Chapter 1526 : Cosmic Tribulation and the Pursuit

"It seems this Universe [the vast cosmos containing all realms] may struggle to endure for another hundred thousand years."

Gazing at the pervasive Heavenly Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly punishment that tests cultivators] energy within the Small Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmos], Eldrin Chen uttered a heavy, low whisper.

In his initial estimation, this Universe should have endured for at least another hundred thousand years. Yet now, as the Stellar [the fundamental stellar essence and power] within the Small Universe was harvested by the assembled immortals, its inner strength grew increasingly thin and depleted.

Furthermore, the Small Universe was now accelerating towards Oblivion [the state of complete cosmic dissolution and non-existence]. At this rate, the Small Universe would likely hold out for only thirty to forty thousand years at most.

"Alas, even a Universe must one day face its The End [the final, inevitable conclusion of all things]."

Eldrin Chen sighed, finally suppressing the troubling thoughts.

Having quelled his inner musings, he proceeded towards another starry region. Yet, he had not traveled far before sensing the eruption of several formidable auras from the depths of the void.

Lifting his gaze, he beheld two immensely powerful presences clashing within the boundless emptiness. One figure, its Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupt form of spiritual power] surging like a tidal wave, was in relentless pursuit of a streak of crimson light.

"It's her!"

Upon recognizing the aura of the pursued figure, a slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow.

The one being pursued was an acquaintance of Eldrin Chen, and also the Blazeflame Divine Spirit [a powerful innate spirit born from the essence of the Southern Heaven's Blazeflame] with whom Eldrin Chen had a cooperative relationship.

As for the other party in the pursuit, Eldrin Chen had also crossed paths with him before. This person was the contemporary Clan Patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch [the patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan, a powerful faction].

"It seems the situation is rather dire for the Blazeflame Divine Spirit," Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly as he observed the battlefield.

Watching the figures locked in relentless combat, a quiet thought formed in Eldrin Chen's mind.

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit possessed heaven-defying talent, a peerless prodigy appearing only once in a million years even within the vast expanse of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. It could be said that during her Path Tribulation [the perilous trial to ascend to a higher cultivation realm], she had an immense chance of breaking through to the Celestial Immortal Realm.

However, the Path Tribulation was fraught with extreme danger. Coupled with a lack of sufficient cultivation resources for herself, she had resolved to venture into the Small Universe [a primordial, chaotic pocket dimension rich in resources but filled with danger] to gamble for a chance at success.

Given her potential, many powerful figures within the Immortal Realm wished to eliminate this future threat prematurely. The Small Universe presented a perfect opportunity to do just that.

Generally speaking, with the strength of the Blazeflame Divine Spirit, even though she had not yet broken through to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal realm, ordinary cultivators who had laid a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a specific, powerful type of foundational cultivation method] would find it difficult to slay her.

But the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch was an existence who had opened the Eighth Heaven [a specific advanced stage within the Earth Immortal realm]. His combat prowess was considered formidable even among those with a Single Primordial Unity Foundation, allowing him to steadily suppress the Blazeflame Divine Spirit.

Furthermore, the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch possessed a treasure ship of the World-Opening Supreme Treasure grade, which actually made it difficult for the Blazeflame Divine Spirit to shake him off for the time being.

Under such circumstances, Eldrin Chen estimated that Blazeflame Divine Spirit had hidden a contingency plan, and would likely have to pay an immense and terrible price to escape.

"Since our paths have crossed, and given our past acquaintance, I shall lend a hand."

The thought flashed through Eldrin Chen's mind in an instant, and his resolve solidified just as quickly. He conjured a set of black robes around himself and then shrouded his presence with the Heaven-Deceiving Secret Art.

With that done, he took a single step that tore through the void. Raising his palm, he unleashed a cleaving strike aimed at suppressing the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch.

"BOOM—"

Ambushed so suddenly, the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch's pupils contracted with a cold glint.

With a flick of his sleeve, he met Eldrin Chen's palm strike. In that instant, heaven and earth trembled violently from the impact.

The Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch felt a numbing shock run through his arm. He was forced back three consecutive steps, his heart sinking slightly.

Sensing the newcomer's formidable power, the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch shot a frigid glare at Eldrin Chen and spoke, "The Primordial Unity Immortal Body [a legendary physique of perfect harmony and immense power]. Who are you?"

"With strength like yours, you must be a figure of great renown within the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole. Why hide your face and skulk in the shadows?"

Eldrin Chen's steps halted for a moment. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, poised atop the Heavenly Vault, his expression turning profoundly grave.

