Chapter 1728 : Forging a Starry Grotto-Heaven

The commonality among these five Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained pocket dimension of immense spiritual richness] is that each is guarded by an Ancient Immortal Great Power [a supremely powerful cultivator who has transcended mortality]. If Eldrin Chen were to truly establish a sixth Supreme-Grade Grotto-Heaven [the highest possible rank for a pocket dimension], he would instead be inviting calamity by possessing a treasure beyond his means to protect.

Currently, the concentration of primordial energy within the Abyssal Grotto-Heaven [Eldrin Chen's primary pocket dimension] is already sufficient to rank within the top ten of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the vast celestial realm where the story takes place]. The dozen or so Heavenly Immortal Paragon [cultivators at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal stage] of the Chen Clan can barely manage to defend it, and it is ample to support Eldrin Chen's cultivation all the way to the Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the final stage of the Heavenly Immortal cultivation realm].

"If the Abyssal Grotto-Heaven is sufficient, then let us forge another—a Starry Grotto-Heaven [a pocket dimension themed around the stars and cosmos]."

With these words, Eldrin Chen once again activated the Thirty-Three Heavens Grand Formation [a grand and immensely powerful defensive and spatial array].

Using the Starry Glazed Realm [a formation that creates a starry, crystalline space] and the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a formation that harnesses the power of the heavenly constellations] as his foundation, and taking the three Innate Star Pearl [naturally formed pearls containing condensed stellar essence] from the Three Maidens of Sun, Moon, and Stars, he performed an act of Creation [the fundamental act of bringing something into existence from nothingness] to bring forth a Starry Grotto-Heaven.

Then, he channeled vast quantities of Heavenly Layers [the stratified planes of heavenly energy] and Creation into it. In the blink of an eye, he elevated the Starry Grotto-Heaven to the rank of a Mid Grade Grotto-Heaven [a pocket dimension of middling rank].

This Grotto-Heaven, Eldrin Chen intended to serve as the Grotto-Heaven for the Abyssal Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal forces led by Eldrin Chen], supporting the cultivation of the Heaven Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to immortality] within the Immortal Alliance. Some Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality] from the Chen Immortal Clan might also cultivate there. Therefore, Eldrin Chen planned to elevate its quality to an extremely high level.

Behold, Eldrin Chen continued to drive the process, directly plundering the Heavenly Layers and Creation from formidable enemies like the Myriad Demons Ancestral Domain [the ancestral homeland of countless demon races] and the Bifang Demon Domain [the domain ruled by the Bifang demon race]. In the end, he elevated the Starry Grotto-Heaven to the rank of a High Grade Grotto-Heaven [a high-ranking pocket dimension].

"You vile thief, how dare you act so brazenly!"

Witnessing Eldrin Chen plunder their World's Primordial Qi [the fundamental, life-giving energy of a world], both the True Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a pocket dimension ruled by true dragons] and the Bifang Demon Domain could no longer remain seated. Support the author by reading on https://audio-novel.com.

Within the True Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a sacred realm of immense spiritual power], a Grotto-Heaven [sacred realm] master at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation path] was utterly enraged, roaring with a fury that shook the heavens: "I vow upon my draconic lineage, I shall not rest until you are slain!"

At that very moment, countless Heavenly Immortal Paragon [powerful beings at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm] turned their gazes, their expressions etched with profound astonishment.

From the depths of the Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven [a sacred realm of pure Yang energy], a man in White Robe [white robes] cast his gaze, a note of intrigue in his eyes as he remarked, "To simultaneously plunder the Heavenly Layers [the foundational strata of cosmic creation] and Creation [the primordial essence of fate and fortune] from multiple celestial domains belonging to both the Demon and God Races [the collective forces of demonic and divine beings]... truly, audacity matches formidable skill."

"With the Creation [primordial essence of fate] of these great celestial domains seized, their fortunes shall wane for millions of years to come. Consequently, the Immortal Spirit Qi [the supreme spiritual energy of the immortal realms] within those several Grotto-Heaven [sacred realms] will also diminish."

