Chapter 1218 : The Stele of Forbidden Principles

Of course, with this method, one could at most glean a wisp of Rule Power [the fundamental laws governing reality, a power accessible only to the most profound cultivators]. For those who had already comprehended such rules, it held little to no utility.

Therefore, since time immemorial, the Path Principles Celestial Stele [a legendary monument inscribed with the fundamental principles of cultivation] had been forbidden for contemplation by Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] of the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a realm just below the full Earth Immortal stage] realm and above.

Returning to the main thread, after Eldrin Chen had mastered the Primordial One Limitless Path Principles [the foundational, boundless law from which all other principles are said to derive] to perfection, he immediately began to contemplate other forms of Path Principles Power [the conceptual power underlying specific cultivation laws].

He first delved into the power of the Stellar [relating to stars and celestial bodies], unraveling the mysteries of the Stellar Path Principles. Then, contemplating the wonders of the firmament, he grasped the legendary Celestial Mechanism Path Principles [the principles governing fate, destiny, and the hidden mechanisms of heaven].

He fused and contemplated these two Path Principles, ultimately achieving comprehension and cultivating the fabled Ziwei Astrology Path Principles [the astrological principles centered on the Ziwei star, governing imperial destiny and grand cycles].

Thereafter, he contemplated Path Principles Power related to Polarity [the complementary forces of yin and yang], life and death, void, and time. Though he did not specialize deeply in their intricacies, he achieved significant success, condensing several distinct Immortal Path Principles [principles mastered by immortal cultivators].

These Path Principles were, for him, merely diversions dabbled in during leisure, far eclipsed by his primary cultivation of the Primordial One Limitless Path Principles. Yet, their potency rivaled that of many Immortal who had dedicated their lives to mastering these very paths.

After cultivating so many Path Principles, Eldrin Chen felt his comprehension of Path Principles deepen profoundly. A vague intuition stirred within him—a sense that he might now be ready to attempt grasping the Rule Power itself.

Just as Eldrin Chen was about to marshal his focus and attempt to comprehend the Rule Power, the world seemed to spin. His consciousness was wrenched back, returning to the confines of his physical body.

"Has the time run out?" he murmured. Visit audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

Eldrin Chen regained his senses and murmured softly to himself.

He surveyed his surroundings and saw that all the other Immortals had also awoken from their secluded cultivation. Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and the others had opened their eyes, each revealing looks of pleasant surprise.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen inquired, "How were your gains from this journey, my ladies?"

Exquisite Jiang nodded, her voice filled with joy. "My comprehension of the Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing reality and cultivation] has reached the Great Accomplishment stage. I am not far from achieving complete perfection."

Verdant Consort also inclined her head, speaking with confidence. "My mastery of the Polarity Verdant Lotus Art has also ascended to the 'Reaching for the Heavens' level. I only need a few more millennia to fully digest the insights gained from this journey, and then it will be perfected."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile.

After absorbing the gains from this journey, both women would be able to fully perfect their respective Path Principles within ten thousand years. They would face no significant bottlenecks until they attempted to break through to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and turned his gaze towards the Six Stars Immortal and the Void-Refining Immortal.

The Void-Refining Immortal, noticing his look, returned the Crimson Flame Gilded Armor [a suit of enchanted armor forged from gilded metal and imbued with crimson flame energy] with a faint smile. "My comprehension of the Ethereal Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing intangible and spiritual phenomena] has reached Great Accomplishment. Upon my return, I can attempt to break through to the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm."

The Six Stars Immortal also returned the Crimson Dragon Sky-Scorching Sword [a divine sword forged in the image of a crimson dragon, capable of scorching the heavens] and said with a laugh, "This old man's Six Heavens Stellar Art has reached perfection. I shall break through to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier within a thousand years."

"Well done."

Eldrin Chen retrieved the two Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure and could not help but smile as he said, "Having achieved our goal on this journey, there is no need for us to linger any longer."

"Indeed, let us first return and assimilate the gains from this venture."

Six Stars Immortal laughed, then hurriedly departed to return home.

On their way back, a Void Gate happened to be opening near the Celestial Stele Sea. The five of them wasted no time and directly used the Void Gate to teleport back, arriving straight within the Returning Abyss Sea.

After returning to the Returning Abyss Sea, Void-Refining Immortal and Six Stars Immortal departed one after another, preparing to break through their cultivation realms as soon as possible.

Eldrin Chen, Verdant Consort, and the others arrived at their abode and discussed the harvest from their journey with Lila and Violet Consort Yan.

"With the gains from this journey, husband and my two elder sisters will likely be able to cultivate to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier within tens of thousands of years."

