Chapter 803 : Heavenly Tribulation Over the Vast Sea

Having obtained the Void-Suppressing Vase, Nyssa Qu felt she had sufficient confidence to attempt her breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. She thus immediately entered seclusion to assail the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm.

To ensure Nyssa Qu's successful breakthrough, Eldrin Chen and his three Dao companions personally stood guard over her tribulation. They had also made prior arrangements with Dao Lord Maris and others.

Time flowed swiftly in this manner. In the blink of an eye, five years passed, arriving at the most auspicious moment for Nyssa Qu to draw in her Heavenly Soul [the celestial component of one's soul, representing destiny and heavenly connection].

On that day, as winds gathered and clouds churned, a sky-obscuring phenomenon manifested above The Vast Sea, startling countless cultivators across the entire Eastern Wastelands.

"Who is attempting to break through to Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]?"

Many high-ranking cultivators murmured, their gazes filled with puzzlement.

In the neighboring Vast and Boundless Marsh, from the unfathomable depths of Black Dragon Pool, a Black Dragon whose form blotted out the heavens and earth opened its eyes.

After a brief moment of deduction, a flash of icy coldness passed through its gaze.

"The Water Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated water-element spiritual energy] of The Vast Sea... If this wretch succeeds in her Dao, she will likely catalyze the advancement of The Vast Sea itself. In the end, she would become a great calamity."

The Black Dragon Demon Progenitor muttered. It began to coil, preparing to soar into the sky, only to discover a handsome figure already seated in the void above, as if having waited for a long time. The complete novel can be found at audio—novel.com.

In but a single instant, Black Dragon Demon Progenitor [the progenitor of the black dragon demon race] cast a frigid gaze and demanded, "Tianqi Lin, two Millennium [a period of one thousand years] have passed. Do you still dare to stand in my way?"

"Black Dragon."

Clad in a black robe, Lin Tianqi possessed a countenance of unparalleled handsomeness, his features as if carved by blade and axe into perfection.

He simply sat there in meditation, a simple, ancient Immortal Sword [a sword of immortal grade] resting upon his knees, appearing no different from a mortal swordsman seated in repose.

Yet, in the eyes of Black Dragon Demon Progenitor, the present Tianqi Lin was a vessel of boundless Sword Intent [the conceptual will and power of the sword].

Every single strand of his hair, every drop of his blood, thrummed with an indomitable, Sword Intent capable of cleaving Nine Heavens Star Fragment [fragments of stars from the highest heavens] from the firmament above and severing mountains and vast seas below.

His sword was near to becoming one with the Dao [the fundamental principle or path], already hinting at the nascent form of the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality].

This filled Black Dragon Demon Progenitor with immense gravity. Its scales were nigh-indestructible, its physical body's strength was but A Step Away [a metaphorical short distance] from the Half-Immortal Realm [a realm halfway to immortality], and it could disregard the assaults of the vast majority of Nascent Soul Dao Lord [cultivators who have reached the Nascent Soul realm and comprehended the Dao].

Yet, at this moment, Black Dragon Demon Progenitor knew with absolute clarity that even if myself [a formal or archaic way for a powerful being to refer to itself] could prevail against Tianqi Lin, it would likely suffer unprecedented, grievous wounds.

"Black Dragon."

Lin Tianqi spoke once more, his gaze icy. "In my youth, Eastern Sovereign showed me great kindness."

"Two Millennium ago, when you annihilated the last remnants of Eastern Sovereign's lineage, I, with my Nascent Soul Sixth Layer cultivation, stood in your way, yet I was no match for your True Dragon Physique."

"Now, having broken through my limits and advanced two major realms in succession, perhaps I can cross swords with you."

"You dare?"

The Black Dragon's eyes turned frigid, twin pools of murderous intent surging within them.

Its gaze was utterly glacial, yet it ultimately reined in that killing aura. With a cold sneer, it spoke, "A battle between us would inevitably leave both grievously wounded."

"Now, with the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm imminent, do you truly dare to raise your hand against me?"

Lin Tianqi stood there, calm and unmoving, yet the Sword Intent [a cultivator's conceptual will and mastery over the sword] within his gaze grew ever more refined and potent. "If you intend to go and obstruct his Dao [the path of cultivation and enlightenment], then by all means, try!"

"You—!"

The Black Dragon Demon Progenitor's expression shifted abruptly. It cast one final glance towards the distant depths of the void where The Vast Sea lay, then finally withdrew its gaze.

A Sword Cultivator [a cultivator whose path and power are centered on the sword] is defined by an unbending will; since Lin Tianqi had spoken, he would undoubtedly act upon his word.

To provoke a formidable enemy like Lin Tianqi over a mere portion of the Water Essence Power [the condensed spiritual power of the water element] within the Vast and Boundless Marsh was simply not a worthwhile trade.

Thus, with a cold sneer, the Black Dragon Demon Progenitor [the ancient ancestor of the Black Dragon lineage] turned and flew back into the depths of the Black Dragon [a powerful demonic beast of the dragon race] Pond.

No sooner had he returned to the Black Dragon Pond than a heaven-obscuring Azure Dragon [a supreme dragon of the azure lineage, symbolizing the east and wood element] soared into the sky. Its claws bared and fangs gleaming, it carried a power that seemed capable of rending the very earth and sky.

