Chapter 1958 : A Desperate Flight Through Chaos

"If we were to enter this tribulation, it would likely only add unnecessary complications and turmoil."

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

At this point, less than one hundred thousand years remained until the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle that reshapes reality], leaving little time for prolonged deliberation.

They returned to the Eight Great Immortal Domains and, confirming that Eldrin Chen would not be returning, began sealing off the domains to avoid the impending Kalpa Tribulation.

"…"

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen was traversing the Chaos [the primordial, formless void between worlds], engaged in a breathtaking chase and battle with the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord.

Pursuer and pursued clashed again and again within the Chaos, erupting into dozens of fierce battles. Each engagement was brief; the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord would burn his foundational essence to fuel a desperate escape after every exchange.

As this protracted conflict wore on, the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord's injuries grew ever more severe. One of his signature Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the world's primal energies], the Primordial Solar Immortal Furnace, was even suppressed by Eldrin Chen using the Primordial One Energy Grasping Hand.

After a long and relentless pursuit, the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord finally managed to flee into his Primordial Solar Immortal Domain just before the Kalpa Tribulation commenced.

The moment he crossed the threshold into his Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord finally allowed himself a deep, shuddering sigh of relief. His immediate intention was to seal his mountain retreat and wait out the Kalpa Tribulation in isolation.

"Boom—"

Yet, at that very moment, Eldrin Chen rode upon the Chaos Heaven Halberd and violently tore through the world barrier of the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, forcing his way into its very heart.

"You..."

The Primordial Solar Immortal Lord was utterly astounded. He could never have imagined that Eldrin Chen would dare to charge alone into the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, especially without the protection of the Impenetrable or the Immortal Domain Grand Formation.

Nearly driven to madness, he exclaimed with disbelief, "Have you lost your mind? You intend to drag me into this tribulation with you?"

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

He spoke with icy composure, wielding the Chaos Ancient Arms to unleash crushing blows. Each strike Burst forth with world-ending power.

Yet, these devastating attacks were all blocked by countless Great Path Divine Chains. The immense Great Path power of the entire Immortal Domain transformed into chains of divine order, shielding the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord.

Simultaneously, from all directions, four Immortal Domain True Spirit [guardian spirits born from the essence of an Immortal Domain] stepped forth. Nearly a hundred Imperial Lord and even the Heaven and Earth Second Ancestor appeared, encircling Eldrin Chen completely before he realized it.

"Hahaha!"

Primordial Solar Immortal Lord [the supreme ruler of the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain] threw back his head and laughed, a near-maddened expression twisting his features as he declared, "That upstart Eldrin, your arrogance knows no bounds."

"This Primordial Solar Immortal Domain is my Path-Field [a domain where one's cultivation path holds absolute sway]. You dare to tread into the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain to slay me? You are truly courting your own doom."

"Then I shall carve a bloody path through the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain and grind your bones to dust," Eldrin Chen retorted, his voice cold as winter steel.

Eldrin Chen's Slaughter Intent [a palpable aura of killing will] erupted like a volcano, a seemingly endless tide of Celestial Slaughter [a mythical plant whose essence embodies divine wrath and carnage] energy sweeping across the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain.

In that instant, within the vast expanse of the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, immortals began to fall like rain. The very heavens and earth trembled violently.

The Primordial Solar Immortal Lord's face shifted through shades of alarm. He immediately channeled the boundless power of the Great Path [the fundamental laws of the cosmos] to fortify himself, then addressed the Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation] under his command: "My people! A demonic fiend has invaded our realm, slaughtering all in its path. Protect our Primordial Solar [the foundational solar energy of this domain] at all costs!"

"As you command!" came the thunderous reply.

In that moment, countless Immortal surged forward, ready to fight to the death.

Legions of Immortal took to the skies. Filled with righteous indignation and fervor, they were prepared to sacrifice everything to defend the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain and vanquish this Chaos [a primordial, formless state of existence] fiend from beyond their world.

