Chapter 884: The Might of the Grotto Heaven Guard

Xu Yang silently focused his senses.

Now successfully refined and fully integrated into his body, the armor flowed like liquid through his flesh and bones when concealed, not affecting the circulation or control of his physical strength and Immortal Energy in the slightest.

When needed, a single thought could activate it, covering every part of his body below the head. At the same time, it could also protect against external Primordial Spirit attacks.

He marveled inwardly, “Normally, while it’s stored inside my body, I can continuously refine and nourish this treasured armor during cultivation. The longer it’s nourished, the more astonishing its defense becomes.

“For those who cultivate special physiques or possess unique bloodlines, or when they use incredible treasures to temper their bodies, they can also refine the armor to a certain extent.

“It truly is a top-tier Grade Three treasure.”

Xu Yang was filled with awe.

This treasured armor gave him an incredible edge. With his current strength, he could easily defend against ordinary attacks at the Late Stage of Golden Immortal. With such defense, he could focus far more on his offense.

Combined with his Supreme Flawless Pure Physique, the Heaven-Burning Divine Fire within him, and the Purest Essence Qi gathered during cultivation, the armor’s evolution over time would far exceed imagination. If he could find some special materials to integrate into it in the future, it could at least last him until he reached the Sacred Immortal realm.

“Although I’ve only achieved a preliminary level of refinement and control, with this item, I have a much better guarantee when facing the Grotto Heaven Guards,” Xu Yang thought. He exhaled a breath of stale air and slowly concealed the armor.

At this moment, Hong Yichuan was introducing the final segment of the event. Xu Yang snapped back to attention and listened, realizing it was precisely about the Grotto Heaven Guards.

“The Grotto Heaven Guards were forged by our Hongtian Prefecture using vast amounts of resources,” Hong Yichuan announced. “Though few in number, their combat prowess is astonishing. They have all integrated Grotto Heaven fragments, possess abundant combat experience, and are proficient in Battle Array Skills, joint attacks, and Pocket World Skills.

“This time, the challenge is divided into facing one, three, six, and nine Venerable Grotto Heaven Guards, ranging from the Grade One Early Stage of Golden Immortal to the Grade Three Late Stage of Golden Immortal.

“Anyone who can defeat them will undoubtedly receive substantial rewards.

“Furthermore, whoever can ultimately defeat the combined forces of nine Venerable Grotto Heaven Guards at Grade Three will obtain a top-tier supreme treasure: the Black and White Meteor Tower!”

The main event had arrived. A top-tier supreme treasure. This was a treasure that anyone and any immortal sect would forever lack. One could never have too many. Even if they couldn’t use it, they would still risk life and limb to fight for it if given the chance.

“The Black and White Meteor Tower… a defensive supreme treasure that can also stabilize the space of heaven and earth. It can stabilize even a collapsing large-scale Grotto Heaven for hundreds of years!”

“Incredible! As expected of a top-tier immortal sect, their foundation is truly profound.”

“Hongtian Prefecture is so generous to bring out such a treasure.”

“However, defeating the Grotto Heaven Guards will likely be as difficult as scaling the heavens.”

“To think Hongtian Prefecture quietly created these Grotto Heaven Guards. By integrating Grotto Heaven fragments, one can only imagine how terrifying their combat power is, not to mention their joint attack Battle Array Skills.”

“I’m afraid the vast majority of people have no hope. It all depends on Yv Feng and Xu Yang now.”

“It’s fine if we can’t get the top-tier supreme treasure. Just obtaining the other rewards will be enough.”

“I, for one, would love to see what these Grotto Heaven Guards are capable of.”

…

“Lastly,” Hong Yichuan suddenly raised his voice, his gaze sweeping sternly across the experts from various factions. “Whoever defeats the nine Venerable Grotto Heaven Guards at Grade Three and obtains the Black and White Meteor Tower must agree to one condition from our Hongtian Prefecture.

“This condition cannot be disclosed to outsiders for the time being, but I guarantee that it will not threaten your life or safety.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the experts shifted as they fell into deep thought.

Xu Yang was surprised. They actually had to agree to a condition? However, given the status of Hongtian Prefecture, they wouldn’t lie. Compared to obtaining such a supreme treasure, agreeing to an acceptable condition might not be a bad thing.

“It seems Hongtian Prefecture is feeling the pressure as well,” an expert murmured.

Jiang Yue Long frowned. “Is there some hidden motive behind this?”

The expert replied indifferently, “Of course there is.

