Chapter 986 : Divine Thunder's Wrath

The heavens and earth fell into solemn silence, all sound in creation was extinguished.

The wrath of a Mortal Dust Immortal [an immortal who has transcended the mortal world] made all things between heaven and earth seem to tremble and quake.

Killing intent boiled within Eldrin Chen. With a flick of his sleeve, the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique born from the fusion of the five elements and primordial solar power] soared into the sky. The myriad demonic fiends sought to flee for their lives, but the chance for survival had already vanished.

Behold, the Five Elements Divine Thunder [divine thunder embodying the power of the five fundamental elements] split into ten thousand manifestations, instantly inundating the mountains, rivers, and the very heavens and earth.

Whether they were Primordial Spirit Heavenly Demon [demonic beings who have cultivated their Primordial Spirit to a heavenly level] or Nine True Demon Sons [a group of nine powerful demonic princes] of the Primordial Spirit 9th Tier [the ninth and highest tier of the Primordial Spirit realm], or even Demigod [beings who have ascended halfway to godhood] like the Seven Sword Slaves [seven cultivators bound as sword-wielding servants] and the Three Demon Consorts [three powerful consorts of a demon sovereign]—all were reduced to ashes of calamity in the blink of an eye.

When all finally settled into stillness, Eldrin Chen gazed upon the devastated landscape spanning tens of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], and at the grievously wounded companions before him. In his heart, only a profound, wordless silence remained.

He activated his Immortal Essence [the purified, immortal-grade energy cultivated by high-level immortals]. A powerful surge of Life Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing life, vitality, and restoration] spread through the void and flowed into the bodies of his comrades.

The injuries of Heavenly Gaze Path Master [a master of the Daoist path who perceives the workings of heaven] and Heaven Abandoned Lin were healed in an instant. Even Eternal Profound Chen, whose physical body had been half-destroyed, watched as his flesh visibly mended and reformed.

"To revive the dead and regenerate flesh from bone... is this the legendary power of the Life Path Principles?"

Heavenly Gaze Path Master's expression flickered with joy, then settled into regretful sorrow as he shook his head. "A pity for the Lord of the Path Palace [the master of a grand palace dedicated to cultivating the Dao], for Fellow Cultivator Tribulation Transcending, and for that young friend Verdant Edge." Support the author by reading on *audio-novel.com*.

Upon hearing this, the others also revealed expressions of sorrow and gloom.

Although the Life Path Principles [the profound laws governing life and vitality] can revive the dead and regenerate flesh and bone, it is still difficult to create something from nothing or to rebuild a world from its foundations.

Those individuals had their souls scattered and spirits dispersed; I fear even the Life Path Principles would find it hard to take effect.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained impassive. With a flick of his sleeve, he retrieved an ancient disc from the depths of the void. It was precisely the Lord of the Path Palace's Eight Trigrams Plate [a mystical treasure inscribed with the eight trigrams, used for divination and fate manipulation].

In that battle, the Lord of the Path Palace had faced the Catastrophe Demon God directly. All the various Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts imbued with spiritual power] in his possession were utterly destroyed by the hands of the Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this world]. Only this Near-Immortal Treasures [artifacts of power approaching that of true immortals], the supreme treasure of the Path Palace—the Eight Trigrams Plate—remained relatively intact.

It was then seen that Eldrin Chen, having taken out the Eight Trigrams Plate, drew forth from within it a wisp of Primordial Spirit [the foundational spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] energy.

"The Eight Trigrams Plate is a Near-Immortal Treasures," he stated. "Even after enduring a strike from the Outer Realm Demon God, it did not suffer critical damage."

"This treasure contains a strand of soul essence from a senior of the Path Palace. I can use the Life Path Principles to reforge [to reshape and reconstruct through profound cultivation arts] his Primordial Spirit, which can assist him in undergoing a Rebirth [a divine ability allowing for reincarnation or resurrection].

