Chapter 1653 : A Gathering Storm of Immortals

Upon hearing this, Lord of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [the ruler of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, a mystical realm of profound depths] replied, his eyes gleaming, "Indeed. Such an existence, everyone would wish to strangle it in its cradle."

"I believe the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven of the Divine Abyss] and the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven of the Celestial Dragon] will most likely intervene. The enemies of Eldrin, the Abyssal Emperor [Eldrin Chen, the Abyssal Emperor] and Zixuan the Ancient Ancestor [Zixuan, the Ancient Ancestor] will surely not let this opportunity slip by." As he spoke to this point, the eyes of the Lord of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [the ruler of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven] shone with a profound, ghostly light.

He said nothing more, smiling as he continued, "Since that is the case, let the Second Holy Son [the Second Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven] take the Third Elder [the Third Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven], the Ninth Elder [the Ninth Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven], and the Fourteenth Elder [the Fourteenth Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven] with him."

Hearing this from below, the Ninth Elder [the Ninth Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven] immediately felt a flicker of movement in his gaze.

Within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven of the Divine Abyss], all Elders [Elders] were Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators who have attained the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm] who had cultivated a Single Taiyi Foundation [a Single Taiyi Foundation, a profound cultivation base]. The Holy Sons [Holy Sons] and Saintesses, however, were existences with a Dual Taiyi Foundation [a Dual Taiyi Foundation, an even more profound cultivation base].

That Second Holy Son [the Second Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven] was an outstanding figure even among those with a Dual Taiyi Foundation [a Dual Taiyi Foundation, an even more profound cultivation base]. With such a personage, plus the three of them who were Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators who have attained the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm], and with the intervention of multiple forces like the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven of Western Qi] and the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven of the Celestial Dragon]...

In the view of the Ninth Elder [the Ninth Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven], annihilating the Chen Immortal Clan Alliance [the alliance led by the Chen Immortal Clan] would be a matter of utter simplicity.

Thinking this, the Ninth Elder [the Ninth Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven] declared with confidence, "Sect Master, rest assured. In this battle, we shall certainly eradicate the Abyssal Immortal Alliance [the Abyssal Immortal Alliance]."

At the same time, within the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven of Western Qi] and the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven of the Celestial Dragon], after reviewing the information concerning the Abyssal Abode of Bliss [the Abyssal Abode of Bliss, a blessed land], they immediately decided to dispatch several Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators who have attained the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm] to thoroughly suppress the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen Immortal Clan].

In total, several powerful forces, to a greater or lesser extent, dispatched a number of Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators who have attained the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm], preparing to strangle Eldrin Chen [Eldrin Chen, the protagonist] in his cradle. The story continues at @udio-novel.com.

Alas, they remained unaware that the Chen Immortal Clan was no longer the force of old. Had they known its true strength, they would likely have set aside their differences to strangle the Chen Immortal Clan in its cradle.

In their view, the Chen Immortal Clan possessed merely nine cultivators at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm. No matter how prodigious their combat prowess might be, to these Holy Sons and Saintesses, they were but a flick of the wrist away from annihilation.

Any single Grotto-Heaven [a transcendent realm and power base] could effortlessly obliterate the Chen Immortal Clan.

For this endeavor, each needed only to dispatch a handful of their own powerhouses to utterly crush the Chen Immortal Clan in its infancy.

By comparison, the foes they regarded with the utmost gravity were other powers of the Grotto-Heaven tier, as well as the direct descendants of the Great Luo Ancient Sect and the like. Preemptively eliminating the Chen Immortal Clan was merely to sever any chance for the Chen Clan to rise amidst the coming Dao Tribulation [the Great Calamity of the Heavenly Dao].

After all, the Chen Immortal Clan boasted nine prodigiously talented Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivators. Should they gain any harvest from the Dao Tribulation, it was highly probable that nine Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators would emerge in succession.

Even on a battlefield contested by Grotto-Heaven powers, nine Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators constituted a force of significant weight. To return to our tale, within the Abyssal Sea Region, all was a hive of busy yet orderly activity.

With the Dao Tribulation now merely a few Millennium away, Eldrin Chen dared not enter secluded cultivation. Instead, he cultivated in quietude upon Verdant Chariot Mountain, awaiting the tribulation's onset. As the Dao Tribulation drew ever nearer, Zixuan the Daoist, Divine Lord Glaze, Sky Abyss Daoist, and Qixuan the Daoist all arrived within the Abyssal Sea Region.

Even Qing the Ancient Ancestor and the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord came to the Abyssal Sea Region for their final preparations. Thus, time flowed on, and several Millennium slipped past.

On this day, the vast expanse of the Abyssal Sea Region was suddenly shrouded in oppressive darkness.

Eldrin Chen and the other Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have nearly ascended to the highest realm] sensed the situation turning dire and immediately stepped forth, ascending to the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realm].

They raised their heads to survey the four directions, discovering that Tribulation Qi [a malevolent energy signifying impending calamity] was spreading wildly between heaven and earth. The entire Immortal Domain [a realm inhabited by immortals] was shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere, like dark clouds gathering before a storm.

"The Dao Tribulation [the ultimate trial of fate and cultivation], it has arrived!"

Zixuan the Daoist murmured softly, a grave solemnity flickering in the depths of his eyes.

