Chapter 1290 : 8 Tribulations Immortal, Baiting with the Body

As the words fell, Riji's gaze subtly shifted towards the assembled immortals nearby.

A slight heaviness settled in Eldrin's heart as he roughly grasped the severity of the situation.

He cast a glance at the immortals gathered around him, a faint sigh echoing in his heart before he spoke, "All present here have been my fellow Daoists for many years. In such times of great calamity, our fates are intertwined—prosperity and loss shared alike."

"Rest assured, they would never dare to leak the information."

Riyueji nodded, then spoke, "Even so, the great tribulation stretches on without end. The day you unleash your full power, this secret will inevitably come to light."

"I understand."

Eldrin gave a slight nod, his brow furrowing faintly.

He pondered for a long while, then murmured with a profound gaze, "That Youtai'ao seeks to pry into the Dao Origin of others, yet remains unaware that its own Dao Origin is precisely what I urgently require."

"Now that I am in the shadows and he is in the light, why can't I be the 1 to scheme against him?"

Upon hearing this, the immortals were momentarily taken aback. Lyra (Person Name) seemed to grasp a hidden meaning, murmuring thoughtfully, "What are you implying?"

Eldrin smiled faintly and said calmly, "I hold every geographical advantage in the Sea of Returning Abyss. That Youtai'ao has no confidence in breaking through the Cosmic Star Formation."

"Meanwhile, 1000 Dragon Lake was assaulting the Azure River Ancient Sect, and its 5 True Dragon Elders could not spare any additional strength. Thus, they did not take action against me."

"But what if I were to leave the Sea of Returning Abyss and launch a full-scale assault on the Sky Demon Sea?" The others listened, their expressions shifting subtly at his words.

Yue Ji fell silent for a moment before speaking, "You and I have slain 4 Half-Step Earth Immortal realm true dragons. On the surface, you also possess the combat prowess of a 7 Tribulations Immortal. Once you fully mature, you will undoubtedly become their most formidable threat."

"Therefore, whether for vengeance, to eliminate a future calamity, or to claim your Dao Origin after your tribulation, they will not let this opportunity slip away."

At this point, Yueji's expression turned exceedingly grave as she said, "But in that case, the forces they would mobilize would likely be nothing to scoff at."

Eldrin nodded, his expression pensive as he calculated, "Our known Half-Step Earth Immortal combat forces include the 3 Fairies of Sun, Moon, and Stars, Lady Qingji, Lyra, and Fellow Daoist Tianfeng—making 7 in total, including myself."

"Among our ranks, Lady Ri Ji is on the verge of breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm, while I possess combat prowess equivalent to an Earth Immortal. As for Lyra (Person Name), Lady Qing Ji, and Fellow Daoist Tian Feng, each has surpassed the Sixth Calamity Half-Step Earth Immortal stage."

"1000 Dragon Lake is currently besieging the Azure Stream Ancient Sect, so I doubt they can spare such substantial forces to deal with us. Most likely, they will ally with other demonic tribes to assemble enough combat power to encircle and eliminate us."

"Therefore, we must prepare for both eventualities."

Eldrin spoke with a grave expression, his words flowing deliberately: "The first step is to appear weaker than we are. Lyra, Qing Ji, and I will openly lead troops to assault the Sky Demon Sea, while the rest of you remain hidden, awaiting the moment to strike."

"Secondly, we must unite the immortals. We should contact the nearby Human Race Half-Step Earth Immortals and set up an ambush for them in the Sky Demon Sea."

"As long as we have sufficient manpower, we will be able to surround and eliminate them."

Qing Ji gave a slight nod upon hearing this. She held complete trust in Eldrin (Person Name). Back during the campaign against the demonic races in the Violet Realm, Eldrin (Person Name) had already demonstrated astonishing methods while navigating multiple calamities.

It could be said that Eldrin's methods were impeccable in both tactics and strategy. He had once dealt devastating blows to the demon race, repeatedly thwarting their schemes and crippling their armies.

However, when she thought of the dangers within, Qing Ji still sighed and said, "Using ourselves as bait, we lured 1000 Dragon Lake to join forces with a host of demons to ambush us, while we in turn united with a gathering of immortals to counter-ambush them."

"In that case, this battle will likely escalate into a full-scale war." "Precisely. It must become a full-scale war."

