Chapter 1789 : Ambush of the Chaos Spirit

Almost simultaneously, the two Chaos Ancient Ships also unleashed their attacks. Five or six World-Ending Cannon erupted in an instant, their devastating payloads streaking towards the Chaos Immortal Spirit.

The power of these World-Ending Cannon was immense. A direct hit could inflict grievous wounds even upon a Ninth Rank High Grade Chaos Ancient Beast.

Unfortunately, the Chaos Immortal Spirit's form was not large and cumbersome like a Chaos Ancient Beast. It was agile and swift, its movements rivaling those of an Immortal. Landing a hit was nearly impossible, and they could only watch helplessly as the Chaos Immortal Spirit evaded the barrage.

"Trouble," Eldrin Chen murmured.

With the failed ambush by the two Chaos Ancient Ships, a sense of foreboding settled in Eldrin Chen's heart.

While setting up the formation, Eldrin Chen had advised the group to first cut off one of the enemy's claws—to use the Ancient Vessel to slay or at least severely wound the Ninth Rank High Grade Chaos Flame-Horned Ox.

Yet, the two major Grotto-Heaven had been too greedy. They gambled on using the Chaos Ancient Ships for a single, decisive strike against the Chaos Immortal Spirit.

In their view, success would have decided the battle in one fell swoop, and even failure would not affect the overall situation.

That Chaos Flame-Horned Ox, while formidable, possessed strength at most equivalent to the seventh or eighth layer of a Heaven Immortal. To them, it seemed insignificant, incapable of altering the grand scheme even if it survived.

Just as Eldrin Chen was frowning, Zixiao the Daoist let out a sigh and spoke, "Since we failed to exterminate the Chaos Immortal Spirit, we shall proceed with the plan as intended."

As his words fell, Aurelius the Golden-Winged was the first to charge into the Formation. A domineering Heavenly Saber in his hand cleaved down with immense force, aimed directly at the Chaos Immortal Spirit.

Seeing this, both Master of the Horizon Sea Pavilion and Zixiao the Daoist also surged into the heart of the Formation.

"BOOM!"

In that fleeting moment, the four—Aurelius the Golden-Winged, the Golden-Winged Roc, Master of the Horizon Sea Pavilion, and Zixiao the Daoist—joined forces, locking in a fierce and desperate battle against the Chaos Immortal Spirit.

"Fellow Daoist, let us join the fray as well."

Upon hearing this, Verdant Mist Immortal Maiden called out to Eldrin Chen before summoning a verdant Immortal Sword and plunging into the formation's depths.

Eldrin Chen could only release a sigh of resignation. With a heart full of caution, he too entered the confines of the Formation.

Both were powerhouses of the Late Heaven Immortal Realm. Joining forces, they engaged the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox. Yet, from the very first clash, Eldrin Chen sensed something was amiss.

"Such immense strength."

Eldrin Chen gripped the Five Veins Divine Spear, and both he and the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox were within the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before the creation of the cosmos]. In that single instant of collision, he felt a numbing tremor shoot through his limbs, and his heart sank slightly.

Though the exchange was fleeting, Eldrin Chen had already discerned the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox's strength; it was likely at least touching the level of an Eighth Heaven Immortal [an Immortal who has ascended to the Eighth Heavenly Layer].

At that very moment, the remaining sixteen Chaos Ancient Beasts also sensed something amiss and charged towards the few cultivators within the Formation [a structured arrangement of energy and power used for defense, attack, or cultivation].

"This battle... may prove troublesome,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his gaze lifting once more to survey the outer battlefield.

The nine Heaven Immortals [Immortals who have ascended to the Heavenly Realm] presiding over the formation dared not be negligent. They immediately joined forces to activate the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Immortal-Slaying Formation. Bolt after bolt of Nine Heavens Divine Thunder tore through the Primordial Chaos, crashing down upon the horde of Chaos Ancient Beasts.

