Chapter 1357: Emergence from Seclusion, the Battle Intensifies (Part 2)
Chapter 1357: Emergence from Seclusion, the Battle Intensifies (Part 2)
Within the chaotic sea of karma, Jiang Chengxuan’s consciousness slowly descended into the depths.
Before him lay a dazzling and turbulent ocean, where multicolored waves surged, casting forth shimmering black bubbles. In an instant, countless transformations occurred, each representing the current, past, or future events of the Immortal Domain.
An ordinary cultivator would quickly lose their sanity if they were to glimpse even a fragment of this scene. Every inch of this space held boundless information, incomprehensible to the untrained mind. However, for Jiang Chengxuan, the art of celestial divination had long become second nature.
Especially now, as he had advanced to the mid-stage of Earth Immortal cultivation, his sensitivity to the workings of the heavens had grown sharper, making his divinations nearly effortless. Encased in the power of Heavenly Tribulation Divination, Jiang Chengxuan’s consciousness spread out like a vast net, encompassing a portion of the web of karma and recording every minute change within.
In a short time, the vague sense of unease in his heart solidified into concrete information and guidance, revealing the truth he sought.
“So that’s how it is… this treasure’s emergence is far from simple,” Jiang Chengxuan murmured after some time, rising from his seated position. He gathered the divination powers and solemnly reflected on what he had uncovered.
“This event in the Middle Continent may very well be the spark that ignites the great calamity of the Immortal Domain.”
Through his divination, Jiang Chengxuan realized the inevitable—the long-anticipated, once-in-a-million-year calamity of the Immortal Domain was finally upon them.
The appearance of the mysterious treasure seemed to be the catalyst.
In his vision, Jiang Chengxuan saw rivers of blood flowing across the battlefield of the Middle Continent. Countless forces clashed, their fates entwined and mangled. Some were burned, others were severed, and many more were corroded, each symbolizing the disastrous fate awaiting them.
Amidst it all, a massive black storm loomed, preparing to erupt from the battlefield. Even Jiang Chengxuan, from the safety of his seclusion, felt insignificant in the face of this impending force. The storm signified only one thing: the Heavenly Tribulation.
Jiang Chengxuan sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the gravity of what he had seen. However, instead of succumbing to fear or despair, he remained calm.
Because in the midst of the destruction, he also saw opportunity.
One opportunity, in particular, was connected to his beloved wife, Shen Ruyan. Jiang Chengxuan could sense that her chance to break through to the Earth Immortal stage was hidden within this tribulation. For that reason, Jiang Chengxuan decided not to recall Shen Ruyan and the others just yet.
An opportunity to ascend to the Earth Immortal realm was exceedingly rare—perhaps only once in tens of thousands of years. It was worth the risks, even if some sacrifices had to be made along the way.
“Rumble!”
Without further hesitation, Jiang Chengxuan waved his hand, opening the grand doors of his secluded chamber.
Outside, several elders of the Loose Cultivator Alliance were waiting for him. As soon as they saw Jiang Chengxuan’s figure emerge, expressions of joy lit up their faces, and they hurried forward to greet him.
“Congratulations on completing your seclusion, Elder Jiang! Your cultivation has clearly advanced even further—this is truly a cause for celebration!” they said, bowing respectfully.
Jiang Chengxuan nodded slightly in acknowledgment but quickly cut to the matter at hand.
“I am already aware of the situation in the Middle Continent. Has there been any new information?”
The elders, sensing the seriousness of his inquiry, immediately straightened their expressions.
“Elder Jiang, Elder Shen and her party left several days ago, but we have not yet received any updates from them.”
“Hmm, time is of the essence. I must head to the Middle Continent at once. Spread the word throughout the alliance, as well as to our allies: the great calamity may soon descend. Advise everyone to begin preparations immediately.”
Hearing this, the elders were momentarily shocked. The news of the great calamity was earth-shattering. Their eyes widened, and a sense of dread gripped their hearts.
The Immortal Domain Calamity—was it really happening?
Such a proclamation wasn’t something Jiang Chengxuan would utter lightly. And based on their unwavering trust in him, the elders understood the gravity of his words. Without hesitation, they accepted his orders and moved to take action.
“Understood! We will begin preparations immediately!” they declared resolutely before bowing and hurrying off to spread the word throughout the alliance.
Jiang Chengxuan watched them leave, his mind already focused on the next steps. He summoned a surge of immortal energy and transformed into a streak of light, racing toward the Middle Continent.
…
Meanwhile, at the ruins of the Flowing Cloud Immortal Valley in the Middle Continent, the battle had reached its peak.
After several days of fierce conflict, no cultivator had yet succeeded in penetrating the thousand-mile cloud waterfall that had emerged from the valley. The battlefield surrounding the waterfall had turned into a chaotic void, scarred by the remnants of countless clashes.
The once-pristine landscape had collapsed into ruin, leaving only fragmented floating islands drifting aimlessly in the void. These islands, like strange meteors, floated amidst the cosmic storm, while countless figures darted between them, firing blasts of radiant energy at shadows of their foes.
By now, the battle had devolved into a free-for-all. Alliances were forgotten, and every cultivator who approached was treated as an enemy, no matter their origin. Anyone attempting to make a dash for the cloud waterfall was immediately set upon by the surrounding forces.
Many had already perished in their reckless bids to seize the treasure, their bodies torn apart by the combined attacks of their rivals. This brutal display had instilled a cautious but intense vigilance in the surviving combatants. None dared make another reckless charge until the situation further developed.
“Take this—Primordial Divine Lightning!”
On one of the larger floating islands, Shen Ruyan and the other members of the Loose Cultivator Alliance had gathered, holding their ground.
Facing an incoming shadowy figure, Shen Ruyan’s eyes flashed with the light of primordial power. She raised her hands, summoning a torrent of Primordial Divine Lightning that surged through the air like a river of blinding light, tearing through the void as it raced toward her opponent.
“Ahh!”
The unfortunate cultivator who had dared to challenge Shen Ruyan paid a steep price. The divine lightning, so powerful that it could erase both void and chaos itself, engulfed the enemy’s figure in a single instant.
“Boom!”
With a deafening thunderclap, the enemy’s towering form shattered, reduced to countless fragments of debris that scattered into the void.
This opponent had been a True Immortal-level cultivator, yet in just a single exchange, Shen Ruyan had destroyed his astral form and gravely injured him.
Nearby cultivators were left stunned by this display of power. They quickly took note of Shen Ruyan’s position, making a mental note to avoid her group at all costs.
“Hmph…”
Shen Ruyan remained composed after her decisive strike, showing neither triumph nor bloodlust. Behind her, the other members of the Loose Cultivator Alliance and the Dragon Chamber of Commerce stood firm, their auras restrained as they refrained from launching further attacks.
Having fought continuously for days, they had already clashed with numerous factions, winning every battle. However, their enemies seemed endless, and no matter how many they felled, more appeared to take their place.
Recognizing the futility of an all-out offensive, Shen Ruyan had ordered her forces to adopt a more defensive strategy. They had occupied the largest of the floating islands, keeping a watchful eye on the battlefield and only intervening when other forces attempted to make a move on the treasure.
For now, they waited, prepared to act when the time was right.