Chapter 1317 : Forged in Tribulation's Fire

Up to this point in the great war, these Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality and attained immortality] of the Immortal Alliance have each refined at least five or six Dao Source [a primordial source of the Dao's principles, immensely beneficial for cultivation], accumulating foundations of unparalleled depth and solidity. Barring unforeseen circumstances, they should all be able to cultivate to the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the pinnacle of the Immortal Realm, just one step below the Earth Immortal realm] within one hundred to two hundred thousand years.

Whether they can advance further beyond that will depend entirely on their own opportunities and their Creation [the innate fortune and destiny granted by the heavens at one's creation].

Eldrin Chen surmised that, having refined so many Dao Source, once these individuals fully assimilated their gains over the next several hundred millennia, their chances of comprehending the Heaven-Opening Foundation [a legendary foundational cultivation art said to open a path to the heavens] would undoubtedly be significantly greater than those of ordinary Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality.

"In this campaign, you all have followed me through three battles and three victories. Whether measured by the ferocity of the clashes or the Dao Source and treasures reaped, it is nearly equivalent to an ordinary Immortal surviving three Great Tribulation [cataclysmic heavenly trials that test a cultivator's worth and power]," he stated.

"Thus, your opportunities have been immense. So long as you survive the next, even more terrifying calamity of death, I fear each of you will rival a Four Tribulations Immortal [an Immortal who has survived four Great Tribulations], and stepping into the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a transitional state between Immortal and Earth Immortal realms] will be within sight."

"In the future, even attempting World Creation [the supreme act of creating a miniature world, a hallmark of supreme power] might hold a measure of certainty for success."

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Eldrin Chen smiled and nodded. "It seems your harvests have been bountiful. The path to Earth Immortal [a realm of power where one becomes one with the earth, a major advancement beyond Immortal] appears open to you all."

"You flatter us. It is all thanks to the nurturing of the Alliance Lord," the assembled Immortals replied with smiles, their tones filled with profound respect.

Eldrin Chen gave a noncommittal nod. It was undeniable that within a Great Tribulation, the decisive clashes at the highest levels were what ultimately determined victory or defeat.

Had it not been for Eldrin Chen leading those at the Half-Step Earth Immortal level and above to successively shatter the enemy's pillars of strength on multiple occasions, the others would never have been able to ride the tide of momentum and crush the foe. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com.

As the grand doors of the Grand Hall swung open, a figure of transcendent grace and immortal bearing stepped forth.

The newcomer was none other than Skywind the Daoist. After emerging from the Grand Hall, he offered a slight bow and a warm smile to the assembled crowd. "Greetings, Fellow Daoists. It has been too long!"

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on your profound advancement. The realm of Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has successfully created their own inner world and ascended beyond the mortal plane] is now within your sight," the gathered immortals replied with smiles, offering their felicitations.

Eldrin Chen also nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips as he inquired, "Since you, Fellow Daoist, have stepped into the realm of a Six Tribulation Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal who has weathered six heavenly tribulations], do you intend to undertake the act of World Creation [the supreme act of forging one's own inner universe]?"

"Indeed."

Skywind the Daoist gave a slight nod of affirmation, his smile unwavering. "That is precisely my intention." Upon hearing this, expressions of joy blossomed on the faces of the assembled immortals.

For an ordinary Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of the Earth Immortal realm] who has endured four heavenly tribulations, the chance of success in World Creation is typically no more than thirty percent. A Five-Tribulation Immortal [an immortal who has survived five tribulations] attempting to break through to Earth Immortal has roughly a fifty to sixty percent chance of success.

However, for a Six Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived six tribulations] to assault the Earth Immortal realm, failure becomes a near impossibility. Skywind the Daoist, whose power now rivaled that of a Six Tribulation Half-Step Earth Immortal, saw little hope of advancing into the domain of a Seven Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven tribulations].

Furthermore, the Four Extremities Heaven Pillars [a set of four divine pillars used to stabilize a newly created inner world] he had prepared were merely Fourth Grade Heaven's Pillars [a lower-grade type of stabilizing pillar], sufficient at most to support a tri-layered heaven and earth. Even if he did attain the Seven Tribulations Immortal realm, he could not hope to emulate Solara in opening a Sixfold Heaven and Earth [an inner world of six distinct layers].

Adding to this, the impending Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of heavenly retribution or a period of immense conflict] would likely see the Abyssal Immortal Alliance face direct assault from Thousand Dragons Lake, heralding a confrontation of the most terrifying scale. Therefore, his decision to directly challenge the Earth Immortal realm now came as no surprise.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. He drew Skywind the Daoist aside and spoke, "Brother Skywind, I have a presumptuous request. I hope you will not refuse."

"Oh?"

Skywind the Daoist was momentarily taken aback, then inquired, "Given the bond between us, there is no need for such formality. Speak your mind freely."

Eldrin Chen hesitated briefly before saying, "I wish to borrow from you... a wisp of World-Initiating Qi [the primordial energy used to create and stabilize a cultivator's inner world]."

"World-Initiating Qi!"

Skywind the Daoist's expression shifted visibly, a look of astonishment crossing his features.

