Chapter 1490 : The Bamboo's Hidden Power

Yet even so, the Six Paths Bamboo had still not taken human form.

Eldrin Chen believed that if it were to take form now, its innate talent and potential would only be on par with a top-tier Divine Spirits. He intended to wait until it had at least metamorphosed into an Innate Ancient Tree [a primordial tree born of the world's essence, possessing immense spiritual power] before allowing it to manifest.

The gap between an Innate Ancient Tree and a Post-Heaven [referring to things formed after the creation of the world, as opposed to 'Innate' which means born with the world] ancient tree was vast. Once Serene Bamboo evolved into an Innate Serene Bamboo, its aptitude upon emerging into the world would be comparable to that of an Innate Divine Spirit [a divine being born from the primordial chaos of creation].

If it could advance even further, transforming into the legendary Innate Spiritual Root [a root of spiritual power born from the world's foundation] known as the Six Roots Serene Bamboo, then upon its birth, it would rival an Innate Heavenly God Being [a celestial deity of the highest order, born from the primal forces of heaven].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen looked at Serene Bamboo and asked, "I plan to journey to the Myriad Spirit Sea. Are you willing to accompany me?"

Upon hearing this, Serene Bamboo's light flickered faintly. After a long pause, it replied calmly, "Bamboo has a mortal enemy, a Celestial Immortal Great Power [an immensely powerful immortal cultivator] from the Depths of the Netherworld."

"Back then, Master's cultivation was not high enough to draw the attention of that Netherworld Great Power when he brought me out."

"If you take me back now and my aura is detected, Master would undoubtedly become the prime suspect for that Netherworld Great Power."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

He had long heard from Myriad Spirit Patriarch that Serene Bamboo's father, the Six Paths Bamboo, was once an existence at the Primordial Unity Realm [a legendary realm of cultivation representing the unity of all primal forces].

It contained six strands of Reincarnation Power [the profound power governing the cycle of rebirth], which is why, when he attempted his breakthrough into the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals], he was captured by a Celestial Immortal Realm master of an Underworld Court [a court of judgment in the underworld] from the Depths of the Netherworld [the profound and shadowy depths of the afterlife]. It is said that person later refined his Six Paths Bamboo [a mystical bamboo embodying the six paths of existence] true form into the Six Paths of Reincarnation Wells [a legendary treasure said to control the very wells of reincarnation].

With such profound Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect] involved, even if the risk of exposure by bringing him back was minuscule, Serene Bamboo was still unwilling to let him take that chance.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but inquire, "Who, exactly, was the one who slew your father all those years ago?"

Serene Bamboo pondered for a long moment before finally replying, "Karma Defilement Nether King [the Nether King who embodies the defilement of karma]."

Upon hearing this name, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

The Karma Defilement Nether King had established his path many eons ago. He was one of the Ten Great Nether Kings [the ten most powerful sovereigns of the underworld] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, and his cultivation was reputed to be among the most unfathomably deep within the entire Depths of the Netherworld.

Such an existence remained far, far beyond the reach of Eldrin Chen's current level of power.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen said, "Focus on your cultivation in peace. The matter of the Karma Defilement Nether King can wait. We will deal with it in time, when our strength is sufficient."

Having said his piece, Eldrin Chen did not linger.

He traversed the Boundless Void [the endless, starless expanse between realms] towards the Myriad Spirit Sea Region [a vast sea region teeming with spiritual energy and life]. Before long, he arrived within its shimmering expanse.

Unlike his previous visit, this time Eldrin Chen was no longer an Nameless figure. The moment he stepped into the territory of the Myriad Spirit Sea Region, two figures emerged to greet him.

The arrivals were a man and a woman, both powerful members of the Spirit Race at the Ninth Level Earth Immortal realm. The woman smiled upon seeing Eldrin Chen and asked, "Might you be Eldrin the Divine Lord?"

"Indeed, I am."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly and returned the greeting with a respectful cupped fist salute.

The woman smiled warmly and said, "The Patriarch requests your presence. Please, follow me."

As Eldrin Chen followed the pair, he learned along the way that the woman was named Willow Grace, a spirit born from a World-Opening Willow Tree. The man was White Brow Yang, a spirit born from a World-Opening Poplar Tree. Both possessed truly Extraordinary origins within the Spirit Race.

Guided by them deep into the heart of the Myriad Spirit Sea Region, Eldrin Chen finally beheld the Myriad Spirit Patriarch beneath the boughs of an ancient banyan tree.

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch gazed at Eldrin Chen with a gentle smile. "To think that in a mere two hundred thousand years, young friend, you have already laid the initial foundations of your Great Path. Your future potential is truly boundless."

