Chapter 1796 : A Universe Within Chaos

"This is..."

Gazing upon the Chaos Lair before them, even Eldrin Chen was left momentarily speechless.

It was a Chaos Lair of boundless grandeur and immeasurable scale, adrift within the Boundless Chaos and shrouded by the primordial Qi [the fundamental energy of creation] of that realm, obscuring its true form.

Yet, even the mere fraction of it that was visible spanned a size surpassing ten billion light-years, resembling a Grand Universe suspended within the Primordial Chaos.

"So vast..."

Lyra Jiang was equally astonished, drawing a sharp breath before speaking. "How can a Chaos Lair be so immense?"

After a prolonged and meticulous observation, the Celestial Maiden finally spoke. "This Chaos Lair stretches into infinity; it is no ordinary lair. I fear it is a Ninth RankPeerless Quasi-Great LuoChaos Lair."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart quivered. Chaos Lair were broadly categorized into three grades: Lower Grade Taiyi, Middle Grade Great Luo, and High GradePrimordial Chaos, corresponding to the realms of Heaven Immortal, Great Luo, and Primordial Chaos.

Each grade could be further subdivided into three tiers based on potency, giving rise to the classifications of Ninth Rank Low Grade, Ninth Rank Middle Grade, and the Ninth RankSuperior Grade Chaos Nest.

Originally, the ancient Great Luo beings from before the Ancient Era had classified Chaos Lair into three grades and nine tiers, or alternatively, Third Rank with nine grades. Continue reading this story at audio-novel[dot]com.

However, the greater the leap between major cultivation realms, the vaster the disparity within. The chasm between a Ninth Rank High Grade Taiyi Nest and a Great Luo Chaos Lair [a primordial, chaotic realm of immense power and danger] is truly immeasurable.

Even among Ninth Rank Superior Grade Chaos Nest [a top-tier chaotic realm], certain Chaos Lair have given birth to a Great Dao Embryo [the nascent form of a supreme cosmic principle], making them ten times more formidable than ordinary Ninth Rank High Grade nests.

Therefore, after the end of the Ancient Era, the Immortals further delineated a grade between the three tiers. This grade is called Peerless, also known as Quasi-Great Luo or even Quasi-Chaos Lair.

Returning to the matter at hand, as the group now stood before this Quasi-Great Luo Chaos Lair, their hearts could not help but surge with profound excitement.

A Ninth Rank Peerless Chaos Lair is a find almost unheard of across the eons within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

If they missed this opportunity, to encounter such a Chaos Lair again would likely require waiting for hundreds of millions of years, or venturing into the far more perilous depths of the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms emerged].

Whether it was a wait spanning eons or a journey into that Sea of Chaos, they would likely face dangers far exceeding those of the present.

Thinking of this, the Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor drew a deep breath and spoke, "This must be a Ninth Rank Supreme Grade Chaos Nest. We absolutely cannot let it slip through our fingers today."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement but raised a hand to stop the Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor. "Patience," he said. "This Chaos Lair is fraught with unknown perils. If a Chaos Beast King [a sovereign beast born of primordial chaos] still lurks within, my Chaos Miasma [a cloak of primordial chaos energy] may not suffice to evade its senses."

The Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor looked at Eldrin Chen and asked, "What do you propose?"

Eldrin Chen did not answer, merely turning his gaze towards the heart of the Shattered Immortal Domain.

There, amidst the churning Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], several dozen Ancient Immortals [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality] and Ancient Ancestor figures were locked in fierce combat with over ten Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial creatures born from chaos], clearly holding the upper hand.

Though formidable, these Chaos Ancient Beast possessed only one being whose power rivaled a Four Calamities Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived four heavenly tribulations]. Facing Demon Emperor Heaven-Sunderer, whose might was comparable to a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations], they swiftly fell into a disadvantageous position.

The remaining Chaos Ancient Beast, while powerful, were ultimately outnumbered and outmatched in cultivation. They were firmly suppressed by the Ancient Immortals and Ancient Ancestor forces, who held a several-fold advantage in both numbers and individual strength.

Had it not been for the lack of unity among the various Ancient Immortal Great Power [supremely powerful Ancient Immortals], with figures like Primordial Nether still observing from the sidelines, some of the Chaos Ancient Beast would likely have already perished.

"It seems the situation remains favorable,"

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor murmured upon seeing this, yet his brow furrowed slightly. "Our Ancient Immortal Great Power hold the advantage, with over ten more yet to even join the fray. Do you truly believe this situation holds hidden variables?"

