Chapter 2016 : The Chaos Divine Liquid's Power

Initially, Eldrin Chen was somewhat surprised by this, but he quickly understood the reason.

These Great Wasteland Remnants struggled merely to survive; they had no energy for petty scheming. Their foes, the Desolate People and the Desolate Race, were mindless beings devoid of reason.

Many of the Great Wasteland Remnants who had interacted with him even harbored the hope that, if he proved sufficiently powerful, he might stay and help defend the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

Since he faced no restrictions himself, Eldrin Chen was content to enjoy the peace. He spent his time recuperating within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm while learning more about its circumstances.

The young woman in animal hides named Sturdy Fellow visited him frequently, treating him like a friend and looking after him.

Thus, time flowed swiftly by. In the blink of an eye, tens of millions of years had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen slowly emerged from his meditative recovery. Sensing the state of his injuries, he gave a slight, satisfied nod.

"With the aid of the Chaos Divine Liquid [a primordial liquid of immense vitality], the Great Path Divine Form [a supreme divine physique] has been mostly refined. It seems my recovery is progressing even faster than anticipated."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a faint smile touching his lips.

The Chaos Divine Liquid truly lived up to its status as a Chaos Rare Treasure [a treasure born from primordial chaos]. While not specialized for healing, it possessed a potent effect in strengthening the physical body and spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by immortals]. It also held a minor property of expelling foreign energies.

Over these years, Eldrin Chen refined a single drop of Chaos Divine Liquid [a primordial liquid of immense spiritual potency]. By harnessing the Chaos divinity within it, he actually managed to erode one-tenth of the lingering Great Path Divine Form [a supreme divine technique imprint] that remained within him.

"It seems that within one Kalpa Tribulation [a grand cosmic cycle of immense duration], my injuries will be fully Recovery," he mused.

The thought surfaced in Eldrin Chen's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

Raising his head, he looked towards the courtyard entrance and spoke, "Come in."

"Brother Eldrin, I'm here!"

Sturdy Fellow bounded in, clad in a verdant dress, her excitement palpable. She hid her hands behind her back and said with a mischievous, elfin grin, "Guess what I've brought for you?"

"Ah—"

Eldrin Chen shook his head with a wry smile, letting out a sigh. "Another fascinating trinket for me to refine, I presume?"

The inhabitants of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [an ancient, desolate land] excelled in physical cultivation, consequently their skills in Alchemy, Formations, Artifacts, Talismans [the four great auxiliary arts of cultivation] were exceedingly crude, even inferior to those of the Chaos Demon God [primordial demonic beings] from the Southern Abyss Seven Domains.

In his spare time over the years, Eldrin Chen had utilized his artifact-forging techniques to craft numerous Immortal Artifact magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] for these Great Wasteland Remnants [the surviving descendants of the Great Wasteland realm].

The entire set of robes and dress worn by the young woman Sturdy Fellow had been crafted for her by Eldrin Chen during his spare moments.

"You guessed wrong."

Sturdy Fellow giggled, then immediately handed a thick stack of books to Eldrin Chen, saying excitedly, "Look, what is this?"

"The Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art [a profound art for refining and strengthening the physical body]."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

The origins of this Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art were extraordinary. It was a Fleshly Body Sanctification Art [a cultivation art focused on purifying and empowering the physical form] independently developed by the sages of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm based on the unique conditions of the Chaos Desolation Sea.

Eldrin Chen had been quite curious about this art, but the cultivators of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm guarded it closely, forcing him to abandon any hope of obtaining it.

He never imagined that today, Sturdy Fellow would personally deliver it to him.

Seeing his astonished expression, Sturdy Fellow finally explained with a smile, "This Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art extends all the way to the Primordial One Realm [a legendary stage of cultivation representing unity with the primordial source]. I had to plead with the Grand Priest [a title for a high-ranking spiritual leader] for a long time before he agreed to teach it to you."

Regaining his composure, Eldrin Chen accepted the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art. "My thanks, then. Please convey my gratitude to your Grand Priest as well."

Sturdy Fellow's bright eyes sparkled as she said with a smile, "Your thanks are enough."

As she spoke, her smile faded, replaced by a look of sorrow. "In a few more years, the Desolate Tribulation [a cataclysmic invasion by the Desolate Race] will arrive, and I too will have to go to the front lines to fight."

"In the days I am gone, you must protect yourself."

"If... I mean, if..."

The young maiden's voice faltered slightly, the light in her bright eyes dimming. "If I die, remember to bury me within A-Lang Mountain."

