Chapter 1654 : Deadlock

Seeing this, Chen Qiyuan couldn't help but remark, "Fighting 2 opponents single-handedly—since when did the Seventh True Disciple of the Heavenly Net Ancient Sect possess such formidable power?"

"No 1 can say for certain," Eldrin spoke slowly, then continued, "After all, this concerns the Great Luo Ancient Sect. Since Luo Ming dares to challenge 2 opponents alone, he must possess considerable confidence."

"Likewise."

Lyra nodded slightly with a gentle smile. "After all, the Heavenly Dragon Grotto-Heaven is newly established. Apart from the Western Abyss Dragon King himself, they only possess a few Half-Step Celestial Immortals. As long as he doesn't intervene personally, Luo Ming should have nothing to fear."

Eldrin (Person Name) couldn't help but nod slightly upon hearing this.

What he did not know was that the human race had originally planned to place 3 pieces upon the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, with the third being Taiyang Wuji of the Taiyang Clan.

At that time, among the 8 transcendent powers placing their pieces upon the Western Qi Divine Abyssal Sea, humanity alone held 4 seats. This presented the possibility of completely suppressing the races of demons and deities, thereby taking the lead in breaking the stalemate to give birth to several Celestial Immortal mighty ones.

Unfortunately, due to Eldrin's presence, Taiyang Wuji chose to avoid direct confrontation between titans, deliberately steering clear of a prodigious talent like Eldrin. This resulted in the loss of a potential move from a Primordial Immortal Clan, leaving Luo Ming so infuriated he nearly cursed aloud.

Eldrin was unaware of all this. He gave a slight nod and said, "Since the situation is gradually becoming clearer, it's time for us to seize the opportunity and obtain the Source of Dao."

As these thoughts drifted through his mind, Eldrin prepared to step into the fray, only to witness countless streaks of light tracing arcs across the heavens and earth. *Whoosh*

In that very instant, a sound of tearing through the air suddenly came from the edge of the horizon.

Everyone looked up and saw several streaks of light tearing across the horizon.

The leader, draped in a profound black robe, strode through the air as if treading on solid ground. His gaze swept over the crowd with detached calm as he inquired, "Is this the Sea of the Returning Abyss?" Eldrin (Person Name), discerning their purpose from the question, felt a glint of murderous intent flash in his eyes. "It is," he replied coldly.

"That settles it then."

As the voice faded, the man declared, "I am the Third Divine Son of the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven, here by decree to claim your wretched life."

As the words fell, the Third Divine Son of the Western Qi made his move, summoning a radiant pagoda that soared into the sky, pressing down toward the mountain-protecting array. Behind him, 3 more Divine Spirits of the Taiyi Realm also took action, unleashing their divine abilities and immortal treasures to assault the protective formation.

Alas, the grand protective formation of the Eldrin Sea proved truly extraordinary. Despite the relentless assaults from the 4 cultivators, it remained unbroken, its power scarcely diminished.

Tortoise Shell.

After dozens of consecutive strikes failed to breach the mountain protection array, the Third Divine Son of Western Qi's gaze turned frosty as he declared, "To erect such an array—it seems preparations were made long in advance."

"It seems Father's speculation was correct. Keeping you here would only invite calamity sooner or later."

As the words fell, the Third Divine Son of the Western Qi turned his gaze to the depths of the void and said, "Honored ones, this junior of the Returning Abyss possesses extraordinary talent. Once he steps into the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm, the cost to eliminate him will likely increase tenfold."

"Strike now, or when else shall we act?"

"Third Divine Son speaks true."

A hush fell upon the void as 13 figures emerged through the air, their eyes glinting with lethal intent. Eldrin looked up and recognized several familiar faces among them.

They were the Central Earth Deity, the Silent Thunder God, the Lord of the Heavenly Prison Clan, 2 powerful experts from the White Tiger Clan—Patriarch Xigeng and the Grand Elder of Xigeng Blessed Land—and a prodigious talent from the Dragon Clan, none other than the Third Prince of the Heavenly Dragon Cave Heaven.

Of the remaining 7, Eldrin did not recognize any, but noticed they all appeared to be prodigies of the human race.

However, the erudite Daoist Zixuan recognized the identities of the figures and remarked, "The 4 on the left are the Second Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven, along with the Third Elder, Ninth Elder, and Fourteenth Elder."

To the right stood 3 human cultivators: Tianhe Daoren (Person Name), Minghuo Zhenjun (Person Name), and Changxu Daoren (Person Name). Among them, Minghuo Zhenjun was a veteran Half-Step Earth Immortal whose prestige resonated across the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, while the other 2 had only recently ascended to this realm.

