Chapter 1332 : Breaching the Celestial Formation

To unleash the full might of the Treasure Ship and completely breach the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a formidable defensive array that harnesses the power of the celestial stars], they pushed several Peerless Immortal Rank Ancient Vessel [ancient, ship-like magical treasures of immense power] to the front lines.

This gave Qiyuan Chen the opening he needed. He personally activated the World-Ending Cannon [a weapon of cataclysmic destructive power], destroying yet another Immortal Rank Supreme Grade Ancient Vessel. The power of such a Supreme Grade Ancient Vessel was itself comparable to the full-force assault of an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a cultivator who has ascended to become an immortal tied to the earthly realm], making it one of Thousand Dragons Lake's trump cards against the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

Now, with several Demonic Tribe Earth Immortal Progenitor held in check, and two of their four Peerless Immortal Rank Ancient Vessel lost, they could no longer inflict sufficient damage upon the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

If the battle continued like this, breaching the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation would likely prove impossible.

With no other choice, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake could only order a temporary retreat. Millions of Demonic Tribe Treasure Ship began to slowly withdraw beyond the attack range of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation.

"They are retreating!"

Witnessing the Demonic Tribe's withdrawal, the cultivators of the Abyssal Sea Region erupted in cheers. Even the various Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] present allowed smiles to grace their faces.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "Do not let your guard down, everyone. Be wary of the Demonic Tribe regrouping for another assault."

"Pass down the orders. All Spirit Island [islands rich with spiritual energy] are to immediately begin repairing their defensive formations. The cultivators under your command are to be issued Healing Pill [elixirs that accelerate recovery from injuries] without delay to help them recover their strength swiftly."

Listening to Eldrin Chen's continuous stream of directives, the assembled Immortal all nodded in agreement. Continue reading this story at audio-novel.com.

They understood clearly in their hearts that although Thousand Dragons Lake had temporarily withdrawn their forces, their Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and stable cultivation base of a powerful being] and strength remained intact. The reason for their retreat was their assessment that breaching the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing the power of celestial stars] was beyond their current means.

In truth, this battle had raged to this point without Thousand Dragons Lake ever truly committing their full might.

However, after a sustained, high-intensity struggle lasting a Millennium [a period of one thousand years], the Mana [the spiritual energy or life force used by cultivators to power their arts] of the combatants on both sides—the Earth Immortal Progenitor [a powerful cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm and founded their own lineage]—had been greatly depleted. Both their physical bodies and spirits were utterly exhausted.

If the fighting were to continue, not only would their combat effectiveness continue to decline, but they would also begin to deplete the Primordial Source [the foundational, life-giving energy at the core of a cultivator's being] within their Earth Immortal World [the nascent pocket dimension or inner world cultivated by an Earth Immortal].

By that time, even if they managed to shatter the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, the Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm, possessing immense power and longevity] forces of Thousand Dragons Lake—their Mana severely drained—might not be able to decisively subdue the Abyssal Sea Region.

At the very least, by that stage, even if the Heavenly Circuit Stars [the core celestial bodies powering the grand formation] were destroyed, Eldrin Chen and the others would still have a significant chance of escape.

This was because Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang had joined the battle relatively recently; their mental state and reserves of Mana remained in relatively good condition.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen added a further admonition: "Your expenditures in this battle have been considerable. The most urgent task now is to swiftly recover your Mana, to prepare for whatever stratagem Thousand Dragons Lake employs next."

The assembled Immortals nodded in agreement. Solara spoke, her voice carrying the weight of the long conflict: "We have fought for a Millennium. The World-Opening Power [a supreme divine ability capable of shaping or creating worlds] within our Earth Immortal World has been depleted by more than half."

"As we now focus on restoring our Mana, we must trouble the two of you to temporarily oversee the grand formation." Eldrin Chen gave a slight, understanding nod, a faint smile touching his lips as he replied, "Set your minds at ease. The Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation shall be entrusted to me."

As the Abyssal Sea Region forces were regrouping and recuperating, the temporarily withdrawn Demonic Tribe army was likewise consolidating its strength.

At the heart of the Thousand Dragons Lake army's encampment, a Grand Hall floated amidst the Void. Within this hall, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake, the Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison, and other Earth Immortal Progenitor [powerful cultivators who have attained the Earth Immortal realm] had gathered, their expressions uniformly grim. An oppressive silence filled the Grand Hall, the assembled Earth Immortal Progenitor remaining wordless, their gazes fixed solemnly upon the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake and the Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison seated at the head of the assembly.

After a long while, the Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison finally spoke, his tone icy. "The strength of the Abyssal Sea Region is not negligible. We Earth Immortal [cultivators of the Earth Immortal realm] are being held in check."

"How long would it take for the remaining forces to breach the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation based on celestial star patterns]?"

The Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake remained silent for a long moment before finally answering. "If we are pinned down, relying solely on the main army and the two Immortal Rank Supreme Grade [the highest grade within the Immortal Rank] Ancient Vessel [ancient, powerful warships], it would take at least three Millennium [a period of one thousand years] to shatter the formation."

"Three Millennium?"

The Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison's expression turned frigid, a cold sneer curling his lips. "Three Millennium? Your estimate of three Millennium, I presume, is calculated based on exhausting their reserves of Immortal Source [the foundational spiritual energy source of an immortal abode] and Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]?"

At these words, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake could only fall into a heavy silence once more.

With their current strength, forcibly breaking the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation was impossible. The only viable strategy was to drain the Abyssal Abode of Bliss dry—to exhaust its Spirit Vein [a natural conduit of concentrated spiritual energy], its Immortal Vein [a supreme-grade spirit vein], and even its stockpiles of Spirit Stone and Immortal Source.

Once those resources were depleted, the power of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation would wane dramatically, allowing it to be breached with ease.

This method was a clumsy one, yet also an effective one. The pity was, they did not have sufficient time. Seeing his silence, Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison [a powerful cultivator from the Celestial Prison Clan] sneered coldly and said, "We have at most less than one Millennium [a period of one thousand years] left. Otherwise, the situation at the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a powerful celestial palace] will certainly become untenable."

Upon hearing this, the assembled Earth Immortal [progenitors who have attained the Earth Immortal realm, a high level of cultivation] all wore grave expressions, feeling increasingly trapped between a rock and a hard place. In all honesty, if they did not conquer the Abyssal Sea Region, Eldrin Chen would undoubtedly become a mortal threat lurking in their hearts.

Once this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] passed, if Eldrin Chen, who possessed the Yin-Yang Void Realm [a supreme magical treasure], advanced further and broke through to the Earth Immortal Realm [the Earth Immortal cultivation realm], it was likely that not even a cultivator at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers [the ninth and highest layer of the Earth Immortal realm] would be certain of slaying him.

Yet, if they wished to breach the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation] and engage Eldrin Chen in a decisive battle to the death, they likewise lacked the necessary time.

Contemplating this, the faces of the Earth Immortal darkened further with grim resolve.

With a solemn expression, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake [the patriarch of the Thousand Dragon Lake faction] finally spoke up, asking, "Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a cultivator of similar standing] Tianyu, given our current predicament, do you have any strategy in mind?" Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio–novel.com.

"Hmph!"

Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison let out a cold snort upon hearing this, then declared, "I have two plans.

"The first is to withdraw our forces immediately and accompany me in assaulting the Flowing Fire Star Palace."

"Once the Flowing Fire Star Palace falls, and I, the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan, slay the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace [the ruler of the Flowing Fire Star Palace] and break through to the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the Heavenly Immortal Paragon realm, a supreme cultivation stage], this Abyssal Daoist [a title for Eldrin Chen, meaning 'Daoist of the Abyss'] will naturally find no escape from death."

Upon hearing this, the various Earth Immortal Progenitor [a cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm and founded a lineage] all stirred slightly, a flicker of thought passing through their eyes.

However, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake shook his head. With a sigh coloring his expression, he spoke, "If the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a celestial palace associated with the Flowing Fire Star Lord] is breached and the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace is slain, Abyssal Daoist [a title for Eldrin Chen, referencing his connection to the abyss] would certainly not dare remain within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas."

"At that point, he would flee the Abyssal Sea Region with his Dao companions and clansmen, perhaps even leaving the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea entirely. Given the vastness of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, who could possibly hope to find him then?"

The Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake shook his head repeatedly, a bitter smile twisting his features.

A ten-calamity Immortal [an Immortal who has survived ten Heavenly Tribulations], abandoning his established Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred site where a cultivator's lineage gathers and practices] to hide in some forgotten corner of the Immortal Domain, would be like searching for a needle in an ocean.

Even if, due to the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan, Eldrin Chen dared not emerge to contest for treasures, in several million years, when Eldrin Chen broke through to Late Stage Earth Immortal or even Earth Immortal Nine Layers, he would inevitably become a thorn in their side once more. The Celestial Prison Race could manage; their lineage possessed a Half-Step Celestial Immortal, and it was even likely the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan would ascend to the Heaven Immortal Realm. They might not fear Eldrin Chen then.

But he, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake, had no such powerful backing. Once Eldrin Chen attained the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm, his Thousand Dragons Lake lineage would likely face utter annihilation.

With this grim thought, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake inquired further, "And what, pray tell, is the second method?" "The second method..."

The Blaze Lord of the Celestial Prison paused, drawing from his sleeve a dazzling Immortal Talisman [a talisman imbued with immortal-grade power]. He then declared, "...is to take a perilous gamble." This chapter is provided by audio-novel dot com. Support the original.