Chapter 1987 : Secluded Cultivation Shattered by a Letter

In the span of a single breath, Eldrin Chen withdrew his gaze.

If his deduction was correct, the Heaven's Slaughter Great Emperor had come to ambush a more powerful figure from the Primordial Kui Bull Clan. Unfortunately, the Primordial Kui Bull Clan was exceedingly cautious, and in the end, only the Blended Sun Divine Venerable, a single Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, had arrived.

Watching the Primordial Chaos Heavenly Ant Clan depart, Eldrin Chen saw no reason to linger. "Let us return," he declared.

With those words, Eldrin Chen led his companions through the boundless Chaos. They soon returned to the heart of the Abyssal Immortal Domain.

Back within the Abyssal Immortal Domain, they tallied their gains from the Celestial Emperor's Treasury expedition. To their astonishment, they had acquired hundreds of strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light, dozens of wisps of Innate Primordial Qi, and a vast array of other rare and precious resources.

With this immense bounty of resources, Eldrin Chen could finally retreat into seclusion with a tranquil heart.

Eldrin Chen did not claim the Opportunity [a chance for advancement or enlightenment] obtained by the others. Instead, he immediately entered closed-door cultivation, intent on digesting his harvest and elevating his cultivation base with all haste.

Thus, Time flowed onward like a relentless river. In the blink of an eye, twenty million years had passed. It was on this day that a letter arrived at the Abyssal Immortal Domain, shattering the tranquility of Eldrin Chen's secluded cultivation.

"This day has finally come," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen gazed at the letter before him and let out a soft sigh. He then passed it to Lyra Jiang, who stood beside him.

Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] opened the letter and glanced at its contents. A slight frown creased her brow, and an expression of grave seriousness settled upon her features.

It turned out that not long before, Primordial Thunder Crow Great Emperor [the ancient and mighty Thunder Crow Emperor] had finally completed his Ascension [a supreme breakthrough in cultivation]. He had successfully fused the Seven-Pattern Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo [a nascent treasure of ultimate power bearing seven primordial patterns] into his own Life-Bound Supreme Treasure [a treasure intrinsically linked to his life force], thereby forging a Lifebound Innate Supreme Treasure [an ultimate treasure born from his very essence and bound to his soul].

After this breakthrough, Primordial Thunder Crow Great Emperor cultivated yet another True Spirit Foundation [a foundational realm representing the purity and power of one's spiritual essence]. His cultivation base and combat prowess surged to terrifying new heights once more.

Following his ascension, Primordial Thunder Crow Great Emperor immediately summoned the Ten Direction Great Emperors of the Demon Race [the ten paramount rulers representing the demonic forces across all directions]. After a protracted and secretive council, the Demonic Celestial Court [the celestial court ruled by demonic powers] issued a formal ultimatum to the Human and Divine Races [the allied forces of humanity and the divine races].

They demanded the Human and Divine Races return all Primordial Stars [the ancient, foundational stars of the cosmos], including the Celestial Mansion Imperial Star [the Imperial Star of the Celestial Mansion constellation] and the Purple Tenuity Imperial Star [the Imperial Star of the Purple Tenuity constellation], along with the boundless Authority over the Myriad Heavens' Stars [the sovereign right to govern the countless stars of the heavens].

Needless to say, the Human and Divine Races were unwilling to comply. Thus, the drums of war began to beat, and a cataclysmic conflict seemed imminent.

"During the Late Antiquity Era [an epoch near the end of the ancient times], our Human Race Immortal Court [the celestial court established by humanity] rose to prominence. To seize the Power of Heavenly Dao Authority [the authority to influence the Heavenly Dao, the fundamental law of existence] belonging to the Origin Domain [the primordial realm where all things began], we launched the Heaven-Seizing War [the great war to claim dominion over the heavens] against the Demon Race,"

Eldrin Chen [the Abyssal Emperor Eldrin] recounted, his voice measured as he recalled the details of that ancient conflict. "In that war, Sage-King of the Grand Abyss [the Sage-King of the Grand Abyss] cleaved through the Myriad Heavens' Stars [the myriad stars of the demonic heavens] with a single sword stroke, securing the Authority over the Cosmic Stars [the sovereignty over the stars of the cosmos] for the Primordial Immortal Domain [the original domain of the immortals]."

