Chapter 1724 : The Price of Unparalleled Power

Next, he still needed to repay the Void Grotto-Heaven three strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation]. Furthermore, his Five Lifebound Immortal Treasures were also the foundation of his path; to advance each one to the Middle-Grade Innate Treasure level, two more strands of Innate Energy would be required to evolve their Innate Path Patterns [the fundamental laws and designs woven into an artifact].

The most critical point was that Eldrin Chen's foundation was overwhelmingly powerful. While this granted him unparalleled combat strength, it also meant the consumption of Innate Energy required for his future advancement would increase dramatically.

Taking the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a supreme constitution embodying the unyielding nature of the primordial chaos] as an example, the Innate Energy consumed for its subsequent advancements would be five times that of a typical Immortal Body of the same rank.

To advance to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm, the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique would need to refine an additional ten strands of Innate Energy. In the future, breaking through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm would require consuming at least thirty strands.

In other words, for Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique to reach its Great Completion, it would demand the number of nine times five—a total of forty-five strands of Innate Energy.

Yet, an existence at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm typically only required twenty-seven strands of Innate Energy in total.

Of course, such immense consumption by the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique naturally brought forth combat power to match.

Currently, Eldrin Chen's combat strength was comparable to that of the Late Celestial Immortal Realm. Once his Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique reached Great Completion, he would likely be able to suppress a supreme expert at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm with a mere slap of his hand.

Most importantly, once the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique achieved Great Completion, it would likely allow him to easily shatter the Fleshly Body Pass [the tribulation related to physical perfection] within the Ninefold Heavenly Pass [the nine great tribulations on the path to the Daolord Realm].

In contrast, ordinary beings at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, whose Innate Physique [a cultivator's innate physical foundation] was not powerful enough, would often find themselves trapped at that very realm, forever unable to take a single step further. This novel is serialized on site: audio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

As for those Ancient Immortals who manage to break through the Fleshly Body Pass, they have typically exhausted every conceivable method to cultivate a more powerful, top-tier Innate True Body [a supreme physical constitution formed from the purest primordial energies].

Such beings invariably consume an amount of Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] far exceeding nine strands.

Precisely because of this, those who have cultivated to the Ancient Immortal Realm have almost all expended several hundred strands of Innate Energy, not necessarily less than what Eldrin Chen consumed.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen shook his head, dismissing the thought.

Gazing at the twenty remaining strands of Innate Energy in his hand, he mused aloud, "My foundation is far too formidable. With only these remaining strands, I can at most cultivate to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm."

"It seems that after breaking through to Celestial Immortal, if I wish for my cultivation to advance swiftly, I must journey into the Chaos [the primordial, formless void from which all realms are born]."

With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Eldrin Chen finally stored the Innate Energy away.

He possessed the Innate Chaos Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique born of chaos, granting resilience within the primordial void], making him naturally suited to wander the Chaos. He had long been mentally prepared for such a venture and felt no trepidation now.

"Congratulations, husband."

At that very moment, Exquisite Jiang approached with a gentle smile.

Path Ruins Jiang also looked over, expressing rare astonishment as he said, "A vast Universe spanning one hundred eighty million light-years in diameter... This Universe of yours is not far from what an Eighth Heaven Celestial Immortal [a Celestial Immortal who has ascended to the Eighth Heavenly Layer] could achieve."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but offer a faint smile.

A Universe with a diameter of one hundred eighty million light-years might not be considered a soul-stirring feat for an existence at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm].

Generally speaking, the Celestial Immortal Universe [the personal cosmos or inner world cultivated by a Celestial Immortal] possessed by a Great Power at the Eighth Heaven Celestial Immortal level has a diameter of around two hundred million light-years. Those at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] possess larger ones, but their Universe size is estimated to be only around three hundred million light-years.

It is said that the Universe opened by those Ancient Immortal Great Power [powerful cultivators who have transcended the Celestial Immortal realm and reached the Ancient Immortal stage] are infinitely resplendent, akin to a visible Great Universe [a primordial, boundless cosmos]; their diameters can even exceed one billion light-years, with the most supreme among them reaching tens of billions of light-years, almost beyond description.

