Chapter 842 : The Three Enclosures Defense

As Long River Path Lord spoke in his measured, unhurried tone, Eldrin Chen gradually came to understand the situation within the Inner Archipelago.

Compared to the outer islands, the Inner Archipelago constituted the first true line of defense for the Purple Seal Realm against the Extraterrestrial Evil Demons.

This defensive line was further divided into the Sun and Moon Twin Islands, the Five Luminaries Star Palace, and this Three Enclosures Archipelago.

Among these various Spirit Island, the Sun and Moon Twin Islands served as the core. The Sun Island was garrisoned by the Solar Fire Palace, while the Moon Island was defended by the Drifting Snow Pavilion; both factions possessed Great Power Figure at the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth and highest level of the Primordial Spirit cultivation stage].

However, as the master of the Drifting Snow Pavilion had entered the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation [a powerful defensive formation based on the eight trigrams], command of the Formation on Moon Island had been taken over by the Master of the Horizon Pavilion, who was also at the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier.

Beyond that, each of the Five Luminaries Spirit Islands was garrisoned by at least one Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a cultivator who has reached the Primordial Spirit stage and established their own Path], and then there was this Three Enclosures Archipelago.

The Three Enclosures Archipelago was even more crucial than the Five Luminaries Spirit Islands, second only to the Sun and Moon Twin Islands. It was divided into three archipelagos of star-like islands: the Supreme Subtlety Enclosure, the Purple Tenuity Enclosure, and this Celestial Market Enclosure.

Among the Three Enclosures, the Supreme Subtlety Enclosure was defended by the Path Lord Sacred Land [a sacred land ruled by a powerful Path Lord] 'Great Mystery Hall' from the Central Continent. Its master, the Master of Great Mystery Hall, possessed cultivation at the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier, making him no weaker than the masters of the Solar Fire Palace or the Master of the Horizon Pavilion.

The Purple Tenuity Enclosure was garrisoned by the Path Palace Sacred Land [a sacred land centered around a grand Path Palace]. As the Lord of the Path Palace was now presiding over the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation, defense of the Purple Tenuity Enclosure had been handed to 'Path Master Great Abyss' [a Daoist title meaning "Master of the Great Abyss Path"], who was also at the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier.

Finally, the Celestial Market Enclosure, lacking a Primordial Spirit 9th Tier guardian, was temporarily held by two cultivators at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the later phases of the Primordial Spirit stage]: the Long River Path Lord and the Master of Stellar Palace. This novel is serialized on audio novel.com. Visit for updates.

"Master of Solar Fire Palace, Master of Horizon Pavilion, Master of Great Mystery Hall, Path Master Great Abyss."

"Four supreme Patriarch at the Great Perfection stage of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], over a dozen great powers at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage, plus eighty powerful figures of the Primordial Spirit Realm. This was the strength assembled before our arrival."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a look of astonishment coloring his expression.

Even after a millennium of recovery since the last Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, the number of Primordial Spirit Cultivator [cultivators who have formed their Primordial Spirit] in the Purple Seal Realm now barely exceeds one hundred and fifty. Given this base number, the proportion of Primordial Spirit Late Stage experts is surprisingly high.

And this count does not even include the nine supreme experts currently within the grand formation. If they were added, the number of Primordial Spirit Late Stage cultivators in the Purple Seal Realm would likely surpass twenty-five.

This figure is truly staggering. Consider that the invading Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this realm] number close to two hundred, yet among them, there are only a dozen or so at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage stage, and likely only three at the Great Perfection of Primordial Spirit.

Upon reflection, this outcome seems almost inevitable. The Purple Seal Realm produces an average of roughly twenty new Primordial Spirit every millennium, amounting to over two hundred across ten thousand years.

However, having endured tens of thousands of years of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, within the crucible of such a terrifying calamity, Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a title for a powerful Primordial Spirit cultivator] with slightly inferior skills face a greater likelihood of falling. Only those of more exceptional talent and greater power possess a higher chance of survival.

Coupled with the tempering effect of war on Primordial Spirit Path Lord, this relentless process of refining the essence and discarding the dross, as time flows ceaselessly onward, naturally results in the high-level cultivators of the Purple Seal Realm growing ever more formidable.

Take the Horizon Pavilion, for instance. It has only recently restored its ranks to three Primordial Spirit Path Lord. Yet, the Master of the Horizon Pavilion has trodden his path for over ten thousand years. Six or seven Primordial Spirit from the Horizon Pavilion attained the Dao after him, but all perished in the cataclysm's fires. He alone endures to this day.

In addition to these Human Race [the collective term for humanity in this cultivation world] great powers, demonic beasts such as the Black Dragon [a powerful dragon species] and other demonic Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm of a cultivator, representing a significant power level] cultivators had also arrived at the inner perimeter of the battlefield. In the previous clashes, they had contributed their strength, repelling several assaults by the demonic Primordial Spirit forces.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen felt his heart settle with determination. He then spoke, "With the venerable seniors guarding the Inner Archipelago [the core island chain under human control] and the bolstering power of the Formation [a mystical defensive or offensive array], it should be impregnable."

