Chapter 1610 : From Fish to Kunpeng

"Young man."

Seeing the expression on Eldrin Chen's face, Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [an ancient and immensely powerful phoenix born of primordial frost] understood his thoughts.

She could not help but shake her head, then spoke: "It has been said that we cultivators are like fish swimming against the current, time and again navigating treacherous shallows, surging rapids, and leaping over canyons, all in pursuit of the source of the great sea."

"This path seems impassioned and stirring, yet one fails to realize it is fundamentally flawed."

"No matter how far a fish swims upstream, it remains merely a fish. It cannot transcend the river's confines. Should it leap from the stream, it will perish from thirst."

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix spoke with a measured cadence, her expression serene as she continued.

She smiled faintly, her gaze lingering on Eldrin Chen before finally stating.

"Only by undergoing a metamorphosis, by growing wings to become a bird of flight, to transform into the Nine Heavens [the highest celestial realms] Kunpeng [a mythical creature of immense size that transforms from a fish into a bird], can a fish break free from the river's bondage, utterly cast off its Destiny [the preordained course of fate or karma], and soar into the boundless firmament."

"You, I, and even that Ancient Demon [a being of immense age and malevolent power from the demonic races] are all fish within this stream. Our myriad struggles and transformations are but efforts to grow those very wings."

Having said this, she spoke no more, simply pushing Eldrin Chen into the frigid pool.

"Hiss—" [a sharp intake of breath]

Upon stepping into the frigid pool, Eldrin Chen was instantly assaulted by a wave of icy cold.

The Innate Frost Soul Spiritual Water was truly extraordinary. In an instant, a surge of Supreme Cold Energy [an energy of ultimate, primordial cold] pierced through his Five Viscera and Six Bowels [the internal organs in traditional Chinese medicine], nearly freezing his entire physical body solid.

Even as Eldrin Chen continuously activated his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of supreme resilience] to resist, the very blood within his veins seemed to fall into a deathly stillness. In the span of mere moments, he was completely encased, transformed into a statue of ice.

Within that icy prison, Eldrin Chen appeared devoid of all vitality; even the beating of his heart had nearly ceased.

Time flowed on relentlessly. In the blink of an eye, ten thousand years passed, until one particular day, a myriad of years later.

A heartbeat sounded from within the ice. At first, it was faint, almost imperceptible. But as time trickled by, it began to grow, becoming heavier and more resonant.

After a long while, it thundered like the deep, resonant tolling of a great bell.

"Thump… Thump… Thump…"

In that very moment, within Eldrin Chen's body, his Five Viscera and Six Bowels began to emit a faint, divine radiance.

Within his lungs, spleen, kidneys, and liver, the four divine spirits seemed frozen by frost, their light dimmed. Only under the faint shelter of a wisp of Chaos Mist [a primordial, formless spiritual essence from which all things are said to originate] did they emit the last vestiges of their glow.

Yet, within Eldrin Chen's heart, a blazing divine radiance erupted. The Crimson Emperor Divine Spirit [the divine spirit embodiment of the fire element, residing in the heart and governing vitality and passion] opened its eyes.

It was an incandescent light of unparalleled intensity, pulsing in rhythm with the heartbeat, its brilliance washing over his being and vaporizing the boundless, encroaching cold.

Torrents of searing blood, driven by the powerful contractions of his heart, began to circulate through Eldrin Chen's body. Wherever it flowed, all traces of frost were utterly refined and purged.

Spurred by the heart's awakening, the Golden Radiance Divine Spirit [the divine spirit of the metal element, residing in the lungs and governing purity and resolve] within the lungs, the Profound Earth Divine Spirit [the divine spirit of the earth element, residing in the spleen and governing stability and nourishment] within the spleen, the Verdant Emperor Divine Spirit [the divine spirit of the wood element, residing in the liver and governing growth and vitality] within the liver, and the Black Emperor Divine Spirit [the divine spirit of the water element, residing in the kidneys and governing depth and potential] within the kidneys—all opened their eyes in turn.

One after another, dazzling beams of light descended, finally intertwining to coalesce into a single, world-illuminating immortal radiance—a sphere of increasingly indistinct Chaos Mist.

Interwoven by this combined power, the boundless Innate Frost Soul Spiritual Water [a spiritual water of extreme cold, born from the essence of frost souls] was refined. It transformed into its fundamental essence, merging into the Chaos Mist and continuously infusing Eldrin Chen's physical form.

And Eldrin Chen's Five Viscera Divine Spirits [the five divine spirits corresponding to the elements, each residing within a major organ] grew ever more pure, as if undergoing a metamorphosis of their own. The day of their breakthrough, of breaking free from their cocoons, drew ever nearer.

"Boom—"

An immeasurable span of time later, Eldrin Chen opened his eyes and slowly emerged from the frigid pool.

He rose to his full height, slowly lowering his gaze to sense the power within himself. A trace of serene satisfaction surfaced in his heart.

At this moment, he could clearly feel that his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique known for its near-unbreakable resilience] had made significant progress.

