Chapter 1703 : The Forbidden Domain's Dilemma

Two candidates emerged simultaneously. By all rights, priority should be given to his Dao Companion, Violet Consort Yan.

After all, Violet Consort Yan was his own Dao Companion. With husband and wife being one entity, there seemed little room for debate.

However, the present circumstances were unique. Energy Abyss Chen possessed extraordinary talent and was the individual within the Chen Immortal Clan with the greatest potential to cultivate to the Forbidden Domain [a legendary and nearly unattainable realm of cultivation].

Violet Consort Yan's latent potential could not match that of Energy Abyss Chen. Even if she refined the Ten Tribulations Path Source [a rare spiritual essence condensed from overcoming ten great tribulations] from the Crimson Crow Holy Scion, her chances of breaking through to the Forbidden Domain likely would not exceed thirty percent.

This was because, since ancient times, those capable of reaching the Forbidden Domain were almost invariably peerless geniuses who had comprehended their own unique Paths.

Aside from Nyssa Qu, who relied on her bloodline, and Worthy Longevity Chen, who possessed the Thirty-Three Sea-Calmer Divine Pearls, the few within the Chen Immortal Clan qualified to step into the Forbidden Domain had all comprehended their own Paths.

For example, Energy Abyss Chen's Gold-Silver Body Forging Path, Verdant Consort's Polarity Verdant Lotus Path, Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Limitless Path, and Exquisite Jiang's Great Five Elements Limitless Path.

There was also Kael Chen's Myriad Worlds Unification Body [a supreme divine ability], which unified the Enlightened One's Tribulation-Transcending Body, the Demon King World-Destroying Body, and the Path Lord Path Union Body.

Within the current Chen Immortal Clan, aside from these individuals, the rest had yet to forge their own Paths. Their chances of breaking through to the Forbidden Domain were exceedingly slim.

Although Violet Consort Yan's Violet Flame Heavenly Flame, Violet Flame Immortal Body, and Violet Flame Path Fruit were all formidable, they had not yet transcended a certain limit to form her own Forbidden Path. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at site: audio-novel.com.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen estimated that even if this priceless Forbidden Path Source of ten tribulations were given to Violet Consort Yan, it would likely be a futile endeavor, like drawing water with a bamboo basket.

It was at this moment that Violet Consort Yan spoke up, "This Path Source contains the profound essence of the Crimson Sun Primordial Essence, which resonates subtly with the Patriarch's own foundational energy. It should be given to the Patriarch."

Energy Abyss Chen shook his head, however, his expression calm as he stated, "My path lies with the Immortality Golden Body Path. This object deviates from my chosen way."

"Moreover, even without the aid of this object, my ascension into the Forbidden Domain is an inevitability."

Hearing this, everyone present fell into contemplative silence.

The most crucial factor in stepping into the Forbidden Domain is whether one can forge their own unique path.

Energy Abyss Chen's path is centered on Fleshly Body Sanctification. As long as he refines sufficient quantities of Mithril and Adamantine, it will be enough for him to enter the Forbidden Domain. This Crimson CrowPath Fruit would merely be an embellishment for him.

While it might allow Energy Abyss Chen to cultivate within the Forbidden Domain more readily, it would hardly advance his Path Fruit or his comprehension of Path Principles any further.

Having said this, Energy Abyss Chen glanced at Violet Consort Yan and continued, "Fellow Daoist Yan's foundation is somewhat thinner. Although stepping into the Forbidden Domain will be arduous for her, it is not necessarily an impossible feat."

"Why not set this object aside for now? First, refine a Nine Tribulations Path Source. In the future, when her cultivation has progressed further, she might seize a sliver of opportunity by utilizing this object with the aid of Fortune and Merit."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen also gave a slight nod of agreement.

At present, even with this Ten Tribulations Path Source, the likelihood of Violet Consort Yan successfully breaking through to the Forbidden Domain [a legendary cultivation realm of immense power and profound mystery] was still not great.

However, by preserving it, if Violet Consort Yan later comprehended her own unique Path [a cultivator's personal philosophy and approach to cultivation] and then refined it, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen stored away the Crimson Crow Path Source [a condensed essence containing the profound insights and foundational power of a cultivator's path] and then spoke, "Since that is the case, you should all proceed to enter secluded cultivation as well."

"This time, each of you will refine a Nine Tribulations Path Source, which should undoubtedly allow your cultivation bases to advance significantly."

Upon hearing this, Verdant Consort and the others all revealed smiles of anticipation.

The members of the Chen Immortal Clan lacked for no Innate Treasure [a treasure born from nature or formed at the dawn of creation, possessing immense innate power], so this time they had each exchanged for a Nine Tribulations Path Source. A Path Source contained the lifetime of insights and foundational essence of a cultivator who had achieved the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art representing the perfect fusion of essence, energy, and spirit]. Refining it was more than sufficient to grant them a substantial increase in strength.

Thinking of this, they could not bear to delay any longer and immediately returned to their Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed, deep meditation and cultivation] to begin their closed-door cultivation.

As for Eldrin Chen, he also proceeded deep within the Violet Ye Palace to personally oversee the preparations, readying himself to attempt a breakthrough in the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation.

Before attempting the breakthrough in the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation, Eldrin Chen first spent several years utilizing the Five Elements [the five fundamental energies of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth that constitute all things] vital energy channeled by the Five Domains Formation [a powerful defensive and supportive formation based on the Five Elements] to repair the damaged Bulwark Earth Sovereign Bell and the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords.

