Chapter 1921 : A Secret Mission to the Chaos Depths

"The time is nearly upon us."

Finally, on this day, Eldrin Chen concluded his secluded cultivation.

Over the course of tens of millions of years, Eldrin Chen's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. Although he had not yet stepped into the realm of the Third Layer of Chaos, he had still made significant progress.

On this day, Eldrin Chen summoned Lyra Jiang, Nyssa Qu, and Lulu to the main hall. Looking at the list in his hand, he said, "By my reckoning, the time for Snow Soul Immortal Lord's revival is imminent. This time, we must go and lend our aid."

Lyra Jiang nodded upon hearing this. "We certainly should intervene," she agreed. "But should we seek additional allies?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then sighed. "The Immortal Clam Race [a race of clam demons who have attained immortality] has many enemies. If we are not careful and the news leaks, it could invite unforeseen complications."

"This time, let us conceal our tracks and act with utmost secrecy."

Nyssa Qu also nodded in agreement. Although Eldrin Chen had forged many acquaintances over the years, the vast majority were not confidants with whom he had shared the trials of battle. The risk of a leak was indeed real.

Thinking of this, Nyssa Qu spoke, "This time, for the sake of my Immortal Clam Race's affairs, I must trouble you, my sisters."

Lyra Jiang smiled, taking her hand. "Between sisters such as us, why stand on such ceremony?"

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen rose to his feet and declared, "Then let us not delay. We depart at once."

Before their departure, Eldrin Chen recalled his Reincarnation Body [a powerful avatar formed through profound reincarnation arts] and then set his course for the Depths of Chaos.

It is worth noting that over these years, the Reincarnation Body had refined three Great Luo Immortal Pill [pills of immense power capable of significantly advancing a Great Luo Golden Immortal's cultivation] and consumed a considerable amount of Soul-Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood that nourishes and strengthens the soul] along with other cultivation resources. Its cultivation had already broken through to the realm of the Second Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Following this breakthrough, the strength of the Reincarnation Body had increased once more.

Possessing the Primordial Chaos Sacred Constitution [a legendary innate physique born from the essence of primordial chaos, granting immense power], the Reincarnation Body was already formidably powerful, rivaling peerless prodigies who tread the path of Sainthood through the Flesh [a cultivation philosophy focusing on achieving sainthood through the ultimate refinement of the physical body]. Further bolstered by the Ten Great Immortal Treasuries [a supreme cultivation art that opens ten divine repositories of power within the cultivator] and the Inner Immortal Domain [a divine ability that manifests an inviolable personal domain within the cultivator], its current power was truly astonishing.

By Eldrin Chen's estimation, an ordinary Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal would likely be no match for his Reincarnation Body.

Of course, this level of strength still fell far short of a Late Great Luo Golden Immortal [a cultivator at the seventh layer or beyond of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm]. This was because reaching the Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal could, for some, be achieved through sheer perseverance over vast stretches of time.

However, those capable of cultivating to the seventh layer of Great Luo Golden Immortal were never ordinary individuals. Such Peerless Immortal Lord had almost invariably forged at least one Indestructible Foundation [an unshakable foundational achievement that grants immense resilience and potential].

Most crucially, upon breaking through to Late Great Luo Golden Immortal, a cultivator would begin to restore and refine their physical body, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator], and other foundational aspects. This was done to remedy any deficiencies and pave the way for assaulting higher realms.

In truth, this process was not exclusive to Late Great Luo Golden Immortal. Even some top-tier Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal might begin cultivating their physical body and Primordial Spirit to shore up their foundational roots.

This is especially true for those who remain at the Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal [the sixth layer of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm] yet have expended thousands, even tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration] without advancing a single step further. Most such beings will cultivate their physical bodies and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] to enhance their combat prowess.

