Chapter 1590 : The Threshold of Celestial Power

This was even before he had broken through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm [a transitional state between the Earth Immortal and Celestial Immortal realms]. Once he achieved that breakthrough, his magical power would more than double, and its quality would undergo a significant transformation.

By that time, Eldrin Chen's combat prowess would see another substantial leap.

According to Eldrin Chen's own estimation, his battle strength at that point would be equivalent to at least three Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators who had forged a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation formed by merging two primordial energies], or perhaps ten such cultivators who had forged a Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundation formed from a single primordial energy].

It must be understood that a cultivator who had successfully forged three types of Primordial Unity Foundation [the ultimate foundation for cultivation, formed from primordial energies] typically possessed combat power roughly equivalent to five or six Dual Primordial Unity Foundation cultivators.

The fact that Eldrin Chen, upon merely breaking through to Half-Step Celestial Immortal, could directly contend against three such opponents spoke volumes about the formidable nature of his strength.

"I should be ready to attempt the breakthrough to Half-Step Celestial Immortal now," he murmured to himself.

Having sensed the power of his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of unparalleled resilience and strength], Eldrin Chen fell into contemplative silence.

He felt the urge to attempt the breakthrough immediately, but after a moment's consideration, he shook his head.

In truth, ever since consuming the Primordial Unity Flat Peach [a legendary spiritual fruit that greatly enhances cultivation] years prior, his magical power had already reached its peak capacity. He had been poised to break through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm at any time.

However, breaking through to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm would cause his Earth Immortal World [the personal miniature world within an Earth Immortal cultivator] to rapidly expand, doubling in size within a short period. This process demanded a colossal amount of energy. Without a Supreme Grade Blessed Land [a land of the highest spiritual grade, overflowing with vital energy] to provide that immense sustenance, a successful breakthrough was simply impossible.

Furthermore, judging from the circumstances of the breakthroughs to the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a transitional state between Earth Immortal and full Celestial Immortal] by Violet Mystery Path Master, Seven Mystery Path Master, and this Eastern First Wood Divine Spirit, the commotion caused by such an ascension is far too immense, and the process itself is exceedingly protracted.

Once the breakthrough begins, it will inevitably draw the attention of other powerful beings, ultimately summoning the Path-Obstructing Tribulation [a catastrophic heavenly trial designed to block a cultivator's path to higher realms].

"The celestial phenomena accompanying a breakthrough to Half-Step Celestial Immortal would envelop several vast sea regions. This does not seem like favorable news," Eldrin Chen murmured, his gaze sharpening.

A flicker passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes, and his expression grew solemn.

All nine of the Chen Immortal Clan's top-tier Earth Immortals [immortals who have ascended beyond the mortal realm but are bound to the earthly plane] possessed the potential to ascend to Half-Step Celestial Immortal before facing their Path Tribulation [a personal heavenly trial marking a major advancement].

Setting aside the fact that the spiritual essence within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land [a land blessed with abundant natural spiritual energy] and the Flowing Fire Star Palace was insufficient to support breakthroughs for all nine, even if there were enough energy, it would completely expose the true strength of the Chen Immortal Clan.

Should a single clan suddenly produce nine Half-Step Celestial Immortals, the Chen Clan would undoubtedly become the target of all, uniting the various powers against them in a concerted assault.

"It seems we must devise a method to conceal our clansmen's auras," Eldrin concluded inwardly.

Whispering the thought to himself, Eldrin Chen finally employed the Primordial One Mist [a supreme technique to revert things to their primordial, formless state] and the Chaos Rule [the fundamental law governing primordial chaos] to grind away all foreign energies clinging to his person.

After repeatedly confirming that no traces left by others remained, Eldrin Chen utilized the Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical mirror capable of piercing through the fabric of space] to pierce through the void and depart.

To avoid being tracked by the Celestial Immortal Great Power [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the celestial realm] behind the three individuals of Horizon, Eldrin Chen once again activated the mark of the Returning Abyss Pearl.

Harnessing the power of the Returning Abyss Pearl, he instantly returned to the Nameless Space.

Upon arriving within the Nameless void, Eldrin Chen glanced at the Returning Abyss Pearl beside him and could not help but let out a slight sigh of relief.

The Returning Abyss Pearl, as an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth, containing innate laws], holds within it the power of the Great Path [the fundamental laws of the cosmos], sufficient to block all forms of detection and tracking.

The Returning Abyss Pearl seemed to understand Eldrin Chen's thoughts and spoke, "Do not worry. There is no trace of any tracking power upon you."

Eldrin Chen nodded. With the Returning Abyss Pearl suppressing his Fortune [the metaphysical threads of destiny and karma], he was well aware that beneath the Great Encompassing [a supreme cultivation realm representing the pinnacle of existence], no one could divine his origins, and any attempt to leave a mark would not escape his notice.

Even if a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal at the apex of cultivation] personally placed a tracking mark, the Returning Abyss Pearl would be able to sense it.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "My thanks."

"We are one. There is no need for such formality."

As a Companion Spiritual Treasure [a treasure that grows and evolves alongside its master, sharing a profound spiritual bond], the Returning Abyss Pearl could perceive Eldrin Chen's thoughts.

