Chapter 859 : A Sacrifice Across Realms

This strike, fueled by the blood sacrifice of a Primordial Spirit 9th Tier Outer Realm Heavenly Demon, possessed power sufficient to level the very summit of the vast Gu Yuan Mountain Range in a single blow.

Such cataclysmic force represented the absolute limit of what the Outer Realm Demon God could project across the dimensional boundary. In its view, this attack was utterly unstoppable.

If even this failed to slay Eldrin Chen, then it would have no choice but to cross over and strike personally.

Yet, to act directly across realms required temporarily suppressing the world's will of the Purple Seal Realm with a supreme treasure of immense value, only then could it tear through the void to deliver a blow.

Just as when Imperial Sovereign Jiang achieved his Dao, the demon god had not hesitated to expend a priceless Immortal Rank Supreme Treasure to suppress the Purple Seal Realm's world-will for the time it takes ten breaths to pass.

The power of its personal strike was, naturally, earth-shattering and heaven-shaking. Though it had failed to kill Imperial Sovereign Jiang back then, it had required a mere three moves to slay the nearly-ascended Eastern Sovereign.

"That upstart That upstart Eldrin is surely dead!"

So thought the Outer Realm Demon God, yet its expression suddenly shifted.

For it saw the Netherworld Blood Curse streak across the void—not towards the Gu Yuan Mountain Range at all, but instead striking towards the Netherworld Sea, countless Li-lengths away.

"Self-Sacrifice Substitution Art [a profound technique that redirects a lethal attack onto a pre-prepared substitute, often at great personal cost]!" Support the author by reading on audio-novel . com.

"..."

At the same time, within the Netherworld Sea [the foremost of the demonic forbidden lands], located in the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, two figures stood facing each other.

The figure on the left wore black robes; his form was ethereal and indistinct, more akin to a wisp of divine consciousness.

The figure on the right wore white robes, his countenance refined and handsome. Upon closer inspection, one could sense an aura of Vast Righteous Energy [a powerful, pure energy born of great virtue and moral integrity] brimming within his very brow.

These two were none other than the Netherworld Patriarch, and the Vast Righteousness Path Lord whose might shook the world.

The Netherworld Patriarch poured a cup of tea for the Vast Righteousness Path Lord, his expression utterly placid as he spoke. "Since I created the Self-Sacrifice Substitution Art [a forbidden art that allows one to sacrifice their own life essence to achieve a specific, powerful effect], only two individuals have succeeded in mastering it."

"The first was the Eastern Sovereign Patriarch. After obtaining the technique from me, he mastered it in a mere three years, only to perish not long after within a Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators seeking to advance their cultivation]."

"You are the second. And now, you too are destined for this fate, with no chance of survival."

The Vast Righteousness Path Lord was remarkably composed, showing no trace of fear. He spoke with serene acceptance. "By borrowing the power of the Demon God's Hand [a devastating demonic technique] to pierce the subterranean water veins beneath the Netherworld Sea, this disciple has, in a way, lent Master a helping hand."

"My only hope, after my death, is that Master will deliver the Vast Righteousness Heaven Sword in my possession to Returning Abyss."

"Alas!"

Netherworld Patriarch [a powerful demonic cultivator] revealed a bitter smile, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Though our master-disciple bond has reached its end, to hear you call me 'teacher' one last time is a comfort beyond measure."

"Fortunately, you have already broken through to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] realm. Against this strike, there may yet be a chance for Reincarnation [the cycle of rebirth]."

"Go now. If, in the future, this teacher of yours can ascend to the ranks of the Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons [the supreme beings of the Nine Heavens], I shall journey to the very end of the Netherworld [the underworld realm of spirits and demons] to seek out your reincarnated self."

With these final words, the Netherworld Patriarch's form gradually faded and dissipated into nothingness.

