Chapter 1652 : The World-Ending Cannon's Roar

Speaking of this, he smiled and said, "This World-Ending Cannon truly lives up to its name, forged with Chaos Divine Material. While it may be difficult to hit a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm], it is exceptionally effective against the Formation [a defensive or offensive energy array] of a Supreme Grade Blessed Land [a land of supreme spiritual fortune]."

"A grand Formation like that of the Flowing Fire Star Palace Blessed Land would likely withstand no more than three volleys before being breached."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then turned his gaze to the various factions within the Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal cultivators and sects].

Compared to the present-day Chen Immortal Clan, the strength of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance was considerably more modest.

However, having developed under the aegis of the Chen Clan for over a million years, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had given rise to a significant number of Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm], even if it lacked a true pillar-level powerhouse.

The current Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance boasted over two hundred Earth Immortal [immortals whose power is anchored to the earth], dominating nearly the entire Hundred Seas of Returning Abyss region; their strength was by no means insignificant.

After reviewing the intelligence, Eldrin Chen rose to his feet. "Our strategic reserves, personnel, and foundational resources have been prepared for some time now," he declared.

"What remains is to await the commencement of the Path Tribulation [a great cosmic calamity affecting the Paths of cultivation]. Once it erupts and we discern the dispositions of the major powers within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, we shall seize the opportune moment to enter the fray and determine the fate of the realm."

"Agreed."

Hearing this, everyone present nodded in assent. Experience the full epic at audio-novel`com.

After formulating a countermeasure for the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic event that tests the very foundations of a cultivator's path], the immortals of the Chen Immortal Clan remained within the Returning Abyss Sea Region, quietly awaiting the commencement of the tribulation.

"..."

In the years that followed, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, Heaven Abyss Path Master, the Violet Firmament Path Palace, and various other powers aligned with the Chen Clan successively entered the Eight Seas of the Returning Abyss.

Under these circumstances, the overall strength of the Eight Seas of the Returning Abyss grew ever more formidable. Unnoticed, it had gathered over one hundred thousand Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] and amassed a force of more than three hundred Earth Immortal Patriarch [powerful patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm].

Simultaneously, across the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain, all major factions destined to face the tribulation had completed their final preparations for the coming conflict.

The gazes of many top-tier Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm], and even several neighboring Grotto-Heaven [self-contained pocket realms of immense spiritual power], were now fixed upon the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

Within that Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, a figure clad in violet imperial robes raised his eyes, his gaze cold as frost as he addressed the person before him. "Has she agreed?"

"She..."

The one kneeling below was a Half-Step Celestial Immortal, who also held the position of Ninth Elder within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven.

Having lived for sixty million years, he was a senior figure even within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven. Yet now, he trembled as he knelt upon the ground, his face pale with apprehension.

At this moment, Ninth Elder shook his head, gritted his teeth, and said, "The Glazed Divine Lord [a title for a powerful female cultivator] has not agreed. She stated that her Celestial Immortal Great Path [the path to becoming a Celestial Immortal] is not yet complete, and she is still unworthy of marrying you as a concubine!"

"That wretched woman dares to defy me!"

The figure clad in imperial robes was furious. As his eyes opened and closed, visions seemed to flicker within them—the collapse of Universe [the cosmos] and the illusory destruction of worlds.

This person was none other than the Grotto-Heaven Lord [the supreme ruler of a Grotto-Heaven, a semi-independent realm] of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, Abyss Halting Path Master [a Daoist title meaning 'Master of the Halting Abyss']. This Abyss Halting Path Master attained his Dao two million years ago. He was the direct son of the First Supreme Elder [the highest-ranking elder] of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven.

At his birth, the Glazed Divine Lord presented thirty-six Vast Sea Divine Pearl [divine pearls containing vast sea essence]. The Abyss Halting Path Master refined twelve of them, forging a physique of rare potential, worthy of a Great Power.

Thereafter, with the support of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven broke through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of Celestial Immortals] in a mere million years. Moreover, he was a perfect Celestial Immortal who had completed the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art].

After his breakthrough, the First Supreme Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven entered seclusion to break through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Celestial Immortal realm]. He then passed the title of Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven to the Abyss Halting Path Master.

Now, the cultivation of the Abyss Halting Path Master has reached the Fourth Heaven Celestial Immortal Realm [the fourth level of the Celestial Immortal realm]. His strength ranks third among the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven of his generation. Throughout the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, he is a figure of great renown.

Because of the connection forged by the twelve Vast Sea Divine Pearl, the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven had always held the Glazed Divine Lord in high regard. Hence, he wished to take her as his concubine.

Upon hearing of her refusal, his gaze grew even colder. "It seems," he said, his voice icy, "that since breaking through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a quasi-realm just below Celestial Immortal], the Glazed Divine Lord's wings have hardened."

