Chapter 1269 : The Calm Before the Storm

Within the Lingering Sun Sea Region [a vast and perilous expanse of ocean], a pervasive aura of calamity filled the void. Yet, in a secluded corner upon one of its Immortal Isles [islands imbued with immortal energy], an extraordinary tranquility reigned.

This place was Wind Mist Island. Ever since Heaven Wind Path Master [a powerful cultivator known as the Master of the Heavenly Wind Path] achieved a breakthrough to the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a realm just below the full Earth Immortal stage], the Liu Immortal Clan residing on Wind Mist Island had become the second most powerful force in the Lingering Sun Sea.

From that moment on, the Liu Immortal Clan grew confident they could weather the impending Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict ordained by fate]. They believed their clan was destined to emerge as a new Earth Immortal-level power.

This confidence stemmed from the formidable strength of Heaven Wind Path Master. Not only had he cultivated the World-Opening True Body [a legendary physique capable of splitting worlds], but he also possessed two Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts]: the True Dragon Relic and the Boundless Black Scale Armor.

Coupled with the World-Opening Treasure known as the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell, Heaven Wind Path Master's combat prowess surpassed that of many typical Six Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have survived six heavenly tribulations at the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm].

With such staggering power and the backing of a powerful patron like Heaven Flame Patriarch, the rise of Heaven Wind Path Master seemed all but inevitable.

This was not just the belief of the various immortals and deities in the surrounding seas, but also the firm conviction of the Liu Immortal Clan itself.

At that moment, before the mountain gate of Wind Mist Island, two cultivators from the Liu Clan stood guard. Their expressions were ones of profound boredom.

One of them glanced toward the distant Boundless Sea Region. Seeing no imminent threat, he shook his head and remarked, "They all speak of the Great Tribulation's dangers, yet it has been over a thousand years since its onset. Why has our Liu Clan not faced any formidable enemies?"

The other guard chuckled. "Though the Great Tribulation is perilous, those drawn into its vortex are still living beings with their own fears and calculations." Support the author by reading on site: audio-novel.com.

"Our Liu Clan now commands awe across the Eight Desolations and stands as a top-tier power within the Lingering Sun Sea Region. Who would dare court death by coming here?"

"Indeed," the other man nodded, a smile gracing his lips. "I hear the Clan Patriarch is in seclusion, consolidating the power of his World-Opening True Body [a perfected physical form capable of withstanding the forces of world creation]."

"Once the venerable one emerges, he will personally enter the great tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly ordeal] to slay demonic beings and complete his path to enlightenment."

"I've heard the same," the second man chimed in, his smile widening. "I also heard the Patriarch has already reached an agreement with the Violet Flame Blessed Land. Once he breaks through to the Earth Immortal Realm [the foundational realm of true immortality], he will join the Violet Flame Blessed Land as a Supreme Elder."

"When that day comes, our Liu Immortal Clan will also become one of the Direct Lineage True Successor branches of the Violet Flame Blessed Land."

As they spoke, a sudden, palpable shift in the atmosphere made them freeze.

They looked up into the void and saw two figures of incomparable majesty striding forth.

"Who goes there?!"

Remembering their duty, one of the guards managed to call out.

The newcomers paid him no heed. The figure on the left merely flicked his sleeve, unleashing a streak of dazzling radiance that shot through the air.

The radiance soared into the sky, instantly transforming into a Heavenly Wheel that blotted out the heavens and the sun, then descended with a thunderous crash to suppress Wind Mist Island.

"BOOM—"

In that instant, the dazzling Heavenly Wheel smashed against Wind Mist Island, causing the island's protective glow to flicker and tremble violently.

In the span of a single breath, a great earthquake shook Wind Mist Island. Though the power of its defensive Formation [a structured array of energy used for defense or other purposes] barely withstood the blow, the losses were grievous, and countless living beings perished.

"Who dares attack us?!"

Under sudden assault, eight streaks of Immortal Radiance shot forth from Wind Mist Island—the eight Immortal [beings who have ascended to a higher state of existence through cultivation] of the Liu Clan.

At their head was Heaven Wind Path Master. Forced from his secluded cultivation by the attack, he emerged with a grim expression.

"Lingering Sun Patriarch, Setting Sun Path Master."

He glanced at the two figures in the sky, his face paling slightly. "Fellow Daoists," he said, "I, your humble servant, hold no grudge against the Lingering Sun Blessed Land. Why do you attack my Wind Mist Island today?"

In response to his query, Setting Sun Path Master remained silent, continuing to channel his power and drive the Setting Sun Heavenly Wheel [a powerful enchanted artifact] down upon the island with relentless force.

Under the suppression of this Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest known rank, capable of unleashing world-shaking power], the entire Wind Mist Island shook violently as if struck by a divine hammer. The Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array that shields a mountain or sect] trembled and groaned, threatening to shatter completely and sink the island into the abyss.

"Disaster!"

