Chapter 1236 : Heavenly Fiend's Ominous Shadow

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen activated the Polarity Stellar Path and employed the Cosmic Star Power [a profound divination art that harnesses the power of the stars to perceive fate and unravel mysteries] to perform his calculations.

In the span of a single breath, he sensed a pervasive and baleful aura [a sinister and destructive energy] spreading across heaven and earth, vaguely shrouding the void, yet its source remained elusive to his sight.

"Could this be due to the approach of the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of immense calamity that reshapes the world], causing the energies of cosmic calamity to stir?"

"Something feels amiss."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a contemplative frown etching his features.

He performed his calculations repeatedly, a faint sense of familiarity nagging at him regarding this baleful aura. Moments later, realization struck, and his pupils contracted sharply.

"This presence... it belongs to the Heavenly Fiend Race!"

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred slightly as he finally confirmed the origin of this ominous energy.

He relayed this discovery to the two women. Upon hearing it, Exquisite Jiang furrowed her brow and said, "The Heavenly Fiend Race stands as the foremost among the seven great Hundred Spirit Immortal Clan [powerful clans formed by alliances of various spirit races] of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. Could it be they intend to intervene in this conflict?"

"Not necessarily." Verdant Consort pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "The Heavenly Fiend Race is born from the very essence of calamity. Perhaps they merely seek to harness the calamitous energies of the Earth Immortal World's Oblivion [a state of cosmic dissolution and return to primordial chaos, often associated with great tribulations] to enhance their own cultivation." Find this and other novels at audio-novel*com.

"Perhaps that is the case."

Eldrin Chen spoke, then continued, "My Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a supreme flame of pure yang essence] is exceptionally effective at countering the Heavenly Fiend [a race of malevolent beings born from celestial calamities] clan. If we encounter them, it would be somewhat easier to handle."

Mentioning this, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of reassurance in his heart.

However, he exercised caution. Using a Divine Ability [a supernatural power derived from profound cultivation], he materialized a letter to send back. He instructed several Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] from his clan to bring the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Subduing Sword Formation [a powerful sword array designed to suppress demonic entities] and wait in concealment just outside the Crimson Sun Sea Region. This was to facilitate their extraction at a critical moment.

Having taken this precaution, Eldrin Chen stepped forward into the core area of the Crimson Sun Sea Region.

The moment he entered the core of the Crimson Sun Sea Region, Eldrin Chen sensed several overwhelmingly majestic auras.

There were roughly a dozen such majestic auras. Eight of them resided within the realm of Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the verge of becoming true Earth Immortals]. Four others had transcended beyond that, clearly belonging to four Earth Immortal Patriarch [powerful patriarchs who have achieved the Earth Immortal realm].

Among those four auras, one was particularly formidable. It blazed like a scorching sun of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], its radiant and overwhelming presence eclipsing the others.

"Such an intense aura," he murmured.

"Radiant as the celestial sun, majestic and vast. This person's presence is second only to Glazed Divine Lord."

Eldrin Chen pondered inwardly, his gaze drifting toward the figures atop the Heavenly Vault. A slight frown creased his brow.

There were twelve figures in total, each holding their own ground. Eldrin Chen could roughly deduce their origins; these were the paramount powerhouses of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

Among them, on the left stood an old man and a youth. The youth was the Lingering Sun Patriarch from the Lingering Sun Sea, while the elder was the Five Tribulations Immortal, the Setting Sun Patriarch.

To the right were three figures. The leader possessed an enchanting, voluptuous figure—a stunningly beautiful demonic consort.

Though he did not know her name, her bearing alone told Eldrin Chen she must be the Earth Immortal Patriarch of the Fire Phoenix Bloodline, the Peerless Demon Immortal of the Phoenix Roost Sea, whose veins flowed with the purest Phoenix Bloodline [a lineage granting immense fiery power and regenerative abilities].

He recognized one of the two figures behind her. One wore a verdant robe, Nyssa [an ethereal, immortal garment], and was none other than the Immortal Maiden Azure Luan who had participated in seizing the Fourth-Level Celestial Pillar years ago.

After all these years, this Immortal Maiden Azure Luan had already broken through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a transitional state just below the full Earth Immortal realm], proving herself a true pinnacle prodigy.

Eldrin Chen did not know the other figure, but he surmised this person was a Half-Step Earth Immortal Patriarch from the Phoenix [a mythical bird of flame and rebirth] clan.

The figures at the forefront hailed from the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, an Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a region suffused with potent earth-attribute spiritual energy] within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas.

The Verdant Stream Ancient Sect was the third-ranked power in the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. This time, they had sent a full four Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality]. Their leader was one of the sect's Supreme Elder, whose cultivation had already reached the profound level of a Third Level Earth Immortal.

The remaining three individuals had all reached the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of becoming a true Earth Immortal], each possessing Extraordinary strength.

And the final figure was that presence, resplendent as the sun in the heavens. His aura was so potent it resembled the blazing sun of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms]. Merely standing there in silence, he already eclipsed the presence of the other Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal whose power is anchored to the earth] cultivators.

