Chapter 1653 : The Arrival of Dao Tribulation

Hearing this, the Lord of the Divine Abyss Paradise’s eyes gleamed as he said, "Indeed. A being like this—everyone would want to snuff it out in the cradle."

"I suspect both the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven and the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven will intervene," the master of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven declared, his eyes gleaming with an eerie light. "Our adversaries from the Vanished Abyss and the Violet Mystery will likely seize this opportunity as well."

He said nothing more, smiling slightly as he replied, "In that case, let the Second Holy Son lead the Third Elder, Ninth Elder, and Fourteenth Elder to go there."

Below, the Ninth Elder’s eyes flickered faintly upon hearing this.

Within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, the elders were all Half-Step Celestial Immortals who had cultivated a single Taiyi foundation, while the Saint Sons and Saint Daughters possessed dual Taiyi foundations.

The Second Holy Son was an outstanding figure even among those with dual Taiyi foundations. With such a personage, along with the 3 of them who were half-step Heavenly Immortals, and the involvement of multiple forces like the Western Qi Cave Heaven and the Celestial Dragon Cave Heaven...

In the eyes of the Ninth Elder, annihilating the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) alliance was as effortless as lifting a finger.

At this thought, the Ninth Elder declared with confidence, "Worry not, Sect Master. In this battle, we shall surely annihilate the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance." "......"

Meanwhile, within the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven and the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven, after reviewing the records concerning the Ruins Abyss Blessed Land, they immediately decided to dispatch several Half-Step Celestial Immortals to thoroughly suppress the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization).

Several powerful factions had dispatched, to varying degrees, a number of Half-Step Celestial Immortals, intending to eliminate Eldrin (Person Name) in his cradle.

Alas, they remained unaware that the present-day Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) was no longer what it once had been. Had they known the true extent of the clan's power, they would likely have cast aside their prejudices to strangle the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) in its cradle.

In their eyes, the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) only had 9 Earth Immortals at the Great Perfection stage. No matter how heaven-defying their combat prowess might be, these Holy Sons and Holy Daughters could annihilate them with a mere snap of their fingers.

Any single grotto-heaven could effortlessly annihilate the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization).

This time, they only needed to dispatch a few experts from each family to completely strangle the Chen Immortal Clan in its cradle.

By comparison, their most formidable adversaries remained the other powerhouses of the same cave heaven rank, as well as the direct descendants of the Great Luo Ancient Sect. Eliminating the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) in advance was merely to sever any chance of the Chen Clan's rise during the Dao Tribulation.

After all, the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) boasted a total of 9 exceptionally gifted Earth Immortals at the Great Perfection stage. Should they gain any insights during the Heavenly Tribulation, it was highly probable that 9 Half-Step Celestial Immortals would emerge in succession.

Even on a battlefield among grotto-heavens, 9 Half-Step Celestial Immortals constituted a force to be reckoned with. But to return to our tale, within the waters of the Abyssal Ruins, all was bustling yet orderly.

With the Dao Tribulation merely a few 1000 years away, Eldrin dared not enter seclusion. He chose to cultivate in seclusion upon Verdant Chariot Mountain while awaiting the tribulation's arrival. As the cataclysm drew nearer, Daoist Zi Xuan, Divine Lord Liu Li, Daoist Tian Yuan, and Daoist Qi Xuan all gathered in the Return Abyss Sea.

Even Patriarch Qing and the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord had arrived in the Abyssal Sea to make their final preparations. Thus, 1 100 years had passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, the vast Expanse of the Returning Abyss suddenly turned pitch-black, blanketing the sky.

Eldrin and the several half-step Celestial Immortals sensed the situation turning dire and immediately ascended to the 9 Heavens Above.

They looked up and surveyed the 4 directions, finding calamity energy raging between heaven and earth. The entire celestial realm was shrouded in brooding clouds, presenting the oppressive stillness before a storm.

"The Dao Tribulation has arrived!"

Daoist Zixuan murmured softly, his gaze tinged with solemnity.

The rest of the crowd watched the scene unfold, their eyes alight with astonishment and delight, mingled with an indescribable thrill.

The so-called Dao Tribulation is both a calamity and an opportunity; should 1 fall in this tribulation, all would be lost; yet if 1 can vanquish all foes and transcend it, it becomes nothing less than a chance to ascend directly to the realm of a Celestial Immortal.

