Chapter 1668 : Clash of Immortal Legacies

"Now!" [a command to initiate action]

Seizing the moment, Exquisite Jiang and her allies launched a sudden assault on the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven forces.

The Western Essence Grotto-Heaven cultivators retaliated immediately, with over thirty Half-Step Celestial Immortal experts converging to besiege the Chen Clan group. Yet, from the very first clash, they realized something was terribly amiss.

The seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators leading the Chen Immortal Clan vanguard each erupted with combat prowess rivaling or surpassing the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation level.

Despite their numerical advantage of over thirty Half-Step Celestial Immortal experts, the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven forces were instantly and decisively overwhelmed.

Although the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven ranks still boasted several Dual Primordial Unity Foundation cultivators, the disparity in raw combat power between the two sides was simply not on the same plane.

"*Clang!*" [the resonant sound of a powerful impact]

In the initial exchange, the Eastern Sovereign Bell hovering above Energy Abyss Chen's head exerted such immense pressure that several Half-Step Celestial Immortal opponents could scarcely draw breath.

With a flick of his sleeve, he grasped the Primordial Unity Immortal Bow and loosed an arrow, instantly slaying the Seventh Divine Scion of Western Essence Grotto-Heaven.

"Disaster!" [an exclamation of shock and impending doom]

In the brief span of a few exchanged blows, three or four Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] had already fallen in battle, utterly shocking the forces of the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven.

The First Divine Scion [the foremost chosen successor of a divine lineage] flew into a berserk rage on the spot, erupting with combat power approaching that of a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation foundation formed by unifying three primordial energies]. "They possess a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation!" he roared, his voice thick with shock and fury. "If we do not act now, we will be picked off one by one!"

As his words faded, a blindingly brilliant sword energy soared through the void.

The First Holy Scion [the foremost holy successor of a sacred sect] of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven arrived with a vast army in tow. In an instant, more than thirty Half-Step Celestial Immortal surged forward to attack.

"Leave them to me."

Ethan Chen spoke with calm finality. He advanced alone to meet the tide. His Life and Death Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords embodying the opposing forces of creation and destruction] danced through the air, weaving and cleaving, and in moments two of the Half-Step Celestial Immortal were shredded. Then, boundless sword energy erupted, flooding the Six Harmonies [a formation based on the six directions and harmonies of heaven and earth] and barring the path of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven forces.

"This path," he declared, his voice ringing with iron resolve, "is closed!"

"Insolent wretch!"

The First Holy Scion of Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven was incensed. As a supreme practitioner of the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a powerful cultivation foundation formed by unifying two primordial energies], no one of equal realm had ever dared speak to him in such a manner in all his life.

Consumed by towering rage, the First Holy Scion summoned forth a dazzling ancient sword, its light rivaling the stars, and brought it down upon Ethan Chen with world-sundering force.

Facing such a dazzling strike, Ethan Chen remained utterly unmoved. With a mere flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a blinding radiance—the light of creation and destruction [a supreme divine ability that embodies the opposing forces of life and annihilation]—which shot directly towards the First Holy Scion.

"Beware, a Mysterious Grade Divine Ability [a divine ability of the highest, most profound and esoteric grade]!"

In that fleeting moment, the First Holy Scion sensed the impending danger and sought to withdraw and evade.

Yet, with Ethan Chen now channeling the power of his Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation foundation representing the perfect fusion of essence, energy, and spirit], how could the Creation-Destruction Tribulation Light be something one could simply choose to avoid?

The Creation-Destruction Tribulation Light clung to its target like a shadow, instantly enveloping the First Holy Scion. In the blink of an eye, it pierced through his protective magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] and defensive Divine Ability [a supernatural power derived from profound cultivation], completely shrouding his form.

"Aaaargh—!"

Instantly, a scream tore from the First Holy Scion's lips. Vital life force and withering death energy intertwined within him. One half of his body remained youthful and vibrant, while the other half rapidly aged, becoming withered and desiccated.

To his credit, the First Holy Scion, truly worthy of being one closest to achieving the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, marshaled all his power to resist. Though he suffered grievous, near-crippling wounds, he managed to stave off the threat of immediate demise.

"The Triple Primordial Unity Foundation."

Upon realizing that Ethan Chen possessed the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, the expressions of all present shifted subtly, a flicker of apprehension passing through their eyes.

The Clear Stream Saintess [a saintess of the Clear Stream lineage] wore an expression of utmost gravity. Taking a deep breath, she declared, "A Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation formed by unifying three primordial energies] is an opponent only a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] can face. Ten of you stay and hold him off. The rest, with me—we go around!"

As her words fell, the Clear Stream Saintess led her forces on a flanking maneuver. Yet, Ethan Chen had no intention of letting them pass so easily.

He channeled his power, and the Life and Death Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords embodying the concepts of life and death] danced through the air like twin serpents of light and shadow. With devastating precision, he intercepted seventeen Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm], including four who possessed the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a powerful foundation formed by unifying two primordial energies], among them the First Holy Scion [the foremost holy successor of a great lineage].

The Clear Stream Saintess managed to bypass him with her remaining force, now numbering fewer than twenty. They swiftly approached the main battlefield from another direction.