At the same moment, Vast Righteousness Path Lord [a powerful cultivator known for his unwavering moral principles] stepped out of the Great Hall. His gaze lifted to the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky], where a vast and majestic crimson radiance descended, blotting out the boundless sky for a million Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]. The spectacle was both awe-inspiring and terrifying in its grandeur.

Vast Righteousness Path Lord offered no futile resistance. Neither fear nor regret clouded his heart.

He simply stood there, serene and unmoving, watching the cataclysm approach with the profound calm of one who has mastered the Vast Righteous Energy [a powerful cultivation technique based on immense moral fortitude]. Then, he suddenly threw back his head and laughed, a long, clear sound that cut through the impending doom.

"I, Vast Righteousness [referring to himself], have cultivated for over five thousand three hundred years! To meet my end beneath a strike from the Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons—this is a fate worthy of my life's journey!"

"..."

"Boom—"

Above the Heavenly Vault, the golden sun finally sank completely below the horizon.

Eldrin Chen activated the Heaven Soul Return [a supreme technique to recall and refine one's dispersed spiritual essence], instantly forming a massive vortex of spiritual energy in the void. His magical power began to surge forward by leaps and bounds, and his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing the soul's ascension] had already coalesced into form.

Yet at this moment, he had no time for joy. His gaze was fixed far into the direction of the Netherworld Sea, and glistening trails of tears traced paths down the corners of his eyes.

"Senior Vast Righteousness."

"Outer Realm Demon God!" Support the author by reading on audio‑novel.com.

A violent, wrenching pain seized his heart. In an instant, he deduced the cause and effect of what had transpired. A towering, heaven-shaking killing intent began to brew within him.

A moment later, Eldrin Chen suppressed the tumultuous thoughts in his heart and focused on rapidly consolidating his Primordial Spirit.

The great battle outside was raging fiercely at this very moment. Any further delay would likely lead to casualties among his comrades.

He did not even have the luxury of time to grieve.

He opened his mouth and inhaled, refining a large quantity of Origin Heavenly Crystal [a supreme-grade crystal containing the purest origin energy] in an instant, transforming it into streams of primordial essence which he drew directly into his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest form of a cultivator's soul].

His Primordial Solar Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit imbued with the essence of the primordial sun] blazed with radiant light, swelling with power at an astonishing rate. This newfound strength immediately began to nourish his physical body and his Divine Ability [supernatural powers and techniques derived from profound cultivation].

Within the depths of his Primordial Spirit, the four Innate Divine Ability [Divine Abilities born from one's innate constitution and cultivation path] began to evolve under this nourishing feedback. Intricate patterns of the Great Path [the fundamental laws of the cosmos] manifested upon them.

A rare state of profound enlightenment [a moment of sudden, deep comprehension] washed over his mind. In that clarity, the final imperfections in his Divine Ability were smoothed away, bringing them to flawless completion.

The Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path [a supreme cultivation art of deduction and stellar polarity] swiftly ascended to the level befitting the Primordial Spirit Realm. Similarly, the Five-Colored Divine Light Great Art [a supreme Divine Ability of five-colored light] rapidly perfected itself, reaching the legendary stage of the Four Symbols Divine Light [the Divine Light of the Four Celestial Symbols].

The Five Elements Divine Thunder [Divine Thunder encompassing the power of the five elements], the art he had comprehended most deeply, soared to unparalleled heights. In one transcendent leap, he perfected the mythical 'Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder' [the supreme Divine Thunder merging the Five Elements with the power of the Primordial Sun].

Only after the nourishing feedback from his Primordial Spirit had completely subsided did Eldrin Chen finally open his eyes.

His Primordial Spirit now shimmered with a Five-Colored Radiant Light [a radiant, five-colored glow], and possessed a divine nature as unified and profound as the Primordial One [the state of ultimate unity and origin]. It appeared as inscrutable and profound as an Immortal Embryo [the nascent form of an immortal's true self].

"It is time to leave," he murmured.

With his Primordial Spirit now fully solidified and stable, Eldrin Chen knew with certainty that his breakthrough was complete.

