Chapter 1868 : The Soaring Zither's Final Chord

This epochal confrontation erupted, with Eldrin Chen facing the assembled heroes alone, wielding the Innate Spiritual Treasure Soaring Immortal Zither. The ensuing slaughter plunged the entire Verdant Sun Divine Domain into a state of celestial gloom and terrestrial chaos.

Their great battle raged for nearly a millennium. By its end, all seven combatants bore grievous wounds, and Eldrin Chen himself stood with his white robes stained crimson, having sustained injuries of the most severe and profound nature.

Yet at this very moment, a smile touched the lips of Eldrin Chen.

"You have lost."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, his fingers dancing across the strings of the Soaring Immortal Zither. A strand of immortal melody shot forth, cleaving the heavens as it hurtled towards the Bifang Ancient Progenitor.

"Aaaargh—!"

At this life-or-death juncture, the Bifang Ancient Progenitor spat blood and raged, seeking to push his ancestral bloodline to its absolute limit in a desperate resistance. However, after more than a thousand years of battle, the single drop of Grand Luo True Blood [a primordial blood essence of immense power] within him was nearly exhausted. How could he possibly withstand the divine might of an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, possessing innate divine abilities]?

With a thunderous *BOOM*, the physical form of the Bifang Demon Progenitor utterly exploded. The power of his Primordial Spirit Method [a profound art for cultivating one's spiritual core] was spent, dissolving into wisps of ethereal immortal light that scattered to the winds.

"NO—!"

Witnessing this, despair etched itself upon the faces of the remaining six.

They could never have imagined that Eldrin Chen possessed such profound and vast reserves of spiritual power. Even after a millennium of fierce battle while wielding an Innate Spiritual Treasure, he could still maintain his peak combat prowess.

But now, having reached the end of their strength like spent arrows, how could they possibly withstand the might of an Innate Spiritual Treasure?

Yet, any thought of escape was already too late. The grand formation spanning the entire Immortal Domain of Qingyang had not only trapped them all but had also utterly severed their path of retreat.

Eldrin Chen remained seated upon the firmament. The Innate Spiritual Treasure in his hand once again surged with annihilating divine power. Beneath the beautiful, lethal melody of immortal music, the head of the Purple Tenuity Ancient Progenitor exploded, and the Primordial Azure Dragon was likewise torn to shreds by sonic blades.

The Verdant Cosmos Ancient God sought to flee at any cost, but his steps faltered for a mere instant—an opening through which the Primordial Chaos Sky Halberd pierced his chest.

The Immortal Phoenix Ancient Progenitor, the ancient progenitors of the Taihao Clan, and others raged in desperation, but their strength was finally spent, unable to reverse the heavens' decree. Eldrin Chen ended them all, their lives extinguished upon the void of the sky.

Thus, seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [powerful immortals who have survived six heavenly tribulations], each possessing a trump card of Grand Luo [a supreme realm of cultivation] caliber, met their end. This great battle finally drew to a close.

"Hah—"

Eldrin Chen slowly released a breath he had been holding. He observed that Lyra Jiang and the others had completely shattered the enemy's formation. The various clans' Ancient Immortal [venerable beings who achieved immortality in ancient times] had been nearly wiped out, while their Celestial Immortal [immortals residing in the celestial realms], Earth Immortal [immortals anchored to the mortal world], and ordinary Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality] were being relentlessly hunted down by the great ancient sects of the Human Race.

"This war," he murmured, "is finally over."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, a faint smile gracing his lips, only to suddenly cough up a mouthful of blood, his face turning deathly pale.

Seeing this, Lyra Jiang rushed to support him, her face etched with profound worry as she asked, "How are you?"

"It is nothing serious, merely some injuries,"

Eldrin Chen replied calmly. After collecting the seven Dao Source [the condensed origin of a cultivator's Dao path], he continued, "Our gains from this great battle are immense. Once we fully assimilate the spoils, my wounds will heal completely, and my strength is certain to advance significantly."

Upon hearing his words, everyone present allowed a smile to surface, releasing a collective sigh of profound relief.

