Chapter 1583 : The Receding Divine Abyss

Had it not been for both Eldrin Chen and Violet Mystery Path Master descending to the mortal realm to deal with the Demon Sovereign, this Central Bulwark Earth Divine Spirit would have found the path to his own Dao [the fundamental principle or way of the universe] to be fraught with near-insurmountable difficulty.

Exquisite Jiang understood this as well and nodded, saying, "The timing of his breakthrough was exquisitely precise. It is highly likely he sought the counsel of a master diviner to calculate the moment of least peril for his ascension to the Dao."

"Consider him fortunate, then."

Eldrin Chen spoke with a calm tone, then paused thoughtfully before continuing, "Upon my return, I observed that the waters of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea had receded significantly."

Exquisite Jiang nodded, her expression turning grave. "Indeed. A great drought has befallen the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. Compared to several hundred thousand years ago, the sea level has likely fallen by more than ten percent."

It turned out that over these years, the vast expanse of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea had seen its water level drop by over ten percent.

One must understand that the continents of an Immortal Domain are boundless in their expanse. The seabed of such a vast ocean varies tremendously in elevation, with depths reaching hundreds of millions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters].

Now, with the sea level lowered by a tenth, the number of immortal mountains and wondrous islands emerging from the depths was beyond count.

In many areas where the seabed was shallow, the ocean had literally transformed into mulberry fields, giving rise to vast continents stretching for untold hundreds of millions of Li-lengths.

Upon these new lands, Abyssal Marvels [marvelous treasures that had lain buried beneath the sea for eons] were now revealed to the world once more.

Upon the newborn continent, the Water Essence Power [the primordial power of the Water Element] had drastically diminished. Over countless eons, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the fundamental energies of creation] of fire, metal, wood, and earth, long suppressed by the Water Essence Power, now began to stir and recover.

As the primordial energies of heaven and earth cycled and shifted, an untold number of Earth Vein [subterranean spiritual energy channels] manifested across the world. Among them were many rare and precious treasures, sparking fierce contention and numerous battles among the great Immortal Sect [organizations of immortal cultivators] and Blessed Land [lands naturally abundant with spiritual energy].

"For countless eons, the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary pearl capable of devouring vast energies] has drawn in the greater part of the spiritual essence of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [the vast sea of the Western Essence Divine Abyss],"

"Who could have foreseen that now, with the Water Essence Power being consumed, the Five Elements [the five fundamental elements of creation: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth] energies of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea would gradually return to balance, causing the sea itself to grow increasingly rich and fertile?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his eyes thoughtful as he pondered this revelation.

The ocean floor of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea had remained virtually untouched and unexploited for those same countless eons.

A premonition stirred within him. Once the waters of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea began to recede in earnest, revealing vast stretches of seabed, it would unveil a treasure trove of staggering, unprecedented wealth.

When that time came, not even the great Grotto-Heaven [self-contained pocket realms of immense spiritual power] of the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole [the six celestial domains of the Western Pole] would be able to remain aloof and uninvolved.

As the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea gradually withered, a great turmoil, one that could span hundreds of thousands or even millions of years, would likely begin to unfold.

"Influenced by the desiccation of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, it is possible that during this coming Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and upheaval that tests all cultivators], the sea will become a core focal point of the Great Tribulation [the ultimate, era-defining calamity]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a trace of solemnity flickering across his brow.

Noticing this, Exquisite Jiang inquired, "What is it?"

"It is nothing. I was merely pondering some matters."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. The matter of the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary pearl of immense power] was far too grave. He dared not reveal it to Exquisite Jiang, lest it be sensed by those Ancient Immortal [immortals who have transcended countless ages] or even beings of the Great Encompassing [the legendary realm beyond the known heavens].

Yet over these many years, Eldrin Chen had long since given Exquisite Jiang subtle hints.

It could be said that Exquisite Jiang had a vague understanding in her heart, knowing that Eldrin Chen must possess a Heavy Treasures [a treasure of world-shaking power and destiny] within his grasp.

Understanding that Eldrin Chen could not speak plainly, Exquisite Jiang pressed no further. With a gentle smile, she said, "Since that is the case, you should focus on your cultivation first. Break through to the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] before anything else."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement. He then remained within the Stellar Glazed Boundary [a protective formation of shimmering, star-like energy], entering secluded cultivation to advance his Earth Immortal path.

This period of seclusion passed in a blur, eight thousand years gone before Eldrin Chen slowly opened his eyes within the Seclusion Chamber [a chamber designed for deep, undisturbed meditation].

He slowly sensed the Earth Immortal World [the inner world cultivated within an Earth Immortal] within his own body and gave a slight, satisfied nod.

After years of arduous cultivation, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the foundational cosmic energy that forms the basis of a cultivator's inner world] within his Earth Immortal World had reached a state of perfect fullness and abundance. The time for his breakthrough had finally arrived.

Since that was the case, Eldrin Chen did not delay. He retrieved an ancient pill and slowly swallowed it.

The pill he consumed this time was once again the Dragon-Phoenix Ascension Pill [a legendary elixir that greatly aids in ascending to higher cultivation realms]. With Eldrin Chen's profound foundation and the assistance of the Dragon-Phoenix Ascension Pill, breaking through to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] was as natural as water flowing downhill.

"Boom—"

Amidst a thunderous roar that seemed to shake heaven and earth, Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World expanded, becoming even more vast and boundless. The Stellar [pertaining to stars and celestial bodies] worlds beyond its skies underwent an extreme and thorough metamorphosis.

