Chapter 1987 : A Missive Shatters Seclusion

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

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

Watching the Chaos Heaven Ant Clan depart, Eldrin Chen lingered no longer. "Let us return," he declared.

With those words, Eldrin Chen led his companions through the Boundless Chaos, swiftly returning to the heart of the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain.

Back within the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, they tallied their gains. To their astonishment, the expedition to the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault had yielded hundreds of strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primal light embodying the concept of unyielding durability], dozens of wisps of Innate Primordial Breath [the most fundamental energy from which all creation is born], and a trove of other rare and precious resources.

With this vast wealth of resources secured, Eldrin Chen could finally retreat into undisturbed seclusion for cultivation.

Eldrin Chen did not claim the Opportunity and Fortune [a cultivator's destined chance and good luck] obtained by the others. Instead, he immediately entered closed-door cultivation, intent on swiftly digesting his harvest and elevating his own power.

Thus, time flowed on like a swift river. In the blink of an eye, twenty million years passed. Then, on this day, a letter arrived at the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, shattering the tranquility of Eldrin Chen's secluded cultivation.

"This day has finally come," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen gazed at the missive before him, a soft sigh escaping his lips. He then passed the letter to Exquisite Jiang who stood beside him.

Exquisite Jiang opened the letter and glanced at its contents. A slight frown creased her brow, and a look of solemnity settled upon her features.

It turned out that not long ago, the Primordial Era Thunder Crow Great Emperor had finally completed his ascension. He had successfully fused the Seven-Pattern Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo into his own Lifebound Supreme Treasure, thereby forging an Innate Lifebound Supreme Treasure.

Following this breakthrough, the Primordial Era Thunder Crow Great Emperor had cultivated yet another True Spirit Foundation. His cultivation base and combat power had surged dramatically once more.

Immediately after his breakthrough, the Primordial Era Thunder Crow Great Emperor summoned the Ten Directions Great Emperors of the Demon Race. After a lengthy council, the Demon Race Heavenly Court issued a demand to the Human and Divine Races.

They demanded the Human and Divine Races return the Primordial Stellar, including the Celestial Mansion Imperial Star and the Purple Tenuity Imperial Star, along with their boundless Authority over the Myriad Heavens Stellar [the sovereign right to govern the countless stars of the cosmos].

The Human and Divine Races naturally refused. Thus, a great war seemed poised to erupt at any moment.

"During the Late Antiquity Era, our Human Race Immortal Court rose to prominence. To seize the Heavenly Path Authority Power [the power of cosmic mandate] belonging to the Primordial Domain, we launched the Heaven-Seizing War against the Demon Race,"

"In that war, the Great Abyss Immortal Sage cleaved through the Demon Race's Myriad Heavens Stellar with a single sword stroke, securing the Authority Over the Cosmic Stellar [the right to rule the celestial stars] for the Primordial Immortal Domain."

Eldrin Chen recounted the tale, recalling the origins and conclusion of that ancient conflict.

Above the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Primordial Immortal Domain lay the boundless expanse of the Cosmic Stellar.

That is the source from which all starry skies and the Cosmic Stellar within the Boundless Universe that contains the Three Thousand Immortal Domains originate.

The Sun and Moon and Stellar bodies of the endless Space-Time, worlds, and Myriad Heavens are all born from the power of these ancient Stellar bodies within the Primordial Immortal Domain, imbued with their supreme Dao principles and profound mysteries.

It can be said that these Cosmic Stellar each contain a significant portion of the Primordial Immortal Domain's authority.

Throughout the Primordial Era, the authority over the Cosmic Stellar was held by the Demon Race. The Human Race, the Divine Clan, and the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races could only dwell upon the lands of the Primordial Immortal Domain, unable to grasp the most crucial Authority Over the Cosmic Stellar.

Thus, during the Late Antiquity Era, after the Great Abyss Immortal Sage 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 Great Abyss Immortal Sage, who ultimately wielded the Chaos Spiritual Artifact Great Abyss Sword to cleave apart the Cosmic Stellar 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 Clan seized the Big Dipper of the Purple Tenuity Starry River.

Among the Three Enclosures, the Human Race captured the Supreme Subtlety Enclosure, the Divine Clan 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 two Imperial Star of Supreme Lunar and Solar, using them as a bastion 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 their Great Encompassing Golden Immortal perishing in the conflict, most have since recovered and returned.

Most crucially, many Demon Race Great Encompassing had their Path-Field seized back then, and now they are sharpening their blades, eager to reclaim them.

