Chapter 1424 : Secrets of the Dying Cosmos

Speaking to this point, Heaven Abyss Path Master spoke up: "However, each time a Small Universe [a self-contained, smaller dimensional realm] is on the verge of Oblivion [the state of complete cosmic dissolution and return to nothingness], the Celestial Immortal Great Powers [beings who have ascended to the highest echelons of the Celestial Immortal realm] will guard its entrance."

"Whoever obtains the Universe Oblivion Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact born from a universe's final moments of dissolution] and the Universe Genesis Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact born from a universe's initial moment of creation] will ultimately fall into the hands of those Celestial Immortal Great Powers."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen grasped the general purpose of the two men.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen inquired: "Do you two perhaps have a method to seize that Universe [a complete, self-contained cosmos] Oblivion Treasure and Genesis [the primordial act of creation] Treasure?"

"We possess no such capability."

Ancient Ruins Path Lord shook his head repeatedly, then said with a bitter laugh: "With our current strength, contending with Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators who have partially transcended the limits of the Celestial Immortal realm] for such supreme treasures would be no different from seeking our own demise."

"Not to mention the Universe Genesis Supreme Treasure; those are guarded by the supreme powerhouses of that Universe. They have merged with the Universe's Great Path [the fundamental cosmic law or principle], and their combat power rivals that of a Celestial Immortal Great Power."

"Even a Half-Step Celestial Immortal can only dare to scheme for such treasures when the Universe is nearing Oblivion and the power of its Heavenly Path [the cosmic law or principle governing that realm] has weakened to its extreme limit. Otherwise, venturing there would be nothing but a death sentence."

Heaven Abyss Path Master nodded and then spoke: "We lack the ability to touch such supreme treasures, but we possess an Opportunity and Fortune [a chance encounter with great luck and destiny] that may allow us to set foot within early. Perhaps we can secure a few treasures for ourselves."

"Enter early?" Original publication: audio-novel .c om - The source of this chapter.

Eldrin Chen's heart jolted with alarm. He rose to his feet, unable to suppress his reaction.

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord gave a slow nod before speaking. "Within that Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension], there exists a division between the Solar Realm Small Universe [the yang, living realm of the pocket dimension] and the Netherworld Small Universe [the yin, underworld realm of the pocket dimension]."

"That Small Universe now teeters on the brink of Oblivion [cosmic dissolution and return to primordial chaos]. The first to collapse will be its Netherworld Small Universe. I have located the Path Marker [a mystical beacon or landmark used for navigation] for that underworld realm and discovered a fissure within its fabric."

Upon hearing this, a tremor of profound realization shook Eldrin Chen, yet he held his tongue, allowing the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord to continue.

Seeing his silence, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord pressed on. "Within that Netherworld Small Universe, the Heavenly Path [the natural laws and cosmic principles governing that realm] has nearly shattered. The internal balance between its Netherworld [the general underworld domain] and its Lunar Domain [the domain governed by lunar, yin energies] has been utterly lost. The paramount power of that Netherworld Small Universe has already fallen, consumed by the impending tribulation."

At this point, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord drew a deep, steadying breath. "Within that crumbling underworld lies an inheritance... a legacy from a vast Great Universe [a major, stable cosmos]'s Netherworld Underworld Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the underworld of a major universe]."

"If I can claim it, I will lack for no cultivation resources until I ascend to the Celestial Immortal [a high immortal realm] realm. I could even rely on it to cultivate not one, but two Primordial Unity Path Fruit [the foundational fruits of a cultivator's chosen Dao, representing mastery and unity with a primordial principle]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally gave a slight, understanding nod.

He inclined his head, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord's objective now clear in his mind.

With this understanding, Eldrin Chen spoke plainly. "What is it you require of us?"

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord [the ruler of a domain in the underworld] pondered for a moment before speaking. "Within the Netherworld Small Universe [a minor, self-contained realm within the vast underworld], while there are no supreme top-tier powerhouses, there are still five Netherworld Ghost Ancestor [ancient and powerful spectral cultivators] of the Ninth Level Earth Immortal [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] who yet live."

"Most crucially, they possess a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a legendary artifact of power sufficient to help shape a new world]-grade treasure of the Netherworld [the vast spiritual plane of the dead]. With my current strength, confronting them would be... unwise."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] could not help but frown slightly.

Ghost Cultivator [beings who cultivate their spiritual essence without a physical body], lacking a physical form, are generally far weaker than Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to immortality] of the same rank—with the exception of anomalies like the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord who had reversed his cultivation to attain Primordial Solar [a powerful, yang-aligned state].

By Eldrin Chen's estimation, a Netherworld Ghost Ancestor at the Ninth Level Earth Immortal realm would possess combat power roughly equivalent to a Seventh Level Earth Immortal [a high-tier Earth Immortal].

If it were merely one such Netherworld Ghost Ancestor, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord might still have the confidence to handle it. But with several of them present, the situation became significantly more troublesome.

Most critically, the opposition also held a World-Opening Treasure [a powerful artifact capable of shaping reality]. To overcome such a force would likely require the strength of multiple Ninth Level Earth Immortal cultivators.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke. "With our current power, confronting them would likely be insufficient."

