Chapter 1290 : A Shadowed Gambit in the Abyssal Sea

As her words fell, Solara cast a subtle glance towards the assembled immortals nearby.

Eldrin Chen's heart sank slightly, grasping the gravity of the situation.

He looked at the gathered immortals beside him, sighed inwardly, and then spoke: "All of you present here have been my Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for fellow cultivators] for many years. In this time of Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of immense trials and upheaval], our fates are intertwined—we rise and fall together."

"Rest assured, they would never divulge the information."

Solara nodded, then continued: "That may be so, but the Great Tribulation stretches on without end. The day you are forced to unleash your full power, this secret will inevitably come to light."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, a faint frown creasing his brow.

He pondered for a long while, his gaze growing distant and profound. "That Netherus seeks to pry into the Dao Source [the foundational origin of one's cultivation path and power] of others. Little does he know that his own Dao Source is precisely what I urgently require."

"Now, I am in the shadows while he stands in the light. Why should I not be the one to lay a trap for him?"

The immortals were momentarily taken aback by his words. Lyra Jiang seemed to grasp his meaning, her expression thoughtful as she asked, "Are you suggesting...?" Support the author by reading on audio~novel.com.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and spoke with calm assurance, "I hold the advantage of terrain within the Abyssal Sea Region. That Netherus lacks the confidence to breach the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation."

"Meanwhile, Thousand Dragons Lake is besieging the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect. The five True Dragon Ancient Ancestor cannot spare any additional strength. That is why they have not moved against me."

"But what if I were to leave the Abyssal Sea Region and launch a full-scale assault on the Celestial Demon Sea?" Hearing this, the expressions of the others shifted subtly.

Luna, the Consort pondered for a moment before speaking. "We have slain four True Dragon of the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm. On the surface, you possess the combat power of a Seven Tribulations Immortal. If you are allowed to mature, you will undoubtedly become a dire threat to them."

"Therefore, whether for vengeance, to eliminate a future calamity in advance, or to seize the Dao Source [the primordial source of the Dao] you would leave behind after succumbing to your tribulation, they will not let this opportunity pass."

At this point, Luna, the Consort's expression grew profoundly grave. "But if that is the case, the force they mobilize will likely be formidable indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, his face thoughtful as he calculated. "Our apparent Half-Step Earth Immortal combatants number seven: the three Immortal Maidens of the Sun and Moon Stars, Verdant Consort, Lyra, Fellow Daoist Skywind, and myself."

"Among us, Solara, the Immortal Maiden is on the verge of a breakthrough to the Earth Immortal realm. I myself possess Earth Immortal-level combat power. Both Lyra, Verdant Consort, and Fellow Daoist Skywind have surpassed the level of a typical Six Tribulation Half-Step Earth Immortal."

"Thousand Dragons Lake is currently tied up besieging the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect. It is unlikely they can spare such strength to deal with us alone. Therefore, they will most likely ally with other Demonic Tribe factions, ultimately gathering a force sufficient to surround and annihilate us."

"Thus, we must prepare for two possibilities."

Eldrin Chen spoke methodically, his expression grave. "First, we must feign weakness. Lyra, Verdant Consort, and I will openly lead our forces to attack the Celestial Demon Sea. You will remain hidden, waiting for the opportune moment to strike."

"Secondly, we must unite the other Immortals. We should contact the Human Race Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the cusp of becoming an Earth Immortal] in the surrounding regions and set an ambush for them within the Celestial Demon Sea."

"If we gather enough allies, we will be sufficient to surround and annihilate them."

Verdant Consort nodded slightly upon hearing this. She held complete trust in Eldrin Chen. Ever since their time in the Purple Realm resisting the Demon Race, Eldrin Chen had demonstrated astonishing skill and strategy through numerous cataclysms.

It could be said that whether in tactics or grand strategy, Eldrin Chen's methods were impeccable. He had inflicted severe wounds upon the Demon Race time and again, repeatedly thwarting their schemes and devastating their Demon Race Army.

Yet, considering the inherent peril, Verdant Consort sighed. "We use ourselves as bait to lure Thousand Dragons Lake and their allied demon horde into ambushing us, while we in turn rally the Immortals to counter-ambush them."

"In this way, this battle is likely to escalate into a major confrontation." "That is precisely the intention—to force a major confrontation."

Eldrin Chen declared decisively. Gazing toward the distant Celestial Demon Sea, his expression turned profoundly solemn. "Currently, the calamitous aura over the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas is rising fiercely. The Heaven's Malignance Tribe and Thousand Dragons Lake, along with other Demonic Tribe Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy and fortune], have joined forces. Their combined strength far surpasses that of our Human Race."

