Chapter 1413 : Allies from the Netherworld and Heaven Abyss

Nyssa Qu [the Immortal Maiden of the Nine-Colored Nyssa] nodded upon hearing this and said, "Now that Lila [the young girl with a mysterious constitution] and Violet Consort Yan [the powerful female cultivator known as the Violet Consort] have made their breakthroughs, our strength holds the advantage. Should we act immediately?"

"Not yet," Eldrin Chen [the patriarch of the Chen Clan, also known as Eldrin] shook his head, then continued, "With our current power, we hold a slight edge over them, but it is not an overwhelming advantage."

"In terms of sheer depth of spiritual power, Exquisite [Eldrin's wife, the powerful cultivator Jiang Exquisite] and I, both at the First Layer Earth Immortal [the initial stage of the Earth Immortal realm], still cannot match these Late Stage Earth Immortal [cultivators at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm]. If we cannot break the stalemate quickly, a protracted battle would likely turn to our disadvantage."

Violet Consort Yan also nodded in agreement and spoke, "In that case, we must go all out and invite several of our close allies to lend their aid."

Eldrin Chen gave his assent and made the decision. "To prevent them from sensing anything amiss, we must act swiftly—so fast they cannot react."

"I will go to the Netherworld Realm [a realm of ghosts and spirits] and the Heaven Abyss Sea [a vast, mysterious sea] today. I will use the Spatial Law [the profound law governing space] to conceal my movements and bring them here in secret."

Regarding the matter of gathering allies to besiege the Celestial Crocodile Clan [a powerful clan of celestial crocodile demons] and the Wei Sea Dragon Clan [the dragon clan ruling the Wei Sea], Eldrin Chen felt entirely at ease in his heart.

Having cultivated the Dao for one hundred thousand years, calling for reinforcements when outmatched was not something he was doing for the first time.

He had forged wide friendships, conducted himself with fairness, and never treated his fellow cultivators unjustly. Wasn't the very purpose of this to support one another in times of need?

Now, with trouble at their doorstep, Eldrin Chen immediately set aside pride. Shrouding himself with the Spatial Law, he slipped unseen into the Ancient Ruins Ghost City [a haunted city built upon ancient ruins].

After meeting the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord [the ruler of a domain within the Netherworld], Eldrin Chen let out a long sigh and said, "Elder Brother Ancient Ruins, today I have fallen victim to a scheme and must swallow my pride to seek your aid."

"Oh?"

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord was slightly taken aback, a frown creasing his brow as he replied, "Given your formidable power, Fellow Daoist, there are few within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region] who would dare scheme against you."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded and proceeded to recount the Karma [the metaphysical cause-and-effect bonds of fate] involved in this matter to the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord.

After listening, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord frowned thoughtfully and said, "I have heard of the Wei Sea Dragon Palace [a powerful aquatic dragon clan]. At the peak of their power, it is said they were led by a Ninth Level Earth Immortal [a cultivator at the ninth and highest stage of the Earth Immortal realm] Patriarch."

"Over forty thousand years ago, the master of the Wei Sea Dragon Palace, the Western Abyss Dragon King, was slain while commanding their grand formation by the Profound Heart Divine Spirit [a powerful divine entity] using the Primordial Unity Ancient Talisman [an ancient and immensely powerful enchanted artifact]. However, it remains unknown if he left any hidden contingencies behind."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly before he spoke with resolve, "Given my current strength, even if he did leave behind such measures, I should be more than capable of handling them."

Continuing, Eldrin Chen added, "Rest assured, should this endeavor succeed, I will not forget your assistance. If we obtain any High-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact capable of creating or stabilizing a minor world], you may choose one for yourself."

"There is no need for such formality between us."

Recalling how Eldrin Chen had consistently supported and elevated those close to him, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord [a powerful entity presiding over ancient, desolate lands] gave a slight nod of approval. "Given the bond between us," he continued, "I will naturally lend you my full strength."

"However, I require no treasures as payment. I too face a formidable trial. Once your matter is settled, I ask that you assist me in turn."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen smiled warmly. "Since you are willing to help me overcome this hurdle, I would never refuse a request from a friend."

With that understanding settled between them, no further words were necessary.

Shrouding Ancient Ruins Nether Lord with the power of the void, Eldrin Chen quietly escorted him back to the heart of the Returning Abyss Sea Region [a vast and perilous oceanic domain].

After returning to the Returning Abyss Sea Region, Eldrin Chen journeyed next to the Heaven Abyss Sea, the Earth Spring Sea [the sea region overseen by the Earth Spring Patriarch], and finally the Lingering Sun Sea Region, successfully retrieving Heaven Abyss Path Master, Earth Spring Patriarch, and Heaven Wind Path Master [a master of the Heavenly Wind cultivation path].