Eldrin Chen narrated the tale, the memory of that primordial war's beginning and end clear in his mind.

For above the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Primordial Immortal Domain [the thirty-three layered heavens of the original immortal realm], lies the expanse of the Boundless Cosmic Stars [the infinite, star-strewn tapestry of the cosmos].

That was the source of all starry skies and the Cosmic Stars within the Boundless Cosmos where the entire Three Thousand Immortal Domains resides.

The Sun, Moon, Star and celestial bodies of the endless Space-Time, worlds, and Myriad Heavens are all manifestations of the power of these ancient stars from the Primordial Immortal Domain, imbued with their supreme Dao essence and profound mysteries.

It can be said that within these Cosmic Stars lies the crucial authority [the power and right to govern or command] of the Primordial Immortal Domain.

Throughout the Antiquity Era, the authority over the Cosmic Stars was held by the Demon Race. The Human Race, Divine Race, and Hundred Immortal Spirit Races were confined to the lands of the Primordial Immortal Domain, unable to grasp the paramount Authority over the Cosmic Stars.

Thus, during the Late Antiquity Era, after the Sage-King of the Grand Abyss broke through to the Immortal Sage realm, the Human and Divine Races immediately joined forces to launch the Heaven-Seizing War.

The Heaven-Seizing War lasted for several Kalpa Tribulation. With the intervention of the invincible Sage-King of the Grand Abyss, who ultimately wielded the Chaos Spiritual TreasureGrand Abyss Sword to cleave apart the Cosmic Starry Sky Grand Formation, the era of Demon Race dominion over the Primordial Immortal Domain was decisively ended.

After that war, the Human Race gained control over the Southern Dipper Six Stars, including the Celestial Mansion Imperial Star, while the Divine Race seized the Purple Tenuity Star River and the Northern Dipper Seven Stars.

Among the Three Enclosures, the Human Race claimed the Supreme Subtlety Enclosure, the Divine Race obtained the Purple Tenuity Enclosure, and the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races also secured significant gains.

Forced into retreat, the Demon Race fell back to the Lunar Yin and Solar Yang Twin Imperial Stars, using them as a stronghold to defend the Celestial Market Enclosure, one of the Three Enclosures.

Though the Demon Race suffered a great defeat in this war, with many of its Great Luo Golden Immortals of the Demon Race perishing in the conflict, most have since revived and returned.

Most crucially, many Demon RaceGrand Luo powerhouses of that era had their Daoist Abode seized, and now they are sharpening their blades, eager to reclaim what was lost.

"It seems a great conflict remains unavoidable,"

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, a flicker of light passing through his eyes as he continued, "The Immortal Court's stance is this: although we did not participate in the ancient Heaven-Seizing War, when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. They hope for our support."

Upon hearing this, everyone present nodded in agreement.

Among them, Verdant Consort pondered for a moment before speaking, "Could the venerable Sage-King of the Grand Abyss be persuaded to intervene?"

The others' eyes lit up with hope. Combined, the Human Race and the Divine Race possessed four Chaos Divine Emperor and Immortal Sage powerhouses. If even one of them could be freed to act, a mere Primordial Thunder Crow Great Emperor would be of little concern.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however. "A Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage enters seclusion for dozens, if not hundreds, of Kalpa Tribulation at a time. Unless the Immortal Court faces true collapse, or risks losing its entire Authority over the Cosmic Stars [the dominion over the celestial firmament and its constellations], they must not be disturbed."

Lyra Jiang nodded in understanding. To beings at the level of a Chaos Celestial Emperor, the Authority over the Cosmic Stars held little true significance.

Even if the Demon Race seized complete control of the Authority over the Cosmic Stars, it would at best allow them to temporarily withstand a Chaos Celestial Emperor. In a true, full-scale war, it would amount to little more than half an additional Chaos Celestial Emperor's worth of combat power.

In its prime, the Demon Race had fully commanded the Authority over the Cosmic Stars, yet it still could not withstand the Sage-King of the Grand Abyss and his single sword. Granting them that authority once more would still leave them far from a formidable threat.

Even if it were truly seized, at worst, after emerging from seclusion, one could simply take up their sword and strike it down once more.

