Chapter 2001 : Reclaiming the Starlit Heavens

Having set aside his thoughts, Eldrin Chen then turned his attention to surveying the strategic layout of the Celestial Beam Imperial Star.

The Demon Race forces that assaulted the Celestial Beam Imperial Star in this battle were not overwhelmingly numerous. Although they had managed to breach the defenses of the Ancient Star of Celestial Beam swiftly with the aid of internal collaborators, the Human Race swiftly reclaimed it through pre-arranged countermeasures.

Consequently, the losses suffered by the Human Race were not severe. While many of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal from the Chen Immortal Clan who participated sustained significant injuries, there were no casualties among the Great Encompassing ranks.

Since the situation was not dire, Eldrin Chen could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He immediately organized a Human Race counteroffensive to reclaim the lost Stellar territories within the Celestial Beam Star Domain, aiming to take advantage of the Demon Race's primary focus on attacking the Vermilion Bird Star Domain.

In fact, this was precisely the strategy adopted by the various Great Emperor Lords of the Southern Dipper Six Stars. Aside from a few top-tier Imperial Lord like the Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor who went to reinforce the Vermilion Bird Star Domain, the other Great Emperor Lords were all seizing the opportunity to launch their own counterattacks.

Having achieved their primary objective and with their main force absent, the Demon Race was unwilling to engage in a protracted, bloody conflict with the Human Race. They thus withdrew from the territories of the Southern Dipper Six Stars.

In this manner, within a mere several hundred thousand years, the Human Race had completely recaptured the vast stellar expanse of the Southern Dipper Six Stars.

It was at this time that news finally arrived from the Depths of the Starry Sky concerning the Vermilion Bird Star Domain.

"So, the Southern Blaze Divine King has finally fallen?"

Within the Celestial Beam Imperial Star, Eldrin Chen sat facing the assembled Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler of an immortal domain, a step below a Path Ancestor]. Gazing at the report in his hand, he could not help but let out a slow, heavy sigh.

Hearing this, the other Great Emperors also sighed softly, their expressions tinged with a similar sense of melancholy.

Regarding the fall of the Southern Blaze Divine King, those present had long harbored such an expectation in their hearts.

After all, with three Great Emperor [a supreme ruler of an immortal domain, a step below a Path Ancestor] launching a surprise assault, and the presence of a Great Path Rival [a fated nemesis whose very existence is anathema to another on the same Great Path, capable of causing their complete annihilation], the demise of the Southern Blaze Divine King was indeed within the realm of foreseen outcomes.

Yet, when this event truly came to pass, a feeling akin to mourning the hare's death while fearing for the fox—a sense of shared peril—could not help but arise within them all.

One must remember, this was a peerless Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler of an immortal domain, a step below a Path Ancestor].

For ages, it had been a consensus throughout the Three Thousand Immortal Domains that a Primordial One Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord who has unified their Great Path and reached its origin] was deathless and Indestructibility [a state of near-perfect immortality and resilience], so difficult to slay that even a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage [a being who has transcended the Great Paths to become a foundational principle of the cosmos] would struggle to accomplish it.

Although they understood that a Great Path Rival [a fated nemesis whose very existence is anathema to another on the same Great Path, capable of causing their complete annihilation] could utterly exterminate a Primordial One Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord who has unified their Great Path and reached its origin], such an occurrence was exceedingly rare within the vast expanse of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

After all, the Great Path [a fundamental cosmic principle or law that cultivators seek to comprehend and embody] is boundless. The probability of a single Great Path giving rise to two Imperial Lord [supreme rulers of an immortal domain, a step below a Path Ancestor], and for them to reside within the same Primordial Immortal Domain [one of the foundational, ancient realms from which all others are said to have descended], was simply too remote, too infinitesimal.

Moreover, both the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor and the Southern Blaze Divine King were existences at the level of Primordial One Imperial Lord 8th Tier or above.

That Southern Blaze Divine King [a title for a powerful deity] was an ancient Divine King [a high-level divine being] who had existed since the mid-Primordial Era [the earliest epoch of creation]. Among the many Divine Kings of the Divine Clan [a clan or pantheon of gods], he could be ranked within the top ten.

Such a figure's status was not inferior to that of an Imperial Lord of the Celestial Mansion [a high-ranking celestial official], and his power was arguably even greater by a margin.

