Chapter 1327 : Human Heart

He bid farewell to the crowd and then arrived at the Return Abyss Blessed Land. Thanks to the well-maintained secrecy, the existence of this sanctuary had not yet been exposed.

Although Eldrin and Lyra often disappeared during their secluded cultivation, leading many to suspect the existence of a blessed land within the Eldrin Abyssal Sea, none could pinpoint the exact location of the Eldrin Blessed Land.

Eldrin was secluded in the Return-to-Void Blessed Realm, free from any disturbances, allowing him to devote himself entirely to closed-door cultivation. As he stepped into the realm, his gaze fell upon Lyra's meditation chamber. Noting that she was still refining the Source of Dao, a subtle flicker passed through his eyes.

"I have already refined 4 Dao Sources and comprehended 4 types of Dao Principles. Only the final rule remains elusive?"

Eldrin murmured softly, a contemplative glimmer flashing in his eyes.

Over the years, Lyra had accumulated profound insights. She had comprehended her first principle long ago, yet mastering 3 distinct principles within a mere 3,000 years was progress that could truly be called remarkable.

However, this final strand of rule power was actually the most difficult to comprehend. It seemed like only the final step remained, yet achieving true enlightenment would likely not be easy.

At best, Lyra (Person Name) could emerge from seclusion within a 1000 years, but at worst, it might take as long as 5 1000 years.

"I hope she can conclude her secluded training soon and join the impending battle," Eldrin murmured inwardly, releasing a faint, involuntary sigh.

Lyra's Great 5 Elements Limitless Rule Power, once comprehended, would undoubtedly be astonishingly formidable. Even if it could not rival Eldrin's Primordial Chaos Limitless Rule, it would unquestionably rank among the top-tier combat strengths.

Once she successfully comprehended it, her combat prowess would undoubtedly step into the realm of 9 Tribulations Immortals.

Though he could not compare to top-tier 9-tribulation immortals like Eldrin, among the 9-tribulation immortals, he was far from weak.

At this thought, Eldrin immediately entered seclusion to begin refining the 3 supreme-grade earth veins.

Just after Eldrin went into seclusion, the 1000 Dragon Lake army—having recuperated for a 100 years—marched forth in full formation.

They set sail for the Abyssal Ruins Sea, their majestic treasure ships cutting an unstoppable path through the waves. No immortal sect or celestial clan could withstand their advance.

Meanwhile, the various great immortal clans and blessed lands that had received Eldrin's letter had all responded, though their reactions varied greatly.

Among them, Patriarch Earthspring was the first to arrive at the Sea of the Returning Abyss.

The Great Mystic Divinity had just broken through to the mid-stage Earth Immortal realm when a letter arrived. It stated that his Mystic Blessing Sanctuary was under attack by demonic tribes, yet he himself found it impossible to extricate himself to offer assistance.

The few Half-Step Earth Immortals who had aided him before had also refrained from coming to the Sea of Ruins to lend their support, clearly unconvinced that the sea could withstand the assault of the 1000 Dragons Lake.

"Does the Great Mystery Divine Spirit truly not deign to come?"

After reading the letter, Riji slammed it onto the table with barely contained fury.

Those few Half-Step Earth Immortals were 1 thing, but without the assistance of the Tai Xuan Divine Spirit—an anticipated Mid-Stage Earth Immortal—this battle was likely to become even more arduous.

Observing this, Qing Ji (Person Name) let out a soft sigh. "During the battle at the Heavenly Demon Sea (Location), the Supreme Profound Deity (Deity Name) obtained the Dao Origin (Cultivation Resource) of the third level of Earth Immortal (Cultivation Realm). Relying on it, they broke through to the mid-stage Earth Immortal realm."

His purpose for entering this tribulation had been fulfilled, leaving no reason to further tread dangerous paths.

The master of the Qingchuan Ancient Sect also nodded, then sighed and said, "Ultimately, it's because they believe our chances of victory in this battle are slim."

"If it's like the previous Heavenly Demon Sea incident, where we lure out Youtai'ao with combat power several times that of an Earth Immortal, they would certainly be willing to step in and claim their share."

Elder Tianfeng and the others nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Although the previous battle at the Sky Demon Sea had been fiercely challenging, the initial strategy had involved luring You Tai'ao into a trap with a force several times his strength.

