Chapter 1938 : The Emperor's Decree of War
Although everyone had long been mentally prepared for the eruption of this Chaos Great War, hearing the news confirmed by Eldrin Chen himself still caused their expressions to shift abruptly.
After a moment, Nyssa Qu took a deep breath and spoke, "What is the Emperor Lord's intention?"
Eldrin Chen passed the Emperor Lord's Decree to the others and said, "The Emperor Lord believes our forces are weaker. We should conserve our strength, await the enemy's fatigue, and focus on defense."
Upon hearing this, everyone began to examine the Emperor Lord's Decree.
A short while later, they all nodded in agreement. Lyra Jiang could not help but remark, "Indeed, a direct confrontation would be disadvantageous for us."
Eldrin Chen nodded, a trace of solemnity flickering in his eyes.
Within the Eastern Departure Flame Domain, the Human Race possessed Departing Flame Emperor Lord, an early-stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch. The ruler of the Chaotic Fiendgod, Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor, was also an early-stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch. Thus, the disparity in peak combat power between the two sides was not vast.
However, beneath the level of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, the balance of power was clearly skewed.
For within the Eastern Departure Flame Domain lay over a hundred Immortal Domain. Setting aside the Chen Immortal Clan, these domains housed a total of more than one hundred and thirty Grand Luo Golden Immortal.
The Chaotic Fiendgod faction also controlled over a hundred Chaos Nest. Yet, unlike an Immortal Domain which typically hosted a single Grand Luo Golden Immortal, a single Chaos Nest could harbor several Chaotic Fiendgod coexisting within it.
Therefore, even though the vast majority of these Chaos Nest were of the lower grade, the number of Chaotic Fiendgod they birthed was still immense, reaching a total of two hundred and sixty-some.
It could be said that in terms of the number of Great Luo Golden Immortals, there was a vast disparity between the two sides. Overall, the various Immortal Domain found themselves at a disadvantage.
Fortunately, the average cultivation level among the Great Luo Golden Immortals of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains was higher. Furthermore, due to the limitations of their bloodline, the vast majority of Chaotic Fiendgods could not break through to the Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal realm. Thus, the two sides were not without the power to contend.
Of course, if they were to clash head-on, the hundred great Immortal Domains would surely suffer losses. Therefore, the best strategy was to rely on the defensive Formation of the Immortal Domains and seek opportunities for counterattack.
Understanding this, Eldrin Chen pondered and said, "The intention of the Departing Flame Emperor Lord is to use the Departing Flame Immortal Domain as the core, gather thirty-six Immortal Domains and the bulk of our forces, and deploy a Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation to withstand the Chaotic Fiendgods."
"Our Chen Immortal Clan can bring our core clansmen into the protection of the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation."
Hearing this, everyone fell into deep contemplation.
After a moment, Lyra Jiang inquired, "Can our Seven Great Immortal Domains be integrated into the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation?"
Eldrin Chen shook his head, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "The Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation is formed from twelve high-grade Immortal Domains and twenty-four mid-grade Immortal Domains. Our Immortal Domains do not meet the requirements."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others shifted slightly.
If the Seven Great Immortal Domains cannot be integrated into the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation, then relying solely on their own strength would render them far too vulnerable in the midst of this Chaos war.
Yet, if they were to abandon the Seven Great Immortal Domains and take their core clansmen to the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation, the price would be staggeringly high.
To do so, they would have to dismantle the Five Extremities Celestial Pillars, take the core resources of the Immortal Domain [a realm of immortals, a celestial territory], and relocate to the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation.
Although they could attempt to reopen the Immortal Domain after the great war concluded, any newly established domain would inevitably have a far weaker foundation and lose its potential for future growth.
Most crucially, reopening the Immortal Domain would mean the accumulated efforts of several Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration, often involving great cataclysms] would be utterly wasted. Many things would need to be started anew from scratch, a cost too monumental to bear.
Witnessing this dilemma, Eldrin Chen could only weigh his words carefully. "We possess seven Immortal Domain, plus the mid-grade Great Luo Nest and the Primordial Golden Bull Nest. This should be sufficient to withstand an assault from an opponent at the eighth level of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme realm of immortal cultivation].
"If we further reinforce the Formation [a defensive or offensive magical array] at any cost, we might even stand a chance against a foe who has reached the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm]."
"As long as the Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor does not personally intervene, we should retain a measure of self-preservation."
Hearing this, everyone present gave a slight, thoughtful nod.
