Chapter 1374 : The Forging of a Primordial Path

Throughout this arduous process, Eldrin Chen drove his lifelong cultivation foundation to its absolute limit in resistance. With each passing moment, his mastery over his own power grew ever more refined and profound.

Thus, after two thousand years, Eldrin Chen felt his Primordial Spirit Immortal Embryo, his mana, and other such forces gradually merging into his Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's attained Dao]. Only his comprehension of the fundamental laws and his Immortal Body [a body refined to an immortal state] remained unmoved and separate.

Another eight hundred years passed. The might of the Heaven and Earth Furnace [a legendary formation that refines creation itself] had already multiplied severalfold. Under this immense, crushing pressure, Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of unbreakable unity] and his Primordial One Limitless Rule [the foundational law of boundless potential] were finally compelled to begin converging into one.

Harnessing this external force as a whetstone, Eldrin Chen summoned astonishing, unwavering resolve to subdue all internal discord. He ultimately compelled his nascent Path Fruit to undergo a slow, profound metamorphosis.

By the third millennium of Eldrin Chen's secluded cultivation, all facets of his cultivation foundation had finally unified completely, coalescing into a single, definitive Path Fruit.

It was a profoundly unadorned, dimly glowing fruit, radiating a faint, primordial Chaos Light [the primal light of undifferentiated creation].

Upon closer inspection, one could perceive within it the essence of Polarity Energy [the fundamental energies of yin and yang], the source of the five elements, the power of the Three Anomalies [the three primordial spiritual anomalies], along with the myriad laws and the profound might of his Divine Ability [supernatural powers born from deep cultivation].

All these immense powers were condensed together, ultimately transforming into that hazy, all-encompassing Chaos Light.

"The Indestructibility Primordial One Path Fruit,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, giving name to this singular Path Fruit.

This Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's lifelong cultivation] coalesced from the entirety of Eldrin Chen's World-Opening True Body [a divine physique capable of creating worlds], his comprehension of cosmic laws, his vast reservoir of spiritual power, his Immortal Embryo [the nascent form of an immortal being], his Divine Ability [supernatural powers], and all other aspects of his cultivation base. It was the Supreme Path Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path], the crystallization of his entire life's cultivation journey.

If one were to give it a full, formal name, it might be called the 'Grand Primordial One Limitless [a supreme state of boundless primordial unity] Five Radiances, Five Thunders, Five Treasures, Single Primordial Breath Stellar [pertaining to the stars and celestial bodies] Indestructibility Path Fruit [a Path Fruit embodying unbreakable durability].'

Such a Supreme Path Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path], containing the condensed power of Eldrin Chen's lifelong cultivation, unified his entire being into a singular, cohesive force. His combat prowess had undergone a staggering, qualitative transformation.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen felt a profound intuition. A single strand of his hair, severed, could now sunder the heavens filled with Stellar [pertaining to the stars and celestial bodies]. A mere flicker within his gaze held the power to cleave open and forge an entire great world.

This was power in its most extreme form—a lifetime of cultivation condensed into a singular unity. A single strand of hair could channel the force of his entire body; a snap of his fingers could overturn heaven and earth. Even among those of the same realm, he was now peerless.

"Now, I have stepped beyond the Forbidden Domain [a legendary realm of power thought to be the absolute limit]," Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a trace of serene certainty flashing in his eyes.

He needed no calculations, no deliberate sensing. The instant he possessed this power, he *knew*. His strength had transcended the boundaries of the Forbidden Domain [a legendary realm of power thought to be the absolute limit].

With this thought, he stepped forth from the celestial furnace and cast his gaze toward another direction deep within the endless earth.

Noticing this, Exquisite Jiang immediately inquired, "Husband, what is it?"

"It was merely a chance encounter with an old acquaintance."

Eldrin Chen let out a light chuckle, then cupped his hands towards the assembled group. "My successful condensation of the Path Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path, representing a profound attainment] owes much to your assistance."

"Think nothing of it. We merely offered what little strength we could," they replied modestly.

Hearing this, the gathered immortals all revealed looks of genuine pleasure.

This time, Eldrin Chen's condensation of the Supreme Path Fruit [the pinnacle achievement within the Path Fruit realm] represented a qualitative leap in both his combat prowess and foundational strength. His chances of eventually stepping into the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial beings] and even the Great Encompassing Realm [the legendary realm of ultimate cosmic mastery] had grown significantly.

By contributing their aid, they had all earned a measure of his favor. Given Eldrin Chen's character, if he truly achieved great cultivation in the future, he would certainly not treat them poorly.

Eldrin Chen did not elaborate further on this point.

His gaze swept over the assembly. "The rest of you, please remain here for now. Fellow Daoists who have reached the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of terrestrial immortals, a powerful stage of cultivation], accompany me to meet this old friend."

