Chapter 1606 : A Forbidden Path Beckons

The bliss of dual cultivation with several Immortal Maidens had already transcended the utmost limits of the Mortal Dust [the mortal world, representing earthly desires and attachments].

Such soul-melting, bone-eroding ecstasy nearly caused Eldrin Chen to ascend into sainthood on the spot, tempting him to sink utterly into its depths.

Fortunately, his will was firm. His spiritual platform [the core of consciousness and clarity in a cultivator's mind] grew ever clearer amidst the dual cultivation, and his cultivation base solidified further—clear evidence of its immense benefits.

"The Polarity Mutual Cultivation Covenant [a profound dual cultivation technique harmonizing opposing energies] has been refined to the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm, just before ascension to the Celestial Immortal realm].

Eldrin Chen murmured softly. After advancing the Polarity Mutual Cultivation Covenant to the Ninth Level Earth Immortal [the ninth and final tier within the Earth Immortal cultivation stage], the shared cultivation between dao-companions now allowed them to exchange and resonate with many insights.

Had he been willing to remain within the Returning Abyss Blessed Land [a land blessed with potent spiritual energy, often a cultivator's sanctuary], cultivating this scripture in mutual resonance with his five Immortal Consort dao-companions, their comprehension of the Path Principle [the fundamental laws and truths of the Great Dao] would have seen significant advancement.

However, the journey to the Forbidden Land [a perilous, ancient region sealed off by taboos and powerful restrictions] concerned the very Path [the Great Dao, the ultimate principle and goal of cultivation]. In the end, Eldrin Chen did not linger for long.

He bid farewell to Exquisite Jiang and departed from the Returning Abyss Sea Region, setting his course directly for the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains [a vast and powerful celestial territory in the northernmost reaches of the immortal world].

"..."

The Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a major realm within the immortal world, vast and teeming with spiritual energy] drifted within the Endless Chaos [the primordial, formless void that exists between and beyond ordered realms]. Its expanse was boundless and immeasurable, spanning an unfathomable number of immortal journey distances.

The vast Vast Azure Immortal Domain [the primary realm of immortals and cultivation] is further subdivided into the Thirty-Threefold Heavenly Domains [the collective name for the thirty-three major celestial realms], comprising the Eastern Pole [the eastern celestial region], the Western Pole [the western celestial region], the Southern Pole [the southern celestial region], and the Northern Pole [the northern celestial region].

Among these, the Eastern Pole, the Western Pole, the Southern Pole, and the Northern Pole each contain six Heavenly Domains [major celestial regions], totaling twenty-four Heavenly Domains.

The Central Heavenly Domain [the central and most ancient celestial region] is the most ancient, said to contain seven Heavenly Domains, bringing the total to thirty-one Heavenly Domains.

Furthermore, above the boundless Heavenly Vault [the celestial firmament], lies another Heavenly Domain, named Vast Azure Heaven [the supreme celestial domain of the Vast Azure Heavenly Halberd].

Within the endless Netherworld Realm [the underworld realm of spirits and the dead], there also exists a Heavenly Domain, known as the Netherworld Abyss [the profound abyss within the Netherworld].

The Vast Azure Heaven is the seat of the Vast Azure Heavenly Halberd [a legendary divine weapon]. This particular Heavenly Domain holds no mortals or ordinary Immortals [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation]; only those who have reached at least the Celestial Immortal Realm [a high level of immortal cultivation] can ascend to it.

The Netherworld Abyss lies in the Depths of the Netherworld [the deepest layers of the underworld] and is jointly governed by the Ten Great Nether Kings [the ten supreme rulers of the underworld], a place said to be unfathomably deep.

To return to the main point, the Forbidden Land [a perilous, restricted area] that Eldrin Chen sought this time was an ice-attribute Forbidden Land, located within the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains [the six celestial domains of the Northern Pole].

"So this is the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains?"

Utilizing the power of the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure capable of traversing vast distances], Eldrin Chen swiftly arrived within the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains.

