Chapter 1738 : Duel of Swords in the Abyssal Ocean

"I have come on my master's orders, regarding the matter of the Heaven's Dao Source Artifact."

Purevoid Elder spoke slowly, his countenance serene as he stated,

Upon hearing this, Daoist Shenyuan's expression shifted slightly.

He took a deep breath before speaking, "The Chaos Abyss is a matter concerning the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. Fellow Daoist, by intervening, are you overstepping your bounds?"

"Know this, if the Western Qi Heavenly God and I join forces to activate the shelter of the Heavenly Dao Artifact, even an ancient immortal mighty expert may not necessarily be able to slay us."

Chunxuzi’s expression remained serene, his gaze profound as he spoke, “So you truly intend to cling unyieldingly to the authority of the Heavenly Dao?”

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Deity of Western Qi’s expression shifted slightly. After all, the Pure Sun Grotto-Heaven was the overlord of the 6 Western Heavenly Domains. If they truly intended to take action, the 2 grotto-heavens under his charge would be utterly incapable of withstanding the onslaught.

By then, even if they combined their powers to activate the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact for protection, they might not hold out until the ancient immortals of the demon and god races intervened.

Seeing the change in their attitudes, Chunxuzi continued, "The Chaos Abyss has always been governed by the strong. Since the Return to Ruins Immortal Alliance rose from the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, they rightfully hold a share of this land's Heavenly Dao authority."

"Currently, the Abyssal Immortal Alliance has a total of 20-9 Celestial Immortals. If we were to allocate based on numbers alone, the Alliance should rightfully claim at least 70 to 80 percent."

At this point, Patriarch Chunxu declared, "Very well. This venerable 1 shall act as mediator today. Let us establish your respective shares here and now. What say you?"

"80 percent is too much."

The Heavenly Lord of Western Qi took a deep breath and spoke, "They possess only a single late-stage Celestial Immortal's combat strength. Why not divide the Authority of the Heavenly Dao into 3 parts?"

Eldrin (Person Name) sneered coldly before speaking, "With 20-9 immortals in our alliance, do you truly believe we’re mere vegetarians?"

"Enough with the pointless chatter. Why don't we settle this with a fight?"

At that very moment, the Celestial Alliance's foremost divine general, Taicang Diyang (Person Name), stepped forward. Gripping the Yin-Yang Immortal-Slaying Spear (Magic Treasure), he pointed it at the crowd, his gaze sharp as he declared.

"The Imperial Son of the Tai Cang Imperial Clan?"

Elder Shenyuan's gaze grew profound, a trace of apprehension flashing in his eyes as he took a deep breath. "How should we engage in battle?"

The Darkwater Celestial Deity sneered coldly, his gaze fixed on Eldrin as he declared, "If they wish to claim over 50 percent of the share, they must prove themselves capable of fighting 1 against 2."

Chunxuzi pondered briefly before speaking, “Let us cross blades.”

"The Void Return Immortal Alliance outnumbers the combined forces of both your factions by twofold. Why not have the 2 cave heavens of the Western Aether Divine Abyss each contribute 3 experts, while the Void Return Immortal Alliance sends 12, to face the battle at the edge of the firmament?"

"After 3 great battles, the shares of the Heavenly Dao's authority shall be distributed according to battle achievements."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell into a pensive silence.

Following Pure Void's method, the 2 sides would engage in 3 rounds of sword duels.

Both the Western Qi Grotto-Heaven and the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven would dispatch 3 cultivators each, totaling 6 individuals, to engage in battle against the 12 from the Return to Ruins Immortal Alliance.

This was because the Abyssal Immortal Alliance had a larger contingent, boasting over 20 Celestial Immortals. Even if only half were deployed, they could dispatch a dozen.

In terms of numbers, the 2 cave heavens of the Western Qi Divine Abyss suffered losses, yet both cave heavens possessed experts at the late-stage Celestial Immortal realm.

However, a single flawless Celestial Immortal of the seventh tier could rival 20 first-tier flawed Celestial Immortals joining forces, so they might not be at a disadvantage in this battle.

After much deliberation, both the Western Qi and Divine Abyss grotto-heavens quickly agreed.

Eldrin had no objections to this arrangement. After all, engaging a late-stage Celestial Immortal in battle would require at least a first-level Flawed Celestial from the Immortal Alliance—a confrontation where the risk of annihilation was ever-present.

They chose to hold the duels in 3 separate rounds precisely for safety considerations. After all, if too many participants engaged in a chaotic melee at once, tempers could flare to the point where even Celestial Immortals might fall in battle.

Sending only a dozen or so people, and having them compete in 3 separate sword duels, would ensure a high degree of safety.

After all, with Chunxuzi present as the referee, he could intervene in case of any mishaps, making it highly unlikely for anyone to meet their demise.

After much deliberation, all 3 parties agreed to these terms.

Seeing this, Chunxuzi (Person Name) smiled faintly and said, "Then let us battle above the 9 Heavens."

As the words faded, Purevoid Elder soared toward the celestial zenith, with the crowd swiftly following in his wake.

