Chapter 1673 : Layers of Celestial Ascension

If one could open a Twelve-Layered Heaven [a universe with twelve foundational layers of reality] Universe [a self-contained cosmos cultivated within a Celestial Immortal], then an Immaculate Celestial Immortal [a Celestial Immortal who has achieved a flawless foundation] could cultivate all the way to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm without ever worrying about a shortage of Innate Energy [the primordial, uncreated energy that forms the basis of all existence].

The World-Opening [the act of creating the foundational layers of one's inner universe] during a Universe's ascension is similar to the World-Opening [the foundational world-creation event] during a breakthrough to Earth Immortal. It depends not only on one's own mana and cultivation base but also on one's combat prowess, Divine Ability [supernatural powers and techniques], and the aid of Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts used by immortals] and other such means.

Eldrin Chen believed that Energy Abyss Chen and the others might still have a chance to open more layers if they possessed one or two suitable Innate Treasure [treasures born from the primordial chaos, possessing immense power] and rare wonders.

A cultivator's aptitude and foundational depth are divided into Innate [inborn, natural] aptitude and Post-Heaven [acquired, cultivated] aptitude.

Innate aptitude is akin to Exquisite Jiang's Supreme Lunar Immortal Body [a supreme physique attuned to the power of the moon] or Nyssa Qu's Nine-Colored Immortal Clam Bloodline [a noble lineage descended from a mythical nine-colored clam], where the potential is often limitless.

Post-Heaven aptitude, on the other hand, is the foundational depth accumulated and refined through the cultivation process itself. Opening a Ninefold Heaven [an inner universe with nine foundational layers] and condensing a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [an exceptionally stable and powerful foundational cultivation base] are acts that inherently enhance one's Post-Heaven aptitude.

Individuals like Energy Abyss Chen, Lila, and Violet Consort Yan could not match the Innate aptitude of those Great Encompassing Direct Successor [direct disciples of Great Encompassing Realm masters] or the direct descendants of Primordial Era Immortal Clan [ancient immortal clans from the dawn of time]. It was only after condensing their Triple Primordial Unity Foundation that they could use their Post-Heaven aptitude to bridge the gap.

To catch up to or even surpass such peerless prodigies, one must continuously make up for the difference through these aspects of Post-Heaven aptitude.

Eldrin Chen thought that if Violet Consort Yan and the others could open one more layer of heaven during their breakthrough to Celestial Immortal, it might grant them an extra sliver of hope for a future breakthrough to Great Encompassing [a supreme realm of cultivation].

After much contemplation, Eldrin Chen strode into the depths of the Immortal Herb Garden. He took out a wisp of Innate Energy and used it to nurture and elevate a plant into an Innate Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [a miraculous fruit born from Innate Energy, capable of aiding in foundational cultivation].

Thereafter, he began refining the Innate Primordial Unity Pill [a supreme pill that aids in consolidating the three foundational energies of a cultivator]. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. This time, Eldrin Chen refined the Innate Primordial Unity Immortal Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit containing the essence of primordial unity], and his speed increased yet again.

After a mere eight hundred years, Eldrin Chen successfully completed this batch of Immortal Pill [a general term for pills of celestial grade]. This time, a total of five pills were successfully formed.

There were six individuals in total preparing to attempt the breakthrough to the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a profound cultivation stage where the three foundational energies merge into one]. Verdant Consort did not require the aid of such an item, so these five Innate Primordial Unity Pill were, for the time being, sufficient for use.

After completing the Innate Primordial Unity Pill, Eldrin Chen noticed that the others were still in seclusion, so he continued to spare some effort for further alchemy.

From the spoils of the recent great battle, there were far too many treasures, among which was a single stalk of Ninth Rank Heaven-Mending Herb [a legendary herb of the ninth rank, said to possess the power to mend even heavenly flaws]. Eldrin Chen opened his furnace and refined a batch of Ninth Rank Heaven-Mending Celestial Immortal Pill [a supreme pill crafted from the Heaven-Mending Herb, used to repair severe foundational damage].

Although it was merely a Ninth Rank Heaven-Mending Celestial Immortal Pill, its medicinal efficacy was still extraordinary. Eldrin Chen had them delivered to Violet Mystery Path Master and Glazed Divine Lord. After consuming the pills, the two swiftly recovered the greater part of their damaged foundations.

Not long after, Violet Consort Yan, Lila, Kael Chen, Blazeflame Divine Spirit, and Heaven Abyss Path Master each refined their Path Source [a condensed source of profound Dao comprehension], touching upon the threshold of breaking through to the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen distributed one Innate Primordial Unity Pill to each person, allowing them to take turns using the Path Hearing Meditation Mat [a mystical mat that enhances one's connection to the Dao during meditation] for their breakthroughs.

Thereafter, Eldrin Chen exited the Small Universe [a pocket dimension or miniature world] and flew into the heart of the Myriad Spirit Sea Region [a vast oceanic region teeming with spiritual energy and life].

Within the Myriad Spirit Sea Region, Eldrin Chen met with Myriad Spirit Patriarch. At this moment, the Patriarch's spiritual energy was perfectly harmonious and flawless, a clear indication that his cultivation had reached a state of absolute completion.

Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a surge of solemn respect, his expression turning grave.

As an ancient immortal who had lived for eighty million years, the Myriad Spirit Patriarch possessed a depth of spiritual power [the cultivated energy within a practitioner] that could be considered second to none beneath the Celestial Immortal Realm.

