Chapter 1678 : Luoming Palace

The so-called exchange of sacrifices refers to a fair death duel where both sides dispatch Half-Step Celestial Immortals, fighting to the death without any interference from others.

The sole survivor shall obtain the other's Dao Origin, ultimately achieving a breakthrough in their own cultivation.

Generally speaking, 1-on-1 exchanges were extremely rare occurrences, as they tended to level the playing field between both combatants.

In such Dao Tribulations, it had always been a matter of whose fist was harder, who possessed greater strength—where every adversary would strike to kill. The dominant side would never agree to a 1-on-1 exchange of mutual destruction.

Currently, the 4 major factions have chosen to exchange pieces fairly, primarily for 2 reasons.

First, neither of them possessed the confidence to subdue the other unscathed, given their respective profound cultivation bases and hidden reserves.

Second, the Abyssal Sanctuary was simply too powerful. If they didn’t opt for mutual attrition and instead allowed the conflict to escalate into an all-out war, even a victory would leave both sides grievously wounded—only to be effortlessly crushed by the Abyssal Sanctuary in the end.

This time, the 4 great powers engaged in a mutual exchange of sacrifices. Though over half of the Quasi-Celestial Immortals had fallen, those who survived had achieved tremendous growth in their strength.

Nirvana Dragon Demon Venerable (Cultivator Title), 9 Purple Flame Divine Sons (Cultivation Faction), Seventh True Inheritor of the Heavenly Net Ancient Sect (Cultivation Sect), Sun Qian of the Everlasting Ancient Clan's Direct Bloodline (Person Name).

Eldrin spoke with measured grace, his expression sharp and formidable. "All 4 of them have cultivated the foundation of the 3 Taiyi," he declared.

Among the 4 great factions, those with a single Taiyi foundation had essentially been completely wiped out. Those who still survived had all broken through to dual Taiyi foundations.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s brows furrowed slightly.

Seeing this, Qing Ji couldn't help but speak up, "Adding 4 opponents at the Third Taiyi Foundation level—we can still handle them."

"However, each of the 4 major factions has an early-stage Celestial Immortal who has entered the tribulation, making them rather troublesome to deal with."

Hearing this, everyone's expressions grew slightly solemn, their eyes flickering almost imperceptibly.

With his current level of power, Eldrin (Person Name) stood a fair chance against 2 early-stage Celestial Immortals. However, if all 4 early-stage Celestial Immortals were to attack him simultaneously, even Eldrin could not possibly hope to prevail.

Against 4 Celestial Immortals, even with Eldrin summoning the Soul Patriarch of 10 1000 Spirits, he had no certainty of complete victory.

Once the battle descended into a protracted melee, the loss of even a single 1 of the numerous 3 Elders' Foundation cultivators present would be an unbearable cost for the Abyssal Sanctuary Alliance.

You must understand, those who possess such a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation are all flawless seeds of the True Immortals.

At this thought, the Flamespread God was about to speak when he suddenly noticed Eldrin's unshakable composure—the demeanor of 1 who held the entire scheme within his grasp. A flicker of delight stirred within his heart.

She gazed at Eldrin and couldn't resist asking, "In your esteemed opinion, Fellow Daoist, how should we proceed to deal with this?"

Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward Eldrin.

Seeing this, Eldrin (Person Name) couldn't help but smile faintly. His gaze swept across the list and foundational strength of the 4 major powers before him, then he declared: "Now, our Return to Ruins Immortal Alliance stands as the foremost power in the Western Aura Divine Abyss Sea amidst this tribulation."

"The 4 great powers have joined forces against us not because we are weak, but because they fear our strength."

"To deal with such an allied force, the solution is actually quite simple—we merely need to divide and conquer."

Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up with a golden glow, their faces blooming with unrestrained joy.

Lyra couldn't help but glance at Eldrin, her voice brimming with elation. "Exactly! Once we demonstrate sufficient strength, then win over some factions while suppressing others, their alliance will collapse without a single battle."