"I've heard that those buried there can be reborn into a world without the Desolate Race [a savage, invasive race from beyond the known realms] and without war."

Eldrin Chen fell silent. The Great Wasteland Ancient Realm lay in ruins, its inhabitants living perpetually on the edge of survival.

Any being who had survived to this era possessed cultivation at the Earth Immortal Realm [the foundational stage of true immortality] at the very least. Even Immortals [beings who have transcended mortality] of this realm and higher faced the constant threat of incursions from the Desolate Race.

It was precisely because of this that the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm was so sparsely populated. Sturdy Fellow's father, mother, grandfather, and even her siblings had all fallen in the wars defending against these invasions.

In this world, there were no civilians, no elderly, weak, women, or children. Regardless of cultivation level or social standing, everyone who could wield a weapon was a warrior.

Sturdy Fellow possessed exceptional talent, having attained the Great Encompassing realm in a mere ten million years, making her one of the most outstanding prodigies within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm. Yet, even she could not be granted any special exception.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen sighed softly and patted her shoulder. "Do not grieve," he said. "Perhaps there is still a chance for things to turn around."

"Mm!"

Sturdy Fellow gathered her resolve. Taking Eldrin Chen's hand, she declared with firm conviction, "I will continue to cultivate diligently, striving to break through to the Primordial One realm, and even to the Realm of Chaos."

"When that time comes, I will defeat those Desolate People. Then, I shall visit the Southern Abyss Seven Domains you spoke of, to see for myself if they are truly as prosperous as you say."

"Good. It's a promise, then!"

Eldrin Chen smiled, extending his hand to seal the pact with a hook of their little fingers.

"…"

Meanwhile, far away at the heart of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, within the hallowed halls of the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall, nine elders were gathered in solemn council.

Old Priest was one of the nine. Gazing calmly at the assembled figures, he stated plainly, "I acknowledge that Sturdy Fellow has given the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art to that outsider from beyond our realm."

The other individuals present exchanged uncertain glances upon hearing this.

After a moment, someone voiced their discontent: "He is, after all, an outsider from beyond our realm. How can we possibly bestow cultivation methods upon him?"

"And why not?"

Another voice rose in support, decisive and firm: "It is merely a single cultivation manual. Even if he obtains it, it is of little consequence. Since he is not one of the Desolate People, we must unite our strength."

"But he remains an outsider. If he lingers here too long, what if he poses a threat to the Holy..."

"Silence!"

At that very moment, the foremost figure among the nine imposing silhouettes cut the argument short.

"High Priest."

Upon hearing this address, the expressions of those present shifted subtly, and they all bowed in respectful deference.

The elder addressed as the High Priest cleared his throat before speaking. "With the Desolate Tribulation imminent, our paramount objective is to ensure the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm does not fall."

"All else is of no consequence."

Speaking to this point, Old High Priest continued, "To unleash the power of 'It', one must have cultivated the Great Encompassing Primordial Spirit [a supreme art for refining one's spiritual core to encompass all things]."

"All members of the Great Wasteland Remnants cultivate the Fleshly Body Sanctification Art [an art focused on tempering the physical body to an indestructible state]. There are no longer any newly ascended practitioners who have achieved the Great Encompassing Primordial Spirit."

"Over these years, to drive 'It' against those Desolate Race [a savage and ancient race of desolation demons], we have nearly burned our life force to its last ember. Once we perish, who will stand against those Desolate Race Imperial Lord [a supreme realm of power, akin to an emperor among cultivators]?"

Upon hearing this, the eight figures present fell into a heavy silence.

Seeing this, the Old High Priest took a deep breath and said, "I have observed this outsider. His Primordial Spirit [the foundational spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] is extraordinary. Perhaps he can channel a portion of 'Its' power and become the next Great Wasteland High Priest."

"..."

With the Desolate Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of ruin and trial] imminent, Sturdy Fellow left the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art [a foundational art for strengthening the body, passed down from the Great Wasteland] and departed in haste.

Eldrin Chen watched her leave without further comment. He simply returned quietly to the courtyard, retrieved the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art, and began to examine it.

With but a single glance, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of profound surprise crossing his features.

"This Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art is crude and shallow, yet it possesses notable merits."

It turned out that the cultivation method of this Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art was extremely ingenious, representing a unique and divergent path of Fleshly Body Sanctification Art [a discipline focused on refining and empowering the physical body to an immortal level].