"It seems a great war is still unavoidable,"

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, then a glint flickered in his eyes as he continued, "The Immortal Court's stance is that although we did not participate in the ancient Heaven-Seizing War, when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. They hope we can offer our support."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Among them, Verdant Consort pondered for a moment before speaking, "Could the venerable Great Abyss Immortal Sage himself intervene?"

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

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however, and said, "A single seclusion for a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage lasts for dozens, if not hundreds, of Kalpa Tribulation. Unless the Immortal Court faces utter defeat and risks losing its entire Cosmic Stellar authority [the dominion over the cosmic starry realms], they must not be disturbed."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang also nodded. To beings at the level of a Chaos Heavenly Emperor, the Authority Over the Cosmic Stellar [dominion over the cosmic starry realms] held little true importance.

Even if the Demon Race seized complete Authority Over the Cosmic Stellar, they could at most temporarily resist a Chaos Heavenly Emperor. In a true, full-scale war, it would only amount to an extra half-step of Chaos Heavenly Emperor combat power.

In its prime, the Demon Race had fully controlled the Authority Over the Cosmic Stellar, yet they still could not withstand the Great Abyss Immortal Sage alone, with just his sword. Even if they regained that authority now, they would remain a negligible 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, Exquisite Jiang spoke: "A conflict of this scale is not yet worthy of a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage taking the field. However, the strength of the Demon Race should not be underestimated. Shall we intervene directly, or provide other forms of assistance?"

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

Once this war among the three races Burst forth, it would engulf the entire Three Thousand Immortal Domains. None of the major Immortal Lord [powerful immortal beings] of the Immortal Court [the celestial governing body] could remain aloof.

As an Immortal Lord of the Immortal Court, he would either have to participate in the battles personally, be responsible for providing resources from the rear, or engage in logistical work like alchemy and artifact forging.

With this in mind, after a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen spoke: "The war among the three races is not only perilous and unpredictable, but it is also the finest crucible for tempering us Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [immortals who have attained a profound state of enlightenment encompassing all things]."

"My suggestion is this: the clan's Great Encompassing [those who have attained the Great Encompassing realm] should take turns entering the battlefield. One half shall temper themselves in the fires of war, while the other half remains in the Eight Immortal Domains of the Returning Abyss to guard our Immortal Clan."

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

Nyssa Qu pondered for a moment before speaking: "If that is the case, how should we arrange the first group to participate in the war?"

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

With those words, Eldrin Chen stepped beyond the borders of the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain.

Outside the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, a magnificent and imposing war chariot surged through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], its presence radiating immense pressure. Upon it stood a figure clad in crimson-gold battle armor.

The man's stature was tall and majestic. In his hand, he held a divine spear wreathed in endless Great Path Divine Chains [chains of divine law that manifest the principles of the Great Path]. He resembled a Primordial Era Divine Sovereign [a supreme deity from the dawn of time] surveying the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and celestial domains].

"Fellow Cultivator Eldrin, it has been a while. I trust you have been well," the newcomer spoke, a faint smile gracing his features.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his expression calm as he replied, "Greetings, Blazeflame Imperial Lord."

This person was none other than the Blazeflame Imperial Lord, the paramount ruler of the Human Race within the Blazeflame Immortal Domain.

Observing the Blazeflame Imperial Lord clad in full battle regalia, commanding his war chariot, with a seemingly endless host of Celestial Soldiers and Divine Generals [heavenly troops and godly commanders] following in his wake, a flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes.

He immediately clasped his hands in a formal salute and inquired, "I see you are fully armed for war, Fellow Daoist. Are you preparing to join the battlefront?"

"Indeed, I am," the Imperial Lord confirmed.

The Blazeflame Imperial Lord nodded and then spoke, "Among the Southern Dipper Seven Stars, the master of the Ancient Star of Celestial Beam is a dear friend of mine. I am going to this battle at his invitation to lend my aid."

Eldrin Chen nodded in return, a trace of solemnity flickering in the depths of his gaze.

At that moment, the Blazeflame Imperial Lord spoke again, "Although I am going to participate in the battle, the Eastern Departure Flame Domain cannot be left unguarded. Therefore, during my absence, I must ask you, Fellow Daoist, to help guard against that vile creature."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes shifted slightly as he instantly grasped the Blazeflame Imperial Lord's meaning.

Within the Eastern Departure Flame Domain, the Departing Flame Demon God possessed formidable power and was highly likely to seize this opportunity to stage a comeback.

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

"My thanks, then. I shall return after one Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle in Buddhist cosmology, often billions of years]."