Eldrin gave a slight nod at the sight and said, "Since the Heavenly Tribulation has begun, we must be prepared for battle at any moment." Just then, a streak of light shot through the void and landed in Eldrin's palm.

Eldrin opened it and took a look, his brow slightly furrowing as a trace of killing intent surfaced in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Seeing this, the Glazed Goddess could not help but inquire.

Eldrin (Person Name) tucked away the letter and spoke calmly, "My people have uncovered which major factions from the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea have stepped into the tribulation." "Who among them has entered this calamity?"

The crowd quickly inquired, but Eldrin did not respond. Instead, he handed the letter to them. With a single glance, their brows furrowed slightly, and solemn expressions emerged on their faces.

It turned out that no fewer than 7 transcendent powers had made their moves in the Xī Qì Shén Yuān Hǎi.

Western Qi Cave Heaven, Divine Abyss Cave Heaven, Eternal Life Sun Clan, Heavenly Net Ancient Sect, Celestial Dragon Cave Heaven, Nirvana Dragon Demon Clan, and the Purple Flame Divine Clan.

As for the deployment of forces by the 2 cave heavens, it was well within everyone’s expectations. The Eldrin Daoist Zixuan stroked his beard and remarked, "I had long received word that the Western Qi and Divine Abyss cave heavens began stationing their troops along the borders tens of thousands of years ago."

"If my assumptions are correct," the white-robed man said calmly, "the 3 great sects and 5 major clans have all dispatched their most promising younger generation disciples. The Myriad Swords Manor sent their Third Young Master, the Divine Flame Valley dispatched their Holy Maiden, and even the reclusive Moon-Washing Pavilion has broken their century-long seclusion to send their successor. It seems the younger generation truly intends to compete for supremacy."

Eldrin nodded slightly. Both the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven and the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven had dominated the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea for hundreds of millions of years. As the saying goes, "2 tigers cannot share 1 mountain." Though the 2 grotto-heavens could not be considered mortal enemies, each was eager to eliminate the other and claim sole dominion over the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea.

Both sides of this Dao Tribulation were willing to spare no cost to weaken the other, seeking any opportunity to deliver a decisive defeat. Naturally, they had long prepared in advance to engage in this confrontation.

The remaining 4 transcendent powers were all extraordinary: the Eternal Sun Clan and the Celestial Net Ancient Sect both originated from beyond the Vast Azure Immortal Domain; the Nether Dragon Demon Tribe was a rare dragon bloodline among the dragon race; and the Violet Flame Divine Clan hailed from a Great Luo-level divine lineage.

As these formidable powers made their extraordinary moves, each faction possessed at least 1 supreme prodigy with the potential to forge the foundation of 3 Primordial Immortals, making their influence impossible to underestimate.

After reviewing the materials, Daoist 7 Mysteries spoke, "Sun Qian of the Longevity Sun Clan has recruited and cultivated at least 20-some Half-Step Celestial Immortals over these years. Given his enmity with Daoist Guixu (Cultivator Name), this man is likely no easy opponent."

Elder Tianyuan furrowed his brow slightly, then shook his head. "These top-tier factions have all come to slay powerful foes and obtain the Dao Origin. With merely a handful of Quasi-Celestial Immortals among us, I fear we may not even register in their sight."

"Hmm."

Divine Lord Liuli nodded, then began to speak, "According to the intelligence I possess, the Violet Flame Divine Clan and the Longevity Sun Clan are mortal enemies." "This time, the Ninth Divine Son of the Violet Flame Divine Clan has come to the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea to undergo his heavenly tribulation with the sole purpose of ambushing the Longevity Sun Clan."

Upon hearing the intelligence regarding the Crystal Divine Lord, a faint glimmer stirred within Eldrin's gaze.

These ancient clans of longevity and Great Luo divine races had existed for countless kalpas, their grudges spanning hundreds of millions of years. In comparison, the trivial karma between the Chen Clan and them truly amounted to nothing.

At this thought, Eldrin (Person Name) nodded slightly and said, "It is said that the Heavenly Net Ancient Sect once entered the tribulation at the Divine Sea of the Leaf Ruins, seemingly poised to confront the Nirvana Dragon Demon Clan and the Heavenly Dragon Cave Heaven."