Chapter 1460 : The Price of Celestial Ascent

The Violet Mystery Path Master spoke at length, finally concluding.

"In this way, the certainty for a Demonic Cultivator to break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial beings] increases by twenty to thirty percent for no reason, becoming far greater than that of the Immortal Path [the orthodox path of immortal cultivation]."

"Sacrifice the Earth Immortal World?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. If sacrificing the Earth Immortal World could increase the certainty of breaking through to the Celestial Immortal Realm, then many beings trapped at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a quasi-realm just below true Celestial Immortal] would likely do so.

Seeing this, the Violet Mystery Path Master nodded and said, "The Demonic Path's method of sacrificing worlds is, in essence, trading the world's origin essence for the possibility of personal advancement. It is not exclusive to the Demonic Path."

"Since ancient times, many Patriarch [a venerable title for a powerful senior cultivator] at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal have ultimately taken this step."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's brow creased further, and he inquired, "What were their outcomes?"

The Violet Mystery Path Master let out a cold laugh before speaking. "Some became entangled in karmic miasma [the negative spiritual residue of evil deeds]. Even after breaking through to the Celestial Immortal Realm, they became universally reviled within the Demonic Path."

"Others reside loftily within their Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket dimension], revered as the great power Patriarch of that Grotto-Heaven."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen understood.

Those without proper backing or lineage, even if they achieve a breakthrough, will inevitably become Demonic Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using malevolent, often forbidden methods].

Yet, those with powerful patrons, even if entangled in immense Karmic Sin Power [the corrupting spiritual residue of evil deeds], need only guard the Chaos Abyssal Chasm [a primordial rift between realms filled with chaotic energies] for tens of millions of years. By doing so, they can use the Pure Light of Merit [a radiant energy born from virtuous deeds and accumulated good karma] to suppress and conceal their karmic sins.

By that time, even if the world faces Oblivion [the ultimate end or dissolution of existence], they, having stepped into the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial beings, a major milestone in the cultivation path], would be powerful enough to serve as the supreme Patriarch [a venerable founding elder or leader] presiding over an entire Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket dimension of immense spiritual richness].

Of course, such Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being who has attained the Celestial Immortal realm] would be forced to follow the ancient cultivation methods. The depth and potency of their spiritual power would be notably weaker compared to a Celestial Immortal who has successfully elevated their internal Small Universe [a miniature cosmos cultivated within a practitioner's dantian, the foundation of their power].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen recalled another matter and could not help but inquire, "Elder Brother, do you know if the Western Abyss Dragon King achieved his Dao through this very method?"

Upon hearing this, Violet Mystery Path Master [a master of the Violet Mystery cultivation path] furrowed his brow slightly in thought. After a moment, he replied, "I heard that after the Western Abyss Dragon King broke through, a Karmic Sin Light [a baleful, visible manifestation of accumulated evil karma] blotted out the heavens and earth for millions upon millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters]."

"If my speculation is correct, he most likely also took this treacherous step."

Speaking to this point, Violet Mystery Path Master sighed once more and said, "An Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power and fate are tied to a specific world] who cultivates the Dual Primordial Unity Path Fruit [a supreme cultivation art focusing on the fusion of dual primordial energies], if lacking sufficient Opportunity and Fortune [the confluence of chance and destined luck crucial for advancement], will most likely have to sacrifice their entire Earth Immortal Great World to proceed."

"This is also one of the primary reasons why most beings who lay a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation stage based on dual primordial unity] remain forever trapped at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm."

Afterward, Violet Mystery Path Master shared much more with him, all of it being closely guarded secrets and arcane knowledge unknown to most.

As Eldrin Chen conversed with him, he discovered their personalities were quite compatible, and a sense of regret for not having met sooner blossomed between them.

After a long while, as the group prepared to part ways, Violet Mystery Path Master bid farewell to Eldrin Chen, saying, "This journey has yielded me no small gains, brother."

"I leave this item for you, worthy brother, as recompense for aiding me in that predicament."

So saying, Violet Mystery Path Master handed a treasure box to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen accepted the treasure without demur, simply stating, "My thanks, Elder Brother."

After bidding farewell to Violet Mystery Path Master, Eldrin Chen led his companions back towards the Returning Abyss Sea Region. Along the way, he opened the storage treasure box and found it contained a considerable number of rare treasures, their combined value likely reaching two million Immortal Source [a highly concentrated and pure form of spiritual energy used by high-level cultivators].

Witnessing this, Exquisite Jiang sighed, "Two million Immortal Source given so readily. Such is the magnanimity of a great power at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm]."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile. "It seems at the next Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare resources], we should be able to purchase a sufficient quantity of Galaxy Star Sand Pills [a type of cultivation pill that refines one's spiritual foundation using astral energies]."