Eldrin declared decisively, his gaze fixed on the distant Sky Demon Sea. With an expression of utmost gravity, he continued, "Now that the calamity aura surges fiercely across the 1000 Rivers and 100 Seas, it is because the Astral Fiend Tribe has joined forces with demonic blessed lands like the 1000 Dragons Lake—their combined strength far surpasses that of our human race."

"If we cannot eliminate a significant number of the demon race's elite forces, given the current strength of the Azure River Ancient Sect and the Flowing Fire Star Palace, it will be impossible to withstand the joint assault of the Celestial Fiend Tribe and the demon race. Defeat would likely be inevitable sooner or later."

"If the Sky Fiend Clan and 1000 Dragon Lake manage to breach these 2 blessed lands, the demonic tribes and the Sky Fiend Clan will have gained irreversible momentum. Even if you and I manage to survive temporarily, I fear we cannot escape the fate of utter defeat."

"Rather than that, we should seize this chance to outmaneuver them. A single battle that cripples the demonic clans might just breathe life into this deadlock of a game."

At this point, a flicker of fighting spirit ignited in Eldrin's (Person Name) eyes: "Though the Great Tribulation is perilous, it is also where opportunity lies."

"Whether we can survive the Great Tribulation and seize the opportunity to attain the Dao depends not only on our individual combat prowess, but also on our schemes and calculations."

"Otherwise, even with our heaven-bestowed talents, should the Celestial Fiend Tribe establish their dominance, you and I would find it impossible to defy the tides of fate."

"In the end, they could only muddle through the heavenly tribulation, their lifelong cultivation becoming mere nourishment for another’s path to ascension." The assembled immortals listened, nodding faintly in agreement.

Riyue Ji’s eyes sparkled with admiration. Eldrin’s strategic foresight and grasp of the bigger picture left her thoroughly impressed.

She pondered for a moment before speaking softly, "Within the Flowing Rivers and 100 Seas, I still hold some modest influence. I am acquainted with a few human Half-Step Earth Immortals, among whom several count as my dearest confidants."

"I shall dispatch several letters. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to invite a few Half-Step Earth Immortals to come."

Yue Ji and Xing Ji also nodded slightly. Yue Ji spoke up, "Our sister Moon Goddess is the dao companion of the Great Mystery Divine Spirit. I heard that the Great Mystery Ancestor has also entered the tribulation."

"Although Grand Elder Tai Xuan is of the divine race, now that the Celestial Fiend Tribe and the Demon Race have unleashed this great calamity in their attempt to establish 2 supreme cave heavens, I fear even his divine lineage will not stand idly by."

"I have invited him here. With his assistance, we may very well be able to turn the tide of this battle."

Everyone chimed in with their opinions, and before they knew it, they had selected several dozen credible candidates.

Among these few dozen trusted immortals, the weakest in cultivation base were all at the 9th Level of Ascendant Realm. Among them, 7 or 8 were Half-Step Earth Immortals, and there were even 2 Earth Immortal Patriarchs.

Approximately 7 or 8 Half-Step Earth Immortals and 2 Earth Immortal Ancestors.

"Including our current 7 Half-Step Earth Immortals and 2 Earth Immortals," Eldrin calculated, falling into deep contemplation.

Currently, within the Sunken Abyss Sea, aside from the 3 fairies of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, Qing Ji, Lyra (Person Name), Tian Feng, and Eldrin (Person Name), there are actually 2 additional combatants at the half-step Earth Immortal level.

After this period of secluded cultivation, both Kael and Emperor Donghuang Chen Qiyuan had already broken through to the 8th Layer of Ascendant Immortal Realm.

Any Great Luo with 3 Dao Fruits, upon reaching this realm, would inevitably possess combat prowess comparable to a half-step Earth Immortal.

Although they had no supreme-grade immortal treasures in their possession, the 2 had barely managed to touch the threshold of the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm.

However, should they advance further and break through the ninth level of Ascendant Immortal cultivation, their power would surge dramatically, elevating their strength entirely to the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm.

When the time comes, if Eldrin lends them a few more Supreme-grade Immortal Treasures, the combat prowess of the 2 would likely reach the level of Fourth or Fifth Tribulation Immortals—even if they couldn’t quite match Qing Ji and Lyra.

At this thought, Eldrin nodded and said, "With at least a dozen or so Half-Step Earth Immortals, plus 4 full Earth Immortals, this battle is winnable."