Chapter 1605 : Pill of Unity and Celestial Hope

She understood clearly in her heart that with the Primordial Unity Golden Body Pill now in hand, the Three Maidens of Sun, Moon, and Stars truly had hope of stepping into the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm. If their Path Tribulation and Opportunity and Fortune were sufficient, there was even a genuine possibility of glimpsing the Celestial Immortal realm.

Thinking of this, the Glazed Divine Lord smiled faintly and said, "This Returning Abyss Path Master possesses noble character and shows great care for those around him. He is indeed a fine match."

"Divine Lord..."

Upon hearing this, the three maidens were momentarily taken aback. The Star Consort spoke, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

The Sun Consort remained quite composed, shaking her head as she said, "Given our potential and current strength, I fear we are not worthy of him."

The Glazed Divine Lord also nodded in agreement, then continued, "This man possesses Great Encompassing Potential. Unless you truly ascend to the Celestial Immortal Realm, the gap is indeed significant."

The Moon Consort, who had remained silent until now, spoke thoughtfully, "The Celestial Immortal realm?"

"..."

Eldrin Chen departed from the Glazed Blessed Land. Gazing at the three Pill of Polarity Enlightenment in his hand, he fell into deep contemplation.

After pondering for a moment, he ultimately made visits to the Flowing Fire Blessed Land and the Violet Firmament Path Palace.

He gave the remaining Primordial Unity Golden Body Pill [a supreme-grade pill that forges a body of unified primordial essence] to the Blazeflame Divine Spirit, and a Pill of Polarity Enlightenment [a pill that grants profound insight into the principles of yin and yang] to Violet Mystery Path Master.

These two possessed considerable resources and did not leave Eldrin Chen waiting; they directly exchanged two Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel [supreme-grade marvels born from the chaos of world creation] for the Immortal Pill [a pill of immortal grade].

The two exchanged World-Opening Marvel [marvels born from the chaos of world creation] were of no direct use to Eldrin Chen, but they could be given to Exquisite Jiang and others to refine their Lifebound Immortal Treasure [an immortal treasure bound to one's life and soul], making them a rare and valuable acquisition nonetheless.

After delivering the gifts to those two places, Eldrin Chen then made his way into the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and departed spirits]. He first presented the Innate Netherworld Crystal [a crystal of innate power from the Netherworld] and a Pill of Polarity Enlightenment to Verdant Seal Patriarch, before arriving at Ancient Ruins Ghost City.

Despite the passage of many years, Ancient Ruins Ghost City remained exceptionally low-key, far from matching the bustling prosperity of Verdant Seal Ghost City.

However, when Eldrin Chen met Ancient Ruins Nether Lord again, he discovered that Ancient Ruins Nether Lord had already cultivated the Primordial Unity Immortal Body [an immortal physique of unified primordial essence] and stepped into the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a realm halfway to becoming a Celestial Immortal].

It was clear that Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, having reversed his Primordial Solar Body [a physique of pure primordial solar essence], possessed a foundation, reserves, and methods that surpassed even those of Heaven Abyss Path Master.

Eldrin Chen even had a feeling that with Ancient Ruins Nether Lord's skill and power, even without his own assistance, it was highly likely he would one day become a supreme Netherworld Great Power [a being of immense power within the Netherworld] of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

The realm of a Netherworld Celestial Immortal [a Celestial Immortal who resides in the Netherworld] might not be the end of his cultivation path.

"Fellow Daoist Ancient Ruins has already forged the Primordial Unity Golden Body [a golden body of unified primordial essence]. It seems the condensation of a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a cultivation foundation based on dual unified primordial essence] is not far off."

In the rear courtyard of the Ancient Ruins Great Hall, Eldrin Chen sat facing the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, a sigh of emotion escaping his lips.

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord offered a faint smile, calmly pouring a pot of tea for Eldrin Chen before speaking. "For cultivators like us," he said, "the true keys are Fortune and Opportunity and Fortune."

"For millions of years, in life and in death, my existence was utterly unremarkable. Had it not been for the bountiful harvest within the Small Universe, I could never have achieved what I have today."

"Excellent tea," Eldrin Chen remarked after a sip, his voice filled with appreciation. "Regarding this impending Path Tribulation, I fear I may yet require your aid, Fellow Daoist."

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord remained serene. "We support each other, weathering the tribulation together," he replied with a gentle laugh. "Why speak of who aids whom?"

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, offering no further words on the matter.

He produced a Pill of Polarity Enlightenment [a supreme elixir that grants profound insight into the unity of opposing forces]. "With this," he began, "do you believe you have the confidence to achieve a breakthrough in the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation method that harmonizes the primal energies of Yin and Yang into a single, unshakable foundation]?"

"This pill..."

The Ancient Ruins Nether Lord was momentarily taken aback. He accepted the Pill of Polarity Enlightenment. "With this in hand," he said, "combined with the resources I have gathered over these years, I would estimate an eighty percent chance of successfully breaking through to the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation."

