Chapter 1475 : A Prodigy's Gratitude and Ancient Treasures

"What charm does this Returning Abyss Path Master possess, that he can move these individuals to act on his behalf?"

Observing the battlefield below, Earth Void Path Master could not help but voice his confusion.

With a serene expression, Glazed Divine Lord spoke calmly, "The Returning Abyss Path Master possesses a heaven-defying talent. He has the potential to one day step into the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals], and even ascend to the Great Encompassing [the supreme realm of the Great Encompassing, the pinnacle of cultivation]."

"What is even rarer is that he never forgets his roots. Once he achieved success in his cultivation, he unfailingly offered guidance and assistance to all those who had shown him kindness or shared a bond of friendship."

"Such a prodigiously talented individual, who also understands gratitude and repays kindness, is someone even we would wish to befriend, let alone these old friends who already share a connection with him."

"I see."

Hearing this, Earth Void Path Master nodded slightly. His gaze rested on the battlefield, a flicker of desire to befriend the man warring with his own pride, which held him back from making the first move.

But at that moment, the Great Roc Demon Emperor revealed a covetous glint in his eyes. "Four of the Nine Dragon Ancient Cauldron [legendary cauldrons forged with the essence of nine dragons] have already reappeared in the mortal realm. If one could obtain those four and then seize the Golden Dragon Ancient Cauldron [the cauldron forged with golden dragon essence], they could be fused into a single Five Dragon Ancient Cauldron [a supreme cauldron forged with the essence of five dragons]."

"With such a treasure right before our eyes, even I am tempted."

Glazed Divine Lord's eyes turned frosty. "The one from the Immortal Court [the celestial governing body of immortals] has already made his stance clear: any Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has taken half a step into the Celestial Immortal Realm] who dares to intervene will be making an enemy of him. If you desire it so much, you are welcome to try and take it."

Hearing this, the Great Roc Demon Emperor [a powerful demonic sovereign with the form of a giant mythical bird] showed a slight chill on his face, then sneered coldly, "That Golden Dragon Ancient Cauldron [an ancient, powerful artifact forged in the shape of a dragon] is in the hands of the Western Metal Patriarch [a legendary figure associated with the element of metal in the west]. Those who possess these four ancient cauldrons have all formed Karma [a binding cause-and-effect relationship] with the Western Metal Patriarch."

"Even if this Returning Abyss Path Master [a master of the profound and abyssal cultivation path] manages to defend two of the ancient cauldrons, when the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial faced by powerful cultivators] descends, I fear the danger will be immense. If you still wish to protect him, be careful not to get dragged down yourself."

At these words, the void fell into a moment of profound silence, and the expression of the Glazed Divine Lord [a divine lord known for his crystalline, unyielding nature] grew noticeably colder.

"And what if I insist on protecting him?"

It was then that the Myriad Spirit Patriarch, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

Upon hearing this, the Great Roc Demon Emperor could not help but change his expression.

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch before them was the most ancient Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm] still living within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and profound sea region in the western realms].

Rumors held that he had lived for eighty million years; within the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a boundless realm of immortal cultivation], he was counted among the most venerable of Earth Immortal [cultivators who have transcended mortality and merged their essence with the world].

An Earth Immortal of such antiquity possessed a depth of cultivation that was truly unfathomable.

Although the Myriad Spirit Patriarch had rarely taken action since achieving his Dao, the World-Opening Ranking [a prestigious list ranking the most powerful beings in the realm] of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain still placed him in the second position, far surpassing the former Western Abyss Dragon King and the Divine Lord of Ye Ruins.

More crucially, the backing behind Myriad Spirit Patriarch was an Ancient Immortal Great Power whose might shook the very foundations of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

That great power from the Spirit Race was an ancient Innate Ancient Tree that had taken human form, reigning as the foremost powerhouse among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races.

With such formidable backing, even the Divine Abyss Grotto-Heaven and the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven had to show Myriad Spirit Patriarch a measure of respect, not daring to move against him lightly.

It could be said that Myriad Spirit Patriarch was one of the most untouchable existences within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

With this in mind, the Great Roc Demon Emperor became exceedingly courteous. After a respectful cupped-fist salute, he immediately withdrew and departed.

Watching him leave, Myriad Spirit Patriarch waved a hand, signaling for Earth Void Path Master to take his leave as well.

Once he was gone, Myriad Spirit Patriarch turned his gaze to Glazed Divine Lord and inquired, "How fares your injury?"

Glazed Divine Lord replied, "It is no longer a serious concern. A period of quiet recuperation should suffice for a full recovery."

Myriad Spirit Patriarch gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "Among the Hundred Spirit Immortal Clan," he began, "our Spirit Race and the Immortal Clam Clan are both of peaceful disposition. Our relationship has always been among the closest and most harmonious."

"Originally, this old man was reluctant to intervene in this affair. However, as the Ancient Progenitor has foretold, the time for the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth draws near."

