Chapter 1738 : A Clash of Heavenly Paths

"I have come on my master's orders, regarding the matter of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [a supreme artifact said to hold the authority and origin of a Heavenly Path]."

Pure Void spoke slowly, his expression calm as he stated.

Upon hearing this, Divine Abyss Path Master's expression shifted slightly.

He took a deep breath, then spoke: "This Chaos Abyssal Chasm is an affair of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. Is it not overstepping for you, Fellow Daoist, to intervene?"

"You must know, if I were to join forces with Western Essence Heavenly God and together activate the protective power of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact, even an Ancient Immortal Great Power [a cultivator of immense power who has transcended multiple Heavenly Tribulations] might not be able to slay us."

Pure Void's face remained placid, his gaze profound as he said, "So, you truly intend to cling stubbornly to the Heavenly Path Authority [the right to control and derive power from a specific Heavenly Path]?"

Hearing this, Western Essence Heavenly God's expression changed subtly. After all, the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven was the hegemon of the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole. If they were truly determined to act, his and Divine Abyss Path Master's two Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket realm of immense spiritual density] would likely be unable to withstand the pressure.

Even if they combined their strength to activate the protective power of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact, they might not hold out until the Demonic and Divine Clans's Ancient Immortal could intervene.

Seeing their resolve waver, Pure Void continued, "This Chaos Abyssal Chasm has always been governed by the strong. The Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance rose to prominence within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. It is only fitting that they receive a share of this place's Heavenly Path Authority."

"Currently, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance boasts a total of twenty-nine Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the Celestial Realm, a higher plane of existence]. If we allocate shares based on numbers alone, the Alliance should rightfully claim at least seven or eight out of ten portions." Continue your cultivation journey at (audio-novel.com).

Speaking to this point, Pure Void [a Daoist master known for his profound cultivation] said, "Very well. This humble one shall act as an intermediary today. Let us all convene here to determine the shares. What say you?"

"Eighty percent is far too excessive."

Western Essence Heavenly God spoke, drawing a deep breath before continuing, "They possess the combat strength of only a single Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] expert. Would it not be fairer to divide the Heavenly Path Authority [the authority to control a portion of the Heavenly Dao's power] into three equal parts?"

Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh, then declared, "Our alliance boasts twenty-nine Immortals. Do you truly believe we are mere vegetarians, incapable of a fight?"

"Why waste words on empty talk? Let us settle this with a contest of strength!"

At that moment, the First Divine General of the Immortal Alliance, Diyang Tai Cang, stepped forward. Grasping his Polarity Immortal-Slaying Spear [a legendary spear capable of slaying even Immortals], he pointed it towards the assembled crowd, his gaze sharp and unyielding as he spoke.

"An Imperial Scion of the Tai Cang Imperial Clan?"

Divine Abyss Path Master [a powerful cultivator who follows the Path of the Divine Abyss] cast a profound, wary glance, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. He inhaled deeply before asking, "And how shall this contest be conducted?"

Netherwater Heavenly God sneered, his gaze fixed on Eldrin Chen as he stated, "If they desire a share exceeding fifty percent, then they must prove capable of facing two opponents alone."

Pure Void pondered for a moment, then proposed, "Let it be a contest of swordsmanship."

"The Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance has twice the number of members as your two forces combined. It would be better if the two Grotto-Heaven of Western Essence Divine Abyss each send three cultivators, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance sends twelve, and we settle this with a battle at the edge of the Heavenly Vault [the highest, most perilous region of the heavens]."

"We will fight three grand battles. The share of the Heavenly Path Authority [the right to wield a portion of the Heavenly Dao's power] shall be distributed according to the results of these clashes."

Upon hearing this, the assembled cultivators fell into contemplative silence.

According to Pure Void's proposal, the two sides would engage in three rounds of duels.

The Western Essence Grotto-Heaven and the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven would each dispatch three cultivators, making a total of six, to face the twelve sent by the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

This arrangement was because the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had a larger force, boasting over twenty Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal Realm]. Even sending only half their number would allow them to field twelve.

In terms of sheer numbers, the two Grotto-Heaven of Western Essence Divine Abyss seemed at a disadvantage. However, both of these Grotto-Heaven possessed cultivators at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stages of the Celestial Immortal Realm].

A single Great Power at the Seventh Layer of the Celestial Immortal Realm could rival the combined might of twenty Flawed Celestial Immortal [Celestial Immortals whose foundation is imperfect, limiting their power] of the First Layer. Therefore, they were not necessarily at a disadvantage in this contest.

After careful consideration, the two Grotto-Heaven of Western Essence and Divine Abyss quickly agreed to the terms.