His spiritual power was even more profound than that of many beings in the Early Celestial Immortal Realm, as if he had shattered some kind of Forbidden Domain [a theoretical limit on power accumulation], allowing him to accumulate it nearly without limit.

Such a figure, though not specialized in Slaughter techniques, possessed combat prowess that undoubtedly ranked among the mightiest of those with a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme cultivation base formed by unifying three primordial energies]. Even a Celestial Immortal Great Power would find it difficult to defeat him.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen fell silent for a moment before speaking. "I observe that your spiritual power, Patriarch, has reached a state of perfect fullness. Might I ask if you are preparing to break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm?"

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "For eighty million years I have cultivated in bitter solitude. The reason I have not attempted the breakthrough is my desire to achieve the Triple-Limit Magical Power. I am still a fraction short."

"Triple-Limit Magical Power?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of confusion crossing his features.

The Myriad Spirit Patriarch offered a gentle smile and explained candidly, "The so-called Triple-Limit Magical Power refers to spiritual power that has shattered its limits three times."

"To cultivate it, one must first refine their internal spiritual power to a state of perfect fullness and abundance. Then, using a secret art, one compresses and condenses it, transforming it into a purer, more refined form. Each such compression and refinement counts as shattering one limit."

"By repeating this process three times, one can cultivate the Triple-Limit Magical Power [a profound cultivation art that refines one's magical power to surpass its natural limits threefold]. Once this level of power is achieved, its purity will far exceed that of peers at the same cultivation stage."

Speaking of this, Myriad Spirit Patriarch looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "I observe that your magical power has already broken its limits not just three times. I presume you are already my senior on this particular path."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen was inwardly astonished. In a flash of realization, Eldrin understood why he possessed the Triple-Limit Magical Power.

It turned out that the magical power of Eldrin Chen had long ago, tempered by his Lifebound Supreme Treasure [a cultivator's most intimately bound and powerful magical artifact], broken the threefold limit. Moreover, he had traveled a considerable distance beyond that threshold on this path.

The first limit broken for Eldrin Chen's magical power came from his Lifebound Immortal Treasure [an immortal-grade treasure bound to a cultivator's life and soul].

That Innate Dual-Polarity Void Mirror, being an Innate Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, possessing innate laws and supreme potential], surpassed Eldrin Chen's own cultivation realm. As his lifebound Innate Treasure nourished him in return, the process of tempering his power rendered his magical energy exceptionally pure, thereby shattering the first limit.

The second limit was broken thanks to the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a legendary, heaven-defying physical constitution]. In the past, to cultivate the Primordial One Indestructibility Body, Eldrin Chen endured triple tempering by the Winds of the Eight Directions [a divine ability manifesting the primal winds from all directions], the Extreme Cold Frost Soul [an object of profound, soul-chilling frost essence], and the Nine Heavens Heavenly God Thunder [a divine thunder technique descended from the highest heavens]. His magical power was refined in the process, coincidentally breaking another limit.

The third limit originated from the Innate Path Inquiry Lotus Throne. This treasure possessed the wondrous effects of nurturing magical power and serving as a vast reservoir for it, naturally allowing it to condense and purify that energy as well.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth limits were all broken due to the Primordial One Limitless Path Principle.

That Primordial Unity Primordial One Limitless Path Principle was a supreme Path Principle [a fundamental law or truth of the Great Dao, often manifested as a divine ability]. Tempering his power with such a profound Path Principle, the purity of Eldrin Chen's magical energy had long ago transcended the so-called ultimate, allowing him to shatter three limits in one breath.

Upon careful calculation, Eldrin Chen's magical power has already broken its limits six times.

It is precisely because of this that Eldrin Chen, with his Half-Step Celestial Immortal cultivation base, can activate Half-Step Patriarch Level Divine Ability and even manifest a purity of magical power surpassing that of an Early Celestial Immortal Realm cultivator.

Myriad Spirit Patriarch spoke in a measured tone, then looked at Eldrin Chen and said, "Legend has it that to break through to the Great Encompassing realm, one must, at the very least, break the limits of their magical power nine times to pass the Magical Power Pass within the Ninefold Heavenly Pass."

"I have a vague sense that you have broken the limits at least five or six times. The supreme secret art you cultivate must surely have an astonishing origin."

As he spoke these words, a flicker of envy appeared in Myriad Spirit Patriarch's eyes.

Backed by an Ancient Immortal Patriarch, the Limit-Breaking Secret Art he cultivated was a secret transmission from an Ancient Immortal, yet even he could only break the limits three times at this realm.

He did not know that Eldrin Chen had never cultivated a Limit-Breaking Secret Art specifically for refining magical power. He simply assumed Eldrin Chen's background was extraordinary.

In his view, Eldrin Chen had only laid a Dual Primordial Unity Foundation, yet he had achieved five or even six limit-breaking levels of power. The Limit-Breaking Secret Art he cultivated must be astonishingly profound.

"Such a secret art would likely be rare even within a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect," he mused.

"Truly, it is something to be envied."

Myriad Spirit Patriarch [a powerful ancient patriarch] felt a surge of emotion in his heart, then inquired, "For what purpose have you sought me out this time?"

At this moment, Eldrin Chen quickly snapped back to attention.

Without further preamble, he retrieved from his sleeve the Polarity Path Union Gourd [a mystical gourd capable of harmonizing opposing energies] along with a single, pristine white ancient flower. His expression turned profoundly solemn as he spoke.

"This junior has come to propose a transaction with you, Senior."