Chapter 1405 : A Foundation of Ascendant Roots

"Two hundred and twenty-seven Spiritual Root [a plant that gathers and refines spiritual energy, often the foundation of a cultivation site]. That should suffice for the next million years."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a faint smile touching his lips.

With the aid of World-Initiating Qi [a primal energy capable of catalyzing profound transformations and creation] and Primordial Essence [the purest form of foundational energy], these two hundred and twenty-seven Spiritual Root would inevitably ascend to become World-Opening Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root of immense power and rarity]. When that day came, their cultivation journey would accelerate significantly.

Furthermore, he had obtained sixty-one strands of World-Initiating Qi this time, enough to nurture sixty-one World-Opening Spiritual Root.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen descended, his heart brimming with satisfaction.

The other participants at the Barter Convention [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare cultivation resources] were not particularly surprised to see him purchase over two hundred Spiritual Root.

Within the current Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, Eldrin Chen had already carved out a modest reputation. A few inquiries revealed he was a Newly Advanced Earth Immortal [an immortal who has recently ascended to the Earth Immortal realm, the foundational stage of true immortality], having ascended less than one hundred thousand years ago.

Such a young Earth Immortal [an immortal being anchored to the earthly realm, possessing vast power and longevity], upon arriving in the Immortal Domain [the realm of immortals], naturally harbored soaring ambitions when establishing an Immortal Clan [a lineage or family of immortals] and a Blessed Land [a sanctified territory imbued with dense spiritual energy].

They often believed myself possessed boundless potential, with hopes of one day reaching the Heaven Immortal [a higher realm of immortality, closer to the heavens] or even the Great Luo Realm [a legendary, near-omnipotent realm of cultivation]. Their immediate priority was naturally to lay a Deep-Seated Foundation [an exceptionally solid and profound foundation for future cultivation].

The methods to build a Deep-Seated Foundation were none other than opening Immortal Fields [fields for growing immortal-grade plants], planting Immortal Herbs [plants of immortal grade used in alchemy and cultivation], managing a Blessed Land, and cultivating Spiritual Root. Visit audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

This is particularly true for cultivating Spiritual Root [a plant that gathers and refines spiritual energy from heaven and earth]. A single mature Immortal Rank [a rank denoting a plant's spiritual potency] Spiritual Root can often bring a clan a harvest of immense value.

And once these Spiritual Root are nurtured to the level of High Grade Acquired Spiritual Root [a high-tier spiritual root born from the world's essence], then each of those two hundred-plus Spiritual Root would be comparable to a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [a treasure of the highest quality usable by Immortals]. A great many Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the cusp of becoming Earth Immortals] would be willing to purchase them to serve as their Four Extremities Heaven Pillars [a set of four foundational treasures used to stabilize one's cultivation realm].

If, among those two hundred Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [a spiritual root born from the primal energies of heaven and earth], ten could be nurtured to become Supreme Grade Acquired Spiritual Root [the supreme pinnacle of Acquired Spiritual Roots], or even one or two advanced to the level of a World-Opening Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual root said to have the power to cleave open a new world], then Eldrin Chen would undoubtedly reap a fortune of staggering proportions.

Alas, nurturing these Spiritual Root is an arduous task, and they often find it exceedingly difficult to shatter their inherent limits and advance further.

The vast majority of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root will become stuck at the peak of the Sixth Rank High Grade [a specific high-grade level within the Sixth Rank]. Hundreds of thousands of years may pass, until the Spiritual Root withers away completely, never managing to ascend into an Acquired Spiritual Root [a spiritual root formed after the creation of the world, more potent than Heaven and Earth roots].

Similarly, the vast majority of Acquired Spiritual Root will also become stuck at low or middle-grade tiers; only a rare few can grow to the level of a High Grade Acquired Spiritual Root.

Even if one does mature into a High Grade Acquired Spiritual Root, for such a Spiritual Root to take a single step further is an endeavor of near-impossible difficulty.

Without special cultivation methods, even tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of years, would be insufficient for further advancement.