He deliberately avoided the Glazed Blessed Land [a sacred realm of crystalline beauty]. His close ties to that place were widely known, and forces like the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a celestial palace associated with flowing flames] would undoubtedly be monitoring its borders with extreme vigilance.

If he were to set foot in the Glazed Blessed Land, the Celestial Crocodile Clan [a powerful clan of celestial crocodile demons] would receive word instantly. They would then flee deep into the Boundless Sea Region, leaving Eldrin Chen grasping at shadows.

Returning to the matter at hand, with the aid of the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical mirror capable of manipulating space], Eldrin Chen could traverse an entire sea region in a single day.

Coupled with the swift travel speed of the Five-Colored Aurora [a radiant spiritual phenomenon], Eldrin Chen managed to gather Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and, within a mere three days, bring all his trusted allies back to the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Seeing that everyone had assembled, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of relief settle within him.

For this battle, to thoroughly resolve the trouble posed by the Celestial Crocodile Clan, Eldrin Chen had also gone all out, summoning a total of ten Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality and attained a profound connection with the earth].

Among them, the strongest was Eldrin Chen himself, possessing combat power at the Eighth Level Earth Immortal tier, followed by Exquisite Jiang, whose power was at the Seventh Level Earth Immortal level.

Those with one foot already in the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm were Verdant Consort and Nyssa Qu.

Those with Sixth Level Earth Immortal combat power numbered four: Heaven Abyss Path Master, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, Lila, and Violet Consort Yan.

The remaining three—Heaven Wind Path Master, Six Stars Path Master, and Earth Spring Patriarch—all possessed strength at the Early-stage Earth Immortal level.

As for the Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of the Earth Immortal realm], those not in seclusion—such as Void-Refining Immortal, Heavenly Feather Path Master, Lord of the Path Palace, and Heaven Abandoned Lin—seven or eight in total, had all been conscripted for this campaign.

Even Worthy Longevity Chen, the third son who had remained within the clan and had not yet ventured out to travel, was summoned by Eldrin Chen to participate in the battle.

Beyond these key figures of the Immortal Alliance, Eldrin Chen had also urgently mustered one hundred and eight Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to immortality]. Each of these Immortals would wield a Formation Flag [a banner used to anchor and channel the power of a grand formation] to deploy the Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends Constellation Sealing Grand Formation.

While such a Formation [a structured arrangement that channels energy for defense, attack, or sealing] would find it difficult to contend with a Late Stage Earth Immortal, it would be more than sufficient to seal the heavens and earth, making it exceedingly difficult for even mid-to-late stage Earth Immortal powerhouses to escape in a short time.

At this moment, the assembled immortals did not yet understand the purpose for which Eldrin Chen had gathered them, but they had already formed some conjectures in their hearts, their gazes turning one after another towards Eldrin Chen.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "You are all pillars of the Immortal Alliance. There is no need for me to conceal today's matter from you."

"That Celestial Crocodile Clan lurks beyond the Returning Abyss Sea Region, wantonly ambushing and slaughtering cultivators from our Returning Abyss Blessed Land and its affiliated forces every day, sparing not even Infant Soul or Primordial Spirit Cultivator cultivators, nor even mortals."

"To this day, our Immortal Alliance has already lost twenty-three Immortal [powerful beings who have ascended beyond mortality], their flesh and blood essence all devoured by them."

"Such madness, such disregard for status in attacking lower-realm cultivators—as Immortal of the Immortal Alliance, do you say we should wage war against them?"

"We should!"

Killing intent blazed in the eyes of the assembled immortals; it was clear they all harbored a deep-seated hatred for the foe.

Ever since the Celestial Crocodile Clan began their relentless ambushes within the Returning Abyss Sea Region, they had lived in constant fear. Now that Eldrin Chen was finally willing to take the lead, they naturally yearned to swiftly eradicate this scourge.

Seeing their resolve, Eldrin Chen declared, "The battle today is of grave consequence."

"To prevent any leaks that might allow the Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile Clan to lay an ambush for us, I will temporarily collect all communication treasures from each of you."

"Secondly, you must also swear a Heavenly Path Oath [a binding vow sworn upon the Heavenly Path, with severe consequences for breaking it], vowing not to divulge any information about this battle."

The assembled Immortals nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

They each swore the Heavenly Path Oath, then proceeded to hand over their communication treasures one by one.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of approval. He immediately had everyone conceal themselves within the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure capable of creating a pocket dimension for concealment], then quietly flew out of the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

They flew all the way to the Lingering Sun Sea, arriving at the Immortal Isles [floating islands imbued with dense spiritual energy, often used as cultivation sanctuaries] where the Celestial Crocodile Clan was hidden.

However, after a brief observation, Eldrin Chen found the entire sea region utterly deserted.

"What's going on?"

Witnessing this, Exquisite Jiang could not help but ask, "Could the news have leaked so quickly?"