Chapter 2032 : Farewell to an Old Friend

Eldrin gave a slight nod, remaining remarkably composed.

The higher the cultivation realm, the narrower the gap in foundational strength between existences, and the more negligible the distinction in their comprehension of the Great Dao.

Especially in the realm of Great Emperors, what truly widens the gap from this point onward is fundamentally the Primordial Chaos Treasures.

For a Great Emperor's domain, possessing an innate supreme treasure represented a completely different level of combat prowess—let alone for the eightfold domain of a Primordial Chaos Emperor.

At this thought, Eldrin suddenly glanced at the Immortal Emperor and declared, "With your sincere allegiance, the day may yet come when you cultivate your own Innate Primordial Treasure."

"Is that so?"

The Immortal Emperor's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at the Immortal Emperor Spear in his hand, a faint smile gracing his lips. "I must say, I'm rather looking forward to it."

As the Sword Abyss Sage was suppressed, the battle below gradually drew to a close.

In this battle, our side achieved a resounding victory, and all those Desolate Emperors at the initial stage of Primordial Chaos Emperor Realm were utterly annihilated.

However, 2 Primal Emperors at the late-stage Hunyuan realm, upon discovering the Tome of Human Souls, immediately fled the battlefield and vanished into the depths of the Chaotic Desolate Sea.

To this, Eldrin (Person Name) paid no mind. 2 Seventh-Level Chaos Emperors were nothing compared to the combat prowess of Sword Abyss Sage Lord (Person Name), a Great Emperor who wielded a Primordial Chaos Treasure (Magic Treasure).

This battle successfully suppressed the Sword Abyss Saint Lord, marking the complete fulfillment of Eldrin's objective.

Next, Eldrin personally scoured the battlefield and traversed the Sword Abyss Boundary Sea once more, plundering all the treasures within before finally returning to the Great Desolate Ancient Realm.

Returning to the Great Desolate Ancient Realm, Eldrin immediately released the Sword Abyss Sage Lord and then activated the Tome of Human Souls to purify the desolate power within him.

When the power of desolation had been completely purged, the Sword Abyss Sage awakened from his deep slumber and immediately bowed to Eldrin (Person Name), saying, "I am indebted to you, fellow daoist, for your invaluable assistance."

"You're awake. Good."

Eldrin smiled as he spoke, exchanging pleasantries for a moment before stating candidly, "Your methods are extraordinary. Would you be willing to serve me in the future?"

"Do I, this old man, truly have any choice?" Sword Abyss Sage emitted a bitter laugh before declaring, "Henceforth, my Sword Abyss Immortal Palace shall heed the commands of the Heavenly Emperor."

With these words, Sword Abyss Saint immediately swore a Great Dao Oath.

Eldrin smiled faintly and returned the Cang Yuan Ancient Sword to the Sword Abyss Sage Lord.

The Abyssal Ancient Sword was Eldrin's (Person Name) spoils of war, and he would never return it unless the Sword Abyss Sovereign willingly pledged allegiance to him.

After all, the grace of aiding in revival was already an immense kindness. To return the captured Primordial Treasure on top of that would be no different from casting it into the Chaotic Desolate Sea, condemning it to eternal slumber.

The Sword Abyss Sage also understood this point, which was why he immediately swore an oath to follow Eldrin (Person Name).

After all, if it were merely to repay a life-saving favor, serving for tens of thousands of kalpas would have been more than sufficient.

However, Primordial Treasures were even rarer than Great Emperors. Moreover, this was the life-bound artifact of Sword Abyss Sage Lord, making it absolutely irreplaceable.

Getting back to the main story, after securing the allegiance of the Sword Abyss Sage, Eldrin (Person Name) gave a slight nod of approval. He bestowed upon him a batch of healing elixirs and said, "Go and recover from your injuries first."

"Having endured this tribulation and tempering, I hope you can be reborn from the ashes and reach even greater heights, swiftly stepping into the realm of the Great Emperor."

