Chapter 2055 : The Great Emperor's Cosmic Trial

"With such power and talent, he can be called invincible within this Jiyuan-time [a grand cosmological Era, often spanning tens of thousands of years]. Even the supreme Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the terrestrial immortal realm] of the Lower Realm before the 'Severance of Heaven and Earth' event could not possibly be his match."

"Yet, with merely this level of strength, if placed among the three thousand Jiyuan-time [grand cosmological Eras], he would only rank beyond the hundredth position."

Speaking to this point, the Elder sighed once more, his gaze complex as he said, "The three thousand Jiyuan-time [grand cosmological Eras] are drawing to a close. This impending Era Cataclysm [a cataclysmic tribulation marking the end of a grand cosmic cycle] approaches. If Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor cannot ascend to immortality, I fear he will be unable to stabilize this Cosmos [the universe or world-realm]."

"Ah, what is the Era Cataclysm [a cataclysmic tribulation marking the end of a grand cosmic cycle]?"

The young maiden was slightly taken aback, a look of confusion washing over her features.

"The Jiyuan-time [grand cosmological Era] Tribulation is the cyclical calamity of the Cosmos [the universe or world-realm]."

The old man shook his head with a bitter smile, then began to explain, "This tribulation occurs once every million years. All living beings between heaven and earth must face its trial."

"Even a peerless Great Emperor [a supreme ruler among cultivators, possessing immense power], if unable to transcend the great calamity, will turn to dust and bones within a tomb."

"The most terrifying aspect is..."

The old man took a deep breath, then continued, "A Great Emperor [a supreme ruler among cultivators] who has broken through the ultimate limits is cursed by the Great Dao [the supreme, fundamental principle governing all existence]. Their lifespan shall not exceed a million years."

"To cling to life, countless mighty figures throughout the ages have chosen to slumber within the Forbidden Land [a perilous and secluded realm where time and natural laws are distorted], seeking to prolong their existence."

"Whenever an Era Cataclysm [a cosmic calamity marking the end of a great epoch] descends, it becomes the perfect moment for them to Restoration [recover and rejuvenate] their Life [vital life force] essence."

Upon hearing this, the young maiden could not help but draw in a sharp, cold breath.

A flicker of panic crossed her features. "Old man," she blurted out, unable to contain herself, "what are we going to do then?"

"Shouldn't we just... run for it?"

The old man chuckled, patting the girl's head. A trace of solemnity surfaced in the depths of his gaze. "It matters not," he declared calmly. "I shall intervene."

"Intervene your head off!"

The maiden rolled her eyes dramatically. "Our little broken-down sect," she retorted, "doesn't even have two or three decent cultivators to its name—hardly worth their notice. Don't go throwing your life away for nothing."

As they were speaking, Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor had already breached the depths of the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land.

In that instant, from the profound depths of the vast heavens and earth, an aura capable of throwing the very cosmos into chaos erupted and unfurled.

The cosmos trembled, stars reversed their course, and the Boundless Cosmos [the infinite expanse of the heavens] shook violently. Countless streams of stellar essence surged forth, converging and flooding into the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land [a perilous and ancient realm of ruins].

"Aaaaargh—!"

Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor roared in fury. The Thirty-Six Divine Treasuries [a supreme defensive technique manifesting thirty-six divine repositories] surrounding his form merged into one, erupting with an eternal light that seemed to swallow the Void [the primordial emptiness, the source of all things].

"He is about to break through."

The hunched elder murmured, his expression grave. "For those who push beyond the established limits, the success rate of Self-Sacrifice [a perilous final stage of ascension requiring the sacrifice of one's very being] becomes even lower."

"Should he fail, his soul will scatter to the winds, utterly annihilated."

"BOOM—!"

At this critical juncture, waves of supremely powerful auras descended upon the scene.

The hunched elder's brow furrowed slightly. From the depths of the Void, a golden holy sun soared into the sky, manifesting a pagoda that descended to suppress Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor.

Simultaneously, a great roc beat its wings, cleaving through the air with a Celestial Saber [a divine blade of heaven-rending power] aimed to sever all in its path.

"Solar Radiance Great Emperor, Golden-Winged Roc Emperor, Rift-Cosmos Ancient Emperor."

Watching one supreme powerhouse after another make their move, the hunched elder's brow furrowed slightly. He was just about to intervene when he instantly dismissed the thought.

