Chapter 1472 : The Impure Sword's Dilemma

Eldrin Chen pondered inwardly, his brow furrowing slightly once more.

To achieve the fusion of the twin swords and synthesize the power of the Primordial Unity Path Patterns [the fundamental patterns of unified cosmic law] was an exceedingly difficult feat.

Forging the Primordial Unity Path Patterns through such a fusion demanded not only specific materials and formation patterns within the Immortal Sword [a sword forged by and for Immortals], but first and foremost required the formation patterns within the Immortal Sword to be of the utmost purity and clarity.

Upon careful reflection, Eldrin Chen's Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword] was initially forged and refined using 'Millennial Crimson Iron' [a fiery iron ore tempered for a thousand years].

In its subsequent ascensions, it had been fused with seven or eight different Immortal Metal Divine Objects [divine metals used by Immortals], including Solar Fire Crystal, Ancient Crimson Flame Iron, Violet Flame Heavenly Gold, and Verdant Flame Immortal Gold.

Although these Immortal Metal Divine Objects were all rare treasures of the fire attribute, each possessed its own unique path patterns.

As they were continuously integrated into the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword, they amplified the sword's might, but they also gradually introduced impurities and complexity into its internal formation patterns.

These rare treasures, all belonging to the fire attribute, contained path patterns that were largely similar yet subtly distinct. This posed no issue for ordinary use, but if one sought to activate the fusion of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords], they would become the greatest obstacle.

Yet these path patterns were deeply etched into the very essence of the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword. Even the most powerful Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality] would find it nearly impossible to purge them completely.

Forcing their eradication would cause the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword to be destroyed on the spot. The Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword] faced the same predicament as its fiery counterpart.

"Refining the paired sword patterns is a minor matter; the true challenge lies in whether we can purify the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords," Eldrin murmured, a slight frown creasing his brow.

Yet, after a moment's contemplation, his eyes suddenly brightened with realization. "Could my Primordial One Limitless Rule Power [the foundational, all-encompassing energy of creation] cleanse the swords of their impure and chaotic array patterns entirely?"

"Leaving only the pristine Immortal Gold [a divine metal of unparalleled purity and resilience] as their base material. Then, I could inscribe the principles of Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the supreme yang flame of the primordial sun] and Profound Darkness True Water [the ultimate yin essence of profound darkness] upon them, forming the Slaughter [the principle of absolute annihilation] array patterns within the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords?"

The idea stirred within Eldrin's heart, and a flicker of eager anticipation crossed his features.

Without a moment's hesitation, he began to channel his Primordial One Limitless Rule Power, attempting to wash away the power of the Dao patterns embedded within the swords.

For a long while, Eldrin repeatedly cleansed the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword with his Primordial One Limitless Rule [the supreme law of unified origin], managing to purify over ninety percent of its Dao patterns.

Finally, with mixed feelings of success and limitation, he shook his head calmly. "My current mastery of the Primordial One Limitless Rule is still somewhat insufficient. To cleanse further would risk damaging the Immortal Sword's very foundation."

"However, once my Primordial One Limitless Rule reaches perfection, I should be able to completely purge the impurities from the sword without harming the Immortal Sword itself," he concluded, the thought firming his resolve.

With this plan in mind, Eldrin turned his attention to his other treasures. With meticulous care, he used the same power to cleanse the useless and chaotic Dao patterns from the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword, the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell, the Polarity Void Mirror, and the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne.

Each artifact hummed softly as layers of discordant energy were stripped away, their innate brilliance gradually restored under the patient, purifying flow of his supreme rule power.

After completing this step, he then engraved the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the supreme flame of the primordial sun] and the Profound Darkness True Water Rule [the law governing the profound and dark essence of true water] onto the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords.

In truth, having cultivated to Eldrin Chen's current realm, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords had long been altered by him beyond recognition.

The power of the formation patterns within them had undergone countless iterations since their inception, making the name Celestial Abyss Twin Swords wholly unsuitable.

Strictly speaking, the current blades should more aptly be named the 'Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame Sword' and the 'Profound Darkness True Water Sword'.

However, these Celestial Abyss Twin Swords had followed him for hundreds of thousands of years, cleaving through thorns and slaying countless foes. Eldrin Chen could not bear to give them new names.

After re-engraving the formation patterns, Eldrin Chen found the power of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords had increased somewhat, and they resonated more perfectly with his Rule Power [the power derived from comprehending and wielding a fundamental law of the cosmos].

Although they still could not merge into one, their potency among High-Grade World-Opening Treasure [supreme treasures capable of splitting open worlds] should now rank them as Upper-Grade Immortal Sword.

With Eldrin Chen's current level of spiritual power, augmented by the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame and the Profound Darkness True Water Rule, a single strike from either of these Immortal Sword should rival an attack from a cultivator at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm].