The newcomer was none other than the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. After all these years, not only had his injuries healed, but he had also successfully completed his dragon transformation by harnessing the power of the Dragon Transformation Divine Fruit [a legendary spiritual fruit that can catalyze a flood dragon's ascension to true dragonhood].

Now transformed into an Azure Dragon, the former Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor stood but a single step away from breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a profound advancement in power and longevity] realm. Upon that breakthrough, he would ascend to become an Azure Dragon Demon Progenitor [the founding ancestor of an Azure Dragon lineage]. Visit site: audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

The Azure Dragon Demon Emperor [a title for a ruler among demonic beasts] strode forward. After a glance in the direction where Lin Tianqi had departed, his gaze turned icy as he spoke, "Grandfather, why did you not act to detain him?"

The Black Dragon Demon Progenitor remained silent for a long moment before finally replying, "At this time, the Human Race holds the greatest strength. To tear the veil of pretense with them completely would likely bring ruin upon us."

"Wait another two hundred years. When the next Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, world-shaking calamity originating from the depths of the demonic abyss] unleashes its chaotic tribulation-energies, if the Human Race suffers grievous losses, this The Vast Sea shall be yours to claim as your Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred site for a cultivator to establish their lineage and gather disciples]."

The Azure Dragon Demon Emperor was momentarily taken aback, then overwhelmed with joy. "My deepest gratitude, Grandfather!"

"There is no need for thanks."

Black Dragon Demon Progenitor spoke calmly, then after a long pause, suddenly said, "This is a favorable juncture. If you attempt your breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm now, I fear even the Human Race may not be able to spare the effort to come and obstruct your Dao."

"But..." The Azure DragonDemon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] was momentarily taken aback and could not help but say, "This moment is not the optimal time for me to draw upon my Heavenly Soul [the celestial aspect of one's soul, tied to destiny and heavenly favor]."

"When has breaking through to Primordial Spirit ever been a matter of ten-tenths certainty? Hesitation and overcaution will only cause you to miss your destined opportunity."

The Black Dragon immediately rebuked him, his gaze filled with disappointment. "You have already transformed into a Nine Heavens True Dragon [a legendary dragon of the highest order]. Must you still hide in the muck like a loach?"

"If you do not break through now, then when?"

Unlike the breakthrough of Maris the Sea Steader, when he advanced, the aura emanating from an ancient Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] ruin served to mask the commotion, making the disturbances relatively minor.

This time, the breakthrough of Nyssa Qu caused immense disturbances. Every Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator who has formed a Nascent Soul, a higher spiritual infant] within the entire Eastern Wastelands could sense it.

Within the other several Great Demonic Monster [ancient and immensely powerful demonic beasts] Primordial Spirit forbidden lands, Crocodile Progenitor and the Netherworld Ancient Ancestor opened their eyes in succession, yet both soon lowered their eyelids and closed them again, not moving to take action.

From within Falling God Ridge, a figure crowned with an imperial diadem roared and surged upwards, carrying with it a sky-obscuring, chaotic tide of murderous intent.

Yet his form was bound by heavy chains, shackled firmly to the Earth Vein [a powerful spiritual energy current flowing through the earth].

Before the figure crowned with an emperor's diadem, a dark, abyssal lotus hovered in the void, shimmering with a bewitching and sinister light.

For now, the black lotus simply spun in quiet suspension, its voice an eerie whisper: "The Demonic Lotus [a malevolent artifact of immense power] is not yet complete. You cannot escape."

Within the The Vast Sea [a boundless, mystical ocean realm], Eldrin Chen stood vigilant, prepared for any threat.

Yet he found no Nascent Soul Dao Lord [a supreme cultivator who has formed a Nascent Soul] coming to obstruct the tribulation. Two Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a being on the cusp of achieving a Primordial Spirit] level Demonic Monsters [powerful, malevolent creatures from demonic realms], sensing Eldrin Chen's personal guardianship from hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths away, hastily retreated in panic, vanishing into the boundless expanse of heaven and earth.

"So, with sufficient strength and connections, even the external tribulations of Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, a higher state of being] will withdraw and avoid confrontation?"

Watching as the external tribulation for Nyssa Qu ultimately failed to manifest, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself.

A moment later, he shook his head. Within the depths of his pupils, he perceived wisps of tribulation energy rising from the world into Nyssa Qu's body. A portion was suppressed by Nyssa Qu herself.

Another portion, however, dispersed and settled upon myself and the others, adding a measure of that ominous tribulation energy to their own auras.

"The external tribulation has been dispersed onto us?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, gaining a faint understanding of what constituted a Heavenly Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial ordained by the heavens to test cultivators].

The Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation was the trial for breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a higher state of being]. By acting as guardians for Nyssa Qu, they were destined to shoulder a portion of Karmic Burden [the metaphysical weight of cause and effect from one's actions].

If a great battle erupted during the guardianship, that would be one thing; regardless of victory or defeat, this Karmic Burden would still manifest.

Just as in the past, when Eldrin Chen guarded Maris the Sea Steader during his Dao-Pillar Establishment [the critical process of solidifying one's foundational path to immortality], he formed a karmic bond with the Abyssal Water Serpent Emperor.

Now, by guarding Nyssa Qu's path, an intangible strand of Karmic Burden was inevitably woven into fate. This would add several layers of tribulation when the time came for their own future breakthroughs. Original publication: *audio-novel.com* - The source of this chapter.