Chapter 1703 : A Choice Between Heart and Destiny

Two candidates emerged simultaneously. By convention, priority should be given to one's Dao Companion, Yvonne the Violet Consort [a powerful cultivator and Eldrin Chen's partner].

After all, Yvonne the Violet Consort is his own Dao Companion; as a united couple, there should be no hesitation in the choice.

However, the present circumstances were unique. Qiyuan Chen possessed extraordinary talent and was the individual within the Chen Immortal Clan [a powerful clan of cultivators] most likely to achieve the Forbidden Realm [a legendary and supremely difficult stage of cultivation].

Yet, Yvonne the Violet Consort's potential could not match Qiyuan Chen's. Even if she refined the Ten Calamity Dao Source [a profound source of Dao power derived from ten great tribulations] of the Crimson Crow Holy Son, her chances of breaking through to the Forbidden Realm likely would not exceed thirty percent.

This was because, since ancient times, those capable of cultivating to the Forbidden Realm were almost universally peerless geniuses who had comprehended a path that was uniquely myself [their own, distinct and personal].

Aside from Nyssa Qu, who relied on her bloodline, and Caelan Chen, who possessed the Thirty-Three Sea-Steadying Divine Pearls [a legendary set of pearls with immense power], the few within the Chen Immortal Clan qualified to step into the Forbidden Realm had all comprehended a path that was uniquely myself.

Such as Qiyuan Chen's Gold-Silver Forging Body Dao [a body-forging cultivation art based on the principles of gold and silver], Verdant Consort's Yin-Yang Azure Lotus Dao [a cultivation art centered on the harmony of yin, yang, and the azure lotus], Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Limitless Dao [a path of cultivation based on the limitless potential of primordial chaos], and Lyra Jiang's Great Five Elements Limitless Dao [a limitless cultivation art based on the five fundamental elements].

There was also Kael Chen's Myriad Worlds Unification Body [a supreme constitution], which unified the Buddha's Tribulation-Transcending Body [a divine ability representing a Buddha's transcendence over tribulations], the Demon King World-Destroying Body [a divine ability embodying a Demon King's power to destroy worlds], and the Dao Lord Dao-Merging Body [a divine ability representing a Dao Lord's merging with the Dao].

Within the present Chen Immortal Clan, aside from these individuals, none of the others had yet forged a path that was uniquely myself, making their chances of a Forbidden Realm breakthrough exceedingly slim.

Although Yvonne the Violet Consort's Violet Flame Heavenly Fire [a divine ability of heavenly violet flame], Violet Flame Immortal Physique [an immortal constitution of violet flame], and Violet Flame Dao Fruit [a Dao fruit embodying violet flame principles] were all formidable, they had not yet transcended a certain limit to form a forbidden path that was uniquely myself. Visit https://audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen estimated that this priceless Dao Source of ten calamities, a forbidden treasure, would likely be a futile endeavor even if given to Yvonne the Violet Consort.

It was at this moment that Yvonne the Violet Consort spoke, "This Dao Source contains the profound mysteries of the Crimson Sun Origin [the primordial essence of the crimson sun], which aligns with the Primordial Source [the foundational origin of all things] of the Ancient Ancestor. It should be given to the Ancient Ancestor."

However, Qiyuan Chen shook his head, his expression calm as he stated, "My path lies in the Indestructible Golden Body Dao [the Dao of the Unbreakable Golden Physique]. This object diverges from my chosen way."

"Moreover, even without the aid of such an object, my ascension into the Forbidden Realm [a legendary cultivation realm of supreme power] is an inevitability."

Hearing this, everyone present fell into contemplative silence.

The most crucial factor in stepping into the Forbidden Realm is whether one can forge a path uniquely their own.

Qiyuan Chen's Dao is rooted in Fleshly Body Sanctification [the art of purifying and strengthening the physical body to a sacred state]. By refining sufficient Mithril Adamantine [a mythical, supremely hard metal], he can assuredly enter the Forbidden Realm. This Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path, representing supreme achievement] from Chiwu would be merely an embellishment to him.

