Chapter 999 : The Abyss and the Realm's Will

Even now, though the Calamity Demon God was grievously wounded, with the Calamity Demonic Abyss [a profound and malevolent dimensional rift] shielding him, he remained nearly invincible, leaving the three of them utterly powerless against him.

Seeing they could not slay the Calamity Demon God, Lyra Jiang turned to Eldrin Chen with a grave expression. "He is protected by the Demonic Abyss [a malevolent dimensional rift]. Husband, do you have a way to strike him down?"

"Do not worry. Though the Demonic Abyss is formidable, it is not without its limits!"

Eldrin Chen's expression was calm. As his words fell, a brilliant radiance erupted from within the Purple Realm [a higher plane of existence].

In that fleeting moment, boundless power of heaven and earth surged forth, beginning an unceasing struggle against the Demonic Abyss.

The Purple Realm had been suppressed by the Demonic Abyss for tens of thousands of years. While the Demon God had used the power of the Demonic Abyss to trap the Purple Realm, the Purple Realm was not without its own power to resist.

Now, as the Extraterrestrial Demon God [a demonic entity from beyond this realm] marshaled the Demonic Abyss for his defense, it became difficult for the Demonic Abyss to completely overwhelm the Purple Realm.

At this critical juncture of the great battle, the Purple Realm's World Will [the sentient consciousness and fate of the Purple Realm] immediately counterattacked. Surging power of heaven and earth began to relentlessly press down upon the force of the Demonic Abyss.

The Calamity Demon God had used the Calamity Demonic Abyss to seal the Purple Realm, never imagining that this very act would also cause the Demonic Abyss to be held in check by the Purple Realm.

Seizing the opportunity, Eldrin Chen and his two companions struck. This time, their attacks finally managed to shake the power of the Demonic Abyss, causing the protective shroud of Demonic Abyss energy to visibly tremble and flicker. The story continues at http://www . audio-novel.com.

"Damnation!"

"Hold them back!"

Even the Calamity Demon God could see the dire turn of events, a flicker of panic crossing his visage in that moment.

In his haste, he let out a furious roar that shook the Boundless Starry Sky: "Sons of the Demon Race, come to my aid!"

As the Calamity Demon God's words fell, the eyes of billions within the Demonic Abyss burned crimson.

In that instant, their Life Soul [the core of their life force and consciousness] were seized, compelling them to disregard their own survival. They poured their vital essence and Mana [the spiritual energy used for cultivation and magic] into the Demonic Abyss.

Though most of these Demon Race were of low cultivation, their numbers within the Demonic Abyss were nearly limitless. At the cost of their own lives, they fueled the Demonic Abyss's power, causing it to swell with terrifying intensity.

Bolstered by the lifeblood and Mana of countless myriads of Demon Race, the Demonic Abyss finally stabilized. Its might even began to overwhelm the natural power of the Purple Realm.

"A desperate measure that only worsens the poison!"

Unmoved by the Demon God's final madness, Eldrin Chen remained expressionless, his gaze fixed upon the battlefield among the stars.

In the starry void, the war between humanity and the demonic hordes raged with unrelenting ferocity.

Countless Human Race [the collective term for human cultivators and mortals] powerhouses joined forces, unleashing torrents of Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to cast spells and techniques] to strike in all directions, aiming to slay billions of Demon Race [a race of malevolent beings born from chaos and negative energies] to diminish the might of the Demonic Abyss.

"Cleave!"

The great battle in the void continued, with the two races of humans and demons fighting to the point of utter madness.

Eldrin Chen swept his gaze across the battlefield and witnessed a searing sword light erupt. Lin Tianqi unleashed a single strand of Sword Qi [a concentrated blade of energy formed from a swordsman's will and cultivation] that traversed countless tens of thousands of Li-lengths, consecutively beheading three Demon Race Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest form of a cultivator's soul, equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage]. Wherever the Sword Qi passed, hundreds of millions of Demon Race were reduced to ashes.

Kael Chen also fought with all his might. Golden Buddhist radiance bloomed around him, interwoven with flowing purple Daoist essence, while a demonic heart devoured everything in its path.

Amidst the chaos of war, Kael Chen carved a path of carnage through hundreds of millions of Li-lengths of starry sky. Unbeknownst even to himself, he achieved a monumental breakthrough, successfully cultivating three types of Pseudo Dao Fruit [a profound, near-perfect manifestation of one's cultivated path, a step below a true Dao Fruit].

Above his head, three luminous flowers blossomed. Upon each of the three illusory Dao Fruit [the perfect, solidified manifestation of a cultivator's understanding of their chosen Dao or path], a figure seemed to sit in meditation: a Buddha, a Daoist Patriarch, and a Demon Monarch [a ruler among demonic cultivators, possessing immense power].

Empowered by these three Dao Fruit, Kael Chen, though having just broken through to the Half-Immortal Realm [a realm bridging the mortal and immortal planes], possessed cultivation that nearly surpassed the limits of a Demi-Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality but not yet achieved full immortality], appearing even more astonishing than Lin Tianqi.

With a mere flick of his sleeve, he thrust his palm forward. The three supreme forces of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonic cultivation fused together. Where this power passed, a stretch of the Demonic Abyss over a million Li-lengths wide was utterly flattened and purified.

Amidst the throngs, figures like Maris the Sea Steader [a powerful cultivator known for his mastery over the seas], Separated Flame Daoist [a formidable master of fire-based cultivation arts], and Dorian Ji [a renowned true lord from the Ji Clan] were locked in fierce battle. Alongside them, powerful Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high level of power] cultivators such as Lila [a powerful female cultivator], Yvonne the Violet Consort [a formidable immortal maiden], and Nyssa Qu [a renowned cultivator] were sweeping through the cataclysm, cleansing the land of its taint.