Having accomplished this, Eldrin Chen proceeded further, imprinting the rules of the Primordial One Ancient Metal [the primordial metal representing unity and foundation] and the Myriad Things Earth [the law of earth that nurtures all things] into the Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell.

He then imprinted the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame, the Profound Darkness True Water, and the Spatial Law [the fundamental law governing space and dimensions] into the Polarity Void Mirror, fusing them with the treasure's essence.

And upon that Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a throne of spiritual lotus that stores and refines vital energy], Eldrin Chen inscribed his own Rule of Life Power [a profound law governing the power of life and vitality].

After completing all this, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt a vague premonition. Perhaps one day, his five Lifebound Supreme Treasure [supreme magical treasures bound to one's life and cultivation] could be combined into a single, heaven-shaking, epoch-defying Formation Artifact [a set of artifacts designed to work together as a grand formation].

"Five supreme treasures, combined into one formation?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of doubt crossing his expression.

Yet, after a long while, he shook his head. Although his five treasures corresponded to the five types of Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual affinities that determine a cultivator's elemental talents], they were not purely elemental artifacts.

If each of his Immortal Treasure [a treasure of immortal grade] corresponded to a single element—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth respectively—he could already deploy them as a terrifying Formation Artifact. But over the years of cultivation, Eldrin Chen's Five Lifebound Immortal Treasures [the five immortal-grade treasures bound to his life essence] had each assumed distinct roles and could not be easily altered.

"Typically, a set of Formation Artifact consists of identical pieces," he mused. "Like a Formation Flag [a flag used to anchor and control a formation] composed of multiple identical flags, or a killing formation comprised of several identical Immortal Sword [swords of immortal grade]. Even the Vast Sea Divine Pearl Grand Formation [a grand formation utilizing divine pearls] is nurtured from multiple identical Vast Sea Divine Pearl [divine pearls containing vast sea essence]."

"But among my five treasures, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [twin swords embodying celestial and abyssal power] are primarily for Slaughter [the divine art of slaughter and destruction]. The Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell [a sovereign bell embodying the unyielding power of earth] is a supreme defensive treasure. The Polarity Void Mirror [a mirror that manipulates the polarity of void and reality] is my foremost auxiliary treasure. And the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne is a special treasure for storing and refining energy."

"With such diverse functions, how could these five treasures ever be synthesized into a single formation?"

He pondered this conundrum, the grand vision clashing with the practical realities of his meticulously cultivated arsenal.

Eldrin Chen ultimately shook his head. Perhaps one day, when he reached a certain lofty height, he might find a method, but at his current level, it was utterly beyond his grasp.

With this thought, he set aside his contemplations and immediately began to retrieve various types of Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and corrupting form of spiritual power] to refine the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords.

Previously, within the Demonfall Continent, he had gathered a considerable amount of Fiendish Energy, sufficient to refine the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords to the Primordial Unity [the foundational stage of weapon refinement where the treasure's spirit and form become one] stage of the Weapon-Condensing Path, even though they were Eighth Rank High-Grade treasures.

Thus, another several thousand years passed. By the time Eldrin Chen had completely finished the meticulous refinement of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, he discovered their power had increased significantly.

Their Slaughter [a divine ability focused on absolute destruction and killing intent] power, while still not matching that of a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest order, capable of shaping worlds], should now rank among the very pinnacle of High-Grade World-Opening Treasure.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen freed up the 'Counter-Scale Dragon-Slaying Sword' and the 'Infernal Prison War Halberd', handing them respectively to Ethan Chen and Energy Abyss Chen.

"Now that my Lifebound Supreme Treasure [a cultivator's most intimately connected and powerful magical treasure, grown with their own essence] have all ascended to the High-Grade, these two treasures are of little further use to me."

"Both of you now possess combat prowess comparable to a Seventh Level Earth Immortal, yet lack truly suitable weapons. Take one each to serve as your ultimate protective treasures."

Upon hearing this, Ethan Chen immediately accepted the Counter-Scale Dragon-Slaying Sword, his expression solemn as he said, "I thank the Clan Uncle for this generous gift. Ethan will remember this kindness."

Energy Abyss Chen, however, had a faint gleam in his eyes. He took the Infernal Prison War Halberd and swung it through the air a few times, then nodded in satisfaction. "This war halberd is indeed well-suited. I shall take it to refine."

"As for the family's Merits [a metaphysical system of credits representing one's contributions and destiny within the clan], we'll just have to owe them to you for now."

"Come to think of it, the debts of gratitude I owe you have quietly grown more numerous."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and spoke, "You, Patriarch, are one of the clan's Heaven-Propping Pillars [a metaphorical term for a foundational and irreplaceable figure]. There's no need for such formality between us."