Chapter 1583 : The Receding Divine Sea

Had it not been for both Eldrin Chen and Zixuan the Daoist descending to the lower realm to deal with the Demon Sovereign, this Central Earth Spirit Deity would have found achieving the Dao [attaining the highest state of enlightenment and power] to be an immensely more difficult, if not impossible, endeavor.

Lyra Jiang understood this as well, nodding in agreement. "The timing of his breakthrough was exceedingly Exquisite [perfectly precise and opportune]," she remarked. "It is highly likely he sought the counsel of a master diviner to calculate the moment of least peril for his ascension to the Dao."

"Consider him fortunate, then."

Eldrin Chen spoke with a calm demeanor, then paused thoughtfully. "Upon my return, I observed that the waters of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea have receded significantly."

Lyra Jiang nodded, her expression turning grave. "Indeed. A great drought has gripped the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea. Compared to several hundred thousand years ago, the sea level has fallen by more than ten percent."

It transpired that over these years, the vast expanse of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea had seen its sea level drop by over ten percent.

One must understand that the continents of an Immortal Domain [a realm suffused with immortal energy and home to cultivators] are boundless, and the seabed of such a vast ocean varies tremendously in elevation, with depths reaching hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Now, with the sea level lowered by a tenth, the number of Immortal Mountain [mountains imbued with potent spiritual energy] and wondrous islands emerging from the depths was beyond count.

In many areas where the seabed was shallow, the ocean had literally transformed into mulberry fields, giving rise to new continents stretching for countless hundreds of millions of Li-lengths.

Upon these newborn lands, rare treasures that had lain buried in the seabed for eons were revealed to the world. The concentration of Water Essence Power [the fundamental energy of the water element] on these continents diminished drastically. Conversely, the primordial energies of fire, metal, wood, and earth, which had been suppressed by the Water Essence Power for countless ages, began to stir and recover. As the world's vital energies cycled and realigned, numerous Earth Vein [dragon lines or ley lines of concentrated earth energy] manifested across the land. Among them were many precious and exotic treasures, sparking fierce competition and numerous conflicts among the great Immortal Sect [organizations dedicated to immortal cultivation] and Blessed Land [realms of exceptional spiritual abundance]. This chapter appears courtesy of audio_novel.com.

"For billions of years, the Abyssal Pearl has absorbed the greater part of the vital essence of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and profound sea in the immortal realm]." "Who would have thought that now, as the Water Essence Power [the fundamental power of the water element] is being devoured, the Five Elements [the five fundamental forces of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] essence of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea gradually returns to balance, making the sea itself grow more bountiful instead." Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his eyes thoughtful as he pondered this revelation.

The seabed of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea had remained virtually untouched by true development for those same billions of years.

A premonition stirred within him. Once the waters of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea began to slowly recede and countless seabeds were laid bare, it would unveil a treasure trove of staggering, unprecedented wealth.

By that time, he suspected, even the great Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained paradise realm for cultivation] powers of the Six Celestial Domains of the Western Pole would find it impossible to remain idle.

As the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea gradually withered, a great turmoil spanning hundreds of thousands, even millions of years, would likely begin to unfold.

"Influenced by the desiccation of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, perhaps within this Dao Tribulation [a cosmic calamity testing the Dao and fate of all beings], the sea will become a core focal point of the Great Tribulation [the ultimate, era-defining catastrophe]."

Eldrin Chen whispered these thoughts to himself, a shadow of gravity passing over his features.

Noticing his expression, Lyra Jiang inquired, "What is it?"

"It's nothing. Just pondering some matters."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. The matter of the Abyssal Pearl was of paramount importance. He dared not reveal it to Lyra Jiang, lest it be sensed by those Ancient Immortals [beings who have achieved immortality in ages past] or even existences at the Great Luo [a supreme realm of cultivation, one step below the Dao Ancestor] level.

However, over these years, Eldrin Chen had long since given Lyra Jiang subtle hints.

It could be said that Lyra Jiang vaguely understood and was aware that Eldrin Chen must possess a Heavy Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact of immense power] in his hands.

Understanding that Eldrin Chen could not speak of it directly, Lyra Jiang inquired no further. With a gentle smile, she said, "Since that is the case, you should focus on your cultivation first and achieve a breakthrough to the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm]."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. He then remained within the Starry Glazed Realm [a mystical formation realm resembling a starry, crystalline void] and began his secluded, intensive cultivation.

This period of seclusion passed swiftly, spanning eight Millennium [a unit of time representing one thousand years]. Only then did Eldrin Chen slowly open his eyes within the Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed meditation and cultivation].

He calmly sensed the state of his internal Earth Immortal World [the miniature world cultivated within an Earth Immortal's dantian, the foundation of their power]. A slight nod of satisfaction followed. Years of arduous cultivation had resulted in the World's Primordial Qi [the foundational, primordial energy of a cultivated world] within his Earth Immortal World becoming perfectly full and abundant. The time for a breakthrough had arrived.

Thus, Eldrin Chen did not delay. He retrieved an ancient elixir and slowly consumed it.

The ancient pill he ingested this time was once again the Dragon-Phoenix Ascension Pill [a legendary pill that aids in ascending through cultivation realms, embodying the essence of dragon and phoenix]. With Eldrin Chen's profound foundation and the assistance of the Dragon-Phoenix Ascension Pill, breaking through to the Earth Immortal Nine Layers [the ninth and final layer of the Earth Immortal realm] would be as natural as water flowing downhill.

