Chapter 1868 : The Soaring Immortal's Final Chord

This peerless confrontation erupted, with Eldrin Chen facing the assembled heroes alone, wielding the Innate Spiritual Treasure Soaring Immortal Zither. The ensuing slaughter plunged the entire Green Sun Divine Domain into a state of utter chaos, darkening the heavens and shaking the earth.

Their great battle raged for nearly a millennium. By its end, all seven combatants bore grievous wounds, and Eldrin Chen was no exception—his white robes were stained with blood, testament to the severe and profound injuries he had sustained.

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 through the firmament to strike at the Bifang Ancient Progenitor.

"Aaaargh—!"

At this life-or-death juncture, the Bifang Ancient Progenitor spat blood and raged, desperate to push his bloodline power to its absolute limit in resistance. However, after more than a thousand years of battle, the single drop of Great Encompassing True Blood within him was nearly exhausted. How could it possibly withstand the divine might of an Innate Spiritual Treasure?

With a thunderous *BOOM*, the physical body of the Bifang Demon Ancestor exploded completely. His Primordial Spirit Art [a supreme art for cultivating the spiritual core] was spent, and all his power dissipated into wisps of ethereal Immortal Radiance [a luminous aura signifying immortal power].

"NO—!"

Witnessing this, the remaining six figures were overcome with utter despair. Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel.com.

They could never have imagined that Eldrin Chen possessed such profound and vast reserves of spiritual power [the foundational energy used by cultivators to perform supernatural feats]. Even after a millennium of fierce battle while wielding an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme artifact born from the laws of heaven and earth], he could still maintain his peak combat prowess.

But now, they had reached the end of their strength, like a crossbow at the limit of its draw. How could they possibly withstand the might of an Innate Spiritual Treasure?

Yet, even the desire to flee was now a futile hope. The grand formation that spanned the entire Verdant Sun Immortal Domain [a vast realm within the immortal world] not only trapped them all but also utterly severed any path of retreat.

"BOOM—"

Eldrin Chen remained seated upon the firmament. In his hand, the Innate Spiritual Treasure resonated once more, unleashing its divine Oblivion [the power of absolute annihilation] energy. Beneath that exquisite, deadly melody, the head of the Purple Tenuity Ancient Progenitor exploded, and the Primordial Era Azure Dragon [an ancient and mighty dragon from the dawn of time] was torn asunder by sonic blades.

The Verdant Firmament Ancient God sought to escape at any cost, but his steps faltered for a mere instant—an instant long enough for the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a divine weapon capable of sundering chaos] to pierce through his chest.

The Immortal Phoenix Ancient Progenitor, the Ancient Progenitor of the Taihao Clan, and others raged with madness, but it was ultimately a futile struggle. They were all decisively slain by Eldrin Chen, their lives extinguished upon the Void Heaven [a desolate and empty expanse of the heavens].

Thus, seven Six Tribulations Ancient Immortals [immortal beings who have survived six heavenly tribulations], each possessing a trump card of Great Encompassing [a supreme cultivation realm] caliber, met their end. With their fall, this epochal battle finally drew to a close.

"Haa—"

Eldrin Chen slowly let out a breath of relief. He observed that Exquisite Jiang and the others had completely overturned the situation. The Ancient Immortals of the various clans were nearly all annihilated. As for their Celestial Immortals [immortals of the celestial realm], Earth Immortals [immortals bound to the earthly realm], and ordinary Immortals, they were being relentlessly hunted down by the great ancient sects of the Human Race.

"This battle is finally over," Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, a faint smile touching his lips before he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face turning deathly pale.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang hurried over to support him, her face etched with deep concern. "How are you?" she asked.

"It's nothing serious, just some injuries," Eldrin Chen replied calmly. After collecting the seven Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's cultivation path and power] from the fallen, he continued, "Our gains from this great battle are immense. Once we fully absorb the spoils, my wounds will heal, and my strength is certain to advance significantly."

Hearing his words, everyone present allowed a trace of a smile to surface, finally releasing a heavy sigh of relief.

