Chapter 1497 : Clash of Immortals and Swords

"Clang—" [the sharp, resonant sound of metal striking metal]

In that instant, sword energy swept across the heavens and sea.

Looking upon the Void Heaven [a specific celestial realm], one could see a world-shaking Thunderclap [a specific sword technique] sword aura cleaving through the air with overwhelming force.

That sword aura struck the Mountain Protection Formation [a defensive array protecting a mountain], immediately stirring up massive ripples and causing the light of the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron [a powerful enchanted artifact] to dim slightly.

"Incredibly powerful."

Eldrin Chen felt a shock in his heart, gaining a true understanding of the might of the Slaughter [a divine ability focused on pure destructive power] technique when wielded by a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] with a top-grade World-Opening Celestial Immortal Sword [a supreme-grade immortal sword].

This Extinction Thunder God truly lived up to his Extraordinary origins. With the power of this single World-Opening TreasureImmortal Sword, even if ten cultivators at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Earth Immortal realm] were to attack him together, they would likely all be slain.

Even with Eldrin Chen's current combat prowess, if he were to face the Extinction Thunder God, his only option would be to flee.

Of course, Eldrin Chen also faintly sensed that while the Extinction Thunder God's Slaughter technique was immensely powerful, his own defensive capabilities were lacking.

He possessed no protective treasures and had not cultivated the Primordial Unity Immortal Body [a legendary, supremely resilient immortal physique], rendering his physical body extremely fragile.

If anyone could withstand his assault, they would likely inflict grievous injury upon him in an exceedingly brief span of time.

"Although he obtained the Azure Dragon Ancient Cauldron, that cauldron is of the Wood attribute, which conflicts with his Thunderclap [a cultivation art or technique based on thunder and lightning] principles. At best, he can only unleash half its potential power."

"His offense is formidable, but his defense is lacking. In the future, when my cultivation advances further, should we cross paths again, I might find an opportunity to defeat him."

Eldrin Chen made this assessment in his heart, pushing the Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron to its absolute limit.

At that very moment, the Extinction Thunder God struck again. A second blindingly brilliant sword energy cleaved into the grand formation, causing its radiance to tremble violently. Faint, hairline cracks began to appear upon the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy nodes and flows used for defense, attack, or cultivation].

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen understood that the Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron was incompatible with the Thunderclap and the Earth Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated earth-attribute spiritual energy], preventing it from unleashing its ultimate might. If this continued, it likely would not withstand the Extinction Thunder God's third strike.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen immediately called out urgently, "The situation is dire! I request your assistance, fellow cultivators!"

Seeing this, Breaker the True Lord and the others immediately poured their full power into reinforcing the Formation.

"*Clang—!*"

In that very instant, a third, dazzlingly brilliant and heaven-shaking sword light descended, cleaving directly towards the Mountain Protection Formation.

In that fleeting instant, Earthly Heavenly Path Master and Eldrin Chen struck with flawless, wordless coordination.

Together, they summoned their World-Opening Supreme Treasure to block. Though the blow from Extinction Thunder God's sword still sent them reeling, it had consumed the majority of its devastating force.

The remaining power of the strike crashed against the Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive barrier anchored to a mountain's spiritual veins], merely causing its shimmering surface to ripple like disturbed water, utterly failing to breach its defenses.

As the old saying goes, the first assault carries the greatest momentum; the second wanes, and the third is exhausted.

Having poured his full might into three successive, earth-sundering strikes and expended over half of his spiritual energy, Extinction Thunder God found the Mountain Protection Formation still standing firm. A slight frown creased his brow.

His gaze swept over the assembled defenders one final time before he turned and vanished into the boundless void.

"Hah—"

Watching Extinction Thunder God depart, everyone present released a heavy, collective sigh of relief.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Breaker the True Lord spoke with palpable trepidation. "Facing a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to true celestial immortality] so adept in the Slaughter [a divine ability focused on pure, overwhelming destructive power]... to stand and fight would have been a death sentence for us all."

"If any of you encounter such a foe in the future, remember: your first and only priority must be to flee."

The Earthly Heavenly Path Master also nodded, then said thoughtfully, "Before achieving the Primordial Unity Path Fruit, it is unwise to confront this person head-on."

At the same time, Exquisite Jiang helped Eldrin Chen to his feet and asked with concern, "How are your injuries?"

"A backlash from a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power cultivated by immortals]. Merely a minor wound."

Eldrin Chen replied calmly. For beings of their level, a single drop of blood could facilitate Rebirth [the ability to regenerate one's entire body from a remnant].

