Chapter 1344 : The Half-Step Celestial Immortal's Might

The Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan was even more formidable. He had once opened the Eight-Layered Heaven and Earth and was a supreme talent who had stepped into the Nine Calamities Realm.

For such a world-shaking existence, whose combat power had reached the Half-Step Heaven Immortal Realm, it was nearly impossible for others to defeat him across realms.

Even if ten powerhouses at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers stage joined forces to besiege him, they could not rival such a Half-Step Celestial Immortal. In the battle at the Western Abyss Dragon Palace, the Human and Divine races had one more Half-Step Celestial Immortal than the Western Abyss Dragon Palace did.

To counter this, the Western Abyss Dragon Palace gathered six Earth Immortal Nine Layers and twelve powerful Ancient Ancestor at the Eighth Level Earth Immortal stage, deploying a grand formation to barely hold their ground.

From this, one can see how immensely difficult it is to challenge a Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

"Those whose cultivation has reached the Half-Step Heaven Immortal Realm were once top-tier, peerless talents—just like you and me, capable of fighting above their level," he said.

"To contend with them, even those at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers stage would struggle to protect themselves, let alone us, who only barely possess combat power at the Late Stage Earth Immortal level."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, finally sighing as he spoke, "Although the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace stands at the forefront, we dare not take such a great risk."

"Because if the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace fails to hold him back, I fear we would all face our tribulation." Upon hearing this, the assembled immortals fell into a heavy silence.

The Patriarch of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect sighed, then said helplessly, "To intervene in a conflict involving a Half-Step Celestial Immortal, sending one or two Late Stage Earth Immortal cultivators is merely courting death." Dive deeper into the Dao at site: audio-novel.com.

"Unless more than ten Late Stage Earth Immortal [cultivators who have reached the advanced stage of the Earth Immortal realm] join forces, or there are two or three combatants with the power of Earth Immortal Nine Layers [the ninth and final layer of the Earth Immortal realm], can they offer any meaningful aid to Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace."

"Indeed."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord also nodded, then sighed and said, "Those capable of stepping into the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a transitional state between Earth Immortal and true Celestial Immortal] were once warriors whose combat prowess was likely no weaker than ours."

"Now, with such a vast gulf in cultivation, for us to intervene would be like an egg striking a stone."

"Unless Fellow Daoist Eldrin [a respectful title for a fellow cultivator] breaks through to Earth Immortal Nine Layers, achieving the power of one who has transcended ten heavenly tribulations, perhaps then he could hold his own against such a foe."

Speaking to this point, Ancient Ruins Yin Lord shook his head again. "Still, it would not be enough. Without an eighth-tier Peerless [the highest grade of magical treasure] Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure [a legendary treasure of immense power] for protection, merely reaching that cultivation stage would still leave him vulnerable."

Sky Abyss Daoist also let out a soft sigh, a note of helplessness in his voice. "It seems in this battle, we can offer little assistance."

"That may not be entirely true."

Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with a thoughtful light as he spoke. "Within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a vast region of interconnected seas and waterways], conflict still rages. Several Blessed Land [realms of exceptional spiritual abundance] are under siege by the Demonic Tribe [a powerful faction of demonic cultivators and beings]."

"While we may not be a match for the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan, we are more than capable of cleansing the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas of lesser threats."

"If we can completely cleanse the Demonic Tribe from within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, we might be able to gather a force of twenty to thirty Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended the mortal realm and attained a profound connection with the earth] combatants, perhaps even assemble one or two Late Stage Earth Immortal [Earth Immortals who have reached the pinnacle of their realm, possessing immense power]."

"At that time, although the Celestial Prison Race is formidable, they would likely hold some caution towards us, diverting a portion of their focus and preventing them from attacking the Flowing Fire Star Palace with their full might."

"That is a viable strategy."

Upon hearing this, the assembled immortals all nodded slightly in agreement.

Lyra Jiang gave a slight nod and spoke, "The Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace and the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan are the principal figures destined to face this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, era-defining calamity that tests the fate of all beings]."

"Our strength is still too meager to sway the tide of their conflict; at best, we can offer only marginal assistance."

"The ultimate outcome of this Great Tribulation will be determined by the prowess of these principal figures, not by us—mere pieces swept onto the board of fate."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen also nodded, a wave of quiet reflection washing over him.

Perhaps in the eyes of these Heavenly Immortal Paragon [supreme beings who have ascended to the heavenly immortal realm, standing at the apex of cultivation], all others drawn into the tribulation were but insignificant specks, save for their peers.

Unless Eldrin Chen was willing to sacrifice himself and, leveraging the power of the Yin-Yang Void Realm, risk a desperate sneak attack on their top-grade Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship, any other effort would be fundamentally insufficient to sway the grand scheme of the battle.

