Chapter 2007 : Clash of Heavenly Progenies

"Little Heavenly Emperor of Golden Crows, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion!"

Only then did the assembled Demon Immortal [powerful demonic cultivators who have attained immortality] of the Demon Race react, their expressions shifting to reveal delight and surprise.

The name Soaring Sky Imperial Scion had long thundered across the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, his prowess unchallenged for nearly a thousand Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles]. Even the several major defeats he had suffered in recent years had done little to tarnish his formidable reputation.

After all, among his adversaries was Eldrin the Abyssal Emperor, a peerless prodigy who had founded his own Great Path [profound cultivation methodology] and was hailed as the one most likely to break through to Sage Ascendant and even attain the realm of Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a supreme title for a ruler of primordial chaos].

And Exquisite Immortal Lord was the reincarnation of the Supreme Lunar Imperial Lord, one of the fated Primordial Era Divine Sovereign [divine rulers from the dawn of time]. To be defeated by such figures was no disgrace.

Now, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion arrived astride the World-Ending Heavenly Halberd, his gaze calm as it settled upon Tianheng Child and Lofty Pavilion Lin. "The disciples of an old acquaintance," he stated, "truly possess exceptional talent."

"Face me together. Let me witness firsthand the true might of the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation art focused on self-transcendence through sacrifice]."

With those words, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion immediately urged the World-Ending Heavenly Halberd forward in a sweeping horizontal strike. It descended with divine power capable of sundering heavens and extinguishing worlds, a force aimed directly at his foes.

Tianheng Child's eyes flickered. He raised a hand, summoning the Great Deduction Heavenly Wheel. In an instant, nine blade-wheels converged, merging into a single, awe-inspiring beam of divine radiance that tore through the firmament to meet the Imperial Scion's full-force assault head-on.

"*Clang!*"

In that fleeting instant, the World-Ending Heavenly Halberd clashed against the Great Deduction Heavenly Wheel, the two forces locking in a brief, trembling stalemate.

Soaring Sky Imperial Scion's brow furrowed slightly, his pupils radiating a world-illuminating golden light. "You... are not unworthy," he declared.

"BOOM—"

As his words fell, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion surged with power. Heaving the World-Ending Heavenly Halberd in a sweeping arc, he smashed the Great Deduction Heavenly Wheel away, sending it hurtling backwards. Even Tianheng Child was instantly forced into retreat.

Witnessing this, Lofty Pavilion Lin beside him swept his sleeve out, catching Tianheng Child. The Ten Great Immortal Treasuries behind him surged in response, manifesting a dazzling set of Formation Artifact that enveloped Void Heaven, solidly blocking the peerless strike from Soaring Sky Imperial Scion.

Only then did a flicker of genuine seriousness appear in the eyes of Worthy Pursuit Chen atop the Heavenly Vault. "This Soaring Sky Imperial Scion," he remarked, "his strength has already brushed against the very limits of the Three True Spirit Foundations [a supreme cultivation method requiring the foundation of three true spiritual essences]."

The Melancholy Inscription Lord [a title for a master of profound and sorrowful path inscriptions] nearby heard this and gave a slight, acknowledging nod.

If Tianheng Child's cultivation level represented the initial entry into the Three True Spirit Foundations, then Lofty Pavilion Lin's had already touched the pinnacle ranks of that realm.

And this Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, compared to Lofty Pavilion Lin's power, seemed to hold a slight, yet distinct, advantage.

Observing this, Plain Essence nearby spoke up. "It seems that despite his successive defeats, this individual possesses a spirit that refuses to yield."

The Melancholy Inscription Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] possessed keener insight. After observing for a mere moment, he stated, "Having suffered consecutive defeats on multiple occasions, his Dao Heart [the foundational will and clarity of purpose in a cultivator's path] is already flawed."

"For him to advance further, he must wash away this shame. Otherwise, after undergoing several extreme Nirvana [a rebirth-like breakthrough technique] cycles, and with the Solar Heavenly Emperor [a title for a supreme solar deity]'s contingency plans in play, it's highly likely he has already cultivated a fourth True Spirit Foundation [a foundational cultivation art for the spirit]."

Worthy Pursuit Chen also nodded, speaking calmly, "Since he finds it difficult to redeem his honor, he suppresses his cultivation to avoid a breakthrough. He seeks to mend his Dao Heart [the foundational will and clarity of purpose in a cultivator's path] by defeating prodigies from the Sacrificial Self Path [a powerful and demanding cultivation path]."

