Chapter 1328 : The Ascendant Dragons' Tribulation

After devouring the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, nearly every immortal of Thousand Dragons Lake obtained a Dao Source [a primordial essence containing the fundamental principles of the Dao], each gain equivalent to surviving a single Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by immortals].

This lineage of Thousand Dragons Lake originally harbored many True Dragon [a supreme dragon species of immense power and longevity] who had already weathered two or even three Great Tribulation. Now, with this additional gain, they would reach the realm of three or even four tribulations.

And those who became Four Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived four heavenly tribulations] were almost guaranteed to step into the domain of Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the very threshold of becoming an Earth Immortal].

Under such circumstances, it wasn't just a matter of adding over a dozen Half-Step Earth Immortal in one breath; it was possible they could gain several Earth Immortal Progenitor [a foundational Earth Immortal ancestor], or even produce one or two Seven Tribulations Immortal [an immortal of legendary power who has survived seven heavenly trials].

The Dao Source from just those dozen or so Half-Step Earth Immortal within the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect alone had the potential to cause Thousand Dragons Lake's strength to skyrocket.

After all, most of the True Dragon of Thousand Dragons Lake had lived for hundreds of thousands, even millions of years. Among them, many had already endured two, or even three Great Tribulation.

The numerical disparity in Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] count was already vast. The Abyssal Immortal Alliance had initially hoped that, with myself securing significant successive gains, their higher average immortal cultivation could hold back Dry Dragon Lake. Now, it seemed even that advantage in cultivation might be lost.

Although the Abyssal Immortal Alliance had secured more gains, with each Immortal refining several Dao Source, their total harvest equivalent to surviving three Great Tribulation, the immortals within the Immortal Alliance had Ascending to Immortality [achieved the immortal realm] far too recently.

Setting aside Six Stars Immortal and Sky Feather Immortal, the rest of the alliance's immortals had only Ascending to Immortality a mere fifty or sixty thousand years ago. They simply hadn't had enough time to fully digest their gains.

"The gap is too great. Even relying on the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of mountains], I fear we may not be able to hold." Join our community of readers at audio-novel . com.

Seeing the immense pressure weighing upon everyone's hearts, Verdant Consort immediately stepped forward, bolstering their spirits: "In the previous great battle with us, Thousand Dragons Lake successively lost ten Half-Step Earth Immortals."

"Furthermore, on the battlefield against the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, Thousand Dragons Lake also saw several True Dragons of the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm fall in battle."

"Although they have now obtained over a dozen Supreme Grade Dao Sources [supreme treasures containing the essence of the Dao], their number of Half-Step Earth Immortals has dwindled to merely a few. Without sufficient Half-Step Earth Immortals, what use is having an abundance of Supreme Grade Dao Sources?"

"I estimate their newly advanced Earth Immortals [cultivators who have ascended to the terrestrial immortal realm] will not be as numerous as you fear. At most, I believe they will only add one or two new Earth Immortals."

Speaking to this point, Verdant Consort continued: "Moreover, they are currently in seclusion digesting their gains. Therefore, for the next several hundred years, or even a full Millennium, the pressure we face will not be too severe."

Hearing this, everyone present could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

Solara nodded thoughtfully and said, "Let us hope Fellow Daoist Eldrin can advance further and emerge from seclusion soon to confront the Great Tribulation [the impending cosmic calamity]."

The assembled immortals fell into a heavy silence. They needed a figure capable of breaking the deadlock. Eldrin Chen's seclusion was ill-timed, yet it was absolutely necessary at this very moment.

For without the power to shatter the stalemate, even if Eldrin Chen had not entered seclusion, it would only have delayed the arrival of their ultimate defeat.

For now, the only thing they could do was to buy as much time as possible, racing against Thousand Dragons Lake for every precious moment, stalling until the day Eldrin Chen advanced further and stepped into the Forbidden Realm [a legendary and nearly inaccessible stage of cultivation].

With those words spoken, the group fell silent, having said all that needed to be said.

They began to continuously activate the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation harnessing the power of the celestial stars], simultaneously draining the strength of the Demonic Tribe [a powerful alliance of demonic cultivators and demonic beasts] while awaiting the opportune moment for a counterattack.

In the days that followed, events unfolded precisely as they had anticipated. The Demonic Tribe merely continued to channel the power of their Treasure Ship [a massive, fortress-like vessel imbued with immense magical power], relentlessly wearing down the energy of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, never truly launching an all-out assault.

It was not until three centuries later that Demon Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the Immortal Realm through a demonic or unorthodox path] began to join the battlefield in succession, steadily increasing the pressure on the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

These newly arrived Demon Immortal True Dragon [a supreme-grade demonic beast of draconic lineage, possessing immense power and longevity] were far more formidable. The majority had already stepped into the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm], with a minority having entered the domain of Great Perfection of Immortal Ascension [the pinnacle stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm].

There were even a handful of Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has transcended the Immortal Ascension Realm but has not fully consolidated their foundation in the Earth Immortal Realm] powerhouses who made their move. These individuals were not listed in their prior intelligence, clearly being newly ascended four-tribulation True Dragon.

As time flowed on, the number of Demon Immortal from the Demonic Tribe gradually swelled. By the time six hundred years had passed, the Demon Immortal besieging the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation had exceeded three hundred.

Eight centuries later, the besieging Demon Immortal even surpassed four hundred.

This situation reached its absolute peak at the one Millennium [a grand cycle of one thousand years, often marking significant shifts in fate or cosmic events] mark. Over five hundred Demon Immortal True Dragon had joined the fray, more than half of whom were existences at the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the late stage of the Immortal Ascension Realm].