"If we cannot annihilate a significant number of the Demonic Tribe's powerhouses, the forces of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect and the Flowing Fire Star Palace will be unable to withstand the combined assault from the Heaven's Malignance Tribe and the Demonic Tribe. Defeat would be inevitable, merely a matter of time."

"Once the Heaven's Malignance Tribe and Thousand Dragons Lake breach those two Blessed Land, the momentum of the Demonic Tribe and the Heaven's Malignance Tribe will become unstoppable. Even if you and I manage to survive for a time, we would ultimately be unable to escape utter defeat."

"It would be far better to seize this chance to scheme against them. A single decisive battle that breaks the bones of the Demonic Tribe could perhaps breathe life back into this deadlock of a game."

As he spoke to this point, a glint of battle intent ignited within Eldrin Chen's gaze. "The Great Tribulation is perilous, yet it is also where opportunity lies."

"Whether we can transcend the Great Tribulation and seize the opportunity for ascension depends not only on our individual combat prowess, but also on our planning and stratagems."

"Otherwise, even with heaven-defying talent, once the Heaven's Malignance Tribe's momentum is fully formed, we would find it difficult to defy the heavens before such an overwhelming tide."

"In the end, we would only meet our doom in confusion, a lifetime of cultivation reduced to mere nourishment for another's path to the Dao." Hearing this, the assembled immortals all nodded in agreement.

Solara's eyes shone with particular brilliance; Eldrin Chen's strategic vision and grasp of the greater situation had truly opened her eyes. Access the full story on audio~novel.com.

After a moment of contemplation, she spoke. "This humble one still holds some small regard within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas and is acquainted with several Human Race Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have reached the peak of the Earth Immortal realm, half a step from true immortality]. A few among them could be considered close friends."

"I shall send several letters. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to invite a few Half-Step Earth Immortal to join us."

Luna, the Consort and Stella also nodded. Luna, the Consort then spoke. "My Younger Sister Luna is the Dao companion of the Supreme Profound Deity. I have heard that the Ancestor Supreme Profound has also entered this tribulation."

"Although the Ancestor Supreme Profound is of the Divine Race [a race of beings born from divine laws and celestial essence], now that the Heaven's Malignance Tribe and the Demonic Tribe have stirred this Great Tribulation, seeking to establish two supreme Grotto-Heaven [self-contained paradisiacal realms of immense spiritual power], I doubt even his Divine Spirit Lineage will stand idly by."

"I have invited him here; his presence may very well tip the scales of the battle."

As everyone spoke their piece, one after another, they had, almost without realizing it, selected several dozen trustworthy candidates.

Among these several dozen trustworthy Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality], the weakest in cultivation base were those at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the pinnacle stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm]. Among them were seven or eight Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator whose power approaches that of a true Earth Immortal], and even two Earth Immortal Progenitor [an Earth Immortal who is also the founder or progenitor of a lineage].

"Approximately seven or eight Half-Step Earth Immortal, and two Earth Immortal Progenitor."

"Adding to our existing force of seven Half-Step Earth Immortal and two Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal Realm] combatants..." Eldrin Chen calculated silently, his expression turning contemplative.

Currently, within the Abyssal Sea Region, aside from the three fairies of Sun and Moon Star, Verdant Consort, Lyra, Skywind, and Eldrin Chen himself, there were actually two other combatants with Half-Step Earth Immortal strength.

Following this recent period of secluded cultivation, both Kael Chen and Chen Qiyuan, the Eastern Sovereign had broken through to the Eighth Level of Immortal Ascension Realm [the eighth stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm].

Any talent possessing the Three Dao Fruits [the three supreme fruits of Dao attainment] and the bearing of Great Luo [the Great Luo, a supreme state of cultivation], upon reaching this realm, would inevitably possess combat strength rivaling a Half-Step Earth Immortal.

Although, lacking Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade], the two of them had only barely touched the threshold of the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm.

Yet, should they advance one step further and break through to the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality, their Mana [the spiritual energy or power wielded by cultivators] would surge dramatically, and their strength would fully step into the level of a true Half-Step Earth Immortal.

When the time comes, Eldrin Chen could lend them a few more Supreme Grade Immortal Treasures [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts used by powerful Immortals]. With that, even if their combat prowess might not quite reach the level of Verdant Consort and Lyra Jiang, they would likely still attain strength comparable to that of a Four or Five-Tribulation Immortal [an Immortal who has survived four or five Heavenly Tribulations].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "At least fourteen or fifteen combatants with Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator whose power is on the threshold of the Earth Immortal realm] strength, plus four true Earth Immortals [powerful Immortals who have transcended the mortal plane and attained a profound connection with the earth's essence]. This is a fight we can take on." Join our community of readers at audio–novel.com.