Chapter 1504 : A Pact of Fire and Fortune

Eldrin Chen felt a flicker of warmth in his heart. The Violet Mystery Path Master's replication of the World-Opening Ancient Scroll had cost him nothing, and the World-Opening Marvel left behind were tangible, substantial resources.

As for the World-Opening Spiritual Root that had been taken, it was most likely prepared for the disciples and followers of his sect.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "As you wish, Elder Brother."

After dividing the treasures with the Violet Mystery Path Master, Eldrin Chen then distributed rewards based on merit, allocating a share of the gains to the various fellow cultivators within the Immortal Alliance. With that, the matter was temporarily concluded.

Once everything was settled, Eldrin Chen re-established the defensive Formation around the Flowing Fire Blessed Land and then turned to the Blazeflame Divine Spirit. "The Divine Lord contributed greatly this time as well. What would you desire?"

"I want that Crimson Firmament Divine Iron. Would you give it to me?"

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit looked at Eldrin Chen, a knowing, half-smile playing on its features.

Eldrin Chen's expression turned slightly awkward, and he fell into a brief, thoughtful silence.

Seeing this, the Blazeflame Divine Spirit finally spoke again. "In the future, as we cultivate within this Flowing Fire Blessed Land together, I hope you will look upon me favorably."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. "It is I who should hope for the Divine Lord's favor."

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit did not dwell further on that topic. With a calm expression, she stated plainly, "With the aid of this Supreme Grade Blessed Land [a land of supreme spiritual quality and fortune], I can attempt a breakthrough to the Primordial Unity Realm [the realm of unifying one's primordial essence with the cosmos] within the next hundred thousand years or so."

"When the time comes, I may have to trouble you to stand guard for me during my secluded cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he gave a nod of understanding.

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit was entering the Flowing Fire Blessed Land to cultivate and attempt her breakthrough to Primordial Unity Realm. Both of them had sworn a binding Heavenly Path Oath [a vow enforced by the laws of heaven itself] regarding this arrangement.

Coupled with Eldrin Chen's proven character, in the eyes of the Blazeflame Divine Spirit, he was considered a rare and trustworthy individual.

Furthermore, the control of the Mountain Protection Formation [the defensive array protecting the blessed land] for this Flowing Fire Blessed Land rested primarily in Eldrin Chen's hands; the Blazeflame Divine Spirit held only a minor portion of its authority. Thus, Eldrin Chen was essentially her only viable choice for a guardian during her perilous ascent.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen replied, "If the Divine Lord [a title for a powerful divine being] has need, I will naturally do my utmost."

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit gave another nod, and said no more on the matter.

With this matter settled for now, Eldrin Chen returned to the Returning Abyss Blessed Land, and his days resumed their usual rhythm of cultivation.

In the time that followed, he continuously refined Galaxy Star Sand Pill [pills condensed from the essence of galactic star-sand] to elevate his cultivation base. Thus, time flowed on, and in what seemed like a blink, over eighty thousand years had passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen opened his eyes within the Seclusion Chamber, a look of relief washing over his features.

"The Sixth Level Earth Immortal realm is complete."

Sensing the increasingly vast and potent spiritual power within his body, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a slow, steadying breath.

With this breakthrough to the Sixth Level Earth Immortal realm, the spiritual power within him had surged by another twenty percent, subtly enhancing his combat prowess by a further fraction.

Although his World's Origin [the foundational source energy of a cultivator's inner world] had not undergone a qualitative transformation, Eldrin Chen estimated that if he were to wield the Primordial Unity Thunder Abyss Myriad Tribulations Sword now, it would at most drain his spiritual power completely, without causing any damage to his World's Origin.

"With only twenty thousand years remaining, breaking through to the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm is no longer possible."

"It is time to leave seclusion and make the final preparations for entering the Small Universe [a pocket dimension or miniature cosmos] for the great battle."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, exhaling a final, deep breath before stepping out of the Seclusion Chamber.

Upon exiting the Seclusion Chamber, Eldrin Chen discovered that Exquisite Jiang and the others had also concluded their own periods of secluded cultivation.

Their cultivation progress had been slightly swifter; they had each reached the Sixth Level Earth Immortal realm a few years ahead of him. However, attempting to ascend to the Seventh Level Earth Immortal realm within the scant span of twenty thousand years was now a feat beyond the reach of time itself.

When Eldrin Chen emerged from his secluded cultivation, he found Verdant Consort tending to plants within the Immortal Herb Garden [a garden dedicated to cultivating rare spiritual flora].

He walked over and glanced at her work, murmuring softly, "Are you planting the North Dark Flower [a rare spiritual blossom said to bloom in the deepest, coldest abysses]?"

"Mm-hmm."

Verdant Consort gave a slight nod, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "In recent years, we have broken through to the Sixth Level Earth Immortal [the sixth major stage of cultivation for Earth Immortals]. However, our preparations for advancing to the Seventh Level Earth Immortal [the seventh major stage of cultivation for Earth Immortals] are still insufficient. So, I purchased some seeds and decided to cultivate a few myself."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding, his thoughts drifting to the origins of this Southern Blaze Flower [a spiritual flower imbued with the essence of the southern sun].