As long as no lingering Path Principle [the fundamental laws and principles of a cultivation path] from a powerful foe remained within their bodies, or the injury did not damage the very foundation of their Earth Immortal World [the inner world cultivated by an Earth Immortal], ordinary wounds were of little consequence.

Eldrin Chen consumed an elixir, then activated the Rule of Life [the cosmic principle governing vitality and growth] to restore his physical form and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator]. His injuries were completely healed in an instant.

Once certain of his recovery, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "Although the Extinction Thunder God has fled, the Western Abyss Dragon King will likely come seeking answers. We should all consider how to handle this."

Hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted, their faces etched with profound gravity.

However, the Earthly Heavenly Path Master remained composed. "Within the Immortal Domain [the realm of the immortals]," he stated, "it is a fundamental, unwritten rule that peers may compete fairly, but one must not strike down those of a lower cultivation realm."

"If the Western Abyss Dragon King were to attack us today, then tomorrow, a great power of the Human Race could just as easily stoop to eliminate a promising genius of the Dragon Clan. Would that not throw everything into chaos?"

"Moreover, the situation at the Violet Firmament Path Palace is likely under the watchful gaze of the Western Abyss Immortal Court. If he truly makes a move, the great powers of our Human Race will certainly not stand idly by."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of reassurance settle in his heart.

He glanced towards the secluded cultivation chamber of Violet Mystery Path Master and spoke, "Since that is the case, let us guard him with peace of mind. Remember, we must not let our guard down for a moment."

"Mm."

Everyone nodded, their expressions turning grave and solemn.

Not long after, the void churned with wind and clouds as a calamitous aura [a foreboding energy signifying impending tribulation or disaster], vast enough to blot out the heavens, swept forth.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw, at the distant edge of the boundless Heavenly Vault, a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power mastered by high-level cultivators] strolling leisurely towards them.

It walked through the void, its form wreathed in endless coils of Karmic Fiend Crimson Light [a sinister crimson radiance born from immense negative karma and slaughter], resembling a blood-soaked Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler among cultivators] emerging from the depths of hell. With each step, boundless Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupt form of spiritual power] swept through and scoured the Heavenly Vault.

"Western Abyss Dragon King."

Eldrin Chen's heart shuddered. An overwhelming sense of terror assailed him, a pressure so immense it threatened to snuff out his very breath.

Behold the figure wreathed in boundless Karmic Miasma [a metaphysical pollution born from negative karma and sin], treading upon the very ground where Azure Dragon Lord met his end.

He channeled the boundless power of the Path Principle [the fundamental laws governing reality and cultivation], manifesting the scene of Azure Dragon Lord's demise. A cold, disdainful voice then issued forth.

"Worthless. Lacking even the most basic vigilance, yet you dare to meddle in every Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial or heavenly punishment faced by cultivators]."

"That you have lived to this day is solely due to the meager respect afforded to this old man."

Western Abyss Dragon King let out a rasping sound. With a flick of his sleeve, he gathered the lingering soul-fragments of Azure Dragon Lord, his gaze then locking onto Eldrin Chen with lethal intensity.

In that instant, an ocean of murderous intent and Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupt form of spiritual power] surged forth. An extreme, piercing chill pressed down, sending a shiver of dread through Eldrin Chen's very spine.

"Do you intend to act?"

At that moment, a voice of immense grandeur echoed down from the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky].

The speaker seemed not to have arrived in person, merely speaking across three thousand seas. Yet, that calm, resonant voice held a weight capable of suppressing all.

"Heavenly Halberd Demon-Slaying True Lord!"

The Western Abyss Dragon King's pupils turned icy cold. He cast one final frigid glance at Eldrin Chen before tearing through the void and vanishing from the sea region.

As the Western Abyss Dragon King departed, the boundless Karmic Sin Power [the malevolent energy born from committing grievous sins] receded into nothingness. Only then did Eldrin Chen allow himself to exhale a heavy sigh of relief.

Though the Western Abyss Dragon King had not spoken a word, Eldrin Chen had keenly sensed a thread of murderous intent emanating from him.

There was no direct enmity between Eldrin Chen and this Western Abyss Dragon King, yet throughout his cultivation journey, Eldrin had slain figures like the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake and the Dragon King of Wei Sea.

The fall of the Azure Dragon Lord today was also indirectly linked to his own actions.

Had the Heavenly Halberd Demon-Slaying True Lord not intervened, the Western Abyss Dragon King would likely have already struck against him.

It was at this moment that the Breaker the True Lord nearby spoke. "I had long heard rumors that the Western Abyss Dragon King sacrificed the world he himself had forged to break through to the Celestial Immortal realm," he said.

"Seeing that Karmic Sin Light [the ominous glow surrounding one burdened by profound sin] now, the rumor must indeed be true."