Chapter 1608 : Into the Frozen Heart

Such a terrifying Forbidden Land [a place of extreme danger and forbidden entry], even an Ancient Immortal [a powerful immortal being from ancient times] would not dare claim they could return alive from it. In terms of peril, it far surpassed this Fallen Phoenix Ridge [a mountain ridge where a phoenix is said to have fallen].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of profound unwillingness in his heart.

After pondering repeatedly, he finally strode towards the Central [the central region] of the Forbidden Land, determined to make one final search.

Here in the Central of the Forbidden Land, the suppressive force of the nascent Frost Soul Great Path [a supreme cultivation art of frost and soul] grew increasingly severe. A biting Frigid Wind [a wind imbued with soul-chilling cold] pierced to the bone and eroded the spirit.

Eldrin Chen attempted to activate the Polarity Void Mirror [a magical treasure capable of manipulating space], only to discover the space here was utterly sealed by the Embryonic Great Path [the foundational, unformed essence of a supreme cultivation art]. Even the Polarity Void Mirror could not tear through the spatial fabric to carry him away.

In this space, once danger was encountered, even a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] would find no means of escape. For this reason, few Celestial Immortal Great Power ever ventured here.

Yet Eldrin Chen did not hesitate. He continued his forward march.

What truly disappointed him was that even here, he could not find the Frost Soul Energy [a spiritual essence of frost and soul power] he sought.

"Is there truly no way?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a touch of desolation in his voice. He settled atop a snowy peak, gazing with regret towards the Heavenly Vault [the vast, overarching dome of the sky].

Above the Heavenly Vault, one could see dark, obscure scars of the Great Path [the fundamental laws of cultivation and existence] crisscrossing the firmament, faintly hinting at some extraordinary, underlying pattern.

"This is..."

Eldrin Chen was startled. He immediately surveyed the surrounding world, only to discover that within the mountains, rivers, and vast earth, endless glacial Earth Vein [the spiritual energy channels that flow through the land] intertwined and crisscrossed. The source of these Earth Vein seemed to converge upon a formation of unprecedented, world-shaking scale.

"Little one, you have a keen eye."

At that very moment, a clear, cold voice echoed from the void.

Eldrin Chen was jolted with alarm. Just as he was about to speak, he felt the very landscape twist and invert. In the next instant, he found himself within a colossal subterranean ice cavern.

Before him stood a somewhat ethereal figure, its gaze fixed upon him.

The figure was shrouded in a swirling, chilly mist, obscuring its Hugo. Yet, Eldrin understood that this being's power far surpassed his own. He immediately bowed respectfully and said, "This junior, Returning Abyss, pays his respects to the senior."

"Returning Abyss?"

The figure's eyes flickered with a subtle light. It then scrutinized Eldrin Chen and said, "You have been at the Fallen Phoenix Ridge for over ten thousand years. I have observed that the physical cultivation art you practice is indeed Extraordinary."

"However, this Immortal Body is indeed Extraordinary. To cultivate the Ice Quenching Method [a profound technique for tempering the body with extreme cold] to perfection, one still requires the aid of Innate Frost Soul Water."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart quaked. He had not expected the other party to discern the true nature of his Primordial One Indestructibility Body with a single glance.

Combined with the ability to instantly teleport him here, it was evident this being was at least comparable to an existence at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen immediately communicated with the Returning Abyss Pearl [a supreme spatial treasure capable of instantaneous escape], preparing to use it to flee at any moment.

He did not leave immediately. Instead, he bowed once more and said, "Your insight is peerless, Senior. This junior's Primordial Unity Immortal Body indeed lacks the final step. Yet, this final step..."

As Eldrin Chen spoke, his expression froze into stunned disbelief.

For at that moment, he finally noticed what lay behind the ethereal figure, at the very Central heart of this cavern: a pool of water wreathed in chilling mist.

The water was a milky white, brimming with boundless cold energy and shimmering with Innate Spiritual Essence [the purest form of spiritual energy born from the cosmos]. It was none other than one of the legendary Innate Spiritual Water [waters born from the primordial chaos, possessing miraculous properties]—'Frost Soul Immortal Water'.

Such Innate Spiritual Water is a treasure beyond measure. A single flask's worth could rival a Primordial Unity Immortal Weapon [a weapon forged by a Primordial Unity Realm immortal]. The pool before him held the equivalent of several hundred flasks, its value utterly incalculable.