He did not proceed directly to the Frost Soul Forbidden Land [a perilous and restricted area]. Instead, he first traveled to the Pure Tenuity Heavenly Domain [one of the celestial realms] and sought out the Great Wasteland Path Palace [a major sect] to meet with its leader, the Lord of the Great Wasteland Path Palace.

Eldrin Chen had cultivated for many years within the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole [the six celestial realms of the Western Pole] and was not overly familiar with the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains [the six celestial realms of the Northern Pole]. Although he had long decided on his destination, the Forbidden Land, he still resolved to gather intelligence from a local power to avoid any unforeseen complications.

Back when he descended to the lower realms, Eldrin Chen had fought side-by-side with the Lord of the Great Wasteland Path Palace, forging a bond of camaraderie. Now that he had come to the Northern Pole Heavenly Domain, he naturally thought of seeking out his old comrade.

By now, Eldrin Chen had gained a modest reputation within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [the vast realm of immortals]. The Lord of the Great Wasteland Path Palace certainly dared not treat him with anything less than full courtesy.

He personally received Eldrin Chen and said with a warm smile, "Fellow Daoist, to have you travel such a great distance is a rare and welcome honor."

"I apologize for this unannounced visit," Eldrin Chen replied courteously.

Eldrin Chen offered a slight, polite smile as he spoke.

The Lord of the Great Wasteland Path Palace was exceedingly gracious. He escorted Eldrin Chen to the summit of an immortal mountain and personally brewed a pot of spiritual tea for him.

After the customary pleasantries were exchanged, the Lord inquired, "Fellow Daoist, for what purpose do you grace my Great Wasteland Path Palace with your presence?"

Getting to the heart of the matter, Eldrin Chen gave a faint nod. "I have come to the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains to attend to a certain affair. However, I am not well-acquainted with this region. I wished to request a detailed report on the current situation within these six heavenly domains."

Upon hearing this, the Lord of the Great Wasteland Path Palace [the master of the primary cultivation institution in the Great Wasteland region] smiled faintly and said, "Of course, of course. Let me fetch a detailed report for you."

A moment later, the Lord of the Great Wasteland Path Palace returned with a comprehensive intelligence dossier.

Eldrin Chen glanced through it briefly and found the information on the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains [a cluster of six frigid, high-altitude realms at the world's northern pole] to be exceptionally detailed. It contained thorough descriptions of the ice-attribute Forbidden Land [regions of extreme danger and potent, often chaotic, natural energies], perfectly meeting his requirements.

Thus, with a slight smile, he spoke, "With this report, I will no longer be venturing forth blind. My sincere thanks."

The Lord of the Great Wasteland Path Palace offered a polite smile in return. "It was but a minor favor. I am certain you could have acquired similar intelligence with a trip to Pure Tenuity Immortal City [a major trading and information hub within the immortal realms]."

Eldrin Chen said no more. He left a sum of Immortal Source [a high-grade spiritual energy crystal used as currency and for cultivation by powerful immortals] and promptly departed from the Great Wasteland Path Palace.

Once outside the Great Wasteland Path Palace, Eldrin Chen began to study the report in earnest, a contemplative frown gracing his features.

According to the intelligence, the Northern Pole Six Heavenly Domains were: the Pure Tenuity Heavenly Domain, the Vast Cold Heavenly Domain, the Ancient Frost Soul Domain, the Great Mystery Sinking Star Domain, the North Dark Candle Nether Sea [also a vast, dark, and frigid oceanic region], and the Icy River Myriad Snow Domain.

Collectively, these Sixfold Heaven [a term for the six domains as a unified region] contained dozens of major and minor Grotto-Heaven [self-contained pocket realms of immense spiritual density] and several terrifyingly dangerous Forbidden Land.

The ice-attribute Forbidden Land that Eldrin Chen sought was located within the Ancient Frost Soul Domain.

