Chapter 1276 : The Final Rule's Ascension

"A pity, the time is still a bit Grand Granary [a nickname for a cultivator known for his vast resources and granary-like hoarding]."

"Now that I have comprehended three types of Rule Power [the power derived from understanding a fundamental law of the cosmos], if I were given another two thousand years, I should be able to grasp a fourth rule through analogy and extension."

"As for the fifth..."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, then shook his head.

Within the Five Elements Primordial One Law [the supreme law unifying the five fundamental elements], the final Rule Power is the most difficult to comprehend, its difficulty exceeding the combined challenge of grasping the first four by several times.

If it were an ordinary Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality through cultivation], they might spend tens of millions of years without a one-in-ten chance of comprehending it.

With his own profound foundation and exceptional talent, even without external aids, he would need ten thousand years to be confident of fully mastering it.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly: while this final rule was exceedingly difficult to grasp, once comprehended, it would inevitably trigger a heaven-shaking transformation.

Currently, having grasped three types of Rule Power, Eldrin Chen's strength had already touched the realm of a Seven Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has survived seven heavenly tribulations and stands halfway to becoming a true Earth Immortal]. Even if he comprehended a fourth rule, his power would not see a dramatic increase.

But once he grasped all five Rule Power and successfully cultivated the Five Elements Primordial One Law, his strength would undoubtedly undergo a qualitative breakthrough. Published by www . audio-novel.com. All rights reserved.

He had a premonition that once he took that final step, his foundation would transcend the conventional cultivation paths of the Immortal Body and the Path Fruit, allowing him to step directly into the realm of a Nine Tribulations Immortal [a supreme prodigy who has survived nine heavenly tribulations].

"A Nine Tribulations Immortal,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a faint sigh escaping his heart.

A Nine Tribulations Immortal represented the pinnacle of peerless genius within the Immortal Domain. Throughout the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, such individuals numbered no more than a few dozen. Each was a true, unparalleled prodigy of their generation.

Whether it was the Divine Lord of Ye Ruins or the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch, these Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] whose might shook the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea—in their youth, they had either been Nine Tribulations Immortal themselves or possessed a foundation comparable to one.

Given ten thousand years, he was certain he could reach this very step. Alas, the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, era-defining calamity] was upon them, and time was a luxury he no longer possessed.

"It is time to emerge from seclusion."

Gathering his scattered thoughts, Eldrin Chen did not linger within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land.

He soared into the Returning Abyss Sea Region. His gaze swept over the teetering Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing the power of stars] and the Lingering Sun Heavenly Ark unleashing its divine might, yet he did not immediately intervene in the battle.

Without alerting anyone, he concealed himself amidst the Nine Heavens Above and observed the nine core Immortal Isles that powered the Cosmic Stellar Formation.

"This Lingering Sun Patriarch is no ordinary Early-stage Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is anchored to the mortal world]; he is an ancient Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is anchored to the mortal world] of the Third Level Earth Immortal [the third major stage of power for an Earth Immortal], and he wields a mid-grade World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact of immense power, capable of shaping reality]."

"With my current means, even if I exert my full strength, I fear it would be difficult to defeat him. Perhaps with the combined efforts of everyone, we could force him to retreat, but to think of slaying him here would be nothing short of a fool's dream."

"To trap and eliminate him in this place, we must rely on the power of a Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts that creates powerful magical effects]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his expression calm as he surveyed the various Immortal Isles [floating islands imbued with immortal energy].

He first looked towards the Four Directions Star Palace Immortal Islands and shook his head. "The Azure Dragon [a mythical dragon representing the east], White Tiger [a mythical tiger representing the west], Vermilion Bird [a mythical phoenix representing the south], and Black Tortoise [a mythical turtle-snake representing the north]—the Four Directions Star Palace possesses Extraordinary power."

"The Four Symbols Immortal-Trapping Sword Formation [a sword formation powered by the four celestial beasts], when augmented by them, is potent enough to suppress and kill a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of becoming a full Earth Immortal]. Yet, against the Lingering Sun Patriarch, it is insufficient, capable only of playing a supporting role."

Having spoken, he then turned his gaze to the Three Enclosures Archipelago. "The Supreme Subtlety Enclosure, Purple Tenuity Enclosure, and Celestial Market Enclosure have been arranged into the Three Enclosures Immortal-Burial Formation [a formation designed to entomb immortals], and the Formation Artifact [a core artifact used to anchor and power a formation] has been replaced with the Triad Wonder Pearls."

"The power of such a Formation [a structured arrangement of energy channels and artifacts that creates powerful magical effects] should be enough to temporarily trap the Lingering Sun Patriarch. However, the Triad Wonder Pearls lack sufficient Slaughter [killing intent or lethal power]. To utterly slay this foe is still far beyond their capability."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen finally fixed his eyes upon the two core Immortal Isles [floating islands imbued with immortal energy] representing Supreme Lunar [the ultimate principle of the moon, representing passivity, cold, and darkness] and Solar [the ultimate principle of the sun, representing activity, heat, and light].

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke. "This Polarity Immortal-Severing Formation [a formation that harnesses the opposing forces of sun and moon to sever an immortal's existence] will be the fatal strike that ends the Lingering Sun Patriarch."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen descended into the heart of Solar Immortal Island.

