Chapter 1239 Sudden Turn of Events

Without hesitation, Eldrin immediately headed toward the core of the blessed land.

The 3 of them soared through the void, arriving shortly at the core of a Crimson Sun Blessed Land.

There stood a majestic and vast volcano, towering like a pillar reaching the heavens, with crimson magma flowing within. A translucent crimson barrier, resembling a colossal glazed bowl, enveloped it in an inverted dome.

"Crimson Sun Profound Heaven Array."

Eldrin murmured, his gaze tinged with solemnity.

The Crimson Sun Celestial Formation was a peerless array established during the zenith of the Crimson Sun Blessed Land, where several Earth Immortal Elders joined forces to lay its foundation upon the land's fire vein.

This formation gathers the power of this blessed land, its defensive capabilities truly extraordinary. If an Earth Immortal Patriarch were to preside over the array, even a late-stage Earth Immortal might not be able to breach it.

However, with no Earth Immortal overseeing it at the moment, the formation's power has greatly diminished. If all the Half-Step Earth Immortals present join forces, there might be some chance of breaking through.

When Eldrin arrived, he found over a dozen Half-Step Earth Immortals already gathered there—some were ancestral masters from various Earth Immortal blessed realms, while others were lords governing territories across Flowing Rivers and 100 Seas.

"Although the Crimson Sun Fire Vein holds so many treasures, with so many Half-Step Earth Immortals present, obtaining them will likely be no easy task."

With these thoughts in mind, a trace of solemnity flickered in Eldrin's gaze.

Just then, from the endless void above, the Azure Phoenix Fairy of the Phoenix clan spoke lightly, "Since everyone has gathered, let us not waste any more time."

"Now that the Earth Immortal Realm is on the verge of collapse, we must join forces and focus on breaking this formation."

The quasi-Earth Immortals remained unmoved by these words, clearly intent on conserving their strength for seizing the treasures.

Just then, a man in fiery red daoist robes gave a slight nod, his expression cooling as he said, "I understand your schemes. Yet all present here are talents who have cultivated for many years—in this matter, who can truly outmaneuver whom?"

"Rather than wasting our efforts in vain, it would be better to join forces and break this formation swiftly."

"I declare this before all present: should any among you dare to shirk your duties, do not blame me for showing no mercy."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the Earth Immortal Patriarchs shifted subtly.

The speaker was known as Fire Mulberry Taoist, who hailed from the Fire Mulberry Sea and ruled as its sovereign.

This individual had successfully weathered 6 great tribulations, ranking among the top 3 supreme Half-Step Earth Immortals in the Flowing Rivers and 100 Seas region. There was even hope for him to attain the revered status of a 7-Tribulation Immortal. Thus, no 1 present dared to treat his words with anything less than utmost seriousness.

At this thought, a faint glimmer stirred in Eldrin's eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "Since that is the case, let us begin."

Hearing this, the immortals' eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.

Eldrin was the master of the Return Abyss Sea. Though his rise to prominence was relatively recent, he had already forged a formidable reputation.

Previously, they had looked down upon Eldrin, believing that his dominance over the Abyssal Sea was solely due to the absence of any Half-Step Earth Immortal realm experts in those waters.

Yet in a recent battle, Eldrin defeated a Half-Step Earth Immortal in just a few moves and seized an astonishingly valuable immortal scripture, which inevitably drew their attention.

"He is truly a peerless prodigy, having likely forged the foundation of 3 Dao Fruits to unleash such transcendent, immortal-level combat prowess."

Setting Sun Ancestor murmured, his gaze growing increasingly somber.

But in the span of a mere instant, he reined in his killing intent and spoke with a placid expression, "The 3 of you speak wisely, Fellow Daoists. Since a treasured land lies before us, it is only natural that we join forces."

"If anyone dares to slack off in this battle, don't blame us for resorting to ruthless measures."

Several experts at the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm with 6 heavenly tribulations voiced their opinions, and the remaining Half-Step Earth Immortals felt a slight sense of reassurance.

After a brief exchange, they nodded in agreement. "That goes without saying."

"Then let's begin."

