Chapter 1303 : Clash of Heaven and Artifact

Understanding that the Heavenly Demon Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array] could not withstand the might of the World-Opening Ancient Ark [a legendary artifact capable of sundering worlds], he immediately declared, "This Lingering Sun Heavenly Ark [the Heavenly Ark of the Lingering Sun] has a fatal flaw. If we both strike with the full power of the Formation [the array's energy], we should be able to break through."

As his words fell, the Heavenly Demon Sea [a vast sea of demonic energy] surged with boundless Formation power, coalescing into a massive crimson Heavenly Blade [a divine blade] that cleaved downward with devastating force.

This crimson Heavenly Blade was named the Heavenly Demon God-Slaying Blade [the Blade of the Heavenly Demon, Slayer of Gods], a Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal rank]. Empowered by the Formation, its might even brushed against the realm of an Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is rooted in the earth]. Now, it descended with a fury meant to split the Lingering Sun Heavenly Ark asunder.

Yet, from the Heavenly Ark bloomed the Polarity Polar Light [the Prismatic Radiance of Opposing Poles], manifesting a shield of Polarity [the fundamental concept of opposing yet complementary forces] dual-pole energy that deflected the blow.

"The Polarity Dual Poles Pearl!"

Heavenly Demon Emperor [the sovereign ruler of the Heavenly Demons] exclaimed in shock, witnessing the Lingering Sun Heavenly Ark unleash its power once more.

With a deafening roar, the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Burial Grand Formation [the Grand Formation for Burying Immortals, cast by the Heavenly Demons] shattered completely.

"Disaster!"

The Heavenly Demon King [a powerful king among the Heavenly Demons] felt his heart lurch. He instantly transformed into a streak of light, fleeing for his life.

But from the heavens, a dazzling, five-colored bolt of thunder descended like divine judgment. Its overwhelming, oppressive might crashed down upon him, sending him reeling through the air, blood spraying from his wounds. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio - novel . com.

"Where do you think you're fleeing?"

Having dealt a grievous blow to the Heavenly Demon King, Eldrin Chen calmly advanced. With a flick of his sleeve, he manifested a hand vast enough to blot out the sun and sky, pressing down to suppress his foe.

Simultaneously, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and Empty Brightness Patriarch joined forces, launching a concerted assault against the Heavenly Demon Emperor.

"*Hum—*"

But at that very moment, a resonant humming sound emanated from beyond the confines of heaven and earth.

The assembled Immortals [powerful cultivators who have ascended to a higher state of being] looked up. Across the boundless expanse of the world, they saw a vast and billowing Heavenly Demon aura [the malignant energy signature of high-ranking demonic beings]. From the void emerged three hundred and sixty-five Demon Immortal [demonic beings who have attained a power level equivalent to that of an Immortal].

Each held a massive banner. As they brandished them, they summoned the radiance of the surrounding stars, veiling the celestial Cosmos and sealing off the vast core region of the Heavenly Demon Sea.

At this sight, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, his expression turning grave as he spoke, "The Minor Heavenly Starry Sky Grand Formation [a powerful array that harnesses stellar energies]. Three hundred and sixty-five Demon Immortal, three hundred and sixty-five Stellar banners. The Thousand Dragon Lake truly employs formidable methods."

"Hahaha!"

Just then, a peal of triumphant laughter echoed from the void.

Yet, more than ten figures of immense and imposing stature strode through the air, sealing off all avenues of retreat from every direction.

The one directly ahead was a handsome man clad in black robes. To the left stood the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon Patriarch, draped in imperial robes of violet velvet.

To the right was a white-robed path master, while behind them were five powerful Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have half-stepped into the Earth Immortal realm].

Besides these individuals, there were seven other Half-Step Earth Immortal, namely the Grand Granary Black Fish, the Azure-Scaled Dragon Serpent, the Nine-Lives Heavenly Demon, the Ironclad Crocodile Dragon, and the remaining three, all clad in white robes, who appeared to be descendants of that white-robed path master.

The speaker was precisely the black-robed man. With a composed expression, he stated, "Since you, That upstart Eldrin, are capable of slaying Half-Step Earth Immortal, I shall employ the Minor Cosmic Stellar Formation [a formation that harnesses the power of stars to trap and kill] to end you. It is no dishonor."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over the assembled figures before he spoke, "You, sir, must be the legendary Nether Grand Austerity, ranked twenty-eighth on the Western Essence Immortal Spirit Ranking [a prestigious ranking of powerful cultivators in the Western Essence region]."

"Indeed, I am,"

the black-robed man affirmed, a trace of pride coloring his expression.

Within this Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the number of powerful experts was beyond counting. Naturally, distinctions of strength and weakness existed among them.

Thus, the major Blessed Land [regions of exceptional spiritual fortune] and Grotto-Heaven [self-contained pocket realms of profound spiritual energy] collaborated to compile various rankings. These included the Immortal Spirit Ranking [ranking of powerful immortal spirits], the World-Opening Ranking [ranking of those who have opened their own minor worlds], the Great Power Ranking [ranking of supreme cultivators], the Grotto-Heaven Ranking [ranking of Grotto-Heavens], the Blessed Land Ranking [ranking of Blessed Lands], and several others.

Among them, the Grotto-Heaven Ranking and the Great Power Ranking are both held in the utmost esteem. Only Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land [a supreme realm of cultivation, a paradise for immortals] and Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty cultivator who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] possess the qualifications to be listed upon them.

