Chapter 1994 : A Council of Celestial Lords

As Mystery Departure Imperial Lord [one of the great lords of the celestial realms] spoke, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] could not help but frown slightly.

There were only four Great Emperor [supreme sovereigns of immense power] present. With the most senior among them, Mystery Departure Imperial Lord, unwilling to commit to battle, his own proposal seemed difficult to advance.

As expected, following Mystery Departure Imperial Lord's veto, the Celestial Beam Star Lord [the lord of the Celestial Beam constellation] also appeared to abandon the idea of defending the Celestial Beam Star Domain [the vast stellar region under his dominion].

However, Luo River Imperial Lord [another powerful celestial lord] pondered for a moment before speaking directly. "If we completely abandon the Celestial Beam Star Domain and pay no heed to the Myriad Stellar [the countless stars] within it, I fear it will shatter the fighting spirit of the Immortal [celestial beings] stationed there."

"If our forces collapse like a landslide and our Imperial Star [a primary celestial fortress] becomes the first to be besieged, we would likely become a laughingstock in the eyes of our peers."

"In my view, it would be better to dispatch additional Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [powerful immortal warriors] to garrison the thirty-six major stars at the core of the Celestial Beam Star Domain. These forces could then provide support to the nearby Cosmic Stellar [stars scattered throughout the cosmos]."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen seized the moment to add fuel to the fire. "The words of Luo River Imperial Lord hold merit. While we could depart at any time if the Celestial Beam Imperial Star [the central star of the Celestial Beam Domain] were surrounded, Fellow Daoist Celestial Beam, what would you do then?"

The expression of the Celestial Beam Star Lord shifted slightly, a trace of grave concern washing over his features.

The Celestial Beam Imperial Star was his Path-Field [the celestial territory that forms the foundation of his cultivation path]; he could not possibly abandon it lightly.

Eldrin Chen smiled, pressing his advantage while the iron was hot. "Why don't we do our utmost to tie down the various Imperial Lord [demon lords of equivalent power] of the Demon Race [a hostile race of powerful demonic beings], allowing our Great Encompassing Immortal Lord [elite immortal commanders] to hold the line and defend the Myriad Heavens Stellar [the myriad stars of the heavens] as best they can?"

"By doing so, we can not only slow the advance of the Demon Race [the collective term for malevolent, non-human beings that cultivate demonic arts], but also ensure we are not overly delayed when the time for our counter-offensive arrives."

Hearing this, Celestial Beam Star Lord [the ruler of the Celestial Beam Star Domain] also gave a nod of agreement.

At this moment, a sense of urgency settled upon him. If even he, the lord of this domain, was unwilling to defend Celestial Beam Imperial Star [the central, fortified star of the Celestial Beam Star Domain] to the death, how could he expect outsiders like Eldrin Chen and others to give their all?

With this thought, Celestial Beam Star Lord spoke directly: "Your words hold merit. In that case, I too propose we dispatch forces to aid the subsidiary Stellar [celestial bodies imbued with spiritual energy, often forming domains] under the Celestial Beam Star Domain [a vast region of space ruled from the Celestial Beam Imperial Star]."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards Mystery Departure Imperial Lord [a powerful cultivator who has attained the Imperial Lord realm].

With the eyes of all three fixed upon him, a mask of calm settled over Mystery Departure Imperial Lord's features.

He understood perfectly well. With the vote standing at three against one, his insistence on abandoning the subsidiary star domains could not overturn the others' decision.

Thus, with a faint smile, he spoke: "The three of you are not without reason. In my view, why not have me guard the Ancient Star of Celestial Beam [the ancient, core world from which the Celestial Beam Star Domain derives its name], while the three of you focus on containing the Demon Race's various Great Emperor [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of power below the Immortal Emperor realm]?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly at these words. He cast a deep, searching look at Mystery Departure Imperial Lord, who was also known by the title Xuan Li Great Emperor [Great Emperor of Mystery Departure], and was about to speak when Luo River Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord associated with the Luo River] stopped him.

