Chapter 1405 : A Foundation of Spiritual Roots

"Two hundred and twenty-seven Spiritual Root [a plant with inherent spiritual properties that can absorb and refine spiritual energy], that should be enough for the next million years within Future."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a faint smile touching his lips.

With the aid of World-Opening Energy [a primal energy used to initiate and nurture new worlds or spiritual foundations] and Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [a supreme-grade energy born from the primordial chaos, essential for high-level cultivation], these two hundred and twenty-seven Spiritual Root would all eventually advance to become World-Opening Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual root capable of generating its own spiritual energy field], significantly accelerating their cultivation journey in the future.

Furthermore, he had obtained sixty-one strands of World-Opening Energy this time, sufficient to nurture sixty-one World-Opening Spiritual Root.

Satisfied with this thought, Eldrin Chen made his way down from the platform.

The other participants at the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources and treasures] were not particularly surprised to see him purchase over two hundred Spiritual Root.

Within the current Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region within the immortal domain], Eldrin Chen had already earned a modest reputation. A little inquiry revealed he was a newly ascended Earth Immortal [an immortal who has forged a connection with the spiritual veins of a world, granting them longevity and power] who had arrived in the Immortal Domain [the higher realm where true immortals reside] less than one hundred thousand years ago.

Such a young Earth Immortal, upon arriving in the Immortal Domain to establish an Immortal Clan [a lineage or family of cultivators who have achieved immortality] and a Blessed Land [a tract of land imbued with potent spiritual energy, ideal for cultivation], naturally possessed soaring ambitions.

They often believed their potential was boundless, harboring hopes of one day reaching the Celestial Immortal [a higher immortal realm, masters of celestial laws] or even the legendary Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, encompassing all laws and principles]. Their first priority was naturally to lay a profound foundation.

The methods for building such a foundation were well-known: opening Immortal Field [fields specifically cultivated to grow spiritual plants], planting Immortal Herb [herbs of immense spiritual value used in alchemy and cultivation], managing a Blessed Land, and cultivating Spiritual Root.

This is especially true for cultivating Spiritual Root [a plant that absorbs and refines spiritual energy, often bearing miraculous fruits or materials]. A single mature Immortal-grade Spiritual Root can often bring a clan an immense harvest.

And once these Spiritual Root are nurtured to the level of a High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of exceptional quality, born from the world's essence], then each of those two hundred plus Spiritual Root would be equivalent in value to a Supreme-Grade Immortal Artifact [a peerless weapon or tool forged by immortal hands]. A great many Half-Step Earth Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of attaining Earth Immortal status] would be willing to purchase them to serve as their Four Extremities Celestial Pillars [foundational spiritual roots used to stabilize one's cultivation realm].

If, among those two hundred Worldly Spiritual Root [spiritual roots of mundane origin, the lowest grade], ten could be nurtured to become Supreme-Grade Acquired Spiritual Root, or even one or two advanced to the level of a World-Opening Spiritual Root [a legendary spiritual root said to have existed at the dawn of creation], then Eldrin Chen would undoubtedly reap a fortune.

Alas, nurturing these Spiritual Root is arduous, and they often struggle to shatter their inherent limits and advance further.

The vast majority of Worldly Spiritual Root will become stuck at the peak of the Sixth Rank Superior Grade level. Hundreds of thousands of years may pass, until the Spiritual Root withers away completely, never managing to evolve into an Acquired Spiritual Root.

Similarly, the vast majority of Acquired Spiritual Root will 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 grow into a High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Root, for such a Spiritual Root to take a single step further is an incomparably difficult feat.

Without special nurturing techniques, even tens of millions or hundreds of millions of years would not be enough to allow further advancement.

Generally speaking, only if an Immortal possesses secret methods and is willing to pay a tremendous price might they be able to nurture one to the level of a Supreme-Grade Acquired Spiritual Root.

To advance even one step further, to become that legendary World-Opening Spiritual Root, is a difficulty piled upon difficulty.

Only those Blessed Land [a realm of exceptional spiritual richness, often cultivated over eons] with ancient legacies possess the methods to nurture a World-Opening Spiritual Root [a primordial spiritual root capable of stabilizing and expanding a world's foundation]. Even then, success is only a possibility after investing untold millennia of dedicated effort and resources.

"No sooner has Eldrin Chen broken through to the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a powerful cultivator whose life force is tied to their domain] than he begins laying such deep foundations. His vision truly stretches far into the future," one observer remarked.

Within the void, a Blessed Land Lord [the sovereign ruler of a Blessed Land] who had reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] spoke with a faint smile to a companion beside him.

His friend nodded in agreement, a cold sneer curling his lips. "The moment he steps into the Earth Immortal Realm, instead of purchasing Immortal Pills [elixirs of immense power that can drastically accelerate cultivation] and divine treasures to swiftly advance to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate power level within 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 prodigy from a Forbidden Domain [a realm or territory under strict prohibition or taboo] to peacefully cultivate his Blessed Land?"

"Indeed," another agreed, his expression serene yet pointed. "When the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that befalls cultivators at set intervals] descends in a million years, he might retain a sliver of a chance to survive if he has reached the Middle Stage Earth Immortal."