Yet, in that very instant, a violent, thunderous roar echoed between heaven and earth, followed by a startling and drastic transformation across the vast world.

Behold, within the entire Verdant Sun Divine Domain, the immense Formation [a complex array or magical construct] began to crumble. A single 'Crimson-Black Demon Pearl' manifested at the heart of the land, while in the heavens above, a black banner unfurled, vast enough to blot out the sky and shroud the sun.

The Crimson-Black Demon Pearl devoured the blood of the countless fallen, while the black banner absorbed the lingering souls of the myriads of deceased Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] from all races.

Working in concert, these two artifacts plunged the vast world into darkness in the mere blink of an eye.

"Disaster! Someone is ambushing us from the shadows!"

In that very instant, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted violently. He immediately channeled his power into the Soaring Immortal Zither, intending to shatter the blood-red Formation and the black banner upon the earth.

Alas, it was already too late. The orchestrator had clearly laid their plans for many years, silently seizing control of the Verdant Sun Divine Domain's ambient energies with an Innate Demonic Treasure [a primordial artifact born of demonic chaos]. Over the course of the two-thousand-year war, it had absorbed nearly all the lingering souls and spilled blood.

Now, its form was utterly complete. Any attempt to stop it was futile.

"Our thanks, young friend, for lending us your strength."

At that moment, a voice weathered by time echoed from the void, accompanied by a dry chuckle.

Having devoured countless remnant souls, the black banner shimmered, and from within its depths stepped an Elder clad in gray robes.

Simultaneously, from the black blood pearl, a spectral soul emerged, weaving the boundless sea of blood into the form of a handsome man garbed in black.

"The Innate Demonic Treasure, the Myriad Souls Banner [a banner capable of capturing and commanding countless souls]. And the Innate Demonic Treasure, the Xuanheng Demon Pearl [a pearl that refines demonic essence and blood]."

Gazing upon the two figures, Eldrin Chen's face grew solemn, his voice heavy with recognition. "Xuanheng the Ancient Demon [an ancient demon lord of profound malevolence], Myriad Ghosts Ancient Ancestor. As I suspected, your demise was not absolute."

The Myriad Ghosts Ancient Ancestor let out a hearty laugh, stroking his beard. "Within my Myriad Souls Banner reside countless souls, each bearing a sliver of my will. So long as a single soul remains unextinguished, I, the true master, can never truly perish."

"As long as the Xuanheng Demon Pearl remains unbroken, this sovereign's body is indestructible. In the past, this ancestor merely used their hands to shed his old physical form within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Xuanheng Ancient Demon also sneered and spoke, his gaze indifferent as he stated, "You don't truly believe that a mere dozen or so Ancient Immortal Great Powers, aided by the Heavenly Dao [the fundamental natural order and law of the cosmos] of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, could utterly annihilate this sovereign, do you?"

Eldrin Chen nodded, yet spoke again, "The power of the Heavenly Dao [the fundamental natural order and law of the cosmos] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain is boundless, and it is guarded by the Four Celestial Guardians who suppress the eight directions. I am curious, how did you manage to prevent them from intervening?"

"Or perhaps," he continued, "you have other allies?"

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, then turned his gaze towards a patch of void not far away. "And the fellow Daoist who has arrived, why bother hiding in the shadows?"

"Fellow Daoist Abyssal truly possesses keen perception."

At that moment, the void shimmered faintly, and a figure clad in somber imperial robes stepped forth, his eyes holding a trace of amusement as he looked at Eldrin Chen.

"It's him."

Beside them, Taibai Grotto-Heaven Ancient Progenitor's expression shifted dramatically, his face turning grave with extreme solemnity.

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback and immediately turned to ask Taibai Grotto-Heaven Ancient Progenitor, "Fellow Daoist, you recognize him?"

"Indeed." Taibai Grotto-Heaven Ancient Progenitor replied, his complexion somewhat pale. "That being is named Nether Emperor [the sovereign ruler of the Netherworld]. He is the master of the Netherworld Realm within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, an existence that stands even above the Ten Kings of the Underworld."

