Chapter 1393 : A Gathering of Immortals

Of course, some Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] are rather fond of pomp and circumstance, hosting grand birthday banquets with great fanfare every ten thousand years.

However, Eldrin Chen was not such a person. He advocated for simplicity in all things and planned to invite only a few close friends for a simple gathering.

Yet, Old Granduncle did not share this view. Eternal Profound Chen believed that as a newly ascended Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a territory imbued with profound spiritual energy, suitable for Earth Immortals], the Chen Immortal Clan should seize this opportunity to establish connections with the other Blessed Land [spiritually rich territories] in the surrounding seas.

Moreover, this birthday celebration was not being held solely for Eldrin Chen.

Within the clan, the hundred-thousand-year birth anniversaries of Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and other Earth Immortal [a high-level immortal who has mastered earthly energies] were all approaching. Therefore, it was decided to combine their celebrations into one grand, elaborate event.

"What a lively scene," Eldrin Chen murmured.

As he surveyed Green Chariot Mountain, a wave of reflection washed over him.

This joint birthday celebration for the Chen Immortal Clan's Earth Immortal was shaping up to be a truly magnificent affair. It was said that Eternal Profound Chen had extended invitations to every single Blessed Land within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas.

Furthermore, over a thousand Immortal Clan [clans with at least one Immortal member] of varying sizes across the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas—all those possessing an Immortal—had received invitations from the Chen Immortal Clan.

Though the birthday itself was still a few years away, and the major Blessed Land had yet to arrive, more than five hundred Immortal Clan had already come, bringing with them a total of over eight hundred Immortal to the Returning Abyss Sea Region. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel[dot]com.

These Immortal Sect and Immortal Clan offered congratulatory gifts of varying degrees, which together amounted to a rather considerable fortune.

Eldrin Chen paid this no mind.

He flew directly to the Green Chariot Mountain Great Hall and found Old Granduncle there. A faint smile touched his lips as he said, "You have labored diligently these past few years, Old Granduncle."

Old Granduncle smiled gently in return. "A hundred-thousand-year lifespan celebration... In the old days of the Purple Seal Realm, such a thing was beyond my wildest imaginings," he said.

"Who could have foreseen that a mere Foundation Establishment minor clan from the Chu Nation would one day reach such heights?"

"For such a momentous occasion, how could I not devote my heart and soul to its preparation?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a wave of emotion within his own heart.

He sighed, a touch of melancholy in his voice. "Truly, no one could have imagined that the humble Chen Clan of yesteryear would journey this far."

"Back then, a mere Golden Core Realm Heavenly Python Demon King loomed over us like a crushing mountain. A minor sect like the Verdant Sun Sect was enough to fill our hearts with dread."

"Now, a hundred thousand years have passed. All our foes from that era have turned to dust. The former Heavenly Python Demon King, Patriarch Xu of the Verdant Sun Sect, and others like them... they have likely undergone a thousand cycles of Reincarnation [the process of the soul being reborn into a new body] by now."

Eternal Profound Chen nodded upon hearing this, a faint smile gracing his lips. "If not for you pulling the clan forward all these years, this old man would likely have wandered through the cycles of Reincarnation [the process of being reborn into a new life] for a thousand lifetimes. How could we have achieved the situation we see today?"

As he spoke, a glimmer of genuine mirth appeared in Old Granduncle's eyes.

As the Ancestor of Heavenly Path of the Returning Abyss Great World, Old Patriarch was the first living being to take form upon its creation.

He was born holding the Heavenly Path Seal [a divine seal representing the authority of the Heavenly Path], innately wielding the power of Rule Power [the authority to establish and enforce cosmic laws]. His strength was comparable to that of a Seven Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has survived seven heavenly tribulations and stands at the threshold of becoming an Earth Immortal].

And with Eldrin Chen—a World Lord of such peerless talent—guiding his path, Future's future achievements promised to be truly boundless.

Eldrin Chen was also moved, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "In my youth, had you not shielded the clan, I might have perished before even setting foot on the path of cultivation. Such kindness, Eldrin will never forget."

"Moreover, in our early years of cultivation, we supported each other on this arduous journey. How can it be said that I alone pulled the clan forward?"

"..."

Eldrin Chen remained in the Great Hall for a long while, reminiscing with Old Granduncle about days gone by, before finally returning to the Returning Abyss Blessed Land to resume his secluded cultivation.

Upon his return to the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen was surprised to discover that the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron [a mighty cauldron artifact used to stabilize and suppress a world's energies] within had advanced yet again, now reaching the realm of a Mid-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a powerful artifact capable of assisting in the creation and stabilization of new worlds, of intermediate quality].

"It appears that within one hundred thousand years, this treasure can advance to the upper-grade [the highest quality tier for magical artifacts]."

