Chapter 1282 : The Final Celestial Pillar

"Oh?"

A flicker of delight stirred within Eldrin Chen. For his Four Extremities Celestial Pillars, he had already secured three of the required divine trees: the 'Southern Fire Phoenix Parasol Tree', the 'Western Primordial One Ancient Maple', and the 'Eastern Longevity Ancient Tree'.

Only the final Northern Pole Celestial Pillar remained, and this 'North Sea Great Toon' was one of the most optimal choices for it.

"It seems I must devise a plan for this North Sea Great Toon," he mused inwardly.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and declared, "If you can procure the North Sea Great Toon, I will naturally assist you in entering Nirvana [a state of profound enlightenment and rebirth]."

Having said his piece, Eldrin Chen spoke no further on the matter.

He employed his Rule of Life Power [a divine ability to manipulate the power of life and vitality] to stabilize the injuries of the gathered immortals, then began to tally the spoils of this battle.

After accounting for their gains, the immortals gathered in the Great Hall, their faces alight with undisguised joy.

In this conflict, the core forces of the Lingering Sun Blessed Land had been utterly annihilated. The harvest for the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance was unprecedented.

Among the myriad treasures were hundreds of Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts wielded by immortals], including nine Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure and three World-Opening Celestial Immortal Treasure [legendary treasures of immense power, said to be capable of shaping worlds]. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel`com.

In addition, there were vast quantities of Path Source [a primordial spiritual essence used for cultivation breakthroughs], Formation [a type of mystical array or formation art], Treasure Ship [a flying vessel imbued with magical properties], elixirs, immortal technique manuals, and other such Immortal Artifact [a general term for rare and wondrous magical objects].

For Eldrin Chen and his companions, the most precious items were undoubtedly the Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal-level magical treasures] and the World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of immense power capable of aiding in the creation of a new world or realm].

Among the various Immortal Treasure, the most valuable were the Lingering Sun Patriarch's Path Source, his Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel [a celestial wheel artifact], his Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda [a pagoda artifact with heaven-suppressing power], and the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a cauldron artifact imbued with the power of a crimson dragon]. These few treasures, all of the eighth rank and of the World-Opening [a realm or grade associated with world-creation] category, were the most precious of all.

Gazing upon these treasures, Sun Consort felt her heart stir with desire. Yet, she did not immediately reach for them.

She glanced at Eldrin Chen and spoke, "Fellow Cultivator Eldrin faced the Lingering Sun Patriarch alone, grievously wounded him, and ultimately slew him. It is clear that in this battle, nearly half the Merits [the credit or karmic merit earned from a significant deed] belong to you."

"The distribution of these treasures should be left to Fellow Cultivator Eldrin."

"In that case, I shall not stand on ceremony."

Eldrin Chen did not refuse. He took the Lingering Sun Patriarch's Path Source, and then claimed the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron.

After securing these two treasures, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "As for the remaining treasures, you may divide them amongst yourselves."

"This..."

Gazing at the remaining treasures, Sun Consort was momentarily taken aback, an expression of surprise flickering across her face.

In her estimation, among all the treasures, the most precious should have been the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel, followed closely by the Path Source [the condensed origin and essence of a cultivator's cultivation path].

Given the Merits [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and good karma] earned by Eldrin Chen in this battle, combined with the contributions of Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort, it would have been sufficient to claim both of these most valuable treasures simultaneously.

Yet, Eldrin Chen had left the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel for her, a decision that truly exceeded her expectations.

After all, the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel was the sole Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of immense power capable of assisting in the creation of a new world or realm], its value surpassing even the combined worth of two or three Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure.

The Path Source was also extraordinary. As the Path Source of an Earth Immortal Patriarch, specifically the Lingering Sun Patriarch, it was far beyond what any ordinary Immortal could hope to possess.

This particular Path Source had transcended the rank of a Supreme-Grade Path Source, reaching the level of a Lower-Grade Earth Rank Path Source.

Not only did it contain profound Rule Power [the power to command and manipulate a fundamental law of reality], but a strand of World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy used in the creation of worlds] was also fused within it. Refining it could bring about a qualitative transformation in an Immortal's foundational potential.

That Eldrin Chen had taken these two treasures without the slightest hesitation was a great surprise to her. Yet, in Eldrin Chen's own view, it was the most advantageous choice.

Eldrin Chen had taken the Earth Rank Path Source with the intent of comprehending the Five Elements [the fundamental forces of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] and their 'Primordial One Limitless Rule' [the supreme law of boundless unity], using it to charge towards the realm of a Nine Tribulations Immortal.

Although the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of suppressing worlds] is currently only a Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a foundational treasure of the lowest tier used to establish a new world or realm], it possesses the potential to continuously restore itself to the level of a Supreme-grade World-Opening Treasure [the highest possible tier of world-opening treasures]. Its value surpasses that of the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel [a celestial wheel imbued with the essence of the lingering sun] by several dozen times.

For Eldrin Chen, securing these two treasures already constituted eighty to ninety percent of the gains from this battle.

Unaware of this, Sun Consort [a celestial consort associated with the sun] felt profound gratitude towards Eldrin Chen and expressed, "I must thank you, Fellow Daoist, for yielding the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel to me."

With those words, Sun Consort claimed the Lingering Sun Heavenly Wheel.