Generally speaking, only an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality] possessing secret arts and willing to pay a monumental price might be able to nurture one to the level of a Supreme Grade Acquired Spiritual Root.

To advance a single step further, to become that legendary World-Opening Spiritual Root, is a challenge of exponentially greater magnitude.

Only those Blessed Land [a realm of exceptional spiritual richness and stability, often cultivated over eons] with ancient legacies possess the methods to nurture the World-Opening Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual root said to possess the power to initiate the formation of worlds]. Even then, success is only a possibility after investing countless millennia of time and effort without reservation.

"This Abyssal Daoist [a title for a cultivator whose path is aligned with the profound mysteries of the abyss] has only just broken through to the Earth Immortal [the foundational stage of true immortality, where a cultivator's essence merges with the earth's spiritual veins] realm, and already he begins preparing his Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound and unshakable foundational cultivation that determines one's ultimate potential and longevity]. His vision truly stretches far into the future," one observer remarked.

Within the Void [a grand assembly or gathering of powerful cultivators], the master of a Blessed Land who had reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm, just one step away from the next great ascension] stage spoke these words with a faint smile to a companion beside him.

That friend nodded in agreement, a cold sneer curling his lips. "This individual has just entered the Earth Immortal Realm. Instead of first purchasing divine treasures like the Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir that can dramatically accelerate cultivation progress] to swiftly advance his cultivation to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate phase of the Earth Immortal realm], he squanders his resources so recklessly."

"Does he truly believe that others will stand idly by for millions of years, allowing a Heaven's Chosen [a prodigy blessed by heaven, often possessing extraordinary talent or fate] who has stepped into the Forbidden Realm [a legendary cultivation realm of near-mythical power, surpassing conventional limits] to peacefully develop his Blessed Land?"

"Indeed," another agreed, his expression serene yet pointed. "When the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that occurs at set cosmic intervals, testing the fate of all cultivators] arrives in a million years, if he had broken through to Middle Stage Earth Immortal, he might retain a sliver of a chance to preserve his life."

"But if he remains at the Early Stage Earth Immortal [the initial phase of the Earth Immortal realm], he will likely be reduced to ashes by the tribulation without the slightest ability to resist."

A violet-robed Earth Immortal stirred, his gaze thoughtful as he murmured, "We should not be so quick to judge. I observed he purchased several dozen strands of World-Initiating Qi [a primordial energy imbued with the power of creation, used to nurture world-level spiritual roots]. It is not impossible that he could successfully cultivate a few World-Opening Spiritual Root."

"But what use are even the most numerous World-Opening Spiritual Root, if one lacks the sufficient strength to protect them?"

An Earth Immortal Progenitor [a venerable and ancient figure within the Earth Immortal realm, often the founder of a lineage] voiced his dissent, a sigh heavy in his tone. "Our Human Race has finally produced a figure of true talent. If anyone here is acquainted with him, it would be best to offer counsel and persuade him to reconsider his path."

As the various Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality and attained a profound connection with the earth's spiritual veins] were still engaged in heated discussion, Eldrin Chen had already returned to his Lotus Platform [a meditation platform carved from spiritual jade, often shaped like a lotus flower].

Witnessing this, Sky Abyss Daoist could not help but offer counsel: "Brother Eldrin, while this Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation of a cultivator, determining their talent and affinity for cultivation] is indeed precious, there is no need for such immediate haste."

"Given our current level of cultivation, the most pressing matter for us is undoubtedly breaking through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate phase of the Earth Immortal realm, signifying a significant increase in power and comprehension]."

"I thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist, but I have my own plans in mind."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the sound reasoning behind Sky Abyss Daoist's words.

For Earth Immortals like them, who had opened Ninefold Heavens [a legendary and supremely profound foundational realm within a cultivator's dantian, representing the pinnacle of potential] or higher, the primary objective after attaining the Earth Immortal Realm [a realm of profound power where one's spirit merges with the spiritual veins of the world] was to rapidly advance their cultivation base. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel-dot-com.

