Chapter 1588 : 1 Against 3

Those who have opened up the 9 Heavens are all truly unparalleled geniuses.

Throughout the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain, such existences were exceedingly rare. So long as they did not perish prematurely, even if they failed to cultivate the 3 Primordial Origins Foundation and achieve the Perfected Celestial Immortal realm, their breakthrough to the Celestial Immortal realm was virtually set in stone.

Such a figure, with combat prowess at least equivalent to 5 Earth Immortals at the Perfection Stage, had actually failed to withstand more than a few moves against the trio. This left Eldrin (Person Name) rather astonished.

"The true lineage of the Great Luo is truly extraordinary."

Eldrin murmured inwardly, a flicker of astonishment coloring his expression.

To be fair, the combat prowess these individuals displayed truly surpassed that of the vast majority of core disciples from the cave heavens in the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Both were at the Earth Immortal 9th Layer, both had stepped into the forbidden domain, yet Eldrin believed that even the Blaze Deity of Liyan would likely struggle to prevail against these individuals within the same realm.

This was not because the Flame-Severing Deity lacked brilliance, but rather because the heritage of such a Great Luo Ancient Sect was overwhelmingly profound.

Each of the individuals before him seemed to have mastered at least 1 Profound Mystery-level mystical ability—how utterly astonishing.

It should be known that within the Chen Immortal Clan, aside from Eldrin, only Lyra's '5 Elements Unified Qi' and '5 Elements Divine Light', along with Seraphina Qu's innate supernatural ability '9-Colored Immortal Light', comprised these 3 Profound Mystique-level supernatural abilities.

Beyond that, no 1 else had ever cultivated a Mystique-level divine ability.

From this perspective, 1 could see just how immensely powerful these individuals were.

Not only were their cultivation techniques and divine abilities more refined, but even their respective resources were beyond the reach of ordinary Half-Step Celestial Immortals.

For countless immortals, treasures like the innate Enlightenment Tea and even the innate Peach of Immortality Tree might be objects of fervent desire—equally precious to direct descendants of a Great Luo Ancient Sect like them—yet such artifacts were, after all, attainable through known channels.

With such resources at their disposal, they naturally had a far greater chance of mastering Mysterious-level divine abilities. For Earth Immortals lacking such means, however, achieving mastery over Mysterious-level divine abilities became exponentially more difficult.

Unless 1 possessed insight far surpassing their peers, like Eldrin.

Eldrin's (Person Name) comprehension was an exceptional case, for even now, if he could not yet rival a Golden Immortal of the Grand Luo, he was likely far superior to the mighty Celestial Immortals.

Ordinary Earth Immortals lack comprehension at this level and do not possess sufficient serendipity or resources. For them, mastering a Mystique-grade supernatural ability while still in the Earth Immortal realm is nearly an impossible feat.

"Pfft—"

With the might of the Taiyi Celestial Halberd, Duan Tianji (Person Name) pierced through the Eastern Jia Wood Divine Spirit (Deity) and cast it down from the firmament.

He withdrew the Celestial Halberd, leaving the Wood Spirit of the Eastern Azure to lie dead across the heavens, then turned his gaze with detached calm toward the nearby group.

At this very moment, a subtle shift occurred in their gazes, as if tinged with a hint of wariness.

Clearly, all 3 understood that in the struggle for this earth vein, 1 of them would ultimately be eliminated.

After a moment of silence, the Severed Heaven Ridge looked at Eldrin (Person Name) and the stunningly beautiful woman, speaking, "The 3 of us are all of the human race. Why not join forces and drive out the direct descendants of the Golden Spirit lineage?"

Clang—

The golden-skinned Jinling tribesman, wreathed in shimmering radiance, abruptly shifted expression. In 1 fluid motion, he drew a resplendent heavenly blade, his demeanor instantly sharpening with guarded vigilance.

Seeing this, the peerless fairy clad in Seraphina Qu also turned her gaze to Eldrin and said, "Brother Duan’s words are reasonable. The 3 of us should join forces, drive this person away, and share this earth vein together." As the fairy agreed, all eyes fell upon Eldrin.

"Profound Mystical Arts, the Orthodox Lineage of an Ancient Sect."

Eldrin murmured inwardly, his mind settling on a decision in an instant.

He held the Great Monad Auric Gold War Halberd in hand, his form wreathed in chaotic qi, an intangible fighting spirit enveloping all present.

"This ley line, I claim it."

