Chapter 1281 : The Patriarch's Desperate Hour

The Lingering Sun Patriarch was grievously wounded by the might of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords. His physical body was pierced through on the spot by the swords, sustaining injuries that could be described as fatal.

Upon his wounds, the two opposing forces of the Profound Darkness True Water [a divine water technique of profound yin nature] and the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a heavenly flame of pure yang essence] intertwined, ceaselessly corroding his Immortal Body [the durable physical form of an immortal].

Had he cultivated a World-Opening True Body [a supreme physical constitution capable of withstanding immense force], he might have withstood the assault for a time.

However, the Lingering Sun Patriarch had achieved his World-Opening [the realm of creating one's own world] through mastery of laws, making his physical form a critical weakness. Now, with this devastating blow, he was forced to divert seventy percent of his magic power and law-based energy just to suppress the injuries. Failing to do so would see him reduced to ashes in an instant.

With only the remaining thirty percent of his strength available, the Lingering Sun Patriarch could barely muster the power to activate a World-Opening Treasure [a treasure forged by a World-Opening realm expert]. He stood no chance whatsoever against Eldrin Chen.

"Patriarch!"

Witnessing the Lingering Sun Patriarch's grievous wound, the immortals of the Lingering Sun Sea were overcome with despair.

With a furious roar, the Setting Sun Path Master pushed his Setting Sun Heavenly Wheel and several other Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal artifact] to their limits. His Second Primordial Spirit [a secondary spiritual avatar] and his Crimson Dragon Avatar [a manifestation in the form of a crimson dragon], the latter wielding the Crimson Dragon Heaven-Piercing Halberd, cleaved through the air in a desperate attempt to break the deadlock.

Yet even such a desperate assault could not reverse the tide of battle.

Now freed from their previous engagements, Verdant Consort and the Heaven Wind Path Master joined forces with Exquisite Jiang. Together, they focused their attacks on the Setting Sun Path Master. In little more than a dozen exchanges, they shattered his Crimson Dragon Avatar. The story continues at audio-novel dot com.

Sun Consort seized the opportunity, activating the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel to soar into the air. With it, she grievously wounded the Setting Sun Patriarch, utterly destroying his physical body.

In his desperate haste, the Setting Sun Patriarch's Primordial Spirit Immortal Embryo [the nascent spiritual form of an Earth Immortal] flew out, attempting to escape with his life. Yet, it was already too late.

For Exquisite Jiang, seizing the moment, channeled her Colorless Divine Light to ensnare his Immortal Embryo. Then, the Six Harmonies and Eight Desolations Cauldron descended with a thunderous crash, suppressing him and drawing his spirit into the depths of the Great Cauldron.

In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the Setting Sun Patriarch's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] had been completely refined and extinguished.

With the fall of both Lingering Sun Child and the Setting Sun Patriarch—two Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of the Earth Immortal realm]—the outcome of this battle was left without a shred of doubt.

Now unshackled, six combatants of Half-Step Earth Immortal caliber—Sun Consort, Star Consort, Moon Consort, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and the Heaven Wind Path Master—joined forces. Together, they turned their might to assist Eldrin Chen in his assault against the Lingering Sun Patriarch.

Such awe-inspiring power was more than even the Lingering Sun Patriarch could withstand, grievously wounded as he was. Had he been at the peak of his strength, the outcome would have been no different.

Under their relentless siege, Eldrin Chen finally found his opening. He unleashed the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, their blades converging to completely annihilate the Lingering Sun Patriarch's Primordial Spirit.

"Boom…" A deafening roar echoed.

In that instant, the very heavens and earth seemed to shudder, the fabric of space trembling violently.

A World-Opening [the act of creating a new world or realm] Earth Immortal Patriarch sat in final meditation, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] and physical form dissolving into the Great Dao. Boundless rules and an endless tide of Immortal Radiance [the radiant light emitted during profound immortal transformations] flooded forth, merging with heaven and earth.

All that remained was a single Path Source [the condensed origin of a cultivator's lifelong cultivation path], several World-Opening Treasure [artifacts of immense power used in world-creation], and Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the pinnacle class of immortal artifacts].

"Suppress the treasures!"

As Eldrin Chen spoke, he immediately activated the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a supreme divine technique to seize and control primal energies], using it to suppress both the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel and the Path Source.

Then, with a sweep of his sleeve, he employed his boundless magic power to seize the Remnant Heaven Ancient Realm [an ancient, damaged pocket realm], firmly binding it within the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

This Remnant Heaven Ancient Realm had been the foundation of Lingering Sun Patriarch's power. Within it, Four Extremities Celestial Pillars [divine pillars that support the heavens] held up the sky, and it housed a trove of rare treasures, making it a perfect secret realm for storing foundational resources.

Unfortunately, during the fierce battle where Eldrin Chen had unleashed his full power, this Crippled Heaven Realm [another name for the damaged realm] had been pierced through. It would likely collapse completely before long.

Just as Eldrin Chen seized the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel and the Remnant Heaven Ancient Realm, Exquisite Jiang and the others seized their moment to capture the remaining treasures.

Sun Consort grasped the Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda, while Exquisite Jiang took possession of the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron.