"You honor me too much, Senior."

Eldrin Chen spoke with deference. After exchanging pleasantries with the Myriad Spirit Patriarch for a moment, he stated his purpose. "My visit today is upon the guidance of the Glazed Divine Lord. I have come to seek a medicinal elixir from you, Senior."

"For the Heaven Earth Profound Yellow [a legendary spiritual material embodying the essence of heaven and earth]?"

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch spoke slowly, instructing Willow Grace to bring forth a jade tray.

Resting upon that jade tray were precisely three priceless pieces of Heaven Earth Profound Yellow.

Gazing at the Heaven Earth Profound Yellow, Eldrin Chen immediately said with heartfelt desire, "Your discernment is as sharp as a torch, Senior. This junior is indeed in urgent need of this very item."

"Hmm."

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch gave a slight nod, then continued, "The value of a single piece of Heaven Earth Profound Yellow typically lies around one million eight hundred thousand Immortal Source [a high-grade spiritual crystal]. However, due to its extreme rarity, it is often a treasure one can only encounter by chance, not by seeking."

"If you are willing to do this old man a favor, I am willing to gift you these three pieces of Heaven Earth Profound Yellow freely."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, then inquired, "Might I ask, Senior, what exactly is this favor you require?"

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch did not answer immediately, instead posing a question in return: "Are you aware that within the next two hundred thousand years, a Small Universe [a minor, self-contained realm] near the Vast Azure Immortal Domain is destined for destruction?"

Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart and promptly nodded. "This junior has heard some whispers of it."

"Mm-hmm."

Myriad Spirit Patriarch gave a slight nod, then spoke: "When a Small Universe [a self-contained, lesser cosmos] is destroyed, all things within it Returning Abyss [return to the primordial void], and the billions of living beings within are destined to turn to ashes of calamity."

"This Patriarch cannot bear to see our Spirit Race [a race of beings born from spiritual essence] brethren within perish, and thus wishes to guide our clansmen out from this fatal tribulation."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen spoke with solemn respect: "Your compassion for all living beings, Senior, truly marks you as a person of great mercy."

Myriad Spirit Patriarch neither affirmed nor denied this, merely glancing at Eldrin Chen before continuing: "Alas, most of our Spirit Race are not strong in combat, and nearly all of us are treasure troves from head to toe."

"When the time of Small UniverseOblivion [complete annihilation] arrives, whether they be the native beings of that Small Universe or the Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] who venture there from the Immortal Domain [the realm of the immortals], all will view the Spirit Race as easy prey to bully and exploit."

"Therefore, I wish to ask for your assistance. After you step into that Small Universe, I hope you can protect a portion of the Spirit Race on my behalf and deliver them into this old man's hands."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh inwardly.

This Myriad Spirit Patriarch harbored great compassion, willing to act to save the Spirit Race of an entire Small Universe. That breadth of spirit alone was worthy of profound respect.

In comparison, Eldrin Chen's method of annihilating the Netherworld Small Universe in a single battle was far more ruthless and domineering.

"Was I wrong?"

As this thought surfaced, Eldrin Chen could not help but fall into self-questioning.

Yet, in the next instant, his conviction solidified once more. Eldrin Chen's nature differed from that of Myriad Spirit Patriarch; he had always believed that one's stance determined one's actions.

In his view, whether humans consumed poultry, fish, meat, or even myriad demons, or demons consumed the Human Race, it was merely a difference in perspective. In essence, there was no inherent right or wrong.

He would not hesitate to slaughter countless ghost tribes, but if it were the Human Race or a race of gentle temperament, he would absolutely never resort to such ruthless measures.

While the Myriad Spirit Patriarch was willing to shelter the Spirit Race, if anyone asked him to protect the Fiend Race, the Demon Race, or even the Human Race, he would undoubtedly strike them down with a single palm.

"To live in this world is to bring Oblivion [utter annihilation] upon countless microorganisms in the blink of an eye; a single breath is an act of plundering the resources of heaven and earth."

"A single meal—poultry, fish, insects, fruits, and vegetables—all are life. Who among us is truly nobler than another?"

"If one must obsess over right and wrong, would that not make existence itself a sin?"

"We, the Immortal [those who walk the path of immortality], need only hold a flower in one hand and a sword in the other. That is sufficient."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. The so-called art of plucking a flower while wielding a sword meant that the flower was plucked only to show tenderness to those by one's side, while the sword was held to vanquish all great foes and shield those behind him.

Upon careful reflection, the actions of the Myriad Spirit Patriarch perhaps bore a certain resemblance to his own.