Chapter 1602 : Slaying the Primordial Serpent

In the span of a single breath, the Gale Wind God-Slaying Flying Dagger [a swift and deadly enchanted blade] flashed through the air, piercing directly into the seven-inch vital point of the Innate Filth Serpent [a primordial serpent born of profound impurity]. The force of the blow cleaved the monstrous beast cleanly in two.

"Arooo—"

Struck by this mortal wound, the Netherworld Filth Serpent [the serpent of netherworld filth] let out a final, agonized roar.

Yet, severed head from body, the Netherworld Filth Serpent possessed no means for a miraculous reversal. At the site of its grievous wound, terrifying Innate [pertaining to the primordial, innate level of power] Slaughter [the divine ability of absolute slaughter] Dao Patterns [mystical inscriptions of the Great Path] manifested. This power, sufficient to annihilate all existence, utterly extinguished the last flicker of life within the serpent.

"Hah."

Watching as the Netherworld Filth Serpent ceased its final struggles, Eldrin Chen slowly released a held breath.

This Innate Great Calamity [a primordial beast of cataclysmic power] truly lived up to its reputation as a creature of ultimate malice. The nine Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators at the peak below true Celestial Immortality] of the Chen Clan had joined forces, yet by the battle's end, nearly every one bore injuries. Only by unleashing three Innate Treasure [primordial artifacts of immense power] were they finally able to slay it.

And this was against an Innate Great Calamity already grievously wounded. Had the Netherworld Filth Serpent not suffered that prior injury to its seven-inch point from the Western Abyss Dragon King, even the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd [a gourd treasure that unleashes god-slaying gale winds] might not have delivered a killing blow in one strike.

Had that first strike failed to kill, allowing this Innate Great Calamity to flee, Eldrin Chen held little confidence in his ability to pursue and finish it.

"The wish is fulfilled."

Witnessing the fall of the Netherworld Filth Serpent [a primordial serpent born from boundless filth and corruption], expressions of joy bloomed across the faces of the assembled group.

Exquisite Jiang turned her gaze towards Eldrin Chen and spoke, "Retrieve the treasures. We should not linger here."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and immediately set about dismembering the carcass of the Netherworld Filth Serpent.

This Netherworld Filth Serpent, born from boundless filth and corruption, was such that nearly all materials from its body were rendered useless after its death.

However, as the saying goes, extremes beget their opposites. Such an Innate [a primordial, heaven-born state of existence] creature of supreme filth and malevolence would, within its own body, give birth to a substance of utmost purity: the Innate Filth Serpent Gallbladder [a gallbladder of supreme purity paradoxically born within a creature of ultimate filth].

Eldrin Chen extracted this Innate gallbladder. From within the skull of the Netherworld Filth Serpent, he also discovered a single Innate Netherworld Crystal [a crystal of condensed primordial netherworld essence]. Beyond these, he found no other useful spiritual treasures.

"An Innate Netherworld Crystal."

The moment his eyes fell upon the Innate Netherworld Crystal, Eldrin Chen was seized by a wave of ecstatic delight.

Wasting not a moment longer, he immediately activated the Innate Dual-Polarity Void Mirror [a mystical mirror capable of traversing the void between polarities]. In an instant, they traversed the depths of the bottomless void and returned to the safety of the Returning Abyss Blessed Land.

Considering the precious nature of their gains, Eldrin Chen did not retrieve the treasures within the Abyss of the Returning Abyss. Instead, he led the group into the Five Elements Small Universe.

Within that Small Universe, at the location of the Primordial Solar Blessed Land of the Five Elements, the nine Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators of the Chen Clan gathered, each revealing expressions of delight.

"The harvest from this journey is truly bountiful."

Gazing upon the treasures before them, even someone of Energy Abyss Chen's temperament could not help but smile.

From this expedition to the Bottomless Nether Abyss, they had obtained a total of twenty strands of Purest Netherworld Turbid Energy [a primordial, chaotic energy from the depths of the underworld, immensely valuable for cultivation and refining artifacts]. This quantity of Netherworld Turbid Energy was so vast it would likely stir envy even in a being like the Myriad Spirit Patriarch, its value beyond words.

However, the Netherworld Turbid Energy still had avenues for acquisition. The truly priceless treasures came from slaying the Netherworld Filth Serpent.

The possessions left behind by this Innate Filth Serpent [a primordial serpent born from the essence of cosmic filth and corruption] were few, but the two portions of Innate Rare Treasure [treasures of unparalleled rarity born from the primal chaos of creation] were both invaluable.

Among these two treasures, the serpent's gallbladder was one of the purest substances in the Immortal Domain. Legends spoke of its Heaven-Defying Fate Alteration properties and its wondrous efficacy in cleansing both physical body and spiritual soul. It was also an extremely precious supreme healing treasure.

Even a severely wounded Celestial Immortal Great Power could recover from their injuries with remarkable speed upon consuming a single Innate Filth Serpent Gallbladder.

Furthermore, when used as a medicinal ingredient, this treasure could purify impurities within a pill, greatly enhancing its potency. Adding even a trace of this Innate [primordial, born of the cosmos] serpent's gallbladder during the alchemy of an Immortal Pill could boost its medicinal efficacy by at least thirty percent.

Consider this: if one were to add a portion of Innate Filth Serpent Gallbladder [the gallbladder of a primordial filth serpent, containing potent innate energies] during the refinement of the Innate Primordial Unity Pill [a supreme pill that aids in achieving the foundational unity of one's primordial energies], wouldn't the resulting pill increase the likelihood of successfully breaking through all three types of Primordial Unity Foundation [the foundational cultivation stage where one's primordial energies are unified] by thirty percent?