Eldrin Chen remained silent for a long moment, contemplative. After a lengthy pause, he finally spoke. "I have heard that the Chaos Beast King [the ruler among Chaos Ancient Beasts] possess profound intelligence, having shed the mind-numbing influence of the Chaos Obfuscating Qi [a chaotic energy that clouds reason and perception]."

"Such beings cannot be dealt with as ordinary Chaos Ancient Beast."

"If my deduction is correct," he continued, his voice low, "the true powerhouses among the Chaos Beast King may still be observing from the shadows, waiting to fully discern the capabilities and depths of our Ancient Immortal Great Power."

"A true powerhouse?"

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's heart jolted, and he could not help but draw in a sharp, cold breath.

If Eldrin Chen's conjecture was true, then once the Chaos Ancient Beasts had fully gauged the depths of these Ancient Immortals, they would likely unleash a thunderous strike of unprecedented ferocity.

"Boom—!"

As the crowd murmured, the battle high in the Firmament grew ever more spectacular and tumultuous.

The Demon Emperor Heaven-Sunderer struck out in all directions, single-handedly forcing the mightiest Chaos Beast King into a steady retreat. Seizing the moment, he roared and soared skyward, hurling the Heaven-Sundering Long Spear with devastating force. Continue your cultivation journey at https://audio-novel.com.

In that instant, the Heaven-Sundering Long Spear shot forth like a roaring golden dragon, its unstoppable power tearing through the heavens and the void. It utterly impaled a Chaos Beast King whose power rivaled a two-tribulation Ancient Immortals, pinning it lifeless within the Primordial Chaos.

"Hummm—"

And in that very same moment, a surge of potent Qi and Blood [the vital life force and physical essence of a powerful being] swelled within the Primordial Chaos.

Eldrin Chen faintly sensed it—from the nearby Peerless Chaos Lair, an aura of unprecedented power was stirring to life. An ancient, abyssal presence, as if dredged from the depths of time itself, was awakening.

"With the fall of the Chaos Beast King, they can no longer sit idle."

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze profoundly grave as he spoke.

Following his gaze, the group looked up to see the vast and magnificent Chaos Lair suddenly erupt with a thunderous Dragon's Roar.

Immediately after, an aura of supreme and peerless nobility surged upwards, and a colossal, Hazy figure soared into the sky.

The entity was too vast and immense for its true form to be discerned. Yet, through the Chaos Miasma [a primordial, formless energy], glimpses of scales and a silhouette stretched for untold light-years, as boundless as a Grand Universe.

"At the very least, a Chaos Beast King that has broken through the Threefold Heavens barrier."

The Celestial Maiden whispered, drawing a sharp breath. "It is fortunate we did not enter. Otherwise, we likely would not survive three exchanges."

At this moment, even Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor had to give weight to Eldrin Chen's counsel and could not help but ask, "Shall we act now?"

"Not yet in haste. Matters concerning Life and Death [a profound cultivation art] require first testing the waters."

"Testing the waters?" The Celestial Maiden shook her head in confusion. "This Chaos Lair is too vast. I fear only a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle realm for Celestial Immortals] expert acting as the 'stone' could stir even a ripple."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and said calmly, "As long as we have sufficient patience, someone will inevitably volunteer to be that stone."

Just as the group was conversing, a faint shimmer of light finally appeared beyond the Chaos Lair.

Seeing the Chaos Beast King charge out, some Heavenly Immortal Paragon cultivators could no longer restrain their greed and soared towards the Chaos Lair.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten individuals had already plunged inside, among them even three beings at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

"ROAR—"

The moment the group charged in, a heaven-shaking roar erupted from within the Chaos Lair. Over ten Chaos Ancient Beast rose into the air to attack, including two whose power rivaled that of the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile. "As expected, Chaos Ancient Beast are guarding the lair. Fortunately, there is no Chaos Beast King present. Now we can make our move."

With those words, Eldrin Chen led the group as they stealthily flew into the depths of the Chaos Lair.

Within this expanse of Primordial Chaos, Eldrin Chen's Chaos Miasma [a dense, primordial mist that obscures perception] served as the perfect concealment. Without a Chaos Beast King standing guard, even a Chaos Ancient Beast at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm would be incapable of detecting Eldrin Chen's presence.

The four of them traversed the path, discovering along the way vast quantities of Chaos Divine Material, Innate Marvels [naturally formed spiritual wonders of immense power], and various other Chaos Divine Object.

Each of these treasures was of immeasurable value, any single one enough to make a Heaven Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the immortal realm] salivate with desire. Yet, Eldrin Chen suppressed the greed in his heart and informed the others.

