Chapter 1685 : The Weight of a Primordial Title

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted subtly.

Throughout the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, beings bearing the "Tai" [Great/Primordial] prefix are among the most ancient and primordial of Innate Spirit entities. Only the firstborn creatures from the dawn of the Heavenly Layers [the foundational strata of reality] are deemed worthy of such an august title.

Among the Innate Human Race, Eldrin Chen knew of only three such "Tai"-prefixed beings. One was the Ancient Progenitor of the Taiyang Clan [the Great Sun Clan]. The other two were Taishi Dao Ancestor [the Great Beginning Dao Ancestor] and the Sage-King of the Grand Abyss.

Similarly, supreme existences like the Primordial Beginning Divine Sovereign and the Solar Celestial Emperor were also figures of this "Tai" lineage.

Thus, the firstborn Innate Divine Spirit [spirits born with the world] from the dawn of the Heavenly Layers were all such Supreme entities. This Tai Cang Divine Emperor [Great Azure Divine Emperor] of the Divine Race must likewise be unfathomably profound.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen pondered and asked, "If, during this coming Dao Tribulation [a cosmic calamity testing one's cultivation path], I were to slay this Tai Cang Imperial Son, would it invite future trouble?"

Ronan Luo shook his head and spoke, "Within the Tai Cang Imperial Clan, new Imperial Son are born every ten million years. A Quasi-Sage [a being nearing Sagehood] great power might enter seclusion for a span of time encompassing who knows how many Calamity Tribulation [world-shaking disasters]."

"To the Tai Cang Divine Emperor, a Tai Cang Imperial Son at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm is a figure he may not even have heard of. He would certainly not lower himself to act against you personally for such a reason."

Having said this, Ronan Luo added thoughtfully, "However, should you kill the Tai Cang Imperial Son, it would undoubtedly draw the attention of the upper echelons of the Tai Cang Divine Clan."

"Under ordinary circumstances, it might be overlooked. But when you attempt your breakthrough into the Great Luo Realm [the Realm of Great Perfection], they would surely obstruct your path to Dao, adding a calamity to your tribulation without cause." Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel[dot]com.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile and shake his head, his heart immediately settling into ease.

Attaining the Great Luo realm was still a distant prospect. The most pressing task at hand was to first overcome the Dao Tribulation [the supreme heavenly trial for cultivators] and achieve the Leakless Dao Fruit [a state of perfect, flawless cultivation foundation]. This was the true path to power.

Having made his decision, Eldrin Chen spoke, "The Hundred Spirits Ancestral Domain remains in a state of watchful waiting, and the tribulations within the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain have yet to subside. Now is the perfect moment for us to step into the Western Pole Celestial Domain."

"Let us begin, everyone."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

They understood that with Eldrin Chen's entry into the Western Pole Celestial Domain, this battle would undoubtedly become the pinnacle conflict of the Six Celestial Domains of the Western Pole.

Two Protagonists of the Dao Tribulation [the central figures destined to face the supreme heavenly trial] were about to clash. One was a disciple of an Imperial Clan from the Primordial Era [the mythical first age of creation], while the other was a peerless genius who had risen from obscurity to triumph over the direct successors of an Ancient Sect. Between these two, who would prove stronger?

In this battle, one of them was destined to fall.

Once their resolve was set, Eldrin Chen led the group towards the Six Celestial Domains of the Western Pole that very day.

To ensure the speed and decisiveness of their advance, Eldrin Chen did not bring ordinary Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality] with him. He left behind all Immortal below the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm], scattering them throughout the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea to gather treasures and resources.

As for Verdant Chariot Mountain, only five Single Taiyi Foundation cultivators were left behind to guard it.

Relying on these individuals and the power of the Formation, they were already capable of withstanding sneak attacks from Early Celestial Immortal Realm experts.

Now, the high-grade treasures within the Abyssal Sea had all been taken by Eldrin Chen, and the important personnel and resources had also been relocated to the Minor Universe, so there was no need to worry about attracting overly powerful enemies for a surprise assault.

Returning to the main topic, after settling his clan, Eldrin Chen traveled using the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void and soon arrived within the Western Pole Celestial Domain.

The Abyssal Immortal Alliance, combined with the Celestial Web Ancient Sect, brought a force of over seventy Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators. They all flew to the outskirts of the Great White Mountain Range, discovering that the battlefield there was already in a state of extreme and desperate conflict.

Above the Firmament, under the command of Tai Cang Imperial Son, countless members of the Divine Race and the Demonic Tribe had joined the fray. Dozens of Ancient Vessel hovered in the sky, relentlessly bombarding the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation that protected the Great White Mountain Range.

Within this Great White Mountain Range, a sky-obscuring Mountain Guardian Grand Formation enveloped the entire mountain chain. Furthermore, a boundless sword array swept through the Heavenly Layers, transforming into a rain of blades that annihilated countless Demon Immortal and Divine Spirits, reducing them to ashes.

Hidden within the Void, Eldrin Chen observed for a long while before stating, "This grand formation likely cannot hold for much longer."

Hearing this, Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor sighed softly and said, "This formation was originally a Super Composite Grand Formation that the Great White Grotto-Heaven spent nearly a million years to construct. It was composed of dozens of Grand Unity Immortal Treasure and countless Immortal Treasure."

"After the Dao Tribulation erupted, it was continuously reinforced by the Wind Cloud Dao Palace, the Long Geng Sword Sect, and the Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven. In theory, even a Late Heaven Immortal Realm expert should find it difficult to breach."

"However, with the six major forces of the Demon and God Races now allied, and under the bombardment of the Ninth Rank Ancient Ship and the World-Ending Cannon, this formation ultimately cannot hold for long."

Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor said this, then finally shook his head and declared: "Within three Millennium, this formation will surely be breached."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then spoke: "The Great White Mountain Range is already surrounded and sealed tight. Which of you has a way to contact the major powers within the Formation to coordinate a pincer attack against the Demon and God Races?"

"Leave this matter to me."

Ronan Luo spoke slowly. As a direct descendant of the Great Luo Ancient Sect, he naturally possessed means to communicate with those inside.

Soon, Ronan Luo received a reply. He informed the others, saying: "I have already made arrangements with the Great White Grotto-Heaven, the Wind Cloud Dao Palace, the Long Geng Sword Sect, the Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven, and others. We will launch a coordinated pincer attack when the great formation is on the verge of breaking, one Millennium from now." This content originates from audio . novel . com. Please respect copyright.

"Good."

Eldrin Chen nodded, his expression grave as he stated: "In that case, we shall adjust our plans for the coming Millennium and quietly await the moment to strike."

Within the Western Pole Celestial Domain, beyond the brutally fierce battlefield, a hidden scheme of lethal intent quietly began to brew.

At almost the same time, within the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain, inside an ancient temple, two figures, one old and one young, sat side by side.

The elder was a kindly and benevolent old Bodhisattva [a high-ranking enlightened being in Buddhism, one step below a Buddha]. The youth, however, had wild, unbound hair and a towering, unrestrained posture. He wore a crimson Kasaya [a patchwork outer robe worn by Buddhist monks], appearing both Buddha-like and demonic, carrying the fierce majesty of a wrathful Vajra deity.

The youth was none other than Xander Chen. His expression was somber, and after sitting in silence for a long while, he finally asked, "May I ask, Bodhisattva, why have you summoned me?"

"Foolish child."

Bodhisattva Wenshin shook his head and sighed, "In these years, you have committed far too much slaughter, and it has drawn calamity upon you."

"Slaughter?"

Xander Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "My father once said," he began, his voice steady, "'To kill is to protect life; to sever is not to sever a person.'"

"In my travels across the world, those I have slain were all individuals burdened by heavy Karmic Burden [the spiritual weight of one's actions, determining future fortune or misfortune]. How can you say my slaughter is excessive?"

Upon hearing this, Bodhisattva Wenshin let out another soft sigh. "You killed the Blood Dragon Buddha's Child, and you beheaded the direct lineage disciple of the Celestial Xuan Ancient Sect."

Xander Chen's expression remained unchanged, his voice calm and resolute. "The Blood Dragon Buddha's Child achieved his Dao through blood sacrifice of the masses. The direct disciple of the Celestial Xuan Ancient Sect refined stars using human souls. Both were drenched in oceans of blood and sin."

"I attained the Maha-Vajra Thunderclap Tathagata Buddha [a supreme Buddha title signifying ultimate enlightenment and power] Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of cultivation, representing the pinnacle of one's Dao]. By delivering those two from their suffering, I was liberating all sentient beings."

Bodhisattva Wenshin [a high-ranking enlightened being in Buddhism] heard this and replied with a bitter smile, "Over these years, you have already offended quite a few people."

"Now, within the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain [a vast, mystical desert realm], the three great Buddhist Grotto-Heaven [sacred paradises of Buddhist cultivation] have joined forces, intending to suppress you. Even I, your master, cannot protect you any longer."

At that very moment, outside the ancient temple, one streak of tribulation light after another shot across the heavens, converging upon the site.

Xander Chen cast his gaze outward and saw Buddhas [enlightened beings who have attained Buddhahood] whose radiance illuminated the myriad worlds, Vajra [diamond-hard, wrathful guardians of Buddhist law] from the Buddhist Sect with furious countenances, and Bodhisattvas [compassionate beings on the path to Buddhahood] wearing gentle smiles.

There were several dozen of them in total. The weakest among them possessed cultivation at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a realm just below that of a true Celestial Immortal], and there were even a few whose power resided within the Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal realm].

At their forefront were three figures: a Buddha [an enlightened being], a Bodhisattva [a compassionate being on the path to enlightenment], and a Vajra Arhat [an Arhat who embodies the indestructible quality of a Vajra], all of whom had forged a flawless Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme, threefold foundational cultivation base].

The Vajra Arhat was the first to roar, "Wicked spawn! Will you not swiftly accept your death?"

"Enter our Poro Temple [a renowned Buddhist temple] and submit to the Dharma-Protecting Vajra Seal [a powerful seal technique for protecting Buddhist law], and you may yet be spared,"

spoke the female Bodhisattva with a serene smile, her voice imbued with peaceful compassion.

The Buddha also smiled, plucking an imaginary flower, his back illuminated by a Buddha Radiance [the holy light emanating from an enlightened Buddha] that shone upon all heavens: "Lay down your blade, and in that instant, achieve Buddhahood."

Xander Chen gazed upon the figure before him, steadying his spirit with a deep breath.

In that moment, as he looked upon these kindly-faced Buddha [enlightened beings who have attained supreme wisdom and compassion] and Bodhisattva [enlightened beings who vow to save all sentient beings before entering final nirvana], he seemed to see a horde of Demonic Monsters [malevolent entities born of chaos and corruption] draped in Kasaya [the patchwork robes worn by Buddhist monks].

In an instant, Xander Chen's hair and beard whipped about him like a furious storm as his towering form rose to its full height.

He hefted the Immortal Iron Staff [a divine weapon of immense weight and power] in his hands, swinging it like a pillar holding up the heavens to sweep across the starry Ronan, its descent carrying the force to shatter the very firmament.

"BOOM—"

The Heavenly Layers [the stratified realms of existence above the mortal world] thundered in that instant, all creation seemed to rupture, and a mighty roar tore through the chaos.

"I am the true Buddha!" Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel*com.