Chapter 1494 : The Gathering of Earth Immortals

After returning to the Returning Abyss Sea Region, he summoned the clan's Earth Immortal Patriarch together.

Seeing his Primordial One Indestructibility Body reach its grand completion, everyone present couldn't help but reveal looks of joy.

Verdant Consort examined him carefully for a moment before speaking up, "With your current combat power, plus our assistance, there is considerable hope of taking down the Flowing Fire Star Palace."

"The Flowing Fire Star Palace is not urgent. Let us wait until we have helped Violet Mystery Path Master achieve his breakthrough into the Primordial Unity Realm before making plans," Eldrin Chen said calmly. He then glanced at the group and gave a slight nod of satisfaction.

Since capturing the Netherworld Small Universe, nearly eighty thousand years had passed unnoticed. Over these years, the clan had gradually sold some of the rare treasures they acquired and purchased a significant quantity of Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a cultivation pill refined from the essence of galactic stardust].

With an ample supply of Galaxy Star Sand Pill, the cultivation progress of the clan members was not slow. Unbeknownst to them, everyone had now broken through to the realm of Fifth Level Earth Immortal.

In contrast, Eldrin Chen, having devoted immense effort to cultivating the World-Opening True Body [a supreme divine ability focused on forging an indestructible physical form], found his progress in spiritual power cultivation lagging slightly behind.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "It seems that before the Universe faces Oblivion [the final, all-encompassing cosmic cataclysm], your cultivation bases will be able to reach the Sixth Level Earth Immortal."

The others smiled faintly upon hearing this. Kael Chen then spoke, "We merely opened Ninefold Heaven [a specific, foundational grade of inner world] earth-type inner worlds. Naturally, our cultivation progress is somewhat faster."

"However, before the Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension or nascent world] can be opened, I'm afraid it will be impossible to cultivate to the Late Stage Earth Immortal [the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal cultivation stage]."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly upon hearing this. To break through to the Seventh Level Earth Immortal [the seventh tier within the Earth Immortal realm], there was still a crucial bottleneck that needed to be surmounted.

Without external aids and relying solely on one's own accumulation, it would likely take at least one million years.

The Great Mystery Alchemy Manual [an ancient and profound text on pill refinement] in Eldrin Chen's possession recorded the Dragon-Phoenix Ascension Pill [a legendary elixir said to grant a cultivator the soaring power of dragon and phoenix], which could indeed assist a cultivator in overcoming the bottlenecks at both the Late Stage Earth Immortal and Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of mastery within the Earth Immortal stage].

However, refining this pill required consuming the Inner Pill [the condensed core of spiritual energy within a powerful demon beast] of both a True Dragon [a supreme draconic being of immense power] and a Phoenix [a mythical bird of rebirth and flame], and furthermore, they had to be of the Eighth Rank High-Grade [a classification denoting peak power within the eighth rank of demon beasts]. Such treasures were exceedingly rare, and Eldrin Chen currently did not possess materials of that caliber.

"We must seek another method, or perhaps strive for Opportunity and Fortune [a destined chance or stroke of great luck] within the Small Universe."

Eldrin Chen pondered silently for a moment before finally speaking. "In eighteen thousand years, it will be the time for Fellow Daoist Violet Mystery to attempt his breakthrough into the Primordial Unity Realm [a profound realm of cultivation representing the initial unity of one's foundational energies]."

"Previously, he aided us in protecting the Ancient Crimson Dragon Cauldron [a legendary cauldron artifact of immense power]. Such a favor we must certainly repay."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Exquisite Jiang then spoke, "In that case, how many shall we dispatch?"

"Let seven go."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, then spoke, "I will go with Exquisite, Verdant Consort, Nyssa, Elder Brother Kael, Ethan, and the Energy Abyss Patriarch. We shall leave Lila and Violet Consort to guard the clan stronghold."

Upon hearing this, everyone present gave a slight, understanding nod.

With nine Earth Immortal Patriarchs in the clan, dispatching seven of them was a clear sign of committing their full strength to the aid effort.

Considering this, Exquisite Jiang spoke up, "There is no need for haste. I shall take the Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron [an ancient, powerful artifact used for crafting and formations] ahead to begin setting up the defensive formations. You should remain here in seclusion, focusing on your cultivation. See if you can achieve a breakthrough to the Fifth Level Earth Immortal realm before the conflict begins."

"That is acceptable," Eldrin Chen agreed.

After a moment's hesitation, Eldrin Chen nodded in affirmation.

