Chapter 1327 : Whispers of the Secluded Abyss

After bidding farewell to the others, he made his way into the Returning Abyss Blessed Land [a realm of concentrated spiritual energy and natural wonders]. Thanks to meticulous secrecy, the location of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land had not yet been exposed to the wider world.

Although Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang often vanished during their secluded cultivation, leading many to suspect the existence of a Blessed Land [a realm of concentrated spiritual energy and natural wonders] within the Returning Abyss Sea Region, its precise coordinates remained a mystery to all.

By cultivating in seclusion within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen could focus entirely on his breakthrough without any fear of disturbance.

Upon arriving at the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen cast a glance towards Exquisite Jiang's Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed meditation and cultivation]. Sensing she was still deep in meditation, refining a Path Source [a primordial source of energy containing the essence of a fundamental cosmic law], a flicker of thought passed through his eyes.

"She has already refined four Path Source and comprehended four distinct Rule Power [the power to command a fundamental law of reality]. Only the final rule remains," he murmured to himself.

Eldrin Chen whispered softly, his gaze turning contemplative.

Over the years, Exquisite Jiang had accumulated profound insights. She had grasped her first rule long ago, but comprehending three additional Rule Power within a mere three millennia was a remarkably swift and encouraging pace.

Yet, this final Rule Power was often the most elusive. Though it seemed within reach, a single step away, achieving that final breakthrough was never guaranteed to be easy.

If fortune favored her, Exquisite Jiang could emerge within a thousand years. But if the path proved thorny, it might take her five millennia or more.

"I hope she can conclude her seclusion soon," he thought, a silent wish forming in his heart. "The coming conflict awaits." The complete novel can be found at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

Exquisite Jiang's Great Five Elements Limitless Rule Power [a supreme divine ability governing the boundless power of the five fundamental elements], once fully comprehended, would undoubtedly be astonishingly formidable. Even if it could not rival Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Limitless Rule [the supreme law of the singular, boundless origin], it would certainly place her among the top-tier combatants.

Once she succeeded in her comprehension, her combat prowess would assuredly step into the realm of a Nine Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations].

Though she might not match a supreme figure like Eldrin Chen among the Nine Tribulations Immortals, she would by no means be weak within that exalted circle.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen immediately entered seclusion to begin refining the three Supreme-Grade Earth Veins [prime-quality spiritual energy channels rooted deep within the earth].

"…"

Shortly after Eldrin Chen began his seclusion, the armies of Thousand Dragon Lake, having rested for a century, mobilized and set forth.

They marched upon the Returning Abyss Sea Region. Their mighty fleet of Treasure Ships [enchanted vessels used for transport and warfare] swept across the seas, unstoppable. No Immortal Sect [a sect dedicated to the pursuit of immortality] or Immortal Clan [a family lineage of cultivators] could withstand their advance.

Meanwhile, the various Immortal Clans and Blessed Lands [realms of exceptional spiritual abundance] that had received Eldrin Chen's letters began to respond, though their reactions varied greatly.

Among them, Earth Spring Patriarch was the first to arrive at the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Great Mystery Divine Spirit [a powerful divine entity embodying profound cosmic mysteries] achieved a breakthrough into the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the fourth major stage of Earth Immortal cultivation], yet a letter arrived stating that his Great Mystery Blessed Land [a sacred realm imbued with profound cosmic principles] had been attacked by the Demon Race [a race of malevolent beings born from chaos and negative energies] and that he himself was hard-pressed to offer assistance.

The several Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have touched the threshold of the Earth Immortal realm but not fully ascended] who had previously offered aid also failed to come to the Returning Abyss Sea Region [a vast and perilous oceanic domain] to lend their strength, clearly indicating their lack of faith in the region's ability to withstand Thousand Dragon Lake [a formidable territory ruled by a legion of draconic beings].

"Is Great Mystery Divine Spirit truly not coming?"

After reading the letter, Sun Consort [a celestial consort associated with solar power] slammed it onto the table with considerable fury.

Those other Half-Step Earth Immortal were one matter, but without the anticipated aid of Great Mystery Divine Spirit, a Middle Stage Earth Immortal, this upcoming battle promised to be several degrees more arduous.

Seeing this, Verdant Consort [a consort associated with verdant life and nature] sighed. "During the battle at Heavenly Demon Sea [a sea infested with celestial demons], Great Mystery Divine Spirit obtained the Path Source [the foundational essence of a cultivation path] of a Third Level Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal at the third minor stage] and used it to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal."

"His purpose for entering this tribulation has already been fulfilled. Naturally, he sees no need to risk himself further."

The Patriarch of Verdant Stream Ancient Sect [the supreme leader of the ancient Verdant Stream Sect] also nodded, adding with a sigh, "Ultimately, it's because they believe our chances of victory in this battle are slim."

"If it were like the previous battle at Heavenly Demon Sea, where we lured Nether Grand Austerity [a being of immense netherworld power] into a trap with several times the Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality anchored to the mortal world] combat power, they would surely be eager to step in and claim a share of the spoils."