"In this way, even if it cannot compare to defeating my father, it might still partially mend the flaws in his Dao Heart [the foundational will and clarity of purpose in a cultivator's path]."

Thinking of this, Worthy Pursuit Chen chuckled again and shook his head. "In his previous defeats, he lost to my father and to Aunt Exquisite. One could say those losses were not unjustified."

"But if he loses again, and to the descendants of his former opponents, I'm afraid his Dao Heart [the foundational will and clarity of purpose in a cultivator's path] would completely shatter. Only by reincarnating and cultivating anew would he have hope of advancing further."

As these words were spoken, the great battle had already descended into a stalemate.

Soaring Sky Imperial Scion wielded the World-Ending Heavenly Halberd [a divine halberd of immense destructive power], fighting one against two like a Primordial Era Golden Sun [a legendary source of immense solar power], displaying earth-shaking, peerless prowess.

Yet that was all. Facing Lofty Pavilion Lin and Tianheng Child, he still could not gain the slightest upper hand.

Although the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion's Life-Bound Treasure [a treasure bound to a cultivator's life and soul], the Ten Suns Scorching Heaven Scroll [a powerful scroll artifact], was extremely formidable, Tianheng Child and Lofty Pavilion Lin were by no means weaklings either.

Whether it was Tianheng Child's Great Deduction Heavenly Wheel or Lofty Pavilion Lin's Ten Great Immortal Treasury Treasures, both were earth-shattering, peerless treasures capable of shaking the heavens and the earth.

Such a Formation Artifact [a magical treasure designed to form or power a grand formation], combined with the unique aspects of the Sacrificial Self Path [a cultivation method focused on self-sacrifice and empowerment], was in no way inferior to the Ten Suns Scorching Heaven Scroll.

The two sides engaged in a monumental duel upon the Heavenly Vault. The Soaring Sky Imperial Scion grew more and more alarmed as the battle raged on. He realized his two formidable foes were terrifyingly powerful, their spiritual energy [the vital force cultivated by practitioners] seemingly inexhaustible.

"The Ten Great Immortal Treasuries not only provides an endless wellspring of power, but it can also pierce through the void to frantically convert Primordial Chaos Energy [the primordial, formless energy from which all creation emerged], transforming it directly into World's Origin [the foundational essence of a world] to be absorbed into the Inner World [a personal, cultivated microcosm within a practitioner's body]."

"Is this... the astonishing power of the Inner World and the Indestructibility Immortal Treasury [a legendary, nearly unassailable stage of cultivation]?"

The Soaring Sky Imperial Scion murmured inwardly, understanding that the Sacrificial Self Path possessed a far vaster reservoir of spiritual energy than the conventional Immortal Path. The longer the battle dragged on, the smaller his chances of victory became.

With this realization, he hesitated no longer and instantly unleashed a forbidden technique.

In that very instant, the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion's cultivation base surged explosively. He blazed like an eternal, scorching sun, radiating an intensely blazing aura.

In the span of a single breath [a very brief moment], the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion struck again. He summoned forth a Solar Golden Bell to suppress and seal away Tianheng Child and Lofty Pavilion Lin completely.

"Forbidden Divine Ability, Heavenly Emperor's Forbidden Artifact."

In that instant, Lofty Pavilion Lin's brow furrowed slightly.

After Soaring Sky Imperial Scion unleashed his Forbidden Divine Ability, and coupled with the fact that the Heavenly Emperor's Forbidden Artifact 'Solar Golden Bell' was a replica forged from a Chaos Spiritual Artifact, its power had already surpassed what they could withstand.

Even if they were willing to resort to forbidden techniques and defend with their lives at all costs, the best they could achieve in the end would be a mutual devastation.

"BOOM—"

And in that very moment, an abrupt silence descended upon the far reaches of the void.

Behold, billions of rays of Buddhist light [radiant energy symbolizing enlightenment and purity] showered down, followed immediately by a single, vast hand the color of Dao Gold [a radiant, divine gold representing the ultimate truth] descending to blot out the heavens, suppressing that arrogant Solar Golden Bell.

"This is..."

Soaring Sky Imperial Scion's expression shifted, a flicker of shock crossing his face as he looked towards the firmament.

There, upon the Heavenly Vault, sat Worthy Pursuit Chen, clad in monastic robes, seated cross-legged upon a Merit Golden Lotus [a lotus throne formed from accumulated spiritual merit] like an eternal Buddha.