He stepped forth from the Seclusion Chamber and gazed upwards at the Heavenly Vault. There, he saw that a vast and overwhelming Tribulation Cloud had already gathered.

"He has succeeded."

Seeing him emerge from the Seclusion Chamber, everyone present revealed expressions of wild joy.

After tempering the breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], the next step was to face the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine trial of thunder and lightning]. The Heavenly Thunder Tribulation manifests the power of the Great Path's Path Principles [the fundamental laws of cultivation]. Should anyone dare to interfere with his tribulation, they would inevitably be annihilated by the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

Those myriad demons and fiends, not daring to touch the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, all withdrew one after another.

Eldrin Chen swept his gaze over the group. Seeing that while they were seriously injured, none were in mortal danger, he let out a sigh of relief.

He gave a slight nod, then said calmly, "Wait for me to transcend this tribulation first. Then we shall deal with them."

Clad in robes white as snow, he ascended step by step into the sky. Like a banished immortal, he stood firm upon the Nine Heavens, his gaze fixed upon the rolling, sky-obscuring Tribulation Cloud.

"BOOM—"

After a moment's brewing, dazzling arcs of thunder exploded across the Heavenly Vault. The first mighty Heavenly Thunder Tribulation crashed down with boundless divine might, striking directly at Eldrin Chen.

This strike possessed extraordinary might, its power approaching that of the Primordial Spirit Realm [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual essence condenses into a primordial spirit]. Yet, he showed not a trace of fear.

With a mere wave of his sleeve, he suppressed that Thunderclap [a divine ability manifesting as a clap of thunder] and refined it into a single, brilliantly radiant thunder pearl.

The second and third bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a celestial trial of thunder and lightning used to temper cultivators and test their worth] met the same fate. Forces potent enough to threaten a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their condensed essence and consciousness] were merely transformed into three thunder pearls, failing to harm him in the slightest.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth bolts of Heavenly Thunder Tribulation grew even more formidable, possessing power sufficient to slay an Primordial Spirit Early Stage [the initial phase of the Primordial Spirit realm] cultivator. Yet, Eldrin Chen simply activated the Primordial One Grasping Hand [a supreme divine ability that manifests a giant ethereal hand capable of seizing anything], casually seized the tribulation lightning, and condensed them into three more thunder pearls.

"We absolutely cannot allow him to successfully pass this Heavenly Thunder Tribulation!"

Witnessing the ease with which he weathered the tribulation, the expressions of the many Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons originating from realms beyond the known world] instantly changed to one of grave alarm.

The Garuda the Heavenly Demon [a legendary bird-like demon of immense power] produced a Blood Banner [an enchanted banner that manipulates blood and souls]. With a swift shake of the banner, those who had pledged allegiance to the Demon God [a supreme entity of demonic power]—namely the Blood Phoenix Demon Ancestor [an ancient progenitor of phoenix-like demons associated with blood] and Primal Radiance the Path Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered a profound path] among others—found their eyes glazing over with confusion. They then charged recklessly, heedless of their own lives, straight into the heart of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

If cultivators from the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world or plane of existence] were seduced by an Outer Realm Demon God, their souls and spirits would become difficult to control. At the critical moment, their consciousness could be seized, making them the first cannon fodder sent to their deaths.

"How dare you?!"

Seeing that the Blood Phoenix Demon Ancestor, the Rising Sun Path Lord [a title for a cultivator whose path is associated with the rising sun], and Primal Radiance the Path Lord were about to disrupt the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Exquisite Jiang and the others immediately moved to intercept them.

However, Garuda the Heavenly Demon and his companions naturally would not allow them to have their way. They immediately surged forward, unleashing their powers and clashing in a fierce battle.

"Let them come and meet their doom."

At that very moment, a voice finally spoke from atop the Heavenly Vault. It belonged to a figure robed in white as pure as snow. Access the full story on AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.