Chapter 1668 : The Clash of Immortal Foundations

"Now!" [a command to initiate action]

Seizing the moment, Lyra Jiang and her allies launched a sudden assault on the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven forces.

The Western Qi Grotto-Heaven forces retaliated immediately, with over thirty Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have reached the threshold of the Celestial Immortal realm] instantly surrounding the Chen Clan members. Yet, from the very first clash, they realized something was terribly wrong.

The vanguard of the Chen Immortal Clan consisted of seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal, and each one erupted with combat prowess surpassing that of a Dual Taiyi Foundation [a cultivator who has laid a supremely solid foundation in two major cultivation paths].

Even with their numerical advantage of over thirty Half-Step Celestial Immortal, the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven forces were instantly and utterly overwhelmed in the exchange.

Although the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven ranks still contained several figures with Dual Taiyi Foundation strength, the disparity in power between the two sides was simply not on the same level.

"BONG—"

In the initial clash, the Eastern Sovereign Bell hovering above Qiyuan Chen's head exerted such immense pressure that several Half-Step Celestial Immortal found it difficult to even breathe.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he grasped the Taiyi Immortal Bow [a divine bow of supreme power] and loosed an arrow, slaying the Seventh Divine Son of Western Qi Grotto-Heaven on the spot.

"Disaster!" The complete novel can be found at audio-novel dot com.

In the brief span of a few exchanged blows, three or four Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to true immortality] had already fallen in battle, thoroughly shocking the forces of the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven.

The First Divine Son [the foremost chosen successor of a major power] went berserk on the spot, erupting with combat power approaching that of a Triple Taiyi Foundation [a legendary, supremely stable and potent foundation for cultivation, formed by merging three supreme foundational energies]. "They possess a Triple Taiyi Foundation!" he roared, his voice a mix of shock and fury. "If we do not act now, we will be picked off one by one!"

As his words fell, from within the Void [a profound cultivation art or state of emptiness], a dazzlingly brilliant Sword Qi [a concentrated blade of energy formed from sword intent and spiritual power] soared into the sky.

The First Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven led a vast host in a murderous charge. More than thirty Half-Step Celestial Immortal surged forward in an instant.

"Leave them to me."

Ethan Chen spoke with calm finality. He advanced alone to meet the tide. His Twin Swords of Life and Death [a pair of legendary swords embodying the opposing forces of creation and destruction] wove through the air, and in their passing, two Half-Step Celestial Immortal were shredded. Then, boundless Sword Qi erupted, sweeping across heaven and earth to form an impassable barrier before the forces of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven.

"This path... is closed!"

"Insolent wretch!"

The First Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven was incensed. As a supreme Dual Taiyi Foundation [a pinnacle cultivation foundation formed by merging two supreme foundational energies], no one of equal realm had ever dared speak to him in such a manner in all his life.

Consumed by towering rage, the First Holy Son summoned forth a resplendent ancient sword that blazed with primordial light. With a roar, he brought it down in a devastating cleave aimed directly at Ethan Chen.

Faced with such a dazzling strike, Ethan Chen remained utterly unmoved. With a mere flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a blinding ray of Annihilation Tribulation Light [a divine ability that embodies the opposing forces of creation and destruction], sending it directly towards the First Holy Son.

"Beware, a Profound Grade Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical technique]!"

In that fleeting Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time], the First Holy Son sensed the impending danger and sought to withdraw.

Yet, powered by Ethan Chen's current Triple Taiyi Foundation [a legendary, supremely stable cultivation foundation], how could this Annihilation Tribulation Light be so easily evaded?

The light clung to its target like a shadow, instantly enveloping the First Holy Son. In moments, it pierced through his Protective Magical Treasure [an enchanted artifact for defense] and protective Divine Ability [a mystical technique], completely shrouding his form.

"Aaaagh—!"

Instantly, a scream tore from the First Holy Son's lips. Vitality and deathly energy warred within him; one half of his body remained youthful, while the other withered into desiccated age.

To his credit, as one who stood closest to the Triple Taiyi Foundation, the First Holy Son marshaled all his cultivation power to resist. Though grievously wounded, he managed to stave off the threat of immediate demise.

"A Triple Taiyi Foundation..."

Upon realizing Ethan Chen possessed a Triple Taiyi Foundation, the expressions of all present shifted subtly.

The Qingxi Holy Maiden [a holy maiden of the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven] wore an expression of utmost gravity. Taking a deep breath, she declared, "A Triple Taiyi Foundation [a cultivator who has perfected their foundation three times at the Taiyi realm] cannot be opposed by anyone less than a Heaven Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm]. Ten of you, stay and hold him off. The rest, with me—we go around!"

As her words fell, the Qingxi Holy Maiden led the others on a flanking maneuver. Yet, Ethan Chen had no intention of letting them pass so easily.

With a surge of his Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by immortals], he commanded the Twin Swords of Life and Death [a pair of legendary swords embodying the principles of creation and destruction]. They weaved through the air with devastating grace, intercepting a full seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal [powerful cultivators on the very cusp of becoming true Celestial Immortals]. Among those trapped were four cultivators with a Dual Taiyi Foundation [a foundation perfected twice at the Taiyi realm], including the First Holy Son [the foremost male disciple of a major sect or grotto-heaven].

