Chapter 1867 : The Great Encompassing Gambit

At the same time, Nyssa Qu also approached and could not help but inquire, "What should we do next?"

Eldrin Chen glanced towards the directions of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea and the Myriad Ghosts Frozen Cavern, then said calmly, "The two big fish have not yet taken the bait. If we reveal our true strength now, we might scare them off."

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang frowned slightly between her brows and said, "If they refuse to emerge, waiting indefinitely will be troublesome. You need to prove your Great Encompassing [the highest state of cultivation, signifying omnipresence and supreme power] Dao. The Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent will descend in one hundred thousand years, and it holds the Great Encompassing Wind Vein [a supreme spiritual treasure containing the primordial power of wind, essential for certain high-level breakthroughs] you require."

"That is true," Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "What they are plotting is nothing more than the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a legendary chance for rebirth and immense power ascension after surviving one hundred heavenly tribulations]."

"I shall give them that opportunity. Let the tribulation-entangled individuals from the major ancient sects fall like rain, accelerating the revival of Great God Vast Azure."

With those words, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "Some old grudges should also be settled today."

"Pass down the order. Let our people make their move."

With Eldrin Chen's command, the war machine of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance roared to life.

Over one hundred Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] and sixteen Ancient Immortal [immortals who have survived for eons, possessing profound and ancient power] from the entire Immortal Alliance took action, sweeping through the vast Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole with unstoppable force.

The various Demon Race [races of powerful, often malevolent, spiritual beings] and Divine Clan [clans descended from or blessed by divine beings] within the Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land [a type of blessed realm, a pocket dimension rich in spiritual energy] collapsed overnight. In a shockingly short time, the heavens themselves seemed to change over the entire Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole. This content originates from audio~novel.com. Please respect copyright.

One after another, Demonic and Divine Clans Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of profound spiritual energy]—White Tiger Grotto-Heaven, Golden Radiance Grotto-Heaven, Celestial Kettle Grotto-Heaven—were besieged and fell. In that brief span, several dozen Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] met their end.

Yet, what gave Eldrin Chen pause was a sense of regret. The true powerhouses of these great Grotto-Heaven [blessed realms], those formidable figures hailing from the Great Encompassing Ancient Clan or the Divine Court and Demon Court [the celestial and infernal courts governing gods and demons], had vanished.

"They fled quite swiftly," he murmured.

After sweeping through the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole, Eldrin Chen glanced at the battle report in his hand, a slight furrow appearing between his brows.

Primordial Solar Patriarch [Patriarch of the Primordial Sun, a powerful ancient cultivator], who had allied with the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, voiced his concern, "The White Tiger Ancient Progenitor and the Golden Radiance Ancient Progenitor are both formidable beings at the Five Tribulations Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable and powerful stage of immortal cultivation]. Their escape from the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole may yet bring trouble."

"It matters not. With the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a legendary chance for rebirth and ascension through enduring a hundred heavenly tribulations] ahead, they will not abandon their pursuit," Eldrin Chen replied with calm certainty.

He set down the intelligence report with a composed air and asked, "What is our current strength in numbers?"

Lior Chen, who was responsible for collating the intelligence, consulted the documents before him. "Our Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, combined with the Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land [blessed lands within the Grotto-Heavens] of the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole and the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races [a collective of one hundred immortal spirit races] who have pledged allegiance to us, now boasts over three hundred Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators at the Celestial Immortal stage]."

"However, our numbers of Ancient Immortal [venerable immortals of great age and power] are lacking. Only three have chosen to cooperate with us thus far."

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this. Indeed, from the entire Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole, only three Ancient Immortal Great Power [powerful beings at the Ancient Immortal stage] had forged an alliance with the Chen Immortal Clan.