"One can only imagine those esteemed individuals must be driven to the brink of madness by now?"

"Fascinating!"

Beside the White Robe [white-robed] man, a woman of peerless beauty smiled gracefully and said, "During this Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of cosmic fate and cultivation], he has already incurred the wrath of several Grotto-Heaven [sacred realms]. Now, shielded by Heavenly Dao Merit [cosmic merit bestowed by the Heavenly Dao for righteous deeds], he naturally has nothing left to fear."

The White Robe [white-robed] man nodded in agreement, adding, "Indeed. Under the protection of the Heavenly Dao [the supreme cosmic law and order], as long as he remains within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the vast immortal realm under the azure sky], who could possibly lay a hand on him?"

As for the reactions from the various powers, he had long anticipated them, yet he paid them no mind.

During this Dao Tribulation [cosmic trial], Eldrin Chen had slain the Verdant Sun Imperial Son, beheaded Solaris, the Golden Crow, and the Primordial Thunder Dragon [an ancient and mighty dragon of thunder] had also fallen by his hand. Irrevocable enmity had already been forged between him and the great powers.

Since there was no longer any room for reconciliation, it was better to simply seize opportunities while the various Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of spiritual energy, often a sect's headquarters] were sealed off from the world.

After elevating the Starry Grotto-Heaven to a High Grade Grotto-Heaven, Eldrin Chen did not continue to push for its further advancement. Instead, he once more seized Heavenly Layers [the stratified heavenly realms, sources of profound power] and Creation [the primordial creative force of the cosmos], using them to open seven Supreme Grotto-Heaven within the expanse of Eldrin's Hundred Seas.

Among these seven Grotto-Heaven, three were Mid Grade Grotto-Heaven: the Glazed Grotto-Heaven, the Myriad Spirits Grotto-Heaven, and the Violet Profound Grotto-Heaven.

The four Low Grade Grotto-Heaven were the Separated Flame Grotto-Heaven, the Heaven-Forsaken Grotto-Heaven, the Dao Palace Grotto-Heaven, and the Seven Profound Grotto-Heaven.

After consecutively opening nine Grotto-Heaven, the reserves of Creation Power [the power of genesis and formation] within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the vast celestial realm where the story takes place] were still considerable, but most of it lay within the territories of various allied powers.

If Eldrin Chen were to plunder that power, it would render the recent Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] nearly meaningless for the affected celestial domains, their ordeal endured for naught.

Such an act of alienating allies was something Eldrin Chen naturally would not do. He abandoned any further plans to elevate more Grotto-Heaven.

Instead, he positioned all nine Grotto-Heaven around the perimeter of Eldrin's Hundred Seas, weaving them into a grand Yin-Yang Northern Dipper Star Formation [a cosmic defensive array based on the principles of Yin, Yang, and the seven stars of the Big Dipper].

Within this Super Formation, the Abyssal Grotto-Heaven occupied the position of Supreme Yang [the ultimate positive, active principle], while the Starry Grotto-Heaven held the seat of Supreme Yin [the ultimate negative, receptive principle]. The other seven grotto-heavens were arrayed according to the positions of the Northern Dipper Seven Stars [the seven stars of the Big Dipper constellation, each possessing unique celestial properties].

With these nine Grotto-Heaven forming the array's foundation, even a foe from the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] would find themselves battered and humiliated should they dare to challenge Eldrin Chen.

"All is concluded."

By the time Creation had successfully established nine Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of profound spiritual energy], Eldrin Chen discovered that less than a Millennium remained before the end of the Dao Tribulation [a great cosmic calamity that reshapes fate and destiny].

He let out a slow, measured breath, ordered the dismantling of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Realms Grand Formation [a grand defensive array mimicking the thirty-three celestial planes], and then returned to the Abyssal Grotto-Heaven. It was only then that Lior Chen presented him with a dossier of information.

Eldrin Chen opened the dossier and found it contained intelligence on the state of affairs following this Dao Tribulation.

The intelligence detailed the current landscape of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain.

