Chapter 1717 : The Fall of a Golden Crow

After three thousand exchanges, he had not slain Eldrin Chen, only to have his own soul essence and vital blood burn to exhaustion, transforming into motes of starlight that scattered between heaven and earth.

"In this battle, my defeat was not unjust."

As he dissolved into the Great Path [the fundamental principle of the cosmos], Imperial Sun Golden Crow spoke slowly.

He gazed at Eldrin Chen, his eyes profound, and said, "With you among them, it seems that in tens of millions of years, Vast Azure Immortal Domain will gain another Ancient Immortal Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained, superior realm created and ruled by an ancient immortal]."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained placid. He regarded Imperial Sun Golden Crow calmly and nodded. "In this ultimate battle, you did not disgrace the prestige of the Demon Race."

"In the end, I could not match you."

Imperial Sun Golden Crow sighed once, then finally dissolved into specks of golden light that faded away.

Thus perished a generation's Demon Race Imperial Scion, the most powerful prodigy in the history of the Golden Crow Grotto-Heaven, reduced to ashes in this moment, leaving behind only a lingering echo of regret.

"Cultivate well. I hope that one day, you can break through the barrier of the Ten-Layered Heaven [the tenth and final stage of the Heavenly Immortal realm] and, on my behalf, witness the vistas that lie beyond Great Encompassing [the Da Luo realm, a supreme state of cultivation]."

"I will." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio - novel . com.

Eldrin Chen, having retrieved the Path Source [a primordial essence containing the fundamental principles of cultivation] from Imperial Sun Golden Crow, gazed at the object and murmured softly.

He said no more. After swallowing an Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir that restores spiritual power] to recover a portion of his depleted energy, he took a single step and arrived at the periphery of the grand formation.

There, he saw the Verdant Sun Imperial Scion, in a state of utter desperation, frantically unleashing his treasures to assail the Formation [a powerful array or barrier], striving to tear open a single corner and escape with his life.

"It is futile."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly. With a sweep of his sleeve, he summoned the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a divine technique that manifests a giant hand of primordial energy to seize and crush its target], sending it to suppress his foe.

The Verdant Sun Imperial Scion was nearly mad with panic. He mustered every ounce of his strength to defend himself, but against a Half-Step Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a divine power nearing the might of a Patriarch], he was ultimately powerless to change his fate. He was instantly subdued, pinned upon the colossal palm.

Holding the captive Verdant Sun Imperial Scion, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "When Imperial Sun fought for his life, had you poured all your strength into aiding him, there might have been a sliver of a chance for victory."

"Your Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a supreme innate constitution renowned for its near-unbreakable resilience] is nigh impervious, further bolstered by the Innate Path Principle [an innate divine ability that embodies and enforces a fundamental law of the cosmos]. Even if we could defeat you, we could never truly extinguish you."

The Verdant Sun Imperial Scion let out a bitter, almost hysterical laugh. "I am the most prodigious talent the Verdant Sun Grotto-Heaven [a celestial realm of cultivation] has ever produced! The supreme true blood of a Primordial Era Divine King [a deity-king from the primordial age of creation] flows within my veins!"

"My Future [a title signifying immense potential and destiny] is boundless! I have yet to witness the glory that lies beyond the Great Encompassing [a legendary, supreme realm of cultivation]! I do not wish to die here!"

"Hahaha..."

Verdant Sun Imperial Scion laughed through blood-flecked lips, twin trails of crimson tears streaming from his eyes.

He was the most prodigiously talented Divine Spirits [powerful beings born from the essence of the world] to emerge in the Vast Azure Immortal Domain in a billion years, and he had been utterly confident that no one in the same realm could rival him.

He had believed he would sweep aside all rivals during this Path Tribulation [a great trial that tests a cultivator's destiny], amass boundless Fortune [the metaphysical luck and destiny that influences one's cultivation path] to forge an unparalleled foundation. He never imagined he would encounter a being as astonishing as Eldrin Chen.

The most crucial point was that, facing the awe-inspiring might of Eldrin Chen, he had felt fear for the very first time in his heart.

Therefore, when Imperial Sun Golden Crow ignited his very being for a final battle, he did not think of fighting with all his might. Instead, he sought to seize the chance to flee for his life.

The moment he decided to run, his invincible conviction shattered. Even if he later broke through to the Celestial Immortal Realm, his path would likely end there.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then shook his head and spoke.

"Your talent is not lacking. But in terms of courage and the strength of your Dao Heart [the unwavering will and conviction at the core of a cultivator's being], you cannot compare to Diyang Tai Cang or Imperial Sun Golden Crow."

"Hahaha... *cough* *cough*..."

The Verdant Sun Imperial Scion let out a bitter, blood-flecked laugh. He recalled the previous battle at the Venus Mountain Range, where the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang had been forced to retreat in defeat.

Upon receiving the news back then, he had mocked the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang for tarnishing the prestige of the Tai Cang Divine Emperor. Yet now, Eldrin Chen made him feel inferior even to Diyang Tai Cang.

At this very moment, a wry smile touched his lips. He looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "Between life and death lies a great terror."

"I hope that even after countless eons, your Dao-heart [the unwavering core of a cultivator's will and conviction] remains as it is now, and you do not become someone like me."

"..."

In the end, the Verdant Sun Imperial Scion still met his demise. This content originates from audio-novel dot com. Please respect copyright.