They were the ancient Patriarch of the Primordial Solar Patriarch and the Venus Grotto-Heaven respectively, with the remaining one being Diyang Tai Cang, the foremost Divine General under Eldrin Chen's command. Apart from these, none of the other returning Ancient Immortal Great Power had entered the tribulation within the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen fell into a brief, thoughtful silence before speaking with a faint, knowing smile. "Although over a hundred Ancient Immortal have now returned to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, only one has come back to the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole. It seems they all regard me as their primary adversary."

Hearing his words, the brows of those gathered nearby furrowed slightly in concern.

The Ancient Progenitor from the Venus Grotto-Heaven stroked his long beard and said, "In the past, you suppressed the Dusk Nirvana Patriarch and demonstrated power that overshadowed all rivals. Naturally, they dare not enter the tribulation within the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole."

Diyang Tai Cang then turned to Eldrin Chen and asked, "In your view, what should our next course of action be?"

"Mobilize our forces, prepare for war, and then march upon the Central Seven Heavenly Domains."

Eldrin Chen declared without hesitation. Given his current strength and foundation, within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, only the Xuanheng Ancient Demon and the Myriad Ghosts Patriarch warranted his serious attention.

As for the others, they were not worth expending excessive effort upon. Rather than wasting time on intricate schemes, it was better to simply sweep forward and suppress all opposition.

The others present had no objections to this approach. However, the Primordial Solar Patriarch voiced a lingering concern, "Should we not take some precautions regarding the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea?"

"Unnecessary."

Eldrin Chen shook his head and spoke calmly, "If that Ancient Demon awakens, none present would likely be able to withstand it."

"If it does not emerge, the others are fundamentally not a concern. Leaving a few Celestial Immortal to maintain the grand formation of the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain would suffice."

Hearing this, the Primordial Solar Patriarch fell into a brief silence and said no more.

At Eldrin Chen's command, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance began further war preparations. This time, they mobilized the strength of the entire Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole, assembling nearly two hundred Celestial Immortal Great Power and billions of Immortal and Earth Immortal cultivators to wage war.

This was an all-out war. Dozens of Human Race and Hundred Immortal Spirit Races Grotto-Heaven dispatched the majority of the forces they had accumulated over the course of a Kalpa Tribulation.

A conflict of this scale, even within the Immortal Domain, could be called an epic battle, one that occurs only once per Kalpa Tribulation. For Immortal beings, it would become a legend in its own right. Continue reading this story at audio - novel . com.

After all, even an Earth Immortal Patriarch rarely lives to see the passing of a full Kalpa Tribulation.

Now, personally experiencing such a cataclysm, the Immortal were filled with both fervor and dread. Their fervor stemmed from the immense Opportunity and Fortune inherent in a Kalpa Tribulation; their dread, from the knowledge that since ancient times, over ninety percent of Immortal who face a Kalpa Tribulation perish within it.

This was the Great Path of Heavenly and Earthly Cycles [the grand cosmic cycle of renewal and decay], concerning whether the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the foundational spiritual essence of heaven and earth] of the Immortal Domain could be revived. It was the Great Path [the supreme natural law] preventing the Immortal Domain from descending into an age of spiritual desolation. Without the protection of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has transcended the cycle of rebirth], no Immortal could defy it.

In truth, even for a Celestial Immortal Great Power, the chance of surviving a Kalpa Tribulation was no greater than thirty percent.

This time, the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea witnessed a grand exodus of countless vessels. Innumerable Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] boarded World-Opening Ancient Ship [ancient vessels capable of traversing the void between worlds] and even Primordial Unity Ancient Ship [legendary ships from the dawn of creation].

Eldrin Chen gazed upon the endless sea of Immortal and ancient ships, letting out a soft sigh. "I wonder," he murmured, "how many of them will survive what comes after this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle that reshapes existence]."

Myriad Spirit Patriarch sighed as well, a flicker of compassion in his eyes. "Since time immemorial," he said, "those who live through a Kalpa Tribulation are exceedingly few. It is a path where nine out of ten perish."

"If we are defeated, they will likely be annihilated to the last. But if we achieve a complete victory, perhaps the majority may yet live."