BOOM—

Yet, in that very instant, a violent, earth-shaking roar echoed between heaven and earth, followed by a startling and profound transformation across the vast land.

Throughout the entire Green Sun Divine Domain, the immense Formation [a complex array or magical construct used for defense, offense, or other purposes] began to crumble and disintegrate. A single 'Crimson-Black Demonic Pearl' manifested at the very heart of the land, while high in the Heavenly Vault [the sky, the heavens], a colossal Black Banner unfurled, its expanse blotting out the sun and sky.

The Crimson-Black Demonic Pearl voraciously devoured the blood spilled by the countless fallen, and the Black Banner hungrily absorbed the shattered remnant souls of the billions upon billions of Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] from the myriad races who had perished.

Verdant Sun Divine Domain [the divine realm associated with the Verdant Sun] was originally a sacred land of the Verdant Sun Ancient God, but after the great war, it had been transformed into a Formation by the Verdant Sun Ancient God to suppress the Crimson-Black Demonic Pearl and the Black Banner.

Now that the Formation had collapsed, these two demonic treasures were finally able to reveal their true forms, beginning to frantically devour the essence of the fallen to restore their own power.

Thus, with their combined might, in the mere span of a few breaths, they suppressed the vast heavens and earth, plunging them into darkness.

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

In that very instant, Eldrin Chen's expression changed drastically. He immediately activated the Soaring Immortal Zither [a legendary zither capable of unleashing devastating sonic attacks], intending to shatter the blood-red Formation [a complex array or pattern used to channel and manipulate energy] and the Black Banner [a sinister banner imbued with dark power] upon the earth.

Alas, it was already too late. The assailant had clearly laid their plans for many years, having silently seized control of the Verdant Sun Divine Domain's ambient field using an Innate Demonic Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact born from primordial demonic forces]. Over the course of the great war spanning more than two millennia, it had absorbed nearly all the lingering souls and spilled blood.

Now, it had fully taken form. Any attempt to stop it was already a lost cause.

"Many thanks, young friend, for lending us a hand." Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at www . audio-novel.com.

At that moment, a voice filled with the weight of ages echoed from the void, accompanied by a dry chuckle.

As the Black Banner finished devouring the endless sea of remnant souls, an old man clad in gray robes stepped forth from within it.

Simultaneously, from within the black blood pearl, a spectral entity emerged, using the boundless sea of blood to fashion a handsome figure clad in black robes.

"The Myriad Soul Banner [a banner said to contain and command countless tormented souls] and the Xuanheng Demonic Pearl [a demonic pearl of profound and sinister power], both Innate Demonic Treasures."

Gazing at the two figures, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly, his gaze turning grave as he spoke, "Xuanheng the Ancient Demon, Patriarch of Myriad Ghosts, as expected, you were not truly extinguished."

That Patriarch of Myriad Ghosts let out a hearty laugh, stroking his beard as he replied, "Within my Myriad Soul Banner [a sinister banner that traps and commands countless souls] reside hundreds of millions of spectral souls. Each soul carries a sliver of my will. As long as a single soul remains unvanquished, I, the Patriarch, cannot truly perish."

"With the Xuanheng Demonic Pearl [a demonic artifact that grants a form of immortality] bestowing Indestructibility [a state of near-permanent existence, resistant to destruction], this Patriarch possesses an undying form. That year, I merely used their hands to shed my old body through a forced dissolution within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Xuanheng the Ancient Demon also sneered, his voice cool and detached. "Did you truly believe that a mere dozen or so Ancient Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality and attained immense age and strength], aided by the Heavenly Path [the supreme, overarching natural law and order of the cosmos] of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, could utterly annihilate this venerable one?"

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, yet pressed on, "The power of the Heavenly Path within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain is boundless, and the Four Heavenly Divine Spirits [four primordial divine beings tasked with maintaining cosmic stability] guard the Eight Desolations [the eight primordial, chaotic borderlands of existence]. I am deeply curious how you managed to prevent them from intervening."

"Or perhaps," he continued, his tone measured, "you have other allies?"