"I heard she intends to join forces with that Eldrin the Patriarch who has made quite a name for himself in recent years to jointly transcend the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial faced by cultivators when advancing their cultivation path]?"

The Ninth Elder's gaze flickered slightly before he nodded and said, "Patriarch Eldrin is a Ninth Level Earth Immortal [a cultivator at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm]. It is said he has opened the Twelve-Layered Heaven [a legendary, supremely profound foundation for cultivation]. The Chen Immortal Clan also boasts nine Ninth Level Earth Immortals. These nine individuals are all exceptionally talented; their strength is truly not to be underestimated."

The Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven gave a slight nod, then spoke, "If that is the case, then when the Path Tribulation arrives, we shall dispatch the First Holy Scion with ten Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators on the very threshold of the Celestial Immortal realm] to nip the Chen Immortal Clan in the bud."

"The First Holy Scion, and ten Half-Step Celestial Immortals."

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Elder's expression shifted slightly. "But for the Chen Immortal Clan, to dispatch the First Holy Scion and ten Half-Step Celestial Immortals... is that not overkill?"

At that moment, a woman clad in verdant robes stepped forward. Her gaze was calm as she spoke, "This Path Tribulation is not a move made solely by our Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven." This content originates from https://audio-novel.com. Please respect copyright.

"The Western Essence Grotto-Heaven will have at least forty Half-Step Celestial Immortals entering the fray. Furthermore, the Sun Clan of the Longevity Aristocratic Family, the Celestial Net Ancient Sect, the Seventh True Successor, and others have all laid their own schemes."

"From what I know, that Heaven Sun has been maneuvering around the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea these past years. He has personally invested in and nurtured thirteen Half-Step Celestial Immortals, and has also won over several Blessed Land Lords [masters of blessed lands, realms of concentrated spiritual energy]."

"Under such circumstances, if you send only the First Holy Scion and ten Half-Step Celestial Immortals, you may well leave an opening for others to exploit."

Hearing this, the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven's face tightened almost imperceptibly.

Within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a secluded realm of profound cultivation], there are a total of seven Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm]. These are the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [the sovereign ruler of the realm] and its six Supreme Elder [the highest-ranking elders of the sect].

The verdant-robed woman before him was none other than the Fifth Supreme Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven—Immortal Maiden Verdant Daylily.

Not only had her cultivation reached the Third Heaven Celestial Immortal Realm [the third tier of the Celestial Immortal realm], she was also the granddaughter of the Second Supreme Elder and his own cultivation partner. Naturally, he dared not show any negligence.

After a moment of contemplation, the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven offered a slight smile and inquired, "In your esteemed opinion, how many should we dispatch?"

"Let the Second Holy Scion lead three Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of the Celestial Immortal realm]," she declared, her tone brooking no argument as she sought to settle the matter.

The verdant-robed woman spoke calmly, her words carrying the weight of finality.

Hearing this, the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven's expression shifted subtly. Within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven resided thirty-seven Half-Step Celestial Immortal. Among them were three female and six male Great Sage [titles for the most exceptional of these near-immortals], all of whom possessed the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable foundation for cultivation].

These nine individuals were the Celestial Immortal Seed [the most promising candidates for ascension] of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, each possessing a twenty to thirty percent chance of undergoing metamorphosis into a Celestial Immortal Great Power during the impending Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of profound change and trial].

And among these nine, the Second Holy Scion stood as a paragon, considered one of the most likely within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven's strategic plans to successfully achieve Celestial Immortal status.

Logically, dispatching the Second Holy Scion should be sufficient to overwhelm ninety-nine out of a hundred Blessed Land [realms of concentrated spiritual fortune]. Yet, a sliver of concern still lingered in the heart of the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven.

He pondered for a moment, then spoke: "In this battle within the Hundred Seas of Returning Abyss [a vast and treacherous sea region], there are three Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality]: Glazed Divine Lord, Violet Mystery Path Master, and Seven Mystery Path Master. Furthermore, Returning Abyss Path Master possesses truly exceptional talent."

"Relying on just the four of us may not be sufficient to ensure success."

The verdant-robed woman, however, offered a faint smile. "Do not worry," she said. "This Returning Abyss Path Master is suspected of having opened the Twelve-Layered Heaven [a legendary and supremely difficult foundational cultivation stage]. If he is allowed to break through to Half-Step Celestial Immortal, he could very well become a second Void Holy Son."

"Do you truly believe the Demon Race [a powerful and malevolent faction of demonic beings] and the Divine Clan [a noble and ancient lineage of divine beings] would grant him the opportunity to rise?" This chapter is part of a larger work available at *audio-novel.com*.