Chapter 1600 : A Bounty from the Netherworld Depths

"This time, our harvest has been truly bountiful."

After annihilating the seventh Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts herd, Violet Consort Yan gazed at the Netherworld Turbid Energy in Eldrin Chen's hand and could not help but reveal a smile.

Thirteen strands of Netherworld Turbid Energy in total—their combined value was equivalent to a single Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon.

Such a haul was astonishing; typically, only a Celestial Immortal would be capable of such a feat.

Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, aside from the various Grotto-Heaven [self-contained paradises and cultivation realms], the only forces capable of gathering so much Netherworld Turbid Energy in one go were the Chen Immortal Clan and those few existences who had cultivated the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation.

Eldrin Chen was also quite pleased in his heart. He stored the Netherworld Turbid Energy away and said, "We have fought for so long and wiped out seven inner herds. If we linger further, we risk alerting the Celestial Immortal Realm apex predators of the Netherworld."

"Then let us return."

The group nodded in agreement and continued their journey out of the Bottomless Nether Abyss.

However, they had not traveled far when Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a look of grave concern settling upon his features.

For ahead of them, deep within the Depths of the Netherworld, an immense herd of beasts was gathering.

"It is a pack of Gloomdark Nether Scorpion."

Gazing at the herd of Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts before them, Energy Abyss Chen spoke with a slight furrow in his brow.

Kael Chen also nodded, his expression grave as he said, "A full five existences at the Primordial Unity Realm [the foundational stage of primordial unity cultivation], including two with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a cultivation base forged from two primordial unities, making it exceptionally stable and powerful]."

"If we slay them, we could likely obtain five or six strands of Purest Netherworld Turbid Energy [a potent, chaotic energy essence refined within the bodies of powerful netherworld beasts]."

Eldrin Chen understood that Kael Chen was being conservative in his estimate.

A beast herd of this caliber, possessing two Dual Primordial Unity Foundation members, clearly had not been challenged for a long time. The energy gestating within these Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts was very likely to be the purest form of Purest Netherworld Turbid Energy.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen made his decision. "Swift and decisive. We leave immediately after the deed is done."

As his words fell, the group sprang into action without delay.

This time, Eldrin Chen left Kael Chen, Nyssa Qu, and Violet Consort Yan to hold back the main herd, while he led the others in a direct assault on the Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts.

To ensure a quick victory, the five Primordial Unity Realm Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts—three with power comparable to a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundation built upon a single primordial unity]—were assigned to Lila, Energy Abyss Chen, and Ethan Chen.

Two Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a powerful cultivation stage] Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts [ancient demonic beasts from the depths of the Netherworld] emerged. Verdant Consort temporarily held back one of them, while Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang joined forces to surround and attack the powerful leader of the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation ancient beasts.

Given the strength of Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, even without activating their Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the world's primal essence], their combined might was at least equivalent to four Dual Primordial Unity Foundation cultivators.

Although this Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts leader possessed combat power rivaling a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation expert, it lacked the protection of a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure capable of cleaving worlds]. Its strength was thus a notch weaker than a true Dual Primordial Unity Foundation master. How could it possibly stand against the duo?

Under their relentless, coordinated assault, the Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts leader was suppressed and slain by Eldrin Chen after merely thirty-some exchanges.

Having slain this ancient beast leader, the pair employed the same tactic once more, swiftly surrounding and eliminating the other Dual Primordial Unity Foundation beast leader.

The remaining three Primordial Unity Realm [a foundational cultivation realm] Gloomdark Nether Scorpion [scorpion-like beasts born from netherworld gloom] could not even overcome Lila, let alone contend with Eldrin Chen who had now freed his hands.

After just a few dozen more clashes, these three Gloomdark Nether Scorpion were also completely annihilated by the group.

"Seven strands of Purest Netherworld Turbid Energy [a dense, primal energy from the chaotic depths of the Netherworld]."

After dispatching these several Gloomdark Nether Scorpion, Eldrin Chen discovered they had obtained a total of seven strands of Netherworld Turbid Energy, and a look of delight crossed his face.

Just as he was about to speak, his expression shifted slightly. "Be careful!" he warned.

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen summoned forth the Primordial One Energy [the foundational, unified energy from which all things originate], forming a protective barrier that firmly shielded everyone around him.

Yet, at that very moment, a profoundly murky, netherworldly radiance manifested across the boundless heavens and earth, enveloping the entire expanse of the void.

Following closely, an aura of ultimate malevolence emerged, its dreadful, shadowy light swallowing the whole of the firmament.

Only then, as they surveyed their surroundings, did the group realize a primordial serpent with jet-black scales—its length unfathomable—had coiled itself around countless millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of the void.

"An Innate [a being born of the primordial chaos, possessing immense natural power] creature of utmost malice, the Netherworld Filth Serpent [a legendary serpent born from the confluence of primordial energy and the netherworld's most baleful auras]," Eldrin Chen stated, his expression grave.

Upon hearing this, the others' faces paled slightly. The Netherworld Filth Serpent, also known as the Hellish Black Python, is a monstrous entity born from the fusion of Innate Energy and the most vicious, murderous qi [energy] festering in the deepest hells.

