Chapter 1672 : Alliance of Treasures and Ambition

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen stored away the remaining three Innate Treasure [a supreme-grade treasure born from the primordial chaos of the universe].

Aside from the Chen Immortal Clan, the Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing accumulated good karma and virtuous deeds] of the others present were insufficient to exchange for an Innate Treasure.

However, the sixty-seven Path Source [a condensed source of pure spiritual energy and cosmic principles], along with the vast quantities of Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [rare materials forged in the primordial unity of creation] and World-Opening Marvel [marvelous substances left over from the opening of a new world], were all exceedingly rare treasures. Everyone exchanged for a great many of these precious items.

After depleting their Merits, nearly every Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended beyond the Earth Immortal realm but has not yet fully solidified their Celestial Immortal foundation] present had acquired one or two additional Primordial Unity Immortal Treasure [an immortal-grade treasure refined from primordial unity materials]. Each person now possessed two or three eighth-rank Supreme-Grade Path Source.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, once the gains from this venture were fully digested, they should be able to produce several more cultivators with a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [an exceptionally stable and powerful foundational cultivation method]. Furthermore, the Immortal Alliance would likely see a significant increase in the number of Earth Immortal [immortals whose power and longevity are anchored to the mortal world].

After the distribution of treasures, the Blazeflame Divine Spirit [a divine being born from the essence of a primordial flame] could not help but ask, "What of the Violet Flame Divine Clan and the Nirvana Dragon Demon Race? Should we press our advantage and subdue them in one fell swoop?"

"Let us not be hasty."

Eldrin Chen shook his head and then said, "A meal must be eaten one bite at a time. We have just eradicated the tribulation-era foundations of two major Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket dimension of immense spiritual density]. If we act too swiftly again, we risk forcing the four remaining major powers to set aside their grievances and unite against us."

"Our current harvest is substantial. Once we digest it, our strength will surely double. To act now would be to court unnecessary risk."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang spoke directly, "Since that is the case, let us first return to the Returning Abyss Sea Region [the vast oceanic territory under the dominion of Eldrin Chen]. We shall discuss everything after our cultivation breakthroughs."

"..."

Once their resolve was firm, the group altered their course and began their journey back.

Upon arriving at the Returning Abyss Sea Region, Eldrin Chen instructed the others to enter seclusion for their breakthroughs. He then sought out Violet Consort Yan, Lila, and Verdant Consort.

He presented the First Divine Scion of Western Essence [the core inheritance of the Western Essence Grotto-Heaven] and the Path Source [a condensed essence of a cultivator's profound understanding of their chosen Path] that had belonged to the First Holy Scion of Divine Abyss to the two women. He then inquired, "With your foundational strength, after refining these two Path Source, do you have confidence in breaking through to the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable cultivation foundation formed by unifying the three primordial energies of Heaven, Earth, and Man]?"

Violet Consort Yan pondered briefly before stating frankly, "With the Innate Fire Origin Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit born from the essence of primordial fire] and the Innate Primordial Unity Pill [a supreme elixir that aids in unifying the three primordial energies], I already possessed significant confidence in achieving the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation."

"Now, with this Eight Tribulation Path Source [a Path Source forged by a cultivator who survived eight Heavenly Tribulations], the breakthrough will come as naturally as water flowing downhill."

Lila also revealed a smile and said, "With the support of this treasure and the Innate Primordial Unity Pill, I have great confidence in a successful breakthrough, even without other supplementary treasures."

Seeing their responses, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, approving nod.

He said no more on the matter, simply stating, "In the coming days, I will open the alchemical furnace to refine the Innate Primordial Unity Pill. Whoever is ready to attempt their breakthrough first may come to me to receive the Immortal Pill [a general term for pills of celestial grade] and the Path Hearing Meditation Mat [a mat that enhances one's connection to the Dao during deep meditation]."

After giving instructions to the two women and sending them into seclusion for cultivation, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards Verdant Consort and inquired, "Summer Reign, are you confident in achieving a breakthrough?"

Verdant Consort gave a slight nod before speaking. "After refining the Path Source [the primordial source of a cultivator's chosen path] this time, my foundational essence will be fully accumulated and perfected. Consolidating the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme cultivation foundation representing the unity of essence, energy, and spirit] will naturally not face any insufficiency of foundational depth."

"However, for my Polarity Verdant Lotus Path Fruit [a Path Fruit representing the perfected state of the Verdant Lotus cultivation art, embodying both yin and yang polarities] to reach its ultimate state of perfection, it would be best to fuse it with an Innate Creation Verdant Lotus [a primordial lotus born of creation itself, containing immense innate power]."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding and said, "My purpose in seeking you out this time was precisely to prepare for the advancement of the Creation Verdant Lotus [a spiritual lotus embodying the power of creation]."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen led her into the Five Elements Small Universe [a pocket dimension governed by the balanced forces of the five fundamental elements]. He then produced a strand of Innate Energy [the pure, primordial energy that existed at the dawn of creation] to facilitate the advancement of the Creation Verdant Lotus.

With the consumption of the Innate Energy and Innate Spiritual Water [water imbued with innate spiritual properties], the Creation Verdant Lotus swiftly completed its advancement, transforming into an Innate Creation Verdant Lotus.

The Innate Creation Verdant Lotus blossomed, radiating Innate [pertaining to the primordial, innate state of existence] wondrous light. From it descended four Innate Rare Treasure [extremely rare treasures born of innate power], which were respectively: a Lotus Root [the root of a spiritual lotus, a potent alchemical ingredient], a Lotus Leaf [a leaf of a spiritual lotus, often used in crafting or alchemy], a Lotus Throne [a meditation throne crafted from lotus essence], and Lotus Seed [seeds from a spiritual lotus, containing concentrated life force]—four Heavy Treasures [powerful and significant magical artifacts].