These elder Grand Luo Golden Immortal [supreme immortal beings of the Great Luo realm] who have cultivated their physical bodies and Primordial Spirit to the sixth layer of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm often possess combat strength of extraordinary power. They may even possess the qualifications to barely stand alone in battle against a seventh-layer Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

Although they merely possess the qualifications for a solitary fight, with little chance of victory, once such existences unleash a Forbidden Divine Ability [a supreme and taboo mystical technique], they often possess the capability to fight a seventh-layer Grand Luo Golden Immortal to a mutual, annihilating end.…

For this reason, even some Late Great Luo Golden Immortal [Great Luo Golden Immortals of the late stage] may be unwilling to provoke those elder Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal [Great Luo Golden Immortals of the mid stage].

Eldrin Chen felt that the current strength of his Reincarnation Body [a powerful avatar formed through reincarnation] likely still fell short of matching those top-tier, veteran Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal.

For those beings who have lived for tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation, across the vast expanse of time, have accumulated astonishingly profound reserves and hidden cards. It is even highly probable they possess trump cards capable of threatening a Great Luo Late Stage [a cultivator in the late stage of the Great Luo realm], and the possession of a Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme, naturally-born enchanted artifact] is also a very real possibility.

"The longer one lives, the depth of foundation accumulated is inevitably more and more astounding."

"Unless the cultivation of the Reincarnation Body advances another step, granting a greater leap in raw power, will it possess combat strength comparable to theirs?"

Eldrin Chen murmured these thoughts within his heart, then swiftly suppressed them.

He was seen cleaving through the Chaos [the primordial, formless void], leading his companions deeper into the Depths of Chaos [the profound and uncharted reaches of the primordial void].

The Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss [a legendary and perilous chasm within the primordial chaos] lies exceedingly far from the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the major realms inhabited by immortal cultivators]. Having traversed a distance spanning dozens of Dao Domain [vast cosmic territories defined by their inherent Dao principles], they found that a significant expanse of territory still separated them from their destination.

"To think the distance is so vast,"

Nyssa Qu remarked with a sigh, gazing at the map in her hand amidst the boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all existence emerged].

Throughout their journey across those dozens of Dao Domain, within the first few, they had still discovered Immortal Domain [realms established and governed by immortal cultivators] that had been carved out by the Human Race.

However, across the subsequent tens of Dao Domain they passed, the lands they traversed were wholly the dominion of Chaotic Fiendgod [powerful, primordial beings born from chaos], with not a single trace of a Human Race Immortal Domain to be found.

"Though the Primordial Immortal Domain [the original and most ancient realm of the immortals] is vast and expansive, compared to the boundless Chaos, it is but a solitary island within an endless ocean,"

"As for the Primordial Immortal Domain we ourselves have established, it is, at most, akin to a lone leaf adrift upon the vast Chaos Sea [the conceptual ocean of primordial chaos], or a single, fragile vessel upon its tumultuous waves."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a complex mix of awe and melancholy coloring his expression.

It was an undeniable truth that within the entirety of the Chaos, and indeed the Chaos Sea, the Chaotic Fiendgod and the Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial beasts of chaos] reigned as the sole, dominant forces.

By comparison, even the collective might of the tens of thousands of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] from across the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, if scattered into the Chaos, would be like casting a mere handful of water into the heart of the sea—truly insignificant.

"The nearest Origin Domain to the Three Thousand Immortal Domains is a distance of three hundred Dao Domain. The vast majority of these Dao Domain are Chaos Wasteland [desolate regions within the primordial chaos], where the Chaos Ocean Current [the turbulent flows of primordial energy] is too violent to easily nurture life."

Eldrin Chen reviewed the intelligence before him, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Only near an Origin Domain, or at a Chaos Rank Chaos Nest [a stable pocket of order within the chaos], do the currents grow more temperate, making it easier for Chaos Ancient Beast and Chaotic Fiendgod to be born."

Continuing, Eldrin Chen added, "Resources within the Chaos are not evenly distributed. Most are concentrated around the great Origin Domain or the Primordial Chaos Rank Chaos Nest."

"This is especially true for Innate Primordial Qi [the foundational energy of the cosmos, born with heaven and earth] and Chaos Primordial Qi [the primordial energy from which all things are born]. They almost exclusively appear within Origin Domain or Chaos Rank Chaos Nest."

