Chapter 1626 : Gathering of the Celestial Threshold

"However, compared to these Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality and attained a profound connection with the world's essence], those who truly command our attention are the other individuals."

Just as Eldrin Chen's thoughts were swirling, Divine Lord Glaze spoke up slowly.

Her gaze turned towards the distant Void [a profound state of emptiness and potential from which all things manifest], and a grave, contemplative expression settled upon her brow.

Eldrin Chen followed her line of sight and discovered that upon the Pinnacle of Myriad Stars, there stood over two thousand figures whose depths were unfathomable.

"Over two thousand Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who stand at the very threshold of ascending to true immortality, possessing power far beyond ordinary Earth Immortals]."

Witnessing this scene, a flicker of surprise and a weight of solemnity passed through the eyes of the assembled group.

Throughout the entire Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, the number of Half-Step Celestial Immortal known to the world scarcely exceeded thirty. Yet here, over two thousand had gathered—a sight that truly defied all expectations.

"It seems the majority of the Half-Step Celestial Immortal within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the vast celestial realm encompassing countless worlds and seas] have come for this occasion,"

Eldrin Chen remarked calmly, his gaze steady and composed.

Zixuan the Daoist nodded, drawing a deep breath before saying, "The Dao Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes the cosmos and tests all cultivators] draws near. Any being with the potential to break through to Heaven Immortal [a true immortal who has ascended to the celestial realms, transcending the mortal plane] will make their preparations for the Dao Tribulation well in advance." Support the author by reading on audio-novel . com.

Glaze Qu [the master of the Glazed Palace] also gave a slight nod before speaking. "These Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality] all hail from the Thirty-Three Heavenly Realms. While the majority possess a Single Taiyi Foundation [a foundational cultivation base of singular, immense power], a significant number have also achieved the Dual Taiyi Foundation [a foundational cultivation base of dual, harmonized supreme power]."

"Those who have opened the Eighth Heaven [the eighth of the nine celestial heavens within a cultivator's dantian] or higher number over five hundred."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen [the Abyssal Emperor] furrowed his brow slightly.

If an ordinary cultivator with a Dual Taiyi Foundation had only a ten to twenty percent chance of breaking through to the Heaven Immortal [the realm of a true celestial immortal], then those who had opened the Eighth Heaven possessed at least a thirty percent certainty of future ascension.

And if one were to triumph over formidable foes during the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao], that likelihood would surely soar beyond fifty percent.

This meant that among the two thousand Half-Step Celestial Immortal gathered here, more than two hundred were likely to ascend to Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme rank among true celestial immortals] once this Dao Tribulation had passed.

"Perhaps even more,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his gaze turning grave. With the Calamity Tribulation [the great cosmic cataclysm that periodically ravages the realms] merely ten million years away, this was likely the final opportunity for these Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

If they could not attain the Heaven Immortal realm swiftly, they would be but insignificant pawns when the Calamity Tribulation finally erupted.

Thus, many Half-Step Celestial Immortal had prepared for tens of millions of years, waiting only for the Dao Tribulation to erupt so they could harness its chaotic power to charge the gates of the Heaven Immortal Realm.

Those Great Luo Ancient Sect would also begin investing in these Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have reached the threshold of the Celestial Immortal realm], nurturing more Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle masters within the Heavenly Immortal realm], all to contend for the Hundred Calamities Rebirth Opportunity [a legendary chance for rebirth and ascension born from enduring a hundred great tribulations].

"The Celestial Court [the supreme heavenly administration] sets the board, the great sects move the pieces, and the Grotto-Heaven [self-contained paradisiacal realms] place their stones."

"This coming Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes the cosmic order] is destined to be the most brutal since the Calamity Tribulation [the primordial era-ending catastrophe]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, lifting his gaze to the more than two thousand Half-Step Celestial Immortal gathered above the Firmament [the highest layer of the heavens].

A slight furrow appeared between his brows, his eyes clouded with contemplation. With so many Half-Step Celestial Immortal entering the fray, among them scions of the Great Luo Ancient Sect, could he truly sweep aside all opposition and become the protagonist of this Calamity Tribulation?

"It is enough."

After a moment's silent reflection, a ripple of resolve stirred within Eldrin Chen's eyes.

In that instant, he knew with certainty. Even among these two thousand Half-Step Celestial Immortal, those who had forged the Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme, tri-layered foundational cultivation base] would undoubtedly stand as peerless figures towering above the masses.

In such a gathering, Eldrin Chen, wielder of the Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of unbreakable resilience born from primordial chaos], was confident he need fear no one.

At that very moment, Divine Lord Glaze gazed at the few figures standing at the very pinnacle of Void Heaven [a celestial realm of profound emptiness], her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke with solemn gravity.

"With our current strength, if we encounter an ordinary Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to true immortality], even if we cannot defeat them, we should possess the means to preserve our lives if we focus solely on escape."

"However, you must be extremely cautious of those few individuals above the Firmament [the highest heavens]."

