Chapter 1266 : The Halberd's Final Gambit

The Su Wei Heaven's Halberd [a supreme-grade immortal treasure] exploded violently, shattering into countless fragments that swept across heaven and earth. The terrifying shockwave alone flattened the sky for hundreds of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

And this was with the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation] suppressing the Void [a profound spatial cultivation art]. Otherwise, the force of this single strike would likely have been enough to level mountain ranges spanning tens of millions of Li-lengths.

"How ruthless. Had I not possessed the Yin-Yang Void Realm [a defensive treasure that manipulates the void between Yin and Yang], I would have suffered severe injuries." Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly, his estimation of Su Wei Ancient Ancestor rising a notch.

Within that Su Wei Heaven's Halberd, Su Wei Ancient Ancestor had concealed a hidden contingency—an extremely insidious and destructive Rule Power [a power derived from comprehending a fundamental law of the cosmos] inscribed upon it. At a critical moment, its self-destruction could unleash power several times greater than its full-force strike.

Disregarding his own injuries, Su Wei Ancient Ancestor had activated this Su Wei Heaven's Halberd twice in succession. The first time, he merely displayed the ordinary might of a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal artifact], making it seem like a desperate, final blow not worth undue concern.

Then, just as Eldrin Chen moved to deliver the finishing blow, Su Wei Ancient Ancestor activated it a second time. The Su Wei Heaven's Halberd reversed its course and shot back. By the time Eldrin realized, it was too late to evade; he could only brace to receive the strike head-on.

Had Eldrin Chen not been protected by the Yin-Yang Void Realm, an ordinary Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of attaining true Earth Immortal status] would likely have perished then and there.

"Hahaha!"

Witnessing the Heaven's Halberd's self-destruction fail to slay Eldrin Chen, Su Wei Ancient Ancestor let out a bitter, ragged laugh.

His physical body had been grievously wounded by the Yin-Yang Dual Pole Pearl [a treasure embodying the opposing forces of Yin and Yang], then pierced through by the Heaven-Severing Twin Swords Union [a combined sword technique capable of severing heaven itself]. Now, add the backlash from the Su Wei Heaven's Halberd's destruction, and his injuries had reached a catastrophic, likely irreversible state. Visit audio–novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

At this moment, he had no means left to turn the tide. He merely gazed at Eldrin Chen with a bitter smile and said, "In my lifetime, I have slaughtered countless souls. It is only fitting that I face this tribulation today."

"But since you have also entered this calamity, you will ultimately share my fate, destined to fall into the Reincarnation [the endless cycle of death and rebirth]."

"The Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of heavenly ordained trials] is boundless, where all immortals vie for supremacy. Only the protagonist of that Great Tribulation can transcend it; all others shall turn to dust." "You, despite your extraordinary talent, are but a mote of dust before a figure like the Lord of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace."

"Hahaha!" Su Wei Ancient Ancestor laughed maniacally, his voice tinged with madness. "I shall await you in the deepest depths of the Netherworld [the underworld, realm of the dead]!"

In response to the words of Su Wei Ancient Ancestor, Eldrin Chen's expression remained utterly serene and unchanging.

He watched Su Wei Ancient Ancestor in silence, finally speaking with profound calm. "You were a worthy opponent. Yet, you failed to perceive the threads of my destiny."

"This sovereign shall ascend the Great Dao [the supreme and fundamental path of cultivation]. Let you cycle through Reincarnation a hundred times, a thousand times, ten thousand times—I shall remain eternal, undying within the temporal Long River [the metaphorical river of time]."

"A million ages hence, if you chant my name with reverence, you may yet attain the Dao and achieve immortality."

With unshakable confidence, Eldrin Chen channeled his power. The Heavenly Separated Twin Swords crossed in a flash, severing and extinguishing the Immortal Embryo [the nascent immortal core of a cultivator] within Su Wei Ancient Ancestor. In that instant, the myriad manifestations of the Dao materialized. From the flesh of Su Wei Ancient Ancestor, billions of Law Divine Chains [divine chains embodying cosmic laws] shattered and scattered, dissolving into the Dao's own Primordial Source [the original, fundamental essence of all existence] and vanishing into heaven and earth.

Countless illusory showers of light erupted from his Immortal Physique [an immortal-grade physical body]. Even his Immortal Physique began to unravel under the cyclical rules of the cosmos, transforming back into the most fundamental Primordial Source power before fading from existence.

When all was concluded, only faint, lingering phantoms of rules remained between heaven and earth—these were White Tiger Ancient Ancestor's insights into the Laws of the Dao and the Great Dao [the fundamental, all-encompassing principle of existence], left behind here by the Heavenly Dao [the natural order and way of the cosmos].

Then, from the boundless Firmament above, descended a wisp of Primordial Source Qi [the most fundamental and purest source energy from which all things originate]. It was infinitesimally small, yet of unparalleled purity.

This wisp of Primordial Source Qi drifted down from the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], intertwining with the White Tiger Ancient Ancestor's lingering comprehension of the Great Dao. From their fusion, a single, resplendent Dao Source [a crystallized essence containing profound insights into the Dao] coalesced.