Each of these divine thunderbolts possessed power comparable to a Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Heaven Immortal Realm] strike. With over twenty such bolts raining down consecutively, seven or eight Chaos Ancient Beasts at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal Realm] were instantly annihilated, and the pressure on the group noticeably lessened.

However, the remaining Chaos Ancient Beasts were all powerful entities of Ninth Rank Middle Grade [the middle tier of the Ninth Rank]. Their Physical Bodies [the corporeal form refined through cultivation] were as formidable as a Great Completion Innate Physique [a perfected, heaven-bestowed bodily constitution] at the Late Heaven Immortal Realm. Even the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder found it difficult to slay them with ease.

"ROAR—!"

Just as Eldrin Chen's thoughts were churning, the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox went berserk. It unleashed wave after wave of Primordial Chaos True Flames that swept forth, carrying the overwhelming power of a Celestial God [a deity residing in the Celestial Realm] to engulf the surroundings, forcing the Verdant Mist Immortal Maiden into a steady retreat.

"Not good."

The Verdant Mist Immortal Maiden [an elegant female immortal cultivator] gasped, immediately turning to Zixiao the Daoist [a powerful male cultivator] and saying, "Husband, this Chaos Flame Bull [a primordial beast wreathed in chaotic flames] is ferocious. Only one at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] can stand against it!"

Seeing this, Zixiao the Daoist could not help but frown slightly.

He realized myself had underestimated this Chaos Flame Bull, and spoke, "Hold on a little longer. I will have the Chaos Ancient Ships [ancient vessels capable of traversing the primordial chaos] assist you. Once I slay the Chaos Immortal Spirit [a spirit born from primordial chaos], I will return to finish this beast."

As his words fell, Zixiao the Daoist redoubled his efforts. Blast after blast of Great Vehicle Divine Ability [a supreme divine technique of immense power] shattered the heavens, forcing the Chaos Immortal Spirit into a steady retreat.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen and Verdant Flame, the Immortal Maiden [a female immortal associated with verdant flames] joined forces against the Chaos Flame Bull. In their clash, they discovered the beast was truly unfathomable, exerting immense pressure even on Eldrin Chen. Visit audio-novel[dot]com to enjoy the complete series.

The Verdant Flame, the Immortal Maiden, whose power was merely at the Seventh Heaven Immortal [the seventh tier of the Celestial Immortal realm], was naturally no match. Within a mere hundred exchanges, she was forced back step by step. Were it not for Eldrin Chen repeatedly coming to her aid, she would have already suffered grievous wounds.

Fortunately, not only did Eldrin Chen provide assistance, but the two Chaos Ancient Ships also trained their World-Ending Cannon [a devastating cannon capable of world-shattering destruction] on the Chaos Flame Bull.

While they could not easily exterminate such a Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] Chaos Ancient Beast [an ancient beast born from primordial chaos], they could still impose significant pressure upon it, lightening the burden on the two cultivators.

Thus, the great battle raged on. In what felt like a fleeting moment, hundreds of exchanges had passed, yet victory remained elusive.

Fortunately, as the battle progressed, the scales of victory ultimately tilted towards the Human Race. Although that Chaos Immortal Spirit was immensely powerful—at its peak, perhaps even five or six Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm experts joining forces could not slay it—it was now gravely wounded.

Facing the combined assault of four Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm experts, it had fallen into a disadvantageous position.

Eldrin Chen and Verdant Mist joined forces. Even though Eldrin Chen did not reveal his full strength, with the aid of the Chaos Ancient Ships, they fought the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox to a stalemate, neither side gaining a clear upper hand.

The remaining nine Chaos Ancient Beast creatures, under the relentless bombardment of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Immortal-Slaying Formation, eventually began to falter. One by one, Chaos Ancient Beast started to fall.

In merely one hundred years, the Ninth Rank Low Grade Chaos Ancient Beast were utterly annihilated. After another A Period of Five Hundred Years, even the Ninth Rank Mid Grade Primordial Ancient Beast began to succumb to the pressure.