Eldrin Chen had no objections to this arrangement either. After all, in a battle against Late Celestial Immortal Realm experts, the Flawed Celestial Immortal of the First Layer within the Immortal Alliance would have limited impact and faced a very real risk of perishing.

The reason they divided the duels into three rounds was for safety considerations. After all, if too many fought together in a chaotic melee, unleashing a True Flame [a primordial flame of immense destructive power] could potentially lead to the death of a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm].

By sending only twelve combatants and splitting the contest into three rounds, the safety margin was greatly increased.

With Pure Void presiding as the arbiter, he could intervene and provide aid in case of a genuine emergency, making it highly unlikely for anyone to perish.

After careful deliberation, all three parties agreed to these terms.

Seeing this, Pure Void offered a faint smile and declared, "Then let the contest commence upon the Ninefold Heaven [the ninth and highest layer of the heavens]."

With those words, Pure Void soared towards the very edge of the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome or firmament], the assembled crowd swiftly following in his wake. Find this and other novels at audio-novel dot com.

They flew for a great distance, until the Abyssal Cavern Sea Region [a vast and perilous sea region] was but a tiny speck below, before Pure Void spoke again with a smile.

"A battle here will cause minimal damage to the Immortal Domain [the realm where immortals reside]."

"You shall determine the allocation of authority over the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [an artifact that governs the source of the Heavenly Path] based on your performance in these duels."

The gathered experts exchanged glances. Divine Abyss Path Master was the first to act, his gaze settling on Eldrin Chen as he flew forward to issue his challenge: "Returning Abyss [a mythical abyss representing the end and return of all things], step forth and face me in battle."

Eldrin Chen stepped forward, pointing at Western Essence Heavenly God as he declared, "For this first battle, you should join the fray as well."

Western Essence Heavenly God's gaze turned icy, his expression frigid as he retorted, "Do you truly intend to face two opponents alone?"

At that moment, Pure Void stroked his beard and spoke with calm authority, "For this three-round contest of swords, each of your two great Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of profound spiritual energy] shall field one combatant per round, while the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance shall field four for each engagement. What say you?"

Upon hearing this, Divine Abyss Patriarch and Western Essence Heavenly God exchanged a cold glance. They understood Pure Void was showing partiality, yet they voiced no objection.

After all, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had greater numbers. If Eldrin Chen were to face them alone in a single round, even a victory would be a poor bargain.

For the remaining four combatants from the two great Grotto-Heaven would then have to face eleven Immaculate Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has attained a flawless state within the Celestial Immortal realm], a confrontation where defeat seemed all too likely.

In their view, the gulf between a late-stage Celestial Immortal and the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm was vast. Even if Eldrin Chen deployed three Forbidden Domain [a prodigy who has transcended the conventional limits of their cultivation realm] cultivators to fight together, they would stand no chance against them.

Therefore, the Western Essence Patriarch gave a cold sneer and stated, "So be it. Let it be decided thus."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. His gaze then swept over Diyang Tai Cang, Eastern Sovereign Energy Abyss Chen, and Worthy Longevity Chen.

These three were all Peerless Prodigy within the Twelve Tribulations Domain [a legendary cultivation stage representing the pinnacle before the Celestial Immortal realm]. Having reversed their Innate True Body [a supreme natural physique gifted at birth], their combat prowess had ascended into the domain of the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm. Each possessed strength comparable to a Celestial Immortal of the fifth or sixth layer—truly Immaculate Celestial Immortal caliber.

Among the three, Diyang Tai Cang's mastery of the Polarity and Slaughter Paths granted him unparalleled offensive might, while Eastern Sovereign Patriarch's Indestructibility Golden Body was the most domineering in defense.

Worthy Longevity Chen's Thirty-Three-Layered Vast Sea Divine Pearls could transform into Myriad Heavens Formation Patterns, offering not only balanced offense and defense but also possessing profound auxiliary capabilities.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, with the three of them joining forces, they should be barely sufficient to contend with an existence at the Seventh Layer of the Celestial Immortal Realm.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's gaze upon them, the three immediately stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

"Three Forbidden Domain cultivators?"

Western Essence Heavenly God looked at the trio, murmured to himself for a moment, then declared, "Then let us begin!"

As his words fell, Western Essence Heavenly God was the first to strike, swinging a massive Obsidian Gold Great Halberd down upon the group.

Western Essence Heavenly God was supremely domineering; from the very first move, he unleashed his ultimate trump card, manifesting the Upper Grade Innate Treasure known as the 'Thalion Immortal-Suppressing Halberd'.

"A formidable divine weapon!"

In that instant, Diyang Tai Cang exclaimed in admiration, then thrust forward with his Polarity Immortal-Slaying Spear, its force carrying the power to pierce through Starry River as it descended with crushing pressure. Your portal to cultivation novels: audi novel.com.