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 began her secluded cultivation 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 cultivation. They had also previously coordinated with Sea-Calmer Path Lord and others.
Time flowed swiftly in this manner. In the blink of an eye, five years passed, arriving at the optimal moment for Nyssa Qu to draw in her Heaven Soul [the celestial aspect of one's soul, representing destiny and heavenly connection].
On this day, as winds gathered and clouds churned, a sky-obscuring phenomenon manifested above the Vast Sea. Countless cultivators across the entire Eastern Region Great Wasteland were startled into alertness.
"Who is attempting a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]?"
Many high-ranking cultivators murmured, their gazes filled with puzzlement.
In the neighboring Vast and Misty Marsh, from within the fathomless depths of the Black Dragon Pool, a Black Dragon [a powerful draconic demon beast] of heaven-veiling proportions opened its eyes.
After a brief moment of deduction, a flash of icy coldness passed through its gaze.
"The Vast Sea Water Vein [a concentrated spiritual artery of water energy]... If this wretch succeeds in her path, it will likely catalyze the advancement of the Vast Sea itself. In the end, she would become a great calamity."
The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor [the ancient progenitor of the black dragon lineage] muttered to itself. It began to coil, preparing to soar into the sky, only to discover a handsome figure already seated cross-legged in the void above, as if having waited for a long time. Access the full story on audio—novel.com.
In but a single instant, the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor [a primordial black dragon of immense power] cast a frigid gaze and demanded, "Heaven Abandoned Lin, two thousand years have passed. Do you still dare to stand in my way?"
"Black Dragon."
Clad in a simple black robe, Heaven Abandoned Lin possessed a countenance of unparalleled, chiseled perfection, his features as sharp and defined as if carved by blade and axe.
He sat there in meditation, a simple, ancient Immortal Sword [a sword of transcendent power used by immortal cultivators] resting across his knees, appearing for all the world like a mortal swordsman at rest.
Yet, in the eyes of the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor, the figure before him was a vessel of infinite Sword Intent [the conceptual will and essence of the sword path, given tangible form].
Every strand of his hair, every drop of his blood, thrummed with an indomitable, world-cleaving Sword Intent, capable of severing the Nine Heavens Stellar [the celestial bodies of the highest heavens] above and sundering mountains and vast seas below.
His sword had approached the very essence of the Dao, its edge now hinting at the nascent form of true Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths that govern a cultivation path].
This filled the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor with profound gravity. Its scales were nigh-impenetrable, its physical form a mere half-step from the Demigod Realm [a realm of power bordering on divinity], allowing it to shrug off assaults from most Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master cultivator whose spirit has reached its primordial, foundational state].
Yet in this moment, the ancient dragon knew with absolute clarity that even should it prevail against Heaven Abandoned Lin, the victory would come at a cost of unprecedented devastation.
"Black Dragon."
Heaven Abandoned Lin spoke again, his gaze icy. "In my youth, Eastern Sovereign showed me much kindness."
"Two thousand years ago, when you eradicated the last remnants of the Eastern Sovereign's lineage, I, with my Primordial Spirit 6th Tier [the sixth level of the Primordial Spirit stage] cultivation, stood in your way. Yet, I was no match for your True Dragon [a supreme dragon form] physique."
"Now, having broken through my limits and risen anew, advancing two major realms in succession, perhaps I can finally cross swords with you."
"You dare?"
The Black Dragon's eyes turned frigid, a boundless killing intent swirling within its pupils.
Its gaze was utterly cold. Ultimately, it reined in that murderous aura and spoke with a cold sneer, "A battle between us would inevitably leave both gravely wounded."
"With the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity originating from the demonic abyss] imminent, do you truly dare to clash with this sovereign?"
Heaven Abandoned Lin stood there calmly, yet the Sword Intent [the conceptual will and essence of the sword path] within his gaze grew ever more refined and potent. "If you intend to go and obstruct his path to enlightenment, by all means, try!"
"You!"
The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor's expression shifted abruptly. It glanced 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 one who would rather break than bend; since Heaven Abandoned Lin had spoken, his word was an unbreakable vow.
To provoke such a formidable foe as Heaven Abandoned Lin over a mere portion of the Water Essence Power [a mystical power derived from the essence of water] within the Vast and Misty Marsh was simply not a worthwhile trade.
Thus, with a cold sneer, the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor turned and flew back into the depths of the Black Dragon Pool.
No sooner had he returned to the Black Dragon Pool than a sky-obscuring Azure Dragon soared into view, its claws and fangs bared with a force that seemed capable of rending heaven and earth.
The newcomer was none other than the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor. After all these years, not only had his injuries fully healed, but he had also successfully completed his transformation into a true dragon by harnessing the power of the Dragon Transformation Divine Fruit [a legendary fruit said to grant a serpentine creature the form and power of a true dragon].
