Chapter 2134 : The Supreme's Sudden Fall

The sudden fall of the Seven Extremities Celestial Maiden [a supreme female cultivator of immense power] took everyone present completely by surprise.

One must understand, this was a top-tier Half-Step Path Union [a cultivator on the very cusp of merging with the fundamental laws of existence]. Even when facing a true Path Union Supreme [a supreme being who has fully merged with the Great Path], she could have held her own for hundreds, even thousands, of exchanges.

Yet, under the ambush of the Supreme Puppet [a peerless, autonomous construct of devastating power], she was utterly annihilated in a single, fleeting moment. This outcome defied all expectations.

Most critically, her Primordial Spirit [the immortal spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] was completely extinguished. Any hope of her revival would now be a matter of near-impossible difficulty.

It must be known that when one speaks of a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign ruler of primordial chaos] falling, it typically means their Primordial Spirit is severely wounded and forced to retreat into the Great Path Origin [the fundamental source of all laws and existence] to slumber. Recovery from such a state might require merely a few thousand or ten thousand Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration].

The environment of this place is unique; it prevents immediate retreat into the Sea of the Great Path [the metaphysical ocean where the laws of existence converge]. Therefore, completely destroying a Primordial Spirit here is possible. Revival from such utter annihilation would demand over a million Kalpa Tribulation.

Furthermore, upon awakening, the individual would be in a state of extreme weakness, likely possessing less than one-tenth of their former power. At that point, dispatching even an ordinary Half-Step Path Union would suffice to slay them once more and cast them back into slumber.

This precise calculation was the reason Blazing Center Supreme [a supreme being embodying the heart of conflagration] chose this location to deal with Eldrin Chen.

"Disaster!"

Witnessing the Seven Extremities Celestial Maiden's sudden demise by ambush, the complexions of all the Heavenly Emperor [sovereign rulers of heavenly realms] present changed drastically. Even Blazing Center Supreme immediately moved to intervene.

Regrettably, Azure Fall Supreme [a title for a supreme cultivator] remained unmoved, channeling the Azure Fall and Yellow Springs Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords] to intercept him.

It was the Obsidian Fiend Supreme who, with a sudden surge, broke free from the blockade of the grand formation conjured by the Returning Abyss Seal [a powerful sealing artifact], seeking to intervene in the battle below.

"I have schemed for so long; how could I allow you to ruin my grand design?"

Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh. With a flick of his sleeve, thirty-six Heavenly Emperor Puppet [powerful automatons forged in the image of Heavenly Emperors] soared into the sky.

Having lain in wait, these thirty-six Heavenly Emperor Puppet instantly transformed into a Puppet Grand Formation [a powerful battle array formed by puppets], encircling the Obsidian Fiend Supreme and trapping him firmly within.

One had to admit, the puppets left behind by the Celestial Puppet Supreme [the Supreme master of puppetry] were truly formidable.

Forged entirely from Chaos Immortal Gold [a primordial, nigh-indestructible metal], their material possessed an unyielding sturdiness, making them difficult to destroy even for a Path Union Supreme [a cultivator who has unified their cultivation path].

The materials consumed to craft a single puppet of the Heavenly Emperor [a title for a supreme ruler] tier could forge many Chaos Spiritual Artifact [powerful artifacts forged from chaos-era materials]. The fusion of such vast quantities of material resulted in puppets whose combat prowess ranked among the very peak of the Heavenly Emperor realm.

Most crucially, the Dao patterns [mystical inscriptions governing power] on these puppets were inherently compatible, making them perfectly suited to form a grand formation together.

Now, with these thirty-six puppets united in formation, while one could not claim they could suppress a Path Union Supreme, trapping one or two of them was indeed a trivial feat.

At this moment, with Obsidian Abyss [a powerful entity associated with darkness and the abyss] trapped, Eldrin Chen finally found an opening to extricate himself from the fray.

With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a palm strike that suppressed his foe, sending Panji Heavenly Emperor [a powerful celestial ruler] reeling through the void, coughing blood. Simultaneously, the Supreme Puppet [a peerless enchanted automaton] struck, its blows covering the Panji Heavenly Emperor's physical form with a web of cracks and wounds.

One had to admit, the physical resilience of the Panji Heavenly Emperor was truly formidable.

