Chapter 1168 : Divine Spirits and the Dragon's Bargain

At the same time, upon Violet Radiance Divine Island, two figures stood side by side.

One wore robes of green jade and a divine sovereign's crown, an aura of supreme nobility cascading from his form.

The other wore the 'Crown of Violet Radiance and Celestial Tassels', clad in imperial robes embroidered with purple patterns, his entire body bathed in endless violet lightning. With every blink of his eyes, the aura of World-Opening [the primordial act of creation] seemed to permeate the air.

These two were the pair of Divine Spirits [powerful divine beings] from the Divine Clan, namely the Violet Radiance Divine Spirit and the Verdant Brilliance Divine Spirit.

The Violet Radiance Divine Spirit wore a complex expression, sighing as he spoke, "Two Pure-Blooded True Dragons—one stripped of its sinews and skin, the other flayed of its scales and bones. That Returning Abyss Path Master has truly raised a formidable daughter."

"Indeed."

The Verdant Brilliance Divine Spirit nodded in agreement, then continued, "Years ago, the eldest son of Returning Abyss slew many of our Divine Clan's Divine Descendants [offspring of divine beings], including a Divine Scion."

"And now, this Worthy Verdancy Chen has emerged. If she is allowed to mature, she will become no small nuisance."

As the two conversed, a streak of spiritual light flew towards them through the distant void.

The Verdant Brilliance Divine Spirit caught it and, after a glance, announced, "A message from Crimson Dragon Child. He is willing to offer a piece of Upper Grade Immortal Artifact-grade Violet Radiance Thunder Dragon Jade [a precious material from a powerful dragon] in exchange for us blocking the three islands of Six Stars, Heavenly Feather, and Flowing Void." For more chapters, visit audio-novel.com for the complete novel.

"Oh?"

Violet Radiance Divine Spirit's eyes gleamed with light, and he could not help but shake his head with a sigh. "If I refine the Violet Radiance Thunder Dragon Jade, I have a fifty percent chance of breaking through to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier."

"The price offered by Crimson Dragon Child is truly one I cannot refuse."

"..."

Within the Celestial Sand Archipelago, heaven and earth were silent.

Upon learning that Worthy Verdancy Chen had slain two Crimson Dragon Crown Princes, Exquisite Jiang and the others could no longer remain seated.

Realizing the situation had escalated severely, Verdant Consort and Exquisite Jiang immediately sent word to Six Stars Immortal and the others, then set out to find Worthy Verdancy Chen.

They searched for several days, finally locating Worthy Verdancy Chen on a small, Nameless island deep within the Celestial Sand Archipelago.

Seeing Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, Violet Consort Yan, Lila, and Blazing Phoenix approach, Worthy Verdancy Chen had yet to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Holding up the dragon stew, she grinned cheekily and said, "Mother, I slew two wicked dragons that were causing havoc."

"This is utter folly."

Verdant Consort's expression shifted dramatically into one of alarm. She grabbed Worthy Verdancy Chen's arm, saying, "Come home with your mother at once!"

"I will not go back."

Worthy Verdancy Chen shook her head with resolute stubbornness. "That calamitous dragon brings storms and disaster upon the world. You all fear Crimson Dragon Child and dare not act, but I am not afraid of her."

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang immediately spoke up. "Do not waste any more time. We shall return to Green Chariot Mountain first, and discuss this there."

As her words fell, the group prepared to forcibly take Worthy Verdancy Chen away.

"I fear it is too late to think of returning!"

But at that very moment, a voice, cold and detached, echoed from the void.

Seven figures tore through the fabric of space, materializing before them to block their path.

"Crimson Dragon Child."

At the moment she saw the arrivals, Exquisite Jiang [the wife of Eldrin Chen] could not help but have her expression shift slightly. This time, the ones who had come were actually seven Dragon Clan [a powerful race of draconic beings] Demon Immortal [a powerful demonic cultivator who has ascended to immortality].

Among the seven, the strongest was Crimson Dragon Child [a powerful scion of the Crimson Dragon lineage].

Of the remaining six, three were at the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Ascendant Immortal cultivation realm], specifically the Crimson Blood Dragon-Serpent [a ferocious dragon-serpent hybrid], the Nine-Headed Hydra Dragon [a monstrous dragon with nine heads], and the Primordial Void Black Dragon [an ancient dragon born from primordial void energy].

These three Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm members of the Dragon Clan were descendants of the former Crimson Dragon Patriarch [the progenitor of the Crimson Dragon lineage], and each possessed formidable power.

The remaining three Demon Immortal were also not to be underestimated. Led by the Crimson Dragon Crown Prince [the heir to the Crimson Dragon throne], they all possessed cultivation at the Early Ascendant Immortal Realm [the early stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm].

With Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful sword cultivator] currently absent, among the women who had come this time, only Exquisite Jiang possessed strength at the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm]. Verdant Consort [a powerful immortal consort] had surpassed the level of an Ascendant Immortal 6th Tier [the sixth tier within the Ascendant Immortal realm] by a margin, but she had not yet reached Late Ascendant Immortal Realm strength. For uninterrupted reading, go to @udio-novel.com.

Blazing Phoenix [a title for a powerful fire-aligned immortal], Violet Consort Yan [an immortal consort skilled in violet flame techniques], and Lila [a young woman with a unique constitution] had only broken through recently. Although Lila and Violet Consort Yan possessed a Celestial Immortal Foundation [a superior foundation for ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm], they were only slightly stronger than an Ascendant Immortal 3rd Tier [the third tier within the Ascendant Immortal realm].

