Chapter 1577 : The Demon Sovereign's Cosmic Ascent

With this thought, Eldrin Chen suppressed his impulse to act, a glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes. As the group conversed, the heavens and earth grew increasingly resplendent.

The divine might of the Demon Sovereign shook the heavens. As he channeled his full power to pierce through the cosmos, the entire Gloomy Ancient Realm began to expand violently.

Beyond the ancient continent, the Heavenly Circuit Stars continuously transformed. Dimensions of the Endless Void were sundered open, and the starry expanse began to swell with immense force.

"Incredibly powerful."

Witnessing this scene, Eldrin Chen's expression darkened slightly.

In that moment, he could sense that the Demon Sovereign's power was second only to the Blackcloud Demon Monarch and the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor he had encountered before, placing him among the absolute pinnacle of Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the realm of an Earthly Immortal] experts.

As time flowed on, an immeasurable duration passed. The group observed this Gloomy Ancient Continent expand violently, growing in size by a factor of thousands upon thousands. Its interior brimmed with boundless, majestic power, seemingly approaching the critical threshold for ascension into a Cosmos [a self-contained, higher-dimensional universe].

"It's nearly successful."

Seeing this, the onlookers felt a chill in their hearts, yet their eyes gleamed with a mixture of awe and burgeoning hope.

They understood clearly that even if the Demon Sovereign succeeded in elevating his Earth Immortal World [the personal inner world of an Earth Immortal cultivator] to the level of a Heaven Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the realm of a Celestial Immortal] Cosmos, undergoing an ultimate metamorphosis of his own strength... This chapter is part of a larger work available at site: audio-novel.com.

Yet the newly ascended Demon Sovereign [a title for a supreme ruler among demons] would undoubtedly be in a state of utter exhaustion.

For the difficulty of condensing Innate Qi [the primordial, foundational energy present at the birth of a world or being] far surpasses that of catalyzing a world's ascension.

At this moment, with no one to guard his cultivation, the Demon Sovereign risked total failure; a single misstep could lead to the annihilation of both form and spirit. Even if he ultimately succeeded in condensing the Innate Qi, it would leave him utterly spent, his combat prowess at its weakest ebb, and his Mana [the spiritual energy used to power spells and techniques] completely drained.

At that juncture, by joining forces, they stood a great chance of utterly eradicating the Demon Sovereign.

This realization stirred within them all, their gazes growing ever more solemn and intent.

"Huummm—"

But at the very instant the world's transformation into a Cosmos [a self-contained universe or world] reached its critical point, the Void [a profound cultivation art or state of emptiness] trembled violently.

The entire world convulsed with tremendous force. Within the vast, shadowy and profound expanse, a boundless crimson hue filled the void. Destructive Dao Patterns [the fundamental principles and laws that govern reality, manifest as patterns of energy] surged through heaven and earth, seeking to refine and consume the entire world.

"Disaster! He intends to refine the entire greater world!" Seeing this, Xuan Yu the Immortal's expression shifted dramatically, revealing stark astonishment.

For in that fleeting moment, the entire Cosmos on the cusp of ascension began to collapse inward. Countless, terrifying energies of the Cosmos slowly converged.

Boundless heavens and earth, billions of living beings all transformed into bloody Qi [a vital energy, often associated with life force or blood essence], slowly being absorbed by the Demon Sovereign.

Witnessing this scene, Eldrin Chen felt a chill run down his spine and said, "He has forsaken the ascension of a Cosmos [a nascent universe in the process of formation]. He intends to sacrifice this entire world to break through to the Triple Taiyi Foundation [a legendary foundational stage in cultivation, representing supreme stability and potential]."

"BOOM—"

A world was annihilated; a Cosmos on the verge of ascension shattered. This cataclysmic act of world-destruction shook the endless Dimensional Void.

In that moment, everyone present wore expressions of utter disbelief, though comprehension dawned upon them an instant later. For an Earth Immortal Progenitor [a powerful immortal being anchored to the earthly realm] to attempt a breakthrough into the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals], they must undergo Reverse to Innate [a profound process of reverting one's foundation to its primordial, innate state], transforming into an Innate Foundation [a foundation rooted in primordial, uncreated essence]. The key to this lies in obtaining Innate Qi [Primordial Innate Energy, the fundamental energy of creation].

There are, broadly speaking, two primary methods to acquire Innate Qi.

The first is to refine an entire world into a Cosmos. At the precise instant of the Cosmos's birth, one seizes the opportunity presented by this primordial dawn. Using one's own Supreme cultivation physique [a cultivator's supreme-grade meridian system and physical foundation], one condenses the Primordial Chaos Essence [the raw, formless substance preceding creation] into strands of Innate Qi.

The second method is to obtain it directly from within the Primordial Chaos [the formless void preceding existence]. Alternatively, such treasures can occasionally be found within newly-born Immortal Domain [realms of immortal beings] or Minor Universe [small, self-contained universes].

However, Innate Qi is exceedingly rare—a treasure desperately sought even by Heavenly Immortal Paragon [peak-level celestial immortals], who are often unwilling to part with it to bestow upon their disciples.

Only the most formidable Great Luo Sects [sects led by Great Luo Golden Immortals, beings of immense power], or entities on the level of Ancient Immortals [immortals from the most ancient eras], would deign to grant small quantities of Innate Qi to their most favored disciples, aiding their breakthrough into the Heaven Immortal Realm.