While it might allow Qiyuan Chen to cultivate a more formidable Forbidden Realm, it would scarcely advance his Dao Fruit or his comprehension of the Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality and cultivation].

Having said this, Qiyuan Chen glanced at Yvonne the Violet Consort and continued, "Fellow Daoist Yvonne's Deep-Seated Foundation [the profound, underlying basis of one's cultivation] is somewhat less robust. Although the path to the Forbidden Realm will be arduous for her, it is not without hope."

"It would be better to preserve this object for now. First, refine a Nine Calamities Dao Source [a Dao Source containing the essence of nine great tribulations]. In the future, when her cultivation has progressed further, she may yet have a sliver of a chance to refine this treasure by leveraging the profound effects of Fortune and Merit [a metaphysical combination of good luck and accumulated virtuous deeds]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen also gave a slight nod of agreement.

At present, even with this Ten Calamity Dao Source [a condensed essence of profound Dao insights and power, born from overcoming ten great tribulations], the likelihood of Yvonne the Violet Consort successfully breaking through to the Forbidden Realm [a legendary and nearly unattainable cultivation stage] was not great.

However, by preserving it, if Yvonne the Violet Consort were to later comprehend her own unique Dao [the fundamental path or principle of cultivation] and then refine it, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen stored away the Crimson Crow Dao Source [a Dao Source imbued with the essence of the mythical Crimson Crow] and then spoke, "Since that is the case, you all should also enter seclusion now."

"This time, each of you will refine one Nine Calamities Dao Source [a condensed essence of profound Dao insights and power, born from overcoming nine great tribulations]. Your cultivation bases will undoubtedly advance significantly."

Upon hearing this, Verdant Consort and the others revealed smiles of anticipation.

The members of the Chen Immortal Clan lacked for no Innate Treasure [a treasure born from nature, possessing immense innate power]. Thus, this time, each exchanged for a Nine Calamities Dao Source. The Dao Source [a condensed essence of profound Dao insights and power] contained the lifetime of insights and the Primordial Source [the foundational, primordial energy of a cultivator] of an expert at the Triple Taiyi Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation stage]. Refining it would be enough to substantially increase their strength.

Thinking of this, they could not bear to delay any longer and immediately returned to their Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed meditation and cultivation] to begin their closed-door cultivation.

As for Eldrin Chen, he proceeded deep into the Violet Ye Palace to personally oversee the preparations, readying himself to assault the Triple Taiyi Foundation.

Before launching his attempt on the Triple Taiyi Foundation, Eldrin Chen first spent many years utilizing the Five Elements Primordial Qi [the primordial energy of the five fundamental elements] generated by the Five Domains Formation [a powerful formation harnessing the power of the five elemental domains] to repair his damaged Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell [a mighty defensive bell treasure] and Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a pair of legendary swords].

After the Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force] was repaired, he immediately proceeded to the very core of the Five Domains Five Elements Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation harnessing the power of the five elements across five heavenly domains].

The core of this Five Domains Five Elements Grand Formation was located in the deepest part of the Abyssal Sea Region. It converged the vast and mighty Five Elements Primordial Qi [the primordial spiritual energy of the five fundamental elements] from within the Five Great Heavenly Domains, condensing into a Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket dimension of immense spiritual density] amidst the sea.

This Grotto-Heaven was named the Abyssal Grotto-Heaven by Eldrin Chen. It was a rare Five Elements Grotto-Heaven [a Grotto-Heaven perfectly balanced with the spiritual essence of all five elements], formed by converging the five types of Primordial Source [the foundational, origin-level spiritual essence] from between the Heavenly Layers, combined with the Primordial Source released upon the Dao-dissolution [the final merging with the Dao at death] of countless Immortal and Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivators.

The concentration of spiritual energy within it ranked among the highest even for a Low Grade Grotto-Heaven, sufficient to sustain the full cultivation efforts of three Early Celestial Immortal Realm [cultivators at the early stage of the Celestial Immortal realm].

