Chapter 1471 : Ascendant Clans of the Abyss

As for the combat prowess of Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang, it was such that they could directly step into the domain of Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm].

Among them, Eldrin Chen was comparable to an Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivator of the Sixfold Heaven [a measure of foundational strength and potential], while Exquisite Jiang's foundation was slightly weaker by half a step, only matching an Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivator of the Fivefold Heaven—essentially reaching the threshold of that supreme realm.

Their clan now boasted nine combatants with the power of Late Stage Earth Immortal [the third and final major stage of the Earth Immortal realm], including two with the strength of the Eighth Level Earth Immortal [a specific tier within the Late Stage] and two with power rivaling Earth Immortal Great Perfection.

Such profound depth and foundation would be enough to rank within the top fifty among the over one thousand Blessed Land [a territory suffused with potent spiritual energy, superior to a Grotto-Heaven] within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, firmly placing them among the top-tier Blessed Land.

Aside from those thirty-some supreme Blessed Land that possessed Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] experts, the Chen Immortal Clan could be said to stand at the pinnacle of the highest echelon.

Even the Violet Mystery Blessed Land of Violet Mystery Path Master, which possessed twelve Earth Immortal powerhouses, might find it uncertain which was stronger when compared to the Returning Abyss Blessed Land with its nine combatants of Late Stage Earth Immortal caliber.

At this thought, smiles blossomed on everyone's faces.

After a long while, Eternal Profound Chen suppressed the excitement in his heart and inquired, "Now that you have broken through to Middle Stage Earth Immortal [the second major stage of the Earth Immortal realm], should we move against the Flowing Fire Star Palace?"

"Not yet."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a slight frown creasing his brow. "The Cosmic Stellar Formation [a grand defensive array harnessing stellar energies] was, after all, laid down by the Master of Flowing Fire. With our current strength, attempting to breach it would be far too risky."

"Our most pressing task now is undoubtedly the restoration of these two ancient cauldrons, the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron and the Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Eternal Verdancy Chen stroked his long beard thoughtfully before speaking. "The Black Dragon Suppressing World Cauldron is within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, and the location of that blessed land is known to only a select few at present."

"Furthermore, the Returning Abyss Sea Region is protected by the Cosmic Stellar Formation, so its security should not be a major concern."

"However, the defensive capabilities within the Lingering Sun Sea Region are far inferior to those of our homeland. This matter requires careful consideration."

His words were met with nods of understanding from the group, who recognized the soundness of Eternal Verdancy Chen's reasoning.

The restoration of a World-Opening Supreme Treasure would certainly not attract the covetous gaze of Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace alone.

Among the three Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators who held grudges against Eldrin Chen, the Extinction Thunder God remained unaware of their enmity, the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace had already been ensnared and perished, and the Heavenly Fiend Clan Patriarch was now lying low, unwilling to act.

Other Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators, having no prior grievances with Eldrin Chen, were unlikely to risk offending the master of the Western Abyss Immortal Court over a single World-Opening Supreme Treasure. However, several beings at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection level did harbor some enmity towards him.

The most likely to take action among them was the Dark Great Roc King. It was said that, based on the circumstances of the Young Master of Great Wasteland Celestial Crocodile's death, he had deduced that Eldrin Chen was likely the one who had slain the Dark Roc Prince.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before speaking. "Among the nine of us, one or two can remain to guard the Returning Abyss Sea Region."

"The rest shall accompany me to the Lingering Sun Blessed Land."

Seeing this, Verdant Consort could not help but ask, "Then who shall stay behind?"

Eldrin Chen considered for a moment, then declared, "Violet Consort shall preside over the Cosmic Stellar Formation, and Lila shall go to guard the Returning Abyss Blessed Land."

"There is no need." Exquisite Jiang shook her head and spoke. "My Second Primordial Spirit [a powerful spiritual clone or avatar] will soon advance to the late World-Opening stage. The Returning Abyss Blessed Land can be entrusted to its protection."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

During the years when Eldrin Chen was away, Exquisite Jiang's Second Primordial Spirit had spent most of its time stationed within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land.

Now that her cultivation had broken through, if her Second Primordial Spirit was refined to the late World-Opening stage, it would be more than sufficient to guard the Returning Abyss Blessed Land.

Seeing this was settled, Eldrin Chen nodded and added, "For the Crimson Dragon World-Suppressing Cauldron to fully recover will likely require another forty to fifty thousand years."

"However, to prevent any mishap with the ancient cauldron, I will depart immediately to stand guard at the Lingering Sun Blessed Land. The rest of you may continue your cultivation in peace; a slight delay on your part is acceptable."