Eldrin Chen fell silent. He understood that within the crucible of a Kalpa Tribulation, these lower-tier Immortal held no power to steer their own Destiny [the predetermined course of one's spiritual journey and fate].

The true arbiters of victory or defeat were the Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to a higher celestial plane] and even the Ancient Immortal Great Power [profoundly powerful beings from ancient times]. In truth, even the Celestial Immortal Great Power were but slightly larger pieces on the board.

As for the lower-tier Immortal, they were mere ants swept along by the current, their only hope pinned on the strength of the powers they followed—that their chosen champions could crush the formidable enemies within the Tribulation [a trial of heavenly retribution or a great calamity]. Only then would their chance of survival increase.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen sighed once more before speaking firmly. "They will come to understand," he declared, "that they have not placed their faith in the wrong leader."

"*Woo-woo-woo—*"

A deep, resonant horn blast echoed across the void. The armada of millions of ancient ships finally began to move.

One after another, World-Opening Ancient Ship [ancient vessels capable of traversing the void between worlds] cleaved through the firmament, their course set for the Central Seven Heavenly Domains. The grand army's march spanned several centuries before they finally reached their destination.

Their spearhead was aimed directly at the Green Sun Divine Domain, and they plunged into the very heart of its most critical and fiercely contested battlefield.

By this time, the Green Sun Divine Domain had long become the most intense and chaotic warzone within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. Dozens of major powers, including the Purple Tenuity Path Palace, the Verdant Sun Grotto-Heaven, the Great Brightness Ancient Clan, and the Bifang Demon Race, were locked in combat here, with over eight hundred Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] clashing across its expanse.

Even Ancient Immortal Patriarch [venerable cultivators who have survived for countless ages and weathered multiple heavenly tribulations], numbering more than fifty, had gathered here, making it the undisputed primary battlefield of the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Now, as the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance swept in with its forces, it smashed through layer upon layer of the conflict, driving relentlessly toward the core of the Green Sun Divine Domain. Along the way, its advance shattered the formations and scattered the forces of dozens of Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation].

Yet, just as Eldrin Chen neared the heart of the maelstrom, the void around him suddenly trembled. Over thirty figures tore through space, materializing directly before him.

The newcomers were the dozen or so Celestial Immortal Great Power from the Void Grotto-Heaven. At their forefront were the Void Sword Master and Path Ruins Jiang, accompanied by several unfamiliar Human Race Ancient Immortal Great Power.

The Void Sword Master, upon seeing Eldrin Chen, urgently called out to halt him, "You must not advance further! What lies ahead is a trap."

"Oh?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes, his brow furrowing slightly.

Yet at that very moment, the void trembled violently. Streak after streak of radiant light tore across the firmament.

No fewer than several thousand Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the celestial realm] and over one hundred Ancient Immortal Patriarch [venerable masters who have survived for countless ages] positioned themselves across all directions, completely encircling them.

Even more astonishing was the vast Green Sun Divine Domain. A formation diagram that blotted out the sky and sun soared into the heavens. Countless immortal mountains erupted with world-shaking Immortal Radiance [divine light of immense power], merging to form a grand formation that sealed the entire Heavenly Domain [a vast, divinely governed realm].

"Thinking of leaving now is likely far too late."

Upon the Void Heaven [a celestial plane of profound emptiness], a golden great sun rose, radiating a light that illuminated the Myriad Heavens [the countless celestial realms of existence].

It was the Dusk Nirvana Patriarch. He gazed coldly at Eldrin Chen, his eyes profound as he spoke, "Fellow Cultivator Eldrin, to have cultivated to such a realm in merely ten million years, you are indeed worthy of being called the foremost prodigy the Human Race has ever produced in the history of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

"Yet Heaven envies true talent. Today marks the end of your life."

Simultaneously, upon the other side of the Void Heaven, the Verdant Firmament Ancient Progenitor from the Verdant Sun Divine Clan stood poised in the air. His gaze, like a great sun of the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial planes], looked down with a mixture of admiration and regret.

