Chapter 1609 : The Primordial Phoenix's Trial

"To have fallen through who knows how many Calamity Tribulation [cosmic trials of immense scale and danger], yet still be able to revive and return."

"This Primordial Frost Phoenix [an ancient, primordial beast of frost and ice] is truly boundless in its terror. One wonders, of the Ninefold Heavenly Pass [the nine celestial barriers one must break through to ascend to the highest realms], how many did he manage to shatter?"

Eldrin Chen mused silently within his heart, a flicker of curiosity inevitably lighting within his gaze.

From what he knew, before breaking through to the Great Luo [the supreme, foundational realm of ultimate law], there existed the Ninefold Heavenly Pass. Shattering even a single one of these celestial barriers was enough to step into the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of the primordial, ageless immortals].

Yet, the disparity among Ancient Immortals [beings who have attained the primordial immortal realm] was also vast. The gap between one who had broken a single barrier and a Supreme [peerless, supreme] prodigy who had shattered the Eighth Heaven barrier was bound to be immeasurably vast.

In ages past, the Ancient Demon [a demonic entity from the primordial era] that required the combined efforts of nearly a thousand Heaven Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] from across the entire Azure Firmament Immortal Domain to be slain, and whose death still corrupted the Heavenly Dao [the Heavenly Way, the fundamental law of the cosmos] of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, was said to be an Eight Calamity Ancient Demon that had shattered the Eighth Heaven barrier, a mere half-step from breaking through to Great Luo.

The Primordial Frost Phoenix before him had been personally suppressed and slain by Qing Cang, the Great Deity in that bygone era. Clearly, it could not have been a simple Ancient Immortal.

"Have you decided?"

Just as Eldrin Chen's thoughts drifted, the Primordial Frost Phoenix spoke.

Her gaze rested upon Eldrin Chen as she stated calmly, "If you agree to my terms, when the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a rare cosmic opportunity for rebirth after enduring a hundred great tribulations] arrives, you will aid me in seizing Qing Cang, the Great Deity's Heart's Blood Essence [the concentrated, primordial essence of a deity's heart-blood]." Support the author by reading on audio_novel.com.

"Then I can lend you my strength, to aid you in completing the cultivation of the Ice Vein Body Tempering."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen already had an inkling of the answer in his heart.

Nevertheless, he looked towards the Primordial Frost Phoenix and inquired, "This junior is merely a Half-Step Celestial Immortal. How can Senior be so certain that I can be of assistance?"

"Do not underestimate myself?"

The Primordial Frost Phoenix gazed at Eldrin Chen and spoke with serene detachment, "You possess three Innate Treasure. Your Mana, physical body, and Dao Fruit all seem to have reached the pinnacle of Valerius. Achieving the Triple Taiyi Foundation should be well within your grasp."

"With your power, breaking through to the Heaven Immortal realm with a Perfect Foundation during the Dao Tribulation should be a trivial matter."

"In the millions of years thereafter, I dare not claim you will cultivate to the Late Heaven Immortal Realm, but reaching the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm is highly probable."

"With cultivation at the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm, augmented by your formidable Immortal Physique, your strength should approach that of the Late Heaven Immortal Realm. By then, you should indeed be capable of lending me your aid."

At this point, the Primordial Frost Phoenix added, "Even if that endeavor proves unsuccessful, you could then seek out an Innate Origin Pill for me instead."

"Innate Origin Pill"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a subtle pang of bitterness in his heart.

The Innate Origin Pill [a supreme elixir capable of replenishing one's foundational life essence] is a top-tier Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [an immortal-grade pill marked with ethereal cloud-like patterns]. For an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] with a Dual Innate Foundation [a cultivation base founded upon two innate elemental principles], refining a single Innate Origin Pill would allow them to fully mend their foundation and cultivate a third Innate Foundation [a cultivation base founded upon innate elements].

Furthermore, even a gravely wounded Ancient Immortal Great Power [a venerable and immensely powerful ancient immortal] could recover from their injuries by consuming this pill.

The refinement of such a Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill is said to be exceedingly difficult, requiring thirty-six strands of Innate Qi [the primordial energy inherent to all things] and 'Immortal Domain Origin Qi' [the foundational energy of an immortal realm] to be fused together. Its value surpasses even that of an Innate Ancient Treasure [a primordial treasure born from the world's creation].

Even for many beings at the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of ancient immortals], acquiring a single Innate Origin Pill would likely cost them everything they own.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen fell into a pensive silence.

If he refused this condition, he was confident he could escape using the Abyssal Pearl [a mystical pearl containing profound abyssal power]. However, completing his cultivation of the frost vein would then become an immensely arduous task.

The Primordial Frost Phoenix [an ancient, primordial beast of frost and ice] was being relatively reasonable. If he were to go to the Myriad Ghosts Frozen Cavern [a cavern frozen over and haunted by countless malevolent ghosts], the vicious spirits within—capable of devouring Ancient Immortals [beings who have achieved ancient immortality]—would never allow him to cultivate in peace.

"Within ten million years, given my cultivation speed, I should at least possess combat power comparable to the Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the later stages of the Heaven Immortal realm]," he mused. "Perhaps I could become even stronger."

"If Verdant Consort and Lyra also manage to break through to the Heaven Immortal Realm [the realm of Heaven Immortals] during the Dao Tribulation [a heavenly tribulation testing one's comprehension of the Dao], then I would have the aid of several Heaven Immortal Realm powerhouses."

