Chapter 1440 : Secrets of the Abyssal Sea

"If you desire it, you may exchange it for one hundred thousand Immortal Source [a primordial substance of immense spiritual purity], or alternatively, a single Low Grade World Creation Treasure [a treasure capable of forming the foundation of a nascent minor world]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a subtle tremor within his heart.

This was far more than a mere map; it was a comprehensive intelligence dossier, containing detailed information on all the major powers within the entire Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a vast and perilous sea realm bordering the underworld].

Such exhaustive intelligence, within the whole of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, a major region of the cultivation world], was likely only within the capabilities of the two great Grotto-Heaven [a transcendent, self-contained paradise-realm] sects: Western Qi and Divine Abyss.

For the various powerful Blessed Land [a sacred land of profound spiritual energy] sects and for those who truly needed it, parting with a single Low Grade World Creation Treasure would be a price they were willing to pay.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "I wonder, does this third map contain intelligence regarding the various major Grotto-Heaven?"

"The various major Grotto-Heaven?"

The steward shook his head, then smiled. "The Supreme Grotto-Heaven [the paramount and most ancient Grotto-Heavens] are all unfathomably deep, each guarded by Innate Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, containing innate laws] to stabilize their destinies."

"Even a Heaven Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] would find it difficult to fully discern their true Deep-Seated Foundation [the hidden, foundational strength and reserves of a power]. Probing such secrets is no easy task. This map only records the strength they publicly display."

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this. He understood clearly in his heart that perhaps the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven possessed detailed intelligence on the various Grotto-Heaven. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel*com.

However, such intelligence is considered top secret, and the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven would certainly not sell it lightly.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a thoughtful light as he spoke, "I presume that within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, there must also exist a third map."

"There is," the steward replied with a smile. "The price for this map is the same, and it is even more detailed."

"Then I shall take one copy of the third map for both the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea and the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea."

As he spoke, he produced two hundred thousand Immortal Source [a highly concentrated and pure form of spiritual energy used by high-level cultivators].

"Please wait a moment."

The steward departed briefly before returning with two maps.

Handing both maps to Eldrin Chen, the steward suddenly spoke again, "As the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of heavenly ordained calamities and tribulations] has not yet erupted, few are willing to purchase the third map of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea."

"For Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator] to pay such a high price for this map, you must be preparing to venture into that Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea to slay demons, defend the righteous path, and accumulate the Merit's Pure Radiance [a luminous aura signifying immense accumulated virtue and good karma], I presume."

"This..."

Having his purpose discerned, Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly.

He exchanged a glance with his companions and gave a slight nod. "We who walk the path of Fleshly Body Sanctification are destined to be entangled with Karmic Malignancy [the negative karma or fateful retribution accrued from actions, especially killing]. Our journey to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea is indeed to mitigate this Karmic Malignancy Power [the tangible, harmful power of accumulated negative karma]."

"I thought as much,"

the steward said with a faint smile, then continued, "Among our kind, the Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality], there are always those whose methods are thunderously severe, or those who inadvertently incur great bloodshed. The need to accumulate the Merit's Pure Radiance [a luminous, purifying energy formed from virtuous deeds and merit] is to be expected."

"However, the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea is a place of extreme peril. While you seek to slay demons and gather Merit's Pure Radiance, in the eyes of the Demonic Path [the collective forces and practitioners of demonic cultivation], you Immortal are yourselves treasures head to toe."

"Therefore, most who venture to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea travel in groups. This not only provides mutual support but allows for fighting side-by-side to vanquish fiends and demons."

At this point, the steward's eyes gleamed. "The timing is fortuitous. In three months' time, a group is preparing to depart for the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea to purge demons."

"Their leader will be the renowned Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm cultivator anchored to the mortal world] of our Human Race, Zixuan the Daoist. If you are interested, you may accompany him. It merely requires a payment of Immortal Source [a condensed, high-purity source of immortal-level spiritual energy]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He had heard of Zixuan the Daoist—said to be an Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] who had opened his Eighth Heaven [a profound internal spiritual world, representing advanced cultivation].

Legend held that Zixuan the Daoist possessed a fierce temperament and cultivated the supremely domineering 'Violet Profound Divine Thunder' Dao Rule. Once ranked alongside the Silent Annihilation Thunder God, he was also counted among the Ten Mightiest Earth Immortals of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea.

However, Eldrin Chen was not familiar with this person. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Allow us to consider this matter before making a decision."

The Divine Abyss Pavilion steward nodded and said, "I see your cultivation seems to be only at the Early Stage Earth Immortal [the initial phase of the Earth Immortal realm]. Venturing alone into the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a perilous sea region in the Nether Abyss] would indeed be far too dangerous."

