Chapter 1383 : The Pillars of the Azure Realm

Because Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and achieved longevity] are Longevity [a state of enduring life, often associated with high-level cultivators] and do not perish, they steal the spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things] of heaven and earth without giving anything back. Therefore, they must be periodically cleansed to maintain the grand cycle of primordial energy [the fundamental, life-giving energy of the cosmos].

It is the Great Power Figure [a cultivator of immense power and influence] of the Celestial Immortal Realm [a high level of cultivation surpassing that of ordinary immortals] who form the true pillars of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a vast realm inhabited by immortals]. Only they possess the strength to help the Vast Azure Immortal Domain withstand the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] that arises from the Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all things emerged].

"So it seems," he mused, "one must cultivate to at least the Celestial Immortal Realm before one can even glimpse a corner of the true face of the Boundless Chaos [the infinite, primordial void beyond all ordered realms]."

Eldrin Chen murmured these words to himself, a faint light kindling within his eyes.

A moment later, he shook his head. For someone in his current position, who understood so little even of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, what right did he have to seek understanding of the Boundless Chaos?

With this thought, he swiftly reined in his wandering mind and continued his journey toward the heart of the Great Tribulation [a major, world-shaking calamity or trial].

Upon finally reaching the Hundred Demons Archipelago [a chain of islands notorious as a demon stronghold], Eldrin Chen conducted a thorough investigation, only to confirm his fears—he had indeed arrived too late.

Within the Hundred Demons Archipelago now, there were no Nine Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations] of the Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate demonic arts] to be found. Not even a single Eight Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] remained.

The prodigies of the Demon Race who had survived eight tribulations had either retreated to a desperate last stand within the Western Abyss Dragon Palace [the palace of the Dragon King of the Western Abyss] or, sensing the shifting tides, had already withdrawn from the Hundred Demons Archipelago entirely.

After repeated and fruitless searches, Eldrin Chen could only release a soft sigh of resignation deep within his heart. Swallowing his disappointment, he had no choice but to depart.

Just as he was about to depart, he unexpectedly encountered an acquaintance—none other than Heaven Solemn Patriarch, whom Eldrin Chen had met once before.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Heaven Solemn Patriarch immediately clasped his hands in greeting and said, "When we last met, I failed to recognize your esteemed self."

"It was only later that I learned you are the renowned Returning Abyss Path Master [a title for a master of the profound and abyssal cultivation path]. I must beg your forgiveness, Fellow Daoist."

"Not at all, not at all," Eldrin Chen replied modestly.

As time flowed on, the fame of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance's destruction of Thousand Dragon Lake had spread throughout the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

After all, Thousand Dragon Lake was a formidable Blessed Land [a region of exceptional spiritual energy and fortune]; its strength ranked it among the top hundred powers within the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. The fall of such a force naturally sent shockwaves through the cultivation world.

Thus, when the Heaven Solemn Patriarch saw Eldrin Chen today, he approached from afar to offer his greetings.

In response, Eldrin Chen returned the courtesy with a smile, engaging politely with the Heaven Solemn Path Master.

After exchanging pleasantries for a short while, the Heaven Solemn Path Master inquired, "Fellow Daoist, having recently announced your breakthrough to the Earth Immortal [a major realm where a cultivator's foundation merges with the earth's spiritual veins], your presence at the Hundred Demons Archipelago—could it be you also intend to join the siege against the Western Abyss Dragon Palace?"

"Hardly," Eldrin Chen shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "A battle between Celestial Immortal Great Power [immortal beings of immense power who have ascended to a celestial state]? I dare not involve myself in such affairs."

"The purpose of this journey is for me to take action and seek a high-quality Path Source [the condensed origin of a cultivator's cultivation path, a precious resource for advancement] for my wife."

"Oh?"

Heaven Solemn Path Master's gaze flickered slightly, then he shook his head and said, "Within the Western Abyss Dragon Palace, the Path Source from the bodies of the few Nine Tribulations Demon Immortal [a demonic cultivator who has ascended to immortality] have already been claimed by major powers like the Leaf Ruins Divine Sea and the Divine Clan."

"With our backgrounds, even if we went, we wouldn't get a share."

Heaven Solemn Path Master shook his head repeatedly. Remembering the extraordinary nature of Eldrin Chen, he felt a desire to foster goodwill and immediately said, "However, I have heard that within several Demon Race Blessed Land [a land suffused with potent spiritual energy and natural treasures], there are still Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal [a demonic immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] in existence."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's expression brightened with hope, and he promptly inquired, "Please, Fellow Daoist, enlighten me."

Heaven Solemn Path Master pondered briefly before speaking, "Within the Dark Great Roc Bird Clan [a powerful clan of demonic birds known for their immense size and dark plumage], there is one Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal."

"The lineage of the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile also possesses one Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal, but this lineage is guarded by four Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm]. You must proceed with caution."

"And then there is the..."

Heaven Solemn Path Master spoke in detail, recounting the origins of several Demon Race Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal one after another.

These Demon Immortal [powerful demonic cultivators who have attained immortality] from various Blessed Land [regions of concentrated spiritual energy and profound natural laws] mostly participated in the battle of Hundred Demons Archipelago [a notorious gathering place for powerful demonic forces], though they were all individuals who fled when the tide of battle turned against them.

