Chapter 1848 : Clash of Ancient Swords

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

This Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword was none other than the peerless weapon 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 state back then, the current Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword seemed to have had some of its flaws mended, its power now several degrees greater.

Most crucially, the sword was now being wielded by a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal, its might far surpassing its former glory. In an instant, it transformed into countless Indestructibility [a state of absolute durability and unbreakability] sword energies that pierced through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] to slash at them, forcing the group into a steady retreat.

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

Behold! The White Rainbow Sword Immortal summoned a towering Sword Intent [the conceptual will and essence of a swordsman's art] that soared into the heavens, manifesting the Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a supreme technique of the Patriarch cultivation realm] known as the White Rainbow Heaven-Sundering Sword to cleave through the vastness. In the blink of an eye, he clashed with the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword for several exchanges, managing to hold his ground without being completely overwhelmed.

"Tenth Limit Mana."

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

So, the White Rainbow Sword Immortal had actually achieved the Tenth Limit Mana [the pinnacle theoretical limit of mana capacity and purity within a cultivation realm]. Empowered by this supreme foundation, the potency of his Innate Divine Ability [a supreme technique born from one's innate constitution] was greatly amplified, allowing him to barely withstand the onslaught of the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword.

A flicker of surprise crossed Eldrin Chen's features. Throughout his many years since attaining the Dao, this was the first time he had witnessed the formidable power of the Tenth Limit Mana manifested in another. Immerse yourself in the complete world at www . audio-novel.com.

In truth, back in those days, Eldrin Chen had also sensed the presence of at least one Tenth Limit power from figures like Zhuyin and other Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortals. However, as they had not clashed directly at the time, he had not gained a profound understanding of it.

Now, witnessing White Rainbow Sword Immortal employing Tenth Limit Mana [the pinnacle level of spiritual energy a cultivator can possess] to unleash a Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique of the highest order] and actually withstand the Slaughter [a devastating attack technique] of an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme artifact born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth], he felt a surge of astonishment.

"Using Tenth Limit Mana to drive a Patriarch Level Divine Ability can contend with an Innate Spiritual Treasure?"

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

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

In the fleeting moment of Eldrin Chen's contemplation, the battle upon the Heavenly Vault [the highest celestial dome] had already escalated to a fever pitch.

They saw the Chaos Beast King [a primordial ruler of chaotic beasts] brandish the Broken Ancient Sword [a shattered relic of immense power], its sweep cleaving through the Six Harmonies [a powerful defensive formation]. Within mere exchanges, the tide had turned. Even as White Rainbow Sword Immortal fought with berserk fury, it was to no avail.

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

"Hmph—"

The Nether Son of Heaven responded with a cold sneer, yet he did not hesitate. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a Patriarch Level Divine Ability. It manifested legions of Netherworld Soldiers and Ghost Generals [spectral warriors and commanders from the underworld], who surged across the Chaos [the formless primordial state before creation] to engage the Seven Tribulations Primordial Chaos Beast King [a beast king who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] in a fierce and chaotic melee.

The Golden Sun Holy Scion was even more formidable, a blazing solar corona crowning his head as he rode forth upon a divine spear of Solar Sun [the purest essence of the sun's fire], joining the assault against the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword.

With these three joining forces against the Seven Tribulations Primordial Chaos Beast King wielding the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword, they managed, for a time, to hold their ground without being completely overwhelmed.

"Their strength is not lacking,"

Eldrin Chen observed this scene, a flicker of understanding passing through his gaze.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen realized why these three were hailed as top-tier Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal. Each of them had achieved a Tenth Limit Foundation [the pinnacle perfection of a cultivator's foundational attributes].

Among them, the White Rainbow Sword Immortal had perfected his Tenth Limit Mana [limitless spiritual energy reserves]. The Ghost Cultivator [a cultivator who follows the path of spectral and soul-based arts], Nether Son of Heaven, had forged a Tenth Limit Faith Primordial Spirit [a spiritual core of ultimate resilience, tempered by unwavering conviction]. The Golden Sun Holy Scion had gone even further, cultivating a Tenth Limit Embryonic Great Path [the nascent seed of a supreme cultivation methodology].

Three supreme experts who had each attained a Tenth Limit Foundation were already exceptional among Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal. Furthermore, each had mastered two or three Patriarch Level Divine Ability [divine arts of a caliber wielded by founding patriarchs]. It could be said that any one of them possessed the combat prowess to face three opponents of equal realm.

With such a trio joining forces, it was little wonder they could contend against an Incomplete Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born of nature, though damaged or incomplete].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen continued his fierce duel with his own opponent, yet a slight frown creased his brow.

