Chapter 1289 : Ascendant Realms and Hidden Depths

At this moment, witnessing that Solara's World-Opening True Body [a supreme physical cultivation technique that forges a body capable of creating worlds] and Solar Rule [a profound cultivation art governing the principles of the sun] had both reached perfection, the assembled Immortals stepped forward one after another to offer their congratulations.

Eldrin Chen also gave a slight nod before speaking. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist. Your comprehension of the Dao's principles and your World-Opening True Body have both reached completion. It seems your breakthrough to the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful immortal being anchored to the mortal world] is imminent."

Solara merely smiled faintly, her gaze resting on Eldrin Chen. "I perceive that your Mana [the refined spiritual energy of an immortal] is of unparalleled purity, harboring a trace of the Heaven-Opening Profundity [the profound mystery of an art capable of cleaving the heavens]. I suspect you have already stepped into the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a transitional state between the peak of the Ascension to Immortality realm and the Earth Immortal realm]."

"With such a world-shaking Deep-Seated Foundation [an exceptionally profound and stable cultivation foundation], you have likely entered the domain of an Eight-Calamity Immortal [an immortal who has weathered eight heavenly tribulations]. Even if I break through to Earth Immortal, I may not necessarily be your match."

Upon hearing these words, the hearts of all the Immortals present stirred with shock, and their eyes turned collectively towards Eldrin Chen.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "In recent years, I have been diligently refining my Mana, and have finally taken that step."

As he spoke to this point, a faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips.

It must be understood that the strength of a cultivator in the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm varies greatly depending on the Heaven-Opening Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art] they have mastered.

A Half-Step Earth Immortal who has cultivated the World-Opening True Body experiences a tremendous increase in physical fortitude, possessing the raw World Creation [world-forging] strength of their flesh. Relying on this World-Opening True Body, they are powerful enough to contend with an Earth Immortal Progenitor [an ancient and venerable Earth Immortal].

Furthermore, the meridians and dantian [the core energy center of a cultivator] of one who possesses the World-Opening True Body become vastly more expansive, capable of containing twice the Immortal Essence [the purified energy core of an immortal] of a cultivator at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality [the peak of the Ascension to Immortality realm]. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel dot com.

For Immortals who have condensed a Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path, representing a profound understanding of the Dao], the power of their Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] can transcend its limits, becoming far more responsive and effortless to wield.

By refining the power of their Dao Fruit and Primordial Spirit into their Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators to perform arts and techniques], they can render their Mana more exquisite and profound. Consequently, any Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique] they employ becomes imbued with greater agility and arcane subtlety.

Furthermore, under the dominion of their Primordial Spirit power, they are often capable of simultaneously commanding a greater number of Immortal Treasures [powerful enchanted artifacts used by Immortals] and Divine Abilitys in combat.

Those Immortals capable of wielding a complete set of Formation Tools [magical treasures designed to be used together to create a formation] are not only blessed with astonishing talent in the Formation Dao [the Dao of Formations and Arrays], but most also possess formidable innate aptitude on the path of the Dao Fruit.

Take Aethelred Ao, for instance, who commands the Heavenly Dragon Subduing Demon Sword Formation. He is an existence who primarily cultivates the Dao Fruit and the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles and rules that govern reality], and is also an Immortal Rank Top-Grade Formation Master.

Although Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique born from the Primordial Chaos, granting immense durability] and his Primordial Chaos Limitless Law [a supreme cultivation art derived from the limitless nature of Primordial Chaos] are both extraordinarily potent, he can fully master these two powers while simultaneously commanding multiple Magical Treasures and Divine Abilitys in battle.

Indeed, even during his confrontation with the Duskfall Ancient Ancestor, he retained the capacity to activate several World-Opening Grade Slaughter Formations [formations of immense destructive power]. This was precisely because his Primordial Limitless Dao Fruit had already reached a state of perfect completion.

The World-Opening True Body [a divine ability manifesting a body with the power to cleave open worlds] is so majestic, and the World-Opening Dao Fruit so profoundly mysterious; naturally, the rules governing them are no less formidable.

While a Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has taken half a step into the Earth Immortal realm] who commands Rule Power [the power to command and manifest specific cosmic rules] may not see an increase in the amount of Immortal Essence [the purified energy of an Immortal] their physical body can contain, and their self-mastery may not match the subtlety of a World-Opening Dao Fruit, the Rule Power they wield represents the ultimate expression of heaven and earth's laws.

By infusing this ultimate Rule Power into their Mana, an Immortal's Mana becomes increasingly purified and refined. Eventually, it gives birth to a wisp of World-Opening Power [power capable of sundering creation], and the destructive force it unleashes when activated is greatly magnified.

Over this past Millennium, during his moments of leisure, Eldrin Chen continuously delved into secluded cultivation. He fused the three Rule Power [the power derived from comprehending fundamental cosmic laws] he commanded with his Primordial Chaos Limitless Dharma Power [a supreme divine ability born from the Primordial Chaos Limitless Law], finally achieving a qualitative transformation.

Upon reaching this stage, Eldrin Chen stepped decisively into the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm. Every strand of his Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators to cast spells and techniques] could now unleash power several times greater than when he was at the Ninth Level of Ascension to Immortality.

It must be understood that Eldrin Chen commands the Primordial Chaos Limitless Law. Even before his breakthrough to Half-Step Earth Immortal, the might of his Primordial Chaos Limitless Dharma Power was already comparable to World-Opening Power [the foundational power wielded by Earth Immortals, capable of shaping worlds].