"But if he remains an Early-stage Earth Immortal [the initial, and most vulnerable, stage of the Earth Immortal realm], he will 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, "Let us not be so hasty. I observed he purchased several dozen strands of World-Opening Energy [a primordial, chaotic energy used to nourish World-Opening Spiritual Roots]. It is not impossible that he could successfully nurture a few World-Opening Spiritual Roots."

"But what use are even the most numerous World-Opening Spiritual Roots, if one lacks the requisite strength to defend them?"

An Earth Immortal Patriarch [a venerable elder who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] shook his head in disapproval, a sigh escaping his lips. "Our Human Race has finally produced a figure of such exceptional talent. If anyone here is acquainted with him, it would be a kindness to offer counsel and urge him to reconsider his path."

"..."

Just as the various Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have attained the Earthly Immortal realm] were engaged in heated discussion, Eldrin Chen had already returned to his Lotus Throne [a meditation throne carved from spiritual lotus wood].

Witnessing this, Heaven Abyss Path Master could not help but offer advice: "Brother Eldrin, while this Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual affinity of a cultivator] is precious, there is no need for immediate haste."

"Given our current level of cultivation, the most urgent and critical task is to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate phase of the Earth Immortal realm]."

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist, but I have my own plans."

Eldrin Chen nodded, acknowledging the sound reasoning in Heaven Abyss Path Master's words.

For Earth Immortal like them, who had opened a Ninefold Heaven [a supreme-grade inner world] or higher, the primary objective after breaking through to the Earth Immortal Realm was to rapidly advance their cultivation base.

Ideally, one should cultivate to Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm], or even to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [the threshold just below the Celestial Immortal realm], before the next Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] arrived. Only then would one be qualified to contend for the Opportunity and Fortune [the chance and luck to transcend] presented by the Path Tribulation.

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

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

At that time, their combat power would be comparable to that of a Late Stage Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has reached the advanced stage of the Earth Immortal realm]. Even if faced with an assault from an Earth Immortal Great Perfection [a cultivator at the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm], they would possess a measure of self-preservation capability. Only then would they have greater hope of surviving their Path Tribulation [the heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's Dao and determines their advancement].

Under such circumstances, the most prudent course of action was to purchase vast quantities of Immortal Source [the foundational energy of the immortal realm, essential for high-level cultivation] and various cultivation resources. Only then could their cultivation advance by leaps and bounds, allowing them to break through to Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate stage of the Earth Immortal realm] as swiftly as possible.

Furthermore, Earth Immortals [cultivators who have ascended to the Earth Immortal realm, transcending mortality] who cultivated to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal would possess a certain degree of self-preservation ability.

Then they would have sufficient strength to contend for certain Opportunity and Fortune [fated encounters and resources that can dramatically alter a cultivator's destiny]. If, at that time, they encountered a significant Opportunity and Fortune, they might even be able to cultivate to Late Stage Earth Immortal before the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity that reshapes the world].

For an Earth Immortal who had opened a Ninefold Heaven [an internal world of nine layers, representing peak foundation among Earth Immortals], once their cultivation stepped into the Late Stage Earth Immortal, their combat power would essentially touch the threshold of Earth Immortal Great Perfection. Even participating within the Great Tribulation, they would be qualified to vie for Opportunity and Fortune that could lead to further advancement.

Therefore, from the perspective of Heaven Abyss Path Master, the pressing matter was still to cultivate to Middle Stage Earth Immortal as quickly as possible. Only by gaining an early advantage could they stay ahead step by step, thereby seizing greater Opportunity and Fortune.

But what he did not know was that Eldrin Chen's circumstances were different from theirs.

Eldrin Chen had opened a Thirteenfold Heaven [an internal world of thirteen layers, a legendary foundation far surpassing the norm]. The vastness of his internal heaven and earth far exceeded that of a Ninefold Heaven Earth Immortal, and the resources required to elevate his cultivation were correspondingly more immense.

Under these conditions, the time Eldrin Chen needed to break through to Middle Stage Earth Immortal would be far longer than for others.

Even if Eldrin Chen used all the resources intended for purchasing Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation of a cultivator or treasure] and World-Opening Energy [a primordial energy used to expand and stabilize an internal world] to instead exchange for Immortal Source and other Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or containing spiritual energy], it was estimated he would at most only be able to cultivate to around the fourth or fifth layer of the Earth Immortal realm.

Furthermore, even with such resources, Eldrin Chen estimated that advancing from the fourth to the fifth level of the Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal whose power is anchored to and draws from the earth] realm would likely consume three to four hundred thousand years.

Once he reached the fourth or fifth level of the Earth Immortal realm, the absence of various Spiritual Object [objects imbued with or containing spiritual energy] to aid him would cause Eldrin Chen's cultivation speed to plummet dramatically.

This was because the inner world within Eldrin Chen was simply too vast. Without external aids, relying solely on the Immortal Spirit Essence [the purest form of spiritual energy found in immortal realms] within his Blessed Land [a land of profound spiritual fortune and natural power], it might take him five hundred thousand years, or even longer, to achieve a single further breakthrough.