Chapter 1501 : The Abyss Pearl's Ascendant Path

Of course, what the others did not know was that Eldrin Chen possessed the Companion Innate Spiritual Treasure known as the Returning Abyss Pearl.

This treasure contained within it the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a fundamental, unbreakable spiritual radiance], which could nourish and replenish Eldrin Chen's Innate Physique [his fundamental, heaven-bestowed bodily constitution].

In theory, as time passed, Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Body [the Indestructible Body of Primordial Unity], under the nourishing feedback from the Returning Abyss Pearl, could ultimately reverse its nature to the Innate [Heaven-Bestowed] level and become the 'Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique' [the Heaven-Bestowed Indestructible Physique of Primordial Unity].

Therefore, all things considered, as long as Eldrin Chen cultivated his Primordial One Indestructibility Body to the Primordial Unity Realm [the realm of Primordial Unity], he would logically and seamlessly achieve the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique.

"In the previous Great Tribulation [the Great Cosmic Calamity], I first cultivated the Primordial One Limitless Rule [the Limitless Rule of Primordial Unity]. Relying on its Rule Power [the power of a fundamental cosmic law], I swept through all foes, which allowed me to finally cultivate the Primordial One Indestructibility Body, and then, after surviving the Great Tribulation, I subdued my remaining enemies."

"Now it seems my Primordial One Indestructibility Body might be able to step into the Innate Realm [the Heaven-Bestowed Realm] much earlier."

"If that's the case, then the first task before the Path Tribulation [the Tribulation of the Path] begins is to seek out five Supreme-Grade Earth Vein [sites of supreme terrestrial spiritual energy] and three Forbidden Lands [places of extreme and forbidden elemental power] of Wind Ice Thunder [Wind, Ice, and Thunder]."

"As long as no Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained minor paradise realm] personally enters the tribulation during the Path Tribulation..."

"...then by cultivating the Supreme Unity Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [the Supreme Unity Indestructible Physique], and even the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique, I should be powerful enough to crush all opposition without even needing the augmentation of the Primordial Unity Path Principle [the Dao Principle of Primordial Unity] or the Primordial Unity Path Fruit [the Dao Fruit of Primordial Unity], right?"

Eldrin Chen pondered these thoughts deeply, a trace of solemn gravity settling between his brows.

He wished to advance his Primordial One Indestructibility Body to the Primordial Unity Realm. The most difficult hurdle, the Innate Energy [the primordial energy present at birth], had been resolved. The remaining challenges were acquiring five Supreme Grade Blessed Land and three Forbidden Lands of the Wind Ice Thunder [Wind, Ice, and Thunder] attributes.

Of these two conditions, securing five Supreme Grade Blessed Land was an immense difficulty. Within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, there were only slightly over thirty such Supreme Grade Blessed Land, and nearly every single one was guarded by a Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

Furthermore, a Supreme Grade Blessed Land fortified with grand formations and personally overseen by a Half-Step Celestial Immortal would require even a Celestial Immortal Great Power to pay a significant price to breach it.

For Eldrin Chen to seize five Supreme Grade Blessed Land, and specifically ones of the Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth attributes, the sheer magnitude of the challenge was staggering.

Yet, this remained a challenge below the Celestial Immortal level. As Eldrin Chen's cultivation gradually advanced and the strength of the Chen Immortal Clan grew ever greater, a sliver of hope for success still remained.

However, finding the three Forbidden Land of the Wind Ice Thunder attributes was a truly daunting task.

Once Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Body refined five Supreme Grade Blessed Land and stepped into the Primordial Unity Realm, only beings at the Celestial Immortal level or higher could pose a threat to him.

Locations that could meet such demanding conditions, while also possessing the Wind Ice Thunder attributes, were exceedingly rare—limited to a handful of Supreme Grotto-Heaven and a few terrifyingly perilous Forbidden Land.

Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, there were only slightly over two hundred Grotto-Heaven in total. Among these, the number of Grotto-Heaven with the Wind Ice Thunder attributes combined amounted to merely a dozen or so, scattered among the Human, Demon, Divine, and Hundred Clans races.

These Supreme Grotto-Heaven had no prior ties to Eldrin Chen. Why would they readily lend their Grotto-Heaven to him for cultivation?

Therefore, considering all factors, the final choice for Eldrin Chen would likely be those utterly terrifying Forbidden Land [places of extreme danger and mystery, often inaccessible to most cultivators].

Yet, within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, places qualified to be called Forbidden Land are exceedingly rare. Many are ultimate perilous grounds that even Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] would fear to tread.

Most are similar to the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land, their origins and true nature shrouded in profound mystery. Without strength at the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of Celestial Immortals], attempting to set foot within them would likely result in nine deaths for every one chance of survival.

After much contemplation, Eldrin Chen finally lowered his gaze.

"The Path of Fleshly Body Sanctification [a cultivation path focused on forging an indestructible physical form] is truly fraught with unpredictable and immense peril," he murmured.

"Yet, once this path is successfully traversed, one could dominate all opposition with an invincible physical body alone, potentially even stepping into the realm of a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage [the pinnacle of cultivation, a being who has mastered a Great Dao and attained sagehood]," he continued, his voice firm with resolve.

