Chapter 1317 : Path of Ascendant Immortals

Since the great war began until now, these Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality] of the Immortal Alliance have each refined at least five or six Path Source [a primordial source of power that enhances a cultivator's foundation], accumulating foundations of immense depth and solidity. Barring unforeseen circumstances, within one hundred to two hundred thousand years, they should all be able to cultivate to the Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier [the ninth and pinnacle tier of the Ascendant Immortal realm].

Whether they can advance further beyond that will depend entirely on their Opportunity and Fortune [the confluence of chance and destiny that shapes a cultivator's path] and their own Creation [the act of profound creation or enlightenment required for a major breakthrough].

Eldrin Chen reflected that these individuals, having refined so many Path Source, would, after fully assimilating this power over the next several hundred thousand years in the Future [a being representing the concept of time yet to come], possess a significantly greater chance of comprehending the World-Opening Foundation [the foundational understanding required to open one's own inner world] compared to ordinary Ascendant Immortal 9th Tier.

"In this campaign, following me through three battles and three victories, the intensity of the combat and the harvest of Path Source and treasures they obtained is nearly equivalent to what an ordinary Immortal might gain from surviving three Great Tribulation [cataclysmic trials sent by heaven to test cultivators]," he mused.

"Thus, their Opportunity and Fortune is not insignificant. If they can survive the next, even more terrifying trial of death, each of them will likely rival a Four Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived four heavenly tribulations], and stepping into the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a transitional state just below the Earth Immortal realm] will be within reach."

"In the future, should they attempt World-Opening [the monumental act of creating one's own inner world], they might even possess a genuine chance of success."

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, approving nod and said with a smile, "It seems your gains have been substantial, gentlemen. The path to Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm tied to the essence of the world] appears open before you."

"You flatter us. It is all thanks to the Alliance Leader's guidance and support,"

the assembled immortals replied in unison, their voices filled with profound respect.

Eldrin Chen acknowledged their words with a noncommittal tilt of his head. It was undeniable that in any Great Tribulation, the decisive clashes were always those fought at the highest levels, among the true powers. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel-dot-com.

Had it not been for Eldrin Chen, who led cultivators at the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has partially transcended mortality but not yet fully ascended to Earth Immortal status] realm and above, and who on several occasions severed the enemy's pillars of support, it is unlikely the allied forces could have leveraged their momentum to shatter the foe's defenses.

Just then, the grand doors of the Great Hall swung open, and a figure of immortal grace and dignified bearing strode forth.

The newcomer was indeed Heaven Wind Path Master. After stepping out of the Great Hall, he offered a slight bow and a warm smile to the assembled crowd. "Fellow Daoists, it has been too long!"

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on your great cultivation progress. The Earth Immortal [a fully ascended immortal who has transcended the mortal coil and attained a higher state of being] realm is now within sight,"

the gathered immortals said with smiles, each offering their felicitations.

Eldrin Chen also nodded, remarking calmly, "Now that you have stepped into the Six Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal [a Half-Step Earth Immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations] realm, Fellow Daoist, are you preparing to undertake the World-Opening [the monumental act of creating and stabilizing one's own inner world or minor realm]?"

"Indeed."

Heaven Wind Path Master gave a slight nod, his smile unwavering. "That is precisely my intention."

Hearing this, the assembled immortals all revealed pleased expressions.

For an ordinary Half-Step Earth Immortal who has survived only four tribulations, the odds of successfully completing a World-Opening are typically no more than three in ten. However, for a Five Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has weathered five heavenly tribulations] to attempt the breakthrough to Earth Immortal, the chance of success rises to roughly five or six in ten.

For a Six Tribulations Immortal to attempt a breakthrough into the Earth Immortal realm, failure is essentially an impossibility.

The Heaven Wind Path Master is now comparable to a Six Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal and lacks the confidence to step into the domain of a Seven Tribulations Immortal.

Furthermore, the Four Extremities Celestial Pillars he prepared are merely the Fourth-Level Celestial Pillar required for the inferior method, capable of supporting at most a Threefold Heaven. Even if he were to enter the Seven Tribulations Immortal realm, he could not possibly open a Sixfold Heaven like the Sun Consort did.

Moreover, in the coming Great Tribulation, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance will likely face direct assault from Thousand Dragon Lake, confronting a most dreadful Great Tribulation. Therefore, his decision to directly attempt the Earth Immortal breakthrough is entirely within expectations.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. He drew the Heaven Wind Path Master aside and spoke, "Brother Heaven Wind, I have an impertinent request. I hope you will not refuse."

"Oh?"

The Heaven Wind Path Master was momentarily taken aback. "Given our relationship, such formality is unnecessary. Speak your mind freely."

Eldrin Chen hesitated briefly before saying, "I wish to borrow from you... a strand of World-Opening Energy [a primordial energy used in the creation of new worlds or realms]."

"World-Opening Energy!"

The Heaven Wind Path Master's expression shifted visibly, a look of astonishment crossing his features.

World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy required to open and stabilize a new minor world] is an absolute necessity for any Earth Immortal Patriarch. Unless they are a peerless prodigy with a surplus of this energy, a typical Earth Immortal Patriarch barely has enough for their own needs. It is fundamentally impossible for them to hand over their World-Opening Energy to another.

For Eldrin Chen to ask to borrow World-Opening Energy was, in truth, a rather unreasonable demand.