Luo River Imperial Lord gave a slight shake of his head, then said: "The Celestial Beam Imperial Star must be guarded by someone after all. Entrusting it to Fellow Daoist Mystery Departure is indeed a sound plan."

"However, regarding the personnel to reinforce the Cosmic Stellar [the myriad stars scattered throughout the cosmos], Fellow Daoist, you must not be stingy."

Mystery Departure Imperial Lord fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Among my subordinates, all thirty-eight Great Encompassing Immortal Lord [Golden Immortals who have attained the Great Encompassing realm, a profound stage of cultivation] can be dispatched to reinforce the thirty-six Major Stars."

Seeing this, Luo River Imperial Lord smiled and said, "In that case, it should be sufficient."

"Since it is settled, let us discuss the deployment of our forces."

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Beam Imperial Lord began to outline the strategic layout of the Celestial Beam Star Domain.

As one of the Southern Dipper Six Stars [the six principal stars of the Southern Dipper constellation], the Celestial Beam Imperial Star held an exceptionally high celestial rank. It not only influenced countless billions of Cosmic Stellar, but also commanded thirty-six Nine Heavens Stellar [celestial bodies of immense spiritual power, ranked at the Great Encompassing level].

The number of Great Encompassing Immortal Lord under the banner of the Celestial Beam Imperial Star, including those newly summoned, now exceeded three hundred Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [Golden Immortals who have attained the Great Encompassing realm].

Among these three hundred-plus Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, over eighty had reached the Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the advanced phase of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], and there were fourteen who had achieved Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle, flawless state of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm].

Approximately thirty percent of these Great Encompassing Golden Immortal were stationed across the thirty-six Major Stars, averaging three Great Encompassing Golden Immortal per star.

After grasping the general situation, Eldrin Chen spoke directly. "With only three Great Encompassing [cultivators at the Great Encompassing realm], they can at most defend a single Nine Heavens Stellar. They would have no remaining strength to support the Cosmic Stellar."

"In my view, it would be best to station six to nine Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a powerful immortal cultivator at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal stage] on each of the Nine Heavens Stellar [a type of powerful celestial star]. On the most vital stars, we should deploy Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [a cultivator who has reached the pinnacle of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm] to stand guard."

"Furthermore, with the three of us restraining the Demon Race Imperial Lords [powerful demonic rulers], we can certainly halt the Demon Race's advance for a significant period."

Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement, accepting Eldrin Chen's assessment.

After a moment of contemplation, Celestial Beam Imperial Lord spoke directly: "The five Great Encompassing [the Great Encompassing realm, a high stage of cultivation] Golden Perfection cultivators from the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [an ancient and powerful sect] can all be dispatched to provide support."

"Additionally, the four Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [Great Encompassing Golden Immortals] under my command who have reached Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the Great Perfection stage of the Golden Immortal realm] are each capable of guarding one Great Encompassing Ancient Star [an ancient and powerful star]."

Luo River Imperial Lord also nodded, stating calmly, "The two Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection under my banner can each hold one Ancient Star."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke up, "My forces lack any cultivators who have reached Perfection within the Great Encompassing realm. However, the eight Great Encompassing cultivators I brought can all emerge from seclusion to join the battle."

Celestial Beam Imperial Lord smiled slightly before continuing, "Add to that the three Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection under Elder Brother Mystery Departure's command, and we have a total of fifteen such cultivators ready to reinforce the front lines."

"This will undoubtedly greatly bolster the morale of our frontline forces. The hope of defending the Celestial Beam Star Domain remains substantial."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of approval, engaging in earnest discussion with the other Great Encompassing Immortal Lord [powerful immortal lords of the Great Encompassing realm].

After the strategy for the battle was decided, Eldrin Chen conversed at length with the various Imperial Lords before finally departing the Great Hall to seek out Exquisite Jiang and the others.

Upon finding them, Eldrin Chen informed the group of the battle plan and then spoke, "I observed that Mystery Departure Imperial Lord's resolve for battle is not firm. Once the great conflict Bursts forth, he may prove to be an unreliable pillar of support."

