Chapter 1550 : A Pact of Veiled Mysteries

"Senior..."

Understanding the misunderstanding of Myriad Spirit Patriarch, Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly.

Although it was a misunderstanding, it also served as a rather useful Protective Talisman [a talisman that wards off harm]. A faint smile touched his lips as he spoke, "Since you have accepted the treasure, Senior, this junior can finally set his mind at ease."

"As for the matters within the Small Universe [a miniature, self-contained realm], I hope you can help conceal them for me."

"I understand."

Myriad Spirit Patriarch gave a slight nod, his conviction that Eldrin Chen possessed an extraordinary background growing even stronger. He agreed to help Eldrin Chen cover up the affair.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen nodded slightly in return, a trace of genuine satisfaction appearing in his expression.

"..."

Departing from the Myriad Spirit Sea Region, Eldrin Chen returned to his clan.

Once back, he proceeded into the Returning Abyss Great World and turned his attention to the Worldly Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual artery of a world] within the Returning Abyss Realm.

Within Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World [a world cultivated and governed by an Earth Immortal], aside from the Four Extremities Celestial Pillars [four divine pillars that stabilize the world's boundaries], there are a total of thirteen World-Opening Spiritual Root [primordial spiritual trees that embody the foundational laws of creation]. These are further divided into the Six Heavens and Seven Realms Ancient Tree [a collective term for the six Heavenly and seven Realm-spanning ancient trees].

Among those six Heavens, there are six ancient trees: the Thalion Ancient Tree [an ancient tree of profound mystery], the Stellar Ancient Tree [a tree that channels stellar energies], the Primordial Solar Ancient Tree [a tree embodying the essence of the primordial sun], the Void Heaven Wood [a wood that bridges the void and the heavens], the Two Polarities Celestial Light Tree [a tree radiating the balanced light of dual polarities], and the Longevity Fruit Tree [a tree bearing fruit that grants extended lifespan].

Within the seven Realms, there exist these seven ancient trees: the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo [bamboo that conducts heavenly thunder], the Frost Soul Immortal Pear Tree [a pear tree whose fruit contains frost-imbued spiritual essence], the Fire Jade Immortal Marrow Tree [a tree whose marrow is like fiery jade, a potent spiritual material], the Gale Wind Gourd Vine [a vine that grows gourds capable of unleashing gale-force winds], the Northern Dark Cold Mist Tree [a tree shrouded in the cold mists of the northern darkness], the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree [a tea tree whose leaves aid in achieving enlightenment], and the Immortal Peach Ancient Tree [an ancient peach tree bearing fruit of immortality].

"The Innate Spiritual Water [water of pure, primordial spiritual energy] within the vase is insufficient. Which one should be promoted first?"

Gazing at the several ancient trees, Eldrin Chen could not help but fall into deep contemplation.

The Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a treasure vase containing the primordial energies of creation] held only one thousand drops of Innate Spiritual Water [water of pure, primordial spiritual energy], roughly enough to promote one Spiritual Root [a foundational spiritual plant]. Although the Chen Clan had accumulated a considerable amount of Immortal Source [the foundational energy source for immortals], it was still impossible to promote all thirteen of these World-Opening Spiritual Root [primordial spiritual trees that embody the foundational laws of creation].

After much deliberation, Eldrin Chen finally made a measured decision. "The Immortal Peach Tree [an ancient peach tree bearing fruit of immortality] and the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree [a tea tree whose leaves aid in achieving enlightenment] are crucial for cultivation—they are of paramount importance. The gourd from the Gale Wind Valley [a valley known for its perpetual gale-force winds] can serve as a trump card and should also be prioritized for promotion."

Having made his decision, Eldrin Chen immediately activated the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a treasure vase containing the primordial energies of creation], releasing the Innate Spiritual Water [water of pure, primordial spiritual energy] to nurture the Immortal Peach Tree [an ancient peach tree bearing fruit of immortality].

