Chapter 1657 : A Game of Cosmic Consequences

Simultaneously, deep within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the cultivation world], the various major powers reacted differently to these events.

Within the Myriad Spirit Blessed Land [a sacred land teeming with spiritual energy], the Myriad Spirit Patriarch was engaged in a game of strategy with a Black-robed Path Master. Each piece they placed on the board was a move of lethal intent.

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch pondered for a moment, then spoke with a composed expression, "I did not expect you would also involve yourself in the affairs of mere juniors."

The Black-robed Path Master shook his head, his tone equally detached. "The Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea already has two Upper Grade Grotto-Heaven [supreme-tier pocket realms of immense power]. A third Grotto-Heaven [a pocket dimension or paradise for cultivation] should not emerge."

Having said this, the Black-robed Path Master inquired further, "You do not seem concerned?"

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch gave a slight nod. "They cannot kill him," he stated plainly.

"Oh?" The Black-robed Path Master was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head. "I cannot fathom how he could possibly achieve a Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration [a miraculous act of defying destiny itself]."

A faint smile touched the lips of the Myriad Spirit Patriarch. "As the Fourth Supreme Elder [a title for a high-ranking elder] of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, your interference in the matters of a promising junior of the Human Race has already entangled you in Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect]. It is only fitting that the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven should face a tribulation for this."

The black-robed man's expression turned severe, his gaze chilling. "Are you threatening me?"

"And if I am?"

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch spoke with a tone of utter indifference, his gaze profound as it settled upon the Black-robed Path Master.

The Black-robed Path Master drew a deep breath, offering no further reply to his words. Instead, he stated coldly, "The First Holy Scion is but a single step away from achieving the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation."

"His path is set. Within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, none can slay him."

"Is that so?"

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch offered a noncommittal smile, choosing not to engage further on the topic.

"…"

The battle within the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation raged for a full three hundred years.

Three centuries of desperate struggle, three centuries of life-and-death warfare. When the final echoes of conflict finally faded, the Hundred Seas of Returning Abyss at last fell into stillness.

Contrary to all expectations, when the ultimate battle concluded, not a single one of the seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal emerged alive.

"How is this possible?"

Discovering that all seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] had perished, someone cried out in shock, their face etched with disbelief.

Outside the grand Formation [a complex array or formation used for defense, attack, or cultivation], countless Immortal [powerful immortal cultivators] from various major forces spared no cost, performing repeated divinations. Their conclusion was unanimous: all seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal had fallen.

"Impossible! Seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal... how could they all have been slain within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land [a sacred land of immense spiritual power]?"

Everyone was utterly astounded. It was only some time later that several faint, hidden imprints of information managed to slip out from within the Formation.

An Immortal from the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a celestial realm or hidden paradise] received the message, his expression turning complex. "Our sleeper agent has sent word," he said gravely. "Our esteemed seniors were far too careless."

"The Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance [an alliance of immortals] laid down a Ninth Rank Primordial Unity Slaughter Formation [a supremely lethal formation of the highest order]. Combined with the strength of five Half-Step Celestial Immortal and figures like Returning Abyss Path Master [a master of the Dao path], their combat power was nearly on par with our seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal."

The intelligence officer from the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven [another celestial realm] nodded grimly, his face dark. "Our sleeper agent reports that the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance is now under complete lockdown."

"The Ninth Level Earth Immortal [Earth Immortals at the peak of the ninth level] from the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen Clan of Immortals] seem to have vanished entirely. Even the few remaining Half-Step Celestial Immortal are all wounded; not a single figure can be seen."

"If my deductions are correct, while the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance emerged victorious from this battle, it was a pyrrhic victory. Their Ninth Level Earth Immortal have been nearly wiped out, and they must have lost a significant number of Half-Step Celestial Immortal as well."

Hearing this, the others present all nodded in solemn agreement.

The sleeper agents planted within the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance by the various major powers mostly occupied only low-level positions. A minority had risen to mid-level ranks, yet none could penetrate the inner circle of the core leadership.

These individuals, unable to access the Alliance's core secrets, could only provide limited intelligence.