Yet, despite this, the Southern Blaze Divine King still fell. His Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was utterly extinguished by the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor [a title for a supreme emperor associated with the Vermilion Bird], with only a wisp of his True Spirit [the fundamental, indestructible essence of a being] plummeting into the cycle of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth].

Even if he were to one day again prove his Great Path [a supreme cultivation path] and attain the Great Encompassing Realm [a supreme cultivation realm], the Southern Blaze Divine King, having lost his Great Path Authority [the sovereign authority over a Great Path], would likely find it exceedingly difficult to return to the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm [the realm of a Primordial One Imperial Lord].

"Alas—"

The Celestial Beam Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord associated with the Celestial Beam star] let out a soft sigh before speaking. "With the fall of the Southern Blaze Divine King and the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor obtaining a supreme Great Path Authority, it is likely he will step into the Sage Ascendant Realm [the realm of a Sage Ascendant]."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all present shifted slightly.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before asking, "I have heard that to break through to the Sage Ascendant Realm, one must obtain the complete Great Path Authorities of a path. The 'Vermilion Heaven Solar Fire' [the Vermilion Heaven Solar Fire cultivation art] Great Path of the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor is also an immensely powerful Innate Great Path [a Great Path that is innate to the universe]. Could it be that the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor has already mastered the complete authority over this Great Path?"

Beside him, the Desolation Meng Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord from the Meng clan associated with desolation] shook his head and said, "Among the Ten Great Immortal Flames of Chaos [the ten supreme flames born from primordial chaos], the Southern Brightness Solar Fire [the Southern Brightness Solar Fire divine ability] ranks within the top ten. It was originally one of the most powerful Limitless Great Paths [a Great Path of boundless potential]."

"This Vermilion Heaven Solar Fire can be considered a variant of the Southern Brightness Solar Fire. They share a profound connection, yet its power is only slightly inferior by half a measure."

"Precisely because it is a variant flame, there are fewer cultivators who practice the Vermilion Heaven Solar Fire. It also does not count as a Limitless Flame, therefore one will not encounter an insurmountable Great Path Rival."

Speaking thus, Desolation Meng continued in a measured tone, "Of course, those who cultivate the Vermilion Heaven Solar Fire are not few. They are scattered throughout the Endless Chaos, their numbers reaching hundreds, even thousands."

"No matter how powerful the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor may be, it is impossible to traverse the boundless Chaos Desolation Sea and eradicate all those Great Path Rival."

"However, he can initiate a struggle for Great Path Authority. Within the endless Sea of the Great Path, he can contend with those formidable adversaries for dominion over the Great Path Authority."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen was slightly taken aback, a flicker of surprise appearing in his gaze.

Celestial Beam Imperial Lord also nodded, his expression turning grave as he affirmed, "If one day, your cultivation breaks through to the Great Perfection Primordial One Imperial Lord realm, and the Great Path Authority you command ranks first, or the portion you command exceeds one-tenth, you may then initiate the struggle for Great Path Authority."

"At that time, you can project your Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] into the Sea of the Great Path. With supreme, mighty power, you can forcibly refine the Great Path Authority of others. To protect their own Great Path Authority, those Great Path Rival must also project their Primordial Spirit into the Sea of the Great Path to do battle with you."

"Should they retreat, they can only utterly relinquish their Great Path Authority."

Eldrin Chen paused for a moment, realizing that the one who held the most Great Path Authority [supreme authority over a fundamental cosmic principle] could directly initiate a Great Path War [a metaphysical conflict waged within the conceptual fabric of a Great Path].

Such wars take place within the Sea of the Great Path [the conceptual ocean where all Great Paths converge and interact] and are pure duels between Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their foundational power and potential]. The outcome hinges primarily on the combatants' strength of Primordial Spirit and their mastery over the Great Path [a fundamental cosmic principle or law of existence].

At this thought, Eldrin Chen suddenly realized something, his expression turning to one of shock. "If that's the case," he said, "then those who have cultivated a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a perfected and immensely powerful form of the Primordial Spirit], or those who directly follow the Primordial Spirit Path Attainment [a cultivation method focused on supreme refinement of the Primordial Spirit], would hold an overwhelming advantage, wouldn't they?"

"Precisely so."

Desolation Meng Imperial Lord nodded, his expression calm. "Since ancient times," he stated, "not a single being who attained sagehood via the Path of Path Mastery [a cultivation path focused on supreme comprehension and control of Great Paths] has ever possessed a weak Primordial Spirit. A True Spirit Primordial Spirit is merely the most basic prerequisite."

