Chapter 1486 : The Emperor's Final Thunder

The Nether Dragon Great Emperor roared, writhing in agony amidst the Boundless Starry Sky.

Upon his physical form, the boundless power of the World-Annihilating Thunderclap and its Path Principle [the fundamental law or truth imbued within a divine ability] was actively Oblivion [erasing, annihilating] everything.

Had he been at his peak, the Nether Dragon Great Emperor might have been able to forcibly suppress such a grievous wound.

Had the Nether Dragon Great Emperor cultivated the Immortal Domain Art [a supreme cultivation method that allows one to open up a vast inner world], opening up a boundless inner world, he might also have relied on his severalfold more profound spiritual power to forcibly suppress this Path Principle force.

But now, already bearing incredibly severe injuries, and having suffered a fatal blow from the Primordial Unity Thunder Abyss Myriad Tribulations Sword, he ultimately could no longer contain this boundless Path Principle power.

It tumbled through the starry void for a long time before finally being utterly extinguished—its Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] completely annihilated by the endless Thunderclap Path Principle—and perished within the cosmos.

"Hah—"

Having slain the Nether Dragon Great Emperor with a single sword strike, Eldrin Chen let out a heavy, ragged breath.

He had brought the Primordial Unity Thunder Abyss Myriad Tribulations Sword out as a precaution, never truly intending to unleash it. He never imagined it would become the most crucial lifeline.

At this thought, a wave of utter exhaustion washed over him, and he nearly lost his footing in the void.

Exquisite Jiang hurriedly supported him, asking with concern, "How are you feeling?"

Seeing this, Verdant Consort Qu, Nyssa, and his other Dao companions understood that Eldrin Chen was in an extremely weakened state. They swiftly moved to form a protective circle around him.

"It's nothing serious," he replied. "It's just that this single strike completely drained my spiritual power and consumed nearly half the foundational essence of my Inner World [the personal microcosm cultivated within a high-level cultivator]."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, a wry smile touching his lips.

The power of the Primordial Unity Thunder Abyss Myriad Tribulations Sword was indeed formidable, capable of grievously wounding a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very threshold of ascending to true celestial immortality] who possessed a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a supremely stable and unified foundational cultivation]. Yet, the cost of wielding it was staggeringly high.

Currently, Eldrin Chen's spiritual power rivaled that of an Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm], and he had opened a full ten Threefold Heaven [a profound cultivation stage involving the refinement of three heavenly aspects]. Even with such reserves, he could muster the strength for only a single blow from this sword.

Moreover, after unleashing that strike, not only was his spiritual power instantly exhausted, but nearly half of the World's Origin [the primordial, life-giving essence that forms the core of a world or an inner cosmos] within his body had been consumed.

To replenish this depleted World's Origin, he would need to refine roughly thirty vials of Galaxy Star Sand Pill or a specialized eighth-rank Superior Grade Immortal Pill designed for restoring foundational essence.

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang took out several eighth-rank Immortal Pill for Eldrin Chen to refine. With deep worry in her voice, she urged, "Your depletion is so severe. You must focus on recovering your strength first."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen hastily swallowed several Immortal Pill [a supreme-grade pill that can rapidly restore an immortal's vitality and cultivation base]. Instantly, he felt his depleted spiritual energy and foundational essence recover slightly, and his combat power vaguely restored by a few degrees.

Only then did Ancient Ruins Nether Lord tactfully approach, looking at the Primordial Unity Thunder Abyss Myriad Tribulations Sword [a supreme-grade immortal weapon forged from primordial chaos and tempered by countless heavenly tribulations] with awe. "Had it not been for your single sword strike severing the dragon today, Fellow Daoist, we would likely have suffered a great loss," he remarked.

Heaven Abyss Path Master also nodded, his voice filled with immense envy. "I never imagined you possessed such a Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [an immortal weapon forged from the primordial chaos at the dawn of creation, possessing unimaginable power].

"You must know that within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the immortal realms], aside from the legendary Divine Lord of Ye Ruins and the Myriad Spirit Patriarch, only a handful of Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have transcended the earthly immortal realm and stand on the threshold of becoming true celestial immortals] possess treasures of this caliber."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression turned gravely solemn. "A Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon is far too precious. Even top-tier Half-Step Celestial Immortal who have attained Dual Path Fruits [a profound cultivation achievement where one has mastered two major Dao paths] would covet it relentlessly.

"If word of my possession of this item were to leak, it would inevitably bring about catastrophic disaster for me."

"Therefore, I sincerely hope all of you can keep this secret for me. You must not let this news spread."

The others listened, their faces etched with equal gravity, and nodded solemnly. Ancient Ruins Nether Lord spoke up, "Every participant in today's battle must swear a Heavenly Path Oath [a binding vow sworn upon the Heavenly Dao, with severe karmic consequences for breaking it] to never divulge this information.

