Chapter 1427 : Sealing the Netherworld Rift

"This fissure."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he observed the crack for a long while before speaking thoughtfully, "If we can enter the Netherworld Small Universe, can the powerful beings within it emerge from it?"

"That is also my concern."

Heaven Abyss Path Master spoke up, his expression grave. "If we fail to completely pacify the Netherworld Small Universe, the powerful beings inside could very well charge out from within. That would likely be a major problem."

However, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord was well-prepared. He smiled and said, "Over these years, I have infiltrated the Netherworld Small Universe three times to investigate the situation."

"Currently, within the Netherworld Small Universe, the Heavenly Path [the supreme cosmic law governing a realm] has collapsed. Most of the entities who wielded Heavenly Path Authority [the power to command the laws of heaven] have already perished. There are no supreme powerhouses at the Primordial Unity Realm [a legendary cultivation realm representing the unity of all things]."

"As long as we seal the spatial fissure with a Spatial Spiritual Treasure [a magical artifact capable of manipulating space], it will be utterly impossible for them to break through."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally nodded in agreement.

To set foot into a Small Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmos], one must tear open its Universe Membrane [the dimensional boundary enclosing a cosmos]. This is a feat not easily accomplished even by a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a powerful being who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm].

This is because every Small Universe contains a Heavenly Path, whose power rivals or even surpasses that of a Celestial Immortal Great Power. Without capabilities at the Celestial Immortal [the realm of ascended celestial beings] level, it is fundamentally impossible to achieve.

However, the Heavenly Path [the supreme law governing the cosmos] of the Netherworld Small Universe [a sealed, decaying pocket dimension] had already collapsed. Consequently, Spatial Rift [tears in the fabric of reality] had appeared upon its Universe Membrane [the boundary separating a pocket dimension from the greater cosmos], granting them this opportunity to step inside.

The current fissure was not large. As long as they sealed it with a World-Opening Treasure [an artifact capable of stabilizing or creating spatial boundaries] possessing Spatial Attribute [an innate affinity for manipulating space], it would be impossible for the enemy to force their way through.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Let us enter and investigate first. If the situation proves untenable, we can always retreat and reconsider."

As he spoke, he was the first to step across the threshold into the Small Universe [a pocket dimension or microcosm]. The others, seeing this, followed closely behind, entering the Netherworld Small Universe one after another.

"Such dense tribulation energy [the chaotic, destructive energy released during a cosmic cataclysm]," Eldrin Chen remarked.

The moment he stepped into the Netherworld Small Universe, Eldrin Chen sensed the profound differences between this Small Universe and the greater Immortal Domain [the primary realm of existence].

Within this Netherworld Small Universe, an endless, boundless tribulation energy emanated. The void itself was riddled with countless spatial fissures.

These fissures mostly connected to the unfathomable depths of infinite dimensions, brimming with terrifying Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, formless energy that existed before creation]. Even a powerhouse at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a quasi-immortal state just below true celestial immortality] would likely meet certain death if they ventured into them.

"Be careful! Do not step into the fissures!"

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord spoke, his expression grave. "These fissures pierce through endless dimensions. Without the strength of a Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial immortals], anyone who enters will likely perish within the void's Chaos Turbulence [the violent, chaotic currents that flow between dimensions]."

"Mm-hmm."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. While channeling the Polarity Void Mirror to shield the group, he turned his gaze to survey the vast expanse of the Netherworld Small Universe [the dark, yin-aligned counterpart to the Solar Realm].

This Netherworld Small Universe was not overly large, yet it was by no means small either.

Its diameter spanned roughly thirty million light-years, containing nearly one hundred galaxies. However, the single most Central galaxy was ten times more massive than the combined total of those other nearly one hundred smaller ones.

Within the Netherworld Small Universe now, apart from the colossal Central galaxy, the remaining minor galaxies had been consumed by endless spatial rifts, making passage to them exceedingly difficult.

Of course, this largest galaxy was the very heart of the Netherworld Small Universe, the very seat of the Netherworld Lunar Court [the ruling power of this dark realm].

Yet, a pity remained. This place was the Netherworld Small Universe, where the boundless dark Stellar [celestial bodies and their energies] were merely the inverse reflection of the Solar Realm Small Universe [the yang-aligned, light-filled counterpart realm].

To harvest the boundless Stellar essence for refining the Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a potent cultivation elixir], one would still need to act from within the Solar Realm Small Universe itself.