Ideally, one should cultivate to the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the absolute peak of the Earth Immortal realm, just one step away from the Celestial Immortal threshold], or even to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a transitional state where one has partially transcended the Earth Immortal realm but not fully ascended], before the next Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's Dao and determines their fate] arrives. Only then would one be qualified to contend for the opportunities presented by the Dao Tribulation.

Now, with merely a million years remaining until the next Dao Tribulation, cultivating to Earth Immortal Great Perfection within that span was an impossibility. Even reaching the Late Stage Earth Immortal [the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal realm] would be an immensely arduous task.

Therefore, their goal was to at least attain the Middle Stage Earth Immortal before the Dao Tribulation descended.

By that time, their combat prowess would rival that of a Late Stage Earth Immortal, granting them a measure of self-preservation even against an assault from an Earth Immortal Great Perfection expert. Only with such strength would their hope of surviving the Dao Tribulation be significantly greater.

Under such circumstances, the most prudent course of action is to purchase vast quantities of Immortal Source [a primordial substance used to nurture and expand a cultivator's inner world] and various cultivation resources. Only then can one's cultivation advance by leaps and bounds, swiftly breaking through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate phase of the Earth Immortal realm, where one's inner world is significantly expanded and stabilized].

Once an Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has forged their own inner world, a foundational step toward true immortality] cultivates to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal, they possess a certain degree of self-preservation capability.

At that point, they have sufficient strength to contend for certain opportunities and fortunes. If a great opportunity presents itself, they might even cultivate to the Late Stage Earth Immortal [the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal realm, where one's inner world approaches perfection] before the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking calamity that occurs at fixed cosmic intervals].

For an Earth Immortal who has opened the Ninefold Heavens [a specific, highly regarded configuration of nine celestial layers within an Earth Immortal's inner world], reaching the Late Stage Earth Immortal means their combat power essentially touches the threshold of Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm, where the inner world is complete and flawless]. Even if they participate in the Great Tribulation, they would be qualified to vie for opportunities to advance further.

Therefore, from Sky Abyss Daoist's perspective, the immediate priority is to cultivate to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal as swiftly as possible. Gaining an early advantage allows one to maintain momentum, step by step, thereby securing greater fortunes and opportunities.

However, what he does not know is that Eldrin Chen's circumstances are fundamentally different from theirs.

Eldrin Chen has opened the Thirteen-Layered Heavens [a legendary and immensely vast configuration of thirteen celestial layers within an Earth Immortal's inner world]. The expanse of his inner world far surpasses that of a Ninefold Heavens and Earth [a term referring to an Earth Immortal with the standard Ninefold Heavens configuration] Immortal, and the resources required to elevate his cultivation are correspondingly more immense.

Consequently, the time Eldrin Chen needs to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal will be far longer than for others.

Even if Eldrin Chen were to use all the resources intended for purchasing the Spiritual Root [a mystical root that anchors and nourishes spiritual energy within a realm] and World-Initiating Qi [the primordial breath used to initiate the creation of a new world] to instead exchange for Ascending to Immortality [a term for resources or energy that aids in the final ascension to true immortality] sources and Spiritual Object [a general term for objects imbued with or containing spiritual energy], it is estimated he would, at most, only be able to cultivate to the fourth or fifth layer of the Earth Immortal realm.

Moreover, even with such resources, Eldrin Chen estimates that reaching the fourth or fifth layer of Earth Immortal would still consume him three or four hundred thousand years.

Once he reached the fourth or fifth level of the Earth Immortal realm, the absence of various Spiritual Object enhancements would cause Eldrin Chen's cultivation speed to plummet dramatically.

This was because the inner world within Eldrin Chen was far too vast. Without external aids, relying solely on the Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, used by Earth Immortals] within his Blessed Land [a personal realm or paradise cultivated by an immortal], it would likely take him five hundred thousand years to advance even a single step further. For the best reading experience, visit audio–novel.com.