"To find a drifting, unclaimed strand of Chaos Primordial Qi or Innate Primordial Qi within the Chaos Sea…"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a trace of helplessness coloring his expression.

It was true that within the Chaos Sea, there drifted unclaimed strands of Innate Primordial Qi and, occasionally, ownerless wisps of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a fundamental, indestructible spiritual radiance]. This was the very hope that allowed countless rogue cultivators to pursue the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm.

Yet, unclaimed Innate Primordial Qi and Chaos Primordial Qi were vanishingly rare. It was not that they were absolutely nonexistent, but encountering one was an event that might not occur once in a million Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and rebirth].

Within the entire Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss, there were a few recorded instances of obtaining unclaimed Innate Primordial Qi. However, the acquisition of an unclaimed Chaos Primordial Qi was, according to all annals, a feat accomplished by only one individual: the Ant Celestial Emperor.

Legend held that this particular strand of Chaos Primordial Qi had drifted forth from the Depths of Chaos, igniting a frenzy among countless Grand Luo Golden Immortal and even numerous Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch. In the end, the Ant Celestial Emperor, wielding his Nine True Spirit Divine Forms [a supreme divine ability manifesting nine true spirit forms], swept across the eight desolates, seized the Chaos Primordial Qi, and thereby achieved Sainthood through the Flesh [a supreme path of physical cultivation].

"Beware, it is the Chaos Ocean Current [a powerful and unpredictable flow of primordial energy within the Chaos Sea]."

Just as thoughts stirred within Eldrin Chen, Lyra Jiang suddenly spoke up in warning.

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He immediately shielded everyone with his Primordial Chaos Qi [a divine ability that manipulates the fundamental energy of creation] and gazed into the Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all things emerge] ahead.

There, at the edge of the visible Chaos, an immense Chaos Vortex [a maelstrom of chaotic energy] churned, ceaselessly swallowing and expelling the Chaos Sea Waters [the turbulent, energy-infused substance of the primordial sea].

The vortex was colossal, a hundred times vaster than an entire Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortal beings]. In its path, even Great Luo Grade [pertaining to the supreme realm of cultivation] Chaos Nest [stable pockets of energy within the Chaos] were swept into its maw, vanishing in the blink of an eye into the depths of the Void [the absolute emptiness beyond existence].

"Take care!"

Eldrin Chen spoke, his expression shifting abruptly.

He instantly gathered his companions and shot toward a more distant expanse of the Chaos Void.

The suction generated by a Chaos Vortex of such magnitude was terrifyingly potent. Even an existence at the Realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation] risked being ground to dust if caught within its pull.

At best, one might be cast adrift into unknown Space-Time [the fabric of reality encompassing dimensions and chronology], potentially emerging in a completely different region of the Chaos, far beyond the borders of the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss [a specific constellation of realms within the Chaos].

Eldrin Chen led the group in continuous flight. Only after traversing a great distance did they finally escape the pull of the Chaos Vortex. Gazing at the vortex before them, he spoke with a note of apprehension.

"A Chaos Vortex of such immense scale... The regions far from the Origin Domain are truly perilous."

Lyra Jiang also drew a deep breath before speaking. "Within the boundless Chaos Sea, such vortices are not uncommon. You must understand, not all places are as safe as the periphery of the Origin Domain."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Suddenly, as if noticing something, he spoke up. "What is that?"

Following his gaze, the group saw a dazzling sphere of light whirling ceaselessly within the Chaos Vortex. It radiated a power that illuminated the Myriad Heavens, resisting the vortex's relentless pull.

Nyssa Qu studied it carefully before declaring, "It is a White Jade Cauldron [an alchemical vessel of immense power, often used for refining elixirs or containing profound energies]. It appears to be an extraordinary artifact."

"To withstand the suction of a Chaos Vortex, it must be a rare and potent innate treasure," Eldrin Chen stated.

