Chapter 1848 : Clash of Ancient Swords and Immortals

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly as he, too, recognized the origin of this sword.

This Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword was, in fact, the very same peerless sword of slaughter that the Six Tribulations Chaos Beast King had once wielded to wreak havoc within the Incomplete Immortal Domain all those years ago.

However, compared to its former state, the present Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword seemed to have had some of its flaws mended, its power now surpassing its past self by several degrees.

Most crucially, the sword was now being wielded by a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations], its might far exceeding its former glory. In an instant, it transformed into streaks of indestructible sword energy that pierced through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] to slash down, forcing the assembled experts into a steady retreat.

Eldrin Chen initially intended to summon his Soaring Immortal Zither to counter it, but he checked the impulse a moment later. For at that very instant, White Rainbow Sword Immortal and Nether Son of Heaven unleashed their full power.

Behold! The White Rainbow Sword Immortal soared into the air on a tide of overwhelming sword intent, manifesting his Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a supreme technique passed down from a founding ancestor]—the White Rainbow Heaven-Severing Sword—to cleave through the vast expanse. In the blink of an eye, he clashed with the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword for several exchanges, managing, for a time, to avoid utter defeat.

"Ten-Limit Mana [a state where one's mana has been refined to its absolute theoretical peak, ten times the normal limit]."

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

So, the White Rainbow Sword Immortal had actually cultivated the legendary Ten-Limit Mana. Empowered by this supreme state, the potency of his Innate Divine Abilities [powers born from one's innate constitution or profound enlightenment] surged dramatically, allowing him to barely withstand the onslaught of the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword.

This drew a flicker of astonishment from Eldrin Chen. In all his years since attaining the Dao, this was the first time he had witnessed the formidable power of Ten-Limit Mana manifested in another.

In truth, back in those days, Eldrin Chen had also sensed at least one Ten-Limit Power [a supreme level of power that has reached its conceptual limit] from figures like Zhuyin and other Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight Heavenly Tribulations]. However, as they did not engage in direct combat at the time, he did not gain a profound understanding of it.

Now, witnessing White Rainbow Sword Immortal employing Ten-Limit Mana [Mana that has been refined to its absolute conceptual limit] to propel a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a supreme divine ability of the Patriarch level], and actually managing to withstand the killing intent of an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth], he felt a surge of astonishment.

"Using Ten-Limit Mana to drive a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability can contend with an Innate Spiritual Treasure?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, but instantly shook his head. "No, that's not right. This Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword remains incomplete and damaged, capable of unleashing only a fraction of its true might."

"Otherwise, if the Innate Spiritual Treasure were to strike with its full power, neither Ten-Limit Mana nor a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability could possibly withstand it."

In the fleeting moment of Eldrin Chen's contemplation, the battle raging across the heavens intensified dramatically.

Incomplete Ancient Sword [a damaged and incomplete ancient sword of immense power] in its grasp, the Chaos Beast King [a sovereign beast born from primordial chaos] swept its power across the firmament. Within mere exchanges, it reversed the tide of battle. Even driven to a frenzied state, White Rainbow Sword Immortal's efforts proved futile.

Seeing himself forced onto the defensive, White Rainbow Sword Immortal could hold out no longer. He immediately turned to Golden Sun Holy Son and Nether Son of Heaven and declared, "Fellow Daoists, if we continue to hold back our true strength, we will be picked off one by one!"

"Heh—"

The Nether Son of Heaven responded with a cold sneer, yet did not hesitate. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability. It manifested legions of spectral soldiers and ghostly generals, a vast army marching through the Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], clashing fiercely with the Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King [a Chaos Beast King that has endured seven great calamities].

The Golden Sun Holy Son [a supreme cultivator embodying the power of the solar yang] soared with a blazing solar corona above his head, commanding a divine spear forged from Grand Yang [the supreme, primordial essence of the sun] to strike forth, joining forces to resist the onslaught of the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword [an ancient, malevolent blade steeped in abyssal power].

With these three joining hands, their combined might against the Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King [a primordial beast king embodying seven forms of calamity] who wielded the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword, managed, for a time, to avoid being completely overwhelmed.

"Their strength is not lacking."

Witnessing this scene, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a slight stir in his gaze.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen understood why these three were hailed as top-tier Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [immortals who have survived seven heavenly tribulations]. Each of them had forged a foundation at the Tenth Limit [the absolute pinnacle of a cultivation stage's potential].

Among them, the White Rainbow Sword Immortal had achieved the Ten-Limit Mana [a sea of spiritual energy refined to its absolute theoretical maximum]. The ghost cultivator Nether Son of Heaven had cultivated a Ten-Limit Incense-Fueled Primordial Spirit [a spiritual core nourished by divine incense to its ultimate potency]. As for the Golden Sun Holy Son, he had accomplished the most formidable feat: forging a Tenth Limit Great Dao Embryo [the nascent form of one's personal Dao, cultivated to perfection].

