Chapter 1372 : Ascension of the Stellar Boundary

During the Great Tribulation, Eldrin Chen seized some Stellar Primordial Essence [a primordial substance containing the essence of stars] and integrated it into the Stellar Glazed Boundary [a grand defensive and cultivation formation]. This elevated the Stellar Glazed Boundary to the level of a Supreme-Grade Secret Realm [a realm of exceptional spiritual density and stability].

After ascending to a Supreme-Grade Secret Realm, the Stellar Glazed Boundary became capable of supporting the cultivation of one hundred Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality]. However, given the current number of Immortal in the Returning Abyss Sea Region, this was still insufficient.

Furthermore, as many cultivators broke through to the Earth Immortal [a profound realm of immortality anchored to the earth], their consumption of the Tri-Light of Sun, Moon, and Stars [a divine technique harnessing the combined essence of the three celestial bodies] increased dramatically. Thus, the current capacity of the Stellar Glazed Boundary had long been inadequate.

Unwilling to reveal the existence of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land [a hidden paradise of immense spiritual fortune], the Immortal of the Immortal Alliance had been forced to disperse in recent years. Many had gone to cultivate within the Lingering Sun Blessed Land.

Yet this was merely a stopgap measure. If the Returning Abyss Blessed Land remained concealed, the Returning Abyss Sea Region would eventually become overcrowded once more. When that time came, the Chen Immortal Clan might have no choice but to relocate entirely.

Under these circumstances, advancing the Stellar Glazed Boundary had become a matter of utmost urgency.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "The three of you are willing to offer three Eighth-Rank Divine Pearls in exchange for this Supreme-Grade Path Source [the primordial source of a supreme cultivation path, a treasure of unimaginable value]. The disparity in value is vast."

"For this difference, what is it you desire?"

Sun Consort, however, seemed to have prepared for this. She glanced at Star Consort and Moon Consort before saying, "I wish to ask you to refine two External Elixir [pills that forge a foundation for immortality outside the body] for them."

"I see," Eldrin Chen replied, understanding dawning.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, a breath of relief escaping him.

The innate talents of Star Consort and Moon Consort were nearly on par with Sun Consort's, though they were considerably younger. By Eldrin Chen's estimation, even with the support of the Glazed Blessed Land, the limit for the two maidens would be opening a Sixfold Heaven [a foundational realm with six internal heavens].

However, with an additional External Elixir [a powerful cultivation pill refined from external sources] condensed by Eldrin Chen, they could open one more heaven, forging a foundation of Seventh Heaven [a foundational realm with seven internal heavens].

And for an Immortal with a Seventh Heaven foundation, the chance to break through to Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] was almost a certainty. There was even a one-in-ten possibility of advancing to the Celestial Immortal [a higher, more celestial tier of immortal] realm.

Though this possibility was merely one-tenth, it still represented a sliver of hope, a world apart from the prospects of a Sixfold Heaven foundation.

One must understand that among those who managed to open a Sixfold Heaven, less than one in a hundred could cultivate a Primordial Unity Path Fruit [a supreme cultivation achievement representing the unity of one's foundational path]. As for reaching the Celestial Immortal Realm, that was rarer than one in ten thousand.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Given our friendship, refining External Elixir is certainly possible."

"However, I currently lack suitable Inner Pill [the core cultivation pill formed within a demon beast] and precious orbs."

Upon hearing this, Sun Consort revealed a faint smile. "My Immortal Clam Clan can produce such orbs. Over tens of millions of years, we have accumulated quite a few."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly in understanding. The materials required to refine an External Elixir were precisely the Inner Pill of the Demon Race or special, rare orbs.

The Vast Sea Divine Pearl [a divine pearl containing the essence of the vast sea], Sun God Pearl [a radiant pearl embodying solar power], Moon Goddess Pearl, and Stellar Pearl [a pearl infused with stellar energies] produced by the Immortal Clam Clan are all optimal materials for refining External Elixir [a type of pill that enhances the physical body from the outside].

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen considered establishing a long-term trade arrangement with the Immortal Clam Clan.

However, recalling that the current head of the Immortal Clam Clan was Glazed Divine Lord, he suppressed the thought for the moment, deciding to broach the subject when he met Glazed Divine Lord in person another day.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "In that case, my thanks to you all."

With the matter of advancing the Stellar Glazed Boundary settled, this affair was concluded for now.

Before the final breakthrough, Eldrin Chen journeyed to the core locations of both the Returning Abyss Blessed Land and the Lingering Sun Blessed Land, retrieving the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword and the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword.

