Chapter 1638 : Veiled Alliances and Gathering Storms

Exquisite Jiang [the Immortal Consort known for her peerless beauty and profound cultivation] nodded in agreement upon hearing this, for she understood the thoughts of Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a formidable cultivator and leader].

In the current situation, no one truly knows how many powerful figures have been drawn into this Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic conflict where cultivators vie for supremacy and the right to advance their cultivation path].

These major powers are not lacking in disciples from Grotto-Heaven [a transcendent realm of immense spiritual energy, often a sect's headquarters] or even direct successors of Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [an ancient and supremely powerful cultivation sect]. With the current strength of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance [an alliance of immortal cultivators led by Eldrin Chen], they fear no single opponent. They could stand firm even against the direct heirs of a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect, or face a host of Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators on the very threshold of becoming true Celestial Immortals] from a single Grotto-Heaven.

However, if they were to reveal their full strength prematurely and be perceived by the various major powers as the greatest threat, it is highly likely they would face a coordinated hunt from multiple Grotto-Heaven and even Great Encompassing Ancient Sect.

One must remember that within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the immortal realm] lie two Upper Grade Grotto-Heavens [the highest grade of Grotto-Heaven realms]. The strength of such a Grotto-Heaven is at least ten times that of the Gale Grotto-Heaven [a specific Grotto-Heaven known for its mastery over wind techniques].

In the past, the Gale Grotto-Heaven alone possessed five Half-Step Celestial Immortals. The number of Half-Step Celestial Immortals an Upper Grade Grotto-Heaven possesses must be counted in the dozens.

"This is the final Path Tribulation before the Kalpa Tribulation [a world-ending cosmic catastrophe that resets the cycle of existence] erupts,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze profound and still. "When the Kalpa Tribulation arrives, all beneath the Celestial Immortal [a true immortal who has ascended to a higher plane of existence] realm will be as ants. For those Half-Step Celestial Immortals within the Grotto-Heaven, this is perhaps their last chance to achieve a breakthrough."

Eldrin Chen spoke these words in a low, measured tone, his eyes holding a deep stillness.

Those capable of breaking through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm are all talents blessed by heaven, true Celestial Immortal Seeds [individuals with the innate potential to become Celestial Immortals]. Within a Grotto-Heaven, they are almost invariably figures of the rank of Holy Scion or candidate Holy Scion. Published by *audio-novel.com*. All rights reserved.

For those of such lofty pride and arrogance, they would never willingly abandon this opportunity.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen had a feeling that within this Path Tribulation, the threat posed by the moves of the Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained paradise realm for cultivation] might not be any less than that of those Great Encompassing Ancient Sect.

After all, those Great Encompassing Ancient Sect had come from afar and could not easily bring large numbers of Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm]; they could only, like Unfettered Great Center, pay a tremendous price to win over local rogue cultivators at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal level.

In contrast, within the Grotto-Heaven, the Half-Step Celestial Immortal accumulated over ninety million years must number a startlingly impressive amount.

If these superior and supreme-grade Grotto-Heaven dispatched a large number of Half-Step Celestial Immortal all at once, the threat they posed might not even be weaker than that of these Great Encompassing Ancient Sect's Direct Lineage.

Exquisite Jiang also understood this point. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "It seems you and I still need to lie low, to accumulate our own strength."

"We must wait until we have a clear understanding of the major powers that have entered the game in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, and then seek the perfect opportunity to deliver a decisive, finishing blow."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then summoned his four children to his cave abode.

After so many years, with Eldrin Chen's four children gathered once more at Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a faint smile.

Over these years, Eldrin Chen had adopted a hands-off approach with his children, largely letting them roam the world and forge their own destinies.

They had not disappointed him. Though each ventured forth alone, they had, without even realizing it, each carved out their own distinct path.

While their current cultivation levels varied, Eldrin Chen understood that their foundations were all exceptionally solid, and their future prospects were boundless.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to Worthy Pursuit Chen, a faint smile touching his lips. "I hear you've managed to offend quite a few people during your travels?"

At these words, Worthy Pursuit Chen's eyes flickered slightly.

He scratched his head, then pressed his palms together solemnly. "This unworthy son has merely dispatched some demons and monsters that plagued the land. The trouble is, these fiends lack all Earthly Path [adherence to the proper order of things]. You defeat the young ones, and the old ones come seeking vengeance."

"Left with no choice, I had to send their entire families to the next life for deliverance. But then their friends and relatives would arrive. It truly became a most tiresome affair."

Beside him, Worthy Longevity Chen's mouth twitched imperceptibly.

He was well aware of his eldest brother's reputation—a domineering character with an intolerance for any form of injustice.

Whenever he encountered wrongdoing, he would take up his Immortal Iron Staff [a mighty, indestructible staff wielded by powerful cultivators] to set things right, offending not a few Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of profound spiritual energy, often the domain of a powerful sect or immortal] in the process.

Were it not for the fact that an Celestial Immortal Great Power [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the celestial realm] would find it beneath their dignity to bully a junior, given Worthy Pursuit Chen's temperament, he would likely have been beaten into Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] long ago.

Hearing this, Lila's expression also grew slightly solemn.

