Chapter 1479 : Clash of Immortals and Ancient Treasures

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Since the Ghost Immortals [powerful spectral cultivators] will be dealt with by the Divine Spirits [deified beings of immense power], the remaining hundred or so Earth Immortals [immortals anchored to the mortal world] can be handled by the Imperial Lords [rulers of immortal domains] residing within our Earth Immortal Worlds [personal pocket dimensions cultivated by Earth Immortals]."

"The eleven of us Earth Immortals have all opened Ninefold Heavens [a high-tier personal world structure] or higher. We can collectively deploy over a hundred Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm Imperial Lords."

"With their combined strength, plus the combat power of you nine Late Stage Earth Immortals, and the support of the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation of pure solar fire], it should be sufficient to contend with a hundred or so Earth Immortal realm Ghost Cultivators [cultivators who follow a spectral, yin-aligned path]."

Upon hearing this, Heaven Abyss Path Master furrowed his brow slightly. "And what of the remaining four True Spirits [manifestations of primordial natural forces] and the Nether Sea Pearl [a supreme defensive treasure forged from the essence of the Nether Sea]? Are you two truly confident you can handle them?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "The Nether Sea Pearl is a supreme defensive treasure; its offensive power is inferior even to a top-grade World-Opening Supreme Treasure [an artifact of immense power capable of shaping reality]. Exquisite should be able to hold it off for a time using the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron [a mighty cauldron artifact imbued with the power to suppress realms]."

"As for me, wielding the Ancient Crimson Dragon Cauldron [an ancient cauldron artifact containing the essence of a primordial crimson dragon] to break their formation and confront the four True Spirit phantoms... that should be within my capabilities."

He continued, "Set your minds at ease. Within this Netherworld Small Universe [a miniature, self-contained universe aligned with the Netherworld], there are no World-Opening Supreme Treasures possessing Spatial Attributes [properties allowing control over space]."

"With my mastery of Spatial Law [the divine principles governing space] and the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle [a supreme movement technique that allows one to pierce through dimensional barriers], even if the situation turns against us, I am quite confident in my ability to fight our way out and bring you all to safety."

His words brought a measure of calm to the hearts of those present.

This venture into the Netherworld Small Universe represented a great Opportunity and Fortune [a chance encounter with significant potential rewards]. As long as a path of retreat remained, a calculated degree of risk was acceptable.

With this thought in mind, Heaven Abyss Path Master spoke, "Since that is the case, let us act."

"Then let us concentrate our power and break through a single point first."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. Then, utilizing the power of the Spatial Law and the Polarity Void Mirror, he led the group deeper into the Nether River Galaxy.

Unbeknownst to them, they traversed through the outer grand formation and arrived within one of the four Ancient True Spirit Domains—the Soaring Serpent Ancient Domain.

Gazing at the dim Ancient Star before them, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Among the four ancient True Spirit within this Small Universe, the Kui Ox possesses boundless strength, the Dragon Turtle has peerless defense, and the Great Roc commands the world's Extreme Speed."

"Only the Soaring Serpent is renowned for its sinister nature, capable of controlling souls and spirits. It is the most treacherous existence among the four great True Spirit."

"Although what we face here is merely a projected phantom of the Soaring Serpent, it will still be exceedingly difficult to deal with. We must first shatter this ancient domain before we can confront the other three grand formations."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly, their expressions turning grave.

Then, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord produced a somber Ancient Bell and addressed the Immortal and Divine Spirits about to join the battle: "This bell is named the Soul-Suppressing Bell [a magical artifact that calms and protects the soul], a treasure I specifically borrowed. It possesses the wondrous ability to shield the Primordial Spirit Immortal Embryo [the nascent spiritual core of an immortal]."

"Once the battle commences, you must remember not to stray beyond the range of the Soul-Suppressing Bell, lest you meet with misfortune."

Upon hearing this, the assembled Divine Spirits [powerful beings who have ascended beyond the mortal realm] all nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen wasted no further words. He activated the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical artifact capable of manipulating spatial forces] and led the group forward.

As they reached the periphery of the Soaring Serpent Ancient Domain [an ancient territory ruled by serpentine beings], they discovered the spatial energies around the Soaring Serpent Ancient Star [the central celestial body of that domain] had grown stagnant. Clearly, a Spatial Spiritual Treasure [an artifact designed to seal or control space] was suppressing the void.

With no other choice, Eldrin Chen halted just outside the Soaring Serpent Ancient Star and declared, "Begin the assault."

In that instant, a thunderous roar erupted across the void.

Thousands of Divine Spirits unleashed their power simultaneously. Countless Immortal Treasures [artifacts of immense power wielded by immortal beings] and Divine Abilities [supernatural techniques mastered by high-level cultivators] converged upon the Soaring Serpent Ancient Domain.

At the same time, the Earth Immortals [cultivators who have attained a profound connection with the world's essence] struck with their World-Opening Power [a force capable of sundering creation itself]. In the blink of an eye, the Soaring Serpent Ancient Star was battered to the point of collapse.

A sharp, hissing intake of breath echoed.

The moment the Soaring Serpent Ancient Star came under attack, its awareness was instantly roused.

Suddenly, a colossal, ethereal Soaring Serpent [a mythical winged serpent of immense power] surged into the sky. Wreathed in boundless Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupt form of spiritual power], its gaze fixed upon Eldrin Chen.

"What formidable presence."

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, instantly sensing that this Soaring Serpent was unusually powerful.