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, his gaze shifting to a point in the void not far away. "And the other fellow Daoist who has arrived—since you are here, why bother lurking in the shadows?"

"Fellow Cultivator Eldrin's perception is indeed keen."

At that moment, the void shimmered faintly. A figure clad in robes of somber, imperial darkness stepped forth, a faint smile playing on his lips as he regarded Eldrin Chen.

"It's him."

At that very moment, the Venus Grotto-HeavenAncient Progenitor beside them suddenly changed expression, his face turning deathly pale as he spoke with immense gravity.

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. He immediately turned to the Venus Grotto-HeavenAncient Progenitor and asked, "You know of him, Fellow Daoist?"

"Indeed," the Venus Grotto-HeavenAncient Progenitor replied, his complexion still ashen. "That being is named the Nether Emperor [the supreme ruler of the underworld realms]. He is the Sovereign [a supreme ruler of a vast domain] who presides over the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and departed spirits] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, and he stands even above the Ten Great Nether Kings [the ten most powerful lords of the underworld]."

"As early as three billion years ago, he had already cultivated to the Seven Tribulations [having survived seven heavenly tribulations] level of the Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable and immensely powerful stage of immortality]. Back then, when the Soaring Immortal Maiden attempted to prove her Great Encompassing [the Dao of the Great Encompassing, a supreme path] and failed, it was precisely because of his treacherous ambush from behind."

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

It turned out that three billion years ago, the Soaring Immortal Maiden had shaken the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain with her might. Her cultivation had broken through to the Eight Tribulations level of the Ancient Immortal Realm, and she had mastered the Heavenly Path Authority [the authority to command the laws of heaven itself] over the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

At that time, as the Soaring Immortal Maiden sought to charge into the Great Encompassing Realm, she leveraged the power of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain's Heavenly Path [the supreme Dao of Heaven] to confront a peerless nemesis from the Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless chaos beyond ordered realms].

Yet, at the critical juncture, the Nether Emperor struck from the shadows. Not only did he ambush her, but he also seized half of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain's authority, directly causing the Soaring Immortal Maiden's breakthrough attempt to fail.

After that battle, the supreme Heavenly Domain [a celestial realm] of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, known as 'Vast Azure Heaven', was shattered. From that moment on, the Heavenly Path Authority of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain could never be unified again. This led to the complete decline of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, which thereafter never produced another Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived four heavenly tribulations] who had ascended from its native soil.

"The Venus Sword Master?"

At this moment, Nether Emperor also saw Venus Grotto-HeavenAncient Progenitor, and could not help but sneer coldly, "Three billion years have passed, and I never imagined you would only be a Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal Realm. You truly have made no progress at all."

Upon hearing this, Venus Sword Master's face paled slightly, but he ultimately fell into silence.

Back when he had first entered the Ancient Immortal realm, he had left the Vast Azure Immortal Domain and subsequently pledged allegiance to the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect. However, cultivation beyond the Ancient Immortal realm is perilous and arduous, requiring vast resources and exceptional talent to advance further.

With his aptitude, he failed to gain the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect's favor. Every time a Kalpa Tribulation descended, he had to pay a steep price to seek the sect's protection. Naturally, his cultivation progress was slow.

In truth, had he not been able to participate in the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity, the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect might not have been willing to shelter him for so long.

"This is not the time for reminiscing,"

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, then continued, "I never imagined you would also fall onto the Demonic Path. If I am not mistaken, you used the Heavenly Path Authority of the Netherworld Realm to prevent the Four Realm-Guarding Divine Spirits from intervening?"

"This venerable one had no other choice,"

Nether Emperor replied indifferently, his gaze profound as he said, "The orthodox path of cultivation is far too treacherous. This venerable one lacked a powerful enough patron to obtain an Innate Spiritual Treasure. It was better to cooperate with Fellow Daoist Xuanheng and, seizing the opportunity of the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity, sacrifice this entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

"Using it as material to forge an Innate Demonic Treasure is also a legitimate Great Path in its own right."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen understood everything.

It turned out the three of them had schemed for this very day, laying plans over billions of years.

