Chapter 1513 : The Universe Membrane Tears

Seeing this, Glazed Divine Lord took out thirty million Stellar [a type of high-grade spiritual energy crystal] from his own collection and tossed them over, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Ancient Ruins is managing the Formation [a complex array of energy channels and symbols used for defense, attack, or cultivation] for us, he deserves a share of this."

Heaven Abyss Path Master accepted the batch of Stellar and said with a smile, "Then I shall thank you all on behalf of Elder Brother Ancient Ruins."

As Heaven Abyss Path Master departed, the others remained within the Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension or miniature cosmos], continuing to draw in the boundless Stellar.

The Stellar within this Small Universe were truly innumerable. While a single one held little value for beings of their stature, the opportunity to harvest billions upon billions of them represented a colossal fortune.

They ceaselessly gathered the endless Stellar, casually refining the captured energy into Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a high-grade cultivation pill condensed from stellar essence]. Unbeknownst to them, another hundred years slipped by in this manner.

After that century had passed, Eldrin Chen suddenly halted his movements. Gazing into the distant Depths of the Starry Sky, his brow furrowed with profound gravity.

There, at the very edge of the Universe's void, a blindingly brilliant Ascendant Immortal Radiance [a radiant aura signifying the arrival or breakthrough of a supreme immortal] flared into being. In its wake, the Universe Membrane [the conceptual boundary or fabric separating different realms or dimensions] seemed to be torn asunder by some earth-shattering force.

"They are here."

Eldrin Chen murmured the words, his voice low and his expression grim.

This Small Universe was vast beyond measure; even with Eldrin Chen's keen perception, he could not directly see the newcomers' location. Yet, he could feel it with absolute clarity—the rending of the Universe Membrane.

Seeing this, everyone's expressions turned grave.

Verdant Consort could not help but take a deep breath before asking, "They have already arrived. What should we do?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Eldrin Chen spoke, "There is no need for haste. Now that the Universe Membrane [the conceptual barrier separating a universe from the primordial chaos] has been torn open by an external Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm], the attention of the powerful beings within this Universe is drawn to that breach."

"Seizing this opportunity, we should go to the edge of the galaxy and refine some Stellar Primordial Essence [the primordial, condensed essence of a star, a potent source of energy]. We must swiftly accumulate our spiritual power to its peak, then hide in the shadows and await our moment to act."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts stirred slightly. A Seventh Rank or higher immortal-grade Stellar [a celestial body of immense spiritual power, often a star or sun] possesses the power of Stellar Primordial Essence.

This type of primordial essence is exceptionally pure; refining it can increase the spiritual power of an Earth Immortal [an immortal whose foundation is tied to the earth, a powerful cultivation stage].

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, if he were to refine immortal-grade Stellar Primordial Essence, refining just over one hundred or so would be sufficient to fill his spiritual power reserves to their limit.

At that point, he would touch the threshold of breaking through to the Late Stage Earth Immortal [the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal realm]. Once they ascended to the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm, the combat power of their group would undergo a qualitative transformation.

Considering this, Exquisite Jiang could not help but ask, "Then where shall we go?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before producing a map. "Among these hundred or so galaxies," he said, "the Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate demonic arts and often oppose the human race] have seized control of more than thirty percent."

"The Skywolf Galaxy near us is the optimal choice."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

As Eldrin Chen led the group towards the Skywolf Galaxy, he couldn't help but recall the history of this place.

According to the archives of the Human Sovereign Palace, the Skywolf Galaxy is occupied by the Skywolf Lineage of the Demon Race. It spans approximately two hundred thousand light-years and contains over three hundred billion stars.

At its zenith, the Skywolf Galaxy was immensely powerful, once boasting nearly one hundred Eighth-Rank Demon Sages and even a Skywolf Great Emperor who had reached the Great Emperor Realm.

However, seven hundred thousand years ago, the grade of its Supreme Grade Blessed Land declined, and the Skywolf Great Emperor vanished. It is said he ventured into a spatial rift and was never heard from again.

Today, the Skywolf Galaxy holds only a little over twenty powerful beings at the Saint Realm level, and the number of Seventh RankDivine Beasts has fallen below three thousand.

Facing such a galaxy, Eldrin Chen was utterly confident in his ability to conquer it.

