Chapter 1958 : Chase Through the Primordial Chaos

"If we were to enter this tribulation, it would likely only add further complications and unforeseen twists," one of them remarked.

Upon hearing this, the others present fell silent, offering no further comment.

At this moment, less than one hundred thousand years remained until the Kalpa Tribulation [the cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal], leaving no time for prolonged deliberation.

They returned to the eight great Immortal Domain [realms of immortal beings]. After confirming that Eldrin Chen would not be returning, they began sealing off these domains to avoid the impending Kalpa Tribulation.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen was traversing the depths of the Chaos [the primordial, formless void before creation], engaged in a breathtaking chase and battle with the Pure Yang Immortal Lord [the Sovereign of Unadulterated Yang].

The two figures, one in pursuit and one in flight, clashed dozens of times within the Chaos. Each confrontation was brief; the Pure Yang Immortal Lord would burn a portion of his foundational life essence to fuel a desperate escape.

As this protracted conflict wore on, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord's injuries grew ever more severe. Even one of his signature Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from heaven and earth, possessing immense power], the Pure Yang Immortal Crucible, was seized and suppressed by Eldrin Chen using the Primordial Chaos Qi Grasping Hand [a divine technique to grasp and control the fundamental energies of chaos].

After an extended period of relentless pursuit, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord finally managed to flee into his Pure Yang Immortal Domain [his personal immortal realm] just before the Kalpa Tribulation commenced.

The moment he crossed the threshold into his Pure Yang Immortal Domain, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord released a heavy sigh of profound relief. His immediate intention was to seal his mountain retreat and isolate himself from the coming Kalpa Tribulation.

"BOOM—"

Yet at that very moment, Eldrin Chen drove the Primordial Chaos Heaven Halberd forward, forcibly tearing open the world barrier of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain and charging headlong into its very heart.

"You..."

Pure Yang Immortal Lord was utterly astounded. He could never have imagined that Eldrin Chen would dare to charge alone into the Pure Yang Immortal Domain, especially without the protection of the Unbreakable and with the Immortal Domain Grand Formation still active.

Nearly driven to madness, he spoke with a mixture of fury and disbelief, "Have you lost your mind? You intend to drag me into this tribulation with you?"

"I told you," Eldrin Chen stated with chilling calm, "you are the first I will slay in this war."

He spoke with icy serenity, wielding the Chaos Ancient Weapon to unleash a crushing assault. Each strike Eruption with the power to end worlds.

Yet such cataclysmic attacks were intercepted by countless chains of divine law. The overwhelming Dao principles of the Immortal Domain [the sovereign territory and source of power for an Immortal Lord] transformed into chains of order, shielding Pure Yang Immortal Lord.

Simultaneously, from all directions, four Immortal Domain True Spirit [powerful spiritual entities born from and bound to an Immortal Domain] stepped forth. Nearly one hundred Emperor Lord and the forces of the Two Ancestors of Heaven and Earth silently encircled Eldrin Chen, trapping him completely.

"Hahahaha!"

Pure Yang Immortal Lord threw back his head and laughed, a near-manic gleam in his eyes. "Eldrin, the Abyssal Brat, your arrogance knows no bounds!" he declared.

"This Pure Yang Immortal Domain is my Daoist Abode [a cultivator's personal sanctum and place of power]. To dare step into the Pure Yang Immortal Domain to slay me is truly a path to your own demise."

"Then I shall carve a bloody path through the Pure Yang Immortal Domain and grind your bones to dust."

Eldrin Chen's killing intent surged like a boundless tide, an endless, sky-scorching aura of slaughter that swept through the Pure Yang Immortal Domain.

In that instant, within the vast expanse of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain, Immortals began to fall like rain, and the very heavens and earth trembled violently.

Pure Yang Immortal Lord's expression shifted from alarm to dread. He immediately channeled the boundless power of the Great Dao [the fundamental laws of the cosmos] to fortify himself, then addressed the Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] under his command: "All of you! A demonic fiend has invaded our realm, slaughtering our people. Protect my Pure Yang [Pure Yang, a supreme yang-attribute technique] at all costs!"