"..."

With that, Eldrin Chen soon returned to the heart of the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

Upon his return to the clan, Eldrin Chen immediately summoned Lila, Violet Consort Yan, and others. He then inquired, "During our years of absence, has anything of great import occurred within the clan?"

"Nothing of major consequence,"

Lila replied, yet her expression grew solemn as she continued, "However, in recent years, the clan has had some friction with the Flowing Fire Star Palace."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, and a glint of gravity flashed in his eyes.

As the saying goes, one mountain cannot shelter two tigers; the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas likewise could not accommodate two supreme Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a land of profound spiritual energy, blessed by the earth and suitable for immortal cultivation].

In truth, Eldrin Chen had long anticipated that as the Chen Immortal Clan gradually rose to prominence, conflict with the Flowing Fire Star Palace was inevitable. Yet, he had not foreseen it arriving so swiftly.

After careful consideration, Eldrin Chen stated, "The enemy is strong, we are weak. For now, we must continue to bide our time and remain hidden."

"Issue the order: our clansmen must be strictly restrained. Avoid provoking any conflict with the Flowing Fire Star Palace at all costs."

Nyssa Qu nodded upon hearing this. "Understood. I will see to it."

Currently, the mortal and low-ranking cultivators within the clan were primarily from the lineage of Worthy Longevity Chen, most being descendants of Eldrin Chen and Nyssa Qu. The Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] managing affairs were largely grandchildren of Nyssa Qu and Eldrin Chen.

Having Nyssa Qu personally oversee the arrangements was indeed the most fitting course of action.

After confirming that no major events had befallen the clan, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Now that our Pure Light of Merit [a divine radiance accumulated through virtuous deeds] is sufficient, we shall enter seclusion to cultivate, striving to break through to the Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the fourth major stage of Earth Immortal cultivation] as swiftly as possible."

With those words, Eldrin Chen resumed his life of profound cultivation.

He first discreetly planted the Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [a legendary fruit said to aid in achieving primordial unity] within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, then returned to his usual cultivation routine.

In the ensuing years, Eldrin Chen discovered that within his and Exquisite Jiang's respective Earth Immortal World [the personal miniature world cultivated by an Earth Immortal], many of the World-Opening Spiritual Root [a type of spiritual plant bearing miraculous fruits] they had planted had borne ripe immortal fruits.

He harvested these fruits one by one. After refining the special ones, he began researching Elixir Formula [recipes for crafting cultivation-enhancing pills], successfully creating several types of Immortal Pill [pills that enhance an immortal's cultivation base] to boost cultivation, which subtly accelerated the growth of his own power.

Thus, time flowed on, and fifty thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

Then, on a certain day fifty millennia later, Eldrin Chen awoke within his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed cultivation], a faint smile gracing his lips.

"Two hundred thousand years have passed since I transcended the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial]. Finally, I have stepped into the Third Level Earth Immortal [the third tier of power within the Earth Immortal realm]."

Sensing the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the fundamental, chaotic energy from which heaven and earth were formed] within his inner world, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a soft sigh of relief.

To be fair, after breaking through to the Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal who has transcended the mortal coil and established their own foundational world] realm, the pace of an Immortal's cultivation progress becomes increasingly sluggish.

Previously, after refining various spiritual treasures and Path Source [a rare spiritual substance that aids in comprehending the fundamental laws of the cosmos], it took him seventy thousand years to advance from the First Layer Earth Immortal to the Second Level Earth Immortal Realm.

Now, despite having no shortage of resources, breaking through to the Third Level Earth Immortal still consumed one hundred and thirty thousand years. To cultivate to the peak of the Third Level Earth Immortal realm, he estimated it would likely require another one hundred and thirty thousand years.

"Relying solely on arduous cultivation seems insufficient; I will need the aid of Immortal Pill [elixirs of immense power that can drastically accelerate an immortal's cultivation] like the Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a legendary pill refined from the essence of celestial sand and starlight]," he mused.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep, undisturbed meditation and cultivation].

Upon concluding his seclusion, Eldrin Chen found Exquisite Jiang had been waiting for him for some time.

Seeing him, Exquisite Jiang spoke with a warm smile, "Congratulations, my husband. With this breakthrough to the Third Level Earth Immortal realm, your spiritual power has grown yet again."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a genuine smile gracing his features.

This advancement to the Third Level Earth Immortal realm had increased his reservoir of spiritual power by over thirty percent. While the quality of his energy saw little change, it significantly bolstered his endurance and staying power in prolonged engagements.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen replied with a light chuckle, "Merely a minor realm breakthrough, a step taken in due course. Have you not also made your own progress, my lady?"