Chapter 1539 : Forging the Primordial Sword

As for the supreme nobility of the Innate Supreme Treasure [a treasure born of the world's primordial essence, of unparalleled rank and power], that goes without saying.

Speaking of the profound mysteries within the Scripture of Innate Primordial Breath, Path Ruins Jiang continued, "Since my breakthrough into the Primordial Unity Realm [the foundational realm of a true immortal, where one's spirit and body achieve perfect harmony], I have gained the ability to condense 'Innate Energy' [the pure, primordial energy that existed at the dawn of creation]."

"Now that the Path Ruins Sword has reached the Primordial Unity Realm, it only needs to be infused with Innate Energy to undergo its metamorphosis into an Innate Treasure [a treasure forged from and empowered by primordial essence]."

Path Ruins Jiang explained patiently, then looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "Unfortunately, the Innate [referring to the Primordial Unity Realm] aura I have accumulated is insufficient. I have only been able to condense a single strand of Innate Energy."

"Wait a few more years. Once I have condensed a second strand of Innate Energy, I may be able to offer you significant assistance."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes gleamed with a faint light. He then spoke, "If your Path Ruins Sword transforms into the 'Innate Ruins Path Sword' [a sword reborn with the power of primordial essence and the Dao of Ruins], our chances of weathering the Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic event of heavenly punishment or world-shaking conflict] will increase greatly."

"Weathering the Great Tribulation?"

Path Ruins Jiang was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of confusion crossing his features.

"It is like this. This matter is related to the Ancient Outer Realm Demon [demonic beings from realms beyond this cosmos, ancient and malevolent]..."

Exquisite Jiang began to explain in a measured tone, promptly informing Path Ruins Jiang of the schemes involving the Ancient Outer Realm Demon and the Heavenly Emperor's Avatar [a powerful projection or incarnation sent by a supreme celestial ruler].

After listening, Path Ruins Jiang [Jiang, the master of the Path Ruins] frowned slightly, then spoke coldly: "An Ancient Demon [ancient and powerful demonic entity] capable of seizing the body of this Small Universe's Heavenly Emperor [a supreme ruler of a heavenly domain] is most likely an existence at the level of Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a cultivator who has consolidated three foundational Primordial Unity energies], or even a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm]."

"He has laid down countless array formations within the Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension], and with the support of the supreme treasure, the Universe Genesis Supreme Treasure [a primordial artifact of world-creation], his power is certainly not something to be confronted head-on."

"Fortunately, you have also laid down array formations within the Netherworld Small Universe [a pocket dimension of the underworld], which can temporarily prevent him from sacrificing the entire Universe [cosmos]. As long as we can slay him within that timeframe, it should indeed be enough to resolve this Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking calamity]."

Eldrin Chen [Eldrin of the Chen Clan] also nodded slightly, smiling as he said, "Originally, relying solely on the siege by Myriad Spirit Patriarch [the Patriarch of Myriad Spirits] and several dozen Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the very cusp of becoming Celestial Immortals], we wouldn't dare claim absolute certainty of success."

"However, once your Path Ruins Sword [the Sword of the Path Ruins] successfully transforms into the 'Innate Ruins Path Sword' [the Innate Sword of the Ruined Path], a weapon of peerless Slaughter [slaughter and destruction], I believe no major mishaps should occur."

Hearing this, Path Ruins Jiang [Jiang, the master of the Path Ruins] gave a slight nod of agreement.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke: "Although an Innate Treasure [a treasure born of natural law, possessing immense innate power] far surpasses a Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [an immortal weapon forged with Primordial Unity energy] of the same rank in power, its consumption of spiritual energy is also immense. Generally, only those with a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [three consolidated foundational Primordial Unity energies] can barely activate one."

"I have only recently entered the realm of Half-Step Celestial Immortal [half-step Celestial Immortal], possessing merely a single Primordial Unity Foundation [one consolidated foundational Primordial Unity energy]. My spiritual energy reserves are still less than half of what a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [triple Primordial Unity foundation] cultivator possesses. In principle, I should also be unable to activate it."

"Fortunately, the Path Ruins Sword [Sword of the Path Ruins] is my life-bound treasure [a magical treasure intimately connected to a cultivator's life force]. Activating it consumes only three-tenths of my energy. Therefore, at my full power, I should be capable of unleashing a single strike."

"A single strike."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but frown slightly, a crease forming between his brows.

To activate an Innate Treasure [a primordial treasure born from the cosmos, vastly more powerful than crafted artifacts], it is generally best to use Innate Dharmic Power [the purest, most primordial form of spiritual energy, the foundation of all creation].

Acquired Dharmic Power [spiritual energy refined through cultivation, less pure than its innate counterpart] is of insufficient quality; to forcibly use it to activate an Innate Treasure often requires several times the amount of spiritual power to unleash the same level of force.

When Path Ruins Jiang channels his Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a weapon forged by a Primordial Unity Immortal, immensely powerful] Path Ruins Sword, he can typically unleash its full power for over a hundred strikes. Yet, when he attempts to wield the Innate Ruins Path Sword, he possesses only enough strength for a single, decisive blow.

Of course, the power of an Innate Treasure is peerless. The might of its Slaughter [a divine ability of absolute annihilation] is sufficient to slay a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the cusp of becoming a true Celestial Immortal] in one strike, and can severely injure or even kill a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a formidable master who has fully ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm]. The destructive potential of the two simply cannot be compared.

