Chapter 1169 : The Thunderclap Tathagata Rises

"Xander Chen!"

The moment he clearly saw the newcomer, Crimson Dragon First Prince's expression shifted slightly.

Xander Qing Chen also looked up, gazing at the man who shielded her, and could not help but speak: "Elder Brother."

"It is I!"

Xander Chen nodded, then turned his gaze to Crimson Dragon First Prince and spoke calmly: "Perhaps you may also call me, Maha-Vajra Thunderclap Tathagata."

During his time at Empty Enlightenment Temple, Xander Chen cultivated for several millennia and achieved the 'Tathagata' Buddha Fruit [the supreme fruit of enlightenment, representing the state of a fully awakened Buddha], the foremost among the ten great Buddha Dao Fruits [the ultimate spiritual fruits attained through Buddhist cultivation].

Furthermore, his innate Great Power Heavenly Dragon Constitution [a supreme immortal physique embodying the power of a heavenly dragon] had been fully cultivated, forging the Maha-Vajra Heavenly Dragon Golden Body [an indestructible golden body of vajra and dragon power].

In addition to the Dao Fruit [the fruit of one's cultivation path] and the Immortal Physique [a transcendent bodily constitution], Xander Chen had also comprehended the Thunder Law [the fundamental principle governing thunder and lightning], achieving perfection in all three types of Dao Fruits.

With this peerless foundation, Xander Chen attained the 'Maha-Vajra Thunderclap Tathagata Buddha' [the Buddha of Unshakable Vajra and Thundering Clap] fruit-position.

"The Tathagata Fruit [the fruit of enlightenment of a Thus-Come One, a Buddha]!" This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel . com.

Hearing Xander Chen speak thus, a sudden, inexplicable dread gripped the heart of Crimson Dragon First Prince.

The Tathagata Fruit [the supreme state of enlightenment in Buddhism] stands as the foremost among all Buddha Fruits [states of enlightenment]. It is a peerless Buddha Fruit, and within the entire Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, the number of Buddhas [enlightened beings] who have attained such a fruit does not exceed the fingers of one hand. Each one possesses the potential to reach Great Luo [the Great Perfection, the highest state of being].

For Xander Chen to have certified such a fruit, his strength was likely far beyond what he had anticipated.

Thinking this, Crimson Dragon First Prince immediately sought to withdraw his Crimson Gold War Spear and flee, yet he found myself utterly unable to pull it free.

"Hmph—"

But Xander Chen's expression turned icy. With a fierce wrench, he tore the war spear free and, with a metallic *shing*, thrust it forward, impaling Crimson Dragon First Prince on the spot.

"Agh—!"

Struck by this grievous wound, Crimson Dragon First Prince coughed blood and was sent flying. He summoned a barrage of Divine Abilities [supernatural powers] to smash against Xander Chen, then turned to flee into the distance.

Yet Xander Chen, facing this onslaught from Crimson Dragon First Prince, showed not a trace of fear. Around his body coiled an indestructible golden light.

It was the protective power of the Maha-Vajra Heavenly Dragon [the Great Diamond Heavenly Dragon technique] and the Primordial Desolation Dragon [an ancient dragon of desolation]. It could withstand the assault of all manner of Divine Abilities and spells, rendering him impervious to ten thousand techniques. He stood unwavering, letting the barrage of Divine Abilities crash upon him without effect.

He burst through the Divine Ability barrier in one decisive move. Gazing upon the fleeing Crimson Dragon First Prince, his expression turned stern and righteous, his eyes blazing with fury as he thundered, "You Wicked Dragon! With a Buddha [an enlightened being who has attained supreme wisdom and compassion] standing before you, how dare you still act so arrogantly!"

"Where do you think you're escaping to!"

"Maha-Vajra Heavenly Dragon [the Great Indestructible Heavenly Dragon], Nine Heavens Divine Thunder [the Divine Thunder of the Nine Heavens], descend with me to subdue this demon!"

With a roar that shook the heavens, the dragon patterns within Xander Chen's body coiled and soared, ultimately transforming into a majestic Maha-Vajra Heavenly Dragon that spiraled down from the skies.

From the Nine Heavens Above [the highest celestial realms], world-shaking thunderbolts descended, a deluge of billions of lightning chains submerging everything in their path.

When the cataclysm finally subsided, the Crimson Dragon First Prince had already been beheaded.

It all happened with shocking suddenness. The fall of the Crimson Dragon First Prince defied everyone's expectations.

Xander Chen's power was simply too astonishing. He was merely at the Initial Entry Ascendant Immortal [the first stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm, marking one's initial ascension to immortality] stage, yet he possessed combat prowess rivaling the fourth or fifth layer of that very realm. Unleashing his full might, he managed to slay the Crimson Dragon First Prince in just a few exchanges.

"Agh! You shall all die for this!"

The Crimson Dragon Scion's eyes burned crimson with rage. Brandishing the Crimson Dragon World-Startling Halberd, he disregarded Lyra Jiang entirely and transformed into a searing ray of immortal light that shot straight toward Xander Qing Chen.

With a single strike at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality, Xander Qing Chen found himself with no avenue of escape, forced to watch helplessly as the lethal blow descended upon him.

"Alas!"

Witnessing this scene, Xander Chen could not help but release a soft sigh.

He understood that this maneuver by Crimson Dragon Scion was truly aimed at him. However, because he was an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to immortality], slaying him would be no easy feat. Therefore, the attack was directed at Xander Qing Chen instead, forcing myself to intervene and rescue him.

