Chapter 1271 : The Treasure That Commands the Stars

"What a pity that he got away. Had I obtained that supreme-grade immortal armor, my chances of breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm would have been greatly enhanced."

When everything finally settled down, Patriarch Setting Sun’s face was ashen, his expression filled with bitter reluctance as he spoke.

The Last Sunset Elder stood silently in the void, a trace of indifference flashing in his gaze.

"Eighth-Level Void Ancient Talisman."

"To think he actually possesses such a treasure. It seems the bond between him and Patriarch Tianyan runs far deeper than either of us anticipated."

Hearing this, the setting sun on Elder Daoist's face shifted repeatedly.

He took a deep breath and then spoke, "I've heard that the Violet Flame Blessed Land has a heritage stretching back thousands of years. Could this offend them?"

"Let's take 1 step at a time." Setting Sun Patriarch spoke calmly, then added with detached composure, "So long as you can break through to Earth Immortal realm and seize the Black Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron from the Abyssal Return Daoist, everything will have been worth it."

"Time waits for no 1. Let's head to the Sea of Returning Abyss first."

It is told that the wounded Daoist Tianfeng fled all the way to the Sea of Returning Abyss.

Upon meeting the assembly of immortals from the Abyssal Return Immortal Alliance, he immediately relayed the news of the Setting Sun Blessed Land’s hostile actions. With eyes burning crimson, he declared in a voice thick with emotion:

"That setting sun elder dared to strike against this venerable 1, and will most likely not spare the Return-to-Emptiness Blessed Land. You must remain vigilant."

This

Upon hearing this, the faces of all the immortals abruptly changed.

This Abyssal Paradise was in no way comparable to the Suwei Sea Region. Setting aside the Elder of the Setting Sun, even the Elder of the Waning Sun alone—a single Earth Immortal Elder—was sufficient to dominate an entire sea region.

At this thought, Qingji’s face clouded with concern as she said, “The Setting Sun Patriarch’s cultivation has reached the third level of Earth Immortal, and with a mid-grade World-Creation Treasure in his possession, I fear he is powerful enough to contend with 2 first-level Earth Immortals.”

"With such power, none of us stand a chance. Even if all immortals of the Returning Abyss Sea were to join forces, we'd still be far from matching him."

Upon hearing this, all the immortals' expressions changed drastically.

With the current strength of the Abyssal Ruins Sea, there were as many as 5 Half-Step Earth Immortal combatants—Sun Princess, Star Princess, Lyra (Person Name), Verdant Princess, and Daoist Tianfeng—which should theoretically suffice to withstand an early-stage Earth Immortal cultivator.

Even if they were facing 2 early-stage Earth Immortals, they would not be completely defenseless. Yet such strength remained utterly insufficient to contend against the Crimson Sun Patriarch.

For Elder Canyang was not only a Third-Level Earth Immortal in cultivation, but also wielded the Canyang Heavenly Wheel, a mid-grade World-Creation Treasure.

The might of such a supreme treasure was simply beyond what even a top-grade immortal artifact could withstand.

As long as Crimson Sun Ancestor spared no cost to activate this treasure, only Sun Ji and Wind Daoist—who possessed primordial-opening treasures—might barely withstand its strike.

Any other Half-Step Earth Immortal would have been slain in a single strike, with no room for maneuver whatsoever.

Between the 2 who possessed the primordial treasures, Elder Skywind had already sustained grave injuries and could scarcely muster any combat prowess in the foreseeable future.

Relying on Yiji alone to face the Crippled Sun Patriarch would be nothing but courting death.

Not to mention that the Setting Sun Blessed Land also possessed hundreds of millions of Dao Soldiers, over a million treasure ships, and more than 70 Immortals. Such strength was simply beyond their ability to withstand.

At this thought, the 6 Stars Immortal couldn't help but suggest, "Shall we invite the Eldrin of the Returning Abyss to leave seclusion?"

"Absolutely not." Lyra (Person Name) refused outright, declaring resolutely, "During this seclusion, my husband is refining a supreme-grade Dao Origin. Should he succeed, he shall possess the combat prowess of a 7-Calamity Immortal."

"This is crucial to our stand against the Crimson Sun Blessed Land. We must not disturb him under any circumstances." The immortals exchanged uneasy glances upon hearing this.

That day, Fairy Ji nodded and voiced her support, "Even if Fellow Daoist Guixu emerges from seclusion ahead of schedule, we stand no chance of victory against Patriarch Setting Sun."

"Perhaps we should stall for a while. Only when his cultivation advances further will we stand a chance to break this deadlock."

At this point, she added, "Now, Lady Yue is also refining a supreme-grade Dao Source. Barring any mishaps, she should break through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm within a 1000 years."

"We must wait until they emerge from seclusion; only then might we have a chance to turn the tide of battle." The remaining immortals nodded faintly in agreement upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Star Maiden also spoke up: "We can rely on the Cosmic Star Formation to hold our defense until Fellow Cultivator Guixu and Moon Maiden emerge from seclusion."

"However, the legacy of the Setting Sun Blessed Land is extraordinary. Can the power of the Cosmic Star Formation hold them off?"

Qing Ji pondered briefly before speaking, "My husband once calculated that if he were to personally command the grand formation, it could withstand assaults from a weaker Earth Immortal blessed land for 3 1000 years."

