Chapter 1591 : The Price of Primordial Power

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen understood in his heart.

A newly opened Small Universe is different from one on the verge of Oblivion.

A Small Universe about to face Oblivion is already nearing its end; therefore, refining its boundless Stellar and Earth Vein energies does not incur a heavy Karma burden [the cosmic principle of cause and effect].

However, in a nascent Small Universe, where living beings have not yet fully formed, breaking through there would mean seizing the resources meant for the first generation of Divine Spirits [powerful beings born from the cosmos itself].

And the first beings born from an opening Universe are personally nurtured by the Universe itself; they are almost like its children.

Although these children are not yet formed, and may not even exist, if Eldrin Chen were to enter and achieve his breakthrough, he would undoubtedly incur a profound debt of Karma to that Small Universe.

Yet, in Eldrin Chen's view, if it allowed the members of the Chen Clan to achieve their breakthroughs, then incurring this Karma would be worth the price.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

"Among the Abyss of the Returning Abyss [the primordial void where universes are born and die] I am connected to, there happens to be a newly opened Universe. I shall send you there now."

Without another word, the Returning Abyss Pearl opened a spatial rift.

Without a moment's hesitation, Eldrin Chen stepped forward into the rift. Instantly, he was assaulted by an overwhelming, crushing pressure.

Lifting his gaze, he surveyed his surroundings and found himself submerged in the depths of a vast ocean. On all sides, the waters were the immensely heavy Primordial Heavy Water [a legendary, profoundly dense and potent form of water].

And deep within this Abyss of the Returning Abyss, a magnificent Water Vein Blessed Land [a sacred land formed from the convergence of powerful water energy veins] was steadily taking shape.

Eldrin Chen could sense with perfect clarity that within this nascent Water Vein Blessed Land, a faint, nascent vitality was quietly gestating.

Beside this embryonic life form, a hazy, luminous pearl was also being nurtured.

"The Azure Abyss Water God, and the Positive Water Marvelous Pearl."

In but an instant, Eldrin Chen deduced the origins of this nascent being.

Within this Supreme-Grade Earth Vein [a vein of supreme-grade earth energy], a Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual beings born from the essence of heaven and earth] was being conceived from the very dawn of this Universe. This deity was to be the first Water God of this nascent cosmos. Its Companion Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure born alongside a divine being], the Positive Water Marvelous Pearl, once fully formed, would itself become a Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a primordial-grade immortal weapon of immense power].

"Let me observe this Universe more closely."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. He immediately strode forth from the Abyss of the Returning Abyss, then raised his head to behold the boundless heavens and earth.

This was a boundless and immeasurable Universe [the totality of all existence, encompassing countless realms and dimensions], stretching for untold millions of light-years. Across the starry wilderness of the four directions, the Stellar [the fundamental energy and essence of stars] was endless.

And at the Central [the core or heart of a region] of this Universe, lay a vast and boundless Ancient Continent [a primordial landmass of immense age and size].

Eldrin Chen surveyed his surroundings, finding that this Universe was in its nascent stage of opening. Between heaven and earth, the Pure and Turbid Energy [the primordial forces of clarity and murkiness that form the basis of creation] were still in the process of continuous differentiation.

Within the four directions of heaven and earth, there were eight magnificent Supreme Grade Blessed Land [a place of supreme spiritual abundance and natural perfection]. They were divided into the Five Elements [the fundamental forces of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth], along with the attributes of Wind Ice Thunder [the three anomalous energies of Wind, Ice, and Thunder], which belonged to the Three Anomalies [a classification for rare and powerful spiritual roots].

At the Central of the continent, a Primordial Solar Blessed Land [a blessed land imbued with the essence of the primordial sun] had manifested. Its primordial energy was several times more abundant than that of an ordinary Supreme-Grade Earth Vein [a supreme-grade terrestrial energy leyline].

And above the endless Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome or firmament], a mighty surge of Heaven's Pure Energy [the pure, elevated energy of the heavens] ascended, already transforming into billions upon billions of Cosmic Stellar [stars and celestial bodies within the cosmos].

These Cosmic Stellar further evolved into three Ancestral Star [primordial, foundational stars of immense power]: Purple Tenuity [the star of the North Pole], Supreme Subtlety [a star of supreme refinement], and Pure Tenuity [a star of pure essence]; and four Imperial Star [stars of imperial majesty]: Longevity [the star of longevity], Soul-Hooking [the star that hooks souls], Bright Luminary [the star of bright illumination], and Year Heaven [the star of the annual cycle]. All were existences of the Supreme Grade Blessed Land grade.

"Sixteen Supreme Grade Blessed Land,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, then instantly shook his head. He sensed that within the depths of this Universe, in the domain of the Netherworld [the underworld or realm of the dead], there were at least several more Supreme Grade Blessed Land.

Not only that, but this Universe had opened for no more than thirty thousand years. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the primordial energy that formed heaven and earth] had not yet fully differentiated. As the nascent aura from the universe's opening gradually gathered, more Supreme Grade Blessed Land should be nurtured and born in the future.

However, those Supreme Grade Blessed Land [a land of supreme spiritual quality and fortune] that will later be born from the world's essence will emerge much later, and the beings they nurture will not be among the firstborn of this age.

The nine Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual entities born from the world's essence] still gestating upon the great continent, along with the seven Star Deity [celestial beings born from stellar essence] upon the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky], shall be the inaugural Sovereign [rulers of immense power] of this newly opened Universe [a self-contained cosmos].

