Chapter 1262 : The Stellar Formation's Stand

The boundless tide of Demon Beasts [monstrous creatures born of demonic energy] surged forth in an endless assault. Their myriad Divine Ability [supernatural powers and techniques] and demonic treasures hammered against the grand formation, yet they merely stirred insignificant ripples upon its surface.

In stark contrast, countless cultivators stood guard beside the Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used for defense, attack, or cultivation], ceaselessly unleashing their Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts and weapons infused with spiritual power] and flying swords. Their strikes reaped a grim harvest, cutting down vast swathes of the Demon Beasts horde.

Witnessing this, Exquisite Jiang could not help but ask, "Should we unleash our hand?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with thought at her words. He understood her meaning. This Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that draws power from the stars and cosmos] contained four supreme killing arrays, meticulously designed for this very purpose—to shatter the enemy's advance.

Once activated, they could inflict catastrophic losses upon this beast tide.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen shook his head. "Patience," he said. "Let us wait a while longer."

This Demon Race [a collective term for sentient demonic beings and their monstrous legions] beast tide had swept forth from the Suwei Sea [a vast and treacherous sea region]. Its ranks were a motley assembly, their cultivation levels wildly disparate. Some vanguard forces had already reached the outskirts of the Returning Abyss Sea Region [a specific, strategically vital maritime territory], yet far greater numbers still lagged upon the journey.

To unleash their ultimate stratagem now would be wasteful. Better to conserve their spiritual energy and resources, reserving them for the trials yet to come.

Time lost its meaning. An unknowable span passed until the space beyond the Returning Abyss Sea Region seethed with the Demon Race multitude, a living sea of fang and claw. Even the cultivators within the Formation felt their limbs grow numb from the relentless slaughter. It was then that Eldrin Chen finally opened his eyes.

A glint of decisive killing intent flashed within his gaze. In that instant, he channeled the full might of the Cosmic Stellar Formation. Experience the full epic at audio-novel . com.

In that instant, boundless, dazzling light erupted from the myriad islands. An inexhaustible tide of spiritual energy [the vital force that permeates the world of cultivation] surged upwards, following the pathways of the Formation.

The endless spiritual energy soared to the heights of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], intertwining with the scattered starlight to manifest into one after another Stellar [imbued with the power of the stars] sword energy.

As the vast reserves of spiritual energy were drained, countless flying swords took form in the blink of an eye. Within mere breaths, they had coalesced into billions upon billions of Stellar sword energies.

Even so, Eldrin Chen did not cease his efforts.

He continued to channel the power of the Formation, and with every passing moment, billions more sword energies condensed into being high in the Nine Heavens Above. This relentless accumulation continued for a full three months.

Only when the power of the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand formation harnessing cosmic and stellar energies] neared its limit did Eldrin Chen finally halt the creation of flying swords.

By this time, within the boundless Returning Abyss Sea Region, the countless starlight swords had converged into a veritable Stellar Long River [a metaphorical river, here composed of energy].

The number of these Stellar flying swords was beyond count—not merely billions or trillions, but truly innumerable. The sight would send shivers down the spine of even a Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal [an immortal of the highest celestial realms].

Gathered together, such an immense concentration of Stellar sword energy cast a radiance that illuminated the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths [a phrase denoting the entirety of the cosmos]. An endless tide of sword intent swept across the Endless Sea.

Even the boundless tide of beasts [a massive horde of monstrous creatures], watching from millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away, felt a bone-deep chill at the moment the sword energies fully formed. A mortal, soul-shaking terror surged within their hearts.

The profound terror between life and death jolted countless Demon Beasts [monstrous creatures born of demonic energy] from their Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of heavenly punishment].

Gazing upon the sky-spanning Stellar [pertaining to the power of stars] sword energy Long River [a metaphorical river of immense power], they felt their scalps prickle with dread. They immediately scattered in a desperate attempt to flee, but it was already far too late.

"Huummm—"

In that instant, the boundless sword energy Long River trembled faintly.

Innumerable Stellar flying swords cascaded down, transforming into a boundless sea of sword-light that drowned everything in its path. It was as if nine rivers of Celestial Silver [a divine, silvery metal] had morphed into a tempest of blades sweeping forth.

In that moment, Infant Soul Great Demon [powerful demons at the Infant Soul cultivation stage] struggled with all their might, seeking to seize a sliver of life. Primordial Spirit Demon Ancestor [ancient demon progenitors at the Primordial Spirit stage] shattered the seas for millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], trying to carve a path to escape.

Yet, in the end, their efforts were futile. Before the onslaught of the sword energy Long River, all resistance was but meaningless struggle.

Wherever the sword energy passed.

All things were annihilated; mountains and rivers were utterly destroyed.

Everything was reduced to dust. Even a Primordial Solar [the Primordial Solar cultivation stage] Demon Ancestor spanning tens of thousands of Li-lengths was utterly extinguished, pulverized into tribulation-ash by billions of Stellar sword energies.

