Chapter 1286 : A Grasp That Shakes the Heavens

Eldrin Chen soared through the skies until he arrived beyond Verdant Rock Island, casting a glance at the armies besieging the various Immortal Isles.

He noticed the flags of the Lin Immortal Clan fluttering upon those Treasure Ship, and a slight frown creased his brow.

He recognized this Lin Immortal Clan. This clan ranked among the top three Immortal Clan within the Lingering Sun Sea Region, boasting a full nine Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality]. Their strongest member was an existence at the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the ninth and highest tier of the Ascendant Immortal realm].

"It seems the Lin Immortal Clan intends to slay Xander Qian and seize his Path Source [the condensed essence of one's cultivation path, crucial for transcending tribulations] to face their own heavenly tribulation," Eldrin Chen mused inwardly.

After a moment's contemplation, Eldrin Chen took a single step forward. With a sweep of his sleeve, he unleashed a force that descended upon the core of the Lin Immortal Clan's Treasure Ship fleet, intent on suppression.

In an instant, the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a divine technique manifesting a giant hand of primordial energy] blotted out the sky, reaching into the midst of the Lin Immortal Clan forces and plucking forth a figure.

The one seized was naturally the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier powerhouse of the Lin Immortal Clan.

The moment Eldrin Chen made his move, this cultivator sensed a deadly premonition and immediately sought to flee.

Alas, the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand possessed the power to seal heaven and earth. While a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator halfway to becoming an Earth Immortal] might have struggled briefly, a mere Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier like him had no chance of resistance. He was captured by Eldrin Chen in the blink of an eye.

"Ancestor... our Patriarch [the revered leader of a clan or sect]!" a cry of alarm rose from the Lin Clan ranks. Find this and other novels at *audio-novel.com*.

Seized by the giant hand, Lin Clan Patriarch was overcome with utter terror.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, speaking with fearful reverence: "This junior pays his respects to the Patriarch. May I inquire as to the Patriarch's purpose in summoning me?"

Eldrin Chen's face was as still as placid water, revealing no emotion. He spoke with calm finality: "As a fellow member of the Human Race, why did you attack Verdant Rock Island?"

"This..."

The Lin Clan Patriarch's heart clenched in alarm. He quickly replied, "The Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic calamity] has descended. We must all vanquish our foes to survive it. This junior was merely acting out of necessity to transcend the Great Tribulation, which is why I was compelled to move against the Qian Immortal Clan."

"I see." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his voice devoid of inflection. "Then you shall take a journey through Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth]."

As his words fell, the Primordial One Giant Hand clenched fiercely, extinguishing the Lin Clan Patriarch on the spot.

Having done this, not a flicker of emotion crossed Eldrin Chen's countenance. Now that the Demon Race and the Celestial Prison Clan had ignited the Great Tribulation, the entire Human Race within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea was suffering its ravages.

The Heavenly Demon Sea, the Returning Abyss Sea Region, the Flowing Fire Star Palace, and even the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect were all resisting the onslaught of the Great Tribulation.

Since this Lin Immortal Clan had willingly entered the tribulation, they could have gone to places like the Heavenly Demon Sea to contribute to the Human Race's cause. At the very least, they could have remained to defend their own Spirit Mountain [a mountain rich in spiritual energy] and Immortal Isles, shielding countless Human Race lives from the Great Tribulation and ensuring their safety.

Yet they chose to attack Verdant Rock Island, individuals so adept at internal strife. Eldrin Chen saw no reason to show them any mercy.

After slaying the Lin Clan Patriarch, Eldrin Chen held back no longer. Within moments, he had utterly annihilated all nine Immortal Patriarchs of the Lin Immortal Clan.

With the fall of their nine Immortal Patriarchs, the Lin Immortal Clan collapsed into instant and total defeat.

"My deepest thanks, Fellow Daoist!"

Witnessing the Lin Immortal Clan's rout, Xander Qian was overcome with elation. Suppressing his injuries, he stepped forward and addressed Eldrin Chen. "I owe you my life for this rescue. My profound gratitude."

"It was but a simple effort. No need for such formalities."

Eldrin Chen replied with detached calm, his steps carrying him onto Verdant Rock Island.

The two men sat facing each other atop the island's peak. Xander Qian personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen took a shallow sip. His gaze swept over the Qian Immortal Clan forces, their ranks more than halved by casualties. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Your losses are severe. What are your plans now?"

