Chapter 1796 : A Supreme Chaos Lair Revealed

"This is..."

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

It was a lair of boundless grandeur and immeasurable scale, adrift within the Boundless Chaos and shrouded by the primordial breath of that Boundless Chaos, its true form obscured from Hugo's sight.

Yet, the mere fraction of it that was visible already spanned a distance surpassing a billion light-years, like a Great Universe suspended within the Chaos.

"So vast..."

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

Celestial Maiden [a title for a female immortal of high status] observed intently for a long while. After careful scrutiny, she finally spoke. "This Chaos Lair stretches into infinity. It is no ordinary lair. I fear it is a Ninth Rank Supreme Grade quasi-Great Encompassing Chaos Lair."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart quaked. Chaos Lair were broadly categorized into three grades: the lower-grade Primordial Unity, the middle-grade Great Encompassing, and the upper-grade Chaos, corresponding to Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm], Great Encompassing [a realm of profound cultivation encompassing vast principles], and Realm of Chaos [the primordial state of existence before order] realms of power.

Each grade could be further subdivided into three tiers based on potency, giving rise to the designations of Ninth Rank lower-grade, Ninth Rank Mid-Grade, and Ninth Rank Upper Grade Chaos Lair.

Originally, the ancient Great Encompassing [powerful cultivators who have mastered vast cosmic principles] from eras predating antiquity had classified Chaos Lair into three grades and nine tiers, or alternatively, three major stages and nine minor ranks. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio–novel.com.

However, the greater the leap between major cultivation realms, the more immense the disparity within them becomes. The chasm between a Ninth Rank High-Grade Primordial Unity lair and a Great Encompassing Chaos Lair is truly vast beyond measure.

Even among Ninth Rank Upper Grade Chaos Lair lairs, some Chaos Lair have given birth to an Embryonic Great Path [a nascent, foundational principle of the cosmos], making them ten times more potent than ordinary Ninth Rank High-Grade lairs.

Therefore, after the ancient The End [the cataclysmic end of an era], the Immortals further subdivided the three grades, creating an additional tier known as the Supreme Grade. Some also refer to it as Quasi-Great Encompassing or even Quasi-Chaos Lair.

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

A Ninth Rank Supreme Grade Chaos Lair is an existence almost impossible to find across the vast expanse of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

If they missed this Opportunity and Fortune, 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.

Yet, whether waiting for eons or braving the Sea of Chaos, they would likely face dangers far exceeding those of today.

Contemplating this, the Horizon Patriarch took a deep breath and spoke, "This must be a Ninth Rank Supreme Grade Chaos Lair. We absolutely cannot let this chance slip through our fingers today."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement but raised a hand to stop the Horizon Patriarch. "Patience," he said. "This Chaos Lair is fraught with unknown perils. If a Chaos Beast King still lurks within, my Chaos Mist [a mystical mist that conceals one's presence within chaotic energies] may not be enough to evade its senses."

The Horizon Patriarch looked at Eldrin Chen and asked, "What do you suggest?"

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

There, amidst the roiling Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], several dozen remaining Ancient Immortal Patriarch were locked in fierce combat with over ten Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial creatures born from and dwelling within Chaos], clearly having gained the upper hand.

Though formidable, these Chaos Ancient Beast had only one among them whose power rivaled a Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal. Faced with Sunder Heaven the Demon Emperor, whose might was comparable to a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal, they quickly found themselves at a disadvantage.

The remaining Chaos Ancient Beast, powerful as they were, were ultimately outnumbered and outmatched in cultivation base, firmly suppressed by the Ancient Immortal Patriarch who held a several-fold advantage in both numbers and individual strength.

Had it not been for the lack of unity among the Ancient Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have transcended the Ancient Immortal realm], and with figures like Nether Antiquity still observing from the sidelines, some of the Chaos Ancient Beast would likely have already fallen.