Eldrin (Person Name) spoke with serene composure, his gaze ultimately settling into detached tranquility as he declared, "In light of your assault upon the earth veins, this sovereign shall grant you 1 opportunity."

"The 3 of you may join forces. Should you prevail, I shall yield this earth vein without contest."

"Insolence!"

In an instant, all 3 of them revealed expressions of boundless fury.

With the Heaven-Cleaving Halberd in hand, Duan Tianji strode forth, his voice thundering with fury as he declared, "We are all true heirs of ancient sects—none among us stands above another."

"Thy arrogance doth but pave thy path to ruin!"

As the words faded, the celestial halberd descended with overwhelming force, bearing down to suppress Eldrin.

"Dang——"

With a deafening roar, Eldrin blocked the strike in an instant using his Taiyi Refined Gold Trident.

His expression was as placid as still water, his gaze unwavering as he said indifferently, "If you were at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm, you might have had a chance to stand against me."

"Merely a perfected Earth Immortal—what does it matter if I face 3 alone?"

"Boom—"

Eldrin's voice fell as he abruptly brandished his war halberd, bringing it crashing down with a deafening roar.

Struck by such a blow, Duan Tianji felt his entire arm go numb, the Taiyi Heaven Halberd in his grasp nearly torn from his hands. The impact sent him hurtling backward through the air like a broken kite.

In an instant, Duan Tianji abruptly spat out a mouthful of reverse-flowing blood, his expression turning gravely solemn as he declared, "This man treads the path of physical body sanctification. Beware his Primordial Immortal Body!"

"Allow this humble 1 to test your skills."

At that very moment, the female immortal Seraphina Qu (Person Name) instantly made her move. With a flick of her sleeve, she manifested thousands of blossoming petals cascading through the air.

The falling petals drifted like rain, yet halfway through their descent, they erupted with boundless sharpness, as if billions of immortal swords were cleaving through the air with overwhelming force.

A single thought births a flower.

Duan Tianji's gaze darkened slightly as he immediately identified the origin of this divine ability.

Eldrin’s brow furrowed slightly as he gleaned from Duan Tianji’s description that this divine ability was 1 of the core inherited techniques of the 10 1000 Flowers Ancient Sect (Immortal Realm).

Had this divine power been wielded by a half-step Celestial Immortal, even Eldrin might have shown some caution. Yet the Radiant Celestial Maiden’s cultivation fell slightly short, and when channeled through her, its force ultimately lacked that critical edge.

But then Eldrin immediately activated the Primordial Chaos Weapon Forging Art, conjuring an ancient Primordial Chaos Bell for protection while simultaneously manifesting divine weapons—a Heavenly Blade, an Immortal Sword, a Grand Cauldron, a Divine Spear, an Ancient Mirror—to strike down all foes. In mere moments, the 3 opponents were utterly overwhelmed and forced into relentless retreat.

"What profound spiritual power, what mystical divine abilities."

"Could his power be so astonishing because he has opened all 12 celestial layers?"

After a brief exchange of blows, Duan Tianji instantly realized his strength was far inferior to Eldrin (Person Name).

He took a deep breath and turned to the other 2, saying, "You 2 should unleash whatever tricks you have up your sleeves now, or I'm afraid today will end in our defeat."

As his voice fell, he simultaneously summoned the Taiyi Heavenly Halberd and the profound mystic art ‘Azure Firmament Annihilation Tribulation Light’, ready to challenge Eldrin (Person Name) to a decisive contest.

The other 2, seeing this, also made their moves without hesitation.

The Myriad Blossom Celestial Maiden simultaneously activated ‘1 Thought, 1 Bloom’ and the Taiyi Immortal Sword, while the Golden Spirit Child also unleashed a dazzling Heavenly Blade and the Golden Radiance Heaven-Incinerating Art to strike.

These 3 individuals possessed extraordinary strength, simultaneously commanding 6 profound divine abilities and the Taiyi Immortal Armament in their assault. Even a powerhouse with dual Taiyi foundations would have turned pale with shock.

Eldrin did not show the slightest negligence. He manifested 7 ancient soldiers through the Art of Chaos Forging Arms to suppress the Severed Heaven’s Ridge, while wielding the Taiyi Fine Gold War Halberd and the Human Emperor’s Sword to force the Celestial Maiden of Myriad Blossoms into relentless retreat.

Right after, Eldrin (Person Name) flicked his sleeve, releasing a blade of void sword radiance that slashed toward the Golden Spirit Saint Son.

