Chapter 1429 : Ascending Treasures and Ancient Pacts

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord [the ruler of the ancient ruins in the netherworld] pondered for a moment before speaking. "If we could advance our cultivation further and break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the fourth major stage of Earth Immortal cultivation] realm, our chances of victory in a battle against them would likely increase."

"However, to truly have a seventy to eighty percent certainty of seizing the Netherworld Small Universe [a miniature cosmos located within the netherworld], we would need a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact of immense power, capable of shaping and stabilizing nascent worlds]."

As he said this, the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord turned his gaze towards Eldrin Chen.

Noticing his expression, Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding and spoke. "Given the current circumstances, the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron [a supreme cauldron treasure imbued with the power of a crimson dragon, used to suppress worlds] should successfully ascend to a higher grade within approximately two hundred thousand years."

"By then, combined with the power of the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron [a counterpart supreme cauldron treasure imbued with the power of a black dragon], the force of two World-Opening Supreme Treasure should be sufficient to suppress the Nether Sea Pearl [a powerful pearl artifact that channels the essence of the nether sea]."

Everyone present nodded slightly at these words. Exquisite Jiang then spoke up. "To activate two World-Opening Supreme Treasure simultaneously requires an immensely profound and vast reservoir of spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the cosmos]."

"Furthermore, besides the Nether Sea Pearl, we must also contend with over a hundred Netherworld Earth Immortal [Earth Immortal cultivators who reside in and draw power from the netherworld]. To ensure a complete victory, we must further augment our combat strength."

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded in agreement. "The Small Universe [a self-contained, miniature cosmos] will face Oblivion [the state of complete annihilation and return to primordial chaos] in roughly four hundred thousand years."

"If we wish to lay plans for the Solar Realm Small Universe [a miniature cosmos aligned with the essence of the sun], we must conquer the Netherworld Small Universe at least one hundred thousand years prior."

"Then let us set a limit of three hundred thousand years," he concluded. "We must strive to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal realm as swiftly as possible, continuously increase our battle prowess, and diligently prepare numerous methods to counter Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who specialize in techniques involving spirits and the netherworld]."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and said, "Then it is settled."

With that, Eldrin Chen retrieved the storage treasure of the Netherworld Ghost Immortal [a powerful ghostly cultivator who has attained immortality] from his sleeve.

This Netherworld Ghost Immortal was an existence at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm], and his storage treasure contained a surprisingly vast number of precious items.

After a brief inventory, Eldrin Chen discovered over ten thousand pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a high-grade spiritual currency used in the Netherworld] and twenty-seven Eighth Rank Netherworld Ghost Treasure [enchanted artifacts forged in the Netherworld]. Among these were nine Eighth Rank High-Grade Netherworld [the realm of the dead] rarities.

Seeing this, everyone was taken aback. Ethan Chen could not help but ask, "A mere Ninth Level Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal at the ninth and final minor stage], yet his wealth is so immense?"

Eldrin Chen, however, had anticipated this. He sighed and explained, "The Heavenly Path [the fundamental laws of the cosmos] of the Netherworld Small Universe [a minor dimensional realm within the Netherworld] collapsed, causing a great number of Netherworld Ghost Immortal to perish in the ensuing calamity."

"Now, less than one in ten of the original Netherworld Ghost Ancestor [ancient and venerable ghost immortals] remain. Naturally, each survivor possesses immense wealth."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen selected two World-Opening Ancient Medicine [ancient medicinal herbs of immense potency, used since the dawn of creation] from the hoard. They were one stalk of Soul-Returning Flower and three fruits of the Extreme Lunar Fruit.

Among these two Immortal Herb [plants imbued with immortal spiritual energy], the Soul-Returning Flower was a high-grade World-Opening Immortal Herb [an immortal herb of the highest order, rumored to have existed since the world's beginning]. It served as the primary ingredient for the Healing Immortal Pill known as the Soul-Returning Pill [a legendary pill capable of mending a shattered soul].

The Extreme Lunar Fruit was a low-grade World-Opening Immortal Herb. It was said that when refined together with the Extreme Solar Flower, it formed the primary ingredient for the Polarity Dual Poles Pill [a supreme pill that harmonizes the opposing forces of Yin and Yang within the body].

The Polarity Dual Poles Pill [a pill containing the opposing forces of Yin and Yang] harbors the power of the Polarity [the fundamental duality of Yin and Yang]. Upon consumption, it can give birth to a dual-polarity radiance within an Earth Immortal World [a world created and sustained by an Earth Immortal], aiding an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal realm] in breaking through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the middle stage of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm]. It would even be of some use to Eldrin Chen.

The remaining treasures were all objects from the Netherworld [the underworld, a realm of spirits and the dead], useless to Eldrin Chen. He handed them to the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord and said, "The Nether Lord [a powerful lord ruling a territory in the Netherworld] may select one or two suitable items to enhance your strength."

"As for the rest, I ask you, Fellow Daoist, to sell them on my behalf and exchange them for Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a special silver used in rituals and offerings to celestial beings] and some resources unique to the Netherworld Hell [a specific, often harsh region within the Netherworld]."

"That is easily arranged,"

the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord nodded and replied, "These Netherworld items will find ready buyers in the Netherworld. Provide me with a list of what you wish to exchange them for."

Eldrin Chen nodded and compiled a list for him, consisting of Immortal Herb [herbs of immense spiritual potency used in alchemy] and rare treasures that could only grow within the Netherworld Hell.

