Chapter 1685 : I Am the Buddha

Upon hearing this, Eldrin's expression shifted slightly.

Across the vast expanse of the 3 1000 Immortal Domains, the entities bearing the "Tai" generation title stood as the most ancient and primordial innate beings. Only those who emerged during the primordial dawn of creation were worthy of such an exalted designation.

Among the innate humans, Eldrin knew of only 3 Tai-ranked existences. 1 was the ancient ancestor of the Taiyang Clan, while the other 2 were Taishi Daozu and Taiyuan Immortal Sage.

Similarly, supreme beings such as the Taichu Divine Emperor and the Solar Celestial Emperor also belonged to the "Tai" generation.

Thus, all of the firstborn innate deities since the dawn of creation were such supreme beings, and the God Emperor of the Divine Clan, Taicang, must likewise be unfathomable.

At this thought, Eldrin couldn't help but ponder and ask, "If I slay this Crown Prince of Taicang during the impending Heavenly Tribulation, will it bring future troubles?"

Luo Ming shook his head and spoke, "Within the Tai Cang Imperial Clan, a new Imperial Scion is born every 10 million years. When a Quasi-Sage mighty 1 enters seclusion, a single session spans innumerable kalpas."

"For the Celestial Emperor of Taicang, a mere Taicang Imperial Scion at the half-step Celestial Realm wouldn't even register in his awareness, much less compel him to stoop to dealing with you personally."

At this point, Luo Ming pondered again and said, "However, if you kill the Eldrin (Person Name), you will undoubtedly draw the attention of the higher-ups of the Eldrin Divine Clan."

"Under ordinary circumstances, it might be manageable. But when you attempt to break through to the Great Perfection Realm, it will undoubtedly obstruct your path to enlightenment, adding an unforeseen tribulation to your journey."

Eldrin (Person Name) couldn't help but shake his head with a faint smile upon hearing this, his worries instantly melting away.

Breaking through to the Great Luo Realm remains a distant prospect. For now, the true path lies in conquering the Heavenly Tribulation and cultivating a flawless Dao Fruit.

Having made up his mind, Eldrin spoke solemnly, "While the 100 Spirits Ancestral Domain remains observant and the Great Desert Sky-Sand Region's tribulations have yet to subside, now is our perfect opportunity to venture into the Western Extreme Celestial Domain."

"Let us begin, everyone."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

They understood that as Eldrin set foot into the Western Extremity Heavens, this battle would inevitably become the pinnacle confrontation across the 6 Heavens of the Western Extremity.

2 protagonists of the great tribulation vied for supremacy—1 was a disciple of the Primordial Imperial Clan, while the other, a peerless genius risen from obscurity, had crushed the direct heirs of ancient sects. Between these 2, who would ultimately prove stronger?

In this battle, 1 must fall.

Once his resolve was set, Eldrin led the group westward that very day, charging toward the 6 Heavens Domain of the Extreme West.

To achieve the speed of lightning in this operation, Eldrin did not bring ordinary immortals with him. He left behind all those below the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm, allowing them to scatter across the Western Aether Divine Abyss Sea to gather treasures and resources.

As for Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), only 5 Single Taiyi (Cultivation Base) experts remained to guard it.

With only these people, they could already fend off a surprise attack from an early-stage Celestial Immortal by relying on the power of the formation.

Now, the high-level treasures in the Return Abyss Sea had all been taken away by Eldrin (Person Name), and key personnel and resources had also been relocated to the minor universe. There was no need to worry about attracting overly powerful enemies for a sneak attack.

Getting back to the story, after Eldrin had settled his clan affairs, he traveled using the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void, soon arriving within the Western Polar Heavenly Domain.

The Void Return Immortal Alliance, together with the Ancient Celestial Sect of Heavenly Weave, arrived with over 70 Quasi-Celestial Immortals at the outskirts of the Great White Mountain Range. They discovered the battlefield here had already descended into a state of extreme deadlock.

High above the heavens, under the command of the Crown Prince of Taicang, countless divine races and demon clans launched their assaults. Dozens of ancient vessels soared across the sky, relentlessly assailing the grand protective formation of the Great White Mountain Range.

And within the vast expanse of the Great White Mountain Range, a mountain-guarding grand formation that blotted out the skies enveloped the entire range. An endless sword array swept across heaven and earth, transforming into a rain of blades that annihilated countless fiend immortals and divine spirits, reducing them to ashes.

Hidden within the void, Eldrin observed for a long while before remarking, "This grand formation likely won't hold for much longer."

Hearing this, the Ancient Spirit Venerable also let out a soft sigh. "This formation was originally a super-complex array that took the Taibai Grotto-Heaven nearly 1 million years to set up. It is composed of dozens of Great Unity Immortal Treasures and countless other immortal treasures."