"The Supreme Elder [the highest-ranking elder] of the Flowing Fire Star Palace, Thousand Streams Path Master. Legends say his cultivation has reached the Seventh Level Earth Immortal [the seventh tier of the Earth Immortal realm], placing him second only to the master of the Shooting Star Blessed Land and Glazed Divine Lord. He is the third most powerful figure in the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, his expression turning profoundly grave.

It was said this Thousand Streams Path Master had lived for over thirty million years. Even the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace addressed him as Founding Ancestor, a testament to his supremely venerable status.

For such a pinnacle Earth Immortal, an Ascendant Immortal 7th Tier [a title for a 7th Level Earth Immortal] of absolute power, to personally come to this Crimson Sun Blessed Land... his presence alone was enough to make the other three Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch-level cultivator of the Earth Immortal realm] pale. Immerse yourself in the complete world at @udio-novel.com.

The Supreme Elder from the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect glanced at Thousand Streams Path Master, his expression shifting slightly as he spoke, "I never imagined one of your esteemed stature, Fellow Daoist Thousand Streams, would deign to contend with us for this Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a land of profound spiritual fortune, suitable for an Earth Immortal's abode]."

"Hahaha!"

Thousand Streams Path Master laughed heartily, then looked toward the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden from Phoenix Roost Sea and said, "This Phoenix Roost Sea is one of the Demon Race [a race of powerful beings, often with bestial traits] Blessed Land [a land of concentrated spiritual fortune] within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, yet you too have traversed countless mountains and rivers to come here, have you not?"

The voluptuous Immortal Maiden from Phoenix Roost Sea remained unmoved. She glanced at the Immortal Maiden Azure Luan beside her before replying calmly, "The collapse of this Crimson Sun Earth Immortal Realm and the re-emergence of the Crimson Sun Blessed Land into the mortal world was aided by a junior of my clan. Naturally, we deserve a share of the spoils."

"That makes sense."

The Thousand Streams Path Master gave a slight nod, then stroked his beard and said, "To be frank, this Crimson Sun Blessed Land [a realm of concentrated solar energy and spiritual power] is something my Flowing Fire Star Palace [a celestial sect specializing in fire-attribute cultivation arts] has set its sights on. However, I am not an unreasonable man."

"If you all are willing to leave this Crimson Sun Blessed Land to my Flowing Fire Star Palace, then all the treasures contained within the Blessed Land [a realm of concentrated spiritual energy and natural wonders] shall be yours to claim."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present shifted slightly.

In all fairness, the most valuable aspect of this Crimson Sun Blessed Land was undoubtedly the Blessed Land itself.

The World-Opening Treasure [an artifact of immense power used to establish or stabilize a new realm] and the legacy teachings of the Crimson Sun Blessed Land combined likely did not equal half the value of the Blessed Land. By claiming the Crimson Sun Blessed Land, the Flowing Fire Star Palace was taking the lion's share of the spoils from this expedition.

With this thought, the others turned their gazes towards the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden.

The Phoenix Roost Sea [a powerful demonic territory] was a top-tier force within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region], boasting several Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality] and backed by the formidable Immortal Phoenix Grotto-Heaven [a sacred realm of the phoenix lineage] from the Myriad Demons Ancestral Domain [the primordial homeland of countless demonic races]. Its strength surpassed that of the Flowing Fire Star Palace by a significant margin.

However, the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden merely shook her head, her expression serene as she stated, "In that case, Fellow Daoist, it shall be yours."

Hearing her words, the others felt a pang of regret, yet they understood it was the most logical outcome.

The cultivation base of the Fire Phoenix Immortal Maiden was merely at the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the fourth major stage of immortal cultivation, focusing on refining one's inner world], far inferior to this Thousand Streams Path Master. Furthermore, the Phoenix Roost Sea lay far beyond the Seventh Layer Sea Region [the seventh concentric zone of the vast, layered celestial seas], making it unwise to offend the local power, the Flowing Fire Star Palace, over this matter.

Having reasoned this through, the assembled figures fell silent, tacitly accepting the outcome.

Seeing this, the Thousand Streams Path Master smiled and spoke, "Since you all agree, I merely hope that when the Blessed Land [a pocket realm of exceptional spiritual richness and natural laws] manifests once more, you will show some restraint in your contest. Please, do not shatter my family's Blessed Land in the process."

Upon hearing this, the group remained silent, offering no reply.

From the sidelines, the observing Eldrin Chen felt a subtle shift in his gaze.

With several Earth Immortal Blessed Land [Blessed Lands governed by Earth Immortals] present and none voicing dissent, he, a mere Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has touched the threshold of the Earth Immortal realm but not fully ascended], naturally had no room to bargain.

For him, even if he obtained the Crimson Sun Blessed Land, he would be utterly incapable of defending it. Thus, it had never been his target from the start.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen settled in to wait patiently.

An indeterminate amount of time passed. Then, the void trembled faintly, and a brilliant fissure slowly began to tear open in the fabric of space.

"The heavens and earth are sundering."

"The Blessed Land... is about to re-emerge into the world!" Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel . com.