Chapter 1724 : The Price of a Supreme Foundation

Next, he still needed to repay the three strands of Innate Qi [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] to the Ethereal Void Grotto-Heaven. Furthermore, his five Lifebound Immortal Treasures [treasures bound to one's life and cultivation path, forming the foundation of one's Dao] were also the very bedrock of his path. To advance each of them to the Mid-Grade Innate Treasure [a mid-tier level of primordial, heaven-born magical artifacts] rank, an additional two strands of Innate Qi would be required to evolve their Innate Dao Patterns [the fundamental, heaven-bestowed patterns that define a treasure's nature and power].

The most critical point was that Eldrin Chen's foundation was overwhelmingly profound. While it granted him unparalleled combat prowess, the consumption of Innate Qi required for his future advancement would increase exponentially.

Calculating based on the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique [a supreme, heaven-born constitution of primordial and unbreakable nature], the amount of Innate Qi this constitution would consume for future breakthroughs was five times that of a standard Immortal Physique [a body tempered for immortality] of the same realm.

To ascend to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm], the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique would require refining ten more strands of Innate Qi. In the future, breaking through to the Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Heaven Immortal cultivation realm] would demand the consumption of at least thirty strands.

In other words, for Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique to reach its Great Completion, it would require the auspicious number of nine times five—a total of forty-five strands of Innate Qi.

Yet, an existence at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle, perfected stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] typically only needed to consume twenty-seven strands of Innate Qi.

Of course, such immense consumption by the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique naturally translated into correspondingly formidable battle strength.

Currently, Eldrin Chen's combat power was already comparable to that of the Late Heaven Immortal Realm. Once his Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique reached Great Completion, he would likely be able to suppress a supreme powerhouse at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm with a single palm strike.

Most importantly, once the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique achieved Great Completion, it would likely allow him to shatter the Fleshly Body Pass [the trial gate related to physical body refinement] within the Ninefold Heavenly Pass [the nine great tribulation gates of heavenly ascension] with ease.

In contrast, ordinary beings at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, whose Innate Physique [heaven-born physical constitution] was not powerful enough, would often find themselves trapped at that very realm, forever unable to take a single step further. Original publication: audi novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Those Ancient Immortals [powerful beings who have transcended the mortal coil] capable of shattering the Fleshly Body Pass [a critical bottleneck in physical cultivation] have typically exhausted every conceivable method to forge an even more formidable, top-tier Innate True Body [a supreme physical constitution born from primordial essence].

Such beings invariably consume quantities of Innate Qi [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] far exceeding nine strands.

Precisely for this reason, those who have cultivated to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable and profound stage of immortal cultivation] have almost all expended hundreds of strands of Innate Qi, their consumption not necessarily less than that of Eldrin Chen.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen shook his head, casting the thought aside.

Gazing at the twenty remaining strands of Innate Qi in his hand, he mused aloud, "My foundation is excessively profound. With only these remaining strands, I can at most cultivate to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm]."

"It seems that after breaking through to Heaven Immortal [the Heaven Immortal realm, a lofty stage of cultivation], if I wish for my cultivation to advance swiftly, I must journey into the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial void from which all existence emerged]."

With these thoughts flickering through his mind, Eldrin Chen finally stored the Innate Qi away.

He possessed the Innate Chaos Indestructible Body [an art forging a body impervious to the ravages of primordial chaos], a constitution inherently suited for traversing the Primordial Chaos. He had long been mentally prepared to venture there and felt no trepidation now.

"Congratulations, Husband."

At that very moment, Lyra Jiang approached with a gentle smile.

Jiang Daoxu also looked over, expressing rare astonishment as he said, "A vast Cosmos [a self-contained universe created by a powerful cultivator] spanning one hundred eighty million light-years in diameter... This Cosmos of yours is not far from the scale of an Heaven Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] at the eighth level."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but offer a faint smile.

A Cosmos with a diameter of one hundred eighty million light-years might not be considered a soul-stirring feat for an existence at the Late Heaven Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Heaven Immortal cultivation realm].

Generally speaking, the Celestial Immortal Universe [the personal cosmos of a Celestial Immortal] possessed by a Great Power at the eighth level of Heaven Immortal has a diameter of around two hundred million light-years. Those at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] possess larger ones, but their Cosmos size is estimated to be only around three hundred million light-years.

It is said that the Cosmos opened by those Ancient Immortal Great Power [profoundly powerful immortals from ancient times] are infinitely resplendent, akin to a visible Grand Universe [the primary, all-encompassing universe]; their diameters can even exceed one billion light-years, with the most supreme among them reaching tens of billions of light-years—a scale almost beyond description.