Around him seemed to swirl the chants of billions, a sacred and solemn Dao Gold-colored halo of Merit [spiritual credit earned through virtuous deeds] radiating from behind his head, illuminating the Myriad Heavens.

"Patron, I observe that your countenance bears a rare and profound aura, one that seems to resonate with the destiny of our Buddhist path [the spiritual tradition of enlightenment and compassion]," a voice intoned.

"As the saying goes, when will the endless cycle of vengeance and retribution cease? Would it not be better to forsake these grudges and follow this old monk to cultivate the Great Vehicle Buddhist Dharma [the supreme path of Mahayana Buddhism leading to universal enlightenment]?"

"Outrageous!"

Soaring Sky Imperial Scion roared in fury. With a mere flip of his palm, he summoned the World-Ending Heavenly Halberd [a divine weapon of cataclysmic power] which cleaved through the void towards his foe.

Witnessing this, Worthy Pursuit Chen could only sigh softly. "So be it," he murmured. "If the patron cannot comprehend the Great Vehicle Buddhist Dharma, then this humble monk is also somewhat versed in the arts of fist and foot."

As his words faded, his palm slowly turned over. The sky-obscuring giant hand descended like an inverted Immortal Domain [a realm of celestial beings and profound spiritual energy], its overwhelming pressure enveloping the vast expanse of the Heaven's Center [the central and most sacred region of the heavens].

"This is bad—!"

Soaring Sky Imperial Scion's heart clenched with dread. He immediately mustered all his power, raising the World-Ending Heavenly Halberd in a desperate attempt to block.

Yet, from within that palm that blotted out the heavens, the Six-Syllable Mantra [a powerful incantation of six sacred syllables] radiated a golden Chaos Light [primordial radiance of creation and dissolution]. Coiling around it was a Great Power Heavenly Dragon [a manifestation of immense celestial draconic power], descending with an unstoppable, world-shaking force to suppress all beneath it.

Though Soaring Sky Imperial Scion resisted with every fiber of his being, he found himself utterly overwhelmed, crushed beneath a power against which he could muster no defiance.

The Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture of Worthy Pursuit Chen was forged from nine Primordial Chaos Ancient Characters. Six of these characters transformed into the Six-Syllable Mantra, a supreme and peerless Buddhist dharma.

The remaining three characters coalesced into the Great Power Heavenly Dragon Scripture, a path of Fleshly Body Sanctification [the art of refining the physical body to a divine state] that was equally rare and ancient.

The Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture born from their convergence was a supreme Ancient Chaos Scripture. Not only could one use the Six-Syllable Mantra to step into the Realm of Chaos, but it also contained a Fleshly Body Sanctification Art of the Chaos Tier.

Now, Worthy Pursuit Chen pushed the power of the Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture to its absolute limit. Furthermore, he harnessed the Ten Great Indestructibility Immortal Treasuries [ten supreme, unbreakable repositories of immortal power], unleashing a sky-filling radiance of Buddha-light.

As the eldest son upon whom Eldrin Chen placed immense hopes, Worthy Pursuit Chen's foundational cultivation in this life ranked among the very top tier within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, not inferior to a Chaos Heavenly Emperor of the same age and far surpassing the three direct disciples like Lofty Pavilion Lin.

Having lingered at the Immortal Treasury Realm for many years, he had continuously assisted Eldrin Chen in perfecting the ultimate method of the Immortal Treasury [a repository of immortal power] for the Sacrificial Self Path. Long ago, he had cultivated his Ten Great Immortal Treasuries to the pinnacle state of the Indestructibility Immortal Treasury.

Most crucially, among Worthy Pursuit Chen's Ten Great Immortal Treasuries, aside from the Great Encompassing Immortal Treasury, the other Immortal Treasury had each forged their own unique path, transforming into the Buddhist Sect Nine Realms.

Each of these nine realms had been imprinted by Worthy Pursuit Chen with one of the Primordial Chaos Ancient Characters, containing a power that bordered on the supreme.

Now, as Worthy Pursuit Chen exerted his full power, the nine ancient realms within him blazed with an eternal, midday Buddha-light. An immeasurable torrent of power surged ceaselessly into the colossal palm.

This giant palm was the supreme Divine Ability [a supernatural power or technique] he had created, named 'Buddha's World-Salvation Palm', founded upon the principles of the Primordial Chaos Unity Energy Grasping Hand.