Thus, among the several World-Opening Supreme Treasure [treasures of the highest order used to forge new realms], only the Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda [a pagoda that harnesses the power of the lingering sun to suppress the heavens] remained.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen turned to Heaven Wind Path Master [a master of the heavenly wind cultivation path] and said, "Your contribution to this battle was significant, Fellow Daoist. This treasure should be yours." Find this and other novels at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

Heaven Wind Path Master shook his head repeatedly and replied at once, "You have avenged the destruction of my clan, Fellow Daoist. My heart is already filled with boundless gratitude. How could I possibly accept your treasure?"

"There is no need for such modesty,"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and continued, "Without your Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [an ancient bell that resonates with the power of the starry firmament], the Cosmic Stellar Archipelago [a constellation of islands floating within the cosmic void] would likely have been breached long ago, and I would not have had the chance to turn the tide of battle."

"If you do not take a single treasure, I fear my conscience would remain troubled."

Seeing this, Heaven Wind Path Master [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered the wind element] hesitated slightly.

After a moment, he spoke: "I already possess the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [a powerful bell-shaped artifact imbued with the power of the ancient stars]. To also acquire this Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda [a pagoda artifact capable of suppressing the heavens, forged with the essence of the lingering sun] would be to invite calamity by hoarding treasures beyond my station."

"I wonder if it would be possible to exchange this Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda for Lingering Sun Patriarch's Fourth-Level Celestial Pillar [a legendary site of cultivation, the fourth level of a celestial pillar]?"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] nodded slightly, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

This Heaven Wind Path Master saw things clearly. He understood that no amount of treasures could compare to the importance of one's own cultivation base [the fundamental power level of a cultivator].

If he could not break through to the Earth Immortal Realm [a high level of immortal cultivation], possessing two World-Opening Treasure [artifacts of immense power, capable of shaping worlds] would only be a path to certain death.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen said, "I can agree to your request. However, this Ancient Starry Firmament Bell is of great use to my Cosmic Stellar Formation [a powerful battle formation that harnesses cosmic and stellar energies]."

"I wonder if we could use the Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda as the item of exchange instead."

"Agreed."

Heaven Wind Path Master [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered the Dao of Heaven and Wind] did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately agreed to the proposal.

This Ancient Starry Firmament Bell [an ancient bell imbued with the power of the starry heavens] was not Heaven Wind Path Master's Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force and soul], and thus, to him, it was ultimately just an external object.

The Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda [a pagoda treasure infused with the lingering power of the setting sun, capable of suppressing the heavens] possessed power nearly equal to it; both were World-Opening Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure of immense power, capable of shaping worlds] that excelled in both offense and defense. Exchanging them would not put him at a disadvantage.

Since that was the case, Heaven Wind Path Master naturally and readily granted Eldrin Chen this favor.

"Very well, it is settled then."

Having exchanged the Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda for the Ancient Starry Firmament Bell, Eldrin Chen revealed a look of deep satisfaction.

He informed Heaven Wind Path Master that after retrieving the treasures from the Crippled Heaven Realm [a damaged or incomplete heavenly realm], he would dismantle the Four Extremities Celestial Pillars [four celestial pillars that support the extremities of the world, considered spiritual roots] and give them to him. Then, his gaze turned to the remaining Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal treasure].

The Lingering Sun Blessed Land [a blessed land bathed in the light of the lingering sun] held no small number of Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure—a full nine of them. These included the Myriad Miles Lingering Sun Pearl [a pearl containing the essence of the sun across myriad miles], the Setting Sun Heavenly Wheel [a celestial wheel forged from the power of the setting sun], the Crimson Dragon Heaven-Piercing Halberd [a halberd wielded by a crimson dragon, said to pierce the heavens], the Crimson Dragon Immortal-Slaying Sword [a sword used by a crimson dragon, famed for slaying immortals], and other such Immortal Treasure [treasures of immense power used by immortals].

Among these Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure, six had been obtained from Lingering Sun Child and Setting Sun Path Master. The remaining three were all Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure personally refined by the Lingering Sun Patriarch.

Eldrin Chen carefully examined the selection and chose three Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure from among them: the 'Dragon Turtle Ancient Shield' [an ancient shield bearing the power of the dragon turtle], the Setting Sun Heavenly Wheel, and the Great Geng Great Mystery Sword [a sword of profound mystery associated with the Great Geng star].

He then retrieved the Myriad Miles Lingering Sun Pearl into his hand and spoke, "These treasures are quite exceptional. I intend to use them to reconfigure the Four Symbols Immortal-Trapping Formation [a powerful formation that traps even immortals using the power of the four cardinal beasts]. You may divide the remainder amongst yourselves."

The group distributed the Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of immortal artifacts]. Sun Consort took the Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's lifelong cultivation path] belonging to the Setting Sun Path Master and said, "His Path Source resonates subtly with my own Great Sun Path [a supreme cultivation art harnessing the power of the primordial sun]."

"I plan to refine and absorb it to nourish my Great Sun Divine Body [a divine constitution aligned with the solar essence] and further perfect the Great Sun Rule [the governing principles of the Great Sun Path]."

"Once this endeavor succeeds, I shall attempt my breakthrough into the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of terrestrial immortals, a major milestone]. When that time comes, I hope you will all stand guard for me."

Eldrin Chen handed the Path Source of the Lingering Sun Child to Exquisite Jiang. Hearing this, he gave a slight nod. "Setting aside how your ascension to Earth Immortal would greatly increase our chances of surviving the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial]," he began.

"Merely the opportunity to witness an Earth Immortal perform the World-Opening [the act of creating a personal microcosm upon reaching the Earth Immortal realm] would be an immense boon to our own cultivation. Guarding your tribulation is only fitting." For more chapters, visit @udio-novel.com for the complete novel.