Ever since mastering the Primordial One Limitless Rule, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords at the Supreme-Grade Immortal Treasure level had become somewhat redundant for Eldrin Chen, no longer capable of enhancing his combat prowess.

Therefore, five thousand years prior, Eldrin Chen had infused the two strands of World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy released during the creation of a world] he possessed into the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords. He then placed each Immortal Sword within the Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated fire-attribute spiritual energy] of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land and the Lingering Sun Blessed Land, respectively.

Now, after several millennia, the two Immortal Sword had absorbed sufficient power from the Fire Vein and the Water Vein [a subterranean channel of concentrated water-attribute spiritual energy], long since ascending into the realm of World-Opening Treasure.

Eldrin Chen tested them and found that when he executed the Sky-Severance Sword Union, the power of these two Immortal Sword had increased dramatically, now roughly equivalent to a full-force strike from a Sixth Level Earth Immortal.

It is a pity that the power of the Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure remains limited, still unable to withstand the full-force activation by Eldrin Chen. Otherwise, its might should have been able to reach the level of a Late Stage Earth Immortal.

"Once I break through to the Earth Immortal Realm and both Immortal Swords advance to the Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure grade, their combined power upon merging should be sufficient to rival a Late Stage Earth Immortal,"

"At that time, my capabilities will also increase by several more degrees."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, storing the two Immortal Swords away before ceasing his delay.

He led the Immortals of the Immortal Alliance towards the core of the Great Tribulation within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the immortal world], soon arriving amidst the Hundred Demons Archipelago [a sprawling archipelago notorious for its demonic inhabitants].

This Hundred Demons Archipelago, much like the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, is one of the Thirty-Three Layers Sea Region [a collective term for the thirty-three major sea regions that constitute the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea] of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, composed of over one hundred sea domains.

However, this cluster of seas is exceptionally vast and prosperous, ranking among the most flourishing within the Thirty-Three Layers Sea Region. It is said its overall strength ranks third among them.

Do not underestimate this third-place ranking, for it is already astonishing enough.

This is because, within the Thirty-Three Layers Sea Region, the top-ranked sea cluster is named the Western Essence Sea [the Sea of Western Essence], which is the location of the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven.

The second-ranked sea cluster is named the Divine Abyss Ancient Domain [the Ancient Domain of the Divine Abyss], which is the territory governed by the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven.

The fact that the Western Abyss Dragon Palace can govern the Hundred Demons Archipelago demonstrates that this lineage is indeed the force within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea most likely to establish a Supreme Grotto-Heaven.

Upon arriving at the Hundred Demons Archipelago, Eldrin Chen stepped into a random stretch of sea and immediately discovered a Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy and natural blessings].

Within that Blessed Land, countless members of the Human Race were locked in a fierce and desperate struggle against the Demon Race, their forces clashing relentlessly.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "It is said that within this Hundred Demons Archipelago there are over a hundred Demon RaceBlessed Land. Has the majority of them already been drawn into this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic conflict ordained by fate]?"

Sun Consort nodded, her expression grave. "The Demon Race Heavenly Court stands as the foremost of the Three Courts, its power radiating across the Myriad Heavens. In the vast majority of Immortal Domain [realms where immortals dwell], the Demon Race ranks among the mightiest races."

"Here in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, even with the Western Essence and Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a superior realm of profound spiritual energy] suppressing the myriad races, the Demon Race remains one of the most powerful."

As they spoke, a streak of light descended from the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome].

The newcomer was a Human RaceEarth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm]. Upon seeing the group, he smiled warmly. "I wondered who was passing by. It turns out to be fellow Daoists from our Human Race and the Immortal Clam Clan."

"Your entry into this tribulation, I presume, is also for the purpose of exterminating the Demon Race?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with a flicker of understanding.

After exchanging identities, Eldrin Chen learned that the man before him was named Heaven Solemn Path Master, a Blessed Land Lord at the Middle Stage Earth Immortal realm. His purpose for entering this great tribulation was to seize the Opportunity and Fortune for a further breakthrough.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen inquired, "We have just arrived. How fares the campaign at present?"

The Heaven Solemn Patriarch first showed a flicker of joy, then shook his head. "In the initial years of our counteroffensive, everything proceeded smoothly."

"We drove the Demon Race out of the Leaf Ruins Divine Sea in one fell swoop and subsequently captured several dozen of their sea territories."