"As far back as three billion years ago, he had already cultivated to the realm of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven Heavenly Tribulations]. The reason Soaring Breeze Immortal Maiden failed in her attempt to prove her Dao and ascend to Grand Luo [the Grand Luo Realm, a supreme state of existence] was precisely because of his treacherous ambush from behind."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen grasped the cause and effect of the matter.

It turned out that three billion years prior, Soaring Breeze Immortal Maiden had shaken the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain with her might. Her cultivation had broken through to the Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm, and she had mastered the Heavenly Dao authority [the fundamental laws and governance] of the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

At that time, intending to charge into the Great Luo Realm, she leveraged the power of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain's Heavenly Dao to confront a peerless, formidable enemy from the Depths of Chaos.

Yet, at the critical moment, Nether Emperor launched a covert assault and usurped half of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain's Heavenly Dao authority. This betrayal directly caused Soaring Breeze Immortal Maiden's breakthrough attempt to fail.

After that cataclysmic battle, the supreme celestial realm of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, 'Vast Azure Heaven', was shattered. From then on, the Heavenly Dao authority of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain could never be unified again. This led to the domain's utter decline; it has since failed to produce a single Four Tribulation Ancient Immortal who Ascension [underwent the Heavenly Tribulation to ascend to a higher realm] from its native soil.

"Taibai Sword Lord?"

At this moment, Nether Emperor also caught sight of Taibai Grotto-Heaven Ancient Progenitor. A cold sneer curled his lips as he spoke. "Three billion years have passed, and you have only reached the Four Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm. Truly, you have made no progress whatsoever."

Upon hearing these words, Taibai Sword Lord's face paled slightly, but in the end, he sank into a heavy silence.

Back when he first attained the Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has achieved immortality through profound cultivation] realm, he departed from the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a legendary realm of immortals and profound spiritual energy]. Thereafter, he sought refuge with the Great Luo Ancient Sect [one of the most ancient and powerful cultivation sects]. However, the path of cultivation beyond the Ancient Immortal realm is perilous and arduous, demanding vast resources and exceptional talent to advance even a single step further.

With his innate aptitude, he failed to gain the Great Luo Ancient Sect's favor. Every time a Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's destiny and strength] descended, he had to pay a steep price to beg for the Great Luo Ancient Sect's protection. Naturally, his cultivation progress crawled at a snail's pace.

In truth, had he not been eligible to participate in the Opportunity of Rebirth Through a Hundred Tribulations [a rare cosmic event offering a chance for profound rebirth and ascension], the Great Luo Ancient Sect might not have been willing to shelter him for so long.

"This is not the time for reminiscing,"

Eldrin Chen stated coolly before continuing, "I never imagined you would also fall onto the Demonic Path. If my guess is correct, you used the authority of the Heavenly Dao [the fundamental law and order of the universe] within the Netherworld Realm [a gloomy underworld realm of spirits and demons] to prevent the Four Guardian Spirits of the Realm from intervening?"

"This Sovereign had no other choice,"

Nether Emperor [the supreme ruler of the Netherworld] replied indifferently, his gaze profound and distant. "The path of orthodox cultivation is far too treacherous. This Sovereign lacked a powerful enough patron to obtain an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing immense natural power]. It was better to cooperate with Fellow Daoist Xuanheng and, seizing the Opportunity of Rebirth Through a Hundred Tribulations, use this very Vast Azure Immortal Domain as a sacrificial offering."

"Using it as material to forge an Innate Demonic Treasure would also be a glorious and legitimate Great Dao [a supreme path of cultivation and enlightenment]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally understood the whole scheme.

So, the three of them had plotted this long ago, laying their plans over billions of years. Everything was orchestrated solely for this very day.

The reason they chose this precise moment was because when the Vast Azure Great God was reborn, the Heavenly Dao [the fundamental laws and principles governing the cosmos] and the Primordial Essence of Heaven and Earth of the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain were exerting their full power to aid in his revival.

At such a time, the Heavenly Dao of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain could not spare much of its strength. And the moment the Vast Azure Great God revived, only to be slain immediately after, the entire Heavenly Dao of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain would suffer a devastating blow. That would be the domain's most vulnerable moment.