Only after everything settled did the crowd realize that beyond the Returning Abyss Sea Region, the blood of myriad demons had dyed hundreds of millions of Li-lengths of ocean, staining the vast, boundless sea into a crimson tide.

"What a formidable Slaughter formation," someone murmured.

In the distant void, Patriarch Suwei's expression shifted slightly, and the various Demon Immortal [powerful demon cultivators who have attained immortality] all changed countenance.

Bright Ao, however, remained utterly calm. He then spoke, "This Cosmic Stellar Sword Aura Long River [a divine ability manifesting as a river of stellar sword energy], its Slaughter power is indeed Extraordinary. It was clearly prepared specifically for the Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy] Path Soldiers [elite cultivator-soldiers] and the beast tide."

"Yet, there is no need for concern. Such a technique must consume a tremendous amount of the Formation's [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack] power."

"If he dares to use it a few more times, we can strike and shatter the formation." This content originates from (audio-novel.com). Please respect copyright.

Upon hearing this, Patriarch Suwei's expression did not improve.

He was the one who had initiated this beast tide. The billions of Demon Race [the collective race of demonic beings] who joined the battle were largely under his command; their deaths meant little to Bright Ao.

Now, Eldrin Chen had unleashed the Cosmic Stellar Sword Aura Long River, wiping out more than a tenth of the boundless beast tide with a single stroke. In truth, Patriarch Suwei's heart ached at the loss.

One must understand that within the vast Suwei Sea, many islands stretched for hundreds of millions, even tens of billions of Li-lengths, and the Demon Race dwelling within numbered far more than mere billions.

Tens of thousands of islands combined, along with the Demon Race [a collective term for sentient non-human creatures that cultivate] from within the Boundless Sea Region, had launched a beast tide whose true, staggering scale remained unknown to all.

Yet, under such circumstances, to lose over a tenth of their forces in the blink of an eye filled Patriarch Suwei with a growing sense of foreboding.

Seeing this, Bright Ao roughly guessed Patriarch Suwei's thoughts and immediately advised, "These Demon Race cannot achieve immortality [ascend to a higher state of being]. In a few thousand years, they'll likely be replaced by a new generation. What does it matter if they are wiped out now?"

"As long as we conquer the Returning Abyss Sea Region, their numbers will be fully restored in less than a hundred thousand years."

"Using them to deplete the formation's power is the most fitting strategy."

Having said his piece, Bright Ao added, "Rest assured. Once the beast tide is utterly spent, my Thousand Dragon Lake will intervene. We shall shatter this Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] with our Heavy Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts]."

Patriarch Suwei remained silent. His expression placid, he gazed at the Returning Abyss Sea Region for a long while before finally waving his hand in acquiescence.

The various Demon Immortal [a powerful demonic cultivator who has achieved a state akin to immortality] understood his intent and immediately began driving the beast tide to assault the great formation once more.

The Demon Race creatures seemed to harbor some fear of this, yet, shrouded by the pervasive calamitous aura [a corrupting energy born from great conflict and suffering], their reason was largely suppressed.

As they were herded into the Returning Abyss Sea Region, the boundless Sea of Blood and the stimulating miasma of slaughter overpowered their fear once again. Madness reclaimed their minds, and they surged forward in a relentless assault upon the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Regarding this, Eldrin Chen did not take further action.

He did not activate the Cosmic Stellar Formation again. Although the Cosmic Stellar Sword Energy was immensely powerful, it was also far too taxing on spiritual energy and Stellar power [the primordial energy drawn from the stars].

Of the two, spiritual energy was less of a concern. The many Spirit Island within the Returning Abyss Sea held vast reserves, sufficient to sustain multiple battles.

Furthermore, even if spiritual energy ran low, it could be supplemented by the combined mana of countless cultivators, or at the very least, replenished by consuming Immortal Source [a condensed source of pure spiritual power] or Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy].

However, Stellar power was exceedingly precious. The Cosmic Stellar Formation had been established for many years, yet the Stellar power it could channel and accumulate had its limits.

By unleashing that full-powered strike, Eldrin Chen had consumed nearly half of the Stellar power accumulated over those long years. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not activate it again until the Stellar power had recovered.

Fortunately, although this single move had consumed a vast amount of Stellar power, that power had not vanished entirely; it had merely dispersed into the surroundings of the Returning Abyss Sea.

Over time, this dispersed Stellar power would gradually be drawn back and re-accumulated within the Cosmic Stellar Formation. To return to its peak capacity would likely require three hundred years.

"Once every three hundred years, the Cosmic Stellar Sword Energy can be unleashed."

"That is sufficient."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, "The Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of cosmic scale] spans thirty thousand years; it was never meant to conclude in a single day." For uninterrupted reading, go to audio novel.com.