Chapter 1564 : A Phoenix Forged in Faith

The moment he laid eyes on the Profound Nether Antiquity Gold, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately sent a mental message to inquire, "May I ask what kind of treasure you require, Fellow Daoist?"

The Ghost Ancestor [a powerful spectral cultivator who has transcended the mortal coil] glanced at Eldrin Chen and replied with a smile, "If you, Fellow Daoist, can produce a single 'Incense Silver Phoenix' [a phoenix-shaped spiritual object condensed from immense faith power], I can exchange this item for it."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen fell into deep contemplation.

The so-called 'Incense Silver Phoenix', also known as the 'Incense Nether Phoenix', is an object formed from the condensation of vast amounts of Faith Power [the power generated by the sincere belief and worship of sentient beings]. For Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who follow a spectral or soul-based path], it is a supreme treasure beyond compare.

It is said that one hundred thousand pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a refined spiritual silver used in rituals and offerings] are required to condense a single 'Incense Silver Phoenix', and the process itself incurs significant losses.

Therefore, typically, the value of one 'Incense Silver Phoenix' is equivalent to that of a single World-Opening Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest grade, capable of shaping nascent worlds].

This object can assist a Ghost Ancestor in cultivating the 'Incense Silver Body' [a special ethereal constitution] and breaking through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a quasi-immortal state]. Thus, within the Netherworld [the realm of spirits and the dead], its value is several times higher, even comparable to a Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel [a supreme-grade wonder of creation].

Calculating based on the value of one piece of Incense Offering Celestial Silver being equivalent to one hundred Immortal Source [a concentrated source of immortal energy], the price offered by the other party could be considered quite fair.

"Let us settle on this price, then."

After a moment of silent deliberation, Eldrin Chen finally agreed to the Ghost Ancestor's proposed trade.

During his previous journey to the Netherworld Small Universe, he had seized over two hundred thousand pieces of Incense Offering Celestial Silver [a special form of spiritual currency used in rituals and offerings].

Combined with the endless Faith Power [the metaphysical energy generated by the belief and worship of followers] gathered over the years from the Hundred Seas of Returning Abyss, Eldrin Chen indeed still possessed several Incense Silver Phoenix [a rarer, more potent form of ritual silver], enough to complete this transaction.

Eldrin Chen produced the Incense Silver Phoenix, exchanged them for the Profound Nether Antiquity Gold [a rare metallic ore imbued with ancient Netherworld energies], and felt a subtle sense of relief settle within him.

The Barter Convention continued its course. Eldrin Chen acquired several other exotic treasures and ancient herbs unique to the Netherworld, and before he knew it, the convention had drawn to a close.

Once the Barter Convention concluded, Eldrin Chen bid farewell to Verdant Abyss Path Master and hurried back to Green Chariot Mountain.

Upon his return to Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen sought out Exquisite Jiang and the others, recounting the entire sequence of events to her.

After listening, Exquisite Jiang nodded thoughtfully. "Since Senior Azure Abyss [a respectful title for a senior cultivator] has chosen not to reincarnate, then this matter can be considered settled."

Hearing this, Nyssa Qu inquired, "The Netherworld Turbid Energy [a dense, chaotic spiritual energy native to the deepest Netherworld] can only be found by venturing into the Bottomless Nether Abyss. Should we begin preparing to make our move?"

"There is no need for haste just yet."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then spoke with measured deliberation. "The Netherworld Nether Antiquity Beasts [ancient, monstrous beings that dwell in the Nether Abyss] capable of nurturing Netherworld Turbid Energy are all great perils, their power rivaling that of a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm]."

"Moreover, the Bottomless Nether Abyss [a perilous and unfathomable chasm] is exceedingly treacherous. Let us wait a while longer. It is not too late to act after we break through to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal [the ninth and penultimate stage of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm]."

Speaking to this point, Eldrin Chen looked at the piece of Nether Antiquity Gold in his hand and said with a faint smile, "Now that I have obtained this Profound Nether Antiquity Gold [a rare metal imbued with ancient netherworld energies], it is time for my Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [a pair of divine swords, one celestial and one abyssal] to advance."

"Next, I should continue my cultivation. The most crucial task is to break through to Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] as soon as possible."

"..."

Not long after, Eldrin Chen made a trip to the Flowing Fire Blessed Land [a sacred land suffused with flowing fire energy]. Utilizing the power of the Underground Fire Vein [a subterranean channel of potent fire essence], he successfully advanced his Heavenly River Positive Water Sword [a divine sword technique embodying the celestial river's positive water energy].

After the Heavenly River Positive Water Sword was successfully advanced, it became the same as the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword forged from solar fire and abyssal essence]; three Primordial Unity Path Patterns [mystical patterns representing the fundamental law of primordial unity] were born within it.

Using the Primordial One Limitless Rule [the supreme law of the boundless primordial unity], Eldrin Chen thoroughly cleansed the swords of all impure and conflicting path patterns. As expected, he once again achieved the perfect fusion of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords.