Hearing this, the Sword Abyss Sage Lord’s expression turned solemn. With a respectful nod, he vanished from the grand hall.

After the Sword Abyss Sage had departed, Eldrin gathered the other monarchs and led them into the Great Barren Sanctuary.

Within the Great Wilderness Sanctuary, Eldrin glanced at the several Chaos Origin Emperors before him and handed a list to the assembly. "This campaign has yielded considerable spoils, and your contributions have been significant," he declared.

"These meritorious deeds have all been recorded in the registry. You may review and make your selections."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of delight surfaced on everyone's faces.

In this battle, they not only slew 20-some Chaos Wasteland Emperors, but also obtained the treasury left behind by the Sword Abyss Celestial Palace, along with treasures nurtured by the Realm Sea over these years.

The treasures within were exceedingly abundant, including artifacts capable of enabling a Chaos Origin Emperor to break through his cultivation.

The most precious item was a single withered leaf of the 'Chaos Sword Grass'. It was said that a complete blade of Chaos Sword Grass counted among the Chaos Wonders, its value comparable to a Primordial Treasure.

Such a treasure, even if it were merely a withered leaf, would prove immensely beneficial to the cultivation of the Sword Dao once consumed.

In addition, there were quite a few Primordial Marvels, including nearly a 100 strands of Primordial Beginning Qi.

The others each exchanged some treasures using their merit points, but more than half still remained. Eldrin collected the rest.

Finally, Eldrin gazed at the remnant leaf of the Primordial Chaos Sword Grass, falling into deep hesitation.

A single leaf of the Primordial Chaos Sword Grass contains boundless medicinal efficacy. If 1 were to obtain an intact leaf, it would increase the chance of condensing the Divine Form of the Sword Dao by approximately 10 percent.

Yet before him lay only withered leaves, their potency and efficacy greatly diminished. I fear they could hardly aid Sword Abyss Sage Lord in his breakthrough.

Moreover, Sword Abyss Sage King possesses the innate supreme treasure Cang Yuan Ancient Sword, so this item would likely be of little use.

After much deliberation, Eldrin ultimately handed it to Sword Profound Emperor and said, "Your talent surpasses even that of Sword Abyss Sage. I shall entrust this object to you."

"I hope you can soon break through to the late stage of the Primordial Chaos Emperor, and not let me down."

Sword Mystic Emperor took a deep breath and accepted the withered leaf of the sword grass, declaring, "I will not let you down."

After the crowd had dispersed, Eldrin remained alone in the Great Wilderness Sanctum, sinking into deep contemplation.

Before he knew it, he had already spent over 30 kalpas in the Great Desolate Ancient Domain. Including the time drifting through the Primordial Chaos Desolate Sea, nearly 40 kalpas had passed since he left the 7 Domains of the Southern Abyss.

Previously, he had been wholly devoted to perfecting the Path of Self-Offering while simultaneously managing the wars across the 3 great wastelands. He also had to refine immortal domains to suppress the Chaotic Abyssal Sea, his focus constantly divided by countless pressing matters.

But now, as Eldrin's cultivation gradually advanced, these trivial matters came to a temporary halt, and his thoughts turned once more to his dao companions and old acquaintances in the 7 Domains of the Southern Abyss.

"I fled in defeat through the Chaotic Barren Sea, and in my dazed state, 40 kalpas had already passed."

"To the vast majority of immortals in the Return to Ruins Dao Domain, I have likely become nothing more than a figure from ancient legends."

"As for the 7 domains of the Southern Abyss beyond the Eldrin Immortal Realm, aside from the occasional mention by those Great Perfected Golden Immortals, few immortals would likely remember me."

"Time passes so quickly."

Eldrin (Person Name) sighed inwardly, his longing for his dao companions growing ever deeper.

After much deliberation, he finally entered the nameless space where the Pearl of Returning Abyss was located.

"You cannot go back."

The Abyssal Pearl spoke. As Eldrin’s (Person Name) innate treasure, it understood the thoughts and emotions stirring within Eldrin (Person Name).

