Chapter 1286 : A Grasp from Primordial Chaos

Eldrin Chen flew all the way to the outskirts of Verdant Rock Island and cast a glance at the armies besieging the various Immortal Island [islands inhabited by powerful cultivators].

Noticing that the Treasure Ship [enchanted vessels used for transport and warfare] all bore the banners of the Lin Immortal Clan, a slight frown creased his brow.

He recognized this Lin Immortal Clan. This clan ranked among the top three Immortal Clan [powerful, long-established families of cultivators] in the Setting Sun Sea, boasting a full nine Immortal [beings who have ascended to the first major stage of immortality] within their ranks. Their strongest member was an existence at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the pinnacle of the first stage of immortality, just before becoming an Earth Immortal].

"It seems the Lin Immortal Clan intends to slay Xander Qian and seize his Dao Source [the condensed essence of one's cultivation path, a priceless treasure] to aid in transcending their heavenly tribulation,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. After a moment's contemplation, he took a single step forward. With a sweep of his sleeve, he brought a crushing pressure down upon the core of the Lin Immortal Clan's Treasure Ship fleet.

In a Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time], the Primordial Chaos Qi Grasping Hand [a supreme divine ability capable of seizing anything from the primordial chaos] blotted out the sky and sun, plucking a figure from amidst the Lin Immortal Clan forces.

The one seized was naturally the Lin Immortal Clan's Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality expert.

The moment he sensed Eldrin Chen's attack, a deadly sense of crisis erupted in his heart, and he immediately sought to flee.

Alas, the Primordial Chaos Qi Grasping Hand possessed the power to seal heaven and earth. While a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has partially transcended the first stage of immortality] might have struggled briefly, he, a mere Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality, had no chance to resist. In an instant, he was firmly grasped by Eldrin Chen.

"Anc... Ancient Ancestor [a venerable title for a supremely powerful senior cultivator]!" The complete novel can be found at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Seized by the hand, Patriarch Lin could not help but reveal an expression of utter terror.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, speaking with fearful reverence: "This junior pays his respects to the Ancient Ancestor. May I ask why the Ancient Ancestor has brought me here?"

Eldrin Chen's face was as still as water, his expression unreadable, as he spoke calmly: "As fellow members of the Human Race, why did you attack Verdant Rock Island?"

"This..."

Patriarch Lin's heart jolted with alarm, and he immediately declared: "The Great Tribulation has arrived. We all must vanquish our foes to transcend this calamity. This junior was forced to act against the Qian Immortal Clan only to survive the Great Tribulation."

"I see." Eldrin Chen nodded slightly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Then you shall walk the path of Reincarnation."

As his words fell, the Primordial Grasping Hand clenched fiercely, annihilating Patriarch Lin on the spot.

Having done this, not a flicker of emotion crossed Eldrin Chen's face. Now that the Demonic Tribe and the Heaven's Malignance Tribe had ignited the Great Tribulation, the entire Human Race within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea was suffering its scourge.

The Celestial Demon Sea, the Abyssal Sea Region, the Flowing Fire Star Palace, and even the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect were all resisting the Great Tribulation.

Since this Lin Immortal Clan had entered the tribulation, they could have gone to places like the Celestial Demon Sea to contribute strength for the Human Race. At the very least, they could have defended their own Spirit Mountain or Immortal Island to withstand the Great Tribulation and shelter the safety of hundreds of millions of Human Race lives.

Yet they chose to attack Verdant Rock Island, individuals so adept at internal strife. Eldrin Chen saw no reason to show them any mercy.

After slaying Patriarch Lin, Eldrin Chen held back no longer. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he had utterly annihilated all nine Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality] of the Lin Immortal Clan.

With the fall of those nine Immortal Ancient Ancestor [venerated progenitors of a clan or sect], the Lin Immortal Clan collapsed into instant and utter defeat.

"My deepest gratitude, thank you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a cultivator on the same path]!"

Witnessing the Lin Immortal Clan's rout, Xander Qian was overcome with elation. Suppressing his injuries, he stepped forward and addressed Eldrin Chen. "I owe you a life debt for your timely rescue, Fellow Daoist."

"It was but a trivial effort. Think nothing of it."

Eldrin Chen replied with serene detachment, his steps carrying him onto the shores of Verdant Rock Island.

The two men sat facing each other atop the island's peak. Xander Qian personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen took a shallow sip. His gaze swept over the Qian Immortal Clan, their ranks more than halved by the battle's toll. After a moment of contemplation, he inquired, "Your losses are severe. What are your plans now?"

