Chapter 1526 : Encountering the Lord of the Celestial Fiends

"It seems this universe may not last another 100 1000 years."

Gazing at the overwhelming tribulation qi swirling within his microcosmos, Eldrin couldn't help but murmur with grave solemnity.

In his initial estimation, this universe could have endured for at least 1 100 1000 years. Yet now, as the celestials harvested stars from the minor cosmos, the vital energies within grew increasingly attenuated.

Moreover, the current mini-universe is accelerating toward its destruction. At this rate, it will likely endure for no more than 30 to 40 1000 years.

"Alas, even a universe must 1 day meet its end." Eldrin sighed, finally suppressing the thought.

Suppressing the thoughts in his mind, he ventured toward another star domain. Yet before long, he sensed several formidable auras erupting from the depths of the void.

He looked up and saw 2 immensely powerful auras clashing in the endless void—a figure shrouded in overwhelming bloodlust pursuing a crimson streak of light.

"It's her!"

Sensing the aura of the newcomer, Eldrin’s brow furrowed slightly.

The 1 being pursued was none other than an acquaintance of Eldrin, who also happened to be the cooperative Li Fire Deity of the Returning Abyss.

The other pursuer was also someone Eldrin had encountered before—the current patriarch of the Celestial Prison Clan.

"By the looks of it, the Flaming Deity seems to be in dire straits."

Watching the figures locked in constant combat on the battlefield, Eldrin murmured inwardly.

This Liyan Divine Spirit possessed heaven-bestowed talent, a peerless genius rarely seen even once in a million years across the entire Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. It could be said that during the Heavenly Tribulation, she stood with overwhelming confidence to break through to the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

However, the Dao Tribulation was far too perilous, and coupled with her lack of sufficient cultivation resources, she resolved to venture into the Minor Universe to gamble on a chance.

Given her potential, many powerhouses in the immortal realm would seek to eliminate such a threat preemptively, and the microcosm presented the perfect opportunity to end her life.

Generally speaking, with the power of the Flame-Severing Divine Spirit, even if it hadn't broken through to the ninth level of the Earth Immortal realm, an ordinary Single Taiyi Foundation cultivator would find it extremely difficult to slay it.

However, the Heaven Prison Patriarch was an existence who had opened 8 heavens. His combat prowess was considered formidable even among those with a single Taiyi foundation, and he could be said to have firmly suppressed the Li Flame Deity.

Moreover, the Heaven Prison Clan Leader possessed a treasure ark of Creation-level grade, which even the Flame Severing Deity Spirit struggled to shake off for a time.

In such circumstances, Eldrin estimated that the Flame Deity had concealed a hidden trump card, yet escaping would likely demand an unimaginably steep price.

"Since our paths have crossed, I shall lend you a hand in consideration of our acquaintance."

In Eldrin's heart, thoughts flashed in an instant, and within moments he had already made his resolve. He manifested a set of black robes upon himself, then shielded his being with the Deception of Heaven Secret Art.

With that done, he stepped forward, tearing through the void. In a single motion, his palm struck out like a splitting axe, descending to suppress the Lord of the Heavenly Prison Clan.

Boom

Suddenly ambushed, the Lord of the Sky Prison Clan narrowed his eyes with a chilling glint.

With a mere flick of his sleeve, he exchanged a single palm strike with Eldrin. In that instant, heaven and earth trembled violently under the impact of this single blow.

The Prison Clan Lord felt a numbness shoot through his palm, and his feet instinctively retreated 3 steps in succession. A faint sense of foreboding sank into his heart.

Sensing the formidable presence of the newcomer, the Heavenly Prison Clan Master cast a frigid glance at Eldrin before speaking, "Taiyi Immortal Physique. Who might you be, esteemed 1?"

"With your level of power, you must be a figure of great renown within the 6 Western Heavens Domains. Why conceal your identity in shadows?"

Eldrin’s footsteps stilled slightly as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, poised high in the heavens, his expression deepening into 1 of profound gravity.

In the celestial realms, if 1 were to speak of the master of the Flowing Fire Star Palace, such a Half-Step Celestial Being would possess combat prowess equivalent to a 4 Tribulations Half-Step Celestial Being.