"However, since this is not a voluntary Reincarnation [the natural cycle of death and rebirth of the soul], even if he undergoes this Rebirth, whether he can recover his past memories remains uncertain."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly. Then, with a surge of immense Immortal Essence [the purified energy cultivated by immortals], he channeled vast Path Principles Power [power derived from comprehending fundamental cosmic laws] into that soul strand. In the space of a few moments, he had reforge the Primordial Spirit for the Lord of the Path Palace.

Having completed all this, he used a wisp of Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme, primordial energy of creation and chaos] as a guide to send the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] of Lord of the Path Palace off towards Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth].

Witnessing this step, the onlookers were struck with profound shock. They knew that the Primordial Spirit of Lord of the Path Palace had been extinguished, and his Primordial Solar Origin Energy [the foundational life-force energy of a solar-aligned cultivator] was also gone.

By all logic, this mere remnant of soul power, even if it entered the cycle of Reincarnation overseen by the Lord of the Underworld Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the afterlife], would most likely be reborn as an Innate [referring to a state at birth] mute and deaf fool with an incomplete soul, requiring hundreds or even thousands of lifetimes to gradually recover.

Yet the method displayed by Eldrin Chen was utterly astonishing. To reforge [to reshape and restore through profound means] a Primordial Solar Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit aligned with the essence of the sun] in the blink of an eye—was this truly a power belonging to the mortal realm?

"Even the techniques of the Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons [the supreme beings and fiends residing in the highest celestial realms] likely pale in comparison," someone murmured in awe.

Kunpeng Demon Sage could not help but exclaim in admiration. As his gaze turned towards Eldrin Chen, he unconsciously lowered his head slightly.

The prowess of the man before him transcended the Mortal Dust [the mundane, mortal world], soaring to heights he could no longer even hope to glimpse.

After aiding Lord of the Path Palace into Reincarnation, Eldrin Chen sought out the supreme treasure of the Western Pole Serene Spirit Temple, the 'Pagoda of Enlightenment' [a pagoda said to contain profound wisdom and spiritual power]. True to legend, he found within it a fragment of the soul belonging to Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk.

He employed the same sublime technique once more, sending Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk on his journey towards Reincarnation.

Alas, the allotted cycles of Reincarnation for Seven Avians Recluse had been utterly exhausted. Even though the Seven Avian Feather Fan [a powerful fan crafted from the feathers of seven mythical birds], a Near-Immortal Treasure [an artifact of power approaching that of true Immortal artifacts], remained, there was no longer any opportunity for him to enter the cycle again.

Eldrin Chen could only send him into the cycle of Reincarnation [the process of rebirth into a new life]. The Myriad Heavens [the countless realms of existence] and the boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] are infinite, and the Great Thousand World [the myriad worlds, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges] are like the grains of sand in a river. This farewell likely meant there would be no chance for them to meet again.

Only then did Eldrin Chen consider the aftermath of this journey to be preliminarily settled.

After everything concluded, Heavenly Gaze Path Master turned his gaze towards Eldrin Chen, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "Now that this Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] has passed, the Eight Trigrams Treasure Formation [a powerful defensive formation based on the eight trigrams] has been broken. I wonder how we should prepare for your Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the final heavenly trial to ascend to immortality] in the future?"

Eldrin Chen did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at the assembled group and asked, "During this battle, why were the Big Dipper Seven Stars Formation [a formation harnessing the power of the seven stars of the Big Dipper] and the Seven Treasures Gourd Formation [a formation centered on a gourd containing seven treasures] not deployed?"

The Master of Stellar Palace [the leader of the Stellar Palace sect] paled slightly, then bowed deeply with clasped hands. "At the outset of this battle, our Stellar Palace [a sect specializing in stellar cultivation arts]'s Star Lord Celestial Rotating Jade was in secluded meditation, attempting a breakthrough to the sixth layer of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm."

