Chapter 1697 : The Formation's Unyielding Stand

The Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] residing above the Heavenly Vault chose to remain aloof, unwilling to intervene in the conflict below.

On the central battlefield, a fierce confrontation had already erupted between the two sides, centered around the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Overall, the Human Race faced immense pressure, yet by relying on the power of their Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense or amplification], they managed to hold their ground, albeit barely.

After a century of such relentless assaults, with no sign of the Formation within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea being breached, the powerful figures of the Demonic and Divine Clans could not help but frown in frustration.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, the Primordial Era Thunder Dragon [an ancient dragon of immense power born in the earliest epochs] spoke up, "This formation draws its power from the combined might of five Heavenly Domain. Using conventional methods, even an existence at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm would find it difficult to breach by force."

"If any among you possess special means, now is not the time to hold back."

Upon hearing these words, the expressions of those present shifted slightly.

The Crimson Crow Holy Scion also took a deep breath before turning his gaze towards the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang. "You two, as Path Tribulation Protagonist [individuals destined to play a pivotal role in the great cosmic upheaval], surely must have some trump cards you have yet to reveal."

The Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang wore solemn expressions. They exchanged a glance, and then the Crimson Emperor's scion spoke, "This treasure was originally reserved for the final moments of the Path Tribulation [the great cosmic calamity], a key asset for contending for the Fortune [the supreme destiny and opportunity of an era]."

"However, using it against this Returning Abyss Path Master would not be a dishonor to its power." Read the full novel exclusively on www . audio-novel.com.

As his words fell, Tai Cang Crimson Emperor's Scion flicked his sleeve and summoned forth a dazzlingly brilliant crimson jade pendant. At the same moment, Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion also conjured a black jade pendant.

The two pendants hovered above the Heavenly Vault, each revealing three Innate Path Patterns within. These were the powers of two distinct Innate Path Principle: Crimson Flame and Profound Water.

They intertwined ceaselessly with one another, until finally, with a soft, crystalline *ding*, they coalesced into a single jade pendant whose Path Form resembled the Polarity and Limitless [the primordial state of undifferentiated unity].

"Crimson Flame... Profound Water..."

"Disaster! That is the Innate Polarity Limitless Pendant [a legendary treasure formed from the union of opposing primordial forces]!"

Witnessing this, the Primordial Solar Holy Son within the formation paled drastically, his face contorting with utter shock.

Unfamiliar with the artifact, Heaven Abyss Path Master inquired, "Might I ask, Holy Scion, what exactly is this Innate Polarity Limitless Pendant?"

The widely-traveled Wind Cloud Fearless, scion of the Wind Cloud Path Palace, explained with grave solemnity, "This pendant is forged from two pieces of Immortal Jade representing Polarity [the fundamental duality of existence, such as yin and yang]. The Yin Pendant contains the power of pure Yin Profound Water, while the Yang Pendant holds the mysteries of Nine Heavens Crimson Flame."

"Individually, each pendant is merely equivalent to a single Low-Grade Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the world's natural laws, of the lowest recognized grade], hardly a cause for concern."

"But when the two treasures unite, they can manifest the profound mysteries of Polarity and Limitless. Not only is their power astonishing, but they can also separate the Polarity of heaven and earth, isolating and nullifying restrictive arts and formations. Wielding them, one can freely pass through the vast majority of Ninth Rank Formation [powerful arrays or barriers of the ninth and highest rank] in existence."

Glazed Divine Lord [a title for a powerful immortal being whose spirit is as pure and translucent as glazed jade] paled with shock and could not help but exclaim, "They actually possess such an artifact! Can the Five Domains Five Elements Grand Formation [a supreme defensive formation harnessing the power of the five elements across five domains] hold them back?"

"It cannot."

Wind Cloud Fearless spoke, his expression etched with unprecedented gravity.

And in the very instant his words fell, the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang activated the Innate [pertaining to the primordial, heaven-born state of existence] Polarity [the fundamental cosmic principle of opposing yet complementary forces, like yin and yang] Pendant, unleashing a shield of Polarity light. They led the charge, cleaving into the heart of the Formation [a structured arrangement of power, often for defense or attack, created through cultivation arts].

With this Innate Polarity Pendant, even a Ninth Rank High-Grade Innate Ancient Formation [a primordial defensive array of the highest ancient order] would be unable to restrain their movements. Now, as they shielded their comrades and surged forward, a tide of overwhelming Celestial Slaughter [a plant imbued with a fierce, battle-ready intent] intent swept through the Starry River.

"Hold them back!"

Seeing the dire situation, the nine core formation masters within the array, including Exquisite Jiang, had no choice but to divert a portion of their focus. They mobilized the power of the Innate Grand Formation [the grand primordial defensive array] to suppress the heavens.

In that fleeting moment, five Innate Treasure [primordial artifacts of immense power, born from heaven and earth] soared into the sky. Each one resonated with the power of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth—the Five Elements Power [the fundamental forces that constitute and govern the material world]. Together, they unleashed a divine might capable of suppressing the heavens and earth, embodying the concept of Six Harmonies [the harmony of the six directions: up, down, left, right, front, back].

Yet, even faced with the immense pressure of such a grand formation, the Innate Polarity Pendant remained unmoved. The Innate Polarity Energy [primordial energy of opposing cosmic forces] within it rotated ceaselessly, forming an impenetrable barrier that isolated the overwhelming power of the Formation and safely sheltered the assembled great powers from the Demonic and Divine Clans [alliances of powerful demonic and divine lineages].