Facing such an opportunity to overwhelm the enemy with superior numbers and reap substantial gains, figures like the Taixuan Divine Spirit were naturally more than willing to join the fray.

But this time was vastly different. The 1000 Dragon Lake had launched a full-scale assault, and with the inclusion of Sky Prison Flame Lord, the enemy forces now possessed at least 2 late-stage Earth Immortal level combatants.

The Great Mystery Deity and the others deemed this battle far too perilous, with a high likelihood of even meeting their demise, and thus naturally refrained from courting death.

Elder Diquan nodded, his expression turning grave as he replied, "To be frank, the recent battle at the Sky Demon Sea was perilous beyond measure. For a long time afterward, I was haunted by lingering fear."

"If not for the ownership of the White Abode Paradise, I might not have risked coming here today." Witnessing this, the immortals couldn't help but sigh softly in their hearts.

"To add flowers to the brocade is easy, but to send charcoal in snowy weather is hard." Daoist Tianfeng sighed softly before speaking. "Such is the nature of the human heart, as it has been since ancient times."

The Second Supreme Elder of the Azurestream Ancient Sect, Elder Cangxuan, also let out a sigh before speaking, "With our Mountain Protection Array guarding us, we only need to hold out for 2 1000 years."

"When the Sky Prison Clan can no longer withstand the counterattack of the Flowing Fire Star Palace, and the Sky Prison Flame Lord is recalled, we will still have a chance to turn the tide."

Seeing this, Ri Ji could only say, "It seems this is our only choice."

The Azure River Sea was separated from the Abyssal Return Sea by several entire sea domains—a journey of no small distance.

The 1000 Dragon Lake fleet boasted a full 8,000,000 treasure ships, its forces stretching across not merely hundreds of millions but trillions of miles of ocean. They traversed the void, journeying for over 30 years before finally reaching the outer waters of the Returning Abyss.

After encircling the Sea of Returning Abyss, the master of 1000 Dragons Lake issued the command, and hundreds of millions of troops began their relentless assault on the Cosmic Star Formation.

The outcome was unexpected—the initial assault from the 1000 Dragon Lake was far less formidable than anticipated. As the immortals of the Abyssal Sea channeled their power into the Zhou Heaven Star Formation, they observed the relentless onslaught of the demonic horde, feeling only minimal pressure.

Seeing this, Immortal Liuchen couldn’t help but remark in astonishment, “I’ve heard that 1000 Dragon Lake still has at least 500 Immortals, among whom nearly 200 have reached the late Immortal Ascension Realm. Why did they dispatch only over a 100 Immortals for this battle?”

The master of the Qingchuan Ancient Sect wore a grim expression, his eyes brimming with boundless hatred as he declared, "In the battle of the Qingchuan Sea, over 5 100 immortals from our Qingchuan Ancient Sect fell in combat."

"Now they are digesting their gains and refining the Dao Source of our Azure Stream Ancient Sect." Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions abruptly shifted.

In the great war that spanned nearly 10 1000 years, the 5 100 immortals who survived in the 1000 Dragon Lake had all endured brutal battles. They were the finest among over a 1000 true dragons, with most of their combat prowess reaching the middle to late stages of Ascension.

If he refined the Dao Origin of the Azure River Ancient Sect, his strength would likely see a significant increase.

Sure enough, the elder from the Azure Stream Sect revealed a pained expression and said, "The 1000 Dragon Lake has annihilated our Azure Stream Sect. Once they fully absorb the gains from this war, they will likely add at least a dozen or so Half-Step Earth Immortals to their ranks."

"Even those at the Ninth Heaven Ascension Realm would likely number close to a 100." "It’s even highly probable that 2 or 3 Earth Immortal Patriarchs would be added."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions grew increasingly somber, each face revealing a profound gravity.

In ancient times, the Verdant Stream Sect stood as the third most formidable blessed land among the 100 Rivers and Seas, its number of Immortals rivaling even that of the Glazed Jade Paradise.

At its peak, this lineage boasted not only 4 Earth Immortals, but also a dozen or so Half-Step Earth Immortals, dozens of Ninth-Level Ascension cultivators, and over a 100 Late-Stage Ascension experts.

With such formidable foundations being devoured by 1000 Dragon Lake, it is certain that the strength of the 1000 Dragon Lake lineage will grow immensely.