However, these are achievements only possible for those at the Late Heaven Immortal Realm or above. For an existence at the mere Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] to open a Cosmos approaching two hundred million light-years... even those Ancient Immortal Great Power would likely be struck dumb with amazement.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen took out three strands of Innate Qi [primordial energy of creation, foundational to forming a cosmos] and handed them to Jiang Daoxu, then spoke: "With Grandfather's foundational strength, I believe you too can open a boundless and vast Cosmos."

Jiang Daoxu accepted the Innate Qi and replied, "With my foundation, I fear I cannot compare to you."

Observing the Cosmos behind Eldrin Chen, Lyra Jiang spoke with concern: "Such a Cosmos is truly extraordinary. If Valerius attaches itself to the World's Primordial Membrane [the fundamental boundary layer of a world or domain] beside the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [a vast realm of immortal cultivation], I fear it will attract undue attention."

"It is of no consequence. Under the protective field of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, there should be no major issues unless a Great Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal of the Great Luo realm] personally intervenes,"

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, his voice measured, "After you achieve your breakthroughs, we shall establish a Chaos Universe Cluster [a vast, interconnected cluster of universes born from primordial chaos] beside this Chaos Placenta Membrane [the primordial membrane that separates and nurtures nascent universes]. We will arrange the various Grand Universe [a major, stable universe within the cosmic hierarchy] into a Domain Formation [a powerful defensive or offensive array formation]."

"By then, even if some blind Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient, monstrous beings native to the primordial chaos] dares to attack, we will be more than capable of joining forces to repel it."

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

She lifted her gaze towards the distant Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, a colossal and ancient realm of immortals], and her heart could not help but tremble with awe.

Without direct comparison, one could never truly comprehend the immensity of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain. Eldrin Chen's own Chaotic Cosmos [a nascent, turbulent universe], which stretched for hundreds of millions of light-years, appeared before the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain as nothing more than A Drop in the Vast Ocean [an utterly insignificant part of a greater whole].

It clung to the World's Primordial Membrane [the foundational, outermost layer of a major realm] of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, enveloped by endless Chaos Qi [the primordial, formless energy from which all things are born] like a single mote of dust orbiting an eternal, colossal star. Published by audio-novel`com. All rights reserved.

And beside the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, similar Minor Universe [a smaller, less stable universe, often a satellite to a Grand Universe] were as numerous as the stars. The vast majority of these Cosmos [a general term for a self-contained universe or reality] were born spontaneously from the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state of existence before creation], with only a rare few being artificially forged.

The Abyssal Minor Universe [the Minor Universe associated with Eldrin, the Abyss] was concealed among them. Without specific coordinates, it would be exceedingly difficult to locate its presence.

"It seems my worries were unfounded."

Lyra Jiang spoke, a wave of relief washing over her.

In truth, by the shores of the Immortal Domain [a vast realm of cultivation and immortal beings], the Chaotic Torrent [a primordial, turbulent flow of chaotic energies] is suppressed by the Immortal Domain, causing the Chaos Qi [the primordial, formless energy of creation] there to become more tranquil and serene, making it far more conducive for nurturing Minor Universe [self-contained pocket dimensions or nascent worlds].

The Minor Universe surrounding the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain [the specific immortal domain where much of the story takes place] are virtually countless, with new ones being born every moment and others fading into oblivion just as swiftly.

The reason the Minor Universe discovered by them back in the days of the Western Pole Celestial Domain [a celestial domain associated with the western direction] was found at all was its extreme proximity to the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain—so close one could almost touch it with a snap of the fingers.

In truth, a Minor Universe that close is a rarity among hundreds of millions. While this place is also not far from the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, that assessment is made from the perspective of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain's own immense scale.

In practical terms, this distance is such that even a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the Heavenly Immortal realm] would have to pay a certain price to traverse the void and reach it.

Most crucially, this location still lies within the field of influence of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain. As long as a Minor Universe remains here, it is, strictly speaking, considered a part of the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain and thus receives its protection.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen felt a slight sense of reassurance settle within his heart.

He turned his gaze back to his own Minor Universe, a faint smile gracing his lips as he spoke, "This Minor Universe shall henceforth serve as my Daoist Assembly Ground [a sacred site for a cultivator's congregation, meditation, and enlightenment]."

"From this day forward, this Daoist Assembly Ground shall be named Abyssal Heaven."

"Abyssal Heaven?"

Lyra Jiang murmured softly, giving a slight nod of agreement.

Utilizing the connection between the Minor Universe and the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain, the trio returned to the Azure Firmament Immortal Domain.

Eldrin Chen returned to his Seclusion Chamber. After sensing the state of the Great Dao [the fundamental principle governing all existence] and the myriad living beings within Abyssal Heaven, a faint smile touched his lips.

Following this breakthrough, the cultivation realms of nearly all the Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual beings who have ascended to a divine state] within Abyssal Heaven had undergone a profound transformation. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio_novel.com.