Chapter 1667 : A Clash of Grotto-Heavens

Upon hearing this, the gazes of all present grew heavy with solemnity.

The combined strength of two Grotto-Heaven [a higher-dimensional realm or paradise for cultivation] joining forces was likely not to be underestimated.

Nyssa Qu pondered for a moment before speaking. "To defeat the formidable Extraordinary from these two Grotto-Heaven, should we not devise some strategy?"

"It would be futile. We are fighting on their territory this time. Even if we wished to lay plans, there is no time for preparation. The only true path is to overwhelm them with sheer force."

With those words, Eldrin Chen waved his hand, signaling the army to advance and attack the direction of the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven encampment.

The Western Essence Grotto-Heaven was the foremost powerful Grotto-Heaven within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, a vast and perilous cosmic region]. It had existed for over two hundred million years, its foundations so profound as to be unfathomable.

The Divine Clan [powerful clans whose members possess divine bloodlines or heritage] gathered at this Western Essence Grotto-Heaven encampment were, at a glance, nearly countless. Among them, the number of Ascendant Immortal [immortals who have ascended to a higher state of being] and Divine Spirits [beings of pure spiritual energy, often nature deities or elemental incarnations] alone exceeded four hundred thousand. There were also several thousand Earth Immortal Patriarch, with more than thirty Half-Step Heavenly God [a supreme divine being, one step below a true Heavenly God] standing firm among them.

"The strength of this Western Essence Grotto-Heaven seems even greater than we anticipated,"

remarked Exquisite Jiang, a slight frown creasing her brow as she observed the scene.

Nyssa Qu also nodded, her expression darkening. "The foundations of these Divine Spirits are extraordinary. I fear the army under our command may not be enough to suppress them," she could not help but voice her concern.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen felt a slight weight settle in his heart. He then said to Glazed Divine Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator], "To prevent heavy losses among our clansmen and soldiers, we must leave a few Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] to hold the rear and maintain the formation's pressure."

Glazed Divine Lord understood his meaning and looked towards the five women beside him. "This task," he said, "I entrust to the five of you."

"Rest assured, leave it to us."

The five women nodded, immediately accepting the assignment.

These five women were five rare variants born from the Immortal Clam Clan [a powerful clan of clam spirits who have attained immortality]. They had taken human form from the Frost Soul Immortal Clam [a clam spirit embodying the essence of frost and soul], the Wind Soul Immortal Clam [a clam spirit embodying the essence of wind and soul], the Violet Lightning Immortal Clam [a clam spirit embodying the essence of violet lightning], the Golden Radiance Immortal Clam [a clam spirit embodying golden brilliance], and the Positive Water Immortal Clam [a clam spirit embodying the essence of pure, positive water].

Their innate talent and foundation were in no way inferior to the three maidens, Sun Consort and her sisters, who were born from the lineage of the Sun God Clam, the Moon Goddess Shell, and the Stellar Shell. They represented the accumulated profound heritage [the deep reserves of strength, knowledge, and resources built up over generations] of the Immortal Clam Clan over countless years.

Seizing the Path Tribulation [a great cosmic trial] and the accompanying Opportunity and Fortune [a chance encounter with great luck], all five had recently broken through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm. Furthermore, each had refined more than one Supreme-Grade Path Source [a supreme-grade spiritual object containing the essence of a Great Dao path], making their current combat prowess not weak even among those with a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a cultivation foundation focused on unifying one's primordial essence].

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, after they blocked the two Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm, a pocket dimension of immense spiritual energy] experts at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal level or above, having these five hold the rear would be enough for the Immortal Alliance [an alliance of immortal forces] army to contend with the enemy forces from both sides.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve and tossed the Three Marvels Ancient Pearl [an ancient magical treasure containing three marvels], obtained from the Western Abyss Dragon King, to the three Immortal Maidens: Frost Soul, Wind Soul, and Violet Lightning. "The battle will be perilous," he stated. "For now, you three should refine and attune to this treasure."

"If the situation turns dire, the three of you combining your power to activate this set of Formation Artifacts [magical treasures designed to work together in a formation] should be sufficient to withstand attacks at the Celestial Immortal [a high immortal realm] level."

The three maidens accepted the Three Marvels Ancient Pearl [a legendary pearl containing the condensed essence of three primordial marvels], nodding slightly. Their expressions grew solemn as they spoke, "We thank you."

These three Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure [supreme treasures forged at the dawn of creation, embodying the principle of primordial unity] had been refined multiple times by Eldrin Chen using the Primordial One Limitless Path Principle [a supreme cultivation art that refines and harmonizes all things back to their primordial, limitless source]. As a result, they were now exceptionally easy to master. The trio swiftly gained control over them.

Once the three had completed their preliminary refinement, Eldrin Chen wasted no time. He immediately mobilized his forces for a surprise assault on the main army of the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven [a powerful immortal realm and faction located in the western regions].

However, the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven had long since received intelligence. This surprise attack was fully anticipated, and they were prepared, having arrayed their forces in defensive formation, waiting.

"BOOM—"

Faced with this, Eldrin Chen showed not a moment's hesitation. He charged forth at the very forefront, the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a divine halberd capable of sundering the heavens and churning primordial chaos] gripped in his hand as he brought it crashing down.

In that fleeting moment, a halberd shadow spanning millions of Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] shot across the sky. It churned with the turbulent currents of the Boundless Chaos [the formless, primordial state that existed before the cosmos was ordered] as it descended. Instantly, it cleaved through the entire battlefield. Countless ancient warships crewed by Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual beings, often embodiments of natural forces or concepts] were utterly annihilated, reduced to dust and ashes beneath this single blow.