"We cannot meet them head-on."

In that fleeting instant, Exquisite Jiang perceived the disparity in strength and immediately declared, "Do not engage them directly. We must retreat for now."

In a heartbeat, they decided to fight while withdrawing. Verdant Consort enveloped Worthy Verdancy Chen [a young member of the Chen Clan] with her power, preparing to depart.

Yet, Crimson Dragon Child remained utterly unperturbed, his gaze icy as he declared, "There is no escape."

As his words fell, Crimson Dragon Child advanced, the Crimson Dragon World-Startling Halberd in his hand sweeping forth with a power that sought to crush all opposition.

Though Exquisite Jiang knew she was no match for him, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and meet the assault. She channeled her energy into the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword and her other Lifebound Immortal Treasure to resist.

She too had forged a Primordial One Foundation, granting her spiritual power comparable to an Ascendant Immortal 8th Tier cultivator. Yet, she lacked a supreme treasure, and her Divine Ability [profound supernatural techniques] were slightly inferior. Against the Crimson Dragon Patriarch, she quickly found herself at a disadvantage.

Though Lila and the others possessed Extraordinary strength, faced with such overwhelming odds, they too were forced into a position of absolute passivity.

"Why haven't Six Stars and Violet Flame arrived yet?"

Seeing the situation deteriorate, a flicker of anxiety passed through Exquisite Jiang's eyes.

At that very moment, a thunderous clash erupted in the distant void. Across hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of mountains and rivers, several towering figures could be seen colliding.

"BOOM—"

Crimson Dragon Child cleaved heaven and earth with his Crimson Dragon World-Startling Halberd, its overwhelming might sweeping through the Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies [a formation representing the harmony of the six directions]. He pressed his attack relentlessly, forcing Exquisite Jiang into a steady retreat.

Watching the distant clash erupt, he spoke with icy detachment, "The one you await is unlikely to arrive."

Witnessing this scene, Exquisite Jiang staggered back, blood staining her lips, her heart sinking further into despair.

Had they not been burdened with Worthy Verdancy Chen, they might have had a chance to retreat unscathed. But now, with her in tow, escaping would demand a terrible price.

Verdant Consort gritted her teeth. With sheer force of will, she held back the three Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm demonic beasts—Crimson Blood Dragon-Serpent, Nine-Headed Hydra Dragon, and Primordial Void Black Dragon—and hurled Worthy Verdancy Chen away from the fray.

"You go first! We will withdraw swiftly!"

"No!"

Worthy Verdancy Chen's face was pale. Even her usual mischievous spirit had vanished, replaced by frantic anxiety as she watched her mothers being forced back step by step.

Clutching her Crimson Flame Long Spear, she spoke through gritted teeth, "I can lend my strength to you as well!"

"BOOM—"

Amidst the chaotic melee, a blinding arc of Immortal Radiance [the luminous energy signature of an immortal's power] shot forth, striking Worthy Verdancy Chen and sending her flying backward.

The Crimson Dragon Crown Prince approached, a cold war spear in hand, and spoke with icy detachment. "The chasm between the immortal and the mortal is as vast and unbridgeable as the heavens themselves."

"For a mortal to dream of slaying the Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons is nothing but the delusion of a fool."

"Your talent may be Extraordinary, yet you merely court your own demise."

"I refuse to believe it!"

With a roar of defiance, Worthy Verdancy Chen unleashed her treasures—the Crimson Flame Immortal Ribbon and the Primordial One Gold Ring—in a desperate barrage. She pushed her Verdant Lotus Purification Body [a constitution of supreme purity and resilience] to its absolute limit, striving to defy the heavens and slay a True Dragon with mortal might.

Alas, her years were too few. Her Path Principles [the fundamental laws of her cultivation path], Path Fruit [the culmination of a cultivation path's power], and Immortal Body [a body tempered to immortal perfection] remained unformed. Her cultivation had not yet surpassed the Demigod Realm. Even with a foundation that could shake the world, she stood little chance against this Crimson Dragon Crown Prince.

The Crimson Dragon Crown Prince's power had reached the Ascendant Immortal 2nd Tier. Both his Immortal Essence [the refined energy of an immortal] and his physical form were immensely potent. Every strike carried the force to shatter the heavens and rend the earth. In mere moments, he had battered Worthy Verdancy Chen into a state of grievous injury.

"Perish!"

The Crimson Dragon Crown Prince uttered the word with chilling finality. His war spear cleaved through sky and land, a torrent of overwhelming power aimed to pierce Worthy Verdancy Chen through on the spot.

"No!"

Seeing the situation turn dire, Verdant Consort and the others felt their hearts sink, and they immediately sought to intervene and provide aid.

Yet they themselves were already struggling to protect their own positions; how could they possibly spare the strength to shield Worthy Verdancy Chen?

"My life ends here!"

Worthy Verdancy Chen's face turned deathly pale, a look of utter despair flashing across his features.

At that very moment, the heavens suddenly blossomed with a vast radiance of Buddhist light [a sacred, purifying illumination associated with enlightened beings]. A figure bathed in a Dao Gold [a supreme, transcendent golden light symbolizing the pinnacle of enlightenment] glow descended, treading upon the empty air as he arrived.

The newcomer was draped in a monk's kasaya robe [a traditional Buddhist monastic garment]. In a single step, he traversed the boundless expanse of sky and earth, arriving directly before them. With one hand, he grasped the war spear of the Crimson Dragon Crown Prince. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio~novel.com.