"Furthermore, all participating Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation], Divine Spirits [innate spiritual beings born from natural phenomena or concepts], and Ghost Immortal [immortals who ascended through the ghostly or nether path] must seal away all memories related to this battle. They may only be unsealed if and when you grant permission in the future."

Eldrin Chen listened and gave a slight, approving nod.

This method is indeed a sound approach. However, since the Immortals are not within the Mortal Dust, to seal their memories requires their own non-resistance.

Thus, he turned his gaze towards the assembled Immortals and Divine Spirits, and inquired, "What Ancient Ruins Nether Lord has proposed, are you all willing to agree?"

Upon hearing this, the gathered Immortals all nodded slightly and said, "We have no objections."

"Very well then."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod. First, he collected the remains of the Primordial Era Nether Dragon. Then, he acted to seal the memories of the Immortals and the Divine Spirits.

After everything was concluded, Eldrin Chen directed the others to clean up the battlefield, and then proceeded into the depths of the Supreme Grade Blessed Land.

Deep within that Supreme Grade Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen discovered an ancient, shadowy pool and an aura of profound and absolute darkness.

"Netherworld Turbid Energy [a primordial, chaotic energy associated with the underworld and decay]."

The moment he saw this energy, Eldrin Chen could not help but exclaim with delight.

Years ago, within the Violet Flame Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen had obtained a scroll titled the Great Mystery Alchemy Manual. Within it were recorded the formulas for two Eighth Rank Supreme Grade Elixirs: the 'Pill of Polarity Enlightenment' and the 'Primordial Unity Golden Body Pill'.

Of these two Elixir Formula, consuming the Pill of Polarity Enlightenment allows one to resonate with the Heavenly Path of the Immortal Domain, thereby enabling the comprehension of the legendary Primordial Unity Path Principle Power.

The Pill of Polarity Enlightenment requires two primary ingredients: 'Heaven Trigram Pure Energy' and 'Netherworld Turbid Energy'. The Heaven Trigram Pure Energy is a substance transformed from the Heavenly Path Origin of the Immortal Domain [the higher realm of immortals], and only a Celestial Immortal Great Power [an immortal of immense power] possesses the capability to gather it.

The 'Netherworld Turbid Energy' is its opposite, a supreme substance born from the Netherworld Origin at the very depths of the Netherworld [the underworld or realm of the dead].

Both of these treasures are of immeasurable value. Even a half-step Celestial Immortal Great Power, without sufficient Opportunity and Fortune, might expend a tremendous price and still fail to obtain even one of them.

That Eldrin Chen has now managed to find 'Netherworld Turbid Energy' clearly demonstrates his profound Opportunity and Fortune.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke without hesitation: "This Netherworld Turbid Energy is of great use to me. I intend to keep it for refining an Immortal Pill [a pill of divine efficacy] in the future. What do you all think?"

Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord laughed and said, "Your contribution to this battle was the greatest, Fellow Daoist. This treasure rightfully belongs to you."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and stored away the Netherworld Turbid Energy.

Not long after, having thoroughly plundered this Blessed Land [a land imbued with spiritual fortune], the group arrived within a grand Great Hall.

Within the Great Hall, Eldrin Chen sat facing the assembled Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the earthly immortal realm]. He passed a ledger to the group and declared, "Herein lies the tally of spoils and treasures from this campaign. Let us deliberate on their division."

Upon hearing this, smiles graced the faces of all present.

They each took the ledger, and a mere glance was enough to ignite a blaze of elation within them.

During this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event ordained by fate], they had utterly conquered the Netherworld Small Universe [a minor, self-contained realm within the vast underworld]. The wealth of an entire Small Universe [a minor, self-contained realm] was staggering, and even one as desolate as the Netherworld Small Universe held riches beyond imagining.

Among the treasures they had seized, the number of Netherworld Ghost Treasure [enchanted artifacts forged from underworld energies and spectral materials] alone exceeded one hundred thousand.

There were two hundred thousand stalks of Seventh Rank Netherworld Immortal Herb [spiritual plants of the seventh grade, grown in the underworld's unique environment], and the quantities of various Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a special spiritual metal used in rituals and offerings] and other rare Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or containing spiritual energy] were far from insignificant.

Eighth-rank artifacts—including Netherworld Ghost Treasure, Eighth Rank Rare Treasure [exceptionally rare objects of the eighth grade], and Eighth-Rank Immortal Herb [immortal herbs of the eighth grade]—numbered more than two thousand in total.

The most precious of all were two supreme eighth-rank treasures: the Nether Sea Pearl [a pearl containing the condensed essence of the nether sea] and a quantity of Netherworld Turbid Energy [a primal, chaotic energy native to the deepest parts of the underworld].