Within the Immortal Domain, if figures like the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace—a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the cusp of true Celestial Immortality]—possessed combat power equivalent to a Four Tribulations Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Then those who achieved the Dao with a Triple World-Opening Foundation [a foundation forged by opening three inner worlds], such as the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch, the Glazed Divine Lord, or the Violet Mystery Path Master, possessed combat power of at least a Five or Six Tribulations Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Those with combat power reaching the Seven Tribulations level among Half-Step Celestial Immortal were all existences who had forged a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundation harmonizing two primordial forces].

It could be said the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch represented the pinnacle of those with a Single Primordial Unity Foundation. Moreover, this Patriarch had achieved the Dao with a Primordial Unity Immortal Body [an immortal physique of unified primordial essence], making his physical strength top-tier even among Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Though Eldrin Chen relied on the empowerment of his rule-based Path Fruit [the condensed fruit of one's cultivated Dao] and his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a body of indestructible primordial unity] to contend, catching the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch off guard, he found himself subtly at a disadvantage.

"Even if I revealed all my World-Opening Supreme Treasure [supreme treasures capable of opening worlds] and Divine Ability [miraculous supernatural powers], I would struggle to decisively defeat him."

"Without unveiling treasures like the Ancient Crimson Dragon Cauldron, I fear I am no match for him in a one-on-one duel."

With this realization, Eldrin Chen cast a calm, measured glance towards the Blazeflame Divine Spirit.

Sensing Eldrin Chen's arrival as reinforcement, the Blazeflame Divine Spirit paused its flight. Abandoning any thought of escape, it stood its ground.

She landed on the other side of the void, forming a pincer formation with Eldrin Chen as they confronted the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch.

Only then did she allow herself a slight sigh of relief, addressing Eldrin Chen: "My thanks for your aid, Fellow Daoist."

"Think nothing of it. It was but a minor effort," Eldrin Chen replied.

Eldrin Chen spoke with a calm tone, then turned his gaze to the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch. "You, sir, hold the esteemed position of Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch, a venerable Half-Step Celestial Immortal. Is it truly necessary to lower yourself to attack a mere junior?"

"A junior? I dare not regard her as such," the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch retorted with a cold sneer.

His eyes shifted to the Blazeflame Divine Spirit before returning to Eldrin Chen. "This Blazeflame Divine Spirit has encountered no small Opportunity and Fortune. She has obtained a piece of the 'Universe Polarity Primordial Magnetism Starlight Stone' [a legendary stone containing the profound principles of cosmic void, primordial magnetic force, and stellar radiance]."

"That artifact's value is beyond measure, rivaling several World-Opening Supreme Treasure [supreme treasures of legendary power, said to be capable of shaping worlds]," he continued.

"If you join forces with me to eliminate this Blazeflame Divine Spirit, I ask only for the 'Universe Polarity Primordial Magnetism Starlight Stone'. All other treasures upon her person shall be yours. What say you?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback.

The Universe Polarity Primordial Magnetism Starlight Stone was indeed a supreme treasure. It contained the mysteries of the Universe's void, the power of Polarity Primordial Magnetism Force [a divine force governing attraction, repulsion, and magnetic polarity], and embodied several attributes simultaneously—space, primordial magnetism, Polarity [the fundamental concept of opposing yet complementary forces], and more.

Its value, even among Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel [the highest class of treasures used to forge new worlds], ranks among the very pinnacle, sufficient to be worth three ordinary World-Opening Marvel [treasures used to forge new worlds].

In all honesty, Eldrin Chen was profoundly tempted by this object, yet he understood that Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch was utterly untrustworthy.

Thus, he shook his head and replied coldly, "Your strength far surpasses my own. If you were to renege on our agreement after Fellow Daoist Blazeflame falls, how could I possibly resist?"

Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch's expression chilled slightly. "If Fellow Daoist agrees," he stated, "this old man is willing to swear a Heavenly Path Oath [a binding vow upon the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic law]."

"Hah."

Eldrin Chen let out a derisive snort, his voice turning icy. "Are you jesting with me, Fellow Daoist? This Small Universe [a self-contained, lesser cosmos] is on the brink of Oblivion [complete annihilation and return to nothingness]. The Heavenly Path [the cosmic law governing all] here will soon cease to exist."

"Furthermore, we are not natives of this Small Universe. Even if its laws recognized your Heavenly Path Oath, what use would that be?"

"*Clang—*"

Seeing his scheme laid bare, Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch's face hardened with a final, icy resolve, the pretense of civility utterly discarded.

With a fierce sweep of his sleeve, a war spear wreathed in boundless calamitous aura shot through the void, its lethal point aimed directly at Eldrin Chen's brow.