"Regardless, we must proceed step by step. First, we must formulate a solid plan."

Eldrin Chen pondered silently for a moment before finally turning his gaze to the Blazeflame Divine Spirit [a primordial spirit entity born of celestial flame]. "You have acknowledged my strength, which implies you accept my terms as well," he stated.

"In that case, when shall we act?"

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit's eyes flickered with light. It glanced towards the direction of the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a celestial palace associated with flowing fire and stars] and then spoke, "Since it is so, why wait for an auspicious day? Let us strike today."

"Very well."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod, his gaze drifting to the Violet Mystery Path Master standing nearby.

The Violet Mystery Path Master stroked his long beard thoughtfully before speaking. "Let us first position ourselves outside the Flowing Fire Star Palace. We must prevent them from realizing our intent and fleeing with their treasures."

"A sound plan."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. He immediately issued orders to gather the clan's Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality], and they swiftly flew to take up positions encircling the Flowing Fire Star Palace.

This battle aimed for the complete annihilation of the Flowing Fire Star Palace, and to that end, they had mobilized every combatant at the Ascendant Immortal [a high level of immortal cultivation] realm and above. The vanguard, naturally, consisted of the several Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm].

Among these Earth Immortal [immortals deeply connected to the earth's spiritual veins], there were a full four combatants at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] or higher, each one a top-tier expert of that level.

Of them, the Violet Mystery Path Master possessed the greatest combat prowess. His cultivation had reached the Primordial Unity Realm [a profound realm of returning to the primordial state of oneness], and his true strength far surpassed that of an ordinary practitioner of that realm. He was comparable to at least fifteen typical Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivators.

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit ranked second. Wielding a World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a legendary artifact of immense power capable of shaping reality] and having opened a Ninefold Heaven [a supreme, multi-layered celestial domain within one's dantian], her true combat power was equivalent to eight ordinary Earth Immortal Great Perfection experts.

Eldrin Chen's strength placed him third. His perfected cultivation physique, combined with the might of the Ancient Crimson Dragon Cauldron, granted him power rivaling five or six Earth Immortal Great Perfection cultivators.

Among them, Exquisite Jiang was the weakest. Having now broken through to the Fifth Level Earth Immortal [the fifth major stage of the Earth Immortal cultivation path], her combat power was comparable to an Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Earth Immortal realm] cultivator at the Sixfold Heaven [a specific tier within the Great Perfection stage]. However, with the aid of the Black Dragon Ancient Cauldron [an ancient, powerful cauldron artifact], she could now hold her own against three such Earth Immortal Great Perfection experts.

Thus, the combined combat power of these four individuals was roughly equivalent to over thirty Earth Immortal [a major cultivation realm] experts at the Earth Immortal Great Perfection stage, matching the strength of three Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace.

A force comparable to three Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have touched the threshold of the next major realm] was, in theory, barely sufficient to breach the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a major celestial palace], especially now that it lacked a Half-Step Celestial Immortal to anchor its defenses.

Yet, to ensure absolute certainty, Eldrin Chen summoned all the Earth Immortal experts from within the Immortal Alliance [a coalition of immortal forces].

Among them were seven with Late Stage Earth Immortal [the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal realm] combat power—the seven Earth Immortal Patriarch [venerable Earth Immortal leaders] of the Chen Immortal Clan.

There were even more Earth Immortal experts at the Early and Middle Stages, including Six Stars [a celestial domain], Heavenly Feather, Void-Refining [a place or title], Lord of the Path Palace, Heaven Abandoned Lin, Earth Spring, Heaven Wind, Verdant River Ancient Progenitor, and several other Earth Immortal Patriarch.

Augmented by a vast fleet of ancient battleships and thousands of Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to immortality] soldiers, they silently encircled the Flowing Fire Star Palace, sealing off every possible escape.

Seeing the army fully assembled, Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Violet Mystery Path Master and the others, then declared, "Since all are present, we commence the assault."

As Eldrin Chen's command echoed, countless ancient ships unleashed their fury. A torrent of Divine Ability [supernatural powers cultivated by immortals] and foundational attacks hammered against the Flowing Fire Star Palace, causing its Mountain Protection Formation [a powerful defensive array that shields a mountain or sect] to tremble violently under the onslaught.

"This formation will not hold for long."

As the Mountain Protection Formation of the Flowing Fire Star Palace trembled violently under the assault, Eldrin Chen felt a slight wave of relief wash over him even as he unleashed the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords to continue the attack.

In the past, when the Celestial Prison Clan had besieged the Flowing Fire Star Palace, they had mobilized several dozen Earth Immortal [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the earthly immortal realm] and even the Celestial Prison Clan Patriarch, a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to the celestial immortal realm], had personally taken action. Yet, even after more than ten thousand years of such relentless assault, they had failed to breach its defenses.

Today, however, the force Eldrin Chen had mustered to attack the Flowing Fire Star Palace was twice as powerful as that of the Celestial Prison Clan. The difference was palpable; the pace of their assault felt markedly swifter and more decisive.