"Furthermore," he continued, "those who cultivate multiple Primordial Chaos Great Path [fundamental cosmic principles of the Primordial Chaos], or even step into the Second Chaos Realm [a profound realm of cultivation within the Primordial Chaos], almost invariably possess a supremely powerful Chaos Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit forged and tempered within the Primordial Chaos]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a tremor deep within his heart.

In that moment, he largely understood why the Myriad Souls Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord title] had met an untimely end, and why the supreme expert who transformed into the Primordial Era Soul River [a legendary river formed from the essence of countless souls from the Primordial Era] had fallen.

For the potential of the Primordial Spirit Path Attainment was truly terrifying. Such existences were not only astonishingly powerful in combat but also held a tremendous advantage in the contest for Great Path Authority.

Consider this: if the Solar Heavenly Emperor [the Heavenly Emperor associated with the sun] were to prove his Dao and become a Soul Path Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor whose authority lies over souls and spirit], he could directly seize the authority over the Stellar Great Path [the Great Path governing stars and celestial bodies] from within the Great Path itself. There would be no need for all those intricate plots and schemes.

Even if one sets their sights upon a Limitless Great Path [a supreme cultivation art representing a boundless and ultimate Dao], all that is required is to sink one's heart into dual cultivation and comprehension until one either ranks first in the Great Path Authority [the measure of one's mastery and control over a specific Great Path or Dao] or masters more than ten percent of its Great Path Authority. At that point, one can directly initiate a Great Path Contention [a fateful, often violent struggle for dominance over a specific Great Path or Dao].

By that time, with the supreme Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] cultivation of a Soul Path Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor who has attained the pinnacle of mastery over the Soul Path], seizing all of the Great Path Authority would be as easy as lifting a finger.

Thus, by mastering several compatible Primordial Chaos Great Path [Great Paths or Daos that originate from or are deeply connected to the Primordial Chaos], and then attempting to break through to the Second Chaos Realm Path Union Realm [the Second Chaos Realm, also known as the Path Union Realm, a legendary cultivation stage beyond the Heavenly Emperor], the difficulty would not just be reduced—it would be diminished by severalfold.

"Once one attains the Primordial Spirit Path Attainment [the state of having one's Primordial Spirit perfectly aligned with and mastering a specific Path] as a Heavenly Emperor [a supreme ruler among cultivators, possessing immense power and authority], the success rate for a later breakthrough to the Second Chaos Realm would likely be more than ten times greater than that of an ordinary Heavenly Emperor."

"Moreover, whether one can break through to become a Soul Path Heavenly Emperor via Primordial Spirit Path Attainment might very well be one of the key prerequisites for attempting the Second Chaos Realm breakthrough itself."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a trace of solemnity flickering in the depths of his gaze.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen felt a dawning comprehension. Across the entire Thirteen Domains of the Northern and Southern Heaven Abyss [a vast and perilous region comprising thirteen major domains], combined with the ancient Immortal Cosmos Primordial Domain [the legendary primordial realm from which the current cosmos is said to have originated], the number of Chaos Heavenly Emperor [Heavenly Emperors who have mastered powers of Primordial Chaos] surely numbered in the dozens.

Yet, among so many Chaos Heavenly Emperor, not a single existence at the Second Chaos Realm had ever emerged. This starkly revealed how utterly, devastatingly difficult it was to advance even a single step beyond the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Realm [the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Realm, the pinnacle stage for most cultivators].

Consider, for instance, the Great Encompassing Realm [a high-level immortal cultivation realm]. Among ten Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [Golden Immortals of the Great Encompassing Realm], one would typically find at least a single Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a Golden Immortal who has reached the late stage of the Great Encompassing Realm].

Even at the Primordial One Imperial Lord [Imperial Lord of the Primordial One Realm] level, those who could reach the Primordial One Imperial Lord Late Stage [the late stage of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm] were no fewer than one in ten.

However, upon reaching the Realm of Chaos [the highest known tier of cultivation, where one's power begins to touch the fundamental laws of the cosmos], not to mention the Third Chaos Realm, even achieving the Second Chaos Realm is a feat accomplished by less than one in a hundred. This starkly illustrates how immensely difficult it becomes to advance even a single step further at that level.