Eldrin let out a faint sigh, fully aware that he could not return.

With his current level of cultivation, once he stepped into the 7 Domains of the Southern Abyss, the power of the Path of Self-Sacrifice would surely advance, and a glimmer of vitality would emerge within this cursed path.

And by that time, the anomalies of the Sacrificial Dao would also be sensed by those who cast the spells, alerting them to his return.

What awaited Eldrin then would likely be even more terrifying troubles.

After all, before his defeat at the Chaotic Desolate Sea, Eldrin had exposed 2 Primordial Treasures: the Indestructible Battle Garb and the Creation Cauldron.

These 2 Primordial Treasures, either 1 of them was enough to plunge the world into a storm of blood, drawing pursuit from multiple Great Emperors and even Quasi-Sages.

Eldrin would need strength of at least quasi-saint level to have any hope of safeguarding these 2 treasures.

Understanding that he could not return, Eldrin felt an even deeper longing in his heart. Gazing at the Pearl of the Returning Abyss, he sighed and said, "I wish to let them know I am safe."

The Abyssal Pearl fell silent for a long moment before speaking. "Within the Abyssal Immortal Realm lies the Forbidden Abyssal Grounds you established in the past. At its heart stretches a bottomless chasm."

"It can be used to open a passageway, allowing them to come directly here once they discover it."

As the voice of the Abyssal Pearl faded, it had already torn open the Boundless Entrance, reaching directly to the 7 Domains of Southern Abyss beyond the distant chaos.

Seeing this, Eldrin conjured a Li Fire Crystal and tossed it to the other side of the entrance before settling into a patient wait.

Meanwhile, in the 7 Domains of the Southern Abyss.

Within the vast Expanse of the Returning Abyss Immortal Realm, several peerlessly elegant women sat solemnly inside their mountain abode, their gazes fixed upon a single letter resting before them.

"The demon tribes are growing ever more audacious."

These 5 women were precisely Eldrin's 5 Dao Companions.

The speaker was none other than Yan Ziqi. Clutching the letter with white-knuckled intensity, her expression turned frosty as she declared, "Shall we fight them to the death?"

"No."

Qing Ji shook her head, a bitter smile gracing her lips. "Since the great battle of yesteryears, 1 of our 5 Human Sovereigns was suppressed, while the remaining 4 were left wounded, every last 1 of them."

"The demonic races are now at the zenith of their power. A direct confrontation would leave us with no chance of victory."

Seraphina Qu (Person Name) let out a faint sigh before speaking, "Over the years, the demon race has repeatedly pressured our Returning Abyss Dao Domain, launching dozens of chaotic wars against us."

"Now we are trapped near the Liyan Ancient Plains, with nearly half of the Great Luo Golden Immortals fallen in battle. Continuing this fight would only lead us further into disadvantage."

Upon hearing this, the women could only offer bitter smiles, a trace of helplessness coloring their expressions.

There was a time when Eldrin led them to sweep across all directions, almost never suffering a true defeat.

Now that Eldrin had departed, the Mixed Elemental Dao Domain was besieged by 6 imperial clans—led by the Profound Abyssal Imperial Clan, along with several other formidable enemies from imperial demon bloodlines—who relentlessly tightened their encirclement, steadily diminishing the territory of the Return to Ruins Immortal Alliance.

Now, after being eroded through dozens of kalpas, the strength of the Abyssal Return Immortal Alliance had been severely depleted.

If not for their fear of the 2 Divine Sovereigns, which kept them from launching an all-out assault on the Liyan Ancient Plains guarded by Lyra (Person Name), the defenders would likely have been unable to hold even this territory.

At this thought, everyone felt rather helpless. Lila (Person Name) couldn’t help but sigh, “How I miss my husband. If he were here, how could these scoundrels dare to act so insolently?”

Hearing this, the women couldn't help but feel a faint ache in their hearts.