This lineage's cultivation method did not cultivate the nine major True Spirit Divine Runes [powerful innate symbols of law and power]. Instead, emulating the characteristics of the Chaos Desolate Race [a primordial race born from chaos and desolation], it forged a single Great Wasteland Inner Pill within the body.

This Great Wasteland Inner Pill was condensed from the cultivator's own vital essence, possessing immense power. Its cultivation was not difficult—in fact, it was remarkably simple and placed few demands on innate aptitude [natural talent for cultivation].

However, cultivating the Great Wasteland Inner Pill required consuming vast quantities of flesh and blood, specifically that of Chaos Ancient Beast [monstrous creatures from the primordial chaos era].

It was precisely because of this that these Great Wasteland Remnants could withstand the relentless scouring erosion of the Chaos Desolation Sea.

Of course, if it were merely about emulating Chaos Ancient Beast to condense an Inner Pill [a core of condensed energy within a cultivator's body], the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art would be nothing extraordinary.

After all, no matter how powerful the imitation, it could never surpass the inherent power of the Chaos Ancient Beast themselves.

The true ingenuity of the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art lay in what came after forming the Inner Pill: using the pill's power to inscribe countless formation patterns [magical arrays or circuits] throughout the body.

These patterns were crude and overwhelmingly overbearing in nature, resembling more the formation circuitry found within magical treasure [enchanted artifacts used by cultivators] than those of delicate spiritual arts.

Therefore, strictly speaking, the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art treats the human body as a magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to be forged and refined.

In comparison, the traditional Path of Fleshly Body Sanctification is far more gentle. The physical form cultivated through the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art is more domineering, brutal, and straightforward in its approach.

However, the likelihood of Death on this path is exceedingly high.

When forging a magical treasure, if it fails, one can simply start over—brutal and straightforward, using whatever method is most convenient. But to treat a human as a magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] for refinement... the slightest misstep leads to the utter annihilation of both body and cultivation path.

According to the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art, even among those with Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm] bloodlines, those capable of successfully cultivating this art are scarcely one in a thousand.

Yet now, nearly everyone within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm practices the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art.

This means the vast majority of the Great Wasteland Remnants have perished beneath the unforgiving demands of this very art.

But there is no other choice. Without mastering the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art, survival outside in the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm is utterly impossible.

For the entire Great Wasteland Ancient Realm is itself an environment akin to a Mortal Realm [the realm of ordinary, non-cultivating humans] version of hell.

This world knows no blue skies or white clouds. The World Membrane [the dimensional barrier separating a world from the outer void] is riddled with cracks, through which the Sea of Chaos Water [primordial, formless energy from beyond creation] ceaselessly pours. The land below is naught but a desolate expanse of searing magma and endless fire.

Only the most resilient Chaos Realm Grass can survive within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [a primordial and desolate world steeped in ancient, chaotic energies].

The children of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm are all raised within the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall [the sole sanctuary and training ground for the young in this harsh world], the only pure land for the living beings of this realm.

These children must grow to adulthood within the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall and must master the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art [a foundational body-forging technique essential for survival in the Great Wasteland] before they are permitted to leave its protection.

If one fails to master the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art, then even achieving the Ascendant Immortal Realm would not allow them to depart the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall, for they could be extinguished at any moment by a single wisp of Chaos Malignant Energy [a deadly, corrosive energy that permeates the chaotic wilds] from the heavens and earth.

"Born into such extremity, they have no other choice."

"Survival of the fittest. Cultivating this Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art is perhaps their only path to life."

Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh, a flicker of profound reflection crossing his features.

Compared to this Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, the multitudes of the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, even those in the most humble Lesser Worlds, might as well be dwelling in paradisiacal realms.

Setting aside these thoughts, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before beginning to deduce and refine the principles of the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art.

With his current depth of insight, comprehending and advancing the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art was not overly difficult. After extensive study, he continuously perfected and elevated this art, layer by layer.

Swiftly, the foundational method of the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art was simplified by him, its difficulty lowered.

Following his revised approach, the success rate for cultivating the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art step-by-step was raised from roughly one in a thousand to about one in a hundred.

Of course, this success rate was based on the descendants of the Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm cultivator] bloodline native to this realm.

Fortunately, within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, those who could survive long-term had cultivation bases that had almost all reached the Earth Immortal realm, so this requirement posed no significant issue.

After perfecting the foundational stage, Eldrin Chen attempted to merge the principles of the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art with his own cultivation method. Yet, after years of effort, success remained elusive.

