Chapter 1242 : Forging of the Nine Dragon Cauldron

"This Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron is of immense antiquity. It was forged from the division of the 'Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron', which was once the signature supreme treasure of the Lingering Sun Heavenly God [a powerful deity associated with the setting sun]."

"The Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron!"

The Setting Sun Patriarch [a patriarch whose power is likened to the setting sun] was visibly shaken, his expression one of profound shock. "An Innate Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation itself]? The Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron?"

"Precisely."

The Lingering Sun Patriarch nodded gravely, then began to recount a tale from the distant past.

Eighty million years ago, before the Lingering Sun Heavenly God fully manifested his power, his companion Innate Treasure, the Crimson Sun Halberd, was seized from him.

Thereafter, lacking an Innate Treasure to protect him, his strength ranked among the lowest of the Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

To bolster his power and survive the impending Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly tribulation that marks the end of a cosmic cycle], the Lingering Sun Heavenly God, after deep reflection and bitter resolve, made a momentous decision: he would forge an Innate Treasure of his own.

To craft this supreme artifact, the Lingering Sun Heavenly God spent ten million years. He scoured the cosmos, gathering nine pieces of eighth-rank immortal metal and nurturing nine True Dragon [primordial dragons of immense power] to the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm.

Thereafter, he flayed the True Dragon, extracting their sinews and bones. He refined their Dragon Soul [the spiritual essence of a dragon] and Dragon Bone [bones imbued with draconic power] into the cauldron's core, ultimately creating nine Supreme-grade World-Opening Treasure [treasures of the highest grade, capable of shaping worlds]. This chapter is part of a larger work available at *audio-novel.com*.

Even this was not enough. To forge this Innate Treasure [a primordial treasure born from the chaos of creation] to its ultimate completion, the Lingering Sun Heavenly God ventured deep into the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before existence] itself, braving its perils to retrieve a strand of Innate Energy [the fundamental, uncreated energy of the cosmos].

Using this Innate Energy as its core foundation, the Lingering Sun Heavenly God then fused the nine cauldrons into one, forcing them to regress and revert to their Innate Realm [the state of being a primordial object]. This ultimate refinement birthed the Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade primordial treasure] known as the 'Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron'.

"A pity," the narrative continued, "though the Lingering Sun Heavenly God succeeded in forging the 'Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron', He suffered grievous wounds within the Chaos during the process."

"Before His injuries could heal, the Kalpa Tribulation [the cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal] erupted in full force. He, too, ultimately failed to transcend that boundless Tribulation [a heavenly calamity or trial]."

Lingering Sun Patriarch recounted the tale with a voice full of poignant melancholy, his expression etched with profound sorrow.

He sighed, a flicker of vast ages passing through his eyes. "After the fall of the Lingering Sun Heavenly God," he said, "the Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron split apart once more into the nine True Dragon [a supreme dragon species] World-Suppressing Cauldrons, most of them severely damaged."

"Of these nine ancient cauldrons, three that remained intact were seized by major powers from beyond the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. Another three fell into the hands of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace and other immensely powerful factions of that glorious era."

"The remaining three were all critically wounded. The Treasure Spirit [the sentient consciousness of a powerful magical artifact] and Dragon Soul [the spiritual essence of a dragon] of one was left to recuperate within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land. The Black Dragon Cauldron vanished without a trace. As for the Crimson Dragon Cauldron and the Golden Dragon Cauldron, they were both left within the Lingering Sun Blessed Land."

"Alas, the ages that followed were far too long. The Lingering Sun Blessed Land passed through the hands of several masters. By the time it reached our generation, one of its two Great Cauldron had been lost. Only the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron remains."

At this point, Lingering Sun Patriarch gazed at the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron in his hand. "This very cauldron," he stated, "is one of the original nine True Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldrons from that bygone age."

"The Azure Dragon Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace possesses the Azure Dragon Suppresses the World Cauldron, which is one of the nine cauldrons that remains completely intact."

"The Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron, the Nine True Dragon Cauldrons..."

Setting Sun Patriarch's expression shifted dramatically, filled with profound shock. Recalling the might of the Azure Dragon Suppresses the World Cauldron, he spoke with a tremor of awe and fear, "Those Nine True Dragon Cauldrons are peerless World-Opening Supreme Treasure [the highest grade of treasures capable of shaping and stabilizing nascent worlds]."

"Could it be that this Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron can also be restored to its full, primordial power?"

"Your guess is correct."

Lingering Sun Patriarch nodded, then explained, "When the Crimson Dragon True Soul [the authentic spiritual essence of a Crimson Dragon] merges with the treasure cauldron, it becomes a World-Opening Treasure."

"However, this treasure has lain dormant for countless years, and the damage it suffered in antiquity was grievous indeed. Restoring it will require a vast ocean of primordial energy and resources."

"We shall place it within our Blessed Land [a realm suffused with potent spiritual energy and natural blessings] to nurture it gently, infusing it with massive quantities of fire-attributed Spiritual Object [objects imbued with concentrated spiritual power] and Immortal Artifact [artifacts forged by or for immortals]. Its power will gradually return."

"The process may be slow, spanning several hundred thousand years, but given time, my Lingering Sun Blessed Land shall possess a peerless World-Opening Supreme Treasure to anchor and stabilize its Fortune [the metaphysical luck, destiny, and prosperity of a place or lineage]."

"A peerless World-Opening Supreme Treasure!"

Setting Sun Patriarch murmured to himself, his heart swelling with boundless, wild joy.

A Supreme-grade World-Opening Treasure! This is a supreme treasure that would drive even an Earth Immortal Patriarch to madness.