Alas, all beneath the Great Encompassing [a supreme cultivation realm far beyond ordinary immortality] are but ants. Though these Immortal fought with desperate, self-sacrificing fury, they could not even draw near to Eldrin Chen.

Even across the vast gulf of Space-Time [the fundamental framework of reality encompassing space and time], an intangible pressure descended. Countless Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation] erupted into clouds of crimson mist, their forms obliterated.

Even the most dazzling Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a high level of cultivation], those hailed as Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being of the Celestial Immortal realm], could not withstand the faintest wisp of aura emanating from Eldrin the Immortal Lord.

"Boom… Boom… Boom…"

Legions upon legions of Immortal surged onto the battlefield, only for their bodies to explode one after another beneath that overwhelming presence.

Yet, even so, countless Primordial Solar [referring to cultivators of the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain] Immortal did not retreat. They marched to their deaths upon the Heavenly Vault [the celestial battlefield], eager to spill their lifeblood in exchange for their homeland, the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, surviving 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 strike them down. He merely unleashed his own aura, a barrier to prevent them from entering the sphere of his personal conflict.

Had these Immortal not forced their way onto his battlefield, they would never have been crushed to ash by that fearsome pressure.

Eldrin Chen sought vengeance; he was not in the wrong. These Immortal defended their Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortals] with fervent hearts, willing to die upon the Heavenly Vault; they, too, were not in the wrong. It was merely a clash of irreconcilable stances.

"Heh heh heh…"

At this moment, Primordial Solar Immortal Lord let out a strange, chilling laugh.

Within the vast expanse of the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, countless Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] fell. Transformed by the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal], they all dissolved back into World's Origin [the fundamental creative essence of a world] and returned to the Immortal Domain.

This primal essence was wholly absorbed by the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord, continuously Recovery [restoring and healing] his wounds and spiritual power, making him appear increasingly sacred and noble.

In stark contrast, Eldrin Chen was entangled by infinite karmic miasma and vengeful resentment, resembling a world-slaughtering arch-fiend committing the most heinous acts in the Mortal Realm.

Eldrin Chen did not refine this karmic miasma and resentment. Instead, he forged it all into the Chaos Divine Spear, transforming it into a Slaughter Spear brimming with baleful energy.

He leveled the spear at the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord and spoke with chilling calm, "Laugh. Once your soul is scattered upon death, you will laugh no more."

"Arrogant fool!"

Roaring with fury, the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord swept his sleeve and commanded, "Kill him!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

In that instant, the Four Heavenly Divine Spirits [primordial spirits representing the four cardinal directions], the various Imperial Lord [powerful rulers of immortal realms], and even the Heaven and Earth Second Ancestor all surged forward to attack.

The Primordial Solar Immortal Domain [a supreme-grade celestial realm] truly lived up to its reputation as a superior Immortal Domain [a celestial realm]. These Imperial Lord [powerful rulers within the celestial hierarchy] were indeed formidably strong, their Force Extreme [peak of power] manifesting in combat prowess no lower than that of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], a truly peerless level of might.

The Four Directions True Spirit [primordial spirits governing the four cardinal directions] and the Heaven and Earth Second Ancestor [the second progenitor of heaven and earth] were even comparable to Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme golden immortal who encompasses all]. Yet, lamentably, even such power proved futile.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] wielded the Slaughter Spear [a spear of immense slaughterous intent] and rampaged through the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, striking down foes from all directions. In that single battle, he fought until Imperial Lord fell like rain, single-handedly shattering the defenses of the Ninefold Heavenly Domain [a domain comprising nine layered heavens].

After merely a few hundred exchanges, the heads of the four great Immortal Domain True Spirit [the guardian spirits of the immortal domain] were severed. The Ancestor of Heavenly Path [the progenitor of the Heavenly Dao] was impaled upon the Ninefold Heaven [the highest of the nine heavens], while the Primogenitor of the Earthly Path [the primogenitor of the Earthly Dao] was suppressed and slain within the depths of the Nine Nether Abyssal Netherworld Earth [the profound earth of the nine nether abysses].