After a moment of contemplation, it spoke with a placid tone, "You seek a secret location for your breakthrough?"

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes. "You have a way?"

The Returning Abyss Pearl remained calm, its voice faint. "The place where the Returning Abyss resides is the Bottomless Valley. The waters from the eight directions and nine wilds, the streams of the Celestial River, all pour into it."

"Within the Myriad Heavens and its countless realms, across billions of Space-Time continuums, wherever an Abyss of the Returning Abyss exists, the end of its vast seas is this very place."

"Boom—"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt his mind and spirit quake violently.

He had originally believed the Returning Abyss Pearl was merely a wisp of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light that had descended into the Vast Azure Immortal Domain and was nurtured by the waters of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

Yet the words spoken by the Returning Abyss Pearl now far exceeded his expectations.

So it was that this Returning Abyss Pearl was the ultimate destination for the water element, the final confluence point for the boundless Myriad Heavens, the infinite dimensions, the endless Great Universe, and even the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

This caused Eldrin Chen's heart to shudder violently, stirring within him an ineffable sense of awe.

He glanced at the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary treasure embodying the concept of finality and oblivion], drew a deep breath, and then asked, "Is this space... not within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain?"

"The Vast Azure Immortal Domain?"

The Returning Abyss Pearl spoke with a tone of utter indifference. "I am the Returning Abyss Pearl, the terminus of all things. How could a mere Immortal Domain [a vast realm governed by immortal laws] possibly contain me?"

The Returning Abyss Pearl offered no further explanation, yet Eldrin Chen's heart grew increasingly unsettled.

Having reached this point, he understood that the Returning Abyss Pearl was far more astonishing than he had ever imagined.

Upon reflection, it was to be expected. An ordinary Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the cosmos, embodying a fundamental law] typically possesses the power of only one Great Path [a fundamental law or principle of the cosmos].

Even a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure or an Innate Supreme Treasure [the highest tier of cosmic treasures], which may command multiple Great Path, usually wields powers of a similar nature.

Yet, the Returning Abyss Pearl simultaneously contained several Innate Embryonic Great Path [fundamental cosmic laws in their nascent, most potent form], including the Path of Space and the Path of Water [the cosmic principle governing water], and even seemed to hold a trace of Power of Time [the fundamental force governing temporal flow]. This clearly indicated it was a treasure far beyond the reach of any ordinary Innate Spiritual Treasure.

However, the Returning Abyss Pearl is the terminus of all existence. In theory, it can only achieve its complete form when the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and heavens of existence], the infinite dimensions, the endless Space-Time [the fabric of reality itself], the Boundless Universe, the innumerable Immortal Domain, and all that exists have reached their final Oblivion [the state of utter non-existence and cessation].

In the present Endless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], even if we do not count its nascent era, it likely still resides within its day of greatest prosperity. Therefore, the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary pearl capable of devouring and refining all things] appears to be still in its initial stages of gestation.

"That's not right. If that day truly arrived, what significance would there be even if the Returning Abyss Pearl were fully formed?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, swiftly casting that thought aside.

He felt that the ultimate form of the Returning Abyss Pearl should not exist; it was merely a conceptual ideal.

A normal Returning Abyss Pearl could never reach such a state. Relying solely on its Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [an innate, unbreakable spiritual radiance], it fundamentally lacked the capacity to support its growth to that ultimate stage.

Even with the legendary Innate Primordial Breath [the primordial creative energy of the cosmos] of an Innate Supreme Treasure [a treasure born from the primal chaos of creation], or even higher forms of energy, it was uncertain whether it could be sustained to that final step.

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin Chen looked at the Returning Abyss Pearl and asked, "Are you saying you can help me find another world that possesses a Supreme Grade Blessed Land [a land of supreme spiritual fortune and power]?"

"Precisely so."

The Returning Abyss Pearl responded calmly, then continued, "Within the myriad realms of the Myriad Heavens [the infinite expanse of heavens and worlds], there are many worlds that possess Supreme Grade Blessed Land. The Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the three thousand major immortal realms], the Great Universe [the primary cosmic structure], and the endless Small Universe [lesser, self-contained cosmic systems] within the Chaos [the primordial chaos] all contain Supreme Grade Blessed Land."

"However, the Supreme Grade Blessed Land in the vast majority of these worlds already have masters. Yet, in a very few newly opened Small Universe, where life has scarcely begun to emerge within heaven and earth, there exist unclaimed Supreme Grade Blessed Land."

"A newly opened Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension or nascent cosmos]?"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of pleasant surprise arose in Eldrin Chen's heart.

"Indeed," the Returning Abyss Pearl [a mystical orb of profound power] responded calmly, then continued, "However, within such a Small Universe, the Heavenly Path Will [the nascent consciousness and intent of the cosmos itself] is newly born. The vitality of all things has yet to manifest; everything is still in the process of gestation."

"If you were to achieve your breakthrough within this Small Universe, you would be stripping away the Opportunity and Fortune [the destined potential and luck] meant for others' emergence. In the future, you would need to repay this Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect governing all actions], or else pay a sufficient price to balance the scales."