He stepped forward and, with a casual motion of his hand, pressed down with a palm strike that sent the Soaring Serpent flying sideways. Yet, he faintly felt a potent and bizarre energy attempting to corrode his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator].

Eldrin Chen immediately activated his Indestructibility Primordial One Path Fruit to dissolve this powerful, strange force. He couldn't help but express his surprise.

"For a mere shadow of a Path Void, to possess such formidable soul power..."

"The true body of such an Ancient True Spirit Beasts within the Solar Realm Small Universe must surely be far beyond the mere Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm."

"ROAR—"

As this thought flashed through his mind, the Soaring Serpent unleashed a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering roar.

With that sound, a soul-shaking Rule Power [a power derived from comprehending and wielding a fundamental law of the cosmos] washed through the starry void. For a moment, the several thousand Divine Spirits present felt their souls waver, falling into a state of stunned stupor.

"CLANG—"

Fortunately, at that critical moment, the tolling of a bell rang out.

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord activated the Soul-Suppressing Bell [a magical bell that protects the soul from spiritual attacks], and a wave of ancient, resonant chimes washed over the group, shielding their souls.

Seeing everyone jolt awake, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord immediately spoke, "Act now!"

As his words fell, the group sprang into action, unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks aimed at swiftly shattering the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array that shields a mountain or territory] of the Soaring Serpent Ancient Star.

Yet, at that very moment, the Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal who has attained a profound connection with the earth] experts of the Netherworld Small Universe had already reacted.

The fabric of space within this Immortal Domain was not as resilient as that of a true Immortal Domain; even an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] could tear through it. Ripples of distorted void spread out as one Netherworld Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal from the Netherworld] and Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates through ghostly or spectral methods] after another surged forward.

Nearly a hundred Earth Immortal Ghost Ancestor [an ancient and powerful ghostly Earth Immortal] figures tore through the void. The Kui Ox, the Great Roc, and the Dragon Turtle also charged forth instantly, seeking to join the Soaring Serpent and reform the legendary Four Divine Spirits Ancient Formation [an ancient formation based on the power of four divine spirit beasts].

From the distant heights, the Nether Sea Pearl [a pearl containing the vast power of the Nether Sea] descended with overwhelming, world-suppressing might.

"Kill!"

In that instant, the battle erupted.

Exquisite Jiang channeled the Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron [an ancient, powerful cauldron forged from the essence of a black dragon], its formidable power forming a barrier against the boundless might unleashed by the Nether Sea Pearl [a legendary pearl containing the condensed essence of the Nether Sea].

The assembled Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] and over one hundred Imperial Lord [a powerful cultivator who rules over a domain] also engaged in a grand confrontation with the horde of Netherworld Ghost Immortal [immortals who have transcended through ghostly cultivation in the Netherworld].

"BOOM—"

High above, upon the Heavenly Vault [the highest celestial dome], Eldrin Chen stood alone against four True Spirit [ancient, primordial beings of immense power]. He suppressed the Kui Ox [a mythical single-legged ox beast] with the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell [a divine bell embodying the unyielding power of the earth], while his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of divine swords capable of cleaving heaven and abyss] danced in a deadly clash against the Great Roc [a colossal bird of prey] and the Dragon Turtle [a mighty hybrid of dragon and turtle].

Furthermore, he used his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique said to be unbreakable since the dawn of creation] to physically overpower the Soaring Serpent [a celestial serpent capable of flight], preventing the Four Divine Spirits [the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise] from combining their powers to form the dreaded Four Divine Spirits Grand Formation [a supreme formation harnessing the combined might of the four divine beasts].

The grand battle raged for over thirty exchanges. Surveying the battlefield, Eldrin Chen realized Exquisite Jiang's spiritual energy reserves were beginning to wane. The Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron was ultimately being overpowered by the Nether Sea Pearl, and their side was gradually being forced onto the defensive.

Worse yet, in the distant void, more and more Ghost Immortal [immortals who have ascended via the ghostly path] were continuously tearing through space to join the fray.

"We cannot afford to be bogged down in a protracted war of attrition,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, his resolve hardening. It was time to shatter this formation completely.

With a thought, he summoned the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a divine technique manifesting a giant hand of primordial energy] to pin down the Soaring Serpent. Then, he produced a dazzling Ancient Crimson Dragon Cauldron [an ancient cauldron forged in the heart of a crimson dragon]. With a swift motion, he ensnared the Soaring Serpent and sealed it within the ancient vessel.

"Not good."

Witnessing this scene, a Ghost Ancestor [a powerful spectral being at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm] at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm] felt a jolt of alarm in his heart. Without hesitation, he activated a ghostly talisman, summoning forth a Netherworld Black Dragon [a powerful dragon entity born from the deepest nether energies] to bear down upon and suppress Eldrin Chen.

The aura of this dark Black Dragon rivaled that of a Late Stage Earth Immortal [a cultivator in the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal realm]. Its combat prowess seemed no less formidable than that of a Ghost Ancestor at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection, clearly marking it as one of the trump cards of this Netherworld Small Universe [a pocket dimension or minor realm within the vast Netherworld].

"A Primordial Era Nether Dragon?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed the Great Annihilation Heavenly Dragon Talisman [a supreme talisman capable of manifesting a dragon of pure annihilating flame].

In a Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time], a blazing fire dragon surged into being, intercepting and holding back the Primordial Era Nether Dragon [an ancient dragon of immense power from the dawn of creation].