Chapter 804 : Heavenly Tribulation and the Azure Dragon's Rise

"A mere wisp of tribulation aura [the ominous energy that heralds a heavenly trial or calamity], it should be of little concern."

Eldrin Chen withdrew his contemplations and turned his gaze towards the void above.

As there was no External Tribulation [a heavenly trial manifesting as external forces to obstruct a cultivator's breakthrough] to obstruct her path, Nyssa Qu's breakthrough proceeded smoothly.

Yet, upon the Nine Heavens Above, a brilliant sun descended, falling towards Nyssa Qu's secluded cultivation chamber.

"Success."

Eldrin Chen murmured, a trace of relief coloring his expression.

Yet, at that very same moment, deep within the heart of the Vast and Misty Marsh, boundless and strange phenomena also began to unfurl.

The onlookers raised their heads, faintly discerning a Nine Heavens True Dragon [a supreme draconic entity of the highest heavens] devouring the heavens and swallowing the earth, its aura overwhelming the very mountains and rivers.

"The Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor!"

"He chose his moment well." Official source: @udio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze hardening momentarily before settling back into calm detachment, no longer paying heed to the anomalous phenomena heralding the breakthrough of the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor [a powerful dragon-type demonic beast].

Judging by the scale of the celestial disturbances stirred by the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor, it was clear the creature had successfully undergone its draconic metamorphosis [the process of transforming into a true dragon].

With the innate potential of a Nine Heavens True Dragon [a dragon of the highest pedigree], failure in advancing to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core cultivation stage] was virtually impossible.

The only genuine concern for the Azure Flood Dragon Demon Emperor during its Primordial Spirit breakthrough was the threat of External Tribulation [heavenly calamities sent to test cultivators].

Yet, its timing was impeccable. The attention of the human, demon, and fiend races was wholly captivated by Nyssa Qu's own ascension, leaving any who might wish to obstruct its path powerless to intervene.

Even Eldrin Chen abandoned any thought of action. It was already too late to strike; even if he unleashed the Polarity Annihilation Fallen God Curse [a devastating curse technique], he doubted he could succeed under the watchful gaze of the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor [an ancient and formidable black dragon].

Returning to the main event, as the final vestiges of Heaven Soul [a tribulation phenomenon representing celestial approval] descended, Nyssa Qu's breakthrough finally drew to its conclusion.

Amidst the slowly dissipating Tribulation Cloud [clouds formed from concentrated tribulation energy], she emerged from within the confines of Celestial Dome Island.

She appeared, clad in a gown of iridescent silk that seemed woven from rainbows, her figure slender and nearly perfect, resembling more a peerless immortal maiden descending from the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realm].

At this moment, Nyssa Qu glanced at Eldrin Chen, offering no words, only a slight, graceful bow. Then, she stepped lightly into the air and began to ascend.

"Boom! Rumble!"

Above the Heavenly Vault, the Tribulation Cloud [a dense, ominous cloud formation that heralds a heavenly tribulation] roared across heaven and earth, an endless sea of Thunderclap [a deafening, explosive burst of thunder] drowning out all else.

Fortunately, Nyssa Qu was well-prepared and possessed full confidence in overcoming this trial.

Behold, she unfurled a pair of Seven-Colored Shell [a magical treasure formed from her innate, seven-hued shell] and strode upward to meet the Sea of Thunder [a vast, overwhelming manifestation of tribulation lightning].

Those Seven-Colored Shell were a Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact] transformed from her companion birth-shell, engraved with Primordial Solar [the Demigod cultivation realm] Dao patterns and crafted from material no weaker than Sixth Rank Primordial Solar Spiritual Material [a top-tier material suitable for crafting Demigod-level treasures].

After her breakthrough, she would only need to refine them slightly to transform them into a supreme-grade Defensive Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier artifact specialized for protection].

With such a Primordial Solar artifact in hand, she blocked seven bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the divine lightning strikes of a heavenly trial] with the ease of a leisurely stroll.

Although the eighth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was Extraordinary, it was still nothing formidable for Nyssa Qu; she summoned a beam of Seven-Colored Immortal Light [a radiant, protective light of seven hues] to deflect it.

The final Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was then captured and contained by the Void-Suppressing Vase [a treasure vase capable of suppressing and storing spatial forces], failing to harm her in the slightest.

Only after completing this step did Nyssa Qu glance at Eldrin Chen, her eyes smiling as she spoke, "Many thanks for your assistance, Young Master. This humble one can finally say she has not failed in her mission."

"It is good that you were able to achieve a breakthrough."

Eldrin Chen also revealed a smile. With Nyssa Qu's breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], the strength of the Chen Clan had greatly increased, granting them a greater measure of self-preservation for the future.

After Nyssa Qu's breakthrough, the group proceeded to the Celestial Dome Island.

Within the Great Hall of Celestial Dome Island, Eldrin Chen glanced at Nyssa Qu and spoke, "Now that Nyssa has broken through to the Primordial Spirit, I believe we should begin the process of elevating the Water Vein [a subterranean current of concentrated water-attuned spiritual energy] of Celestial Dome Island."

"Elevate the Water Vein of Celestial Dome Island?" Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted with sudden gravity.

Exquisite Jiang took a deep breath and could not help but ask, "After absorbing the majority of the Water Essence Power [the fundamental spiritual power of water] from Violet Jade Lake and Azure Wave Lake, the Vast Sea has indeed reached the standard required for promotion to a Sixth Rank Ancestral Vein [a spiritual land of the sixth rank, capable of supporting Primordial Spirit cultivators]." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel.com (official site).

