Chapter 1643 : Into the Depths of Chaos

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present shifted subtly.

Exquisite Jiang drew a deep breath and spoke, "To venture alone into the Depths of Chaos [the innermost, most turbulent and dangerous region of the primordial void] is far too perilous. Let us accompany you."

"There is no need."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his tone calm and resolute. "You have not yet set foot upon the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial immortals]. Once you enter the Depths of Chaos, I fear you would not be able to endure for long."

"Do not worry for me. I possess the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a legendary, nigh-invulnerable body born from the primordial chaos]. The Chaos [the primordial, formless void from which all things emerged] cannot harm me; on the contrary, it augments my combat prowess. Even if I encounter unforeseen peril, I possess the means to return."

With those final words, Eldrin Chen said no more.

He bid farewell to the others and set off, following the distant trail of the Chaos Ancient Beast [a primordial monstrosity born from the formless void] as it led him ever deeper into the Depths of Chaos.

Within the Chaos, the Celestial Mechanism [the underlying principles and fate of heaven and earth] are inscrutable. The four directions were shrouded in a uniform, murky gloom, making the task of tracking a single entity here exceedingly difficult.

However, during their fierce battle, Eldrin Chen had left upon the body of the Chaos Ancient Beast an indelible Immortal Mark Imprint [a mystical brand placed by an immortal, nearly impossible to erase]. This mark ensured he did not lose his quarry.

He journeyed through the Boundless Chaos [the infinite expanse of the primordial void] for nearly a century before he finally sensed the Chaos Ancient Beast come to a halt within a particular region of the swirling, indistinct Chaos.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] approached to investigate, only to discover a vast, mist-shrouded divine mountain range.

It stretched for countless millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], floating within the Endless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. A colossal breach marred its form, through which the energies of the Boundless Chaos [another term for the primordial chaos] poured inward, forming a cavernous structure known as a Chaos Lair [a refuge or dwelling formed within the fabric of chaos itself].

"Is this place the lair of the Chaos Leviathan [a mythical beast of immense power born from chaos]?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a thoughtful light, his expression revealing a hint of deep inquiry.

He examined it carefully, realizing this Chaos Lair stretched boundlessly. It did not seem like a natural formation of the Chaos [the primordial realm of unformed energy], but rather resembled the remnants of a shattered ancient world.

"That can't be right," he mused. "Even a Small Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmic realm], once it undergoes Oblivion [the cosmic cycle of destruction and return to nothingness], should be utterly annihilated by the Chaos Torrent [the overwhelming, destructive currents of primal chaos]."

"What kind of ancient realm could possibly survive within the Chaos after facing Oblivion?"

Whispering to himself, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a surge of astonishment.

Upon closer inspection, he found this ancient realm within the Chaos was remarkably well-preserved, missing less than thirty percent of its original form.

Furthermore, its size was only comparable to the Hundred Seas of Returning Abyss [a vast, legendary oceanic region]. While it was significantly larger than a Small Universe, which might span tens of millions of light-years, it was still but a drop in the ocean compared to the immeasurable vastness of an Immortal Domain [a complete, stable realm where immortals dwell].

"It does not resemble the remnants of a Small Universe, nor does it appear to be formed from the shattering of an Immortal Domain."

"This seems to be the shattered remains of a Path-Field [a personal cultivation realm or domain], opened by some existence within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]."

After observing carefully for a moment, Eldrin Chen could not help but entertain several thoughts.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen immediately suppressed these notions. He resolved to first subdue the Chaos Ancient Beast [a primordial creature born from Chaos], and then make further plans.

"Boom—"

In that instant, Eldrin Chen pushed his Innate Chaos Indestructibility Body [a supreme physique born of Chaos, granting near-immortality] to its absolute limit. He condensed the Chaos Origin [the fundamental essence of primordial Chaos] into a Primordial Chaos Spear, then strode forward to engage the foe within the roiling Chaos.

A great battle erupted then and there, the two unleashing a breathtaking duel amidst the Chaos.

This Chaos Ancient Beast possessed extraordinary power. At its peak, Eldrin Chen going all out might only manage to defeat it, with little chance of delivering a killing blow.

Fortunately, after being besieged, it had already sustained significant injuries. Its current combat strength was merely seventy percent of its prime.

It was no match for Eldrin Chen to begin with, and now bore grievous wounds. Naturally, it was utterly outmatched in the ensuing clash.

