Chapter 1487 : The Brink of Cosmic Oblivion

"I have finally understood why this Small Universe [a self-contained cosmos of limited scale] is on the brink of Oblivion [the state of complete cosmic dissolution and return to nothingness]."

"It is merely a Netherworld Small Universe [a small universe aligned with the energies of death and the underworld], yet at its peak, it sustained over one hundred thousand Ghost Immortal [immortals who have transcended mortality through a ghostly or spectral path] and millions of immortal-grade Spiritual Object [objects imbued with potent spiritual energy]. How could it not face Oblivion [the state of complete cosmic dissolution and return to nothingness]? Its foundations were stretched far too thin."

After reviewing this data, Violet Consort Yan could not help but sigh softly, her voice tinged with a complex feeling of reflection and emotion.

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly in agreement. Just as the heavens and the earth have their limits, so too does a Small Universe [a self-contained cosmos of limited scale] possess its own boundaries.

This particular Small Universe [a self-contained cosmos of limited scale] spanned a mere thirty million light-years. It could not compare to the vastness of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, nor even to the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a region of interconnected celestial seas]. Its diameter was only one hundred times that of the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Yet, this single Netherworld Small Universe [a small universe aligned with the energies of death and the underworld] had given birth to more than one hundred thousand Ghost Immortal [immortals who have transcended mortality through a ghostly or spectral path] and over a million immortal-grade Spiritual Object [objects imbued with potent spiritual energy].

In contrast, the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a region of interconnected celestial seas], even after repeated purges by Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity that reshapes fate and destiny], collectively housed only ten or twenty thousand Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation]. Their numbers paled in comparison to those nurtured within this Netherworld Small Universe [a small universe aligned with the energies of death and the underworld].

While this disparity was partly due to the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary pearl connected to the abyssal return] siphoning vast resources from the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a region of interconnected celestial seas], it still highlighted the sheer, unsustainable multitude of these Ghost Immortal [immortals who have transcended mortality through a ghostly or spectral path].

And the Netherworld Small Universe [a small universe aligned with the energies of death and the underworld] was but one part of the picture. According to the records held by Eldrin Chen, the Solar Realm Small Universe [a small universe aligned with the radiant energies of the sun], though far richer in primordial energy than its Netherworld counterpart, contained an even greater number of Divine Spirits [spiritual beings of divine nature and power] and Saint Realm [beings who have attained a state of sacred perfection] than the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and the underworld].

To put it plainly, this Small Universe [a self-contained cosmos of limited scale] could no longer bear the burden.

These Ghost Immortals [immortal beings who have transcended death] and Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual entities born of the world's laws] possess Longevity [immortality and undying life]. They steal the vital energy from within the Small Universe [a self-contained cosmos smaller than a true universe], and over the long ages, the Small Universe gradually weakens. Ultimately, it becomes unable to withstand the Chaos Torrent [the corrosive currents of primordial chaos], and its descent into Oblivion [complete annihilation and return to nothingness] becomes an inevitable fate.

"Without a World-Opening [World-Creating] creator to govern it, a Small Universe born naturally from the Chaos [the formless, primordial state before existence] will inevitably follow this path to Oblivion,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a trace of lament coloring his expression.

Though this Netherworld Small Universe [a minor cosmos with a strong affinity for death and shadow] was comparable in scale to a Universe [a complete, stable cosmos] opened by a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm], it was, after all, a spontaneous birth from the Chaos. The Great Paths [the fundamental laws and principles of existence] within it were incomplete and fragmented, lacking the complete Great Path of Heavenly and Earthly Cycles [the supreme Dao governing the cycles of heaven and earth].

In contrast, the worlds and Universes opened by Immortals [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] like Eldrin Chen were shaped by the direct intervention of their World-Opening creator. The numbers of Immortals, Divine Spirits, and even Imperial Lords [rulers of celestial domains] within such realms were predetermined by the cosmic laws.

As long as Eldrin Chen did not permit others to ascend, aside from those few destined by heaven, it was nearly impossible for anyone else to cultivate to the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the realm of a true ascended immortal].

Those unable to achieve immortality or divinity would, in the end, return their essence to heaven and earth upon their passing, causing no net loss to the world.

Even if a rare anomaly managed to cultivate to the Ascendant Immortal Realm on their own, Eldrin Chen could expel them from his Earth Immortal World [a world anchored and sustained by an Earth Immortal] or even compel them to repay the Karma [the cosmic debt of cause and effect] owed to the world that nurtured them.

Therefore, in such a Small Universe, unless a being emerged capable of breaking through the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of a Celestial Immortal] and stepping into the Chaos itself, its eventual Oblivion was almost a foregone conclusion.

After much contemplation, Eldrin Chen set these thoughts aside. He then looked at the inventory list in his hand and said, "Let us divide the spoils."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen then spoke: "Setting aside the Eighth Rank Rare Treasure, among the treasures we seized, we still have fifty thousand pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a high-grade spiritual currency used in immortal transactions]."

"The value of the Netherworld Immortal Herb and other rare treasures can roughly be converted into two hundred thousand pieces of that Incense Offering Celestial Silver."

"Adding in the Netherworld Immortal Treasure [an artifact of immense power forged by immortals], the total value of just the Seventh Rank rare treasures should amount to fifty million Immortal Source [the foundational energy source for immortals]."

