Chapter 1759 : The Calm Before the Heavenly Storm

The Heavenly Immortal Paragon of the Chen Immortal Clan were mostly Imperial Son Grade Flawless Celestial Immortal. With this breakthrough to the Second Level Celestial Immortal realm, their Mana [the spiritual energy used to cast spells and techniques] increased by another thirty percent, marking a significant rise in their strength.

It could be said that the current members of the Chen Immortal Clan would not be considered weak even within the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm.

In contrast, individuals like Zixuan the Daoist, Divine Lord Glaze, and Separated Flame Deity saw their Mana progress steadily, but lacking Primordial Ancient Trees to convert Chaos Qi [the primordial, undifferentiated energy of creation], their cultivation speed fell far behind that of the Chen Clan members.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, it would take these individuals at least two to three million years to advance a single layer in cultivation. To break through to Second Level Celestial Immortal, they would likely need to wait another million years.

Returning to the main thread, after his breakthrough to Second Level Celestial Immortal, Eldrin Chen resumed his life of secluded cultivation.

He remained within the Abyssal Grotto-Heaven, devoting himself to comprehending Divine Ability [supreme mystical techniques] and Daoist arts, striving to reach the level of a Third Heaven Celestial Immortal as swiftly as possible.

As time flowed onward, over a hundred thousand years passed in the blink of an eye, and the approach of a new Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, era-defining calamity] drew ever nearer.

Before the Great Tribulation erupted, Eldrin Chen summoned all the Immortal [beings who have attained immortality] of the Abyssal Immortal Alliance. He then commanded the Nine Great Grotto-Heavens to seal their mountains and avoid the calamity, quietly awaiting the commencement of the Great Tribulation.

This Dao Tribulation [a tribulation centered on the struggle for the Dao], being the first Great Tribulation since the Calamity Tribulation, involved far more Immortal participants than anticipated.

Across the entire Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, nearly every Celestial Domain saw over thirty Half-Step Celestial Immortal [those on the verge of full Celestial Immortality] enter the tribulation. Among them were not a few pieces placed by Ancient Sect from realms beyond the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain itself. Find thousands of chapters at audio_novel.com.

Eldrin Chen understood. This was because the Calamity Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic upheaval that periodically reshapes the heavens] drew near. Countless Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to the first tier of true immortality] were striving for a sliver of hope, seeking to break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the second tier of immortal cultivation, granting greater power and longevity] before the calamity descended.

According to the patterns of past cycles, when the Calamity Tribulation erupts, the probability of an Immortal perishing exceeds ninety-nine out of one hundred. The chance of an Earth Immortal [the third tier of immortal cultivation, masters of earthly domains] falling is over ninety percent. Yet, Heaven Immortal have a thirty to fifty percent chance of survival.

Among these three realms, the first two can truly be described as facing near-certain death.

Only by becoming a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a pinnacle master within the Heaven Immortal realm] does one possess a measure of self-preservation within the maelstrom of the Calamity Tribulation.

In truth, those who have broken through to the Celestial Immortal Level [the fourth tier of immortal cultivation, beings of celestial power] and do not recklessly seek further advancement, focusing solely on survival during the tribulation, likely have a survival rate no lower than sixty or seventy percent.

It is only those who wish to seize the moment to break through, aiming for the ranks of the Ancient Immortals [immortals who have weathered countless ages] or even the Great Luo Realm [a legendary realm of supreme attainment], who face the peril of nine deaths for one life.

Returning to the main thread, after Eldrin Chen entered seclusion and sealed his mountain, the Great Tribulation immediately swept forth like a tidal wave.

Eldrin Chen then observed that the struggle among the various powers in this Great Tribulation was exceptionally fierce. Even the mighty Chen Immortal Clan did not possess the overwhelming force to sweep all before them.

Eldrin Chen's three disciples were each extraordinarily powerful, figures of a caliber that could be considered protagonists of the calamity itself. Yet, from beyond the borders of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, the masters of Great Luo powers also had their own forbidden prodigies entering the fray.

The Ethereal Void Roc [a legendary avian demon of immense power and speed] from the Roc Clan, the Primordial Golden Hou [a supreme bloodline beast of ancient and terrifying power] from the Demonic Tribe, and figures like the Dawn Sun Divine Lord from the Divine Race—all were forbidden-level powerhouses.

These individuals were all prodigies of unparalleled talent. However, a million years ago, during the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's path], they encountered even more formidable opponents. Defeated yet surviving, they arrived at the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [a vast realm of cultivation], seeking to seize the opportunity to achieve the Forbidden Celestial Immortal [a legendary and supremely powerful state of immortal cultivation].

Led by Ye Qingfeng and his two companions, the heroes of the Chen Immortal Clan who had entered the tribulation swept across the Six Celestial Domains of the Western Pole. These Forbidden Imperial Sons [progeny of ancient emperors, possessing forbidden power] were equally formidable, not falling behind in the slightest.

To counter the now-dominant Human Race, the three Forbidden powerhouses united. Leading countless native Demon Immortal [demonic beings who have attained immortality] and Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual entities], they engaged in a climactic confrontation against the Human Race within the Central Six Celestial Domains.

Both sides clashed in an epochal war for the dominion of the Central Ancestral Domain. The conflict raged for a full ten thousand years and more, a stalemate where neither could gain a decisive advantage over the other.