Yet this was not all. From within the Heavenly Scar [a vast, otherworldly rift in reality], one after another, Nascent Soul [a high cultivation realm where one's soul forms an independent entity] cultivators and Dao Lord [a title for masters who have comprehended profound truths of the Dao] arrived, having journeyed from the Purple Realm [a higher plane of existence]. They came with a singular purpose: to partake in the final battle to quell the great calamity.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] saw Thalion Chen [a senior member of the Chen Clan], saw Silas Chen [another cultivator from the Chen Clan], and also saw the Five Venoms Young Master [a notorious practitioner of venomous arts]. His gaze fell upon the Separated Flame Vermilion Bird [a mythical fire-attribute demon beast resembling a vermilion bird] as well.

He witnessed young cultivators fighting desperately, drenched in blood as they slew formidable foes. He saw peak-stage cultivators in their prime, striking out in all directions, their bodies bearing grievous wounds as they charged deep into the heart of the Demonic Abyss [a bottomless pit teeming with demonic energy and creatures].

In this moment, it mattered not whether one was human or of the Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic races and factions]. Regardless of cultivation level, every single being fought with desperate fervor, striving to contribute their final measure of strength toward ending the cataclysm.

Among them, some fell in tragic, heroic deaths. Others unleashed Sword Qi [sharp, condensed energy blades projected from a sword] that cleaved through all before them. Yet more, bearing their wounds and pain, continued their march toward what seemed like certain doom. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at http://www . audio-novel.com.

"Slay them all!"

A white-haired elder cultivator, his life force nearly extinguished, squeezed out the last dregs of his Mana [the spiritual energy used to power cultivation arts and techniques]. With this final effort, he desperately slew the Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate demonic energy] before him, saving a young cultivator at his side. Yet this act pushed him to the very brink, his lamp of life flickering on its last drop of oil.

Beside him, a pale-faced youth, trembling with a mixture of fear and anguish, supported the old man. His voice choked with sobs as he cried out, "Ancient Ancestor [a respectful title for a venerable, senior cultivator], Ancient Ancestor!"

"Do not fret, child."

The white-haired elder was hunched over, seemingly clinging to his final breath.

His wrinkled, aged face was full of kindness as he stroked the tender cheek of the youth beside him and smiled, saying, "A Millennium ago, when I was your age, I was fortunate enough to witness the birth of an Immortal [a being who has ascended to the highest known realm of cultivation] with my own eyes."

"And now, to have personally taken part in quelling this great calamity... I can truly say I have no regrets in this life."

Gazing at the youth, the old man's mind drifted, and for a fleeting moment, he seemed to see the conversation between his younger myself and the Ancient Ancestor upon that solitary boat of long ago.

A full Millennium had passed in the blink of an eye. The Ancient Ancestor of yesteryear had long since returned to dust, while he himself had become the kind of man that Ancient Ancestor had been. And the person before him now bore a startling resemblance to his own younger myself.

"Ancient Ancestor..."

The youth wept bitterly, his eyes filled with profound anguish.

He had heard the tales of the Ancient Ancestor's childhood exploits many times over. Back then, the Ancient Ancestor was still young, yet he followed the Old Patriarch of that era across the boundless Eastern Sea, personally witnessing the birth of an Immortal [a being who has ascended to the highest known realm of cultivation]. It was the deed the youth admired most.

All these years, he had listened to those stories as mere tales. But now, having lived through the calamity himself and watched the Ancient Ancestor die to save him, a deep sense of bewilderment grew within his heart.

"Do not be lost. Do not be bewildered."

The old cultivator shook his head, a bitter smile gracing his lips. "The Ancient Ancestor's cultivation was at the Golden Core Realm [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power]. His lifespan was but a mere thousand years. To have witnessed the birth of an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and ascended to a higher plane of existence] with his own eyes, to have personally participated in quelling a great calamity... this can be considered the greatest honor of his life."

"Yet for us cultivators, if we cannot achieve Ascending to Immortality [the ultimate goal of transcending the mortal realm and achieving eternal life], a Millennium [a period of one thousand years] is but a fleeting wisp of smoke even to an Immortal."

"You are still young. Your path stretches long before you. I hope you can walk it well, step by steady step."

"I hope you can surpass me, surpass the Ancient Ancestor of that bygone era. Do not remain trapped within the Golden Core Realm..."

The old cultivator's voice gradually faded, ultimately dissipating into nothingness.

The youth stood speechless, his bewildered gaze finally clearing. He embraced the old cultivator's form, then gritted his teeth, took up his sword, and strode forward, intent on continuing the unfinished battle.

At that moment, a white-haired elder grasped his arm and shook his head. "You are still young. The road ahead is long."

"Live well. Do not let his sacrifice be in vain."

"This war... I shall walk its path for you..."

Within the vast Demonic Abyss [a chasm of profound darkness and demonic energy], Divine Ability [supernatural powers granted by high-level cultivation], Daoist arts, Magical Treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators], and Immortal Sword [a sword of peerless sharpness and spiritual power] clashed and weaved in a grand, chaotic dance. A battle of life and death swallowed everything in its wake.

Eldrin Chen stood in silent vigil atop the Firmament, his gaze taking in the entirety of the scene below, a profound stillness settling within his heart.

"To muster the strength of an entire realm, to withstand a cataclysm spanning eighty-six Millennium."

"All of you, in this life, have been worthy of the Purple Realm that nurtured and raised you."

"This great calamity... it is time for it to end."

Eldrin Chen murmured these words to himself, then took a calm, deliberate step, ascending into the heavens.

One thousand chapters spent vanquishing Demon God—a fitting number, a suitable full stop for the tale of the Mortal Realm. Read, share, and discuss at audio‑novel.com.