Nourished by the Innate Spiritual Water [water of pure, primordial spiritual energy], the Immortal Peach Tree [an ancient peach tree bearing fruit of immortality] underwent a dramatic transformation immediately. Eldrin Chen expended two hundred drops of the Innate Spiritual Water [water of pure, primordial spiritual energy] to promote it to the Eighth Rank High-Grade [the high-grade tier of the eighth cultivation rank].

During the process, to break through the bottleneck, Eldrin Chen also consumed two strands of World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy released during world creation] along with two mouthfuls of diluted Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the supreme violet aura born from primordial chaos].

"To advance to the Eighth Rank High-Grade, are only two hundred drops of Innate Spiritual Water truly sufficient?"

After this Immortal Peach Tree advanced in rank, its speed of converting void energy increased dramatically, and the Immortal Peach energy it generated became increasingly profound and potent.

Sensing the transformation of the Immortal Peach Tree, Eldrin Chen was immediately filled with pleasant surprise.

He did not immediately continue promoting the Immortal Peach Tree. Instead, he promptly used the Innate Spiritual Water to nourish the other various Spiritual Root.

After exhausting the Innate Spiritual Water in one go, he then replenished the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth with Immortal Source. Consuming over twenty million pieces of Immortal Source, he finally managed to elevate thirteen World-Opening Spiritual Root to the Eighth Rank High-Grade.

Following their advancement, these World-Opening Spiritual Root immediately doubled their rate of drawing upon primordial energies. Eldrin Chen instantly felt a significant increase in his own cultivation speed.

Furthermore, the supreme treasures nurtured by these various World-Opening Spiritual Root also received a substantial enhancement.

"The Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth is effective, but its consumption of Immortal Source is far too great."

Gazing at the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth in his hand, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a sense of helplessness.

Although the Chen Immortal Clan now presided over the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas, amassing staggering wealth, the Immortal Source that Eldrin Chen could gather amounted to only fifty million pieces.

At present, having expended twenty million Immortal Source [a highly concentrated form of spiritual energy used by immortals], he was left with only thirty million Immortal Source in his possession.

Of course, this did not mean the Chen Clan possessed only this level of wealth. Currently, the clan's primary assets lay in its stockpile of Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a potent cultivation elixir refined from cosmic essence], as well as its holdings of World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a supreme-grade artifact capable of shaping nascent worlds] and Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [a rare treasure embodying the primordial state of undivided unity].

Among these treasures, Eldrin Chen was reluctant to liquidate the World-Opening Supreme Treasure, while converting the Galaxy Star Sand Pill into liquid assets would require a considerable amount of time.

"I still need to find a channel to exchange the surplus Galaxy Star Sand Pill for more Immortal Source,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. Nevertheless, he proceeded to pour all thirty million of his remaining Immortal Source into the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a mystical vase that refines and transforms spiritual energies].

With a faint tremor, the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth swiftly refined the Immortal Source, transforming it into the purest Immortal Spirit Essence [the foundational spiritual essence of an immortal]. This essence was then continuously converted into Innate Spiritual Water [water imbued with innate, primordial spiritual power]. In the end, Eldrin Chen obtained three thousand drops of the precious Innate Spiritual Water.

Gazing at the Innate Spiritual Water, Eldrin Chen felt a measure of reassurance settle in his heart. His focus then shifted to the thirteen Spiritual Root [plants of extraordinary spiritual potency, often the foundation of immortal lineages] before him.

Without a moment's hesitation, he began nourishing the Immortal Peach Tree [a legendary tree whose fruit grants longevity and power] with the Innate Spiritual Water. As six hundred consecutive drops of the spiritual water fell upon it, the Immortal Peach Tree finally reached the limits of its growth.

Within its core, a faint trace of Primordial Unity Path Patterns [the fundamental patterns of the undivided Dao, the source of all creation] seemed to stir. It appeared to be merely a single step away from evolving into a Supreme Grade World-Opening Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest grade, capable of supporting the birth of a world].