Chapter 1 The biting mountain wind whipped across the jagged peaks, carrying with it the scent of frost and decay. Lin Xuan stood at the precipice, his threadbare grey robes fluttering wildly. Below him, the mist-shrouded abyss seemed to swallow all light and sound. 1 misstep, and his miserable second life in this brutal world of cultivation would end as abruptly as the first. He clenched his fist, feeling the faint, stubborn warmth of the jade pendant against his chest—his only inheritance and his greatest secret. "Spiritual Spring Mountain... they think they can crush me just because I'm a mere Outer Disciple with a Mortal Grade, low-grade spiritual root," he muttered, his voice a low growl lost to the wind. "They took my monthly allotment of 3 Spirit Stones. Again." A dozen or so days ago, he had been nothing but a soul from another world, bewildered and disoriented. Now, the memories had merged, the desperation had crystalized. In this world, strength was everything. Without it, you were less than an ant. Suddenly, a sharp, mocking laugh cut through the gale. "Well, well. If it isn't the trash, Lin Xuan, contemplating his own worthlessness." Lin Xuan turned slowly. 3 figures in the distinctive blue and white robes of Spiritual Spring Mountain stood there, their expressions a mixture of contempt and amusement. The leader, Zhang Hu, sneered, his hand resting on the hilt of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) at his waist. "Hand over the pendant, Xuan," Zhang Hu demanded, taking a step forward. "A piece of junk like that is wasted on you. Maybe I'll consider letting you keep 1 of your Spirit Stones this month if you cooperate." Lin Xuan's mind raced. Zhang Hu was at the 4th level of Qi Refining, while he himself was barely holding on at the 2nd. A direct confrontation was suicide. But yielding meant losing the 1 thing that might offer him a chance, however slim. "The pendant was my father's," Lin Xuan said, his voice deceptively calm. "It is worthless to anyone but me." "Your father was a failure, and you are even worse," spat another disciple. "We don't have all day. Hand it over!" As Zhang Hu reached out to grab him, time seemed to slow for Lin Xuan. A memory, not his own, flashed in his mind—a complex series of footwork, a lost movement technique from the jade pendant's hidden legacy. Instinct took over. He pivoted on his heel, his body flowing in an unnatural, serpentine motion. Zhang Hu's grasping hand closed on empty air. "What?!" Zhang Hu stared, stunned. Lin Xuan didn't wait. He channeled every shred of his meager spiritual power into his legs and shot past the bewildered disciples, a grey blur disappearing into the labyrinth of rocky crags. "After him!" Zhang Hu roared, his face purpling with rage and humiliation. "I'll skin that bastard alive!" But Lin Xuan was already gone, his heart hammering against his ribs, the cool jade a beacon against his skin. He had escaped for now, but he had also made a powerful enemy. The path of cultivation was paved with countless dangers and ruthless rivals. He needed power. Real power. Deep within a hidden cave he had discovered days prior, Lin Xuan finally allowed himself to breathe. He slumped against the cold stone wall, the adrenaline fading to be replaced by a cold, hard resolve. He focused his mind, reaching inward to the faint, flickering spiritual energy within his dantian. The world around him melted away as he began to cycle his Qi according to the most basic Qi Gathering Technique (Cultivation Method) available to Outer Disciples. It was agonizingly slow, like trying to fill a vast ocean with a single drop of water. His low-grade spiritual root was a crippling bottleneck. *Is this it?* he thought, despair threatening to creep in. *Is this all my destiny holds? To be bullied, robbed, and eventually die nameless in some forgotten corner of this mountain?* *No.* The thought was absolute, final. He would not accept it. He gripped the jade pendant tightly. "There must be a way," he whispered into the darkness. "There is always a way." He closed his eyes, pouring his consciousness, his very will to survive, into the unassuming piece of jade. For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, a warmth bloomed, not just physical, but deep within his soul. A strand of pure, ancient spiritual energy, subtle yet profound, seeped from the pendant and merged with his own struggling Qi. It was a trickle, but it was more potent than anything he had felt before. It circulated through his meridians, washing away fatigue and strengthening his spirit. The barrier between the 2nd and 3rd level of Qi Refining, which had seemed like an insurmountable wall, now felt... thinner. A grim smile touched his lips. The road ahead was long, fraught with tribulations and enemies like Zhang Hu. He would need to tread carefully, accumulate resources, and unlock the secrets this jade pendant held. 1 100 years had passed in the blink of an eye for the high-level cultivators who shook the heavens, but for him, every second was a battle. "Just you wait," Lin Xuan vowed, his voice echoing softly in the cavern. "Just you all wait."