Chapter 1242 The Great Calamity Approaches, Immortals Vie for the Throne

"This Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron is exceedingly ancient. It was once the prized treasure of the Setting Sun Celestial Divinity, formed from the division of the '9 Dragons Ancient Cauldron.'"

"9 Dragons Ancient Cauldron!"

Setting Sun Patriarch's face contorted with shock as he exclaimed in disbelief, "An Innate Treasure—the 9 Dragons Ancient Cauldron!"

"Indeed!"

The Setting Sun Elder nodded, then began to recount a past event in a measured and detailed manner.

8 100 million years ago, before the birth of the Setting Sun Celestial God, the innate treasure Crimson Sun Halberd that accompanied his emergence was seized.

From then on, without an innate treasure to protect him, his strength ranked among the lowest of the Celestial Immortals within the Vast Azure Immortal Realm.

To enhance his own strength and survive the Tribulation of Quantities, the Setting Sun Eldrin resolved to forge a Connate Magic Treasure after much deliberation.

To forge this supreme treasure, the Setting Sun God-Emperor spent 10 million years, gathering 9 pieces of eighth-rank immortal gold and nurturing 9 True Dragons at the late Earth Immortal stage.

Thereafter, He skinned the dragon and tore its sinews, refining its soul and bones within the cauldron to obtain 9 supreme Heaven-Creation Treasures (Magic Treasure).

Yet this alone was not enough. To fully refine this Innate Treasure, the Crimson Sun God even ventured deep into the primordial chaos, retrieving from within it a wisp of Primordial Qi.

Thereafter, the Sundown Celestial used this wisp of Primordial Qi as his foundation, fusing the 9 cauldrons into 1 and reversing them to a primordial state, ultimately refining the Primordial Chaos Treasure—the 9 Dragon Ancient Cauldron.

"Alas, though the Setting Sun God-Emperor succeeded in forging the 9 Dragon Ancient Cauldron, he suffered grievous wounds amidst the primordial chaos."

Before His wounds could heal, the cosmic calamity had already erupted in full force, and He too failed to transcend that boundless tribulation.

The Setting Sun Patriarch spoke unhurriedly, his face revealing an expression of boundless melancholy.

He let out a sigh, his eyes flickering with a trace of worldly vicissitudes as he said, "After the fall of Eldrin, the 9 Dragons Ancient Cauldron split once more into 9 True Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldrons, most of which have been severely damaged."

"Among these 9 ancient cauldrons, 3 intact ones were seized by major powers from beyond the Xī Qì Shén Yuān Hǎi, while 3 fell into the hands of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace and other once-magnificent forces."

"The remaining 3 cauldrons were severely damaged. The artifact spirit, the dragon soul, is recuperating within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land. The Black Dragon Cauldron’s whereabouts are unknown, while the Crimson Dragon Cauldron and the Golden Dragon Cauldron were both left behind in the Fading Sun Blessed Land."

"Alas, the passage of time has been too long. The Setting Sun Blessed Land has passed through several owners over the ages. By our current generation, 1 of its 2 sacred cauldrons has been lost, leaving only the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron remaining."

At this point, Can Yang Lao Zu gazed upon the Chi Long Zhen Shi Ding in his hand and said, "The Chi Long Zhen Shi Ding(Magic Treasure) I hold now was once 1 of the 9 legendary Zhen Long Zhen Shi Ding(Magic Treasure)."

"The Azure Dragon Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace wields the Azure Dragon Cauldron that Anchors the World—1 of the 9 Cauldrons that remains completely intact."

"The Crimson Dragon Pacifies World Cauldron, 1 of the 9 True Dragon Cauldrons..."

The setting sun elder's face was filled with profound shock. Recalling the might of the Azure Dragon Town World Cauldron, he couldn't help but exclaim in awe: "These 9 True Dragon Cauldrons are supreme-grade world-creating treasures."

"Could it be that this Crimson Dragon Suppresses the World Cauldron (Magic Treasure) could also restore its peak power?"

"You guessed correctly."

The Elder of the Waning Sun gave a nod and spoke, "When the Crimson Dragon True Soul merges with the treasure cauldron, it becomes a Heaven-Creation Artifact."

"However, this treasure has remained dormant for many years, and the damage it suffered back then was extremely severe. Restoring it will require an immense amount of primordial qi and resources over an extended period."

"We shall place it within the blessed land for nurturing, infusing it with copious amounts of fire-attribute spiritual materials and immortal treasures. Its power will then gradually be restored."

"This process may be quite slow, but in just a 100-some 1000 years, our Setting Sun Blessed Land should possess a supreme Chaos Opening treasure to anchor its destiny."