After his Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a cultivator's personally bound and nurtured magical artifact] was restored, he immediately proceeded to the very heart of the Five Domains Five Elements Grand Formation [a grand defensive formation harnessing the power of the five elements across five major regions].

The core of this Five Domains Five Elements Grand Formation lay in the deepest part of the Returning Abyss Sea Region. It converged the vast Five Elements [the five fundamental energies of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] primordial energies from the five great Heavenly Domain [a vast celestial territory], condensing them within the sea to form a Grotto-Heaven [a pocket dimension or paradise realm for cultivation].

This Grotto-Heaven was named the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven by Eldrin Chen. It was a rare Five Elements Grotto-Heaven [a grotto-heaven perfectly balanced with all five elemental energies], formed by converging the five primal essences of heaven and earth, augmented by the foundational energies released when countless Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] and Half-Step Celestial Immortal [cultivators on the verge of full Celestial Immortal ascension] dissolved their paths back into the cosmos.

The concentration of spiritual energy within it ranked among the pinnacle of lower-grade Grotto-Heaven, sufficient to sustain three Early Celestial Immortal Realm [cultivators at the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] cultivating at full capacity.

In comparison, the Grotto-Heaven once opened by the Western Abyss Dragon King was merely a lower-grade one, barely able to support a single Early Celestial Immortal Realm for cultivation, possessing only one-third the capacity of this current Grotto-Heaven.

Most importantly, according to Eldrin Chen's estimation, as long as the Five Domains Formation [the core defensive array of the five domains] continued to operate, channeling the energies released by the countless Demon Immortal [immortal beings of demonic origin] and Divine Spirits [innate spiritual beings] dissolving their paths, this Five Elements Grotto-Heaven would ascend to become a Middle Grade Grotto-Heaven once the Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic era of conflict and upheaval affecting all paths of cultivation] concluded. Original English translation available at audio-novel`com.

It was crucial to understand that even among Supreme Grotto-Heaven [the highest classification of grotto-heavens], the disparity in spiritual energy concentration between individual Grotto-Heaven could be immense.

A lower-grade Grotto-Heaven could sustain between one and three Early Celestial Immortal Realm for cultivation. A Middle Grade Grotto-Heaven contained energy sufficient to nourish at least nine Early Celestial Immortal Realm. An Upper Grade Grotto-Heaven possessed enough vitality to allow thirty Celestial Immortal Great Power [Celestial Immortals of significant power and status] to cultivate in seclusion simultaneously.

Once the Path Tribulation ended, Eldrin Chen estimated this Five Elements Grotto-Heaven would be capable of supplying nine family Celestial Immortal with cultivation resources. Combined with the Primordial Solar Five Elements Grotto-Heaven within the Five Elements Small Universe [a miniature cosmos governed by the five elements], it should be enough to support thirteen Early Celestial Immortal Realm in their cultivation.

"Merely a Middle Grade Grotto-Heaven... still seems somewhat insufficient," he mused.

Eldrin Chen's heart suddenly held a silent conversation with itself, and a contemplative gleam flickered in his eyes.

Now, the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen family of cultivators who have attained immortality] was vast in both family and enterprise. After more than a dozen members broke through to the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a profound cultivation stage representing the unification of essence, energy, and spirit], they became over a dozen Immaculate Celestial Immortals [a high rank of immortal cultivators]. The Immortal Spirit Essence [the purified spiritual energy required for immortal cultivation] they consumed in their cultivation far exceeded that of ordinary Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation rank] cultivators.

Relying solely on two Grotto-Heavens [self-contained pocket realms of immense spiritual density] of middle and lower grades was somewhat insufficient. At the very least, one Upper Grade Grotto-Heaven [a top-tier pocket realm with the highest spiritual density] was needed to satisfy the cultivation needs of the Chen Clan.

Yet, establishing an Upper Grade Grotto-Heaven was an endeavor fraught with immense difficulty.

Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a vast region of the immortal world], there were several hundred Grotto-Heavens in total. Among them, the number of Upper Grade Grotto-Heavens combined did not even reach fifty. Each was a hegemonic force that commanded awe across an entire Heavenly Domain [a major administrative and territorial division of the immortal realms], a testament to the profound depth of their foundations.

Such Grotto-Heavens were typically forged over hundreds of millions of years, expanded generation after generation by successive Celestial Immortal Great Powers [powerful cultivators at the Celestial Immortal rank], consuming incalculable and vast quantities of resources in their nurturing.

"Enough. The pressing matter at hand is to first attempt the breakthrough," he murmured to himself.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen shook his head and activated the grand formation within the Five Elements Grotto-Heaven [a pocket realm attuned to the powers of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth].

This Five Elements Grand Formation [a powerful defensive and gathering array based on the five elemental forces] was suffused with boundless, inexhaustible Five Elements [the fundamental forces of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] spiritual energy from heaven and earth. As Eldrin Chen continuously channeled his power, the Five Elements energies, bolstered by the Formation [a structured arrangement of power, often for defense, attack, or cultivation], fused and harmonized into one, transforming into a stream of Chaos Mist Energy [a primordial, formless energy that predates the ordered universe].

This Primordial Chaos Energy [the original, undifferentiated energy from which all creation sprang] was far gentler compared to the wild Chaos Energy Flow [the turbulent currents of raw, unformed energy] found within the Chaos [the formless void beyond the ordered cosmos]. Yet, it remained an overwhelmingly potent and domineering energy of Chaos. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audi novel.com.