"Here is my suggestion. Three months from now, they will gather at the Demon-Slaying Hall [a hall dedicated to organizing demon-slaying expeditions]. If you are interested, you may proceed there directly."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator]."

With that, they said no more and immediately departed from the Grand Hall.

They left the Divine Abyss Immortal City and arrived at a desolate island. Only then did Eldrin Chen turn his gaze to the map in his hand. Read, share, and discuss at audio—novel.com.

"Let us first examine the map of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea," he said.

Eldrin Chen spoke and, with a flick of his sleeve, unfurled the map of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea.

As the map opened wide, a scroll slowly unfurled within the Boundless Void [the infinite expanse of space], revealing the complete topography of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea in exquisite, minute detail.

Eldrin Chen attempted to channel his power into the map for a closer look. He discovered that this topographic chart not only encompassed the Abyssal Sea Region, but also included many islands of Sixth Rank [a high-level classification for spiritual lands] and above.

"A remarkably detailed map."

Lyra Jiang remarked, as this map essentially marked all the Immortal Island [islands inhabited by cultivators] within the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea.

The topographic maps for areas below the Sixth Rank [a classification for spiritual lands] were not overly detailed, as the landscape, shaped by the relentless passage of time, undergoes constant transformation over spans of ten thousand years.

Yet, the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea is vast beyond measure. It contains over two thousand Blessed Land [regions of concentrated spiritual energy and fortune], and beneath those, the number of Immortal Island [islands inhabited by cultivators] reaches into the hundreds of thousands.

Almost every Millennium [a cycle of one thousand years], numerous Immortal Island [islands inhabited by cultivators] change hands, and every ten thousand years or so, some Blessed Land [regions of concentrated spiritual energy and fortune] are destroyed or new ones are born.

Under such circumstances, the manpower and resources expended to create a map of such detail are simply unimaginable.

"Without several thousand Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality], completing this map would be impossible."

Qiyuan Chen spoke up, then added, "Let us examine the situation in the Abyssal Sea Region."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen immediately opened the section for the Abyssal Sea Region, and with a flick of his sleeve, projected its detailed information.

A thick, illusory tome flew forth from the map of the Abyssal Sea Region, its pages densely annotated with copious records and data.

Eldrin Chen opened only the first page, and with a single glance, his heart was seized by a sudden shock. What was written upon it read as follows.

Region of Affiliation: Abyssal Sea Region. Affiliated Powers: Chen Immortal Clan, Abyssal Immortal Alliance.

The Abyssal Immortal Alliance and the Chen Immortal Clan are powers that have risen to prominence across the ninety-nine Calamity Tribulation [cosmic cycles of great disaster], eight Dao Tribulation [cycles of tribulation upon the Dao], and nine Great Tribulation [epochs of supreme tribulation] since the birth of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain.

The main lineage of the Abyssal Immortal Alliance is the Chen Immortal Clan, supplemented by several dozen vassal Immortal Sects and Immortal Clans, including the Star Palace, the Dao Palace, the Drifting Snow Palace, the Six Stars Yue Clan, and the Violet Feather Lu Clan.

Within this lineage, there are a total of four hundred and sixty-seven Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality], and twelve Earth Immortals [immortals of the earthly realm, a higher tier of power].

Of these, the Chen Immortal Clan alone boasts one hundred and eighty-seven Immortals, with the remainder belonging to its vassal powers.

Among the twelve Earth Immortals, the Chen Clan claims nine Earth Immortal Progenitors [foundational Earth Immortals of the clan], namely: Abyssal Daoist Eldrin Chen, Lyra, the Celestial Ruins Daoist Lyra Jiang, Ancestor Eastern Sovereign Qiyuan Chen…

As he perused this dossier, Eldrin Chen felt a growing tide of astonishment within his heart.

He opened the file concerning myself and found it stated:

Abyssal Daoist, born Eldrin Chen, is recognized as the foremost figure to emerge in the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea over the past million years. He is known to have stepped into the Forbidden Realm [a legendary and nearly unattainable state of cultivation] and is suspected of having opened the Ten-Layered Heaven [a mythical foundation of ten heavenly layers, representing ultimate perfection].

Its foundation holds the promise of reaching the Great Luo Realm [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, a realm of supreme power and enlightenment]. Yet, the sole regret lies in the brevity of its time since Ascending to Immortality [achieving the immortal state and transcending mortality]. Even if it could break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the celestial immortal realm, a higher plane of existence] within ten million years, it would still be difficult to catch up with the opportunity of the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth within the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [a legendary immortal realm of profound mysteries and celestial power]. Read the full novel exclusively on audio . novel . com.