Chapter 1632 : A Legacy from Ancient Skies

Lior Chen's gaze flickered slightly, yet he still shook his head and said, "You all misunderstand. I have ascended here from the Vast Heaven Ancient Realm [a legendary and ancient plane of existence]."

"The Vast Heaven Ancient Realm?"

Hearing this, the group was momentarily taken aback.

Ancestor Heaven Chen showed a trace of surprise, then turned to the Immortal beside him and asked, "Did the Immortal Ancestor leave a lineage in the Vast Heaven Ancient Realm?"

Another person shook his head, his expression calm as he replied, "I have not heard of such a thing. Perhaps it is a legacy left by Fate Birth Patriarch during his travels across the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and planes of existence]."

Lior Chen listened quietly, offering no further comment.

As the conversation flowed among the assembled figures, Lior Chen gradually understood that everyone within this Path Palace [a grand hall or institution dedicated to the study and practice of cultivation paths] was, to a greater or lesser degree, connected to the Chen Immortal Clan.

Among them were an Elder from the Drifting Snow Palace, the Sect Master of the Stellar Palace, the founding ancestor of an Immortal Domain [a vast, self-contained realm governed by immortals] Path Palace from the Purple Seal Realm, and even the twenty-seventh Immortal Realm [a realm of cultivation for true immortals] founding ancestor of the Ji Immortal Clan.

All these individuals shared close ties with the Chen Immortal Clan, and their cultivation bases had at least reached the Late Ascendant Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Ascendant Immortal realm]. Some had even progressed to the very threshold of the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a quasi-realm just shy of becoming a true Earth Immortal].

In comparison, Lior Chen's own cultivation level seemed utterly insignificant.

"It seems the legacy of Eldrin has grown truly formidable."

Lior Chen murmured inwardly. At that very moment, several figures flew in succession from outside the Great Hall.

Everyone looked up, their expressions instantly shifting to one of profound shock and astonishment.

There were only three arrivals, yet each one radiated an aura as brilliant as the ascending sun, their bearing as unfathomably deep as the abyssal sea.

"The Life-Death Patriarch, the Unity Divine Lord, and the Verdant Edge Patriarch!"

The moment they laid eyes on these three, everyone's expressions changed slightly, revealing immense delight and surprise. They immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply in respectful greeting.

Seeing the trio, a faint smile touched Lior Chen's lips.

Noticing he hadn't risen to pay his respects, Ancestor Heaven Chen spoke with grave seriousness, "Fellow Daoist, do not be distracted. These are the second-generation Patriarchs of the Chen Immortal Clan."

After speaking, and fearing he might not grasp the significance of their identities, Ancestor Heaven Chen transmitted a voice message to Lior Chen, informing him of who these three individuals were.

"This Life-Death Patriarch is the Ancient Progenitor of the Xian Generation of the Chen Clan. His cultivation has reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection realm. Even within the vast expanse of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, he is considered a top-tier powerhouse."

"The Verdant Edge Patriarch is, moreover, the direct disciple of the Ancient Progenitor of Returning Abyss. He is a top-tier figure even when viewed across the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea."

"As for this Unity Divine Lord, he is a contemporary of the Immortal Ancestor of Returning Abyss and a peerless Ancient Progenitor of his generation. He cultivates the three paths of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonic Arts simultaneously, having unified them into one. He is a renowned Divine Lord [a title for a supreme expert] throughout the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea."

Speaking to this point, Ancestor Heaven Chen said with immense gravity, "This is strange. These three are figures one would only see within the ancestral hall of the Chen Clan. Why have they come here today?"

At that very moment, the three figures walked over.

They passed by the crowd and, under everyone's astonished gazes, came to stand before Lior Chen.

The leader, Kael Chen, looked at Lior Chen. His throat trembled slightly before he finally spoke, "Kael pays his respects to Fourteenth Uncle."

"Good, good, good."

Gazing at the three before him, Lior Chen felt a profound surge of emotion.

He reached out and patted Kael Chen's head, sighing as he said, "If your father, Clan Brother Verdant River, knew in the netherworld that you have come this far, he would surely smile with joy in his eternal rest."

Kael Chen nodded, his gaze resolute. "If one day I can break through the barrier of the Ten-Layered Heaven [the final, most profound stage of cultivation before attaining the ultimate fruit] and prove my Great Encompassing Path Fruit [the supreme achievement of cultivation, representing complete mastery of the Dao], I will rewrite that ancient history and see my father's Hugo once more."

"I believe that day will come."

Upon hearing this, Lior Chen let out a soft sigh, then offered an encouraging smile.

Speaking to this point, Lior Chen glanced at Ethan Chen and Alistair Ye, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "I still remember, when I met my calamity, you two had not yet stepped into the Infant Soul Realm [the stage where a cultivator's nascent soul is formed]."