Since the onset of this Dao Tribulation, the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain had witnessed the ascension of two hundred and sixty-three new Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle of the Celestial Immortal realm]. Among them, ninety-seven were Flawless Celestial Immortal [those who achieved a perfect, foundationally sound ascension], while the remainder were Flawed Celestial Immortal [those whose ascension was imperfect or incomplete]. The complete novel can be found at audi novel.com.

Over seventy percent of these newly ascended Heavenly Immortal Paragon belonged to the Human Race.

Of the ninety-seven Flawless Celestial Immortal, eighty-two were Heavenly Immortal Paragon of the Human Race.

That the Human Race had secured a decisive victory and claimed the majority of the Heaven Immortal slots was expected. Yet, to Eldrin Chen's surprise, the intelligence also contained several names that were familiar, yet somehow distant.

"Su Gu, Wei Lai, Eastern Pole... They actually broke through as well? And as Flawless Celestial Immortal?"

Upon hearing these three names, Eldrin Chen was rather astonished.

The Archaic Emperor, the Future Emperor, and the Eastern Pole Great Emperor—each had been one of the Ten Direction Great Emperors within the Minor Universe in times past.

Back then, all three were Imperial Lord with a Single Taiyi Foundation. Though their combat prowess was exceptionally Valerius [peerless], they were ultimately denizens of but a single Minor Universe.

After Eldrin Chen brought them out from the Minor Universe long ago, the trio departed the Abyssal Sea Region to venture across the vast Azure Firmament Immortal Domain. He had assumed they might have long since faded into obscurity among the masses.

To his surprise, not only had they broken through to the Heaven Immortal Realm, they had even cultivated a Flawless Celestial Immortal Dao Fruit [the perfected spiritual fruit of one's cultivation path, representing the pinnacle of achievement for a Celestial Immortal].

"Was that the extent of their fortune?"

Eldrin Chen murmured, still feeling a profound sense of wonder.

Qiyuan Chen, standing nearby, glanced over and spoke. "Though the Dao Tribulation [a cosmic calamity that tests the Dao of all cultivators] is indeed a cataclysm, it is also an opportunity. There will always be extraordinary individuals who seize the chaos of the Heavenly Layers [the stratified realms of heaven] to rise to prominence."

"That they could ascend amidst the Dao Tribulation surely marks them as such extraordinary souls."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only nod in agreement.

He stored the list away and spoke once more, "With this Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes fate and destiny], the number of Heaven Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain has increased by one-fifth. I fear it has already surpassed one thousand."

"Furthermore, there are nearly one hundred Flawless Celestial Immortal [celestial immortals who have achieved a state of perfection, free from flaws]. It seems the next ten million years will be one of the most glorious epochs for the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain."

Lyra Jiang nodded, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she spoke, "The Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a rare cosmic event where surviving numerous tribulations grants a chance for profound rebirth and advancement] approaches. All the great Ancient Sect [sects with lineages stretching back to antiquity] and Grotto-Heaven [paradisiacal pocket dimensions and sacred realms] are making their moves. That such splendor has been forged is well within expectations."

"I heard that during the last Dao Tribulation, only slightly over one hundred Heaven Immortal ascended, and there were merely a little over twenty Flawless Celestial Immortal."

Having spoken thus, the group fell into a contemplative silence, no further words needed.

In the time that followed, the members of the Chen Immortal Clan [the immortal clan founded by the Chen family] once again returned to their lives of secluded cultivation.

Having recently broken through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals], and with the conflicts between the Heavenly Layers [the stratified planes of the celestial realm] now concluded, this was the perfect time to consolidate their newfound power and stabilize their foundations.

Time flowed onward, measured only by the rhythm of their deep meditation and cultivation.

Thus did the years fly by. In the blink of an eye, a full Millennium [a span of one thousand years] had passed. The lingering Tribulation Qi [the chaotic, destructive energy left in the wake of a heavenly tribulation] that had haunted the spaces between the Heavenly Layers finally began to dissipate completely, fading into the vast stillness of the cosmos. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio–novel.com.