Heaven Wind Path Master's face paled dramatically. He poured all his power into stabilizing the Mountain Protection Formation, desperately resisting the onslaught from the Setting Sun Patriarch, while crying out in bitter indignation, "We are all of the Human Race! Do you truly intend to commit such an act of utter annihilation?"

"Hmph—"

Only then did the Lingering Sun Patriarch finally speak. A cold sneer twisted his lips as he declared, "That That upstart Eldrin shows no respect for his elders or betters. His attack upon my Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a land of profound spiritual abundance] within the Crimson Sun Blessed Land proves he has already fallen into the depravity of the Demonic Path [a cultivation path that embraces destructive and selfish methods]."

"Such a vile wretch should be shunned by all righteous immortals. Yet you, Heaven Wind Path Master, dared to befriend him. This proves you are also one who cannot discern the Mandate of Heaven. It is only fitting you face your tribulation today." The complete novel can be found at audio-novel.com (official site).

"You—!"

Heaven Wind Path Master flushed crimson with rage. "The opportunities and fortune within a Blessed Land belong to those with the strength to claim them!" he thundered. "You twist right and wrong, fabricating charges where none exist. This is nothing but a pretext!"

"I see now. Your grudge against Fellow Cultivator Eldrin is merely a facade. Your true greed is for the Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's lifelong cultivation, released upon their death] I will leave behind!"

The Lingering Sun Patriarch offered no reply to Heaven Wind Path Master's accusation, his silence more damning than any words.

With a mere flick of his sleeve, he summoned forth a resplendent ancient wheel that soared into the heavens.

"The Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel!"

The moment Heaven Wind Path Master laid eyes upon that ancient wheel, a roar of utter despair tore from his throat.

Before his cry could fade, the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel transformed into a Nine Heavens Lingering Sun [a celestial manifestation of the lingering sun], descending with boundless, crushing might to suppress its target.

This Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel was the Sect-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact used to protect and anchor a major sect] of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land. Forged from a fragment of bone from within the body of the Lingering Sun Heavenly God, it contained the profound mysteries of boundless cosmic laws. How could the defenses of Wind Mist Island possibly withstand such power?

Even though Wind Mist Island had been fortified for hundreds of thousands of years, layered with countless protective Formation [magical defensive arrays], it was far inferior to the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing the power of stars] guarding the Returning Abyss Sea.

The Returning Abyss Sea Region not only possessed the Cosmic Stellar Formation, but was also defended by dozens of times more cultivators and several tens of Immortal [beings who have ascended beyond mortality]. Perhaps it could have withstood the assault of this Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel.

But Wind Mist Island fell woefully short. As the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel descended to suppress it, the island's myriad Formation shattered like mere bubbles.

In the span of a single clash, the entire Mountain Protection Formation [the primary defensive array shielding the mountain and its territory] of Wind Mist Island was utterly annihilated. The colossal island, spanning hundreds of millions of Li-lengths, was completely pulverized into fragments, sinking into the vast expanse of the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

In the face of such boundless cataclysm, the countless cultivators and mortals of the Liu Immortal Clan [the Liu Clan of Immortals] upon Wind Mist Island perished in an instant.

Such a sudden and catastrophic calamity caused the entire Wind Mist Island [a mystical island shrouded in perpetual wind and mist] to sink completely beneath the sea. The Liu Immortal Clan [an ancient clan of cultivators] was virtually annihilated overnight.

Only a handful of Primordial Spirit Path Lord [powerful cultivators who have mastered their spiritual core] managed to survive by the skin of their teeth. Of the eight Liu Clan Immortals [the most powerful cultivators of the Liu Clan], three perished on the spot, while the remaining four suffered grievous wounds.

"Aaaargh—!"

Witnessing the destruction of the Immortal Clan [a powerful lineage of cultivators] he had painstakingly built over millions of years, Heaven Wind Path Master [a master of the heavenly wind cultivation path] was consumed by boundless hatred.

His eyes streamed with bloody tears of rage. He frantically channeled the power of the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [an ancient bell forged from the essence of stars], forcing this World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of immense power capable of shaping reality] to manifest countless phantom Stellar Ancient Bell [echoes of the starry bell] to suppress Lingering Sun Patriarch [an ancient patriarch whose power is likened to the last rays of the setting sun], determined to fight this ancient Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is rooted in the essence of the earth] to the death.

"Overestimating your strength."

Faced with the Heaven Wind Path Master's desperate assault, Lingering Sun Patriarch merely let out a cold, disdainful laugh.

The Heaven Wind Path Master's suicidal strike might have given pause to an ordinary Early-stage Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal in the initial phase of their power].

But Lingering Sun Patriarch was no ordinary foe. His cultivation had already reached the Third Level Earth Immortal [the third and most profound stage of Earth Immortal mastery], and in his hand, he wielded the Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a mid-tier treasure of world-shaping power] known as the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel [a celestial wheel embodying the lingering power of the sun]. This novel is serialized on audio-novel[dot]com. Visit for updates.