Chapter 1545 : The Sovereign's Final Stand

As Western Qi Divine Son and the others departed, only Aethelred, the Human Sovereign, Eldrin Chen, Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor, and Jiang Daoxu remained within the Minor Universe. Before parting, Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor and Jiang Daoxu cast a final glance towards Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen looked back at the Yin Plane Microcosm and saw that the entire realm had been utterly annihilated. The Spatial Passage leading back to the Immortal Domain had already dissolved into nothingness.

He understood their unspoken offer. If he asked, they could pay a certain price to ensure his safe return. Yet, this would require surrendering at least one Innate Treasure [a primordial artifact born of the cosmos itself] to appease the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme immortal sovereign] behind the scenes.

Even so, Eldrin Chen shook his head. He understood full well the priceless value of an Innate Treasure and, more importantly, the immense trouble that revealing his true identity would bring.

Furthermore, for the Abyssal Pearl [a mystical pearl containing the essence of the primordial abyss] to grow further, he needed to remain until the final moment of the Cosmos's destruction, to absorb the Dao marks [the fundamental laws and principles imprinted upon reality] from the Cosmic Abyss. Thus, he shook his head once more and spoke, "You may go. I have my own means to return."

"Since that is your choice, take care of yourself."

In those final moments, Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor and Jiang Daoxu could only shake their heads in resignation.

They said no more, transforming into streaks of light and departing, managing to exit this Minor Universe just before the Spatial Passage shattered completely. Watching them leave, Eldrin Chen remained silent.

He strode forward, arriving before Aethelred, the Human Sovereign. He found that the sovereign's physical body was now on the verge of complete disintegration, and even his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator] was riddled with deep cracks.

"Alas..." Continue your cultivation journey at audio‑novel.com.

Eldrin Chen understood. Aethelred, the Human Sovereign, having not yet opened a single layer of the heavens and possessing only a Single Taiyi Foundation, had slain a True Dragon Crown Prince with a Dual Taiyi Foundation. The outcome of this battle, if known to the outside world, would be enough to shake the heavens and earth, and be inscribed into the annals of history within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain.

And as the victor, Aethelred, the Human Sovereign had paid an unimaginable price.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh and could not help but speak: "Do you have any final words?" "The majority of the Human Race of this Cosmos departed with you; the embers have already been preserved."

"And today, with a body of Single Taiyi Foundation, you rebelled against and felled a Pinnacle True Dragon wielding a Taiyi Immortal Weapon. I have no regrets left in this life." Aethelred, the Human Sovereign spoke slowly. Noticing the look on Eldrin Chen's face, he shook his head with a smile. "There is no need to grieve for me."

"My Heaven-bestowed Dao title is Aethelred [Heaven's Sorrow]; this life of mine was destined to walk this path."

"As the final Human Sovereign [paramount ruler of humanity] of this Cosmos, to have earned Heaven's sorrow, my life can be considered to have been lived without shame before my people."

Aethelred, the Human Sovereign spoke plainly. With a flick of his sleeve, he retrieved a radiant Dragon Pearl [a condensed orb of draconic essence and power] and a resplendent ancient artifact—the Taiyi Immortal Weapon known as the 'Grand Unity Heaven-Rending Hammer'.

He handed both the Dragon Pearl and the Grand Unity Heaven-Rending Hammer to Eldrin Chen, then said: "That True Dragon Crown Prince possessed many treasures upon his fall." "Unfortunately, the vast majority were swept away by the Chaotic Torrent [a violent, formless flow of primordial energies]. I only had time to secure these two artifacts."

"Now, as my end approaches, I give them to you."

Eldrin Chen accepted the two treasures and spoke: "If you could entrust a wisp of your Divine Soul [the immortal spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] to me, then when I step into the Heaven Immortal Realm, I might be able to help you sever all karma and be Nirvana-reborn [achieve a transcendent rebirth free from the cycle of suffering] within the Immortal Realm."

"There is no need."

Aethelred, the Human Sovereign offered a faint smile and spoke, "The fall of a dynasty is never lacking for those who choose to be its funerary offering. Is the destruction of a great Cosmos [a universe or world] any different?"

"As the Human Sovereign [the supreme ruler of humanity] of this Cosmos, as one of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Three Sovereigns [the three legendary sage-kings], what is wrong with becoming a funerary offering for this world?" Aethelred, the Human Sovereign spoke slowly, his physical body gradually disintegrating, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] slowly dissolving into a shower of luminous rain.

This was a Human Sovereign performing the final act of sacrifice for his Cosmos. There was no trace of sorrow or bitterness upon his face, only a serene and tranquil expression. "In this life, I was born here and shall die here. I can face Heaven and Earth without shame, and face my fellow humans without regret."

"If there is a next life, I could become a blade of grass, or a single tree, enduring wind and rain, enduring sun and storm, content simply to live honestly and openly between Heaven and Earth."

