Chapter 1710 : The Ultimate Sacrifice

This curse is the most dreadful of incantations, imbued with the power of the Polarity Path Principles [the fundamental laws governing the opposing forces of creation and destruction], an energy of extreme potency. Once it begins to erode a victim's physical form, it will gradually corrode the very foundation of their cultivation.

If not expelled, every time Imperial Sun Golden Crow unleashes his power, he would suffer a loss in his cultivation base and vital essence. This is precisely why he departed in such haste.

That alone would be dire enough, but to unleash the Polarity Immortal-Falling Curse at its maximum destructive potential, Eldrin Chen pushed his Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao] beyond its absolute limit, even sacrificing his own illusory Path Fruit in the process.

Consequently, Eldrin Chen's cultivation realm has fallen back to the Single Primordial Unity Foundation [the foundational stage where one's spiritual energy is unified into a single, coherent whole]. It is likely he will be unable to engage in battle again for a considerable time.

Understanding this, Song Luo paced back and forth for a long while before finally asking, "Fellow Daoist, with your cultivation diminished, who can possibly stand against Imperial Sun Golden Crow now?"

Evening Star Sword Scion also wore a pale expression as he spoke, "With the Purple Tenuity Imperial Scion defeated, if the Divine Spirits [powerful beings who have ascended beyond the mortal coil, wielding divine authority] from the Central Ancestral Domain are freed to act, how are we to face them?"

Seeing the anxiety among the group, Eldrin Chen spoke again to reassure them, "Set your minds at ease. That Imperial Sun Golden Crow has been struck by my 'Polarity Immortal-Falling Curse.' Even with divine treasures to heal him, it will take at least three thousand years for him to recover."

"In these next three millennia, I will focus on recovering from my injuries and once more attempt to break through to the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [an advanced foundational stage where spiritual energy achieves a threefold, flawless unity]."

"With the experience from my last attempt, I am certain to achieve a flawless Triple Primordial Unity Foundation this time."

Eldrin Chen declared this slowly, his tone carrying an air of absolute conviction. This content originates from audio‑novel.com. Please respect copyright.

Seeing his unwavering confidence, the others felt a measure of reassurance settle within them. Wind Cloud Fearless could not help but sigh and say, "Then it seems this is the only path left to us?"

Witnessing this, Path Ruins Jiang spoke up, "Then I must trouble you all to join me in guarding this Returning Abyss Mountain."

"Afterwards, we shall pool our strength to reconstruct the defensive formations. We must aid Fellow Cultivator Eldrin in recovering from his injuries."

Seeing the situation, the others all took their leave, leaving the space for Eldrin Chen to focus on his recovery.

Once everyone had departed, the expression on Eldrin Chen's face gradually smoothed into calm. Streams of Life Path Principle [the fundamental law governing vitality and restoration] began to circulate within him, and his wounds started to heal at a visible pace.

In the space of a few breaths, all traces of his injuries vanished.

Within the Great Hall, Eldrin Chen and Path Ruins Jiang sat facing each other, while Exquisite Jiang prepared a cup of tea for each of them.

Regarding Eldrin Chen's swift recovery, Path Ruins Jiang seemed to have anticipated it. He inquired calmly, "How do matters stand?"

Eldrin Chen was composed, his gaze profound as he replied, "By using Imperial Sun Golden Crow's assault as a catalyst to sacrifice my Void Path Fruit [a profound cultivation achievement representing mastery over emptiness], I have created the perfect opportunity to conceal my actions from the major powers and begin anew, cultivating the Innate Path Principle [the fundamental law of one's inherent, primordial nature]."

"However, for my Path Principle [a cultivator's core comprehension of a fundamental cosmic law] to undergo its final metamorphosis, I require five strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, unadulterated energy that existed at the dawn of creation]. Currently, I am still lacking three."

Eldrin Chen recounted the situation. Currently, he had not a single wisp of Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] left in his possession. The only two he had were borrowed from Myriad Spirit Patriarch.

With a deficit of three wisps still remaining, Eldrin Chen sought out Path Ruins Jiang. Yet, even Path Ruins Jiang lacked such a resource. Left with no other choice, Eldrin Chen could only instruct his clan members to proceed with their attempts to break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of true celestial beings, transcending mortality].

However, once one ascends to become a Celestial Immortal, they transcend the bounds of the Path Tribulation [the grand, fate-altering trials of the cultivation path] and should no longer directly intervene in the affairs of the Tribulation [the cataclysmic heavenly trials faced by cultivators].

The members of the Chen Immortal Clan all cultivated the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational art unifying spirit, energy, and essence], and all possessed the potential of an Immaculate Celestial Immortal Seed [a flawless foundation for celestial ascension]. A great Fortune [a monumental opportunity or destiny] that could decisively shape the Path Tribulation lay directly before them. To break through now would be an inopportune moment.

After much deliberation, Eldrin Chen's thoughts turned once more to Path Ruins Jiang.

Upon hearing his request, Path Ruins Jiang nodded calmly. "I possess only one remaining wisp of Innate Energy," he stated. "However, the two Supreme Elder [the highest-ranking elders of a sect] within our sect should have some in reserve. I shall go and procure two more for you."