By the time the great battle reached its first Millennium, aside from the two High Grade Primordial Ancient Beast creatures, only the three most resilient Ninth Rank Mid Grade Primordial Ancient Beast remained standing.

Yet, judging by the situation, it seemed these two remaining Chaos Ancient Beast would also meet their end within the next century.

"Everything is proceeding smoothly."

Within this expanse of Primordial Chaos, the several Heaven Immortal experts presiding over the Formation smiled, their eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

According to the current situation, once these two Chaos Ancient Beast fell, they could redirect the full power of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Immortal-Slaying Formation to encircle and hunt down the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox.

This Formation [a structured arrangement of forces or energies for a specific purpose], powered by nine Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [a high stage of immortal cultivation] cultivators, possesses a might nearly comparable to two or three Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] experts joining forces. Once deployed, the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox [a primordial beast born of chaos with flaming horns] will surely meet its end with no place for burial.

Once the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox falls, even if the Chaos Immortal Spirit [a spirit entity born from primordial chaos] possesses overwhelmingly heaven-defying combat prowess, it likely will not withstand the combined assault of four Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm experts hunting it down, coupled with the relentless bombardment from this Formation.

"It seems this battle will conclude within three Millennium [a period of one thousand years]," one voice remarked.

Within the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], the assembled immortals allowed faint smiles to grace their faces. Many had already begun calculating the potential gains from this conflict.

Yet, at that very moment, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He lifted his gaze towards the Depths of Chaos [the innermost, most turbulent regions of primordial chaos].

There, amidst the surging Chaos Qi [the primordial, undifferentiated energy of creation], a sky-obscuring Chaos Kun Peng [a mythical chaos beast, part giant fish, part colossal bird] tore through the void. It arrived with a force that seemed capable of toppling all creation. With a single beat of its wings, it sent the Ninth Rank High Grade [a specific high-tier classification for artifacts or realms] Violet Radiance Heavenly Ark [a celestial vessel imbued with violet light] tumbling away.

"Trouble!"

A Heaven Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the heavenly realms] from the Violet Radiance Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of cultivation bathed in violet light] felt his heart sink at the sight, his expression turning gravely solemn.

Eldrin Chen sensed the impending disaster and immediately warned, "The wondrous effects of the Dragon's Saliva Incense [an incense of immense power, said to be made from dragon's saliva] are too potent. It has not only attracted the Chaos Immortal Spirit, but has also drawn other Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient beasts native to the chaos] from distant reaches."

Upon hearing this, looks of profound astonishment washed over the faces of all present.

Eldrin Chen now understood in his heart that the Innate Dragon's Spittle Incense was a double-edged sword. While it could lure the Chaos Ancient Beast into the trap, it also risked attracting far greater calamity. The slightest misstep could invite utter annihilation.

Seeing this, Zixiao the Daoist spoke with an expression of utmost gravity, "Let the two Ancient Vessel first entangle that Chaos Kun Peng. Once we slay the Chaos Immortal Spirit, we will deal with them."

The two Heaven Immortal on the periphery immediately began maneuvering their Ancient Vessel to engage and entangle that Chaos Kun Peng.

This Chaos Kun Peng was also a Chaos Ancient Beast of the Late Heaven Immortal Realm. Even the two Ninth Rank High Grade Ancient Ship could not gain the upper hand against it; instead, they were gradually being pushed into a disadvantageous position.

Eldrin Chen sensed a vague foreboding but knew they must end the battle swiftly. Holding nothing back, he unleashed his full power, a tempest of force sweeping in all directions to suppress the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox.

Witnessing this, Zixiao the Daoist was inwardly startled, his gaze flickering with doubt and surprise. "This person is unaffected by the suppression of the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation]. His combat prowess here is likely no less than that of a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm cultivator."

"Strike with all your might! Eliminate the Chaos Ancient Beast swiftly!"