"This impending Great Tribulation is far too perilous. If we do not make our moves within it, and if our adversaries ascend to the Great Encompassing Realm, there will likely be no place for us left within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Upon hearing this, Glazed Divine Lord nodded slightly, then spoke with a hint of hesitation, "You have faith in him?"

Myriad Spirit Patriarch remained silent for a long moment before replying, "If my judgment is correct, that individual has at least opened up a Twelve-Layered Heaven and Earth [a foundation of supreme quality, representing twelve layers of perfected spiritual and worldly essence]."

"With such a foundation, even if he cannot shatter the Ninefold Heavenly Pass [the nine legendary barriers to ultimate ascension] during this coming Opportunity and Fortune, he can still cultivate to the Celestial Immortal Realm."

"As long as he achieves Celestial Immortal through the Three Primordial Unity Path Fruits [a supreme method of cultivation that unifies the three primordial energies], then a Celestial Immortal with the potential to reach Great Encompassing will not be someone the Immortal Court would allow to perish within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Speaking to this point, Myriad Spirit Patriarch looked towards Eldrin Chen and continued, "The moment I had Serene Child follow him, I had already placed my piece upon his board."

"The Celestial Mechanism [the inscrutable workings of fate and destiny] surrounding him is unfathomable. In my view, his destiny certainly does not end at the Celestial Immortal Realm."

"..."

Of the matters unfolding in the void above, Eldrin Chen was largely unaware.

At this moment, he was channeling the Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron to contend against the Yellow Dragon Ancient Cauldron, while his companions engaged in a fierce and rare confrontation with Azure Dragon Lord and the others.

"The tide of events cannot be forced."

Amidst the great battle, Azure Dragon Lord surveyed the chaotic melee, a chilling glint flashing deep within his eyes.

Although he had come bearing the Azure Dragon Ancient Cauldron, he had failed to gain an absolute advantage against Eldrin Chen and his allies in this clash.

The most critical factor was that Eldrin Chen had summoned Seven Mystery Path Master, whose Eightfold Heavenly Dragon Diagram was extraordinarily potent. The eight Heavenly Dragon [celestial serpents of immense power] it unleashed were each comparable to a Late Stage Earth Immortal in strength.

Most crucially, these eight Heavenly Dragon could combine to form the Eightfold Heavenly Dragon Grand Formation, a formation powerful enough to suppress one or even two cultivators at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm.

After the fierce battle raged for a considerable time, the Dark Great Roc Demon King [a mighty demonic bird king], seeing the situation was untenable, immediately withdrew with his Dark Great Roc Bird Clan.

"Hmph—"

Watching the Dark Great Roc forces retreat, Azure Dragon Lord's expression turned frosty. With a face like iron, he finally departed, taking the Azure Dragon Ancient Cauldron with him.

Witnessing this, the Central Bulwark Earth Divine Spirit [a divine spirit embodying the steadfast earth element] cast a profound glance at Eldrin Chen and spoke, "To hold two ancient cauldrons is both Opportunity and Fortune and Karma [the inescapable chain of cause and effect]."

"I hope you do not lose your life for the sake of these two cauldrons."

With those final words, the Central Bulwark Earth Divine Spirit [a powerful innate divine spirit embodying the essence of the central earth element] used the Yellow Dragon Ancient Cauldron [an ancient, supreme defensive treasure forged in the shape of a dragon cauldron] to block the combined attacks of the group. Astonishingly, he emerged unscathed and fought his way out from their very midst.

"Such formidable Divine Clan [a clan or lineage of beings born with divine power and status]," someone murmured in awe.

Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath, his expression turning grave with solemnity.

Descending from the Nine Heavens Above [the highest, most sacred layers of the celestial realm], Violet Mystery Path Master spoke with a tone of helpless envy, "That Central Bulwark Earth Divine Spirit was already peerless in defense. With the Yellow Dragon Ancient Cauldron in hand, he is like a tiger that has grown wings [a Chinese idiom meaning immensely empowered]."

"Henceforth, I fear even an ordinary Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has nearly ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] would find it difficult to subdue him."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, understanding nod.

This Violet Mystery Path Master had walked the path for many years and had clashed with the Central Bulwark Earth Divine Spirit on three separate occasions. This recent battle was the first time he had found himself at a disadvantage.

Eldrin Chen estimated his own combat power to be roughly at the level of an ordinary Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm]. Yet, merely wielding the Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron [an ancient cauldron treasure imbued with black dragon essence] made him feel his strength was now on par with that of the Violet Mystery Path Master.

From this, one could see just how immense the boost a single World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a legendary artifact of the highest grade, said to possess power capable of shaping worlds] could provide to an Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivator.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen clasped his hands in salute towards Violet Mystery Path Master and the other fellow cultivators. "The favor shown today," he declared, "will be remembered by Returning Abyss [Eldrin's title and the name of his domain, symbolizing a return to profound origins]."

"In the days to come, should any of you have need, Returning Abyss will also lend its full strength to assist."