Chapter 1641 : Ascension of the Primordial Lotus

"The Lotus Throne [a mystical seat that enhances one's magical power reserves] is crucial for my mana reserves, and the two types of Lotus Seed [the seeds of mystical lotuses, prized for their profound properties] are also supremely wondrous treasures. It is time to advance them."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. Without delay, he consumed two strands of Acquired Primordial Chaos Source Essence [a refined essence born from the primal disorder of creation] and expended several thousand drops of Innate Spiritual Water [water imbued with the purest, most fundamental spiritual energy], elevating both the Path Heart Purple Lotus [a lotus whose petals reflect the cultivator's inner path and heart] and the Purifying Mud White Lotus [a lotus that grows from cleansing mud, symbolizing purity from impurity] to the realm of the Primordial Unity Immortal Lotus [a state of lotus perfection representing the primordial, undivided origin].

To progress any further from this point would require the consumption of the exceedingly precious Innate Energy [the fundamental, uncreated energy that existed before the cosmos, the source of all things].

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had obtained a total of seven strands of Innate Energy. These came from Annihilation Path Master and Path Ruins Jiang.

To cultivate his Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a legendary body refinement art that forges an unbreakable form rooted in primordial unity], Eldrin Chen had used three of those strands. The remaining four were now insufficient for his needs.

Eldrin Chen calculated. To allow the Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] members of his clan to condense the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [an ultimate foundational cultivation stage representing threefold primordial unity], the four Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [a mythical fruit that embodies the state of primordial unity] would undoubtedly need to be advanced into Innate Primordial Unity Fruit [a fruit born from Innate Energy, representing the purest form of primordial unity]. That alone would require four additional strands.

Furthermore, the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords were his life-bound Slaughter [a divine ability or artifact focused on absolute destruction] treasures. Should any surplus Innate Energy become available, advancing them would undoubtedly be the first priority.

Adding the needs of the Path Heart Purple Lotus and the Purifying Mud White Lotus, Eldrin Chen realized he currently faced a deficit of at least four more strands of Innate Energy.

At this thought, a slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow.

"Perhaps... I should venture into the Chaos [the formless, primordial state that existed before order, a dangerous realm of raw potential]?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, then turned his gaze beyond the Five Elements Small Universe.

Ever since he had fully cultivated the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique, Eldrin Chen had felt confident that he could withstand the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms are born] within the scope of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

Yet, he had not yet found the opportunity to step into it. Now, with thirty thousand years remaining until the Path Tribulation [his destined heavenly trial], it seemed the perfect moment of leisure to finally explore the Chaos [the primordial state of undifferentiated existence].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen arrived at the very edge of the Five Elements Small Universe and communicated with the Heavenly Path Will [the sentient consciousness governing the laws of heaven and earth]: "Can you open a passage for me to probe the Sea of Chaos?"

The Heavenly Path Will descended slowly, its reply calm and measured: "The Chaos is boundless and fathomless. Its Chaos Energy Flow [the turbulent currents of primordial energy] is utterly chaotic and unpredictable. Even a Celestial Immortal Great Power [an immortal of immense power who has ascended to the celestial realm] who enters may become lost."

"You have not yet stepped into the Celestial Immortal Realm. Are you certain you wish to venture within?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before responding, "I will only investigate the area near the edge of this Small Universe. I will not stray far. Should any unforeseen danger arise, I will return immediately."

Hearing his resolve, the Heavenly Path [the supreme law of cultivation and existence] of the Small Universe offered no further counsel.

In silence, it parted the fabric of reality, opening a slender, hairline fissure in the void.

The moment this rift into the Path Void [the state of ultimate emptiness] was opened, an overwhelmingly potent surge of Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, unformed energy of creation itself] flooded inward.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen reacted with lightning speed, sealing the fissure in the Universe Membrane [the boundary separating a pocket dimension from the outside world] in the first instant before swiftly escaping the confines of the Five Elements Small Universe [a pocket dimension stabilized by the power of the five fundamental elements].

"BOOM—"

The moment he stepped beyond the Small Universe, Eldrin Chen immediately sensed an onslaught of an overwhelmingly chaotic and tyrannical torrent of energy.

This chaotic torrent was of unparalleled ferocity; every single wisp and strand possessed the power to annihilate worlds.

"Such potent Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, unformed energy that existed before the creation of the cosmos]," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen spoke in a low voice, a trace of solemnity flickering deep within his gaze.

He could perceive with perfect clarity just how terrifying the power contained within this Primordial Chaos Energy truly was.

By his estimation, even a Patriarch [a venerable and powerful leader of a clan or sect] who had attained the Earth Immortal Realm [a high stage of cultivation where one becomes an immortal bound to the earthly realm] would likely be unable to endure for more than a few breaths in this place before being utterly obliterated.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a legendary, heaven-defying physical constitution embodying the indestructible nature of primordial chaos] was astonishingly formidable, containing a Chaos Origin [the foundational essence of all chaos] of a higher order. Thus, even under the constant erosion of this endless Chaos Torrent [a devastating flow of raw chaotic energy], it did not inflict upon him the slightest harm.

Even more remarkably, his Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique was actively at work, continuously drawing in the Primordial Chaos Energy to nourish and enhance his Chaos Origin Power [the foundational power derived from chaos essence].