Generally speaking, those who independently World Creation [the act of creating a personal universe or world] to condense Innate Qi [the primordial energy that forms the foundation of a universe] possess far greater combat prowess than Heaven Immortal [the foundational realm of true immortality] who ascended only after being bestowed Innate Qi by a senior. It turns out, the reason the Demon Sovereign [a title for a supreme ruler among demons] abandoned the Cosmos [a personal universe cultivated by an immortal] that was on the verge of successful ascension was precisely to sacrifice the entire Cosmos and use its essence to break through to the Triple Taiyi Foundation [a profound foundational realm representing the unity of three supreme principles].

According to the Demon Sovereign's original plan, during the moment his Cosmos was evolving, he would seize the opportunity presented by the heaven and earth's promotion to instantly condense Innate Qi and break through to the Heaven-Demon [a supreme realm for demonic cultivators] realm in one fell swoop.

At that point, he would then sacrifice the entire Grand Universe [a vast, cultivated personal cosmos] to obtain an additional one or two strands of Innate Qi, thereby partially mending the flaws in his foundation.

Thereafter, he would cultivate the methods of the Demonic Path [the collective practices and doctrines of demonic cultivation] to solidify his Heaven-Demon state. This would give him hope of one day breaking through to the Late Heaven Immortal Realm [an advanced stage within the Heaven Immortal realm] and even a sliver of a chance to glimpse the Great Luo [a legendary, near-omnipotent realm of cultivation].

However, the arrival of Eldrin Chen and his companions was utterly beyond his expectations, forcing the Demon Sovereign to abandon this scheme.

He understood that if he forcibly initiated World Creation to condense Innate Qi, he would inevitably be left in his most vulnerable state. The complete novel can be found at audio - novel . com.

At such a critical juncture, Eldrin Chen and the others would certainly not grant him the opportunity to complete the condensation and fusion of the Innate Qi and achieve the Innate Body [a primordial, perfected physical form]. Consequently, even if he succeeded in his breakthrough, he would be utterly exhausted and unable to convert his power into Innate Magical Power [magical power derived from primordial energy]. Facing his opponents in such a state would mean certain death.

It was highly likely that the precious Innate Qi itself would become a wedding dress for another—a prize seized by his enemies.

Thus, at the final moment, he forsook refining the Innate Qi. Instead, he directly sacrificed the Celestial Immortal's Great Universe [the vast personal cosmos of a Celestial Immortal], which was at its critical point of evolution, using its explosive demise to violently assault the barriers of the Triple Taiyi Foundation.

Should this gambit succeed, his combat power would undergo a monumental transformation. Even if it did not fully succeed, his strength would still receive a tremendous boost.

Most crucially, this allowed him to maintain the strength of his peak state, ensuring he would not be utterly defenseless against the assembled foes.

The sole flaw was that, having sacrificed his own Cosmos [a self-contained universe or world created by a powerful cultivator], he could no longer obtain Innate Qi [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] through World Creation [the act of creating a new world or universe].

Henceforth, if he wished to break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of Celestial Immortals], he would have to seek out Innate Qi on his own. The current state of heaven and earth was not like the dawn of Cosmos creation. In that primordial age, Innate Qi was not exactly commonplace, but its traces could still be found.

Yet now, after passing through the Primordial Era [the Age of Primordial Beginnings] and the Ancient Era [the Age of Antiquity], the reserves of Innate Qi within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [a collective name for the myriad realms of immortals] and the Grand Universe [the vast, overarching cosmos] were nearly exhausted.

For him to ascend to the Heaven Immortal Realm, he would either need the support of Ancient Immortals [immortals from the most ancient times] or even beings of the Great Luo [the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm], or he would have to risk his life by venturing into the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation].

But even for a Heaven Immortal [a Celestial Immortal], entering the Primordial Chaos held the peril of annihilation. For an existence like his, at the Triple Taiyi Foundation [the Triple Taiyi Foundation Establishment realm], stepping into that chaos would be a near-certain death sentence.

His hopes of ever breaking through to the Heaven Immortal Realm had grown exceedingly dim.

"We cannot let him succeed."

Understanding that the Demon Sovereign [a title for a supreme demonic ruler] was attempting to assail the Triple Taiyi Foundation, the expressions of the assembled cultivators turned grave. Those who achieved the Triple Taiyi Foundation were peerless, epoch-defying Supreme [Supreme Grade] existences. Once such a figure made their breakthrough, they would become virtually invincible beneath the Heaven Immortal realm.

In ages past, the Myriad Spirits Ancient Ancestor had once fought one against five, overpowering five Grotto-Heaven Direct Descendant [direct descendants of a Grotto-Heaven, a blessed realm] who possessed the Dual Taiyi Foundation [the Dual Taiyi Foundation Establishment realm].

If Demon Sovereign were to succeed in his breakthrough, then they would have no choice but to flee.

The enmity born from obstructing another's path to enlightenment is an unforgivable, heaven-defying grudge.

Naturally, they were unwilling to witness Demon Sovereign achieve his breakthrough.

With this resolve firm in their hearts, they all acted without hesitation.

In that instant, a storm of divine might descended. Xuan Yu the Immortal unleashed his Nine Heavens Milky Way Star Sand Sword, Zixuan the Daoist struck his Kui Ox Heavenly Drum, and even Separated Flame Deity hurled down his Separated Flame Heaven Lantern. Eldrin Chen also held nothing back. With a sweep of his sleeve, he executed the Heaven-Severing Twin Swords Union in a devastating strike, then gripped the Grand Unity Refined Gold War Halberd and poured his full power into a blow against the already crumbling Cosmos.

In the blink of an eye, the Cosmos that was already on the verge of annihilation was instantly shattered, half of its remaining structure blasted apart by their combined assault. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio - novel . com.