Moreover, even if he attempted such a strike, the defensive capabilities of the top-grade Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship made a successful ambush nearly impossible.

The grand formation protecting such a top-grade Heaven-Opening Ancient Ship would require an attack at least at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers level to breach. Within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, only the Glazed Blessed Land and the Flowing Fire Star Palace possessed Deep-Seated Foundations [profound and stable cultivation bases] of that magnitude.

Having reasoned this far, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "For now, the only path before us is to enter seclusion to enhance our strength and, in doing so, sweep the Demonic Tribe from the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas."

"As for the final outcome, we can only leave it to fate and see which of those Great Tribulation protagonists wields the greater power."

Upon hearing this, the Patriarch of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect could only nod in agreement. "If that is the case, then let us enter seclusion and cultivate. We shall discuss all matters after we emerge." Experience the full epic at (audio-novel.com).

"Very well."

Sky Abyss Daoist then spoke with serene detachment, "After a millennium of seclusion, I shall break through to the Earth Immortal Realm. You are all welcome to attend the ceremony."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen immediately offered a faint smile. "We would not miss it for the world."

With these words, the gathered Immortals soon dispersed, each retiring to digest the insights and gains reaped from the recent conflict.

Eldrin Chen arrived within the Abyssal Abode of Bliss alongside Lyra Jiang, Verdant Consort, Yvonne the Violet Consort, and Lila. He first handed the Grand Frost Immortal Robe to Yvonne the Violet Consort, then presented the Supreme Profound Frost Sword to Lila. With a gentle smile, he said, "I see you are both on the cusp of breaking through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm. These two World-Opening Treasure [supreme treasures capable of manifesting a microcosmic world] shall be entrusted to you for refinement."

"Our gratitude, Husband," they replied.

Upon hearing this, Lila and Yvonne the Violet Consort accepted the two World-Opening Treasure with evident delight.

Both had already cultivated their foundations to the peak of the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality. Now, having each received a Supreme Grade Dao Source [a primordial essence containing the fundamental laws of the Dao], their advancement to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm was all but assured.

Once they refined these World-Opening Treasure, their combat prowess would surge dramatically, likely elevating them to a level rivaling that of a Six Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations].

Eldrin Chen observed their joy, then turned his gaze to Verdant Consort and Lyra Jiang. After a moment of contemplation, he inquired, "How do you intend to allocate that remaining Dao Source?"

"It should go to Lyra,"

Verdant Consort declared before Lyra Jiang could speak, retrieving Jaxian's Dao Source and offering it to her.

As Lyra Jiang's eyes flickered with hesitation, Verdant Consort offered a reassuring smile. "With the foundation I possess now, I can step into the Nine Calamities Realm without needing a Nine Calamities Dao Source [a Dao Source of the highest grade, corresponding to the Nine Calamities realm].

Refining it would merely hasten the process by a small measure."

"It would be far better to give it to Lyra [the elegant and powerful female cultivator], to aid her in stepping into the Ten Calamities Realm [a legendary and supremely difficult cultivation stage]. That would be the most crucial transformation." Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen [the clan patriarch and powerful cultivator] immediately looked towards Lyra Jiang [his wife and a formidable cultivator in her own right].

Lyra Jiang did not refuse. The two women had been close confidantes since childhood, and even faced with such a rare treasure, there was no sense of competition between them.

She accepted the Dao Source [a primordial source of the Dao's principles], then handed the Fusang Divine Wood [a legendary sun-tree imbued with immense solar essence] to Verdant Consort [a powerful nature-aligned cultivator]. With a gentle smile, she said, "Among these three Heaven-Opening Foundation [foundational arts said to open the path to heaven], I have already mastered the Great Five Elements Limitless Rule [a supreme divine ability governing the limitless cycle of the five elements]."

"Furthermore, I possess the innate Lunar Immortal Physique [a celestial constitution aligned with the moon's pure essence]. Cultivating the World-Opening True Body [a divine ability to forge a body capable of creating worlds] is not particularly difficult for me."

"It is only the Leakless Dao Fruit [a perfect, flawless Dao Fruit representing a cultivator's ultimate attainment] that requires consolidating one's entire lifetime's foundation to achieve. Its cultivation is fraught with ten thousand hardships, and I lack absolute confidence in succeeding."

"But now, with this Nine Calamities Dao Source [a source of Dao principles tempered through nine great tribulations], I am fully confident I can cultivate the Three Types of Heaven-Opening Dao Fruits [the three supreme types of Dao Fruits that open the heavenly path], unifying Essence, Qi, and Spirit Trinity [the three fundamental pillars of a cultivator's being: physical essence, vital energy, and primordial spirit], and step into that legendary Ten Calamities Forbidden Realm [a forbidden realm of power accessible only after surviving ten cosmic calamities]." The complete novel can be found at audio—novel.com.