He continued, "I shall employ a divine ability to see if we can retrieve it."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve, unleashing the Five-Colored Divine Light. In an instant, the radiant light tore through the Chaos, ensnaring the distant White Jade Cauldron within its grasp.

"*Huummm—*"

Yet in that very instant, Eldrin Chen felt a cataclysmic force surge forth, seeking to drag him into the maw of the Chaos Vortex [a primal maelstrom of unformed reality].

Fortunately, the White Jade Cauldron [an ancient, potent artifact] bore the brunt of that overwhelming power, allowing Eldrin Chen to steady his footing.

Most crucially, the White Jade Cauldron seemed to recognize Eldrin Chen's aid and, with surprising compliance, sought to leverage the momentum for its own escape.

But at that moment, the vortex's power swelled with renewed ferocity, as if intent on devouring all energy present, striving to wrench the White Jade Cauldron away. The combined efforts of Eldrin Chen and the small cauldron proved insufficient to break free.

A tense stalemate ensued, neither side gaining ground.

"We shall aid you!"

Seeing this, Lyra Jiang and Nyssa Qu by his side immediately unleashed their Five-Colored Divine Light [a radiant technique of five elemental hues] and Nine-Colored Immortal Light [a luminous technique of nine celestial colors], directing their power onto the small cauldron.

The Reincarnation Body [a profound avatar of cyclical existence] then manifested the Time-Space Great Dao [the supreme principle governing time and space]. A torrent of Space-Time force severed the local fabric of ChaosSpace-Time, forcibly disrupting the Chaos Vortex's operation for a fleeting moment.

Though the interference lasted but a heartbeat, it was enough to shatter the delicate balance of forces.

In that split second, Eldrin Chen seized the White Jade Cauldron, and with his companions in tow, tore through the Chaos to make their escape.

"Go, now!"

In the very instant the group fled, the Chaos Vortex trembled violently before erupting in a cataclysmic explosion.

"Ah, the Creation Cauldron!"

Deep within the heart of the Chaos Vortex, amidst an unknown expanse of Chaos Space-Time, a white-haired Elder watched the vortex disintegrate before him, his voice thundering with unparalleled fury.

In that moment, the gaze of the white-haired Elder blazed with a world-shaking killing intent. "Damned little thief! You dare ruin this venerable one's path to Opportunity [a crucial juncture or chance for advancement in the Dao]! Whoever you are, I will grind your bones to dust and scatter your ashes to the winds!"

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen led the three others as they tore through the Void [the empty space between realms], flying an immeasurable distance in their desperate escape.

Only after a long while, when they were utterly removed from the Chaos Vortex, did Eldrin Chen finally release a sigh of relief. "That was perilously close."

Lyra Jiang also drew a deep breath, a trace of lingering fear in her voice. "That Chaos Vortex... it seemed to be artificially created."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the group shifted subtly, a shadow of unease passing over their faces.

A Chaos Vortex capable of devouring a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal at the peak of cultivation]—if such a thing was indeed man-made, then the power of its creator was likely far more terrifying than they had dared imagine.

Eldrin Chen did not reply. With utmost care, he retrieved the White Jade Cauldron. After meticulously examining and calculating for a moment, his expression shifted slightly as he said, "It is actually this object."

"The Creation Cauldron."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed.

Nyssa Qu could not help but take a deep breath before asking, "What profound mysteries does this object hold?"

"This Creation Cauldron is an Innate Supreme Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing supreme power]. It possesses the effect of Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration [the power to defy destiny and alter one's fate] and Foundation Reforging [the ability to completely rebuild one's cultivation foundation]."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, his expression grave. "This cauldron is an innate creation treasure of the highest order, capable of aiding an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] in reforging their foundation. Its effect is even more potent than that of the Indestructible Immortal Pool."

"By using this object to rebuild one's foundation, the potential one gains becomes far greater. An ordinary cultivator with a Nine-Limit Foundation [a foundation cultivation art with nine limits or layers], if they use this to rebuild their foundation and supplement it with precious innate wonders, could very likely cultivate an Indestructible Foundation [an unbreakable cultivation foundation] of the Eleventh Limit [the eleventh and supreme layer]."