Heavenly Gaze Path Master also gave a bitter smile and sighed. "The Master of Seven Treasures Gourd [the guardian of the Seven Treasures Gourd artifact] was scattered across the Eight Desolations [the eight remote and desolate regions of the world]. The Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity from beyond this realm] arrived too suddenly; we did not have time to gather everyone in time." This chapter appears courtesy of AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen did not blame them. He simply said, "I understand. You may withdraw."

After everyone had departed, Eldrin Chen sat in serene meditation amidst heaven and earth. His Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] instantly transformed into a radiant streak that soared into the sky, ascending directly to the very limits of the boundless Heavenly Vault [the dome of the sky, the firmament].

At this zenith of the vast Heavenly Vault [the dome of the sky, the firmament], even a Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a master cultivator at the Primordial Spirit realm] would find it difficult to reach such heights. Perhaps no one had visited this place for nearly ten thousand years.

Within this firmament, all was serene and boundless. Only a single majestic, shimmering halo drifted, within which a certain will seemed to faintly reside.

This will was vast and magnificent, boundless and immeasurable like a Great Thousand World. Even a Demigod Patriarch would feel utterly insignificant before it.

Yet, at this moment, the Will of Heaven and Earth seemed moved. It gazed intently at Eldrin Chen, its presence conveying a sense of doting affection and a touch of pride.

"You have come."

In that instant, the Will of Heaven and Earth seemed to speak, a clear and distinct thought transmitting forth.

Eldrin Chen remained silent, quietly observing the luminous aura before him. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "For this Tribulation, why was there no warning from the Celestial Mechanism [the cosmic laws governing fate and heavenly tribulations]?"

"Because of you."

The Will of Heaven and Earth replied, its tone carrying a hint of helplessness, yet also a thread of joy.

"Because of me?" Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, his expression turning grave.

"Yes." The Will of Heaven and Earth answered calmly, emanating an aura of peace and serenity. "You have been extraordinary since childhood, protected by Primordial Chaos Primordial Chaos Energy. Even the will of this world could not perceive your impending Tribulation."

"The existence of that Outer Realm Demon God may very well be the tribulation you must face to forge your own Path."

"My Tribulation [a destined trial or calamity one must face to advance on the cultivation path]..."

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, and a look of profound gravity settled upon his brow.

This revelation was utterly staggering. If the Outer Realm Demon God [a powerful demonic entity originating from beyond this world] was the Tribulation he must overcome to achieve his Great Path [the ultimate cultivation goal or enlightenment], did that not mean the Purple Seal Realm had borne the brunt of this calamity for tens of thousands of years on his behalf? This was a burden his heart found difficult to accept.

"Yes. It is your Tribulation, and it is also the Tribulation of the Purple Seal Realm. Perhaps you are also its Tribulation,"

the Will of Heaven and Earth explained patiently before continuing. "Within the Purple Seal Realm, there indeed lies an artifact left behind by the Purple Seal Immortal Lord. Though I do not know its exact nature, it is certain to possess the power to forge the seed of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation, representing supreme attainment]."

"If the Catastrophe Demon God were to obtain this relic, it might be able to mend its damaged foundation, transforming from a Postnatal Demon God [a demon god born after the creation of the world, with lesser innate potential] into an Innate Demon God [a demon god born with the world, possessing supreme innate power]. Its potential would then be no less than that of an Innate Divine Spirit [a divine being born with the cosmos, embodying a fundamental law of existence]."

"At that point, it would shatter its cursed limitations. Not only would breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm [a high realm of immortal cultivation, tied to the power of the world] be assured, but even attaining the Celestial Immortal Realm [a transcendent realm above Earth Immortal] would be within its grasp. It might even glimpse the possibility of becoming a Golden Immortal Demon Monarch [a demon sovereign who has achieved the Golden Immortal realm]."

"But the Great Path is arduous to achieve. Your talent startles even immortals, so your Tribulation naturally far surpasses that of an ordinary Immortal. For the Catastrophe Demon God to achieve its own Great Path, it too must face its own Tribulation."

"Thus, you are each other's Tribulation." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel[dot]com.