After merely a dozen or so exchanges, the Chaos Leviathan was forced into a steady retreat, its wounds growing ever more grievous.

"ROAR—"

Seeing it was no match for the divine might of the Primordial One Indestructibility Body, the Chaos Ancient Beast grew increasingly frenzied.

It unleashed a heaven-shaking bellow, summoning the Chaos Ancient Beast from its lair to join the assault against Eldrin Chen.

At its peak, this Within the Chaos Lair had housed six Chaos Ancient Beast of the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm. However, over the course of several great battles, the Chen Immortal Clan had slain four of them.

Only two remained now, and the threat they posed to Eldrin Chen was no longer significant.

After all, Eldrin Chen's current combat prowess was a world apart from his past self. Even besieged by the Chaos Leviathan alongside two Primordial Unity Realm Chaos Ancient Beast, he faced little real danger.

Nevertheless, these were Chaos Ancient Beast comparable to Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators. Their interference provided the Chaos Leviathan with a sliver of respite.

"Troublesome."

Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy. He understood that this Chaos Leviathan, with its thick hide and hardy flesh, could very well escape with its life if he failed to suppress it completely.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen acted decisively, summoning forth the Innate Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd [a legendary gourd that unleashes divine wind and blades].

"*Whoosh—*"

In that instant, a blade of light of blinding brilliance flashed across the void, its edge cleaving through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. Two of the Ninth Rank Chaos Ancient Beasts [primordial beasts born from chaos] were slain on the spot.

Witnessing this, the Chaos Leviathan [a titanic serpentine beast of chaos] revealed a look of sheer terror.

With a furious roar, it beat its wings, churning the energies of the Boundless Chaos [the infinite expanse of primordial chaos]. Abandoning its nest, it fled desperately towards the Depths of Chaos [the most remote and perilous regions of the primordial void].

Yet Eldrin Chen had no intention of letting it escape. He channeled his power into the Innate Gale Wind Gourd once more. The Innate [primordial, heaven-born] blade of light tore through the fabric of space itself, cleaving the void to strike the neck of the fleeing Chaos Leviathan.

"*Thud—*"

Eldrin Chen heard a sharp, cracking sound and watched as the Chaos Ancient Beast thrashed in agony upon the ground.

He then realized the God-Slaying Flying Dagger [a divine blade capable of slaying deities], though it had carved a grievous wound into the Chaos Leviathan, had become lodged within the beast's bone structure. Try as he might, he could not recall the weapon.

"Incredibly resilient bones," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen drew in a sharp, cold breath, his face revealing a flicker of astonishment.

It must be understood that ever since obtaining the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd, Eldrin Chen had relied upon this treasure to achieve unbroken success.

No matter how formidable the foe, once the Gale Wind God-Slaying Flying Dagger was unleashed, it would inevitably strike true, slaying the opponent with a single, decisive blow.

Even the Innate Supreme Malevolent Netherworld Filth Serpent had its head severed on the spot, meeting instant death.

Yet now, the Chaos Leviathan had not only avoided decapitation but had actually trapped the Gale Wind God-Slaying Flying Dagger within its flesh—a development that utterly defied Eldrin Chen's expectations.

Of course, the beast had paid a terrible price; the strike had cleaved open nearly half its neck, inflicting a wound of unprecedented severity.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen immediately committed to an all-out assault.

Channeling the power of the Polarity Path Union Gourd to bolster his own form, Eldrin Chen saw his combat prowess surge to its absolute peak in an instant, as he launched into a final, desperate clash with the Chaos Leviathan.

Empowered by the Polarity Path Union Gourd, Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique grew even more formidable. Though his power did not fully ascend into the domain comparable to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm, it brushed against the very limits of the Early Celestial Immortal Realm.

In contrast, the Chaos Leviathan's wounds worsened by the moment, its remaining combat strength dwindling to less than half. Thus, the outcome of this battle held no suspense whatsoever.

They witnessed Eldrin Chen strike repeatedly, the Five Divine Spirits within him unleashing their ultimate radiance. Chaos Origin coalesced into a tide of murderous intent that surged towards Starry River's Primordial Chaos Sword. With a resonant *clang*, the blade cleaved through the neck of the Chaos Leviathan.

"Hah—"

Having severed the head of the Chaos Leviathan with that ultimate sword strike, Eldrin Chen finally allowed himself to release a heavy, shuddering breath.