Chapter 1353 : The Eighth Heaven's Limit

After completing this step, Heaven Abyss Path Master fused the three strands of World-Opening Energy [a primordial force used to create new worlds or realms] into his three Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a cultivator's most vital magical artifact, bound to their life force].

His three Lifebound Immortal Treasure were named the Azure Heaven Pot, the Divine Abyss Scroll, and the Ancient Heaven Abyss Sword.

At this moment, Heaven Abyss Path Master consecutively activated his three Lifebound Supreme Treasure [the ultimate form of a Lifebound Immortal Treasure]. Each strike cleaved through the boundless void, and with little effort, he once again sundered open the Threefold Heaven [the third layer of heaven in the World-Opening process].

After consecutively opening the Sixfold Heaven, Heaven Abyss Path Master did not even pause to catch his breath. He then fused the three strands of World-Opening Energy into his physical body, his Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of their chosen Dao], and his foundational laws.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he drove his three Lifebound Supreme Treasure and his Innate Divine Ability [a supreme power born with a being or awakened through profound cultivation] to continue the act of creation, finally succeeding in opening the Eighth Heaven.

"Have I finally reached my limit?"

After this monumental feat, Heaven Abyss Path Master let out a slow, measured breath.

At this moment, he had to bear the immense pressure exerted by the Eighth Heaven and Earth. His form was enduring the boundless, crushing weight of heaven and earth's power. The strength remaining to him was insufficient to confidently attempt opening the Ninefold Heaven.

Most crucially, his spiritual energy was nearly depleted. Forcing a World-Opening [the act of creating a new world or realm] now carried a failure rate exceeding eighty percent.

"Just as I suspected."

"No wonder even a being as formidable as Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch failed to open the Ninefold Heaven [the legendary ninth and highest layer of the heavens] back in the day."

Heaven Abyss Path Master murmured inwardly, letting out a slow, relieved sigh.

"Fortunately, I came prepared."

As the words fell, Heaven Abyss Path Master activated the Azure Heaven Pot to prop up the sky, while using the Divine Abyss Scroll to stabilize the earth.

With the pressure shared by these two World-Opening Treasure [supreme artifacts specifically designed to assist in the creation of new worlds], Heaven Abyss Path Master instantly freed up a portion of his strength. Taking a deep breath, he unsealed the North Sea Divine Pearl.

Instantly, a vast and majestic surge of spiritual power [the refined energy cultivated by immortals] erupted from within the North Sea Divine Pearl.

Heaven Abyss Path Master continuously drew upon the power within until the North Sea Divine Pearl was completely drained, crumbling into dust. Only then did he realize that the spiritual power within his own body had been restored to more than half.

"Whether I can open the Ninefold Heaven hinges entirely on this moment."

"Ninefold Heavenly Domain, open for me!"

In that instant, Heaven Abyss Path Master let out a mighty roar and unleashed a sword light of blinding, unparalleled brilliance.

It was a sword energy that seemed to mirror the boundless Myriad Heavens, transforming into a dazzling, limitless expanse of sword radiance that cleaved through the endless void of Chaos [the primordial, undifferentiated state before creation], sundering the void's Polarity Dual Energy [the fundamental opposing forces of Yin and Yang].

As the Chaos Energy Flow [the primordial, formless energy of creation] within that expanse of heaven and earth began to differentiate, the Pure and Turbid Energy [the art of separating the light, ascending energy from the heavy, descending energy] gave rise to a new world, and a realm born from Primordial Chaos Unfolding [the grand event of creation from chaos] took shape.

"Success!"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, a wave of relief washing over his heart.

It seemed that using Primordial One Limitless Rule Power [the supreme, boundless power of the primordial unity] to refine this kind of single-use External Elixir [a pill that stores vast external power for a cultivator to unleash] was indeed a method of astonishing power, rivaling that of World-Opening [the realm of those who can cleave open new worlds].

Aside from Eldrin Chen, even if another Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of attaining true Celestial Immortality] were to attempt it, they likely could not succeed in forging an External Elixir capable of containing several times their own magical power.

This was because a Nine Tribulations Immortal [an immortal who has survived nine heavenly tribulations] has a limit to the number of World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of immense power used to cleave open new realms] they can refine. Typically, they can at most refine three Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a mid-tier world-opening treasure], or, with great strain, a single High-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a high-tier world-opening treasure].

Yet, to cleave open the Ninefold Heaven [the ninth and highest layer of the heavens], one requires a High-Grade World-Opening Treasure to deliver a single blow capable of splitting the earth of the Ninefold Heaven.

Under such circumstances, a Nine Tribulations Immortal would have no remaining strength to refine an eighth-rank World-Opening Grade [the grade of power equivalent to world-opening] External Elixir.

For an ordinary Nine Tribulations Immortal, beyond their Lifebound Immortal Treasure [an immortal treasure bound to one's life and cultivation] and their High-Grade World-Opening Treasure, having the spare capacity to refine even one Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest immortal grade] would be their absolute limit.

A Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure-grade External Elixir [a powerful, single-use pill that stores immense energy] ultimately has a finite capacity for spiritual energy. Only Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Limitless Rule Power [a uniquely refined and potent form of spiritual energy], with its unparalleled degree of condensation, could multiply the amount of energy it could contain several times over.