"Moreover, the more powerful the treasure used for Foundation Reforging, the more astonishing the innate foundation it ultimately forges will be."

At this point, Eldrin Chen paused briefly before continuing, "Most crucially, this object is a Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure born from the primordial chaos], formed from the division of the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron."

"Formed from the division of the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron?"

At this moment, even Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] showed a subtle change in her expression.

She took a deep breath and then spoke: "That Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron [the legendary Chaos Cauldron] possesses an extraordinary origin. It was originally the foremost among the Ten Great Chaos Spiritual Treasure [supreme artifacts born from primordial chaos] of the Immortal Cosmos Origin Domain [the Primordial Realm of the Immortal Cosmos]. Its grade reached the level of a Mid Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a mid-tier Chaos artifact], endowing it with a world-shaking, peerless power of creation."

"It is said that the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron [the legendary Chaos Cauldron] could refine the essence of Innate Primordial Qi [the innate, primordial energy of creation] and transform it into Chaos Primordial Qi [the pure, foundational energy of Chaos]. Although the conversion rate was exceedingly low, it was nonetheless a heaven-defying, miraculous feat of creation."…

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen [the cultivator Eldrin] could not help but show a slight shift in his countenance.

The immense value of Chaos Primordial Qi [the pure, foundational energy of Chaos] went without saying. For the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron [the legendary Chaos Cauldron] to possess such a profound and mysterious ability, no matter how low the conversion rate, its worth was beyond question.

It was at this moment that Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] suddenly spoke again: "During the great Annihilation [the Cataclysmic Sundering] of the Immortal Cosmos Origin Domain [the Primordial Realm of the Immortal Cosmos], the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron [the legendary Chaos Cauldron] was cleaved in two by that single sword strike. From then on, it split into two separate Innate Supreme Treasure [Innate Supreme Artifacts]: the Heaven and Earth Cauldron [the Cauldron of Heaven and Earth] and the Creation Cauldron [the Cauldron of Creation]."

"Later, the Creation Cauldron [the Cauldron of Creation] vanished without a trace, while the Heaven and Earth Cauldron [the Cauldron of Heaven and Earth] was obtained by the Heaven and Earth Elder [the Ancient One of Heaven and Earth]."

"That Heaven and Earth Elder [the Ancient One of Heaven and Earth] was a Sage Ascendant of the Immortal Cosmos Origin Domain [the Primordial Realm of the Immortal Cosmos]. Long before the great Annihilation [the Cataclysmic Sundering], his cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection of Primordial Emperor Lord [the Great Perfection stage of the Primordial Emperor Lord realm]. He had even half-stepped into the realm of a Chaos Immortal Sage [a Chaos Immortal Sage]."

"In the present age, he is one of the Ten Great Sage Ascendants of the Seven Southern Abyss Domains [the Ten Paramount Sage Ascendants of the Seven Southern Abyss Domains]. It is said that where no Celestial Emperor appears, he stands peerless under heaven. His power is even more terrifying than that of the Black Abyss Great Emperor [the Great Emperor of the Black Abyss]."

Speaking to this point, Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] finally drew a deep breath and concluded: "Even at the peak of my power in my previous life, I would have had only a sixty percent certainty of victory against him."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's expression grew even more solemn.

One must understand that Lyra Jiang's previous incarnation was the Fated Chaos Divine Emperor, hailed as the fourth Divine Emperor of the Divine Race.

Had it not been for the Solar Celestial Emperor's treacherous ambush in the past, Lyra Jiang would very likely have already become the Lunar Divine Emperor. For a figure of such stature to have only a sixty percent certainty of defeating the Heaven and Earth Elder clearly demonstrated the extraordinary combat prowess of this Heaven and Earth Elder.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "It seems we have made a formidable enemy this time."

Even so, Eldrin Chen felt no regret.