Daoist Huosong spoke up, flicking his sleeve to unleash a flame divine ability. It manifested into a sky full of Crimson Brilliance Immortal Fire drifting down, resembling countless fiery-red mulberry leaves falling as they crashed against the formation. 1 ripple after another erupted in their wake.

Seeing this, the other half-step Earth Immortals also did not hesitate in the slightest. They unleashed 1 brilliant immortal treasure and divine ability after another, bombarding the formation until its radiance flickered wildly.

The full-powered outburst of a Half-Step Earth Immortal is virtually on par with that of an Earth Immortal Patriarch. However, lacking the boundless magical power support of an Earth Immortal World, they struggle to sustain prolonged combat.

Now, with a dozen or so Half-Step Earth Immortals unleashing their full power, it was almost as if over a dozen Earth Immortal Patriarchs had joined forces. In mere moments, the mountain-protecting formation was battered to the verge of collapse.

"Boom!"

With a thunderous roar, the formation was ultimately shattered by brute force, revealing the volcanic immortal spring brimming with power.

And within that volcanic immortal spring, 1 dazzling immortal treasure after another bloomed with radiant divine light, shimmering brilliantly like a starry sky.

In that instant, all the Quasi-Earth Immortals were utterly mesmerized.

How astonishing must the treasures be, nurtured over 10 million years within a blessed land of Earth Immortals?

Eldrin merely cast a fleeting glance, yet within these volcanic springs, he spotted 3 or 4 Eighth-Level World-Creating Celestial Treasures, while the number of Supreme-Grade Celestial Treasures exceeded 20-some.

The remaining celestial treasures and spiritual objects numbered in the hundreds, each radiating resplendent immortal light.

Volcanic Immortal Spring, the birthplace of the Crimson Sun Celestial God in ages past.

Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) True Origin Stone, Crimson Jade Immortal Marrow, Azure Flame Immortal Gold, Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold, 9 Heavens Divine Flame Jade...

The immortals murmured, whispering of these celestial treasures, their hearts swelling with ever-deepening ecstasy.

The Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) Origin Stone, Crimson Jade Immortal Marrow, and Cyan Flame Immortal Gold were all eighth-level Heaven-Opening treasures capable of forging Heaven-Opening Immortal Artifacts. Even Earth Immortal Patriarchs would go mad with desire for them.

The remaining supreme-grade immortal treasures were objects of such staggering value they could startle even celestials. For the seated Half-Step Earth Immortals, obtaining any 1 of these artifacts would substantially enhance their combat prowess.

Seeing such a treasure right before their eyes, their hearts swelled with overwhelming ecstasy.

The Fire Mulberry Immortal immediately took a step forward, transforming into a crimson streak of light as he flew toward the location of the fire vein.

Seeing this, the other immortals did not hesitate in the slightest, immediately channeling their escape techniques with frantic urgency as they surged toward the blessed land’s fire pulse.

Eldrin followed amidst the crowd when suddenly a sense of foreboding gripped him—a lethal danger was approaching.

"Look out, retreat now!"

In the blink of an eye, Eldrin sensed a lethal danger closing in.

By sheer reflex, he grabbed Lyra and Qing Ji, rapidly retreating as he simultaneously activated the Yin-Yang Dual Polarity Pearl and the Primordial Chaos True Aura.

At that moment, those Quasi-Earth Immortals also sensed the impending danger. Without hesitation, they each employed their own methods to protect themselves before frantically fleeing into the distance like madmen.

Alas, it was still a moment too late. A deafening roar erupted from the void.

But at the core of that blessed land, a dazzling stream of light suddenly erupted. In an instant, the towering volcano exploded, spewing forth boundless flames.

Boom—

In an instant, boundless flames surged forth, engulfing everything in conflagration that scorched the heavens.