“It’s either to secure an escape route, or it’s for the Starfall Immortal Ruins. Those are the only two possibilities.

“Rumor has it that Hongtian Prefecture’s strongest expert in the Upper Realm seems to have perished in an accident.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yue Long’s expression changed drastically.

“The Grotto Heaven Guards… nine Venerable Grotto Heaven Guards at Grade Three. Damn it, I have absolutely no hope.” He cast a greedy glance at Hong Xiaoxing and cursed through gritted teeth.

“You shouldn’t get involved, Young Master,” the expert advised.

“Why do you think Ji Wushuang and Di Qinghe didn’t come? They’re unwilling to get mixed up in this. There’s no need.

“The only ones qualified here are Xu Yang and Yv Feng. But regardless of which of them actually gets it, they might not necessarily bend to Hong Yichuan’s will. Let’s just wait and see.”

“What if neither Xu Yang nor Yv Feng gets it?” Jiang Yue Long asked.

“Then they will just have to secretly find another suitable candidate and wait for the right opportunity. Today is merely an olive branch extended by Hongtian Prefecture. After all, no matter what happens in the Upper Realm, it will hardly affect the Lower Realm. Here, Hongtian Prefecture is still a top-tier immortal sect. Unless a major catastrophe occurs, they won’t decline for at least several thousand years.”

…

“For the challenge against a single Grade One Venerable Grotto Heaven Guard, the challenger’s cultivation must not exceed the Early Stage of Golden Immortal! We will allow three successful challengers. The victors will each receive three hundred million Grade Three Immortal Crystals!”

“Hiss, how generous!”

“Three hundred million Grade Three Immortal Crystals!”

Almost the instant the announcement ended, someone dashed into the arena with lightning speed. For a cultivator at the Early Stage of Golden Immortal, three hundred million Grade Three Immortal Crystals was no small sum.

Xu Yang’s expression turned serious as he watched the Grotto Heaven Guard step onto the field.

It was entirely encased in pitch-black armor, with only a pair of cold eyes exposed, exuding an imposing and murderous aura. Despite only being at the Early Stage of Golden Immortal, its aura was palpable enough to make one’s heart palpitate. Just from its appearance alone, it was clear this Grotto Heaven Guard was far from simple.

The battle quickly began. The cultivator at the Early Stage of Golden Immortal clashed directly with the Grotto Heaven Guard.

BOOM!

The Golden Immortal cultivator was instantly blasted back several steps.

The Grotto Heaven Guard spun with lightning speed. Fierce and overbearing, its palm strikes rolled out, distorting space before condensing into an illusory, crimson blade phantom that slashed straight down.

“That blade phantom is a Grotto Heaven fragment!”

“A Grotto Heaven that coalesced into a single blade!”

“Hiss, just for this Grotto Heaven Guard alone, how many Grotto Heavens did Hongtian Prefecture have to obliterate?”

“What terrifying power!”

Gasps of astonishment erupted from the surroundings. Xu Yang slightly narrowed his eyes, closely tracking the Grotto Heaven Guard’s every move.

CLANG!

The Golden Immortal cultivator blocked the blade, but he immediately let out a bloodcurdling scream.

“A Primordial Spirit attack!”

“That blade phantom carries a devastatingly strong Primordial Spirit shockwave!”

“That Golden Immortal cultivator clearly wasn’t prepared for it. He took a direct hit. He’s lost.”

A look of shock appeared on Xu Yang’s face. These Grotto Heaven fragments were indeed extraordinary. Every fragment possessed unique abilities, making them incredibly difficult to defend against.

Sure enough, the Golden Immortal cultivator who took the hit was suppressed by the Grotto Heaven Guard in the blink of an eye. The first battle ended with the Grotto Heaven Guard victorious.

At this moment, the commotion in the stands slowly quieted down. Half of the cultivators and geniuses who were previously itching to try had now shrunk back.

The Grotto Heaven Guard was simply too strong. With such combat power, augmented by the abilities of a Grotto Heaven fragment, even ordinary geniuses of the same cultivation level would find it hard to contend against it.

The appearance of just the first one had sent deep shockwaves through the crowd. It was entirely predictable that after today, Hongtian Prefecture’s Grotto Heaven Guards would become renowned throughout the Eastern Continent.

Xu Yang’s expression also became extremely grave. This was only a Grade One Grotto Heaven Guard. What about Grade Three?

To obtain the Black and White Meteor Tower, he would have to face nine Venerable Grotto Heaven Guards at Grade Three!