Chapter 1644 : Primordial Chaos Beast Slain

Although this Chaos Ancient Beast had suffered grievous wounds, it was, after all, a creature of the Innate Realm [the foundational realm of existence, preceding even the Celestial Immortal stage]. In terms of sheer physical resilience, its body could even rival a Top Grade Innate Physique [a supreme, heaven-defying physical constitution].

Such a Chaos Ancient Beast thrived within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], moving through it like a fish through water. Even an existence at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the first major stage of true immortality] would likely find themselves outmatched. Not even a great power at the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the intermediate stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] could claim with certainty the ability to slay it.

It was only due to the extraordinary nature of Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a legendary constitution embodying the indestructible unity of the Primordial Beginning], which allowed him to unleash one hundred and twenty percent of his combat prowess within the Chaos, that he managed to achieve its demise today.

Even so, this battle had been an immensely arduous one for Eldrin Chen. It had required the expenditure of tremendous effort to finally bring the beast down.

"Let's see the spoils."

Having slain the Chaos Ancient Beast, Eldrin Chen was in high spirits.

Devoid of sentience, the Chaos Ancient Beast left behind few treasures. Beyond its flesh, blood, and bones, the most precious item was a single Innate Chaos Inner Pill [a condensed core of a beast's life force and cultivation essence].

This Innate Chaos Inner Pill was formed from nearly half of the Chaos Ancient Beast's essential essence. Within it pulsed Innate Energy [the pure, foundational energy of creation itself]. Whether for refining one's physical body or for forging magical treasures, it was a material of the highest caliber.

"With this as the primary material, perhaps it can be used to forge a single Low-Grade Innate Treasure [a magical artifact born from Innate principles, of the lowest grade within its class]."

Gazing at the Innate Chaos Inner Pill in his hand, Eldrin Chen could not help but entertain several nascent thoughts.

He did not consider extracting the Innate Energy [the primordial, uncreated energy that forms the foundation of all things] from within, for it had already fused completely with the Chaos [the primordial state of undifferentiated existence] Inner Pill [a condensed core of profound power]. Even if a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the pinnacle of cultivation] were to attempt the separation, more than half of the Innate Energy would be lost in the process.

If he were to try separating the Innate Energy himself, he would likely recover no more than thirty percent, wasting this precious Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing unique and profound properties].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen stored away the Innate [pertaining to the primordial, uncreated state] ChaosInner Pill and lifted his gaze towards the Within the Chaos Lair [the interior of a refuge or den formed within the primordial chaos].

This Chaos Lair [a sanctuary or dwelling place carved out within the primordial chaos] did not seem naturally formed; it appeared to be a remnant of an ancient realm artificially opened by someone. Since he was here, he naturally wished to explore its depths.

Resolved, he stepped forward without hesitation, advancing into the heart of the Chaos Lair.

The deeper he ventured, the more certain Eldrin Chen became—this Chaos Lair was undoubtedly of extraordinary origin.

The very fabric of this Within the Chaos Lair seemed to have been imbued and tempered with boundless, supreme power from the moment of its creation. Within every inch of its soil were etched Dao marks [the fundamental principles and patterns of existence] approaching the level of Immortality [the state of eternal life, beyond death and decay] and Indestructibility [the quality of being unbreakable and everlasting].

It was precisely because of this that this ancient Chaos realm, even in its shattered state, had not been annihilated by the surrounding Chaos.

Unfortunately, this broken ancient world had been eroded day and night by the Chaos Torrent [a violent, destructive flow of primordial chaos energy], erasing all traces of its past. Eldrin Chen found it impossible to discern its true history or origins.

Eldrin Chen pressed onward until he reached the Central [the core or heart] of the Chaos Lair, where he faintly detected the presence of ruins.

Where the Chaos Lair Core had been, a palace now drifted and floated.

Its entire structure was built from stacked Violet Jade, its eaves and pillars intricately carved with True Dragon and Immortal Phoenix. Even after hundreds of millions of years, enduring the relentless erosion of Primordial Chaos Energy, it showed not a single trace of damage.

"A Chaos ruin."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered, a glimmer of delight surfacing within them.

He strode forward to the Violet Jade palace, finding a plaque above its entrance inscribed with three large characters.

"Violet Ye Palace."

The Violet Ye Palace was preserved with astonishing completeness; even the defensive formations within were still operational.

Fortunately, after eons of constant erosion by Primordial Chaos Power, the power of these formations had greatly diminished, no longer sufficient to bar Eldrin Chen's entry.

Eldrin Chen simply relied on the sheer strength of his physical body, forcing his way through the formation's barriers to step inside.

Within a few steps, Eldrin Chen entered the Violet Jade palace hall. There, he discovered a simple, ancient stone platform standing in the center of the chamber.

Upon the stone platform rested three treasures: a war halberd of profound yellow hue, a white jade treasure vase, and a Verdant Meditation Mat.

Before these three artifacts, a jade slip hovered and undulated.

Eldrin Chen opened the jade slip, finding it densely inscribed with a message.