Seizing that opportunity, they could perform a grand blood sacrifice of all living beings and the Primordial Essence, potentially destroying the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Even if their grand scheme did not fully succeed, merely obtaining the corpse of the Vast Azure Great God and a portion of the Primordial Essence would allow them to forge at least one or two Innate Demonic Treasures [supreme artifacts born from primordial chaos]. Their own power and foundational strength would undergo a qualitative transformation.

If their plan truly succeeded, they might very well break through to the Great Luo Realm in one fell swoop, transcending their destined fates to become peerless Grand Luo Demon Monarchs.

"A masterful scheme,"

Eldrin Chen nodded, clasping his hands in a gesture of rueful admiration. "Two Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal and one supreme Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal who holds the authority of the Heavenly Dao of the Netherworld Realm. The three of you, joining forces to weave this plot over billions of years... there truly might have been a chance for success."

"A pity you encountered me. Today, your fate is sealed in failure."

"Is that so?"

Xuanheng the Elder Demon sneered, his gaze turning icy and sharp. "Had you been at your peak, or had you digested the spoils of this battle to heal your wounds, we might have lacked the confidence to slay you. But now, grievously wounded as you are, what fraction of your true strength remains?"

Morgrim the Myriad Ghosts also let out a cold laugh and spoke directly, "Enough talk. Let's get to it."

As his words fell, Morgrim the Myriad Ghosts was the first to act. He instantly shook the Myriad Souls Banner [a sinister banner that commands legions of tormented souls], unleashing over ten thousand terrifying malignant ghosts. Each one, shockingly, possessed power comparable to an Ancient Immortal Realm [a powerful realm of cultivation where one's lifespan and power are measured in cosmic eras] cultivator.

Although these spectral beings were merely Ghost Immortal [a lesser immortal state achieved by a soul or spirit, lacking a physical body] and lacked corporeal forms, making their combat prowess far inferior to true Ancient Immortal Great Powers [mighty beings who have cultivated to the Ancient Immortal Realm], the combined force of ten thousand such fiends was still earth-shattering, easily capable of slaying a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven Heavenly Tribulations].

Simultaneously, Xuanheng the Elder Demon also made his move. He summoned forth the Xuanheng Demon Pearl [a dark pearl imbued with profound demonic power] to suppress the space, intending to join forces and crush Eldrin Chen.

"Their power is too great. Do not intervene," Eldrin Chen commanded.

Seeing the two demons lead with Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth, possessing innate laws and immense power], Eldrin Chen dared not show the slightest negligence. He urgently signaled the others to retreat from the battlefield.

Then, he activated the Soaring Immortal Zither [a divine zither whose music can ascend to the heavens and command the elements] to counter the Myriad Souls Banner, and clashed fiercely with Xuanheng the Elder Demon. In an instant, a confrontation of rare magnitude erupted in the mortal world.

Upon the first exchange, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt a slight sense of relief.

In that moment, he realized his combat strength was extraordinary. Facing the combined assault of two Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals who have weathered eight Heavenly Tribulations] and a top-tier Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal, he actually did not feel overwhelming pressure.

He made a quick assessment, gauging the level of his own power. He discovered that the True Spirit Foundation [the supreme foundational cultivation realm, where one's spirit is refined to its truest essence, allowing it to suppress all other paths] truly lived up to its reputation as the ultimate foundation capable of suppressing all other paths. It was far more formidable than he had imagined.

According to Eldrin Chen's calculations, upon achieving the True Spirit Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation state], even with the cultivation of a mere single-tribulation Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable and powerful immortal realm], one would possess strength sufficient to slightly suppress an ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations].

For one who has cultivated the True Spirit Foundation, if they have also broken through other Great Luo Heavenly Pass [profound cultivation bottlenecks on the path to the Great Luo realm], their combat prowess would be further enhanced.