"As you command…"

In that moment, countless Immortal surged forward, ready to fight and die with righteous fervor.

Legions of Immortal took to the skies, hearts filled with unyielding righteousness and burning passion, determined to defend the Pure Yang Immortal Domain with their lives and vanquish the foreign Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond ordered realms] demon.

Yet, all beneath the Grand Luo [the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, a supreme stage of cultivation] are but ants. Even as these Immortal fought with desperate, suicidal abandon, they could not even approach Eldrin Chen.

Even from across the vast gulf of Space-Time [the fabric of space and time], a mere wisp of his formless, oppressive aura descended, and the host of Immortals burst apart into clouds of crimson mist.

Even the awe-inspiring Earth Immortal Progenitor [a cultivator who has transcended mortality and attained a profound connection with the earth], those hailed as Great Powers, the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme immortal who has ascended to the celestial realms], could not withstand the faintest wisp of aura emanating from Eldrin, the Immortal Lord.

"Boom… Boom… Boom…"

Countless Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] surged onto the battlefield, only to have their bodies explode into dust under the pressure of that presence.

Yet, even so, legions of Pure Yang [a state of ultimate yang energy, pure and untainted] Immortal did not retreat. They marched to their deaths across the firmament, eager to spill their lifeblood in hopes of allowing the Pure Yang Immortal Domain [a realm governed by the principle of Pure Yang energy] to survive this calamity.

Eldrin Chen witnessed it all. A flicker of pity surfaced in his pupils, only to be instantly replaced by resolute determination.

He did not personally raise a hand to slaughter them. He merely unleashed his own aura, forming an impassable barrier to prevent them from entering the sphere of his personal conflict.

Had these Immortal not insisted on forcing their way into the heart of the battle, they would never have been crushed into ashes by that overwhelming pressure.

Eldrin Chen sought vengeance for a grievous wrong; he was not in the wrong. These Immortal fought to defend their Immortal Domain [a realm inhabited by immortals], their fervent blood staining the heavens; they, too, were not in the wrong. It was merely a clash of irreconcilable stances.

"Heh heh heh…"

At that moment, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord [a title for a supreme lord who has mastered Pure Yang energy] let out a strange, grating laugh.

Within the vast expanse of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain [a celestial realm of supreme yang energy], endless Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] fell. Transformed by the Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic calamity that ends and renews cycles of existence], they all dissolved into the primordial essence of heaven and earth, returning to the Immortal Domain [a realm inhabited by immortals].

This primordial essence was wholly absorbed by the Pure Yang Immortal Lord [the sovereign ruler of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain], continuously restoring his injuries and spiritual power, making him appear increasingly sacred and noble.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen was entangled by infinite karmic malevolence and vengeful resentment, resembling a world-sundering arch-fiend committing the most heinous acts within the Mortal Realm [the world of ordinary, non-cultivating beings].

Eldrin Chen did not refine this karmic malevolence and resentment himself. Instead, he forged it all into the Chaos Divine Spear, transforming it into a spear of slaughter saturated with baleful karma.

He pointed the long spear at the Pure Yang Immortal Lord and spoke with calm finality, "Laugh now. Once your soul is scattered upon death, you will have no more chances for laughter."

"Arrogant fool!"

Roaring in fury, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord swept his sleeve and commanded, "Kill him!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

At that moment, the Four Celestial Guardians [four mighty guardians of celestial order], the various Emperor Lord [titles for powerful immortal rulers], and even the Two Ancestors of Heaven and Earth [two primordial progenitors representing the forces of heaven and earth] all surged forward to attack.

The Pure Yang Immortal Domain lived up to its reputation as a Top-Grade Immortal Domain [a realm of the highest rank among immortal domains]. These Emperor Lord were formidably powerful, each possessing, at the very least, the peerless combat prowess of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight kalpa tribulations].

The four True Spirit [a primordial spiritual entity of immense power] and the Two Ancestors of Heaven and Earth [the primordial progenitors of the cosmos] possessed power rivaling that of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation]. Yet, even their might proved utterly futile.

