Chapter 1687 : Clash of Primordial Heirs

Seeing this, Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion [the direct descendant of the Black Emperor of the Tai Cang lineage] flicked his sleeve once more, unleashing a surge of dark light that churned the Six Harmonies [a formation based on the harmony of six principles] and shot towards Eldrin Chen. This was the Mysterious Grade Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical technique] known as 'Obsidian Fiend Heaven-Sundering Radiance' [a devastating beam of dark, fiendish energy capable of splitting the heavens].

Eldrin Chen showed not a trace of fear. Shrouding himself in Primordial One Energy [the foundational, unified energy of creation], he countered with a flick of his own sleeve, manifesting the Primordial Unity Void Cosmos Sword Energy [a sword energy born from the unity of the primordial void and the cosmos].

In this hurried exchange, over thirty moves were traded, and Eldrin Chen had already seized complete and utter dominance.

"*Clang—*"

After several dozen more exchanges, a clear, resonant sword cry pierced the air. Eldrin Chen employed the Chaos Weapon Forging Art [an art to conjure weapons from primordial chaos] to materialize nine ancient armaments that cleaved through the sky, striking his opponent with such force that his bones were nearly shattered to dust.

"Impossible!"

Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion wore an expression of utter disbelief. He had never been defeated by a peer in his entire life. He never imagined that in less than a hundred moves, he would be utterly outmatched by Eldrin Chen.

Consumed by this thought, he roared with furious indignation, "Who *are* you? From which ancient sect of the Human Race [the collective of human cultivators and clans] do you hail as a direct disciple?"

"I am the one who will end you."

Eldrin Chen spoke with icy calm, then brought his palm down in a crushing blow that once more sent his foe flying, blood spraying from his mouth.

This Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion truly lives up to his status as an Imperial Scion of the Tai Cang Divine Clan. Having stepped into the Forbidden Domain [a legendary realm of combat prowess surpassing conventional limits], his battle strength is such that even three or four ordinary cultivators who have established the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art] joining forces might not necessarily be his match.

However, with merely this level of power, he likely only approaches the might of Exquisite Jiang, let alone being able to contend with Eldrin Chen in a duel.

One must understand, Exquisite Jiang opened a Twelve-Layered Heaven [the theoretical pinnacle of foundational realms], which in principle places her at the very apex of the Forbidden Domain. Having just recently established her Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, the foundational essence of her Universe [the internal cosmos cultivated within a practitioner] has not yet accumulated sufficiently, and her spiritual energy reserves are also not yet at their peak.

Given a few more years, once Exquisite Jiang refines enough Innate Flat Peach [a legendary spiritual fruit that enhances one's innate foundation], her foundational essence and spiritual energy will be completely perfected. Furthermore, through the continuous tempering of her three Primordial Unity [the core unity realms] and her Flawless Foundation [a state of perfect, unblemished cultivation foundation], she will still possess immense potential for further growth.

Now, witnessing his comrade's inability to withstand Eldrin Chen, the Tai Cang Crimson Emperor's Scion grasped the gravity of the situation.

He could no longer afford to focus on his current opponent. He surged past the Heavenly Vault [the celestial battlefield] to join the Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion, the two uniting their strength to face Eldrin Chen.

Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort initially moved to intercept, but a glance from Eldrin Chen conveyed his intent in an instant.

They immediately turned their attention elsewhere, confronting the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] from the demonic and divine clans.

Facing two opponents alone, Eldrin Chen stood firm against the assault of two beings within the Forbidden Domain, not showing the slightest sign of being at a disadvantage.

In theory, all who have entered the Forbidden Domain possess battle strength of a similar, peerless caliber. Among such titans, who could claim to be significantly weaker than another?

Yet the combat prowess Eldrin Chen displayed before their eyes shattered everyone's preconceptions. He single-handedly engaged two Half-Step Celestial Immortals in battle, not only holding his ground but fighting with a ferocity bordering on madness.

The three of them clashed for nearly a thousand exchanges. Eldrin Chen forced Tai Cang Crimson Emperor's Scion back with his Chaos Heaven Halberd, then unleashed his trump card.

In a fleeting instant, the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd shot forth. A blade radiance of Slaughter pierced through heaven and earth, boring straight through the center of Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion's brow.

"Pfft—"

Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion instantly spat blood, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cleaved in two.

Yet, in that same fleeting moment, an Ancient Pearl within his Primordial Spirit shattered, causing his Primordial Spirit Immortal Embryo [the nascent immortal form within a cultivator's spirit] to knit itself back together.

"Not good!"

In that instant, Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion's face turned deathly pale.

Had it not been for an Innate Exotic Treasure [a rare and powerful enchanted artifact] within his body acting as a substitute for death at that critical moment, shielding his vital True Spirit [the foundational spiritual essence of a being] and blocking the erosion of the Innate killing intent, he would have already perished.

"Retreat!"

In an instant, the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang could no longer afford to fight and immediately fled into the depths of the void.

These Primordial EraDivine Clan Imperial Scions were truly extraordinary. Even though Eldrin Chen had long since deployed the Polarity Void Mirror [a supreme mirror artifact that manipulates the polarity of space], using the might of an Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation] to seal the void, the two still managed to pierce through the void and escape in a flash.