Generally speaking, an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal who has forged a single True Spirit Foundation, when aided by means such as an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, possessing immense innate power] and Great Luo Divine Ability [supreme mystical techniques of the Great Luo path], could contend against five ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

Now, Eldrin Chen had cultivated the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the ultimate refinement of one's spiritual core], achieved the Eleventh Limit [the eleventh, mythic tier of power] in both his magic power and physical body. Even without employing his True Spirit Divine Ability [a divine ability born from the True Spirit Foundation], he should be capable of opposing four or five ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal fighting together.

If he were to unleash his True Spirit Divine Ability, confronting foes with the dual might of his True Spirit Foundation, his battle strength would soar another great leap. An Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal would likely not last a hundred exchanges against him.

Even with the three of them joining forces, if Eldrin Chen fought with his full power, he could find the opportunity to defeat them one by one within a thousand exchanges.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen fought one against three. Though the battle seemed perilous and unpredictable, in truth, he was not exerting his full strength.

The reason was this: the escape abilities of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal were exceedingly potent. If they sensed the situation turning dire and could not be crippled or slain in a single decisive blow, even being surrounded by five times their number might not be enough to keep them from fleeing.

If both opponents were determined to escape, not even Eldrin Chen could be confident of capturing them both.

Thus, Eldrin Chen suppressed his true power. Appearing hard-pressed and surrounded by danger, he was in truth merely waiting for the perfect moment to strike a single, fatal blow.

Thus, the three of them battled fiercely. After more than a thousand exchanges, Eldrin Chen deliberately revealed a flaw, taking a blow from Nether Emperor head-on and allowing himself to be ensnared by the malevolent ghosts of the Myriad Souls Banner.

"Perish now!"

Seeing Eldrin Chen trapped, Xuanheng the Elder Demon let out a triumphant laugh and hurled the Xuanheng Demon Pearl directly at him.

The strike of an Innate Demonic Treasure [a primordial artifact born from chaos, of immense power] was utterly terrifying. Its weight was like that of a vast ancient continent from the Chaos, capable of overturning a great celestial domain with a single blow, enough to shatter an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal to dust.

Yet, Eldrin Chen's eyes flashed with light. Seizing this opportunity, he unleashed his True Spirit Divine Ability.

In that instant, a colossal Chaos hand, vast enough to blot out the heavens, tore through the void and instantly clamped down upon the Xuanheng Demon Pearl, firmly suppressing it within its palm. No matter how it struggled, it could not break free.

"Disaster!"

Witnessing his treasure being suppressed, Xuanheng Ancient Demon was seized by terror. With shocking decisiveness, he immediately abandoned the Xuanheng Demon Pearl and fled for his life.

"A pity."

Watching him escape, Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. His lethal Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder had been held in reserve, poised to strike. Had Xuanheng Ancient Demon attempted to reclaim his treasure, even for a single breath's time, Eldrin could have slain him with one decisive blow.

Having failed to slay Xuanheng the Elder Demon, Eldrin Chen immediately hurled the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [a supreme divine ability capable of annihilating primordial chaos] towards the Nether Emperor.

Facing such a strike, even though the Nether Emperor had dominated the world for billions of years, he was utterly powerless to avert his fate. In an instant, he was utterly obliterated, reduced to scattered ashes.

"Huummm—"

Simultaneously, Morgrim the Myriad Ghosts, sensing the impending doom, sought to flee for his life at the first moment. Alas, it was already too late.

For in the void above, a radiant ancient pearl descended to suppress him, completely sealing off all paths of retreat.

It turned out Eldrin Chen had planned this from the start. His initial intent was to suppress the Xuanheng Demon Pearl [a demonic pearl of immense power] and then use the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder to annihilate Xuanheng the Elder Demon.

His other Innate Companion Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure born with and bound to a cultivator], the Abyssal Pearl [a pearl containing the power of the primordial abyss], would use its spatial abilities to trap Morgrim the Myriad Ghosts, allowing him to be subdued and slain at leisure.

Now trapped by the Abyssal Pearl, Morgrim the Myriad Ghosts desperately activated his Myriad Souls Banner [a banner woven from countless tormented souls] in a final, despairing resistance. The spectral souls within the banner fused together, transforming into a sky-obscuring, earth-shattering spectral deity. With power sufficient to rend heaven and sunder earth, it lashed out against the void, striving to shatter the spatial prison of the Abyssal Pearl.

