Chapter 1271 : A Treacherous Pursuit of Immortality

"A pity he escaped. Had we seized that Supreme-Grade Immortal Armor [a legendary suit of armor forged with immortal-grade materials], my chances of achieving a breakthrough to the Earth Immortal [the foundational stage of true immortality] would have increased tremendously."

When the chaos finally subsided, Setting Sun Patriarch's face was ashen with a deep, seething resentment as he spoke with bitter reluctance.

Lingering Sun Patriarch stood silently in the void, a flicker of icy detachment passing through his gaze.

"An Eighth-Rank Void Ancient Talisman [a talisman of immense power, capable of manipulating the fabric of space itself]."

"To think he possessed such a treasure. It seems the bond between him and Heaven Flame Patriarch is far closer than we anticipated."

Upon hearing this, Setting Sun Path Master's expression shifted through a spectrum of emotions.

He drew a deep breath before speaking. "I've heard the Violet Flame Blessed Land [a sacred realm of cultivation] possesses an ancient lineage. Could this action earn us their enmity?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Lingering Sun Patriarch replied calmly, his tone detached. "As long as you achieve your breakthrough to Earth Immortal, and we seize the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron [a divine cauldron said to have the power to subdue realms] from Returning Abyss Path Master, it will all be worth the risk."

"No time to waste. Let us make for the Returning Abyss Sea [a vast and treacherous sea region] first."

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It is said that Heaven Wind Path Master [a Daoist title for a cultivator], dragging his wounded body, fled all the way to the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Upon meeting the assembled immortals of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, he immediately informed them of the news that the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a land blessed with spiritual energy] had taken action. Then, with eyes burning red, he declared:

"Since Lingering Sun Patriarch [a venerable patriarch] has moved against this old man, he will most likely not spare the Returning Abyss Blessed Land either. You must all be extremely cautious."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, the faces of all the immortals changed drastically.

The Returning Abyss Blessed Land was not on the same level as the Suwei Sea. Setting aside the Setting Sun Patriarch, even a single Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] like Lingering Sun Patriarch was powerful enough to dominate an entire sea region.

Thinking of this, Verdant Consort [a title for a powerful female cultivator] said with a worried expression, "That Lingering Sun Patriarch has cultivation at the Third Level Earth Immortal [the third tier of the Earth Immortal realm]. Furthermore, he possesses a Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a powerful magical artifact capable of shaping worlds]. He is likely strong enough to contend with two First Layer Earth Immortal [cultivators at the first tier of the Earth Immortal realm]."

"With such power, none among us can stand against him. I fear that even if all the immortals of the Returning Abyss Sea Region join forces, we would still be far from his match."

Upon hearing these words, the expressions of all the immortals turned ashen.

Given the current strength of the Returning Abyss Sea Region, there were a full five combatants with Half-Step Earth Immortal [a level just below a true Earth Immortal] power: Sun Consort, Star Consort, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and Heaven Wind Path Master. In theory, this should have been sufficient to resist a single Early-stage Earth Immortal [a cultivator in the initial stage of the Earth Immortal realm] cultivator.

Even if two Early-stage Earth Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to the foundational tier of earthly immortality] were to come, they would not be entirely indefensible. However, such combat strength is utterly insufficient to contend with the Lingering Sun Patriarch.

For the Lingering Sun Patriarch not only possesses cultivation at the Third Level Earth Immortal [the third major stage of earthly immortality], but also wields the Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a divine artifact of mid-tier power capable of shaping worlds] known as the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel.

The might of such a supreme treasure is simply beyond what any Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal artifact] could hope to withstand.

Should the Lingering Sun Patriarch unleash the full power of that treasure at any cost, only Sun Consort and the Heaven Wind Path Master [a master of the Heavenly Wind cultivation path], who themselves possess World-Opening Treasure, might barely manage to parry a blow.

Any other Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of achieving full earthly immortality] would be slain in a single strike, with no room for maneuver or resistance.

And of those two who hold World-Opening Treasure, the Heaven Wind Path Master has already suffered grievous wounds and cannot muster significant combat power for some time.

Relying on Sun Consort alone to face the Lingering Sun Patriarch would be nothing short of seeking one's own demise.

Furthermore, the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred realm bathed in the light of the lingering sun] commands legions of Path Soldiers [elite soldiers trained in specific cultivation paths], the Million Treasure Ship [a legendary vessel said to contain a million treasures], and over seventy Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality]. Such overwhelming force is simply beyond their capacity to resist.

Contemplating this, the Six Stars Immortal [an immortal associated with the six stars constellation] could not help but suggest, "Should we not request Fellow Cultivator Eldrin to emerge from seclusion?"

"That is not permissible," Exquisite Jiang refused immediately, stating decisively. "During this closed-door cultivation, my husband is refining a Supreme-Grade Path Source [the purest essence of a cultivation path, of the highest grade]. Once he succeeds, he will undoubtedly possess the combat prowess of a Seven Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations]."