While his overall combat prowess might not have matched that of the Seven Extremities Celestial Maiden [a peerless female warrior], his ability to preserve his life was on an entirely different level compared to her, who had been vanquished in a single blow.

Yet, even such tenacity could not defy the inevitable.

Caught in the pincer attack between two supreme-level combatants—Eldrin Chen and the Supreme Puppet—he found himself utterly powerless to turn the tide. Within the span of a mere ten exchanges, he was slain upon the void.

With the fall of the Panji Heavenly Emperor, the battle at the Half-Step Path Union [a realm just below the ultimate fusion of one's cultivated path] level was decided beyond any doubt.

The three mighty champions under Blazing Center Supreme [a supreme title denoting mastery over a blazing core principle] were already hard-pressed, besieged by Imperial Sovereign Jiang and Verdant Peak Ye among others. Now, with Worthy Pursuit Chen and Nyssa Qu freed to join the encirclement, any chance of escape vanished.

As for Eldrin Chen's three Great Path Rival [fated adversaries on the grand path of cultivation], their attempts to break away from Exquisite Jiang and the others to flee met with futility. The opportunity had already slipped through their grasp.

The environment of this place was too peculiar, preventing direct spatial shattering for escape. Under the relentless obstruction of their foes, merely fleeing the confines of the Space-Time Secret Realm [a hidden dimension with altered laws of space and time] proved to be a daunting task.

With Eldrin Chen and the Supreme Puppet [a peerless enchanted automaton of immense power] entering the fray, the three Great Path Rival [destined adversaries who obstruct one's cultivation path] ultimately found not a single sliver of hope for survival.

Aided by the Supreme Puppet and the others, within merely a hundred exchanges, all three Great Path Rival were utterly annihilated by Eldrin Chen amidst the void.

"Ah, Returning Abyss Path Master [a title meaning 'Master of the Path to the Returning Abyss'], I swear eternal enmity with you!"

Seeing the tide of battle irrevocably turned, Blazing Center Supreme [a title meaning 'Supreme One of the Blazing Center'] revealed a countenance of immense fury and immediately attempted to flee beyond the confines of the Space-Time Secret Realm [a hidden pocket dimension where the laws of space and time are distorted].

Yet Eldrin Chen would not permit his escape. With a thought, he commanded thirty-six of the Heavenly Emperor Puppet [puppet guardians forged in the image of Heavenly Emperors] to disengage from their current battles and redirect their power to encircle and trap Blazing Center Supreme.

This caused Obsidian Fiend Supreme [a title meaning 'Supreme One of the Obsidian Fiend'] to pale slightly, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

Before he could ponder further, Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, his voice cutting through the chaos. "You and I bear no past grievance or enmity. Should you choose to withdraw now, all debts between us shall be considered settled. What say you?"

"Fellow Daoist Obsidian Fiend, do not fall for his scheme to sow discord!"

Witnessing this, Blazing Center Supreme grew visibly anxious and urgently called out in warning.

Eldrin Chen merely offered a faint smile. He stood poised and unshakable at the heart of the battlefield, his gaze burning intently upon Obsidian Fiend Supreme as he pressed the question. "Fellow Daoist, what is your choice to be?"

"Are our grievances settled?"

Obsidian Fiend Supreme revealed a flicker of hesitation. Though he understood Eldrin Chen's ploy to sow discord, he also knew the outcome of this battle was now beyond doubt.

He glanced at the Supreme Puppet beside Eldrin Chen, then at the ten Half-Step Path Union cultivators flanking him, and finally at the peerlessly elegant Azure Fall Supreme.

At this moment, Azure Fall Supreme had ceased her attacks, yet she showed no intention of turning against Eldrin Chen either.

"Fellow Daoist, if you do not make a decision now, do not blame us for showing no mercy."

Eldrin Chen spoke. As his words fell, Imperial Sovereign Jiang, Worthy Pursuit Chen, and the others by his side immediately manifested their Middle Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasure such as the Firmament Ruins Sword and the Emperor-Hunting Bow.

In that instant, Obsidian Fiend Supreme felt the threat level surge dramatically. Without another word, he tore through the Heavenly Vault and fled.

"Ah, you cunning Returning Abyss Path Master..."