According to Eldrin Chen's knowledge, the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven ranks fifty-first on the Grotto-Heaven Ranking, while the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven ranks seventy-third among the Grotto-Heaven [a celestial realm of immense spiritual energy] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

As for the World-Opening Ranking, it selects from all the powers across the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain. There are only three thousand slots, and each one is occupied by the most elite Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has reached the Earth Immortal realm]. One must be at least at the Late Stage Earth Immortal [the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal realm] to have any hope of making the list.

It is said that the Divine Lord of Ye Ruins holds the thirty-seventh position on the World-Opening Ranking, while the Lord of Western Abyss Dragon Palace ranks thirty-fifth.

Compared to such prestigious lists, the Immortal Spirit Ranking is merely compiled by the various Blessed Land [a land blessed with potent spiritual energy] of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, recording only the prodigies from that region. Yet, its prestige is still remarkably high.

Generally speaking, those capable of being listed on the Immortal Spirit Ranking possess at least the strength of a Seven Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations]. For Nether Grand Austerity to rank twenty-eighth on this list is indeed a feat worthy of pride. Immerse yourself in the complete world at site: audio-novel.com.

Furthermore, should he advance another step and forge a foundation worthy of a Nine Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations], he would be qualified to rank within the top five of the Immortal Spirit Ranking, perhaps even contend for the first position. This alone reveals the astonishing nature of his talent.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen nodded, then turned his gaze to the remaining few Mortal Path [cultivation arts focused on the mortal realm's principles]. "I presume these few are the Five Elements Heavenly Dragons and the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon Patriarch."

"And with this one added..."

Eldrin Chen's gaze settled upon the white-robed Daoist. The white-robed Daoist nodded and declared, "So you may die with understanding. I am the master of the Pale Nether Blessed Land."

Hearing his reply, Eldrin Chen nodded slightly. The Pale Nether Blessed Land was one of the Demon Race's Blessed Land within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. He had thought it had long since sealed its mountains to avoid the tribulation [a period of great calamity and conflict]; he never expected it would also enter the fray.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen inclined his head and said, "A full four Earth Immortal-level combatants. You must have been planning this for a long time, truly intent on ending me."

"Precisely so."

Nether Grand Austerity nodded, his gaze sharp and penetrating. "You seem... unafraid."

"Fear only makes one weak."

Eldrin Chen spoke with serene detachment, then continued, "Little do you know, I have long coveted your Path Source [the foundational source of one's cultivation path] as well."

As his words fell, the void trembled faintly, and several resplendent figures soared forth.

The assembled immortals looked up to see the three maidens—Sun Consort, Star Consort, and Moon Consort—ascend into the sky. Heaven Wind Path Master descended from the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms], while Energy Abyss Chen and Kael Chen also stepped forward.

"As expected, merely a scheme."

Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon Patriarch's eyes chilled slightly, yet his voice remained icy. "Even if you pour forth your entire nest, it is still not enough!"

"And what if you add us to the count?"

At that very moment, a calm voice echoed from the boundless void. The fabric of space tore open, and seven more figures strode forth.

Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon Patriarch took a glance, his pupils contracting slightly as he said, "Great Mystery Divine Spirit, Earth Spring Patriarch!"

Among these seven figures, five were Half-Step Earth Immortal Patriarchs [powerful cultivators on the cusp of the Earth Immortal realm], while the remaining two were true Earth Immortal Patriarchs [Patriarchs who have ascended to the Earth Immortal realm].

One was the Divine Clan [a clan of beings with divine heritage] Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] Great Mystery Divine Spirit, and the other was Earth Spring Patriarch.

These individuals were close allies of the group. The former was the Dao-companion [a cultivator's lifelong partner in both cultivation and life] of Moon Consort's younger sister, while the latter was a rogue cultivator [an independent cultivator not affiliated with a major sect or clan] Earth Immortal Patriarch from the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea of the Human Race, who shared a friendship spanning millions of years with Sun Consort.

"You..."

Nether Grand Austerity's expression shifted slightly, a sudden realization dawning upon him. He fixed his gaze on Eldrin Chen and declared, "With so many powerful experts, your goal could not possibly have been the Heavenly Demon Sea."

"Your true objective from the start... was me!"

"Only realizing it now?"

Eldrin Chen spoke with serene detachment. With a flick of his sleeve, he pressed down a palm, and a sky-obscuring Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a divine technique that manifests a colossal hand of pure primordial energy] descended to suppress his foe.

Thus began a great battle that would shake the foundations of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas.

It was a rare, full-scale war. Both sides had mobilized a full eight combatants of Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm where one's power is anchored to the earth] caliber, clashing from the outset with lethal intent.

Eldrin Chen faced Nether Grand Austerity, the Sun Consort clashed with the Purple Radiance Thunder Dragon Patriarch, the Great Mystery Divine Spirit engaged the White Nether Patriarch, while the Earth Spring Patriarch battled the Five Elements Heavenly Dragons [a group of five powerful dragons, each embodying one of the fundamental elements] alone.

Meanwhile, the remaining Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators who have partially ascended to the Earth Immortal realm] and the vast armies aboard their myriad Treasure Ship [enchanted vessels used for warfare and transport by cultivators] were locked in a brutal, grinding melee. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio‑novel.com.