In that very instant, the Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor's wildly surging aura abruptly receded. Then, he soared into the sky, wielding an Ethereal Void Ancient Sword and cleaving through the air, instantly engaging three Great Emperors in a fierce battle with his Eruption [a divine ability that unleashes explosive power].

After a mere moment of combat, the three Great Emperors were sent reeling, blood spraying from their mouths—a clear sign they had suffered a significant setback.

The hunched elder revealed a look of surprise and couldn't help but remark, "The Dao Embryo Extreme Breakthrough [a supreme cultivation art focused on perfecting the nascent Dao embryo]... it seems I have underestimated him."

With these words, the hunched elder refrained from intervening further, a faint smile gracing his lips.

For within the Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor's Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of unparalleled resilience], his Eruption had manifested an eternal, Imperishable [an attribute of absolute, timeless durability] radiance, emanating Dao marks [the fundamental laws and principles of the cosmos] that spoke of everlasting Indestructible [absolute and unbreakable durability].

"The Ethereal Void Dao Embryo [the perfected, nascent core of one's cultivation path, embodying the principles of emptiness and void]."

Defeated by a single move, the three Great Emperors wore expressions of utter shock and horror.

They turned their gazes toward the Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor, unable to contain their astonishment as they exclaimed, "You have already cultivated to the Five Extremes Realm [a legendary cultivation realm representing mastery over the ultimate extremes of power]! To think such a prodigy would appear in this era."

Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor remained utterly calm, his expression cold as he spoke, "Solar Radiance, Golden-Winged, Rift-Cosmos... I have finally lured you out."

"However, I suspect you are not the only ones."

"You guess correctly."

At that very moment, several more icy voices echoed from within the Void [the primordial emptiness from which all things emerge].

Dozens of peerless powerhouses descended through the firmament, each one a supreme overlord who had once dominated an entire Jiyuan-time [a grand cosmological Era, often spanning tens of thousands of years].

Now, surrounded by dozens of Great Emperor [the supreme rulers who have reached the pinnacle of cultivation], the Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor listened as the Solar Radiance Great Emperor spoke with chilling indifference, "To have cultivated the Five Forbidden Foundations [five legendary and perilous foundational cultivation paths], your talent ranks within the top ten across three thousand Jiyuan-time [grand cosmological Eras, often spanning tens of thousands of years]."

"No wonder the Upper Realm Immortal [an immortal being from a higher plane of existence] issued the decree for us to eliminate you."

"Someone from the Upper Realm?"

The Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor's expression turned frosty, his voice dripping with deepening chill, "Those mediocre talents who curse our path to immortality?"

"How dare you!"

Golden-Winged Roc Emperor spoke, his face contorted with fury. "Those who severed the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a legendary cultivation path where one sacrifices their own potential to empower others] were supreme powerhouses from the Upper Realm, each one an invincible force that shook the Vast Chaotic Sea [the boundless, turbulent expanse of primordial chaos that separates realms].

"Do not speak of you mere Path of Self-Sacrifice cultivators; even this magnificent Cosmos [the entire known universe or world] is but a grain of dust in Their eyes. Why would They ever feel threatened by it?"

"Those who issued the order this time were merely a few Heavenly Immortal Paragons [the pinnacle masters of the Heavenly Immortal realm, beings of immense power] from the Upper Realm."

Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor's expression turned icy, and he sneered coldly. "If They are not threatened, then why sever the cultivation path of the Path of Self-Sacrifice?"

"If I am not mistaken, the so-called supreme powerhouses you speak of, the very ones who acted to block the Path of Self-Sacrifice's road to immortality, must themselves be afraid of something, must they not?"

"You—!"

Golden-Winged Roc Emperor was incensed, about to speak again, but was cut off by the Solar Radiance Great Emperor.

With a cold laugh, the latter spoke, his aura radiating killing intent. "Enough words. Today, we take his head and end this Cosmos's path to the Dao."

"Then let us fight!"

Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor roared in defiance. He soared into the sky astride his ancient sword, which rang out with a metallic *shriek* as he cleaved downward, unleashing a battle of peerless, epoch-shaking grandeur.

He stood alone against dozens of Forbidden Powerhouses [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of power, their strength considered taboo or forbidden by cosmic laws], yet the scale of his achievements was utterly horrifying.

One after another, Forbidden Powerhouses fell, their heads brutally severed by the blade of Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor.

"What a stunningly brilliant junior," the hunched elder spoke, a look of awe dawning on his face. "I misjudged him again. It turns out he has cultivated the Indestructible Extreme [a legendary cultivation art focused on achieving absolute, unbreakable physical and spiritual resilience], forging the Six Extremes Foundation [a mythical, perfect foundation for cultivation, said to be achieved by mastering six ultimate aspects of power]."