She sighed softly, her voice filled with deep concern. "My child, you must understand that what is too rigid breaks easily. You must remember not to provoke powerful enemies again."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen secretly transmitted his voice. "The path of cultivation values a heart free from regret. As long as your actions do not betray your Dao-heart [the core principles and conscience of a cultivator], follow your will."

Upon hearing these words, Worthy Pursuit Chen's eyes gleamed with a subtle light.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen and gave a slight, understanding nod. The story continues at audio - novel . com.

Eldrin Chen could not help but smile at this sight. As his eldest son, Eldrin Chen naturally held the highest hopes for Worthy Pursuit Chen.

Among his four children, Second Son possessed exceptional talent, showing a profound aptitude for the Fleshly Body Sanctification Art [an art focused on tempering and perfecting the physical body] and was further blessed with the Heavenly Eye [a divine ability granting extraordinary perception]. Favored by a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm], his Future prospects were truly boundless.

The third son, who possessed the thirty-three Vast Sea Divine Pearl [divine pearls containing the power of the vast sea], held potential comparable to a supreme Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of the Golden Immortal stage], so his latent power spoke for itself.

His daughter, Worthy Verdancy, was born with the Childlike Loyal Heart [an innate constitution representing pure, unwavering loyalty] and the Verdant Lotus Supreme Purity Constitution [a constitution of supreme purity symbolized by the verdant lotus]. Not only was she free from the disturbances of Inner Demon [demonic thoughts and temptations that arise from within a cultivator's heart] and distracting thoughts during her cultivation, but she also frequently entered states of sudden enlightenment. In terms of innate brilliance, she could be considered the foremost among them.

Only this eldest son, whose talent did not match Verdant Child [the affectionate name for Verdant Grace Chen], whose innate gifts fell short of Worthy Longevity, and whose background and fortune could not compare to Second Son [the second son of the family, often implying a privileged position], seemed the most ordinary of the four.

On the surface, he appeared the most mediocre among them. Yet, if asked who among them was most likely to break through to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of the Great Encompassing Realm, a state of supreme enlightenment and power], Eldrin Chen would undoubtedly name Worthy Pursuit Chen.

For Worthy Pursuit Chen possessed an unyielding will and a Dao Heart [the cultivator's core of conviction and spiritual purpose] tempered against ten thousand tribulations. He would not be broken by defeat nor cower from challenging foes stronger than himself.

A man like this, surviving a hundred battles, would transcend his former self with each brush with death. He would shatter his own Limit-Breaker [a state where a cultivator pushes beyond their perceived limits] and emerge mightier. Such a one holds the truest potential to attain the ultimate Dao.

Conversely, in Eldrin Chen's view, the second son's privileged background, the third son's prodigious talent, and the fourth daughter's brilliant intellect were not necessarily as astonishing as they seemed.

After all, across the vast expanse of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [a collective term for the myriad realms and worlds inhabited by immortals], those with backgrounds surpassing the second son were legion. Those with innate gifts greater than the third son were plentiful. And those whose intellect rivaled Worthy Verdancy Chen were not few in number.

Yet among these multitudes, those who ultimately ascended to become Great Encompassing Golden Immortal were vanishingly rare.

For a Great Encompassing Potential [an innate constitution with the latent capacity to reach the Great Encompassing Realm] was merely potential. Who among those who cultivated to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the peak of the Celestial Immortal stage] did not possess such potential?

And which of those who set foot upon the Ancient Immortal Realm [a realm of power and longevity far beyond ordinary immortals] was not a genius of a bygone age?

Yet among these prodigies of antiquity, those who finally stepped into the Great Encompassing Realm [a legendary realm representing the ultimate mastery of the Dao and cosmic principles] remained as scarce as stars at dawn.

With these thoughts, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze once more towards Second Son, Worthy Longevity, and Verdant Child, giving a slight, approving nod.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "How do you plan to navigate the upcoming Path Tribulation [a profound trial of fate and cultivation that tests one's Dao-heart and destiny]?"

Worthy Pursuit Chen pondered briefly, gripping his Immortal Iron Staff. "I intend to challenge the world," he declared, his voice firm. "I will test my mettle against the Holy Scions of the various Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of profound spiritual energy, often a sect's headquarters] and cross blades with the direct disciples of the Ancient Sect's Direct Lineage."

Second Son considered for a moment before replying, "My master has instructed me to leave the Three Thousand Immortal Domains and venture into the Immortal Ruins Ancient Domain. I am to undertake the inheritance trial for the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art [a supreme body-refining technique of legendary power]. It is unlikely I will return for some time."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. The Immortal Court possessed unique legacies. Their disciples did not need to undergo the conventional Path Tribulation to temper themselves; their trials, though far more perilous, served the same purpose and even increased one's chances of achieving a breakthrough into the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary, supremely stable foundation for future cultivation].

Should Second Son return successfully from his trial, the Nine Revolutions Indestructibility Body [a physique forged by the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art, renowned for its near-impenetrable defense] he would cultivate through the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art alone would likely rival the power of a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation.

Seeing this, Verdant Child and Worthy Longevity Chen spoke up. "The Path Tribulation is fraught with danger," they said. "We wish to remain and lend our strength to aid you, Father." Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel.com (official site).