A faint smile touched his lips as he continued, "The Creation Cauldron represents the greatest Opportunity for Lila and Violet Consort to prove their Dao and attain the Grand Luo realm."

"Such a treasure is of inconceivable value. What does it matter if we incur the enmity of the Heaven and Earth Elder for its sake?"

Lyra Jiang also nodded in agreement, adding, "Although the Creation Cauldron's grade has fallen, it retains the complete Chaos Creation Great Dao [the supreme principle governing the creation of all things from primordial chaos]."

"Such a divine artifact is far beyond what an ordinary Innate Supreme Treasure can compare to. In a sense, it could be considered an auxiliary Chaos Spiritual Treasure. What does offending that Heaven and Earth Elder amount to, for the sake of such an object?"

Nyssa Qu nodded as well, yet cautiously advised, "This treasure is far too precious. Our most urgent task now is to conceal all news of it."

Eldrin Chen nodded. He first enveloped it with Primordial Chaos Qi [the primordial, undifferentiated energy that predates the universe], then veiled its heavenly secrets with the Great Deduction of Yin-Yang and Stars [a supreme divination art that obscures fate], before finally drawing it into the Nameless Space with the Abyssal Pearl.

Having completed these precautions, Eldrin Chen resolved that he must never allow the existence of the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of forging creation itself] to be exposed in the future.

As for Ancestor Qiankun, Eldrin Chen was not overly fearful. After all, their confrontation had occurred across the boundless Chaos [the formless void before creation], making it exceedingly difficult for the other party to trace his origins through the Chaos Mist [the obscuring fog of primordial chaos].

Even if, one day, Ancestor Qiankun learned that the Creation Cauldron was in Eldrin Chen's possession, his first reaction would likely be to suppress the news, ensuring no one else discovered the cauldron had resurfaced.

For once the Creation Cauldron was no longer in his grasp, it would almost certainly spell a calamitous doom for Ancestor Qiankun.

Within the Thirteen Domains of the Northern and Southern Celestial Abyss, there were dozens of Chaos Celestial Emperor [supreme rulers who have mastered the laws of primordial chaos], yet only the Foreign Realm Demon Emperor possessed a single Mid Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a treasure forged in and empowered by primordial chaos].

Such a peerless treasure, once its existence was known, could not be defended by anyone whose cultivation did not reach the realm of a Chaos Celestial Emperor….

Whoever discovered the Creation Cauldron had resurfaced would, after scheming to seize it, immediately use the cauldron itself to locate Ancestor Qiankun's position.

When that time came, Ancestor Qiankun would face a dire choice: either abandon the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron or face the relentless pursuit of a Chaos Celestial Emperor.

Therefore, while Eldrin Chen would never leak news of the Creation Cauldron, Ancestor Qiankun on the other side would be even more terrified to let the secret slip.

"I have hidden the Creation Cauldron within the nameless void where the Abyssal Pearl resides. Even with the Heaven and Earth Cauldron in hand, I doubt you could pinpoint its location."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a faint smile touching his lips.

He let out a slow, measured breath, then turned his gaze toward the Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse beyond ordered reality]. "Our encounter with the Chaos Vortex [a maelstrom of unformed primal energies] has cost us some time," he said.

"Now, with the Snow Soul Immortal Lord [a title for a supreme cultivator whose essence is bound to eternal frost] nearing revival, we can afford no further delay. We must depart with haste."

With those words, Eldrin Chen immediately traversed the Chaos, making his way toward the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss [a legendary chasm of profound sorrow and forgotten epochs]. In what seemed like no time at all, they finally arrived at the periphery of that fabled chasm.

Only then did Lyra Jiang perform a quick calculation with her fingers and speak. "The revival is still three hundred thousand years away. It seems we are not late."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. He led the group, concealed within the Depths of Chaos, and cautiously approached the site where the Snow Soul Immortal Lord had fallen.