The Qingxi Holy Maiden managed to break through with fewer than twenty followers. They swiftly circled around, approaching the heart of the battlefield from another direction.

Seeing this, Nyssa Qu transformed into a streak of immortal light and shot forward, placing herself squarely in the path of the Qingxi Holy Maiden and her cohort.

The Qingxi Holy Maiden halted, her face darkening with resolve. "Stand aside," she commanded, her voice icy. For more chapters, visit audio-novel-dot-com for the complete novel.

"This path is closed," Nyssa Qu replied, her tone calm yet final.

With a mere flick of her sleeve, seven beams of immortal radiance erupted, crisscrossing the heavens and earth. The Seven Ultimate Spirit-Slaying Sword [a formidable sword formation comprised of seven individual blades] materialized instantly, forming an impenetrable barrier before the advancing force.

Forged and refined throughout countless battles, the Seven Ultimate Spirit-Slaying Sword had been infused with vast quantities of immortal metals and divine materials. It now stood at the very threshold, merely A Step Away [a metaphorical distance indicating something is extremely close to being achieved] from evolving into a true Taiyi Immortal Weapon [a weapon of immense power, forged with and attuned to the profound laws of the Taiyi realm].

Powered by the immense Mana of Nyssa Qu, whose own foundation was that of a Triple Taiyi Foundation, the seven swords danced and clashed with terrifying force. Their relentless assault forced the Qingxi Holy Maiden and her followers into a desperate, stumbling retreat.

"Another Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the pinnacle of power below the Celestial Immortal realm]."

At this moment, Qingxi Holy Maiden's countenance changed.

As the saying goes, a Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the pinnacle of power below the Celestial Immortal realm] is invincible. The combat prowess of such an existence is sufficient to rival a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme expert at the peak of the Celestial Immortal realm]. If any one of them were to strike, it would require the combined efforts of at least several dozen Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have half-stepped into the Celestial Immortal realm] to withstand them.

Even for those possessing a Dual Taiyi Foundation [a powerful cultivation foundation one level below the Triple Taiyi], it generally requires nine of them joining forces to resist a single Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the pinnacle of power below the Celestial Immortal realm].

Unless each person wields a Grand Unity Immortal Treasure [a supreme-grade immortal artifact of immense power], having fewer than nine Dual Taiyi Foundation [a powerful cultivation foundation one level below the Triple Taiyi] facing a Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the pinnacle of power below the Celestial Immortal realm] would be nothing but a death sentence.

In the past, the reason five Dual Taiyi Foundation [a powerful cultivation foundation one level below the Triple Taiyi] wielding Grand Unity Immortal Treasure [a supreme-grade immortal artifact of immense power] could temporarily hold off Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor was because Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor was not adept in lethal Divine Ability [supernatural powers and techniques cultivated by immortals].

Figures like Ethan Chen and Qiyuan Chen are peerless existences, unparalleled in slaughter and warfare.

Originally, in their estimations, the Abyssal Immortal Alliance might have possessed one or two Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the pinnacle of power below the Celestial Immortal realm]. But they never imagined that the Abyssal Immortal Alliance now had more than five such beings.

Indeed, at this moment, Lyra Jiang and Ancient Ruins Yin Lord had also revealed combat prowess at the Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the pinnacle of power below the Celestial Immortal realm] level. They were driving the forces of Western Qi Grotto-Heaven back step by step, having already slain seven or eight Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have half-stepped into the Celestial Immortal realm].

"What is happening? Fourth Supreme Elder, why is there still no reinforcement?"

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Qingxi Holy Maiden could not help but change her expression, her worried gaze turning towards the depths of the Void [the formless, boundless expanse beyond the material world].

By all logic, once this great battle erupted, the Fourth Supreme Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of profound spiritual energy] should have arrived to provide support without fail.

Yet now, the Fourth Supreme Elder had not come to their aid, a delay that greatly defied her expectations.

At the same time, deep within the Void, the Grand Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven stared at the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor before him, his expression grave as he spoke: "By blocking This Sovereign [a formal title used by a powerful cultivator] now, do you truly intend for our conflict with the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven to become a fight to the death?"

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor wore a smile, replying with calm composure: "I have said it before: by scheming against the Abyssal Immortal Alliance, the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven was destined to face a calamitous tribulation."

"You—!"

The Fourth Supreme Elder's face twisted with fury. Gazing at the azure magical sphere hovering above his head, he finally declared, "This treasure can only confine me for three hours. Once those three hours pass, the Abyssal Immortal Alliance will still meet its inevitable end."

"Is that so?" Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor smiled, his tone laced with meaning. "Then let us wait and see."

Yet the black-robed Heaven Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to a celestial realm], hearing these words, felt a faint sense of foreboding. "Impossible," he thought. "With the strength of two great Grotto-Heaven realms, they could not possibly suffer devastating losses in a mere three hours."

Above the Firmament [the vault of heaven], the great battle raged on, but the scales of victory had already begun to tip.

Yet, there stood Qiyuan Chen alone, cleaving his way into the heart of the gathered champions. Relying on the peerless defense of his Indestructible Golden Body, he withstood the combined assault of seven Grand Unity Immortal Treasure and a Ninth Rank Ancient Talisman. Through sheer, unyielding force, he shattered through their onslaught and delivered the final, decisive blow that felled the First Divine Son of Western Qi Grotto-Heaven. Continue reading this story at audio-novel .c om.