The timing was chosen because during Great God Vast Azure's Rebirth [a divine ability of profound resurrection], the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain's Heavenly Path [the cosmic laws governing the realm] and its World's Origin [the primordial source energy of a world] were fully focused on aiding Great God Vast Azure's revival.

At such a moment, the Heavenly Path of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain could spare little power. Furthermore, the instant Great God Vast Azure revived only to be slain, the entire Heavenly Path of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain would be grievously wounded, leaving the domain at its most vulnerable state.

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

Even if their grand scheme failed, merely obtaining Great God Vast Azure's corpse and a portion of the World's Origin would allow them to forge at least one or two Innate Demonic Treasure [a supreme class of demonic artifacts born from primordial chaos], fundamentally transforming their own strength and foundational power.

Should their plan truly succeed, they might ascend to the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, transcending all limitations] in one fell swoop, shattering their own Destiny [the preordained fate or karmic path of a being] and becoming peerless Great EncompassingDemon Monarch [a supreme ruler among demonkind].

"A masterful scheme," he conceded.

Eldrin Chen nodded slowly, clasping his hands in a gesture of rueful admiration. "Two Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [ancient immortals who have survived eight heavenly tribulations], and a supreme Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] who commands the Netherworld's Heavenly Path Authority [the authority to command the cosmic laws of the underworld]. With the three of you conspiring for billions of years, there truly was a possibility of success."

"A pity you encountered me. Today, your designs are destined to fail."

"Is that so?"

Xuanheng Old Demon sneered, his gaze turning icy as he declared, "At your peak, or after digesting the spoils of this battle to heal your wounds, we might not have been confident of slaying you. But now, grievously wounded as you are, what fraction of your true strength remains?"

The Myriad Ghosts Patriarch also let out a cold laugh and spoke bluntly, "Enough talk. Let's just attack."

As his words fell, the Myriad Ghosts Patriarch was the first to move. He instantly shook the Myriad Soul Banner [a banner capable of summoning and commanding legions of malevolent spirits], unleashing a terrifying horde of over ten thousand ferocious ghosts. Shockingly, each one possessed power comparable to an Ancient Immortal Realm [the foundational realm of true immortality].

Although these spectral beings were merely Ghost Immortals [immortals who have shed their mortal flesh, existing as pure spirit], lacking physical bodies and thus far weaker in combat than true Ancient Immortal Great Powers [masters who have fully consolidated their power within the Ancient Immortal realm], the combined force of ten thousand such vengeful spirits was still a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering power, easily sufficient to slay a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations].

Simultaneously, Xuanheng Old Demon also struck, summoning forth the Xuanheng Demonic Pearl [a sinister orb of condensed demonic power] to press down with crushing force, intending to join forces and annihilate Eldrin Chen.

"Their power is too great. Do not intervene,"

Seeing the two demons unleash Innate Spiritual Treasures [treasures born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth, possessing immense innate power] from the very first move, Eldrin Chen dared not show the slightest negligence. He urgently signaled for the others to retreat far from the battlefield.

Then, he channeled the Soaring Immortal Zither [a zither whose melodies can ascend to the heavens and command profound energies] to counter the Myriad Soul Banner, while also clashing fiercely with Xuanheng Old Demon. In an instant, a confrontation of rare ferocity erupted in the mortal world.

The moment the battle was joined, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt a slight sense of relief.

In that moment, he realized his combat prowess was extraordinary. Facing the combined assault of two Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] and a top-tier Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations], he felt no significant pressure.

After a brief assessment, he understood his approximate combat level. He discovered that the True Spirit Foundation [the supreme foundational cultivation art said to suppress all other paths with its singular principle] was far more formidable than he had imagined, truly worthy of its reputation as the ultimate foundation.

According to Eldrin Chen's calculations, any cultivator who achieved the True Spirit Foundation, even with the cultivation of just a First Tribulation Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of an ancient immortal], would possess strength capable of slightly suppressing an ordinary Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

For one who has cultivated the True Spirit Foundation, breaking through other Great Encompassing Heavenly Pass [legendary celestial barriers or thresholds] would further augment their combat power.

