Chapter 1448 : Vengeance Across the Void

With the power of the Void Spiritual Treasure, the group swiftly traversed the boundless heavens and earth, materializing in a distant region of space.

The moment they manifested, everyone immediately activated their Body Protection Divine Ability to guard against their surroundings.

Seeing no Fire Crow in the vicinity, the group erupted into hearty laughter. The Violet Mystery Path Master exclaimed with great satisfaction, "Having slain that wretch Lunar Crow Old Freak, we have finally vented a long-held grievance."

"Indeed."

Everyone nodded with smiles. The beautiful female cultivator gazed at Eldrin Chen with shining eyes and said, "Had you not comprehended the Spatial Law [one of the supreme laws governing space and dimension], we likely would not have been able to keep Lunar Crow Old Freak from escaping this battle."

An old immortal at the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm also praised, "It is said the Spatial Law is among the most supreme of all laws. For you to have cultivated such a rule, your future prospects are truly boundless."

"The three thousand Great Path [the myriad ultimate cultivation arts and philosophies] all lead to the same destination; there is no inherent distinction of strength or weakness among them,"

Eldrin Chen replied modestly, shaking his head. "Moreover, everyone contributed significantly to this battle's success."

Hearing his words, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

Those capable of cultivating to the Earth Immortal Realm were no ordinary individuals, and every existence that had stepped into the Late Stage Earth Immortal realm and beyond possessed their own formidable, signature abilities.

Were it not for the cunning and treacherous nature of that Lunar Crow Old Freak [a malevolent cultivator known for his deceitful tactics], who used the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle [a divine art for rapid traversal] and a special Exotic Treasure [a rare and powerful enchanted artifact] to conceal himself within the void, the esteemed individuals present would not have felt so utterly frustrated and constrained.

"Without Fellow Daoist's mastery of Spatial Law [the profound principles governing space and dimension], we, despite possessing immense World-Opening Power [the primordial force capable of cleaving worlds asunder], would likely have suffered grievous losses from that Lunar Crow Old Freak's underhanded schemes."

The Breaker the True Lord [a title for a powerful True Lord cultivator] shook his head, then looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "Fellow Daoist's World-Opening True Body [a divine physique embodying the power to split heaven and earth] possesses earth-overturning might. Its potency is unparalleled in all my years. I hope to have the opportunity to test my skills against it one day."

Eldrin Chen nodded, offering a slight smile. "Should the chance arise, I too would welcome a friendly exchange with the True Lord [a high-ranking cultivator who has comprehended profound truths]."

With those words, the group spoke no more on the matter.

They introduced themselves to one another, gaining a general understanding of each person's background. It was then that Eldrin Chen learned the Beautiful Female Immortal was named the 'Soul-Snatching Immortal Consort' [an immortal consort renowned for her soul-related arts]. She was an Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] whose cultivation focused primarily on the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of a cultivation path] and Path Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's cultivated path] of the soul.

The Violet Mystery Path Master produced the Lunar Crow Path Master's Storage Bag [a spatial pouch for holding items], then said with a smile, "Slaying this Lunar Crow [a mythical crow associated with lunar and yin energies] has rid the world of a great scourge. Let us see what treasures his Storage Bag holds."

The others nodded in agreement. The thought of the spoils from vanquishing the Lunar Crow Path Master finally allowed a collective sigh of relief to ease the lingering tension.

That Lunar Crow Old Freak had lived for over thirty million years. He was a top-tier Earth Immortal Great Perfection Heretical Cultivator [a malevolent or unorthodox cultivator who practices forbidden or evil arts] who practiced vile and poisonous heretical methods, his life a tapestry woven from endless slaughter.

Rumors swirled that the number of Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] he had slain reached into the thousands. Among them were more than twenty or thirty Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarch-level Earth Immortal cultivators], including three at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection stage. The countless other cultivators and mortals who had fallen to him were beyond reckoning.

Such a rare and formidable great demon, the Karmic Sin Power [a malevolent spiritual force accumulated through evil deeds] condensed upon his being was also exceptionally potent, amounting to a full eighty-three strands of Karmic Sin Light [a visible, baleful aura signifying profound karmic debt].

After slaying Lunar Crow Old Freak, a boundless power of Merit [positive karmic energy earned through virtuous acts] manifested, ultimately condensing into eighty-three strands of Pure Light of Merit [radiant beams of pure, virtuous energy]. These strands of Pure Light of Merit were divided among the various Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has attained the Earth Immortal realm, a high level of power] who participated in the battle.

Among them, Violet Mystery Path Master received the most, a full twenty-five strands of Pure Light of Merit.

Breaker the True Lord [a title meaning "The True Lord Who Shatters"], who inflicted the grievous wound upon Lunar Crow Old Freak, contributed the second most after Violet Mystery Path Master and received ten strands of Pure Light of Merit.

Eldrin Chen employed the Spatial Law [the profound principle governing space] to activate the Realm-Sky Pot [a magical vessel capable of manipulating realms], sealing Lunar Crow Old Freak's path of retreat, and thus also claimed ten strands of Pure Light of Merit.

Soul-Snatching Immortal Maiden used the Nine Nether Abyssal Soul-Snatching Bell [a demonic bell that can seize souls from the Nine Nether Abyss] to momentarily ensnare Lunar Crow Old Freak, creating the crucial opportunity for the devastating strike. Her contribution was immense, and she received nine strands of Pure Light of Merit.