Yvonne the Violet Consort pondered for a moment before offering her analysis. "In truth, there is no need for excessive worry. The Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor cannot recklessly allow the Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor to attack us. If he did, the Grand Luo Immortal Lord [lords of the Grand Luo immortal realm] of the various Immortal Domain would grow disheartened and would never answer his future summons."
"Moreover, while the Chaotic Fiendgod [a primordial and immensely powerful type of demonic entity born from chaos] are numerous, the vast majority are also blocked by the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation [a grand cosmic barrier formed by the thirty-six Immortal Domain]."
"Two Chaotic Fiendgod at the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm] will be dealt with by two senior experts who have also reached the Great Perfection of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme cultivation realm]. Therefore, the number that can truly break through to our position should not be excessive."
Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement.
The Abyssal Immortal Domain and the other Seven Great Immortal Domains extend only a little over a million Dao-paths [a unit of immense distance in the cosmos] into the Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse beyond ordered reality]. Compared to the Eastern Departure Flame Domain [a specific Immortal Domain], which spans tens of millions of Dao-paths in diameter, they can be considered among the Immortal Domain [a vast, ordered realm within the cosmos] closest to the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad ordered realms].
The Immortal Domain at this location is quite distant from the front lines, and its safety is indeed considerably greater.
Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke: "I shall reply to Departing Flame Emperor Lord, informing Him that we will not enter the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation, and our strategy will focus primarily on defense, while incidentally tying down a portion of the enemy's forces."
"Should the tide of battle shift, we stand ready to heed the summons and act at any moment."
As Eldrin Chen spoke these words, he swiftly composed a letter and sent it piercing through the Void [the empty space between dimensions], where it vanished into the depths of the Chaos.
With this matter settled, Eldrin Chen declared, "While time remains, let us reconfigure our Formation [a structured arrangement of power, often for defense or amplification]."
So saying, Eldrin Chen immediately gathered the various Grand Luo Golden Immortal and began the work of rearranging the Chaos Grand Formation [a powerful defensive formation that draws upon and channels the energies of primordial chaos].
In this deployment for the Chaos Great War, Eldrin Chen not only interconnected the Seven Great Immortal Domains, but also utilized a mid-grade Chaos Nest—specifically the Chaos Golden Bull Nest—as one of the primary formation eyes [a core anchor point for a magical array].
Furthermore, to unleash the Formation to its utmost potential, Eldrin Chen also mobilized the power of the Five Extremities Celestial Pillars.
To everyone's delight, within each of the Chen Immortal Clan's Seven Great Immortal Domains, there were five Innate Spiritual Root [a spiritual plant born of heaven and earth, possessing profound natural power]. These Innate Spiritual Root served as the optimal formation eyes for deploying the Chaos Grand Formation.
Eldrin Chen used the thirty-five Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a spiritual root that channels the energies of heaven and earth] across the seven Immortal Domain as formation eyes, harmonizing them with the Indestructible Golden Fruit Tree to establish a minor Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation.
This formation merged with the original Chaos Seven Stars Grand Formation of the Immortal Domain, transforming into the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Seven Stars Formation, its power ascending by an entire tier.
Subsequently, Eldrin Chen used the Primordial Unity Chaos Water [a primordial water of chaos that nurtures spiritual growth] to cultivate three hundred sixty-five stalks of Great Luo Golden Bamboo. From these, he forged the Great Luo Golden Bamboo Swords and integrated them, setting up a Minor Cosmic Cycle Sword Formation.
This was then fused into the grand formation, ultimately becoming the 'Minor Chaos Heavenly Firmament Cosmic Cycle Seven Stars Sword Formation'.
After completing the grand formation, Eldrin Chen tested its activation and discovered it possessed three distinct transformations: the Cosmic Cycle Sword Formation, the Heavenly Firmament Divine Empowerment [a divine empowerment drawing power from the heavenly firmament], and the Seven Luminaries Ascension [an ascension technique harnessing the power of the seven celestial luminaries].
The so-called Cosmic Cycle Sword Formation refers to its ability, once activated, to unleash a cataclysmic sword array—the Minor Cosmic Cycle Sword Formation composed of three hundred sixty-five Great Luo Golden Bamboo Swords.
When this formation is unleashed, each Great Luo Golden Bamboo Swords strikes with force comparable to a full-power blow from an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]. The combined assault of three hundred sixty-five such swords is powerful enough to rend the Chaos [the primordial, formless void], capable of effortlessly slaughtering vast numbers of Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient beasts born from primordial chaos], making it a peerless formation for mass annihilation.
However, while this formation is formidable, it holds limited utility against a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has transcended the Grand Luo realm].