The hunched elder spoke, his tone filled with profound admiration.

The young maiden rolled her eyes, unable to hold back a retort. "You're old. Your eyes are failing you."

"Hey! I'll beat you, you unfilial descendant!"

Covering his embarrassment, the hunched elder immediately pretended to strike.

The maiden swiftly dodged away, sticking her tongue out at him in a final, impish gesture.

But in that very instant, the old Daoist's expression shifted minutely. He lifted his head, his gaze piercing towards the depths of the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land, his face hardening into a mask of extreme gravity.

"BOOM—"

With a sound of cataclysmic fury, the vast and boundless Cosmos [the entirety of existence, the universe] was rent asunder. An indescribable fissure tore open at its very heart.

Then, from the space beyond that rift, seven ineffable beings emerged.

These entities were wreathed in boundless Immortal Spirit Qi [the supreme spiritual energy of the immortal realms]. Their forms shimmered with infinite Innate Dao Principles [the fundamental laws of reality, inherent to all things]. The mere wisp of aura they exuded caused the very fabric of this Cosmos to tremble on the brink of annihilation.

"Heavenly Immortal Paragons," the hunched elder uttered slowly, his face etched with profound apprehension.

Without a moment's hesitation, he flashed to the center of the Cosmos, taking his place beside Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor.

Almost simultaneously, over a dozen more figures materialized. Each one was an existence who had shattered the limits of the Five Extremes.

At their forefront stood four individuals who had not only stepped into the domain of the Sixth Extreme but had cultivated that foundational power to an unfathomable degree.

These four were Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor, Starry River Ancient Emperor, Prison-Suppressing Great Emperor, and Grand Mystic Empress.

"We greet you, Fellow Daoists," they said in unison.

Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor [a title for a supreme ruler in the celestial realms] exchanged formal greetings with the assembled figures, clearly recognizing the identities of the trio. That stooped old man was none other than Starry River Ancient Emperor [an ancient sovereign whose power is likened to the vastness of the starry heavens], one of the four paramount powerhouses.

These individuals were all formidable experts from ancient epochs. Relying on their exceptionally profound foundations, they had withstood the corrosive touch of the curse by sheer force, thus surviving from the boundless depths of time to the present day.

"Denizens of the Immortal World [the higher realm where immortals reside], do you seek to interfere in the affairs of the Mortal Dust Realm [the mortal world, realm of dust and transience]?"

Witnessing the descent of seven Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm], an expression of utmost gravity settled upon the face of Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor.

Among those seven Celestial Immortal, the leader possessed a pair of golden wings, unmistakably marking him as a supreme powerhouse from the lineage of the Golden-Winged Roc [a mythical, immensely powerful bird of prey with golden feathers].

With a placid countenance, he surveyed the assembly, finally sneering coldly, "A swarm of ants. Without having achieved immortality, you have actually cultivated to a level rivaling that of a Taiyi Immortal [a specific, high rank among celestial immortals]."

"Such foundational depth and latent potential are truly extraordinary."

"A pity. You are all practitioners of the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation method that involves great personal sacrifice, often viewed with suspicion or hostility by orthodox powers]. None of you can be allowed to remain."

As his words fell, the Golden-Winged Roc Heavenly Immortal [the celestial immortal from the Golden-Winged Roc lineage] made his move. He summoned an ancient divine weapon and cleaved it towards the gathered experts.

The group of powerhouses resisted with their lives on the line, yet they discovered the chasm between immortal and mortal was nearly insurmountable. Even unleashing their full strength, they found themselves with scarcely any means to fight back.

At that very moment, poised between life and death, a rift in the cosmos tore open within the Void [the primordial emptiness from which all things emerge].

A woman of peerless grace and beauty soared into the sky. With a flick of her sleeve, she struck down with a single palm, its force cleaving the air and barring the path of the seven Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal realm].

"We pay our respects to the Celestial Maiden."

The moment the several Great Emperor [a sovereign cultivator of immense power, ruling over vast domains] beheld the woman's appearance, their faces lit up with wild, unrestrained joy.

Yet, the peerless woman shook her head, a grave and solemn expression settling upon her features.

"Yinghui Celestial Lord, it is indeed you."

Upon seeing the peerless Celestial Maiden, the seven Heavenly Immortal Paragon felt not alarm, but a surge of triumph.

