Chapter 1653 : A Gathering Storm of Immortals

Upon hearing this, the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [the supreme ruler of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, a powerful immortal domain] responded, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light, "Indeed. Such an existence, everyone would wish to strangle it in its cradle."

"I believe Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a powerful immortal domain and sect] and Heavenly Dragon Grotto-Heaven [an immortal domain associated with celestial dragons] will most likely intervene. The enemies of Returning Abyss [a title referring to Eldrin Chen] and Violet Mystery [a title referring to a powerful immortal] will certainly not let this opportunity slip by."

As he spoke to this point, the Lord of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven's eyes shone with a profound, dark light.

He said nothing more, instead smiling faintly as he declared, "In that case, let the Second Holy Scion [the second-ranked holy successor of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven] take Third Elder [the third elder of the sect], Ninth Elder [the ninth elder of the sect], and Fourteenth Elder [the fourteenth elder of the sect] with him."

Hearing this from below, the Ninth Elder's gaze flickered with subtle intent.

Within Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, all Elder [high-ranking members of a sect or clan] were Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have partially ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm, possessing immense power] who had cultivated a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation art focusing on unifying a single aspect of one's primordial essence]. The Holy Scions and Saintesses, however, were those who possessed a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a superior foundational cultivation art that unifies two aspects of primordial essence].

The Second Holy Scion was a standout even among those with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation. Such a figure, combined with the three of them—all Half-Step Celestial Immortal—and with the involvement of multiple forces like Western Essence Grotto-Heaven [an immortal domain of the Western Essence] and Heavenly Dragon Grotto-Heaven, meant...

In the view of the Ninth Elder, annihilating the Chen Immortal Clan Alliance [the alliance of immortal clans led by the Chen family] would be a matter of effortless simplicity.

Thinking this, the Ninth Elder declared with confidence, "Sect Master, rest assured. In this battle, we shall certainly eradicate the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance [the immortal alliance led by Eldrin Chen]."

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Simultaneously, after reviewing the information regarding the Returning Abyss Blessed Land [a sacred land of immense spiritual power], both the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven [a celestial realm of profound mysteries] and the Heavenly Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a grotto-heaven ruled by divine dragons] immediately decided to dispatch several Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality] with the intent to utterly suppress the Chen Immortal Clan.

Several powerful factions, to varying degrees, dispatched a few of their own Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality], aiming to strangle Eldrin Chen in his cradle, so to speak.

Alas, they were unaware that the Chen Immortal Clan was no longer the clan of old. Had they known its true strength, they would likely have set aside their differences to eliminate the Chen Immortal Clan first.

In their view, the Chen Immortal Clan possessed merely nine Earth Immortal Great Perfection [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm]. No matter how prodigious their combat prowess might be, to these Holy Scions and Saintesses, they were but insects to be crushed with a flick of a finger.

Any single Grotto-Heaven [a supreme, independent celestial realm] could effortlessly annihilate the Chen Immortal Clan.

This time, they needed only to send a handful of experts from each faction to completely smother the Chen Immortal Clan in its infancy.

By comparison, the enemies they regarded with the utmost seriousness were other powers of Grotto-Heaven [a supreme, independent celestial realm] caliber, as well as the direct disciples of the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [a primordial sect of unfathomable heritage], and the like.

Preemptively removing the Chen Immortal Clan was merely to sever any chance for the Chen Clan to rise during the coming Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict that reshapes the cosmic order].

After all, the Chen Immortal Clan boasted nine exceptionally talented Earth Immortal Great Perfection [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm]. Should they gain any harvest from the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict that reshapes the cosmic order], it was highly possible that nine Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality] would emerge in succession.

Even on a battlefield between Grotto-Heaven [supreme, independent celestial realms], nine Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality] would constitute a force of significant weight.

Returning to the main narrative, within the Returning Abyss Sea Region at this moment, all was bustling yet orderly.

With merely a few thousand years remaining until the Path Tribulation [the great cosmic calamity that tests the Paths of cultivators], Eldrin Chen dared not enter secluded cultivation. Instead, he cultivated in seclusion upon Green Chariot Mountain, awaiting the commencement of the Path Tribulation.

As the Path Tribulation drew ever nearer, Violet Mystery Path Master, Glazed Divine Lord, Heaven Abyss Path Master, and even Seven Mystery Path Master all arrived within the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Even Verdant Seal Patriarch and Ancient Ruins Nether Lord came to the Returning Abyss Sea Region to make their final preparations for the coming conflict.

Thus, time flowed on, and several thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the vast expanse of the Returning Abyss Sea Region suddenly grew dark and oppressive, as if a heavy blanket had been cast over the heavens.

Eldrin Chen and the other Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators who have nearly ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm], sensing the ominous shift, immediately stepped forth and ascended to the Nine Heavens Above.