"Those under his command should not be overly relied upon by any of you."

Upon hearing this, the group's expressions grew slightly more solemn.

Exquisite Jiang, well aware of Eldrin Chen's keen judgment of character, asked with a serious gaze, "In your opinion, what should we do at the critical moment?"

"To defend their own Path-Field, the lineage of Celestial Beam Imperial Lord will undoubtedly fight with all their might. I believe they can be trusted when it truly matters."

"As for Luo River Imperial Lord..."

Eldrin Chen paused, falling into thoughtful silence.

He recalled his two brief encounters with Luo River Imperial Lord. After a moment, he continued, "For the several hundred Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] since he proved his Great Encompassing [the highest realm of cultivation] path, Luo River Imperial Lord has consistently maintained a reputation for honor. I believe that in times of necessity, we can offer each other some mutual aid."

The group nodded, committing Eldrin Chen's words firmly to memory.

After concluding this matter, Eldrin Chen then earnestly instructed, "As you go to guard the various star domains, remember that the primary purpose of this campaign is to temper yourselves. Do not act rashly or underestimate the enemy."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, their expressions turning solemn.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen retrieved eight precious mirrors from his sleeve and handed them to the group, saying, "These are Forbidden Artifact [artifacts of immense power, often restricted or sealed due to their dangerous nature] I refined using the Path of Void. Though they can only be used three times, their ability to preserve life is not inferior to a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from heaven and earth, possessing supreme-grade innate spiritual power]."

"Each of you take one. When you encounter a powerful foe, you can activate it to escape. An ordinary Imperial Lord [a sovereign-level cultivator who commands vast territories and power] would likely be unable to suppress you."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen finally added, "Remember, your safety is paramount above all else."

The group accepted the mirrors and, in the end, gave a solemn nod.

"..."

Three days later, the more than two hundred Great Encompassing [cultivators who have attained the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, a high level of immortal cultivation] from the Celestial Beam Imperial Star received their orders. They immediately began traversing the boundless starry void, heading to provide support across the surrounding thirty-six Stellar [pertaining to stars or stellar domains] regions.

The eight Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [Golden Immortals of the Great Encompassing realm] from the Chen Immortal Clan were all at the seventh-stage of their cultivation. Therefore, they were not assigned excessive importance and were instead dispatched together to support the same Great Encompassing Ancient Star [an ancient, powerful star of the Great Encompassing grade].

The Violet Void Ancient Star was a top-grade Great Encompassing Ancient Star, ranking ninth among the Thirty-Six Great Encompassing Ancient Stars.

Upon the Violet Void Ancient Star, three Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of the immortal cultivation path] also stood guard. They were the Violet Void Immortal Lord, a Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a cultivator at the seventh level of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], and two other Great Encompassing Golden Immortal at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Mid Stage [the middle stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm].

When news of reinforcements arrived, the three Great Encompassing Golden Immortal were initially quite pleased. However, upon discovering that the aid from Returning Abyss consisted of eight Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, a flicker of disappointment crossed their minds.

In their initial expectations, given the strategic importance of the Violet Void Ancient Star, they had anticipated the arrival of at least one Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [a cultivator who has reached the Great Perfection stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm]. They were utterly taken aback to receive eight Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [cultivators at the late stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm] instead.

While the combined might of eight Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal was formidable, they were, after all, still only Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

A single existence at the ninth layer of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm could rival the combined strength of at least twenty Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal. This was a gap in power that sheer numbers could scarcely bridge.

Nevertheless, with eight Great Encompassing reinforcements arriving, the Violet Void Immortal Lord remained exceedingly courteous. He personally received the group and inquired about their identities.

It was only after he learned that Exquisite Jiang was the reincarnated form of the Supreme Lunar Imperial Lord that his demeanor shifted dramatically to one of profound respect.