Now, having advanced further, his own Immortal Essence [the purified and potent energy core of an immortal] has merged with Rule Power. Its purity and potency have already surpassed the World-Opening Power mastered by an Early Stage Earth Immortal Ancient Ancestor, entering the domain of an Eight-Calamity Immortal.

"A pity my Primordial Chaos Limitless Rule is not yet perfected," Eldrin Chen mused inwardly, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. "If I could cultivate the Myriad Things Earth [the Rule Power governing the essence of all earthly matter] and the Pure Yang Celestial Flame [the Rule Power of the ultimate celestial yang flame], then fusing five types of Rule Power into my Mana would surely trigger a qualitative leap."

He was acutely aware that taking that final step would represent a true metamorphosis.

The purity of his Mana would transcend all known limits.

Perhaps by then, even the World-Opening Power of an Early Stage Earth Immortal Ancient Ancestor would pale in comparison, its quality far inferior to his own.

The same Divine Ability, the same World-Opening Treasure [a treasure forged with World-Opening Power], would unleash devastating power in his hands far exceeding that of any ordinary Early Stage Earth Immortal.

Only such formidable World-Opening Power could be worthy of the title Ninth Tribulation Immortal—one whose supreme Mana alone is enough to sweep aside all opposition.

"Combat power at the Eight-Calamity Immortal level."

The other Immortals nearby, hearing the assessment of Eldrin Chen's combat prowess, felt a tremor of awe in their hearts.

How exceedingly rare is such Eight-Calamity Immortal-level power! Setting aside the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, from what they knew, within the entire Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, there were currently only three such beings.

One was the Young Palace Master of the Flowing Fire Star Palace. This individual cultivated the Immortal Physique [a supreme physical foundation for Immortals], the Dao Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivation path], and the Laws of the Dao [the profound principles governing reality] simultaneously. Among these, his Immortal Physique and Laws of the Dao had both reached the Heaven-Opening Realm [the pinnacle stage of foundational cultivation], with only his Dao Fruit remaining incomplete.

Of the other two, one was an Ancient Ancestor from the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect who had lived for eight million years. The other was a Rogue Cultivator [an independent cultivator without sect affiliation] Immortal who had ascended to immortality several hundred thousand years prior.

It could be said that such existences were not only peerless Heaven's Chosen [individuals blessed by heaven with extraordinary talent] who possessed a Great Luo Foundation [the most supreme foundational realm], but they had also cultivated at least two types of Heaven-Opening Foundation [foundational arts of the highest order]. Moreover, the Heaven-Opening Foundation they had mastered were all exceptionally powerful. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio‑novel.com.

They were true, epoch-defining geniuses, merely a single step away from cultivating the Three Types of Heaven-Opening Dao Fruits [the ultimate, tripartite Dao Fruit representing perfect foundational mastery]. Once they took that final step, they would possess the supreme combat power of a Ninth Tribulation Immortal.

Once they crossed that threshold, so long as they did not fall prematurely, they were destined to become beings of at least the Earth Immortal Nine Layers level, or even reach the realm of a Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

And now, with Eldrin Chen's successful breakthrough, the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas had gained another entity with Eight-Calamity Immortal-level combat power.

Contemplating this, the assembled Immortals were filled with a mixture of astonishment and profound joy.

After a moment of contemplation, Solara could not help but speak with immense gravity: "You must be cautious. The combat prowess of an Eight-Calamity Immortal [an Immortal who has survived eight Heavenly Tribulations, representing supreme foundational strength] not only signifies an exceptionally powerful foundation but also often heralds terrifying tribulations."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen was slightly taken aback and inquired, "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]?"

Solara shook her head, her gaze distant as she said, "Do you know why Thousand Dragons Lake agreed to Heaven's Malignance Tribe's demands and went to besiege the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect?"

"For the Dao Source [the condensed origin and essence of a cultivator's Dao path]," Eldrin Chen replied, then his expression changed drastically. "For the Dao Source of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect's Eight-Calamity Immortal Ancient Ancestor!"

"Precisely!"

Solara nodded and continued, "Thousand Dragons Lake has been blessed by fortune. Three million years ago, a peerless Heaven's Chosen [a prodigy favored by destiny] rose among them."

"That True Dragon [a pure-blooded dragon of immense power] was named 'Netherus'. He awakened a rare Primordial Nether Dragon [an ancient dragon lineage associated with the Netherworld] bloodline, a peerless demonic dragon who simultaneously cultivated the Dao Fruit [the fruit of one's cultivation, representing a major achievement], the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality, mastered as a divine ability], and an Immortal Physique [a body tempered to near-immortal perfection]."

"His talent is extraordinary. It is said he has already cultivated both the Immortal Physique and the Laws of the Dao, attaining the combat power of an Eight-Calamity Immortal. Compared to him, the former Crimson Dragon Ancient Ancestor was nothing."

"In the previous great war, you slew four Half-Step Earth Immortals [cultivators on the verge of becoming Earth Immortals] from Thousand Dragons Lake, yet they did not immediately move against you."

"This shows that in their eyes, compared to the Dao Source of the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect's Eight-Calamity Immortal, the grievance of losing four Half-Step Earth Immortals could be set aside for the time being."

"Yet now, you too have stepped into the realm of the Eighth Tribulation [the eighth major heavenly trial a cultivator must overcome]..." Continue your cultivation journey at audio - novel . com.