The Blazeflame Imperial Lord clasped his hands in a salute, then immediately urged his war chariot to tear through the void. In the blink of an eye, it vanished into the depths of the Endless Chaos.

After waiting for the Blazeflame Imperial Lord to depart, Violet Consort Yan could not help but voice her concern, "With the Blazeflame Imperial Lord gone, I fear Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor will seize this chance to return."

Exquisite Jiang let out a cold laugh and declared, "If she dares to return, we shall shatter her spine for good."

Hearing this, faint smiles touched the lips of everyone present.

Indeed, after the events within the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault and the Opportunity and Fortune [a chance encounter that brings great benefits] it brought, the strength of the Chen Clan members had all advanced another step.

Life-Bound Treasure [a cultivator's personally forged and soul-bound magical artifact, growing in power with them] were no weaker than Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [the highest grade of treasures born from the world's natural laws], placing them among the top-tier powerhouses within that domain.

The Reincarnation Body [an avatar cultivated through a profound reincarnation technique] had also been cultivated to the Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal level, its combat power likewise reaching Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection.

Additionally, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix, having refined the Primal Chaos Kui Ox's Path Source [the condensed origin and essence of a being's cultivation path], had also cultivated to the level of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection.

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

Therefore, if the Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor truly came knocking, he was likely to suffer a significant setback.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed thoughtfully. He suddenly posed a question to the assembled Mortal Path cultivators: "If you were the Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor, would you abandon this golden opportunity to strike at the Human Race within the Eastern Departure Flame Domain and deal a heavy blow to the various Immortal Domain powers?"

The question gave everyone pause. Ethan Chen responded decisively: "A war between the three races is an event that occurs perhaps once in several thousand Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years]. As the saying goes, opportunity waits for no one. If I were the Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor, I would absolutely not let this chance slip away."

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

"If we do not seize this opportunity now, the balance of power will shift against us. The Departing Flame Demon God [a powerful demonic entity associated with destructive flames] will likely be forced to retreat in defeat from the Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all creation emerged]."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Issue my decree," he commanded. "Order the Human Race forces in the surrounding Eastern Departure Flame Domain [a vast celestial region bordering the demonic territories] to heighten their vigilance and prepare to repel any offensive launched by the Departing Flame Demon God."

"Furthermore, summon the major Immortal Domain [a realm governed by an immortal, often a floating continent or world] powers. With the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain [Eldrin Chen's personal immortal realm] as the core, we shall deploy the Chaos Returning Abyss Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array technique] to withstand the Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor [a progenitor-level demonic being of immense power]."

"…"

In the present era, Eldrin Chen's status was anything but ordinary.

As the founder of the Great Path [a profound and revolutionary cultivation methodology] and one who had attained Path Mastery [a supreme level of comprehension over a fundamental cosmic principle], his combat prowess and standing were now equivalent to that of an Imperial Lord [a sovereign ruler of a vast celestial domain]. Naturally, the major powers of the Eastern Departure Flame Domain regarded his commands with the utmost seriousness.

Thus, not long after, the various Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [immortals who have achieved a golden, perfected state of being encompassing vast power] of the Eastern Departure Flame Domain acted immediately. They began shifting their respective Immortal Domain through the void, converging steadily towards the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain.

Before long, with the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain at its heart, Eldrin Chen assembled a total of forty-nine Immortal Domain. Using the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from primordial chaos, of the highest possible grade] 'Violet Dawn Divine Sun Pearl' [a pearl containing the essence of the violet dawn and divine sun] as the Formation Eye [the central nexus and power source of a formation], he established a defensive grand formation of the Primordial One Tier [a tier of power and complexity originating from the Primordial Era].

And it was not long after this grand formation was completed that the great war among the three races finally Burst [erupted with full, cataclysmic force] into open, total conflict.

The Demon Race struck first. A host of nearly ten thousand Great Encompassing-level Demon Lord [powerful demonic rulers] gathered within the starry void. Under the leadership of the Primordial Era Thunder Crow Great Emperor [an ancient and mighty demon emperor from the dawn of time], they launched the Third Heaven-Seizing War [the third cataclysmic war aimed at seizing dominion over the heavens] against the combined forces of the Human and Divine Races.

Since the Primordial Era, two Heaven-Seizing War [cosmic conflicts to seize control of the heavens] have been waged.

The first Heaven-Seizing War saw the Demon Race wrest the entire Cosmic Stellar [the vast stellar cosmos] from the grasp of the Divine Clan.

In the second Heaven-Seizing War, the Human and Divine Races joined forces. Great Abyss Immortal Sage personally intervened, shattering the Demon Race's dominion over the Cosmic Stellar.

