Chapter 1356 : The Path-Obstructing Tribulation

This Returning Abyss Path Master possesses extraordinary talent, and his potential to one day step into the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial beings, a major milestone in cultivation] is perhaps not insignificant.

However, to truly set foot upon the Celestial Immortal Realm, one must rely not only on their own foundation and accumulated strength; the Path-Obstructing Tribulation [a devastating heavenly trial that blocks the path to higher realms] faced by a Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained pocket realm and spiritual paradise] is an even more formidable, heaven-defying obstacle.

Noticing the look in Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame's eyes, Eldrin Chen felt a slight, involuntary sinking in his heart, clearly having thought of this very point.

For now, however, Eldrin Chen was still far from the Celestial Immortal Realm, making such discussions somewhat premature.

After a moment of contemplation, he merely sighed and asked, "It seems we Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] must endure great trials and tribulations to ever set foot upon the Celestial Immortal Realm."

"Indeed."

Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame nodded with deep understanding, her smile blooming like a flower as she said, "Your Chen Immortal Clan and our Flowing Fire Star Palace are both powers within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a vast and turbulent region of interconnected seas]. We should support and rely on each other more in the future."

"You flatter us. We rely entirely on your esteemed palace's guidance and care."

Eldrin Chen replied with a slight, courteous smile.

By the time their conversation reached this point, Eldrin Chen had largely grasped the full picture of this tribulation's situation and understood the true strength of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas.

It must be acknowledged that the reason the Celestial Prison Clan chose to drag the Flowing Fire Star into this tribulation was not only because the master of its Star Palace was merely an ordinary Half-Step Celestial Immortal, but also because the overall strength of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas region was far too weak.

Within the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, there are Thirty-Three Layers Sea Region. Although the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas is counted as one of these layers, its comprehensive power ranks a mere thirty-third—dead last, one might say.

If the various resources of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea are considered the poorest within the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain, then the resources of the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas are, in turn, the poorest within its own domain.

Across the entire Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, on the surface, there are only eight Blessed Land: the Star Palace Blessed Land, the Verdant River Blessed Land, the Glazed Blessed Land, the Lingering Sun Blessed Land, the Pale Nether Blessed Land, the Great Mystery Blessed Land, and the Bright Moon Blessed Land.

Yet, within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, some of the top-tier, vast sea regions are dozens of times larger than the Returning Abyss Sea Region and boast over a dozen Blessed Land each.

Among the other Thirty-Three Layers Sea Region, the more prosperous ones contain over a hundred Blessed Land, while even the smaller ones start with at least a dozen or more.

A sea region with a mere eight Blessed Land is a unique distinction held solely by the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas.

Eldrin Chen had a rough idea of the cause behind this state of affairs. It was because within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas lay an Innate Spiritual Treasure—the 'Returning Abyss Pearl'.

As an Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Returning Abyss Pearl required a near-limitless consumption of resources to gestate and manifest.

The Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the fundamental creative energy of heaven and earth] of the entire Returning Abyss Blessed Land, and indeed of the entire Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, was insufficient to sustain it.

For it to fully take form, it would likely need to drain the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea of its Water Elemental Energy [the vital essence associated with the element of water].

Therefore, Eldrin Chen had once asserted that the day the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary pearl born from the abyss] fully formed would be the day the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea completely dried up, transforming into a vast Great Wasteland.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen's heart grew even heavier.

An Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos, surpassing all mortal and immortal artifacts] is a peerless treasure that transcends even the Ninth Rank. Even beings at the level of an Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has weathered countless tribulations] might not be qualified to touch one.

As far as Eldrin Chen knew, within the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain, only the supreme treasure that suppressed the Immortal Domain's Fortune [the collective destiny and spiritual fortune of a realm], the 'Vast Azure Heavenly Halberd', had reached this rank.

Beyond that, the Innate Spiritual Root Four Extremities Ancient Tree [a primordial spiritual tree said to support the heavens] was also said to barely qualify for this level.

However, that Four Extremities Ancient Tree was one of the Fourth-Level Celestial Pillar [the four great pillars that uphold the heavens] supporting the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. In all the world, it was fundamentally impossible for anyone to claim dominion over them.

Yet the Returning Abyss Pearl that Eldrin Chen was refining was an Innate Spiritual Treasure still in the process of being nurtured.