"I, Violet Capital Path Master, am the master of Violet Ye Heaven."

"Through arduous cultivation spanning several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], I attained the Ancient Immortal Realm."

"Yet, the Great Encompassing Heavenly Pass is difficult to cross. The Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], divine abilities, Immortal Treasure, cultivation base, Great Path, physical body, Path Fruit [the fruit of one's cultivation path], Dao-heart [the unwavering will of a cultivator], and Destiny—these form the Ninefold Heavenly Pass. I have weathered six Kalpa Tribulation, shattered the barriers of the Sixfold Heaven, yet lack the confidence to face the seventh."

"Under the shelter of the Immortal Court, I cultivated diligently for dozens more Kalpa Tribulation, breaking through the Path Fruit barrier. Only the trials of Dao-heart and Destiny remain unconquered."

"I entered the Immortal Court to evade tribulation, thus creating a flaw in my Dao-heart. To mend it, I must face the Kalpa Tribulation directly. The Destiny barrier requires Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration [a supreme art to defy and alter one's ordained fate], a task as difficult as a mayfly ascending the Nine Heavens. I have no certainty of success."

"Now, I depart to challenge the Heavenly Pass. Foreseeing a perilous path ahead, I leave behind my Violet Ye Heaven and these three treasures. Should I not return, they are for the destined one who finds them."

"But remember this: to claim my treasures is to inherit my Karma [the metaphysical law of cause and effect]…"

After reading the jade slip, Eldrin Chen had a general understanding of the origins of this Chaos Lair [a sanctuary or domain established within the primordial chaos].

It turned out that Violet Capital Path Master was a Human Race Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has transcended mortality and attained immense age and power] who lived eighty Kalpa Tribulations [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] ago. He held a position within the Human Race Immortal Court [the celestial governing body of human cultivators] and had lived for nearly one hundred Kalpa Tribulations.

This Chaos Lair, originally named Violet Ye Heaven, was a Path-Field [a personal cultivation domain or grotto-heaven] that Violet Capital Path Master had opened within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation].

In his time, Violet Capital Path Master possessed extraordinary talent. He was a top-tier Ancient Immortal who had broken through the Seventh Heavenly Pass [a major bottleneck in the ancient immortal cultivation path], making him a pinnacle existence within the Human Race Immortal Court, second only to the Great Encompassing Immortal Lord [the highest echelon of immortal lords].

In his pursuit to break into the realm of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the Golden Immortal stage of the Great Encompassing Realm], he was compelled to venture into the Kalpa Tribulations [the cataclysmic tribulation cycles], hoping to seize its opportunities to advance into the Great Encompassing Realm [a supreme cultivation realm].

Yet now, after several dozen Kalpa Tribulations have passed, not only has Violet Capital Path Master failed to return, but even his Violet Ye Heaven has completely shattered. The likely outcome needs no words.

"The Great Encompassing Realm... it is truly a tribulation difficult to cross,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a weighty solemnity gathering in his gaze.

Over the years, he had encountered the remnants of several Ancient Immortal. Among them were an Eight-Calamity Ancient Demon [a demonic entity that survived eight great calamities], the Soaring Immortal Maiden from the Sovereign's [a supreme ruler] Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the Annihilation Path Master who was hailed as invincible within the Ancient Immortal Realm, and the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [a mythical ice phoenix from the dawn of time] with its astonishing bloodline.

Adding this Violet Capital Path Master to the count, that made a full five Ancient Immortal Great Power [ancient immortals of formidable strength and influence].

Among these five individuals, each was a true prodigy of heaven-defying talent, having shattered at least six Seventh Heavenly Passes [the seventh and final major barrier in the cultivation journey before the Great Encompassing Realm].

Within the vast expanse of a single Immortal Domain [a major realm of existence governed by immortal laws], such figures were so rare that one might not emerge even across several Kalpa Tribulations [cosmic cycles of immense duration], or even several tens of Kalpa Tribulations.

Yet, despite being such peerless geniuses of antiquity, not a single one among them had managed to set foot upon the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, representing the pinnacle of existence]. This starkly illustrated just how astonishingly difficult it was to break through to that realm.

"No wonder the world whispers that not even a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage [a supreme being who has mastered a Great Path and attained sagehood] can guarantee their disciple will surely ascend to the Great Encompassing Realm," Eldrin Chen mused inwardly, his expression growing ever more solemn.

Heaving a silent sigh, Eldrin Chen gathered his wandering thoughts and turned his gaze once more to the three treasures resting upon the stone platform.

These three artifacts were all treasures of immense value. However, they held no further use for Violet Capital Path Master, and thus had been left behind by him.

Among the three treasures, the dark yellow war halberd was named the Chaos Heaven Halberd. This weapon was not an Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation], yet it was even more astonishing than one.

Forged from Chaos Ancient Bronze [a legendary metal forged in the primordial chaos], it was a supremely rare Supreme-Grade Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a weapon of the highest grade within the Primordial Unity realm], also known as a Primordial Unity Ancient Treasure [an ancient treasure of the Primordial Unity realm].