"Very well."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, and the matter was thus settled.

With that, the meeting concluded. That very afternoon, Eldrin Chen arrived within the Lingering Sun Blessed Land. He took up residence there, both to guard the blessed land and to continue his life of secluded cultivation.

Within the Lingering Sun Blessed Land, Eldrin Chen first spent over ten thousand years and consumed a significant amount of resources from the Returning Abyss Great World to elevate all five of his Lifebound Supreme Treasure to the level of High-Grade World-Opening Treasure.

After their advancement, the power of his Five Lifebound Immortal Treasures had increased dramatically.

The addition of five new High-Grade World-Opening Treasure at once significantly enhanced Eldrin Chen's arsenal and combat prowess.

The only regret was that, having reached the Eighth Rank High-Grade level, the combined power of his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords was no longer sufficient to achieve a qualitative leap.

Although the path of dual-sword union was formidable, it was, after all, a technique that could be cultivated as early as the Violet Sanctum realm. At higher realms, it had gradually become somewhat of a liability, its utility diminishing.

This was also true for Eldrin Chen's Celestial Abyss Twin Swords. He discovered that after activating the Sky-Severance Sword Union, while the power of the twin swords increased considerably, it seemed to hit an invisible barrier.

Once their power reached the absolute limit of the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm, it appeared to be constrained by some ultimate boundary, making it exceedingly difficult to advance any further.

"It is constrained by the material, and also insufficient in its Dao patterns [the mystical inscriptions that define an artifact's properties and power]."

Eldrin Chen murmured these words inwardly, then could not help but shake his head slightly.

Upon reaching the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm], to undergo the ultimate transformation and advance further, one must begin to touch upon the power of the Primordial Unity Realm [the legendary realm of primordial chaos and oneness].

The reason an Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [an immortal weapon forged with Primordial Unity power] is called such is not merely due to its peerless material, but most crucially because it contains within it a complete 'Primordial Unity Path Principle' [a fundamental law or axiom of the Primordial Unity Path].

And a 'Primordial Unity Path Principle' is condensed from 'Primordial Unity Path Patterns' [fragmentary manifestations of Primordial Unity power], which themselves are formed from a minuscule wisp of Primordial Unity power.

It is said that each complete 'Primordial Unity Path Principle' is condensed from three 'Primordial Unity Path Patterns'.

The fundamental reason a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure capable of creating or stabilizing a world] can become one is that it has evolved and given birth to Primordial Unity Path Patterns within itself.

Among the World-Opening Supreme Treasure of the vast majority of Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have taken half a step into the Celestial Immortal realm], they can be roughly subdivided into three grades: One-Pattern, Two-Pattern, and Three-Pattern, containing one, two, and three Primordial Unity Path Patterns respectively.

Among these three supreme treasures, the One-Pattern World-Opening Supreme Treasure is typically forged by the majority of single Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of a particular Dao Path] Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

The power of a Two-Pattern World-Opening Supreme Treasure does not represent a qualitative leap over the former, but its potency is nonetheless greater by twenty percent.

The Three-Rune World-Opening Supreme Treasure is considered a pinnacle specimen among World-Opening Supreme Treasure, even qualifying as a pseudo-Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a legendary weapon of the highest order, one step below a true Primordial Unity artifact]. Its power surpasses that of a single-rune World-Opening Supreme Treasure by fifty percent.

The sole distinction between such a supreme treasure and a true Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon lies in the fact that its three Dao-runes [patterns of cosmic law] have not fused into a singular Primordial Unity Path Principle [the ultimate, unified law of creation]. Consequently, it has not undergone the ultimate metamorphosis, and its power is only about half that of a genuine Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon.

Returning to the main point, the reason the combined might of Eldrin Chen's Celestial Abyss Twin Swords does not reach the level of a World-Opening Supreme Treasure is fundamentally due to insufficient power within the array patterns inscribed upon this pair of Immortal Sword [swords forged and imbued with immortal power].

Even when these two Immortal Sword are united, they fail to briefly manifest a single Primordial Unity Path Patterns [the visible manifestation of the unified cosmic law]. Therefore, they can never truly rival a World-Opening Supreme Treasure.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Unless I can continuously refine and perfect both Immortal Sword, making them more flawlessly compatible, achieving a state where their union is itself perfect and without flaw."

"Otherwise, this ultimate trump card, the Sky-Severance Sword Union [the Heaven-Cleaving Sword Fusion technique], will likely never again manifest itself upon this mortal realm."