When everything finally settled, Eldrin Chen discovered that his World's Origin [the fundamental life-force and source power of a cultivator's inner world] had surged by half. Within his Elixir Field [the dantian, the core energy center of a cultivator's body], there were now a full thirteen strands of Heaven Earth Profound Yellow [a supreme form of primordial energy, symbolizing the unity of heaven and earth]. His spiritual power [the cultivated energy used to perform mystical arts] had also undergone a tremendous transformation.

"Thirteen strands of Heaven Earth Profound Yellow."

Sensing the power of the World's Origin within him, a look of joy flashed in Eldrin Chen's eyes.

One must understand that even a Ninth Level Earth Immortal who had cultivated a Sixfold Heaven [a specific, powerful grade of inner world foundation], upon breaking through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a transitional state between Earth Immortal and true Celestial Immortal], would typically only be able to condense twelve strands of Heaven Earth Profound Yellow.

Eldrin Chen, though only at the Ninth Level Earth Immortal [the ninth and final stage of the Earth Immortal cultivation realm], already possessed thirteen strands of Heaven Earth Profound Yellow [a profound and potent spiritual energy]. This demonstrated that the depth of his spiritual power was already comparable to that of a weaker Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has begun the transition from Earth Immortal to Celestial Immortal] who cultivated the Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation method focused on achieving a singular, unified foundation].

If one factored in the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a spiritual treasure that enhances and stabilizes one's cultivation base], Eldrin Chen estimated his spiritual reserves were nearly on par with an Eighth Heaven [the eighth stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] practitioner of the Single Primordial Unity Foundation.

It was precisely because of this that Eldrin Chen had previously deduced that once he broke through to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal, his Earth Immortal World [the personal miniature world formed within an Earth Immortal] would be capable of sustaining a single Primordial Unity Ancient Tree [a mythical tree of immense spiritual power and stability].

For his Earth Immortal World would, upon that breakthrough, reach a level comparable to that of a Half-Step Celestial Immortal.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen immediately directed his divine sense into his Earth Immortal World to observe his own Worldly Spiritual Root [the foundational spiritual veins that determine a cultivator's potential and affinity].

Within Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World, there now grew three Supreme Grade World-Opening Spiritual Root [the highest grade of spiritual root, capable of supporting world-creation].

These three Supreme Grade World-Opening Spiritual Root were the Immortal Peach Tree [a tree bearing peaches that grant longevity and power], the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree [a tree whose leaves brew tea that aids in meditation and comprehension], and the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd [a gourd vine that produces powerful wind-based magical treasures].

These three ancient trees were of extraordinary value. Ever since they had absorbed the Acquired Primordial Chaos Source Essence [a rare substance born from chaos, capable of elevating potential], their latent potential had reached the tier of a Primordial Unity Ancient Tree.

All Eldrin Chen needed now was to use the Innate Spiritual Water [water of pure, innate spiritual energy] from the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a treasure vase that gathers and refines the energies of heaven and earth] to elevate these three ancient trees to the rank of Primordial Unity Ancient Tree.

Yet, the decision of which ancient tree to promote first plunged Eldrin Chen into a moment of hesitation.

Among these three ancient trees, the Immortal Peach Tree [a legendary tree whose fruit can accelerate cultivation and increase the odds of a breakthrough] can accelerate one's cultivation and also increase the certainty of breaking through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a transitional state just below the true Celestial Immortal realm].

Eldrin Chen had no doubt that once this tree advanced to the Primordial Unity Realm [the foundational realm for true immortals] and transformed into a Ninth Rank Immortal Peach [the highest grade of immortal fruit], its wondrous effects would surely be elevated to an even greater degree.

The Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree [an ancient tree whose leaves brew a tea that aids profound comprehension], however, was even more mystically extraordinary. Once this tree ascended to the Ninth Rank realm, even Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being who has ascended to become a true Celestial Immortal] would likely covet it.

For Ninth Rank Enlightenment Tea [tea brewed from leaves of the highest spiritual grade, aiding in deep meditation and understanding] can assist cultivators in refining their Divine Ability [supernatural powers derived from profound cultivation] and comprehending Path Principle [the fundamental laws and truths of a cultivation path], making it a priceless treasure of immeasurable value.

If Eldrin Chen possessed Ninth Rank Enlightenment Tea, then he would have a sliver of a chance to deduce and evolve his Innate Divine Ability [a supernatural power inherent to one's nature or bloodline] to the Patriarch Level [a level of power comparable to the founding ancestors of great sects].

Moreover, if he wished to comprehend the Primordial One Limitless Path Principle [the supreme principle of the unified, boundless origin], he would likely require the aid of Primordial Unity Enlightenment Tea [the ultimate grade of enlightenment tea, aligned with the Primordial Unity realm] to succeed.

As for the final treasure, the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd [a magical gourd that unleashes god-slashing gales], it was Eldrin Chen's trump card, his ultimate killing technique. Eldrin Chen was even convinced that once this treasure advanced to become a Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [an exceedingly rare artifact of the Primordial Unity grade], its power would be sufficient to severely injure or even slay a great power with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundation built upon two unified primordial principles] with ease.

If one with a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundation built upon three unified primordial principles] were caught off-guard by this treasure, there was even a possibility of their fall.

Faced with these three treasures, Eldrin Chen now hesitated, uncertain which to choose for advancement first.

"The Immortal Peach Tree enhances cultivation base, the Enlightenment Tea enhances potential, while choosing the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd would directly augment combat strength. Which one should I elevate first?"

Eldrin Chen's brow twitched slightly. After a fleeting moment of hesitation, his resolve finally crystallized.