"It seems the situation is still favorable,"

Horizon Patriarch murmured upon seeing this, yet a slight frown creased his brow. "The Ancient Immortal Great Power hold the advantage, and more than ten others have yet to even join the fray. Do you truly believe this situation still holds variables?"

Eldrin Chen remained silent and composed, pondering for a long moment before speaking. "I have heard that the Chaos Beast King [the supreme rulers among Chaos Ancient Beasts] possess profound intelligence, having shed the mindless confusion induced by the Chaos Obfuscating Breath [a miasmic energy native to Chaos that clouds the mind]."

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

"If my estimation is correct, the true powerhouses among the Chaos Beast King may still be observing from the shadows, waiting to fully discern the capabilities of all the Ancient Immortal Great Power present."

"A true powerhouse?"

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

If Eldrin Chen's speculation was correct, then once the Chaos Ancient Beasts had fully gauged the depths of these Ancient Immortals, they would likely unleash an unprecedented, thunderous strike the likes of which had never been seen before.

"BOOM—"

Just as everyone was discussing, the battle atop the Heavenly Vault grew increasingly magnificent and turbulent.

That Sunder Heaven the Demon Emperor swept across all directions, single-handedly suppressing the mightiest Chaos Beast King and forcing it into a steady retreat. Seizing the moment, he roared and soared skyward, hurling his Sunder Heaven Long Spear. Official source: audio-novel.com (official site). Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

In that instant, the Sunder Heaven Long Spear shot forth like a roaring golden dragon, its unstoppable force sundering the heavens and tearing through the cosmos. It completely impaled and slew a Chaos Beast King whose power rivaled a Two Tribulations Ancient Immortal, pinning it within the Chaos.

"HUM—"

And in that very moment, a surge of potent Vitality [the fundamental life force and energy of all things] swelled within the Chaos.

Eldrin Chen faintly sensed that from the nearby top-grade Within the Chaos Lair, an aura of unprecedented power was stirring to life, awakening like an Antiquity-Tracing abyss.

"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 solemn as he spoke.

Following his gaze, the others looked up to see the vast and majestic Within the Chaos Lair suddenly erupt with a draconic roar.

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

The entity was so vast and immense that its true form remained obscured. Yet, through the Chaos Mist, glimpses of scales and a silhouette stretched for untold light-years, as boundless and expansive as a Great Universe.

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

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

At this moment, even Horizon Patriarch had to give weight to Eldrin Chen's counsel. He could not help but ask, "Do we make our move now?"

"Not yet. Matters of life and death demand caution. First, we must test the waters."

"Test the waters?" The Celestial Maiden shook her head in confusion. "This Chaos Lair is too vast. To stir even a ripple, the 'stone' we cast would likely need to be a cultivator at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm."

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly and said, "As long as we have sufficient patience, someone will inevitably volunteer to be that first stone."

Just as the group was conversing, the area Outside the Chaos Lair finally shimmered with a faint light.

Seeing the Chaos Beast King charge out, some Celestial Immortal Great Power cultivators could no longer restrain their greed. They soared towards the Chaos Lair.

In the blink of an Eldrin's eye, over a dozen figures plunged inside, among them even three beings at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

"ROAR—"

The instant the cultivators entered, a heaven-shaking roar erupted from Within the Chaos Lair. Over a dozen Chaos Ancient Beast took to the skies to attack, including two whose power rivaled the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen chuckled, "As expected, Chaos Ancient Beast remain on guard. Fortunately, there is no Chaos Beast King present. Now we can make our move."

With those words, Eldrin Chen led the group, stealthily flying and slipping into Within the Chaos Lair.

Within this Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], Eldrin Chen's Chaos Mist [a mist born from primordial chaos, perfect for concealment] served as the ultimate cloak. Without a Chaos Beast King guarding the lair, even a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm Chaos Ancient Beast could not pierce Eldrin Chen's concealment.

The four of them traversed the path, discovering vast quantities of Chaos Divine Material, Innate Rare Treasure [treasures born from the world's natural laws], and various other Chaos Divine Object along the way.

