Chapter 1669: The Battle of Carefree Haven
The Abyssal Cliff of the Primordial Realm was shrouded in a grim, murderous atmosphere.
The four Celestial Masters of Carefree Haven—the Woodcutter, the Scholar, the Old Farmer, and the Fisherman—stood atop the city walls of Jade Fortress City, gazing into the distance.
The cliff rose steeply, stretching for countless thousands of miles, like a natural moat dividing the Primordial Realm into eastern and western halves.
This place was once the source of the Surging River. The Netherworld Realm had an entrance here, and countless cracks in the myriad realms connected to this cliff.
Later, when the Primordial Realm broke its seal and the Heavenly River soared into the sky, lifting the myriad realms with it, this place became a natural perilous ground.
A fragment of the Grand Supreme Heaven, one of the myriad heavens, had fallen here, lying to the east of the cliff, making it a strategically defensible position.
The thirty-three heavens of Carefree Haven had landed here, floating above the Grand Supreme Heaven, arranged diagonally in a formation to take advantage of the natural defenses.
The Four Heavenly Kings of the Kaihuang Heavenly Court—Di Yiyue, Qing Huang, Di Shitian, and Tian Shu—each stationed their troops. Di Yiyue, the second Kaihuang, also donned armor and took command.
Lang Wan led a separate army, composed entirely of Creators. Though few in number, their strength was formidable.
Additionally, the Netherworld Celestial Venerable was stationed here, his primordial spirit vast, guarding the Netherworld Capital of the Primordial Realm. The Heavenly Duke was also nearby, at the center of the Primordial Realm, channeling the supreme treasures of the Heavenly Dao to protect the Mystic Capital of the Primordial Realm.
The main force of the Heavenly Court’s army, advancing from the west, needed to pass through here to attack Yankang. If they tried to take a detour, Carefree Haven would intercept their central route. Thus, the Heavenly Court had no choice but to capture this place.
By now, Carefree Haven had constructed over a dozen formidable fortresses here, along with a hundred or so divine cities, and had stationed a massive army of gods and demons. A steady stream of Yankang’s heavy weaponry was being transported here, preparing for a decisive battle against the main forces of the Heavenly Court.
Divine cities of all sizes dotted the highlands west of the cliff. In recent days, vanguard units of the Heavenly Court had arrived, launching assaults on these cities. Many small-scale skirmishes had already occurred, with victories and defeats on both sides.
The main army of Carefree Haven remained motionless, waiting for the decisive engagement.
The Woodcutter Sage looked up and saw the Heavenly River churning violently in the sky, its currents flowing faster than before, the water level rising. This was a sign that the Heavenly River Navy was approaching.
"The Heavenly Court is charging in with overwhelming force, yet the myriad realms remain eerily silent. They have long suffered under the Heavenly Court’s tyranny, but they hold back because they are watching," the Woodcutter Sage said, his gaze deep. "If Carefree Haven and Yankang shatter at the first touch, they will not rebel against the Heavenly Court. They will continue to bow their heads in submission, allowing the Heavenly Court to exploit and oppress them. But if Carefree Haven and Yankang can hold their ground, they will waver, and some realms may support us. Therefore, we need a great victory!"
Yan Yunxi said, "The Heavenly River Navy is the most powerful divine army in the Heavenly Court, with twelve thousand great ships, a million small vessels, and countless gods and demons. The command of the Heavenly River Navy has always been held by a Celestial Master. Which Celestial Master is leading this time?"
"It is Celestial Master Zhu Shaoping. Celestial Master Zhu Shaoping ranks fourth among the Four Celestial Masters."
The Fisherman Celestial Master raised his hand lightly, and a school of fish, about four or five hundred strong, flew out of the Heavenly River, circled him a few times, and whispered in his ear.
After a moment, the Fisherman, Han Tang, said, "However, this time, the Heavenly River Navy has been reinforced by the Upper Assistant Ge Yuntian from the Two Assistants of the Heavenly Court, the Left Junior Steward from the Four Stewards, and officials from the Six Armors, the Department of State Affairs, the Left Pivot, and the Right Pivot. Additionally, the Five Chariot Army of the Heavenly Court is supporting them, attacking from the flanks in five routes."
