Chapter 1832 : Clash of Primordial Titans
"Clang—" [the sharp, resonant sound of metal striking metal]
In that instant, the Chaos Heaven Halberd and the Azure Dragon Halberd collided with a world-shaking impact. A searing shockwave erupted from the point of contact, unleashing a cataclysmic tide of force that swept through the Vast and Boundless Chaos.
Eldrin Chen felt a staggering divine power surge against him, the impact vibrating through his arms and numbing the palms of his hands.
"Such formidable strength."
Eldrin Chen was inwardly astonished. Ever since his Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique had reached perfection, he had clashed with seven or eight Chaos Beast Kings, and each time his physical body had been able to overpower his opponents.
Yet this time, his hands were left numb from the force, and he had failed to gain the slightest upper hand.
At that very moment, the Chaos Azure Dragon roared and soared into the air, transforming into a majestic figure clad in Azure Gold Armor and wielding an ancient halberd of the Azure Dragon lineage.
"Human Race?"
The Chaos Azure Dragon stood calmly, its gaze fixed upon Eldrin Chen as it spoke, "If you depart now, I shall act as if this encounter never occurred."
"Such formidable physical power... truly worthy of the Chaos Azure Dragon lineage." The complete novel can be found at audio_novel.com.
Eldrin Chen smiled faintly, unable to hold back a murmur of admiration.
He stepped forward, the Heavenly Halberd firmly in his grasp, and spoke with calm finality, "No more words are needed between us. Let our battle decide it."
"Hmph! Do you think my Primordial Chaos Dragon Clan [a primordial race of dragons born from chaos] has no one to stand against you?"
The Chaos Azure Dragon [a supreme dragon born from primordial chaos] replied with an icy expression, its ancient Azure Dragon halberd cleaving through the void to strike. Thus, a world-shaking battle erupted.
Almost simultaneously, from Within the Chaos Lair, a furious roar echoed as two azure-scaled dragon-fish surged into the sky, intent on aiding the Chaos Azure Dragon.
These two dragon-fish seemed to possess the bloodline of the Chaos Azure Dragon yet had not fully transformed into one. Clearly, they were rare hybrids birthed by the Chaos Azure Dragon itself. Their cultivation had already reached the Ancient Immortal Realm [a profound realm of immortality attained by cultivators after countless eons], making their combat prowess a force not to be underestimated.
Fortunately, Eldrin Chen was not without allies. The Horizon Patriarch immediately summoned his Horizon Sea's Edge Twin Swords, engaging the two Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient monstrous beings born from primordial chaos] in fierce combat.
Seeing this, the Celestial Maiden [a title for a supremely beautiful and powerful female immortal] also moved to intercept the rest of the Chaos Ancient Beast horde, preventing them from interfering in the main duel.
Freed from other Chaos Ancient Beast distractions, Eldrin Chen could finally fight with his full might. He wielded the Chaos Heaven Halberd against the Chaos Azure Dragon in a relentless exchange. In the blink of an eye, they had clashed over three thousand times, yet Eldrin found no clear advantage.
This battle was, for Eldrin Chen, an exceedingly rare and utterly exhilarating fight, one he had not experienced in many long years.
This Chaos Azure Dragon [a primordial dragon born from the chaos of creation] possessed formidable combat prowess, its strength far surpassing that of an ordinary Chaast Beast King [a ruler among primordial beasts]. Wielding the power of its twenty-four-pattern Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact born from the primal chaos of the universe], its combat power even approached the level of a Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived four heavenly tribulations].
Within this Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all creation emerged], one would likely need the strength of a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has weathered six heavenly tribulations] to subdue it with any certainty.
Fortunately, Eldrin Chen was not suppressed by the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. Relying solely on his physical might and the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a halberd forged from the essence of primal chaos], he clashed with the beast without yielding an inch of ground.
Thus, the battle raged on for a full three thousand years. Only after the Chaos Azure Dragon had expended a significant portion of its power did Eldrin Chen gradually begin to press his advantage, slowly seizing the upper hand.
"The time is ripe."
Seeing the Chaos Azure Dragon falter and sensing its intent to retreat, Eldrin Chen resolved to end the battle swiftly and decisively.
