Chapter 1591 : Awakening the Cosmos

Hearing this, Eldrin understood in his heart.

The nascent microcosm was fundamentally different from the 1 that had been on the verge of annihilation.

A minor cosmos on the brink of destruction, already destined for annihilation, thus refining the boundless stars and earth veins within would not incur significant karmic backlash.

However, a nascent small universe, where living beings had yet to fully form, offered a unique opportunity. Breaking through within it meant seizing the resources intended for the very first generation of deities in that realm.

And the first beings born at the dawn of the universe were all nurtured by the cosmos itself, almost equivalent to the children of the universe.

Although these children had not yet taken form, and might not even exist, if Eldrin were to enter and attempt a breakthrough, he would inevitably incur a profound karmic debt to the microcosmos.

However, in Eldrin's view, if it could help the Chen clan members achieve a breakthrough, then incurring this karmic debt would be worthwhile.

At this thought, Eldrin nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

"Now, within the Abyssal Chasm of Returning Ruin that I am connected to, there happens to be a newly-born universe. I shall send you there."

The Pearl of Returning Abyss remained silent, merely tearing open a rift in the void.

Eldrin did not hesitate, stepping into it without pause, and instantly felt an overwhelming pressure surge toward him.

He lifted his head and immediately scanned his surroundings, realizing he was submerged in the depths of an ocean where all directions were filled with immeasurably heavy Primordial Unity Waters.

Deep within the Abyssal Chasm of Returning Ruins, a magnificent aquatic blessed realm was steadily taking shape.

Eldrin could distinctly sense that within this aquatic blessed land, a hazy thread of vitality was quietly taking form.

And beside this life form, a hazy treasure pearl was taking form.

"Water Deity of the Abyssal Depths, the Mystic Pearl of Ren Water."

In just an instant, Eldrin deduced the origin of this life form.

Within this supreme-grade earth vein, a primordial deity from the dawn of the cosmos was gestating. This divinity was destined to become the first Water God of this universe, and its congenital spiritual treasure—the Ren Water Mystic Pearl—would manifest as a Taiyi Immortal Artifact upon maturation.

"Let us observe this universe."

Eldrin murmured inwardly, then stepped out of the Abyssal Return and lifted his gaze to the boundless heavens.

This was a vast and boundless cosmos, stretching across countless tens of thousands of light-years, where infinite stars filled the expanse of the celestial skies.

At the center of the cosmos lay an ancient continent of boundless immensity.

Eldrin surveyed his surroundings and found that this universe was in its nascent stages, with the energies of clarity and turbidity still in the process of separating between heaven and earth.

Between the 4 corners of the world lay 8 magnificent supreme blessed lands, divided into the 5 elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, along with the 3 anomalous attributes of wind, ice, and thunder.

At the heart of the continent, a Pure Yang Blessed Land manifested, its vital energy exceeding that of ordinary supreme-grade earth veins by severalfold.

And high above in the boundless firmament, the vast Qian-Qing energies surged upward, transforming into hundreds of millions of celestial stars across the cosmos.

The Zhou Tian Stars further evolved into 3 ancestral stars: Ziwei, Taiwei, and Qingwei, along with 4 imperial stars—Chang Sheng, Gou Ling, Ming Ying, and Sui Tian—all of which were supreme-grade blessed lands.

16 Supreme-Grade Blessed Lands.

Eldrin murmured inwardly, then shook his head in the very next instant. He sensed that within this cosmic expanse, there must still be at least several supreme blessed lands hidden in the Realm of Eternal Night.

Moreover, this universe had been in existence for less than 30,000 years. The primordial qi of heaven and earth had yet to fully differentiate. As the nascent energies from the dawn of creation continued to converge, it was likely that more supreme-grade blessed lands would gradually take form in the future.

However, those supreme blessed lands that would later emerge would be born even later, and the beings nurtured within them would not be among the first generation of living creatures.

Upon the continent, 9 deities still in gestation, along with the 7 Star Deities of the firmament, shall become the primordial masters of this nascent universe.

After careful calculation, Eldrin concluded that barring unforeseen circumstances, the Star Masters residing within the celestial canopy's Ziwei, Taiwei, and Qingwei constellations would possess combat prowess comparable to dual Taiyi foundations.

The beings born from the Pure Yang Earth Veins beneath the great earth all possessed at least a Dual Taiyi Foundation, with many likely advancing even further.

"Had I not come, the ultimate master of this realm would most likely have emerged from among these 4 individuals."

Eldrin murmured inwardly, his gaze sweeping across the vast wilderness.

He discovered that the world was filled with Primordial Qi of Creation, its quantity far surpassing tens of thousands.

Eldrin understood in his heart that a portion of this primordial qi of creation would merge with the essence of heaven and earth, giving birth to the second and third generations of deities in this cosmos.

The remaining portions would be concealed deep within the heavens, earth, and starry skies. Should a destined individual discover and refine them in the future, they too would attain the realm of an Earth Immortal.

"Shall I fetch some?"