After careful deduction, Eldrin Chen estimated that, barring unforeseen events, the Star Lord [masters of celestial constellations] born from the Purple Tenuity [the constellation of Purple Subtlety], Supreme Subtlety [the constellation of Supreme Refinement], and Pure Tenuity [the constellation of Pure Subtlety] within the Heavenly Vault would possess combat prowess comparable to those who have established a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [an exceptionally stable and powerful foundational cultivation stage].

The beings nurtured by the Primordial Solar Earth Veins [the world's primordial arteries of solar and earthly essence] upon the great earth would also be entities of at least Dual Primordial Unity Foundation level, and likely even more advanced.

"Had I not come, the ultimate Sovereign of this Universe would most likely have emerged from among these four," Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly.

His gaze swept across the vast expanse of the nascent world, taking in the breathtaking scene of creation.

He saw that the space between heaven and earth was filled with World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy released during the creation of a universe], their numbers far exceeding thousands or even tens of thousands.

Eldrin Chen understood that a portion of this World-Opening Energy would merge with the vital essence of the world, giving birth to the second and third generations of Divine Spirits for this Universe.

The remaining energy would sink deep into the earth and the starry void, lying in wait. Those destined to find and refine it in the future could ascend to the Earth Immortal Realm [a powerful immortal cultivation realm tied to the earthly domain].

"Should I take some for myself?" he pondered.

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, summoning several strands of World-Opening Energy [the primordial energy released during the creation of a new world].

Yet, in that very instant, he sensed a wisp of Heavenly Path Energy [the fundamental energy that embodies the laws and will of a universe] descending from the unseen depths, carrying with it a vague, nascent consciousness.

"Who art thou?"

Eldrin Chen perceived the will of this nascent Universe and understood it was the newly formed Universe's Heavenly Path [the collective consciousness and governing principles of a world, often personified].

A faint ripple crossed his brow as he spoke calmly, "I hail from beyond the bounds of this Universe, seeking to advance my cultivation here."

"Beyond this Universe?"

"There exists... another realm outside of this one?"

The Heavenly Path, innocent and naive, grasped the essence of his words.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and continued, "I wish to borrow the power of a Spiritual Vein [a concentrated flow of spiritual energy within the earth] to achieve a breakthrough and glimpse the Primordial Unity Realm [a legendary cultivation stage representing the initial unification of one's being with the primordial Dao]."

"I understand."

Heavenly Path [the supreme will and law of the cosmos] responded faintly, then said, "Now, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the foundational, purest energy of creation] is abundant. I can lend you the power to break through, but you must repay the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, action and consequence]."

Eldrin Chen nodded. He surveyed his surroundings before finally speaking, "If you can aid my Chen Clan in achieving a breakthrough, we will naturally repay the Karma."

"I believe there is one thing you will not refuse."

As his words fell, he produced an ancient tree.

Heavenly Path glanced at it and declared, "A World-Opening Ancient Tree [a primordial tree said to have existed at the dawn of creation]."

Eldrin Chen inclined his head in agreement, replying matter-of-factly, "An Upper Grade Spiritual Root [a top-tier spiritual plant foundation]. I can elevate it to the realm of a Primordial Unity Immortal Root [a mythical root that embodies the unified origin of all things]."

"I observe that within this Universe, the Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the cosmos itself, not crafted] has not yet fully formed. Thus, I can cause the Primordial Unity Immortal Root to metamorphose into an Innate Ancient Tree [a tree born from the primal chaos, possessing innate cosmic power]."

"An Innate Ancient Tree growing within a Small Universe [a self-contained pocket dimension or nascent world] can sink its roots into the fringes of Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], drawing upon Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, unformed energy of chaos] to transform the energy of the void."

"With such an entity, this Universe will never face exhaustion or decay—unless it is destroyed by encountering an External Tribulation [a catastrophic calamity originating from outside the world itself]."

As Eldrin Chen spoke with measured clarity, the radiance of the Heavenly Path Will [the conscious intent and judgment of the cosmic order] trembled ever so slightly.

Now, as this Universe [the vast cosmos containing all realms and worlds] has just been born, that supreme Universe Genesis Supreme Treasure [the primordial artifact that forms the foundation of a new universe] has not yet fully coalesced. If that strand of Innate Energy [the primordial, untainted energy from which all creation springs] were to be fused into the Primordial Unity Immortal Root [the foundational spiritual root representing the unity of all things], transforming it into an Innate Ancient Tree [a primordial, sentient tree born from the universe's foundational energies], then this Universe would be spared the calamity of spiritual energy decay and decline.

It could be said that the terms offered by Eldrin Chen were impossible for him to refuse.

Thus, after a mere moment, the Heavenly Path Will [the sentient consciousness governing the laws of heaven and fate] spoke with an indifferent tone, "Such an Opportunity and Fortune [a rare chance and immense good fortune] is also exceedingly precious to me. What are your conditions?"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile before replying, "Let us forge a Covenant of Equality [a binding magical pact ensuring mutual benefit and non-interference]. This Universe shall be open for the cultivators of my Chen Clan [the Chen family of cultivators] to practice their arts and achieve breakthroughs, serving as a foundation for the future strength of my Chen Immortal Clan [the immortal lineage of the Chen family]."