Seeing this, Nyssa Qu transformed into a streak of Immortal Radiance [a brilliant, divine light emitted by powerful immortals] and shot forward, placing herself squarely in the path of the Clear Stream Saintess and her cohort.

The Clear Stream Saintess's face darkened with resolve. "Stand aside," she commanded, her voice cold and imperious.

"This path is closed."

Nyssa Qu replied with serene finality. With a flick of her sleeve, seven beams of Immortal Radiance crisscrossed the heavens and earth. The Seven Extremities Spirit-Slaying Sword [a legendary sword technique capable of slaying even divine spirits] materialized instantly, forming an impassable barrier before the advancing group.

Through countless battles, this Seven Extremities Spirit-Slaying Sword had been refined and tempered, fused with vast quantities of divine materials like Immortal Gold [a mythical metal of unparalleled hardness and spiritual conductivity]. It now stood on the very threshold of becoming a Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a weapon of ultimate power, forged with unified primordial essence].

Driven by Nyssa Qu's profound cultivation power [the vital energy and strength derived from her cultivation base] from her Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, the seven sword radiances weaved a deadly net. Their relentless assault forced the Clear Stream Saintess and her followers into a desperate, stumbling retreat.

"It's another Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation art that fuses three foundational energies into one supreme foundation]."

At this moment, Clear Stream Saintess's countenance changed.

As the saying goes, a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation art that fuses three foundational energies into one supreme foundation] practitioner is virtually invincible. The combat power of such an existence is sufficient to rival a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a powerful being who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm]. If one of them were to take action, it would require the combined efforts of at least several dozen Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have reached the peak of the Earth Immortal realm, half-ascended to the Celestial Immortal stage] to withstand them.

Even for those with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a powerful cultivation art that fuses two foundational energies], it generally requires nine of them joining forces to resist a single Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation art that fuses three foundational energies into one supreme foundation].

Unless each one possesses a Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure [an immortal-grade treasure forged with primordial unity energy], any force of fewer than nine Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a powerful cultivation art that fuses two foundational energies] practitioners facing a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation art that fuses three foundational energies into one supreme foundation] would be nothing but a suicide mission.

In the past, the reason five Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a powerful cultivation art that fuses two foundational energies] practitioners wielding Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure [an immortal-grade treasure forged with primordial unity energy] could temporarily hold off Myriad Spirit Patriarch was because Myriad Spirit Patriarch was not adept in the Slaughter Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power focused on pure destructive force].

Figures like Ethan Chen and Energy Abyss Chen are peerless, epoch-defying existences whose mastery of Slaughter [a supreme supernatural power focused on pure destructive force] is unmatched.

Initially, in their estimations, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance might have possessed one or two Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation art that fuses three foundational energies into one supreme foundation] practitioners. But they never imagined that the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance now fielded more than five such beings.

Indeed, at this moment, both Exquisite Jiang and Ancient Ruins Nether Lord had revealed combat power at the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation art that fuses three foundational energies into one supreme foundation] level. They were driving the forces of Western Essence Grotto-Heaven back step by step, having already slain seven or eight Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have reached the peak of the Earth Immortal realm, half-ascended to the Celestial Immortal stage].

"What is happening? Fourth Supreme Elder, why is there still no reinforcement?"

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Clear Stream Saintess could not help but change her expression, her worried gaze turning towards the depths of the void.

Logically speaking, once this great battle erupted, the Fourth Supreme Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a powerful immortal realm] should have come to reinforce them without fail.

Yet now, the Fourth Supreme Elder had still not arrived to lend aid, a development that greatly exceeded her expectations.

At the same time, deep within the void, the Supreme Elder of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven stared at the Myriad Spirit Patriarch before him, his expression one of utmost gravity as he spoke: "By blocking my path now, do you truly intend for an irreconcilable, life-and-death feud with my Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven?"

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch wore a faint smile, replying with serene calm: "I warned you long ago. Since the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven chose to scheme against the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, it would inevitably face a Tribulation [a catastrophic trial or calamity] in time."

"You—!"

The Fourth Supreme Elder's face twisted with fury. Glancing at the cyan magical sphere hovering above his head, he finally declared, "This treasure can only confine me for three hours. Once those three hours pass, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance will still meet its inevitable end."

"Is that so?" The Myriad Spirit Patriarch smiled, his tone laced with meaning. "Then let us wait and see."

Hearing his words, the black-robed Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] felt a faint, uneasy premonition. "Impossible. With the strength of two great Grotto-Heavens [self-contained immortal paradises], they could not possibly suffer devastating losses in a mere three hours."

"..."

Above the Heavenly Vault [the highest celestial realm], the great battle raged on, yet the scales of victory had already begun to tip decisively.

There, Energy Abyss Chen plunged alone into the heart of the enemy host. Relying on the peerless defense of his Indestructibility Golden Body [an ultimate defensive technique that renders the body nearly impervious to harm], he withstood the combined assault of seven Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure [supreme artifacts of immense power] and a Ninth Rank Ancient Talisman [a talisman of the highest, most ancient grade]. Through sheer force, he cleaved his way through and ultimately slew the First Divine Scion of Western Essence Grotto-Heaven.