The hindrance lies not merely in a lack of resources, but in the imperfections of one's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator], their mana reserves, their comprehension of the Great Path [the fundamental laws and principles of the universe], and the very foundation of their cultivation. Among these, the ability to achieve Primordial Spirit Path Attainment [a state of perfect harmony and enlightenment within one's Primordial Spirit, a crucial step for higher advancement] might very well be the key to ascending to greater heights.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen felt his resolve to walk the path of Primordial Spirit Path Attainment solidify with even greater determination.

"Boom—"

Just as these thoughts stirred within Eldrin Chen, he suddenly sensed an indescribable, supremely powerful aura.

Raising his head, he traced the aura's origin to the Vermilion Bird Star Domain. Deep within that celestial region, an immensely majestic Vermilion Bird Divine Soul [the manifested spiritual avatar of the Vermilion Bird, a divine beast of the south associated with fire] soared into the heavens. Wreathed in scorching flames, it tore through the fabric of World-Opening [a realm of existence where new worlds are born from primordial chaos] and plunged into a certain Nameless Space-Time [a unique and mysterious pocket dimension or plane of existence].

Within that Nameless Space-Time, countless Great Path Divine Chains [tangible manifestations of the universe's fundamental laws, appearing as chains of light and energy] crisscrossed and intertwined. Myriads upon myriads of Great Path principles swirled within the vast, primordial expanse.

Among them, one chain blazed with a fiery radiance, dazzling like an Eternal Divine Sun [a metaphor for a source of everlasting, divine light and power], its brilliance illuminating the depths of the Boundless Chaos Universe.

"As expected, it is indeed about to break through."

Luo River Imperial Lord murmured softly, his expression grave as he sighed, "If it succeeds in its breakthrough, the Demon Race will once again possess three Sage Ascendant [a supreme cultivation realm just below the legendary Path Ancestors]. They may well recapture the glorious zenith they held in the ancient eras."

Desolation Meng Imperial Lord also let out a soft sigh, then shook his head and said, "Make your preparations. This Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense destruction and renewal] is also nearing its end."

"Nearing its end?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered with momentary surprise, but he quickly grasped the implication.

In this great war between the three races, the Demon Race had already reclaimed the Vermilion Bird Star Domain. Most crucially, they were likely to gain another Sage Ascendant [a supreme cultivator one step below a Path Ancestor]. It could be said they had secured a significant advantage and were unlikely to make any further major moves.

For if the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor failed in her breakthrough, the Demon Race, having lost the combat power of a Great Emperor [a supreme ruler among cultivators], would certainly be forced to retreat in defeat.

Conversely, if the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor succeeded, it would likely alarm the Divine Sovereign and Immortal Sage [a supreme being who has transcended mortality and attained profound wisdom and power] of the Human and Divine Races.

With one fewer Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign ruler of a heavenly domain] on their side, if the Demon Race did not know when to quit while ahead, they risked suffering a severe setback.

From Eldrin Chen's understanding, the venerable senior Great Abyss Immortal Sage was not one to stand on ceremony.

If he couldn't win by the rules, he wouldn't hesitate to flip the board.

In the past, the old master had not shied away from bullying the weak, going so far as to shatter the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand celestial defensive array]. It stood to reason that now, too, he could set aside his dignity to strike at his juniors.

Returning to the main topic, after a brief moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen quickly grasped the strategic landscape that lay ahead.

He rose directly to his feet and declared, "In that case, we shall mobilize our forces for a counteroffensive. Let us see how many of the lost Cosmic Stellar [the starry realms of the cosmos] we can reclaim."

Everyone nodded in agreement. They began deliberating on troop deployments and commander assignments, intent on recapturing the lost Myriad Heavens Stellar [the stellar domains of the countless heavens].

In the years that followed, the Human and Divine Races organized their military strength and launched continuous counterattacks against the lost Nine Heavens Stellar [the stellar domains of the Nine Heavens].

Meanwhile, the main force of the Demon Race remained entrenched within the Vermilion Bird Star Domain, guarding the physical body of the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor with their full might, paying little heed to the loss of these Stellar [star domains].

Thus, the great war raged on. Time blurred and rushed past in the tumult, and before they knew it, more than a single Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle in Buddhist cosmology, often billions of years] had elapsed.

Then, on this day, a world-shattering fissure appeared in the depths of the Vermilion Bird Star Domain, deep within the Boundless Starry Sky.