The so-called Heavenly Firmament Divine Empowerment [a divine technique that channels the power of the heavens] is such that once the grand formation is activated, it can mobilize the power of the Innate Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual talent one is born with] to empower the thirty-six Heaven and Earth True Spirits [spiritual entities born from the essence of heaven and earth].
At that moment, the cultivation bases of the thirty-six True Spirit [pure spiritual entities] will continuously ascend, their combat prowess becoming sufficient to rival genuine Chaotic Fiendgod [primordial demon-gods born from chaos].
The Seven Luminaries Ascension [a mystical art of ascension powered by seven celestial bodies] is even more profound and wondrous. This method utilizes the power of the Formation [a structured array of power] to consume the foundational essence of seven Immortal Domain [realms or territories of immortals], temporarily enhancing the combat strength of seven Grand Luo Golden Immortal. It can temporarily more than double the battle power of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal.
This is almost equivalent to a Forbidden Divine Ability [a supremely powerful technique with severe restrictions or costs], yet it carries no side effects and can be maintained as long as the world's foundational essence is not exhausted.
"The Cosmic Cycle Sword Formation, the Heavenly Firmament Divine Empowerment, and the Seven Luminaries Ascension,"
Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a faint sigh of relief escaping his lips.
With its triple-layered transformations, the 'Minor Chaos Heavenly Firmament Cosmic Cycle Seven Stars Sword Formation' [a grand sword formation weaving together minor chaos, the heavenly firmament, cosmic cycles, and seven stars] could already be considered extraordinarily powerful.
Even if it still fell far short of Departing Flame Emperor Lord's Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation [a supreme formation merging chaos and the heavens], it should be sufficient to contend with an ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [an immortal at the pinnacle of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm].
With this in mind, Eldrin Chen once again gathered his comrades. He assigned Ao Hong, Verdant Consort, Yvonne the Violet Consort, Lila, Ethan Chen, Nyssa Qu, and Lulu to stand long-term vigil at the formation's core nodes, forbidding any lapse in vigilance. He also made a point to meet once more with the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [an ancient phoenix of supreme violet essence] and the other two Phoenix Clan Grand Luo Golden Immortal.
After all instructions were clearly delivered, Eldrin Chen finally let out a sigh of relief and began to quietly await the arrival of the great battle.
Thus, time flowed swiftly by. After several million years had passed, Eldrin Chen finally received a piece of news.
"The Chaos Great War [a cataclysmic conflict involving primordial forces] has finally begun."
Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a faint sigh escaping his lips as he looked over the intelligence report in his hand.
The various Grand Luo Golden Immortal [supreme immortals who have attained the Grand Luo realm] of the Seven Great Immortal Domains also descended their avatars to examine the information on Eldrin Chen, their expressions shifting subtly.
It turned out that not long before, the Chaos Great War in the Eastern Departure Flame Domain had finally erupted in full force.
For this war, Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor had mustered over two hundred Chaotic Fiendgod [powerful, primordial demonic beings born from chaos]. Leading the majority of this force, he besieged the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation that harnesses the power of the primordial heavens] centered on the Departing Flame Immortal Domain. Between the two sides, an utterly brutal Chaos Great War had erupted.
After encircling the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation, Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor then dispatched a smaller contingent of Chaotic Fiendgod deep into the direction of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.
This force of Chaotic Fiendgod was not particularly large. Its primary purpose was to pin down the various Immortal Domain that had not entered the Chaos Heavenly Firmament Grand Formation, preventing them from reinforcing the main battlefield.
As for the main battlefield itself, Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor concentrated his heavy forces for the siege, intending to deal a crippling blow to the elite forces of the thirty-six Heavenly Stem Immortal Domain.
In the eyes of Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor and the Chaotic Fiendgod under his command, these thirty-six Immortal Domain [a celestial realm of profound spiritual energy] were the very power core of the Eastern Departure Flame Domain Human Race. Once this group of high-tier Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, transcending the mortal coil] was eradicated, the remaining low-tier Grand Luo Golden Immortal would be of little concern.
Thus, the great war raged on, spanning tens of thousands of years in the blink of an eye, until the day when a group of uninvited guests arrived beyond the Abyssal Immortal Domain.
There, within the Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse where chaos reigns supreme], a full nine Chaotic Fiendgod [primordial demon gods born of chaos] strode through the void, leading an uncountable tide of Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient beasts nurtured by and dwelling within the chaos] to slaughter their way to the very borders of the Abyssal Immortal Domain.
"Nine Chaotic Fiendgod, and over ten million Chaos Ancient Beast,"
Gazing upon the approaching Chaotic Fiendgod and the endless horde of Chaos Ancient Beast, Lyra Jiang spoke, a slight frown creasing her brow, her pupils glinting with a cold light.