Outside the grand formation, the nine Immortal masters controlling the array also attacked with their full strength. Not only did they push the Formation to its absolute limit, but they also summoned one peerless divine weapon after another. These weapons, carrying irresistible force, tore through the Heavenly Layers [the stratified realms of heaven] and smashed down upon the Chaos Ancient Beast.

Battered by this relentless, all-out assault, the three Chaos Ancient Beast that could have held out for another century finally succumbed. In a remarkably short time, they were utterly annihilated by the combined onslaught.

Having slain the three Mid Grade Primordial Ancient Beast of the Ninth Rank, the nine ignored the Chaos Kun Peng on the periphery. They immediately channeled the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, directing its cataclysmic fury toward the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox.

With such a Formation [a structured arrangement of forces or energies for defense or attack] focusing its assault, the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox [a primordial beast of chaos with flaming horns] indeed could not withstand it for long. It soon sustained significant injuries, and judging by the situation, it would likely be completely annihilated within Ten Sixty-Year Cycles [a period of six hundred years].

Yet, the situation grew increasingly dire. A mere hundred years later, a second Chaos Ancient Beast [an ancient creature born from primordial chaos] arrived. Fortunately, this beast's cultivation was only at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal realm], so it did not exert overwhelming pressure on them.

However, after this beast's arrival, more and more Chaos Ancient Beast began tearing through the void to converge here. By the time over three hundred years had passed, more than a dozen of these Chaos Ancient Beast had gathered within this expanse of Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation].

Although the cultivation of these Chaos Ancient Beast was only at the early or middle stages of the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of Celestial Immortals], their combined force still placed immense strain on both the Formation and the Ancient Vessel [an ancient, powerful ship or craft].

"If we drag this out any longer, I fear we will not be able to hold," Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly.

He channeled his power into the Five Veins Divine Spear [a divine spear embodying the power of five elemental veins] to suppress the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox, then addressed the group, "Fellow Daoists, if we cannot achieve victory swiftly, I fear our lives are in grave peril."

"If anyone still intends to hold back their true strength at this juncture, then This Sovereign [a self-referential title used by powerful cultivators] shall withdraw from this battle."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted slightly. Without Eldrin Chen—a top-tier powerhouse who feared not the suppressive aura of the Primordial Chaos—standing at the forefront to block the brute force of the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox, their Formation would likely shatter.

Should the Formation break, those among them with cultivation only at the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] would struggle to contend with even the horde of Chaos Ancient Beast outside, inevitably suffering devastating losses.

This realization spurred them into action; they could no longer afford to hold back. In an instant, over a dozen Profound Divine Ability [profound supernatural powers and techniques] and Innate Treasure [treasures born with innate power] soared into the air. Among them were even several Ninth Rank High GradeInnate Ancient Talisman [ancient talismans of the highest innate grade], all unleashed in a furious barrage against the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox.

Though these Profound Divine Ability and Innate Treasure could not inflict grievous wounds upon the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox, each carried formidable power. Their combined assault hammered against the beast's form, pinning it down with no avenue for escape.

Seizing this opening, Eldrin Chen freed his hands and channeled his full might. The Grand Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder, the Supreme Unity Ethereal Void Sword Qi, the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords, and several other Divine Ability Immortal Treasure descended upon their target with earth-shattering force.

The Chaos Flame-Horned Ox had already been severely wounded by the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Immortal-Slaying Formation. Now, how could it possibly withstand the full, murderous onslaught of Eldrin Chen?

The Grand Five Elements Pure Yang Divine Thunder struck first, dealing a devastating blow. The Supreme Unity Ethereal Void Sword Qi followed, shearing off one of its mighty legs. Then, the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords plunged deep into the space between its brows.

Finally, with every last ounce of his strength, Eldrin Chen gripped the Void-Sundering Immortal Sword and cleaved through the air itself. The blade descended, severing the head of the Chaos Flame Bull from its shoulders.

"Moo—"

With that final, agonized bellow, the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox—a creature capable of battling those at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm—met its end, slain beneath the combined assault of the group.