Even among those at the Late Stage Earth Immortal level, it is likely that exceedingly few would ever have the fortune to lay hands on such a priceless artifact, for its rarity is beyond measure.

Only those who have transcended the limits of the Earth Immortal realm and comprehended a Path Principle—the Half-Step Celestial Immortal—might possess one or two treasures of this supreme grade.

Moreover, this Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron is one of the Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron. If all nine ancient cauldrons were gathered once more, the Ninth RankInnate Treasure known as the 'Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron' could potentially be reborn into the mortal world.

The immeasurable value of such a treasure, therefore, goes without saying. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel.com.

"With this artifact, I have hope not only of breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm, but even of advancing to the Late Stage Earth Immortal," Setting Sun Patriarch declared, his voice trembling with fervor.

Whispering inwardly, Setting Sun Patriarch was swept away by a tide of ecstatic triumph.

Suddenly recalling another matter, he turned his gaze toward Lingering Sun Patriarch and said, "During this expedition, the Black Dragon True Soul [the purified, primordial spiritual essence of a black dragon] fell into the hands of Returning Abyss Path Master."

"What is your counsel? Should we move against him to reclaim the Black Dragon True Soul?"

"The Black Dragon True Soul [the core spiritual essence of a True Dragon]?"

Lingering Sun Patriarch furrowed his brow slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "That Black Dragon True Soul is the Treasure Spirit [the sentient consciousness inhabiting a powerful magical artifact] of the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron. If we obtain it, we might be able to deduce the whereabouts of the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron itself."

"We inherit part of the legacy of Lingering Sun Heavenly God, so we must retrieve that artifact eventually. However, the present moment is likely not yet the right time."

"With the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle] approaching, the Heavenly Fiend Race and the Demon Race are sure to make their moves. Let us first return and restore the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron. We can plan for the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron once the Great Tribulation truly begins to stir."

Hearing this, Setting Sun Patriarch could only give a slight nod, his gaze turning icy as he said, "So be it. Let him cling to life a little while longer."

"..."

Within the Green Chariot Mountain Immortal Hall of the Returning Abyss Sea...

Eldrin Chen sat solemnly at the head of the hall. To his left and right sat Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort, side by side.

The remaining twenty-odd Immortals of the Immortal Alliance, including Kael Chen, Ethan Chen, and Black Tortoise Patriarch, were seated along the sides, each wearing expressions of mild puzzlement.

Seeing that everyone had assembled, Kunpeng Demon Sage could not help but inquire, "Alliance Leader, this urgent summons... has a significant matter occurred?"

"Indeed, such urgency. Could it be that a great event is about to unfold?"

The assembled immortals, their expressions grave, inquired in response.

Eldrin Chen did not answer immediately. His gaze swept over the gathering, and after a moment, he sighed. "Esteemed ones, I fear great turmoil is about to descend upon the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, and indeed, upon the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, the faces of the immortals shifted subtly, a flicker of unease passing between them.

They exchanged glances, and finally, the Lord of the Path Palace [the master of the primary cultivation hall] spoke up. "May we inquire, honored one, what exactly has transpired?"

"Alas," Eldrin Chen sighed again. "The Heavenly Fiend Race [a race of malevolent beings born from celestial calamities] and the Western Abyss Dragon Palace are stirring a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, era-defining calamity]. It is likely they are the instigators of the next great cataclysm."

With another sigh, Eldrin Chen began to recount the events of his journey in detail.

As the immortals listened, their expressions underwent a drastic transformation. Shock and a profound sense of dread settled in their hearts.

The Clan Patriarch of the Heavenly Fiend Race sought to unleash the Great Tribulation, intending to use the boundless calamitous energy to break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial beings]. Meanwhile, the Lord of Western Abyss Dragon Palace aimed to seize the opportunity to establish a True Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a supreme, independent realm ruled by a True Dragon].

When these two forces join hands, the Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity] they unleash together is certain to be of boundless and immense scale.

As the Sovereign [the supreme ruling powers] of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, the Human Race and the Divine Spirits [a race of beings born from the essence of heaven and earth] would naturally not stand idly by and allow their rise. However, the Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land [sanctuaries of profound spiritual energy, detached from worldly affairs] remain untouched by Tribulation, and may not necessarily intervene.

Of course, there will undoubtedly be Human Race Patriarch [powerful clan leaders] and major powers who willingly enter the calamity, seeking to contend for supremacy and seize the Opportunity and Fortune [the chance and destiny for a great leap forward in cultivation] to advance further. There will also be compassionate Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] willing to shelter countless living beings.

Among the demonic and monstrous races, and indeed among the hundred clans, there are likely many powerful figures who wish to use the Great Tribulation [the grand heavenly calamity] as a springboard for their own ascension.

It can be foreseen that this Great Tribulation will sweep across vast territories. Not merely the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, but likely the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea will be plunged deep into its turmoil. Only when victors are decided will the Great Tribulation finally subside.

"The Great Tribulation approaches; the Immortals vie for kingship."

"Billions upon billions of living souls, millions of Immortal, if they cannot survive the Great Tribulation, will likely all turn to dust."

"This is the inevitable tide of the Heavenly Path [the Dao, the fundamental order of the cosmos], and the law of cosmic Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth]. It cannot be altered; it is already irreversible."

"Whether it is the Heavenly Fiend Clan Patriarch or the Lord of Western Abyss Dragon Palace, they too are caught within the currents of the Great Tribulation."

"The difference lies in this: the billions of living souls and the millions of Immortal are but the green leaves and dust within the Tribulation. Only they are the true protagonists of this Great Tribulation." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel .c om.