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

He stood tall upon the Nine Heavens Above [the apex of the nine heavens], gazing at Eldrin Chen with a cold laugh. "To dare oppose me within my own Immortal Domain," he declared, "is nothing short of seeking your own demise."

As his words faded, the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord summoned the Heavenly Path Authority [the authority and power of the Heavenly Dao] to envelop his form. His cultivation base surged, nearly reaching the absolute limit of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm.

Even more astonishingly, he activated the Immortal Domain Grand Formation [the grand protective formation of the immortal domain], manifesting a Great Encompassing Path-Field [a field of supreme Dao power] to suppress Eldrin Chen's cultivation and power.

Alas, the Chaos Limitless Great Path [the Great Dao of Limitless Chaos] possessed the near-miraculous ability to disregard all forms of suppression. Even with the full weight of an entire Immortal Domain bearing down upon him, Eldrin Chen's combat prowess remained largely undiminished.

"Today marks the end of your reign!"

The Primordial Solar Immortal Lord [a supreme title for an immortal lord of the primordial sun] attacked with madness, controlling the Great Encompassing Slaughter Formation [a grand formation designed for mass annihilation] to continuously grind down Eldrin Chen.

Yet, Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique that renders one nearly immune to all magical arts] was impervious to myriad techniques. He directly commanded his various Great Path [profound cultivation arts aligned with the fundamental laws of the cosmos], and even unleashed the first stage of the Polarity Sacrificial Self Path [a forbidden art that sacrifices one's own essence for immense power], engaging the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord in a desperate, life-or-death duel.

The great battle stretched on, causing heaven and earth to Decay [a divine ability that induces entropy and withering].

Unbeknownst to them, their conflict raged for over three hundred thousand years.

By this point, both combatants were nearing exhaustion. The Primordial Solar Immortal Lord, in particular, felt his injuries becoming increasingly difficult to suppress, and his spiritual power [the energy used to fuel spells and techniques] was beginning to run perilously low.

Countless Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] had shed their lifeblood, their essence transforming into World's Origin [the fundamental source energy of a world] that was devoured by the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord. Yet, even this was proving insufficient.

Driven to madness, he gazed upon the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain [the celestial realm ruled by the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord]. Seeing that many cowardly Immortal still refused to charge Eldrin Chen, concerned only with their own survival, he roared in fury, "With a demonic fiend invading, you think not of repelling the enemy but only of clinging to your wretched lives? You deserve death!"

As his words fell, the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord struck out with near-lunatic frenzy.

In that instant, one Immortal Vein [a ley line of concentrated spiritual energy] after another shattered, Blessed Land [realms of exceptional spiritual abundance] crumbled, and Grotto-Heaven [self-contained pocket paradises] were reduced to dust. The mortals, cultivators, and Immortal hidden within were utterly annihilated.

The perished Immortal returned their essence to heaven and earth, all of it converted through a Recovery [a restorative divine ability] to mend the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord's wounds and replenish his depleted power.

In the span of a single breath, the vast majority of life within the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain was utterly extinguished, the land transforming completely into a lifeless wasteland.

"If I cannot slay Eldrin, can I not at least slaughter all of you?"

Having replenished himself with this surge of foundational essence, Primordial Solar Immortal Lord revealed a savage, twisted grin.

His eyes were now completely bloodshot, his entire form enshrouded in billowing Heavenly Fiend energy [a malevolent, corrupting force born of great sin and slaughter]. Gone was the ethereal, Immortal Energy [the pure, radiant energy cultivated by immortals] that once haloed his being; he now appeared as terrifying as a vengeful specter.

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

Between life and death lies a profound terror. Confronted by a powerful Great Path Rival [a fated nemesis whose existence is intertwined with one's own cultivation destiny], even the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord, once hailed as the paragon of purity within the Immortal Realm, could be reduced to such a state.