Knowing he was no match for Eldrin Chen, he did not struggle pointlessly. Instead, he willed his Path Soldiers to dissipate, his form dissolving back into the cosmos.

Eldrin Chen did not harm his soul, allowing his spirit to return intact to the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and reincarnation]. With the soul of a Twelve Tribulations Forbidden Prodigy entering the cycle of rebirth, the Verdant Sun Imperial Scion's innate talent in his next life would undoubtedly remain extraordinary. Perhaps, after countless ages, they might meet again.

In contrast, Imperial Sun Golden Crow had burned away his very origin and soul essence. Only his True Spirit [the indestructible spiritual core of a high-level being] and a wisp of remnant consciousness entered reincarnation. The legacy of this life was nearly exhausted; his next incarnation might not even be able to tread the path of cultivation again.

With supreme power, Eldrin Chen aided both in stepping onto the path of Reincarnation. A profound intuition stirred within him: the Verdant Sun Imperial Scion would rise swiftly in his next life, while Imperial Sun Golden Crow might wander through a thousand cycles of Reincarnation before perhaps, one distant day, finding his way back to the arduous road of cultivation.

However, the two of them carry a profound Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect that binds all beings] in this life. Perhaps, after millions upon millions of years, a destined entanglement awaits them once more.

Eldrin Chen sought to divine their fates with a finger calculation, only to find his vision obscured by a dense fog of mystery. Even his Mysterious Grade [the highest known tier of power and profundity] Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path [a supreme art of celestial divination and fate-reading] could not pierce through the veil.

"Intriguing,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. For his current self to be unable to see clearly meant the cultivation realms attained by these two in their Future [a being representing the concept of time yet to come] incarnations were likely not insignificant.

Yet, Eldrin Chen felt not a shred of fear. Not only are there countless possible Future [potential timelines], but even if their next lives reached profoundly lofty heights, Eldrin Chen remained utterly undaunted.

He had bested them today. Millions of years hence, he would have soared far beyond his present self, naturally fearing nothing.

With this conviction firm in his heart, Eldrin Chen took a step, ascending into the heavens to arrive at the heart of the battlefield.

With the fall of the mightiest, the Verdant Sun Imperial Scion and the Imperial Sun Golden Crow, and three other Forbidden Prodigy [peerless talents who defy conventional limits] slain by Eldrin Chen's hand, the tide of this conflict had decisively turned, its outcome now lacking all suspense.

At the battlefield's core, Great Ruins Jiang and the Five-Colored Immortal Phoenix [a mythical phoenix ablaze with five radiant hues] were locked in a desperate, life-or-death struggle. Meanwhile, Exquisite Jiang pressed her advantage against the Zhu Yan Imperial Scion [a scion of the ancient Zhuyan beast lineage], forcing him into a steady retreat. The remaining Nine Tribulations Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have survived nine heavenly tribulations and stand on the threshold of true Celestial Immortality] and Forbidden Prodigy from the various Demonic and Divine Clans [the collective term for powerful clans of demonic and divine heritage] found themselves thoroughly suppressed and at a disadvantage under the relentless assault of the Human Race forces.

Eldrin Chen did not directly intervene in the others' battles. He simply stood poised beneath the Heavenly Vault [the dome of the sky itself], a silent guardian. Only when one of his comrades teetered on the brink of annihilation would he extend a hand to turn the tide.

This great war raged on for ten years. The prodigies of the Demonic and Divine Clans were gradually slain to the last, leaving only the Five-Colored Immortal Phoenix [a mythical phoenix embodying the power of the five elements] struggling to hold on.

Jiang Taixu battled the Five-Colored Immortal Phoenix for over one hundred thousand exchanges. In the end, he prevailed by the slimmest of margins, piercing the phoenix's soul with his Void Sword Art [a supreme sword technique that cuts through the fabric of reality].

"The Void Sword Art... truly Extraordinary," the phoenix uttered.

At the moment of her demise, the soul of the Five-Colored Immortal Phoenix began to slowly dissipate. Her fleshly body and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] were both dissolving, returning to the Great Dao.

Yet, she remained utterly serene. Gazing at Jiang Taixu, then turning her head to look upon Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, she sighed and spoke.

"With the three of you, it seems that tens of millions of years hence, the Vast Azure Immortal Domain will be Sovereign [ruled as supreme overlords] by the Human Race."

"Fortunately, I am but a passing traveler. Otherwise, facing you, I too would likely have to bow my head."

The Five-Colored Immortal Phoenix murmured these words, a faint smile still gracing her brow.

Jiang Taixu furrowed his brow slightly, a look of astonishment crossing his face. "A passing traveler... Could it be you can still depart?" he asked, unable to contain his surprise.

"My name is Rainbow Phoenix. We shall meet again."

The Five-Colored Immortal Phoenix [a legendary phoenix whose feathers shimmer with five distinct colors] spoke with serene finality, its form ultimately dissolving into motes of starlight, vanishing into nothingness.

Only then did Heaven Sun speak. "The Immortal Phoenix Clan [a noble lineage of phoenix-descended beings] possesses the Nirvana Tribulation Transcendence Art [a supreme art of rebirth through tribulation]. It allows them to Nirvana [undergo a sacred cycle of death and renewal] and Rebirth [be reborn anew] from but a wisp of their soul."

"By slaying her today, you have severed her old vessel. A new form will naturally Nirvana [emerge from the sacred ashes of renewal] and be conceived." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audi novel.com.