Eldrin Chen wielded the Spear of Slaughter, carving a bloody path through the Pure Yang Immortal Domain [a celestial realm of pure yang energy]. He clashed with foes from all directions, a battle so fierce it rained down fallen Emperor Lord [a supreme ruler among immortals], and he single-handedly shattered the defenses of the Ninth Heaven [the highest and most sacred layer of the heavens].

After merely a few hundred exchanges, the heads of the four great Immortal Domain True Spirit [the guardian spirits of an immortal domain] were severed. The Progenitor of the Heavenly Dao [the primordial ancestor of the Heavenly Dao] was impaled upon the Ninth Heaven, while the Progenitor of the Earthly Dao was suppressed and slain within the nine layers of the Netherworld Realm [the underworld domain of spirits and the dead].

At this moment, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord [the sovereign lord of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain] finally managed to temporarily stabilize his grievous wounds.

He stood tall above the Nine Heavens Above [the supreme celestial heights], gazing down at Eldrin Chen with a cold laugh. "To dare oppose me within my own Immortal Domain [a realm governed by an immortal lord]... you truly seek your own demise."

As his words faded, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord summoned the authority of the Heavenly Dao to himself. His cultivation surged, nearly reaching the absolute limit of the Realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal [the ultimate stage of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm].

Even more astonishingly, he activated the Immortal Domain Grand Formation [the supreme defensive and offensive formation of an immortal domain], which manifested a Great Luo Dao Field [a domain infused with the laws of the Grand Luo realm] to suppress Eldrin Chen's cultivation base.

Yet, the Chaos Limitless Great Dao [the supreme cultivation art of chaos and boundlessness] rendered him nearly immune to all forms of suppression. Even the combined might of an entire Immortal Domain bearing down upon Eldrin Chen did little to diminish his combat prowess.

"Today marks your end!"

The Pure Yang Immortal Lord attacked with frenzied madness, commanding the Great Luo Slaughter Formation [a formation of immense destructive power] to relentlessly grind and annihilate Eldrin Chen.

Yet Eldrin Chen's Chaos Indestructible Body [a supreme physique impervious to all laws and techniques] rendered him immune to myriad arts. He directly harnessed the myriad Great Daos [the fundamental principles of existence], and even unleashed the first stage of the Yin-Yang Sacrificial Dao [a profound divine art that sacrifices one's own essence to unleash devastating power], engaging in a desperate, life-or-death duel with Pure Yang Immortal Lord [the Sovereign Lord of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain].

The great battle raged on, causing heaven and earth to Decay [to wither and rot under the influence of a devastating divine ability].

Unbeknownst to them, their titanic clash persisted for over three hundred thousand years.

By this point, both combatants were nearing exhaustion. Pure Yang Immortal Lord, in particular, felt his grievous wounds becoming increasingly difficult to suppress, and his reserves of magical power [the energy cultivated and used by immortals] were beginning to run perilously low.

Countless Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation] had already shed their lifeblood, their essence returning to the world's origin to be devoured by Pure Yang Immortal Lord, yet even this torrent was proving insufficient.

Driven to madness, he gazed upon the Pure Yang Immortal Domain [the vast celestial realm ruled by the Pure Yang Immortal Lord] and saw that many cowardly Immortal still refused to charge Eldrin Chen. A wrathful roar erupted from him: "With a demonic fiend invading our lands, you think not of repelling the enemy but only of preserving your own wretched lives! You deserve death!"

As his words faded, Pure Yang Immortal Lord struck with near-lunatic fury.

In that instant, one Immortal Vein [a ley line of concentrated spiritual energy vital for cultivation] after another shattered, Blessed Lands [paradisiacal realms of abundant spiritual energy] disintegrated, and Grotto-Heaven [self-contained pocket dimensions of profound mystery] were pulverized into dust. The mortals, cultivators, and Immortal hidden within were utterly annihilated, reduced to ashes.

The fallen Immortal returned to the cosmos, their essence transformed into primal energy to Restoration [mend and replenish] Pure Yang Immortal Lord's wounds and magical power.

In the span of a single breath, the once-vast Pure Yang Immortal Domain was stripped of nearly all life, becoming a desolate and silent graveyard.

"If I cannot slay Abyssal, can I not at least slay the rest of you?"

