Chapter 1273 : The Cosmic Stellar Stand

Upon hearing these words, the assembled Immortals all experienced a subtle shift in their expressions, with many revealing looks of hesitation.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Fire Sun Path Master immediately sneered coldly, "The Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic event that tests all cultivators] has erupted. We are all those destined to face this tribulation; what distinction remains between clans or lineages?"

"Today, we come bearing the momentum of destiny. By annihilating you Immortals of the Returning Abyss Sea Region, every Immortal present here will be able to transcend one Great Tribulation, and in the future, the possibility of breaking through to the Earth Immortal [a high-level immortal realm] may not be out of reach."

"Is that so?" Exquisite Jiang let out a cold laugh and retorted, "In my view, those destined to achieve the Dao are likely only from your own Lingering Sun Immortal Sect."

"As for the rest, I fear they are merely pawns sent ahead of your horses, cannon fodder to be expended against our Returning Abyss Sea Region."

Having said this, Exquisite Jiang looked at the various Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation] and said, "Honored ones, you must be cautious. Do not become mere pawns in another's hand, lest you blindly meet your Tribulation [a heavenly trial or calamity]."

"Enough, you sorceress! Cease your glib tongue!"

Fire Sun Path Master's expression darkened slightly. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed his Divine Ability [a supernatural power or technique], the Blazing Sun Divine Thunder. Yet, even such a Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a powerful, advanced-level divine technique] could not breach the Cosmic Stellar Formation.

Behold, Exquisite Jiang soared into the air, beginning to activate the Cosmic Stellar Formation to gather myriad rays of light. Then, with a cold and indifferent expression, she issued a warning: "You are all beings who have attained the Dao. The truth or falsehood of my words, you must surely discern within your own hearts."

With her final words spoken, Exquisite Jiang said no more. The Cosmic Stellar Formation erupted with dazzling Immortal Radiance [the luminous aura of an immortal], and boundless Stellar [related to stars or celestial energy] sword energy surged forth like a Long River [a metaphorical or literal long river], sweeping across heaven and earth. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio . novel . com.

Beneath that river of sword energy, cultivators nurtured over countless years within the Lingering Sun Blessed Land were utterly annihilated in an instant, and over tens of thousands of Treasure Ship shattered into dust in the blink of an eye.

It must be said that the Lingering Sun Blessed Land truly lived up to its status as an Earth Immortal Blessed Land; its foundational strength and reserves far surpassed those of the Suwei Sea.

In this battle, the number of Immortal [powerful cultivators who have ascended to immortality] participating was already several times that of the Suwei Sea conflict, exceeding one hundred individuals.

This was despite the fact that many Immortal Clan [powerful families of immortals] within the Lingering Sun Sea, upon hearing the target was the Human Race stronghold of Returning Abyss Sea, chose not to follow the Lingering Sun Blessed Land into war. Had the full force of the Lingering Sun Sea Region been gathered, they likely could have mustered over two hundred Immortal.

Even so, the power concentrated by over one hundred Immortal gathered together was utterly staggering.

Had it not been for the fact that among these Immortal, many were unwilling to risk their lives for the Lingering Sun Immortal Sect and held sympathy for the Returning Abyss Sea Region, holding back during their attacks, the battle would have been far more arduous.

Of course, there were also those who fought desperately, seeking to earn Merits [metaphysical credit for virtuous deeds] and thereby seize the Opportunity and Fortune [chance and destiny] to advance further in the Great Tribulation [a major, often world-shaking, calamity or trial].

Against such individuals, Exquisite Jiang and the others showed no mercy. They slew seven Late Ascendant Immortal Realm cultivators in succession, including one supreme Immortal at the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier. This act of making an example served as a stark warning, finally instilling genuine fear among the assembled immortals.

After several centuries of such grueling warfare, the expendable forces affiliated with the Lingering Sun Immortal Sect were nearly depleted, and the remaining Immortal began to go through the motions without truly exerting themselves.

"Patriarch, should we deploy that artifact…"

Fire Sun Path Master [a senior cultivator of the Lingering Sun lineage] witnessed this and returned to Lingering Sun Patriarch [the venerable founder of the Lingering Sun lineage]'s side, saying.

Lingering Sun Patriarch merely shook his head, his expression placid as he stated, "Let the disciples advance."

"But this..."

Fire Sun Path Master's countenance shifted slightly. Sending the sect's disciples to assault the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing the power of stars and cosmos] was akin to pitting mortal strength against the vast, unyielding heavens. It could never breach the formation; its sole purpose would be to deplete the Cosmic Stellar Formation's reserves of power.

These disciples were all followers of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred realm and stronghold of the Lingering Sun lineage], among them descendants of their own bloodline. Watching these souls march to their doom, his heart could not bear it.