At these words, Xander Qian's expression shifted dramatically.

He understood clearly in his heart that while Eldrin Chen had aided him this time, the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of immense destruction and renewal] still had over twenty thousand years remaining. The next time, such timely assistance might not arrive so readily.

Noticing the expression on Xander Qian's face, Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before speaking. "My Returning Abyss Sea Region [a specific, relatively secure maritime territory] is currently quite safe. If you are willing, you may accompany me there."

Upon hearing this, Xander Qian's countenance flickered with hesitation.

He weighed his words for a moment, then spoke. "My Qian Immortal Clan [the Qian family of cultivators] is not small in number. Relocating everyone would be no simple matter."

"Then move them in batches," Eldrin Chen stated, his demeanor calm and resolute. "Have your clansmen at the Golden Core [a solidified core of spiritual energy within a cultivator's dantian, representing a major advancement] realm and above go first. Arrange for the rest to follow gradually."

Listening to this, Xander Qian could not help but sigh inwardly. The complete novel can be found at audio-novel*com.

He understood all too well. Since the eruption of the Great Tribulation, the world had become filled with wandering Demon Immortal [powerful, often malevolent cultivators who have transcended mortality] and Divine Spirits [celestial beings of immense power, often embodiments of natural forces]. These immortals and deities were hunting great foes, enacting the mandates of the Great Path of Heavenly and Earthly Cycles [the supreme cosmic law governing the cycles of creation and destruction].

If he chose this path, his clansmen below the Golden Core realm would find it exceedingly difficult to reach the Returning Abyss Sea Region safely.

"So be it," he conceded. "We shall disperse and travel in separate groups. However many can make it, will make it."

Xander Qian sighed once more, then offered a bitter smile. "The journey is perilous. The first group will consist of the clan's core members. I must ask, Fellow Daoist, if you could watch over them along the way."

"Mm-hmm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod before speaking. "I will remain on Verdant Rock Island for one month. Gather your clansmen; you may depart with me after that time."

"..."

A month passed in the blink of an eye. The Qian Immortal Clan had used that month to finally assemble their clan's cultivators.

This group numbered just over one million souls, yet nearly all were cultivators at the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid golden core] realm or higher, and they were predominantly quite young.

They each had at least several centuries of lifespan remaining, with the potential to strive for higher realms, which was why they were selected as the clan's first batch of seeds for evacuation.

"Is everyone for the first evacuation here?"

Gazing at the over one million clansmen of the Qian Immortal Clan aboard the immortal-grade Treasure Ship [a massive vessel enchanted for flight and transport], Eldrin Chen asked calmly.

Xander Qian did not answer immediately. Instead, he glanced back at Verdant Rock Immortal Island, a faint sigh escaping his heart.

Beyond the core clansmen being evacuated, the Qian Immortal Clan had left behind a great number of elderly cultivators and countless low-level practitioners.

These elderly cultivators, their remaining lifespans already dwindling, have remained upon Verdant Rock Immortal Island precisely to shelter the billions upon billions of low-level cultivators and mortals of the Qian Clan.

Yet in the midst of this Great Tribulation, how could an Immortal Isle lacking the protection of an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality through cultivation] hope to survive unscathed?

Xander Qian understood all too well. Once he departed, it would likely not be long before Verdant Rock Island drew the covetous gaze of the great Immortal Clans [powerful families with immortal ancestors] and demonic hordes.

Even if they scattered and fled, how many would ultimately reach the Returning Abyss Sea Region safely?

"When the Great Tribulation erupts, all living beings return their essence to the heavens."

"This is the Great Path of Heavenly and Earthly Cycles [the fundamental law of cosmic cycles of creation and destruction]; none can stand against its tide."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, then sighed. "We are all those who have entered the tribulation, struggling even to ensure our own survival."

"Know that there are limits to mortal strength. Even an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality through cultivation] cannot accomplish all things. You have sheltered the Qian Immortal Clan for over a million years; you owe them nothing more."

"The path ahead, let them walk it themselves."

"Perhaps, removed from the direct storm of the Great Tribulation and from the presence of Immortals like you and I, they might even find a greater chance of survival."

Upon hearing this, Xander Qian gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

He understood the logic in Eldrin Chen's words. By scattering and fleeing for their lives, at least some among them would survive.

If they followed him to the Returning Abyss Sea Region, however, and that region were to fall during the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking event of immense scale and destruction], then they would truly be left with not a shred of hope for survival. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel*com.