"It seems there is no major issue."

After a brief period of cautious probing, Eldrin Chen discovered that the Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, formless energy that existed before the cosmos] exerted no discernible pressure upon him. A wave of relief washed over his heart.

He cast one final glance back at the vast and boundless Small Universe, then turned and strode resolutely into the depths of the Chaos [the primordial, unformed void beyond the ordered worlds].

After flying for only a short while, Eldrin Chen paused to survey his surroundings once more. It was then he discerned that within the immense expanse of the Chaos, the faint outlines of three thousand Ancient Continent [massive landmasses drifting in the primordial void] could be seen, rising and falling like islands in a timeless sea.

"It appears to be the Three Thousand Immortal Domains. So, this Five Elements Small Universe still lies within their boundaries," he murmured to himself.

This realization further steadied Eldrin Chen's mind. The Three Thousand Immortal Domains, cultivated and managed over countless eons, were far less perilous than the deeper, untamed reaches of the Sea of Chaos.

Within this region of Chaos, the most precious treasures, such as Innate Spiritual Treasure [artifacts born from the primordial chaos itself], had long been scoured clean during the passage of the Immeasurable Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense destruction and renewal]. Consequently, beings of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme realm of immortal cultivation] level rarely made an appearance here.

Furthermore, Chaos Demon God [powerful entities native to the primordial chaos] of the Innate Heavenly God Being [a powerful innate realm] caliber generally did not venture into the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

Thus, while the stretch of Chaos encompassing the Three Thousand Immortal Domains was somewhat poorer in rare treasures, it was also significantly safer.

Of course, this notion of being "poorer" was only relative to the perspective of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

It must be understood that within the expanse of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, countless Universe [cosmic realms] are born at every moment, and just as ceaselessly, countless worlds meet their Oblivion [final dissolution into nothingness].

The infinite Primordial Chaos Energy [the primordial, undifferentiated energy from which all creation springs] differentiates into the myriad things of existence, naturally capable of nurturing many rare and peerless treasures.

Not long after setting out, Eldrin Chen discovered a precious rarity—an exceptionally unique Chaos Stone Material [a mineral forged and tempered within the primordial chaos].

Though it bore no innate Dao patterns [mystical inscriptions of natural law] within, having been ceaselessly tempered by Primordial Chaos Energy, its material had become nigh-indestructible. In terms of sheer substance, it surpassed even Primordial Unity Immortal Gold [a legendary metal symbolizing ultimate purity and unity] in durability.

"Truly, the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] is a land where treasures litter the ground," he mused.

After storing the treasure, Eldrin Chen scoured the periphery of the Small Universe [a nascent, self-contained cosmic realm] and ultimately gathered a total of four extraordinary rarities, each with remarkable material properties.

These treasures were unyielding and impervious. Though they lacked the power of Dao patterns, they were supreme materials for forging a Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical artifact intimately linked to its owner's life force and cultivation].

Once the area around the Small Universe had been thoroughly picked clean, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards the Depths of Chaos [the profound and perilous heart of the primordial chaos], falling into deep contemplation.

"If treasures are so abundant here in the fringes," he pondered, "what priceless wonders might await if I venture into the very Chaos itself?"

This thought, whispered in the depths of his heart, planted the seed of a desire within Eldrin Chen—a desire to delve into the Chaos and seek its hidden riches.

Yet after a moment's contemplation, Eldrin Chen suppressed the thought and abandoned the plan.

Although treasures were plentiful within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], the truly precious ones, such as the astonishingly valuable Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing innate laws and immense power], were mostly guarded personally by Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial creatures born from and dwelling within the Chaos, immensely powerful and ancient].

Eldrin Chen's current combat prowess was only comparable to an Early Celestial Immortal Realm cultivator. If he encountered a Chaos Ancient Beast of the Innate Realm [a realm denoting a being born with innate power and laws, often from Chaos] within the Chaos, subduing it would be no easy task.

With his Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators at major breakthroughs, testing their cultivation and resolve] imminent, Eldrin Chen had no intention of inviting unnecessary complications.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen prepared to return to the Five Elements Small Universe [a miniature cosmos he had refined and nurtured, governed by the laws of the five fundamental elements].

But at that very moment, Eldrin Chen suddenly perceived a figure within the Endless Chaos [the boundless, primordial Chaos] that blotted out the sky and sun, advancing slowly towards him.

It was a figure the color of profound yellow, vast and boundless like a Primordial Era [the earliest epoch of creation, shrouded in myth] leviathan. Its pair of wings eclipsed the heavens, and with each beat, it stirred infinite Chaos Energy Flow [the raw, turbulent currents of energy that constitute the Chaos], rippling across millions upon millions of Li-lengths of the void Great Universe [the vast, ordered cosmos].

What made Eldrin Chen frown was that it was heading directly for this Five Elements Small Universe.

"An Innate Chaos Ancient Beast," Eldrin Chen murmured under his breath.

After a brief, contemplative silence, Eldrin Chen swiftly retreated back into the safety of the Five Elements Small Universe.

At that very moment, the Primordial Era Giant Whale [a colossal primordial sea creature] collided with the Five Elements Small Universe [a miniature cosmos governed by the five fundamental elements]. The impact unleashed a cataclysmic roar that seemed capable of shaking the very heavens and splitting the earth asunder.