Setting Sun Patriarch [another senior patriarch of the Lingering Sun lineage], seeming to perceive his inner turmoil, gave a slight shake of his head. "The sect has nurtured these disciples for tens of thousands of years. Now is the time for them to repay that debt."

"To die for our Lingering Sun Immortal Sect [the immortal sect founded upon the Lingering Sun legacy] would be the greatest glory of their lives."

Hearing this, Fire Sun Path Master understood the will of the two Patriarchs was immovable.

A trace of regret stirred within him. Given his status, he was privy to certain secrets.

Hidden within the Lingering Sun Immortal Sect was a supreme Heavy Treasures [a category of immensely powerful and rare enchanted artifacts]. Deploying it could counter the Cosmic Stellar Formation, proving far more effective than the combined might of several hundred Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation].

It was a pity that the Heavy Treasures [a category of immensely powerful and rare enchanted artifacts] remained incomplete even after repairs, still harboring a fatal flaw. The two Patriarch could not tolerate the slightest damage to that treasure and were unwilling to deploy it until the final, most desperate moment.

With this thought, he sighed inwardly. He then rose and looked towards the army of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a sacred realm bathed in the light of the setting sun], giving a slight wave of his hand.

Seeing this, the expressions of the immortals from the Lingering Sun Immortal Sect [the celestial sect governing the Lingering Sun Blessed Land] shifted slightly. Nevertheless, they all began to advance.

In that instant, seventy-six immortals from Lingering Sun marched forth together. The Million Treasure Ship [a legendary vessel said to carry a million treasures], laden with tens of millions of Path Soldiers [elite cultivator-soldiers] and billions upon billions of disciples from Lingering Sun, surged into the heart of the Returning Abyss Sea Region [a vast and treacherous oceanic expanse].

The great battle erupted. Countless disciples from the Lingering Sun Blessed Land swarmed in like a tide. A storm of spiritual talismans, Spiritual Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts], Divine Ability [supernatural techniques mastered through cultivation], and secret arts bombarded the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of stars], relentlessly draining its energy reserves.

The Returning Abyss Sea Region did not remain passive. Immediately, countless cultivators engaged the enemy from behind the protective barrier of the Formation [a defensive or offensive energy array]. The Cosmic Stellar Formation itself unleashed torrents of Nine Heavens Stellar [celestial fire drawn from the highest heavens] fire, incinerating untold millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of sea. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel*com.

Within the crucible of such a brutal conflict, another three hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Bolstered by the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [an ancient bell artifact that commands the power of the starry sky], the Cosmic Stellar Formation saw its power, defensive capabilities, and ability to gather Cosmic Stellar [the radiant essence of distant stars] light increase by no less than fifty percent.

This fifty percent represented a qualitative leap. Even as an entire Blessed Land [a realm of concentrated spiritual energy and natural wonders] assailed it continuously, the Cosmic Stellar Formation remained unbreachable, merely depleting its stored reserves of Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy] and Immortal Source [the primordial source energy of immortals].

Watching as ten Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years, significant in celestial calculations] passed with the Cosmic Stellar Formation standing firm as a mountain, Setting Sun Patriarch could finally restrain himself no longer.

He gazed at Lingering Sun Patriarch and gave a slight bow. "The Suwei Sea forces have been attacking for one thousand years, and our Lingering Sun Blessed Land has been assaulting for another six hundred. By my reckoning, the spiritual energy reserves within the Lingering Sun Sea should be more than half depleted by now."

"Now that the Cosmic Stellar Formation lacks sufficient spiritual energy, the power of the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy for defense or attack] is bound to be greatly diminished. This is the perfect moment for us to shatter it in one decisive strike."

Lingering Sun Patriarch gave a slight nod of agreement. He understood they truly could not afford to drag this out any longer.

Currently, the forces of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land had been reduced by nearly half, making it difficult to muster their strongest offensive. If they continued to grind away like this, even tens of thousands of years might not be enough to breach the Cosmic Stellar Formation.

While prolonging the siege would continue to weaken the Cosmic Stellar Formation guarding the Returning Abyss Sea Region, by his calculations, Returning Abyss Path Master should be nearing the end of digesting his recent gains. He would likely emerge from seclusion within a few centuries, so they could not afford to delay either.

Having considered this, Lingering Sun Patriarch declared, "Since that is the case, it is time to summon Him forth."

"*Hummm—*"

As his words faded, a deep, resonant horn blast echoed from the boundless sea in the distance.

Everyone looked up. From afar, a vessel of immense antiquity sailed into view, its hull a tapestry of scars from blades and axes, radiating an aura of profound desolation.

It was an ancient ship, its entire form a deep, obsidian black. It moved silently across the seam between sky and sea, yet its passage felt like it was cleaving through the Boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. An aura of the most ancient and desolate epochs emanated from its very being. Access the full story on https://audio-novel.com.