Eldrin's defeat and retreat into the Chaotic Abyssal Sea, remaining unheard from for dozens of kalpas, remained the deepest knot of anguish in their hearts.

Now mentioned by Lila, their hearts ached faintly.

Lyra took a deep breath before speaking, "Were my husband here, he would not wish to see us grieving so."

"At this critical juncture, we..."

At this point, Lyra (Person Name) suddenly paused briefly.

Seeing this, the other women couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

"How could there be an additional Abyssal Chasm of Returning Ruins?"

Lyra (Person Name) froze momentarily before striding out of the mountain abode, arriving at the heart of the Return to Ruins Forbidden Grounds.

They finally reached the bottom of the Abyssal Chasm, where an unassuming crimson glow suddenly caught their attention.

Lyra snatched it up and found it to be a fiery red crystal.

“Li Fire Crystal (Spiritual Object)。”

"Yan Zi Ji (Person Name) spoke, her tone tinged with surprise, 'A third-grade mortal spiritual object—how could it appear in a place like this?'"

"Moreover, the pressure of the heavy water here is likely enough to crush even a piece of immortal gold, yet this object remains completely unscathed."

In an instant, all the women were slightly taken aback, a trace of pleasant surprise flashing across their faces.

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Lyra (Person Name) couldn't help but show a trace of nostalgia as she said: "The Li Fire Crystal (Spiritual Object) was what my late husband used to refine the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure). It also marks the very first bond between him and me."

As the words faded, Lyra channeled her magic power, piercing through the boundless and bottomless abyss until she finally located an entrance at its furthest extremity.

Without the slightest hesitation, they immediately stepped inside, only to find themselves reappearing in an unnamed space.

They lifted their heads and beheld, at the heart of the boundless void, the white-robed man they had yearned for day and night, who had long been waiting.

Husband.

Lyra could hardly contain her excitement, being the first to rush forward.

Eldrin pulled her into an embrace without another word, swiftly lost in the tender depths of passion.

When it all came to an end, Eldrin held his dao companion in his embrace and could not help but recount the experiences he had gone through over the years.

After hearing Eldrin's account, the women were both thrilled and excited, yet a faint trace of melancholy lingered in their eyes.

Lyra couldn't resist pinching him as she blurted out, "With the 5 of us already by your side, how dare you still chase after other blossoms outside?"

Seraphina Qu, however, was more considerate. She spoke gently, "My husband, you've been gone for over a billion years. Having someone who truly understands you keep you company in our stead brings me some comfort."

"It's you who spoiled him rotten."

Lyra widened her eyes but ultimately said nothing more.

Come to think of it, aside from herself, all the other sisters present had risen to their positions later on. It was indeed inappropriate for them to comment on such matters.

Eldrin gave a helpless smile, took Lyra's hand and coaxed her for a moment before finally asking, "How have you been all these years?"

"We..." Lyra's voice faltered slightly, her brow unconsciously furrowing as she murmured, "Lulu has fallen."

"What?"

Eldrin (Person Name) furrowed his brow slightly and immediately inquired about the situation in the Abyssal Immortal Realm over the years.

As the women recounted the events, Eldrin came to understand the chain of causation. It turned out that ever since his defeat in the Chaotic Abyssal Sea years ago, several imperial bloodlines of the demon race had joined forces with his arch-nemeses of the Great Dao, relentlessly encroaching upon the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

Because Eldrin's breakthrough back in the day had consumed over half of the resources of the Return to Void Immortal Alliance, now only 3 individuals—Lyra, Seraphina Qu, and Qing Ji—had successfully broken through to the Primordial Chaos Emperor realm.

The strength of merely 3 newly ascended Primordial Chaos Emperors remained far from sufficient.

Thus, under the encroachment of several great Primordial Chaos Imperial Clans, numerous Great Luo Golden Immortals of the Abyssal Return Immortal Alliance have fallen 1 after another over these years.