Witnessing this, the Tai Cang Crimson Emperor's Scion maintained a calm demeanor. His gaze turned toward the palace where Eldrin Chen was in secluded cultivation. "Returning Abyss Path Master [Master of the Path that leads back to the primordial abyss], your Five Domains Five Elements Grand Formation is truly Extraordinary," he stated, his voice carrying a note of finality. "But in the end, it cannot bar our passage."

"The grudges of the past shall be settled in full this day."

As the words fell, the Primordial Era Thunder Dragon [a legendary dragon from the dawn of time], the Crimson Crow Holy Scion [a prodigious heir of the Crimson Crow lineage], and others surged forth to attack.

With a full four combatants of Forbidden-level prowess and over twenty cultivators who had mastered the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art] joining forces, even the Primordial Solar Holy Son [the sacred heir of the Primordial Sun lineage] and his allies were utterly outmatched, forced into a desperate, step-by-step retreat.

The Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion [the imperial heir of the Tai Cang Black Emperor], unstoppable as a tidal wave, charged forward wielding a war halberd forged from Dragon-Patterned Black Gold [a legendary metal inscribed with draconic patterns]. His target was the palace at the very heart of the defensive Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used for defense or attack].

Witnessing this, everyone's faces paled with alarm. That palace was where Eldrin Chen [the patriarch of the Chen Clan] was in secluded cultivation [a state of deep, uninterrupted meditation for breakthrough]. If his cultivation were interrupted now, a failed breakthrough would inevitably trigger a devastating backlash [a violent recoil of spiritual energy that injures the cultivator].

Should Eldrin Chen be severely wounded by such a backlash, the nine others, including Exquisite Jiang [a master cultivator known for her peerless skill], who were anchoring the formation would also suffer the recoil. The outcome of this battle would then be decided beyond any doubt. The story continues at audio-novel . com.

"Stop him!"

Understanding the dire stakes, the defenders, hearts pounding with dread, rushed forward to block the path.

Yet the Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion was invincible in his advance, erupting with the full, terrifying might of a Forbidden-level combatant. His Dragon-Patterned Black Gold halberd swept aside all resistance; with a single, devastating strike, he sent the blocking Song Luo [a holy scion of the Song Luo Palace] flying through the air, blood spraying from his mouth.

Having defeated his foe in one move, the Tai Cang Black Emperor's Scion sneered coldly, "You who have not yet stepped into the Forbidden Domain [a legendary realm of power beyond conventional limits], who have not forged your own unique Path, dare to obstruct my way? You seek nothing but your own demise."

"Boom—" [a deep, resonant sound of impact]

Almost simultaneously, Tai Cang Crimson Emperor's Scion soared into the air and charged forth. The divine spear in his hand, Crimson Emperor's Spear, pierced through the fabric of heaven and earth, sending Evening Star Sword Scion reeling through the air, blood spraying from his wounds.

In that moment, the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang displayed a might rarely seen since ancient times. The two of them alone sent several obstructing figures flying in defeat.

Even more terrifying, the Primordial Era Thunder Dragon and the Crimson Crow Holy Scion also stepped through the void to arrive.

The Crimson Crow Holy Scion radiated murderous intent. With a single swing of the ancient Crimson Crow Sword in his hand, he sent the Primordial Solar Holy Son flying, blood gushing, and disdainfully remarked,

"This generation of the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven truly has no worthy successors."

"That a mere Nine Tribulations Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations] can become its First Holy Scion..."

Upon hearing this, the Primordial Solar Holy Son's face flushed with a mixture of shame, fury, and a trace of despairing helplessness.

Prodigies of the Forbidden Domain [a legendary cultivation realm beyond the standard progression] were exceedingly rare, revered as Imperial Scion Level Figure. Throughout the entire Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole, one might not see a single such figure born across an entire Path Tribulation [a grand cosmic cycle where cultivators contend for supremacy and the right to forge their own Path].

Such individuals, looking across all past Path Tribulation cycles, possessed the qualifications to become the Path Tribulation Protagonist [the central, epoch-defining figure of a Path Tribulation era].

With the foundation of the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven [a celestial realm of immense power and ancient heritage], the last time an Imperial Scion Level Figure [a prodigy of the highest caliber, born to an imperial lineage] appeared was still seven million years ago.

For the Golden Crow Clan [a powerful clan of the Golden Crow lineage] to give birth to two Forbidden Prodigy [prodigies whose talents are so immense they defy the natural order] at once is an event that, looking across the annals of history, occurs only once in several hundred million years.

"Three million years ago, after the Departing Sun Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal of immense power] failed in his assault on the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a terrifying sea of purgatorial flames in the nether abyss] and subsequently perished, the entire Southern Ridge Six Heavenly Domains [a vast region comprising six heavenly domains in the southern ridge] became the stronghold of the Demon Race [a powerful and malevolent race of demons]."

"Rumors say the Golden Crow Clan obtained the foundational legacy of the Liyang Grotto-Heaven [a legendary celestial grotto-heaven], which is why they have produced peerless prodigies during these recent Path Tribulation [cosmic trials that test the fate and destiny of cultivators and their lineages]. Now, it seems those rumors may not be false."

Thoughts flashed through the mind of the Primordial Solar Holy Son [a holy scion of the Primordial Solar lineage], yet he understood he was no match for the Crimson Crow Holy Scion [a holy scion of the Crimson Crow lineage]. No longer daring to fight to the death, he immediately began retreating backward.

The Crimson Crow Holy Scion and his companions gave chase, their pursuit relentless, and soon they fought their way to the very core of the grand formation.

"We can retreat no further."

Upon reaching the core of the Returning Abyss Sea Region [a perilous sea region near the abyssal void], everyone's expressions turned grave with resolve. They stood back-to-back against the core formation, steeling themselves for a final, desperate stand. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel dot com.