These three paragons, each possessing a Tenth Limit foundation, were naturally exceptional even among Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal. Furthermore, each had mastered two or three Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [supreme techniques of a level typically possessed only by founding patriarchs]. One could say each possessed combat prowess sufficient to contend against three ordinary cultivators of their same realm.

With such a trio joining forces, it was little wonder they could stand against a damaged Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation, possessing innate power].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen continued his fierce duel with his own opponent, yet a faint crease of concern appeared between his brows.

"A damaged Innate Spiritual Treasure is troublesome, yes, but it remains damaged. If I were to unleash the Soaring Immortal Zither [a zither of transcendent power], subduing it would not be difficult."

"Yet why do I still sense a palpitation-inducing aura?"

At the same moment, deep within the Chaos Nest, a woman clad in resplendent crimson immortal robes opened her eyes.

Her complexion was deathly pale, as if she bore grievous wounds, yet in that instant, her gaze turned toward the heart of the battlefield, a chill creeping into her eyes.

"People from the Three Thousand Immortal Domains?"

The woman murmured, her voice icy as she spoke to herself, "A mere group of Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal. Even gravely wounded as I am, how dare you presume to act so insolently."

As she spoke, the killing intent in her gaze intensified. After scrutinizing the battlefield, she finally made her move in a single, decisive instant.

"BOOM—"

The battle had reached a fever pitch of stalemate. Just as the clash between the two sides was locked in deadlock, an ancient scroll depicting a Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix materialized across the heavens, descending to suppress all present.

The moment this ancient scroll appeared, the raging, tempestuous Chaos instantly fell into a state of absolute stillness.

The Chaos grew silent, space and time congealed. All turbulence and frenzy were smoothed away beneath the scroll's power, erased into nothingness.

The moment he laid eyes upon this ancient diagram, Nether Son of Heaven [the ruler of the underworld] trembled uncontrollably and cried out, "An Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos]—the Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram!"

"Huummm—"

In that instant, the flow of Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] resumed, and all things returned to their normal operation.

Nether Son of Heaven immediately erupted with his full power, fleeing desperately toward the distant ends of the vast void. Alas, it was already too late.

Wherever the Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram passed, Chaos froze solid. Its overwhelming divine might, a manifestation of the supreme Dao, swept away everything in its path, capturing Nether Son of Heaven and sealing him within the diagram for eternal suppression.

Even more terrifying, the Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram's residual power did not diminish. Carrying its unstoppable momentum, it swept through the boundless Chaos, reducing two Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [immortals who have survived seven heavenly tribulations] into clouds of bloody mist.

"Aaaargh—!"

From within the treasure diagram, the agonized screams of Nether Son of Heaven echoed forth. He desperately channeled a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a supreme technique of the highest order] to resist. Yet, before the full-force strike of the Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram, his efforts were as futile as an ant trying to shake the heavens. In the blink of an eye, he was utterly annihilated into dust by the Fire Phoenix [a mythical bird of pure flame] depicted within the diagram.

The other immortals witnessing this scene were seized by utter terror and immediately sought to disengage and flee for their lives.

But the Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King [a primordial beast king who has endured seven great calamities] swung the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword [an ancient sword forged in the crimson abyss], instantly obliterating one of them and, with the same motion, blocking the path of several other Ancient Immortal [immortals from ancient times] ancestors.

Only White Rainbow Sword Immortal and Golden Sun Holy Son managed to barely disengage from the battlefield; all the others were unexpectedly held back.

The Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram [a primordial artifact depicting a blazing phoenix] swept forth in their wake. Just as it seemed the entire group was about to be annihilated, an ethereal, Dao-infused immortal melody drifted through the air.

"Ding—"

In that instant, the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] congealed and grew still. Both the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword [an ancient sword forged in the depths of a crimson abyss] and the Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram froze in place.

Seizing the opportunity, Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor and the others frantically fled deeper into the Chaos. Before vanishing completely, Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor cast a final glance toward the source of the immortal melody. There, seated within the Chaos, was a solitary figure.

It was a figure robed in snow-white garments. With serene composure, he rested a zither upon his knees, sitting cross-legged amidst the roaring tides of Chaos. The Great Dao [the fundamental principle underlying all existence] flowed around him like water, bestowing an aura of transcendent divinity never before witnessed.

"Boom—"

Then, in another instant, the zither's melody faded into nothingness, and the Chaos returned to its furious roar.