At these words, Xander Qian's expression shifted dramatically.

He understood clearly in his heart that while Eldrin Chen could aid him this time, the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event ordained by fate or heavenly law] still had over twenty thousand years before its arrival. There was no guarantee that such timely assistance would be forthcoming next time.

Noticing the expression on Xander Qian's face, Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before speaking. "The Abyssal Sea Region [a vast and perilous oceanic domain] is relatively secure for now. If you are willing, you may accompany me there."

Upon hearing this, Xander Qian's countenance flickered with hesitation.

He weighed his words for a moment, then replied, "My Qian Immortal Clan [the Qian family of cultivators] is not small in number. Relocating everyone would be no simple matter."

"Then move them in batches," Eldrin Chen stated, his demeanor calm and resolute. "Have your clansmen who have reached the Golden Core [a major cultivation stage where one forms a solidified core of spiritual power] realm or above go first. The rest can be arranged for gradually."

Listening to this, Xander Qian could not help but sigh inwardly. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel.com (official site).

He understood all too well. Since the outbreak of the Great Tribulation, the world between heaven and earth had become filled with roaming Demon Immortal [powerful demonic beings who have attained a level of immortality] and divine spirits. These celestial and infernal beings were hunting great enemies, enacting the cycle of heaven and earth's Great Dao [the supreme, fundamental principle or law governing all existence].

If he made this choice, those clansmen below the Golden Core realm would find it exceedingly difficult to reach the Abyssal Sea Region safely.

"So be it," he conceded. "We shall disperse and travel in separate groups. However many can make it, will make it."

Xander Qian sighed, then offered a bitter smile. "The journey is fraught with peril. The first group will consist of the clan's core members. I must ask you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], to watch over them along the way."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and then spoke, "I will remain on Verdant Rock Island for one month. Gather your clansmen, and you may depart with me after that time."

A month passed in the blink of an eye. The Qian Immortal Clan spent that month finally assembling their clan's cultivators.

This group numbered just over one million cultivators, yet nearly all were at the Golden Core realm [the third major stage of cultivation where one forms a solidified golden spiritual core] or above, and they were predominantly quite young.

They each had at least several centuries of lifespan remaining, with the potential to strive for higher realms, which was why they were selected as the clan's seeds for the first wave of evacuation.

"Is everyone for the first evacuation wave here now?"

Gazing at the over one million clansmen of the Qian Immortal Clan upon the decks of the Immortal Rank Treasure Ships [massive, enchanted vessels capable of traversing vast distances], Eldrin Chen spoke with a calm, detached tone.

Xander Qian did not answer immediately. He instead glanced back towards Verdant Rock Immortal Island, a faint sigh escaping his heart.

Beyond the core clansmen being evacuated, the Qian Immortal Clan had left behind a great number of elderly cultivators and countless low-ranking cultivators.

These senior cultivators, their lifespans nearly spent, remained on Verdant Rock Immortal Island to protect the Qian Clan's hundreds of millions of low-ranking cultivators and mortal kin.

Yet in the midst of the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of immense conflict and upheaval], how could an Immortal Island [a blessed land inhabited by immortal cultivators] without the protection of an Immortal [a being who has ascended to the highest known realm of cultivation] hope to remain safe and secure in this world?

Xander Qian knew in his heart that not long after his departure, Verdant Rock Island would surely be targeted by the various great Immortal Clans [powerful, ancient families of cultivators] and the Demonic Monsters [malevolent beings born of demonic energy].

Even if they scattered and fled, how many would ultimately arrive safely in the Abyssal Sea Region?

"When the Great Tribulation erupts, all living beings return their Dao [their cultivated path and power] to the heavens."

"This is the cyclical Great Dao [the fundamental, cosmic law and principle] of heaven and earth. No one can stand in its way."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, then sighed and said, "We are all those who have entered the tribulation, unable to even guarantee our own safety."

"You must understand that a person's strength has its limits. Even an Immortal has things they cannot accomplish. You have sheltered the Qian Immortal Clan for over a million years; you owe them nothing more."

"Let them walk the path ahead by themselves."

"Perhaps, separated from the likes of you and me, these Immortals, and distanced from the very eye of the Great Tribulation storm, they might find a greater chance of survival."

Upon hearing this, Xander Qian gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

He understood the logic in Eldrin Chen's words. By scattering and fleeing for their lives, at least some among them would survive.

If they followed him to the Abyssal Sea Region, however, and that realm was ultimately consumed by the Great Tribulation, then not a single shred of hope would remain for any of them. Experience the full epic at audio . novel . com.