The Lotus Seed could assist in the transformation of Verdant Consort's Verdant Lotus Immortal Body [an immortal physique aligned with the verdant lotus]. The Lotus Leaf was a key material required for the Azure Dragon Stirring Sea Sword [a divine sword named for its power to stir the seas like an azure dragon] to advance into an Innate Ancient Sword [an ancient sword forged from or imbued with innate power]. The Lotus Throne was even more crucial, being the core component needed for the advancement of the Positive Water Verdant Lotus Throne [a meditation throne of pure yang energy and verdant lotus essence].

Such Heavy Treasures held immense utility for Verdant Consort. Without hesitation, Eldrin Chen presented the Lotus Throne, Lotus Root, and Lotus Leaf to her.

There were nine Lotus Seed in total. Eldrin Chen gave one to Verdant Consort and kept the remaining eight.

The Lotus Seed of the Creation Verdant Lotus Throne is also profoundly marvelous, capable of aiding a Half-Step Celestial Immortal in their breakthrough to the Celestial Immortal Realm. Unfortunately, its assistance for breaking through the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation is not particularly significant.

After handling these rare treasures, Eldrin Chen looked at the remaining Innate Energy in his hand and could not help but shake his head, saying.

"The Innate Energy [the primordial, uncreated energy of the cosmos] is becoming somewhat insufficient."

Upon hearing this, Verdant Consort frowned slightly. Ever since cultivating one Innate Primordial Unity Fruit [a fruit born of primordial chaos, said to grant profound enlightenment] that year, Eldrin Chen had only three strands of Innate Energy left in his possession.

Now, with another strand used, the remaining two are only enough to cultivate two more Innate Primordial Unity Fruit. I fear that will not be sufficient either.

Thinking of this, Verdant Consort pondered for a moment and said, "Our clan now has three individuals with the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary cultivation foundation formed by unifying three primordial essences]. Once they accumulate their foundational essence to perfection and break through to the Celestial Immortal [the realm of celestial beings], we will no longer lack Innate Energy."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however, and spoke, "For those possessing the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, how exceedingly difficult is it to accumulate their spiritual power to perfection?"

Verdant Consort also nodded in agreement, understanding the truth in Eldrin Chen's words.

Before the Ninth Level Earth Immortal [the pinnacle of the Earth Immortal realm], the difference in spiritual power between each minor level is only twenty to thirty percent. Only when advancing a major sub-realm does the gap reach fifty percent.

But after reaching the Ninth Level Earth Immortal, with the cultivation of each additional Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation art based on unifying primordial essence], one's spiritual power surges by more than double.

The foundation of the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme cultivation method that harmonizes three primordial energies] is incomparably profound and vast. In theory, its spiritual power [the refined energy cultivated by immortals] is more than ten times that of a Ninth Level Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal who has reached the peak of the ninth minor realm within that major realm].

Therefore, the gap in spiritual power between the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a cultivation method harmonizing two primordial energies] and the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation is far greater than the gap between a First Layer Earth Immortal [an Earth Immortal at the first minor realm] and a Ninth Level Earth Immortal.

For an existence cultivating the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, achieving a state of perfect, brimming foundational essence and spiritual power often requires tens of millions of years.

Even with the aid of a large quantity of Galaxy Star Sand Pill [a precious elixir refined from the essence of galactic stardust], this timeframe can only be shortened to within a million years.

To reach a state of utter perfection in a short period, one would require a massive amount of Supreme-Grade Path Source [the purest, most potent source energy of a Great Path or Dao].

However, using vast quantities of Supreme-Grade Path Source merely to increase cultivation base is an act of shocking waste, truly far too inefficient.

After much deliberation, Eldrin Chen finally gazed upon the Ninth Rank Flat Peach Tree [a legendary peach tree of the ninth rank, bearing fruit that grants longevity] within his Earth Immortal World [a minor world anchored and nurtured by an Earth Immortal], a thoughtful silence descending upon him.

"I wonder," he mused, "if advancing this Flat Peach Ancient Tree [the ancient progenitor of the Flat Peach trees] into an Innate Ancient Tree [a primordial tree born from the chaos of creation] might bestow the wondrous effect of rapidly increasing one's cultivation?"

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Eldrin Chen ultimately set aside the thought of advancing the Flat Peach Ancient Tree for the time being.

It was not that he was unwilling to elevate this supreme treasure, but because breaking through to Celestial Immortal [the realm of a true Heavenly Immortal] involves far more than just the accumulation of spiritual power.

Once one ascends to the Celestial Immortal Universe [a higher plane of existence beyond the mortal world], they gain the opportunity to once again World-Opening [create and expand their own internal universe].

For an Immaculate Celestial Immortal [a Celestial Immortal who has achieved a flawless foundation] who cultivated the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art], the number of heavenly layers they can manifest within their Small Universe [their personal, internal cosmos] upon promotion determines how many strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] they can condense.

Furthermore, when a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a powerful being at the Celestial Immortal realm] breaks through to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm or the Late Celestial Immortal Realm, they also have a chance to open one or two additional heavenly layers within their universe.

According to Eldrin Chen's knowledge, within the Celestial Immortal realm, the vast majority of flawless Celestial Immortal Great Power can open one additional heavenly layer, thereby forging a Universe with Ten-Layered Heaven [ten distinct heavenly strata].

Consequently, most Immaculate Celestial Immortal obtain around ten strands of Innate Energy.

In this context, each additional heavenly layer opened represents not just a gap in personal power, but also the disparity of one more strand of Innate Energy.