Chapter 1439 : A Clan's Resolve Before the Storm

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen felt his heart grow even heavier with resolve.

He looked towards the direction of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea and spoke, "Before the Path Tribulation arrives, we must at least possess strength sufficient to contend with a Half-Step Celestial Immortal."

"Otherwise, the Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators from the various Great Path lineages would likely not hesitate to eliminate us first."

Exquisite Jiang also nodded in agreement and said, "Let us first return to the clan to see if all is well. If there are no pressing matters, we shall then make our way to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and led the group towards the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

Once they departed from the Western Metal Great Mystery Mountain Range, the group flew at their full speed without restraint. Aided by the power of the Polarity Void Mirror, it was not long before they returned to the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Upon returning to the clan, Eldrin Chen went directly to find Kael Chen, Energy Abyss Chen, and Ethan Chen, who were guarding the family seat, and inquired, "We have been away for many years. Have any significant events occurred within the clan during this time?"

"No major incidents, but in recent years, a few new Half-Step Earth Immortal cultivators have emerged among us."

Kael Chen spoke calmly, informing him of the clan's recent developments.

As Kael Chen recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen swiftly grasped the changes that had befallen their clan.

Over these tens of thousands of years, the clan had welcomed over thirty new Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation]. The number of Immortal within the Chen Immortal Clan alone had surpassed two hundred.

Furthermore, the earliest batch of Immortal from both the clan and the Immortal Alliance had largely digested the gains from the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial], with most having already broken through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a transitional state just below becoming a true Earth Immortal].

As for those who had reached the true Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an immortal anchored to the mortal world], the clan had seen no new ascensions, nor had the Immortal Alliance.

Eldrin Chen understood the reason well. Aside from the three isles of Six Stars, Void-Refining, and Purple Feather, the other Immortal within the Alliance were mostly newly ascended within the last two hundred thousand years.

Although their harvest from the last Great Tribulation rivaled that of an Immortal who had survived four such trials, breaking through to the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm was likely their limit.

To advance further would require not only a profound twist of Opportunity and Fortune [the confluence of chance and destiny], but also sufficient time for tempering and refinement.

By Eldrin Chen's estimation, unless heaven-sent Opportunity and Fortune intervened, it would be exceedingly difficult for this generation of Immortal to break through to become true Earth Immortal before the opening of the Path Tribulation [the ultimate heavenly trial on one's cultivation path].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "My journey to the Western Pole Heavenly Domain fulfilled a deep-seated wish of my heart, yet in doing so, I have incurred a burden of karmic debt."

"Now, I intend to travel to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a sea of torment within the netherworld abyss] to slay Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who use vile and destructive methods] and accumulate Merit [positive spiritual credit from virtuous deeds]. The defense of our clan must still rely upon you all."

"To the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a legendary and perilous sea said to be a nexus of demonic and netherworld energies]?"

Kael Chen was momentarily taken aback, then spoke: "In recent years, the stillness has stirred a desire for movement within me. I was just preparing to journey to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, and I did not expect you to wish to go as well."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Eldrin Chen's brow, followed by a glimmer of understanding.

Kael Chen cultivated both the Buddhist Path and Demonic Path Fruits [the dual cultivation of Buddhist enlightenment and Demonic power, forming a supreme foundation], with a subtle emphasis on the Demonic Path. This path naturally accrued immense karmic burdens upon him.

Even now, Kael Chen carried a palpable aura of karmic miasma and baleful energy.

To prevent this karmic miasma from growing too potent and overwhelming his own Pure Light of Merit [a radiant aura formed from accumulated virtuous deeds and good karma], Kael Chen had a greater need than most to consolidate this very Pure Light of Merit.

Grasping this point, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking: "We have many enemies now. The clan must retain at least three combatants with strength at the Sixth Level Earth Immortal [a high stage of terrestrial immortality], bolstered by the Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array that harnesses the power of stars], to withstand any assault from the Demon Race."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Exquisite Jiang contemplated briefly, then said: "The Eastern Sovereign Patriarch also primarily walks the Path of Fleshly Body Sanctification [a cultivation art focused on refining the physical body to an indestructible state]. He, too, should gather some Pure Light of Merit as a precaution."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "Very well. Let Lila and Violet Consort remain, along with Ethan to guard the clan."