Each of these treasures was of immeasurable value, any single one enough to make a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] covet it with fervent desire. Yet, Eldrin Chen suppressed the greed in his heart and informed the other Mortal Path [a foundational cultivation method for mortals] cultivators.

"For this journey, our goal is solely the supreme treasure guarded by the Chaos Beast King [the ruler of primordial chaos beasts] and the Innate Energy [the pure, primordial energy present at the dawn of creation]," he stated.

"Do not covet anything else, lest we alert our quarry and spoil the hunt."

Hearing this, the other three also reined in their own avarice and proceeded directly toward the depths of the Chaos Lair [the den or nest of primordial chaos creatures].

They traversed the path swiftly, soon arriving at the Innermost Core of the Chaos Lair—a cavern flooded with an ocean of Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, unformed energy from which all creation emerged].

"This is…"

Upon reaching the cavern, Horizon Patriarch could not help but draw a sharp breath, his face etched with profound astonishment.

For there, Within the Chaos Lair, shone dozens of dazzling Innate [pertaining to the primordial, innate state of being] radiances, large and small. Each beam of Innate light blazed with the brilliance of a great sun.

"Great Mystery Flower, Path Union Flower [a mystical herb symbolizing the union of cultivation paths], Chaos Ancient Gold [a legendary metal forged in the primordial chaos], Venus Mixed Metal [a rare alloy associated with the planet Venus], Nine Nether Abyssal Netherworld Iron [a metal imbued with the essence of the deepest nether realms]…"

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

These divine objects, each radiating with the light of Innate [the primordial, foundational state of existence], were all at least mid-grade Innate Rare Treasure [a primordial treasure of exceptional rarity and power]. Among them, a full nine were supreme-grade Innate Rare Treasure [the highest tier of primordial treasures].

The most dazzling Innate [primordial] radiance all emanated from a single location.

It was a Chaos Immortal Pool [a primordial pool of chaotic, life-giving energy] vast as a lake. Within it, boundless Innate Spiritual Essence [the purest form of primordial spiritual energy] swirled and coiled. Eldrin Chen's gaze was instantly drawn to the immense quantity of Innate Energy [the fundamental, unformed energy of creation] present.

"Seventy-one... no, seventy-two strands of Innate Energy [primordial energy]," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen could not suppress the surge of excitement in his heart.

Celestial Maiden [a title for a high-ranking female immortal] was equally stirred. She looked toward a peculiar, ancient-looking white flower floating above the Immortal Pool [the pool of immortal energy] and said, "The Past Life Flower [a legendary blossom said to awaken memories and power from a past life]. It is said to allow one to reforge [reconstruct or recultivate] their former Path Fruit [the culmination of one's cultivation path, representing profound attainment] and restore their past life's cultivation in an Eldrin [a single moment]."

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

The Past Life Flower was an exceedingly rare Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure [the pinnacle category of primordial treasures]. Legend held that a reincarnated Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation], upon consuming this flower, could regain the cultivation base and foundational potential of their previous existence.

The value of such a treasure was utterly inestimable. Even countless Ancient Immortal Great Power [venerable and immensely powerful ancient immortals] would go mad with desire for it.

For once obtained, even if one were to fall and enter Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], they could restore their former supreme cultivation in an Eldrin [instant].

"The value of this object is beyond estimation."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, then shifted his gaze to the final wondrous treasure floating within the Immortal Pool.

It was a dazzlingly brilliant Immortal Pill, its entire form wreathed in Chaos [the primordial, undifferentiated state before creation] mists, bobbing within the Chaos and emanating an ineffable aura of the Dao [the fundamental principle or path of cultivation and existence].

"The Innate Primordial One Pill."

Horizon Patriarch spoke slowly, his eyes alight with profound excitement.

