Chapter 1532 : Alliance of Spirits and Cosmic Threats

"Senior has shown us great kindness. Since we have encountered this situation, we shall certainly offer our assistance."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight bow, his expression calm as he spoke.

Myriad Spirit Patriarch nodded, yet still smiled and said, "Without your aid this time, relying solely on this old man's strength, I might not have been able to ensure the safety of this Small Universe Spirit Race."

Seeing this, Violet Mystery Path Master inquired, "What does Senior plan to do next?"

Myriad Spirit Patriarch pondered briefly before replying serenely, "At present, nearly all members of this Small Universe Spirit Race have been guided by this old man into the Earth Immortal World."

"We need only wait for the Small Universe to open, then depart from this Universe."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, understanding that Myriad Spirit Patriarch possessed a peaceful nature and would not easily trouble others unless absolutely necessary.

However, encountering such a top-tier Half-Step Celestial Immortal, Eldrin Chen naturally wished to draw him closer.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "Within the Small Universe now, the Demon Race has allied with the three external Grotto-Heaven, making their combined combat power exceedingly formidable."

"If my predictions are correct, they will likely soon move against the four Universe True Spirit."

Upon hearing this, Violet Mystery Path Master also spoke up: "Within this Universe, there are four Universe True Spirit [primordial beings born from the universe's foundational essence]. The Human Race, the Demon Race, and the Divine Clan will undoubtedly each move against one of them."

"With our strength, perhaps we too can claim one for ourselves."

Myriad Spirit Patriarch listened, a slight frown creasing his brow. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "These four Universe True Spirit are manifestations of this Universe's very origin. Slaying them would incur a significant burden of karmic retribution."

"I was initially reluctant to act against them. However, since I owe you a debt of gratitude, this old man shall lend his aid."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a measure of relief settle within him.

He let out a soft sigh and continued, "I have performed divinations. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Human Race will assault the Soaring Serpent Ancient Domain, while the Divine Clan will deal with the Great Roc Ancient Domain. The Demon Race has long coveted the Dragon Turtle."

"That leaves only the Kui Ox Ancient Domain."

Exquisite Jiang nodded upon hearing this. "In that case, we should not delay. Let us act immediately."

With their resolve firm, the group immediately set off for the Kui Ox Ancient Domain.

To ensure the complete subjugation of the Kui Ox True Spirit [a primordial spirit-being of immense power], this time they mobilized nearly their entire force, leaving their stronghold virtually undefended.

In terms of combat strength at the Primordial Unity Realm level alone, there were six individuals: Eldrin Chen, Glazed Divine Lord, Violet Mystery Path Master, Blazeflame Divine Spirit, Life Great Emperor, and Myriad Spirit Patriarch.

As for those at the Earth Immortal Realm [a high-level immortal cultivation stage], aside from Ancient Ruins Nether Lord who was responsible for managing the grand formation, all the others had emerged from seclusion, ready for battle.

Thus, as time flowed on, they arrived outside the Kui Ox Ancient Domain almost without realizing it.

"Such a rich concentration of Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the fundamental energy that constitutes the cosmos]."

When Eldrin Chen reached the Kui Ox Ancient Domain, his brow furrowed slightly in surprise.

This Kui Ox Ancient Domain was different from other regions within the Small Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmic realm]. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy here was exceptionally dense and potent. Even the Supreme Grade Blessed Land [a land of supreme spiritual fortune] within the Kui Ox Ancient Domain had its foundational essence in a state of peak vigor.

Verdant Consort was also quite astonished, her brow knitting as she remarked, "Although the Four Extremities True Spirits [the primordial spirits born from the four cardinal directions of the cosmos] were indeed nurtured by the Four Extremities [the four cardinal directions/limits of the world] of heaven and earth, and their internal foundational power should logically be the most vigorous..."

"...now that the Universe is on the verge of Oblivion [cosmic annihilation/end], and even the Heavenly Path [the Dao of Heaven, the natural order] has fallen into slumber, this place's foundational essence should, by all reason, be nearly exhausted."

Life Great Emperor seemed to have some insight into this. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "These four Universe True Spirit [primordial spirits of the cosmos] are among the first ancient spirits born at the very dawn of this Universe."

"They are more ancient than even the Heavenly Emperor [the Celestial Sovereign]. By their innate nature, they can assist the Small Universe in drawing in and refining the energies of the void, transforming them into the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy within the Universe."

"So that's how it is," he murmured, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his brow furrowing with a trace of concern.