"For this journey, our goal is solely the supreme treasure guarded by the Chaos Beast King [a primordial ruler of chaotic beasts] and the Innate Qi [the primordial, uncreated energy from which all things originate]."

"As for the rest, remember not to be swayed by avarice, lest we startle the snake in the grass."

Hearing this, the other three also suppressed their own covetous thoughts and proceeded directly toward the depths of the Chaos Lair.

They traversed the path swiftly, soon arriving at the very core of the Chaos Lair—a cavern brimming with Chaos Qi [the raw, formless energy of primordial chaos] as vast as an ocean.

"This is..."

Upon reaching the cavern, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor could not help but draw a sharp breath, his face revealing utter astonishment.

Within the Chaos Lair, dozens upon dozens of dazzling Innate [primordial, born of chaos] radiances, large and small, shimmered. Each beam of Innate light blazed as brilliantly as the Great Sun [a supreme solar-based divine technique].

"Supreme Profound Flower, Dao Union Flower, Chaos Ancient Gold, Great White Mixed Gold, Nine Nether Nether Iron..."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, naming each of these divine materials one by one.

These divine objects, each radiating with Innate Light [a primordial, inherent luminescence], were all at least mid-grade Innate Marvels [objects born from the primal chaos, possessing miraculous properties]. Among them, there were a full nine that were High Grade Innate Rare Treasure [supreme treasures of the highest innate grade].

The most dazzling of these innate radiances all emanated from the same location.

It was a Chaos Immortal Pool [a vast, lake-like pool formed from primordial chaos energy, a legendary cultivation site], within which coiled boundless Innate Spiritual Radiance [the pure, foundational spiritual light of creation]. Eldrin Chen's gaze was immediately drawn to the multitude of Innate Qi [strands of the most fundamental, unadulterated energy from the dawn of creation] present.

"Seventy-one... no, seventy-two strands of Innate Qi,"

Eldrin Chen murmured, unable to suppress the surge of excitement within his heart.

Celestial Maiden was equally stirred. Her eyes turned to a pristine, ancient-looking white flower floating above the immortal pool. "The Past Life Flower [a legendary blossom said to allow one to reclaim the cultivation achievements of a past life]," she said, her voice filled with awe. "It is said to enable one to reconstruct their former Dao Fruit [the culmination of one's cultivation path, a symbol of supreme attainment] and, in an Eldrin [a single moment], restore the cultivation of a past existence. It is a Supreme [peerless, of the highest order] treasure."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen looked up, and his heart trembled violently.

The Past Life Flower was an exceedingly rare Supreme Grade Innate Marvel [an innate marvel of the absolute highest grade]. Legend held that any Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality and achieved immortality] caught in the Reincarnation Cycle [the endless wheel of death and rebirth], upon consuming this flower, could instantly regain the cultivation base and foundational strength of their previous life.

The value of such a treasure was utterly inestimable. Even countless Ancient Immortal Great Power [venerable and immensely powerful beings from antiquity] would be driven to madness for it.

For once obtained, even if one were to fall and enter Reincarnation, they could, in an Eldrin, reclaim their former Supreme cultivation.

"The value of this object is truly inestimable."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, then shifted his gaze to the final treasure floating within the immortal pool.

It was a dazzlingly brilliant Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [a supreme-grade elixir marked with swirling cloud patterns], its entire form wreathed in the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before the creation of the cosmos] mists, bobbing within the Primordial Chaos and emanating an ineffable Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy] aura.

"The Innate Primordial Chaos Pill."

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor spoke slowly, his eyes alight with profound excitement.

This pill was named the Innate Primordial Chaos Pill [a supreme elixir born from the fusion of Innate Qi and Primordial Chaos]. It was an Innate Marvels [a treasure of supreme quality, born naturally from the cosmos, not crafted by mortal hands] spontaneously conceived from the fusion of Innate Qi [the primordial, foundational energy present at the dawn of creation] and the Chaos Lair [a place of concentrated, untamed Primordial Chaos energy].

It was not forged by any alchemist's hand, but was a Supreme Innate Treasure Pill [a pinnacle-grade elixir of the highest order, born from the cosmos itself] brought into being by the very act of Chaos Creation [the cosmic process of creation from the Primordial Chaos].

Such a Pill could greatly nourish one's cultivation base. For an Ancient Immortal Great Power [a cultivator who has ascended to the Ancient Immortal Realm and possesses immense power] who had transcended fewer than four heavenly tribulations, consuming one could increase their chances of breaking through a single Heavenly Pass [a major bottleneck or barrier within a cultivation realm] by thirty percent.