Withholding nothing further, Eldrin Chen instantly summoned forth the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of divine swords embodying the duality of heaven and abyss]. Channeling the might of the Sky-Severance Sword Union [a supreme sword technique capable of cleaving the heavens themselves], he unleashed a devastating slash towards the Chaos Azure Dragon.
"ROAR—!"
In that very instant, sensing imminent peril, the Chaos Azure Dragon manifested its True Form of the Azure Dragon [the ultimate, most powerful manifestation of an azure dragon's essence]. It transformed into a dragon-shaped sword energy that tore through the void to meet the attack.
The power of this draconic sword energy was astonishing. It managed to withstand the onslaught of the Sky-Severance Sword Union, not only holding its ground but showing no sign of being at a disadvantage.
"Azure Dragon Severing Heaven Slash!"
Eldrin Chen's expression darkened slightly. The vast majority of Chaos Ancient Beasts possessed only extraordinary physical might, while their Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], Divine Abilities [supernatural powers derived from cultivation], and other such means were comparatively weak.
Yet, the Chaos Azure Dragon was truly formidable. This lineage held the potential to break through to the level of Chaos Saint Spirit [a powerful spiritual entity born from chaos] and even Chaos Demon God [a supreme demonic deity of chaos]. Not only was its physical body astonishingly powerful, but it also nurtured supremely potent Innate Divine Abilities [divine powers inherent to a being's nature].
This Azure Dragon Severing Heaven Slash was precisely the Innate Divine Ability of the Chaos Azure Dragon lineage. In its complete form, it was a supreme Divine Ability of the Great Encompassing Rank [the highest known cultivation realm].
Currently, the Chaos Azure Dragon's cultivation was insufficient, and the Innate Divine Ability it had nurtured was merely in its embryonic stage. Yet, its power was already transcendent, far surpassing ordinary Half-Step Patriarch Level Divine Abilities [divine abilities at the threshold of the Patriarch realm].
"This won't be easy to handle." Official source: audio~novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, his tone laced with a profound serenity.
With his current capabilities, his combat prowess ranked among the very top even among Four Tribulations Ancient Immortals [immortals who have survived four heavenly tribulations]. Naturally, he did not fear this mere embryonic Innate Divine Ability from a Chaos Azure Dragon.
"BOOM—"
In that instant, Eldrin Chen unleashed his full power. He activated the Chaos Weapon Forging Art [a divine art that forges weapons from chaos], manifesting myriad divine armaments that filled the sky. Simultaneously, he summoned the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder embodying the five elements and the primordial sun] and the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand [a divine hand technique that grasps the primordial unified energy] to join in the suppression.
With all these methods unleashed simultaneously, within a mere few hundred years, Eldrin Chen had suppressed the Chaos Azure Dragon [a primordial dragon born from chaos], inflicting successive grievous wounds upon it. Though the Chaos Azure Dragon possessed heaven-defying combat prowess, not a shred of hope for victory remained.
"Human Race, remember this day's enmity. I shall repay it in full measure in time to come," the beast roared.
Seeing defeat was inevitable, the Chaos Azure Dragon spat out its threat and sought to flee for its life.
Yet, in that very instant, an ancient mirror descended, suppressing the Void Cosmos [a cultivator skilled in spatial manipulation]. Boundless power of the void enveloped the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], sealing off all escape routes from the Chaos Void [the formless expanse of primordial chaos].
It was clear Eldrin Chen had prepared for this. Anticipating the beast's flight, he had preemptively activated the Polarity Void Mirror [an ancient treasure capable of manipulating spatial polarity and sealing voids].
"Disastrous!"
The Chaos Azure Dragon's heart sank. While the Polarity Void Mirror was merely an Innate Ancient Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial laws of the cosmos, not crafted by mortal hands] with a limited effective range within the vast Sea of Chaos [the endless ocean of primordial chaos], it could have been avoided from a sufficient distance or shattered with a full-force assault.
But with Eldrin Chen watching like a tiger poised to strike, would he ever permit such a concentrated breakout attempt?