The school of fish flew up on their own, diving back into the Heavenly River and swimming away cheerfully.
Yan Yunxi gasped, lowering her voice. "These Throne Seat powerhouses are all joining the battle. We have far too few Throne Seat experts; we simply can’t stop them..."
The Woodcutter Sage fixed his gaze on her and said, word by word, "This battle must be won!"
Yan Yunxi smiled. "I know. It’s a pity that if you had focused on cultivation instead of messing around with that chaotic theory of post-natal enlightenment, you would already be at the Throne Seat level by now."
The Martial Celestial Master, Zhuo Cha, suddenly said, "That’s not right. With just this force, they can indeed match Carefree Haven, but it’s unlikely they can crush it with overwhelming force. After all, the Netherworld Celestial Venerable is stationed here, and Lang Wan, the Divine King, is also present. These are two Celestial Venerables. If they act..."
The Woodcutter Sage looked at the Fisherman, Han Tang, who shook his head. "I can control the water beasts of the Heavenly River and monitor the navy’s movements, but if a Celestial Venerable is hiding among them, these water beasts won’t be able to detect them."
The Woodcutter Sage frowned, studying the ripples on the Heavenly River. "There must be someone capable of dealing with the two Celestial Venerables among the Heavenly River Navy. The Void Celestial Venerable can block the Netherworld Celestial Venerable, and Lang Wan, the Divine King, will likely have to face the Taiji Ancient God. Pass my orders: have the people of Carefree Haven begin migrating to Yankang."
The three Celestial Masters felt a tremor in their hearts. The Woodcutter’s expression remained calm as he said, "If we do not win, let us leave some roots for the Kaihuang era."
The three Celestial Masters nodded silently and ordered a portion of the gods and demons to begin evacuating the population of Carefree Haven.
Over ten days later, the Heavenly River suddenly erupted in violent turmoil. The entire river lost control, crashing down from the sky. A catastrophic flood surged forth, inundating the land, swallowing everything in its path!
How fierce was the Heavenly River? This great river, spanning the cosmos and countless realms, fell from the heavens, pressing down on the earth, causing the land to sink. The flood spread for untold thousands of miles, raging and sweeping away everything—plains, basins, and mountains alike—turning it all into a watery wasteland!
The people living in the Primordial Realm became like drifting duckweed, struggling and wailing in the great flood, carried away by the currents!
Along with the torrent of the Heavenly River came countless Dragon Kings of the Heavenly River. Divine dragons stirred up waves and summoned storms in the surging waters!
In the heart of the Primordial Realm, dark clouds stretched for thousands of miles, filled with lightning and thunder. Countless divine dragons weaved through the clouds, and a torrential downpour further swelled the floodwaters!
The entire Primordial Realm, including Carefree Haven, grew dark. Only the divine cities flickered with divine light in the darkness, sheltering their surroundings.
Additionally, Thunder Gods and Lightning Mothers wielded their artifacts, unleashing thunderbolts that struck the submerged lands below, with flashes of lightning and roars of thunder.
Amid the torrential rain and flood, massive warships, unimaginably wide, finally appeared before Carefree Haven. Suns revolved around these ships, each accompanied by its own moon!
From the opened holds of these great ships, countless smaller vessels emerged. A million warships, their banners fluttering in the wind!
The Heavenly River Navy had finally arrived, making its presence felt. With the Dragon Kings and Thunder Gods of the world, it first delivered a crushing blow to Carefree Haven!
Just as the Dragon Kings were wreaking havoc, the waters of the Surging River surged. Divine dragons rose from the river, and a thunderous voice echoed through the skies: "When the Heavenly River falls to the earth, it becomes the Surging River, no longer under the Heavenly Court’s rule! The Surging River belongs to me, the Dragon Tamer! All Dragon Kings, heed my command!"
From the Surging River, dragons of all sizes let out continuous roars, flying forth. Leading them was the Dragon Tamer, with a dragon’s head and a human body. His physical form was immense, with countless divine dragons coiled around him!
