Chapter 1487 : The Burden of a Ghost Immortal Realm

"At last, I understand why this Minor Universe [a self-contained cosmos smaller than a major universe] stands on the brink of annihilation."

"Merely a Yin Plane Microcosm [the underworld or spiritual plane of a minor universe], yet at its zenith it housed over one hundred thousand Ghost Immortal [immortals who have transcended mortality through spiritual cultivation] and millions of Immortal Treasure and Rare Object [precious artifacts and rare materials used by immortals]. How could it not collapse under such a burden?"

After reviewing the records, Yvonne the Violet Consort let out a soft sigh, her voice tinged with a complex feeling of reflection and emotion.

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. All realms have their limits, and a Minor Universe is no exception.

This particular Minor Universe spans a mere thirty million light-years. It cannot compare to the vastness of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a legendary, boundless sea in the celestial realms], nor even to the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas [a region of interconnected mystical seas]. Its diameter is but one hundred times that of the Abyssal Sea Region [a deep and perilous oceanic realm].

Yet, this single Yin Plane Microcosm gave birth to more than one hundred thousand Ghost Immortal and over a million Immortal Rank Spiritual Object [objects imbued with profound spiritual power].

Within the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, even after repeated purges by the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly calamity], the total number of Immortal barely reaches ten or twenty thousand—far fewer than this Yin Plane Microcosm harbored.

While the Abyssal Pearl [a mythical pearl of immense power] draining resources from the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas is a factor, it remains clear that the population of Ghost Immortal here was simply unsustainable.

And the Yin Plane Microcosm is only part of the story. According to the records held by Eldrin Chen, the Yang Plane Microcosm [the material, living world counterpart to the Yin Plane], though far richer in primordial energy, contained even greater numbers of Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual beings] and Saint Realm [beings who have attained a state of sagehood] than its shadowy counterpart.

To put it plainly, this Minor Universe could bear the weight no longer. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audi0-n0vel.c0m.

These Ghost Immortals [immortal beings who have transcended death through ghostly cultivation] and Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual entities] and Great Saints [supreme sages who have attained enlightenment] are immortal and deathless. They pilfer the primordial Qi [the vital foundational energy] from within the Minor Universe [a small, self-contained cosmos]. Over the long ages, the Minor Universe gradually weakens, and ultimately becomes unable to withstand the Chaotic Torrent [the destructive currents of primordial chaos]. Its destruction, therefore, lies within the realm of expectation.

"Without a World Creator [a being who performed the act of creation] to govern it, such a Minor Universe born from the womb of Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation] will inevitably meet such a ruinous end."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a tinge of lament coloring his brow and gaze.

Although this Yin Plane Microcosm [a small universe existing on a Yin-aligned plane of existence] was comparable to a cosmos opened by a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme immortal at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm], it was, after all, naturally conceived within the Primordial Chaos. Its internal Great Dao [the fundamental laws and principles of existence] were incomplete and fragmented, lacking the cyclical Great Dao of Heaven and Earth [the self-sustaining laws governing natural cycles].

In contrast, the worlds and universes opened by Eldrin Chen and other Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality] were different. Because the World Creator personally intervened, the number of Immortals and Divine Spirits, and even Imperial Lords [titles for powerful immortal rulers], within Heaven and Earth was predetermined.

As long as Eldrin Chen did not permit others to ascend, then aside from these heaven-ordained individuals, it was nearly impossible for anyone else to cultivate to the Ascension to Immortality Realm [the realm where one transcends mortality and becomes an immortal].

Those unable to Ascend to Immortality and become divine beings would, in the end, return to Heaven and Earth upon their dissolution [the process of a cultivator's body and spirit returning to the natural world after death], causing no loss to the cosmos.

Even if a rare anomaly managed to cultivate to the Ascension to Immortality Realm on their own, Eldrin Chen could expel them from the Earth Immortal World [a world governed by Earth Immortals], or even compel them to repay the karmic debt incurred from being nurtured by Heaven and Earth.

Thus, in such a Minor Universe, unless a being emerged capable of breaking through the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of Heavenly Immortals] and stepping into the Primordial Chaos, its ultimate destruction was almost a foregone conclusion.

After much contemplation, Eldrin Chen finally set his thoughts aside. He then looked at the inventory in his hand and said, "Let us divide the spoils."

Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen then spoke: "Setting aside the Eighth Rank [the eighth major tier in the cultivation hierarchy] rare treasures, among the spoils we seized, we still have fifty thousand pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, high-value metallic substance used in immortal-level crafting and cultivation] remaining."

"The value of the Netherworld Immortal Herb [an immortal-grade herb found in the Netherworld, prized for its potent properties] and the other rare treasures can roughly be converted into another two hundred thousand pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver."

"Adding in the Netherworld [a vast, shadowy underworld realm] Immortal Treasure [a powerful artifact forged for and used by immortal beings], the total value of just the seventh-rank rare treasures should amount to fifty million Immortal Source [a highly concentrated and pure form of spiritual energy, the fundamental currency and resource for high-level immortals]."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly once more.

A value of seventy million Immortal Source was no small sum by any measure.

However, Eldrin Chen shifted his tone and continued: "As for the remaining fifty thousand pieces of Incense Fire Celestial Silver, I intend to use them to purchase Eighth Rank High Grade Immortal Pill [a top-quality pill of the eighth rank, immensely potent for immortal cultivation] to replenish my Primordial Source [the foundational, primordial life-force and energy reservoir of a high-level cultivator]."