If he did not rescue him, Xander Qing Chen would undoubtedly perish. If he moved to save him, he would have to face Crimson Dragon Scion's strike head-on.

Without a moment's hesitation, without even the luxury of contemplation, Xander Chen ultimately took a step and ascended into the heavens. Published by audio . novel . com. All rights reserved.

With a sweep of his sleeve, he strode forward, placing himself squarely before Xander Qing Chen.

"Kasaya!"

With an angry shout, the Kasaya [a Buddhist monastic robe] upon Xander Qing Chen's person flew forth, erupting with a dazzling immortal radiance to intercept the path of Crimson Dragon Scion's attack.

This Kasaya was named the Violet Gold Kasaya. It was a supreme treasure gifted by the Empty Enlightenment Temple, a Buddhist Treasure [a sacred artifact imbued with Buddhist power and doctrines] whose power rivaled that of a High Grade Immortal Treasure.

With insufficient Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators to power their arts and treasures], even with such a supreme treasure guarding him, Xander Chen could not unleash its full protective might.

Yet, as the Crimson Dragon World-Startling Halberd cleaved down with world-sundering force, it instantly sent the Kasaya [a monk's ceremonial robe, often imbued with protective blessings] flying. Its undiminished residual power swept across, striking Xander Chen with a brutal, direct impact.

"Aaaargh—!"

Xander Chen's Great Power Heavenly Dragon Constitution [an innate physical form of immense strength and resilience, akin to that of a heavenly dragon] was born from the Heavenly Dragon Relic nurtured within a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest known rank, possessing near-mythical power], and further tempered by fusing with the Primordial Desolate Dragon Reverse Scale [a legendary scale from an ancient dragon, said to grant indestructibility]. One could say his body was nigh-indestructible.

Yet, even he could not withstand such a blow. His Buddha Golden Body [a divine defensive technique that manifests a body of golden, Buddha-like resilience] shattered like exquisite porcelain, fissures spider-webbing across its surface.

"Elder Brother!"

Witnessing this, Lila cried out in alarm, desperate to lend aid, but her opponent fought with desperate ferocity to block her path.

Xander Qing Chen saw the scene, and a deafening roar seemed to fill his mind. For a moment, he was utterly stunned, unable to process what had just transpired.

"Perish now!"

Having dealt a crippling blow to Xander Chen, Crimson Dragon Scion let out a triumphant roar.

He beheld the crimson halberd descending with a force that cleaved the heavens, trailing a light of such splendor it seemed torn from the very firmament. This devastating arc continued its inexorable path, aimed directly at Xander Qing Chen.

"Flee! Now!"

Seeing Xander Qing Chen frozen in place, Xander Chen roared in desperation. With a mighty shove, he thrust Xander Qing Chen aside, then mustered every ounce of his spiritual power to face the crimson halberd's descent.

Yet, the Crimson Dragon World-Startling Halberd possessed a might that shook the very heavens. Even a cultivator at the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm would hesitate to receive such a blow head-on, let alone Xander Chen, who had only just Initial Entry the Ascendant Immortal realm.

The halberd's strike was merciless. It sheared through Xander Chen's arm in a spray of crimson, its residual force piercing the void itself to find its true mark—embedding deep within Xander Qing Chen's brow.

"Huummm—"

Xander Qing Chen felt a searing, soul-rending agony erupt within her. She sensed a protective Immortal Talisman [a talisman inscribed with immortal power] shatter upon her flesh, followed by a terrifying sensation of separation—as if her physical form and her Divine Soul [the spiritual core and essence of a cultivator] were being violently torn asunder.

Turning her gaze, she witnessed the horrific sight: the Crimson Dragon World-Startling Halberd, having pierced her own brow, now unleashed a torrent of devastating Law Power [power that manipulates the fundamental laws of reality] that sought to annihilate everything in its path.

"It was the Immortal Talisman bestowed by Father... it shielded my Divine Soul."

This realization flashed through Xander Qing Chen's mind in an instant. Lifting her eyes, she saw her elder brother, Xander Chen, his severed arm a bloody arc in the air, his body on the verge of complete disintegration.

High in the sky, the several aunts also had faces pale as ash, each one grievously wounded in the bitter struggle.

Farther in the distant void, terrifying auras also clashed; it was the Nine Heavens Immortal Deities engaging in their own decisive duel.

"Elder Brother... Mother..."

"Have I truly made a mistake?"

Xander Qing Chen murmured to herself, her mind momentarily adrift, her consciousness growing ever more ethereal.

Just as her awareness was about to sink into slumber, she faintly sensed an immensely powerful aura surging forth from the horizon's edge.

Before she could react, she felt myself enveloped and protected by a surge of energy, and then could hold on no longer, plunging into an endless, dreamless sleep.

Dimly, she heard the Crimson Dragon Scion roar in fury: "Eldrin, the Junior, your timing is impeccable. Today, you and I shall settle this once and for all."

"BOOM!"

The heavens thundered, the very world trembled, as an even more cataclysmic, world-shaking confrontation erupted.

Above the boundless sea, thunder roared and lightning flashed as a terrifying confrontation between supreme Immortal Dao [the path of cultivation leading to immortality] powers erupted.

Eldrin Chen strode forth, ascending into the heavens. With a sweep of his sleeve, he deflected the Crimson Dragon World-Startling Halberd, and in one fluid motion, gathered the Divine Soul of Xander Qing Chen into his palm, shielding its True Spirit [the core consciousness of a cultivator's soul]. Then, his gaze swept over the assembled figures present. Original publication: audio . novel . com - The source of this chapter.