The onlookers drew a collective, sharp breath. Their gazes shifted to the Chaos Immortal Spirit at the heart of the battlefield within the Central Realm, and faint smiles touched their lips.

With the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox gone, both Eldrin Chen and the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Immortal-Slaying Formation were freed to act. The fate of the Chaos Flame-Horned Ox now seemed all but sealed.

"Chaos Flame Spirit, your end has come."

Zixiao the Daoist threw back his head and laughed heartily. Gripping his Violet Lightning Divine Spear, he soared into the air, summoning a cataclysmic tide of Thunder Force [a divine ability that harnesses the power of thunder and lightning] to pierce through the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], driving the Chaos Immortal Spirit [a spirit born from the raw energies of primordial chaos] into a desperate retreat.

A faint smile touched the lips of everyone present.

The Chaos Flame Spirit [a sentient spirit born from the immortal flames of primordial chaos] was born from the immortal fires of the Primordial Chaos. Within it was contained the Supreme [a prefix denoting the highest grade or most profound level] flame Rule [a fundamental law or principle of the cosmos] of the Great Dao [the ultimate, all-encompassing Way or Truth of the universe]. Its Physical Body [the material, fleshly form of a cultivator or spirit] energy was comparable to the combined might of several cultivators at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm].

Once its Primordial Source [the original, foundational life-force or essence of a being] and fleshly essence were fully refined, even an existence at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm could see their Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and unshakable foundation of a cultivator's power] greatly enhanced. Even if they could not break through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a legendary cultivation realm surpassing the Celestial Immortal], their strength would still advance by leaps and bounds.

If Zixiao the Daoist could refine it, his power would undoubtedly advance to the next level, reaching a strength at least comparable to two Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm experts joining forces.

With this thought, Zixiao the Daoist's battle fervor boiled over. Wielding boundless divine might, he struck in all directions, suppressing the Chaos Flame Spirit until it could barely hold its ground.

"Human Race [the collective term for humanity], you deserve death!"

The Chaos Flame Spirit was nearly driven to madness. Its intelligence was not high, and it did not understand that Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme expert at the Heavenly Immortal realm] were suppressed within the Primordial Chaos, unable to unleash their full power.

In its eyes, these Heavenly Immortal Paragon were pathetically weak for their realm. Even if eight or nine of them attacked together, it believed it could crush them utterly, perhaps even claim a few lives.

For with its cultivation at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, at its peak, its combat prowess could allow it to engage in Fighting One Against Two [a situation where one combatant fights against two opponents of similar strength] even against Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient, monstrous beasts native to the primordial chaos] of the same realm.

It could be said that unless an Ancient Immortal Great Power [a being of immense power who has transcended mortality] were to intervene, he was virtually invincible within the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals, a high level of cultivation].

Yet now, grievously wounded, he found himself being hunted by a mere four cultivators at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm]. This filled him with an overwhelming sense of humiliation.

"I refuse to accept this! All of you deserve death!"

As this thought surged through him, the Chaos Flame Spirit [a primordial spirit born from chaotic flames] fought with boundless fury. His searing iron staff churned the very air around him. Enduring the combined assaults of his foes, he unleashed his ultimate power in a devastating strike aimed directly at Zixiao the Daoist.

Zixiao the Daoist struggled to defend himself but was still sent flying backward by the force of the blow.

Blood trickled from the corner of Zixiao the Daoist's mouth from that wrath-fueled attack, a clear sign he had sustained a significant injury.

Yet he suppressed the pain instantly. His gaze swept over the others with a hint of wariness before he spoke with feigned nonchalance, "Fellow Daoists, strike now! Let us finish this wretch together."

(Author's Note: I'm considering writing in larger chapters of at least four thousand words from now on. This way, there's no need to split chapters, readers can enjoy a substantial read in one go, and the narrative flow will be smoother for me to write. I wonder what you all think of this.) The story continues at audio novel.com.