The others nodded in understanding at his words.

In that battle to slay the Primordial Nether Dragon [an ancient and immensely powerful dragon entity born from the primordial Netherworld], Eldrin Chen had expended half of his Primordial Source with a single, devastating sword strike.

To replenish such a vast amount of Primordial Essence Power [the fundamental power derived from one's Primordial Source] by refining and absorbing Galaxy Star-Sand Pill [a pill containing the essence of star-sand from across the galaxy, used to restore foundational energy] would waste at least two hundred thousand years.

To swiftly restore one's Primordial Source [the foundational life force and spiritual essence of a cultivator], one must refine and absorb an Eighth Rank High Grade Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir marked with cloud-like patterns, used to replenish the Primordial Source].

Of course, consuming an Eighth Rank High Grade Immortal Pill can directly restore the Primordial Source, but the value of such a Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill is also far greater than that of a Galaxy Star-Sand Pill [an elixir refined from the essence of celestial sand and starlight].

Originally, Eldrin Chen required only thirty thousand units of Incense Fire Celestial Silver [a rare, condensed form of spiritual energy resembling silver and sacred incense smoke] to purchase thirty vials of Galaxy Star-Sand Pills for recovery. If switched to an Eighth Rank High Grade Immortal Pill, it would likely cost around five million Immortal Source Crystals [crystals of pure, condensed immortal energy].

With this thought, the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord spoke, "Your losses in this battle were too great. These fifty thousand units of Incense Fire Celestial Silver should rightfully be yours as compensation."

"Hmm."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and continued, "There are over one hundred thousand seventh-rank Netherworld Immortal Treasures [powerful artifacts forged in or attuned to the Netherworld], and more than eight hundred Eighth Rank Netherworld Ghost Treasures [even more potent treasures imbued with ghostly Netherworld energies]." For uninterrupted reading, go to http://www . audio-novel.com.

"You may select some from these treasures. However, I intend to exchange the vast majority for Merit Points [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and contributions]. I need them to lay down formations and strategize for gaining advantages in the Yang World [the realm of the living]."

Hearing this, the assembled immortals naturally had no objections. The Chen Immortal Clan had contributed ninety-five percent of the merit for this victory.

This contribution was immense. Even though the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord discovered the Minor Universe [a small, self-contained pocket dimension] and, by rights, should claim the first share, at this moment, they could only let Eldrin Chen take the greatest portion of the spoils.

Seeing their agreement, Eldrin Chen turned to the Ancient Ruins Yin Lord and said, "Since you, Yin Lord, discovered the Yin Plane Microcosm [a tiny, Yin-aligned pocket dimension], you must receive a share of the greatest harvest."

"I can hand over this Abyssal Sea Pearl [a mystical pearl containing the essence of the abyssal sea] to you. However, I wish for this pearl to remain for now, to serve as the core treasure for the Formation [a mystical defensive or offensive array] I intend to establish."

Upon hearing this, Ancient Ruins Yin Lord nodded slightly and said, "I can agree to that. I will not even claim the treasures from the yang realm after our task is complete."

"However, among these Immortal Herbs [plants imbued with potent spiritual energy, used in alchemy and cultivation], there are many items I require…"

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Set your mind at ease. While these Netherworld Immortal Herbs [Immortal Herbs from the Netherworld, possessing yin-aligned properties] are precious, the vast majority hold little practical use for us Immortals [beings who have ascended to the Immortal Realm]."

"Let us proceed thusly: those usable by Immortals and those Immortal Herbs of Eighth Rank, High-Grade [a high-tier classification for cultivation resources and realms] or above shall be left to me. You may take all the rest. Is this acceptable?"

Ancient Ruins Yin Lord immediately replied with a smile, "How about this: we exchange the top-tier Immortal Herbs of Eighth Rank, High-Grade or above using Merit Points [a metaphysical currency representing accumulated virtuous deeds and karma]."

"If all the remaining seventh-rank Immortal Herbs and Eighth Rank Immortal Herbs [Immortal Herbs of the Eighth Rank] were sold, they would fetch at least thirty million Immortal Sources [purified, high-density sources of immortal energy, more potent than Spirit Stones]."

"In the future, I will divide the proceeds into three shares. Your Chen Clan will receive eighty percent. The remainder will be split between myself and Sky Abyss."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. Among these Immortal Herbs, the most precious were those of Eighth Rank, High-Grade.

The value of a single High-Grade Immortal Herb [an Immortal Herb of High-Grade quality] of the Eighth Rank [the Eighth cultivation rank] was equivalent to ten of Eighth Rank, Lower-Grade [the Lower-Grade of the Eighth Rank], or over ten thousand seventh-rank, low-grade Immortal Herbs.

They allocated these supreme Immortal Herbs [plants of immense spiritual value used in crafting elixirs], leaving only a minor portion of the profits to be divided.

Regarding this share of the gains, Eldrin Chen did not place great importance on it. He shook his head and said, "What I value are the resources from the Yang Plane Microcosm [a realm aligned with active, fiery, and masculine energies]. While the treasures from the Yin Plane Microcosm [a realm aligned with passive, watery, and feminine energies] are precious, having an excess holds little significant use for me."

"Let it be thus," he continued. "After these Immortal Herbs are sold, you may allocate fifty percent of the proceeds to the Chen Clan for my share." Read, share, and discuss at audio—novel.com.