Chapter 856 : The Gathering Storm of Tribulation

"Mmm."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered slightly, then she nodded and said, "The time has come."

For an ordinary cultivator, attempting a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm is an immensely arduous task, requiring exhaustive preparation before even daring to make the attempt.

However, given the profound foundations of Exquisite Jiang and her companions, breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm was virtually assured. For them, the true cause for concern lay with the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating heavenly trial of thunder that tests the cultivator's spirit] and the External Tribulation [a trial where external forces, often demons or rivals, seek to disrupt the breakthrough].

Of these, surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation required the aid of a Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a treasure imbued with the pure, yang energy of the primordial sun] to have absolute certainty, while the External Tribulation was even more perilous.

Fortunately, Exquisite Jiang and the others now each possessed an Innate Primordial Solar Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure born with innate primordial solar properties], so the danger of the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was no longer a worry. What remained was that dreaded External Tribulation.

Thinking of this, Exquisite Jiang spoke up: "Although the External Tribulation is fearsome, our strength is not lacking. If we choose a single location and undergo our breakthroughs to the Primordial Spirit Realm one by one, we can minimize the risk to the greatest extent."

"Mmm."

Verdant Consort also nodded in agreement, then said thoughtfully, "With Eldrin guarding us, common demons and fiends pose little threat. However, we must still keep a watchful eye for any Primordial Spirit Late Stage [the advanced stage of the Primordial Spirit realm] level demons."

"Do not worry." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then continued, "The situation in the Eastern Sea can hold for a few more years. As for the demons within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, aside from that Black Dragon, I am confident I can hold them all at bay." Official source: audio-novel[dot]com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"Black Dragon [a powerful and ancient serpentine creature]!"

Old Patriarch let out a sigh, then spoke: "Let me be the first to attempt the breakthrough. If he truly makes a move, you all may abandon me and flee."

"Old Granduncle!"

Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath, ultimately left with nothing but silent resolve.

If that Black Dragon truly disregarded its injuries and attacked, the first one attempting the breakthrough would likely face the greatest peril.

Thinking this, he took another deep breath and said, "The Dorian Sacred Land has already sent word. Soon, Sage Lord Dorian will arrive with the Immortal Refining Furnace [a legendary furnace capable of refining immortal-grade treasures]. That Black Dragon will certainly not dare act rashly."

"If that is the case, then let us prepare for the breakthrough."

With these words, Eternal Profound Chen returned to the Earth Vein [a concentrated ley line of earth-attributed spiritual energy] within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire and began his secluded cultivation to break through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual core fully manifests].

Thus, time flowed swiftly by, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

Until this day, when an immensely majestic aura erupted from within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire.

Upon the Heavenly Vault [the highest layer of the sky], a supremely majestic golden sun unfurled, descending directly towards the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire [a legendary sea of eternal, scorching flames].

"Success is assured!"

The moment he saw that golden sun, Sage Lord Dorian, who had come to guard the breakthrough, opened his eyes slightly and delivered a precise judgment.

As a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master who has attained the Primordial Spirit realm and established his own Path] who had established his Path over a thousand years ago, Dorian Ji possessed a naturally keen eye. With a single glance, he accurately estimated the likelihood of the Old Patriarch's breakthrough.

This time, Eternal Profound Chen was harnessing the immense momentum of the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire to draw down his Heaven Soul [the celestial aspect of a cultivator's soul, necessary for advancing to the Primordial Spirit realm]. Bolstered by the Sixth Rank Underground Fire Vein [a powerful, earth-bound source of fire-attribute spiritual energy], his spiritual power was nearly inexhaustible.

With such vast spiritual power fueling his breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core realm beyond the Golden Core], success was virtually guaranteed. True to form, he successfully drew down his Heaven Soul.

"He has succeeded."

Witnessing the Old Granduncle's successful Heaven Soul descent, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a flicker of light in his eyes.

Once a cultivator successfully draws down their Heaven Soul, fusing it to form a Primordial Spirit is almost a certainty. The final step is to withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of divine lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation] to fully ascend into the Primordial Spirit Realm.

As expected, not long after, endless Tribulation Cloud [ominous clouds that herald the arrival of a heavenly tribulation] spread across the sky. Eternal Profound Chen, clad in a simple, ancient Daoist robe, strode forth from within the Earth Vein [a concentrated channel of earth-attribute spiritual energy within the land].

"Eldrin!"

After years of arduous cultivation, he had finally touched the threshold of the Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a powerful cultivator who has mastered the path of the Primordial Spirit]. A faint smile touched the lips of Eternal Profound Chen.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen, gave a slight nod, then ascended into the heavens to face his Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the heavenly thunder tribulation one must overcome to solidify their Primordial Spirit].

For this tribulation, Old Granduncle was supremely confident of passing the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a trial of heavenly lightning that tests a cultivator's foundation].

Having now achieved the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator], he had anchored his Primordial Spirit within the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, merging it with the Earth Vein [a powerful ley line of earth energy] of that place. Henceforth, as long as the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire remained unbroken, he would be nearly Indestructibility [possessing a state of near-immortality and extreme resilience].