"With our combined strength, we indeed stand a significant chance of holding back the advance of the Fiend Race Army [the collective military forces of the demonic races]."

The Master of Stellar Palace [the leader of the Stellar Palace sect] nodded slightly. After a moment of contemplation, however, he shook his head and said, "Yet this is the greatest calamity in three thousand years. I fear the Outer Realm Demon God [a supremely powerful demonic entity from beyond this world] may have some hidden stratagem."

"That is my concern as well."

Long River Path Lord gave a firm nod. He raised a hand, weaving a silencing ward around the Great Hall [the main council chamber]. His expression turned grave as he continued, "The moment of decisive battle approaches. Thus, I shall conceal nothing from you. Not long ago, Master of Solar Fire Hall [the leader of the Solar Fire Hall sect] and I, among others, deliberated. We plan to take action to seal the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar [a massive, perpetually bleeding rift torn into the world by demonic power]."

"Seal the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present paled, their faces etched with shock and disbelief.

That Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar had been ripped open by the Outer Realm Demon God himself! Such cataclysmic power, born of immortal and demonic might shaking heaven and earth—how could they possibly interfere with it?

Unexpectedly, the Master of Stellar Palace also nodded. His expression remained calm as he explained, "In years past when the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar opened, we truly had no confidence in closing such a Heavenly Scar [a grievous wound upon the fabric of the world]."

"However, this time, the Outer Realm Demon God tore the World-Opening scar two decades earlier than before. The price paid and the power expended far exceed what was used a millennium ago. Furthermore, the will of heaven and earth within the Purple Seal Realm is not at its weakest moment now. Therefore, there truly exists a sliver of possibility to seal the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar."

The Master of Stellar Palace explained in detail. At present, the clash of Path Principles [the fundamental laws and energies that govern reality] between the Outer Realm Demon God and the heavens and earth of the Purple Seal Realm is at its peak intensity.

If they were to strike the sky-shrouding giant hand of the Outer Realm Demon God now, that blow could very well become the final straw that breaks the camel's back, completely overwhelming that Outer Realm Demon God.

"Now is our best opportunity. If we miss this chance, as the will of heaven and earth of the Purple Seal Realm gradually weakens, we will have no certainty left of ever sealing the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar."

The Stellar Palace master, having spoken thus far, cast his gaze upon the assembled group and declared, "Therefore, we require your aid. Help us break through the blockade of the Outer Realm Demon God and seal that Demonic Abyss ahead of schedule."

"For us, this is perhaps our only chance." Join our community of readers at audio-novel[dot]com.

Long River Path Lord also nodded, his expression grave as he added, "Once the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar is sealed, the armies of the Outer Realm Fiend Race will be cut off from their supply of spiritual energy and demonic reinforcements, with no path of retreat. They will become like duckweed without roots."

"At that time, we can simply use the Heavenly Starry Sky Grand Formation to trap them, wear down their magical power until it is utterly exhausted. With a full millennium at our disposal, we can slowly eradicate them to the last."

Hearing this, the assembly could not help but feel a mixture of shock and elation.

They were shocked by the sheer audacity and immense danger of the plan. Yet, they were elated by the prospect that, should it succeed, it would trap the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon forces within the Cosmic Stellar Formation until their doom.

If we can slay these nearly two hundred Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from beyond this world], then the forces under the Outer Realm Demon God [the supreme ruler of the invading demonic forces] will suffer a devastating blow, and it will be difficult for them to mount an offensive of this scale again for at least five thousand years.

"If this battle succeeds, it will ensure five thousand years of peace for the Purple Seal Realm [this world, named for its foundational seal]."

"Even when the former Imperial Sovereign Jiang [a legendary human emperor] reclaimed the Eastern Barrens [a vast, desolate eastern region] and the Eastern Sea [the great eastern ocean], the total number of Outer Realm Heavenly Demon he slew was no greater than this."

The assembled cultivators exchanged glances, their hearts a turbulent mix of exhilaration and apprehension.

Path Master Mingyuan [a senior cultivator known as 'Bright Abyss'] immediately clasped his hands in salute and inquired, "For such a monumental feat, we are naturally willing to lend our aid. But what, precisely, would you have us do?"

Long River Path Lord stroked his long beard and stated plainly, "You shall guard the Celestial Market Enclosure [a strategic fortress-city] for us and activate the Formation [a powerful array of interlocking magical energies] to assist our endeavor."

"How can that be?" Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a rising star cultivator] asked, his expression shifting. "Sealing the Demonic Abyss Heavenly Scar [a massive, unstable rift connecting to the demonic realms] must be an immensely difficult task. Why not let us lend our strength directly?"

"There is no need," Long River Path Lord shook his head, then continued, "With your current level of cultivation, the risk of falling in battle would be far too great if you accompanied us to seal the scar."

"You all possess vast Future [potential and destiny]. Remain here at the Celestial Market Enclosure to command the Formation and hold back some of the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [demons possessing a solidified spiritual core, a high level of power]. That will be aid enough." Your portal to cultivation novels: audio-novel`com.