Chapter 1424 : Whispers of Cosmic Treasures

Speaking to this point, Sky Abyss Daoist [a powerful cultivator] opened his mouth and said, "However, each time a Minor Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmos] approaches its destruction, the Heavenly Immortal Paragons [the supreme beings who have ascended to the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal realm] will guard its entrance."

"Whoever obtains the Universe Annihilation Supreme Treasure [a legendary artifact embodying the power of cosmic destruction] and the Universe Creation Supreme Treasure [a legendary artifact embodying the power of cosmic creation] will ultimately fall into the hands of those Heavenly Immortal Paragons."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen grasped the general purpose of the two. Thinking this, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Do you two perhaps have a method to seize that Universe Destruction Treasure [a treasure of cosmic destruction] and Creation Treasure [a treasure of cosmic creation]?"

"We possess no such capability."

Ancient Ruins Dao Lord [a lord of the Dao path] shook his head repeatedly, then smiled bitterly. "With our current strength, contending with the Half-Step Celestial Immortals [cultivators on the very threshold of the Celestial Immortal realm] for such supreme treasures would be no different from seeking our own demise."

"Not to mention the Universe Creation Supreme Treasure—it is guarded by a Universe Supreme Powerhouse [a being whose power stands at the apex of the cosmos]. Its form is merged with the universe's Great Dao [the supreme, fundamental principle of existence], granting it combat prowess comparable to a Heavenly Immortal Paragon."

"Even a Half-Step Heavenly Immortal Paragon would only dare to scheme for such a treasure when the universe is on the brink of destruction and the Heavenly Dao Power [the power of the cosmic order] has weakened to its extreme. Otherwise, venturing forth would be nothing but a fool's errand, a certain death."

Sky Abyss Daoist nodded and then spoke. "We lack the skill to touch the supreme treasures, but we possess an opportunity to set foot within that place ahead of time. Perhaps we can secure a few other treasures."

"Enter early?"

Eldrin Chen was inwardly startled and could not help but rise to his feet. Find this and other novels at @udio-novel.com.

The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord [a powerful ruler of the Netherworld] nodded, then began to speak. "Within that cosmos, there exists both the Yang Plane Microcosm [a realm governed by the principles of light, life, and activity] and the Yin Plane Microcosm [a realm governed by the principles of darkness, death, and stillness]."

"Now, that Minor Universe [a self-contained, smaller cosmos] is on the verge of destruction. The first to collapse will be the Yin Plane Microcosm. I have already located its Dao Marker [a unique object that serves as a spatial anchor or key for a specific realm] and discovered a fissure within it."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart, yet he did not interrupt the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord.

Seeing this, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord continued. "Within that Yin Plane Microcosm, the Heavenly Dao [the cosmic order or natural law of a realm] has nearly collapsed. The Netherworld Yin Domain [the deepest, most fundamental region of the Yin Plane] within it has fallen into complete imbalance, and the supreme powerhouses of the Yin Plane Microcosm have already perished, having met their destined calamity."

At this point, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord drew a deep breath. "Within that Yin Plane Microcosm, lies the legacy of a vast Universe Netherworld Underworld [the ultimate underworld or afterlife of an entire cosmos]."

"If I can obtain it, I will lack no cultivation resources until I reach the Heaven Immortal [a high-level immortal realm]. I might even rely on it to cultivate two types of Great Unity Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path, representing a profound unification of one's Dao]."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally gave a slight nod of understanding.

He inclined his head, grasping the general aim of the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord. Thinking this, Eldrin Chen spoke. "What is it you wish us to do?"

The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord pondered for a moment before replying. "Although there are no supreme top-tier powerhouses within that Yin Plane Microcosm, there are still five Netherworld Ghost Progenitor [ancient, primordial ghosts of immense power] at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers [the ninth and pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] who yet live."

"Most crucially, they possess a Netherworld Treasure [a powerful artifact forged from or attuned to the energies of the Netherworld] of the World-Opening Supreme Treasure Grade [a legendary grade of treasure said to possess the power to cleave open primordial chaos]. With my current strength, confronting them would be... unwise."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown slightly, a crease forming between his brows.

Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who have shed their mortal flesh and exist as spiritual entities] lack physical bodies. With the exception of beings like Ancient Ruins Yin Lord who have mastered the Reverse to Pure Yang [a supreme technique allowing a Yin-aligned spirit to transform its essence into Pure Yang], the vast majority of Ghost Cultivator are far weaker than Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to immortality] of the same realm. According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, the combat power of the Netherworld Ghost Progenitor, a Earth Immortal Nine Layers [an Earth Immortal at the ninth and pinnacle stage of that realm], was likely comparable only to a Seventh Level Earth Immortal.

If it were merely one such Netherworld Ghost Progenitor, Ancient Ruins Yin Lord might still have the confidence to handle it. However, with the enemy numbering several, the situation became considerably more troublesome.

Most crucially, the opposition also possessed a World-Opening Treasure [a legendary artifact of immense power, said to be capable of cleaving chaos and founding worlds]. It was likely that no one below the peak of the Earth Immortal Nine Layers realm would be capable of subduing them.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Given our current strength, confronting them directly would likely be insufficient."

"I am aware,"

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord sighed before continuing, "That is precisely why I sought your aid."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. These Netherworld [the realm of the dead and departed spirits] Ghost Cultivator were, in fact, supremely vulnerable to his Pure Yang Celestial Flame [a divine flame embodying the ultimate, purifying power of the Yang principle].