Realizing this, Eldrin Chen's mind reeled. He looked at the figure before him and asked, "Senior, you are...?"

In that instant, Eldrin Chen had a fair guess as to this person's identity.

He understood clearly in his heart that the value of this single pool of Frost Soul Immortal Water [a primordial-grade spiritual liquid of extreme yin and cold nature] was comparable to more than half of an Innate Ancient Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth]. Within the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain, only a handful of those Ancient Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have transcended the mortal realm for eons] could afford such wealth.

Beyond them, beings at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage for Celestial Immortals] might also possess such assets, but that would likely constitute their entire fortune. They would not liquidate everything they owned to acquire a single pool of Innate Frost Soul Water [the primordial source of frost soul energy].

Therefore, only one possibility remained: the fallen Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [a legendary divine beast of ice from the dawn of creation] of yore.

"Your guess is correct."

"I am, naturally, the master of this Fallen Phoenix Ridge, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix who perished here long ago."

The figure spoke calmly, its tone devoid of inflection.

At that moment, Eldrin Chen understood why the power of the Fallen Phoenix Ridge had been waning day by day.

It was not due to the dissipation of the Frost Soul Energy [the foundational chilling spiritual power of this place], but rather because the Frost Soul [the core essence and soul of frost] was reconverging, gradually reviving the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix.

Realizing this, a heavy silence settled in Eldrin Chen's heart, though his expression remained composed.

Seeing this, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [an ancient and immensely powerful phoenix born of primordial frost] spoke with a hint of amusement in her tone, "It seems you are not afraid of this venerable one."

Eldrin Chen observed her and replied calmly, "If Senior wished to slay this junior, you likely would not have brought me to this place."

"You are clever indeed."

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix nodded in acknowledgment, then manifested her human form.

Before Eldrin Chen stood a woman of breathtaking beauty, clad in resplendent robes. A silver hairpin shaped like an ice phoenix adorned her hair as she stood in serene silence.

Her gaze, cool and measured, settled upon Eldrin Chen. "I know you possess three Innate Treasure [a treasure born from the world's natural laws, possessing immense power]," she stated plainly. "Yet for a true powerhouse, such external aids are of little consequence."

"We Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation]," she continued, "derive our might from our own essence. External objects are, in the end, merely external."

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix spoke softly, her eyes appraising Eldrin Chen with keen interest. "Your Primordial Unity Immortal Body [a legendary physical constitution that harmonizes the primordial forces of creation] is extraordinary. To possess such capability before it has even reached its peak..."

"Once it is fully perfected," she mused, "even after stepping into the Celestial Immortal [a high realm of immortal cultivation], you would find few rivals within the same realm. You are promising material. In the future, your chances of breaking through to the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, encompassing all laws of heaven and earth] would be greatly enhanced."

Having laid out her assessment, she finally proposed, "I see in you the makings of greatness. How about we strike a bargain?"

"A transaction?"

Eldrin Chen's heart stirred slightly, yet he replied, "If Senior has any need, please simply command. Why speak of a transaction?"

"Heh."

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix gave a faint smile, shaking her head calmly. "What I seek... the time is not yet right. And with your current strength, I fear you are not yet capable of fulfilling it."

Eldrin Chen's heart quaked. He immediately inquired, "What is it that Senior seeks?"

"A single drop of heart's blood from Great God Vast Azure."

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix spoke with utter calmness, yet her words sent a massive tremor through Eldrin Chen's spirit.

Sensing his astonishment, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix took a step forward, her tone turning profoundly solemn. "Ten million years from now, when Great God Vast Azure awakens once more, he will be annihilated by that single sword scar left by that existence all those eons ago."

"Each time he falls, his remains become the object of frenzied desire for countless great powers within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, sparking a mad scramble."

"If one could obtain but a single drop of his heart's blood..."

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [a legendary avian of frost from the primordial times] spoke softly, a glimmer of light flickering in its gaze, yet it left its words unfinished.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen vaguely understood that the state of the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix was profoundly mysterious. It seemed it had not fully resurrected and required the Great Encompassing Essence Blood [the primordial lifeblood essence of a world-creating deity] of Great God Vast Azure [a primordial deity associated with the heavens] to completely awaken and return.