Chapter 974 : The Sun-Forged Isle Rises

Eldrin Chen cradled the Immortal Refining Furnace in his palm as if holding aloft a miniature, blazing sun. He traversed the Boundless Void until he arrived above a vast, deep sea, where he finally came to a halt.

This had been a desolate and lifeless stretch of ocean, untouched by cultivators for tens of thousands of years. Yet, with the arrival of Eldrin Chen and the Immortal Refining Furnace, a startling transformation began to unfold.

The churning waters of the Spirit-Severing Sea parted, and from the abyssal depths, an immortal isle that had lain submerged for millennia rose to the surface.

"This is..."

Sage Lord Dorian's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and spoke calmly, "This is the Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye [a profound spiritual vortex and nexus of power within the Eastern Sea]. Moreover, it is a newly formed one, born within the last few tens of thousands of years."

Mention of the Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye brought a trace of wonder to Eldrin Chen's own countenance as well.

Tens of thousands of years prior, this Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye had merged with the Eastern Supple Wood Earth Vein [a terrestrial spiritual artery imbued with the essence of supple wood], becoming a possession of the Horizon Pavilion, the then-dominant power of the Eastern Sea.

Later, the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm erupted, and the Horizon Pavilion faced a calamity of unprecedented scale.

At that time, an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] from the Horizon Pavilion laid down a final contingency. They awakened and transformed the Eastern Supple Wood Earth Vein, giving birth to the mighty Supple Wood Azure Dragon. Yet, even this formidable guardian proved no match for the invading Outer Realm Demon God [a malevolent deity from beyond this realm]. Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel.com.

In a battle of unimaginable ferocity, the Supple Wood Azure Dragon perished before it could ascend to immortality, and the Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye was shattered beyond recognition by the machinations of the Outer Realm Demon God.

Eldrin Chen once returned to the site of the Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye, only to find a solitary Netherworld Ghost Dragon and the utterly fragmented, ruined remains of the sea eye.

It was believed that the Eastern Sea's Water Essence Power [the fundamental water-based spiritual power of the Eastern Sea] had dissipated into the void. Yet, unexpectedly, within the depths of the Spirit-Severing Sea, a nascent Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye had been conceived and was now coming into being.

Now it appears that this was likely due to a contingency left behind long ago by the Void-Refining Immortal, enabling the sea eye to regenerate within the Spirit-Severing Sea.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen grasped the cause and effect of the situation. A smile touched his lips as he spoke, "In those bygone years, the Void-Refining Immortal foresaw the impending cataclysm and divined the shattering of the Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye."

"To prevent the Eastern Sea's Water Essence Power from scattering into the Boundless Void, he laid down another hidden scheme. At the critical juncture, it gathered the sea's dispersed essence, nurturing the birth of this new Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye."

"So that is the reason."

Dorian Ji could not suppress a surge of joy, his heart alight with excitement. "Our Third Ancestor's methods were truly masterful," he exclaimed inwardly. "Though he had long since ascended to the Immortal Realm, the contingency he left behind performed a feat of cosmic substitution, deceiving even the Outer Realm Demon God."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, a faint smile gracing his features. "Senior Void-Refining [an honorific title for the ancient immortal who mastered the art of refining the void] plotted for tens of thousands of years. This relic within the Spirit-Severing Sea remained hidden even from your own Ji Clan. Its profundity is indeed extraordinary."

"Hmmm..."

As the two spoke, the Immortal Refining Furnace erupted with a dazzling immortal radiance.

Strange Path Principles runes bloomed forth one after another, resonating with the formation patterns on the island and causing an opening to appear.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. "It seems the Void-Refining Immortal of old had faintly foreseen this day."

With those words, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate. He immediately stepped into the Spirit Island.

The moment he entered the Spirit Island, Eldrin Chen sensed an incredibly dense aura of water element energy [the vital essence of the water element, one of the fundamental forces of nature], and his heart felt a subtle sense of refreshment.

He took a deep breath before surveying his surroundings. At the core of the Spirit Island, he discovered a single Great Hall standing preserved.

"It seems within this Great Hall lies the tribulation-calming treasure left behind by the Void-Refining Immortal of old,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly. Exchanging a glance with Dorian Ji, he then strode towards the interior of the Great Hall.

Sensing their arrival, the great doors within the Great Hall swung open of their own accord, as if awaiting their entry.

Eldrin Chen, with the boldness that comes from supreme skill, stepped forward into the hall, yet in that same instant, his brow furrowed ever so slightly.

At the very heart of the Great Hall, there was an abyssally deep spring. Above this spring, a piece of dazzlingly brilliant, deep azure Immortal Metal [a legendary material of divine origin used to forge supreme artifacts] floated and sank, its radiance truly breathtaking.

"Abyssal Depths Divine Iron!"

Dorian Ji spoke abruptly, a trace of awe coloring his voice.