There, by the side of the Solar Fire Orange tree, he replaced the local Formation Artifact with the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. He then journeyed to Supreme Lunar Immortal Island, integrating the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword into the Supreme Lunar Immortal Formation.

With this task complete, Eldrin Chen calmly made his way to the center of the Returning Abyss Sea Region. With a serene expression, he settled into a meditative posture, quietly awaiting the day the Cosmic Stellar Formation would be shattered.

Thus, time flowed on, and several more decades passed in the blink of an eye.

Under the relentless assault from the Lingering Sun Blessed Land, the Cosmic Stellar Formation grew increasingly dim and flickering, clearly teetering on the brink of collapse.

Of the original thirty thousand Stellar Spirit Island, more than half had already been extinguished. Even with countless cultivators working tirelessly to repair them, they simply could not keep pace with the destruction. This novel is serialized on audio-novel*com. Visit for updates.

"This formation... its time has come," a voice declared.

High upon the Heavenly Vault, Lingering Sun Patriarch observed the faltering Cosmic Stellar Formation. After a final glance at his heavily depleted Lingering Sun Heavenly Ark, he resolved to delay no longer.

With a sweep of his sleeve, a blindingly brilliant World-Illuminating Immortal Light erupted. The Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel descended like a Lingering Sun plummeting from the Nine Heavens, carrying a force capable of annihilating all in its path as it crashed against the Cosmic Stellar Formation.

"BOOM—"

With a deafening roar, the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that mimics the power of stars and cosmos] could no longer hold. The light curtain that had blotted out the sky and sun shattered completely.

All thirty thousand and more Spirit Island [small islands imbued with spiritual energy] were extinguished in that instant. Only twenty-eight core Immortal Isles [larger, more powerful spiritual islands] remained, barely sustaining a fraction of the Cosmic Stellar Formation's power.

Even so, the protective light barrier of the Cosmic Stellar [the starry archipelago] was broken, unable to withstand the advance of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a powerful faction named after the setting sun] army.

Witnessing this, Lingering Sun Patriarch smiled faintly and declared, "All of you, the grand formation is broken. The time has come for the immortals of the Returning Abyss Sea Region [a vast sea region named for its abyssal depths] to face their tribulation. Go forth now, and unleash your slaughter!"

As his words fell, Lingering Sun Patriarch charged at the forefront, leading his host of immortals and billions of Path Soldiers [elite soldiers of a cultivation path or faction] into the heart of the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

"*Cough*—"

Watching the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago [the collective name for the starry islands] shatter, Exquisite Jiang and the others were sent flying, blood spraying from their mouths, despair etching their features.

Now that the Cosmic Stellar Formation was broken, they could no longer activate the Cosmic Stellar Sword Aura Long River [a mighty sword technique that manifests as a river of stellar sword energy].

Furthermore, Eldrin Chen had yet to emerge from seclusion. Relying solely on the power of the Three Enclosures Immortal-Burial Formation [a formation named for its three-part structure meant to entomb immortals], they stood no chance of resisting the might of the Four Symbols Immortal-Trapping Formation [a formation based on the four celestial beasts] and the Polarity Immortal-Severing Formation [a formation that severs the connection to immortality].

With this realization, Exquisite Jiang said with a bitter laugh, "Everyone, matters have reached this point. Let us each flee for our lives."

"None of you shall escape."

Setting Sun Patriarch let out a cold laugh, only to see the immortals of the Lingering Sun Immortal Sect closing in from all directions.

A full seventy-two Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation], each holding a Formation Flag [a flag used as a node to anchor and power a magical formation], approached from every side. Surging formation patterns swept forth, enveloping the entire Returning Abyss Sea Region.

"The Earthly Fiend Immortal-Trapping Formation [a formidable formation designed to ensnare and immobilize even celestial beings]."

The moment she saw this Formation [a structured arrangement of energy and artifacts to produce specific magical effects], Sun Consort recognized its origin, and a look of utter despair crossed her face.

This Earthly Fiend Immortal-Trapping Formation was an astonishingly powerful confinement array. Though its direct offensive power was not overwhelming, it excelled at trapping formidable foes.

Now, this immortal-grade formation was composed of seventy-two immortal-grade Formation Flag, jointly activated by seventy-two Immortal. Even an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a high level of cultivation] would find it impossible to break free in a short time.

"Boom—"

A deafening bell toll shook the heavens as Heaven Wind Path Master attempted to shatter the formation by activating the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell.

Yet, the boundless Stellar Ancient Bell [an ancient magical treasure in the form of a bell] struck the earthly fiend's protective energy. It felt as if it had plunged into a sea of Chaos Mist [a primordial, formless mist that disrupts spatial perception and movement], finding it nearly impossible to advance even an inch.

"Hmmmm—" [a deep, resonant hum]

As the heavens and earth groaned in unison, a shroud of Earthly Fiend Qi [malevolent energy drawn from the earth's depths] enveloped everything.

Commanding the Earthly Fiend Immortal-Trapping Formation, which continuously constricted the space in which the immortals could move, the Setting Sun Patriarch spoke with a cold sneer.

"With this formation in place, even an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a powerful immortal whose power is anchored to the earth] would find escape impossible," he declared.

"You lot are mere Ascendant Immortals [immortals who have recently ascended to the celestial realm]. To meet your end within this array can be considered a worthy fate." Continue reading this story at audio . novel . com.