"A pity,"

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh inwardly.

He did not pursue them further, instead continuing to channel the Polarity Void Mirror to envelop the Heavenly Domain [a vast celestial territory]. The great battle still raged on.

After the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang and the two guardian Heavenly God [a powerful deity-level cultivator] of the Tai Cang Divine Clan departed, the tide of this war had already turned completely.

The other Demonic and Divine Clans Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the cusp of ascending to true Celestial Immortality], sensing the dire turn, also wished to flee for their lives. Unfortunately, they lacked the profound means of a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [a supreme and ancient sect of immense power].

The allied forces gave chase relentlessly for a long time, ultimately slaying one hundred and thirty-seven Half-Step Celestial Immortal. Only the core direct disciples of the six great ancient sects and a handful of other Half-Step Celestial Immortal managed to escape with their lives.

Once the great battle concluded, the Venus Celestial Maiden hosted a banquet for everyone within the Venus Mountain Range.

Ever since the fall of the former Chief Sword Scion of the Venus Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of cultivation], this Venus Celestial Maiden had ascended to become the new Chief of the Venus Grotto-Heaven.

Now, Venus Celestial Maiden [a celestial maiden associated with the planet Venus] has also achieved the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a profound cultivation foundation representing the unity of essence, energy, and spirit]. She personally hosted a banquet for everyone, her face beaming with joy as she spoke.

"For your invaluable assistance in this matter, Fellow Daoist, I am truly and deeply grateful."

Everyone smiled, their expressions revealing a shared sense of delight.

Violet Mystery Path Master shook his head, a note of regret in his voice. "A pity. We failed to eliminate the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang, and nine of the triple Primordial Unity [cultivators who have unified their essence, energy, and spirit into a single primordial force] managed to escape as well."

The First Holy Scion [the foremost holy successor of a lineage] from the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven [a celestial realm bathed in primordial solar energy] gave a slight smile and said, "Figures like the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang and those of the Ancient Sect's Direct Lineage [the main, unbroken bloodline of an ancient sect] inherently possess extraordinary means of self-preservation. Slaying them is no easy feat."

The others nodded in agreement. In this battle, they had slain one hundred and thirty-seven Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal Realm], yet among them, only four had possessed the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation.

This was especially true for those few from the Ancient Sect's Direct Lineage. Seeing the Tai Cang Imperial Scion tear through the void to flee, they had escaped with their lives almost immediately; not a single one had perished within the Tribulation [a cataclysmic divine ability that manifests as a heavenly calamity].

Considering this, the Wind Cloud Path Scion [a chosen successor of the Path of Wind and Cloud] from the Wind Cloud Path Palace [a palace dedicated to the cultivation of wind and cloud techniques] spoke. "Within the Path Tribulation [a karmic trial one must face on their cultivation path], each individual must slay a foe of equal rank, or several slightly weaker powerhouses, to dissipate the Tribulation."

"Having suffered this great defeat, those who managed to gain some achievement will likely go into seclusion to cultivate until they reach the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial immortals], no longer involving themselves in the Tribulation."

"But for those who failed to extinguish their Tribulation, I fear they will become a source of trouble in the days to come."

Energy Abyss Chen's eyes flickered with a subtle light as he nodded calmly and said, "If they dare to return, we shall simply continue to annihilate them."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a slight stir in his gaze.

Over these years, after the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance successively vanquished formidable foes, they seized an incalculable amount of Adamantine Mithril [a legendary, supremely hard metal].

Seizing this opportunity, Energy Abyss Chen refined a vast, immeasurable quantity of Adamantine Mithril, tempering his physical body's defenses to a level where he could now withstand direct blows from a mid-grade Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a weapon forged by an immortal at the Primordial Unity realm]. It seemed he was not far from breaking through a certain ultimate limit and stepping into the Forbidden Domain [a legendary realm of power beyond conventional limits].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to the assembled Mortal Path [cultivators of the Mortal Path]. "With the defeat and retreat of the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang, the Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] within the Western Pole Heavenly Domain has concluded," he stated.

"Now, it is time to sweep across the Western Pole Heavenly Domain."

As Eldrin Chen's words fell, the Human Race immediately began their campaign to sweep across the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole.

Those destined for the Path Tribulation [the great heavenly trial of an era] who had not yet faced their fate found themselves with nowhere to hide. As the Human Race's forces swept across the land, the armies of the Demonic and Divine Clans [alliances of demonic and divine beings] collapsed like a mountain avalanche. In mere centuries, they were utterly swept away.

With the exception of those who had already survived their tribulations, the ranks of Demon Immortal [immortals of demonic origin] and Divine Spirits [innate spiritual beings] within the Western Pole Heavenly Domain were nearly emptied, with at least seventy to eighty percent having perished.

Through this great war, Eldrin Chen discovered that across the entire Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole, the concentration of Immortal Spirit Essence [the fundamental energy of heaven and earth for immortal cultivation] in the world had surged, increasing nearly tenfold.