Chapter 1440 : A Treasure Beyond Measure

"If you desire it, the price is either one hundred thousand Immortal Source [a highly concentrated source of immortal energy, far surpassing spirit stones], or a single Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure [a treasure of immense power, capable of assisting in the creation or stabilization of a minor world or realm]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a slight tremor in his heart.

This was far more than a mere map; it was a comprehensive dossier, containing detailed intelligence on all the major powers within the entire Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a vast and perilous sea region within the Nether Abyss, known for its chaotic and dangerous nature].

Such exhaustive intelligence could likely only be compiled within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [the vast sea region encompassing the Western Essence and Divine Abyss territories] by the two great Grotto-Heaven [a superior type of blessed land, a self-contained paradise realm of immense spiritual density and power] themselves: Western Essence and Divine Abyss.

For the powerful Blessed Land [a realm or territory blessed with abundant spiritual energy and natural treasures] factions and those who truly needed it, parting with a single Low-Grade World-Opening Treasure would be a price they were willing to pay.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Might I ask if this third map contains intelligence regarding the various major Grotto-Heaven?"

"The various major Grotto-Heaven?"

The steward shook his head with a light laugh. "The Supreme Grotto-Heaven [the pinnacle class of Grotto-Heavens, realms of almost mythical power and stability] are unfathomably deep, each guarded and its Fortune [the inherent luck, destiny, and spiritual prosperity of a person or place] stabilized by Innate Treasure [treasures born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth, possessing unparalleled power and connection to the fundamental laws of existence]."

"Even a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm, a being of immense power and longevity] would find it difficult to fully plumb their depths. Gathering such intelligence is no simple matter. This map only records the strength and foundations they have publicly revealed to the world."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. He knew in his heart that perhaps the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven possessed detailed intelligence on the other major Grotto-Heaven, but obtaining it was another matter entirely.

However, such intelligence is of the highest secrecy; the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven would certainly not part with it easily.

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

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

"I'll take one copy of the third map for both the Western Essence 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].

"One moment, please."

The steward departed briefly before returning with two maps.

Handing both maps to Eldrin Chen, the steward suddenly added, "With the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic event testing the fate of all cultivators] not yet erupted, few are willing to purchase the third map of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea."

"For a fellow Daoist to pay such a high price for this map, you must be planning to venture into that Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea to vanquish demons, defend the righteous path, and condense the Pure Light of Merit [a radiant aura formed by accumulating great virtuous deeds], 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. "For those of us who walk the path of Fleshly Body Sanctification [a cultivation art focused on tempering the physical body to perfection], our journey is inevitably entwined with karmic sin and baleful energy. Our venture to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a perilous sea realm infested with demons and fiends] is indeed to alleviate the burden of Karmic Sin Power [the accumulated negative spiritual energy from killing and sin]."

"I thought as much,"

the attendant said with a faint smile before continuing. "Among our kind, the Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality], there are always those whose methods are thunderously severe, and others who, through misfortune, incur heavy bloodshed. The need to condense the Pure Light of Merit [a radiant energy formed from accumulated 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 Pure Light of Merit, in the eyes of the Demonic Path [cultivators who follow demonic arts], you Immortal are yourselves treasures ripe for the taking."

"Therefore, most who journey to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea do so in groups. This provides not only mutual support but also strength in numbers for battling demons and fiends."

At this point, the attendant's eyes gleamed with a hint of opportunity. "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 is the renowned Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal whose power is anchored to the mortal world] of our Human Race, 'Violet Mystery Path Master'. If you are interested, you may accompany his expedition. It requires only a payment of Immortal Source [a concentrated, high-purity form of spiritual energy used by immortals]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly in thought. He had heard of Violet Mystery Path Master; it was said he was an Earth Immortal Great Perfection [an Earth Immortal who has reached the pinnacle of that realm] who had opened his Eighth Heaven [the eighth of the nine celestial heavens a cultivator can ascend through].