In his view, the Supreme Lunar Imperial Lord was a figure of legendary renown. Even reborn through Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], such a being was far beyond the measure of an ordinary Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Exquisite Jiang did not stand on ceremony and asked directly, "What is the true situation on the Violet Void Ancient Star at present?"

The three Great Encompassing exchanged glances. After a moment, the Violet Void Immortal Lord replied, "The Violet Void Ancient Star itself holds firm for now. However, more than half of its subsidiary Stellar [celestial bodies or realms] have already been lost."

Exquisite Jiang [the Immortal Lord Jiang Linglong] furrowed her brow slightly, then glanced at the assembled figures before speaking. "The Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal] has just passed. They likely have not yet grasped the full extent of our strategic realignment."

"We must strike back immediately, catching them off guard before they can react."

"..."

Following Exquisite Jiang's command, the forces of the Violet Void Ancient Star [an ancient stellar domain] began their counteroffensive.

Exquisite Jiang and the other seven Great Encompassing Golden Immortals [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] acted decisively, unleashing a world-shaking battle within the Depths of the Starry Sky.

They did not reveal their full power, merely displaying capabilities at the seventh or eighth layer of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm. Yet, in the brief span of several hundred thousand years, they managed to catch the Demon Race [a powerful faction of demonic beings] completely unprepared.

Across the vast expanse surrounding the Violet Void Ancient Star, nearly all vital Stellar [celestial] strongholds were recaptured. In the fierce clashes, they even succeeded in slaying several Great Encompassing Golden Immortals.

This campaign stood as one of the most brilliant victories within the entire Celestial Beam Star Domain during that period.

Perhaps, in the grand scale of the war between the three great races, it was but a minor triumph, inflicting no crippling blow upon the overall strength of the Demon Race. Yet, it acted like a spark thrown into a powder keg.

Immediately thereafter, across the territories under the Celestial Beam Star Domain, all thirty-six Ancient Stars [powerful stellar domains] launched their own counterattacks without delay.

The Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beings] were initially caught off guard and suffered the loss of several Great Encompassing Golden Immortals [powerful cultivators at the peak of the Great Encompassing realm] in the first clash. However, as time passed, they swiftly rallied and adapted their strategy.

Thus, within the starry expanse of the Celestial Beam Star Domain [a vast region of space], the two sides erupted into a rare and chaotic battlefield.

Hundreds of Great Encompassing Golden Immortals from both factions clashed amidst the stars. The war raged on for millions of years, until one fateful day on that battlefield, Exquisite Jiang and her companions unleashed a world-shaking, peerless combat prowess.

In that pivotal battle, eight Great Encompassing Golden Immortals from the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen family of immortals] took to the field. Each one displayed combat strength surpassing the ninth level of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm.

They borrowed the power of the Polarity Void Mirror [a supreme magical treasure capable of trapping foes in a void dimension] and ensnared over thirty Demon Race Great Encompassing [demons at the Great Encompassing realm] upon the Void Heaven [a desolate, void-like celestial body]. In the final confrontation, they annihilated them all.

News of this victory spread like wildfire, sending seismic tremors throughout the entire Starry Sky Battlefield [the cosmic theater of war].

Even with the Demon Race's profound reserves [deep reserves of power and resources], the loss of over thirty Great Encompassing Golden Immortals in a single engagement was by no means a minor setback.

Although a fallen Great Encompassing Golden Immortal does not enter the cycle of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], their demise still carries a significant cost. The utter extermination of over thirty such beings in one fell swoop directly altered the balance of power within the Celestial Beam Star Domain.

The Demon Race Great Encompassing forces began to contract their lines and retreat. The scales of war in the Celestial Beam Star Domain seemed to be tipping.

As the saying goes, a single thread pulled can move the entire garment. If the Demon Race suffered a major defeat in the Celestial Beam Star Domain, the strategic landscape across all six domains of the Southern Abyss [the southernmost cosmic abyss] would be irrevocably transformed.

