Chapter 1686 : Celestial Sands and Shattered Heavens

In the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain [a vast, desolate region of shifting sands under a celestial sky], upon the Ancient Temple, chaos shook heaven and earth, and the stars Ronan trembled and swayed.

A battle of unprecedented antiquity erupted. Celestial beings and deities shed their divine blood, and ancient primordial mountains were pierced through. An Immortal Iron Staff [a divine staff of unbreakable metal] swept across the firmament, cleaving the celestial domain asunder. Finally, a streak of radiant light pierced through the Heavenly Layers [the stratified realms of heaven], vanishing into the farthest reaches of the azure vault.

"A spatial treasure [an artifact capable of manipulating space]!"

"Do not let him escape!"

In the Western Pole Celestial Domain, beyond the Great White Mountain Range, a great battle still raged on. Yet, the Mountain Guardian Grand Formation [a colossal defensive array protecting the mountain range] teetered on the brink of collapse.

Within the Venus [a celestial vein or ley line named for the planet Venus] celestial vein, the elite disciples of the Great White Grotto-Heaven, the Wind Cloud Dao Palace, the Long Geng Sword Sect, and the Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven had gathered. More than one hundred Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of achieving true Celestial Immortality] stood guard here, among them beings who had attained the Triple Taiyi Foundation [a profound and exceptionally stable foundational cultivation stage].

However, their opponents were overwhelmingly powerful. The Tai Cang Imperial Son, as the Protagonist of the Dao Tribulation [a figure destined to be central to a great heavenly calamity], had subjugated the White Tiger Grotto-Heaven Holy Son and two other elite heirs from the Demonic Tribe. The power he now commanded was incomparable to what it had been before.

The present Demon God Alliance had coalesced the forces of six major powers: the Tai Cang Branch, the Golden Radiance Grotto-Heaven, the White Tiger Grotto-Heaven, the Ancient Dragon-Turtle Clan, the Blazing Sun Divine Clan, and the Ancient Golden-Wings Clan.

These six powers alone boasted over two hundred Half-Step Celestial Immortal, completely overwhelming the defenses of the Great White Mountain Range.

Even with the four major Human Race factions struggling valiantly to hold the line, they were gradually being pushed back, unable to withstand the relentless assault. Official source: audio–novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

"The grand formation is about to break."

Hidden within the Void [a profound art of concealment and spatial manipulation], Qiyuan Chen could not help but speak as he watched the Formation [a defensive energy barrier] grow increasingly unstable and on the verge of collapse.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained calm, yet a cold glint shone in his eyes as he said, "Bide your time. We shall strike together."

Just as they were communicating, within the ranks of the Demon God [a supreme realm of demonic cultivation] army, over a dozen World-Ending Cannon [cataclysmic siege weapons of immense destructive power] fired simultaneously. The Great White Mountain Range Grand Formation [the ultimate defensive barrier protecting the mountain range] could withstand no more and, in that instant, shattered with a thunderous roar.

"Fellow cultivators, toppling the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of trials and calamities] begins today!"

The moment the grand formation broke, a figure of immense and majestic stature strode forth.

Clad in crimson-gold battle armor and wielding a vermilion spear, his aura and bearing were peerless and unmatched.

"That is Tai Cang Imperial Son,"

said Ronan Luo, his expression one of utmost gravity.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw the Tai Cang Imperial Son thrust his crimson spear forward, leading the charge as he spearheaded the assault deep into the heart of the Great White Mountain Range.

Almost simultaneously, hundreds of streams of light soared into the sky from both sides, each representing a peerless genius of the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a realm just one step below true Celestial Immortality].

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw that the number of those who had attained the Triple Taiyi Foundation [an exceptionally profound and stable foundation for future cultivation] was already close to twenty.

It seemed that since the outbreak of the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial affecting all cultivators], not only had the members of the Abyssal Immortal Alliance experienced rapid advancement in their cultivation, but these opponents before them had also obtained significant opportunities of their own.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen delayed no further. Acting according to the plan, he instantly joined the fray.

In that very instant, over seventy Half-Step Celestial Immortal experts from the Abyssal Immortal Alliance surged onto the battlefield, dramatically shifting the balance of the entire conflict.

"I anticipated your arrival."

Yet, at that very moment, a calm voice rang out.

A figure strode forth from the ranks of the Demon and God Races, a black-gold Celestial Halberd [a divine polearm of immense power] in hand, and launched an attack directly at Eldrin Chen.

"Hmm?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened. Given his record of slaying a Heaven Immortal [a true immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm], he had not expected anyone to dare face him head-on.

In response, he unleashed a counterblow, the Chaos Heaven Halberd crashing down with earth-shattering force, clashing against his opponent in an instant.

After three consecutive exchanges, Eldrin Chen took half a step back, finally getting a clear look. The man had a cascade of jet-black hair and bore an almost identical resemblance to the Tai Cang Imperial Son.

"Tai Cang Imperial Son?"

Witnessing this, Ronan Luo was momentarily stunned, then exclaimed with profound shock, "Impossible! If you are the Tai Cang Imperial Son, then who is that other one?"