"Peerless Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure!"

Setting Sun Ancestor murmured to himself, his heart surging with boundless ecstasy.

A supreme treasure of creation! This was a peerless treasure that would drive even Earth Immortals to madness.

Even a being at the Earth Immortal's late stage would rarely have the qualifications to touch such a supreme treasure, for this artifact was far too precious.

Only those Half-Step Celestial Immortals who had transcended the limits of Earth Immortals and comprehended the Dao Principles could possess 1 or 2 supreme treasures of this level.

Not to mention that this Crimson Dragon Subduing World Cauldron is 1 of the 9 Dragon Ancient Cauldrons. If all 9 ancient cauldrons were to be gathered once more, the legendary 9-rank innate treasure, the 9 Dragon Ancient Cauldron, might possibly reappear in the mortal realm.

The value of such a treasure was, of course, self-evident.

"With this treasure, I now have hope to break through to the Earth Immortal realm, and even advance to the late-stage Earth Immortal level."

Setting Sun Ancestor (Cultivator Name) murmured inwardly, boundless ecstasy surging through his heart.

He suddenly recalled something else and turned his gaze toward the Setting Sun Ancestor, saying, "During this journey, the Black Dragon's True Soul fell into the hands of the Void-Realm Daoist."

"Do you think we should make a move against him and reclaim that Black Dragon True Soul?"

"Black Dragon True Soul"

The Setting Sun Patriarch furrowed his brow slightly, pondering for a moment before speaking, "That Black Dragon True Soul is the artifact spirit of the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron. If we obtain it, we might be able to deduce the whereabouts of the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron."

"We have inherited a portion of the legacy of the Setting Sun Celestial Deity, so this artifact must undoubtedly be reclaimed. However, I fear now is not yet the time."

"With the great calamity approaching, the Celestial Fiend Tribe and the Demon Race will likely make their moves. Let us first return and restore the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron (Magic Treasure). It will not be too late to devise plans for the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron (Magic Treasure) once the great calamity begins to unfold."

The Elder of the Setting Sun could only give a slight nod at this, his gaze turning icy as he said, "If that's the case, we'll let him cling to life for a little while longer."

Within the Immortal Palace of Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) in the Sea of Returning Ruins,

Eldrin sat with a grave expression at the head of the hall, flanked on either side by Lyra and Qing Ji who sat shoulder to shoulder.

The remaining 20-some immortals from the alliance—including Kael, Ethan Chen, and the Black Tortoise Patriarch—were also seated on either side, each bearing a trace of bewilderment.

Seeing that everyone had assembled, the Kunpeng Demon Saint could not help but inquire, "Alliance Leader, might I ask if this urgent summons signifies that a major event has occurred?"

"Yes, such urgency—could it be that something major is about to occur?"

Upon hearing this, all the immortals asked with grave expressions.

Eldrin did not answer immediately. His gaze swept across the assembly, and after a moment, he sighed deeply. "Fellow cultivators, I fear great chaos shall soon engulf the Flowing Rivers and 100 Seas, and even the entire Western Mist Divine Abyss Sea."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, all the immortals present subtly shifted their expressions.

They exchanged glances, and in the end, it was the Master of the Dao Palace who inquired, "Might I ask what exactly has occurred?"

"Alas, the Heaven Calamity Tribe and the Western Abyss Dragon Palace have stirred up this great calamity. They are likely the instigators of the next great tribulation."

Eldrin (Person Name) let out a soft sigh before recounting the events of his journey in a measured, unhurried tone.

Upon hearing this, the faces of all the immortals abruptly shifted dramatically, their hearts growing increasingly unsettled with a sense of dread.

The Patriarch of the Celestial Fiend Tribe sought to unleash a great calamity, intending to harness the boundless tribulation energy to break through to the Heavenly Immortal realm. Meanwhile, the master of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace also aimed to seize this opportunity to establish a True Dragon Grotto-Heaven.

The 2 hit it off immediately, and the tribulation they jointly unleashed was bound to be boundless and cataclysmic.

As the dominant powers of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, the Human Race and Divine Spirits would naturally not allow them to rise unchecked. However, as Cave Paradises remain untouched by calamities, they might not intervene in these affairs.

Of course, there were also human patriarchs and major powers who willingly entered the tribulation, seeking to contend for supremacy and seize opportunities for further advancement, as well as compassionate immortals who chose to shelter hundreds of millions of living beings.

Among demons, monsters, and even the 100 races, there are likely many powerful figures seeking to rise amidst this great calamity.