His spiritual energy [the vital power cultivated by immortals] was nearing its peak. Refining just two more vials of the Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a potent elixir that refines one's spiritual foundation with stellar energies] should be sufficient to elevate him to the Fifth Level Earth Immortal realm.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen issued a stern warning, "The Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron can be entrusted to the Violet Mystery Path Master for the formation arrays. However, you must under no circumstances approach the secluded core chamber he has prepared for his own breakthrough. Furthermore, do not draw upon the Immortal Spirit Essence [the concentrated, purified spiritual energy of a blessed land] from the Violet Mystery Blessed Land. Depleting its reserves could cause his attempt to condense the Primordial Unity Path Principle [a supreme cultivation art focused on unifying one's spiritual essence] to fail."

As Eldrin Chen continued his detailed instructions, his companions listened with grave expressions, nodding solemnly in acknowledgment of each point.

The atmosphere grew heavy with the weight of their impending task and the responsibilities left behind.

After all instructions were delivered, the others departed for the Violet Firmament Path Palace, while Eldrin Chen remained within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land to refine the Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a legendary pill that refines one's foundation using the essence of stars and galaxies].

Refining one vial of the Galaxy Star Sand Pill required approximately eight thousand years. Two vials would thus demand around sixteen thousand years.

Now, having set aside all other matters to focus entirely on seclusion and the refinement of the Galaxy Star Sand Pill, Eldrin Chen found his speed of absorption had increased by another thirty percent.

In this manner, a mere twelve thousand years later, he had completely refined the Galaxy Star Sand Pill and smoothly broke through to the Fifth Level Earth Immortal realm.

"It seems that before the Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension or nascent world] faces Oblivion [cosmic annihilation or the end of an era], I should be able to cultivate to the Sixth Level Earth Immortal realm," Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, allowing himself a slow, relieved exhale.

Whispering to himself, Eldrin Chen could not help but release a slow, steady breath of relief.

Following this breakthrough, his reserves of Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the fundamental creative energy of the cosmos] and his foundational essence had grown by another twenty percent. However, as his World's Origin [the core origin and foundational power of one's internal world] had not undergone a qualitative transformation, his combat prowess saw no corresponding leap.

The only tangible gain was a slight increase in endurance when channeling his Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] and wielding his magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] in battle.

The same principle would apply upon reaching the Sixth Level Earth Immortal realm. Once he attained that stage, his spiritual energy would become vastly more profound and voluminous. Yet, without a qualitative leap in the energy's potency, his combat strength would not experience a fundamental metamorphosis.

Only by stepping into the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm, where the World's Origin undergoes another profound transformation, would a monumental elevation in power be achieved.

Once he broke through to the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm, his World-Opening Rule would reach its Great Perfection, and his Lifebound Supreme Treasure would ascend to the domain of a World-Opening Supreme Treasure.

Furthermore, his three Mysterious Grade Innate Divine Ability would also be cultivated to the Great Perfection Realm. The combined effect of all these advancements would bring about an unprecedented qualitative transformation.

"Breaking through to the Late Stage Earth Immortal should mark the beginning of this qualitative leap," he mused.

"Only by stepping into that domain can I possess the combat power of a Half-Step Celestial Immortal. When the Path Tribulation erupts, I might then have a chance to shed my identity as a mere pawn and seize the opportunity to rise above the Great Tribulation."

Eldrin Chen pondered silently for a moment before slowly opening his eyes.

Without further delay, he stepped out from the Returning Abyss Blessed Land and immediately set off for the Violet Firmament Path Palace.

Traversing the boundless void, Eldrin Chen soon arrived outside the Violet Firmament Path Palace.

Upon ascending to the palace grounds, he discovered the Violet Firmament Path Palace was already bustling with activity.

In addition to the six Earth Immortal from the Chen Immortal Clan, there were over a dozen unfamiliar Earth Immortal Patriarch present.

The cultivation bases of these Earth Immortal Patriarch were all at least at the Late Stage Earth Immortal level, with three among them being powerhouses who had reached Earth Immortal Great Perfection. They were clearly close friends of Violet Mystery Path Master.

Eldrin Chen recognized one among them—it was Breaker the True Lord, with whom he had once fought side by side.

"Fellow Cultivator Eldrin,"

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, Breaker the True Lord promptly offered a courteous greeting and proceeded to introduce the identities of the reinforcements who had arrived that day.

Soon, Eldrin Chen gained a basic understanding of the assembled cultivators and learned of their origins.

Among the Earth Immortal cultivators who had come to aid, the vast majority of the Earth Immortal Patriarch were long-time friends of Violet Mystery Path Master, many sharing extremely close ties.

Of the three cultivators at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm, aside from Breaker the True Lord, the other two were named 'Earthly Heavenly Path Master' and 'Mystery Departure True Lord'.

Between these two, the Mystery Departure True Lord had opened a Sixfold Heaven [a specific, advanced stage of cultivation], placing his strength as merely average among those at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection level.

However, the Earthly Heavenly Path Master was extraordinary. This individual had opened an Eighth Heaven and Earth [an even more advanced and powerful cultivation stage] and served as the Grand Elder of the Great Void Path Palace.