When calm was finally restored, Eldrin Chen sat alone within the Depths of Chaos. A halo of Merit Golden Light [radiant light born of accumulated virtuous deeds and karma] shone behind his head, illuminating the myriad heavens. Beside him, one profound divine aura after another cleaved open the void of the Chaos.

He resembled a peerless Immortal Lord [a supreme immortal sovereign] descended to the mortal realm, seated within the boundless Chaos with his zither. Chaos Immortal Light [a luminous energy born from primordial chaos] enveloped everything, obscuring the visage of the supreme Hugo from view.

The one who made the move was naturally Eldrin Chen. He could have waited a moment longer, but considering Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor was in mortal peril, he chose to lend a hand at the final moment.

"An Eight-Tribulation Ancient Immortal?"

In that very instant, Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King spoke with immense gravity.

Meanwhile, within the Depths of Chaos, the fiery-robed woman, Nyssa, also paled. She swiftly recalled her Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram and spoke, her gaze heavy with solemnity, "Who might you be, sir?"

"*Ding—*"

Eldrin Chen offered no reply. Instead, with a flick of his sleeve, he flicked a finger.

A single, ethereal, otherworldly note of immortal music rang out, transforming into a blade of sound that flew forth from the strings of an unseen instrument.

This sonic blade was blindingly radiant, condensed from boundless Great Dao principles. It resembled a peerless heavenly saber cleaving through the void. Where it passed, the Chaos was rent asunder, splitting the vast, boundless Chaos across billions of light-years.

"Oh no!"

The Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King's heart lurched. It immediately channeled its full power into the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword to block, yet in an instant, it was sent flying, blood spraying from its mouth.

The fiery-robed woman Nyssa hastily urged her Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram to attack Eldrin Chen, seeking to use the might of her Innate Spiritual Treasure [a primordial treasure born from the essence of heaven and earth] to suppress him.

"Hmph—"

Yet Eldrin Chen remained unmoved. With a faint, dismissive snort, he flicked his sleeve and unleashed a series of finger-flicks in rapid succession.

In that instant, the lingering immortal melody transformed into sonic blades that cleaved through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. Those blades were like Pangu's Divine Axe [the legendary axe that separated heaven from earth] performing World Creation [the divine act of separating the heavens and the earth]; where they passed, the Chaos was sundered, heaven and earth were rent asunder, and one ancient great world after another was split open, only to be instantly annihilated into dust.

Facing this onslaught, the various Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial beasts born from the essence of Chaos] revealed expressions of utter terror.

The gap between an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] and a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] was as vast as the distance between clouds and mud. The divine power of this Innate Spiritual Treasure was sufficient to annihilate all. Aside from the two powerhouses wielding their own Innate Spiritual Treasure, everyone else fled in abject terror towards the Depths of Chaos [the most remote and turbulent regions of the primordial void].

Alas, the killing sonic blades of the Soaring Immortal Zither [a zither of transcendent power] were all-pervasive. The moment the countless Chaos Ancient Beast heard the blades' song, their physical bodies exploded. Many of the weaker Chaos Ancient Beast were utterly obliterated into dust, and only the Chaos Beast King [the monarchs among the Chaos beasts] who were farther away managed to leave behind intact corpses.

The fiery-robed woman Nyssa, facing this strike head-on, did not fare well either. She continuously channeled her Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram to defend, and while she held her ground without yielding an inch, her complexion grew increasingly pale.

After more than thirty exchanges, the fiery-robed woman Nyssa could endure no longer.

Her face deathly pale, she shot a glance at Eldrin Chen, her heart seething with bitter resentment. "The Soaring Immortal Zither that my elder sister nurtured... it actually fell into his hands," she thought darkly. "And not only that, he succeeded in cultivating it to completion."

"How infuriating! Were it not for the grievous wounds inflicted by that Chaos-Heaven Kui Ox [a primordial chaos beast of immense power], leaving me able to wield less than half my strength and less than a third of my mana, I would surely reclaim that Soaring Immortal Zither [a legendary zither of transcendent power] today."

As these thoughts churned within her, the crimson-robed Nyssa channeled the Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram [a primordial treasure depicting a phoenix of pure flame] to sweep up the Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King [a sovereign of chaos beasts born from seven calamities] and instantly vanished towards the Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all creation emerged].

"She fled?"

Watching the crimson-robed Nyssa depart, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown slightly.

Yet he did not give chase, for he understood clearly: while two Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] locked in a death struggle could determine a victor,

stopping one who was solely focused on escape—even a severely wounded Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal—would require the concerted effort of no fewer than three to five peers of the same realm.