"BOOM—"

Faced with such world-shaking divine might, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion ultimately could not withstand it. After holding out for a few moments, he was forcibly driven deep into the earth beneath the Heaven's Center and firmly sealed there.

Having suppressed Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, Worthy Pursuit Chen's gaze flickered slightly with a thought.

Given the profound mysteries of the Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture, he could completely use this opportunity to convert Soaring Sky Imperial Scion into a Buddhist Sect Dharma-Protecting Vajra [a powerful guardian deity of the Buddhist faith].

However, considering that Solar Heavenly Emperor [the Celestial Emperor of the Sun], he ultimately suppressed the thought in his heart.

In the blink of an eye, he activated a Buddhist Sect sealing art, thoroughly suppressing Soaring Sky Imperial Scion upon the Heaven's Center, and then spoke: "In recognition of the difficulty of your cultivation, this humble monk leaves you a sliver of life."

"Today, I seal you here, severing all your sinful cultivation, leaving your divine soul to sink into deep slumber. I hope you can restrain your fierce nature and refrain from committing evil within the Mortal Dust [the mortal realm]."

"ARGH—"

Soaring Sky Imperial Scion was so furious he nearly went mad. He was fundamentally a being of True Spirit Foundation [a foundation built upon a primordial true spirit], an existence of inherent Indestructibility [the quality of being unbreakable and eternal].

Even if Worthy Pursuit Chen were to utterly annihilate him, he would only need a few Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] to revive.

Yet at this moment, Worthy Pursuit Chen severed all of his cultivation Creation, leaving only his soul to sink into a deep slumber. What difference was there between this and killing him outright?

Thus, in a fit of maddened fury, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion roared and Burst forth, unleashing earth-shaking power in a desperate attempt to break free.

Alas, no matter how ferocious his onslaught, it ultimately could not withstand the supreme divine might of Worthy Pursuit Chen.

In the span of mere moments, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion was utterly suppressed. His heaven-defying cultivation was completely severed, condensed into a single Path Source [a primordial seed containing the essence of one's cultivation path], while his soul alone was imprisoned beneath the Five-Finger Divine Mountain.

Having accomplished this, Worthy Pursuit Chen finally, slowly, withdrew his hand.

This time, he had not completely annihilated Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, merely stripping away all his cultivated power. Given the Recovery speed innate to Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, he should require only a single Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle in Buddhist cosmology, often billions of years] to Recovery.

However, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion's Dao Heart [the foundational will and resolve of a cultivator, core to their path] had already been shattered. Even if he were to awaken and return one day, he would have to sever all his cultivation and reincarnate to start anew, unlikely to pose any significant threat thereafter.

With this thought, Worthy Pursuit Chen dismissed the notion from his mind, only to notice the remaining Demon Immortal [a powerful immortal-level cultivator aligned with demonic or fiendish paths] beginning to flee for their lives.

By this point, any attempt at escape was already far too late.

Pavilion Stop Zhang was already maneuvering the Nine Realms of the Myriad Heavens Diagram to seal the heavens and earth, while Lofty Pavilion Lin and Tianheng Child also unleashed their full power against the foe. Aside from the Vermilion Bird Holy Scion, the others found themselves virtually incapable of mounting any effective resistance.

Even Plain Essence [the reincarnated master of the Innate Plain Questions Scripture] took action. Skilled in healing and Recovery [a restorative art], her combat prowess, while not supreme, was still comparable to the power of Three True Spirit Foundations [a legendary cultivation foundation].

Faced with such an assembly of True Spirit Prodigy [geniuses possessing innate True Spirit constitutions], how could the gathered powerhouses of the Demon Race possibly withstand them?

The great battle lasted mere tens of thousands of exchanges. Aside from those demons who fled upon sensing the dire turn of events, the vast majority of the Demon Race forces were utterly annihilated in a single, decisive clash.

And from beginning to end, Melancholy Inscription Lord [the Lord of Melancholic Inscriptions] did not even entertain the thought of intervening.

"There are too few powerhouses at the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of Ancient Immortals] here," he mused.

"For one of my stature to bully the lesser holds no interest. The true adversaries will only be encountered during the struggle for the Chaos Genesis Energy [the primordial energy of creation from the Chaos]."

Melancholy Inscription Lord spoke slowly, yet in the end, he acted. From across the immeasurable distance of the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [the Ancient Continent of Immortal Ruins], he unleashed a single strike that suppressed and slew a peerless Imperial Scion beyond Void Heaven [the Void Heaven region], thus transcending this Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of calamity and renewal].