"Truly a peerless genius," he said. "A pity you are not of my Verdant Sun Divine Clan. Otherwise, this old man would have certainly protected you with all his might."

"For these mountains to serve as the place of your fall can be considered their honor. I propose that after today, this mountain range be renamed the Immortal-Falling Ridge."

"Absolutely, absolutely!"

Not far away, the True Dragon Clan Primordial Era Azure Dragon also nodded, speaking with admiration, "I foresee that this Immortal-Falling Ridge will undoubtedly become a major Forbidden Land within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain in the days to come."

"Damnation."

Witnessing the encirclement, the expressions of those from the Void Grotto-Heaven shifted dramatically. Even the other Human Race Ancient Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality and cultivated for eons] present changed countenance, a flicker of retreat flashing in their eyes.

It was not a matter of their own weakness, but the sheer overwhelming number of their adversaries. Over one hundred Ancient Immortal Great Power [supreme cultivators of immense age and power] had descended, a clear sign of a meticulously planned ambush aimed solely at ending Eldrin Chen.

*Clap. Clap. Clap.*

Yet, just as fear gripped the hearts of the besieged, Eldrin Chen began to applaud softly, a faint smile gracing his lips.

His gaze swept across the encircling host as he counted them off one by one. "Fellow Daoist Dusk Nirvana, the Verdant Sun Ancient Progenitor [a primordial ancestor of a lineage], the Bifang Ancient Progenitor, the True Dragon Ancient Progenitor, the Immortal Phoenix Ancient Progenitor, and the Taihao Ancient Progenitor... For you six Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [ancient immortals who have survived six heavenly tribulations] to jointly besiege this humble one is, I suppose, understandable."

"However," his tone turned pointed, "the Purple Tenuity lineage is a branch of our own Human Race Purple Tenuity Ancient Sect. Why must you, too, seek my demise?"

The Ancient Progenitor from the Purple Tenuity Grotto-Heaven met his gaze with icy detachment. "Your potential threat is too great," he stated flatly. "Should you be allowed to grow during this tribulation cycle, what chance would remain for this old man to seize the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a legendary chance for rebirth and ascension after surviving a hundred heavenly calamities]?"

The Ancient Immortal from the nearby Voidwalker Ancient Sect witnessed this and could not help but let out a bitter laugh. He then said to Eldrin Chen, "The Great Encompassing Immortal Lord of the Purple Tenuity Ancient Sect, Purple Tenuity Path Master, cultivates the Purple Tenuity Great Path [the supreme celestial way of the Purple Tenuity constellation]."

"His life and death are under the control of the Purple Tenuity Divine Sovereign. How would the powerful figures under his command dare to defy a direct descendant powerhouse from the Verdant Sun Divine Clan?"

"I see."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then asked, "Seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortals, one hundred and twenty-one Ancient Immortal Patriarchs, three thousand four hundred Celestial Immortal Great Powers—the forces deployed by the various ancient sects and the two Heavenly Courts should all be nearly assembled by now, correct?"

Seeing Eldrin Chen remain utterly composed, the expressions of the assembled powerhouses from all sides turned frosty.

The Dusk Nirvana Patriarch's gaze turned icy as he spoke, "Your composure suggests you are waiting for the Evergreen Ancient Progenitor, and the forces of the Diyang Imperial Clan and other Human Race factions. A pity they will not arrive."

"Even if you had reinforcements, it would be futile."

The Patriarch from the Bifang Clan sneered, his eyes gleaming with Fiendish Energy [malevolent spiritual power]. "Setting aside the grand formation blocking their path, even if they all arrived today, with the combined might of our two Heavenly Courts, thirteen ancient clans, and thirty-six great ancient sects, your fate is sealed."

"Begin."

