Chapter 1490 : Compassion for All Beings

Even so, the 6 Paths Bamboo still had not taken human form. Eldrin believed that if it were to assume human form now, its innate talent and potential would merely be that of a top-tier divine spirit. Only after evolving into a Primordial Ancient Tree would he allow it to undergo transformation.

The Primordial Ancient Tree and the Acquired Ancient Tree differ vastly. Once the Serene Bamboo evolves into the Primordial Serene Bamboo, its innate aptitude upon emergence would rival that of a Primordial Divine Spirit.

If 1 could advance even further, transforming into the legendary Innate Spiritual Root—the 6-Cleansing Bamboo—then upon its emergence, it would rival a primordial deity.

At this thought, Eldrin gazed at the Serenity Bamboo and inquired, "I plan to journey to the 10 1000 Spirit Sea. Would you be willing to accompany me?"

Upon hearing this, the Verdant Bamboo emitted a faint tremble of light. After a long silence, it replied indifferently, "Bamboo has a mortal enemy—a Celestial Immortal of profound power who dwells in the Nether Abyss."

"Back then, our master’s cultivation was still low, so he could bring me out without drawing the attention of the mighty ones from the Netherworld."

"If you take me back with you today, once Zhuer's aura is exposed, our master will undoubtedly become the prime suspect of the Nether Sovereign."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) slightly furrowed his brow.

He had long heard from the Ancient Spirit Venerable that the father of the Serene Bamboo, the 6 Paths Bamboo, was once an existence at the Taiyi Realm.

It contains the power of the 6 Paths of Reincarnation, which is why, when he attempted to breach the Celestial Immortal Realm back then, he was captured by a ruler of the Netherworld—a Celestial Immortal from the depths of the underworld. It is said that this ruler later refined the 6 Paths Bamboo’s true form into the 6 Paths Reincarnation Well.

With such karma at play, even if the risk of exposure was minimal by bringing him back, the Serene Bamboo was unwilling to let him take that chance. Thinking of this, Eldrin could not help but ask, “Who exactly was the 1 who killed your father back then?”

The Serene Bamboo pondered for a long moment before finally saying, "Karma Nether King."

Eldrin's brow furrowed slightly at these words.

Lord Ye Ming had attained the Dao for many years and was 1 of the 10 Great Underworld Kings of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. His cultivation was rumored to be among the most unfathomable in the deepest reaches of the Netherworld.

With Eldrin's current level of cultivation, he still fell far, far short of such an existence.

At this thought, Eldrin said, "You should focus on your cultivation of the Nether King's arts. When your cultivation reaches a sufficient level in the future, it won't be too late to deal with it then."

With those final words, Eldrin had no further reason to linger.

He traversed the boundless void all the way toward the Myriad Spirit Sea, arriving within its expanse not long after.

Unlike the last time, Eldrin was no longer an unknown figure. The moment he set foot in the realm of the Myriad Spirit Sea, 2 figures emerged to greet him.

A man and a woman arrived, both Earth Immortal Ninth-Realm spirit race experts. The woman smiled upon seeing Eldrin and said, "Could it be the Divine Lord of the Returning Abyss?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin (Person Name) gave a slight nod and clasped his hands with exceptional courtesy. The woman smiled faintly before speaking: "The Ancestor has requested your presence. Please follow me."

Eldrin followed the pair forward, and along the way discovered the woman was named Liu Yiyi (Person Name)—a spirit born from the World-Splitting Willow—while the man was called Yang Baimei (Person Name), who originated from the World-Cracking Poplar. Both belonged to the spirit race, their origins extraordinary by nature.

As the 2 arrived deep within the Myriad Spirit Sea, Eldrin finally beheld the Ancestor of 10 1000 Spirits beneath an ancient banyan tree.

The Myriad Spirits Ancestor gazed at Eldrin (Person Name) and smiled faintly. "To think that merely 2 100 1000 years have passed, and you have already grasped the nascent threads of the Great Dao. Your potential in the days to come shall truly be boundless."

"You flatter me, Senior."

