-ship] Ancient Vessel [an ancient, powerful ship] unleashed another attack. A Heaven-Opening Slaughter Formation [a Slaughter Formation of Heaven-Opening, a devastating offensive array] blasted forth, crashing against the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [the Grand Array of Zhou's Celestial Stars, a vast defensive network] and causing it to shudder violently.

Such earth-shattering, World-Opening Power [a divine power capable of cleaving open worlds]—each strike possessed world-shaking might. With every blow, an untold number of cultivators perished from the backlash.

"We cannot continue to fight like this."

After withstanding nine consecutive strikes, the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [the Grand Array of Zhou's Celestial Stars, a vast defensive network] was severely damaged. Even Solara could not help but show a flicker of concern on her face.

Seeing Lyra Jiang soar through the air towards them, she wasted no time on lengthy greetings. A profound understanding passed between them, and she spoke with decisive clarity, "Everyone, strike now!" Official source: audio-novel-dot-com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.