Chapter 1540 : Whispers of the Heavenly Emperor's Plot

Having spoken thus, Eldrin Chen bid farewell to Path Ruins Jiang and returned to the Netherworld Small Universe. There, he began to continue accumulating foundational resources and spiritual power, preparing for the final chaotic upheaval.

And so, time passed in this waiting, a span of over six thousand years slipping by in the blink of an eye.

Until one day, more than six millennia later, perhaps because the treasures within the Small Universe were growing ever scarcer, conflicts among the powerful experts of the various races gradually increased.

Eldrin Chen observed that within the entire Small Universe, battles erupted between Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the terrestrial immortal realm] experts almost constantly. In just a few short centuries, several hundred Earth Immortal Patriarch had fallen, and even some Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very threshold of ascending to the celestial immortal realm] had perished.

"That Heavenly Emperor's Avatar seems to have begun moving in the shadows,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a trace of solemn gravity flashing in the depths of his eyes.

He understood clearly that if that Heavenly Emperor's Avatar had taken action, it proved it had completely subdued the Heavenly Path [the fundamental cosmic laws and principles of cultivation] of this Universe.

Reality proved to be just so. In the time that followed, several more Earth Immortal fell, among them beings who had reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection stage. Even three more Half-Step Celestial Immortal were slain by mysterious figures.

Watching the situation grow increasingly chaotic, Eldrin Chen could finally bear it no longer. He quietly began to spread word of the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar's sinister plot.

As news of the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar spread, the entire Universe was thrown into shock. Although the truth of the message was uncertain, the mysterious fall of several Half-Step Celestial Immortal in succession made everyone wary and unwilling to let down their guard.

Thus, with a mindset of "better safe than sorry," the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has partially transcended mortality but not yet fully ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] of each clan began their investigations.

This investigation yielded startling results, sending shockwaves through them. Deep within the void of this Universe, countless array patterns had been silently inscribed without anyone's notice.

These patterns were exceedingly subtle, difficult for even a Half-Step Celestial Immortal to detect. Even if someone did notice them, they would never have imagined these were the markings of an array designed to refine and consume an entire Universe.

But now, within the Eight Desolations [a vast and desolate region of the cosmos] of this Universe, countless identical Dao patterns manifested simultaneously, striking terror into the hearts of all who witnessed them.

"Find the Ancient Outer Realm Demon's avatar and slay him!"

Filled with dread, countless Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] began searching for the Heavenly Emperor's [a supreme sovereign among deities] hiding place, led by the various Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Finally, Myriad Spirit Patriarch discovered the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar at the Central [the core or central region] of the Universe.

"Heh heh heh!"

"Discovered so quickly? What an unexpected turn of events."

Faced with the onslaught of countless Earth Immortal [immortals bound to the earthly realm] and the siege of several dozen Half-Step Celestial Immortal, the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar showed neither fear nor anger, instead letting out a maniacal laugh.

The several Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have nearly ascended to the celestial realm] tore through the void and arrived. The Golden Brilliance Divine Spirit [a divine being of radiant golden light], gripping the Heavenly Halberd [a divine polearm of immense power], gazed coldly at the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar [a manifested projection of the Heavenly Emperor] and demanded with an icy tone, "Who, in truth, are you?"

"Who am I?"

The Heavenly Emperor's Avatar sneered. With a flick of its sleeve, it concealed its face, transforming into a handsome youth with lips red as cinnabar and teeth white as jade.

At this sight, the hearts of all present clenched in shock. The Moon-Cleaving Phoenix Maiden [a phoenix maiden of surpassing grace] could not help but blanch, her expression shifting dramatically as she exclaimed, "The Black Cloud Demon Monarch [the Sovereign of the Shadowed Skies]!"

"Indeed, it is I."

The Black Cloud Demon Monarch spoke calmly, a flicker of chilling intent passing through his eyes.

Only then did the full picture of cause and effect snap into place for the assembled experts. The Primordial Solar Holy Son [the Chosen Scion of the Primal Sun], his brow furrowed slightly, said, "No wonder, all those years ago when you sought to break through the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a profound cultivation method fusing three primordial essences], you sacrificed your own Earth Immortal World [a self-contained minor world cultivated by an Earth Immortal]."

"So you had plotted for millennia to seize and refine this Universe [the vast cosmos], to transform it into your own Celestial Immortal Great Cosmos [the vast, personalized cosmos of a Celestial Immortal], thereby forging the foundation for a supreme Innate Divine Spirit [a divine being born of primordial chaos, possessing innate divine power]."

"You have finally discerned the truth, but alas, it is far too late."

The Black Cloud Demon Monarch spoke slowly, a profound and bone-chilling coldness seeping into his words.

He channeled his boundless magical power, activating the countless billions upon billions of formation patterns within the Universe. An endless tide of Path Principle power [the fundamental laws governing reality and cultivation] surged forth, permeating the entire Universe.