Had Eldrin Chen stood idly by, escape might indeed have been possible. But he had no intention of letting his quarry slip away.

With a mere flick of his sleeve, the Soaring Immortal Zither [a zither whose music can slay immortals] resonated, unleashing towering waves of sonic blades that swept across the cosmos. They suppressed the colossal spectral deity, forcing it into a desperate retreat, and utterly extinguished any lingering hope of escape.

Without the aid of Xuanheng the Elder Demon, how could he alone withstand the full-force eruption of Eldrin Chen? In merely a few dozen exchanges, Eldrin Chen shattered his physical body to dust. Only a remnant soul managed to flee into the Myriad Souls Banner [a malevolent banner housing countless tormented souls] to cling to a wretched existence.

"You cannot escape."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, his voice cold as winter frost. After firmly suppressing the Myriad Souls Banner, he activated the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill [a supreme divine technique capable of grinding all things back to their primordial state] to crush this Innate Demonic Treasure. Under its relentless pressure, the banner began to fracture and crumble incessantly.

Had it been an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primal forces of heaven and earth], Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill might have required greater effort to utterly annihilate it.

However, while Innate Demonic Treasures possess immense destructive power, their material form is far more fragile. In the span of mere moments, it began to shatter continuously. From within, countless malevolent souls unleashed harrowing, blood-curdling shrieks.

"Spare me! Have mercy!"

At this life-or-death juncture, Myriad Ghosts Ancient Ancestor cried out in utter despair. Yet, Eldrin Chen paid no heed to his pleas. His expression remained icily indifferent as he continued the relentless grinding, steadily destroying this Innate Demonic Treasure.

Meanwhile, Xuanheng the Elder Demon had fled the heart of the battlefield.

But no sooner had he escaped than he found himself enveloped by a sword formation so vast it blotted out the heavens and obscured the sun.

It was comprised of one hundred and eight Supreme Unity Golden Bamboo Sword [peerless flying swords forged from sacred golden bamboo]. They transformed into the Minor Heavenly Cycle Sword Formation of Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends [a legendary sword formation that harnesses celestial and terrestrial energies], instantly sealing the heavens and earth, severing Ronan's path of retreat.

The one who struck was none other than Lyra Jiang. She had not personally joined the battle earlier, precisely to preserve her strength and sever his retreat at this critical moment.

"Disastrous!"

Xuanheng the Elder Demon's heart sank. The sword formation laid out by these one hundred and eight innate ancient swords possessed power sufficient to suppress even an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

Even at the peak of his power, he would have had to tread carefully against such an array. Now, bereft of his Xuanheng Demon Pearl, he was like a tiger with its fangs pulled—his strength diminished by eight or nine parts. How could he dare face it head-on?

In that instant, he immediately changed course, fleeing back the way he had come.

"You cannot escape."

At that very moment, an ethereal feminine voice rang out from behind him.

A figure clad in snow-white robes stepped through the air. With a flick of her sleeve, she summoned forth a vast glacial mountain range and hurled it towards him.

"Ancient Ice Phoenix!"

The moment he saw that figure, Xuanheng the Elder Demon's expression twisted into one of venomous malice.

The one who struck was naturally the Ancient Ice Phoenix. The immense mountain range of ice she summoned was, in fact, one of the forbidden lands within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain—the Fallen Phoenix Ridge.

It turned out that after the Ice Phoenix Holy Spirit fell in the great battle at the end of the Primordial Era, her Innate Companion Spiritual Treasure also shattered into fragments, scattering across the Fallen Phoenix Ridge.

Later, when the Ice Phoenix Holy Spirit revived, she discovered that the Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light of her Companion Spiritual Treasure had completely fused with the Fallen Phoenix Ridge. Therefore, she laid down a grand field formation and spent an incalculable number of Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] to refine the entire Fallen Phoenix Ridge into her own life-bound Innate Spiritual Treasure.