In essence, this serpent is the physical manifestation of the Innate malevolent aura that permeates the Depths of the Netherworld [the innermost, most perilous regions of the underworld].

This creature is infamous throughout the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. It is said to slither within the inner reaches of the Netherworld [the underworld, realm of the dead and demons], its power boundless and terrifying, roughly comparable to an existence at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm].

"I heard that after the Western Abyss Dragon King broke through to the Celestial Immortal realm, he once ventured into the inner Netherworld to gather Netherworld Turbid Energy [a dense, impure spiritual energy unique to the underworld], only to encounter this very Netherworld Filth Serpent. Neither side gained the upper hand in their clash."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, his gaze fixed upon the Netherworld Filth Serpent. Beside the serpent's vital point, a massive wound could be seen, still interwoven with a terrifying aura of killing intent.

It was clear that Eldrin Chen had detected this Netherworld Filth Serpent was injured, which was why he had not immediately activated the Polarity Void Mirror to depart.

Exquisite Jiang also saw the wound on the Netherworld Filth Serpent and turned to Eldrin Chen. "You intend to take the risk and battle, to slay this Innate Filth Serpent?" she asked.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his expression calm. "A being comparable to the Early Celestial Immortal Realm, and one that is seriously wounded at that. Such a favorable opportunity is rare indeed."

"Hiss—"

At that very moment of their exchange, the Netherworld Filth Serpent let out a roar of fury.

It unleashed a piercing shriek, releasing a boundless aura of killing intent that swept towards the Six Harmonies formation. This killing intent was immensely powerful; even an Earth Immortal Realm cultivator facing it directly would have their physical body dissolved and their soul scattered on the spot.

Fortunately, the group's strength was extraordinary, and they were not overly affected.

In that same instant, the Netherworld Filth Serpent abruptly opened its maw and spewed forth a torrent of terrifying Innate Filth Water [a primordial, corrupting liquid born of filth and decay] towards them.

"Beware! It's the Innate Filth Water!"

Eldrin Chen called out a warning even as he dodged.

This Innate Filth Water [the primordial water of ultimate impurity] is the foulest substance in all creation. Even a Celestial Immortal Great Power with an Innate Physique [a body born of primordial essence] would have their flesh and bones utterly dissolved upon being drenched by it.

None dared to meet it with their physical forms. They immediately retreated, soaring through the air to evade the vile torrent.

Ethan Chen summoned an Immortal Treasure [a supreme enchanted artifact] to block the assault, his voice a mix of shock and fury. "You wretched Innate Great Calamity [a primordial creature of immense destructive power]! Spitting at people on sight? You disgrace the very title of Innate Great Calamity!"

"Agh—!"

"How can your spit be this foul?" he roared, continuing to put distance between himself and the beast. "Just how many Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] has it been since you last rinsed your mouth?"

With those words of outrage, Ethan Chen fled even farther into the distance.

Though the Netherworld Filth Serpent [a serpent born from the filth of the netherworld] possessed limited intellect and could not comprehend the words, the creature's primal instincts recognized the tone and posture of contempt. A deep, instinctive loathing stirred within it.

With a thunderous roar that shook the void, the serpent—its body stretching across untold millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]—lashed out. Its colossal tail, a continent of scaled flesh and primordial malice, swept through the chaos with devastating force, aiming to crush Ethan Chen into oblivion.

"*Clang—!*"

At the critical moment, Ethan Chen retreated while simultaneously unleashing the Life and Death Twin Swords. The blades struck the scales of the Netherworld Filth Serpent [a primordial serpent of immense size and corruption], erupting in a shower of dazzling sparks but failing to penetrate.

"Even an Upper Grade World-Opening Celestial Immortal Sword [a supreme-grade sword forged at the dawn of creation] cannot cleave its scales!"

Ethan Chen's heart clenched in alarm. A moment later, a titanic force slammed into him, sending him hurtling through the void, blood spraying from his lips.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen immediately channeled his power into the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords and slashed at the serpent. The attack landed, but only left a few shallow scratches upon the monstrous hide.

Simultaneously, Energy Abyss Chen summoned the Chaos Heaven Battle Axe [a primordial axe capable of sundering chaos]. With a roar that shook the heavens, he brought it down upon the Netherworld Filth Serpent, finally managing to split open a crack in one of the gargantuan scales.

"A World-Opening Supreme Treasure [an artifact of primordial creation] can wound it!"

Energy Abyss Chen declared. He then manifested his Immortality Golden Body [a divine technique that projects a colossal, indestructible golden avatar], which swelled to a height of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. With earth-shattering force, he completely shattered a scale spanning hundreds of millions of Li-lengths, carving the first true wound upon the Netherworld Filth Serpent's form.

"BOOM—"

In that very instant, a colossal black tail, like a mountain range given life, swept through the void. It struck Energy Abyss Chen with irresistible force, hurling him away like a leaf in a hurricane.

Only then did Eldrin Chen raise his gaze fully. He realized the fragment of scale Energy Abyss Chen had shattered, vast enough to blanket continents, was but a mere speck against the immeasurable, cosmos-spanning bulk of the Boundless Black Serpent. The wound was profound, yet on such a scale, it was almost negligible.

Ethan Chen swallowed, his throat suddenly dry as he spoke,

"A single scale, vaster than an entire Great Thousand World."