After the Dao Calamity erupted, and with the continuous reinforcement from the Stormcloud Dao Palace, the Longblade Sword Sect, and the Sunfire Grotto, even a late-stage Celestial Immortal should find it nearly impossible to breach.

"Yet now, with the 6 great powers of the demon and god races joining forces, the bombardment from the 9 ancient vessels and their world-obliterating cannons would ultimately prove too much for this formation to endure indefinitely."

At this point, the Ancestor of 10 1000 Spirits ultimately shook his head and declared, "Within 3,000 years, this formation will inevitably be shattered."

Eldrin nodded and said, "The Great White Mountain Range has been completely besieged. Does anyone among you have a way to contact the major forces within the formation, so we can coordinate a pincer attack against the demon and god races?"

"I shall take care of this matter."

Luo Ming spoke slowly. As a direct descendant of the Great Luo Ancient Sect, he naturally possessed means to contact those within.

Soon, Luo Ming received a reply. He informed the assembly, "I have reached an agreement with the Taiwhite Grotto-Heaven, the Cloud-Soaring Dao Palace, the Longblade Sword Sect, and the Pure Sun Grotto-Heaven. When the grand formation shatters a millennium from now, we shall launch a coordinated assault."

"Very well."

Eldrin nodded, his expression grave as he said, "In that case, we shall adjust our plans for a 1000 years and quietly await the opportune moment to strike."

Beyond the brutal battlefield in the Western Extreme Heavenly Domain, a hidden scheme of murderous intent quietly brewed.

At almost the same moment, within an ancient temple in the Great Desert Celestial Sand Domain, 2 figures—1 elderly and 1 young—sat side by side.

The elder was a benevolent old Bodhisattva with kind eyebrows and gentle eyes, while the youth had disheveled hair and a towering, wild posture. Clad in crimson monastic robes, he seemed both Buddha and demon, exuding the formidable aura of a wrathful Vajra deity.

The youth was none other than Chen Xianzhu. His expression was somber, and after sitting in solemn silence for a long while, he finally asked, “May I ask, Bodhisattva, why have you summoned me?”

"My foolish child."

Wenxin Bodhisattva shook his head and sighed, "Over these years, you have committed far too many killings, and it has already drawn calamity upon yourself."

"Karmic Slaughter?"

Chen Xianzhu’s brow furrowed slightly before he spoke, “My father once said: to kill is to preserve life, and to slay is not to slay men.”

"In my journeys across the realm these years, every life I've taken was burdened by karmic sin. How could 1 claim my slaughter is excessive?"

Hearing this, the Cultured Heart Bodhisattva let out a soft sigh and said, "You slew the Blood Dragon Buddha's Heir and beheaded the direct disciple of the Celestial Mystery Ancient Sect."

Chen Xianzhu, however, remained unflinching and spoke with utter calm: "The Blood Dragon Buddha's Son achieved his path through blood sacrifice of all living beings, while the direct descendant of the Heavenly Mystery Ancient Sect refines stars with human souls—both are drenched in boundless sin."

"I have attained the Buddhahood of the Great Majestic Thunderclap, and delivering these 2 souls is my path to universal salvation."

Hearing this, the Literary Heart Bodhisattva gave a bitter smile and said, "Over the years, you have already offended quite a few people."

"Now within the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain, 3 major Buddhist cave paradises have joined forces, seeking to suppress you. Even I, your master, can no longer shield you from this."

At that very moment, beyond the ancient temple, 1 tribulation light after another descended from the heavens.

Chen Xianzhu gazed out and saw Buddhas whose radiance illuminated the great cosmos, Vajra Guardians with wrathful countenances, and Bodhisattvas graced with serene smiles.

A full several dozen individuals, with even the lowest cultivation base at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm, and among them were even a few existences at the early Celestial Immortal stage.

The leader was a Buddha, a Bodhisattva, and a Vajra Arhat—3 who had cultivated the flawless 3 Supreme Unity Foundations.

The Vajra Arhat was the first to roar in fury, "Wretched fiend, why do you not hasten to meet your doom?"

"Submit to my Po Luo Temple and receive the Guardian Vajra Seal, and your life shall be spared."

The Bodhisattva smiled serenely and spoke with gentle grace.

The Buddha likewise responded with a subtle smile, a divine radiance illuminating the heavens behind him: "Lay down your blade, and in that very moment attain enlightenment."

Chen Xianzhu gazed at the figure before him, unconsciously steadying his breathing.

At this moment, as he gazed upon these benevolent-faced Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, he seemed to behold a horde of demons clad in kasaya robes.

In an instant, Chen Xianzhu's hair and beard whipped wildly as his towering figure rose to its full height.

He swung the Immortal Iron Staff in his hand as if wielding a pillar that propped up the heavens, sweeping across the starry river with the force to shatter the very firmament as he smashed it forward.

"Boom—"

In an instant, heaven and earth roared as all things shattered, and a cry tore through the chaos.

"I am the true Buddha!"