Yinghui Ye let out a soft sigh before speaking. "Even after I fell into the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] and fled into this remote corner of the Cosmos, you still refuse to let me be?"

The leader of the group, a Golden-Winged Celestial Immortal [an immortal being who has ascended to a celestial realm], sneered coldly. "The Great Emperor joined forces to suppress the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation path that seeks transcendence through profound personal sacrifice], severing its path to true immortality. This is the unalterable Dao."

"You, a disciple of an Emperor Lord [a title for a supreme ruler among cultivators], dared to defy the Mandate of Heaven, attempting to create the Self-Sacrifice Extreme Breakthrough Method [a forbidden technique that forces a breakthrough through ultimate self-annihilation]. You have truly brought about your own doom."

"By decree, we have come to apprehend you and bring you to justice."

It turned out that long ago, when she fell into the Eternal Kalpa Reincarnation Curse [a profound and inescapable curse of endless rebirth through cosmic cycles], Yinghui Ye had used the boundless Samsara [the endless cycle of death and rebirth] to perfect the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation method that draws power from sacrificing one's own essence].

Later, upon her revival, the Path of Self-Sacrifice was afflicted by a curse. Thus, in her pursuit of immortality and enlightenment, she continuously pushed the limits of the Path of Self-Sacrifice sideways, exploring its boundaries until she grasped the ultimate limit of the Path of Self-Sacrifice within the Six Mortal Realms [the six fundamental planes of mortal existence].

After further refinement over hundreds of Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and renewal], she finally pioneered the Six Extremes Method [a supreme cultivation art that breaks through the six ultimate limits of existence].

It was only several tens of Kalpa Tribulation ago that she fell into this Cosmos and finally found a stable environment.

Within this Cosmos, she disseminated the method she had created. By leveraging the hands of the ancient and modern geniuses of this Cosmos, she ultimately perfected the Path of Self-Sacrifice to its current state.

"Alas—"

Seeing the murderous intent radiating from the seven Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to a celestial state of being], Yinghui Ye let out a soft sigh. She spoke no more, yet her pupils ignited with a cataclysmic surge of Heaven's Slaughter [a legendary plant whose essence embodies the concept of divine execution] intent.

In that instant, she rode the Primordial Ancient Sword through the void. Her ultimate Dao of Slaughter annihilated all things, instilling a sense of dread even in these Heavenly Immortal Paragon [peerless masters among celestial immortals].

Yet, after tens of thousands of exchanges, the Celestial Immortal were already in full retreat, clearly no match for Yinghui Ye.

"Such formidable power, truly worthy of Yinghui Celestial Lord, once hailed as invincible within the Ancient Immortal Realm [a legendary cultivation realm beyond the Celestial Immortal stage]."

Seeing they were no match, the seven Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] took a deep breath and immediately sent out messages, calling for reinforcements.

In what seemed like mere moments, dozens of Celestial Immortal descended from the upper realms and plunged into this Cosmos.

Yinghui Ye witnessed this, a trace of helplessness appearing in her expression.

Although her combat prowess was peerless, having stepped into a realm where she could contend with Celestial Immortal, she ultimately could not sweep through this entire domain single-handedly.

Now, facing a multitude of descending Celestial Immortal, including not a few powerful beings from the Late Celestial Immortal Realm, a resolute glint finally appeared in her eyes.

"Self-Sacrifice!"

With utter determination in her gaze, Yinghui Ye's eyes blazed. In that instant, the One Hundred and Eight Immortal Treasuries [a supreme cultivation foundation comprising one hundred and eight perfected immortal realms] behind her began to churn and sink, her supreme foundation seemingly on the verge of being offered up.

But simultaneously, from the very source of the endless Great Dao [the fundamental principle and path of all existence], a terrifying force of curse surged forth, seeking to utterly sever Yinghui Ye's path of Self-Sacrifice [a supreme, forbidden technique where a cultivator sacrifices their own cultivation foundation and potential for a moment of transcendent power].

Yet, at that very moment, an intangible force shielded Yinghui Ye, and a voice carried over to her, saying.

"You may proceed with your breakthrough. I shall bear the karmic burden and consequences for you."

"Master."

Yinghui Ye felt her heart stir, and in that instant, she began to channel all her power to assail the threshold of the Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation realm where one sacrifices a part of their being for a transcendent breakthrough] realm.

