Chapter 1677 : The Primordial Harvest
The Innate Ancient Tree [a tree born of the primordial chaos, embodying the laws of creation] is an Innate Object [an object born of the primordial chaos, containing innate laws], far surpassing anything that is Post-Heaven [born after the formation of the world, of lesser purity and power] in nature.
Although, after the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a legendary vase capable of condensing the essence of heaven and earth] advanced to a Middle-Grade Innate Treasure [a mid-tier treasure born of primordial chaos], the mid-grade Innate Spiritual Water [spiritual water of innate origin, possessing potent life-giving properties] it produced could barely accelerate its growth, the amount consumed was ten times greater than what an Acquired Spiritual Root [a spiritual root formed after the world's creation] would require.
Of course, exchanging one hundred million Immortal Source [a crystallized form of pure immortal energy, used as a high-level currency and cultivation resource] for nine Innate Flat Peach [a peach of innate origin, legendary for granting immense longevity and power] was still a profitable trade, for such treasures are truly priceless.
Eldrin Chen activated the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth, consuming ten thousand drops of Innate Spiritual Water to ripen another batch of the Innate Flat Peach.
Fortunately, from the spoils of several major battles, Eldrin Chen had acquired over a billion Immortal Source. Even at the cost of one hundred million Immortal Source per batch, he proceeded to ripen the peaches ten times in succession.
Setting aside three hundred million Immortal Source for unforeseen needs, Eldrin Chen divided the ninety-nine Flat Peach [the legendary longevity-granting peach] into eleven portions.
After delivering one portion to Energy Abyss Chen, he exhausted the remaining four strands of Innate Energy [the pure, primordial energy that existed before heaven and earth] to advance four Innate Primordial Unity Fruit [a fruit of innate origin that embodies the concept of primordial unity].
Thereafter, Eldrin Chen returned to his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for isolated cultivation] and began refining the Innate Primordial Unity Pill [a pill crafted from the Innate Primordial Unity Fruit, said to grant profound insights into unity].
This time, he spent three thousand years, successfully refining four batches of Innate Primordial Unity Pill. The yields were five pills, five pills, six pills, and six pills respectively.
In truth, the moment the third batch was completed, Eldrin Chen had a faint sensation—a profound breakthrough in his alchemical art seemed to have occurred.
After refining twenty-two Innate Primordial Unity Pill [a supreme-grade pill that harmonizes one's innate essence with the primordial unity of the cosmos], Eldrin Chen noticed that the members of his clan had gradually begun their breakthroughs, a flicker of satisfaction stirring within his heart.
With time to spare, he continued to open his alchemical cauldron to refine Immortal Pill [pills of celestial grade, capable of granting immense power or longevity] and Immortal Treasure [artifacts of divine craftsmanship, imbued with profound spiritual power]. Only after a full millennium had passed, and the members of the Immortal Alliance [a coalition of powerful immortal cultivators and sects] had emerged from their seclusion one after another, did he conclude this extended session of pill refinement.
"..."
On this day, Eldrin Chen emerged from his small Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep meditation and cultivation, isolated from worldly disturbances] and gathered with the others.
Gazing upon the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators who stand on the very threshold of the Celestial Immortal realm, possessing power far beyond ordinary immortals] before him, a genuine smile touched the corners of his eyes.
This period of secluded cultivation, lasting over seven thousand years for digestion and advancement, had proceeded smoothly for everyone. The strength of the Immortal Alliance had experienced a monumental surge.
The current Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance [the specific name for Eldrin Chen's faction within the broader Immortal Alliance], in addition to its original pillars—Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, Energy Abyss Chen, Nyssa Qu, Ethan Chen, and the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord—now boasted six new top-tier combatants who had achieved the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary and supremely stable cultivation foundation that harmonizes body, soul, and spirit with the primordial forces of creation].
These six were: Verdant Consort, Violet Consort Yan, Lila, Kael Chen, the Heaven Abyss Path Master, and the Blazeflame Divine Spirit.
Beyond these individuals, the Verdant Seal Patriarch, the Violet Mystery Path Master, and the Glazed Divine Lord had all seen their combat prowess ascend into the domain of the Eight Tribulations.
As for Worthy Verdancy Chen and Worthy Longevity Chen, they stood but a single step away from breaking through to the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation themselves.
As for the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has partially transcended the Earth Immortal realm] practitioners of the Single Primordial Unity Foundation [a foundational cultivation art focusing on a single, unified primordial essence], the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance [a powerful coalition of immortal cultivators] has now seen thirteen new members ascend to this level. Among the seven Immortal Consorts of the Immortal Clam Clan [a clan of cultivators with clam-based heritage], more than half have also broken through into the realm of Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [an advanced cultivation art harmonizing two primordial essences].
It can be said that within the current Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, the majority of mid-to-late stage Earth Immortal [immortals anchored to the earthly realm] with significant potential have now advanced to become Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the cusp of ascending to the celestial immortal realm].
The remainder either lack sufficient potential or have only recently broken through to the early or middle stages of Earth Immortal. They cannot push further for now, lest they risk destabilizing their foundational cultivation.
The sheer quantity of Path Source [a rare spiritual resource that aids in comprehending the Dao] is enough to sustain the Immortal [a general term for immortal cultivators] of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance for over a million years.