Lifting their gazes to survey the four directions, they saw calamitous energy [the ominous aura preceding a great tribulation] running rampant between heaven and earth. The entire Immortal Domain was shrouded in an atmosphere of dark clouds pressing down and a storm brewing on the horizon.

"The Path Tribulation... it has arrived!"

Violet Mystery Path Master murmured softly, a grave solemnity gleaming deep within his eyes.

The others witnessing this scene displayed a mix of astonishment and joy in their gazes, along with a touch of ineffable excitement.

The so-called Path Tribulation [a climactic, fate-altering trial for cultivators] is both a Tribulation [a great calamity or ordeal] and an Opportunity and Fortune [a chance for immense advancement]. To fall and perish within the Path Tribulation naturally means the end of all things. Yet, to vanquish all foes and successfully transcend the Path Tribulation is nothing less than a direct Opportunity and Fortune leading straight to the realm of a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal stage].

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and said, "Since the Path Tribulation has begun, we must be prepared for battle at any moment."

At that very moment, a streak of light flew through the void and landed in Eldrin Chen's hand.

Eldrin Chen opened it to read, his brow furrowing slightly as a trace of Slaughter Intent [a palpable aura or desire for killing] surfaced.

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Noticing his expression, Glazed Divine Lord inquired.

Eldrin Chen stored the letter away before speaking. "My people have completed their investigation. We now know which major powers within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the western realms] have entered this tribulation."

"Who has entered the fray?"

The others pressed for answers eagerly, but Eldrin Chen offered no immediate reply. Instead, he simply passed the letter to them.

Everyone glanced at the information, their brows furrowing slightly as solemn expressions settled upon their faces.

It turned out that the number of transcendent powers who had made their moves in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea this time was as many as seven.

They were, respectively: the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven, the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, the Longevity Sun Clan, the Celestial Net Ancient Sect, the Heavenly Dragon Grotto-Heaven, the Nirvana Dragon Demon Race, and finally, the Violet Flame Divine Clan.

The involvement of the two Grotto-Heavens was already within their expectations. Stroking his beard, Violet Mystery Path Master said, "I received word long ago that the Western Essence and Divine Abyss Grotto-Heavens had begun massing their forces along their borders tens of thousands of years prior."

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

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Both the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven and the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven had dominated the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea for over a hundred million years. As the saying goes, one mountain cannot shelter two tigers. While the two Grotto-Heavens might not be sworn enemies, each undoubtedly wished to eliminate the other to claim sole dominion over the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

This Path Tribulation presented an opportunity for both sides to spare no expense in weakening the other, seeking a chance 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 Longevity Sun Clan and the Celestial Net Ancient Sect both hailed from beyond the Vast Azure Immortal Domain; the Nirvana Dragon Demon Race was a rare dragon lineage of the Dragon Clan; and the Violet Flame Divine Clan was also a Divine Clan power originating from the Great Encompassing Rank.

These powers had made extraordinary moves, each fielding at least one supreme prodigy with the potential to forge a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation. Their strength was not to be underestimated.

After reviewing the intelligence, Seven Mystery Path Master spoke, "The Longevity Sun Clan's Heaven Sun has, over these years, recruited and nurtured at least twenty Half-Step Celestial Immortals. Given his enmity with Returning Abyss Path Master, he will likely prove a formidable adversary."

Heaven Abyss Path Master [a master of the Heavenly Abyss cultivation path] furrowed his brow slightly, then shook his head and said, "These top-tier powers have all come to slay formidable foes and obtain Path Source [the primordial source energy of a cultivation path]. With only a few Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] among us, I fear we may not even catch their eye."

"Hmm."

Glazed Divine Lord [a title for a powerful divine being] nodded in agreement, then continued, "According to the intelligence I possess, the Violet Flame Divine Clan [a powerful clan whose members wield violet-colored divine flames] and the Longevity Sun Clan [an ancient clan associated with the enduring sun] are mortal enemies."

"This time, the Ninth Divine Scion [the ninth-born divine heir] of the Violet Flame Divine Clan has entered the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a perilous sea region in the western realms] to partake in the tribulation, precisely to ambush and thwart the Longevity Sun Clan."

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

These Longevity Ancient Clan [clans of immense, unfathomable age] and Great Encompassing Divine Clan [clans of divine lineage with vast influence] have existed for countless Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth]. The grudges between them have festered for hundreds of millions of years. In comparison, the minor Karma [the web of cause and effect governing fate] between the Chen Clan and them truly amounted to nothing.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen also nodded and remarked, "I have heard that the Celestial Net Ancient Sect [an ancient sect that employs celestial net-like formations] entered the tribulation in the Leaf Ruins Divine Sea [a divine sea region filled with ancient ruins] in the past, seemingly to confront both the Nirvana Dragon Demon Race [a race of demonic dragons associated with rebirth through fire] and the Heavenly Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a paradisiacal realm ruled by heavenly dragons]." Experience the full epic at audio_novel.com.