Chapter 1654 : A Clash of Ancient Sects

Seeing this, Qiyuan Chen could not help but speak out: "Fighting One Against Two [engaging two opponents simultaneously in combat]? This Seventh True Successor of the Celestial Web Ancient Sect actually possesses such strength?"

"It's hard to say for certain," Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, then continued, "After all, it is the Great Luo Ancient Sect. Since that Ronan Luo dares to Fighting One Against Two [engage two opponents simultaneously], he likely has great confidence in his success."

"That is true."

Lyra Jiang nodded with a slight smile. "The Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of cultivation] is newly established. Apart from the Dragon King of the Western Abyss, it only has a few Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm]. As long as he does not personally intervene, Ronan Luo should have nothing to fear."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen also nodded in agreement.

What he did not know was that the Human Race had originally planned to place three pieces on the board within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region], with one of them being Wuji Taiyang from the Taiyang Clan.

At that time, with eight transcendent powers placing their pieces in the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, the Human Race occupying four of them could have completely suppressed the Demon and God Races, thereby being the first to break the stalemate and give birth to several Heavenly Immortal Paragons [the supreme pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal realm].

Unfortunately, due to Eldrin Chen's presence, Wuji Taiyang chose to avoid a direct confrontation, steering clear of a peerless genius like Eldrin Chen. This resulted in one fewer Primordial Immortal Clan [an ancient clan with a lineage tracing back to the dawn of cultivation] placing its piece, a fact that nearly made Ronan Luo curse out loud in frustration.

Unaware of these machinations, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. "Since the situation is gradually becoming clear, it is time for us to seek an opportunity to act and obtain the Dao Source [the primordial source essence of the Great Dao, a treasure of immense power]."

As this thought drifted through his mind and Eldrin Chen prepared to attempt entering the fray, he noticed countless streams of light streaking across the heavens and earth. "Whoosh—" Support the author by reading on @udio-novel.com.

In that fleeting moment, a sound of rending air suddenly echoed from the far horizon.

The crowd looked up to see several streaks of radiant light cleaving through the vast sky as they approached from the distant edge of the heavens.

The leader, clad in a profound black robe, strode through the air and gazed down upon the assembly with a detached expression, asking, "Is this place the Abyssal Sea Region?" Hearing this, Eldrin Chen discerned their intent. A glint of killing intent immediately flashed in his eyes as he replied, "It is."

"Then there is no mistake."

As the words fell, the man declared, "I am the Third Divine Son of the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven. Today, by command, I have come to claim your wretched life."

With that, the Third Divine Son of Western Qi made his move. He summoned a dazzling pagoda that soared into the sky, pressing down to suppress the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation. Behind him, three Divine Spirits of the Taiyi Realm also acted, unleashing their Divine Ability and Immortal Treasure to assault the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation.

Yet, the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation of the Abyssal Sea Region proved truly extraordinary. Despite the onslaught from the four, it remained unbroken, its defensive power scarcely diminished.

"A turtle's shell."

After several dozen consecutive strikes failed to breach the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation, the Third Divine Son of Western Qi narrowed his eyes coldly. "To erect such a grand formation... it seems preparations were made long in advance."

"It appears my father's suspicion was correct. Leaving you alive would only nurture a future calamity."

As the words fell, Western Qi's Third Divine Son gazed into the depths of the Void [a profound state of emptiness or a specific mystical technique] and declared, "Esteemed ones, this Eldrin, the Junior possesses extraordinary talent. Once he steps into the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a quasi-immortal state just below true Celestial Immortality], the cost to slay him will increase tenfold."

"If we do not act now, when shall we?"

"The Third Divine Son speaks truly."

A brief silence settled within the Void, then thirteen figures stepped through the air, their eyes glinting with killing intent. Eldrin Chen looked up and recognized several familiar faces among them.

They were the Central Earth Spirit Deity, the Silent Annihilation Thunder God, the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan, and two powerhouses from the White Tiger Clan—Ancestor Western Geng and the Grand Elder of the Western Geng Abode of Bliss. Additionally, there was a Heaven's Chosen [a prodigy favored by destiny] from the Dragon Race, precisely the Third Prince of the Celestial Dragon Grotto-Heaven.

As for the remaining seven, Eldrin Chen did not know them, but they all appeared to be Heaven's Chosen of the Human Race.

However, Zixuan the Daoist, being widely experienced, recognized several of their identities and spoke, "The four on the left are the Second Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, along with its Third Elder, Ninth Elder, and Fourteenth Elder."

"The three Human Race cultivators on the right are Tianhe the Daoist, Netherfire True Lord, and Changxu the Daoist. Among them, Netherfire True Lord is a veteran Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator halfway to becoming an Earth Immortal] renowned throughout the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. The other two are newly ascended."

"If my deduction is correct, they likely received support from the Eternal Sun Clan." Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression grew even colder.

He swept his gaze over the assembled figures and spoke, "That the Demon and God Races would hunt me was within expectation." "But you seven are of the Human Race. Instead of uniting against external foes, you also seek to strike at me. Does this not chill the heart?" Upon the Void, the seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortals could not help but reveal faint smiles at his words.

The Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven Second Holy Son cast his gaze upon the assembly and spoke, "Zixuan the Daoist, Sky Abyss Daoist, Qixuan the Daoist, Divine Lord Glaze, and the Separated Flame Deity of the Divine Race."

"With a total of five portions of Dao Source [the primordial essence of the Great Dao], how shall we distribute them among ourselves?"

The Third Holy Son of Western Qi Grotto-Heaven gave a slight nod, a smile gracing his lips as he replied, "The Abyssal Daoist possesses extraordinary talent. Upon his Dao-dissolution [the process of a cultivator's body and spirit returning to the Dao upon death], the essence released should be comparable to a Supreme Grade Dao Source."

"Yet even with six portions, it would still not be enough for all of us." "My Western Qi Grotto-Heaven claims two."

"My Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven should also receive two."

Ancestor Western Geng stroked his beard with a faint smile. "This old one can forgo a share of the Dao Source. However, I desire the two cauldrons in his possession: the Black Dragon and the Crimson Dragon." The complete novel can be found at audio-novel*com.

Witnessing this, the Silent Annihilation Thunder God nodded thoughtfully. "If you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], assist me in seizing the Dao Source from Zixuan the Daoist, I shall gift you the Azure Dragon Ancient Cauldron."

Ancestor Western Geng let out a hearty laugh, his hand still on his beard. "The Azure Dragon Ancient Cauldron is of little use to you, yet by trading it for Zixuan's Dao Source, you could forge a Dual Taiyi Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation stage]. You are quite the shrewd strategist."

"Very well then, this old man agrees to your terms."

Having said this, Ancestor Western Geng turned his gaze toward the Central Earth Spirit Deity.

Seeing this, Central Earth Spirit Deity [the deity representing the central earth element] changed his expression slightly and spoke: "If Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] is willing to exchange a Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure of legendary power capable of splitting the heavens] for it, this item can certainly be handed over to Fellow Daoist." "Hah."

Ancestor Western Geng [an ancient progenitor associated with the western Geng element] nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Once the Five Dragons Ancient Cauldron [an ancient cauldron artifact imbued with the power of five dragons] was unified, it would grant him an additional Grand Unity Immortal Treasure [an immortal treasure of the highest order, representing perfect unity].

Although Ancestor Western Geng himself possessed a Taiyi Immortal Weapon [an immortal-grade weapon of supreme quality], even a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a paragon among Heavenly Immortals, the pinnacle of immortal cultivation] would not disdain having more of such treasures.

Moreover, the Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron [the ancient cauldron artifact associated with nine dragons] was, after all, the ultimate treasure of the former Crimson Sun Celestial God [a Celestial God associated with the crimson sun]. Legend stated that once the Nine Dragons Ancient Cauldron was fully reunited, it would reveal the location of the lost legacy of the Crimson Sun Celestial God, a treasure that would stir the heart of even a Heaven Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the Heavenly Realm].

The remaining figures, such as the Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan [the leader of the Celestial Prison Clan] and Netherfire True Lord [a True Lord commanding netherworld flames], also smiled as they preemptively divided the treasures on their opponents' persons, clearly not placing the latter in their eyes.

"Damnation! You dare treat us as nothing!"

Within the Formation [a powerful array or defensive barrier], seeing these Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have nearly ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] treating them as prey to be divided even before the battle began, everyone present wore expressions of furious indignation. Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] looked ashen-faced, his eyes icy cold as he declared, "Though you outnumber us, do not be so utterly contemptuous." "We are now protected by this Formation, and have five Half-Step Celestial Immortal standing guard. What can you possibly do to us?"

"Hahahaha!"

Upon the Firmament [the vault of heaven, the sky], the group of opponents roared with laughter.

The Divine Abyss Grotto-HeavenSecond Holy Son wore a sneer of cold laughter. Gripping a Celestial Sword, he slashed through the air, causing the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation to tremble violently, its radiance scattering chaotically. "A joke," he declared.

"We are over a dozen Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators on the very threshold of true immortality], our combined strength more than triple yours. Moreover, several among us possess Dual Taiyi Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation of dual primordial unity] and have brought 'great slaying weapons' with us."

"Even if you were a Triple Taiyi Foundation [a legendary cultivation foundation of triple primordial unity], surrounded like this, your fate would be sealed—only death awaits." The Western Qi Grotto-HeavenThird Divine Son also sneered coldly, adding, "To deal with you, we need not shatter the formation entirely. We need only breach a temporary gap, enter the formation, and cut you all down."

"Regardless of your struggles, this battle is a dead end for you. You..."

Witnessing this scene, Eldrin Chen's face flushed slightly. Trapped in this hopeless situation, his heart was anything but calm, roiling with fury and bitter resentment.

His expression was one of towering rage and profound shock. "You vile curs!" he roared. "To deal with a junior like myself, you not only bully the weak with your greater strength but also gang up to besiege me. You have utterly no shame!"

"I curse this fate! Grant me but ten thousand years more, and I would surely cut every last one of you down!" Official source: audio-novel .c om. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.