Simultaneously, endless Chaos Thunder [primordial thunder born from the chaos of creation] descended, striking Yinghui Ye's form. Yet, not a single wound was inflicted; instead, the tempest seemed to temper and refine the very foundation of her being.

An immeasurable span of time later, Yinghui Ye suddenly completed her breakthrough. Every ounce of her foundational power coalesced and fused into a single, peerless entity—the Invincible True Self Body [a perfected physical and spiritual form, unassailable and embodying one's ultimate potential].

"Now that you have broken through, go forth and annihilate them all."

Yinghui Ye opened her eyes. A voice echoed in her ears, and in its wake, a torrent of supreme Dao Authority [the authority to command the fundamental principles of reality, a power of the highest realms] surged into the very core of her being.

In that fleeting moment, Yinghui Ye soared into the heavens. She grasped her ancient sword and with a single cleaving stroke, sundered the Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all existence emerged]. A Celestial Immortal [an immortal being who has ascended to the celestial realms] was instantly vanquished, his essence scattered across the void.

Tens of Heavenly Immortal Paragon [peerless masters among the celestial immortals] found themselves before this ultimate Dao Authority. In an instant, they were reduced to dust and ash, utterly annihilated.

"*Cough*—"

Simultaneously, within the Demonic Celestial Court [the supreme ruling body of the demonic forces], several peerless Great Emperor [supreme cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of power] suddenly met their bloody demise one after another.

It turned out that the very instant Yinghui Ye achieved his breakthrough, Eldrin Chen leveraged the backlash from that event, combined with the authority of his own Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation art centered on the concept of ultimate sacrifice], to turn the curse back upon the nine Great Emperor who had cast it.

In that fleeting moment, the several Great Emperor who had performed the curse suffered grievous wounds. Even Vermilion Bird Sage Ascendant [a supreme being who has ascended to the Sage Ascendant realm, associated with the mythical Vermilion Bird] had a trickle of blood seep from the corner of his mouth, his expression revealing a flicker of shock.

"He has returned."

Vermilion Bird Sage Ascendant murmured inwardly, a trace of astonishment coloring his thoughts.

At that very same instant, the grand hall's doors were flung open. A Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [an emperor-monarch who rules over a domain of primordial chaos] rushed in, panic-stricken, his face a mask of terror as he cried out, "He has returned! He has come back to slaughter us?"

"Hmph—"

Vermilion Bird Sage Ascendant snorted coldly, then declared, "He is but a newly ascended Sage Ascendant [a realm transcending that of Great Emperors]. What can he possibly do, even if he has returned?"

"Our Demonic Celestial Court remains the mightiest Celestial Court across the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms and worlds inhabited by immortals and cultivators]."

"No, it's not that!" The Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch stammered, his voice trembling with dread. "Eldrin, the Abyssal Emperor has returned with over a dozen Great Emperor at his back, and they are slaughtering their way here!"

"The Divine Race [a powerful race of celestial beings] and the Human Race Immortal Court [the supreme governing body of human cultivators] have also launched their counteroffensive. Our Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beings] Cosmic Stars [a major demonic territory among the stars] and even the various great Imperial Court [the ruling courts of major demonic powers] are all under siege."

"What?!"

The Vermilion Bird Sage Ascendant [a supreme demonic sage of the Vermilion Bird lineage] paled slightly and immediately strode out of the great hall. There, in the vast Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse between worlds], over a dozen overwhelmingly powerful auras had manifested.

At the same time, Eldrin Chen crossed the Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse] and, with lightning speed, plunged into the Abyssal Ruins Dao Domain [a major demonic territory]. He commanded his formidable subordinates to surround the entire Abyssal Ruins Dao Domain.

That Abyssal Ruins Dao Domain had originally been tightly encircled by the Four Great Imperial Courts [the four most powerful demonic courts]. For years, the Profound Nether Emperor Lord, the Golden Spirit Emperor Lord, the Golden-Winged Roc [a powerful avian demonic race] clan, and seven or eight other Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [supreme rulers at the pinnacle of cultivation] had been relentlessly compressing the space of the Abyssal Ruins Dao Domain.

Yet, to their utter astonishment, they awoke to find the heavens reversed. Over a dozen peerless Great Emperor [supreme rulers at the pinnacle of cultivation] now besieged their own Daoist Abode [a cultivator's personal sanctum and place of cultivation].

"The Golden-Winged Roc clan, the Profound Nether Emperor Lord, the Golden Spirit Emperor Lord."

Gazing upon these Great Emperor, Eldrin Chen's expression remained placid as still water, yet a chilling light flickered in his eyes.