It was foreseeable that this great tribulation would inevitably sweep across vast territories. Not to mention the 100 Rivers and Seas, even the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea would likely be drawn deeply into the turmoil. Only when a victor emerged from the struggle would the great calamity finally come to an end.

"The great calamity approaches, as immortals vie for supremacy."

"Billions of living souls, millions of immortals—should they fail to transcend this great tribulation, I fear all shall turn to dust."

"This is the will of Heaven, the Dao of cosmic reincarnation—unchangeable and irreversible."

"Be it the Heavenly Fiend Patriarch or the master of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace, all are trapped within the great tribulation."

"The difference is, among the hundreds of millions of living beings and millions of immortals, all are but green leaves and dust within the calamity. Only they are the true protagonists of this great tribulation."

Chapter 1 The Azure Cloud Sect's outer gate examination had just concluded. Jiang Ming stood among the crowd, clutching the newly acquired identity token in his hand. His knuckles were white from gripping it too tightly. "Finally... I've made it into the sect," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible. Around him, dozens of newly accepted disciples were celebrating, their excited chatter filling the air. Yet Jiang Ming remained silent, his gaze distant as if looking through the bustling scene before him. "Brother Jiang, why aren't you celebrating?" A fair-skinned youth approached him with a smile. "We've finally become immortal cultivation disciples! This is what we've dreamed of for years!" Jiang Ming forced a smile. "I'm just... overwhelmed." The youth laughed. "I understand! I can hardly believe it myself! They say the Azure Cloud Sect possesses countless cultivation techniques and spirit herbs. With our talent, we might even reach the Foundation Establishment realm someday!" As the youth continued talking excitedly, Jiang Ming's mind drifted. He recalled the strange dream that had haunted him for the past month—a dream where he'd experienced an entire lifetime in a world without spiritual energy, a place where mortals relied on strange machines instead of cultivation. Shaking his head to clear the bizarre thoughts, Jiang Ming focused on the present. According to the dream, today would be anything but ordinary. Just as the thought crossed his mind, the sky suddenly darkened. An overwhelming pressure descended, causing all the newly accepted disciples to stagger. Even the outer sect elders who had been overseeing the examination paled. "A Nascent Soul realm expert!" 1 of the elders exclaimed in shock. High above, a figure shrouded in crimson light appeared. Without a word, the figure raised a hand, and a massive blood-colored palm print materialized in the sky, covering the entire examination ground. "Blood Hand Du Jue!" an elder shouted in terror. "Run!" But it was too late. The blood-colored palm descended, and in an instant, all the newly accepted disciples—including the fair-skinned youth who had been speaking with Jiang Ming moments before—were reduced to bloody mist. All except Jiang Ming. He stood unharmed at the center of the devastation, a faint, almost imperceptible glow surrounding him. The elders who had survived by virtue of their higher cultivation stared in disbelief. "How... How is this possible?" the presiding elder stammered. The crimson figure in the sky snorted coldly. "Interesting. A mere Qi Refining realm ant actually survived my Blood God Palm." Jiang Ming looked up, his expression calm despite the carnage around him. He knew this would happen—the dream had shown him everything. What he didn't know was why he had been spared. The crimson figure descended, the bloody light around him gradually fading to reveal a middle-aged man with sharp features and piercing eyes. He studied Jiang Ming intently. "Who are you?" the man demanded, his voice echoing with power. Jiang Ming met his gaze steadily. "Just an ordinary new disciple." "Impossible," the man declared. "My Blood God Palm should have killed everyone below Foundation Establishment realm. Yet you stand here unharmed. What secret are you hiding?" Before Jiang Ming could respond, another powerful aura approached rapidly from the distance. The man's expression shifted slightly. "Consider yourself lucky today, boy," he said coldly. "But remember—I will find out your secret sooner or later." With those words, he vanished in a flash of crimson light, leaving behind the devastated examination ground and the sole surviving new disciple. The presiding elder rushed to Jiang Ming's side. "Are you alright? How did you survive?" Jiang Ming shook his head, his mind racing. "I don't know... It felt like something protected me at the last moment." The elder examined him carefully, then his eyes widened as he noticed something. "This... This is impossible! Your spiritual roots... They were only mid-grade when we tested you earlier. Now they're... perfect grade!" Murmurs spread among the surviving elders as they gathered around. Perfect grade spiritual roots were legendary, appearing perhaps once in 10 1000 years. Jiang Ming remained silent, his thoughts in turmoil. The dream had shown him the attack, but not this outcome. What was happening to him? Little did he know that his survival of this catastrophe was merely the beginning of a journey that would shake the very foundations of the cultivation world.