Having absorbed this surge of foundational essence, Pure Yang Immortal Lord revealed a savage grin.

His eyes were now completely bloodshot, his form wreathed in billowing Celestial Fiend Qi [the malevolent energy of a celestial fiend]. Gone was the ethereal, immortal grace of old; he now appeared as terrifying as a vengeful wraith.

Eldrin Chen observed this transformation, falling into a contemplative silence.

Between life and death lies a profound terror. Faced with a formidable foe who opposed his very Dao [the fundamental principle or path of cultivation], even the Pure Yang Immortal Lord, renowned as the most noble and pure within the Immortal World, could be reduced to such a state.

It was clear that had his adversary been an ordinary Grand Luo Golden Immortal, he would never have drawn the battle into his own Immortal Domain [a cultivator's personal realm or territory], nor would he have resorted to such ruthless measures.

The Pure Yang Immortal Lord was utterly lost to madness, his reason shattered by desperation.

"Pure Yang, you have no path of retreat left."

Eldrin Chen spoke, his voice calm and measured.

As the words fell, he instantly summoned forth the Boundless Cosmos Sword and the Years Like a Song Blade. In a flash, they merged, transforming into the Forbidden Divine Ability known as 'Spacetime Great Sunder'.

Facing such a strike, even with the authority and protection of the Immortal Domain Heavenly Dao [the supreme natural law governing the Celestial Realm], the Pure Yang Immortal Lord found it utterly impossible to withstand.

In that instant, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of an immortal being] was pierced through, leaving a wound that defied all resistance.

"Aaaargh—!"

The Pure Yang Immortal Lord howled in anguish, a cry of utter despair, yet it could not forestall the inevitable conclusion of his demise.

His Primordial Spirit began to dissolve into motes of fading light. In his final moments, however, a sudden, terrible clarity washed over him.

He cast his gaze around, beholding the fallen Immortal Domain True Spirit [the sentient spiritual essence of the immortal realm itself], the countless shattered Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands [self-contained paradisiacal pocket dimensions], and the deathly silence that had claimed the Pure Yang Immortal Domain. A profound stupor seized his entire being.

"Hahaha…"

The Pure Yang Immortal Lord erupted into maniacal laughter. With hair disheveled and wild, he stumbled across the ravaged land, clutching handfuls of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain's soil as if on the brink of madness.

After a long while, he Restoration [regained, restored] a semblance of calm. He looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "Do you know, when I was in the mortal world, I believed achieving immortality would grant ultimate freedom and unbound bliss…"

"Later, after ascending and becoming an immortal, I thought attaining the Grand Luo [the Grand Unity, the pinnacle of immortal cultivation] would mean escaping the Samsara [the endless cycle of death and rebirth] forever, achieving true Imperishable [indestructibility, eternal existence]."

"Only after attaining the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm did I come to understand that the Great Dao Contention [the ultimate struggle for supremacy over the fundamental laws of existence] is even more brutal, and I grew increasingly fearful of it."

"All these years, I have lived a carefree and unrestrained life, hailed as a gentleman among Grand Luo Immortal Lord."

Pure Yang Immortal Lord shook his head, smiling bitterly as he said, "But in my heart, I know the truth. I fear the Great Dao Contention even more. Every time I think of that Pure Yang Great Emperor from the Demon Race, I am nearly kept awake at night."

Eldrin Chen listened in silence, offering not a single word in response.

The Pure Yang Emperor Lord let out a bitter laugh, his gaze fixed on Eldrin Chen as he spoke, "Though you have slain me, do not rejoice too soon."

"That Pure Yang Great Emperor has stood firm within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] for countless years without making a move, simply because my meager Dao Authority [authority over a fragment of the Great Dao] was not worthy of his personal attention. But now that you have killed me, I fear you have earned the right to enter his sight."

Eldrin Chen offered no reply, merely watching in silence as the other was utterly annihilated, leaving behind only a single Dao Origin [the condensed essence and origin of a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao].

He collected this Dao Origin. With a final glance at the Pure Yang Immortal Domain now succumbing to Decay [a divine ability that induces entropy and dissolution], he turned and vanished into the depths of the Pure Yang Immortal Domain.

