Chapter 1502 : Divine Intervention at the Flowing Fire Palace

If that were the only factor, it would still take them thousands of years and an immense, staggering price to breach this grand formation.

The crucial point, however, was that the Flowing Fire Star Palace now lacked a Half-Step Celestial Immortal to anchor its defenses. Consequently, the Formation could only unleash fifty to sixty percent of its ultimate potential power.

This combination of diminished offense and weakened defense pushed the Flowing Fire Star Palace's Mountain Protection Formation rapidly to the brink of utter collapse.

When Violet Mystery Path Master finally unleashed his full might, invoking his Innate Divine Ability—the 'Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Sword'—the Mountain Protection Formation could hold no longer. It shattered completely under that single, cataclysmic strike, utterly annihilated.

"BOOM—"

Witnessing the grand formation's breach, expressions of triumph washed over the assembled forces.

"Fellow Daoist, hold!"

Just as Eldrin Chen was about to order the charge, a calm, detached voice echoed from the void.

All eyes turned towards the source. There stood a Daoist robed in a Purple Ribbon Immortal Robe.

A halo of Pure Light of Merit [radiant aura representing accumulated virtuous karma] shimmered behind him. Holding a horsetail whisk, he stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the gathered Mortal Path cultivators.

"I am Western Time Divine Lord of the Western Abyss Immortal Court. I would ask you all to do me the honor of sparing this Flowing Fire Star Palace."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, but he did not speak immediately.

The Violet Mystery Path Master beside him, seeing this, spoke to Eldrin Chen. "This Western Time Divine Lord is the master of the Xichen Blessed Land, a great power of the Primordial Unity Realm. Because he cultivates the Stellar Rule [a profound law governing the stars and celestial bodies], he was able to take a position within the Western Abyss Immortal Court."

"It is said he is an old friend of the Master of Flowing Fire. It seems he has come to mediate."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then calmly cupped his hands in greeting. "So it is the Western Time Divine Lord himself. My apologies for the lack of courtesy."

The Western Time Divine Lord gave a slight nod of acknowledgment before speaking with detached authority. "The Flowing Fire Star Palace has governed the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas for tens of millions of years, amassing immense Merits [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and good karma] for our Human Race."

"For you to move against them now shows a profound lack of compassion."

"In my view, allow me to act as peacemaker today. Would you not consider withdrawing, as a favor to me?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly, understanding that the Western Time Divine Lord was taking sides in the dispute.

But Eldrin Chen was no longer the man he once was; he would not allow himself to be manipulated by a mere Half-Step Celestial Immortal. He cast a glance towards the Blazeflame Divine Spirit.

Understanding the cue, the Blazeflame Divine Spirit spoke up immediately, "What great authority you possess, to presume to dictate matters concerning our Divine Court."

"Do you truly believe a single word from you will make us relinquish the spoils of this war?"

"You—"

The Western Time Divine Lord's expression turned icy, yet he did not immediately resort to force.

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit before him had already reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm. One could say its momentum was already established, making it exceedingly difficult to strangle in its cradle.

At the very least, he, the Western Time Divine Lord, was incapable of such a feat. If he failed to kill the Blazeflame Divine Spirit now, then once it later stepped into the Celestial Immortal Realm, it could likely crush him with a single hand.

Even if it never reached the Celestial Immortal Realm, once the Blazeflame Divine Spirit broke through to the Primordial Unity Realm, it would likely be beyond his ability to contend with.

Seeing this, the Violet Mystery Path Master also seized the moment to add, "The Flowing Fire Star Palace has held dominion over the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas for tens of millions of years, exhausting its resources. Now that the Flowing Fire Star Palace has utterly declined, it is only fitting they step down and yield their position to the worthy."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen seized the opportunity to speak. "In the past, within the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land, the Master of Flowing Fire [the Lord of the Flowing Fire Star Palace], in order to save his own skin, betrayed his closest friend, the Profound Heavenly Path Master."

"With such a despicable character, why should a True Lord [a powerful cultivator at the True Lord realm] stand up for him?"

Upon hearing this, the Western Time Divine Lord [a powerful deity] could not help but show a slight change in his expression.

He understood that protecting the Flowing Fire Star Palace today was impossible. Thus, he could only say, "Even so, the disciples of the Flowing Fire Star Palace are innocent."

"I hope you can show mercy and allow this old man to take them away."