"We are both the Tai Cang Imperial Son."

The black-armored Tai Cang Imperial Son spoke calmly, his gaze resting lightly upon Eldrin Chen. "To withstand three of my strikes without faltering... you are indeed worthy of being the Human Race's Protagonist of the Dao Tribulation." This chapter is part of a larger work available at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unchanged. After a careful assessment of the Tai Cang Imperial Son, he nodded. "Your power has already transcended the Nine Calamities and entered the Forbidden Realm [a legendary state of power that defies conventional cultivation limits]."

Upon hearing this, the faces of everyone present changed dramatically.

The black-armored Tai Cang Imperial Son before them possessed combat strength that had truly reached the Forbidden Realm, and the crimson-armored Tai Cang Imperial Son was undoubtedly his equal. This level of power far exceeded their expectations.

With this realization, Ronan Luo turned to Eldrin Chen and asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"Leave it to me."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, and with a single stride, the Chaos Heaven Halberd in his hand smashed forward.

The battlefield was currently a chaotic stalemate. Seeing this, the others immediately charged into the fray, killing their way toward the Central Realm at the heart of the conflict.

The black-armored Tai Cang Imperial Son did not hinder their departure. He watched with utter composure as Eldrin Chen spoke: "Even with them, this battle is beyond salvation."

"I need only hold you here. The Crimson Imperial Son is more than enough to sweep away all opposition."

Eldrin Chen brandished the Chaos Heaven Halberd and clashed fiercely with him high in the Firmament. Only upon hearing these words did he understand that this Tai Cang Imperial Son was not a single entity, but was divided into the Crimson Imperial Son and the Black Emperor Son, together known as the Twin Imperial Sons of Tai Cang.

They were Divine Descendants [beings born of divine lineage] conceived and born together, their innate talent and brilliance nearly identical, their combat prowess both having reached the Ten Calamities Domain [a legendary realm of power where one has transcended ten great tribulations].

Previously, the Crimson Imperial Son of Tai Cang alone had already swept across the heavens and earth, displaying the bearing of the Protagonist of the Dao Tribulation [a figure destined to be the central player in a great heavenly tribulation]. Now, with the Black Emperor Son joining the fray, he too revealed transcendent combat strength.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen could not help but remark coolly, "The Ten Calamities Domain, is it?"

The Chaos Heaven Halberd was an unstoppable force of annihilation, sweeping through the eight directions with power that could destroy all things. It struck with such might that it sent the Black Emperor Son hurtling backward through the air.

"This alone is still insufficient!"

"Pfft—"

Onyx Imperial Son of Tai Cang spat blood as he was sent flying, his expression one of utter shock.

He could never have imagined that, with myself own power, he would be at an absolute disadvantage in a direct confrontation.

With his Ten Calamities Domain [a legendary cultivation realm signifying mastery over ten great tribulations] and its forbidden-level combat prowess, he had already shattered the ultimate barrier of the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals]. He feared not even a Third Heaven Celestial Immortal [a celestial immortal of the third heavenly tier]. Yet, against Eldrin Chen, he had already suffered a grievous setback.

"The Forbidden Realm [a legendary state of cultivation that defies the heavens' limits]... and one at its very peak?"

Onyx Imperial Son of Tai Cang murmured inwardly, his gaze turning icy cold.

He had believed that within this Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, only figures like the Ethereal Void Holy Son, the Golden Crow Imperial Son, and a handful of others at the Ancient Sect Imperial Son level could possibly touch the zenith of the Forbidden Realm.

He never expected that the current Eldrin Chen would display combat power approaching that of a top-tier forbidden existence.

Since ancient times, looking across the vast expanse of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, how many have managed to cultivate the Forbidden Realm while still within the Taiyi Realm [the foundational realm of the Great Unity, preceding the celestial immortal stages]?

"Slay him!"

As his thoughts wavered, Eldrin Chen once more channeled the Chaos Heaven Halberd and cleaved down with immense force, smashing his opponent and sending him reeling through the air, blood spraying from his wounds.

A wound that refused to heal was left upon his divine body, driving him utterly mad with rage.

"An Imperial Clan shall not be insulted!"

In that instant, the Onyx Imperial Son of Tai Cang roared with fury.

He gripped his Celestial Halberd, soaring into the sky, and summoned forth a dazzlingly brilliant Immortal Sword whose power shook the very heavens and earth. He brought it down in a devastating slash aimed directly at Eldrin Chen.

"An Ancient Innate Sword [a primordial weapon born of heaven and earth, possessing immense natural power]?"

A chill shot through Eldrin Chen's brow. Without hesitation, he summoned his own Innate Taowu Ancient Sword, transforming it into a beam of pure slaughter-light to meet the attack head-on.

The Ancient Innate Sword unleashed by the Onyx Imperial Son of Tai Cang was named the Innate Black Malignancy Sword—a peerless weapon of slaughter among its kind. Yet, the ferocious aura of Eldrin Chen's Innate Taotie Slaughter Sword was even more overwhelming, gradually seizing the upper hand in their clash. Original English translation available at audio-novel`com.