As the Fallen Phoenix Ridge came crashing down, Xuanheng the Elder Demon, in his moment of despair, sought to pay a terrible price to escape using a blood-draining escape technique [a forbidden technique that consumes one's lifeblood for a burst of speed].

But at that very instant, a dazzling Nine-Colored Immortal Light shone upon him, firmly pinning him in the void.

"My life ends here!"

In that fleeting moment, Xuanheng the Elder Demon turned his head in despair, only to see that it was Nyssa Qu who had unleashed the Nine-Colored Immortal Light, severing his last thread of hope.

Before he could even form another thought, the Fallen Phoenix Ridge smashed into him, utterly annihilating both his physical form and his spirit.

Yet, after this devastating blow, the Ancient Ice Phoenix's expression shifted slightly as she said, "Truly a cunning and deep-rooted fiend! He actually had a contingency plan!"

"*Hummm—*"

Simultaneously, within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a legendary sea of torment located in the deepest nether realms], a figure clad in black robes abruptly opened his eyes, unleashing a surge of supremely powerful aura.

Had Eldrin Chen been present, he would have undoubtedly recognized this individual as the very 'Black Cloud Demon Monarch' who had seized the body of the Minor Cosmos' master in ages past.

Now awakened, the Black Cloud Demon Monarch erupted with a presence rivaling that of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has survived eight heavenly tribulations, nearing the pinnacle of power], only for it to instantly plummet to the level of a Seven Tribulations cultivator, teetering on the very brink of being unable to maintain even his Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal cultivation.

He drew a deep breath, his gaze turning towards the direction of the Verdant Sun Divine Domain [a celestial realm bathed in eternal emerald sunlight]. "A True Spirit Divine Ability [a supreme technique that manifests the user's primordial spiritual essence], the Ancient Ice Phoenix [a primordial avian beast sovereign of frost and winter], the Nine-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical mollusk whose shell radiates the light of nine immortal hues], and the Minor Cosmic Cycle Taiyi Golden Bamboo Sword Formation [a legendary sword array that mimics the cycles of a minor cosmos]... in this battle, this old man's defeat was not unjust."

"Fortunately, I had long ago prepared this crucial contingency. Otherwise, today would have seen me perish without even a grave to hold my bones."

With those words, he hesitated not a moment longer. Utilizing the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, he traversed to the outer boundary of the Chaos Membrane [the primordial barrier separating ordered realms from the formless Chaos].

Yet, the very instant he manifested within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state of existence preceding all creation], his steps faltered. An expression of unprecedented despair washed over his features.

For there, coiled within the Chaos, was a black True Dragon [a primordial dragon of supreme power and purity] so vast it blotted out the heavens. Its immensity was boundless, so much so that the greater part of its draconic form was shrouded within the Chaos Mist [the primordial, energy-dense vapors of Chaos], its true scale remaining obscured even from the sight of Xuanheng the Elder Demon.

"A Chaotic Holy Spirit... an Eight Tribulations Black Dragon,"

Xuanheng the Elder Demon uttered slowly, his voice thick with despair. "For billions upon billions of years, I have roamed this Chaos, confident that my intellect and schemes had few rivals across the annals of time. Never did I imagine that today, every single path of retreat would be foreseen and sealed by your hand."

"Alas, to perish by your hand... I, Xuanheng, have no cause for grievance in this defeat."

At that very moment, a figure robed in snow-white garments stepped forth through the void.

He gazed upon Xuanheng the Elder Demon, and spoke with tranquil finality: "Permission is granted for your return to the heavens."

In that instant, a cataclysmic surge of Chaos True Fire [the primordial, formless flames born from the void before creation] descended, utterly annihilating him within the Chaos.

Having slain Xuanheng the Elder Demon, Eldrin Chen collected the Dao Source [the primordial origin point of a Great Dao, containing its fundamental essence]. He then gave a slight nod to the Chaos Black Dragon and said, "Ao Hong, you have performed admirably."

"Arooo—"

Ao Hong let out a resonant draconic cry. Transforming into a Young Dragon, it affectionately nuzzled against Eldrin Chen before finally shrinking down and vanishing into the folds of his sleeve.