Eldrin Chen fell into brief contemplation upon hearing this, exchanging glances with the others.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang transmitted her voice, "After all, he is a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm]. It's unwise to completely sever ties."

"Furthermore, many members of the Flowing Fire Star Palace possess the Pure Light of Merit [a protective aura born from virtuous deeds]. Killing them would stain us with karmic sin. It's better to go with the flow and grant him this face."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded and spoke, "Then let it be as the Divine Lord [a title for a powerful deity] suggests. However, they cannot take any treasures belonging to the Flowing Fire Star Palace with them."

Upon hearing this, the Western Time Divine Lord [a title for a powerful divine being] nodded slightly, then turned his gaze towards the assembled immortals of the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a celestial palace or sect].

Seeing this, the immortals of the Flowing Fire Star Palace erupted in wild joy. They hastily presented their treasures and rare artifacts, flying towards the Western Time Divine Lord.

Eldrin Chen observed the crowd. While countless cultivators from the Flowing Fire Star Palace flew towards the Western Time Divine Lord with ecstatic fervor, one individual's eyes held a flicker of tension.

"Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame [a title for a female immortal]," he called out.

A slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a supreme divine technique to seize and suppress] to press down upon her.

The Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame instantly sought to activate a Void Supreme Treasure [a top-tier artifact capable of spatial travel] to escape, but she realized the surrounding void had already been sealed by the Polarity Void Mirror [a mirror treasure that stabilizes and controls space].

In her panic, she cried out desperately, "Divine Lord, save me!"

"How dare you!"

The Western Time Divine Lord roared in fury, his expression shifting dramatically as he moved to intervene.

Yet, in that fleeting instant, a sound like Thunderclap [a thunderous boom] split the heavens and earth. He was intercepted by Violet Mystery Path Master.

At the same moment, Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame was suppressed by the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand and hauled before Eldrin Chen.

"Hand it over," he commanded.

Gazing at Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame, Eldrin Chen spoke in a tone devoid of inflection.

Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame's countenance shifted dramatically. "This humble one has already surrendered all her treasures," she protested hastily, shaking her head. "I know not of what you speak."

"Life, or death!"

Eldrin Chen snorted coldly. The colossal Primordial One [the foundational, undifferentiated state of existence from which all things emanate] palm erupted with surging Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a supreme celestial fire of pure yang essence], its searing heat poised to utterly refine Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame into nothingness.

Witnessing this, Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame finally revealed a visage of pure terror. "Spare me!" she cried out. "I shall give it to you now!"

Only then did Eldrin Chen withdraw the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame. Having narrowly escaped annihilation, Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame immediately produced a piece of dazzling, crimson-hued ancient iron and offered it to him.

"Crimson Firmament Ancient Iron [a legendary metal forged in the primordial heavens, imbued with the essence of the crimson sky]," Eldrin Chen murmured, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

He examined the radiant artifact, its presence confirming a suspicion he had held.

The Crimson Firmament Ancient Iron [a legendary metal forged in the primordial heavens] was an Eighth Rank Supreme Grade Rare Treasure [a material of the highest rarity and quality], the finest possible vessel-embryo for forging a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact capable of cleaving open a new world]. Eldrin Chen never imagined he would encounter such a treasure today.

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh of admiration before speaking. "Your Flowing Fire Star Palace [a celestial palace associated with flowing flames] truly possesses a profound legacy."

"Yet I am curious," he continued, his tone thoughtful. "Since you possessed this material, why did you not forge it into a fire-attribute World-Opening Supreme Treasure to aid the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace in healing his injuries? Why instead fixate upon my Ancient Crimson Dragon Cauldron [a cauldron artifact forged from an ancient crimson dragon]?"

Upon hearing this, Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame [a female immortal associated with flowing flames] could only offer a bitter smile. "This material has been gestating for tens of millions of years. It was originally destined to emerge in another three hundred thousand."

"To accelerate its final ascension, the Palace Master did not hesitate to slay hundreds of fire-aligned Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality]. He... used their fundamental Path Principles [the core laws and insights of a cultivator's chosen Dao], their flesh and blood, to nourish it, and expended no small number of rare and precious flame-based treasures to drastically shorten the time."

"Yet even so, its promotion was still too slow. It could only serve as a secondary option."

"I see," Eldrin Chen said, understanding dawning.

He nodded solemnly. "In his desperation to recover, the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace has begun treading a path that skirts the edges of the demonic."