Chapter 1468 : A Forbidden Palace of Flowing Fire

After storing away the several treasures, the two continued their journey toward the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Not long after, they returned to the expanse of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. As they passed by the Flowing Fire Star Palace, Eldrin Chen attempted to probe its defenses, only to discover that the Mountain Protection Formation of the Flowing Fire Star Palace had been fully activated.

"It seems the denizens of the Flowing Fire Star Palace already know that the Master of Flowing Fire has passed away," Eldrin Chen remarked, observing the situation.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke up.

Exquisite Jiang gave a slight nod, her eyes glinting thoughtfully as she said, "For the time being, we still lack the strength to seize the Flowing Fire Star Palace."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only nod in silent agreement.

The Flowing Fire Star Palace was a top-grade Fire Vein Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent natural energies, ideal for cultivation]. Without the power of a Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm], it was impossible to uproot it and conceal it within the void.

Furthermore, this Blessed Land was protected by the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing the power of stars] personally laid down by the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace, making it exceedingly difficult to breach even for a Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Given the current strength of the Chen Immortal Clan, they simply lacked the power to storm the Flowing Fire Star Palace.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen returned to the Returning Abyss Sea Region. He summoned the nine Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm] of his clan, and also called upon the Earth Immortal cultivators from the Immortal Alliance, including Heavenly Feather, Six Stars, and Void-Refining.

After gathering everyone, Eldrin Chen explained the full context and purpose of this journey to the assembled group.

Upon hearing the account, expressions of wild joy spread across their faces. Six Stars Immortal could not help but speak out: "Now that Master of Flowing Fire has fallen, it is time for our Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance to rise."

"Should we not strike immediately and seize Flowing Fire Star Palace completely?"

"There is no need for haste just yet,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and then spoke: "Flowing Fire Star Palace is protected by the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of the stars]. With our current strength, we are still unable to conquer it."

"Fortunately, with Flowing Fire Star Palace now in decline, they lack the power to control their subordinate sea regions. We can dispatch people to take them over, one by one."

At these words, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

The Flowing Stream Hundred Seas is composed of over one hundred sea regions. Among these, Flowing Fire Star Palace held dominion over thirty-eight, including three magnificent Blessed Land [realms of exceptional spiritual richness and natural power].

After the fall of the Master of Flowing Fire, Flowing Fire Star Palace was left with only a single Late Stage Earth Immortal [a cultivator at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm], along with a dozen or so Earth Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to become terrestrial immortals] at the early and middle stages. Such strength was utterly insufficient to maintain control over so many territories.

Abandoning the weaker sea regions and concentrating all efforts to defend the Meteor Sea domain and their few Blessed Land was undoubtedly the wisest course of action.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke again with a tone of instruction, "For the period ahead, we shall enter seclusion for cultivation. The handling of these matters shall be entrusted to the Six Stars [a celestial domain], Heavenly Feather [a clan or individual], Void-Refining [a location or sect], and Heaven Wind [a clan or individual]."

"Your combined strength may still be somewhat insufficient. Therefore, let the forces of the Earth Spring Blessed Land [a blessed land] and the Verdant River Blessed Land [a blessed land] join the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal forces], and together, we shall secure these thirty-some sea regions."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

The Heaven Wind Path Master [a master of the Heavenly Wind cultivation path] immediately cupped his hands in salute and replied with a smile, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured. Leave this matter to us."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, a smile gracing his features.

He understood clearly in his heart: once they absorbed the thirty-some sea regions of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a vast maritime territory], the future resources and foundational strength of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance would increase six or sevenfold.

Even after distributing a small portion to the various subordinate forces within the Immortal Alliance, the remaining resources would be more than sufficient to sustain the cultivation of the Chen Clan's nine Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm] at the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the middle phase of the Earth Immortal cultivation stage].

The sole issue was that relying solely on the manpower of the Chen Immortal Clan—a mere three hundred or so Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality]—would be insufficient to fully control these thirty-some sea regions.

The nine Earth Immortal Patriarch of the Chen Clan were also top-tier talents; for them, cultivating to higher realms was of paramount importance, and they could not afford to waste time on trivial administrative matters.

However, for the various subordinate powers within the Immortal Alliance, Eldrin Chen's act of eliminating the most powerful figure, the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace [the ruler of the Flowing Fire Star Palace], had essentially resolved ninety-five percent of their problems.