Furthermore, being one with the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, he could now activate its defensive Formation [a magical array or formation] and harness the power of the Crimson Flame Heavenly Flame Wheel [a divine ability manifesting as a wheel of crimson heavenly flames] to aid him in weathering the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Thunder Tribulation. Continue your cultivation journey at audi novel.com.

With such formidable protective measures, his confidence in overcoming the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was absolute. Not long after, he successfully weathered the nine bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation and broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the cultivation realm centered around the Primordial Spirit].

Yet even now, no External Tribulation [a tribulation caused by external forces or enemies, distinct from heavenly tribulations] had erupted.

Seeing this, Sage Lord Dorian frowned slightly and spoke, "They have not made their move. It seems they intend to wait until you have fully consolidated your Primordial Spirit to strike, hoping to achieve their goal in a single, decisive battle."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with a cold light. A frosty smile played on his lips. "So be it. That will save me the trouble of hunting them down separately."

After Eternal Profound Chen's breakthrough, Eldrin Chen had him consolidate his cultivation base. Subsequently, he arranged for Exquisite Jiang, Lila, and others to make their breakthroughs in turn.

Over the following year, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and Lila all successively broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core stage of a cultivator]. Surprisingly, none of them faced any External Tribulation [a heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's path] to obstruct their advancement.

After their breakthroughs, the strength of all four had increased tremendously. Without pausing to solidify their newfound power, they gathered with Eldrin Chen, though their expressions were grim.

Exquisite Jiang's face was etched with profound gravity as she asked hesitantly, "The situation has changed. Should you wait before attempting your own breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit Realm?"

The reason for her concern was a recent and drastic shift in the circumstances of the Purple Seal Realm.

First, within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, the Path-Field [a sacred cultivation ground] of the Lin Immortal Clan—one of the Human Race's Three Great Holy Lands—had been seized.

The Lin Immortal Clan had been the sole hegemon of the Eastern Sea Cultivation World's coastal regions. Their Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master of the Primordial Spirit stage] had attained the Dao [the supreme principle of existence and cultivation] over two thousand years ago, reaching the Primordial Spirit Early Stage.

However, during the recent Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, the Lin Clan Patriarch had fallen to an Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world]. To be Reincarnation [to be reborn into a new life, often with memories of past cultivation] and cultivate back to the Primordial Spirit Realm would require a thousand years of arduous effort.

Yet, given the current crisis, the Eastern Sea Cultivation World could ill afford to wait a millennium.

During this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, numerous Infant Soul [the cultivation stage preceding Primordial Spirit] Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use demonic or unorthodox methods] had run rampant across the land. They had performed bloody sacrifices, claiming the lives of countless low-level cultivators and ordinary mortals within the Purple Seal Realm.

Once more, Outer Realm Demon God [powerful demonic entities from beyond this world] have sown their demonic seeds, luring a great number of righteous cultivators into demonic corruption. In the brief span of thirty years, this has led to the emergence of seven Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who have reached the Primordial Spirit realm through demonic means] within the Purple Seal Realm.

Five of these entities are scattered across various regions of the Purple Seal Realm, and for now, they do not pose an immediate, overwhelming threat.

However, within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, two Half-Step Primordial Spirit [cultivators on the verge of the Primordial Spirit realm] were implanted with demonic seeds and turned into Demon God Puppet [mind-controlled thralls of the demon gods]. After their breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm, they seized the opportunity to join forces and wrest control of the Path-Field [a vital cultivation resource] from the Lin Clan.

"The turmoil in the Eastern Sea has allowed the armies of the Outer Realm Fiend Race [a collective term for demonic invaders from other realms] to advance unhindered,"

"Now, more than ten Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [demonic beings of Primordial Spirit strength] have emerged together. They have crossed the Dragon-Slaying Mountain Range and invaded the Star Lake Ancient Domain. The Gu Yuan Mountain Range lies just ahead."

At this point, Exquisite Jiang drew a deep breath, her expression grave as she said, "I fear this will increase the difficulty of your Primordial Spirit Tribulation [the heavenly trial one must face to ascend to the Primordial Spirit realm]."

"Such is the nature of the Tribulation; it cannot be avoided,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then took a deep breath. "Moreover, with the Outer Realm Fiend Race launching their assault, if I miss this window of opportunity, I may not find a better chance to break through to the Primordial Spirit."

"And if I do not achieve the Primordial Spirit breakthrough, defending the Gu Yuan Mountain Range will likely prove exceedingly difficult."

His eyes blazing with a fierce light, Eldrin Chen declared, "The Outer Realm Demon God have pushed into the Star Lake Ancient Domain, have they not? They are nearly at the gates of the Gu Yuan Mountain Range?"

"Then I shall undergo my tribulation within the Gu Yuan Mountain Range and see what they can do about it!"

With those words, he immediately strode forth, heading directly for the Gu Yuan Mountain Range. This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel .c om.