In battles between Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators, this represents a force capable of decisively ending the conflict. To expend such a vast reservoir of spiritual power in exchange for a single, world-shaking strike from an Innate Treasure is a worthwhile trade.

However, this limitation means Path Ruins Jiang's Innate Ruins Path Sword can only be deployed as a final, hidden trump card. Once its secret is revealed, its strategic value diminishes greatly.

For the quality of his spiritual power is insufficient, granting him only that one fleeting opportunity.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "In that case, Grandfather, you must keep this an absolute secret. Do not unleash this sword unless the moment is truly dire."

Path Ruins Jiang nodded in agreement, then said, "The Demon Race [a race of malevolent beings born from chaos and negative energies] and the Divine Clan [a clan of beings with divine heritage and immense power] watch me with covetous eyes, eager to eliminate me. I will naturally be cautious."

"Let us remain hidden for now. When the great battle begins, we shall stay concealed and only reveal ourselves at the critical moment."

With those words, Eldrin Chen spoke, "The advancement of an Innate Treasure is no trivial matter. To prevent any mishaps, you should first accompany me back into the Netherworld Small Universe. We shall discuss everything further once the treasure's ascension is complete."

Path Ruins Jiang pondered briefly before nodding in agreement. "Very well."

Seeing Path Ruins Jiang agree, Eldrin Chen escorted him back into the Netherworld Small Universe.

He instructed Path Ruins Jiang to enter seclusion to advance the Path Ruins Sword, while he himself began the work of modifying the Formation. Thus, time flowed swiftly, and several thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

It was only when the Small Universe was etched with countless formation patterns that everyone finally ceased their work.

Not long after the formation patterns were completed, Path Ruins Jiang finally succeeded in advancing the Path Ruins Sword, reversing its Innate nature to transform it into the 'Innate Ruins Path Sword'.

After Path Ruins Jiang emerged from seclusion, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of relief in his heart.

He arrived within the Solar Realm Small Universe and gazed at the increasingly sparse and dimming celestial Stellar bodies, speaking softly.

"The formation patterns are set, Grandfather has emerged from seclusion. All preparations are now complete."

"By my reckoning, this Small Universe [a self-contained, smaller dimensional realm] should face its Oblivion [cosmic dissolution and return to primordial chaos] within ten thousand years."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze then turning towards the depths of the Universe. "That Ancient Outer Realm Demon [a primordial fiend from beyond the known cosmos] is also likely to make its move soon."

"Indeed."

Beside him, Path Ruins Jiang gave a slight nod of agreement.

He stood with hands clasped behind his back, his expression placid as he observed the starry expanse of the Universe. A flicker of Immortality [a supreme sword art embodying the concept of eternal life] Innate [pertaining to the primordial, uncreated state] sword energy seemed to gleam within the depths of his eyes.

"The Universe's The End [the prophesied final calamity and conclusion of an era] draws near. The mastermind lurking in the shadows has bided his time for many years; surely, he is about to strike."

At this point, he looked at Eldrin Chen and asked, "I heard you sent Exquisite back to the Immortal Domain [the primary realm of immortals]. What is your plan this time?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "Our wings are not yet fully grown; we cannot reveal our true identities. Moreover, Exquisite and the others are not yet strong enough. To rashly intervene in a battle between Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] would carry a significant risk of their fall."

"Since the grand formation is now complete, having them all return is the wisest course."

Path Ruins Jiang nodded slightly upon hearing this. Indeed, not long before, Eldrin Chen had ordered Heaven Abyss, Ancient Ruins, and all eight of the Chen Clan's Earth Immortal [immortals anchored to the earthly realm] to return to the Immortal Domain.

Within the Netherworld Small Universe today, only three combatants possessing Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a state of cultivation just shy of true Celestial Immortal ascension] power remain: Violet Mystery Path Master, Glazed Divine Lord, and Eldrin Chen.

Among these three, Glazed Divine Lord will wield the 'Nether Sea Pearl' [a mystical orb containing the essence of the Nether Sea], Violet Mystery Path Master will command the Primordial Unity Thunder Abyss Myriad Tribulations Sword [a divine sword forged from primordial thunder and tribulation energy], while Eldrin Chen will hold the crucial Polarity Void Mirror [a mirror capable of manipulating the void between Yin and Yang].

Having these three Half-Step Celestial Immortal combatants command the Netherworld Small Universe Grand Formation [the supreme defensive formation of the Netherworld Small Universe] will serve as their ultimate trump card—their greatest asset for countering the schemes of the Ancient Outer Realm Demon [demonic entities from realms beyond the known cosmos] and seizing the Universe's supreme treasure.

As for Myriad Spirit Patriarch, Blazeflame Divine Spirit, Life Great Emperor, and Path Ruins Jiang among others, they will participate directly in the final confrontation.

Contemplating this, Path Ruins Jiang gave a slight nod and said, "We will coordinate with you to contest for the Universe Origin Supreme Treasure [the primordial treasure born from the universe's creation]. However, the coming battle will undoubtedly descend into utter chaos. Should the situation become untenable, you must withdraw first."

"Understood. I will make the necessary arrangements."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and offered no further words.