Typically, an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal who has cultivated a single True Spirit Foundation, when aided by means such as an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the cosmos with innate spiritual power] and Great Encompassing Divine Ability [a supreme divine technique of vast power], could contend against five ordinary Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal simultaneously.

Now, Eldrin Chen had cultivated the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a divine ability related to the true spirit's core essence] and achieved both Eleventh Limit [the theoretical eleventh limit of cultivation] in magical power and physical body—not counting his True Spirit Divine Ability [divine abilities born from the True Spirit Foundation]. He estimated he could withstand the combined assault of four or five ordinary Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

If he were to employ his True Spirit Divine Ability, engaging enemies with the dual power of his True Spirit Foundation, his combat prowess would surge dramatically. An ordinary Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal would likely not last a hundred exchanges against him.

Even against the current trio's combined efforts, if Eldrin Chen unleashed his full power, he could find opportunities to defeat them one by one within a thousand exchanges.

At this moment, though the battle against three seemed perilous and unpredictable, Eldrin Chen was not fighting with his full strength.

The reason was simple: the escape capabilities of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal were too formidable. If they sensed imminent danger 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 prevent their escape.

If the two of them were solely focused on fleeing, even Eldrin Chen would have little confidence in capturing them both.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen was suppressing his true power. Though he appeared to be in dire straits, barely holding on under the assault, he was in truth merely biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a single, fatal blow.

Thus, the three of them battled fiercely. After more than a thousand exchanges, Eldrin Chen deliberately left an opening. He took a direct hit from the Nether Emperor and allowed himself to be ensnared by the malevolent ghosts conjured by the Myriad Soul Banner.

"Perish now!"

Seeing Eldrin Chen trapped, Xuanheng Old Demon let out a triumphant laugh. He summoned the Xuanheng Demonic Pearl and hurled it with devastating force towards Eldrin Chen.

The strike of an Innate Demonic Treasure [a supreme treasure born from primordial chaos] was terrifyingly potent. Its weight was like that of a vast Chaos Ancient Continent [a primordial landmass from the dawn of creation]. A single blow could overturn an entire Heavenly Domain [a vast celestial realm] and was more than enough to utterly annihilate an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

Yet, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with fierce light. Seizing this precise opportunity, he unleashed his True Spirit Divine Ability [a supreme power derived from one's primordial spiritual essence].

In that instant, a Chaos Giant Hand [a colossal hand formed from primordial chaos energy], vast enough to blot out the heavens, tore through the void. It instantly seized and firmly suppressed the Xuanheng Demonic Pearl within its palm. No matter how violently the pearl struggled, it could not break free.

"Disaster!"

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

"A pity."

Watching him flee, Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. His Slaughter and Chaos Divine Thunder were primed and ready. Had the Xuanheng Ancient Demon attempted to reclaim that treasure, even for a single instant, he could have struck it down with a single, lethal blow.

"BOOM—"

Failing to kill Xuanheng Old Demon, Eldrin Chen immediately hurled the Chaos Divine Thunder towards Nether Emperor.

Facing such an assault, even after dominating the world for billions of years, Nether Emperor was utterly powerless to avert his fate. In an instant, he was utterly annihilated, reduced to scattered dust and ash.

"HUM—"

Simultaneously, sensing the danger, the Myriad Ghosts Patriarch also sought to flee for his life. Alas, it was already too late.

For above the Void Heaven, a radiant Ancient Pearl descended to suppress him, completely sealing off his path of retreat.

It turned out Eldrin Chen had planned this from the start. His initial intent was to suppress the Xuanheng Demonic Pearl, then use the Chaos Divine Thunder to strike down Xuanheng Old Demon.

His other Companion Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Returning Abyss Pearl, would employ its spatial power to trap the Myriad Ghosts Patriarch, allowing him to be subdued and slain at leisure.