"If used sparingly, this Innate Filth Serpent Gall [the potent essence extracted from the Innate Filth Serpent's gallbladder] should be enough to refine ten batches of Immortal Pill [a general term for pills of celestial grade and potency]," he mused.

Contemplating the wondrous utility of this Innate [a state of being connected to the primordial forces of creation] serpent's gallbladder, Eldrin Chen could not help but voice his delight.

The others also broke into smiles. Once the Innate Filth Serpent Gallbladder was incorporated into the alchemical process and the pills were successfully forged, they would all receive a share of the bounty. Naturally, this prospect filled them with joy.

Eldrin Chen carefully stored the Innate Filth Serpent Gallbladder away, then turned his gaze towards the Innate Netherworld Crystal [a crystal of purest nether essence, forged over eons within a Netherworld Filth Serpent].

This Innate Netherworld Crystal was likewise an Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born from primordial forces, exceedingly rare]. It was a supreme treasure formed over hundreds of millions of years of arduous cultivation by the Netherworld Filth Serpent [a primordial serpent demon that dwells in and embodies the filth of the nether realms]. The serpent had condensed vast quantities of Purest Netherworld Turbid Energy [the dense, foundational energy of the nether realms] and fused it with Innate Energy [the primordial energy present at the dawn of creation] to forge this peerless object.

This treasure was of the utmost purity and refinement, composed of a Netherworld [the realm of ghosts, spirits, and underworld energies] essence that had undergone an extreme metamorphosis. For a Ghost Cultivator [a cultivator who follows the ghostly or nether path], it was an unparalleled treasure.

Even for a Netherworld Great Power [a formidable expert from the Netherworld realms] at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm], refining and absorbing a single Netherworld crystal would result in a significant increase in their cultivation base and spiritual power. There was even a high probability it could serve as a catalyst to break through to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm].

As for a Netherworld Ghost Cultivator [a ghost cultivator from the Netherworld] at the Earth Immortal Realm [the Earth Immortal cultivation realm], obtaining this Innate Netherworld Crystal would cause their cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds. It was highly likely they could use it to achieve a breakthrough into the Celestial Immortal Realm [the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] in one fell swoop.

"If we were to sell this item to a Netherworld Great Power, it would be enough to trade for an Innate Treasure [a magical treasure born from innate primordial forces]," Eldrin Chen concluded.

Gazing at the Innate Netherworld Crystal [a rare crystalline substance born from the purest energies of the Netherworld], Ethan Chen spoke slowly, his voice measured.

Exquisite Jiang shook her head. "To possess a treasure invites calamity," she said. "With our current strength, attempting to sell such an item would likely bring disaster upon us, not fortune."

Verdant Consort also nodded in agreement, then turned her gaze to Eldrin Chen. "How do you intend to handle this?" she inquired.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "Were it not for the impending Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes the world], the optimal course would be to sell it when we attempt our breakthrough to the Celestial Immortal [a high-tier immortal realm]."

"But with the Path Tribulation drawing near, we must convert it into usable strength as swiftly as possible."

Having said that, Eldrin Chen made the decision. "Over these years, Verdant Seal Patriarch has absorbed the majority of the faith energy from the Hundred Seas of Returning Abyss, elevating his cultivation to the Eighth Level Earth Immortal [the eighth major stage of the Earth Immortal realm]."

"Ghost Immortal [a unique path of cultivation focused on spiritual and soul-based power] cultivation is inherently swift. If we give this crystal to him, coupled with the clan's full support, he should at least master two types of Primordial Unity Foundation [foundational cultivation arts that unify one's spiritual essence] before the Path Tribulation arrives."

Everyone present nodded slightly upon hearing this, seeing the wisdom in the plan.

The Verdant Seal Patriarch possessed extraordinary talent. Years ago, he had reversed his Primordial Solar Body [an innate constitution aligned with the pure yang energy of the sun] to establish a Triple World-Opening Foundation [a rare and powerful triple-layered foundation formed during world creation], thereby opening his own Ninefold Heaven [a personal inner cosmos with nine layered heavens].

Since his breakthrough to Earth Immortal, he had refined the vast reserves of faith energy the Chen Clan had accumulated over generations. This deep reservoir of power allowed his cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds.

If he obtained this Innate Netherworld Crystal [a crystal of pure, condensed netherworld essence], then when the Path Tribulation [the great cosmic calamity that tests all cultivators] commenced, the Chen Clan would gain another powerful ally.

With that said, the group finalized the distribution of the treasures.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Those who walk the righteous path find many allies; those who stray find few. We must lend our support to our friends and comrades."

"Now that our Chen Clan prospers, you should also bestow some treasures upon the major powers within the Immortal Alliance."

"Even setting aside our long-standing friendships, if their cultivation advances by a few more steps, they will provide greater aid when the Path Tribulation descends."

Nyssa Qu nodded upon hearing this and said, "I will have someone attend to this matter."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod of approval, then turned his gaze to Exquisite Jiang. "For this journey to the Bottomless Nether Abyss, we have acquired seventeen additional strands of Netherworld Turbid Energy [a dense, chaotic energy from the depths of the netherworld]. My lady, could you send a message to the Great Void Holy Land and inquire if Grandfather can exchange some for Heaven Trigram Pure Energy [a supremely refined energy aligned with the celestial trigrams] on our behalf?"

"Agreed."

Exquisite Jiang inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment.

Heaven Trigram Pure Energy was exceedingly precious. Apart from trade gatherings at the Celestial Immortal level, ordinary Earth Immortal cultivators rarely had the means to acquire such treasures in significant quantities.