"Now, in the blink of an eye, a million years have passed. To see you both having achieved such heights truly brings this old man's heart profound joy."

Beside them, Alistair Ye and Ethan Chen exchanged a look, their faces breaking into smiles. "We have been fortunate, thanks to Granduncle. Our cultivation journeys these years have been smooth."

Seeing this, Kael Chen spoke up. "This is not the place for lengthy conversation. Please, Uncle, follow us."

With that, the three of them led Lior Chen up the slopes of Green Chariot Mountain.

"..."

Meanwhile, atop Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen was engaged in deep conversation with a Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very cusp of ascending to the Celestial Immortal realm].

This time, aside from Eldrin Chen's old friends, the number of Half-Step Celestial Immortal who had arrived at Green Chariot Mountain had already reached five.

They were respectively the master of the Kunxu Sea Region, Earth Void Path Master, the Sect Master of the Starry River Ancient Sect, Starry River Path Master, as well as Millet Verdancy Path Master from the Haoxu Ancient Domain and White Lotus Path Master from the White Lotus Sea Region.

These four Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to the threshold of the Celestial Immortal realm] were all Human Race Half-Step Celestial Immortal from the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

The Kunxu Sea Region where Earth Void Path Master resided bordered the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. Over the years, Eldrin Chen had interacted with him several times and could be considered a familiar fellow Daoist.

The same was true for the Starry River Ancient Sect; the Starry River Sea Region also neighbored the Returning Abyss Sea Region.

As for Millet Verdancy Path Master and White Lotus Path Master, their strength was even more formidable. These two were among the most elite Half-Step Celestial Immortal of the Human Race in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

White Lotus Path Master, Brilliance Li, was not skilled in offensive techniques, instead spending his days immersed in composing poetry and couplets. He possessed a Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure [a supreme-grade magical artifact of immense power] named 'Yu Beauty', crafted from the silk of immortal silkworms and inscribed with his own brush, making it a first-rate ancient scroll treasure.

Millet Verdancy Path Master, on the other hand, was the foremost Half-Step Celestial Immortal among the Human Race in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea after the fall of the Divine Lord of Ye Ruins. Legend had it he had opened a Ninefold Heavenly Domain [a personal cultivation realm of exceptional depth and stability], his talent and innate gifts surpassing even the Divine Lord of Ye Ruins, and his cultivation base was unfathomably profound.

And at this moment, the one Eldrin Chen was personally receiving was none other than Millet Verdancy Path Master, hailed as the number one Half-Step Celestial Immortal of the Human Race in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

"For my humble birthday celebration to draw the personal congratulations of the foremost Human Race Half-Step Celestial Immortal within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea... I am truly overwhelmed by such an honor,"

Eldrin Chen said with utmost courtesy as he conversed with Millet Verdancy Path Master within the Great Hall.

The Millet Verdancy Path Master shook his head with a gentle smile. "Who within the vast expanse of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea is unaware that you, Fellow Daoist, have opened the Twelve-Layered Heaven [the highest theoretical foundation for a cultivator's spiritual sea]? You are a peerless genius, spoken of in the same breath as the Void Holy Son."

"This old Daoist's attendance at your longevity banquet today might even be considered presumptuous."

At this point, the Millet Verdancy Path Master continued, his smile unwavering. "Had you, Fellow Daoist, also been backed by a Grotto-Heaven [a superior cultivation realm and territory], your current cultivation might not be inferior to that of the Void Holy Son."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, their rapport growing with each word.

Seeing the moment was ripe, the Millet Verdancy Path Master spoke his true purpose. "To be frank, my visit today is not solely to offer birthday felicitations. I also wish to seize this opportunity to discuss matters pertaining to the Path Tribulation [the great cosmic calamity that tests all cultivators] with you."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes glimmered with understanding before he replied with a light laugh. "As cultivators of the Human Race, it is only natural we strengthen our bonds. When the Path Tribulation descends, mutual support will be indispensable."

The Millet Verdancy Path Master gave a slow nod, pondering for a moment before continuing. "When the Path Tribulation arrives, I intend to ally with several other Fellow Daoists of the Human Race to contend against the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the very threshold of ascending to true immortality] from the Divine Clan."

"If the Chen Immortal Clan is willing to lend its strength to this endeavor, I am prepared to offer you a rare treasure in return."

As he spoke, the Millet Verdancy Path Master produced a small vial from his sleeve, containing an Immortal Pill [an elixir of profound power, capable of greatly enhancing cultivation].

Eldrin Chen opened it for a look, a flicker of surprise passing through his gaze before he spoke. "A single Pill of Polarity Enlightenment [a legendary elixir said to grant profound insight into the fundamental forces of Yin and Yang]. Your generosity is truly remarkable, Fellow Daoist."