With this thought, Lyra Jiang spoke: "A conflict of this scale is not yet worthy of a Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the supreme realm of cultivation, a sage who has comprehended the fundamental Dao] taking action. However, the strength of the Demon Race [a powerful, often malevolent faction of non-human cultivators and beings] should not be underestimated. Should we intervene directly, or provide other forms of assistance?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen also fell into contemplative silence.

Once this Three Races Great War [a prophesied, cataclysmic conflict between the major races of the cultivation world] Eruption [erupts; bursts forth], it will engulf the entire Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the vast, interconnected realms of the immortal world]. None of the major Immortal Lord [a powerful immortal cultivator who rules over a domain] of the Immortal Court [the supreme governing body of the immortal realms] will be able to remain aloof.

As an Immortal Lord of the Immortal Court, he must either personally join the battle, be responsible for providing resources from the rear, or engage in logistical work like alchemy and artifact forging.

With this thought, after a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen spoke: "The Three Races Great War is not only perilous and unpredictable, but also the finest crucible for tempering us Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a high-level immortal cultivator who has attained the Grand Luo realm]."

"My suggestion is for the clan's Grand Luo [the Grand Luo realm of cultivation] experts to take turns entering the battlefield. One half shall temper themselves in the fires of war, while the other half remains in the Abyssal Eight Immortal Domains to guard our immortal clan."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, agreeing with Eldrin Chen's proposal.

Nyssa Qu pondered briefly before speaking: "If that is the case, then how should we arrange the first batch of participants for the war?"

"There is no need for haste in this matter. First, I shall meet with an old friend."

With those words, Eldrin Chen stepped out from the Abyssal Immortal Domain.

Beyond the Abyssal Immortal Domain, a magnificent and imposing war chariot surged through the Chaos. Upon it stood a figure clad in Crimson Gold War Armor.

The figure was tall and majestic, holding a divine spear wreathed in endless Great Dao Divine Chain [chains of divine law from the Great Dao], resembling a Primordial Divine Emperor surveying the Myriad Heavens.

"Fellow Daoist Eldrin, I trust you have been well since we last met."

The newcomer spoke, a faint smile gracing his features.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his expression calm as he replied, "Greetings, Departing Flame Emperor Lord."

This person was none other than the Human Race Overlord [a supreme ruler of the human race] of the Departing Flame Immortal Domain, the Departing Flame Emperor Lord.

Seeing the Departing Flame Emperor Lord clad in battle armor, riding his war chariot, and followed by countless Heavenly Soldiers and Divine Generals [celestial troops and divine commanders], a flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes.

He immediately clasped his hands in salute and inquired, "Seeing you in full battle regalia, Fellow Daoist, are you perhaps preparing to join the war?"

"Indeed, I am."

Departing Flame Emperor Lord nodded and then spoke, "Among the Southern Dipper Seven Stars, the master of the Celestial Beam Ancient Star is my dear friend. I am invited to lend my aid in this battle."

Eldrin Chen nodded in return, a trace of solemnity flickering deep within his gaze.

At that moment, the Departing Flame Emperor Lord spoke again, "Though I go to join the fray, the Eastern Departure Flame Domain cannot be left unguarded. Therefore, during my absence, I must ask you, Fellow Daoist, to guard against that vile creature for me."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes shifted slightly, instantly grasping the Departing Flame Emperor Lord's intent.

Within the Eastern Departure Flame Domain, the power of that Departing Flame Chaos Fiend was formidable indeed; it was highly likely to seize this opportunity to stage a comeback.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen declared, "Set your mind at ease. I will devote my full strength to safeguarding this Eastern Departure Flame Domain."

"My gratitude, then. I shall return after one Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle]."

The Departing Flame Emperor Lord clasped his hands in farewell, then immediately urged his war chariot to pierce through the skies, vanishing in the blink of an eye into the boundless depths of the Chaos.

After waiting for the Departing Flame Emperor Lord to depart, Yvonne the Violet Consort could not help but voice her concern, "With the Departing Flame Emperor Lord gone, I fear the Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor will seize this chance to return."

Lyra Jiang let out a cold laugh and stated, "If she dares to return, we shall utterly shatter her spine."