Watching Obsidian Fiend Supreme escape, Blazing Center Supreme was nearly driven mad with fury.

A tide of Celestial Slaughter intent surged within his pupils as he glared fixedly at Eldrin Chen. "Today, I was outmaneuvered," he said through gritted teeth. "But capturing me will not be so simple."

"Boom—"

As the words fell, Blazing Center Supreme erupted with a ferocity that unleashed a strike comparable to that of a Pinnacle Supreme.

The power of this blow was unparalleled. It clashed violently with the Puppet Grand Formation in an instant, ultimately cleaving the grand formation asunder.

"A Forbidden Divine Ability [a supreme, world-shaking technique that often carries immense cost or consequence]!"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered. In the next moment, he and the Supreme Puppet moved as one, launching a pincer attack against Blazing Center Supreme.

Exquisite Jiang and the other nine Half-Step Path Union cultivators also unleashed their ultimate techniques, coordinating with Eldrin Chen to erupt into a climactic confrontation.

Blazing Center Supreme excelled in explosive assaults. At the peak of his fury, his offensive power could indeed rival a Pinnacle Supreme. Yet, in the end, even two fists could not withstand the onslaught of many hands.

Besieged by the combined might of two Supreme-level combatants, ten Half-Step Path Union experts, and thirty-six Heavenly Emperor Puppet, he was forced into a steady, relentless retreat.

Had they been in the open world, he could have torn through the void to escape, or at the very least, used the Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse between realms] to maneuver and seek an opportunity to pick off his foes one by one.

But here, trapped within this encirclement, he was like a mighty dragon stranded in shallow waters—forced into a desperate, continuous battle for survival against the relentless onslaught.

After tens of thousands of consecutive clashes in the great battle, Blazing Center Supreme [a title for a supreme-level cultivator] was already severely wounded, his combat power diminished by seventy to eighty percent.

"Ah—!"

At the peak of the fierce conflict, Blazing Center Supreme fought with near-maniacal fury. With a roar, he manifested a divine spear of flame and engaged Eldrin Chen in a desperate life-or-death struggle. Yet, in the end, two fists could not prevail against four hands.

Witness then as the Supreme Puppet [a puppet artifact of supreme grade] pounced, using its supreme defensive power to withstand Blazing Center Supreme's explosive assault. It ultimately unleashed nine consecutive attacks, shattering Blazing Center Supreme's shin bones with brutal force.

Eldrin Chen seized the moment decisively. He summoned the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a halberd weapon of chaotic heavenly power] to press down with crushing force, severing one of his opponent's arms completely.

"BOOM—!"

In this clash of ultimate extremes, Blazing Center Supreme used his remaining arm to repel Eldrin Chen and attempted to flee beyond the confines of the Space-Time Secret Realm [a hidden realm where space and time operate under unique laws].

Having fought his way to this point, he was now only a short final distance from the exit of the Space-Time Secret Realm.

Alas, it was already too late. Lingering Ye unleashed the Verdant Emperor's Immortal-Binding Rope [an enchanted rope capable of binding even immortals], ensnaring Blazing Center Supreme.

Immediately after, Worthy Pursuit Chen employed the Bell of the Year's End [a mystical bell symbolizing the end of cycles] to suppress him within the void, denying Blazing Center Supreme any chance to fight his way out.

Ethan Chen acted decisively. He drew back the Emperor-Hunting Bow and loosed a single, devastating arrow. It pierced straight through the chest of Blazing Center Supreme [a supreme being of the Blazing Center lineage], nearly shattering his physical body into fragments.

Seizing the moment, Verdant Peak and Nyssa Qu joined the assault. They unleashed the Five Elements Sword Formation [a powerful sword array harnessing the five elemental forces] and the Nine Severities Spirit-Slaying Swords [a set of nine divine swords famed for slaying spirits], their combined attacks relentlessly shredding Blazing Center Supreme's ravaged form until it was riddled with countless wounds.

"Aaargh! Perish!"

At this critical juncture between life and death, Blazing Center Supreme roared with desperate fury.