Among them were several extremely precious items, unique to the Netherworld and nearly extinct within the Immortal Domain [the realm of the Immortals].

Having settled this matter, Eldrin Chen departed with his companions, soon returning to the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Back in the Returning Abyss Sea Region, Eldrin Chen gathered his five Dao-companions from the clan. "From this recent battle," he began, his voice grave, "it is clear our strength remains insufficient."

"That Netherworld Ghost Immortal [an Immortal who has ascended from the ghostly path of the Netherworld] was far weaker than a true Immortal of the same tier, yet we struggled to contend with it. Were we to face a Blessed Land [a land of profound spiritual fortune] with a Ninth Level Earth Immortal [a cultivator at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm], I fear we would possess only the power to defend ourselves, nothing more."

"Therefore, in the time to come, we must continue our preparations and further strengthen our own power."

Everyone present nodded slightly upon hearing this. Violet Consort Yan then spoke, "Within our clan and among our disciples, those with the potential to break through to the Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal realm where cultivators can create their own minor worlds] realm within the next three hundred thousand years..."

"...include Fate Birth, Verdant Peak, Caleb, Extraordinary, Support Revive, Literature Abyss, Withering, and Elara."

"Within the Immortal Alliance, individuals like the Lord of the Path Palace, Heaven Abandoned Lin, Jiang Venus, and the Melancholy Inscription Lord also have the potential to reach the Earth Immortal Realm within three hundred thousand years."

"We should provide them with some support, tilting resources in their favor."

The women all nodded in agreement.

However, Verdant Consort furrowed her brow slightly and said, "Individuals like Verdant Edge, Caleb, Fate Birth, and the Melancholy Inscription Lord all possess the potential to eventually step into the Nine Tribulations Realm [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm, requiring the survivor to endure nine heavenly tribulations]. There is no need to rush them; let them strive for their own Path Tribulation [a heavenly trial that tests a cultivator's comprehension of their chosen Dao] and seize their own Opportunity and Fortune [the chance encounters and luck that define a cultivator's destiny]."

"As for the others, their foundations are at the Dual Path Fruits [a high-level Earth Immortal who has successfully cultivated two distinct Path Fruits, representing mastery over two aspects of the Dao] level. We can support them in opening their Seventh Heaven [the seventh and highest layer of the minor world an Earth Immortal creates, representing profound stability and power] lands. However, I fear our supply of World-Opening Spiritual Root [a supreme-grade spiritual treasure essential for stabilizing and empowering the nascent world an Earth Immortal creates] is insufficient."

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "We can provide support in the form of both World-Opening Spiritual Root and Supreme-Grade Acquired Spiritual Root [a top-tier spiritual root that can be integrated into a cultivator's foundation after birth, vastly improving their potential]. However, after they open their worlds, they must repay the Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect, where every action creates a debt that must be settled]."

"For every single World-Opening Spiritual Root they take, they will owe us two portions of World-Opening Energy [the primordial, chaotic energy released when a new world is formed, a priceless resource for high-level cultivation] in the future."

Hearing his words, the women nodded slightly in understanding.

For them, once they used the Four Extremities Celestial Pillars [a supreme-grade spiritual root that stabilizes one's foundation like the four pillars of heaven] to open their World-Opening [the foundational realm for establishing one's inner world], each person's World-Opening Spiritual Root [a spiritual root specifically used to anchor and stabilize a newly opened inner world] would require four stalks. This meant they would need to repay eight strands of World-Opening Energy [a primordial energy essential for the creation and stabilization of an inner world].

Even if they managed to open a Seventh Heaven [a high-tier inner world foundation, representing exceptional potential], gathering eight strands of World-Opening Energy would be nearly impossible. Fortunately, within the Immortal Domain [a vast realm inhabited by immortals], World-Opening Energy was often available at auctions.

As long as they broke through to the Earth Immortal [the immortal realm where one's inner world becomes a stable, self-sustaining microcosm] and sold some of their World-Opening Marvel [rare treasures found within a newly opened inner world], they should be able to gather the required eight strands of World-Opening Energy.

For Eldrin Chen, this arrangement was beneficial. Not only would he be aiding his fellow cultivators, but he would also earn a strand of World-Opening Energy for himself, making it a rather profitable transaction.

With the matter settled, Eldrin Chen continued, "Beyond supporting clansmen and friends who have the potential to reach Earth Immortal, our most crucial task is to enhance our own strength."

"We must strive to reach the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the intermediate phase of the Earth Immortal realm] within three hundred thousand years, while also further refining our methods and combat prowess."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Nyssa Qu then spoke, "With the empowerment of our World-Opening Spiritual Root, we are confident of breaking through to the Fourth Level Earth Immortal [the fourth tier within the Earth Immortal realm] within that timeframe."

"However, Lila and Violet Consort broke through later and have yet to plant their World-Opening Spiritual Root. I fear they may not have enough time."

Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "Our clan still has some reserves of World-Opening Spiritual Root. Furthermore, I have just purchased thirty-two strands of World-Opening Energy. For now, our supplies are sufficient."

"With Lila and Violet Consort having planted their Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual organ for cultivation], they should be able to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the fourth major stage of immortal cultivation] within three hundred thousand years."

Mentioning this, Eldrin Chen sighed and said, "Our clan now has a full nine Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm], and each one has opened a Ninefold Heaven [a supreme-grade immortal foundation]. The consumption of resources is truly immense."