This 'Abyssal Depths Divine Iron' is an exceedingly rare, supreme-grade Immortal Metal [a legendary material of divine origin used to forge supreme artifacts] found in this world. It contains unparalleled Path Principles Power [the fundamental power of cosmic laws and truths] and is a divine material of the highest order for forging Immortal Treasure [transcendent artifacts wielded by immortal beings].

The Demon-Suppressing Cauldron [a legendary cauldron artifact] left behind by the Heavenly Mountain Goddess in ancient times was itself forged from a piece of 'Abyssal Depths Divine Iron' whose Path Principles [cosmic laws and truths] were incomplete. Official source: @udio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

This divine metal is indestructible, an unsurpassed immortal material for crafting Immortal Sword [transcendent swords], divine cauldrons, and Dao-bells. In the mortal realm, such a supreme object is virtually impossible to find.

Who could have imagined that within this Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye, a flawless piece of 'Abyssal Depths Divine Iron' still remained?

This was genuine, flawless immortal material, something even a Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal [an immortal being who has ascended to the highest celestial realms] would covet intensely. Upon encountering it, they would undoubtedly seize it to forge a protective Immortal Treasure [transcendent artifact wielded by immortal beings].

"You have arrived!"

Just as the two were overcome with excitement, a voice of serene elegance echoed from within the Great Hall.

In the void, faint streams of light gathered, coalescing into the figure of a man clad in violet robes.

The newcomer possessed a countenance of unparalleled handsomeness. Clad in flowing violet robes, his tall and upright form was wreathed in strands of Immortal Energy [the purified, transcendent energy of an immortal]. He resembled a Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal Lord [a supreme immortal lord from the highest heavens] descended to the mortal realm, radiating an ineffable and supreme majesty.

"Third Ancestor?"

Dorian Ji's heart trembled, and he couldn't help but ask with hesitation.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. He immediately bowed respectfully and said, "This junior, Returning Abyss Path Master, pays his respects to Senior Void-Refining."

"There is no need for such formality."

Void-Refining Immortal [the Immortal who Refines the Void] examined Eldrin Chen carefully, then revealed a faint smile. With a casual wave of his hand, he said, "Fellow Daoist, you have forged an Immortal Body [a physical form tempered to the level of an immortal] and comprehended the Primordial Solar Path Principles [the fundamental laws of the Primal Sun]. You are destined to walk among our ranks in the future."

"In the Immortal Realm [the realm where true immortals reside], our paths are bound to cross again. Let us address each other as peers from now on."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered once more, but he offered no further argument.

The Void-Refining Immortal cast another glance at Dorian Ji, giving only a slight nod, before turning his gaze to Eldrin Chen. "I am a wisp of divine thought left behind by the Void-Refining Immortal," he said. "I have remained here for the sole purpose of awaiting your arrival."

"Now that I have been awakened, my time is short. I shall be brief."

The Void-Refining Immortal began his tale, his eyes shifting between the Immortal Refining Furnace and the Abyssal Depths Divine Iron.

Seeing that the Abyssal Depths Divine Iron had finally matured, he then recounted its origins.

It turned out this piece of Abyssal Depths Divine Iron was something the Void-Refining Immortal had stumbled upon by chance one hundred thousand years ago, during his travels through the outer starry void after comprehending his Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths that define a cultivator's chosen Dao].

At that time, besides the Abyssal Depths Divine Iron which had not yet reached perfection, there was another piece of immortal-grade ore being nurtured alongside it—a 'Infernal Prison Divine Gold'.

When the Void-Refining Immortal discovered them, the two immortal materials had not yet fully formed; the internal patterns of Path Principles were still evolving within them.

By then, the Void-Refining Immortal had already divined that a great calamity was approaching the Purple Seal Realm. Therefore, even knowing the two immortal metals were incomplete, he retrieved the flawed materials.

After bringing them back, the Void-Refining Immortal realized that with his means and abilities at the time, he could only focus on nurturing one of the immortal metals.

After repeated divinations, he faintly perceived that between the two materials, the Abyssal Depths Divine Iron seemed to hold greater potential for quelling the coming calamity.

Thus, he decisively made his choice. He refined the 'Infernal Prison Divine Gold' into the Near-Immortal Treasures known as the 'Immortal Refining Furnace'.

As for the Abyssal Depths Divine Iron, he concealed it deep within the Spirit-Severing Sea. For twenty thousand years, he nurtured it with his own vital essence and Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation]. He also erected a grand formation to coalesce the Eastern Sea Abyssal Eye [a profound vortex of spiritual energy in the Eastern Sea], drawing upon the boundless Water Essence Power [the fundamental power of the water element] of the Purple Seal Realm to nourish and gestate this immortal material.

In this manner, a full one hundred thousand years were expended. Only then did this immortal metal finally complete its gestation, becoming a supreme, peerless immortal metal, a treasure of such rarity it was nearly impossible to find in the entire world. Read, share, and discuss at @udio-novel.com.