"BOOM—"

As his words fell, Patriarch Bifang unleashed his full power. He summoned a dazzling Immortal Flame lantern, which soared forth, showering down a torrent of brilliant and blazing Innate divine flames [primordial fires of creation] aimed at reducing the group to ashes.

Seeing this, the other Ancient Progenitors—the True Dragon, the Immortal Phoenix, Dusk Nirvana, and others—also acted in unison. They each summoned their own overwhelming Heavenly God-level ancient treasures [artifacts from a bygone era of immense power] and unleashed them, seeking to suppress the group with their combined might.

Yet, Eldrin Chen's expression remained utterly calm. With a mere flick of his sleeve, he drew forth the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a weapon embodying the primordial chaos of creation]. Sweeping it across all directions, he single-handedly engaged all seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortals in battle.

The moment the clash began, the seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortals' faces changed dramatically. They realized that even with their combined strength of seven, they held not the slightest advantage against Eldrin Chen. Instead, they were forced into a steady, relentless retreat.

The True Dragon Ancient Progenitor was sent flying, coughing up blood from a seemingly casual blow by Eldrin Chen. Utterly terrified, it cried out, "This is dire! His power... it must have already stepped into the Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations]. We cannot face him head-on!"

Dusk Nirvana Patriarch's expression shifted slightly. The gap between a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal and a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal was as vast as a chasm. Unless they employed the trump cards bestowed upon them by their backing powers, even their combined force of seven stood no chance against a single Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

However, the trump cards granted by the Heavenly Court [the celestial administration governing the heavens] and their ancient sects were far too precious. They were powerful enough to pose a threat even to an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal, but activating them came at a tremendous cost. Moreover, these were their key aces for seizing the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a legendary chance for rebirth and ascension after enduring a hundred heavenly calamities].

With Great God Vast Azure not yet awakened, how could they possibly use such cards so readily?

Thinking this, Dusk Nirvana Patriarch immediately spoke up, "Use the Formation [a structured array that channels and amplifies power] to suppress him! Mobilize the power of the entire Heavenly Domain [a vast celestial territory] and focus its pressure on him alone!"

"Agreed!"

As the words fell, countless Demon Immortals and Divine Spirits began to activate the grand Formation. The colossal formation diagram erupted with world-shaking divine power, its crushing pressure descending upon Eldrin Chen.

Under such immense pressure, even Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow for a fleeting moment before his expression relaxed.

The force of such a Formation pressing down would suppress even an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal by thirty percent of their strength. Yet, for him, who possessed a dual True Spirit Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the pinnacle of spiritual potential], it was not a significant burden.

Nevertheless, Eldrin Chen feigned being suppressed by thirty percent, deliberately holding back a portion of his power with each strike.

In truth, Eldrin Chen was not unleashing his full might. The power of his True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the supreme spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their ultimate potential] was too astonishing. If fully channeled into his physical form, it could suppress all other powers, unleashing a cataclysmic force capable of shattering heaven and earth—a power only an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal could hope to withstand.

He held back for two reasons: first, to avoid frightening away Xuan Yan the Old Demon and the Myriad Ghosts Patriarch; second, to set a trap for these two fiends.

With Eldrin Chen bearing the full brunt of the Formation's pressure and locked in a stalemate with seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortals, the other battlefields finally gained a slight advantage.

Exquisite Jiang, having mastered a Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical technique], opened the battle with the Great Five Elements Pure Lunar Divine Thunder. A single blast annihilated seven Ancient Immortal Great Powers, including one Five Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

This terrifying display forced the remaining enemies to unite in defense. Over thirty Ancient Immortal Patriarchs joined forces just to contend with Exquisite Jiang.

Nyssa Qu also displayed extraordinary prowess. Her Seven Extremities Spirit-Slaying Sword had been refined into the Nine Extremities God-Slaying Sword. This set of Innate Ancient Treasures possessed lethality rarely seen throughout the ages. When deployed as a Formation Artifact, its power rivaled that of thirty-six supreme-grade Innate Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Swords.