Furthermore, the Seven Treasures Gourd [a gourd containing seven wondrous treasures] shared a favorable rapport with this Departing Phoenix Holy Spirit [a sacred spirit-beast in the form of a phoenix]. The Soaring Immortal Zither he now possessed had come from the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [an ancient phoenix of supreme violet essence], thus connecting him by a thread of karma to the lineage of the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest [the primordial nesting ground of violet phoenixes]. Having also refined the core essence of the Chaotic Li Phoenix Nest [a nest of Li Phoenixes born from chaos], his connection to this Departing Phoenix Holy Spirit was not insignificant.

Of course, these were not the most crucial reasons. The paramount reason was still…

"My thanks."

At that very moment, a gentle voice resonated in the air.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, lowering his gaze to the Soaring Immortal Zither [a legendary zither of immense spiritual power]. "There is no need for such formality," he said. "I gave you my word. Unless they strike at me first, I will not deliver a fatal blow."

The Soaring Immortal Zither trembled slightly, remaining silent for a long while before it spoke. "Her Majesty, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix, nurtured me for several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years]. To me, she holds the grace of a parent. Yet you are my master, and to me, you hold the grace of guiding me onto my Dao [the fundamental path of cultivation and enlightenment]. My heart is truly torn at the prospect of conflict between you."

"Set your mind at ease. If the day comes when the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix seeks me out, I shall personally explain the circumstances to her on your behalf."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, acknowledging nod.

If it were not absolutely necessary, he had no desire whatsoever to cross blades with a being like the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix, a true Chaotic Fiendgod [a primordial demon-god born from the chaos of creation].

As time passed, he had come to understand with ever-greater clarity the sheer, overwhelming power possessed by that Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix.

In ages past, the Chaos-Heaven Kui Ox [a mythical ox of chaos] had been vast beyond measure—a single one of its horns was larger than an entire Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortals]. Possessing such might, it stood among the very pinnacle of the Chaotic Fiendgod, a being suspected to have reached the eighth level of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme realm of immortal cultivation].

The fact that the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix had battled that Chaos-Heaven Kui Ox fiercely for millions upon millions of years before finally retreating spoke volumes about her own terrifying, awe-inspiring strength.

Such a peerless Ancient Phoenix was, at the very least, a legendary Divine Demon [a being of both divine and demonic nature] whose cultivation had reached the late stages of Grand Luo Golden Immortal, and her combat prowess placed her far from weak even among others of that same advanced realm.

From what Eldrin Chen knew, that Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix had attained her Dao [achieved her fundamental enlightenment] three thousand Kalpa Tribulation ago. The number of Innate Spiritual Treasure [primordial treasures born with the world] in her possession was no fewer than ten. She was absolutely not an opponent he could hope to contend with.

Reflecting on this, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "Back then, guided by the Seven Treasures Gourd, I entered the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest through a hidden passage, which allowed me to seize the advantage and obtain the treasures."

"In that sense, I already owe a karmic debt to your lineage. If we can avoid conflict in the future, it is best we do so."

The Soaring Immortal Zither gave a faint smile and replied calmly, "If the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix knew of your potential, I believe it would not trouble you either."

"However, to be safe, it is best you avoid contact with it before your breakthrough to the Grand Luo realm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, saying nothing more.

He stored the Soaring Immortal Zither, then with a sweep of his sleeve, gathered all the treasures scattered across the battlefield before arriving within the Chaos Nest.

This Chaos Nest was vast beyond measure, and the treasures within were astonishing. Even though a portion had been taken by the Seven-Calamity Chaos Beast King, what remained constituted an unimaginably immense fortune.

Eldrin Chen had no time for a detailed inventory. After hastily collecting these treasures, his gaze fell upon the stump of the Profound Mulberry Ancient Tree. Yet, after a moment's contemplation, he shook his head.

The stump of this Profound Mulberry Ancient Wood was worth nearly half an Innate Spiritual Treasure, but its roots were deeply anchored throughout the entire Ruined Abyss Ancient Realm. With Eldrin Chen's current power, attempting to uproot it would be nothing short of delusional.

Since it could not be taken, Eldrin Chen could only shake his head in regret. He then activated the Abyssal Pearl and returned to the confines of Abyssal Heaven.

Upon arriving at Abyssal Heaven, Eldrin Chen proceeded directly to his secluded cultivation chamber and retrieved the treasures he had acquired.

"A fortune," he breathed.

Even with Eldrin Chen's formidable mental fortitude, gazing upon the treasures laid out before him stirred a profound sense of excitement.

The sheer scale of this harvest was staggering. While it contained no wonders of the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth] grade, nearly half the remaining legacy of that shattered Immortal Domain [a realm of immortals, a higher plane of existence] had fallen into Eldrin Chen's hands.

My apologies to all readers; the writing has been painfully blocked these past two days.