At this moment, trapped by the Returning Abyss Pearl [a mystical pearl that creates a vortex of returning abyssal energy], the Myriad Ghosts Patriarch was driven to despair. He desperately activated his Myriad Soul Banner [a demonic banner that imprisons countless tormented souls] in resistance. The spectral souls within the banner began to fuse together, transforming into a sky-shrouding, earth-obscuring spectral deity. This entity, wielding power capable of rending the heavens and splitting the earth, lashed out against the void, striving to shatter the Returning Abyss Pearl's containment.

Had Eldrin Chen chosen to ignore it, there truly was a chance for the demon to escape. Yet, how could he possibly allow such a foe to depart?

With a mere flick of his sleeve, the Soaring Immortal Zither [a celestial zither whose music can manifest tangible blades of sound] resonated, unleashing a tidal wave of sonic blades that swept through the Six Harmonies [a formation based on the harmony of six fundamental principles]. The assault suppressed the colossal spectral deity, forcing it into a steady retreat and utterly extinguishing the demon's last flicker of hope.

Without the aid of the Xuanheng Ancient Demon [an ancient and powerful demonic entity], and facing the full, unleashed might of Eldrin Chen, how could the patriarch possibly withstand the onslaught alone?

In scarcely a few dozen exchanges, Eldrin Chen had shattered the demon's physical form, reducing it to ashes. Only a wisp of a remnant soul managed to flee, seeking refuge within the core of the Myriad Soul Banner to cling to a wretched semblance of existence.

"You cannot escape."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, his voice final. After firmly suppressing the Myriad Soul Banner, he channeled the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill [a supreme divine technique that manifests a millstone of primordial chaos to grind all things into nothingness]. Its immense pressure bore down upon this Innate Demonic Treasure [a treasure born from the innate essence of demonic realms], causing the banner to crack and fracture incessantly.

Had it been an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the innate essence of spiritual realms], Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill might have required greater effort to completely annihilate it.

However, while Innate Demonic Treasure possess formidable destructive power, their material substance is often more fragile. In mere moments, the banner began to disintegrate continuously. From within, countless malevolent souls released a chorus of horrifying, agonized shrieks.

"Spare me! Have mercy!"

At this moment of life and death, the Myriad Ghosts Patriarch cried out in despair. Yet Eldrin Chen paid his words no heed. With an icy countenance, he relentlessly crushed him, continuously Oblivion [the process of erasing or annihilating] this Innate Demonic Treasure [a demonic artifact born from the world's natural laws].

"…"

At the same time, the Xuanheng Old Demon managed to flee the Central [the core area] of the battlefield.

But the moment he escaped, he found a sky-obscuring, earth-veiling Sword Formation [a tactical array of flying swords] descending upon him.

It was composed of one hundred and eight Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword [swords forged from primordial golden bamboo]. They transformed into the Minor Cosmic Cycle Sword Formation of Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends [a sword formation mimicking the minor cycle of celestial stars and terrestrial demons], instantly sealing the heavens, earth, mountains, and rivers, cutting off his path of retreat.

The one who struck was none other than Exquisite Jiang. She had not personally joined the fray earlier, precisely to preserve her strength for this critical moment to sever his escape route.

"Disastrous!"

The Xuanheng Old Demon felt his heart sink. This Sword Formation [a tactical array of flying swords] laid out by one hundred and eight Innate Ancient Sword [primordial swords born of natural law] possessed power sufficient to suppress even an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations].

Even at the peak of his power, he would have had to tread carefully against such a formation. Now, bereft of his Xuanheng Demonic Pearl [his core demonic treasure], 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 wheeled around and fled back the way he had come.

"You cannot escape."

At that very moment, an ethereal female voice echoed from behind.

A figure clad in snow-white robes stepped through the air, and with a flick of her sleeve, she summoned and hurled forth a colossal glacier mountain range.

"Primordial Era Ice Phoenix!"

The moment he saw the figure, Xuanheng Old Demon's face twisted with vicious malice.

The attacker was naturally the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix. The immense glacial mountain she summoned was none other than the Fallen Phoenix Ridge, one of the Forbidden Land within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

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

Later, when the Ice Phoenix Holy Spirit revived, she discovered that the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [the indestructible spiritual radiance inherent to a treasure] of her Companion Spiritual Treasure had completely fused with the Fallen Phoenix Ridge. Thus, she laid down a grand field formation and spent an unknown number of Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] refining the entire Fallen Phoenix Ridge into her own Innate Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure born with and intrinsically linked to a cultivator].