With this Sword Formation, Nyssa Qu single-handedly battled over twenty Ancient Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have transcended the mortal realm and attained great age and power], and even seemed to hold a slight upper hand.

The other members of the Chen Immortal Clan also unleashed their formidable might. Wielding the Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation [a powerful sword formation composed of bamboo swords forged from a rare, primordial bamboo], they swept through the throngs of heroes, each displaying combat prowess comparable to a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations]. For a time, the scales of battle began to tip in their favor.

"How is this possible?"

"How could they possess so many Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation?"

Witnessing the Ancient Immortal Great Power of the Chen Immortal Clan unleash such devastating power, everyone present was struck with utter astonishment.

In that moment, shock rippled through the assembled crowd. The reason was the extreme rarity of supreme-grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo [a primordial spiritual bamboo of unparalleled purity and power]. Generally, cultivating hundreds of millions of Jade Marrow Golden Bamboo Shoot [a precious spiritual herb] might not yield a single stalk of Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo.

And a supreme-grade specimen was a one-in-a-thousand find even among existing Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo.

That alone might have been manageable. Given the deep reserves of the various Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [venerable and powerful sects], cultivating a significant number of supreme-grade bamboos was not entirely impossible.

The true challenge lay in the Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation. Forming this formation placed extremely high demands on the compatibility and resonance between the individual Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo stalks used.

Typically, ordinary, disparate supreme-grade bamboos could at most be assembled into a Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation of nine swords. While such a formation was formidable, it lacked a qualitative leap in power.

Only Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo [a legendary bamboo species whose stalks are used to forge supreme-grade flying swords] of similar age, grown in identical locations, cultivated by the same methods, and achieving breakthrough at proximate times will possess Dao patterns and foundational essence that are closely aligned. Only then can they be combined to form a Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation [a powerful sword array utilizing multiple swords forged from Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo] exceeding nine swords in number.

Under such circumstances, only the Three Great Heavenly Courts [the three supreme governing bodies of the immortal realm] possess the resources and longevity to cultivate a sufficient quantity of Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation.

That the Immortals of the Chen Immortal Clan could produce one or two sets of Supreme-Grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation was surprising enough. But to bring forth over a dozen large-scale Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation at once utterly defied all expectations.

Bolstered by this multitude of Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation, and with the intervention of two combatants possessing the battle prowess of Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortals—Exquisite Jiang and Nyssa Qu—the tide of battle began to turn.

Even though the alliance of the Demonic and Divine Clans and the Hundred Races fielded over a hundred Ancient Immortals, granting them an overwhelming numerical advantage, they gradually found themselves at a disadvantage. Ancient Immortal Patriarchs began to fall one after another.

And this was with Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, and the others holding back their true power. Had they unleashed their True Spirit Divine Ability [ultimate techniques derived from the power of a True Spirit], the Nine-Colored Immortal Radiance [a supreme radiant technique], or the Heaven-Earth Fiend-Subduing Golden Bamboo Sword Array, they could have annihilated these Ancient Immortal Patriarchs in moments.

Yet even with their restraint, the scales of war continued to tip inexorably.

After merely a millennium of fierce combat, the encircling force of Ancient Immortals had been reduced by more than half. The seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortals leading them were all grievously wounded.

Only then, amidst the boundless killing intent, did they finally perceive their dire predicament and react.

The Dusk Nirvana Patriarch cast a murderous glance at Eldrin Chen and declared, his voice dripping with venom, "Fellow Daoists, we have reached this point. We can hold nothing back any longer."

"If you wish to scheme for the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity, you should first kill this man and survive this battle before anything else."

"Agreed."

The Ancient Progenitor of the Purple Tenuity Path Palace was the first to act. With a furious roar, this Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal unleashed an ancient immortal talisman, sending it crashing down to suppress Eldrin Chen.

"The Great Encompassing Ancient Talisman?"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, feigning a look of 'shock and fury' as he declared, "To rely on such external artifacts—you are unworthy of being called cultivators!"