It was clear that had his opponent not been a Great Path Rival, but merely an ordinary Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, he would never have drawn such a formidable enemy into the heart of his own Immortal Domain [a realm personally forged and governed by an immortal] to fight, nor would he have resorted to such ruthless, desperate measures.

Primordial Solar Immortal Lord had lost all reason, driven mad by his impending defeat.

"Primordial Solar, you have no path of retreat left."

Eldrin Chen spoke, his voice calm and unwavering.

As his words fell, he instantly unleashed the Limitless Cosmos Sword and the Song of Ages Blade, merging them in an instant into the Forbidden Divine Ability known as the 'Space-Time Sundering Slash'.

Faced with such a strike, even the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord, bolstered by the authority of the Heavenly Path of the Immortal Domain, found it difficult to completely withstand.

In that fleeting moment, the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was pierced, leaving behind a wound that defied all resistance.

"Ah—!"

The Primordial Solar Immortal Lord wailed, letting out a cry of utter despair, yet he could not halt the inevitable conclusion of his defeat.

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

He looked around, his gaze taking in the fallen Immortal Domain True Spirit [the innate spiritual consciousness of a celestial realm], the countless shattered Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land [pocket dimensions of profound spiritual energy], and the deathly silence that had befallen the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain. A profound bewilderment seized his entire being.

"Hahaha…"

The Primordial Solar Immortal Lord erupted into maniacal laughter. With hair disheveled, he wandered the desolate landscape, clutching the very soil of the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain as if on the brink of madness.

After a long while, he Recovery [regained] his composure. Looking at Eldrin Chen, he said, "Do you know, back in the mortal world, I believed that achieving immortality would grant ultimate freedom and unbound liberty…"

"After ascending to immortality, I once believed that attaining the Great Encompassing realm would free me from the cycle of Reincarnation and grant me eternal Indestructibility."

"Yet, after achieving the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, I came to understand that the Great Path Contention [the cosmic struggle for supremacy over the fundamental laws of existence] is even more brutal, and my fear of it grew ever deeper."

"Over these years, I lived a carefree and unrestrained life, hailed as a gentleman among the Great Encompassing Immortal Lord."

Primordial Solar Immortal Lord shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips as he said, "But in my heart, I know the truth. I fear the Great Path Contention even more. Every time I think of that Primordial Solar Great Emperor from the Demon Race, I am nearly kept awake at night."

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

The Primordial Solar Imperial Lord let out another bitter laugh, his gaze fixed on Eldrin Chen. "Though you have slain me, do not rejoice too soon."

"That Primordial Solar Great Emperor has stood firm within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] for countless years without acting, simply because my meager Great Path Authority [authority over a fundamental law of the cosmos] was not worthy of his personal attention. But now that you have killed me, I fear you have earned a place within his sight."

Eldrin Chen offered no response, merely watching silently as the other completely dissipated into ashes, leaving behind only a single mote of Great Path Origin [the foundational essence of a Great Path, a cultivator's ultimate legacy].

He collected this mote of Great Path Origin, cast a final glance over the decaying Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, then turned and vanished into its depths.

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

Eldrin Chen did not harbor hatred for the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord [a title for a powerful immortal lord associated with the primordial sun] himself. It was merely that this individual, in his conflict, had vented his anger upon Eldrin's family. His methods were far too sinister and crude.

Had it not been for this, Eldrin Chen might have been able to protect his opponent's soul essence and assist him in a complete reincarnation to cultivate anew.

"…"

Upon leaving the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain [the celestial realm governed by the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord], Eldrin Chen immediately sensed a change in his Great Path Authority [the measure of one's control and comprehension over a specific cosmic principle or 'Great Path'].

Within the vast and boundless Sea of the Great Path [the metaphysical ocean encompassing all cosmic principles], inside the immensely majestic Primordial Solar Great Path [the cosmic principle of the primordial sun], the portion of Great Path Authority that had belonged to the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord was suddenly devoured by Eldrin Chen's own Great Path Authority.