Immediately after, endless Great Path Divine Chains [divine chains embodying the principles of the Great Path] descended from the Sea of the Great Path [the conceptual ocean of the fundamental Dao]. They coalesced, one after another, into Great Path Divine Form [divine manifestations of the Great Path], coiling around a supreme Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] as it descended.

That Primordial Spirit radiated an eternal light. A mere wisp of its aura was enough to annihilate Myriad Heavens [the countless celestial realms]. Every single strand and filament of its presence carried a pressure that could make even a Primordial One Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord at the Primordial One realm] tremble with fear.

"Six Great Path True Form [True Forms of the Great Path]..."

Eldrin Chen stood upon the vast expanse of the Myriad Heavens, his robes as white as fresh snow. His gaze was fixed upon the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] enveloped by endless Great Path Divine Chains, and profound gravity settled within his eyes.

He understood in his heart that this was the birth of a Sage Ascendant [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the threshold of the Path Ancestor realm], the re-emergence of an eternal existence into the mortal realm.

Sage Ascendant are the highest of Path Master [a title for a master of a cultivation path]. Such an existence, upon obtaining a single wisp of Chaos Genesis Energy [the primordial energy from which all creation springs], could attempt to ascend to the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Realm [the realm of a Chaos Heavenly Emperor, a sovereign of primordial chaos].

Generally speaking, a perfected Innate Great Path [a supreme cultivation art born from the fundamental laws of the universe] can, at most, give birth to nine Great Path Divine Form [divine manifestations of a Great Path's power].

Yet this is merely the theoretical limit. In truth, Great Path capable of nurturing nine Great Path Divine Form are exceedingly rare.

The vast majority of perfected Great Path possess no more than five or six Great Path Divine Form. Many weaker perfected Great Innate Path have only two or three such divine forms.

That the Great Path of Vermilion Heaven Solar Fire [the cultivation art of the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Symbols] wielded by the Vermilion Bird Great Emperor possesses six Great Path Divine Form proves it is by no means a weak Great Path.

The probability of such a Great Path Divine Form, upon obtaining a strand of Chaos Genesis Energy, successfully breaking through to the Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign who commands the power of primordial chaos] realm…

Eldrin Chen pondered silently for a moment before shaking his head. "I fear it does not exceed twenty percent," he concluded.

For a Perfect Innate Great Path to ascend further and transform into a Primordial Chaos Great Path [a Great Path born from the primordial chaos itself] imposes immense and stringent requirements.

Generally speaking, for a Great Path [a supreme cultivation art that embodies a fundamental law of the cosmos] that manifests fewer than four Great Path Divine Form [divine manifestations of a Great Path's power], the chance of a successful breakthrough and transformation is virtually zero, as the art itself is too weak and fragile.

Those capable of manifesting between four and six Great Path Divine Form are typically considered not-weak Great Path, possessing a ten to twenty percent possibility of a successful breakthrough and metamorphosis.

Once the number exceeds seven Great Path Divine Form, the probability of transforming into a Primordial Chaos Great Path [a supreme Dao path born from the primordial chaos, the highest order of cultivation law] increases dramatically.

Typically, a Great Path with seven Great Path Divine Form, when aided by a Chaos Rare Treasure [a treasure of immense power born from the primordial chaos], has a thirty percent chance of completing this transformation.

Eight Great Path Divine Form grants a fifty percent chance, while nine Great Path Divine Form offers a possibility exceeding eighty percent.

Legends speak of arts surpassing nine Great Path Divine Form—these are the supreme Limitless Great Path [a Great Path of boundless potential, the pinnacle of cultivation arts]. Once a cultivator achieves complete Path Mastery [the state of perfect comprehension and control over a Great Path] and refines Chaos Genesis Energy [the primordial creative energy from which all things were born], they are destined to transform their path into a Primordial Chaos Great Path.

However, the more powerful a Great Path is, the more formidable cultivators will seek to master it, making the attainment of Great Path Authority [the ultimate authority and dominion over a specific Great Path] exponentially more difficult.

In ancient times, figures like the Primordial Phoenix [the progenitor of all phoenixes, a being of primordial fire and rebirth] and the Candle Dragon [a primordial dragon deity governing time, light, and darkness] succeeded in breaking through to become Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor whose authority stems directly from the Primordial Chaos]. This was because they were Mandate of Heaven Chaos Divine Sovereign [a Divine Sovereign whose destiny is intertwined with the Chaos], each mastering a top-tier Great Path that manifested the full nine Great Path Divine Form.