This Southern Blaze Flower was a type of World-Opening Immortal Herb [an herb of such profound spiritual potency it is said to aid in the creation or expansion of minor worlds]. It served as one of the primary ingredients for the 'Four Wonders Heavenly Pill [a legendary elixir forged from four extraordinary spiritual flowers]'.

That Four Wonders Heavenly Pill was a treasured Elixir Formula [a recipe for crafting a powerful cultivation-enhancing pill] preserved within the Flowing Fire Star Palace [a celestial palace or sect associated with flowing fire and stars]. To concoct this pill, one needed to gather four distinct World-Opening [pertaining to the realm of power capable of creating or expanding worlds] marvelous flowers—the Southern Blaze, the North Dark, the Eastern Verdant, and the Western Metal—and refine them together.

Upon consumption, this pill could greatly enhance the power of the Four Extremities [the cardinal forces representing the four directions and their associated elemental energies] within one's body. It would assist the World's Origin [the foundational spiritual essence within a cultivator, analogous to the core of a nascent world] in undergoing an ultimate metamorphosis, helping an Earth Immortal Patriarch [a patriarch who has attained the Earth Immortal cultivation realm] break through the bottleneck of the Seventh Level Earth Immortal and step into the realm of a Late Stage Earth Immortal [the advanced phase of the Earth Immortal cultivation stage].

Alas, the four World-Opening marvelous flowers required for this pill were all exceedingly rare and precious. Even the Chen Immortal Clan [the immortal clan founded by the Chen family] had yet to gather a complete set of Immortal Herb [herbs of immortal grade, possessing immense spiritual power] sufficient for a single batch of the elixir.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh. "Planting them now... but by the time they mature, it will likely be too late."

"To truly refine the Four Wonders Heavenly Pill [a legendary pill said to grant immense power], one must pay close attention to the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures]."

"I understand," Verdant Consort nodded slightly before inquiring, "Now that you have emerged from seclusion, husband, are you preparing to enter the Solar Realm Small Universe [a pocket dimension bathed in intense solar energy]?"

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen gave a confirming nod and stated, "I intend to forge an External Elixir [a powerful, sentient pill that functions as an external cultivation aid]."

With that, Eldrin Chen sought out Exquisite Jiang and accompanied her to the Flowing Flame Blessed Land [a sacred realm of perpetual, dancing flames]. Upon arrival, he immediately paid a visit to the Blazeflame Divine Spirit [an ancient spirit embodying the essence of celestial fire].

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit was in deep meditation. Sensing their presence, it inquired, "For what purpose do you seek me today?"

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before replying, "I have recently obtained a rare treasure, but I lack full confidence in my ability to refine it into an External Elixir."

"I have heard that you, Divine Lord [a title for a powerful immortal being], are also a master artificer. Thus, I humbly request your assistance in this endeavor."

"Oh?"

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. "If even your formidable artifice skills are insufficient, could it be that you intend to work with the Crimson Firmament Divine Iron [a legendary, nearly indestructible celestial metal]?"

"Not exactly," Eldrin Chen hesitated for a moment before speaking. "This object is extraordinary. We must ask the Divine Lord to keep it a secret for us."

"An extraordinary object?"

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit's gaze flickered slightly. "I still need to borrow your blessed land for cultivation and require your aid to transcend my tribulation. Naturally, I would not divulge it."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and retrieved the Inner Pill [the condensed life essence core of a powerful demonic beast] of the Primordial Era Nether Dragon from his sleeve.

With a single glance, the Blazeflame Divine Spirit's pupils contracted in surprise. "A Primordial Era Nether Dragon Pearl [a supreme-grade dragon pearl from a primordial nether dragon] of the Eighth Rank Supreme Grade? When did you, Fellow Daoist, slay a True Dragon [a genuine, pure-blooded dragon] of the Primordial Unity Realm?"

Eldrin Chen did not mention the affairs of the Netherworld Small Universe. He replied calmly, "A fortunate coincidence of Opportunity and Fortune. I happened to join forces with others to slay one, and thus obtained this Dragon Pearl [the condensed essence pearl of a dragon]."

The Blazeflame Divine Spirit was inwardly shaken. He cast a deep, measuring look at Eldrin Chen before speaking. "I have no certainty in refining this object alone. However, if we join forces, we can certainly make an attempt."

"Then my sincere thanks."

A wave of relief and joy washed over Eldrin Chen.

To be perfectly honest, with Eldrin Chen's own artifact-forging skills, the success rate of refining this Primordial Era Nether Dragon Pearl into an External Elixir [a powerful pill cultivated externally, often from rare materials] would likely be only around thirty percent.

If he could also receive assistance from the supreme-grade Fire Vein [a powerful underground current of fire-attribute spiritual energy] of the Flowing Flame Blessed Land, thereby resolving the issue of insufficient magical power, then his chances of successfully refining it would be approximately fifty percent.

However, a mere fifty percent probability was still far too risky. Therefore, he had invited Exquisite Jiang and the Blazeflame Divine Spirit [a powerful innate spirit embodying the essence of blazing flame].