Thus, those who achieved the Dao with foundations like the Heavenly Prison Clan Lord, Seraphina Qu (Person Name), and the Purple Mystic Daoist—all having opened 3 celestial apertures—possessed combat prowess of at least 5 or 6 calamities, half-step Celestial Immortals.

Beyond that, those with 7 Calamities combat prowess at the Quasi-Celestial Immortal level are all existences possessing dual Great Unity foundations.

It could be said that the Lord of the Heavenly Prison Clan was among the most supreme foundations of the Single Taiyi realm. Moreover, this Lord of the Heavenly Prison Clan had attained the Dao through the Taiyi Immortal Body, making his physical strength top-tier even among Half-Step Celestial Immortals.

With the support of his Rule Dao Fruit, Eldrin confronted him using his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body. Though he caught the Lord of the Heavenly Prison Clan off guard, he gradually found himself at a slight disadvantage.

"Even if I were to reveal all my Heaven-Sundering Treasures and divine abilities, I would still struggle to defeat him completely." "Without unleashing artifacts like the Crimson Dragon Ancient Cauldron, I'm afraid I wouldn't be his match in a 1-on-1 confrontation." With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Eldrin cast a placid glance at the Liyan Divine Spirit.

Sensing Eldrin's arrival to assist, the Blaze Deity paused mid-step and decisively abandoned any thought of retreat.

She landed on the other side of the void, forming a pincer formation with Eldrin (Person Name) as they confronted the Heavenly Prison Clan Lord. Only then did he slightly relax, turning to Eldrin (Person Name) and saying, "Thank you for your assistance, fellow daoist." "No need for formalities—it was but a trivial matter."

Eldrin spoke with an air of detached calm, then turned his gaze to the Lord of the Heavenly Prison Clan. "Your Excellency, as the master of the Heavenly Prison Clan and a Half-Step Celestial Immortal, why must you stoop to confronting a mere junior?"

"Young junior, I dare not treat her as 1."

The Heavenly Prison Clan Master gave a cold smirk, then turned his gaze to the Blaze Spirit before addressing Eldrin, "This Blaze Spirit has encountered a remarkable opportunity, obtaining a piece of Cosmic Yin-Yang Magnetic Starlight Stone."

"This treasure is worth a fortune, equivalent to several Chaos Heavenly Treasures."

"If you join forces with me to slay this Eldrin, I shall only claim the Cosmic Yin-Yang Lodestone. All other treasures upon her person shall be yours. What say you?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) couldn't help but freeze momentarily.

The Cosmic Yin-Yang Lodestone Starstone is a supreme treasure, containing the mysteries of the cosmic void and the power of yin-yang magnetism, while simultaneously embodying several attributes such as space, magnetism, and yin-yang.

Its value ranks among the very finest even amongst supreme Primordial Chaos Treasures, equivalent to 3 such treasures combined.

To be fair, Eldrin was also deeply drawn to this object, yet he clearly understood that the Lord of the Heavenly Prison Clan was not to be trusted.

He thus shook his head, then spoke coldly, "Your strength far surpasses mine. If you were to go back on your word after Fellow Daoist Li Yan perishes, how could I possibly resist?"

The Heaven Prison Clan Leader’s expression cooled slightly as he spoke, “So long as you agree, Fellow Daoist, this old man is willing to swear a Heavenly Oath.”

"Hmph."

Eldrin let out a derisive chuckle, his tone icy as he remarked, "Fellow Daoist, you must be jesting with me. This minor universe is on the verge of annihilation, and the Heavenly Dao itself shall cease to exist."

"Moreover, we are not natives of this minor cosmos. Even if this realm were to acknowledge your Heavenly Oath, what significance would it hold?"

Clang—

Seeing his scheme exposed, the Heavenly Prison Clan Master's expression turned cold as he finally cast aside all pretense of cordiality.

With a sudden flick of his sleeve, a battle spear wreathed in boundless calamity aura pierced through the heavens, thrusting directly toward Eldrin’s glabella.