Eldrin nodded and said calmly, "Although our Abyssal Return Immortal Alliance is powerful, it would be impossible for just those of us present here to sweep through the entire Vast Azure Immortal Realm."

"Now that the heavenly tribulations persist endlessly, this is the very moment for orthodox traditions to vie for supremacy. Far too many human factions are weaving their schemes within this turmoil."

"Our first step now is to sweep through the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, establish ourselves as the true protagonists of the Heavenly Tribulation, command all heroes to conquer the 6 Western Heavenly Domains, and then lay plans for the entire Vast Azure Immortal Realm."

Hearing this, everyone immediately understood Eldrin's grand scheme for the greater picture.

Daoist Tian Yuan exchanged a glance with Old Ruins Yinjun before inquiring, "In your opinion, how should we proceed with the division next?"

Eldrin did not answer immediately. His gaze swept across the 4 factions before him, then he spoke calmly: "The Heavenly Nether Ancient Sect and the Netherdrake Clan have been sworn enemies for generations. I merely need to make a personal visit—driving a wedge between them will be as easy as turning over my hand."

"As for the Sun Clan of Eternal Life and the Violet Flame Divine Clan..."

Eldrin's words trailed off briefly before he ultimately fell into silence.

Seeing his silence, the others largely understood Eldrin’s meaning and nodded knowingly.

This arrogant Sun Qian of the Longevity Sun Clan had been utterly insolent at Eldrin's (Person Name) birthday banquet in the past, and grievances had already festered between the 2 sides.

More importantly, Chen Xiandao had once beaten Sun Qian so severely that he was left like a dead dog, utterly humiliating him and stripping him of all dignity.

With such karma between them, reconciliation was no longer possible. Eldrin dared not conspire with this person, for if he were stabbed in the back, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Seeing that everyone understood his meaning, Eldrin couldn't help but smile faintly.

He gave a slight nod and said, "I shall personally make a trip to the Celestial Dragon Sea. All of you may withdraw now and make the final preparations for the great war."

"We understand."

Everyone nodded in agreement, cupping their hands in a gesture of utmost courtesy.

After the crowd had dispersed, Eldrin sat alone in the great hall, gazing at the list of the 4 ancient sects in his hand.

After a long while, he turned his gaze to the roster of the Eternal Sun Clan, a flicker of inexplicable depth passing through his eyes.

Sun Qian, the Ancient Clan of Eternal Life.

Eldrin emerged from the Sea of Returning Abyss and began making his way silently toward the Dragon Sea.

The Heavenly Dragon Sea was originally the 100 Demons Archipelago. Since the Eldrin of the Western Abyss attained enlightenment, these waters have been renamed the Heavenly Dragon Archipelago.

Since the fall of the Western Abyss Dragon King, the Nielong Clan and the Tianluo Ancient Sect had been locked in conflict here for over 10 1000 years.

Now both sides have amassed their forces in the Celestial Dragon Sea, where they have fought numerous brutal battles. It was only in the last several 1000 years that the scale of the conflict has diminished.

"This is the place."

Eldrin arrived at the Celestial Dragon Sea, concealing his form with the Heaven-Deceiving Art before striding forth to seek Luo Ming, the third-generation direct disciple of the Celestial Net Ancient Sect.

Finding Luo Ming was no difficult task. The man possessed a magnificent celestial palace treasure known as the Luo Ming Palace, which drifted amid the deepest ranks of the human army, anchored firmly at the very heart of the allied forces.

Eldrin concealed his presence through the Art of Deceiving Heaven, advancing toward the celestial fortress with the aid of the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void.

It was only then that Eldrin was discovered. An overwhelmingly majestic aura locked onto him, and soon a voice rang out.

"You have slaughtered all the core disciples of 2 major grotto-heavens, so why must you conceal your presence in such a manner?"

That aura locked onto Eldrin, then began advancing slowly toward him.

Eldrin looked up and saw 2 figures strolling toward him—1 elderly and 1 young.

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