Chapter 1204 : The Twin Barriers to Immortality

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally understood; the Six Stars Immortal was truly waiting for him here.

Cultivation within the Immortal Ascension Immortal Realm Realm faces two significant hurdles. The first is breaking through to the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm, and the second is reaching the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality.

Of these two great barriers, to break through to the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm requires forging a Heaven-Towering Foundation.

Yet whether it is achieving the Great Perfection of the Fleshly Body, comprehending the Heaven-Towering Laws, or attaining the Sublimation of the Dao Fruit, none are easy feats.

Generally, those who can cultivate to this realm, aside from a few top-tier geniuses and major sect Immortals, are mostly ancient cultivators who have lived for several hundred thousand years.

Even so, most Immortals, through diligent cultivation over several hundred thousand to nearly a million years, can eventually break through the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm barrier by sheer persistence.

In comparison, the second hurdle presents a far greater challenge.

For to break through to the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality requires not only an exceptionally profound foundation but also cultivating one's Dao Fruit [the crystallized essence of one's cultivation path] to a state of flawless perfection.

This perfection refers to the state of Ultimate Perfection of Laws, Perfect Immortal Body, and Flawless Dao Fruit.

Such a flawless, impeccable, and ultimate Dao Fruit represents the absolute limit of the Ascension to Immortality Realm. For more chapters, visit audio—novel.com for the complete novel.

Take the Ultimate Perfection of Laws [the pinnacle stage of comprehending and mastering the fundamental laws of reality], for instance. Advancing a single step further would allow one to glimpse the legendary Realm of Rules [a transcendent state where one commands the very rules that govern existence]. The Perfect Immortal Body [a physical form refined to an immortal, flawless state], if it could be broken through once more, would become the World-Opening True Body [a divine physique said to possess the power to cleave open worlds]. And beyond the Flawless Dao Fruit [the perfect, unblemished fruit of one's cultivation path] lies a realm that transcends even the Pinnacle of Immortal Ascension [the absolute zenith of the Immortal Ascension cultivation stage].

Thus, while many Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] manage to break through to the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the advanced phase of the Immortal Ascension stage], those who can cultivate all the way to the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the ninth and final tier within the Immortal Ascension realm] are exceedingly rare.

To breach such a profound boundary requires either astonishing fortune and innate talent, or the aid of exceedingly precious external resources.

In the past, the primary reason Skywind the Immortal was able to break through to the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality was that he obtained the Jade Marrow Golden Bamboo Shoot [a legendary spiritual plant of immense vitality and purity] from Eldrin Chen and refined it into the Body Refining Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir for tempering the physical form], specifically the Jade Marrow Golden Pill [the Golden Pill variant of the Jade Marrow elixir].

The current situation with Six Stars Immortal is similar. He has devoted himself to mastering the Six Heavens Star Laws [a profound cultivation art based on the laws of six celestial stars], and the best method to bring this art to complete perfection is to harness the power of the Law Stele [a mystical stele inscribed with the fundamental laws of the cosmos].

"The Law Stele,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, not immediately offering a reply.

He let out a soft sigh before speaking. "Regarding the competition for a slot to access the Law Stele, in what ways can I be of assistance?"

Hearing this, Six Stars Immortal responded with a grave expression. "Within the Western Court Divine Abyss Sea [the Western Court region of the Divine Abyss Sea], there are a total of seven Law Stele."

"Six of them are monopolized by the Western Court Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise-realm in the Western Court] and the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [the Grotto-Heaven associated with the Divine Abyss]. The remaining one is shared among the three races—human, deity, and demon. It is this last stele we can contend for."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly and said, "I've heard that a single Law Stele [a mystical stone tablet inscribed with profound laws of the Dao] grants a full three thousand slots for enlightenment. The two Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained paradise realm of immense spiritual density] of the Western Army Divine Abyss actually possess a full seven of these Heavenly Steles. Could they possibly use them all?"

"Of course they can use them all."

Six Stars Immortal gave a bitter smile, then sighed and said, "Do you know how many Immortal [beings who have ascended to the first major stage of true immortality] reside within this Western Court Divine Abyss Sea?"

"I fear the number is in the hundreds of thousands, no?" Eldrin Chen replied with some uncertainty.

"Not so, not so." Six Stars Immortal waved his hand, his expression turning grave. "If we count only those from the Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a sacred land governed by an Earth Immortal] and the Immortal Rank Clan sects, then that number holds true."

"But if we include the two Grotto-Heaven of the Western Divine Abyss, the number of Immortal must be at least three million."

"How is that possible?"

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted dramatically, a look of shock spreading across his face.

Six Stars Immortal nodded firmly, stating with absolute certainty, "Both the Western Court and the Divine Abyss are Celestial Immortal Grotto-Heaven [a Grotto-Heaven realm ruled by a Celestial Immortal]. Within them reside Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme being at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal realm] who suppress the fate of their realms and can shield their disciples from the touch of calamity."