The moment they stepped into the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss, Eldrin Chen was instantly assailed by an overwhelmingly domineering aura. It was a residue of supremely arrogant spiritual power, saturated with the fierce, unyielding essence of the eternal Imperishable [a supreme divine ability representing indestructibility and everlasting power].

Even though its master had perished hundreds of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles marking the end and rebirth of worlds] ago, this remnant power remained prideful to its core.

Yes, prideful.

This spiritual power [the cultivated energy wielded by immortals and cultivators] seemed to possess an innate, profound arrogance.

It transcended all mortal and immortal energies, having stepped into an indescribable, supreme realm—it was a forbidden power that had touched the domain of Chaos.

Eldrin Chen was startled to discover that this energy held a palpable contempt for all living beings. It seemed to ceaselessly corrode flesh, blood, and bone; even his own Chaos Indestructible Body was suffering a degree of erosion.

If one cultivated within the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss for an extended period, Eldrin Chen suspected that even a Grand Luo Golden Immortal might be severely wounded by this corrosive force. The energy also seemed saturated with a baleful aura of death [a malignant energy associated with decay and the end of life].

"Wuuu... wuuu..."

At that moment, a spine-chilling sound of weeping emanated from the Depths of Chaos.

Eldrin Chen looked up to see a bizarre Fiendgod [a primordial demonic being], its body covered in crimson fur, wailing mournfully. "The Emperor has fallen! The Emperor has fallen!" it shrieked with piercing despair.

"The End approaches! All worlds shall be extinguished! We are all doomed to perish, every last one of us..."

"A Chaotic Fiendgod corrupted by that energy,"

Eldrin Chen murmured, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "Can even the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true self of a cultivator] of a Chaotic Fiendgod be eroded by this deathly aura, stripped of its reason?"

"Places where one fails to prove their path to become a Celestial Emperor are always fraught with strangeness."

Lyra Jiang spoke, and after a long while said, "Be cautious. Legends say that deep within the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss [a perilous, soul-corroding chasm], there lurk dangers even a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a supreme ruler born of primordial chaos] would be loath to touch."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Fortunately, the Snow Soul Emperor Lord [a sovereign whose essence was of ice and spirit] had fallen in the outer reaches of the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss, where the aura of death was relatively thin and the distance to the Heartrending Ancient Abyss Core [the absolute center of the abyss] was vast.

They were at least several Dao Domain [a vast region defined by a specific cosmic principle] away from the Heartrending Ancient Abyss Core. As long as they did not linger for too long, it should pose no significant threat.

It was at this moment that Eldrin Chen began to survey his surroundings.

Only then did he realize that at the site where the Snow Soul Emperor Lord had fallen, seven Chaotic Fiendgod [powerful, ancient beings born from primordial chaos] had already been waiting for some time.

These seven Chaotic Fiendgod were all denizens who cultivated within the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss. They either possessed innate talents that made them fearless of the deathly aura, or they were Chaotic Fiendgod who practiced special, esoteric Daos [paths of cosmic power].

Eldrin Chen observed that among these seven Chaotic Fiendgod, three were at the Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal [mid-stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm] and four were at the early stage of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm], but there were none at the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal [late-stage of that realm].

This, Eldrin Chen had anticipated. After all, there were scarcely any beings at the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal level within the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss to begin with.

Even if such beings existed, they would likely deem the resources from the Snow Soul Immortal Lord's [the title of the fallen sovereign before his ascension to Emperor Lord] revival to be beneath their notice.

Although Snow Soul Immortal Lord possessed cultivation at the Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal level, her newly revived Great Luo Body was only at its nascent stage. Her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], her comprehension of the Great Dao [the fundamental cosmic principles], and her overall cultivation base were all in their most depleted and vulnerable state.

To fully restore her complete strength would require vast quantities of resources and a significant span of time.

It could be said that the meager resources left from Snow Soul Immortal Lord's fall were utterly insignificant to a Late Great Luo Golden Immortal, mere trivial remnants not worth the trouble of venturing into the Heart-Rending Ancient Abyss specifically to deal with her.