"The intelligence regarding the Great Wasteland Path Palace was obtained from the Pure Tenuity Grotto-Heaven and aligns substantially with the information in my possession. It appears a venture is feasible."

After reviewing the materials, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself.

He hesitated no further, flying directly into the heart of the Ancient Frost Soul Domain until he arrived before a vast expanse of glacial snowfields, frozen for countless eons.

"This is the place."

"Fallen Phoenix Ridge."

Gazing upon this ancient domain and cross-referencing it with the intelligence in his hand, Eldrin Chen spoke with an expression of utmost gravity.

This so-called Fallen Phoenix Ridge was said to have been formed from the fallen body of a Primordial Era Ice Phoenix at the end of the Primordial Era. It was a renowned forbidden land within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Legend spoke of a cataclysmic war in the Late Primordial Era, where the Primordial Era Divine Court battled an indescribable foe. Great God Vast Azure unleashed power that shook the foundations of the Cosmos, his Vast Azure Heavenly Halberd forcing legions of heroes to bow in submission.

Among the fallen was a Primordial Era Ice Phoenix slain by Great God Vast Azure. Its colossal Immortal Phoenix form pierced through the very membrane of the Vast Azure Heavenly Domain and plummeted into the Ancient Frost Soul Domain, transforming into the Fallen Phoenix Ridge that stretched across untold immortal leagues.

According to the intelligence gathered by Eldrin Chen, this Primordial Era Ice Phoenix was suspected to be an existence at the Ancient Immortal Realm level, having not taken that final, ultimate step. It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen had come to this Forbidden Land.

"Legend has it that within the Fallen Phoenix Ridge [a legendary and perilous mountain range], over countless eons, numerous beings at the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals] have ventured inside. While most managed to escape only after paying a tremendous price, it is exceedingly rare for a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a supreme expert among celestial immortals] to perish there."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, yet a profound gravity remained etched upon his brow.

A Forbidden Land [a place of extreme and unnatural danger] potent enough to grievously wound even a Celestial Immortal Great Power still posed a significant risk for Eldrin Chen.

However, within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, there were only two ice-attribute Forbidden Land. The other, known as the 'Myriad Ghosts Frozen Cavern' [a cavern of eternal ice haunted by countless spectral beings], was said to have been formed from a fragment of a broken Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth]. Even an Ancient Immortal Great Power [an ancient and immensely powerful immortal] was rumored to have met their end within its depths.

By comparison, this Fallen Phoenix Ridge represented Eldrin Chen's sole viable choice.

Having reached this conclusion, he hesitated no longer and stepped forward into the Fallen Phoenix Ridge.

"Hiss, so cold!"

Almost immediately upon entering the ridge, Eldrin Chen was assaulted by a wave of absolute, soul-numbing cold.

This frigid aura possessed the power to freeze all creation. Even an existence at the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the realm of ascendant immortals] would likely be transformed into an ice sculpture within mere moments of exposure.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of near-absolute resilience] was extraordinary. Despite the onslaught of such intense cold, he remained largely unaffected, experiencing only a profound chill.

With his current level of cultivation, Eldrin Chen's physical body was robust enough to withstand the full-force assault of a top-tier Half-Step Celestial Immortal. Naturally, he remained utterly unaffected by the pervasive chill of the Fallen Phoenix Ridge.

"The mere periphery of this place is insufficient to temper my Primordial One Indestructibility Body," he murmured to himself, his voice a low rumble in the frozen silence.

With that thought, Eldrin Chen resumed his measured stride, his footsteps carving a solitary path deeper into the heart of the forbidding ridge.

Time seemed to lose its meaning amidst the eternal frost. After an immeasurable passage, Eldrin Chen finally crossed the threshold into the true inner reaches of the Fallen Phoenix Ridge.

"Whoosh… whoosh… whoosh…" An eerie, whispering wind, laden with ancient cold and forgotten power, now coiled around him, a stark contrast to the relative stillness of the outer slopes.