"Whenever a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of karmic retribution affecting the entire world] or a Dao Tribulation [a tribulation testing one's comprehension of the Dao] erupts, these two Grotto-Heaven need only seal their mountain gates to remain untouched by the tribulations of the Mortal Dust [the mundane, mortal world]."

"With Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality and eternal life] being deathless, over tens of millions of years, they naturally accumulate a Deep-Seated Foundation [profound and immense accumulation of power and resources] beyond our imagination."

"To suppress and stabilize the destiny of a lineage."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, his heart growing increasingly astonished.

A single Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, a supreme celestial being] suppressing destiny could shelter an entire major sect within a Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket dimension of immense spiritual power]. What kind of supreme, unparalleled might was this?

This also made it somewhat hard for him to believe, and he couldn't help but ask, "The so-called Heaven and Earth Great Tribulation [the grand, cyclical calamity that purges the world] is the Great Dao [the fundamental, cosmic law] of the Immortal Domain's [the realm of immortals] energy circulation. For a Celestial Immortal Grotto-Heaven [a grotto-heaven ruled by a Heavenly Immortal] to shelter so many Immortal, wouldn't that violate the Heavenly Dao Cycle of Reincarnation [the cosmic law of karma and rebirth ordained by Heaven]?"

"That is indeed the case." Six Stars Immortal nodded, yet shook his head again, saying, "But a Heaven Immortal [a supreme immortal who has ascended to the heavenly realm] possesses the ability of Illuminating All Heavens [a divine power capable of illuminating and influencing all realms]. What does it matter if they bear the weight of Boundless Karmic Sin [infinite negative karma and cosmic debt]? They can naturally suppress destiny with their own power alone." This content originates from audio-novel*com. Please respect copyright.

"Moreover, even a major sect of a Grotto-Heaven can only shelter Immortal for a time."

"When the Calamity Tribulation [a cataclysmic tribulation of immense scale] erupts once every hundreds of millions of years, even a Heavenly Immortal Paragon will be swept into a fatal calamity. How then could the Immortal under their protection possibly evade such a fate?"

Speaking to this point, Six Stars Immortal added with some uncertainty, "As far as I know, those powerhouses at the Heaven Immortal level are all individuals who have rendered great service to the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the Celestial Azure Firmament, a high-level immortal realm]. They are blessed with Heavenly Dao Merit [cosmic merit bestowed by the Heavenly Dao for virtuous deeds]."

"With such a Deep-Seated Foundation, sheltering a major sect through one cycle of Calamity Tribulation is, after all, within expectations."

"I am beginning to understand."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen began to grasp the situation.

He withdrew his thoughts and sighed once more. "There are only three thousand slots for comprehending the Law Stele [a mystical stone monument inscribed with profound cosmic laws], yet the Western Court Divine Abyss Sea [a vast celestial sea realm] is home to a million Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality]. It seems these slots will be fiercely contested."

"It's not even three thousand."

Six Stars Immortal [an immortal associated with six stars] gave a bitter smile before explaining, "The Western Court Divine Abyss Sea contains over three hundred Blessed Land [realms of exceptional spiritual abundance]. The larger ones claim dozens of slots each, the smaller ones are guaranteed one or two. In total, they have already claimed two thousand of the slots."

"Only the remaining one thousand slots are left for the minor Immortal Clan [families with immortal lineage] and Rogue Cultivator [independent cultivators without sect or clan affiliation] Immortal to fight over."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. By this calculation, the chance of securing a slot to comprehend the Law Stele was merely one in a thousand.

Seeing his expression, Six Stars Immortal continued, "Fortunately, the Law Stele opens only once every one hundred thousand years, and each Immortal is limited to three attempts at comprehension. Many who have already had their chance will not participate in the contest."

"Thus, for us Immortal at the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the advanced stage of the immortal ascension realm], there remains a sliver of hope to seize a slot."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded and asked, "How, then, is this contest for slots conducted?"

"We Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] must, in the end, let strength do the talking." Six Stars Immortal declared, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes before his expression settled into calm resolve. "To vie for a spot, one must still prove their mettle in combat."

"Thus, each time the Law Stele [a mystical monument inscribed with profound cosmic laws] opens, the assembled Immortals gather in the Stele Sea Region for the Sword Competition [a grand martial contest]. The thousand victors who emerge triumphant shall earn the right to contemplate the Heavenly Stele."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of understanding. "What, then, is your meaning?" he inquired.

Six Stars Immortal's expression grew solemn and heavy. He looked directly at Eldrin Chen and said, "The Western Court Divine Abyss Sea teems with formidable talents. With my current strength, my chances of securing a single spot are less than one in ten."

"Therefore, for this journey, I wish to borrow a treasure from you."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen nodded once more, grasping the Six Stars Immortal's intent.

The strength of an Immortal hinges upon four pillars: cultivation base, foundational Dao roots, Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts wielded by Immortals], and Divine Ability [profound supernatural techniques]. Among these, refining one's cultivation base and foundational roots is a slow and arduous process, and mastering a Divine Ability is no less demanding. Only the power granted by an Immortal Treasure can provide a swift and significant surge in might. This chapter appears courtesy of @udio-novel.com.