Chapter 1 The biting northern wind swept across the mountain range, howling like countless vengeful spirits. Snowflakes danced wildly in the air, blanketing the jagged peaks in a layer of pristine white. At the summit of the highest peak, a lone figure sat cross-legged upon a weathered boulder, his robes whipping violently in the gale. Lin Feng (Person Name) opened his eyes, 2 pools of profound darkness that seemed to contain the wisdom of ages. A faint, crystalline glow shimmered around his body, causing the falling snow to evaporate before touching him. He exhaled slowly, a stream of murky vapor shooting out like an arrow and piercing a nearby ancient pine, leaving a perfectly round hole through its trunk. "Finally," he murmured, his voice as calm as an undisturbed deep lake, "the ninth layer of the Astral Void Art (Cultivation Method) is complete." He rose to his feet, his movements fluid and effortless, as if gravity had little hold on him. His gaze swept across the vast, snow-covered landscape, a realm he had guarded for 3 100 years. Memories, countless and layered like the geological strata of the mountains themselves, surfaced in his mind. He recalled arriving here as a young man, barely a dozen or so years old, with nothing but a tattered manual and a heart burning with determination. 1 100 years had passed since his last major breakthrough. In that time, he had consumed over a 100 Spirit Consolidation Pills (Elixir), utilized 32,000 mid-grade spirit stones, and weathered 20-some minor heavenly tribulations. The path of cultivation was indeed long and fraught with peril, a truth known to countless aspirants who had fallen to dust along the way. A soft chime echoed from within his sleeve. He retrieved a flawless white jade slip, its surface glowing with faint, pulsating characters. A message from the sect. "Elders, assemble at the Grand Sun Hall. The Netherworld Sect approaches. The barrier weakens." Lin Feng's expression remained placid, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. The Netherworld Sect... their ambition was as vast as the ocean and as deep as the abyss. They would not cease until they dominated all under heaven. His form blurred, transforming into a streak of azure light that shot towards the heart of the mountain range. Below, the defensive formations of the 7 Stars Sect (Sect Name) hummed with power, their intricate patterns glowing faintly through the snow. Thousands of disciples, from the newest Outer Court members to seasoned Inner Court experts, were mobilizing, their auras converging into a palpable force. He arrived at the Grand Sun Hall in the span of a single breath. The massive doors, carved with coiling dragons, swung open silently. Inside, a dozen or so figures sat on elevated jade platforms, their cultivations profound and their auras restrained yet immense. At the center sat Sect Leader Zhang Rufeng (Person Name), his beard as white as snow, his eyes holding the weight of millennia. "Brother Lin," Zhang Rufeng's voice resonated through the hall, calm yet carrying undeniable authority. "Your presence fortifies our resolve. The Netherworld Sect marches with 100,000 soul-bound ghouls and over 3 100 Bone Altar Elders (Cultivation Title). Their Patriarch has reportedly reached the mid-stage of the Soul Transformation Realm." Murmurs rippled through the assembled elders. The mid-stage Soul Transformation Realm! A cultivator of such power could shatter mountains and divert rivers with a mere thought. Lin Feng merely nodded slightly, taking his designated seat. "I have guarded the Northern Peaks for 3 centuries. I will not see them defiled." His tone was even, but the finality in his words was as hard as diamond. "Good." Zhang Rufeng's gaze swept across the room. "We must hold the 9 Palaces Astral Formation (Formation). The core node at the Northern Peaks is crucial. Brother Lin, this responsibility falls to you and your disciples." "As you command, Sect Leader." Lin Feng's response was immediate. Another elder, a fiery-tempered man with a crimson beard, slammed his fist on the armrest of his jade seat. "Let them come! My Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) thirsts for Netherworld blood!" The air around him wavered with heat. Lin Feng closed his eyes again, seemingly detached from the rising tension. Internally, he assessed his own strength. The completed ninth layer of the Astral Void Art granted him perception far beyond ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. He could feel the very ley lines of the world, the flow of spiritual energy, and the ominous, gathering darkness to the south—the approach of the Netherworld army. It was not just a battle of cultivation realms or magical treasures. It was a clash of destinies, a pivotal moment that would decide the fate of the land for thousands of years to come. And he, Lin Feng, who had cultivated in solitude for nearly a 1000 years, would stand at its forefront. He opened his eyes, his decision made. The time for secluded cultivation was over. The time to face his heavenly tribulation, both literal and metaphorical, had arrived.