There were over a dozen Half-Step Earth Immortal, and even two newly ascended Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has fully ascended to the Earth Immortal Realm, possessing power that can influence the very land itself]. Together with the three veteran Earth Immortal Progenitor [an Earth Immortal who has founded a lineage or sect and is revered as a progenitor] from Thousand Dragons Lake [a formidable demonic beast stronghold ruled by a council of powerful True Dragons], they launched their assaults, placing immense, crushing pressure upon the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

Amidst the brutal and devastating battle, the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing the power of celestial constellations] had, without anyone fully realizing, begun to teeter on the brink of collapse. Many of the peripheral Spirit Island [islands rich in spiritual energy that served as formation nodes] had already been shattered and annihilated. Countless cultivators had perished utterly from the formation's backlash, and even among the Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to the Immortal Realm] present, many had suffered grievous, backlash-induced wounds.

"Hold the line!"

"The World-Ending Cannon [a weapon of cataclysmic destructive power]! Target those high-grade Treasure Ship [massive, fortress-like vessels used for warfare and transport] first!"

In the chaos of the great clash, Solara, watching the relentless advance of the Demonic Tribe [a powerful and malevolent race of demons] army, roared out her command. Beyond the Abyssal Sea Region [a vast and perilous oceanic expanse], countless Demonic Tribe Treasure Ship ceaselessly bombarded the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

Among them were several Immortal Rank Supreme Grade [the pinnacle grade of artifacts at the Immortal Realm] Treasure Ship, their hulls forged from the very bones of Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [cultivators on the cusp of becoming Earth Immortals] Dragon Bone [the immensely durable and spiritually potent skeletal remains of dragons]. These behemoths spearheaded the assault, ramming and crashing against the grand formation with terrifying force, placing it under immense strain.

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No sooner had Solara's words faded than a deafening roar split the air. Three beams of annihilating, world-ending light lanced forth. Two found only empty space as their targets evaded, but the third struck true, instantly blasting one of the Immortal Rank Supreme Grade Treasure Ship into oblivion.

The defenders glanced back and saw that it was Chen Yuan himself who had personally manned the World-Ending Cannon, delivering the single, devastating blow that shattered the mighty vessel.

"Excellent!"

Witnessing the destruction of a Treasure Ship, a wave of triumphant cheers and palpable relief swept through the ranks of the defenders.

An Immortal Rank Supreme Grade Treasure Ship [a massive, fortress-like vessel used for war and transport by powerful cultivators] is an object of immeasurable value, each one more precious than even a World-Opening Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure capable of cleaving through primordial chaos]. Despite the Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and ancient accumulation of power and resources] of Thousand Dragons Lake, they possess merely four such Treasure Ships.

A single Immortal Rank Supreme Grade Treasure Ship poses a threat to the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand stellar defensive array] that surpasses even that of one or two Early Stage Earth Immortal Ancient Ancestors.

Now that one had been blasted apart, the remaining Treasure Ships immediately lost their composure and began to retreat in disarray. "Do not retreat!"

High upon the Firmament [the highest heavens], the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake watched this development, his expression turning icy as he spoke.

"You have been locked in bitter combat within the Abyssal Sea Region for a full Millennium [a cosmic cycle of one thousand years], yet you have never once breached a single Immortal Island Formation Eye [a critical node that powers and stabilizes a grand formation] of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation. How much longer must this battle drag on?"

As his words fell, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake once again urged his vast army to press the assault without cease. He himself took to the field, intending to shatter the grand formation in one decisive push.

Seeing this, the Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison also summoned forth his High Grade Heaven-Opening Treasure and hurled its power against the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation. Of the five Millenniums allotted for this campaign, only the final one remained. He had no desire to delay any longer. "All of you, hold the line firmly."

Witnessing two Late Stage Earth Immortal Ancient Ancestors take action, the Patriarch of the Verdant Stream Ancient SectPatriarch of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect [the supreme leader of an ancient sect] felt his expression shift slightly.

While channeling the Formation to command the Ancient Bell of the Starry Cosmos [a celestial bell artifact] to withstand the Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison, he also summoned the Verdant Stream Ancient Sword [an ancient sword of the Verdant Stream Sect]. He sought to entangle the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake, striving with all his might to share the immense pressure bearing down upon the grand formation.

Solara, Verdant Consort, Skywind the Daoist, the Earth Spring Ancient AncestorEarth Spring Ancient Ancestor [an ancient progenitor associated with earthly springs], and other combatants of Earth Immortal [a high realm of cultivation, representing terrestrial immortality] caliber all joined the fray. They unleashed their World-Opening Treasures to counter the Demonic Tribe [a powerful race of demons] Earth Immortal experts, each fighting desperately to alleviate the strain on the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

Yet even so, faced with the endless tide of the Demonic Tribe [a race of beings who cultivate demonic arts] army and the assaults of two Late Stage Earth Immortal [cultivators who have reached the penultimate stage of the Earth Immortal realm, possessing immense power], the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation that harnesses the power of the celestial stars] grew increasingly dim and faltered further.

"If the battle continues like this, I fear we cannot hold out for five hundred years."

Verdant Consort fought with all her might to withstand the attacks of the Demonic TribeEarth Immortal [a powerful cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm], her heart growing heavier by the moment. Her gaze turned once more towards the location of the Abyss of the Abyssal End.

"Husband, when will you emerge from your seclusion?" Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel[dot]com.