This Third Heaven-Seizing War, while seemingly less grand in scale and ferocity than its predecessors, remains a conflict not to be underestimated.

Tens of thousands of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [supreme immortal cultivators] from both sides Burst [erupted] into battle within the Cosmic Stellar, a clash destined to be etched into the annals of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the myriad realms of immortals], its echoes to be recounted for tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth] to come.

It was precisely as the Third Heaven-Seizing War Burst forth that the Departing Flame Demon God [a powerful demonic deity] within the Ancient Plain of Departing Flames finally stirred into action.

Gazing at the intelligence in its hand, it finally sneered coldly, "The war has Burst. Even if Blazeflame Imperial Lord wished to return and lay an ambush for this venerable one, it would be impossible now."

"Since that is the case, then let the various Human Race Immortal Domain [realms governed by immortal powers] of the Eastern Departure Flame Domain serve as your funeral pyre."

At that very moment, a trace of solemnity flickered across the faces of the two Chaos Demon God [primordial demonic deities] standing nearby.

These two figures were of extraordinary status; they were the two Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [cultivators at the pinnacle of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm] under the command of Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor: Golden Crane Demon God and Blood-Devouring Demon God.

At this moment, the Golden Crane Demon God spoke with a grave tone, "Your Majesty, the Returning Abyss Path Master has already deployed a grand formation. Launching an assault now would be most unwise."

Upon hearing this, the Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor responded with a cold sneer, "Worry not. I have my own methods to deal with this."

With a dismissive wave of his hand, he continued, "You may withdraw and prepare for battle. Within one hundred thousand years, I intend to completely encircle the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain and capture them all in one fell swoop."

"As you command."

The two Demon God [powerful demonic deities] clasped their hands in acknowledgment and promptly departed.

Only after they had left did the Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor turn his gaze into the depths of the void and inquire, "Are you confident in your success?"

"With the two of us joining forces, how could we possibly fail to subdue that mere Returning Abyss Path Master?"

As these words echoed, a figure clad in resplendent golden imperial robes emerged from the void.

Had Eldrin Chen been present, he would have instantly recognized this individual's origin. It was none other than the Primordial Ancestor of Golden Spirit Ancient Clan from among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races.

The Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor gave a slow nod, yet a trace of concern lingered in his voice as he stated, "The Returning Abyss Path Master possesses combat power rivaling an Imperial Lord [a sovereign ruler among cultivators]. Fortified further by his grand formation, I fear neither of us alone could be certain of capturing him."

"Why not strike earlier, to prevent them from completing their grand formation?"

At this moment, the Golden Spirit Ancient Clan sneered coldly before speaking. "If we did 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 flee into the Starry Sky Battlefield, capturing him would become a thousand times more difficult."

Upon hearing this, Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor also nodded in agreement, yet a trace of worry still lingered in his heart.

Seeing this, the Golden Spirit Ancient Progenitor smiled and said, "That Returning Abyss Path Master, despite his Great Path Authority [the profound authority over a Great Path of cultivation], is merely a newcomer to the realm of a Primordial One Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord who has unified his foundational cultivation into a singular, primordial essence]. Both you and I are at the Primordial One Imperial Lord 3rd Tier, each far surpassing him individually. Working together, we can easily suppress him."

"In my view, even with the protection of a Formation [a structured array that channels energy for defense or attack], defeating the Returning Abyss Path Master will not be difficult for us. The true challenge lies in preventing his escape."

Speaking thus, the Golden Spirit Ancient Clan added with meaningful emphasis, "This time, to prevent the Returning Abyss Path Master from fleeing, I have borrowed a supreme treasure for this very purpose."

Hearing this, Departure Flame Demi-Ancestor's eyes gleamed with interest, yet he spoke with a hint of unease. "This Returning Abyss Path Master possesses immense Force Extreme [the ultimate potential and latent power of a cultivator]. I was originally reluctant to make an enemy of him."

"I will lend my aid this time, but I must remind you of your promise. Once this is done, you must assist me in killing that Blazeflame Imperial Lord."

"Hahaha."

The Golden Spirit Ancient Progenitor offered a faint, cold smile and spoke indifferently, "Rest assured. The Departure Flame Imperial Lord is but an ordinary Primordial One Imperial Lord [a powerful cultivator who has reached the pinnacle of the Imperial Lord realm]. Those esteemed figures have long been watching over him from the shadows."

"After this great war between the three races concludes, even if he manages to return alive, I fear he will have lost half his life."