The Dragon Tamer’s cultivation surged, his body growing into a giant that touched the heavens and the earth. He wielded a trident, using it to carve channels for the floodwaters, diverting them into the Surging River.
Countless Dragon Kings of the Heavenly Court surged from the water and the sky. The Dragon Tamer shook his body, and the countless Surging River dragons on him flew out, engaging in a brutal dragon battle.
Amid the fierce clash of dragons, the Dragon Tamer walked, pushing the Dragon Taming Scripture to its limits. Many Heavenly Court Dragon Kings were invaded by his scripture, directly controlled by him. In the darkness, countless slippery, massive dragons churned the seas, slaughtering fiercely!
The Thunder Gods and Lightning Mothers of the Heavenly Court descended, beating massive drums and hammering lightning, relentlessly striking at the Dragon Tamer!
Countless dark clouds swirled, and bolts of heavenly thunder fell like rain, dense and unending, striking the Dragon Tamer. The flashes of lightning illuminated the source of the Surging River as bright as day.
Suddenly, a new light appeared in the Grand Supreme Heaven. Amid its towering mountains and ridges, the mountains began to shake. Massive divine mountains slowly rose, chains connecting them to ancient, deep divine wells. From the wells, dazzling light emerged as suns slowly ascended into the sky.
The Sun Guardians from the Kaihuang era and the descendants of the Heavenly Duke from the Mystic Capital drove massive sun ships, dispelling the darkness and lighting up the sky!
The suns on the sun ships blazed with fierce flames, evaporating the dark clouds and burning them away.
Boom! Boom!
War horns sounded from the Grand Supreme Heaven. Ancient battle songs sent chills down the spine and stirred the blood!
On the lead sun ship, Yan Jingjing stood tall and mighty. Two of her four arms gripped pillars, while the other two drew a divine bow. An arrow’s light split the sky, shooting down a Thunder God.
From the moving sun ships, dazzling arrows shot into the sky, targeting the Thunder Gods and Lightning Mothers above. One by one, they fell.
"Moon Guardians!" someone shouted.
Then, moon ships rose as well, moons ascending into the sky. The moonlight reflected the sun ships’ radiance, turning into devastating rays that harvested the lives of the Heavenly Court’s Thunder Gods and Lightning Mothers!
The million ships of the Heavenly River Navy set sail, charging toward Carefree Haven.
At the center of the million warships, flames blazed fiercely, shooting into the sky. This was the fiery power radiating from Zhu Shaoping’s personal guard. Zhu Shaoping, the Sacred God of the Southern Pole, cultivated sacred flames. His divine followers were also demigods from the Southern Pole Heaven.
Countless demigods waved command flags. With a point of the flags, flames from the Heavenly River surged along the floodwaters, spreading across the surface and burning!
Boom!
A Ark of the Other Shore charged into the Heavenly River. The Heavenly King Di Shitian stood on the ark, surrounded by countless gods and demons of Carefree Haven. They rose in flying chariots, their compartments opening to release countless sword pellets.
The sword pellets spun, and countless flying swords formed a torrent of blades even larger than the Heavenly River!
It was the Yankang sword formation tactic—swords scouring the land!
In the Netherworld Capital of the Primordial Realm, the Netherworld Celestial Venerable suddenly opened his eyes. Countless paper boats flew out, and elderly underworld officials carrying horse lanterns prepared to charge into the mortal world.
At the same time, the Netherworld Capital shook violently. A bull’s horn, burning with Netherworld demonic fire, pierced through the Netherworld Capital. The Void Celestial Venerable’s massive head peered in, opening its mouth in a silent roar.
Countless Netherworld demons and monsters surged from the Void Celestial Venerable’s mouth like a tide, charging at the elderly underworld officials!
When Qin Mu and Shang Jun arrived at the Primordial Realm, they saw water and fire raging across its center.
The Battle of Carefree Haven had finally begun.
—This battle scene was so hard to write, wuwuwu, it made me cry~~