The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2442: The Crimson Exarch’s invitation

As the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe faced its greatest catastrophe since the Great War billions of years ago, the Crimson World experienced a rare period of peace.

After the events on Origin Island, the Freedom Path suffered defeat after defeat across the nine realms of the Tower. The Ancient One had been crippled during his battle with the Scarlet King and was forced to retreat into his stronghold within the Ninth Layer. With their supreme leader in hiding, the Freedom Path no longer had anyone capable of opposing the Demon King directly.

And the Demon King did not hesitate.

He marched relentlessly from battlefield to battlefield, crushing every line of defense and shattering any resistance the Freedom Path tried to organize. Under his command, the forces of the Life Path expanded at an unprecedented speed.

Realm after realm fell.

Every Prima Deity, ArchDeity, and Alpha–Omega Overgod who dared raise arms against the Life Path was slaughtered. Their bodies were harvested, their souls refined, and their power converted into fuel for the ever-growing war machine.

The Demon King was utterly thrilled.

The speed of their advance exceeded even his expectations. The banners of the Life Path rose across the Crimson World as entire territories were absorbed into their dominion.

The only thing that troubled him was the Ancient One’s fortress.

Despite all his power, the Demon King could not break through the stronghold without suffering massive losses. The defenses protecting the Ancient One and his Neo-Angels were simply too formidable.

Still, he was not worried.

As long as the Life Path controlled the Nine Realms of the Crimson World, their strength would continue to grow. Meanwhile, the Ancient One and his Neo-Angels were trapped inside their refuge, slowly weakening as their influence and resources diminished.

And if they ever dared to come out—

The Demon King would slaughter them all.

The True Depravitas who followed him were enjoying the greatest harvest of their existence. The vast wealth and treasures once belonging to the Neo-Angels now belonged to them. Even more valuable were the abandoned Divine Kingdoms. The Life Path forces drained every fragment of power from those realms, using them to strengthen their own domains.

For most of them, it was a time of celebration.

But there was one True Depravita who did not share their excitement.

Meylin stood silently on a balcony, her expression solemn as she looked toward the distant castle where Cain’s body rested.

Several years had passed since Cain’s True Name and consciousness had left for the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe. She had already grown accustomed to his absence. Their paths had diverged before, and he had always returned stronger than ever.

Yet this time... something felt wrong.

A quiet unease lingered in her heart.

"Where are you?" she whispered.

The words had barely left her lips when a golden phantom began to manifest before her.

At first, joy filled Meylin’s face. The familiar white hair and radiant eyes made her heart skip a beat.

"Cain?"

But as the figure became clearer, her expression instantly froze.

Coldness and killing intent surged into her eyes as the weapons Hell and Abyss appeared in her hands.

"You."

The golden phantom smiled calmly, showing no concern for the weapons pointed at him.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

The figure was none other than the Crimson Exarch—the man who had crossed the Eternity Gate.

Meylin’s gaze remained icy.

Although it was thanks to the Crimson Exarch’s intervention that Cain had awakened his evolution and defeated the Ancient One, she did not trust him. His behavior was far too unpredictable. One moment he fought at Cain’s side, the next he drove a stake through his heart.

"What do you want?" she asked coldly.

She did not attack.

Over the past few years, Meylin’s power had increased tremendously thanks to the massive amount of resources sent to her and Cain. Even so, she did not feel confident facing this monster.

The Crimson Exarch’s smile widened slightly.

"I came bearing news, sister-in-law. During my time inside the Red Sun, I evolved and reached the highest domain of Flow. My mind can now pierce through universes."

He gave her a moment to process his words before his expression turned solemn.

"It seems my brother has been defeated. His soul is no longer within the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe."

Meylin’s eyes widened.

For a moment, her heart seemed to stop.

She wanted to deny it, to reject his words outright—but deep down, she felt he was telling the truth.

"Is Cain... dead?"

Her voice trembled as dread flooded her soul.

Fortunately, the Crimson Exarch shook his head immediately.

"No. If he had died, I would have felt it. His existence is too deeply connected to mine. What I know is this—his Primordial Essence and consciousness are not in the Crimson World, nor in the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe."

Relief crashed over Meylin like a wave, nearly causing her to collapse. Her body trembled as the tension that had been building for years finally loosened.

But the relief quickly turned into confusion.

"If he isn’t in the Crimson World or the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe... then where is he?"

The Crimson Exarch shrugged lightly, a faint smile on his face.

"Who knows?"

Meylin’s eyes twitched in irritation.

Before she could respond, however, his expression turned serious again.

"What I can tell you is this—the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe is in danger. Great danger."

Meylin’s heart tightened.

"I am certain my brother is doing everything he can to return," the Crimson Exarch continued. "But at the current rate, by the time he arrives... there may be nothing left but ashes and corpses waiting for him."

Her eyes widened again.

Although her time in that universe had been brief, she had met many people there. Allies. Friends. Warriors who had fought beside them.

People she cared about.

Meylin took a deep breath, forcing her emotions under control.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked carefully.

She knew better than to believe the Crimson Exarch did anything without a purpose.

A golden smile appeared on his phantom face as he extended his hand toward her.

"I have the power to travel to the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe," he said calmly. "And I can take one person with me."

His eyes locked onto hers.

"Do you wish to come along?"