The others witnessing this scene displayed a mix of emotions in their gazes—some alarmed, some hopeful, all tinged with a hard-to-describe excitement.

The so-called Dao Tribulation [the ultimate trial of fate and cultivation] is both a calamity and an opportunity. To fall in its midst means utter annihilation. Yet, to vanquish all foes and successfully transcend it can become a direct path to the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation].

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen also gave a slight nod. "Since the Dao Tribulation [the ultimate trial of fate and cultivation] has begun, we must be ready for battle at any moment." Just then, a streak of light flew from the Void [the formless, boundless space between realms] and landed in Eldrin Chen's hand.

Eldrin Chen opened it to read, his brow furrowing slightly as a trace of killing intent surfaced. "What is it?"

Noticing his expression, Divine Lord Glaze inquired.

Eldrin Chen stored the letter away and spoke. "My people have finished their investigation. We now know which major powers within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea in the western reaches] have entered the tribulation." "Who has entered?"

The others inquired urgently, but Eldrin Chen did not answer. Instead, he passed the letter to them. After a glance, their brows furrowed slightly, and solemn expressions settled upon their faces.

It turned out that the number of transcendent powers making their moves in the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region within the immortal domain] this time was as many as seven.

They were, respectively: the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise realm associated with the Western Qi], the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise realm associated with the Divine Abyss], the Eternal Sun Clan [an ancient clan whose power is likened to the eternal sun], the Celestial Web Ancient Sect [an ancient sect whose name evokes a celestial net or web], the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise realm of the Celestial Dragons], the Nirvana Dragon Demon Race [a rare dragon lineage associated with the concept of nirvana or rebirth], and finally, the Violet Flame Divine Clan [a divine clan whose power manifests as violet flames].

Regarding the moves by the two Grotto-Heaven [a higher-dimensional paradise realm, a pinnacle cultivation sanctuary], it was within their expectations. Zixuan the Daoist stroked his beard and said, "I received word long ago that the Western Qi and Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven have been massing forces at their borders for tens of thousands of years."

"If my conjecture is correct, they are also preparing for a decisive confrontation."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Both the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven and the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven had dominated the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea for over a hundred million years. As the saying goes, one mountain cannot shelter two tigers. While the two Grotto-Heaven might not be sworn enemies, each undoubtedly wished to eliminate the other to monopolize the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. Find thousands of chapters at audi novel.com.

During this Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict ordained by cosmic fate], both sides were willing to spare no cost to weaken the other, seeking an opportunity to deliver a final, crushing blow. Naturally, they had prepared long in advance for this very clash.

As for the remaining four transcendent powers: the Eternal Sun Clan and the Celestial Web Ancient Sect both originated from beyond the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain. The Nirvana Dragon Demon Race was a rare lineage within the Dragon Race. The Violet Flame Divine Clan was also a Divine Race [a race of beings with innate divine power and status] force from a Great Luo [a supreme realm of cultivation, representing the pinnacle of power] level background.

The pieces these forces had placed on the board were extraordinary. Each power possessed at least one top-tier Heaven's Chosen [a prodigy blessed by heaven, destined for greatness] with the potential to forge a Triple Taiyi Foundation [an exceptionally pure and powerful foundational cultivation base]. Their strength was not to be underestimated.

After reviewing the information, Qixuan the Daoist spoke, "Qiang Sun of the Eternal Sun Clan has, over the years, recruited and nurtured at least twenty Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators on the very threshold of ascending to true Celestial Immortality]. This man bears a grudge against the Abyssal Daoist [a title for Eldrin Chen, meaning 'Daoist of the Abyss']. He will likely be a formidable adversary."

Sky Abyss Daoist [a powerful cultivator from the Sky Abyss lineage] furrowed his brow slightly, then shook his head and said, "These top-tier powers have all come to slay formidable foes and obtain Dao Source [the primordial essence of the Great Dao, a supreme treasure]. With only a few Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have nearly ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] among us, I fear we may not even catch their eye."

"Hmm."

Divine Lord Glaze [a powerful deity associated with the Glazed Abode of Bliss] nodded, then spoke, "According to the intelligence I possess, the Violet Flame Divine Clan [an ancient and powerful clan whose members wield violet divine flames] and the Eternal Sun Clan [an ancient clan whose power is tied to the eternal sun] are mortal enemies. This time, the Ninth Divine Son [the ninth-born divine scion of a powerful clan] of the Violet Flame Divine Clan has come to the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the immortal domain] to undergo his tribulation, precisely to ambush and thwart the Eternal Sun Clan."

Hearing this intelligence from Divine Lord Glaze, a flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes.

These Eternal Life Ancient Clan [ancient clans that have achieved a state of near-immortality] and Great Luo Divine Clan [divine clans of the highest celestial order] have existed for countless Calamity Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth]. The grudges between them have festered for hundreds of millions of years. In comparison, the minor karmic ties between the Chen Clan [the protagonist's family clan] and them truly amounted to very little.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen also nodded and said, "I have heard that the Celestial Web Ancient Sect [an ancient sect whose name evokes a celestial net or web] entered their tribulation in the Leaf Ruins Divine Sea [a divine sea located amidst ancient, leaf-like ruins] in the past, seemingly destined to clash with the Nirvana Dragon Demon Race [a dragon demon race associated with the concept of nirvana and rebirth] and the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a grotto-heaven paradise ruled by celestial dragons]." Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel . com.