After listening, Lila could not help but show a trace of envy. She and Violet Consort Yan had broken through to the Ascendant Immortal realm somewhat later. Even with the support of the clan's resources, their current cultivation was only at the Mid Ascendant Immortal Realm.

Furthermore, while in the Ascendant Immortal Realm, they still needed to consolidate their Path Fruit foundations [the core fruits of one's cultivation path, representing profound comprehension and power]. It would be impossible for them to break through to the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm in the short term.

Moreover, if they missed this opportunity to compete in the Celestial Stele Sea Sword Contest, they would have to wait another one hundred thousand years for the next chance, inevitably falling behind by a significant margin.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen offered words of comfort: "The cultivation of an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality] slows down considerably as one's realm advances."

"While our current cultivation levels may seem disparate, by the time we attempt to break through to the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an immortal whose power is anchored to a personal inner world], it may take over one hundred thousand years just to advance a single minor stage. You will catch up then."

Upon hearing this, both Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort gave slight, understanding nods.

For an Immortal, advancing one minor stage could take as little as ten or twenty thousand years, or at most several tens of thousands. However, progress becomes exponentially more arduous upon reaching the Earth Immortal Realm.

This is because an Earth Immortal Patriarch harbors an Earth Immortal World [a nascent world within their dantian] within them. To ascend a stage, they must not only gain deeper insights into their Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing their cultivation] and refine their physical body, but they must also facilitate a profound metamorphosis within their internal Earth Immortal World. This chapter appears courtesy of audio . novel . com.

Yet, catalyzing the transformation of an entire world is no simple feat. Many Earth Immortal Patriarch, due to insufficient foundational strength, may fail to advance even a single stage for over a million years.

Furthermore, the bottlenecks between the fourth level of the Earth Immortal Realm and the Seventh Level Earth Immortal are particularly formidable. Countless Earth Immortal Patriarch remain stuck at these thresholds for millions of years, unable to progress further.

Of course, this describes the plight of ordinary Earth Immortal. Prodigious seeds of the Great Encompassing [a legendary realm beyond Earth Immortal], like Eldrin Chen, often experience astonishingly rapid advancement even within the Earth Immortal Realm.

Returning to the matter at hand, hearing his encouragement, the two women nodded firmly. "We will cultivate diligently," they vowed, "and strive to catch up to your footsteps as soon as possible."

"Mm-hmm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a faint smile gracing his features.

At that moment, Exquisite Jiang seemed to recall something. She retrieved the Primal Radiance Limitless Pearl and said, "Since we have secured a place for the Celestial Stele, you should take this back."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. He shook his head immediately. "Our clan now has four Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure available for use. Even I cannot wield so many Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure simultaneously."

"Each of you should keep one Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure for your own protection."

Verdant Consort had just taken out the Primal Shadow Limitless Pearl. Upon hearing his words, she paused thoughtfully.

After a moment's consideration, she still handed the Primal Shadow Limitless Pearl to Eldrin Chen. "The PolarityLimitless Pearls are a pair of supreme protective treasures. Their greatest power is unleashed only when they are combined."

"Separating them would only diminish their strength. It is better for you to keep them together."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. After storing both the Primal Shadow Limitless Pearl and the Primal Radiance Limitless Pearl, he reached into his sleeve and produced the Crimson Flame Golden Scale Armor and the Crimson Dragon Sky-Scorching Sword.

He placed the two Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest tier of enchanted artifacts used by powerful immortals] before him and inquired, "These two Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure, each of you may choose one. What say you?"

Upon seeing this, the two hesitated slightly, momentarily lost in contemplation over their choice.

After a brief moment of silence, it was Exquisite Jiang who acted first. She reached out and took the Crimson Dragon Sky-Scorching Sword [a divine sword imbued with the power of a crimson dragon to scorch the heavens], stating, "I am currently lacking in Slaughter [a divine ability focused on overwhelming offensive power and destruction] techniques. This sword is a treasure of Slaughter, perfectly suited for me."

"Exquisite..."

Witnessing this, Verdant Consort felt a surge of emotion within her heart.

While both were Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure, anyone with discernment could see that the Crimson Flame Golden Scale Armor [a suit of armor forged from golden scales and imbued with crimson flame energy] was by far the more precious of the two.

After all, while a Slaughter treasure was excellent, given Exquisite Jiang's current level of spiritual power, she could likely unleash only a few strikes with it at most.

In contrast, the Crimson Flame Golden Scale Armor consumed minimal spiritual power. Merely wearing it rendered one nearly invincible. The disparity in their practical value was not insignificant. The story continues at @udio-novel.com.