Among them were many of Eldrin's (Person Name) old acquaintances, including the 9-Colored Immortal Deer, the Daoist of the Celestial Abyss, the Yin Sovereign of the Ancient Ruins, and the Master of the Horizon Pavilion—all of whom had fallen under the siege of several great imperial courts.

Today's Return-to-Void Immortal Alliance has seen its territories shrink by dozens of times under the relentless encroachment of formidable enemies.

3 Primordial Chaos Emperors, along with nearly a 100 Great Luo Golden Immortals, were all crammed within the Liyan Ancient Plain and its surrounding celestial domains. Both their living space and room for development were severely constrained.

The Profound Mystic Imperial Court, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Clan, the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Clan, the Dawn Sun Azure Bird Clan.

After comprehending the entire chain of causality, Eldrin spoke with an icy countenance: "These vile specters and demons—when I return, I shall settle accounts with every last 1 of them."

Lyra let out a soft sigh, gently holding Eldrin's hand as she said, "You needn't bear such heavy pressure. The 2 Divine Monarchs have already made their stance clear—so long as we hold our position in the Liyan Ancient Plains, they wouldn't dare make a move."

Eldrin gave a slight nod and said, "Merely enduring blows will not suffice. You must continue to enhance your strength."

As he spoke, Eldrin took out some Primordial Qi (Cultivation Resource) and handed it to Lyra.

Then, Eldrin (Person Name) spoke with a grave tone, "If too many Primordial Chaos Emperors emerge within a short span of time, it may draw the attention of the demon race."

"In addition to yourselves, you may select a few others to assist in breaking through to the Mixed Origin Emperor realm, but try not to exceed 3 individuals."

At this point, Eldrin sighed again, "Unfortunately, although this passage leads directly to the Great Desolate Ancient Realm, it concerns the secret of the Void-Returning Pearl and cannot be revealed to others."

"Otherwise, they could all go to the Great Desolate Ancient Realm to break through."

Lyra nodded and said, "For the breakthrough candidates, let it be Eldrin, Grandfather, and Xianzhu."

Eldrin nodded in agreement, raising no objections.

These 3 individuals were all peerless talents. Once they broke through to the realm of Primordial Chaos Emperor, they might be able to contend with those at the third or even fourth level of Primordial Chaos Emperor, making them the most ideal candidates for this breakthrough.

Getting back to the story, after selecting the candidate to break through to the Primordial Chaos Emperor realm, Eldrin distributed cultivation resources to the group—including the Great Barren Sacred Fruit, the Earth Soul Sacred Fruit, and a host of other treasures.

After handling these matters, Eldrin said with a grave expression, "Due to the immense distance and the considerable cost of opening the portal, I will only open the Abyssal Chasm once every 100 million years from now on."

"In these coming days, accompany me on a journey through the Great Desolate Ancient Realm."

Lyra smiled faintly and spoke unexpectedly, "I'd like to see exactly which celestial maiden has bewitched my man's soul."

Soon after, Eldrin led Lyra and the others into the Great Desolate Ancient Realm.

Here, they witnessed the presence of the Spirit Creek Emperor. Yet, to Eldrin’s (Person Name) surprise, the women among them had actually grown remarkably harmonious with 1 another.

The Spirit Creek Emperor had long known that Eldrin (Person Name) possessed a Dao Companion, and in truth, harbored no reservations about this matter.

Seeing her profound cultivation and her peerless grace and beauty, Lyra (Person Name) and the others couldn't help but regard her with greater acceptance.

After all, such a peerless Emperor of unparalleled elegance and talent would pledge himself to his destined partner—this in itself proved their discerning judgment was not misplaced.

Yet Eldrin (Person Name) seized this opportunity to indulge in a rare moment of tender intimacy, as if transported back to the tranquil days of old in the Abyssal Return Immortal Realm.

But fleeting pleasures never last. With the situation in the Abyssal Dao Realm remaining unstable, they soon returned to its depths.

After bidding farewell to the crowd, Eldrin once again settled his mind, embarking on a rare, leisurely, and prolonged period of secluded cultivation.

(End of Chapter)