The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor had now shed his former guise, fully becoming an Azure Dragon. He stood on the very precipice of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement in power] realm, a single step away from ascending to become the Azure Dragon Demon Ancestor. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio–novel.com.
Now, the Azure Dragon Demon Emperor strode forward. After a glance in the direction Heaven Abandoned Lin had departed, his gaze turned icy. "Grandfather," he asked, "why did you not strike and detain him?"
The Black Dragon Demon Ancestor remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "At this time, the Human Race holds the upper hand. To tear the final veil of peace with them now would likely bring us the greater loss."
"Wait another two hundred years. When the next Demonic Abyss Cataclysm descends and the baleful energies run rampant, if the Human Race suffers grievous losses, this Vast Sea shall be perfectly suited to serve as your Path-Field [a territory or domain where a cultivator establishes their power base and gathers resources for their cultivation path]."
The Azure Dragon Demon Emperor was momentarily taken aback, then quickly bowed with immense joy. "My deepest gratitude, Grandfather."
"There is no need for thanks."
Black Dragon Demon Ancestor spoke calmly, then after a long pause suddenly said, "This is an opportune moment. If you attempt your Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] breakthrough now, I fear even the Human Race may not be able to spare the effort to come and obstruct your path."
"But..." Azure Dragon Demon Emperor was momentarily taken aback and could not help but say, "This is not the optimal time for me to attract my Heaven Soul [the celestial aspect of one's soul, crucial for high-level breakthroughs]."
"When has a Primordial Spirit breakthrough ever been guaranteed with absolute certainty? Hesitation and overcaution will only cause you to miss your destined opportunity."
Black Dragon immediately rebuked him, his gaze filled with disappointment. "You have already transformed into a Nine Heavens True Dragon. Must you still hide in the mud like a loach?"
"If you do not break through now, then when?"
"..."
Unlike the breakthrough of Sea-Calmer Path Master, whose ascent was masked by the aura of an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] ruin, making the commotion relatively subdued...
...the disturbance caused by Nyssa Qu's breakthrough now was immense. Every Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit realm and mastered a profound Path] within the entire Eastern Region Great Wasteland could sense it.
Within the other great demonic Primordial Spirit Forbidden Land [a perilous, restricted area often rich in resources or ancient secrets], Crocodile Ancestor and Netherworld Patriarch opened their eyes in turn, yet both soon lowered their gazes and closed them again, making no move to intervene.
Within Fallen God Ridge [a legendary and perilous mountain range], a figure crowned with an imperial diadem roared and surged upwards, carrying with it a vast, chaotic tide of murderous intent that flooded the heavens.
Yet, his body was bound by numerous Chains [enchanted restraints] that held him fast, anchoring him firmly to the Earth Vein [a powerful ley line of terrestrial spiritual energy].
Before this diadem-crowned figure, a somber, black lotus hovered suspended in the void, radiating a bewitching and sinister glow.
The black lotus merely spun silently, its voice echoing with an eerie calm, "The Demonic Lotus [a malevolent spiritual artifact] is not yet complete. You cannot escape."
"..."
Amidst the Vast Sea [a boundless and treacherous ocean], Eldrin Chen stood vigilant, prepared for battle.
Yet, no Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the Primordial Spirit realm] came to obstruct the tribulation. Two demonic beings of Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a realm just below the full Primordial Spirit stage] level, sensing Eldrin Chen's personal guardianship from hundreds of thousands of Li-length away, hastily retreated in panic, vanishing into the boundless expanse of heaven and earth.
"With sufficient strength and influential connections, even an External Tribulation [a heavenly trial manifesting as external calamities] will retreat?"
Watching as Nyssa Qu's External Tribulation ultimately failed to erupt, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself.
A moment later, he shook his head. Within the depths of his pupils, he could see wisps of tribulation energy rising from the world into Nyssa Qu's body, a portion of which she forcefully suppressed.
The remainder was dispersed among us, adding a measure of calamitous aura to our own beings.
"The External Tribulation [a tribulation manifesting as external threats and enemies] was dispersed onto us?"
Eldrin Chen murmured, beginning to grasp the true nature of Tribulation [a cosmic trial or calamity faced by cultivators].
The Primordial Spirit Tribulation [the tribulation faced when attempting to ascend to the Primordial Spirit Realm] is the trial for breaking through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a high-level cultivator]. By acting as guardians for Nyssa Qu, they were fated to shoulder a portion of karmic burden.
Had a great battle erupted during the guardianship, that would have been one thing; regardless of victory or defeat, this karmic debt would have been incurred.
Just as in the past, when Eldrin Chen guarded Sea-Calmer Path Master during his path-establishment, he formed a karmic bond with the Netherwater Profound Serpent Emperor.
Now, by guarding Nyssa Qu's path, an intangible strand of karma was inevitably woven into their fate, destined to add further difficulty to their own future breakthroughs by intensifying their Tribulation. Experience the full epic at https://audio-novel.com.