Therefore, for at least tens of thousands of years, it is unlikely that any new Half-Step Celestial Immortal will emerge.
"Two combatants at the Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realms] level, ten masters of the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [the pinnacle cultivation art unifying three primordial essences], and over twenty Half-Step Celestial Immortal."
Upon understanding the current combat strength of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, the assembled members exchanged glances, smiles gracing their faces.
With the power and profound accumulated strength [the deep reserves of resources, heritage, and latent power] the Alliance now possesses, its might is sufficient to sweep across the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the western realms].
Eldrin Chen surveyed the room, a faint smile touching his lips as he observed the expressions of those present.
From his sleeve, he produced nine portions of Innate Flat Peach [a legendary spiritual fruit born of heaven and earth, granting longevity and power]. Each portion contained nine individual peaches, which he distributed among the gathering.
Those cultivating the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation—Nyssa Qu, Verdant Consort, Violet Consort Yan, Lila, Kael Chen, Ethan Chen, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, Heaven Abyss Path Master, and Blazeflame Divine Spirit among them—each received a share of the bounty.
As they examined the treasures in their hands, a ripple of quiet astonishment passed through the group.
Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. Having reached his current level of cultivation and combat prowess, he no longer feared exposure of the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth.
A faint smile touched his lips as he spoke. "These Innate Flat Peach [peaches of profound spiritual power that grant immense longevity and cultivation benefits] possess extraordinary properties. By fully refining all nine, you can completely saturate your spiritual energy reserves, saving yourselves tens of millions of years of arduous cultivation."
The Blazeflame Divine Spirit's eyes widened with disbelief. "This gift is far too precious," she exclaimed, unable to contain her shock. "I fear I am unworthy of such a boon."
"There is no need for such modesty,"
Eldrin Chen shook his head, his tone calm and assured. "We stand shoulder to shoulder in this battle, facing the Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] together. We are comrades. Please, do not stand on ceremony."
"If your conscience truly troubles you," he continued, "you may exchange them for Immortal Source [the condensed, primordial energy source used by immortals]."
"Cultivating nine Flat Peach requires one hundred million units of Immortal Source to be converted into Innate Spiritual Water [water imbued with innate spiritual essence]. Simply provide me with that amount."
His words stirred them. Without further hesitation, they each retrieved their accumulated stores of Immortal Source and presented them to Eldrin Chen.
Blazeflame Divine Spirit [a primordial divine entity embodying the essence of celestial fire] and the others were unwilling to owe a debt of gratitude and even wished to exchange resources worth several times the value of the Immortal Source [a primordial source of immortal energy]. However, Eldrin Chen refused all such offers.
When it came to his own people, Eldrin Chen had always been clear-headed and principled, never one to seek petty advantages.
These individuals would all become Immaculate Celestial Immortals [cultivators who have achieved a flawless state of celestial immortality] in the future, and each would become a crucial pillar of support for him in overcoming the Path Tribulation [the ultimate heavenly trial faced by those seeking to transcend their current path].
The key point was this: when the day came for Eldrin Chen to condense his Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a legendary, supremely stable cultivation foundation formed by unifying three primordial energies], it was likely that many would not wish to see him succeed. During his breakthrough, there would undoubtedly be those who would join forces to block his path.
When that moment arrived, these trusted friends would be his greatest allies.
Therefore, for these individuals, Eldrin Chen spared no effort in offering his full support.
Now, as everyone received their Innate Flat Peach [a mythical peach of immortality born from primordial chaos], the Ancient Ruins Nether Lord [a powerful ruler of the ancient netherworld realms] could not help but speak, "This kindness is one I shall never forget."
Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and waved his hand, signaling an end to that line of discussion.
His expression then turned solemn as he produced a piece of intelligence and presented it to the group. "Friends," he began, "let us deliberate on our strategy for the coming conflict."
Hearing this, everyone took the intelligence report and began to examine its contents.
In the span of a single breath, the brows of the assembled cultivators furrowed slightly, their expressions turning cold and grave.
Exquisite Jiang's gaze sharpened, and she spoke, her voice carrying a note of concern, "All four of the Ancient Sect's Direct Lineage have executed the Exchange Move. It seems this conflict will be more troublesome than anticipated."
The others nodded in agreement, their faces etched with deep contemplation.
The reason was this: Ever since the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance annihilated the tribulation-entering legacies of two major Grotto-Heaven [a higher-dimensional realm and cultivation sanctuary] seven thousand years ago, the Violet Flame Divine Clan, the Nirvana Dragon Clan, the Longevity Sun Clan, and the Netherweave Direct Lineage had been profoundly shaken.
These four powers were all pieces placed on the board by the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [a primordial and immensely powerful sect], each possessing profound and deeply rooted foundations. It was exceedingly difficult for any of them to achieve a decisive victory over the others in a short span of time.
Witnessing the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance shatter two Grotto-Heaven with lightning speed, the direct inheritors of these four transcendent forces were filled with alarm.
They understood clearly that once the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance digested the resources of those two fallen powers, they would gain at least two or three more cultivators with a Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme and nearly flawless cultivation foundation].
By that time, even if the four great forces joined hands, they might not be able to defeat the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance. Thus, as if by unspoken agreement, all four chose to enact the Exchange Move [a strategic maneuver to swap territories or assets].