"Rumble—"

With a thunderous roar that shook the heavens and the earth, Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World [the inner cosmos cultivated by an Earth Immortal] expanded, becoming even more vast and boundless, while the stellar worlds beyond the firmament underwent a profound and ultimate transformation.

When the commotion finally subsided, Eldrin Chen discovered that the Heaven and Earth Origin [the foundational energy of one's inner world] within him had surged by half. Furthermore, within his dantian [the core energy center in the lower abdomen], there now resided a full thirteen strands of Primordial Chaos Essence [condensed seeds of primordial chaos energy], and his Mana [the spiritual energy used to cast arts and techniques] had undergone a tremendous metamorphosis.

"Thirteen strands of Primordial Chaos Essence."

Sensing the Heaven and Earth Origin Power [the power derived from one's inner world foundation] flowing within him, a joyful glint sparked in Eldrin Chen's eyes.

Consider this: even an Earth Immortal Nine Layers [the ninth and final layer of the Earth Immortal realm] cultivator who had broken through the Sixfold Heavens [a specific, high-tier foundation within the Earth Immortal realm] would, upon advancing to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a transitional state between Earth Immortal and true Celestial Immortal], be able to condense no more than twelve strands of Primordial Chaos Essence at most.

Yet Eldrin Chen, merely at the Earth Immortal Nine Layers, already possessed thirteen strands. This clearly indicated that the depth and potency of his Mana was already comparable to a weaker Half-Step Celestial Immortal who possessed a Single Taiyi Foundation [a specific, powerful type of foundational energy]. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel.com.

If one factored in the amplification provided by the Flood Water Azure Lotus Platform [a magical treasure shaped like a lotus platform], Eldrin Chen estimated that the profoundness of his Mana would be nearly on par with an Eighth Heaven [the eighth layer] cultivator who also possessed a Single Taiyi Foundation.

It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen had previously deduced that, as long as he broke through to the Earth Immortal Nine Layers, his Earth Immortal World would be capable of sustaining a single Taiyi Ancient Tree [an ancient, spiritually potent tree].

For upon reaching the Earth Immortal Nine Layers, his Earth Immortal World would have already attained a level rivaling that of a Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen immediately directed his divine sense into the Earth Immortal World, turning his attention inward to observe the state of his own Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation that determines cultivation aptitude].

Within Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World [the personal world cultivated by an Earth Immortal], there now grew three Supreme Grade World-Opening Spiritual Root [spiritual roots of the highest grade, capable of supporting the foundation of a world]. These three supreme spiritual roots were the Immortal Peach Tree, the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree, and the Gale God-Slaying Gourd.

These three ancient trees were of extraordinary value. Ever since they absorbed the Acquired Primordial Origin Qi [a primordial energy acquired after the formation of the universe], their latent potential had reached the level of a Taiyi Ancient Tree [an ancient tree of the Taiyi grade, a legendary tier of spiritual flora].

Next, Eldrin Chen only needed to use the Innate Spiritual Water [water born of innate spiritual essence] from the Primordial Qi Vase of Heaven and Earth to elevate all three ancient trees to the Taiyi Ancient Tree grade.

However, deciding which tree to prioritize for advancement left Eldrin Chen in a state of hesitation. Among the three, the Immortal Peach Tree could accelerate a cultivator's progress and increase their chances of breaking through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a quasi-immortal state just below the true Celestial Immortal realm].

Eldrin Chen had no doubt that once this tree ascended to the Taiyi Realm and transformed into a Ninth Rank Immortal Peach [a peach of the ninth rank, the pinnacle of immortal-grade fruits], its wondrous effects would be vastly enhanced.

The Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree, meanwhile, possessed even more profound and Mysterious Profound [deeply mysterious and profound] properties. Should this tree reach the Ninth Rank [the ninth and highest rank of cultivation realms], even a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme master among Heavenly Immortals] would covet it.

For Ninth Rank Enlightenment Tea could aid in cultivating Divine Ability [supernatural powers] and comprehending Dao Principles [the fundamental laws of the Dao], making it a treasure of immeasurable worth.

If Eldrin Chen possessed Ninth Rank Enlightenment Tea, he would have a sliver of a chance to deduce his Lifebound Divine Ability [a divine ability intrinsically linked to one's life and cultivation] to the Patriarch Grade [the grade of a founding patriarch, representing supreme mastery].

Furthermore, to comprehend the Primordial Chaos Limitless Dao Principle [the Dao principle of boundless, undifferentiated primordial chaos], he would likely require the assistance of Taiyi Enlightenment Tea.

Finally, the Gale God-Slaying Gourd was Eldrin Chen's ultimate trump card. He firmly believed that once this treasure ascended to a Taiyi Rare Treasure [a rare treasure of the Taiyi grade], its power would be sufficient to severely injure, or even slay, a great power with a Dual Taiyi Foundation [a foundation built upon two Taiyi-grade achievements].

If a cultivator with a Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme and exceptionally stable cultivation foundation] were to be ambushed by this treasure, there would even be a possibility of their fall. Faced with these three treasures, the question of which to choose first plunged Eldrin Chen into a moment of hesitation. "The Immortal Peach Tree [a divine tree whose fruit can greatly enhance a cultivator's cultivation base] increases cultivation base, the Enlightenment Tea [a legendary tea that can deepen one's comprehension of the Dao and unlock latent potential] enhances potential, while choosing the Gale God-Slaying Gourd [a powerful gourd-shaped treasure that unleashes devastating gales capable of slaying deities] would directly augment combat prowess. Which one should I advance first?"