A supreme treasure of this caliber would stir the desire of even a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit]. Once its secret was revealed, without strength at the level of a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realms], it would be utterly impossible to protect it.

"It seems that from now on, the secrets of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land must be concealed even more diligently."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, yet he understood that this secret could not remain hidden forever.

As the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary pearl capable of devouring seas and creating abysses] continued to grow, it ceaselessly drew upon the vast majority of the Water Elemental Essence [the fundamental energy of water] within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. The day would inevitably come when the Returning Abyss Pearl would be exposed.

Even though an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth] possesses the power to suppress Fortune [the metaphysical concept of destiny and luck] and the wondrous ability to obscure Celestial Mechanism [the workings of heavenly fate and cosmic principles], making it impossible for even a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] to deduce its presence, the moment it fully matures, its concealment will surely fail.

Seeing no need for further words, he rose and cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "My thanks for your guidance, Immortal Maiden. My purpose for this journey is fulfilled. It is time for me to return to the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance and share this good news with our fellow Daoists."

"It was my duty," she replied.

Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame rose to see him off, accompanying him for several million Li-lengths [a unit of distance where one Li-length equals five hundred meters] before finally halting.

After Eldrin Chen departed, an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a high level of cultivation] from the Flowing Fire Star Palace spoke up. "I have heard that the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a mighty cauldron forged from a crimson dragon, used to stabilize realms], one of the Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron [a set of nine legendary cauldrons each associated with a dragon], is now in his possession."

"That Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron is the embryonic vessel for a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a treasure of ultimate power capable of creating or stabilizing worlds]. Should we not demand its return?"

"Preposterous!"

Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame's expression shifted dramatically, her face flushing with anger as she rebuked him sharply.

She glanced in the direction where Eldrin Chen had departed, confirming he was truly gone, before turning back and saying, "The reason our Flowing Fire Star Palace survived this battle largely hinges on his role in vanquishing Thousand Dragon Lake."

"To turn on him now would be to repay kindness with malice, would it not?"

At this point, Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame sighed once more and added, "Moreover, he has already stepped into the Ten Tribulations Realm [the tenth and final stage of the Earth Immortal realm, preceding the Celestial Immortal breakthrough]. Aside from the Palace Master herself, none of us stand a chance of subduing him."

"Let alone the fact he possesses a Spatial Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest grade capable of manipulating space]. Even a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has partially transcended the Earth Immortal realm but not fully ascended to Celestial Immortal] would find it difficult to kill him."

"That Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron is indeed Extraordinary, but restoring it to its former glory is an immensely arduous task. For now, it remains merely a Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a foundational treasure of the lowest grade used to establish or stabilize a small world or grotto-heaven]. It's not worth making an enemy over."

Upon hearing this, the Earth Immortal Patriarch sneered coldly. "The vessel of a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [the primordial core or unrefined form of a supreme treasure capable of creating worlds] is ultimately wasted in the hands of a mere Half-Step Earth Immortal."

"If our Star Palace were to obtain it, we might be able to repair it. With an additional World-Opening Supreme Treasure at her disposal, the Palace Master could potentially increase her chances of breaking through to the Celestial Immortal [the realm of true immortality, transcending mortal limits]."

Immortal Maiden Flowing Flame fell into contemplation upon these words. After a moment, she spoke, "Considering his merits in this battle, we could indeed consider exchanging a treasure of ours for it."

"However, the Palace Master is not currently at the Star Palace. We should wait until the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and upheaval ordained by fate] concludes before informing her. The final decision must be hers."

"..."

Simultaneously, Eldrin Chen was soaring through the skies of the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Unbeknownst to him, the existence of the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron had been exposed. The powers behind the Flowing Fire Star Palace had already set their sights upon this artifact.

Had he known, a chill would surely have gripped his heart.

He flew all the way back to the Returning Abyss Sea Region and sought out the other Immortals within the Immortal Alliance, recounting the events of his journey to them.

Upon hearing his tale, expressions of pleasant surprise blossomed on everyone's faces.

The Heaven Abyss Path Master revealed a faint smile, stroking his long beard as he said, "It seems the greatest trial of this tribulation has now passed."

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, then spoke, "I intend to enter seclusion for a time. The rest of you should proceed with the plan to cleanse the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas of the Demon Race."