Eldrin murmured softly, summoning several strands of world-creating qi.

Yet in that very instant, he sensed a strand of Heavenly Dao Qi (Spiritual Root) descending from the unseen void, carrying with it a hazy, indistinct will.

"Who art thou?"

Eldrin sensed the will of this universe, understanding it to be the nascent Heavenly Dao of a newborn cosmos.

A faint ripple crossed his brow as he spoke with detached calm, "I hail from beyond the confines of this cosmos, seeking to transcend my cultivation within your realm."

Beyond the Cosmos?

"Could there truly exist realms beyond this very cosmos?"

The Heavenly Dao, still naive and immature, roughly grasped his meaning.

Eldrin nodded, then spoke, "I wish to borrow the spirit vein to break through and glimpse the realm of the Great Ultimate."

"I understand."

The Way of Heaven responded faintly, then declared, "As the spiritual energy of heaven and earth now abounds, I may lend you the power to break through. However, you must repay this karmic debt."

Eldrin nodded slightly, then swept his gaze around before finally speaking, "Should you succeed in aiding my Chen Clan to achieve a breakthrough, we shall naturally repay this karmic debt."

"I have something in mind that you certainly will not refuse."

As his voice faded, he produced an ancient tree.

The Heavenly Dao took a glance and spoke, "The Primordial World Tree."

Eldrin gave a slight nod and replied matter-of-factly, "With but a single premium-grade spiritual root, I can elevate it to the realm of the Great Ultimate Immortal Root."

"I perceive that within this cosmic realm, the Primordial Treasure appears yet to form. With it, 1 may transmute the Taiyi Immortal Root into an Ancient Primordial Tree."

The Primordial Ancient Tree grew within the microcosm, its roots piercing into the fringes of chaos to draw upon the primordial qi and transmute it into void energy.

"With this artifact, unless this realm is destroyed by external calamities, it shall never face the day of spiritual energy depletion and decline."

As Eldrin spoke in his measured, eloquent manner, the light of the Heavenly Will trembled faintly.

Now that this universe is in its nascent stage, and that primordial treasure of creation has yet to fully form, if we were to fuse that Primordial Qi into the Taiyi Immortal Root, transforming it into an Ancient Primordial Tree, then this universe would be spared from the calamity of spiritual energy decline.

It could be said that the conditions offered by Eldrin (Person Name) were impossible for him to refuse.

Then, a moment later, the Heavenly Dao’s will spoke calmly, “Such an opportunity is exceedingly rare even for me. What conditions do you seek?”

Eldrin smiled faintly and replied, "With our equal contract signed, this universe shall become the training ground for my Chen clansmen to cultivate and break through, solidifying the foundation of our Chen Immortal Clan."

Chapter 1 The biting northern wind swept across the mountain ridge, carrying with it the scent of frozen earth and withered grass. Lin Yan stood atop the cliff, his robes fluttering wildly in the gale. Below him, the mist-shrouded valleys of the Azure Peak Sect stretched into infinity. "30-2 1000 spirit stones," he murmured, his fingers tracing the jade token at his waist. "All gone for a single breakthrough attempt." The memory of his failed ascension to the Foundation Establishment realm still haunted him. He could almost feel the spiritual energy raging through his meridians before collapsing, the pain sharper than any blade. For 3 days and 3 nights, he had remained unconscious in the cultivation chamber. "Senior Brother Lin." A voice interrupted his thoughts. Turning, he saw Elder Ming's disciple approaching, holding a scarlet invitation. "The sect master summons you to the Grand Hall," the young man said, his eyes avoiding Lin Yan's. "The annual Inner Disciple Competition begins at dawn." Lin Yan accepted the invitation, his gaze lingering on the golden characters embossed on its surface. The competition - his last chance to prove his worth before being relegated to outer sect duties. Countless disciples had risen to prominence through this very event, while others had faded into obscurity. He glanced at the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss strapped to his back, its spiritual energy faint after his failed breakthrough. For over a 100 years, his family had guarded this ancestral treasure, and now it might be his only advantage. "Tell the sect master I shall attend," Lin Yan said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. As the disciple departed, Lin Yan's eyes swept across the training grounds where dozens of junior disciples practiced their forms. Their movements were crisp and powerful, a stark contrast to his own weakened state. He remembered his master's words from years past: "Cultivation is not a sprint, but a journey of 10 1000 miles." How ironic that his own journey had stalled so completely. Unbidden, his spiritual sense drifted to the spatial ring on his finger, where the last of his resources remained - a dozen or so healing pills, 20-some mid-grade spirit stones, and the crumbling jade slip containing the incomplete "Celestial Cycle Art." The wind picked up, carrying the distant chime of the purification bell. 3 strikes, signaling the changing of guards. Lin Yan took a deep breath, drawing what little spiritual energy he could from the surroundings. Tonight, he would attempt the impossible. Either he would regain his cultivation, or he would become another cautionary tale in the sect's history. The moon rose above the eastern peaks, its pale light illuminating his determined features. "So be it," he whispered to the wind.