"How dare you!"

At that very same instant, a furious roar echoed from the Void Heaven [a lofty, ethereal realm bordering the void].

A majestic figure clad in resplendent armor, his aura mirroring the Myriad Heavens [the collective realms and domains that make up the celestial order], strode forth through the air. With each step, mountains and rivers seemed to tremble. He raised a palm and brought it down, aiming to suppress Eldrin Chen where he stood.

"Hmph—"

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned slightly frosty. He manifested his Innate Primordial One Indestructibility True Body [a supreme physical cultivation art that renders the body nearly unbreakable], which towered for countless Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters], and directly threw a fist towards the newcomer.

As fist met palm, an immensely majestic shockwave erupted across Void Heaven.

In that instant, heaven and earth shook, mountains and rivers seemed to invert.

A shockwave of staggering intensity swept through the Eight Desolations, churning the vast skies for millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. It cleaved through the endless Heavenly Vault, leaving behind a fissure that took a long, long time to mend.

After this exchange, Eldrin Chen took half a step back where he stood, while the newcomer was forced back three full steps.

The armored figure regarded Eldrin Chen with a grave expression, drawing a deep breath before speaking. "What formidable Innate True Body [a powerful, heaven-defying physical constitution bestowed at birth]."

"With your strength, even if you ascended to the Universe now and broke through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial immortals], you would possess the potential for Fleshly Body Sanctification [the ultimate refinement and purification of the physical body into a sacred vessel]. Why must you wade into these troubled waters?"

Eldrin Chen offered no reply. He cast a placid glance at the newcomer and then spoke. "It is said that within the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven, there are a total of eight Heavenly God [powerful deities who have ascended to a high celestial realm]."

"Among them, only Western Essence Heavenly God has reached the late stage of the Heavenly God realm. There are merely three at the mid-stage. Of the remaining four, two are at the third level of the Heavenly God realm: Wei River Heavenly God and Netherwater Heavenly God. I wonder, which one might you be?"

Hearing Eldrin Chen speak thus, the armored Heavenly God [a powerful deity born from the heavens] spoke, "I am the Wei River Heavenly God."

"So it is. My apologies for the earlier disrespect."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, though this revelation was within his expectations.

As he knew, within the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven [a celestial realm of profound spiritual energy], there were three Flawless Heavenly God [Heavenly Gods of perfect, unblemished foundation and immense potential]: the Western Essence Heavenly God, the Vast Sea Heavenly God, and the Netherwater Heavenly God. All three possessed the bearing of Innate Divine Spirit [a being born with a divine nature, destined for greatness].

In comparison, this Wei River Heavenly God was merely a flawed Heavenly God with a dual Innate Foundation [a foundational spiritual constitution present from birth]. Eldrin Chen was utterly confident in his ability to handle him.

Upon reflection, this was to be expected. The Netherwater Heavenly God, with his Innate Divine Spirit bearing, was an existence possessing Great Encompassing Potential [a constitution signifying vast, world-encompassing destiny].

His potential ranked among the top three within the entire Western Essence Grotto-Heaven. How could such a figure lightly risk stepping into the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial faced when advancing one's cultivation path]?

With this thought, Eldrin Chen gripped his Heavenly Halberd [a divine polearm of immense power] and stepped forward. "With just you alone," he declared, "I fear you cannot stop me."

"Arrogant fool!"

The Wei River Heavenly God roared, his eyes glinting with icy fury.

As a Heavenly God [a powerful divine being] who had attained the Dao [the supreme principle and path of cultivation] for tens of millions of years, an unparalleled Divine Spirit [a primordial divine entity] at the third level of the Heavenly God realm, he was wary of Eldrin Chen's power, but that did not mean he truly feared him.

Now that Eldrin Chen was aggressively charging forth, how could he possibly tolerate such audacity?

Clad in battle armor and gripping the Nine Heavens Heavenly God Spear [a divine spear capable of piercing the nine heavens], he thrust forward, and a great battle erupted in an instant.

Combat at the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals] and above was fundamentally different from the battles of lower-realm Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality].

Most powerhouses at this level had cultivated an Innate Physique [a constitution born of primordial essence, granting immense physical power]. Their reliance on Immortal Treasure [artifacts wielded by immortals] and Divine Ability [supernatural powers granted by cultivation] was significantly reduced. Their physical strength alone possessed the power to shatter Universe [a cosmos or dimensional realm].

Now, the two clashed with their Heavenly Halberd [a divine polearm] and war spear. One wielded an Innate Heavenly God Spear [a spear born of primordial divine essence], the other a top-grade Primordial Unity Heavenly Halberd [a halberd embodying the unified power of the primordial beginning]. Both weapons held the might to pierce the Dimensional Void [the empty space between dimensions], each strike unleashing world-shattering force capable of rending the heavens and desolating the earth.

"Die!"

In the blink of an eye, they had already pierced through the void of the Immortal Domain [a realm inhabited by immortals] and plunged into the depths of the boundless void.

And in another instant, they shattered the void and returned to the space between Immortal Domain. Terrifying Chaos Energy Flow [currents of primordial, formless energy] and fragments of shattered voidspace churned through the Eight Desolations [the eight desolate corners of the world] amidst their fierce struggle, forcing all watching Immortal to retreat with faces pale from shock.