Chapter 1425 : A Treacherous Cosmic Gambit

Eldrin Chen also nodded, yet he did not speak immediately.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke: "Setting aside the Solar Realm Small Universe, the Netherworld Small Universe alone will be difficult to deal with."

"Our immediate priority is to make preparations and secure the Netherworld Small Universe first."

"Very well."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded and looked at Eldrin Chen. "The matter of the Formation Flag will still require your efforts."

"..."

After bidding farewell to Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and Heaven Abyss Path Master, Eldrin Chen returned to Green Chariot Mountain and recounted the events of his journey to Exquisite Jiang and the others.

After listening, Exquisite Jiang frowned slightly. "The Netherworld Small Universe can still be plotted against, but the Solar Realm Small Universe is far too vast and boundless."

"With our current strength, attempting to scheme for an Universe Origin Treasure [a primordial treasure containing the foundational power of a universe] would be far too perilous."

Eldrin Chen understood this as well and spoke: "To even consider plotting against the Solar Realm Small Universe, we would need cultivation at least at the Middle Stage Earth Immortal level."

"If my cultivation can advance to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the fourth major stage of earthly immortal cultivation], I should be able to barely activate the Primordial Unity Thunderclap Abyss Myriad Tribulation Sword [a supreme sword artifact of immense power]. By then, I might possess the confidence to intervene in battles at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a transitional state between earthly and celestial immortality] level."

Speaking to this point, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with thought as he continued, "Moreover, we can coordinate from within and without with the Glazed Divine Lord [a title for a powerful immortal lord], and jointly scheme for the treasure."

Hearing this, the others could not help but be slightly taken aback.

If relying solely on their own strength to covet a Universe Origin Treasure [a primordial treasure born from the chaos of creation] was mere fantasy, then adding the Glazed Divine Lord into the equation truly opened a sliver of possibility.

As long as the Glazed Divine Lord cooperated with them, and they used a grand formation laid within the Netherworld Small Universe [a minor realm imbued with netherworld energies] to delay pursuit, there was a real chance they could escape with the treasure.

Considering this, Nyssa Qu could not help but nod in agreement. "Given the Divine Lord's [a title for a powerful immortal] cultivation base, if they coordinate with us, there might indeed be a thread of opportunity."

"Indeed," Verdant Consort also inclined her head, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Taking a step back, even if we cannot obtain the Universe Origin Treasure, the Solar Realm Small Universe [a minor realm imbued with solar essence] likely holds no shortage of other precious artifacts."

"Cooperating to seize some key treasures and bring them out from the Netherworld Small Universe is far better than having those Grotto-Heaven [a type of blessed realm or paradise] powers take their heavy cuts."

Seeing that everyone supported this idea, Eldrin Chen spoke decisively. "Then our most urgent task is to first secure control of the Netherworld Small Universe. Otherwise, all our plans are but empty dreams."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes gleamed thoughtfully before she offered with a smile, "It so happens we need to procure World-Opening Energy [a primordial energy used in world-creation rituals]. We can take this opportunity to also gather the materials needed for the formation array."

"By the way, if we are not purchasing World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy required to create a new world] in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, then where do we plan to acquire it?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "The Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain!"

"..."

The Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain was, like the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, one of the Thirty-Three Heavens [the thirty-three supreme heavenly realms] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, and also one of the Western Six Heavenly Domains.

Having been an immortal for many years and having broken through to the Earth Immortal Realm, Eldrin Chen had gained considerable knowledge about the Western Six Heavenly Domains.

From what Eldrin Chen knew, the Western Six Heavenly Domains of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain were: the Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain, the Western Pole Heavenly Domain, the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain, the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, and the Hundred Spirits Ancestral Domain.

The strength of these six heavenly domains varied greatly.

Among them, the Western Pole Heavenly Domain was the most unique. Located at the Western Pole Lands of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, it was guarded by a World-Protecting True Spirit [a primordial spirit tasked with defending the world's boundaries] who watched over the Primordial Chaos Membrane [the barrier separating the ordered world from the primordial chaos], making its power the most unfathomable.

The Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain was one of the two supreme holy lands of the Human Race within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. It was said to be anchored by an Ancient Immortal Great Power who suppressed the Cosmos [the fundamental order of reality] and had established the awe-inspiring Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven, making him one of the Sovereign-level powers within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

As for the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, it went without saying. This lineage was anchored by seven Grotto-Heaven [self-contained paradisiacal realms] that stabilized heaven and earth. While individually their power might not surpass that of the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven, their combined strength exceeded it.

The Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain is said to be the territory of a Buddhist Sect. It is the most impoverished land within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, its resources even scarcer than those of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

As for the Hundred Spirits Ancestral Domain, it is said to be the domain of the Hundred Spirit Immortal Clan.

Facing the united front of the Human, Demon, and Divine races, the Hundred Spirit Immortal Clan had no choice but to band together. It is said that four Grotto-Heaven [a higher-level cultivation realm] of the Hundred Clans jointly occupy this Heavenly Domain, and their strength is not to be underestimated.

"Among the Six Western Heavenly Domains, the Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain is the most prosperous and stable."

"As a member of the Human Race, the preferred place for trade is this very Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain."

As Eldrin Chen set foot within the Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain, feeling its bustling energy, his brow furrowed slightly.

On this journey, he had concealed his identity and traveled alone to the Primordial Solar Heavenly Domain. Before long, he arrived within the Primordial Solar Immortal City.

Seeing that the Barter Convention was still several centuries away, Eldrin Chen proceeded directly to the Primordial Solar Pavilion.

This Primordial Solar Pavilion was a shop established by the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven. It was extremely famous throughout the Primordial Solar sea region, and its treasures could be said to be all-encompassing.

After Eldrin Chen entered the Primordial Solar Pavilion, a manager at the Earth Immortal Realm [a high level of cultivation] soon came forward to receive him.

This person was an Elder from the Primordial Solar Blessed Land. Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, he smiled and inquired, "Fellow Daoist, what brings you here today? What treasures do you seek to acquire?"

Eldrin Chen wasted no time and stated his purpose directly, "I have come to purchase some Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk."

"Ah, that item," the man replied.

He nodded, showing no particular surprise.

The Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk was an exceedingly rare Primordial Solar treasure, yet it was a specialty product of the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven.

This was because within the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven grew a Ninth Rank Innate Ancient Tree, the Primordial Solar Flame Mulberry Tree. Relying on this ancient tree, the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven nurtured vast numbers of Primordial Solar Flame silkworms.

These fire silkworms were of no low grade; among them were Seventh Rank and Eighth Rank ancient silkworms, and there was even a Ninth Rank Primordial Unity Immortal Silkworm dwelling there.

Thanks to these Primordial Solar Flame silkworms, a large quantity of Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk was produced annually. This fire silkworm silk was the finest material for weaving and crafting Treasure Flag, attracting many Immortal cultivators to travel great distances to purchase it.

Thinking of this, the steward smiled and said, "I still have some Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk in stock. How many portions do you require?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up, and he immediately declared, "I need nine portions of Eighth Rank Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk. I wonder if you have enough in your possession, Fellow Daoist?"

"Nine portions?"

The manager's eyes lit up, and he immediately spoke, "This Primordial Solar Flame Silkworm Silk [a divine silk produced by silkworms nurtured within primordial solar flames] costs eighty-two thousand Immortal Source [a high-purity crystalized form of immortal spiritual energy used as currency] per portion. Since you are purchasing a large quantity at once, Fellow Daoist, I can take it upon myself to offer you a discounted price."

"I will simply round off the fractional amount. The total comes to seven hundred and twenty thousand Immortal Source. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown slightly.

The price of a single Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a foundational treasure used to establish or stabilize a nascent minor world] was typically only around one hundred thousand Immortal Source. For the other party to sell a single material component for eighty thousand Immortal Source was, to put it mildly, exceedingly high.

After all, there was a certain probability of failure when forging a Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure, not to mention the additional labor costs involved in crafting a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [the pinnacle grade of world-initiating treasures].

Therefore, within the Immortal Domain [a vast realm governed by immortal laws and inhabited by celestial beings], the prices of various forging materials were generally around fifty percent of the value of a finished treasure of the same rank, with most not exceeding sixty percent.

The other party's price, a full eighty-two percent, could be described as exorbitant.

Yet, upon deeper reflection, this Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise realm bathed in the essence of the primordial sun] housed numerous Great Powers. With the capabilities of an Eighth Rank High-Grade Artificer [a master craftsman at the eighth rank of the immortal artificer hierarchy] or even a Ninth Rank [the pinnacle rank for immortal craftsmen] Artificer, the likelihood of failure when forging a Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure was probably negligible.