"BOOM—"
A deafening explosion echoed as Eldrin Chen descended, the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a halberd forged from chaos, capable of sundering heavens] cleaving through the void in his grasp. Each earth-shattering blow carried the weight to suppress all creation, forcing the Chaos Azure Dragon into a desperate, stumbling retreat. "You will not escape," Eldrin's voice rang out, cold and final.
"Aaaargh—"
The Chaos Azure Dragon [a primordial dragon born from chaos] was driven nearly to madness. The searing Dragon Blood [the potent lifeblood of draconic beings] within its body blazed like divine radiance, illuminating the Myriad Heavens [the infinite celestial realms], unleashing a level of combat prowess it had never before attained.
Such astonishing power was now sufficient to rival a Chaos Beast King [a sovereign ruler among primordial chaotic beasts]. Even if another Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations] were to intervene, if they were not fully prepared, this Chaos Azure Dragon might very well have escaped with its life.
But who was Eldrin Chen? With the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a halberd capable of sundering primordial chaos] in his grasp, he brought it down again and again. The combined might of his physical body, his Path Principle [the fundamental laws and truths of his cultivated Dao], and his vast reservoir of spiritual energy was channeled entirely into the Heavenly Halberd. Each blow possessed the divine power to shatter Chaos [the primordial, formless state of existence], battering the Chaos Azure Dragon until it coughed up great gouts of blood and was sent flying through the void.
After several thousand more frenzied exchanges, Eldrin Chen unleashed a strike that poured forth his entire being. He drove the Chaos Heaven Halberd forward, piercing through the fabric of Chaos itself, and impaled the Chaos Azure Dragon, pinning its colossal form lifelessly upon the Chaos Lair [the dragon's nest within the primordial chaos].
"Huuu—"
Eldrin Chen drew a deep, steadying breath before turning his gaze to survey the other battlefields.
The Chaos Beast Horde [a swarm of beasts born from chaos] had been nearly halved, the survivors having scattered in full retreat. Of the two Chaos Dragon Fish King [sovereign beasts resembling a fusion of dragon and fish], one had slipped away unnoticed at some point. The remaining one was now suppressed by the Immortal-Suppressing Pagoda [a pagoda-shaped treasure with the power to immobilize even immortals] and was being forced into a desperate, losing battle under the combined assault of his two companions.
"This battle ends here."
A faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips. He willed the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of divine swords, one representing the heavens, the other the abyss] to merge their power into a single, devastating slash. The strike descended, piercing through the void and nailing the final Chaos Dragon Fish King in place, its life extinguished.
Witnessing the demise of the Chaos Dragon Fish King, Horizon Patriarch also let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "This battle was somewhat more arduous than anticipated."
The Celestial Maiden nodded, her expression turning grave as she replied, "I too did not expect this Chaos Azure Dragon to possess the combat power of a Four Tribulations Chaos Beast King."
Mentioning this, a lingering sense of trepidation still clung to them both.
Fortunately, this Chaos Beast King's cultivation base was only at the Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortal level. Had it possessed the strength of a Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal, not only would victory have been impossible, but they might have suffered grievous losses.
Eldrin Chen remained composed as ever. With the Innate Seven Treasures Gourd in his possession, this set of Innate Ancient Treasure could unleash power at the Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal level once its formation was deployed, making the suppression of Chaos Beast Kings at the fourth or fifth tribulation level a manageable task.
However, when Eldrin Chen broke through to the peak of the Eighth Heaven Celestial Immortal realm years ago, it severely depleted the foundational essence of the Five Elements Gourd. Until that essence was fully restored, Eldrin Chen was reluctant to overexert the treasure.
While formidable, this Chaos Azure Dragon had not necessitated the activation of the Innate Seven Treasures Gourd.
With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "Moving forward, when we encounter powerful bloodlines similar to this Chaos Azure Dragon, we should exercise greater caution and consider their combat power as being one tier higher in our calculations."
"Agreed."
The Celestial Maiden nodded, finding Eldrin Chen's reasoning sound.
Seeing this, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch and inquired, "How much of your spiritual power [the energy cultivated and wielded by immortals] has been consumed in this battle so far?"