In that instant, the entire vast and boundless Great Universe began to shrink with a thunderous roar, being rapidly and utterly refined.

Witnessing this, the Black Cloud Demon Monarch let out a maniacal laugh.

"Hahaha! Now, this entire Great Universe shall be completely refined!"

"All seventy-one of you Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] and three thousand Earth Immortal [immortals whose power is anchored to the mortal world] shall become the nourishment for this sovereign's ascension to the supreme rank of Heavenly Demon!"

"No…!"

Terror gripped countless hearts in that moment.

If the entire Universe were refined, none present would escape with their lives.

Once that happened, the Black Cloud Demon Monarch would forge a Great Encompassing Potential [a legendary physique of unparalleled foundation], becoming the King of Ten Thousand Demons who would shake the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. His future ascension to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a realm of power belonging to immortals from primordial times] would be as inevitable as water flowing downhill.

Realizing this, everyone unleashed their full power in a desperate attempt to reverse the Universe's fate, but their efforts seemed utterly futile.

And at this very moment, within the boundless Netherworld Small Universe, one array pattern after another erupted completely, clashing against the Solar Realm Small Universe.

In that instant, the array patterns refining the Universe fell into a deadlock, like gears jammed and unable to turn.

It was then that Myriad Spirit Patriarch declared loudly, "This is a contingency I laid down. It can only hold for three hours. If we cannot slay him within this time, all will still come to naught."

"A masterful scheme, Senior Myriad Spirit."

Witnessing this scene, the group felt as if they had escaped death's grasp, and expressions of wild joy appeared on their faces.

In a flash, Golden Radiance Divine Scion was the first to strike. He summoned his Adamantine war halberd and thrust it towards the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar of the Black Cloud Demon Monarch.

"Impossible!"

Seeing his plan thwarted, the Black Cloud Demon Monarch revealed a look of utter shock.

Consumed by boundless fury, his Heavenly Emperor robes billowed in the wind as he unleashed a terrifying, world-shaking power. With a single palm strike, he sent the Golden Brilliance Divine Spirit flying, blood spraying from its mouth.

"A mere Postnatal Divine Spirit [a divine spirit born after the creation of the world, typically less powerful than innate ones], dares to defy the heavens?"

Having defeated his foe with a single move, the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar let out a cold, mocking laugh.

He stood towering in the Nine Heavens Above, akin to the supreme Heavenly Emperor who subdued the mortal realm at the dawn of Antiquity-Tracing, compelling all Divine Spirits across the Myriad Heavens to bow in submission.

Witnessing this scene, the brows of the onlookers furrowed with grave concern.

This Black Cloud Demon Monarch was already the foremost prodigy of the Demonic Path within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain since the onset of this Kalpa Tribulation, and the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar was a supreme existence comparable to one who had laid a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation.

Combined, their combat prowess was truly peerless throughout the ages. Moreover, they had now refined and assimilated this Universe's Heavenly Path [the fundamental laws and principles governing the cosmos].

Considering this, the Venus Celestial Maiden spoke, "We cannot defeat this foe through individual might. Victory requires a united front."

"Agreed—"

Upon hearing her words, the assembled experts immediately sprang into action.

In that moment, the several Half-Step Celestial Immortal unleashed their power simultaneously. The Venus Immortal-Slaying Sword, the Primordial Solar Golden Pearl, the Thousand Buddha Relic, and other such Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [weapons forged at the Primordial Unity realm] were all brought to bear, clashing fiercely with the Black Cloud Demon Monarch.

Faced with the combined assault of several dozen Half-Step Celestial Immortal, even the seemingly invincible Heavenly Emperor's Avatar possessed by the Black Cloud Demon Monarch found itself overwhelmed. A single pair of fists could not contend with so many hands, and it was soon forced into a steady retreat.

"Aaargh... You have provoked me!"

Seeing himself unable to withstand the combined assault, the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar [a powerful projection or manifestation of a Heavenly Emperor] was utterly enraged.

With a furious sweep of his sleeve, he released a blindingly radiant light. This light swirled and transformed, finally coalescing into an immortal gourd that shimmered with the light of Innate [a primordial, pre-cosmic state of being] Polarity [the fundamental cosmic duality, often represented as Yin and Yang].

The moment this immortal gourd appeared, the Heavenly Sovereign [one of the three primordial sovereigns, ruler of the heavens] of this Universe was seized by profound terror. He exclaimed in shock, "It is the Universe's supreme treasure—the 'Polarity Path Union Gourd' [a legendary artifact capable of harmonizing and unleashing the power of cosmic duality]!"

"The Polarity Path Union Gourd?"

The hearts of the assembled experts clenched. As the Earthly Sovereign [one of the three primordial sovereigns, ruler of the earth] and the Heavenly Sovereign recounted its tale, they came to understand the formidable origins of this treasure.