Chapter 1272 : Heavenly Wheel Descends Upon Stellar Defiance

"Do not underestimate them."

Lingering Sun Patriarch spoke, his expression one of considerable surprise, saying: "This Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack] possesses a certain flair reminiscent of the World-Opening Grand Formation [a legendary formation of immense power used to stabilize or create worlds]."

As his words fell, Lingering Sun Patriarch flicked his sleeve, manifesting a brilliant Heavenly Wheel [a celestial disc-shaped weapon]. It was the World-Opening Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact of world-shaping power] known as the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel.

This Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel was forged from a fragment of bone from the Lingering Sun Heavenly God. Shaped like a crescent moon, it resembled a broken sun, yet in truth, it was a peerlessly sharp offensive World-Opening Treasure.

Within it surged an endless intent of Slaughter [a divine power embodying pure, annihilating destruction], seemingly containing a trace of boundless resentment left behind at the moment of the Lingering Sun Heavenly God's fall. Its Slaughter power ranked among the mightiest even amongst Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure.

Such a world-shaking treasure, propelled by Lingering Sun Patriarch, descended with an unstoppable, cleaving edge, as if intending to sink the entire Returning Abyss Sea Region beneath the waves.

"Focus your spirits! Channel the Formation with all your might!"

As the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel bore down upon them, the immortals within the Returning Abyss Sea Region paled. A majestic voice then echoed across the expanse.

In that instant, countless cultivators within the Zhou Tian Archipelago poured their full power into the Formation. Boundless, endless Stellar [pertaining to the stars and celestial bodies] light converged high above in the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms], pushing the entire Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive formation that harnesses the power of the stars] to the absolute limit of its potency.

And in that very moment, the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel crashed against the Cosmic Stellar Formation, striking it with such force that the entire formation's radiance shuddered violently. Immerse yourself in the complete world at www . audio-novel.com.

Among the tens of thousands of Spirit Island [floating islands imbued with spiritual energy], the lights on over a hundred of them were extinguished in an instant, a clear sign that the Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts] anchoring their formations had been destroyed by the backlash of that single strike.

Upon the myriad Spirit Island, more than thirty percent of the cultivators coughed up blood on the spot, suffering severe internal injuries. Those with unstable foundations perished instantly, overwhelmed by the violent recoil.

"What a devastating blow,"

Exquisite Jiang drew in a sharp, cold breath from atop one of the Spirit Island.

The full force of the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel [a celestial artifact of immense solar power] had been mostly absorbed by the defensive Formation [a structured array of power], and the remaining shockwave was further dispersed, nine-tenths of it dissipated by the array-anchoring treasures within the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

The mere residual backlash, shared collectively by the hundreds of millions of cultivators of the Immortal Alliance, had still grievously wounded over thirty percent of them, with the number of fatalities beyond count.

If the Lingering Sun Patriarch were to recklessly expend the power of heaven and earth to unleash a hundred such furious strikes from the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel, the tens of thousands of Spirit Island forming the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand stellar defensive array] would likely shatter, and countless cultivators would perish in the ensuing cataclysmic backlash.

"We can hold back no longer,"

Exquisite Jiang murmured, immediately channeling her power into the Cosmic Stellar Formation.

In that very moment, a majestic Ancient Bell [a primordial bell artifact] soared into the heavens with a thunderous roar, its presence descending like that of the Lord of Myriad Stars [a title meaning Sovereign of Countless Stars] to suppress the very Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms].

Boundless power of the Stellar Rule [the cosmic law governing stars and constellations] converged from the Nine Heavens [the nine celestial realms above], causing the World-Opening Ancient Bell [an ancient bell artifact possessing the power to cleave open worlds] to blaze with brilliant light. Furthermore, the World-Opening Rule [a divine law embodying the power of world creation] descended from the surface of the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [the Ancient Bell of the Starry Vault] and merged into the grand Formation [a complex array or defensive barrier powered by spiritual energy].

Consequently, the vast Cosmic Stellar Formation [the Cosmic Stellar Array] saw its might surge dramatically, its defensive light barrier growing substantially more resilient.

"Hmm?"

At the same moment, high in the Nine Heavens Above [the celestial realms], the Lingering Sun Patriarch [an ancient patriarch whose power is likened to the lingering light of the setting sun] sensed the change in the Cosmic Stellar Formation, a slight frown creasing his brow.

He cast a glance at the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell and snorted coldly, "Hmph, Heaven Wind [a cultivator whose name evokes the celestial winds], you wretched traitor. It seems failing to exterminate you has indeed allowed a calamity to fester!"

With those words, the Lingering Sun Patriarch struck again, summoning forth the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel [a celestial wheel artifact imbued with the power of the lingering sun] to press down with crushing force.

Yet, the Formation, now bolstered by the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell, possessed a potency beyond compare to its former state. Even under the relentless bombardment of the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel, it showed not the slightest sign of damage.

The Lingering Sun Patriarch drove the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel in a continuous assault, unleashing ten consecutive strikes, yet found the Cosmic Stellar Formation impervious. His expression grew increasingly grim.

An Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm, possessing a personal miniature world] harbors an Earth Immortal World [a miniature world within an Earth Immortal's body, source of near-limitless spiritual power] within, granting them nearly inexhaustible spiritual power. However, activating a World-Opening Treasure [an artifact of supreme rank capable of sundering worlds] still demands a tremendous expenditure.

After all, a World-Opening Treasure wields boundless might, containing the very power of World-Opening [the primordial act of cleaving chaos to form a world]. Even with the support of an entire miniature world, one cannot wield such power without limit.

This Lingering Sun Patriarch had only opened Threefold Heaven within his body. His foundation was not considered strong among Earth Immortal [cultivators who have refined a miniature world within themselves], and he could, at most, activate a World-Opening Treasure [a supreme artifact capable of unleashing the power to create or destroy worlds] around a hundred times.

If he exceeded a hundred activations, forcing further use would damage his World's Origin [the foundational spiritual essence that sustains an Earth Immortal's inner world]. His absolute limit was enough for over two hundred activations.

Yet, activating it to such an extreme would cause his internal Earth Immortal World [the miniature world cultivated within an Earth Immortal] to collapse completely, and he himself would inevitably meet his end.

Therefore, unless fighting for his life, an Earth Immortal Patriarch would never push a World-Opening Treasure to its limit.

Furthermore, this Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel was a Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure. While its power surpassed that of a Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure, its consumption of energy was also doubled.

Consequently, Lingering Sun Patriarch could activate it at most fifty times. Even if he managed fifty strikes with the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel, it would still be insufficient to breach the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive formation that mimics the power and alignment of celestial bodies]. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel . com.

Even if it were possible, considering the omnipresent dangers within a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that tests cultivators and reshapes fate], he could not possibly expend all his internal World-Opening Power [the primordial force used to activate World-Opening Treasures] solely on this Cosmic Stellar Formation.

Realizing this, Lingering Sun Patriarch recalled the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel, his expression turning grim. "Let our disciples and followers deplete the formation's power," he declared.

Upon hearing this, Setting Sun PatriarchSetting Sun Patriarch [a patriarch associated with the waning sun] could not help but change his expression slightly.

The recent disaster at Suwei SeaSuwei Sea [a sea region] served as a stark warning. Sending their sect's disciples, followers, Treasure ShipTreasure Ship [ships enchanted for travel and combat], and Path SoldiersPath Soldiers [elite cultivator-soldiers trained in specific martial paths] against such a formidable formation was nothing but a path to certain death.

Their sole purpose was to sacrifice themselves, depleting the Stellar power and spiritual energy within the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of the stars], to pave the way for the others to breach the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack].

Thinking of this, the Fire Sun Path Master nearby could not help but speak: "Patriarch, why not use it..."

"It cannot be done!"

The Lingering Sun Patriarch refused decisively, then continued: "This Formation is Extraordinary. This Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [an ancient bell artifact capable of suppressing heaven and earth] possesses the power to suppress the world, and the Sun Consort also holds a World-Opening Treasure [an artifact of immense power capable of splitting primordial chaos], the Great Sun Heavenly Wheel [a divine wheel artifact embodying the power of the great sun]."

"If we do not first drain some of the Cosmic Stellar Formation's power, their simultaneous assault might destroy it."

Upon hearing this, the Fire Sun Patriarch's expression hardened slightly.

That treasure was indeed damaged and incomplete. He could not help but sigh, saying, "What a bitter fate for these children."

As his words fell, the Fire Sun Patriarch waved his hand, and the Path Soldiers [elite cultivator-soldiers of a specific path or sect] and disciples under his command immediately began their assault on the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

The Million Treasure Ship [a legendary ship laden with countless treasures] soared into the sky, accompanied by several dozen Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] charging towards the Returning Abyss Sea Region. These Immortal were either guest Elder [respected senior members] of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred realm bathed in the light of the lingering sun], or Immortal invited by the Lingering Sun Blessed Land to lend their aid.

The guest Elder were not the direct lineage of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land. While they enjoyed the stipends of the Blessed Land in peaceful times, now that the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and upheaval foretold by fate] had arrived, they became the first wave of cannon fodder.

The Immortals [powerful beings who have transcended mortality] who had been invited to lend their aid had mostly received treasures from the Lingering Sun Sea Region, and thus it was natural for them to be the first to take action now.

"These people..."

Exquisite Jiang hovered in the void, spotting several familiar faces among those Immortals.

Most of these Immortals hailed from the Lingering Sun Sea Region. Over the years, they had crossed paths at the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for trade and exchange among cultivators]. Though their relationships were merely cordial, she never imagined they would meet on the battlefield today.

Thinking of this, Exquisite Jiang could not help but speak out. "Esteemed fellow cultivators, now that the Demon Race Dragon Palace and the Celestial Prison Clan have ignited the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic conflict ordained by fate], why does our Human Race not stand united against the foe?"

"You are all Immortals of the Human Race. How can you, for the ambitions of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred land imbued with spiritual power], willingly become mere cannon fodder in their hands?" Your portal to cultivation novels: audio—novel.com.