Legend held that Violet Mystery Path Master possessed a fierce and unyielding temperament, having cultivated the overwhelmingly potent law of 'Violet Mystery Divine Thunder' [a supreme thunder law of profound and mysterious power]. Once ranked alongside the Extinction Thunder God, he was also counted among the ten most powerful Earth Immortal in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and spiritually rich sea region].

However, Eldrin Chen was not familiar with this person. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Allow us to consider it and make a decision later."

The Divine Abyss Pavilion steward nodded and said, "I see your cultivation seems to be only at the Early-stage 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 what I suggest. Three months from now, they will gather at the Demon-Slaying Hall. If you are interested, you can go there directly."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

With that, they said no more and immediately left the Great Hall.

They departed from Divine Abyss Immortal City and arrived at a desolate island. Only then did Eldrin Chen turn his gaze to the map in his hand.

"Let us first examine the map of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea,"

Eldrin Chen spoke as he unfurled the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea map with a flick of his sleeve.

As the map unfurled, a scroll-like image slowly blossomed within the Boundless Void, revealing the entire topography of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea in exquisite, minute detail.

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

"A remarkably detailed map."

Exquisite Jiang remarked, as this map essentially marked all the Immortal Isles within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

The topographic maps for areas below the Sixth Rank were not overly detailed, as the ever-shifting seas and mulberry fields [a metaphor for the vast, constant changes of the world] caused the terrain to transform continuously over the span of ten thousand years.

Yet the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea was immeasurably vast, containing over two thousand Blessed Land alone, with the Immortal Isles beneath them numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

Almost every thousand years, numerous Immortal Isles would change hands, and every ten thousand years or so, some Blessed Land would be destroyed or newly born.

Under such circumstances, the manpower and resources expended to chart a map of such detail were simply staggering to contemplate.

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

Energy Abyss Chen spoke up, then added, "Let us examine the situation in the Returning Abyss Sea Region."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen immediately opened the section for the Returning Abyss Sea Region and, with a sweep of his sleeve, projected its detailed circumstances.

From the map of the Returning Abyss Sea Region, a thick, illusory tome flew forth, its pages inscribed with a wealth of information.

Eldrin Chen opened only the first page, and a single glance sent a jolt of shock through his heart. What was written upon it read as follows.

Returning Abyss Sea Region

Affiliated Powers: Chen Immortal Clan, Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

The Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance and the Chen Immortal Clan are forces that have risen to prominence across the ninety-nine Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and renewal], the eight Path Tribulation [great tribulations of the Dao], and the nine Great Tribulation [epochal calamities] since the birth of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

The main lineage of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance is the Chen Immortal Clan, joined by several dozen vassal Immortal Sects and Immortal Clans such as the Stellar Palace, the Path Palace, the Drifting Snow Palace, the Six Stars Yue Clan, and the Purple 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 anchored to the earthly realm].

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

Among the twelve Earth Immortals, the Chen Clan claims nine Earth Immortal Patriarchs exclusively. They are: Returning Abyss Path Master Eldrin Chen, Heaven's Ruin Daoist Exquisite Jiang, Eastern Sovereign Patriarch Energy Abyss Chen…

As he read this dossier, Eldrin Chen's astonishment grew with every line.

He opened his own file to look, finding it stated:

Returning Abyss Path Master [a title for a master of the profound and abyssal cultivation path], whose true name is Eldrin Chen, is hailed as the foremost figure to emerge from the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region] in a million years. He once ventured into the depths of the Forbidden Domain [a realm of ultimate danger and profound secrets] and is rumored to have successfully established a foundation within the legendary Ten-Layered Heaven [the pinnacle theoretical foundation for a cultivator, representing ten perfect layers of spiritual attainment].

His foundational potential suggests a future that could reach the Great Encompassing Realm [a supreme state of cultivation encompassing all]. The sole regret is that his ascension to immortality occurred relatively recently. Even if he manages to break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial beings] within ten million years, it is widely believed he will be unable to participate in the upcoming Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a cosmic event of immense fortune and trial that occurs once every hundred great kalpas] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a major region of the immortal world].