After flying for a long while, until the Abyssal Ocean had dwindled to a mere speck, Purevoid Sage finally spoke with a faint smile.

"The battle here inflicted minimal damage upon the immortal realm."

"Since you have crossed blades here, let the authority over the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact be divided according to your battle achievements."

Everyone present exchanged uncertain glances. The first to react was Daoist Shenyuan, who turned his gaze toward Eldrin and soared forward, issuing a challenge: "Eldrin, step forth and face me in battle."

Eldrin stepped forward and pointed at the Western Qi Heavenly God as he declared, "Then for this first battle, you should join in as well."

The Heavenly Lord of Western Qi’s gaze turned icy, his expression chilling as he spoke, “Do you truly intend to take on 2 opponents at once?”

Just then, Chunxuzi stroked his beard and calmly stated, "For the 3 rounds of sword duels, each of your 2 major grotto-heavens will send 1 disciple per round, while the Guixu Immortal Alliance will field 4 participants each battle. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing this, the Divine Abyss Ancestor and the Western Qi Heavenly God immediately narrowed their eyes coldly. They understood that Chunxu Zi was showing partiality in mediating the dispute, yet they voiced no objections.

After all, the Abyssal Return Immortal Alliance had far greater numbers. If Eldrin were to face them alone in a single round of combat, even victory would come at too high a cost.

Since the remaining 4 from the 2 great grotto-heavens had to face 11 flawless Celestial Immortals, it was highly probable they would be defeated.

In their eyes, the gap between a late-stage Immortal and a mid-stage Celestial Immortal was immense. Even if Eldrin arranged for 3 experts who had entered the Forbidden Realm to join forces, they would stand no chance against them.

Therefore, Patriarch Xiqi sneered coldly and said, "Since that's the case, let it be settled then."

Eldrin gave a slight nod at the sight, his gaze shifting to Taicang Diyang, Donghuang Chen Qiyuan, and Chen Xianzhang.

These 3 were all extraordinary talents within the 12 Tribulations realm. After reversing their innate true forms, their combat prowess had reached the mid-stage Heavenly Immortal realm, each possessing the flawless Heavenly Immortal strength of fifth or sixth-layer Heavenly Immortals.

Among the 3, Emperor Tai Cang's Way of Yin-Yang Slaughter reigned supreme in offense, while Patriarch Dong Huang's Indestructible Golden Body boasted the most domineering defense.

Chen Xianzhang's 30-3 Layered Divine Pearls of the Vast Sea could transform into celestial array patterns, serving not only for both offense and defense but also possessing profound auxiliary marvels.

According to Eldrin's (Person Name) estimation, with the 3 of them joining forces, they should barely be capable of confronting a Seventh Heavenly Immortal.

The 3 noticed Eldrin's gaze and immediately stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

"3 Taboo Realms?"

The Celestial Deity of Western Qi cast his gaze upon the trio. After a moment of hushed deliberation, he declared, "Then let us begin!"

As the words fell, the Western Qi Heavenly God was the first to strike, hurling a massive black-gold dagger-axe toward the crowd.

The Deity of Western Qi was utterly overbearing. The moment he made his move, he unleashed his ultimate trump card—the supreme-grade innate treasure, the Thalion Immortal-Suppressing Halberd (Magic Treasure).

"What divine weaponry!"

In that instant, Tai Cang Di Yang let out an admiring exclamation, then thrust forward with the Yin Yang Immortal-Slaying Spear in hand, descending with a force capable of piercing through the starry river to suppress all beneath.

Chapter 1 The Azure Cloud Sect's outer gate examination had just concluded. Lin Xuan clutched the newly acquired identity token, his knuckles whitening. After 3 full years of relentless cultivation, he had finally stepped through the threshold of this prestigious immortal sect. "Disciple Lin Xuan, your spiritual root is of the lowest fifth-grade rank," the deacon elder declared indifferently, his tone devoid of emotion. "You shall be assigned to the Herb Gathering Valley. Report there before sunset." Lin Xuan bowed deeply, concealing the flicker of resolve in his eyes. "This junior understands." The surrounding disciples exchanged disdainful glances. In the cultivation world where strength reigned supreme, a fifth-grade spiritual root was virtually synonymous with mediocrity. Yet none could fathom the secret Lin Xuan carried—a mysterious bronze mirror inherited from his deceased parents, capable of refining the purity of spiritual energy tenfold. He trailed behind the deacon elder along the winding mountain path. Mist coiled around the peaks like ethereal serpents, and the air thrummed with dense spiritual energy. Suddenly, a streak of crimson light pierced through the clouds, landing before them with breathtaking speed. The elder immediately dropped to 1 knee. "Greetings, Elder Flameheart!" The newcomer stood enveloped in swirling flames, his crimson robes embroidered with golden phoenix patterns. His gaze swept over Lin Xuan like a physical weight. "This child possesses unusual spiritual fluctuations within him." Lin Xuan's heart skipped a beat. Could the elder have detected the bronze mirror? (To be continued in the next chapter...)