Horizon Patriarch focused inward for a moment, then replied, "This engagement has consumed roughly sixty percent of my reserves. Fortunately, the Essence Storage Treasure [a treasure capable of storing vast amounts of spiritual energy for later use] has replenished me, allowing me to maintain peak combat efficacy."
Celestial Maiden also nodded in agreement. "My situation is much the same."
Eldrin Chen gave a thoughtful nod. The Essence Storage Treasure held a reserve equivalent to twice his normal capacity. This meant that, without resorting to one-time-use External Elixir [pills that provide an instant, massive surge of spiritual power but are consumed upon use], they could sustain another four or five battles of similar intensity.
With this calculation in mind, Eldrin Chen declared, "Let us first assess our spoils."
Following his words, the group swiftly combed the battlefield for remnants before making their way into the heart of the Chaos Azure Dragon Nest.
"Such a potent concentration of Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all existence emerged] Wood Attribute essence [the fundamental energy associated with the element of wood, representing growth and vitality]!"
The moment he stepped inside the Chaos Azure Dragon Nest, Eldrin Chen's eyes widened slightly, a note of pleasant surprise coloring his voice.
Horizon Patriarch was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. "With Supple Wood Essence [a highly refined spiritual substance brimming with the pure power of the wood element] this dense, it seems this Earth Vein [a subterranean channel where the planet's spiritual energies converge and flow] must harbor a top-tier Rare Spiritual Wonders [naturally formed treasures of immense spiritual value, often unique and irreplaceable] of the Wood Attribute."
Eldrin Chen merely offered a faint, knowing smile. "What has caught my eye is not merely that top-tier Rare Spiritual Wonders."
As they spoke, the trio arrived at the Chaos Lair Core and finally beheld the treasures of this lair.
It was a magnificent dragon's den, its floor paved with countless pieces of Immortal Gold and Exotic Treasure. Each slab of Immortal Gold was a rare Chaos Divine Material [a primordial ore of immense spiritual power], a treasure that would drive any Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the cusp of ascending to true immortality] to madness.
Yet such priceless treasures were scattered across the floor of this cavern as if they were mere pebbles.
Even more astonishing was the sight at the heart of the Chaos Lair: a vast Immortal Pool [a pool brimming with concentrated immortal energy], beside which grew an ancient, gnarled sapling whose shape eerily resembled that of a True Dragon [a supreme draconic beast, sovereign among demonic creatures].
"The Azure Dragon Immortality Herb,"
Horizon Patriarch uttered the name the moment his eyes fell upon the tree, his voice trembling with unrestrained ecstasy.
The so-called Azure Dragon Immortality Herb was an exceedingly rare Innate Ancient Tree [a primordial tree born from the chaos of creation]. The fruit it bore was known as the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Fruit.
Like the Innate Sacred Embryo Fruit, this was a peerless top-tier immortal fruit. A cultivator who consumed it could undergo Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration [a supreme metamorphosis that defies the heavens and rewrites one's destiny], granting them one of the most powerful constitutions in existence.
Legend held that ingesting the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Fruit would allow one to cultivate the fabled Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body.
The Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body was counted among the Supreme Constitution of the Myriad Heavens [the ultimate physical forms recognized across all realms]. Consuming the fruit would instantly shatter the Fleshly Body Heavenly Pass [the ultimate barrier of physical cultivation]. Furthermore, cultivating this constitution to its perfection would allow one's physical form to reach the Tenth Limit Realm [the legendary tenth and final stage of bodily refinement, a realm of myth].
Theoretically speaking, the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body is one of the Ten Supreme Physiques of the Dragon Clan. Legend has it that the Azure Dragon Great Emperor, one of the Ten Directions Great Emperors of the Demon Race Heavenly Court, achieved his supreme path precisely through this Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body.
It is said that before his breakthrough into the Great Encompassing realm, the Azure Dragon Great Emperor not only perfected this Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body to its zenith but also shattered the Limit-Breaker boundary upon that foundation, ascending to the legendary Eleventh Limit Realm.
From this, one can glimpse the profound might of the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body.
"Legends say that once perfected, the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body is scarcely inferior to even the Chaos Body or the Innate Saint Body Path Embryo,"
"Such a constitution is considered extraordinary even among Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators, its potential nearly boundless."