"In the great war of the past 1 1000 years, we expended a considerable amount of resources. Fortunately, our reserves remain substantial and should be sufficient to sustain us for another 2 to 3 1000 years."

Riji’s brow furrowed slightly as she spoke, “The Setting Sun Blessed Land is no ordinary place. They possess the Mid-Grade World-Forging Artifact, the Sunset Heavenly Wheel, which is powerful enough to shake the very foundations of the Cosmic Star Formation.”

"Moreover, it remains unknown whether other hidden foundations lie concealed. If he indeed possesses additional reserves, the present Zhou Tian Star Formation could hardly hold for a millennium."

As the cultivator with the highest cultivation base present, Solar Princess's words carried significant weight, causing the expressions of all the immortals to shift subtly.

Hearing this, Lyra recalled what Eldrin had once told her and murmured thoughtfully.

"My husband once told me that this Cosmic Star Formation Grand Array still lacks a treasure to command the stars and anchor the formation before it can unleash its full power."

"And the Heaven-Splitting Treasure in Fellow Daoist Tianfeng's possession, the 'Stellar Annulus Ancient Bell,' is the optimal choice for the array-stabilizing treasure."

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Tianfeng would be willing to lend out the Starry Cosmos Ancient Bell (Magic Treasure)."

Upon hearing this, all the immortals wore slightly stunned expressions before immediately turning their gazes toward Daoist Tianfeng.

Daoist Tianfeng was momentarily stunned, then gritted his teeth and declared, "That old fiend Can Yang slaughtered my entire Liu Clan. If I fail to avenge this blood debt, I don't deserve to call myself an immortal."

"If we can hold off the Crimson Sun Blessed Land and make that old fool Crimson Sun face his heavenly tribulation, then lending out this treasure would be nothing—I’d even willingly offer up this Star-Embracing Ancient Bell!"

Lyra nodded upon hearing this and said decisively, "Rest assured, the fact that Elder Canyang targeted you because of us is a matter we will not ignore."

"This great tribulation may well be our best chance to slay them."

Elder Skybreeze took a deep breath, producing the Star-Offering Ancient Bell. Drawing another steadying breath, he declared, "I shall assist you all in resisting the Twilight Blessed Land."

“But the vengeance for my slaughtered clan and the hatred for my murdered wife—I can only beseech you all to lend me your strength.”

The envoy from the Setting Sun Blessed Land arrived swiftly. Piloting his treasure ship, he traversed the boundless seas in merely a dozen or so years, arriving at the periphery of the Sea of the Returning Abyss.

At this very moment, the crowd had just finished reinforcing the Zhou Heavenly Star Formation with its ultimate treasure.

Beyond the Eldrin Paradise, Old Man Setting Sun gazed upon the Great Formation of the Cosmic Stars, a faint, cold smile curling his lips as he spoke, "A sea devoid of even a single paradise, relying on mere formations to aid us? Truly, this is nothing but a fool's delusion."

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Chapter 1: The Azure Cloud Sect's Disciple Examination The morning mist coiled around the mountain peaks like celestial ribbons as countless aspiring cultivators gathered at the foot of Mount Azure Cloud. Among them stood Lin Feng, a youth of 16 years clutching a worn jade slip containing the basic cultivation manual his grandfather had left him. "Next candidate!" echoed the voice of Elder Ming, his white beard flowing like a waterfall of wisdom. "Place your hand upon the Spirit Testing Stone." Lin Feng stepped forward, his heart pounding like a war drum. As his palm touched the cold obsidian surface, the stone erupted in brilliant golden light. "Heavens! He possesses the Golden Core Constitution!" exclaimed 1 of the outer sect disciples. "Such aptitude appears only once in 10 1000 years!" Elder Ming's eyes widened. "Young man, what is your name and cultivation level?" "Lin Feng, honored Elder," he replied with a bow. "I have reached the third layer of Qi Condensation through self-study." Murmurs rippled through the crowd like wind through bamboo leaves. "Impossible! To reach the third layer without formal training?" "He must have encountered some great fortune!" The Elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The sect shall provide you with 50,000 spirit stones and 3 Foundation Establishment Pills. With your talent, you should break through to Foundation Establishment within 3 years." Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the admiration. "We shall see about that." A haughty young master in silver robes approached, his gaze sharp as a newly honed blade. "I, Zhang Tian of the Zhang Noble Clan, challenge you to a duel at the Arena of Ascension tomorrow at dawn." Lin Feng met his opponent's eyes steadily. "I accept." As the crowd dispersed, an inner sect disciple whispered to Lin Feng, "Be careful. Zhang Tian has already reached the fifth layer of Qi Condensation and possesses the legendary Frost Phoenix Sword(Magic Treasure)." Lin Feng merely smiled, his fingers brushing against the ancient spatial ring hidden beneath his sleeve - the very ring that contained the soul of a fallen immortal who had been guiding his cultivation in secret. "The path of cultivation has never been smooth," he murmured, watching the sunset paint the clouds in hues of crimson and gold. "But every tribulation overcome makes 1 stronger." Deep within his consciousness, the ancient immortal's voice resonated: "Remember, true strength lies not in 1's cultivation level, but in 1's determination. The Dao is endless, and you have merely taken your first step."