Eldrin Chen's Path of Self-Refinement was born from the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art and other Chaos Emperor Scripture [supreme cultivation scriptures], further refined by his own unique foundation. It had already approached a state of flawless perfection.

Even with comprehension surpassing that of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, Eldrin Chen found it exceedingly difficult to integrate the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art with his own path. For now, at least, it was beyond his grasp.

"The method of the Inner Pill [a condensed core of internal energy] conflicts with the principles of the Five Viscera Divine Spirits [a divine ability that empowers the five internal organs]," he mused.

"And the array-based path of body tempering clashes with the Six True Spirit Divine Runes [divine runes representing six primordial spirits], making it arduous to fuse them into a unified whole."

"It seems," he concluded, "that for the time being, I cannot absorb the essence of the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art and integrate it into my own foundational cultivation."

"However, this Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art might be used to refine the Sacrificial Self Path [a unique cultivation path where one sacrifices their own foundational essence to forge a new, supreme physique]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of delight coloring his thoughts.

The Sacrificial Self Physique [the ultimate physical form achieved through the Sacrificial Self Path] forged by the Sacrificial Self Path is born from sacrificing one's entire cultivation foundation. The peril involved in the Sacrificial Self [the core, transformative ritual of the path] process far surpasses even that of most body-tempering arts.

Furthermore, after the Sacrificial Self Path reaches the Ascendant Immortal [a realm of power comparable to an immortal], the development of its raw physical combat prowess remains somewhat underutilized.

The realms pioneered by Eldrin Chen—World-Opening, Three Realms, Cosmos, and Immortal Treasury—focus primarily on the internal and external expansion of one's being, rather than the dedicated excavation of pure bodily might.

One must remember, the body of a Sacrificial Self Path cultivator, having fused with their Primordial Spirit Art [techniques related to the spiritual core] power and all other foundational essences, is itself a supreme embryo possessing immense potential for refinement.

If one were to treat the Sacrificial Self Physique as a peerless treasure weapon, tempering it a thousand times and inscribing it with potent array patterns [mystical formations that channel power], perhaps it could attain a level of physical combat power that defies the heavens.

As for the Great Wasteland Inner Pill [the internal energy core of the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art], which serves as the power source for the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art, it could be entirely replaced by the Inner World [a personal microcosm cultivated within oneself]. In fact, the latter would likely be a far more potent substitute.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of inspiration. He immediately desired to attempt refining the cultivation method of the Sacrificial Self Path.

Yet, at that very moment, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He rose and stepped out from his Seclusion Chamber [a chamber designed for undisturbed meditation and cultivation].

After emerging from the Seclusion Chamber, Eldrin Chen found the current Great Wasteland Ancient Realm veiled by towering arrays of light that blotted out the sky and sun.

Before the primordial membrane of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm lay a massive, hideous fissure connecting the interior to the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. Countless Great Wasteland Remnants stood guard before this rift, weapons in hand, their expressions grave.

Fortunately, a light-curtain that spanned the heavens sealed the world's breach at the fissure's edge.

Yet, such colossal breaches, known as Heavenly Scar [a catastrophic tear in a world's fabric], numbered in the hundreds across the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm; the one before him was merely among the largest.

"Boom—"

As Eldrin Chen observed, roars echoed from within the Chaos.

From the Vast and Boundless Chaos surged hordes of bellowing Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial beasts born from Chaos]. Among them were sky-obscuring Chaos Demon God [demonic entities of immense power born from Chaos], as well as humanoid figures—the Desolate People [tribes and beings corrupted by the power of Desolation].

"The Chaos Desolate Race [races tainted by both Chaos and Desolation], and the Desolate People?"

Eldrin Chen murmured, a slight frown creasing his brow.

Most of these Chaos Desolate Race were Chaos Demon God whose minds had been eroded by the Desolation Power [a corrupting, entropic force]. The Desolate People, however, were often former denizens of the ancient Great Wasteland Primordial Domain, compatriots who had fallen to corruption.

From what Eldrin Chen understood, when the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain was grievously wounded in ancient times, it initially seemed they had not found the Divine Jade capable of resisting the erosion of the Desolation Sea.

At that time, many abandoned Great Encompassing Golden Immortals, grasping for a sliver of hope, ventured into the Chaos Desolation Sea in search of other Primordial Domains.

Some who achieved the Dao in later eras also journeyed into the heart of the Chaos Desolation Sea.