"This is our key to countering the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred realm of immense power and longevity]. We must not disturb him under any circumstances."

Upon hearing this, the assembled immortals exchanged uncertain glances.

The Immortal Maiden Sun Consort nodded in agreement and voiced her support, "Even if Fellow Cultivator Eldrin emerges from seclusion early, we stand no chance of victory against the Lingering Sun Patriarch."

"It would be better for us to stall for time. Only when his cultivation advances further might we find a way to turn the tide."

She then added, "Currently, the Moon Consort is also refining a Supreme-Grade Path Source [a supreme treasure containing the pure essence of a Great Dao]. If all goes well, she should break through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a quasi-immortal realm just below true Earth Immortality] within a millennium."

"We must wait for both of them to emerge. Only then might we have an opportunity to reverse the course of this war." Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel.com.

The remaining immortals listened and gave slight, thoughtful nods of agreement.

Seeing this, the Star Consort also spoke, "We can rely on the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that channels the power of the stars] to hold our ground, stalling until Fellow Cultivator Eldrin and the Moon Consort emerge."

"However, the Lingering Sun Blessed Land possesses extraordinary foundations. Can the power of the Cosmic Stellar Formation truly withstand their assault?"

The Verdant Consort pondered for a moment before replying, "My husband once calculated that if he personally commanded the grand formation, it could withstand the siege of a relatively weaker Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a realm ruled by a true Earth Immortal] for three thousand years."

"During the previous thousand-year war, we consumed a significant amount of resources. Fortunately, our reserves were substantial and should still be sufficient to sustain us for another two or three thousand years."

Sun Consort [one of the three celestial maidens representing the sun] furrowed her brow slightly before speaking. "The Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a powerful immortal domain] is no ordinary foe. They possess the Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a powerful artifact capable of shaping worlds] known as the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel [a celestial wheel artifact], which is potent enough to shake the very foundations of the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive formation powered by stellar energies]."

"Furthermore, it is unknown what other hidden reserves they might possess. If they have additional trump cards concealed, the current Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive formation powered by stellar energies] likely cannot hold for a full millennium."

As the cultivator with the highest cultivation base present, Sun Consort's [one of the three celestial maidens representing the sun] words carried significant weight. Upon hearing them, the expressions of all the assembled immortals shifted slightly.

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang [an immortal maiden known for her wisdom and beauty] recalled something Eldrin Chen [the patriarch of the Chen Clan] had once told her and spoke thoughtfully.

"My husband once mentioned to me that this Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive formation powered by stellar energies] still lacks a pivotal treasure to command and unify the myriad stars. Only with such an artifact can it unleash its full potential."

"And the World-Opening Treasure [a powerful artifact capable of shaping worlds] in Fellow Daoist Heaven Wind's possession, the 'Ancient Starry Firmament Bell' [an ancient bell imbued with the power of the starry heavens], would be the ideal choice for that pivotal role."

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Heaven Wind would be willing to lend the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [an ancient bell imbued with the power of the starry heavens] for this purpose."

Upon hearing her words, all the immortals were momentarily taken aback before their gazes turned towards Heaven Wind Path Master [a senior cultivator known as the Master of the Heavenly Wind Path].

Heaven Wind Path Master [a senior cultivator known as the Master of the Heavenly Wind Path] was also startled for a moment. Then, with gritted teeth, he declared, "The old fiend of Lingering Sun [a powerful immortal domain] bears the blood debt of annihilating my Liu Clan [the Liu Family]. To not seek vengeance for this would make me unworthy of the title Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation]."

"If we can hold back the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a realm of cultivation blessed by lingering solar energy] and force that old man Lingering Sun to face his heavenly tribulation, then lending out this treasure would be a small price. I would even willingly offer up this Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [an ancient bell imbued with the power of the starry heavens]."

Exquisite Jiang nodded upon hearing this and stated decisively, "Rest assured. Since Lingering Sun Patriarch attacked you because of us, we will certainly not stand idly by."

"This Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] may well be our best chance to slay them."

Heaven Wind Path Master took a deep breath, produced the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell, and declared with resolve, "I shall aid you all in resisting the Lingering Sun Blessed Land."

"As for my vengeance for my annihilated clan and my slain wife... I can only humbly ask for your strength to lend me a hand."

"..."

The Lingering Sun Blessed Land arrived swiftly. Riding upon a Treasure Ship [a vessel enchanted for travel and combat], it traversed the Boundless Sea Region in a mere dozen or so years, arriving just beyond the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

By this time, the defenders had only just finished reinforcing the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing stellar energies] with their ultimate treasure to anchor it.

Outside the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, Setting Sun Patriarch gazed upon the Cosmic Stellar Formation with a cold, mocking smile. "A sea region without a single Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy], thinking it can hinder us with mere Formation [magical arrays]? Truly the delusion of fools." Find thousands of chapters at audio–novel.com.