"However, if we elevate the Earth Vein [the foundational spiritual leyline of the land] of Celestial Dome Island, I fear it may provoke the displeasure of that Black Dragon Demon Ancestor."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others also darkened slightly.

Although the Three Veins Immortal Alliance was now powerful, if they were to clash with that Black Dragon Demon Ancestor, they would likely be far from a match.

Thinking of this, Verdant Consort pondered and asked, "Perhaps we should wait a while longer. Let us wait until we have broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm ourselves before considering the elevation of the Earth Vein."

"I understand your concerns,"

Eldrin Chen spoke with calm composure, then continued with a grave look in his eyes, "However, the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor is no easy foe either. It is unlikely to sit idly by and watch us grow stronger step by step."

"Rather than waiting for the situation to change later, it is better to take advantage of the current moment, while our Human Race's Demigod Patriarch [a supreme cultivator who has transcended mortality but not yet attained full divinity] holds the upper hand, to begin the advancement of the Earth Vein [a major terrestrial ley line that channels spiritual energy]."

"This way, in the future, with the backing of a Sixth Rank [a classification denoting immense power and rarity] Water Vein [a major aquatic ley line] and Spiritual Vein [a ley line that concentrates and radiates spiritual energy], we will at least possess some capacity to resist the Black Dragon Demon Ancestor."

Hearing his reasoning, everyone present nodded in agreement.

Nyssa Qu took a deep breath and asked, "Then, in your esteemed opinion, Young Master, how should we proceed?"

"We begin the advancement of the Water Vein now." Eldrin Chen paused briefly, calculating in his mind before continuing, "With you, a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master cultivator whose spiritual core has fully manifested and merged with their chosen Path], overseeing the process, it should take approximately three hundred years to successfully elevate it."

After listening, Nyssa Qu nodded. "The legacy of our lineage is indeed well-suited for regulating the circulation of the world's water-based spiritual energies."

"Then I must trouble you, Immortal Maiden, to take charge of advancing the Water Vein."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, and thus the matter was settled.

After departing from the Great Hall [the main ceremonial hall of the clan], Eldrin Chen walked alone towards the deeper reaches of Celestial Dome Island [the clan's ancestral island sanctuary].

Before he knew it, he had arrived before the secluded cultivation chamber of the Verdant Seal Patriarch.

Now, the Earth Soul [one of the three foundational souls of a cultivator, representing earthly connection and legacy] of the Verdant Seal Patriarch had vanished. Within the Great Hall, only a single Divine Shrine [a sacred vessel used to house and commune with ancestral spirits] rested upon the altar.

That Divine Shrine emitted a faint, eerie glow, tinged with an unsettling aura.

Eldrin Chen's current cultivation level and insight were far beyond what they once were. The moment he arrived, he sensed something amiss.

"Alas!"

Understanding dawned upon him, and he could not help but sigh. "Patriarch," he said, "why must you do this?"

"..."

The Great Hall fell into a profound silence. After a long while, a sigh emanated from within the Divine Shrine. "I have an unfulfilled wish," it said, its voice echoing softly. "I cannot bear to enter the Netherworld Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth in the underworld] with this regret weighing upon me."

"An unfulfilled wish."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, unable to suppress a sigh. "Yet the path of a Ghost Immortal [a cultivator who chooses to refine their soul and remain in the mortal world, forgoing a physical body] is fraught with ten thousand hardships. For you to cultivate this path within the Mortal Dust [the mundane, mortal world] must be an endeavor of unparalleled difficulty."

"Not to mention, your three hun souls and seven po souls are incomplete. To walk this path is to tread upon a road that leads to utter desolation."

It turned out that Verdant Seal Path Master, unbeknownst to when, had actually switched to cultivating the Ghost Immortal path, and seemed to have advanced to an exceedingly profound realm within it.

However, the path of a Ghost Immortal is easy at first but becomes arduous later. While progress is divinely swift in the early stages, cultivation grows increasingly difficult the further one goes. Practicing within the Mortal Realm [the plane of existence inhabited by mortals, distinct from higher realms] invites a terrifying Heavenly Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning and calamity sent by the heavens to test cultivators] every thousand years. Therefore, Eldrin Chen did not hold much hope for Verdant Seal's chosen Path [a cultivator's fundamental philosophy and method of cultivation, defining their journey and power].

Noticing Eldrin Chen's expression, Verdant Seal sighed and spoke. "The Tribulation of days past doomed hundreds of millions of wronged souls from our Chen Clan to perish here. They cannot return their souls to the Underworld Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing death and the afterlife] for Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth of the soul], yet they must endure the torment of the Mortal Realm's yang energy day and night."

"If no one shelters them, these hundreds of millions of wronged souls from our Chen Clan will suffer the agony of having their souls scattered and their spirits extinguished."

"Thus, I remain here to cultivate the Ghost Immortal path. Firstly, to shelter these hundreds of millions of wronged souls. Secondly, in the hope that one day I might behead that accursed dragon and repay the Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences] of it blocking my path and exterminating my clan in the past."

"If I cannot destroy that vile dragon, even if I were to go to the Netherworld Reincarnation [the realm of the dead where souls await judgment and rebirth], my heart would know no peace." The story continues at audio - novel . com.