Contemplating this, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord cautioned, "The so-called Netherworld Small Universe and the Solar Realm Small Universe are two sides of the same coin. Logically, if we assault the Netherworld Small Universe, the Solar Realm Small Universe will surely sense it."

"Fortunately, the Heavenly Path [the cosmic laws governing this realm] within the Netherworld Small Universe has now collapsed. The passages bridging the Polarity Two Realms [the Solar and Netherworld realms] have crumbled as well, making it far from easy for the Solar Realm Small Universe to cross over."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. The Netherworld Small Universe had now become an exceedingly perilous ruin. Even if the passageways were cleared once more, it was uncertain whether the beings from the Solar Realm Small Universe would venture across.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen acted to conceal the aura emanating from the Spatial Rift. "In that case," he said, "let us go and investigate."

As his words faded, the group set off towards the nearest galaxy.

Along the journey, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord began to recount detailed intelligence about this Netherworld Small Universe for the others.

As his narrative unfolded, Eldrin Chen gained a certain understanding of the Netherworld Small Universe.

In this Netherworld Small Universe, at its zenith, there had been nearly a thousand Netherworld Ghost Ancestor [powerful spectral progenitors of the underworld], who jointly governed this realm.

The strength of these Netherworld Ghost Ancestor varied, with the mightiest being the three Netherworld Nether Emperor Imperial Lord [supreme sovereigns of the netherworld's imperial court].

These three Netherworld Nether Emperor Imperial Lord were named the 'Nether River Imperial Lord' [Lord of the Underworld River], the 'Forgetful River Imperial Lord' [Lord of the River of Forgetfulness], and the 'Nether Sea Imperial Lord' [Lord of the Nether Sea]. They were the Sovereign [rulers of the highest cultivation realm] of the Netherworld Small Universe.

It was said that at their peak, these three Netherworld Nether Emperor Imperial Lord had all cultivated the Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art], and each wielded one of three great treasures: the 'River Lethe' [the mythical river of oblivion], the 'Nether River Sword' [a divine sword of the underworld river], and the 'Nether Sea Pearl' [a mystical pearl from the depths of the nether sea].

"These three treasures are all World-Opening Supreme Treasure [artifacts of cosmic creation]," he continued. "It is said they were born from the boundless Netherworld Origin [the primordial essence of the underworld] during the very inception of this Small Universe."

At this point, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord paused briefly before continuing, "When the Netherworld Small Universe collapsed and the Heavenly Path [the supreme cosmic law] crumbled, the three Netherworld Nether Emperor Imperial Lord [rulers of the underworld] who held the Heavenly Path Authority [the authority to govern the cosmic law] all perished."

"Of the three treasures, the River Lethe [the river of oblivion in the underworld] retreated into the very origin of the Netherworld Small Universe, the Nether River Sword was taken by the paramount power of the Solar Realm Small Universe. Only the Nether Sea Pearl remains within the Netherworld Small Universe."

"The supreme treasure we must now face is precisely this one."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod upon hearing this. His gaze shifted to the vast river of stars before them, and a flicker of contemplation passed through his eyes.

A supreme treasure of the World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a treasure capable of cleaving open a new world] grade was no easy foe to confront. Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "We must proceed with caution. Let us see if we can catch them off guard."

Although the Netherworld Small Universe was vast, its spatial suppression was not overwhelming. The group traversed the void and soon arrived at the periphery of the Netherworld Galaxy.

They infiltrated the Netherworld Galaxy and swiftly made their way deep into its heart.

After another round of reconnaissance, Eldrin Chen stated, "Within this Netherworld Galaxy, there are likely still close to a hundred Netherworld Ghost Ancestor [ancient and powerful ghostly cultivators]."

"We must achieve a swift victory. If we cannot seize the Nether Sea Pearl quickly, this battle will likely end in our retreat."

Their expressions turned grave. One by one, they concealed themselves within the void using the power of the Polarity Void Mirror and advanced toward the depths of the Netherworld Galaxy.

Uncertain how long they had journeyed, they arrived deep within the Netherworld Region and beheld a magnificent Nether Court [the seat of power for powerful ghosts and spirits in the underworld] floating amidst the boundless void.

They could clearly sense that within this Nether Court, there were dozens of imposing presences, among which three had even reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm.

Heaven Abyss Path Master observed this and spoke, "Dozens of Ghost Immortals at the Earth Immortal Realm level. Are you confident you can handle them?"