"An Incomplete Innate Spiritual Treasure is troublesome, yes, but ultimately it is still damaged. If I were to unleash the Soaring Immortal Zither, subduing it would not be difficult."

"Yet why do I still sense a presence that chills my very soul?"

"..."

At the same moment, from the depths of the Chaos Lair, 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 Central battlefield, and a trace of icy coldness flickered within it.

"People from the Three Thousand Immortal Domains?"

The woman murmured, her voice a frigid whisper. "A mere group of Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal. Even gravely wounded as I am, how dare you presume to act so insolently before me?" For more chapters, visit audi0-n0vel.c0m for the complete novel.

As she spoke, the Slaughter Intent in her eyes intensified. After a careful assessment of the battlefield, she finally made her move in a single, decisive instant.

"BOOM—"

The battlefield was locked in a fierce stalemate. Just as the clash between the two sides reached a deadlock, an ancient scroll depicting a Fire Phoenix soaring through the Nine Heavens materialized in the sky, descending with crushing force upon the combatants.

The moment this ancient scroll appeared, the raging torrents of Chaos energy seemed to freeze solid.

Chaos [the primordial state before the formation of the cosmos] fell silent, Space-Time [the fabric of reality encompassing time and space] congealed. All turbulence and frenzy were smoothed into nothingness beneath the ancient diagram's power.

The moment he saw this ancient diagram, the Nether Son of Heaven trembled uncontrollably and cried out, "An Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos itself]—the Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix [a legendary artifact depicting and embodying the power of the mythical Fire Phoenix]!"

"Huummm—"

In that instant, Chaos [the primordial state before the formation of the cosmos] churned once more, and the myriad things of creation resumed their motion.

The 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 Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix [a legendary artifact depicting and embodying the power of the mythical Fire Phoenix] passed, Chaos [the primordial state before the formation of the cosmos] grew still. Its overwhelming divine might, infused with the power of the Great Path [the supreme, fundamental laws of the cosmos], swept away all before it, capturing the Nether Son of Heaven and sealing him within the diagram for eternal suppression.

Even more terrifying, the residual force of the Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix [a legendary artifact depicting and embodying the power of the mythical Fire Phoenix] did not diminish. Carrying its unstoppable momentum, it swept across the Vast and Boundless Chaos [the infinite expanse of primordial chaos], reducing two Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] into clouds of bloody mist.

"Aaaarrrgh—!"

From within the treasure diagram, the Nether Son of Heaven let out a wretched scream. He poured all his strength into resisting with his Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a supreme technique mastered only by the most powerful patriarchs], but before the full-force strike of the Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix [a legendary artifact depicting and embodying the power of the mythical Fire Phoenix], his efforts were like 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 supreme fire and rebirth] depicted within the diagram.

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

Yet the Seven Tribulations Primordial Chaos Beast King brandished the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword in a sweeping slash, instantly annihilating one of them and, in the same motion, blocking the path of several Ancient Immortal Patriarch.

Only White Rainbow Sword Immortal and Golden Sun Holy Scion managed to barely tear themselves free from the fray; all the others were shockingly held back.

The Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix swept forth in their wake. Just as it seemed the entire group was on the verge of total annihilation, an ethereal, transcendent melody, the very sound of the Great Path [the supreme principle governing all existence], echoed through the void.

"*Ding—*"

In that instant, the Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation] itself seemed to congeal and freeze. Both the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword and the Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix were suspended in mid-motion, utterly immobilized.

Seizing the opportunity, Sunder Heaven Heavenly Demon Emperor and the others fled desperately into the depths of the Chaos. Before vanishing completely, Sunder Heaven Heavenly Demon Emperor cast one last glance back towards the source of the celestial melody. There, seated amidst the raging Chaos, was a solitary figure.

It was a figure robed in snow-white garments. With serene composure, he rested a zither upon his knees, seated cross-legged within the tempestuous Chaos. Around him, the Great Path flowed like liquid light, bestowing upon him an aura of transcendent divinity unlike anything seen before.

"*Boom—*"

Then, in the next heartbeat, the zither's song faded into nothingness, and the Chaos roared back to life with renewed fury.

When all finally settled, Eldrin Chen sat alone within the Depths of Chaos. A halo of Merit Golden Light [radiant light born of accumulated virtuous deeds and profound karma] shone brilliantly from behind his head, illuminating the Myriad Heavens. Beside him, one profound divine aura after another manifested, carving realms of existence from the formless Chaos.