Nevertheless, by piecing together these fragmented reports, they had managed to deduce the likely outcome of the great war that had engulfed the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

In their estimation, the combatants from the major powers, all Half-Step Celestial Immortals of terrifying might, had fought relentlessly for three centuries. Even if the Alliance had ultimately prevailed by relying on its Formation [a complex arrangement of power and position that amplifies the strength of multiple cultivators], it must have been a Pyrrhic victory of unimaginable cost.

This speculation seemed confirmed by the earlier, desperate, blood-soaked battles fought by Eldrin Chen.

Soon, intelligence regarding the war and their conclusions were dispatched to their respective masters.

The various powers received the news, their reactions a tapestry of differing attitudes.

"Useless. They couldn't even handle a single Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance," a voice, cold with disdain, remarked.

Within the Thalion Sea Region, the First Holy Scion of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven gazed impassively at the intelligence report in his hand, his eyes turning frosty.

Beside the First Holy Scion, a woman of peerless beauty took the report. After a moment's perusal, her gaze grew solemn. "The Second Holy Scion's prowess is such that few within the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme cultivation art that harmonizes two primordial forces into a single, unshakable foundation] could rival him," she stated.

"Even he was defeated. It seems the Eight Trigrams Grand Formation truly is Extraordinary."

This woman's status was extraordinary; she was the foremost of the Three Saintesses of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, the Clear Distant Saintess. Her strength was not far off from that of the Second Holy Scion.

Having reviewed the intelligence, she inquired, "What do you intend to do about this matter concerning the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance?"

The First Holy Scion did not answer immediately. He gazed beyond the Thalion Sea Region, where countless Treasure Ship fleets stood arrayed, and innumerable Divine Clan forces were ceaselessly assaulting the Thalion Sea Region.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "We have been at war with the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven for three hundred years. Unless the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven withdraws its armies, we cannot spare the forces to annihilate the Returning Abyss Sea Region."

The Clear Distant Saintess shook her head, her gaze turning cold as she said, "The First Divine Maiden of the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven walks the Path of Water, and the Second Divine Scion walks the Path of Wood. They are our Fated Adversary; they will not relent."

The First Holy Scion nodded, a ripple of emotion stirring in his eyes.

The foundation of the First Divine Maiden from Western Essence Grotto-Heaven was comparable to an eighth-level Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal whose power is anchored to the earth]. His own foundation was also on par with an Eighth Tribulation Earth Immortal. For either of them, obtaining the other's essence would allow them to cultivate a perfect foundation of triple Primordial Unity [the state of perfect harmony and oneness with the primordial source of existence].

The same was true for the Clear Distant Saintess and the Second Divine Scion from Western Essence; both were existences at the Seven Tribulations level within the Earth Immortal Realm. If they could obtain each other's Path Source [the core essence of one's cultivated Dao Path], their chances of achieving a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation would increase by ten to twenty percent.

With that, supplemented by rare treasures like the Innate Primordial Unity Pill [a legendary pill that aids in achieving perfect primordial unity], it would be enough to make a daring attempt.

Therefore, the two of them had absolutely no reason to abandon their course.

Conversely, while the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance [a powerful coalition of immortal cultivators] was formidable, it possessed no existence comparable to an Eighth Tribulation Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], and thus could not truly stir their hearts.

After much deliberation, the First Holy Scion spoke, "That That upstart Eldrin possesses Extraordinary talent. If he is truly allowed to mature, I fear he will become a dire threat to us."

"Although we cannot act directly, I believe there is someone who can deal with him."

Hearing this, the Clear Distant Saintess [a saintess known for her aloof and distant demeanor] could not help but have a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "You mean..."

"Let the Western Abyss Dragon King [the sovereign dragon ruler of the Western Abyss] pass through," the First Holy Scion affirmed with a nod.

Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on the lips of the Clear Distant Saintess.

In her view, while the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had emerged victorious, it was a pyrrhic victory won at a grievous cost.

Even if Eldrin Chen had broken through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a realm just shy of becoming a true Celestial Immortal], deploying the Western Abyss Dragon King, a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a being of immense power at the Celestial Immortal level], would be like using a divine axe to slaughter a chicken—there would be no room for any surprise.