Recalling the formidable power promised by the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Fruit, the Horizon Patriarch could not help but sigh repeatedly, a flicker of covetousness coloring his expression.
Eldrin Chen merely shook his head, his voice calm as he spoke, "Since time immemorial, there has never been a supreme constitution, only supreme individuals."
"The reason the Azure Dragon Great Emperor ascended to become a Primordial One Imperial Lord was not solely due to the astonishing nature of his Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body. It was because, after perfecting that constitution, he once again shattered its limits."
Hearing this, the Horizon Patriarch was momentarily taken aback before offering a wry smile. "I have been blinded by appearances."
At these words, Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
In truth, whether it is the True Dragon Indestructibility Body [a supreme physique said to grant the resilience of a primordial dragon], the Immortality Golden Body [a divine technique that forges an imperishable golden form] of Energy Abyss Chen, or even the Innate Saint Body Path Embryo [a constitution born with the potential for sainthood] and the Chaos Body [a physique embodying the primordial chaos], they all fundamentally belong to the same tier.
Although the combat prowess of these constitutions varies to a degree, they remain within the same stratum. Theoretically, cultivating any of them to perfection only leads to the level of the Tenth Limit Realm [the pinnacle of physical cultivation for supreme constitutions].
To advance a step further, to reach the state of the Eleventh Limit or the Twelfth Limit, one does not rely on the Innate [inborn] power of the constitution itself. Instead, it depends on whether one can use that foundation to once again Limit-Breaker [shatter the established limits] of the physical body.
After cultivating his Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body [a physique granting the indestructibility of the azure dragon] to perfection, the Azure Dragon Great Emperor once again Limit-Breaker his limits, advancing to the Eleventh Limit Realm. This feat alone elevated him beyond the realm of top-tier constitutions.
Be it the Chaos Body or the Innate Saint Body Path Embryo, if they cannot Limit-Breaker their boundaries, they could never hope to rival this Azure Dragon Indestructibility Body that has transcended its limits.
In other words, even the weakest constitution within the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and heavens of existence], if cultivated to the Eleventh Limit, could effortlessly suppress a perfected Innate Saint Body Path Embryo.
The Ninth Limit represents the Heavenly Pass [a supreme bottleneck or tribulation] for the Great Encompassing Physique [a physique of vast, all-encompassing potential]. The Tenth Limit is the threshold for paramount constitutions. Beyond the Tenth Limit, each successive limit represents a chasm nearly impossible to cross.
Any being who cultivates their physical body to the Eleventh Limit can, by the power of their flesh alone, suppress a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations].
As for those capable of refining their body to the Twelfth Limit, they can use that single path to overwhelm all others. Suppressing an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] with mere physical strength would be a trivial matter for them.
A Supreme Physique [the ultimate physical constitution] at the Twelfth Limit represents the peerless aptitude [the supreme potential] for attaining the Dao through the flesh. Such an existence could suppress the other seven Heavenly Pass with their physical power alone. They could even forcibly shatter the Destiny Heavenly Pass [the supreme tribulation of fate and destiny] and attain the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, encompassing all] without the slightest difficulty.
Since ancient times, those capable of suppressing myriad paths with a single one have invariably been peerless prodigies of rare and unprecedented talent. Upon breaking through to the Great Encompassing realm, they all became outstanding figures among the Great Encompassing Golden Immortals.
Every Path Ancestor Immortal Sage and Divine Sovereign Heavenly Emperor from past eras, when they surmounted the Nine Heavenly Passes, possessed at least one Heavenly Pass that met this very standard.
Though Eldrin Chen prided himself on possessing talent unmatched throughout the ages, the road to reaching such a standard still stretched long and arduous before him.
Contemplating this, both Horizon Patriarch and the Celestial Maiden seemed to feel that the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Fruit was not quite so extraordinary after all.
For while the Azure Dragon Indestructibility Fruit was indeed precious, it was not guaranteed to surpass the Innate Heavenly God Foundation that Purple Seal Immortal Lord had forged for them. Strictly speaking, both were of the same transcendent tier. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio novel.com.