He descended like a Peerless Immortal Lord [a supreme being who has transcended mortality and attained a state of near-perfection] alighting upon the mortal dust, seated amidst the Boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all existence emerged] while strumming a zither. The Chaos [the primordial essence of disorder and potential] was veiled by an Immortal Radiance [a divine, transcendent light emanating from a supreme being], obscuring everything and making the supreme Hugo impossible to discern clearly.

The one who intervened was naturally Eldrin Chen. He could have waited a moment longer, but considering the mortal peril facing Sunder Heaven Heavenly Demon Emperor, he chose to lend a hand at the final, critical juncture.

"An Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations, possessing immense power and longevity]?"

In that very instant, the Seven Tribulations Primordial Chaos Beast King [a monstrous ruler born from primordial chaos, having endured seven heavenly calamities] spoke with immense gravity.

Meanwhile, from the Depths of Chaos [the innermost, most turbulent regions of the primordial void], the woman clad in fiery red, Nyssa, paled slightly. She swiftly recalled her Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix [a mystical artifact depicting and channeling the power of the legendary flaming phoenix], her gaze turning intensely solemn as she spoke, "Who might you be, esteemed one?"

"*Ding—*"

Eldrin Chen offered no reply. With a flick of his sleeve, he merely extended a finger and plucked.

A single, ethereal immortal note, as if crossing the gulf of ages, transformed into a blade of pure sound that flew forth from the zither's strings.

This sonic blade blazed with incandescent brilliance, forged from the condensation of boundless Great Path [the fundamental principles and laws of the cosmos]. It cleaved through the Chaos like a peerless Heavenly Blade [a divine weapon capable of sundering heavens], splitting the Vast and Boundless Chaos [the immeasurable expanse of primordial disorder] in two across billions upon billions of light-years.

"Disaster!"

The Seven Tribulations Primordial Chaos Beast King felt a sudden jolt of alarm in its heart. It immediately channeled all its power to defend with the Crimson Abyss Ancient Sword, yet in an instant, it was sent flying, coughing up blood.

The fiery-robed Nyssa Qu hurriedly urged the Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix to attack Eldrin Chen, intending to use the might of the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation] to suppress him.

"Hmph—"

Yet Eldrin Chen remained unmoved. With a faint, dismissive snort, he flicked his sleeves, unleashing a series of finger strikes in rapid succession.

In that very moment, the lingering immortal melody transformed into sonic blades that cleaved through the Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation]. Those blades resembled the axe of a Ancient God [a deity from the dawn of time] World-Opening [sundering the void to create the cosmos]. Wherever they passed, the Chaos was divided, heaven and earth were rent asunder. One after another, ancient great worlds were split open, only to be instantly annihilated into dust.

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

The gap between an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] and a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an 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 profound and dangerous reaches of the primordial void].

Alas, the Slaughter [a divine ability focused on pure annihilation] sonic blades of the Soaring Immortal Zither were omnipresent, seeping into every crevice. The moment the countless Chaos Ancient Beast heard the sound of the blades, their physical bodies exploded. Many of the weaker Chaos Ancient Beast were utterly obliterated into dust. Only the Chaos Beast King [the king among chaos beasts] that were farther away managed to leave behind intact corpses.

The fiery-robed Nyssa Qu, facing this strike head-on, did not fare well either. She continuously urged the Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix to defend, and though she held her ground without yielding an inch, her complexion grew increasingly pale.

After exchanging more than thirty moves in succession, the fiery-robed Nyssa Qu could finally endure no longer.

Her face was deathly pale. She cast a glance at Eldrin Chen, her heart seething with silent resentment. "The Soaring Immortal Zither [a legendary zither of immense power] my elder sister nurtured has actually fallen into his hands... and he has even succeeded in attuning it to himself."

"How infuriating! If not for the grievous wounds inflicted by that 'Chaos-Heaven Kui Ox' [a primordial chaos beast of immense strength], leaving me able to wield less than half my strength and with less than a third of my spiritual power remaining, I would reclaim that Soaring Immortal Zither today without fail."

As these thoughts churned within her, the crimson-robed Nyssa woman summoned the Ancient Diagram of the Flaming Phoenix [a mystical scroll depicting the primordial phoenix]. It unfurled, sweeping over the Seven Tribulations Primordial Chaos Beast King [a beast king that has weathered seven heavenly tribulations] before she instantly vanished into the Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless void at the beginning of creation].

"She's gone?"

Watching the crimson figure of Nyssa depart, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

Yet he did not give chase. He understood all too clearly that while a decisive battle between two Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortals [immortals who have survived eight heavenly calamities] might end in one's demise, pursuing one who flees for their life was a different matter entirely.