"Although it is unclear to what extent the Primordial Frost Phoenix [an ancient and immensely powerful ice phoenix] has recovered its strength, our hopes of seizing the Heart's Blood Essence [a legendary essence containing the primordial life force of a supreme being] should not be small."

"Conversely, if I do not cultivate the Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique said to be unbreakable and forged from the essence of primordial chaos], I fear that when the Hundred Calamities Rebirth Opportunity [a rare cosmic event where countless calamities converge, offering a chance for rebirth and supreme fortune] arrives, I may not be able to secure sufficient opportunities."

Having reached this conclusion, Eldrin Chen steeled his resolve and spoke decisively, "I can swear a Heavenly Dao Oath [a binding vow sworn upon the Heavenly Dao, the fundamental laws of the universe, with severe consequences for breaking it]. When the Hundred Calamities Rebirth descends, I will exert my full strength to assist you, Senior, in seizing the Heart's Blood Essence."

"Very well."

Pleased with his agreement, the Primordial Frost Phoenix gave a satisfied nod.

She rose to her full height and led Eldrin Chen to the edge of the icy pool. "I am currently at a critical juncture of my Nirvana [a profound state of rebirth and enlightenment, often involving a death and renewal cycle]," she explained. "Until the Calamity Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] arrives, I will be unable to take action." Immerse yourself in the complete world at audi novel.com.

"For this Hundred Calamities Rebirth Opportunity, the masterminds laying their schemes include not only the various Celestial Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the heavens] and the Great Luo Ancient Sect [an ancient and immensely powerful cultivation sect], but also beings who have broken through multiple Heavenly Barriers. They are willing to pay a tremendous price to enter this tribulation."

"If you encounter them in the future, remember that your priority should be to flee and preserve your life."

"Beings from the Ancient Immortal Realm [a legendary realm of cultivation far beyond the mortal world], paying a great price to enter the tribulation?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen fell into deep contemplation, his thoughts turning to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a terrifying sea of torment located in the deepest netherworld].

The Primordial Frost Phoenix seemed to understand his thoughts and spoke with a hint of gravity, "That Ancient Demon was slain within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea. In its final moments, it managed to corrupt an entire Celestial Domain [a vast region of the cosmos]."

"You must understand, among the Ancient Immortals, an Eight Calamity Ancient Demon is a rare and peerless figure, a true supreme powerhouse. Such beings are not so easily vanquished."

"A Heaven Immortal may possess the power to Illuminating All Heavens, yet they remain bound by the cycles of fate, still required to endure and transcend their Calamity Tribulation to find true stability. Only those who have reached the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm can truly ascend beyond the River of Fate."

"Know this: for an Ancient Demon of such near-transcendent stature, even its own demise can be wielded as a strategic move upon the cosmic board."

Speaking to this point, the Primordial Frost Phoenix seemed to harbor profound apprehension towards the Ancient Demon, its tone laced with a sigh, "If my deduction is correct, it was attempting to cross the Ninefold Heavenly Pass's final gate—the 'Fate Pass'."

"The final trial of the Ninefold Heavenly Pass requires one to alter their preordained destiny. Had it succeeded in rewriting its fate, it would have ascended beyond, stepping directly into the Great Luo Realm."

"If it failed... then complete annihilation of body and Dao was inevitable. Alas, this final step, the Fate Pass, is the most formidable barrier to breaching the Great Luo Realm."

"Sigh. To defy heaven and change one's fate—how profoundly difficult a task."

The Primordial Frost Phoenix shook its head, a complex light flickering within its gaze.

"This..."

Eldrin Chen's heart quaked with a profound tremor, a sensation so deafening it felt as if the very heavens were roaring in his ears.

To break free from the shackles of the River of Fate [the metaphysical river that dictates the destiny of all beings], even one's own demise could be used as a strategic move. Every single piece of the grand design was laid solely to alter one's own fate, all to achieve the ultimate state of Transcendence [the final liberation from all worldly and cosmic constraints].

The sheer, earth-shattering magnitude of such an existence left Eldrin Chen feeling a shock of unprecedented depth.

Having cultivated for nearly a million years, this was the first time Eldrin Chen gained a sliver of genuine, visceral understanding of just how powerful such supreme beings truly were.

Even more terrifying was the fact that beings like Qing Cang, the Great Deity, who had transcended the River of Fate, ultimately still met their end—slain again and again by a single sword scar left behind hundreds of millions of years prior.

How utterly, incomprehensibly powerful must those existences be, the ones who have ascended even beyond the Great Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of the Golden Immortal stage, representing near-perfect enlightenment and power]?

They are inconceivable, indescribable, ineffable!

This is a terror of cosmic proportions.

Contemplating this, the tides of emotion within Eldrin Chen's heart surged with even greater fervor.

In that moment, his resolve crystallized with unshakable certainty: he would cultivate step by steadfast step until he reached the Great Luo Realm.

Only by ascending to the rank of a Great Luo Immortal Lord [a supreme immortal sovereign who has transcended the constraints of fate], casting off the shackles of destiny to seize complete mastery over one's own fate, can one become a true powerhouse within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad immortal realms], and even within the boundless expanse of the Primordial Chaos [the primeval, formless state from which all existence emerged]. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel.com (official site).