"A Supreme Grade Dao Source,"

Eldrin Chen murmured, reaching out to grasp the Supreme Grade Dao Source.

This Supreme Grade Dao Source from the Su Wei Ancient Ancestor contained profound insights into the power of the Great White Metal Rule [the supreme principle governing the Metal element]. It represented the greatest prize from his victory over the Su Wei Ancient Ancestor.

After storing the Dao Source, Eldrin Chen moved to suppress the Heaven's Might Command [a seal imbued with celestial authority] and the Celestial Wheel Mirror [a mirror reflecting heavenly cycles]. He then collected the remaining possessions of the Su Wei Ancient Ancestor before turning his gaze to the other battlefields.

By this stage of the grand conflict, the scales in the several remaining theaters of war had begun to tip decisively.

Bolstered by the power of the Zhou Heavenly Stars Grand Formation [a grand stellar array], the forces of the Abyssal Immortal Alliance had gained the upper hand.

Solara's prowess was extraordinary. Wielding a World-Opening Treasure [a primordial artifact of immense power] known as the 'Great Solar Celestial Wheel' [a wheel embodying the supreme solar principle], she had driven Sylvanus the Azure Dragon into a relentless retreat.

Stella and Verdant Consort had already gained the upper hand against Blue Jade the Celestial Dragon and Aurelius the Golden Dragon. Lyra Jiang had completely suppressed Aethelred Ao, battering him until he was grievously wounded and sent flying.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate for a moment. He instantly activated the Heaven-Severing Twin Swords Union, transforming into a dazzling ray of immortal light that cleaved down with immense force.

That Aethelred Ao was no match for Verdant Consort to begin with. Once surrounded and attacked, he lost all capacity to fight back. In barely a dozen exchanges, he was bisected by a single sword strike from Eldrin Chen.

"My life ends here!"

Mortally wounded, Aethelred Ao let out a final, agonized cry. He attempted to flee by releasing his Immortal Embryo [the nascent immortal form within a cultivator], but Lyra Jiang activated her Five-Colored Divine Radiance to ensnare it, ending his life with a decisive sword thrust.

Witnessing Aethelred Ao dissolve into the Dao [return his essence to the fundamental principle of existence], the three True Dragon Ancient Ancestor immediately paled. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio–novel.com.

That Sylvanus the Azure Dragon fought desperately, battered until he spat blood and was sent flying. Struggling for survival, he roared in fury.

"Aethelred Ao, you have doomed this old man!"

Yet no matter his rage, it was ultimately futile.

Once Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang had their hands free, the three True Dragon Ancient Ancestor found their fate sealed. They were slain at the edge of the Abyssal Sea Region.

These three Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have partially transcended mortality but not yet fully ascended to Earth Immortal status] were high-ranking figures within Thousand Dragons Lake, beings accustomed to looking down from lofty heights.

They had been entreated by Aethelred Ao to come and assist, believing they were merely to eliminate a foe with ordinary Half-Step Earth Immortal combat prowess. Never did they imagine they would meet their doom in such a bewildering, muddled fashion.

"It is done."

With the three Half-Step Earth Immortal slain, the remaining Demon Immortal [demonic beings who have achieved a form of immortality] and the Demonic Tribe Dao Soldiers [elite soldiers cultivated through demonic arts] were merely struggling in their death throes. Before long, they were all exterminated, reduced to mere motes of dust within the vastness of the Great Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes eras].

With the demonic horde of Su Wei pacified, Eldrin Chen surveyed the Human Race immortals. He found that among the several combatants with Half-Step Earth Immortal strength, only Verdant Consort and Stella had sustained light injuries.

Among the several dozen Immortal [beings who have ascended to a true immortal state], only a few like Ancestor Black Tortoise and the Master of the Dao Palace had suffered significant wounds. The rest, at most, bore only minor injuries.

At this thought, he let out a soft sigh of relief. Distributing a Pill [a refined medicinal elixir] to the injured, including Verdant Consort, he addressed the assembly, "Esteemed colleagues, this battle is a complete victory. You have all fought valiantly."

"The honor is ours," the immortals replied with smiles. The Roc Great Sage [a title for a supremely powerful demon] added, "The greatest credit for this triumph undoubtedly belongs to the Alliance Lord."

The gathered immortals nodded in agreement. Even Solara could not help but regard Eldrin Chen with newfound respect.

In this conflict, Eldrin Chen had displayed combat prowess so astonishing that even a six-tribulation Demon Immortal like Su Wei Ancient Ancestor had been suppressed from start to finish, a testament to his overwhelming power.

You must understand, even Solara, who possesses a World-Opening Treasure, would not be confident of easily defeating Su Wei Ancient Ancestor. "His power, even if it does not quite reach that of a Seven Tribulations Immortal, is such that even two ordinary Sixth Rank Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] joining forces might not be enough to overcome him."

Thinking this to herself, Solara smiled and said, "With strength such as yours, it seems we may be able to plan more actively for this coming cataclysm, to proactively seek the opportunities within the Great Tribulation [a world-shaking calamity that tests fate and cultivators]." The complete novel can be found at audio-novel .c om.