"If I am fortunate enough to be reborn into the Human Race again, I wish only to immerse myself in cultivation, untroubled by the affairs of the Mortal Dust [the mundane, dusty world], keeping solitary company with the Great Dao [the supreme, fundamental principle of existence]... The greatest sound is faint and silent; the greatest form is shapeless and without image."

The voice of Aethelred, the Human Sovereign gradually grew indistinct, fading until it was no longer audible.

Eldrin Chen returned to himself from the man's words, only to realize that Aethelred, the Human Sovereign had already completely dissolved into the Dao [returned his essence to the fundamental principle].

He stood up, a soft sigh escaping him. Though his acquaintance with Aethelred, the Human Sovereign had been brief, he held a sincere admiration for the man's character. Such a paragon of humanity, had he set foot in the Immortal Domain [the realm of immortals], might truly have journeyed much farther.

"Perhaps one day, we may meet again."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, finally withdrawing his thoughts.

He raised his head and saw that this Cosmos had already been ninety-nine percent annihilated. Countless Spatial Storm [violent rifts in the fabric of space] and Chaos Turbulence [primordial, formless currents of raw energy] inundated heaven and earth, reducing all things in their path to ruins.

Peering through the Void Rift, Eldrin Chen perceived that beyond the Cosmos, aside from the Chaos Turbulence, there were also one after another majestic figures whose radiance was Illuminating All Heavens [a divine ability that shines with light capable of illuminating all realms].

And Eldrin Chen stood amidst the boundless expanse, his countenance serene as he watched this scene unfold.

He used the Heaven-Deceiving Secret Art [a profound art to conceal one's aura from heavenly detection] to veil his presence, then continuously absorbed the Dao Marks [the residual imprints of cosmic principles and laws] generated by the destruction of the Cosmos.

As time flowed on, not long after, the Minor Universe was on the verge of complete annihilation, collapsing into a minuscule Chaos Origin Point [the primordial, infinitely dense point from which all existence potentially springs]. This chapter is provided by http://www . audio-novel.com. Support the original.

Eldrin Chen used Chaos Miasma [a protective aura of primordial chaos] to shield his body, straining to stabilize myself his form. Yet he discovered that under the erosion of the Chaos Currents [the fundamental, destructive flows of raw chaos], his Chaos Miasma was being rapidly depleted.

"My reserves of Chaos Miasma are still somewhat insufficient," he noted.

Sensing the swift consumption of his Chaos Miasma, a slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow.

Fortunately, it was enough to sustain him for a short while. As the Cosmos rapidly disintegrated, endless Chaotic Torrent [raging rivers of primordial disorder] and spatial fragments swept Eldrin Chen along, seeking to drag him into the collapsing point of Void [the ultimate state of emptiness and non-being] at the origin.

This surge of Chaos Turbulence [a violent and unpredictable flow of primordial chaos energy] was far too powerful. Eldrin Chen could only drift along with its current, on the verge of being swept into the depths of the Chaos Vortex [a maelstrom of pure, destructive chaos]. The Heavenly Immortal Paragons [supreme cultivators who have transcended mortality and attained a state of celestial immortality] watching from beyond the turbulent flow finally could restrain themselves no longer.

"Hum."

In that instant, several Heavenly Immortal Paragons acted. They expended a tremendous amount of Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power magical arts and techniques], seeking to forcibly stabilize the Chaotic Torrent [a powerful, rushing current of chaotic energy] and pluck Eldrin Chen out.

Yet, at that very moment, Eldrin Chen's eyes snapped open, and he spoke decisively. "Go!"

Instantly, an intangible ripple of Void [a profound cultivation art related to spatial manipulation and emptiness] unfurled. Then, Eldrin Chen vanished from within the Chaos Turbulence.

Simultaneously, the Boundless Chaos [the infinite, primordial expanse of unformed reality] torrent swallowed everything. The several Heavenly Immortal Paragons, their power pressing down upon the Chaos Turbulence, all wore expressions of chilling displeasure.

Witnessing Eldrin Chen's escape, one Celestial God [a deity of immense power, often born from or ruling over celestial phenomena] spoke. "Did anyone see clearly who it was?" "The Chaotic Torrent obscured our vision; we could not discern his true visage."

A great power from the Immortal Phoenix Race [a noble and ancient race of beings with phoenix lineage] spoke, a sharp glint flashing in their eyes.

A great power from the White Tiger Clan [a powerful clan associated with the mythical White Tiger] shook their head, their expression grave. "To depart from within the Chaos Turbulence requires, at minimum, a spatial-attribute Innate Treasure [a magical artifact born from the cosmos itself, possessing unique and profound powers]. Moreover, it would have to be a High-Grade Innate Treasure [a treasure of the highest innate quality and potency]." For uninterrupted reading, go to audio~novel.com.