Eldrin spoke with reverence. After conversing with the Venerated Myriad Spirits for a moment, he clasped his hands and said, "I have come upon the guidance of Glazed Divinity Lord, seeking an audience to request elixirs from you, esteemed senior."

"For the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth?"

The Myriad Spirits Ancestor spoke slowly, instructing Liu Yiyi to bring forth a jade tray.

Upon the jade plate lay 3 priceless pieces of Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow.

Gazing upon the Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow, Eldrin’s heart stirred instantly as he spoke, "Your discernment is as sharp as a torch, Senior. Indeed, this junior is in urgent need of this very item."

"Hmm."

The Vastspirit Elder gave a slight nod and then spoke, "The value of a single Heaven-Earth Mystic Yellow is typically around 1,800,000 Immortal Sources. However, due to its extreme rarity, it is often something that can only be encountered by chance, not sought through effort."

"If you are willing to do this old ancestor a favor, I shall grant you 3 Heaven-Earth-Xuanhuang Pills free of charge."

"Oh?" Eldrin was momentarily taken aback before speaking, "Might I ask what exactly this favor entails, Senior?" The Myriad Spirits Ancestor did not respond immediately, instead countering with a question: "Are you aware that within the next 2 100 1000 years, a minor cosmos near the Vast Azure Immortal Domain is destined for collapse?"

Eldrin's heart stirred, and he immediately nodded, saying, "This junior has heard a little about it.

"Hmm."

The Venerable Myriad Spirits gave a slight nod and spoke, "When the minor cosmos collapses, all things return to the void, and the hundreds of millions of living beings within shall turn to calamity dust.

"The Patriarch could not bear to see our fellow spirit kin within perish, and thus sought to guide our clansmen out from within to escape this calamity of death."

Eldrin (Person Name) straightened with reverence upon hearing this and said, "Your compassion for all living beings truly reflects the heart of 1 who embodies great mercy."

The Myriad Spirits Ancestor neither agreed nor disagreed, merely casting a glance at Eldrin before speaking, “What a pity. Most of our spirit race lack formidable combat prowess, yet nearly every 1 of us is a treasure trove from head to toe.”

“When the small cosmos meets its end, both the mortal beings within it and the immortals who ventured from the celestial realms will view the Spirit Tribe as feeble prey to be trampled and manipulated.”

"Therefore, I would ask a favor of you. After stepping into the Minor Universe, I hope you can protect a portion of the spirit tribes on my behalf and deliver them into this old man's hands."

Eldrin (Person Name) sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

This Vastspirit Ancestor harbored great compassion in his heart, originally intending to personally intervene to save the spirit race of a minor universe. This breadth of vision alone was worthy of profound admiration.

In contrast, Eldrin's method of annihilating the Netherworld Microcosm in a single battle was far more ruthless and domineering.

"Was I wrong?"

At this thought, Eldrin couldn't help but fall into self-reflection. Yet in the next instant, his resolve solidified. Unlike the 10 1000 Spirits Ancestor, Eldrin's character was such that he always believed 1's stance determined 1's actions.

In his view, whether humans consumed poultry, livestock, or even 10 1000 demons, or demons devoured humankind—these were merely matters of perspective, with no inherent right or wrong in their nature.

He would not hesitate to slaughter countless ghost tribes, but had it been humans or other gentle-natured races, he would never have been so merciless.

The Myriad Spirits Ancestor was willing to shelter the spirit race, but if anyone dared ask him to extend protection to demons, monsters, or even humans, he would undoubtedly crush them with a single palm strike.

"To live in this world is to extinguish countless microorganisms in the blink of an eye, to plunder the resources of heaven and earth with every breath taken."

"A single meal, with its chickens, ducks, fish, insects, melons, fruits, and vegetables—all are living beings. Who among them is nobler than the other?"

"If we must insist on judging right from wrong, then wouldn't living itself be a sin?"

"We immortals need only pluck a flower and wield a sword—this alone is sufficient."

Eldrin (Person Name) murmured inwardly: To hold a blossom and wield a sword meant embracing tenderness for those by his side, while gripping the blade served to vanquish all foes who threatened those under his protection.

Upon careful reflection, the actions of the 10 1000 Spirits Ancestor bore certain similarities to his own.