Ethan Chen also flew out. Seeing this spectacle, a cold sneer touched his lips as he said, "They send only nine Chaotic Fiendgod? Do they hold us in such contempt?"
"On the surface, we possess only nine Grand Luo Golden Immortal, and they are but nine newly ascended early-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal at that. Dispatching nine Chaotic Fiendgod against us is, in fact, a sign of considerable respect,"
Eldrin Chen interjected, his expression calm and composed.
At this, Eldrin Chen added with a note of wry amusement, "And unless I miss my guess, their purpose here is to pin us down."
Hearing his words, the others present all gave slight, understanding nods.
Seeing this, Lyra Jiang could not help but smile and say, "Among these nine Chaotic Fiendgod [powerful primordial demonic beings born from chaos], three are at the Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal [the middle stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm] level. If their purpose is merely to contain us, it is already a significant overestimation of our strength."
As she spoke, Lyra Jiang looked at Eldrin Chen and asked, "Husband, what is your intention?"
"Hold fast and do not sally forth. Show weakness to the enemy."
Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, setting the strategy for this battle.
At his command, the grand defensive formations of the Seven Great Immortal Domains [the seven major territories under the Chen Immortal Clan's control] were all activated. The Grand Luo Golden Immortal [Great Luo Golden Immortal realm experts] of the Chen Clan all withdrew and remained entrenched within the protective barriers of the formations.
On the other side, the nine Chaotic Fiendgod [powerful primordial demonic beings born from chaos] observed this scene and could not help but sneer with contempt. A crimson-haired Chaotic Fiendgod spoke up.
"I have heard that this Eldrin, the Immortal Lord possesses heaven-defying talent and has even slain a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [Great Luo Golden Immortal realm expert] in the past. Who would have thought he would prove so timid and fearful now."
The nine Chaotic Fiendgod [powerful primordial demonic beings born from chaos] tasked with containing the Chen Immortal Clan hailed from two different Great Luo Nest [powerful demonic lairs within the Chaos], namely the Chaos Crimson Wolf Nest and the Chaos Profound Eagle Nest.
These two Chaos Nest [demonic lairs within the Chaos] were both formidable forces, ranking among the foremost of the mid-grade Chaos Nest.
The crimson-haired fiendgod who had just spoken was none other than the Chaos Crimson Wolf King, whose cultivation had reached the Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal [the sixth layer of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm].
On the other side, the Chaos Profound Eagle Demon God observed this and spoke with calm detachment, "Though Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist possesses heaven-defying talent, his time spent in cultivation is ultimately far too brief."
"Within the entire Abyssal Immortal Alliance, all nine of their Grand Luo [the highest realm of immortal cultivation] have emerged only within the last three Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth]. The longest among them has cultivated for less than three full Kalpa Tribulation. How much of their true power can they possibly wield?"
"In my judgment," he continued, "their cultivation bases likely remain at the First Layer of Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Their strength is, in the end, sorely lacking."
Having said this, the Chaos Profound Eagle Demon God declared, "Given their insufficient power, it is only to be expected that they would choose to turtle up and bide their time for now."
The Chaos Crimson Wolf King, however, wore a dark expression, his gaze turning profound and shadowed. "Yet if that is the case, with their backs to an Immortal Domain [a realm or territory governed by immortals] Daoist sanctuary, it will be difficult for us to gain any significant advantage."
The Chaos Profound Eagle Demon God shook his head. "Our objective was never to crush them outright, but to pin them down. So long as we can contain them here, our task will be accomplished once His Majesty breaches the Departing Flame Immortal Domain."
"Remember," he pressed, "we outnumber their Grand Luo by a factor of two. By committing an equal number of our Grand Luo Golden Immortal to contain them, we can concentrate a force three times their strength on the other front."
Upon hearing this, the Chaos Crimson Wolf King frowned slightly, his brow furrowing with clear displeasure. "I have been trapped at the Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal for many years. To step into the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal, these very Grand Luo Golden Immortal are the finest nourishment one could hope for."
"If we are merely to stand watch and do nothing, this great war will likely yield little harvest of true value for us."
"What are you suggesting?" The Chaos Profound Eagle Demon God asked, a glint of dangerous intent flickering deep within his eyes.
The Chaos Crimson Wolf King [a powerful demonic entity embodying the chaotic essence of a crimson wolf] dipped his massive head in a gesture of agreement, his voice a low, rumbling growl. "Let us find a weakness in their formation, tear our way in, and slaughter the one they call Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist [a title for Eldrin Chen, denoting his profound and abyssal mastery of the Dao]."