World-Initiating Qi is an essential resource for any Earth Immortal Progenitor [a cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm and founded their own lineage]. Unless they are among the rare, peerless Heaven's Chosen [individuals blessed by heaven with exceptional talent and fortune] who possess a surplus, ordinary Earth Immortal Progenitor cultivators find their own supply insufficient. They would never consider parting with such a precious resource.

For Eldrin Chen to ask to borrow World-Initiating Qi was, indeed, a rather difficult request.

However, after a moment's stunned silence, Skywind the Daoist quickly regained his composure. With firm resolve, he declared, "Setting aside our friendship for a moment, the debt I owe you for avenging me in the past makes this request far from excessive."

"Do not speak of borrowing. After I break through to the Earth Immortal [the realm of an Earth Immortal cultivator] realm, I shall gift you a wisp of World-Initiating Qi. Let it serve as repayment for that past kindness."

"To have a brother such as you, my life has not been in vain."

Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh, then spoke: "Brother Skywind the Immortal, rest assured. On the path to immortality, as long as I, Eldrin, the Abyss, remain for a single day, I shall not fail you, Fellow Daoist."

With those words, neither of them spoke further.

That Skywind the Immortal then stepped forth from the Starry Glazed Realm [a mystical realm of stars and crystal], and began his assault on the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of Earth Immortals, where cultivators create their own inner worlds].

As the Void dimension split asunder, the assembled crowd followed Skywind the Immortal to witness his attempt to break through to the Earth Immortal Realm.

Given Skywind the Immortal's profound foundation and the World-Opening Treasure [a supreme treasure capable of aiding in the creation of a world] 'Duskfall Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda' in his possession, the act of World Creation [the foundational act of creating a personal inner world upon reaching the Earth Immortal Realm] was naturally within his grasp. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel.com.

Behold, he used his Gale Wind Divine Body [a divine physique attuned to the power of wind] to perform World Creation, and in but a moment, he had already carved out one layer of heaven and earth.

Obtaining a wisp of World-Initiating Qi [the primordial energy used to initiate the creation of a world], he fused it into his Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a treasure bound to a cultivator's life and soul], the Gale-Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword. Without waiting for the sword to fully ascend, he channeled the Duskfall Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda to perform World Creation within a second layer of heaven and earth.

Even at this point, he still felt he had some strength to spare. Seeing the Gale-Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword successfully advance, he immediately refined the second wisp of World-Initiating Qi into his World-Opening True Body [a divine physique capable of initiating world creation], then, with all his might, brandished the Gale-Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword and unleashed a slash.

In that instant, a dazzling sword radiance cleaved through the Chaotic Void [the primordial, formless chaos], splitting open a third layer of heaven and earth.

"Success!"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a wave of relief settling in his heart.

The combat prowess of Skywind the Immortal was indeed formidable. After consecutively opening three layers of Heaven and Earth [the foundational realms within a cultivator's inner world], he could no longer be considered among the weakest within the Early Stage Earth Immortal realm.

Seeing the three layers of Heaven and Earth successfully opened, Skywind the Immortal did not recklessly push for further expansion. Instead, he immediately erected a Fourth Grade Heaven's Pillar [a foundational pillar of immense power used to stabilize a nascent inner world], which propped up the newly formed realms that were on the verge of collapsing back into chaos.

Thereafter, he set down the Heaven-Leveling Plate [a legendary artifact capable of shaping and stabilizing cosmic forces], and further utilized his Lifebound Immortal Sword, the Gale-Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword, to serve as a Heaven-Suppressing Treasure [a supreme treasure used to anchor and pacify a newly formed world], thereby completely solidifying the stability of this freshly opened cosmos.

Having completed these steps, he finally stored away the third strand of World-Initiating Qi [the primordial energy used to initiate the creation of a world], and with a smile, flew over to Eldrin Chen.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist! My sincerest felicitations!"

"By opening three layers of Heaven and Earth and stepping into the Earth Immortal Realm, Fellow Daoist shall henceforth establish your own lineage and become a revered ancestor."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and cupped his hands in a formal gesture of congratulation.

Upon hearing these words, Skywind the Daoist could not help but reveal a genuine smile of his own.

His breakthrough into the Earth Immortal Realm [a profound realm where cultivators begin to embody the laws of the world] this time, while not comparable to the superior foundation of Solara who opened six layers of heaven and earth, was certainly not at the bottom either.

Having opened three layers of heaven and earth, and possessing the Duskfall Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda for defense and the Gale-Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword for offense—two World-Opening Treasure [supreme treasures forged upon achieving the Earth Immortal Realm]—his strength was considered quite respectable among First Layer Earth Immortal cultivators.

The Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor, also a First Level Earth Immortal, had only opened two layers of heaven and earth. In a true confrontation, he might not even be Skywind the Daoist's match.

This assessment held true even though Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor had newly acquired the World-Opening Treasure White Nether Life-Death Tome [a tome governing the boundary between life and death]. Had he relied solely on his single innate World-Opening Treasure, he would likely have been suppressed in battle by Skywind the Daoist.

Even now, with both possessing two Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure [a synonym for World-Opening Treasure], if they were to clash, Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor would probably be forced to retreat in defeat.

The reason lay in the fact that Skywind the Daoist had opened one additional layer of heaven and earth. As fellow First Layer Earth Immortal cultivators, his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by immortals] was a full fifty percent more abundant than that of Earth Spring Ancient Ancestor—a gap that was by no means insignificant. Experience the full epic at audio-novel dot com.