This pill was thus named the Innate Primordial One Pill. It was an Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born naturally from the world's fundamental energies, not crafted by mortal or immortal hands] spontaneously conceived from the fusion of Innate Energy [the primordial, uncreated energy present at the dawn of existence] and the Chaos Lair.

It was not forged by any artificer's hand, but was a supreme Innate Precious Pill born directly from Chaos Creation [the act of creation emerging from primordial chaos].

Such a pill could greatly nourish one's cultivation base. For any Ancient Immortal Great Power [an immensely powerful cultivator who has transcended multiple heavenly tribulations] below the fourth tribulation, consuming one would 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 consumed it, they could likely advance to the next stage in an extremely short time, and their future chances of breaking into the Ancient Immortal Realm would be significantly enhanced.

Unfortunately, the Chaos Beast King specialized in body refinement. This pill primarily nourished magical power and cultivation base, so its efficacy for the beast king would be greatly diminished, which was why it had not been consumed.

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

Speaking of this, Horizon Patriarch could not help but sigh with emotion, "No wonder those Ancient Immortal who have transcended four tribulations and aspire for the Great Encompassing Realm almost invariably venture into the Sea of Chaos."

"If even a single ruined Immortal Domain holds such Opportunity and Fortune, one can imagine the Opportunity and Fortune within the Sea of Chaos must be even more astounding."

"As long as one can survive there, breaking through to four tribulations, or even becoming a Five Tribulations Ancient Immortal, is no mere dream."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod.

He recalled the Violet Capital Ancient Immortal of old. Sheltered by the Immortal Court for billions of years, that immortal had never once faced a Tribulation. Yet, upon finally stepping into the Kalpa Tribulation, they still fell before the sixth Path Heart Heavenly Pass.

Had that Violet Capital Ancient Immortal chosen to venture deep into the Sea of Chaos back then, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

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

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

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

Having said this, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "If my estimation is correct, the disciples under those Ancient Immortals [immortals of immense age and power, often from legendary eras] are likely about to break in."

"There's no time to waste. Let's secure these treasures first."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen was the first to act, drawing several of the treasures into his grasp. The other three followed his example, swiftly and continuously claiming the various artifacts.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, they had completely ransacked the Treasures at the Chaos Lair Core, obtaining a total of sixty-one Innate Rare Treasures [treasures born from primordial chaos, possessing unique and powerful properties] and seventy-two strands of Innate Energy [the pure, foundational energy of creation, often used for cultivation or refining supreme artifacts].

"Let's go…"

The moment the last treasure was taken, Eldrin Chen did not linger for a second. Immediately shrouding themselves with the Chaos Mist, he led the group as they fled the Chaos Lair.

Only then did the Chaos Ancient Beast [a primordial beast born from and dwelling within chaos, immensely powerful and ancient] guarding the cavern's exterior react, unleashing a wave of furious rage as it gave chase.

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

Not long after their departure, a group of Celestial Immortals [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm, possessing immense power and longevity] with formidable auras stormed into the Chaos Lair.

This group numbered no more than a dozen, yet each possessed cultivation at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm. The three leading them were even at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm, just one step away from a higher state of being].

Among them, the most formidable individual, wielding a Innate Ancient Sword with fourteen divine patterns, effortlessly suppressed and slew that Ninth Rank High-Grade Primordial Chaos Ancient Beast and entered the Chaos Cavern.

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

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

Each of these figures bore Innate Ancient Treasure [treasures born from the primordial chaos, possessing immense power], clearly hailing from Ancient Immortal Grotto-Heaven [hidden paradises of immense age and profound heritage].

However, witnessing the completely plundered Chaos Immortal Pool, they too were plunged into a state bordering on madness.

"Damnation! If not for the obstruction of those Chaos Ancient Beast, how could we have been forestalled by another?"

"This is all your fault! Had you not been greedy for the rare treasures along the way, we would not have missed the Heavy Treasures [treasures of immense weight and power]!" Read, share, and discuss at audio–novel.com.