At this moment, the assembled heroes of the Human Race exchanged glances, their faces uniformly etched with astonishment.

Once the war concluded, Bright Radiance the Imperial Scion stepped forward and, cupping his hands towards Worthy Pursuit Chen, said, "We had believed that in this tribulation, the heroes of the Sacrificial Self Path [the Path of Self-Sacrifice] would surely be in grave peril."

"We came intending to offer aid, yet never imagined you would sweep through the host of Demon Race powerhouses in a single battle. It seems our vision was too narrow."

Worthy Pursuit Chen smiled faintly and spoke with calm composure, "My father once said that Bright Radiance Great Emperor was one of the Human Race's Five Direction Great Emperors and a true pillar supporting the Immortal Court."

"I never imagined that today, I would have the honor of meeting Bright Radiance the Imperial Scion in person. My deepest apologies for not recognizing you sooner."

A trace of a smile appeared on Bright Radiance Imperial Scion's face as he replied, "You are too kind. Your father's talent is truly rare across the ages. Future is the one who holds the esteemed position of Sage Ascendant, and even that of Immortal Sage."

"You, as a Person of Destiny [an individual marked by fate for a great purpose], are indeed proof that a great father does not sire a mediocre son. In the future, you will likely become a Supreme [a title denoting the highest authority] of a Buddhist Sect."

Worthy Pursuit Chen nodded inwardly. He had long heard of the concept of a Person of Destiny.

For instance, he already knew his younger brother, Worthy Remembrance Chen, was one. Defying Heaven from the Primordial Domain of Myriad Gods was also a Person of Destiny.

As for himself, ever since he reincarnated carrying the Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture, he too had become a Person of Destiny, bound by an ineffable fate he was destined to fulfill.

Such individuals, until their destined task is complete, are sheltered by the Destiny Great Path [the cosmic principle governing fate and destiny], making them nearly impossible to kill.

With this thought, Worthy Pursuit Chen retrieved several portions of Path Source [the foundational essence of a cultivation path] from his sleeve and offered them to Bright Radiance the Imperial Scion. "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. Consider these Rare Spiritual Wonders [exceptionally precious spiritual materials] as compensation for your support in this endeavor."

Hearing this, Bright Radiance the Imperial Scion could not help but smile slightly in return.

In the battle just concluded, they had not directly intervened in the main conflict, but they had still tied down a portion of the Demon Race's forces. Furthermore, they had intercepted numerous fleeing Demon Race powerhouses, thus contributing their share of effort to the victory.

Considering this, Bright Radiance the Imperial Scion accepted the offering. "In that case," he declared, "I shall not decline your generosity."

"We shall meet again at the forthcoming Great Encompassing Immortal Banquet."

With those final words, the assembled figures began to take their leave, one after another.

Following this, Worthy Pursuit Chen led his companions to seize a Forbidden Land. There, they immediately entered seclusion to refine the captured Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's cultivation path and power].

Refining the Path Source of powerful foes offered immense benefits for the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation method focused on self-transcendence through sacrifice]. It even held the potential to advance one's Indestructibility Immortal Treasury [a supreme cultivation realm representing an unbreakable foundation of power] further.

They remained in seclusion within the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent for tens of thousands of years, refining numerous top-tier Path Source. Ultimately, both their cultivation bases and combat prowess achieved significant breakthroughs.

Taking Lofty Pavilion Lin as an example, after this breakthrough, all ten of his Ten Great Immortal Treasuries [a set of ten supreme divine abilities representing ultimate mastery] had ascended to the pinnacle of the Indestructibility Realm.

Unfortunately, the Indestructibility Immortal Treasury seemed to be the absolute limit. Despite Lofty Pavilion Lin's exceptional talent and profound experience, advancing beyond it proved insurmountably difficult.

Even Worthy Pursuit Chen, after successively refining the Path Source of Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, failed to cultivate the True Spirit Immortal Treasury [a legendary cultivation art said to forge a treasury of one's truest spirit]. He had not even taken a half-step into its profound mysteries.

"It seems that to cultivate the True Spirit Immortal Treasury [a supreme cultivation art for forging an indestructible spiritual foundation], one must first step into the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm [the foundational realm for Imperial Lords, representing the unity of one's primordial essence]."