Afterwards, all they needed to do was undertake some time-consuming and laborious tasks, taking over the various sea regions, to secure a massive foundation for their clan. This was an exceptionally profitable transaction for all involved.

Thus, everyone was pleased, and both sides were thoroughly satisfied with the outcome.

Following this, Eldrin Chen discussed the finer details with the assembly before concluding the meeting.

Once the meeting adjourned, Eldrin Chen asked the eight Earth Immortal Patriarch of the clan to remain. He then produced several vials of the Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a precious elixir that refines and expands a cultivator's inner world].

Distributing a few bottles to each clan member, he smiled and said, "Our gains from this Barter Convention have been substantial."

"I hope that after consuming these Precious Pill, your cultivation will advance further, allowing you to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the fourth major stage of Earth Immortal cultivation] at the earliest opportunity."

As everyone received their share, Energy Abyss Chen remarked with a touch of emotion, "With the aid of this pill, the spiritual energy required for the advancement of our inner worlds is no longer an issue."

"Once it is fully refined and integrated, coupled with our own diligent cultivation, I estimate I will approach the threshold of the peak of the Third Level Earth Immortal [the third minor stage within the Earth Immortal realm] within fifty thousand years."

"Mmm."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, a faint smile on his lips. "During this trip, I procured three stalks of the Extreme Solar Flower [a rare spiritual herb imbued with pure Yang energy]. Once my own cultivation reaches its peak, I shall begin refining the Polarity Dual Poles Pill [a legendary elixir that harmonizes the opposing forces of Yin and Yang]."

"By refining this elixir at that time, we could save hundreds of thousands of years of accumulating foundational energy and directly break through to the Fourth Level Earth Immortal realm."

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang and the others revealed faint smiles.

With that said, no one spoke further. They immediately returned to their respective Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation] to continue their secluded cultivation.

However, Eldrin Chen did not enter seclusion immediately. First, he used the Twelve Primordial Hour Pearls to set up a Void Formation [a defensive array that manipulates spatial energies], using it to protect the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Afterwards, he made a trip to the Earth Spring and Verdant River Blessed Land, inviting the Earth Spring and Verdant River Blessed Land to join the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

The Earth Spring Patriarch agreed without a second thought. Initially, the Verdant River Blessed Land did not consent.

Yet, upon hearing of the Master of Flowing Fire's fall, they understood the power dynamics of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas had shifted dramatically and promptly agreed to join the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

Currently, within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, there are ostensibly twelve Earth Immortal Blessed Land.

Aside from the Flowing Fire Star Palace, which occupies four of these Blessed Land, the remaining eight are the Glazed, Lingering Sun, Green Chariot, Verdant River, Earth Spring, Great Mystery, Bright Moon, and Azure Mystery Blessed Land.

Among these eight Blessed Land, the Stellar Glazed Boundary [a powerful stellar defensive formation] of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land and Green Chariot Mountain are now in Eldrin Chen's possession, and the Glazed Blessed Land is an ally of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land.

With the addition of the Verdant River and Earth Spring Blessed Lands [regions of concentrated spiritual energy and profound natural laws] to the Immortal Alliance, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance now enjoyed the support of five such Blessed Lands.

Even if the Glazed Blessed Land chose not to intervene, the sheer force of the Chen Clan's nine Earth Immortals [immortals who have fused their essence with a world's core, granting them immense power over its laws] combined with the might of these other Blessed Lands already gave them an overwhelming, decisive advantage within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a vast and turbulent region of interconnected seas].

"Now I can enter seclusion with peace of mind."

Seeing the situation thus secured, Eldrin Chen finally allowed the tension to drain from his spirit. He returned to the heart of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land and commenced a period of deep, undisturbed cultivation.

With the oppressive threat of the Flowing Fire Star Palace lifted, Eldrin Chen found his mind exceptionally clear and his spiritual focus sharp. The very flow of his magical power seemed smoother and more effortless than before.

After cultivating in this serene state for a time, Eldrin Chen wasted no further moments. He promptly consumed a vial of the Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a precious elixir refined from the essence of celestial sand, renowned for bolstering one's foundational energy].

As a key elixir for augmenting one's Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the fundamental, world-creating energy that forms the basis of a cultivator's power], the Galaxy Star Sand Pill delivered its effect instantly. A torrent of blazing, starry energy surged into Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World [the miniature world within an Earth Immortal's dantian, a reflection of their bonded realm], where it began to merge with and fortify his very foundation.