With those words, Path Ruins Jiang departed swiftly. He returned a short while later, bearing three wisps of Innate Energy.

Gazing at the three wisps of radiant energy, Eldrin Chen could not help but remark with a sigh, "It seems the Void Grotto-Heaven [a profound realm of emptiness and potential] is placing truly heavy stakes upon you."

Path Ruins Jiang shook his head, his expression serene. "Should I fail to transcend this tribulation, all matters will come to an end for me," he replied.

"But if I succeed, and even cultivate to the Great Encompassing Realm [the realm of ultimate comprehension and unity], then the Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect, action and consequence] incurred today shall be repaid tenfold, a hundredfold."

Eldrin Chen nodded, understanding that Path Ruins Jiang had incurred another significant debt to the Void Grotto-Heaven on his behalf.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen took the three strands of Innate Energy and spoke, "Next, I shall forge the Dual Celestial Immortal Foundation and await the fish to take the bait."

"If this succeeds, this Path Tribulation should also come to an end."

Path Ruins Jiang and Eldrin Chen had long exchanged secret messages. He was aware of Eldrin Chen's plan and understood some of the hidden truths behind it.

He knew clearly in his heart that once Eldrin Chen forged the Dual Celestial Immortal Foundation, he would essentially be a Flawed Celestial Immortal who had yet to open his Universe.

Moreover, Eldrin Chen's single Innate Foundation was already comparable to the Triple Innate Foundation of an Immaculate Celestial Immortal. If he were to cultivate two foundations, each rivaling that of an Immaculate Celestial Immortal, his combat power would undoubtedly undergo a staggering, earth-shattering leap. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel .c om.

At that point, sweeping through the Path Tribulation would hold almost no suspense.

Yet, the closer they came to that moment, the more a thread of worry tightened within him.

He drew a deep breath and could not help but ask, "That hidden piece you mentioned—is it truly reliable?"

"From what I know, the Imperial Scion of Purple Tenuity was defeated because of him. I fear..."

Path Ruins Jiang did not finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.

Eldrin Chen pondered in silence for a moment, then set down his teacup and finally spoke. "It was someone brought by Second Son. That child would not lie to me."

"Worthy Path, is it?"

Path Ruins Jiang gave a slight nod, raised the fragrant tea in his hand for a shallow sip, and said nothing more.

"..."

Having obtained the Innate Energy, Eldrin Chen began secluded cultivation of the Innate Primordial One Limitless Path Principle.

Meanwhile, in the outside world, the situation shifted like wind and clouds, and the entire landscape of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain underwent a great transformation.

The elites of the Human Race from both the Eastern Pole Six Heavenly Domains and the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole gathered upon the Void Mountain Range. They assembled twenty-four Innate Treasure [primordial artifacts of immense power] and deployed a formation hailed as 'Impenetrable' [unable to be breached] by any below the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm—the 'Twenty-Four Myriad Heavens Grand Formation'.

Countless armies of the Demon Race surrounded the vast Void Mountain Range, mobilizing an endless fleet of ancient ships and colossal cannons, intending to blast open the defenses of this Twenty-Four Myriad Heavens Grand Formation by sheer force.

On the side of the Central Ancestral Domain, the Purple Tenuity Imperial Scion was betrayed. Through a coordinated attack from within and without, the Super Slaughter Formation of the Purple Tenuity lineage was breached, and the Human Race forces suffered a crushing defeat overnight.

The Purple Tenuity Imperial Scion was hunted across thirty thousand Immortal Paths [the metaphorical paths of cultivation leading to immortality] in a single night, with even the Fire Scale Imperial Scion of the Qilin Clan [a clan of mythical Qilin beasts] venturing from afar to join the pursuit.

Alas, the Verdant Sun Imperial Scion had also risked a breakthrough, successfully forging the Innate Verdant Sun Imperial Physique [a supreme, heaven-defying physical constitution imbued with the essence of the verdant sun]. Even with their combined might, the two suffered a crushing defeat.

After that single battle, the Fire Scale Imperial Scion vanished without a trace, while the Purple Tenuity Imperial Scion's physical body was utterly destroyed before he too disappeared.

The Qilin Clan and the Human Race still possessed several Forbidden Prodigy [peerless geniuses who tread a forbidden, immensely powerful path], yet the Divine Clan [a clan of beings with divine lineage] also fielded five figures of Imperial Scion caliber. In the ensuing clash, the Human Race's Forbidden Prodigy were nearly annihilated, with only one or two managing to escape.

Following the disastrous defeat of the Human Race and the Qilin Clan, all the outstanding talents within the Central Ancestral Domain [the central, most ancient and powerful region of the cultivation world] vanished from sight.

Meanwhile, the Divine Clan's Verdant Sun Imperial Scion, leading five other Forbidden Prodigy, tore through the void to arrive beyond the Void Mountain Range [a formidable mountain range bordering the demon territories]. Their intent was to join forces with the Demon Race and utterly annihilate the Void Mountain Range stronghold. Official source: site: audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.