Chapter 1165 : The Radiance of Merit and Enlightenment

To slay one who possesses the Merit's Pure Radiance [a visible halo of accumulated virtuous deeds and cosmic favor] would assuredly greatly diminish one's own Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds], increase one's own Karmic Burden [the weight of negative karma and cosmic debt], and make any future attempt to transcend a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by powerful cultivators] a venture of nine deaths and but one slim chance of life.

This is because beings capable of coalescing the Merit's Pure Radiance are exceedingly rare.

Within the Immortal Realm [a higher plane of existence], many Earth Immortal Progenitor [a powerful immortal who has attained the Earth Immortal realm and founded a lineage] might perform good deeds for millions of years yet still fail to cultivate even a few strands of Merit's Pure Radiance.

That Eldrin Chen gained three strands of it simply by aiding the Purple Realm [a specific celestial domain or world] in its successful ascension would surely make many an Earth Immortal Progenitor gaze upon him with profound envy.

However, the Purple Realm's recent ascension consumed a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade]—a Star Essence [the condensed core essence of a celestial star]—a price that even a typical Earth Immortal Progenitor might hesitate to pay.

Returning to the main thread, after obtaining the Merit's Pure Radiance, Eldrin Chen seated himself upon the void and entered secluded cultivation.

The world's ascension had bestowed upon him the Merit's embrace, and now the Purple Realm's World Will [the conscious will and essence of the Purple Realm itself] offered its feedback. A profound opportunity was quietly descending.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen sank into a state of sudden enlightenment. Realizing his moment for breakthrough had arrived, he immediately produced an immense heart and a vial of golden True Blood [the primordial lifeblood essence of a supremely powerful being].

The heart was naturally that of the million-Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] Ancient Beast [a primordial monster of immense age and power]. The golden True Blood was that same beast's life-bound True Blood.

Both the heart and the True Blood contained the concentrated essence of the Chaos Ancient Beast [a primordial beast born from the chaos of creation, possessing immense power]. Even an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the pinnacle of the Immortal realm] would be driven to ecstatic frenzy upon obtaining such treasures. Dive deeper into the Dao at @udio-novel.com.

Receiving the world's reciprocal nourishment, Eldrin Chen knew this was the optimal moment to refine the Ancient Beast heart and the True Blood [a potent, primordial essence of life and power]. He immediately began the process of refining both the True Blood and the heart.

As Eldrin Chen continued his relentless refinement, the Ancient Beast heart and the True Blood were, almost imperceptibly, completely devoured and assimilated.

"BOOM—"

An immeasurable span of time later, a heartbeat like thunderous peals erupted from Eldrin Chen.

He opened his eyes from deep cultivation, rose to his feet with deliberate slowness, and released a single, measured breath.

Instantly, a boundless wind swept across the heavens and earth, tearing countless fissures into the very fabric of space.

"The Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of ultimate resilience and power born from primordial chaos]... has reached its Great Perfection!"

Sensing the power coursing within him, Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze blazing with a light capable of rending the heavens and splitting the earth.

Cultivating an Immortal Physique [a supreme physical foundation for immortal ascension] is the most resource-intensive endeavor. Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body, being far more formidable, consumed resources many times greater than an ordinary Immortal Physique.

Yet, in direct contrast, the cultivation of an Immortal Physique is also the most straightforward—provided one possesses sufficient resources.

The True Blood [the purest, most potent blood essence of a powerful being] and the energy contained within the heart of the Starry Void Ancient Beasts were far more vast and profound than that of a Half-Step Earth Immortal. After Eldrin Chen absorbed and refined it, his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of immense resilience and power] finally reached the stage of Great Perfection.

This Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body, even when cultivated to the Immortal Rank Realm, was already comparable to an ordinary Great Perfection Immortal Physique. Now that Eldrin Chen had advanced it to Great Perfection, its power had grown even more formidable.

"With my physical strength alone now, I could tear apart a Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality cultivator with my bare hands and contend with a Nine Heavens True Dragon at the peak of the Ascendant Immortal realm," Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a faint smile touching his lips as he sensed the immense power coursing through his veins.

"I fear it is no less formidable than the physical body of a Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality expert who has mastered the Fleshly Body Sanctification [an art dedicated to forging an indestructible physical form]."

Sensing the formidable strength within, Eldrin Chen could not help but whisper to himself, a genuine smile finally gracing his features.

This time, his advancement was twofold: not only had his Immortal Physique reached Great Perfection, but his cultivation base had also progressed, smoothly ascending to the Fifth Level of Immortal Ascension.

Upon breaking through to the Fifth Level of Immortal Ascension, the Immortal Essence [the refined energy of an immortal] within him swelled by another thirty percent, reaching a volume that could rival a Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality cultivator.

With a Great Perfection Immortal Physique and a significant increase in his Mana [the spiritual energy used to power techniques], Eldrin Chen's combat prowess had risen substantially. It was likely that even two or three ordinary Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality experts would struggle to defeat him.

"When I return to the Immortal Domain, I will no longer need to be overly cautious of that Crimson Dragon Clan," he mused, confidence solidifying within him.

With that thought settling in his mind, Eldrin Chen ceased his contemplations, his focus turning outward once more.

He returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain, bid farewell to Old Patriarch, and then arrived at the terminus of the Path to Immortal Ascension [the legendary path leading to the Immortal Realm].

After the passage of many years, the end of the Path to Immortal Ascension had once again gathered countless cultivators.