The remaining figures, including Verdant Consort, firmly suppressed the other Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure. With their hands now free, they turned to eliminate the trapped King of Immortals and Emperor of Gods who were still ensnared within the formation.

After these final six Half-Step Earth Immortals [cultivators who have partially transcended the mortal realm but not fully ascended to Earth Immortal status] were slain, the remaining immortals of the Lingering Sun Sea Region were like duckweed after autumn's frost, utterly bereft of any chance to reverse the tide of battle.

With the allied immortals now free to focus their might, they hunted down and exterminated their foes. Aside from a dozen or so Lingering Sun Sea Immortals who had not entered the formation, nearly all the Lingering Sun Blessed Land Immortals met their destined end in this conflict.

"Victory!"

A profound wave of relief washed over the allied immortals following this decisive triumph.

While annihilating the Lingering Sun Blessed Land immortals was an unprecedented victory, the Immortals of the Returning Abyss Sea Region had also suffered grievous wounds.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the battlefield. All fifty-one immortals who had participated in the battle now bore injuries, most of them severe. Seven had perished, their tribulations fulfilled. For more chapters, visit audio—novel.com for the complete novel.

Furthermore, Black Tortoise Patriarch, Blazing Phoenix, Master of Glazed Palace, Earth Mystery Path Master, Master of Stellar Palace, and others had their Immortal Bodies [the perfected physical forms of ascended beings] utterly destroyed, their injuries so critical they teetered on the brink of death.

"Black Tortoise, Blazing Phoenix, Master of Glazed Palace…"

After administering Immortal Pills [elixirs of immense healing power] to these gravely wounded allies and using the Rule of Life [the fundamental law governing vitality and restoration] to treat them, Eldrin Chen could only release a soft sigh after a long while.

Struck by Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasures [artifacts of the highest order wielded by powerful immortals], their wounds were catastrophic, pushing them to the very edge of oblivion. The damage had penetrated to their very core, injuring both their Immortal Embryos [the nascent divine forms within high-level cultivators] and Primordial Spirits [the essential spiritual essence of a being].

With injuries of such severity, even if Eldrin Chen were to aid their recovery with the Rule of Life Power [the divine ability to manipulate the power of life itself], they would still be left with fatal, lingering afflictions. In the future, it would likely be impossible for them to advance any further in their cultivation.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "Your wounds are far too grievous. To recover completely, I fear you must undergo a journey into Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth of the soul]."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, the several individuals could not help but reveal bitter smiles.

To be reborn and cultivate anew was no simple matter. For Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality] such as themselves, reincarnation would inevitably subject them to the Mystery of the Womb [the forgetting of past lives upon entering a new body].

Unless they cultivated back to their current level of power, it would be impossible for them to recover the memories of this life.

Yet, to cultivate once more and achieve immortality was surely no easy feat either.

Thinking this, Blazing Phoenix could not help but ask, "Dare I ask, Master, is there another method?"

"Your case is somewhat easier to manage." Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly before he continued, "Your Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator] can be anchored upon the Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual vein of a plant or place] of the Fire Phoenix Parasol Tree [a mythical tree associated with the fire phoenix]. You can rely on the tree's power to recover slowly."

"As for the rest of you..."

Eldrin Chen paused briefly before speaking, "As for your injuries, I have no good solution to offer."

At this point, Eldrin Chen also let out a soft sigh.

Their physical bodies had been destroyed, and their Primordial Spirit Immortal Embryo [the nascent spiritual form of an immortal] had been tainted by the Slaughter [the principle of absolute destruction] rule power of a Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal rank]. Expunging such corruption would be exceedingly difficult.

Given Eldrin Chen's current strength, he might be capable of eradicating such Rule Power [power derived from a fundamental law of reality]. However, accomplishing this without harming their Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true self of a cultivator] was simply impossible.

"Very well. Since that is the case, you must walk the path of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] once more."

The Master of Glazed Palace and the Master of Stellar Palace exchanged bitter smiles, their expressions filled with helpless resignation.

However, the Black Tortoise Patriarch [the venerable ancestor of the Black Tortoise lineage] stirred, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. "My form is that of a Black Tortoise [a mythical beast symbolizing the north and water]. If one could obtain an Acquired Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of exceptional, heaven-defying quality] known as the 'North Sea Great Toon', could it aid this old man in recovery?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

After a moment's contemplation, he nodded. "The North Sea Great Toon, also called the 'Black Tortoise Ancient Tree', is said to be the companion Spiritual Root [a plant with profound spiritual properties] of the divine Black Tortoise beast. It could indeed facilitate your Nirvana [a profound rebirth or renewal]."

"However, such an Immortal Root [a spiritual root of immortal grade] is exceedingly rare. Do you possess knowledge of one?"

"Not exactly," he replied.

Black Tortoise Patriarch shook his head, then spoke again. "Though I do not possess such a tree, my Black Tortoise clan possesses an innate ability to sense the aura of the North Sea Great Toon [a legendary spiritual tree] from the unseen currents of fate."

"If my deduction is correct, there should be a Black Tortoise Ancient Tree [an ancient spiritual tree of immense power] residing within the Heavenly Demon Sea [a vast and perilous demon-infested ocean]." Your portal to cultivation novels: AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.