With those words, Eldrin Chen soared into the distance.

Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, Sun Consort, Heaven Wind Path Master, the two Earth Immortal cultivators from the Verdant Stream Ancient Sect, and Ancient Ruins Nether Lord exchanged glances of mild surprise before following suit.

They exchanged a glance, then followed without hesitation.

Using the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical artifact that can conceal its wielder and others from detection] to shroud their presence, Eldrin Chen led the group. They had not flown for long before arriving at another convergence point, a place where boundaries met.

At this location, the Boundary of Solar and Lunar Polarity [a mystical convergence point where the energies of sun and moon meet], they found several dozen Immortals standing guard. Among them was an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a powerful cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm] whose aura was exceptionally formidable, overseeing the area.

That Earth Immortal Patriarch was none other than an acquaintance of Eldrin Chen—the Sixth Elder of the Celestial Prison Clan, Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison.

At this moment, Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison stood guard with several dozen Immortals from the Celestial Prison Clan, protecting a massive formation array.

This grand formation was ceaselessly drawing upon the Great Tribulation [the cataclysmic energy of a world-ending calamity] energy permeating the heavens and earth, seemingly nurturing something within its core.

"This is..."

Witnessing this, everyone present felt a jolt of shock in their hearts.

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile before speaking. "A clever scheme by the Celestial Prison Clan. To set up a formation here, at the very heart of the Great Tribulation, to siphon its boundless energy."

"Had I not discovered it, they might very well have achieved their wish."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the several individuals turned rather grave.

Within a Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic upheaval], boundless Great Tribulation-energy [the chaotic, destructive essence released during a Great Tribulation] is certain to erupt. And whenever a high-ranking Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality through cultivation] falls, this tribulation-energy grows even more potent.

Whether it is the destruction of the Western Abyss Dragon Palace or the heavy losses suffered by the allied forces of the Human Race and the Divine Clan, vast quantities of Great Tribulation-energy would be born from such events.

This Great Tribulation-energy is utterly useless to ordinary Immortal, yet for the Celestial Prison Clan [a mysterious clan said to thrive on chaos and calamity], it serves as premium cultivation resources.

If these three forces were to clash in a battle that shattered heaven and earth, with both the Human Race-Divine Clan alliance and the Demon Race suffering grievous casualties, the Celestial Prison Clan could secretly deploy a grand formation to gather the resulting Great Tribulation-energy.

Should they succeed, they would undoubtedly be able to nurture a supreme treasure from it, and the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch might even seize the opportunity to step into the Celestial Immortal Realm [a legendary realm of power beyond that of ordinary Immortals].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "The Celestial Prison Clan has hidden itself well. Had I not noticed an anomaly in the flow of tribulation-energy while consolidating my Path Fruit [the crystallized essence of a cultivator's understanding of their chosen Dao], I might not have discovered them at all."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Sun Consort could not help but say, "In that case, let us return immediately to gather our forces and surround them for a complete annihilation."

"That won't be necessary."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then spoke, "A larger force might only alert them prematurely. To deal with these individuals, our current group is more than sufficient."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen hurled forth the Polarity Void Mirror. In that instant, the void before them was sealed shut.

"Not good!"

Suddenly discovering the void had been sealed, the members of the Celestial Prison Clan all revealed looks of shock.

The Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison gripped his Heavenly Halberd tightly, intending to channel the power of this mighty World-Opening Treasure to cleave through the Polarity Void Mirror with a single strike.

But at that very moment, a figure stepped forward.

The newcomer was robed in snow-white garments, his form shrouded in an aura of Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a palm strike that cleaved through the air directly towards him.

The Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison felt his heart clench. He hastily raised his Prison Flame War Halberd to block, but instantly felt a searing pain in his palms. The Prison Flame War Halberd was violently knocked from his grasp.

"Pfft—"

In that moment, Chaos energy surged and roiled across the Eight Desolations. The Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison coughed up blood and was sent flying backwards, grievously wounded by a single blow.

"This is bad."

Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison was sent flying backward by the momentum, his heart sinking with a heavy thud.

Although the opponent had gained the upper hand through a surprise attack, the fact that a single strike could inflict such severe injuries indicated their combat prowess had already surpassed his own.

"An Eighth Level Earth Immortal or above? Or perhaps a Late Stage Earth Immortal who has opened the Eighth Heaven?"

In that fleeting instant, Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison looked at the newcomer, his face contorting with utter astonishment.

Seizing the moment of his opponent's stunned hesitation, Eldrin Chen descended with overwhelming force. Gripping the Primal Radiance Heaven-Entombing Blade, he cleaved downward. A blade aura of Chaos sundered the vast heavens and earth, aiming directly for the center of Blaze Lord of Heaven's Prison's brow.