"After roughly nurturing it for three hundred thousand years, this treasure might restore its full power."

Sensing the might of this World-Opening Treasure, Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly.

Given his current strength, he dared not retrieve the Primordial Unity Thunder Abyss Myriad Tribulations Sword for the time being, and he utterly lacked the power to activate it.

Therefore, for a long time to come, the two World-Suppressing Cauldron derived from the Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron would likely serve as his trump cards.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen inquired of Exquisite Jiang, "Is the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron being nurtured within the Lingering Sun Blessed Land?" Original publication: audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.

"Yes."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, then spoke, "However, we still need to station an Earth Immortal within the Lingering Sun Sea Region to guard it."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, indicating he would arrange the matter.

"..."

Time flowed on, and in the blink of an eye, several years had passed in a rush.

As the day of Eldrin Chen's one hundred thousandth birthday celebration drew ever nearer, more and more Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality] arrived in the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Finally, on the very day the longevity banquet was to be held, Earth Immortal Patriarch [powerful patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm] began to arrive.

The first Earth Immortal Patriarch to arrive was an acquaintance of Eldrin Chen—the Earth Spring Patriarch, an Early-stage Earth Immortal.

The Earth Spring Patriarch was exceedingly courteous, presenting a gift of Supreme Grade Immortal Herbs [herbs of the highest quality, brimming with potent spiritual energy] and saying with a beaming smile, "My congratulations, Fellow Daoist. I wish you boundless immortal longevity and an eternal Great Path [the supreme Dao of cultivation]."

"You are too generous, Brother Earth Spring."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and then gestured for his disciples and clansmen to receive and host the Earth Spring Patriarch.

Following the Earth Spring Patriarch, several other old friends arrived in succession. They were the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, the Heaven Abyss Path Master, the Heaven Wind Patriarch, and others. Each presented their congratulatory gifts with the utmost courtesy.

Eldrin Chen instructed his disciples and clansmen to accept each gift, recording them meticulously in the ledgers to be reciprocated in due time.

The Verdant Stream Ancient Sect also sent several representatives. The Patriarch of Verdant Stream Ancient Sect came in person, presenting a rare and precious gift.

Following them, several Divine Clan Divine Spirits [powerful beings who have ascended to a divine state of existence] arrived together. Among them was a figure Eldrin Chen recognized—the Great Mystery Divine Spirit, with whom he had once fought side by side.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Great Mystery Divine Spirit immediately offered a gift and said with a smile, "It has been many years. I heard you have stepped into the Forbidden Domain [a legendary and perilous realm of cultivation]. My admiration for you knows no bounds."

"You flatter me," Eldrin Chen replied courteously. "For you, Brother Great Mystery, to have broken through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate level of Earth Immortal cultivation]—your future is truly limitless."

Eldrin Chen spoke politely, his divine sense [a cultivator's extended spiritual awareness] sweeping over the gifts. He noted that the presents from these Divine Clan Earth Immortal [immortals who have attained mastery over the earthly realm] were neither too extravagant nor too modest. Only the Great Mystery Divine Spirit had brought a truly weighty offering.

This gift was exceedingly valuable—a stalk of the World-Opening Immortal Herb known as 'Great Mystery Herb' [a legendary herb said to contain the primordial essence of creation]. Its worth was equivalent to that of a World-Opening Treasure [an artifact of immense power capable of shaping worlds].

Clearly, the Great Mystery Divine Spirit, seeing that Eldrin Chen had broken through to Earth Immortal, had come to curry favor.

However, Eldrin Chen had no intention of forming a deep bond with this individual.

During the battle at the Heavenly Demon Sea, this Great Mystery Divine Spirit had only joined the fray when victory seemed assured. Later, believing the Returning Abyss Sea Region could not withstand Thousand Dragon Lake, he had stood by and watched as the Returning Abyss Sea Region faced the enemy alone.

Such a person might be suitable for casual association, but in a moment of true crisis, he would undoubtedly prove unreliable. Therefore, forming a deep connection with him was unwise.

Returning to the main matter, Eldrin Chen exchanged pleasantries with the several Earth Immortals [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality and formed their own inner world] from the Divine Clan, and then welcomed a succession of other Earth Immortal Patriarchs before turning to Alistair Ye beside him and asking, "How many are still absent?"

Alistair Ye clasped his hands respectfully and replied, "Nine Blessed Lands [realms of concentrated spiritual energy and profound natural laws, often the domain of powerful sects or clans] have arrived, bringing a total of seventeen Earth Immortals."

"Only the Glazed Blessed Land and the Flowing Fire Star Palace have yet to send their representatives." Join our community of readers at audio_novel.com.