In the blink of an eye, the Primordial Solar Great Path Authority that Eldrin Chen commanded reached the level of the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the eighth stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, a high level of immortal cultivation].

After assimilating this portion of Great Path Authority, the Primordial Solar Great Path Authority wielded by Eldrin Chen had clearly undergone a significant enhancement. Unfortunately, due to the nature of his Chaos Limitless Great Path [a supreme cultivation art or divine ability based on primordial chaos], the strengthening of a single Great Path Authority could not grant Eldrin Chen a substantial overall increase in power.

Of course, this authority still held great benefits. In the future, once Eldrin Chen's cultivation of the Primordial Solar Great Path reached the Seventh Layer of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, then, combined with the Great Path Authority seized from the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord, he would directly possess the Great Path Authority of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal at the Great Perfection stage.

Moreover, with this added Great Path Authority, Eldrin Chen's future cultivation speed along the Primordial Solar Great Path would also be greatly accelerated.

Returning to the main thread, after leaving the Primordial Solar Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen's first action was to take stock of the spoils from this battle. He found the acquired treasures to be exceedingly gratifying.

Among them were two Upper Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born from the primordial chaos, possessing innate power], namely the Primordial Solar Immortal Furnace [a divine furnace forged from the essence of the primordial sun] and the Primordial Solar Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda [a pagoda imbued with the power to stabilize the heavens].

There were also twenty strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primal spiritual light embodying the concept of indestructibility], and over a dozen pieces combined of mid-grade and lower-grade Innate Spiritual Rare Material [rare materials born from the primordial chaos] and Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born from the primordial chaos, possessing innate power].

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, the total value of these treasures should exceed seventy strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primal spiritual light embodying the concept of indestructibility].

"As expected of a top-tier Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has comprehended the Great Dao and achieved a golden, perfected form]. Their wealth is indeed substantial,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, storing away these treasures. He then retrieved and began refining the Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of their chosen Great Path] left behind by the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord [a title for an immortal lord who has mastered the Great Path of the Primordial Sun].

It had to be admitted that the Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of their chosen Great Path] of the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord [a title for an immortal lord who has mastered the Great Path of the Primordial Sun] was exceptionally compatible with Eldrin Chen. Upon fully refining this Path Source, Eldrin Chen found his comprehension of the Primordial Solar Great Path [the Great Dao governing the essence of the primordial sun] had directly ascended to the level of a Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the seventh stage of the supreme immortal realm].

This meant that until his breakthrough to the Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the seventh stage of the supreme immortal realm], Eldrin Chen would face no bottlenecks whatsoever in cultivating this particular Great Path [a supreme and fundamental law of the cosmos].

The vast amount of mental energy saved could now be wholly devoted to contemplating other Great Path [supreme and fundamental laws of the cosmos], effectively reducing the time required for such contemplation by one-fifth.

After refining the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord's Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of their chosen Great Path], Eldrin Chen emerged from his secluded cultivation. He performed a brief temporal calculation and discovered the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of great upheaval and tribulation that reshapes the cosmos] would not conclude for another five hundred thousand years.

Thus, in the epochs that followed, Eldrin Chen began to actively participate in the unfolding Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of great upheaval and tribulation that reshapes the cosmos].

Of course, he did not bully the Ancient Immortal Great Power by using his superior strength against a lesser foe. Instead, he seized the opportunity while the Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense destruction and renewal] was dormant and the Great Encompassing [the highest realm of cultivation] experts were not active, to explore some of the rarest and most perilous forbidden lands.

With Eldrin Chen's level of cultivation, exploring such deadly places was naturally a trivial matter.

He ventured into several Forbidden Land in succession, acquiring over a dozen strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primal spiritual light embodying the concept of unbreakable durability]. It was only then that he realized the Kalpa Tribulation was drawing to a close.