Everyone nodded slightly once more at these words.

A value of a full seventy million Immortal Source was no small sum.

However, Eldrin Chen shifted his tone and continued, "I intend to use the remaining fifty thousand pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver to purchase an eighth-rank Superior Grade Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir for restoring an immortal's foundational essence], to replenish my depleted origin."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly once again.

In that battle to slay the Primordial Era Nether Dragon, Eldrin Chen had expended half of his foundational origin with a single sword strike.

To replenish such a vast amount of origin power by refining Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a pill condensed from the essence of stars and galaxies] would waste at least two hundred thousand years.

To swiftly restore one's foundational essence [the core life force and cultivation base of an immortal], one would need to refine an Eighth Rank High-Grade Immortal Pill [a divine elixir for immortals] specifically designed to replenish it.

Of course, consuming an Eighth Rank Superior Grade Immortal Pill [the highest quality tier of immortal elixir] could directly restore one's essence, but the value of such a pill far exceeds that of the Galaxy Star Sand Pill [an elixir refined from the essence of celestial stars and cosmic sand].

Originally, Eldrin Chen required only thirty thousand Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a special celestial currency used in rituals and high-level transactions] to purchase thirty vials of Galaxy Star Sand Pill for his recovery. If he were to use Eighth Rank Superior Grade Immortal Pill instead, the cost would likely reach five million Immortal Source [a concentrated crystal of pure immortal energy, a high-level cultivation resource].

With this thought in mind, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord spoke, "Your losses in this battle were too great. These fifty thousand Incense Offering Celestial Silver should rightfully be yours as compensation."

"Mm."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod before continuing, "There are over one hundred thousand Seventh Rank Netherworld [the realm of the dead and ghosts] Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts used by immortals], and more than eight hundred Eighth Rank Netherworld Ghost Treasure [magical treasures forged in or attuned to the Netherworld]."

"You may select some of these treasures. However, I intend to exchange the vast majority for Merits [a metaphysical currency representing accumulated good karma and virtuous deeds] to secure them. I need them to lay a formation and scheme for Opportunity and Fortune [heaven-sent chances and favorable destiny] in the mortal realm."

Upon hearing this, none of the assembled immortals voiced any objection. In this battle, the Chen Immortal Clan had claimed ninety-five percent of the credit.

This contribution was immense. Even though the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord had discovered the Small Universe [a pocket dimension or miniature world], and by rights should have taken the first share, he could only concede the greatest portion of the spoils to Eldrin Chen now.

Seeing their agreement, Eldrin Chen turned to the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and said, "Since you, Nether Lord, discovered this Netherworld Small Universe, you must receive a share of the greatest prize."

"I can hand over this Nether Sea Pearl to you, but I hope this pearl can remain here for now, to serve as the core treasure for the Formation [a complex arrangement of energy channels and nodes used for defense, attack, or cultivation] I will set up."

Upon hearing this, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded slightly and said, "I can agree to that. I won't even claim the treasures from the mortal realm after the task is complete."

"However, among these Immortal Herb [plants imbued with potent spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation], there are many items I require…"

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Rest assured. While these Netherworld Immortal Herb [Immortal Herbs that grow in or are attuned to the energies of the Netherworld] are precious, the vast majority hold little practical use for us Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation]."

"How about this: the herbs that can be used by Immortal and those Immortal Herb of Eighth Rank High-Grade [a classification denoting the eighth major tier and the high sub-tier within that tier] or above will be left to me. You may have all the rest. Is that acceptable?"

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord immediately replied with a smile, "Let's do this instead. For the top-tier Immortal Herb of Eighth Rank High-Grade or above, we can exchange them for Merits [a metaphysical currency representing accumulated good karma or virtuous deeds]."

"As for the remaining Seventh Rank [the seventh major tier] Immortal Herb and Eighth-Rank Immortal Herb [Immortal Herbs of the eighth major tier], if sold entirely, they would fetch at least thirty million Immortal Source [a highly concentrated and purified form of spiritual energy, often crystallized]."

"In the future, I will divide the proceeds into three portions. Your Chen Clan will receive eighty percent. The remainder will be split between myself and Heaven Abyss."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Among these Immortal Herb, the most valuable were indeed the Eighth Rank High-Grade ones.

A single High Grade Immortal Herbs [Immortal Herbs of the high sub-tier within a rank] of the eighth rank was worth ten Eighth Rank Low-Grade [a classification denoting the eighth major tier and the low sub-tier within that tier] herbs, or over ten thousand Seventh Rank low-grade Immortal Herb.

Having allocated these supreme Immortal Herb [plants of immense spiritual value used in alchemy and cultivation], the remaining profits were but a minor portion of the total gains.

Regarding this share of the proceeds, Eldrin Chen did not place great importance on it. He shook his head and said, "What I value are the treasures of the Solar Realm Small Universe [a pocket dimension aligned with the power of the sun]. While the treasures of the Netherworld Small Universe [a pocket dimension aligned with the power of the underworld] are precious, having more of them holds little additional benefit for me."

"Let it be thus," he continued. "Once these Immortal Herb are sold, you may allocate five-tenths of the proceeds to the Chen Clan on my behalf."