Worthy Pursuit Chen murmured inwardly, yet he had no choice but to suppress his desire to advance further.

Since further progress was impossible, Worthy Pursuit Chen ceased wasting the Path Source [the primordial source energy required for cultivating the Path]. In the time that followed, he led his companions deep into the Chaos [the primordial, formless void between realms], where they clashed with the myriad heroes of the Southern Abyss Seven Domains.

In the ensuing battles, Worthy Pursuit Chen and his allies achieved seven consecutive victories, crushing all formidable foes who sought to obstruct the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation path centered on self-sacrifice and transcendence].

The powerful experts who had perfected their Immortal Treasury [the foundational spiritual repository within a cultivator] within the Sacrificial Self Path also seized the opportunity to slay numerous formidable adversaries.

These practitioners who had reached Immortal Treasury perfection within the Sacrificial Self Path were far less powerful than Worthy Pursuit Chen and his peers. Because cultivating the Immortal Treasury was more arduous than the Nine Heavenly Passes [a series of nine profound cultivation thresholds], most had only achieved the Ninth Limit Immortal Treasury [the ninth and penultimate stage of Immortal Treasury perfection].

Yet, even at this level, their combat prowess far surpassed that of any ordinary Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

After amassing a vast quantity of Path Source, the strength of those who had perfected their Immortal Treasury within the Sacrificial Self Path began to advance by leaps and bounds. They continuously broke through to the Tenth Limit Immortal Treasury [the ultimate, tenth stage of Immortal Treasury perfection], and their battle power soared ever higher.

Finally, Worthy Pursuit Chen met with these Immortal Treasury perfected disciples of the Sacrificial Self Path just before the entrance to the Chaos Heaven Abyss [a legendary, perilous chasm within the primordial Chaos].

There, Worthy Pursuit Chen bestowed the Path Source he no longer needed upon these disciples. Then, without further delay, he stepped onto the Ancient Path of the Heaven Abyss [the ancient, treacherous trail leading into the depths of the Heaven Abyss] and departed.

Within the Heaven Abyss Ancient Continent, the six prodigies and the heroes of the Six Domains of the Northern Abyss clashed ceaselessly against the hordes from the outer realms, culminating in a final, decisive battle that shattered the invading foes.

After this conflict, the Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] finally drew near its end.

The calamitous energies suffusing heaven and earth began to gradually dissipate, and the champions of the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation method centered on self-offering and transcendence] also commenced their breakthroughs into the realm of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, representing a state of perfect, all-encompassing golden essence].

"…"

"Has the Kalpa Tribulation ended?"

On this day, Eldrin Chen awoke from his secluded cultivation. Sensing the explosively swelling authority and power of the Sacrificial Self Path, a flicker of pleasant surprise crossed his features.

Not long before, the power of the Sacrificial Self Path had begun to ascend with breathtaking speed, soaring in the blink of an eye to the perfected second level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme realm representing the unity of the primordial essence and imperial authority].

Moreover, as time flowed onward, the might of the Sacrificial Self Path continued its relentless surge, only ceasing its ascent upon reaching the fourth level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord.

"The fourth level of Primordial One Imperial Lord."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a ripple of profound contemplation stirring within the depths of his gaze.

He could keenly sense that even now, relying solely on the power of the Great Path Authority [the supreme authority over a Great Path of cultivation] granted by the Sacrificial Self Path, he could already rival a Primordial One Imperial Lord 4th Tier [a cultivator at the fourth level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm]. This revealed just how astonishing the recent evolution of the Sacrificial Self Path had truly been.

"Now, my overall combat strength should be sufficient to rival a Primordial One Imperial Lord 5th Tier [a cultivator at the fifth level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm]," he mused.

With these thoughts flickering through his mind, Eldrin Chen waited only until his power was fully consolidated before emerging from the Seclusion Chamber.

Once outside the Seclusion Chamber, Eldrin Chen made his way to the Returning Abyss Immortal Hall and settled in to await the arrival of his disciples.

Not long after, from beyond the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, several dozen incredibly powerful auras arrived in quick succession.

"Enter," he said.

Eldrin Chen opened the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain and, with a sweep of his sleeve, beckoned his disciples inward.

One after another, over thirty peerless figures stepped into the Great Hall. With respectful bows, they spoke in unison, "We pay our respects to our Master, to the Imperial Lord [a title for a supreme ruler among cultivators]."

As their voices faded, Eldrin Chen finally took the time to observe the assembled group before him.