In the Great Dao Contention, there is no right or wrong.

Eldrin Chen bore no personal hatred for the Pure Yang Immortal Lord. It was merely that this individual, in their conflict, had vented his wrath upon Eldrin's family—a tactic too vile and clumsy to be forgiven.

Had it not been so, Eldrin Chen might have been able to protect his soul and assist him in a complete reincarnation and cultivation anew.

Upon exiting the Pure Yang Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen immediately sensed a change in his Dao Authority [the measure of one's mastery and control over a specific Great Dao].

Within the vast and boundless Sea of Dao [the conceptual realm where all Great Daos exist], amidst the supremely majestic Pure Yang Great Dao [the fundamental principle of Pure Yang], the Dao Authority belonging to Pure Yang Immortal Lord was suddenly devoured by Eldrin Chen's own Dao Authority.

In the blink of an eye, the authority over the Pure Yang Great Dao grasped by Eldrin Chen reached the level of the eighth layer of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme cultivation realm].

After fusing with this portion of Dao Authority, the authority over the Pure Yang Great Dao held by Eldrin Chen saw a significant and substantial increase. However, due to the nature of the Chaos Limitless Great Dao [the foundational, all-encompassing Dao of Chaos and Infinity], the enhancement of a single Dao Authority could not grant Eldrin Chen a tremendous overall boost in power.

Of course, this authority still held great benefits. In the future, once Eldrin Chen's comprehension of the Pure Yang Great Dao was cultivated to the Seventh Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal level, then, combined with the Dao Authority seized from Pure Yang Immortal Lord, he would directly possess the Dao Authority equivalent to the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm].

Furthermore, with this augmented Dao Authority, Eldrin Chen's future cultivation speed in the Pure Yang Great Dao would also be greatly accelerated.

Returning to the main thread, after leaving the Pure Yang Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen immediately took stock of the spoils from this battle. He found the acquired treasures to be exceptionally gratifying.

Among them were two Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [supreme treasures born from the primordial chaos]: the Pure Yang Immortal Crucible and the Pure Yang Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda.

There were also twenty strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [primordial, unbreakable spiritual radiance], along with more than a dozen items comprising mid-grade, low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure and other innate spiritual treasures.

Combined, the value of these treasures, according to Eldrin Chen's estimation, should exceed seventy strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial and unbreakable form of condensed spiritual radiance].

"As expected of a top-tier Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Grand Luo realm], their wealth is indeed vast," Eldrin Chen murmured to himself.

Eldrin Chen collected these treasures with a measured calm. He then retrieved and began refining the Dao Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao] left by Pure Yang Immortal Lord.

It had to be admitted that the Dao Source of Pure Yang Immortal Lord was exceptionally compatible with Eldrin Chen. Upon fully refining this Dao Source, Eldrin discovered his comprehension of the Pure Yang Great Dao [the supreme path of unadulterated Yang energy] had directly ascended to the level of a Seventh Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal.

In other words, until his breakthrough to the Seventh Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal, Eldrin Chen would encounter no bottlenecks whatsoever in cultivating this Great Dao.

The vast amount of effort and time this saved could be wholly devoted to contemplating other Great Daos, effectively reducing the time required for such comprehension by one-fifth.

After refining the Dao Source of Pure Yang Immortal Lord, Eldrin Chen emerged from his secluded cultivation. He performed a brief temporal calculation and found the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of heavenly ordained trials and upheaval] still had five hundred thousand years before its conclusion.

Thus, in the ensuing epochs, Eldrin Chen began to participate more actively within the currents of the Kalpa Tribulation.

Naturally, he did not bully his lesser by targeting Ancient Immortal Great Powers [immortals of significant but lesser power compared to Grand Luo beings]. Instead, he seized the opportunity presented by the absence of Grand Luo experts during the tribulation to explore some of the rarer and more perilous forbidden lands.

With Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, exploring such forbidden lands was a matter of relative ease.

He ventured into several forbidden lands in succession, obtaining over a dozen strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial and unbreakable essence of pure spiritual light]. It was only then that he realized the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal] was drawing to its inevitable close.