With his power alone, he estimated he could hold off three Earth Immortal Nine Layers. If he were also wielding a Pure Yang World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a World-Opening Treasure aligned with the Pure Yang principle], he would have the confidence to decisively defeat them.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen said thoughtfully, "I can intervene. However, we must make more thorough preparations."

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord and Sky Abyss Daoist exchanged a glance, then inquired, "What do you require? We shall assist with all our might."

After calculating for a moment, Eldrin Chen spoke, "One Formation Plate [a core artifact used to anchor and control a formation array],

and a set of nine Pure Yang Formation Flags [formation banners imbued with the essence of pure Yang energy], each one must be of World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of immense power, capable of shaping worlds] grade."

"Moreover, it would be best to have nine Earth Immortal Progenitor [a powerful cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] enter the formation to aid me in activating the Formation Flags [banners used to channel energy in a formation array] to oppose them."

Upon hearing this, the two men could only look at each other in dismay.

A full ten Formation Flags of World-Opening Treasure grade—such a demand was beyond not just them, who were merely Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has forged a connection with the earth and attained immortality] of Initial Entry [the first, foundational stage of a higher realm], but likely even a Top-Tier Earth Immortal Abode of Bliss [a supreme paradise realm for Earth Immortals] would struggle to produce them. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at (audio-novel.com).

Seeing their reaction, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "I can forge the Formation Flags and Formation Plate, though the materials required alone are of staggering value.

I happen to possess one High Grade Heaven-Opening Treasure [a supreme treasure capable of parting the heavens], which I could sell to acquire the necessary resources. However, in that case, my contribution would be disproportionately large." The two men nodded slightly. The Ancient Ruins Yin Lord then said, "What if you take the lion's share of the treasures after our success?"

Eldrin Chen was not particularly concerned with Netherworld Treasure [treasures originating from or attuned to the underworld]. He asked instead, "Within the Immortal Domain [the realm of immortals], the Netherworld [the underworld, realm of the dead] and the Immortal Domain are interconnected. I presume the Yin Plane Microcosm [a minor universe dominated by Yin, the passive, dark, feminine principle] and the Yang Plane Microcosm [a minor universe dominated by Yang, the active, light, masculine principle] are also linked?"

"Indeed," nodded the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord, his expression turning grave. "Whether within the Immortal Domain or inside a Minor Universe [a self-contained cosmos smaller than the main universe], the strength of the Yang Plane surpasses that of the Netherworld Realm [the domain of the underworld] by more than tenfold."

"If you were to set foot in the Yang Plane Microcosm [the realm of the living, the counterpart to the underworld], it would be far too perilous."

"The Heavenly Dao Power [the fundamental, governing power of the cosmos] within that Yang Plane Microcosm has not yet been completely exhausted. Setting aside the Universe Sovereign [the supreme ruler of a cosmos] who wields the Universe Creation Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact capable of creating a universe], even the Earth Immortal Progenitor [a cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm and founded their own lineage] within the Yang Plane cosmos are foes you could not contend with."

"You must understand, the Heavenly Dao [the Heavenly Way, the cosmic order] of the Yang Plane Microcosm has not collapsed. Within it, there are at least nearly one thousand Late Stage Earth Immortal [cultivators at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm], a force comparable to more than half of the entire Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous region of the Immortal Domain]."

Yet, Eldrin Chen had a scheme in mind. He pondered for a moment before speaking, "Once the Minor Universe [a smaller, subordinate cosmos within the greater universe] is utterly destroyed, could we not return by borrowing the path through the Yin Plane Microcosm [the realm of the dead, the underworld], slipping back into the Immortal Domain [the realm of immortals] secretly from the Netherworld Realm [the underworld, the land of ghosts and spirits]?"

"This..."

The two were momentarily taken aback, then immediately grasped Eldrin Chen's intention. Each time a Minor Universe faces annihilation, the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme cultivator at the Heavenly Immortal realm] would tear open an entrance, allowing Earth Immortal [cultivators who have attained immortality tied to the earth] and Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] to enter and compete for treasures.

After the affair concludes, when the Earth Immortal Progenitor return, they are not only forced to surrender the most precious Creation and Destruction Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact embodying the powers of creation and annihilation], but also have seventy percent of their other gains confiscated.

If they were to travel through the Netherworld Realm afterward, evading the detection of the Heavenly Immortal Paragon, perhaps they could return with their entire haul intact.

Contemplating this, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord [a powerful lord of the underworld associated with ancient ruins] fell into brief thought. After a moment, he said, "That is indeed a viable method, one that could allow us to evade the prying eyes of the Heavenly Immortal Paragon."

"The Void Rift [a tear or gateway in the fabric of space] within the Yin Plane is exceedingly well-concealed. Aside from the three of us, no one else knows of its existence."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and spoke, "Since that is the case, the treasures of the Yin Plane Microcosm [a miniature, shadowy reflection of the mortal universe] shall be distributed at a later time, as circumstances dictate."

"For us, the most crucial opportunities lie within the universe of the Yang Plane [the realm of the living, the material world]."

Sky Abyss Daoist nodded, his eyes gleaming with light. "If we can make arrangements in advance, perhaps we can scheme for a Universe Supreme Treasure [an artifact of unparalleled power, said to shape the fate of the cosmos]. Once successful, what would the meager gains from the Yin Plane Microcosm amount to?" For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel dot com.