He then detonated his own Supreme Physique [a pinnacle-grade cultivated body] in a cataclysmic self-immolation. Channeling the Blazing Central Great Path [his supreme cultivation method], he used the ensuing conflagration to consume his own ruined flesh, generating a final, explosive surge of power. This allowed him to tear free from the bindings of the Immortal-Binding Rope and the temporal shackles of the Bell of the Year's End [a divine artifact that manipulates the flow of time].

Immediately after, the Primordial Spirit Tower [a defensive spiritual construct housing his core consciousness] of Blazing Center Supreme shot forth. It encased his fleeing Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true self of a high-level cultivator] and streaked like a comet toward the exit of the Space-Time Secret Realm.

"Now!"

Just as Blazing Center Supreme was about to make his escape, Imperial Sovereign Jiang, who had been lying in wait for this precise moment, made his move. He channeled his power into the Firmament Ruins Sword [his legendary divine sword], which materialized horizontally across the void, its blade positioned perfectly to block the secret realm's entrance.

The sight of the Firmament Ruins Sword sent a chill of dread through Blazing Center Supreme's spirit. Imperial Sovereign Jiang's strike was fiendishly precise; any attempt to flee would be impossible to evade.

Yet, with his physical form destroyed and his Great Path [his foundational cultivation art] nearly unraveled, his power had been reduced to a mere fraction. To withstand that sword strike head-on now would be nothing short of seeking his own doom.

In that fleeting instant between lightning and thunder, he desperately summoned the Primordial Spirit Immortal Pagoda [a legendary defensive pagoda that protects the cultivator's spiritual core] to block the Firmament Ruins Sword [a supreme sword technique said to be capable of sundering the heavens].

In the blink of an eye, the Primordial Spirit Immortal Pagoda was cleaved asunder. The terrifying shockwave that followed riddled the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] of Blazing Center Supreme with a thousand gaping wounds.

Yet, at the cost of destroying his Primordial Spirit Immortal Pagoda, he had finally bought himself a sliver of survival. Seizing this chance, he managed to flee from the confines of the Space-Time Secret Realm [a pocket dimension where the normal laws of space and time are distorted].

"Damnation!"

Watching Blazing Center Supreme escape, Eldrin Chen's expression darkened slightly. Without hesitation, he surged out from the Space-Time Secret Realm in pursuit.

However, the moment he emerged from the Space-Time Secret Realm, a single, agonized scream tore through the air.

"Aaaaaaaagh—!"

The assembled cultivators looked up to see a swirling black vortex, a maw of absolute darkness, had enveloped the entire entrance to the Space-Time Secret Realm.

It was a force of supreme darkness and devouring power, a hunger capable of consuming all things. The Primordial Spirit of Blazing Center Supreme was caught in its relentless pull, held fast as it emitted screams of unbearable agony and cries of profound hatred.

"Ink Abyss [a legendary realm of primordial darkness and oblivion], how dare you…!"

Alas, at this moment, Blazing Center Supreme [a title for a supreme being of the Blazing Center] was already utterly exhausted and feeble, completely incapable of resisting this devouring force. In an instant, he was still sucked into the darkness.

As the dark radiance faded, a handsome man clad in black robes descended. He tore open the void and vanished into Boundless Void [a vast, empty dimension between realms].

Before departing, the handsome man glanced back at Eldrin Chen, a faint smile gracing his features as he said, "I have been waiting by the stump for a rabbit for a long time, hoping to catch a few hares. I never imagined I would snare a tiger instead."

"Regardless, I must thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your generous gift."

"Ink Abyss [a name meaning 'Abyss of Ink'] is profoundly grateful. On the day I step into the Sovereign Realm [the realm of a Sovereign, a supreme level of cultivation], I shall certainly seek you out again for further... instruction."

With those words, Outer Realm Demon Emperor [the Demon Emperor from a realm beyond this one] strode into the void and vanished without a trace.

"..."

"To think he got the spoils so easily."

Watching Outer Realm Demon Emperor make his escape, Imperial Sovereign Jiang [the Imperial Sovereign of the Jiang lineage] narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold, sharp glint flashing within their depths.

Primordial Genesis Path Ancestor [the Ancestor of the Primordial Genesis Path] fell silent for a moment before speaking. "The Devouring Great Path [the Great Path of Devouring, a formidable cultivation method] possesses boundless potential. In theory, it can lead one directly to the Limitless Realm [the ultimate, boundless cultivation realm]."