"The rest of you shall accompany us on a journey to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a legendary and perilous sea realm within the Nether Abyss]."

"…"

Once the personnel were decided, Eldrin Chen wasted no time.

That very night, a party of six departed from the Returning Abyss Sea Region and ventured deep into the boundless heavens and earth.

Along the way, Eldrin Chen handed the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword to Kael Chen and inquired, "Are you confident you can refine and master this blade?"

Kael Chen's eyes flickered with a subtle light. "Its demonic nature is potent," he replied, "but with great willpower to suppress it, it can be subdued and refined."

"Then it is entrusted to you."

With those words, Eldrin Chen passed the Heavenly Demon Immortal-Slaying Sword to Kael Chen.

Receiving a top-grade World-Opening [the realm of cultivators who can open and shape minor worlds] demonic sword, Kael Chen did not refuse. He simply stated, "Let it be exchanged for Merit [a metaphysical currency representing accumulated good karma and virtuous deeds]. I will repay what I owe you."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, understanding that his clan brother was a man of unwavering conviction in his path.

The value of a top-grade World-Opening Demonic Treasure [an enchanted artifact forged with demonic energy] was Extraordinary, and even though Kael Chen had now broken through to the Earth Immortal Realm, repaying this Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, action and consequence] would likely not be easy.

Knowing his clan brother's character, Eldrin Chen surmised that Kael Chen would likely soon embark on a journey across the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, perhaps even venturing beyond its borders, to seek out and seize various Opportunity and Fortune [chance encounters and treasures that can alter one's destiny].

This would be his way of repaying the debt for the sword, as well as the Karma incurred from the earlier support for his World-Opening Spiritual Root [a foundational spiritual talent of the highest order].

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly, merely nodding as he said, "Artifacts of the Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who follow unorthodox, often malevolent, cultivation paths] hold little use for us righteous Immortal [a general term for beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation]."

"If we measure its value in Merits [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and good karma], a fifty percent discount would suffice."

Kael Chen offered no further words. Instead, he channeled his World-Opening Power [the profound energy of one who has opened their own inner world], beginning the arduous process of refining and purifying this peerless World-Opening demonic sword.

Thus, time flowed on, and several decades slipped quietly past.

Having traversed the Boundless Sea Region, they finally arrived at the outskirts of Divine Abyss Immortal City.

"This journey to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a perilous sea of netherworld fire and torment], demands caution. Remember, do not reveal your identities."

With a glance towards Divine Abyss Immortal City [a celestial city within the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven], Eldrin Chen spoke in a measured tone, offering his reminder.

Upon hearing his words, everyone nodded in agreement. They each employed secret arts to veil their auras and conceal their true identities.

Seeing this was done, Eldrin Chen led the group aboard the Divine Abyss Immortal City, and then sought out the Divine Abyss Pavilion [a prominent trading establishment within the city].

After locating a shop steward, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Might I ask if your esteemed pavilion sells maps of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea?"

"Maps of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea?"

The steward's eyes flickered with interest, and he smiled. "Of course we do. However, we offer three distinct grades. Which one might you require?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly as he asked, "What are the differences?"

The steward offered a practiced smile and explained, "The first is a basic topographic sketch, showing only the general layout of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea. Its price is a mere one hundred Immortal Source [a high-grade energy crystal used by immortals]."

"The second," he continued, "is a detailed terrain map, meticulously compiled over ten million years by our Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven. We dispatched tens of thousands of Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality through cultivation] to infiltrate the region for this purpose."

"This map is updated once every million years, marking the locations of all major Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands within. The price is ten thousand Immortal Sources per copy."

"The final version, building upon the second, provides a detailed record of the strength of each Blessed Land, specifying down to the exact number of Earth Immortals they possess."

"Furthermore, this map is updated every ten thousand years. Barring a few Blessed Lands hidden to an extreme depth, or the emergence of new Earth Immortals within that ten-thousand-year span, its information can be considered largely accurate."

At this point, the steward smiled and said, "To maintain the accuracy of this map, we expend vast resources and manpower each year, even sacrificing many Immortals. Therefore, its value is exceedingly high."