Chapter 1661 : The Dragon's Gambit

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

He had long heard of this Nirvana Dragon Demon Venerable. It was said he was a rare variant within the Nirvana Dragon Clan, a prodigy whose talent was considered peerless even among the Great Luo Immortal Clan.

Even the Dragon King of the Western Abyss, a being of the Heaven Immortal Realm, was said to be overshadowed by this Nirvana Dragon Demon Venerable.

Having entered the tribulation within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, this Nirvana Dragon Demon Venerable had placed his pieces upon nearly a hundred Demonic Tribe cultivators at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers, nurturing several who had reached the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm.

Now, as the Dragon King of the Western Abyss moved against the Abyssal Sea Region, the fact he could bring twenty-seven Half-Step Celestial Immortal beings was likely upon the Nirvana Dragon Demon Venerable's own directive.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed as he spoke. "It is said the Nirvana Dragon Clan belongs to an exceedingly rare lineage of the Dragon Race, counted among the most powerful branches of their kind."

"It seems this Great Tribulation may yet grant us a chance to cross paths."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement, then continued, "Over the past Millennium, the Dragon King of the Western Abyss has launched three assaults, yet failed to breach the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation each time."

"Though their legion of Demonic Tribe soldiers numbers in the hundreds of millions, without a Ninth Rank Ancient Ship, and with our thousands of Immortal Vein providing an endless stream of Immortal Spirit Qi, they could spend tens of thousands of years and still not break through."

At this point, Lyra Jiang's gaze sharpened. "If I am not mistaken, the Dragon King of the Western Abyss must now be devising a strategy to counter us." Hearing this, Eldrin Chen looked out at the endless sea of Demonic Beast beyond the formation. "There are only three methods capable of breaching an Eight Trigrams Immortal Formation," he stated. Support the author by reading on audio–novel.com.

"First, a powerhouse at the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] could take action. By wielding a high-powered Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing immense natural power] and employing a formidable Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power], they could forcibly breach the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation based on the eight trigrams of the I Ching]."

"Second, if five or more combatants possessing Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the early stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] level strength join forces, they might also be able to shatter the grand formation within a Millennium [a cycle of one thousand years]."

"Third, one could employ a vast army to wear it down through attrition, supplemented by Ancient Vessel [ancient, magically-powered ships or vehicles] of the Ninth Rank [the ninth rank of power, a very high tier] or above. This method would also naturally succeed in breaking it."

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang's gaze flickered with a subtle tremor of realization.

Among these three conditions, the intervention of a Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] powerhouse was nearly impossible. Beings of such stature commanded awe across the world; their status and position far surpassed that of a mere Half-Step Celestial Immortal [one who has partially ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm but not fully stabilized].

Their identities placed them among the upper echelons of the Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm, a paradise for immortals, often a sect's headquarters]. As a rule, they generally would not interfere directly in matters of Dao Tribulation [a heavenly trial or calamity faced by cultivators on their path].

In the distant annals of history, before unspoken Rule [rules or codes of conduct] were established among the various Grotto-Heaven [blessed realms] and even powers approaching the Great Luo [the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, a supreme cultivation stage], chaos reigned.

In that era, if you dispatched a Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] expert to intervene in a conflict, I would counter by sending a Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Heaven Immortal realm] powerhouse. The escalation would continue until even Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle, perfected stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] beings could no longer resist joining the fray.

And when pivotal figures perished, some Great Luo Ancient Sect [ancient sects with foundations reaching back to the Great Luo era] would ignite their True Flame [a cultivator's core spiritual flame, representing their life and power], leading to situations where even Supreme [supreme, peerless] legacies and entire orthodoxies faced utter annihilation.

For the sake of allowing a few disciples to break through to the Heaven Immortal [the Heaven Immortal cultivation realm], ultimately causing the complete destruction of an entire sect or inflicting grievous wounds upon it—such a price was far too catastrophic to bear.

After a succession of earth-shaking, grand-scale battles, the Three Great Immortal Courts, the Hundred Clans of Immortal Spirits, and even the various Grotto-Heaven [a superior realm of cultivation, a paradise separate from the mortal world] had reached a tacit understanding: high-level powerhouses would no longer interfere directly in the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic conflict ordained by fate, a crucible for the rise and fall of powers].

They tacitly permitted conflict among peers of the same generation; generally, Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle realm of Heavenly Immortals, one step below the Celestial Immortal realm] would not intervene. Of course, whenever a true Celestial Immortal Seed [a prodigy with the innate potential to reach the Celestial Immortal realm] entered the tribulation, some Grotto-Heaven would still dispatch Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the first major stage within the Celestial Immortal realm] cultivators to interfere.

In essence, this was the Grotto-Heaven leveraging their Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and unshakable accumulation of power and resources] to exert pressure on those not from a Grotto-Heaven, but this pressure was limited to the level of Early Celestial Immortal Realm.

Furthermore, these Early Celestial Immortal Realm great powers, mindful of their status, often acted merely as final deterrents—unmovable mountains that would not strike unless the situation became utterly critical.

After all, once a Heavenly Immortal Paragon completely cast aside decorum to intervene, the very nature of the Dao Tribulation would change, leaving little room for Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm, on the verge of a Celestial Immortal breakthrough] to act.

Therefore, whether it was having a Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the second major stage within the Celestial Immortal realm] powerhouse take action, or gathering more than five Early Celestial Immortal Realm great powers, such scenarios were nearly impossible.