However, any power capable of nurturing an Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal [a demon immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] is extraordinary in its own right. These several Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal were all backed by formidable Blessed Land, each guarded by a power no weaker than a Late Stage Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal who has reached the final stage of that realm].

With this intelligence in hand, Eldrin Chen felt a slight measure of reassurance settle within him.

He did not delay. He immediately set his course for the territory of the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile Clan [a powerful demonic clan descended from ancient celestial crocodiles].

The reason for targeting the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile Clan first was their relative weakness among his potential foes.

At its peak, the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile [a primordial species of demonic crocodile] lineage boasted six Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm], a force comparable to the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake [a mighty demon sovereign ruling a vast lake domain].

Their Clan Patriarch, the Great Wasteland Crocodile Ancestor [the ancient progenitor of the Celestial Crocodile Clan], possessed strength within the Seventh Level Earth Immortal [the seventh tier of the Earth Immortal realm] and had also opened a Sixfold Heaven [a profound internal cultivation space, a sign of great power].

However, during the recent Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity], the Great Wasteland Crocodile Ancestor had sustained significant injuries. Furthermore, two of their six Earth Immortal Patriarch had fallen in battle. Thus, Eldrin Chen judged the clan to be within his capacity to challenge.

When Eldrin Chen arrived at the Celestial Crocodile Blessed Land [the spiritual homeland of the Celestial Crocodile Clan], he found its Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array that shields a mountain or territory] already activated, as if they had been preparing for his arrival for some time.

Unfortunately for the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile Clan, they possessed no spatial World-Opening Treasure [a rare treasure capable of creating or stabilizing pocket dimensions]. Relying solely on a conventional Mountain Protection Formation was insufficient to bar the path of Eldrin Chen and his Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical mirror that manipulates the polarity of space and void].

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] concealed himself within the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical artifact that manipulates spatial polarity to conceal its user] and stealthily infiltrated the Celestial Crocodile Blessed Land [a sacred realm imbued with potent spiritual energy, ruled by the Celestial Crocodile Clan].

Without alerting the several Earth Immortal Patriarch [powerful cultivators who have attained the Earth Immortal realm], he located the secluded cultivation chamber of the Celestial Crocodile Clan's Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal [a demonic cultivator who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]. To his immense delight, within this chamber stood two World-Opening Spiritual Root [legendary spiritual trees of immense age and power, said to have witnessed the dawn of the world].

"The Heavenly River Ginkgo Tree and the Primordial Yellow Cypress Tree!"

A surge of joy filled Eldrin Chen's heart. In an instant, he summoned forth the Polarity Void Mirror, its power uprooting both ancient trees from their very foundations.

"Disaster!"

In that fleeting moment, the Celestial Crocodile Clan's Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal sensed the intrusion, his heart lurching with alarm. He immediately sought to flee, but it was already too late.

A blinding arc of saber energy descended, cleaving through the air. In the space of a single clash, the demon immortal was reduced to ashes, his form scattered by the heavenly tribulation's power.

"Wretched fiend, how dare you!"

Instantly, the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile Clan [the powerful ruling clan of the Celestial Crocodile Blessed Land] became aware of the disturbance.

Four Earth Immortal Patriarch shot into the sky like angry comets. At their forefront, a Late Stage Earth Immortal [a patriarch at the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm] charged forward with murderous intent.

The remaining three cultivators attacked from all sides, and even deployed the Mountain Protection Formation to completely seal the surrounding void, intending to utterly surround and annihilate Eldrin Chen.

Standing alone within the grand formation, Eldrin Chen faced the might of the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile Clan. This was akin to a single individual confronting several cultivators at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm]. To withstand such an assault head-on would spell certain doom even for a Earth Immortal Great Perfection expert.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen swiftly stowed away the Eight Tribulation Path Source [a rare object containing the condensed essence of eight heavenly tribulations]. In the blink of an eye, he activated the Polarity Void Mirror and vanished into the Boundless Void.

"..."

After fleeing the Celestial Crocodile Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen felt a mix of exhilaration and lingering peril. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he continued on towards the remaining territories of the Demon Race Territory.

Unfortunately, upon reaching these domains, he discovered he had arrived a step too late at each one.

He was not the only one who had set his sights on the Eight Tribulation Path Source. Of these Blessed Land [lands of profound spiritual fortune], one had already been destroyed. The Eight Tribulations Demon Immortal [a demonic immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] from the other two had already fled.

With no other choice, Eldrin Chen decided to head for Gale Wind Valley, intending to test the mettle of the Dark Great Roc Clan residing there.

However, when Eldrin Chen arrived at Gale Wind Valley, his heart sank slightly. He immediately abandoned any thought of making a move against the Dark Great Roc [a powerful avian demon beast].

The Dark Great Roc possessed an Extraordinary bloodline. Currently, more than ten Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs at the Earth Immortal realm] of their clan were still alive. Furthermore, their leader, the Dark Great Roc King, was an existence at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection.

If that were all, Eldrin Chen could still risk a desperate fight relying on the Polarity Void Mirror. However, the Dark Great Roc possessed a World-Opening Treasure imbued with Spatial Attribute power.

Against a Blessed Land anchored and stabilized by such a treasure, Eldrin Chen knew that rashly entering would risk being trapped within its confines. Naturally, he dared not act recklessly.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen decided against further risk. He concealed himself outside Gale Wind Valley, preparing to observe the situation for a time.