"However, this treasure is immensely valuable. I possess nothing of equivalent worth from the world of the living to offer you in exchange."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "There is no need for haste. When the Path Tribulation arrives, we shall fight side by side. From the spoils of battle, you may take an item of equivalent value and give it to me."

"Very well."

Ancient Ruins Nether Lord did not decline. As a Half-Step Celestial Immortal Great Power, he was confident in his ability to repay this Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences], and was in fact somewhat more composed about it than Heaven Abyss Path Master.

"..."

Eldrin Chen departed from Ancient Ruins Ghost City and soon returned to the Returning Abyss Blessed Land.

He handed the two portions of Supreme Grade World-Opening Marvel [a supreme-grade spiritual material used in world-creation and profound cultivation] to Exquisite Jiang, then summoned Violet Consort Yan, Nyssa Qu, Verdant Consort, and Lila to his cave abode.

"This time, I am about to enter the Three Forbidden Lands for cultivation," he began. "To prepare for the possibility of not returning promptly, I have already made arrangements with our allies: the Glazed Blessed Land, the Violet Firmament Path Palace, Blazeflame Divine Spirit, Heaven Abyss Path Master, and Ancient Ruins Nether Lord among others."

"Should the Chen Immortal Clan truly encounter trouble, these forces will not stand idly by."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, detailing the matters to be handled after his departure.

Upon hearing this, the hearts of Exquisite Jiang and the other four women grew heavy. Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the Forbidden Land [regions of extreme danger and profound mystery, often sealed or inaccessible] were, after all, places of utmost peril.

In the past, Eldrin Chen had managed to trap and slay a Half-Step Celestial Immortal Great Power merely at the periphery of the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land. This alone reveals the profound peril inherent in such Forbidden Lands [places of extreme danger and forbidden power].

More importantly, this time Eldrin Chen intended to venture deep into the Forbidden Land, planning to cultivate his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of supreme resilience] by harnessing the boundless Power of Oblivion [a destructive, annihilating force] found there. It was clear this process would be fraught with unimaginable danger.

Even though Eldrin Chen possessed the Innate Dual-Polarity Void Mirror, whether he would return alive remained an unknown.

This thought weighed heavily on the minds of Verdant Consort and the others. Seeing that Eldrin Chen, even on the eve of his departure, took the time to personally visit several close friends to pave the way for his clan and prepare for any eventuality, only deepened their apprehension.

Violet Consort Yan, her worry getting the better of her, could not help but ask, "Is this journey truly necessary?"

"How can I retreat when it concerns the Great Path [the supreme Dao of cultivation]?"

Eldrin Chen replied with a gentle smile, then continued, "Given the requirements of my Primordial One Indestructibility Body, within the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the places capable of aiding its completion are few. Aside from certain Grotto-Heavens [self-contained pocket realms of immense spiritual density], only these handful of Forbidden Lands remain as viable options."

Upon hearing this, the women could only offer a soft, resigned sigh.

They understood in their hearts that the pursuit of the Great Path was a road of no return. A single step back today might demand a price a thousandfold greater tomorrow, with no guarantee of redemption.

Sensing their concern, Eldrin Chen offered reassurance, "Set your minds at ease. With the means at my disposal now, is there any corner of this world I cannot tread?"

"Even if it is the Immortal Domain Forbidden Land, so what? What does not kill me only makes me stronger."

Having said that, Eldrin Chen spoke no more.

He handed over the remaining items on his person to Exquisite Jiang and the others. Apart from the Polarity Path Union Gourd, the Polarity Void Mirror, the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd, and his Lifebound Supreme Treasure, Eldrin Chen only took with him some Immortal Pill [pills of immense potency used by immortals to restore their energy].

Furthermore, the Human Sovereign's Sword, the Primordial Unity Adamantine War Halberd, and the Innate Treasure Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth were all entrusted to Exquisite Jiang.

Now, each of Eldrin Chen's Innate Divine Ability [powers born from one's very essence, surpassing learned techniques] had reached a state of profound mystery, and the power unleashed by any single one was sufficient to rival a Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a weapon forged at the highest tier of immortal craftsmanship].

If three Innate Treasure [treasures born of natural law, not crafted by mortal or immortal hands] and his Innate Divine Ability were insufficient to protect him, then these two Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon would not be of much greater use.

After distributing his other treasures to the women, Eldrin Chen prepared to take his leave. However, before he could depart, Exquisite Jiang pulled him back.

"What is it?"

Eldrin Chen was somewhat puzzled, only to find Exquisite Jiang gazing at him with profound intensity.

Beside them, a faint blush graced the peerlessly beautiful faces of Nyssa Qu, Verdant Consort, Violet Consort Yan, and Lila.

"Did you not always say you wished to enjoy the bliss of having multiple consorts?"

"Today, I shall grant you the full five blessings [a play on the Chinese idiom for perfect happiness], so you may experience the ultimate pleasure of the Mortal Dust [the realm of worldly desires and attachments].