"It seems my Primordial One Limitless Rule [a profound cultivation law] can also assist those close to me in achieving World-Opening [the realm of opening one's own inner world]," Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly.

Having made this realization, Eldrin Chen decided then and there to diligently collect supreme-grade Inner Pill [the condensed energy core of powerful demonic beasts] and special orbs in the future, preparing for the crafting of such single-use External Elixir.

Just as Eldrin Chen was lost in thought, the Heaven Abyss Path Master had already used four World-Opening Spiritual Root [mystical plants that stabilize nascent worlds] to anchor themselves into the Four Extremities [the four cardinal directions of the world], thus stabilizing the heavens and earth of this Primordial Chaos Unfolding [the event of a new world being born from primordial chaos].

After completing this task, the Heaven Abyss Path Master strode forward.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen immediately smiled and cupped his hands in salute. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on successfully opening a Ninefold Heaven [a world of nine layered heavens] land. It seems breaking through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of a true celestial immortal] in the future will be well within your grasp."

"Hahaha!"

The Heaven Abyss Path Master laughed heartily, his heart overflowing with joy. He promptly handed the Primal Shadow Heaven-Slaying Sword back and also presented a strand of World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy released during world creation] to Eldrin Chen.

Then, with immense satisfaction, he declared, "My deepest thanks for lending me your treasure, Fellow Daoist."

"Had you not lent me the treasure and refined the External Elixir for me, I would have certainly failed this time."

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

He took the World-Opening Energy and the Primal Shadow Heaven-Slaying Sword, then spoke: "External aids are ultimately just supplementary; they can only add flowers to brocade [enhance what is already excellent]."

"If you, Fellow Daoist, lacked the potential for Nine Tribulations [the pinnacle of cultivation requiring transcending nine heavenly tribulations], even with a supreme World-Opening Treasure [a legendary artifact capable of cleaving primordial chaos to create a new world] in hand, you likely would not possess the power to activate it, let alone have the ability to open Ninefold Heaven [a mythical, multi-layered heavenly realm] and earth."

With these words spoken, the two continued their pleasantries for a while longer, their hearts filled with joy.

Seeing that the heaven and earth opened by Heaven Abyss Path Master had completely stabilized and all the Immortals had emerged from seclusion, Eldrin Chen seized the opportunity to speak: "Now that everyone has digested their gains, let us discuss our next course of action."

Upon hearing this, all the Immortals nodded slightly.

They followed Eldrin Chen into the Great Hall, each revealing a measure of delight.

Sun Consort swept her gaze over the assembly and was the first to speak: "Now that everyone's cultivation has progressed considerably, shall we proceed according to our original plan?"

"Indeed, is it not time for us to mobilize our forces?"

Hearing this, all the Immortals could not help but speak with smiles.

This time, the Returning Abyss Sea Region gained two Ninefold Heaven Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has opened an inner world within their dantian], along with one Nine Tribulations Immortal and one existence who had stepped into the Forbidden Domain [a legendary state of cultivation that defies conventional limits]. Its strength could be said to have undergone a monumental leap.

In particular, the advancements of Exquisite Jiang, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, and Heaven Abyss Path Master represented not merely an incremental gain, but a qualitative transformation in power.

The combat prowess of a Nine Tribulations Immortal is roughly comparable to that of a Sixth Level Earth Immortal.

However, the spiritual energy reserves [the foundational power source for a cultivator's techniques] of a Nine Tribulations Immortal are only on par with a First Layer Earth Immortal, possessing less than thirty percent of the profound depth found in a Sixfold Heaven Immortal. Consequently, the disparity in their actual combat capabilities is vast.

Yet, when a Nine Tribulations Immortal ascends to the Earth Immortal Realm and successfully opens a Ninefold Heaven [a supreme-grade inner world], gaining the support of an entire microcosm, their spiritual energy reserves multiply severalfold. At that point, they would not be inferior to a Sixfold Heaven Immortal in terms of raw power.

It can be said that an Earth Immortal who has opened a Ninefold Heaven, even if their cultivation base is merely at the First Layer Earth Immortal level, possesses comprehensive combat strength that is in no way weaker than a Sixth Level Earth Immortal.

Now, with the successful breakthroughs of Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and Heaven Abyss Path Master, their side had effectively gained the equivalent of two additional Sixth Level Earth Immortal. Their strength was utterly transformed, a far cry from what it once was.

Even Eldrin Chen, whose combat power and techniques surpassed theirs by a margin, only held a limited advantage.

In a one-on-one duel, he might be capable of defeating either of them. But if both were to join forces, even Eldrin Chen would be forced into retreat.

With such formidable combatants, combined with Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang themselves, they now possessed the confidence to directly repel a single Seventh Level Earth Immortal and hold their own against two such powerful foes.

At this thought, the assembled immortals felt a surge of joy in their hearts. They all prepared to seize the opportunity while the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of immense scale and danger] had not yet concluded, to continue the great battle and take the initiative to pacify the demonic Great Tribulation raging across the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a vast and treacherous maritime region].