Now, as the Fallen Phoenix Ridge came crashing down, Xuanheng Old Demon, in his moment of despair, sought to pay a terrible price to escape using a blood-escape technique.

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

"My life ends here!" [a common exclamation of despair in the face of certain death]

In that fleeting instant, Xuanheng Old Demon turned his head in despair, only to realize it was Nyssa Qu who had unleashed the Nine-Colored Immortal Radiance [a divine technique of radiant, multi-hued light], severing his last sliver of hope.

"BOOM—"

Before he could even form another thought, the Fallen Phoenix Ridge [a legendary mountain ridge] came crashing down, utterly annihilating both his physical form and his spirit.

Yet, after this strike, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [an ancient, majestic phoenix of frost and ice] spoke with a slightly changed expression, "As expected of a cunning old demon, he actually had a contingency prepared!"

"HUM—"

At the same moment, from within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a sea of torment within the deepest nether realms], a figure clad in black robes abruptly opened its eyes, erupting with an aura of supreme power.

Had Eldrin Chen been present, he would have recognized this person as the 'Black Cloud Demon Monarch' [a powerful demonic sovereign] who had seized the body of the Small Universe [a pocket dimension] master years ago.

Now awakened, the Black Cloud Demon Monarch unleashed a presence rivaling that of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], only for it to instantly plummet to the level of Seven Tribulations [the state of having endured seven tribulations], barely maintaining the cultivation base of a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

He drew a deep breath and looked towards the direction of the Verdant Sun Divine Domain [a divine realm bathed in eternal verdant sunlight], saying, "The True Spirit Divine Ability [a supreme technique channeling the power of a primordial true spirit], the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix, the Nine-Colored Immortal Shell [a divine clam with a nine-colored shell], and the Minor Cosmic Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation [a legendary sword formation of golden bamboo]... in this battle, this old man's defeat was not unjust."

"Fortunately, this old man had long prepared this crucial contingency. Otherwise, today would likely have ended with me having no place to be buried."

As his words fell, he did not hesitate for a moment. Utilizing the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [a supreme artifact capable of manipulating the fundamental laws of the cosmos] within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, he arrived just outside the Primordial Chaos Membrane [the primordial barrier separating the ordered cosmos from the formless chaos].

Yet, the very instant he emerged into the Chaos [the formless, primordial state of existence before creation], his steps faltered. An expression of unprecedented despair washed over his face.

For there, coiled within the Chaos, was a black True Dragon [a primordial dragon of immense power and ancient lineage] so vast it blotted out the heavens. Its colossal form was so immense that most of its serpentine body remained hidden within the roiling Chaos Mist [the dense, primordial vapor of the Chaos], its true scale beyond even Xuanheng Old Demon's perception.

"A Chaos Saint Spirit, an Eight Tribulations Black Dragon,"

Xuanheng Old Demon uttered slowly, his voice thick with despair. "For billions of years, this old man has roamed the Chaos, confident that my intellect and schemes had few rivals across the ages. To think that today, every single escape route I had prepared was foreseen and sealed by you."

"Alas... to die by your hand, I, Xuanheng, admit my defeat is not unjust."

At that moment, a figure clad in robes as white as snow stepped forth from the void.

He gazed upon Xuanheng Old Demon and spoke with tranquil finality, "Your return to the heavens is permitted."

"BOOM—"

In that instant, a cataclysmic surge of Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] True Flame [a flame of ultimate purity and destructive power] descended, utterly annihilating him within the roiling Chaos.

With Xuanheng Old Demon slain, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Path Source [the foundational essence of a cultivation path]. He gave a nod to the Primordial Chaos Black Dragon and said, "You have done well, Ao Hong."

"Awooo—"

Ao Hong let out a resonant draconic cry. Transforming into a small serpentine form, it affectionately nuzzled against Eldrin Chen before finally coiling back into the folds of his sleeve. Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.