If a cultivator at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] were to take this pill, they could likely advance further in an extremely short time, and their future chances of breaking through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a profound cultivation realm beyond the Celestial Immortal stage] would be significantly enhanced.

Unfortunately, the Chaos Beast King [a primordial beast king born from Chaos] specialized in cultivating its Physical Body [the strength and resilience of the corporeal form]. This type of Pill primarily served to greatly nourish one's Mana [the spiritual energy or power used to perform mystical arts] and cultivation base, so its efficacy would be greatly diminished for such a being. That was why it had not been consumed by the Chaos Beast King.

Thinking of this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor spoke, "If I could obtain this Innate Ancient Pill, I might be able to attempt a breakthrough into the Ancient Immortal Realm within three million years."

Speaking of this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor could not help but sigh with emotion, "No wonder those Ancient Immortals who have transcended four or more calamities and aspire for the Great Luo Realm almost invariably venture into that Sea of Chaos."

"If a single Shattered Immortal Domain holds such opportunities, one can imagine the fortunes within the Sea of Chaos must be even more astounding."

"As long as one can survive there, breaking through to become a four or even five-calamity Ancient Immortals is not merely a dream."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod.

He recalled Zephyr, the Ancient Immortal from ages past. Sheltered by the Celestial Court, that immortal had remained untouched by calamity for a full One Billion Years. Yet, upon finally entering the Calamity Tribulation, they ultimately fell before the sixth layer of the Dao Heart Heavenly Pass.

Had Zephyr, the Ancient Immortal chosen to venture into the depths of the Sea of Chaos back then, the outcome might have been entirely different.

Of course, that premise hinged on Zephyr, the Ancient Immortal being able to establish a foothold and ultimately survive within the Sea of Chaos.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "The Sea of Chaos holds boundless opportunities, but its perils are utterly incomparable to those of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains."

"Our ability to come to this Ruined Immortal Domain today is primarily because those senior Ancient Immortals drew away the Chaos Beast King."

Having said this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "If my deductions are correct, the disciples under those Ancient Immortals are likely about to storm their way in."

"We must not delay. Let us first secure these treasures."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen was the first to act, drawing several treasures into his grasp. The other three followed his example, and soon they were all continuously seizing the various treasures.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, they had thoroughly plundered the treasures of the Chaos Nest Core, obtaining a total of sixty-one Innate Marvels [rare objects born from the primordial chaos] and seventy-two strands of Innate Qi [primordial spiritual energy].

"Let's go…"

The moment the last treasure was taken, Eldrin Chen did not linger for a second. He immediately shrouded everyone with Chaos Miasma [a dense, concealing fog of primordial chaos] and led the group flying out of the Chaos Lair.

Only then did the Chaos Ancient Beast [a primordial beast of immense power] guarding the entrance to the Chaos Cave react, unleashing a roar of immense fury as it gave chase.

Fortunately, concealed by the Chaos Miasma, the four of them shook off the pursuit of that Chaos Ancient Beast in mere moments.

Not long after their departure, a group of imposing Heaven Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] charged into the Chaos Lair.

This group numbered no more than a dozen, yet each possessed cultivation at the Late Heaven Immortal Realm. The three leading them were even at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm].

Among them, the strongest individual, wielding a fourteen-pattern Ancient Innate Sword [a primordial sword born from the chaos of creation], effortlessly suppressed and slew that Ninth Rank Top Grade Primordial Chaos Beast [a supreme beast of chaos at the peak of the ninth rank] and arrived within the Chaos Cave.

However, upon seeing the utterly ransacked Chaos Lair, he roared with immense fury, "How is this possible? Who could have possibly seized the treasures from this place right under our very eyes?"

Not long after, several more Heaven Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] arrived one after another.

These individuals all held Innate Ancient Treasure [treasures of immense power, born from the primordial chaos of the universe], clearly hailing from Ancient Immortal Grotto-Heaven [hidden paradises of ancient immortals] with profoundly deep Deep-Seated Foundation [a cultivator's spiritual and physical foundation, crucial for advancement].

Yet, when they beheld the completely looted Chaos Immortal Pool [a mystical pool of chaotic energies that can nurture immortal power], they too descended into near madness.

"Damnation! If not for those Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient beasts born from primordial chaos] blocking our path, how could others have gotten ahead of us?"

"It is all your fault! If you hadn't been greedy for the rare treasures along the way, how could we have missed such Heavy Treasures [treasures of immense weight and power]?" Published by audio–novel.com. All rights reserved.