Before entering Fallen Phoenix Ridge, Eldrin Chen's Supreme Unity Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [the perfected form of the Primordial One Indestructibility Body] had only just taken shape, its power comparable to that of a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm] who possessed a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation built upon two primordial energies].

But now, Eldrin Chen's physical strength had increased by fifty percent. One must not underestimate this fifty percent gap. For high-realm powerhouses, such an increase represents a qualitative leap.

This fifty percent growth was comprehensive. By Eldrin Chen's estimation, his current physical body alone, without even channeling his spiritual energy, would be sufficient to contend against two cultivators with a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation.

Even among those who had reached the realm of a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a formidable existence within the Celestial Immortal realm], the raw power of their Innate True Body [a body born with innate perfection, the starting point for many supreme physiques] likely only matched Eldrin Chen's current standard.

Of course, beings at the Celestial Immortal Realm [a transcendent realm where cultivors become true immortals] had at least cultivated two types of Innate Foundation [the innate spiritual roots that determine a cultivator's elemental affinity and potential], and were further empowered by Innate Dharmic Power [the primordial, law-infused energy unique to Celestial Immortals].

If such an existence were to strike with their full might, combining their Innate Dharmic Power, physical body, and Path Principle [profound abilities derived from comprehending the fundamental laws of the cosmos], Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Indestructibility Body would still be far from sufficient.

Unless he used the Polarity Path Union Gourd [a mystical gourd capable of harmonizing opposing forces to greatly empower its wielder] to augment himself, even combining the full force of his body, spiritual energy, Path Principle, and Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of a cosmic law] would leave Eldrin Chen utterly outmatched by a true Celestial Immortal Great Power.

Nevertheless, this recent breakthrough had granted Eldrin Chen a tremendous surge in strength.

He had a distinct feeling that after this transformation, his combat prowess was drawing ever closer to that of the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation.

"The Supreme Unity Primordial One Indestructibility Physique is only two final steps away from perfection,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a faint smile gracing his lips.

He withdrew his focus and turned to the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [an ancient, mythical bird of frost and ice]. "For your assistance in this matter, Senior, I offer my deepest gratitude," he said.

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix waved a dismissive wing, its gaze fixed on the frigid pool. "Your Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of supreme resilience] is truly extraordinary. It seems I have not chosen wrongly," it remarked.

Eldrin Chen also glanced back at the Innate Frost Soul Spiritual Water [a primordial spiritual liquid of pure frost essence] within the icy depths.

After a moment's hesitation, he spoke again. "I have a Dao Companion who cultivates the Frost Soul Path [a cultivation art centered on frost and soul energy] and is at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a realm just shy of true Celestial Immortality] stage. This Innate Frost Soul Spiritual Water would be of immense benefit to her."

"The Frost Soul Path?"

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix's brow furrowed slightly. "This Innate Frost Soul Spiritual Water of mine is a precious Innate Object [a treasure born of primordial nature, not crafted]. Even Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to Celestial Immortality] would covet it. To bestow it upon an ordinary Half-Step Celestial Immortal would be a grievous waste of a divine treasure."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. "My Dao Companion is no ordinary practitioner. She is a Half-Step Celestial Immortal who has opened the Ninefold Heaven [a legendary, supremely difficult foundational realm]."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix [an ancient and powerful mythical beast of frost] had a glimmer of light flash in her eyes, revealing a look of surprise.

Having awakened many years ago, she was not someone cut off from the world's news and naturally understood what opening a Ninefold Heaven [a supreme, multi-layered personal realm within a cultivator] signified.

She nodded slightly, her thoughts churning as she said, "To open a Ninefold Heaven is to possess Celestial Immortal Aptitude [the innate potential to ascend to the Celestial Immortal realm]. Offering some support could indeed provide us with an additional ally."

With this thought, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "In that case, I shall gift you some Innate Spiritual Water [a primordial water of immense spiritual purity, born from the world's creation]."

As she spoke, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix took out three portions of Innate Spiritual Water and handed them to Eldrin Chen.

After a moment's consideration, she finally added, "After your Path Tribulation [the heavenly trial a cultivator faces when advancing to a major new realm], if your Dao Companion can break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [a major immortal realm above the Earth Immortal stage] using the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable foundation for cultivation], have her come find me."

"Many thanks, Senior."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen immediately accepted the Innate Spiritual Water, a look of joy appearing on his face.

In the future, when the time came to attempt the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, the other Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have reached the peak of the Earth Immortal realm and are on the cusp of the Celestial Immortal breakthrough] within the Chen Clan could all attempt their breakthrough with the aid of the Innate Five Elements Spirit Fruit [a miraculous fruit containing the balanced essence of the five primal elements] and the Innate Primordial Unity Pill [an elixir that helps consolidate the foundational energies for a major realm advancement].

Only Lila, who cultivated the Frost Soul Path Principles [a cultivation method attuned to the essence of ice and frost], was unable to refine the Innate Spirit Fruit [a fruit born of heaven and earth, brimming with pure spiritual energy]. Now, with this portion of Innate Frost Soul Water [a primordial water essence of purest frost, crystallized over eons], Lila would also gain a greater chance of successfully forging her Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable foundation for future cultivation, said to unify body, energy, and spirit].