Upon hearing this, Heaven Wind Path Master [a master of the Heavenly Wind cultivation path] and the others all nodded in agreement.

Although the previous battle at the Heavenly Demon Sea was fought with considerable difficulty, the initial strategy involved luring Nether Grand Austerity into a trap with a force several times his strength.

Such a battle, where overwhelming numbers could guarantee a bountiful harvest, was naturally one that Great Mystery Divine Spirit and the others were willing to join.

This time, however, the situation was vastly different. With Thousand Dragon Lake launching a full-scale assault and the addition of Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison, the enemy possessed at least two combatants with the power of a Late Stage Earth Immortal.

Great Mystery Divine Spirit and the others deemed this battle far too perilous, carrying a significant risk of permanent demise, and thus naturally had no intention of rushing to their doom.

Earth Spring Patriarch nodded gravely, his expression solemn. "To speak frankly," he said, "the battle at the Heavenly Demon Sea was fraught with peril as well. I was haunted by fear for a long time afterward."

"If not for the matter concerning the ownership of the Pale Nether Blessed Land, I might not have risked coming here today either." This chapter is provided by audio-novel . com. Support the original.

Hearing this, a faint sigh echoed in the hearts of the assembled immortals.

"It is easy to add flowers to a brocade, but hard to send charcoal in snowy weather [to offer help in times of dire need]," sighed Heaven Wind Path Master. "Such has been the nature of human hearts since ancient times."

The Second Supreme Elder of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, Old Path Master Azure Mystery, also let out a sigh. "We have the protection of our Mountain Protection Formation," he began. "If we can hold out for two thousand years..."

"...and wait until the Celestial Prison Clan can no longer withstand the counterattack from the Flowing Fire Star Palace, forcing the recall of Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison, then we may yet find a turning point."

Seeing this, Sun Consort could only say, "It seems this is the only way."

"..."

The distance between the Verdant River Sea Region and the Returning Abyss Sea Region was separated by several entire sea regions, a journey of no small measure.

The vast armada from Thousand Dragon Lake, comprising a staggering eight million Treasure Ship [enchanted vessels used for transport and warfare], stretched across hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of ocean. They traversed the void for over thirty years before finally arriving at the borders of the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

After encircling the Returning Abyss Sea Region, the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake gave the order, and the army of billions began its relentless assault on the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of stars].

Contrary to expectations, the initial ferocity of Thousand Dragon Lake's offensive was not as overwhelming as anticipated.

The Immortals [cultivators who have ascended to immortality] of the Returning Abyss Sea Region channeled their power into the Cosmic Stellar Formation, watching the besieging forces of the Demon Race [a race of powerful, often malevolent, supernatural beings]. They found the pressure manageable.

Witnessing this, Six Stars Immortal remarked with surprise, "I heard Thousand Dragon Lake still possesses at least five hundred Immortal, with nearly two hundred in the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [an advanced stage of immortal cultivation]. Why has this battle only drawn a little over a hundred of them?"

However, the Patriarch of Verdant Stream Ancient Sect wore a grim expression, his eyes filled with boundless hatred. "In the battle for the Verdant River Sea Region," he said, his voice thick with venom, "over five hundred Immortal from my Verdant Stream Ancient Sect perished."

"Now, they are busy digesting their spoils, refining the Path Source [the foundational spiritual essence and legacy of a cultivation sect] they plundered from my sect."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present shifted dramatically.

Through the near ten-thousand-year-long war, the five hundred Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality] who survived the Thousand Dragon Lake were all veterans of countless brutal battles, the elite among thousands of True Dragon [powerful dragon-kind beings]. Their combat prowess mostly resided within the mid to late stages of the Ascendant Immortal [the realm above the standard Immortal realm] realm.

If they refined the Path Source [the foundational spiritual essence of a cultivation lineage] of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, their strength would likely see a significant increase.

As expected, the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect revealed a pained expression and said, "The Thousand Dragon Lake annihilated my Verdant Stream Ancient Sect. Once they fully digest the spoils of that war, they will likely gain at least a dozen more Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the verge of the Earth Immortal realm]."

"As for Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the peak of the Ascendant Immortal realm], their numbers may swell to nearly a hundred."

"It is even highly probable they will add two or three more Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm]."

Upon hearing this, the faces of the assembly grew even darker, each one etched with profound gravity.

The former Verdant Stream Ancient Sect was the third most powerful Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy] within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. In terms of the number of Immortal, it even rivaled the Glazed Blessed Land.

At its peak, this lineage boasted not only four Earth Immortal Patriarch, but also over a dozen Half-Step Earth Immortal, several dozen Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier, and more than a hundred Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [cultivators in the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm].

For such formidable foundational strength to be devoured by the Thousand Dragon Lake meant the power of that lineage would undoubtedly experience a massive surge. Immerse yourself in the complete world at @udio-novel.com.