In comparison, the Grotto-Heaven once opened by the Dragon King of the Western Abyss was merely a Low Grade Grotto-Heaven, barely able to support the cultivation of a single Early Celestial Immortal Realm—only one-third the capacity of this current Grotto-Heaven.

Most importantly, according to Eldrin Chen's estimation, as long as the Five Domains Formation continued to operate, gathering all the spiritual energy released by the Dao-dissolution of countless Demon Immortal and Divine Spirits, this Five Elements Grotto-Heaven would ascend to become a Mid Grade Grotto-Heaven once the Dao Tribulation [the great cosmic calamity marking the end of an era] concluded. For more chapters, visit audio-novel . com for the complete novel.

It must be understood that even among Supreme Grotto-Heaven [the highest classification of Grotto-Heavens], the density of spiritual energy could vary immensely.

A Low Grade Grotto-Heaven could sustain the cultivation of one to three Early Celestial Immortal Realm cultivators. A Mid Grade Grotto-Heaven contained enough energy to support at least nine such cultivators. A High Grade Grotto-Heaven was potent enough to allow thirty Heavenly Immortal Paragon [peak-stage Celestial Immortals] to cultivate in seclusion simultaneously.

After the Dao Tribulation ended, Eldrin Chen estimated that this Five Elements Grotto-Heaven of his would be sufficient to supply the cultivation needs of nine Heaven Immortal [Celestial Immortals] from his clan. Combined with the Pure Yang Five Elements Grotto-Heaven within the Five Elements Microcosm [a miniature world embodying the five elements], it should be able to support a total of thirteen Early Celestial Immortal Realm cultivators.

"Merely a Mid Grade Grotto-Heaven... still seems somewhat insufficient," he mused.

Eldrin Chen's heart suddenly spoke to itself, and a contemplative light flickered in his eyes.

Now, the Chen Immortal Clan was vast and prosperous. After more than a dozen clan members broke through to the Triple Taiyi Foundation, they became over a dozen Flawless Celestial Immortal [Celestial Immortals who have achieved a flawless, perfect foundation]. The amount of Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy used by Celestial Immortals for cultivation] they consumed for their cultivation far exceeded that of ordinary Early Celestial Immortal Realm cultivators.

Relying solely on two Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm and spiritual paradise cultivated by immortals] of Middle and Low Grade was somewhat insufficient. At least one High Grade Grotto-Heaven [a Grotto-Heaven of the highest quality and spiritual density] was needed to satisfy the cultivation needs of the Chen Clan.

However, establishing a High Grade Grotto-Heaven was an exceedingly difficult task.

Within the entire Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, there were several hundred Grotto-Heaven, yet the number of High Grade Grotto-Heaven combined was less than fifty. Each was a hegemon-level power that commanded awe across a Heavenly Domain, a testament to their profoundly deep Deep-Seated Foundation [the immense and solid accumulation of resources, power, and legacy that forms the bedrock of a major force].

Such Grotto-Heaven were typically forged over hundreds of millions of years, painstakingly expanded generation after generation by Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle masters among Heavenly Immortals], consuming incalculable and vast resources in their cultivation.

"Enough. The immediate priority is to attempt the breakthrough first," Eldrin murmured to himself.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen shook his head slightly and activated the grand formation within the Five Elements Grotto-Heaven.

This Five Elements Grand Formation [a supreme formation harnessing the power of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] was suffused with boundless energy of the Heaven and Earth Five Elements [the five fundamental energies that constitute Heaven and Earth]. As Eldrin Chen continuously channeled his power, the Five Elements Primordial Qi [the primal, undifferentiated energy of the Five Elements] fused into one under the amplification of the Formation, transforming into a wisp of Chaos Mist Energy [a primal, formless energy born from the fusion of fundamental forces].

This Chaos Qi [Chaos Energy] was far gentler than the Chaos Currents [the violent, primordial flows of energy] found within the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before the creation of the cosmos], yet it remained an overwhelmingly potent energy of the Primordial Chaos. Dive deeper into the Dao at audio-novel.com.