Hearing this, a faint smile touched the lips of everyone present.

Indeed, following the Celestial Emperor's Treasury Opportunity, the strength of the Chen Clan members had all advanced a step further.

Nyssa Qu, Lyra Jiang, and Verdant Consort had all thoroughly consolidated their cultivation bases, their combat power now firmly within the realm of Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection. Moreover, their Lifebound Treasure were no weaker than Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, ranking them among the top-tier powerhouses within this domain.

The Reincarnation Body had also been cultivated to the Seventh Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal level, its combat power likewise stepping into the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection tier.

Furthermore, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix, having refined the Primordial Sky Kui Bull Dao Source, had also cultivated to the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection realm.

It could be said that within the current Chen Immortal Clan, there were now five combatants possessing Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection level power. Among these five, four even wielded supreme treasures comparable to Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

Therefore, if the Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor truly launched an attack, he would likely suffer a significant setback.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed thoughtfully. He suddenly posed a question to the group: "If you were the Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor, would you abandon this golden opportunity to strike the Eastern Departure Flame Domain Human Race and heavily wound the various Immortal Domain powers?"

The others were momentarily taken aback by the question. Ethan Chen responded decisively, "A Three Races Great War of this scale occurs perhaps once in thousands of Kalpa Tribulation. As the saying goes, opportunity knocks but once. If I were the Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor, I would absolutely not let such a chance slip away."

Lila also nodded, her expression grave. "The previous great battle has already inflicted heavy losses upon the forces under the Departing Flame Chaos Fiend. With our rise, the Departing Flame Chaos Fiend's chances of victory are growing slimmer by the day."

"If we do not seize this opportunity now, the balance will shift against us, and the Departing Flame Chaos Fiend will likely be forced to retreat from the Chaos."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a smile gracing his lips as he declared, "Issue my decree. Command the Human Race forces in the surrounding Eastern Departure Flame Domain to heighten their vigilance and prepare to repel any assault from the Departing Flame Chaos Fiend at a moment's notice."

"Furthermore, summon the masters of the various Immortal Domain. With the Abyssal Immortal Domain as our core, we shall deploy the Chaos Abyssal Ruins Grand Formation to withstand the Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor."

By now, the status of Eldrin Chen was anything but ordinary.

As a Path-Holding Person [a supreme cultivator who has pioneered his own Great Dao], his combat prowess and standing were equivalent to that of an Emperor Lord. Naturally, the major powers of the Eastern Departure Flame Domain accorded his commands the utmost gravity.

Thus, not long after, the various Grand Luo Golden Immortal [Golden Immortals of the Great Luo Realm] within the Eastern Departure Flame Domain immediately began shifting their Immortal Domain [domains imbued with immortal energy], converging steadily towards the Abyssal Immortal Domain.

Soon after, with the Abyssal Immortal Domain at its heart, Eldrin Chen assembled forty-nine Immortal Domain. Using the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, of the highest grade], the 'Violet Dawn Solar Pearl', as the formation's core, he established a defensive grand formation of Primordial Unity Level [a level of power associated with the primordial state of undifferentiated unity].

Scarcely had the grand formation been completed when the Three Races Great War finally erupted in its full, cataclysmic fury.

The Demon Race struck first. A host of nearly ten thousand Great Luo Demon Lords [powerful demonic beings of the Great Luo Realm] gathered amidst the starry void. Under the command of the Primordial Thunder Crow Great Emperor, they launched the Third Heaven-Seizing War against the combined forces of the Human and Divine Races.

Since Since Primordial Times, two previous Heaven-Seizing War [cosmic conflicts to seize the Mandate of Heaven] had already shaken the foundations of existence.

The First Heaven-Seizing War [a cataclysmic conflict over dominion of the heavens] was when the Demon Race [a powerful, often malevolent faction of non-human beings] wrested control of the entire Cosmic Stars [a vast celestial region of stars and nebulae] from the hands of the Divine Race [a primordial race of god-like beings].

In the Second Heaven-Seizing War, the Human and Divine Races [an alliance of humanity and the divine beings] joined forces. Sage-King of the Grand Abyss himself took action, shattering the Demon Race's dominion over the Cosmic Stars.