The deadlock persisted until over twenty thousand years later. In the midst of the fiercely contested struggle, Xander Chen suddenly emerged, a comet across the heavens. Wielding the Immortal Iron Staff, he struck down heroes left and right. He slew six peerless Heaven's Chosen [individuals blessed by heaven with supreme talent] who had reached the Triple Supreme Unity [a profound state of triple cultivation unity]. With a single, earth-shattering blow from his staff, he annihilated the Primordial Golden Hou [an ancient and mighty simian demon], completely shattering the stalemate.

In the final battle, the Ethereal Void Roc was slain by Ye Qingfeng. The Dawn Sun Divine Lord was defeated at the hands of Alistair Lu and Ysander. Only their Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] managed to flee.

The remaining forces of the Demon and God Races were utterly routed. The fallen Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of true Celestial Immortality] numbered over three hundred.

This single battle was a devastating blow. The Demon and God Races, already grievously wounded in the Dao Tribulation, found their plight worsened. Their ranks of Half-Step Celestial Immortal with the potential to reach the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of true Heavenly Immortals] were nearly wiped out.

According to various estimates, while the Demon and God Races still possess no fewer than eight hundred Heavenly Immortal Paragon [peak-level Heavenly Immortals], their combined numbers of Half-Step Celestial Immortal now fall short of one hundred. A rare and critical vacuum has appeared in their succession.

"For the next ten million years, it shall be the era of the Human Race."

Deep within the various Grotto-Heaven, a spectating Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the highest echelons of the Heavenly Immortal realm] spoke, offering this assessment: "Unless the Human Race suffers grievous losses in the war against the Calamity Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking conflict ordained by fate], the balance of power will inevitably shift. With our strength waxing as others wane, the Human Race is destined to become the paramount race within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain."

A great power of the Human Race nodded in agreement, a faint smile gracing his features as he said, "The rise of the Human Race and the severing of the Demon God [a supreme realm of demonic cultivation] lineage—these require but the span of a single Calamity Tribulation. Once this new generation of Heaven Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the Heavenly Immortal realm] has time to mature, the very landscape of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain shall be irrevocably transformed."

Following the pacification of the Great Tribulation [a prolonged era of immense conflict and upheaval], the cultivation bases of Ye Qingfeng and the others finally experienced another monumental breakthrough.

Xander Chen, Ye Qingfeng, Alistair Lu, and Ysander had all attained the Forbidden Realm [a legendary and nearly unattainable state of cultivation that transcends ordinary limits], and had progressed a considerable distance within that profound state.

Not long after, the four of them broke through to the Heaven Immortal Realm, using their foundation in the Forbidden Realm to forge flawless Celestial Immortal Aptitude [a constitution of peerless purity and potential, fit for a true Celestial Immortal].

Among them, Ye Qingfeng cleaved open the Nineteenth Heaven Layer [the nineteenth layer of the heavens, representing an extraordinary depth of cultivation achievement]. Xander Chen shattered the Eighteenth Heaven and Earth Layer [the eighteenth layer bridging heaven and earth], while Alistair Lu and Ysander each opened the Seventeenth Heaven Layer. Discover more cultivation stories at *audio-novel.com*.

Time flowed on, relentless and swift. The Great Tribulation, which had stretched across thirty thousand years, finally drew to its close.

On this day, as the Tribulation Qi [the baleful, chaotic energy that permeates eras of great calamity] dissipated and the Nine Great Grotto-Heavens [nine legendary paradisiacal realms] reappeared in the mortal world, Eldrin Chen gazed upon his four disciples and descendants kneeling before him. A look of profound satisfaction settled upon his face as he spoke.

"In sweeping through this Great Tribulation and attaining the forbidden Celestial Immortal Aptitude, you have not disappointed me."

"It is all due to your guidance and nurturing, Master," they replied in unison.

Qingfeng spoke, his expression carrying both reverence and a touch of solemnity.

After his breakthrough to the Heaven Immortal [a powerful immortal realm] realm, his combat prowess had already reached a level comparable to a Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [a mid-level celestial immortal]. Yet, this only deepened his understanding of his Master's unfathomable depth—like the sun above a Divine Abyss [a profound and sacred chasm], vast and boundless.

"This master is very pleased."

Eldrin Chen spoke with a smile, offering words of encouragement to the group. Then he said, "Xander shall remain. The three of you may withdraw."

"As you command."

The three immediately bowed and withdrew from the Grand Hall.

Only Xander Chen remained. He clasped his hands and said calmly, "Father."

Eldrin Chen said nothing more. He simply led his eldest son to the edge of a cliff. They stood side by side, watching the clouds gather and disperse. After a long silence, Eldrin finally spoke.

"Tell me of your experiences these past years."

Xander Chen began to speak, recounting the events of those years.

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen finally understood. In those years, Xander Chen had been hunted by the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain and only escaped by plunging into the depths of the Boundless Dimensional Void.

Later, he reunited with Bianca, only to be parted from her by life and death a mere hundred years later. It was not until a million years had passed that his injuries were fully healed.

Seizing this opportunity, Xander Chen broke through his limits, achieving a profound rebirth. In this state of utter destruction and subsequent renewal, he comprehended his own unique path, attaining the Forbidden Realm. It was this breakthrough that gave rise to the current spectacle of the Great Tribulation.

Having grasped the cause and effect of these events, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. He then asked, "What do you intend to do about the enmity from all those years ago?" This chapter appears courtesy of (audio-novel.com).