"As I anticipated, it most likely has the backing of the Eternal Sun Clan." Hearing this, Eldrin's expression grew increasingly grim.

He cast his gaze upon the crowd and spoke calmly, "The joint hunt by the demon and god races was within my expectations." "Yet you 7 are of the human race. Instead of uniting against external threats, you choose to turn against me—is this not utterly disheartening?" Above the void, the 17 Half-Step Celestial Immortals couldn't help but reveal faint smiles upon hearing this.

The Second Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Paradise swept his gaze over the assembly and declared, "Daoist Zixuan, Daoist Tianyuan, Daoist Qixuan, Glazed Divine Lord, and the Li Flame Deity of the God Clan."

"There are a total of 5 Dao Sources—how shall we distribute them?"

The Third Holy Son of the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven nodded slightly, then spoke with a faint smile, "The Daoist of the Returning Abyss possesses extraordinary talent. After achieving Dao-Transcendence, he will likely rival a supreme-grade Dao Origin."

"Yet with only 6, there are not enough for each of us." "Our Western Mist Heaven Grotto claims 2."

"Our Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven should also receive 2."

With a faint smile, Patriarch Xigeng stroked his beard and declared, "This venerable 1 may forgo the Dao Source, but I must have the Black Dragon and Crimson Dragon Cauldrons in his possession."

Witnessing this, the Thunder God of Eternal Silence nodded slightly and said, "If you assist me in seizing the Dao Origin of Patriarch Zi Xuan, I shall bestow upon you the Ancient Azure Dragon Cauldron."

Patriarch Xigeng let out a hearty laugh, stroking his beard as he remarked, “The Ancient Azure Dragon Cauldron is of no use to you, yet by trading it for the Dao Origin of Purple Mystery, you can forge dual Taiyi foundations. Quite the shrewd scheme.”

"In that case, this old man shall grant your request."

Speaking of this, Patriarch Xigeng turned his gaze once more toward the Central Wutu Divine Spirit.

The Central Earth Deity’s expression shifted slightly as he spoke, “If you, fellow Daoist, are willing to exchange a Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasure for it, this item may be entrusted to you.” “Hmph.”

The Western Geng Patriarch nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Once the 5 Dragon Ancient Cauldron was unified, it would grant him an additional Supreme Immortal Treasure.

Although Patriarch Xigeng also possessed a Great Immortal Artifact in his hands, even a Celestial Immortal mighty figure would never consider such a treasure excessive.

Moreover, the 9 Dragons Ancient Cauldron was, after all, a treasure once belonging to the Sunfire Celestial Divinity. Legend held that if the 9 cauldrons were ever reunited, 1 could locate the lost legacy of the former Sunfire Celestial Divinity—a treasure so coveted that even Celestial Immortals would be stirred by desire.

The remaining leaders of the Heavenly Prison Clan, including the Netherfire True Lord, had already divided the treasures among themselves with faint smiles, clearly viewing the assembly with utter disdain.

"Damn it, how dare you treat us as nothing!"

Within the formation, witnessing these Quasi-Celestial Immortals already dividing them like spoils before the battle had even begun, the crowd seethed with fury. Eldrin’s face turned ashen, his eyes chillingly cold as he declared, “Though you outnumber us, do not think you can look down on everyone beneath your notice.” “With the protection of our formation and 5 Quasi-Celestial Immortals guarding us, what can you possibly do to us?”

"Hahaha."

High above in the heavens, the crowd erupted into wild laughter,

A cold smirk played on the lips of the Second Holy Son of the Divine Abyss Cave Heaven as he gripped a celestial sword and swept it through the air. The blade struck the mountain-protecting formation, causing its glow to flicker and tremble violently. "Ridiculous," he sneered.

"You dozen or so half-step Celestial Immortals, our strength surpasses yours by more than threefold, and we have multiple Double Taiyi Foundation experts bearing Great Slaughter Artifacts." "Let alone you—even a Triple Taiyi Foundation master, when surrounded, would face nothing but certain death."

The Third Divine Son of the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven also sneered coldly, "To deal with you, we need not shatter the formation entirely. Merely breaching a temporary gap to enter and slaughter every last 1 of you will suffice."

"This battle is a death trap, whether you struggle or not." "You..."

Witnessing this scene, Eldrin’s face flushed slightly, a clear sign of his inner turmoil in the face of certain doom. Resentment and unwillingness simmered within him.

His face was a mask of utter fury and disbelief as he spat out, "You petty scoundrels—not only do you bully a junior like me by throwing your weight around, but you even gang up on me together. You have no shame at all!"

"I loathe this! Grant me but 10 1000 years more, and I would surely eradicate every last 1 of you."