Thus, the only plausible explanation was that the Dragon King of the Western Abyss intended to summon a Ninth Rank Ancient Ship [a legendary vessel of immense power, ranked at the ninth and highest tier].

Realizing this, Lyra Jiang asked, her eyes glinting with thought, "Where would the Dragon King of the Western Abyss obtain a Ninth Rank Ancient Ship?"

Eldrin Chen remained composed, his gaze serene as he replied, "The Dragon King of the Western Abyss does not possess one, but the Nirvana Dragon Demon Venerable might very well hold such an Ancient Vessel [a general term for powerful, ancient ships or arks]."

Speaking to this point, Eldrin Chen glanced towards the direction of the Abyssal Abode of Bliss [a blessed land or sanctuary located within an abyss] and stated, "A Ninth Rank Ancient Ship is not to be underestimated. It would be wiser to wait until Qiyuan the Ancient Ancestor achieves his breakthrough before drawing in the net."

The heavens and earth roared, and the Void trembled.

Beyond the Eight Seas of the Abyss, countless Demon Immortal [demonic beings who have attained immortality], Ancient Vessel [ancient magical ships], exotic treasures, and Divine Ability [supernatural powers] were ceaselessly assailing the Eight Trigrams Immortal Formation.

Under such boundless, titanic force, the vast Eight Seas of the Abyss shook incessantly, churning up waves a thousand layers high. Boundless tsunamis swept across the desolate expanse, only to be quelled by the Mana [magical energy] of the innumerable Immortal [immortal beings].

The great battle raged on, and in the blink of an eye, another three Millennium [periods of one thousand years] had passed.

During this span of time, the full might of the Eight Trigrams Immortal Formation was unleashed. As Lyra Jiang poured her full power into it, the formation manifested a Eight Trigrams Domain [a lethal zone governed by the eight trigrams].

This Eight Trigrams Domain was supremely tyrannical. Any member of the Demonic Tribe [the demonic races] below the Ascendant Immortal [a specific high rank of immortal] who charged into its field would be shredded by eight supreme forces before they could even strike the grand formation. For more chapters, visit audi0-n0vel.c0m for the complete novel.

Countless Demon Immortal drove endless hordes of the Demonic Tribe and Demonic Beast [demonic beasts] to crash against the Eight Trigrams Domain. Wave upon wave was annihilated by the Formation [magical defensive array], their only achievement being to drain a minuscule fraction of its energy.

After millennia of unceasing warfare, the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation had slaughtered billions upon billions of the Demonic Tribe and Demonic Beast.

Yet, for the immense price paid by the Demonic Tribe, their gains were not insignificant. By now, the reserves of Immortal Spirit Qi [immortal-grade spiritual energy] stored within the Immortal Island [islands inhabited by immortals] and Blessed Land [lands of spiritual abundance] of the Abyssal Sea Region had been depleted by more than half, reaching a critical threshold that threatened the stability of the Formation.

"They are about to launch their final assault."

Gazing at the vast Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic races] army beyond the sea region, Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze growing heavy and solemn.

Upon hearing his words, the others immediately lifted their eyes toward the depths of the Void [a profound cultivation art related to spatial principles], and a chill could not help but flash within their gazes.

For there, within the Endless Void [the boundless expanse of chaotic space between realms], tens of thousands of Demon Immortal [demonic beings who have attained immortality] were beginning their assault. Furthermore, several thousand Earth Immortal Progenitor [powerful demonic cultivators at the Earth Immortal realm] and tens of thousands of Immortal Rank [a classification denoting power at the immortal level] Ancient Vessel [ancient, magically fortified ships] were tearing through the void toward them.

Even more terrifying was the sight at the far edge of the Endless Void. A single Ancient Vessel, vaster than the Great Thousand World [a major world within the cosmos] and stretching for hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], was slowly sailing forth.

"The Nirvana Dragon."

"I never imagined that Nirvana Dragon Demon Venerable would be willing to lend his Ninth Rank Ancient Ship [an ancient ship of the highest, ninth rank] to him."

Divine Lord Glaze murmured, ripples of emotion stirring in her eyes. She looked toward Eldrin Chen, her expression turning gravely serious as she spoke. "Upon that Nirvana Dragon [the name of the specific ninth-rank ship] rests a Ninth Rank Annihilation Cannon [a cannon of devastating, ninth-rank power]. Such a colossal cannon is forged from the Primordial Source [the fundamental creative energy of a nascent universe] of a Minor Universe [a small, self-contained cosmos], supplemented and tempered with Chaos Ancient Gold [a primordial metal born from chaos]."

"The force of its full-powered blast rivals a full-strength strike from a cultivator at the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze darkened considerably. The destructive power of such a weapon was too great; a full-force bombardment would likely sink the entire Abyssal Sea Region [a specific oceanic territory].

Although the Eight Trigrams Immortal Formation [a powerful defensive formation based on the eight trigrams] was formidable, it was, in the end, merely a Taiyi Immortal Formation [a specific grade of immortal formation]. It likely could not withstand more than a few such blows before being shattered on the spot.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen could not help but voice his thoughts, "If we allow this Annihilation Cannon to continue its bombardment, I fear even the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation [a powerful defensive formation based on the eight trigrams of the I Ching] will be unable to withstand it."

"It matters not if it cannot withstand it,"

Lyra Jiang spoke calmly, a glint of battle intent flickering in her eyes as she continued, "We have been preparing for this very moment for a long time, waiting precisely for them to enter." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audi novel.com.