Eldrin Chen tested them and discovered that the combined power of the newly fused Celestial Abyss Twin Swords was now comparable to that of a single Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [an immortal weapon of the Primordial Unity realm].

However, given the current quality and depth of Eldrin Chen's spiritual energy, he could only sustain the fused state of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords for a brief battle. It could only serve as a trump card.

Even so, with this new trump card in his arsenal, Eldrin Chen's combat prowess had increased yet again.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, before his own spiritual energy [the vital energy cultivated by immortals] was exhausted, relying on the power of several Primordial Unity Rare Treasure would be sufficient to contend with a powerhouse at the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation level.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen resumed his life of secluded cultivation.

For him at this moment, the most crucial task was to break through to Earth Immortal Great Perfection as soon as possible, allowing his spiritual energy to undergo another transformation.

However, this period of seclusion lasted a mere thirty thousand years before Eldrin Chen was jolted awake from his deep meditation.

"Who dares disturb my tranquil cultivation?"

On this day, Eldrin Chen suddenly sensed something, slowly rousing from his deep cultivation.

The immortal mark between his brows glowed faintly, projecting an image of a location within the Great Thousand World—an ancient realm stretching for hundreds of millions of Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Eldrin Chen slowly opened his eyes. Through layers of mist, a strand of his divine sense traversed the boundless void, projecting towards the source of the disturbance.

Simultaneously, within the Purple Seal Realm, inside the Green Chariot Mountain Great Hall of the mortal world...

Dozens of cultivators stood together, a gathering of mighty true cultivators. Each one was a top-tier existence at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage, among them were not a few Demigod Patriarch who commanded awe across entire realms.

Yet at this moment, the Patriarchs who command awe across the Purple Seal Realm dared not even breathe heavily. Each and every one of them bowed with utmost reverence toward the presence before them.

Before them all, a silver strand of Immortal Trace Incense [a special incense used to send messages across realms] was lit, its ethereal blue smoke curling upwards.

Beyond that smoke, the very void was torn asunder. In that fleeting glimpse, one could see a majestic Immortal Domain [a higher realm where immortals dwell] where countless Celestial Palace of Immortal Towers [towering palaces of celestial design] stood in solemn grandeur.

Within that Immortal Domain, a figure robed in snow-white sat in serene meditation. He sat there, enveloped by boundless immortal mist that veiled his supreme, peerless visage.

Yet, merely by his tranquil presence, his aura seemed to eclipse the vastness of the entire Immortal Domain.

"Who disturbs my quiet cultivation?"

Finally, the figure spoke softly. His voice resonated like the gentle chime of a Great Path [the supreme principle governing all existence] immortal bell. Its majestic, Great Path-imbued divine tone washed over the Great Thousand World [the myriad worlds of the cosmos], yet it also carried the calm authority of a Primordial Era Immortal King [an ancient and supremely powerful immortal sovereign] speaking, soothing all unrest and turmoil.

Within the Great Hall, the Primordial Spirit Patriarchs [powerful cultivators whose souls have reached the Primordial Spirit stage] prostrated themselves. The leader, clad in fiery red daoist robes, spoke with grave solemnity, "Your unfilial descendant, Rising Clan Chen, accompanied by the seventy Second Elders of the Chen Clan, pays respects to our immortal ancestor from the Upper Realm."

"Rising Clan Chen..."

Eldrin Chen's gaze shifted subtly, his consciousness finally returning fully from his deep seclusion.

Only then did he realize it was the Chen Immortal Clan from the lower realm, who had lit the Immortal Trace Incense [a special incense used to send a signal across realms] he had left behind.

When Eldrin Chen descended to the lower realm all those years ago, he had left behind three sticks of Immortal Trace Incense, instructing that they were not to be lit lightly unless a matter of grave importance arose.

Over the years, as the number of Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] who had ascended to the upper realm gradually increased, the Chen Immortal Clan would contact the upper realm for major affairs, usually reaching out to Ethan Chen and others, while minor matters were handled by Rising Swan Chen and other Immortal. They would essentially never disturb Eldrin Chen.

It could be said that unless a truly heaven-shaking event occurred, the Chen Immortal Clan would not light the Immortal Trace Incense to disturb Eldrin Chen.

And indeed, this was the case. Over the hundreds of thousands of years, only one of the three sticks of Immortal Trace Incense left by Eldrin Chen had been used.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen furrowed his brow slightly and asked, "For what reason have you lit the Immortal Trace Incense today?"

"It truly is the Primordial Immortal Ancestor [a title for a founding immortal ancestor]."

Hearing his words, everyone present grew visibly excited.

Rising Clan Chen immediately prostrated himself on the ground, his expression one of utmost reverence, and said, "We report to the Patriarch [the founding leader of a clan or sect], the Starry Sky Cataclysm [a prophesied cosmic calamity] is about to begin. The Three Thousand Great Realms [the collective name for the myriad worlds] and the Million Ancient Stars [the countless ancient star domains] are all in imminent peril. We beseech the Immortal Ancestor to descend and quell the chaos."