There, at the edge of the Path to Immortal Ascension, where the Endless Void [the boundless, starless expanse between realms] began, a group of peerlessly elegant figures stood upon the Firmament [the highest layer of the heavens].

These figures were the nine peerless Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality and ascended to a higher plane of existence].

These nine Immortal were, respectively: Eastern Sovereign, Kael Chen, Primordial Ice Silkworm, Master of the Dao Palace, Lin Tianqi, Peng the Roc Demon Sage, Thunder Tribulation Deity, Star Palace Master, and lastly, Kunxuan the Dao Venerable.

Today, these nine Immortal had gathered here for two purposes: first, to see Eldrin Chen off on his return to the Immortal Realm [the higher realm where Immortals reside], and second, to witness the ascension of the Primordial Ice Silkworm. Immerse yourself in the complete world at *audio-novel.com*.

Eldrin Chen would return to the Immortal Realm first; they would follow a step later, as they had previously agreed.

Having only recently Ascended to Immortality [achieved the Immortal Realm], they still wished to linger within the Mortal Dust [the mortal world] for another Millennium [a span of one thousand years], to leave a more Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and enduring legacy] for their respective lineages and sever their remaining karmic ties to the Mortal Dust.

Only the Primordial Ice Silkworm, unburdened by such attachments, was prepared to ascend today.

At this moment, the Primordial Ice Silkworm transformed into a woman of breathtaking elegance. She spoke with serene composure, "Esteemed friends, I shall take my leave first. Should fate allow it in days to come, you may seek me out in the Frigid Immortal Domain [a realm of eternal ice and snow within the Immortal World]."

"Frigid Immortal Domain [a celestial realm of profound cold and ice, governed by the power of frost]."

Eldrin Chen nodded. The master of the Primordial Ice Silkworm, the Heavenly Mountain Goddess, was an existence at the Earth Immortal Pinnacle [the highest stage of the Earth Immortal realm, one step below the Celestial Immortal realm]. Moreover, she was the reincarnation of a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme being from the Heavenly Immortal realm].

With such a powerful background to rely upon, it was certain she would still go to the Frigid Immortal Domain. That she would not go to the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [a celestial realm of azure skies and boundless firmament] was within expectations.

Seeing the Primordial Ice Silkworm had already activated the Ascension Guiding Immortal Light [a divine radiance that guides cultivators through their ascension to a higher realm], Eldrin Chen cupped his hands and said, "Very well. If fate allows, we shall meet again another day."

"Farewell!"

The Primordial Ice Silkworm waved a hand in parting and finally departed, carried away by the Ascension Guiding Immortal Light.

Having bid farewell to the Primordial Ice Silkworm, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to the assembled crowd. With a gentle smile, he cupped his hands once more. "You may see me off here. I shall await you all within the Immortal Realm [the collective term for the higher celestial planes]."

"That is acceptable."

Master of the Dao Palace stroked his long beard, a serene smile gracing his lips as he nodded. "Once this old Daoist has settled the karmic debts of the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals, filled with worldly attachments], I shall come to that Immortal Domain [a specific region or domain within the Immortal Realm] to seek you out."

"Indeed. We shall follow shortly."

The assembled immortals smiled warmly, nodding in unison.

Having said his piece, Eldrin Chen spoke no more.

He turned his gaze to the distance, where Caspian Chen, Elara Lin, and others were bidding farewell to old friends.

Farther still in the void, Dorian, the Sage Lord held Frost Drake Immortal Maiden close, while Maris the Sea Steader was also taking his leave from Verdant Enchantress Palace Master.

For this ascension, Eldrin Chen intended to bring ten companions: Caspian Chen, Chen Zuxuan, Alistair Lu, Lana Gu, Elara Lin, Seraphina Su, Freya Ji, Dorian Ji, Qing the Ancient Ancestor, and Maris the Sea Steader.

Now, as these ten prepared to part from their families, a profound sense of finality, akin to a parting at the very gates of life and death, settled upon them all.

They understood with stark clarity that after this farewell, they would likely never meet again in this lifetime.

Among them, only the Frost Drake Immortal Maiden, being a Pure-Blooded True Dragon, held a significant chance of Ascending to Immortality [transcending mortality to become an immortal]. The others harbored not a shred of such certainty for their own Ascending to Immortality.

Take Maris the Sea Steader's Dao Companion, the Verdant Enchantress Palace Master. Though she had broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core] with his support, her own potential was utterly spent.

Without the patronage of a figure at the Earth Immortal [a terrestrial immortal] realm or higher, it was virtually impossible for her to achieve Ascending to Immortality in this incarnation.

"Let us depart. Should you one day Ascending to Immortality [achieve the ultimate breakthrough and ascend to the Immortal Realm], we may yet meet again."

No matter how deep the reluctance, farewells must ultimately be spoken.

Eldrin Chen led his companions aboard the Crimson Plume Immortal Ark [a magnificent flying vessel adorned with crimson feathers], bidding a final farewell to each old friend before vanishing into the distant reaches of the Boundless Starry Sky.

Unlike the celestial ascent of a true Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality], his return to the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence where Immortals reside] could not summon the Ascension Guiding Immortal Light [a divine radiance that guides ascending souls]. To journey back into the heart of the Immortal Domain [the core territories of the Immortal Realm], he would need to utilize the Teleportation Formation [a complex magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances] maintained by the Celestial Court [the governing celestial bureaucracy of the Immortal Realm]—a process requiring a journey of no small duration. This content originates from audio~novel.com. Please respect copyright.