This, the Third Heaven-Seizing War, though seemingly lesser in scale and ferocity compared to the first two, was still a conflict not to be underestimated.

Tens of thousands of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm within the Grand Luo path] from both sides erupted into battle within the Cosmic Stars, a clash destined to be inscribed into the annals of Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of immortals]. For tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration, often associated with great upheavals], tales of this war would be told.

It was precisely as the Third Heaven-Seizing War erupted that the Departing Flame Chaos Fiend [a primordial demon lord of chaos and flame] dwelling within the Ancient Plain of Departing Flames [a primordial wasteland of eternal fire] finally stirred into motion.

Gazing at the intelligence in its hand, it finally sneered coldly, "The war has erupted. Even if Departing Flame Emperor Lord wished to return and ambush this sovereign, it would now be impossible."

"Since it is so, then let the major Human Race Immortal Domain [realms governed by immortal cultivators] of the Eastern Departure Flame Domain [the Eastern region of the Departing Flame territory] serve as your funeral procession."

At that moment, a trace of solemnity flickered across the faces of the two Chaotic Fiendgod [powerful, chaotic demon-gods] standing nearby.

These two figures were of extraordinary status; they were the two Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [cultivators at the absolute peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm] under the command of Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor, namely Golden Crane Demon God and Blood-Devouring Demon God.

At this moment, Golden Crane Demon God spoke with grave concern, "Your Majesty, that Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist has already laid down a grand formation. To launch an assault now would likely prove... difficult."

Upon hearing this, Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor sneered coldly and said, "There is no need for concern. This venerable one has his own methods to deal with the situation."

As he spoke thus, he waved his hand dismissively. "You may withdraw now and prepare for war. Within one hundred thousand years, this venerable one intends to completely encircle the Abyssal Immortal Domain and capture them all in one fell swoop."

"As you command."

Seeing this, the two great Demon Gods immediately cupped their hands in salute and departed.

Only after the two had left did Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor turn his gaze deep into the Void and ask, "Are you confident in your ability?"

"With the two of us joining forces, are we still afraid we cannot subdue that mere Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist?"

At that very moment, a golden figure clad in imperial robes emerged from within the Void.

Had Eldrin Chen been present, he would have certainly recognized this person's origins. It was none other than the Progenitor of the Golden Spirit Ancient Clan from among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races.

The Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor nodded, yet still voiced his concern, "After all, Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist possesses the combat power of an Emperor Lord. With the added protection of a grand formation, I fear neither of us alone would be confident in capturing him."

"Why not strike preemptively to prevent them from completing the formation?"

At this moment, Golden Spirit Ancient Clan let out a cold laugh and spoke, "If we do not give him hope, why would he simply sit and wait for death?"

"With his power, if he were to abandon the Immortal Domain and join the battlefield among the stars, capturing him would become a thousand times more difficult."

Hearing this, Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor also nodded in agreement, though a trace of worry still lingered in his heart.

Seeing this, Golden Spirit Ancient Progenitor smiled and said, "That Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist, no matter how formidable his Dao Authority may be, is merely a newcomer to the realm of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch. Both you and I are Third Layer of Primordial Chaos Emperor Lord; either of us alone far surpasses him. Joining forces, we can easily suppress him."

"In my view, even with the protection of a Formation, defeating Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist will not be difficult for us. The true challenge lies in preventing his escape."

Speaking thus, Golden Spirit Ancient Clan added with meaningful emphasis, "This time, to prevent Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist from fleeing, I have borrowed a supreme treasure."

Upon hearing this, Departing Flame Demi-Progenitor's eyes gleamed slightly, yet he spoke with lingering apprehension, "This Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist possesses immense latent Force Extreme [a supreme divine ability of immense physical power]. I was reluctant to make an enemy of him."

"I will lend my aid this time, but I must hold you to your promise. Once the deed is done, you must assist me in slaying that Departing Flame Emperor Lord."

"Hahaha."

Golden Spirit Ancient Progenitor gave a faint smile, then spoke with cold assurance, "Set your mind at ease. Li Yan, that Emperor Lord, is but an ordinary Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch. Those few have long been watching him from the shadows."

"After this Three Races Great War, even if he manages to return alive, I fear he will have lost half his life."