"Now that He has captured Blazing Center Supreme [a title for a supreme-level cultivator], His breakthrough to the Path Union [a high cultivation realm] Supreme Realm [the Supreme cultivation realm] will be as natural as water flowing downhill. I fear the entire Blazing Central Hundred Domains [a vast region of one hundred domains] will soon be plunged into a storm of bloodshed."

Eldrin Chen did not reply immediately. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Our most urgent task remains to enhance our own strength. If we are powerful enough, the Outer Realm Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic sovereign from beyond this realm] will cease to be a significant threat."

With those words, Eldrin Chen led the group back into the Space-Time Secret Realm [a hidden pocket dimension where time and space flow differently].

Upon arriving within the Space-Time Secret Realm, Eldrin Chen conducted a brief survey of the battlefield. He then retrieved the Blazing Central Wheel [a powerful wheel-shaped magical artifact] and offered it to Azure Fall Supreme [a title for a supreme-level cultivator], saying,

"Thank you for your assistance, Senior. Please accept this Chaos Spiritual Artifact [a primordial artifact forged from chaos energies] as a token of our gratitude."

Azure Fall Supreme shook his head. "You and Desolation are of the same clan. My intervention was in response to his request. You should thank him."

"As for this treasure..."

Azure Fall Supreme shook his head once more. "My contribution to this battle was not great. I shall not accept it."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen took out several other Chaos Spiritual Treasure [precious objects imbued with primordial chaos energy] and presented them to Azure Fall Supreme.

This time, Azure Fall Supreme accepted them without further demur, showing no intention of asking for more.

"He refrains from kicking a man when he is down, and does not take what is not rightfully his. This Azure Fall Supreme [a title for a supreme cultivator] possesses a character that seems remarkably noble and aloof."

Eldrin Chen's thoughts stirred slightly, forming an exceedingly high opinion of this Azure Fall Supreme.

During the previous battle, although the Azure Fall Supreme had intervened to block the Blazing Center Supreme, he had not taken advantage when the Blazing Center Supreme was at a disadvantage. This clearly showed he was not the type to abandon righteousness for profit.

Such a temperament was likely quite rare even among the ranks of Path Union Supreme [cultivators who have unified their cultivation path to a supreme level].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen drew his mind back to the present and looked up towards the distant Space-Time Crucible [a place of temporal and spatial refinement]. "And what of my clan brother? How does he fare?"

"By my reckoning of time, he should be emerging soon."

The Azure Fall Supreme spoke slowly, a rare trace of a smile flickering in the depths of his eyes.

At that very moment, the Space-Time Crucible trembled faintly before erupting with a surge of supreme aura.

Eldrin Chen looked up to see Kael Chen stride forth with measured steps.

Behind Kael Chen's head, four supreme Primordial Chaos Great Path [fundamental cosmic principles of primordial chaos] undulated and swirled, radiating a power supreme enough to annihilate the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms of existence].

One of them existed between form and formlessness, brimming with an overbearing Desolation Power [a primal force of decay and barrenness], which was none other than the legendary Desolation Great Path [the supreme cultivation path embodying the principle of desolation].

The other three Primordial Chaos Great Path [the foundational, supreme laws of existence born from primordial chaos] manifested in gold, black, and violet hues respectively, representing the Buddhist, Demonic, and Daoist variants of these Primordial Chaos Great Path.

"The Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic Triple Path Cultivation [a rare and profound cultivation method that simultaneously cultivates the three great paths of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonic Arts]—he has actually brought them all to the Realm of Chaos [the profound cultivation realm where one's power touches upon the fundamental chaos of creation]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

He had a distinct sense that Kael Chen was in the process of unifying these four Great Path [supreme cultivation laws]. Once successful, they would be completely fused into a single, entirely new Supreme Great Path [a transcendent cultivation law surpassing all others].

The reason for the incomplete success lay in Kael Chen's insufficient cultivation base. He needed to fully accumulate his spiritual power and foundational essence before he could make the final breakthrough into the Supreme Realm [the ultimate pinnacle of cultivation attainment].

"Eldrin."

Kael Chen spoke slowly, a warm smile gracing his lips as he continued, "It has been a long time."