Divine Lord Glaze spoke slowly, her gaze solemn as she began to recount the origins of those individuals.

As she detailed their backgrounds, Eldrin Chen gradually understood that among the participants of this Barter Convention [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare cultivation resources], nine were likely protagonists of the impending Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes fate and destiny].

Among these nine, four hailed from Ancient Immortal Legacy [lineages descended from primordial immortals]. They were: the Golden Crow Holy Son from the Demonic Tribe; the foremost Holy Sons [chosen heirs] of the Human Race's Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of pure yang energy]; and the Verdant Sun Divine Son and Frost Soul Divine Maiden from the Divine Race.

Furthermore, the Human Race's Ethereal Void Holy Son, the Primordial Thunder Dragon from the True Dragon Grotto-Heaven, the White Tiger Imperial Son and Bifang Imperial Son from the White Tiger Grotto-Heaven, and the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor from the Spirit Race were also potential protagonists of this Dao Tribulation. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio - novel . com.

"Among them, the Holy Sons from the four Ancient Immortals Grotto-Heaven [paradisiacal realms] keep their true power hidden, their depths unknown to all."

"The Ethereal Void Holy Son has opened the Twelfth Heaven [a legendary stage of profound cultivation], hailed as the foremost Heaven's Chosen [one blessed by heaven] of the Human Race since the last Calamity Tribulation [a previous era of great calamity]. The Primordial Thunder Dragon possesses a Triple Taiyi Foundation [a foundation of unparalleled purity and power] and ranks first on the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain's Heaven-Opening Ranking [a celestial ranking of prodigious talents]."

"The others are equally unfathomable; no one truly knows the extent of their power."

Divine Lord Glaze concluded her account, her tone grave: "The strength of these individuals is immeasurable. Most crucially, each possesses formidable backing. When the Dao Tribulation arrives, they will undoubtedly wield Innate Treasure [treasures born of heaven and earth, possessing primordial power] as their ultimate trump cards."

"Once we engage them in battle, even with our Dual Taiyi Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation state], it is highly likely we would be slain in an instant."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

Though confident in his combat prowess, which rivaled that of a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a pinnacle figure among Heaven Immortals], making him virtually invincible beneath the Heaven Immortal [Celestial Immortal] realm, these top-tier Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the cusp of becoming true Celestial Immortals] backed by Grotto-Heaven [a transcendent realm or paradise] forces were indeed a threat if they wielded Innate Treasure [a primordial-grade magical artifact].

Seeing his silence, Divine Lord Glaze continued, "With our current combined strength, we may not dare claim the role of protagonist in this Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial or epochal calamity], but within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, we would at least be a force of considerable significance."

"I believe that even if the two Grotto-Heaven of Western Qi and Divine Abyss make their moves, we would possess the capability to contend with them."

"However, surveying the vast Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the overarching immortal realm], if the various top-tier Grotto-Heaven enter the fray and place their pieces, the number of Half-Step Celestial Immortal drawn into the tribulation will likely be several dozen at least. During this Dao Tribulation, we must maintain a low profile, focusing our efforts on breaking through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of Celestial Immortals] as swiftly as possible."

Divine Lord Glaze spoke with grave seriousness. After achieving her Dual Taiyi Foundation, she had initially believed she would become a top-tier existence within the Dao Tribulation.

But upon arriving here and witnessing so many Half-Step Celestial Immortal, she understood that she alone could not stir the winds and clouds of the great calamity.

Her present desire was to join forces with Eldrin Chen and the others, to seek opportunities and fortune within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, striving to achieve her breakthrough into the Heaven Immortal Realm.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, thoughtful nod of agreement.

He understood that Divine Lord Glaze had only revealed half the truth. Beyond these nine individuals, there were many other top-tier Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have transcended the Nascent Soul realm but have not yet fully ascended to immortality] who had not come to this Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes the cosmic order].

As far as Eldrin Chen knew, the forces laying schemes within this Dao Tribulation also included the Three Great Immortal Courts [the three supreme governing bodies of the immortal realm] and the Great Luo Ancient Sect [an ancient and immensely powerful cultivation sect]. This made it clear that the individuals present were merely the visible vanguard of power.

Within the current Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, even more terrifying forces lay dormant, biding their time. Only when the Dao Tribulation fully erupted would the true scale of the machinations and the number of players involved become clear.

"It seems," he mused, "that even with my current strength, I must still accumulate power and proceed with caution."

"Only after I break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of a true immortal, transcending mortality], or after Lyra Jiang and the others grow into their full potential, will we be able to sweep across the world."

These thoughts flashed briefly through Eldrin Chen's mind before his gaze lifted towards the Firmament [the vault of heaven].

There, upon the Void Heaven [a higher plane of existence bordering the primordial void], a phantom descended. An azure-robed elder materialized within the Central Realm of the Daoist Assembly Ground [the sacred gathering place for cultivators]. He cast a sweeping glance over the assembled figures and then spoke. Find this and other novels at http://www . audio-novel.com.