While a portion of these individuals vanished, the vast majority transformed into the Desolate People. Driven by instinct, they congregated around the periphery of the Taihuang Primordial Domain, frequently launching assaults upon the denizens of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

The Desolate Tribulations that plagued the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm were essentially wars initiated by these Desolate Races and Desolate People, acting on instinct in their desperate struggle to Recover their shattered consciousness.

Approximately every ten Kalpa Tribulations, these Desolate Races would marshal their forces and wage war against the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a faint ripple of thought stirring within the depths of his gaze.

"It seems the Southern Abyss Seven Domains have never experienced a Desolate Tribulation."

Having said this, Eldrin Chen quickly shook his head.

The Southern Abyss Seven Domains were guarded by over twenty Chaos Heavenly Emperors and three thousand Primordial One Imperial Lords. Even if a Desolate Tribulation were to arise, they possessed the power to quell it with ease.

After all, the Desolate Race [a primordial, bestial race devoid of higher intellect] possess no true intelligence; driven solely by primal instinct, they are fundamentally incapable of organizing warfare on a massive scale.

In truth, during each Desolate Tribulation [a cyclical cataclysm where the Desolate Race assaults civilized realms] that befalls the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain, the attacking Desolate Race forces constitute merely one-tenth of the hordes dwelling in the surrounding wilds.

Otherwise, given the sheer, overwhelming numbers of the Desolate Race and the Desolate People [the sentient, organized faction within the Desolate Race], if they could truly muster their entire collective might for an assault, the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm would have been breached and overrun long ago.

"Slay them all—!"

Just as these thoughts drifted through Eldrin Chen's mind, the war for the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm Burst [erupted with sudden, violent intensity] into full fury.

Tens of millions of Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial beasts born from chaotic energies] surged forth in the assault, their ranks punctuated by the auras of over a thousand beings at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a high tier of immortal cultivation] level.

In that same instant, hundreds of figures soared forth from within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm to meet the tide.

These were the Great Wasteland Remnants [the surviving defenders of the Great Wasteland realm] who had reached the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal tier. The vast majority had stalled at the early or middle stages of this realm, and the young woman Sturdy Fellow was counted among their number.

She cast a glance towards Eldrin Chen and sent a mental message: "Remember our agreement."

Eldrin Chen remained silent, yet a faint crease appeared between his brows.

The Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [a primordial world ravaged by endless conflict] had only three hundred Great Encompassing Golden Immortals [the highest tier of immortal cultivators]. Relying solely on this tattered World-Protecting Grand Formation [a colossal defensive array meant to shield an entire world] and the cracked, crumbling ancient realm itself, even if they could withstand this Desolate Tribulation [a cataclysmic invasion by forces of primordial desolation], the losses would surely be devastating.

"If this battle continues like this, and if I had not arrived," Eldrin Chen mused, "within one hundred Kalpa Tribulations [immense cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth], this world would likely be utterly annihilated."

As this thought flashed through his mind, Eldrin Chen saw the Great Wasteland Remnants [the last defenders of the ancient realm] gathered upon the Heavenly Vault [the highest defensive rampart] begin to move.

At their head was a burly warrior at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm]. He raised his long spear high and roared, "Fellow Great Wasteland Remnants, our homeland lies behind us! This time, we cannot retreat a single step!"

"Protect our homeland! Not one step back!"

The Great Wasteland Remnants roared in unison, their faces etched with the grim resolve of those prepared to die where they stood.

Eldrin Chen watched in silence, then turned his gaze to the shattered ancient realm below—a landscape of raging mountain fires and rivers of molten rock. A profound and unexpected emotion stirred within him.

Even this broken, Decay-ridden [a state of advanced entropy and spiritual erosion] world was their home, the sole sanctuary upon which their survival depended.

Here, in the heart of the Chaos Desolation Sea [a boundless, turbulent expanse between dying worlds], there were no distinctions of age, gender, or status. Anyone who could lift a weapon was a warrior.

For the sake of survival, for the sake of their homeland, they had no opportunity for retreat.

"Not a half-step back!"

Eldrin Chen suddenly spoke. Without waiting for the final moment, he drew forth the Chaos Heaven Halberd and ascended skyward.

Shielding Sturdy Fellow behind him, he said with a smile, "I too shall lend my aid, to guard your ancestral home!"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of a smile appeared in Sturdy Fellow's bright eyes.

She offered no further words. Gripping her war spear, she strode forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Eldrin Chen and declared, "Among us, the Great Wasteland Remnants, our women have never stood behind our men."