This Great Encompassing Ancient Talisman was personally forged by a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the pinnacle of cultivation]. Sealed within it was a Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a supreme technique of a patriarch-level expert] from that very immortal. Though it possessed only ten to twenty percent of its original, peak power, its might was still peerless between heaven and earth, potent enough to threaten even an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen erupted with his full power. He summoned the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth], the Soaring Immortal Zither, and plucked its strings, unleashing world-shaking sonic blades to parry the attack.

"Disaster! He possesses an Innate Spiritual Treasure?"

In that instant, the faces of the other attackers paled, etched with sheer terror. Several among them immediately turned to flee for their lives.

Yet, at that very moment, Dusk Nirvana the Golden Crow [a mythical solar bird] noticed a trickle of blood at the corner of Eldrin Chen's mouth. A wild joy surged within him as he shouted, "He hasn't fully refined the Innate Spiritual Treasure! He is not a true Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal!"

Patriarch Bifang was both shocked and overjoyed, immediately exclaiming with a hint of madness, "An Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing immense power] that has not been refined—this may be our greatest Opportunity and Fortune [a pivotal chance for advancement and destiny]."

"Act swiftly!"

In that instant, none of them held back any longer, each unleashing their hidden trump cards.

It was seen that Purple Tenuity Ancient Progenitor once again activated the Great Encompassing Ancient Talisman [an ancient talisman of immense, world-encompassing power], Golden Crow Patriarch summoned a Great Encompassing Forbidden Artifact [a forbidden artifact of supreme, all-encompassing power]—the Golden Crow Wheel—and Patriarch Bifang burned a single drop of Great Encompassing True Blood [a drop of primordial blood essence bestowed by a supreme being] granted by the Bifang Great Emperor, temporarily elevating his cultivation by a minor realm.

For a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal to activate a contingency left by a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has transcended the Great Encompassing Realm] demanded a staggering price. Regardless of the battle's outcome, their combat prowess would be greatly diminished afterward, and they would be unable to invoke such power again for a long time.

Nevertheless, with these means at their disposal, their strength was now incomparable to what it had been mere moments before.

In that moment, each of the seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal had elevated their combat power to the level of a Seven Tribulations [having survived seven heavenly tribulations] Ancient Immortal Realm cultivator, with offensive power nearing that of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

The combined might of seven such beings was enough to sweep through the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a vast and ancient realm within the immortal worlds] with no one able to stand against them.

Even if Xuanheng Old Demon and Myriad Ghosts Patriarch were to revive and return, not having regained their peak strength, they would face this alliance of seven with profound caution.

Facing these seven, Eldrin Chen felt a sliver of pressure, yet it was merely that—a sliver, and nothing more.

In that moment, after assessing the combat prowess of the several opponents, Eldrin Chen realized that by unleashing his True Spirit Divine Ability [the ultimate power derived from one's spiritual core], he could easily suppress them all.

Yet, Eldrin Chen refrained from doing so, for if he struck with his full power, those two would undoubtedly flee at the first opportunity.

"A trump card at the Great Encompassing [a profound cultivation realm signifying mastery over vast cosmic principles] level. Truly, you live up to the name of a Great Encompassing Ancient Clan [an ancient and supremely powerful clan whose influence spans the cosmos]."

"Since that is the case, let us fight with everything we have."

At that moment, a flicker of battle intent finally surfaced within Eldrin Chen.

Clad in robes white as snow, he sat cross-legged upon the sea of clouds. Placing the Soaring Immortal Zither [a legendary zither capable of unleashing melodies that can ascend one to immortality] across his knees, he faced the seven mightiest figures to have emerged from and returned to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a vast and storied realm of immortals] over the course of a hundred Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years]. His demeanor remained as serene and unshakable as a deep mountain lake.

Thus began the climactic peak of a duel destined to shake the foundations of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain and whose legend would awe the Future for a hundred Kalpa Tribulation to come. This chapter appears courtesy of audio_novel.com.