However, after a momentary daze, Heaven Wind Path Master quickly regained his composure and declared with unwavering resolve, "Setting aside the friendship between us, the debt I owe you for avenging me in the past makes this request far from excessive."

"Do not speak of borrowing. After I break through to the Earth Immortal [the Earth Immortal realm, a major stage of cultivation] realm, I shall gift you one portion of World-Opening Energy as repayment for that past kindness."

"To have a brother such as you," Eldrin Chen sighed softly, "makes this life of mine truly worthwhile."

He then continued, "Brother Heaven Wind, rest assured. On the Path of Longevity [the eternal path of cultivation and immortality], as long as I, Returning Abyss, draw breath, I shall never treat you unfairly." Original English translation available at audio_novel.com.

With those words spoken, neither felt the need to say more.

The Heaven Wind Immortal immediately stepped beyond the Stellar Glazed Boundary [a defensive formation resembling a boundary of glazed stars] and began his assault on the Earth Immortal Realm.

As the fabric of the void dimension tore open, the onlookers followed Heaven Wind Immortal to witness his attempt to breach the Earth Immortal Realm.

Given Heaven Wind Immortal's profound foundation and his possession of the World-Opening Treasure [a treasure specifically used to assist in opening a new world] known as the 'Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda', the act of World-Opening [the process of creating and stabilizing a new minor world] was naturally well within his grasp.

Witnessing him utilize the Gale Wind Divine Body to World-Opening [the foundational act of creating a new world within a cultivator's inner cosmos], he had already opened a single layer of heaven and earth in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Having obtained a strand of World-Opening Energy [a primordial force released during world creation], he fused it into his Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's life force], the Gale Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword. Without waiting for the Gale Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword to fully ascend, he channeled the Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda to perform another World-Opening [the foundational act of creating a new world within a cultivator's inner cosmos] within the second layer of heaven and earth.

Even at this moment, he still felt he possessed a measure of residual strength. Seeing the Gale Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword successfully complete its ascension, he immediately refined the second strand of World-Opening Energy [a primordial force released during world creation] into his World-Opening True Body [a divine physique forged for the act of world creation]. Then, with a mighty exertion, he brandished the Gale Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword and unleashed a cleaving strike.

In that instant, a dazzling sword radiance split the Chaos Void [the formless, primordial state before creation], carving open the Threefold Heaven [a state of having created three inner worlds].

"Success!"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a wave of relief settling in his heart.

The combat prowess of Heaven Wind Immortal was indeed formidable. Having consecutively opened Threefold Heaven [a state of having created three inner worlds], he could no longer be considered among the weakest within the ranks of Early-stage Earth Immortal [the initial phase of the Earth Immortal realm].

With the Threefold Heaven [a state of having created three inner worlds] successfully established, Heaven Wind Immortal did not recklessly push for further advancement. He immediately erected a Fourth-Level Celestial Pillar [a foundational pillar of the fourth tier, used to stabilize a newly created inner world] to support the heavens and earth that threatened to collapse back into the void.

Thereafter, he set down the Heaven-Leveling Plate [a treasure used to stabilize and level the terrain of a new world]. Then, using his Lifebound Immortal Sword [an immortal sword bound to a cultivator's life force], the Gale Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword, as the Heaven-Suppressing Treasure [a treasure used to anchor and pacify the heavens of a new world], he thoroughly stabilized this nascent cosmos.

Only after completing this step did he finally store away the third strand of World-Opening Energy [a primordial force released during world creation]. A faint smile graced his lips as he flew over to Eldrin Chen.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, and felicitations."

"You have successfully opened Threefold Heaven and stepped into the Earth Immortal Realm [the foundational realm of terrestrial immortality]. From this day forth, you are destined to establish your own lineage and become a revered ancestor."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and cupped his hands in a formal gesture of congratulation.

Hearing this, Heaven Wind Path Master could not help but reveal a pleased expression.

Although his breakthrough into the Earth Immortal Realm could not compare to the supreme foundation of Sun Consort, who had opened a Sixfold Heaven [a higher-tier foundational realm], it was certainly not among the weakest.

Having opened a Threefold Heaven, and possessing two World-Opening Treasure [supreme treasures forged upon achieving Earth Immortality]—the Lingering Sun Heaven-Suppressing Pagoda for defense and the Gale Wind Soul-Extinguishing Sword for offense—his combat prowess among First Layer Earth Immortal cultivators was quite respectable.

Take Earth Spring Patriarch for instance; though also at the Earth Immortal first layer, he had only opened a Twofold Heaven. In a true confrontation, he might not be Heaven Wind Path Master's match.

And this assessment held even though Earth Spring Patriarch had recently acquired the World-Opening Treasure known as the 'Pale Nether Life-Death Tome'. Without it, relying solely on his single Innate World-Opening Treasure [a treasure born from one's own cultivation foundation], he would likely be suppressed by Heaven Wind Path Master in battle.

Even now, with both of them possessing two World-Opening Supreme Treasure, if they were to clash, Earth Spring Patriarch would probably be forced to retreat in defeat.

The reason was simple: Heaven Wind Path Master had opened one more foundational heaven. Thus, even at the same First Layer Earth Immortal, his spiritual energy reserves were a full fifty percent vaster than Earth Spring Patriarch's—a gap that was by no means insignificant. Join our community of readers at audio–novel.com.