The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2278: The strongest lifeform in the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe

The rescue took several days, longer than any of them wished, but the ArchDeities finally managed to gather every surviving inhabitant from the small worlds orbiting the fallen Abyssalcrown Empyrean World. One by one, those worlds had been emptied, their people collected and carried inside Inner Universes or space treasures.

A heavy silence settled over the group. No one dared speak as their gazes drifted toward the distant wall of corrupted fire and flesh that still burned over the ruined world they had failed to save. Its radiance flickered violently, casting twisted reflections across their armor and weary faces. Then, as though in unspoken agreement, their attention shifted to the unconscious figure of the Scarlet King resting in Anark’s arms.

If there was anyone who could help them overcome this catastrophe—anyone who could see a path through calamity—it was Cain. The wisest and most cunning mind of the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe Alliance. Their Warmaster. Their strategist. The only one who could find the faintest glimmer of light at the end of this dark and collapsing tunnel.

”Let’s go.” Anark’s voice broke the quiet. The True Primordial exhaled heavily, then guided the group away from the corrupted world. There was no point in remaining. None of them were in any condition to fight, and staying so close to the Heart of the Root’s corruption would only worsen their wounds. They needed a safe place to rest—badly—and this ravaged frontier was anything but safe.

Fortunately, the Everstreife Empyrean World had drifted close enough for Anark to carve a wormhole to it. The passage opened with a deep, resonant hum, and the group stepped through, leaving the ruins behind. Only when they set foot onto the familiar void of their home world did some of the exhaustion in their limbs finally ease. It was not peace—not even close—but it was a momentary reprieve.

”Do your best to rest,” Anark instructed. ”Keep the people you rescued unconscious and pass them to the Six Chief Counselors. They’ll know what to do.”

The True Primordial could lead armies, command tactics, and stand against impossible threats, but government—policy, logistics, resettlement—was not his strength. Fortunately, the Scarlet Kingdom was already an immense and well-structured organization. All he needed to do was rely on its infrastructure.

Leonidas and the others nodded. After giving a deep bow toward Cain’s inert figure, they flashed away toward the depths of the Empyrean World to begin organizing the displaced masses.

Left alone in the vast throne room, Anark allowed himself one last glance toward the distant void where the corrupted world still burned unseen. Then, with a flicker of power, he stepped into the Scarlet Crown and appeared beside the throne. He gently lowered Cain to the polished floor and began channeling energy through the unconscious body.

He had barely begun when two more figures materialized: an old man with deep, ancient eyes and a child whose presence radiated unnerving wisdom. Ao and Aioro. Without a word, the duo moved forward and began channeling vitality drawn from the surface and core energies of the Everstrife Empyrean World.

Their expressions grew sharp as the trio poured power into Cain. All three believed, without doubt, that Cain was the only one capable of guiding them through the dangers ahead. Yet it was not just his intelligence or his strategic brilliance that reassured them. It was his power.

As ancient lifeforms, they could sense the true nature and essence of the Power of Chaos more clearly than most. And what they felt within Cain was beyond extraordinary. Even though he had not fully mastered it, its depth and potential were unlike anything they had ever encountered. Not even the Alpha Omega Overgod Godslayer Human could compare.

There was no doubt in their minds: Cain was the strongest lifeform in the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe—and the only one who could unify all armies into a single cohesive force capable of standing against the Root, even after its consumption of an entire Empyrean World.

Days passed. The Everstrife Empyrean World trembled with upheaval as millions upon millions of new inhabitants appeared each day. The Six Chief Counselors worked tirelessly to manage the flood of refugees from the Abyssalcrown Empyrean World, and the task was far from simple.

First came the handling of criminals and the wicked. Leonidas and the rescue team had no time to distinguish between good and evil during their frantic evacuation; they had saved everyone they found. But not everyone could be allowed to integrate. The Everstrife Empyrean World had already purged its native criminals and corrupted individuals, and they refused to allow millions more to flood the continent unchecked.

Not all who had blood on their hands were condemned, however. If their crimes were part of conflicts between cultivators, the Counselors merely marked them for surveillance. But those who had harmed mortals had their fates sealed and were delivered directly to the Scarlet Throne.

Next came the problems of xenophobia and racial hostility. The Abyssalcrown Empyrean World had a long, bitter history between the Light and Dark Races. Throwing such individuals into the same towns as hybrids or races that did not care about such divisions would only invite chaos. They needed time—time to adjust, time to learn, time to unlearn old hatred. Managing this delicate transition required immense effort.

No matter how one viewed it, Minxet, Razputin, and the remaining Counselors were burdened beyond measure—but they persisted, doing everything in their power.

Meanwhile, Leonidas and the other powerhouses—along with the Third Realm Masters who had participated in the battle against the Heart of the Root—retreated into their cultivation grounds. They focused solely on healing, trying to stabilize their bodies and souls before Cain awakened. They needed to be ready.

And then, four and a half weeks after the fall of the Abyssalcrown Empyrean World, a blast of soul force erupted from within the Scarlet Crown.

Every inhabitant of the floating city turned toward the source. Smiles bloomed—bright, relieved, and hopeful—as they sensed the unmistakable presence.

The Scarlet King had awakened from his coma.