Thus, not long after, the Demon Race dispatched reinforcements, sending dozens of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators to the Celestial Beam Star Domain battlefield. Furthermore, they dispatched two Primordial One Imperial Lord [a powerful realm of cultivation surpassing the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal stage] to join the fray within the Celestial Beam Star Domain.

The Demon Race already had four Imperial Lord [a powerful realm of cultivation] stationed within the Celestial Beam Star Domain. With the addition of these two more, it seemed sufficient to shift the balance of the war.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen stood firm within the Depths of the Starry Sky, with two Demon Race Imperial Lords standing imposingly before him.

"Celestial Kun Imperial Lord, Howling Moon Imperial Lord."

Gazing upon the two demon emperors before him, Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of solemnity flickering within their depths.

The Celestial Kun Imperial Lord was one of the seven Great Emperor lords of the Kunpeng Imperial Clan. His cultivation had reached the Primordial One Imperial Lord 3rd Tier [the third level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm], and his strength was certainly no weaker than that of the Departing Flame Demon God.

The Howling Moon Imperial Lord had also attained his path for two thousand Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], his cultivation reaching the second level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm. He, too, was a figure not to be underestimated.

Facing such formidable foes joining forces, Eldrin Chen, without the augmentation of the Seven Luminaries Ascension [a powerful divine ability], likely possessed only the strength to defend himself.

As countless thoughts flashed through his mind, Eldrin Chen finally spoke, "I never imagined that to deal with a mere Great Encompassing Golden Immortal like myself, you would need to dispatch two Imperial Lord."

"Hahaha!"

Celestial Kun Imperial Lord [a title for a supreme ruler of the celestial realm] smiled faintly and spoke calmly, "To battle against the two Great Emperors [supreme rulers of immense power], Golden Spirit Imperial Lord and Departure Flame Imperial Lord, and even destroy Departure Flame Imperial Lord's physical body—who in the realms does not now know the fearsome reputation of Eldrin Chen?"

Howling Moon Imperial Lord [an imperial lord associated with the moon's power] also nodded, his expression turning icy as he declared, "Yet now, without the support of your Formation [a structured arrangement of power for defense or attack], one wonders what fraction of your true combat prowess you can still muster?"

Guided by a divine spear from the Primordial Era [the mythic age of creation], Howling Moon Imperial Lord shot through the void. With a mere flick of his sleeve, a lance of annihilating light, sharp enough to slay immortals, shot straight for the space between Eldrin Chen's brows.

"Hmph—"

Faced with such a formidable foe, Eldrin Chen merely let out a cold snort. A glint of frosty resolve flashed deep within his pupils.

He harbored no thought of retreat. Instead, he met Howling Moon Imperial Lord head-on, wielding the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a polearm of primordial chaos]. The might of a Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler who has attained the primordial unity of all things] was truly earth-shattering, to the point where even the multifaceted Space-Time [the fabric of reality encompassing dimensions] of the Primordial Immortal Domain [the primordial realm of immortals] strained under the pressure, threatening to tear.

In an instant, the boundless Starry River [a vast celestial river of stars] shattered like glass. Countless great fissures in Space-Time ripped across the vast, desolate void, revealing the endless, layered Space-Time Great Universes [cosmic realms of space and time] hidden within.

What was truly staggering was the composition of this vast and boundless Starry River.

Every mote of dust, every wisp of stellar ash, was in truth a transformed Great Thousand World [a major world containing thousands of lesser realms].

Each of those Cosmic Stellars [stars of cosmic scale], stretching across distances measured in billions upon billions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], contained within its core an incalculable number of Great Thousand Worlds.

If both sides were to unleash their full power, then in the clash between them, all would be reduced to dust—be it the mundane earth, the celestial star dust, or even the Cosmic Stellar itself.

If such a battle were to rage on indefinitely, the devastation might seem insignificant to the vastness of the Primordial Immortal Domain, yet it would inevitably generate boundless Karmic Sin Power [a malevolent metaphysical force born from great destruction and suffering].

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen spoke decisively, "This place is unfit for our contest. Let us take our battle deep into the heart of the Starry Abyss!"