While traversing the void, he handed a star chart to the others and instructed, "Within the Skywolf Galaxy, there remain over three hundred immortal-grade Stellar Primordial Essences [the condensed, primordial spiritual essence of a star]."

"We shall split up to collect these immortal-grade Stellar Primordial Essences. Rendezvous outside the Skywolf Blessed Land."

Violet Mystery Path Master gave a slight nod and said calmly, "I will proceed directly to the core of the Skywolf Star System to prevent them from sending reinforcements."

Glazed Divine Lord was also unconcerned with these immortal-grade Stellar beings and spoke up, "I will conceal our traces to prevent detection by others."

"I am grateful for your efforts."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then tore through the boundless starry void and stepped into the Skywolf Star System.

Given the strength of the nine Earth Immortal cultivators from the Chen Clan, each was virtually an invincible presence within this Skywolf Galaxy.

Eldrin Chen chose a direction and arrived directly before an Ancient Star, casting a glance at this celestial body spanning hundreds of millions of Li-lengths.

He did not immediately act, instead declaring directly, "The day of Universe Oblivion [the prophesied end of all things] draws near. I require the primordial essence of this star."

"In consideration of your arduous cultivation, I shall spare your lives. Flee now and save yourselves."

As his words faded, seven Demon Immortal figures soared from the Ancient Star. They cast a look of utter shock at Eldrin Chen, then fled without a backward glance into the Depths of the Starry Sky.

Once these Demon Immortal had departed, Eldrin Chen tore open the star's protective membrane with a mere flick of his finger.

In that instant, the Ancient Star trembled violently. Its Stellar crust was torn asunder, revealing a wisp of Stellar Primordial Essence [the foundational life-force of a star].

"Such a meager amount of primordial power."

Gazing at the thin stream of World's Origin [the foundational energy that constitutes a world], Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly.

Logically, a celestial-grade Ancient Star of this immense size should have nurtured at least nine portions of Stellar Primordial Essence within its core. Yet, only a single portion lay before him—a pitifully small amount.

"The Heavenly Path [the natural order and laws of the cosmos] consciousness of this Universe is faint. Without the Great Path of Heavenly and Earthly Cycles [the supreme principle governing the endless cycle of creation and destruction], as the number of Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] in the world grows ever larger, the eventual exhaustion of Stellar Primordial Essence seems an inevitable fate."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a tinge of regret coloring his words.

The Stellar Primordial Essence was far less than he had anticipated. It seemed a mere hundred or so Stellar [celestial bodies like stars and planets] would not suffice. He would need to harvest from hundreds of celestial-grade Stellar to fully accumulate his Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the primordial energy that forms the foundation of heaven and earth].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen prepared to depart.

Before leaving, he cast a final glance at the vast Ancient Star. He then gathered the Human Race and Spirit Race [a race of intelligent beings born from spiritual energy] dwelling upon it. Finally, with a wave of his hand, he mended the torn crust of the star.

Although, after he took the Stellar Primordial Essence, this Stellar's grade would gradually decline and its spiritual energy would grow increasingly thin, countless living beings still called the Ancient Star their home.

Although the Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension] was on the brink of Oblivion [cosmic dissolution and return to primordial chaos], from the perspective of the billions of mortal souls dwelling upon the Ancient Star [a celestial body of immense age and spiritual significance], the hundred thousand years that remained constituted an epoch of unimaginable length, a vast and ancient history yet to unfold.

After Eldrin Chen harvested the Stellar Primordial Essence [the foundational life-force energy of a star] and sealed this Ancient Star, its ambient spiritual energy would gradually fade. Yet, barring unforeseen calamity, this celestial body could still pass through those hundred thousand years in relative stability.

Having settled this matter, he wasted no time and pressed onward, deeper into the heart of the Skywolf Galaxy.

He journeyed through the starry void, traversing the cosmos, and from various immortal-grade Ancient Star he continuously gathered their Stellar Primordial Essence.

During this process, the vast majority of Demon Immortal [demonic beings who have attained immortality] who sensed his approach would abandon their Ancient Star and flee for their lives. However, a stubborn few, clinging to their defiance, dared to raise a hand against him.

For these who refused submission, Eldrin Chen employed swift and merciless methods, cutting them down one by one. Thus, a century passed almost unnoticed.

By the time he had successively secured sixty portions of Stellar Primordial Essence, he finally arrived at the very core of the Skywolf Star System.