"I know."

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord sighed, then continued. "That is precisely why I sought your aid."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. These Netherworld Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who harness the power of ghosts and the underworld] were, in truth, most susceptible to being countered by his Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a supreme yang-attributed flame of celestial origin].

With his combat prowess alone, he could likely hold off three Ninth Level Earth Immortal [cultivators at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm]. If he were granted just one more Primordial Solar-grade World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact capable of cleaving open worlds], he would be confident in subduing them all.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen mused thoughtfully, "I can intervene. However, we must make more thorough preparations."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and Heaven Abyss Path Master exchanged a glance before inquiring, "What do you require? We shall provide our full support."

After a moment of calculation, Eldrin Chen stated his needs: "A formation core plate and a set of nine fire-attributed Primordial Solar Formation Flags [banners used to anchor a solar-based grand formation]. Each flag must be of World-Opening Treasure [artifact] grade."

"Furthermore, it would be best to have nine Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs of the Earth Immortal realm] enter the formation to assist me in activating the Formation Flag [flags] to counter them." Continue reading this story at @udio-novel.com.

Upon hearing this, the two men could only look at each other in stunned silence.

A full ten Formation Flag [flags] of World-Opening Treasure [artifact] grade... This was something not even they, newly ascended Earth Immortal [immortals], could readily produce. Even a top-tier Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a land blessed with immense spiritual energy for Earth Immortals] might struggle to furnish such a treasure.

Seeing their reaction, Eldrin Chen continued, "I can forge the formation core plate and the Formation Flag [flags] myself. However, the required materials alone are of immense value."

"I happen to possess one High-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a high-grade world-cleaving artifact]. I could sell it to acquire the necessary resources, but in that case, my contribution would be rather substantial."

Upon hearing this, both individuals gave a slight nod. The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord spoke, "After the deed is done, you shall take the lion's share of the treasures. How does that sound?"

Eldrin Chen was not particularly concerned with those treasures from the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and departed souls]. He inquired, "Within the Immortal Domain [the primary realm of the living and immortals], the Netherworld and the Immortal Domain are interconnected. I presume the Netherworld Small Universe [a miniature, decaying cosmos within the Netherworld] and the Solar Realm Small Universe [a miniature, decaying cosmos within the realm of the living] are also linked?"

"Indeed," the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded, yet his expression turned gravely serious. "Whether within the Immortal Domain or inside a Small Universe, the strength of the Solar Realm [the realm of the living] surpasses that of the Netherworld Realm [the realm of the dead] by more than tenfold."

"If you were to set foot in the Solar Realm Small Universe, the danger would be far too great."

"The Heavenly Path [the cosmic laws and natural order] within that Solar Realm Small Universe has not yet been completely exhausted. Setting aside the master of that Universe who wields the Universe Genesis Supreme Treasure [a primordial artifact of creation], even the Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] residing within the Solar Realm Universe would be more than you could handle."

"You must understand, the Heavenly Path within that Solar Realm Small Universe has not collapsed. The number of Late Stage Earth Immortal [cultivators at the late stage of the Earth Immortal realm] inside is at least close to a thousand, a force comparable to over half of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea."

Yet, Eldrin Chen had his own calculations in mind. He pondered and said, "Once the Small Universe completely undergoes Oblivion [the final dissolution and return to primordial chaos], could we not use the Netherworld Small Universe as a passageway to return? We could slip back into the Immortal Domain from the Netherworld Realm."

"This..."

The two were momentarily taken aback by his words, then immediately grasped Eldrin Chen's intended plan.

Each time a Small Universe approaches Oblivion, the Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings at the Celestial Immortal realm] would intervene to tear open an entrance. This allows Earth Immortal [cultivators at the Earth Immortal realm] and Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators half a step into the Celestial Immortal realm] to enter and compete for the treasures within.

Once the matter is concluded and the Earth Immortal Patriarchs return, not only must they surrender the most precious Genesis and Oblivion treasures, but they will also have seventy percent of their gains confiscated.

If they then depart via the Netherworld Realm [the shadowy underworld realm], evading the explorations of the Celestial Immortal Great Powers, they might just return with their entire haul intact.

Considering this, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord pondered for a moment before speaking. "That is indeed a viable method, one that could avoid the prying eyes of the Celestial Immortal Great Powers."

"The spatial fissures within the Netherworld [the shadowy underworld realm] are exceedingly well-hidden. Besides the three of us, no one else knows of their existence."

Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "If that is the case, the treasures of the Netherworld Small Universe [a minor pocket dimension within the Netherworld] can be distributed at a later, more appropriate time."

"For us, the most significant Opportunity and Fortune lies within the Solar Realm Universe [the radiant, sun-drenched primary universe]."

The Heaven Abyss Path Master nodded, his eyes gleaming with light. "If we can lay our plans in advance, we might be able to scheme for a Universe-grade treasure. Should we succeed, the meager gains from a mere Netherworld Small Universe would be utterly insignificant." Original publication: audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.