The fact that the Four Extremities True Spirits could assist this Universe in drawing upon the energies of the void meant they undoubtedly carried immense Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds]. No wonder the Myriad Spirit Patriarch had warned that slaying them would incur karmic backlash.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke thoughtfully, "Let us proceed one step at a time. If the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox's Merit is too great, we shall endeavor to avoid taking its life."

With those words, Eldrin Chen began to advance, leading the group deeper into the heart of the Kui Ox Ancient Domain.

Yet, they had taken only a few steps into the domain when a blinding white Thunderclap [a deafening crack of thunder] tore across the heavens. A torrent of overwhelmingly violent thunderfire energy surged forth, inundating the vast expanse of sky and land.

The Life Great Emperor swiftly activated the Life Heavenly Barrier to shield the party. As she did, countless eruptions of searing thunder roared across the firmament. From within this cataclysm, a colossal Primordial Era beast, wreathed in boundless thunder and flame, launched its assault upon them.

"Such ferocity from an ancient beast," one of them breathed out.

"Is this the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox?" another asked.

A slight frown creased the brow of the Myriad Spirit Patriarch. With a sweep of his sleeve, he summoned the Myriad Laws Wondrous Tree into the sky. Its power, embodying infinite wondrous principles, swept out in a Six Harmonies [a defensive formation based on the harmony of six directions] pattern, forming an impenetrable barrier against the onslaught of thunder and fire.

Eldrin Chen also expanded his Primordial One Energy True Aura [a defensive aura of unified primordial energy] to shield everyone, only then realizing that the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox [a mythical ox beast of thunder and flame] was wreathed in boundless calamitous energy [the corrupting aura of a world's end], its twin pupils utterly stained with infinite killing intent.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "The Universe [the cosmos] reaches its The End [final fate], calamitous energy breeds. I never imagined this Universe True Spirit [the spiritual consciousness born from a universe's origin] would be the first to be polluted by the calamitous energy and descend completely into demonic madness."

Everyone nodded in agreement, their hearts also filled with a sigh of lament.

As an Heaven and Earth True Spirit [a primordial spirit born from heaven and earth], the Kui Ox was originally born from the transformation of the World's Origin [the foundational essence from which a world is formed]. Now, as this Small Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmic realm] approached Oblivion [complete annihilation and erasure from existence], it too had been infected by the boundless energy of Oblivion, transforming into a monster that knew only Slaughter [massacre] and Oblivion.

Seeing the boundless Fiendish Energy [demonic and malevolent spiritual power] swirling around the Kui Ox now, it was clear it had committed unspeakable slaughter; the Pure Light of Merit [the radiant aura representing accumulated virtuous deeds and good karma] that should have surrounded it had been greatly diminished.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen declared, "Since that is the case, let us act."

As his words fell, he immediately channeled his power into the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword imbued with solar flame and abyssal power], cleaving forward. A dazzling sword radiance shot straight toward the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox.

Seeing this, the others also sprang into action. One formidable Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] and treasure after another was unleashed, their attacks converging on the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox.

Facing this concentrated assault, after merely a few exchanges, the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox had already suffered significant losses and sustained serious injuries.

Yet, the more grievously wounded it became, the deeper the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox sank into a frenzied madness. It manifested boundless, endless power of thunder and flame, sweeping through the Eight Desolations [the eight extreme, barren reaches of the world].

A shockwave of unparalleled ferocity erupted, akin to a Thunderclap Ancient Star detonating. It carried the Oblivion [the power of absolute annihilation] of all thunder and fire, sweeping across billions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of the vast and boundless Starry River.

"What a formidable Thunderclap Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power]," he exclaimed.

Facing the frenzied assault of the Thunder-Fire Kui Ox [a mythical bovine beast of thunder and flame], Eldrin Chen was sent staggering back, blood spraying from his lips with each step. Each retreat spanned untold light-years, the sheer force of the impact forcing him to expend immense effort to dissipate its overwhelming power.

He swiftly activated the Rule of Life [the cosmic principle governing vitality and healing] to mend his wounds, yet Eldrin Chen's expression remained one of profound gravity.

This Thunder-Fire Kui Ox was a Universe True Spirit [a primordial spirit born from and empowered by the cosmos itself], bolstered by the very rules of the Universe. Its combat prowess was nearly on par with the most elite Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has almost ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm], and its Slaughter power ranked supreme among the four great Universe True Spirit.

Now, corrupted by the Oblivion aura and plunged into utter madness, its battle strength had surged by another thirty percent, faintly surpassing the domain of a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation art of unparalleled stability and power].