Thus, these four individuals obtained fifty-four strands in total. The remaining Earth Immortal Patriarch [a Patriarch-level cultivator of the Earth Immortal realm] each received their share as well.

Among them, Exquisite Jiang received two strands, while Verdant Consort, Nyssa Qu, Kael Chen, and Eastern Sovereign [a title meaning "Sovereign of the East"] each received one strand.

As for Eldrin Chen, after obtaining his ten strands of Pure Light of Merit, ten additional divine halos of Pure Light of Merit slowly manifested behind his head. Unbeknownst to him, his total Pure Light of Merit had reached sixteen strands, now surpassing the number of his Karmic Sin Light.

With the Pure Light of Merit exceeding the Karmic Sin Light, Eldrin Chen immediately felt a wave of relief, the immense pressure upon him significantly lessening.

He slowly exhaled a breath, then said with a smile, "With this Pure Light of Merit [a radiant aura signifying immense accumulated virtue], it seems that as long as I do not commit excessive slaughter, I need not worry about Karmic Sin Power [the corrupting spiritual energy generated by evil deeds] before advancing to the Late Stage Earth Immortal."

At that moment, Eldrin Chen looked up and saw Violet Mystery Path Master steadily absorbing the boundless power of Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds].

As he continued his absorption, moments later, divine rings of Merit unfurled behind his head, numbering well over one hundred and eighty.

"How can there be so many?"

Eldrin Chen was inwardly startled and could not help but utter in astonishment.

Seeing this, Violet Mystery Path Master smiled faintly and said, "Fellow Daoist, one can never have too much Pure Light of Merit."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback and inquired, "Please enlighten me."

"The Pure Light of Merit has myriad wondrous uses," he began. "It represents boundless Merit upon one's person. For us Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation], it not only serves as protection but also ensures that our future cultivation receives the favor and shelter of the Heavenly Path [the fundamental laws and principles governing the cosmos]."

As Violet Mystery Path Master explained in detail, Eldrin Chen came to understand the profound mysteries of the Pure Light of Merit.

Immortal who possess great Merit are typically those who have made significant contributions to their world. They have either guarded heaven and earth, regulated the Earth Vein [the spiritual energy channels that flow through the land] and its mountains and rivers, or have slain Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who pursue power through evil and destructive means] who brought calamity upon the world.

A modest amount of Pure Light of Merit [a manifestation of accumulated virtuous deeds and good karma] might not seem like much, but an Immortal who possesses great Merit [a metaphysical measure of one's virtuous deeds and positive karma] naturally gains the favor of the Heavenly Path Will [the conscious will or intent of the Heavenly Dao, the cosmic order].

"If one condenses a single Merit Violet Light [a higher-order manifestation of accumulated merit, appearing as a violet radiance], then breaking through cultivation bottlenecks will feel as if aided by heaven itself."

"Even for condensing a Primordial Unity Path Fruit [a foundational fruit of cultivation representing the unity of one's primordial essence], its wondrous effects are no less than Fortune Path Gold [a legendary substance said to bring immense fortune and aid in cultivation], capable of increasing one's chance of success by a full ten percent for no apparent reason."

Violet Mystery Path Master spoke slowly, explaining thus.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally understood the marvelous utility of Merit power and comprehended why Violet Mystery Path Master had dared to venture into the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a perilous sea within the Nether Abyss, a realm of punishment and torment] seven times.

The reason Violet Mystery Path Master had entered the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea seven consecutive times was precisely to obtain the power of the Pure Light of Merit.

By condensing one thousand strands of Pure Light of Merit, one can coalesce a single Merit Violet Light. Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, a Merit Violet Light is considered a supreme Light of Merit.

Generally speaking, even a great power at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm, who guards the Chaos Abyssal Chasm [a chasm bordering the primordial chaos] for ten million years, would only be able to condense a single Merit Violet Light.

With the aid of a Merit Violet Light, one gains the favor of the Heavenly Path [the Dao of Heaven, the supreme cosmic principle], increasing the chance of success by ten percent when condensing the first two types of Primordial Unity Path Fruit.

Furthermore, when attempting to condense the third type, the World-Opening Path Fruit [a Path Fruit representing the power to open or create a world], if one is willing to consume that Merit Violet Light, it can even attract a wisp of Heavenly Path Origin [the primordial origin energy of the Heavenly Dao] from the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, adding another ten percent chance of a successful breakthrough.

"Alas, the path to condensing the Merit Violet Light [a divine radiance formed from accumulated virtuous merit] is truly far too arduous."

Violet Mystery Path Master murmured softly, unable to suppress a faint sigh.

The most effective method to condense the Merit Violet Light is to first break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [a high-level immortal cultivation stage]. Then, one must guard within the Chaos Abyssal Chasm [a rift in reality bordering the primordial chaos], assisting the Vast Azure Immortal Domain in its continuous inhalation and exhalation of Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, formless energy from which all creation springs].

Beyond this, all other means of obtaining the Merit Violet Light are exceedingly rare.

While Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who follow unorthodox, often malevolent paths] carry boundless Karmic Sin Power [the metaphysical weight of evil deeds and negative karma], and slaying them can yield Merit [positive spiritual credit for virtuous acts], the more powerful a Demonic Cultivator's Karmic Sin Power grows, the more difficult they become to vanquish.