Yet, this final step was a barrier that had halted countless Spiritual Root throughout the ages. Those that successfully ascended were exceedingly rare, perhaps only one in a hundred.

Although the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a mystical vessel said to contain the primordial energies of creation] was profound, it was ultimately only a Low-Grade Innate Treasure [a treasure born from nature, but of the lowest innate grade], and could not help him break through this critical bottleneck.

Eldrin Chen was not overly concerned by this. He retrieved the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth, then opened his mouth and exhaled a wisp of Acquired Primordial Chaos Source Essence [a foundational essence of the cosmos, acquired through great cultivation].

That Acquired Primordial Chaos Source Essence merged into the Immortal Peach Tree [a divine tree bearing peaches that grant longevity], instantly causing the tree to undergo a metamorphosis and giving birth to three Primordial Unity Path Patterns [mystical patterns representing the fundamental unity of all things].

"A Supreme Grade World-Opening Spiritual Root [the highest grade of spiritual root capable of supporting the genesis of a world]."

Gazing at the Immortal Peach Tree before him, a faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips.

At this moment, he could clearly sense that after absorbing the Acquired Primordial Chaos Source Essence, the Immortal Peach Tree had not only ascended to become a Supreme Grade World-Opening Spiritual Root, but the bottleneck leading to a Primordial Unity Ancient Tree [an ancient tree embodying the primordial state of cosmic unity] had also been opened.

Unfortunately, Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World [a world created and sustained by an Earth Immortal cultivator] was not yet powerful enough. If it were to advance to a Primordial Unity Ancient Tree, the Returning Abyss Great World [the name of Eldrin Chen's personal world] would likely be unable to bear the strain. Thus, its advancement was being suppressed by the Heavenly Path [the natural laws and principles governing the cosmos].

After all, a Primordial Unity Ancient Tree was a Ninth Rank Spiritual Root [the ninth and highest rank of spiritual roots], its power exceeding that of a Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [an immortal weapon forged at the Primordial Unity realm] by more than tenfold. An ordinary Earth Immortal World simply could not withstand it.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, by the time he broke through to Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the peak stage of the Earth Immortal realm], the Returning Abyss Realm should be capable of accommodating one Primordial Unity Ancient Tree.

Once he broke through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a transitional state between Earth Immortal and Celestial Immortal], the Returning Abyss Realm should be able to nurture three Primordial Unity Spiritual Root [spiritual roots of the Primordial Unity grade].

If one cultivates the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a profound cultivation art focusing on the unity of dual primordial forces], one can advance to possess six Primordial Unity Spiritual Roots [the foundational spiritual roots formed through the Primordial Unity cultivation art]. Once the cultivation is perfected, achieving all three types of Primordial Unity Foundation, it would allow all World-Opening Spiritual Roots [spiritual roots with the potential to open new worlds] to ascend into Primordial Unity Ancient Trees [ancient trees embodying the state of primordial unity].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of excitement.

It seemed this Acquired Primordial Chaos Source Essence [a refined essence born from primordial chaos after the creation of the world] was even more profound than he had imagined. Though it might not quite match Innate Energy [the pure, primordial energy that existed before creation], the difference was not vast.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen continued to expend Innate Spiritual Water [water imbued with innate spiritual properties], pushing the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree [an ancient tree whose leaves brew tea that aids enlightenment] and the Gale Wind Gourd Vine [a magical vine that produces gourds containing gale winds] to their ultimate limits.

After these two Spiritual Roots reached their peak, Eldrin Chen consumed another two portions of Acquired Primordial Chaos Source Essence, successfully advancing the two ancient trees.

Once the three ancient trees had successfully ascended, Eldrin Chen slowly let out a sigh of relief, a smile gracing his features once more.

After their advancement, the spiritual treasures produced by these three ancient trees became increasingly astonishing.

Among the three Spiritual Roots, the Immortal Peach Tree [a divine tree that bears peaches of immortality] would henceforth bear fruit once every one hundred thousand years, yielding nine immortal peaches each time.