Even a severely wounded Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal—focused solely on escape—would be nearly impossible to corner and finish off. It would likely require the coordinated efforts of three to five peers of equal standing to have any hope of success.

Furthermore, the Seven Treasures Gourd [a legendary gourd containing seven divine treasures] shared a favorable connection with this Blazing Phoenix Sacred Spirit [a title for a powerful spirit aligned with the phoenix]. His Soaring Immortal Zither had originally come from the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [an ancient and supreme phoenix of the primordial chaos], thus sharing a thread of Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect] with the lineage of the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest [the ancestral nesting grounds of the chaos phoenixes]. Having refined the origin essence of the Chaos Blazing Phoenix Nest [the nesting grounds of the blazing phoenix], he himself was now subtly linked to this Blazing Phoenix Sacred Spirit.

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

"My thanks."

At that very moment, a gentle voice sounded.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, lowering his gaze to the Soaring Immortal Zither as he said, "There is no need for such formality. I promised you that unless they strike at me first, I would not deliver a fatal blow."

The Soaring Immortal Zither trembled slightly, remaining silent for a long while before speaking. "Her Majesty the Violet Ultimate nurtured me for several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles]. She has the grace of raising me. You are my master and possess the grace of guiding me to my path. I truly do not wish for you to come to blows."

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

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, understanding nod.

Unless absolutely forced, he had no desire to cross blades with a being like the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix, a true Chaos Fiend [a primordial demon born from the chaos before creation].

Now, more than ever, he understood the profound power of that Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix.

In ages past, the Chaos-Heaven Kui Ox was vast beyond measure—a single one of its horns was larger than an entire Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortal powers]. Possessing such might, it stood among the very pinnacle of Chaos Demon God [primordial demonic deities], a being suspected to have reached the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the eighth tier of the supreme golden immortal realm].

The fact that the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix could battle the Chaos-Heaven Kui Ox fiercely for millions of years before finally retreating in defeat spoke volumes of her astonishing, earth-shaking strength.

Such a peerless ancient phoenix was, at the very least, a legendary divine fiend whose cultivation had reached the Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the advanced phase of the supreme golden immortal realm]. Moreover, her combat prowess placed her far from being a weakling even among others of that same late stage.

According to Eldrin Chen's knowledge, that Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix had attained the Great Encompassing realm for three thousand Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], and possessed no fewer than ten Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born from the primordial chaos, possessing innate power]. It was absolutely not an opponent he could contend with.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "Back then, I relied on the Seven Treasures Gourd to guide the way, entering the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest through a hidden passage. That is how I gained the advantage and obtained the treasures."

"In that sense, I already owe a debt of Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences] to your lineage. If we can avoid conflict in the future, then let us avoid it."

The Soaring Immortal Zither [a zither-shaped treasure capable of unleashing soul-shaking melodies] smiled faintly upon hearing this and said 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 you break through to the Great Encompassing realm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, saying no more.

He stored away the Soaring Immortal Zither, then with a sweep of his sleeve, gathered all the treasures scattered across the battlefield. Afterward, he arrived at the Within the Chaos Lair.

This Chaos Lair was too vast, and the treasures within were too astonishing. Even though a portion had been taken by the Seven Tribulations Primordial Chaos Beast King, what remained was still an unimaginably immense fortune.

Eldrin Chen did not have time to take inventory. After hastily collecting these treasures, he turned his gaze to the stump of the Mysterious Mulberry Ancient Tree. Yet, after a moment, he shook his head.

The stump of this Mysterious Mulberry Ancient Wood was worth more than half an Innate Spiritual Treasure. However, its roots were deeply entrenched within the entire Ruined Abyss Ancient Realm. With Eldrin Chen's current strength, attempting to uproot it would be nothing short of a fool's dream.

Since it could not be taken, Eldrin Chen could only shake his head with a sigh of regret. He then activated the Returning Abyss Pearl [a mystical pearl capable of traversing the void] and returned to the interior of Returning Abyss Heaven [a secluded pocket dimension].

Upon arriving at Returning Abyss Heaven, Eldrin Chen immediately proceeded to his Seclusion Chamber [a private cultivation chamber] and took out the treasures he had gained from this venture.

"A fortune," he murmured.

Gazing upon the treasures before him, even with Eldrin Chen's composed temperament, he could not help but feel a surge of excitement.

The harvest this time was simply too immense. Although there were no Rare Spiritual Wonders [objects of profound spiritual power] of the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primal forces of heaven and earth] grade, nearly half of the legacy from that shattered Immortal Domain [a realm once inhabited by immortals] had fallen into Eldrin Chen's hands. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel.com (official site).