The Profound Nether Emperor Lord stared fixedly at Eldrin Chen, a trace of despair coloring his voice as he uttered, "You... you actually still live?"

"Hmph—"

Eldrin Chen let out a cold snort. With a flip of his palm, he suppressed and annihilated both Desolate Ape Emperor Lord and Profound Nether Emperor Lord, utterly erasing them from the very source of the Great Dao [the fundamental principle underlying all existence].

As for the remaining Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [rulers of the primordial chaos], Eldrin Chen did not even feel the slightest interest in personally intervening.

Sword Profound Great Emperor wielded the Heaven-Slaying Profound Sky Sword, each cleaving strike felling a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch without ever needing a second blow.

Only after these Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch were all vanquished did Lyra Jiang and the others finally release a slow, steadying breath.

Over the years, with Eldrin Chen's support, Lyra Jiang's cultivation had already advanced to the Seventh Layer Primordial Unity Emperor Lord Realm. She had long possessed the power to utterly exterminate these foes herself.

It was only because the Human Race remained relatively weak, and to avoid exposing the news that Eldrin Chen still lived, that she had been forced to restrain her desire to act.

Now, with Eldrin Chen's triumphant return backed by overwhelming momentum, she could finally vent the pent-up fury she had long suppressed.

"Husband," she said.

The gazes of all present turned towards Eldrin Chen, their eyes alight with a fierce, shared battle intent.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then declared, his voice resonating with finality, "Today, we shall turn the heavens and earth upside down."

As the words fell, Eldrin Chen immediately took command of the Great Emperor Ancient Ship and led the group charging into the heart of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

For this battle, the highest echelons of the Human and Divine Races, including the Sage-King of the Grand Abyss himself, had long since coordinated their plans in advance.

Before the Demon Race could even react, Eldrin Chen had already breached the defenses of the Primordial Immortal Domain.

He surged straight into the Demonic Celestial Court high in the Nine Heavens Above, his target clear: the Solar Golden Pagoda that imprisoned the Black Abyss Great Emperor.

"Eldrin, the Abyssal Brat! How dare you act with such insolence!"

Witnessing Eldrin Chen's audacious charge, several of the Demon Race Great Emperors could no longer remain idle.

The Golden-Winged Roc Great Emperor materialized in a blaze of fury, wielding a golden Great Halberd as he descended upon Eldrin Chen.

"To show such disrespect to a Sage merits punishment!"

Eldrin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. Boundless power of the Grand Dao Divine Form [a supreme divine ability manifesting the ultimate principles of the Dao] coalesced into a colossal hand. It swept forth and struck the Golden-Winged Roc Great Emperor squarely across the face, sending the demon emperor reeling through the air, blood spraying from his mouth.

"*Cough*—"

After that single palm strike, the myriad Celestial Immortal [a being who has ascended to the heavenly realm through cultivation] deities fell into a deathly silence. Even the Celestial Soldiers and Generals [the heavenly army tasked with guarding the celestial realms] of the Demon Race [a powerful race of non-human beings, often with bestial traits and formidable innate abilities], who had been blocking the way, were so terrified they dared not obstruct him further.

The other several Great Emperor [a supreme ruler whose power and authority are recognized across vast realms] who had been poised to intervene all retreated several steps, their faces etched with horror.

The Golden-Winged Roc Great Emperor clutched his crimson, stinging cheek, an expression of utter disbelief upon his features, yet for the moment he dared not utter another word.

The majesty of a Sage is not to be insulted. To dare call a Sage Ascendant [a being who has comprehended the fundamental truths of existence and attained a state of supreme enlightenment] and Dao Progenitor [the originator and supreme master of a fundamental cosmic principle or path] a "brat" was an affront so profound that even the Solar Celestial Emperor [the supreme ruler associated with the sun and celestial order] himself, upon hearing of it, would have declared that slap well-deserved.

"Hmph—"

Eldrin Chen's gaze was icy. The five Soul-Slave Great Emperor strained at their harnesses, pulling the war chariot through the void. Ignoring the Golden-Winged Roc Great Emperor entirely, they charged directly into the Nine Heavens Above [the highest and most sacred of the celestial realms].

The Golden-Winged Roc Great Emperor was merely a newly ascended Great Emperor. To the present Eldrin Chen, he was nothing more than an ant, unworthy of wasting a single moment.

The most urgent task now was to rescue the Black Abyss Great Emperor.