However, such achievements belong to those at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm and above. For an existence merely at the Early Celestial Immortal Realm [the initial stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] to open a Universe approaching two hundred million light-years would likely cause even those Ancient Immortal Great Power to be utterly astounded.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen took out three strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] and handed them to Path Ruins Jiang, then spoke, "With Grandfather's foundation, I believe you too can open a boundless and vast Universe."

Path Ruins Jiang accepted the Innate Energy and replied, "With my foundation, I fear I cannot compare to you."

Observing the Universe behind Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang spoke up, "Such a Universe is truly Extraordinary. Anchored beside the World Membrane [the dimensional boundary separating different realms or worlds] of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, it will likely attract considerable attention."

"It is of no concern. Under the protective field of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, there should be no major issues unless a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Golden Immortal realm, capable of encompassing all phenomena] personally intervenes."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, his voice measured, "After you achieve your breakthroughs, we shall establish a ChaosUniverse cluster beside this Primordial Chaos Membrane. We will arrange the various Great Universe into a grand formation of interconnected domains."

"By then, even if some foolhardy Chaos Ancient Beast dares to attack, we will be more than capable of joining forces to repel it."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

She lifted her gaze towards the distant Vast Azure Immortal Domain, and a tremor of awe passed through her heart.

Without a direct comparison, one could never truly comprehend the sheer immensity of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. Eldrin Chen's ChaosUniverse, stretching for hundreds of millions of light-years, appeared before it as nothing more than a single grain of dust in a boundless ocean.

It clung to the World Membrane of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, enveloped by endless Primordial Chaos Energy, like a mote of cosmic dust caught in the eternal orbit of a primordial star. Official source: https://audio-novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

And beside the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, similar Small Universe were as numerous as the stars. The vast majority of these Universe were born naturally from the Chaos, with only a rare few being artificially forged.

The Returning Abyss Small Universe lay hidden among them. Without its precise celestial coordinates, finding it would be a near-impossible task.

"It seems my worries were unfounded."

Exquisite Jiang spoke, a wave of relief washing over her.

In truth, at the very edge of an Immortal Domain [a vast realm governed by immortal laws and beings], the Chaos Torrent [a torrent of primordial chaos energy] is suppressed and calmed by the domain's power. Consequently, the Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, formless energy from which all things are born] here becomes more tranquil and stable, making it far more conducive to the gestation of Small Universe [self-contained pocket dimensions or nascent worlds].

The number of Small Universe [self-contained pocket dimensions or nascent worlds] surrounding the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a specific, renowned immortal realm] is virtually countless. At every moment, new ones are born, and at every moment, others fade into oblivion.

The reason that particular Small Universe [self-contained pocket dimension] near the Western Pole Heavenly Domain [a celestial domain in the western reaches] was discovered back then was its extreme proximity to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a specific, renowned immortal realm]. It was so close one could almost reach out and touch it.

In truth, a Small Universe [self-contained pocket dimension] that close is a rarity among hundreds of millions. While this current location is also not far from the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a specific, renowned immortal realm], that assessment is made on the immense scale of the immortal domain itself.

In practical terms, this distance is such that even a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty immortal of significant rank and power] would have to pay a considerable price to traverse the void and reach it.

Most crucially, this place still lies within the influential field of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a specific, renowned immortal realm]. As long as this Small Universe [self-contained pocket dimension] remains here, it is, strictly speaking, considered a part of that domain and thus enjoys its protection.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen felt a wave of reassurance settle within him.

He turned his gaze back to his own Small Universe [self-contained pocket dimension], a faint smile touching his lips as he spoke. "This Small Universe [self-contained pocket dimension] shall henceforth be my Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain or territory, often the foundation of their power]."

"From this day forward, this Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain] shall be named Returning Abyss Heaven."

"Returning Abyss Heaven?"

Exquisite Jiang murmured softly, a slight nod of agreement gracing her features.

Utilizing the connection between the Small Universe and the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the trio returned to the heart of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Eldrin Chen returned to his Seclusion Chamber. He extended his senses into Returning Abyss Heaven, feeling the pulse of the Great Path [the fundamental principle of cultivation and existence] and the myriad lives within. A faint, satisfied smile touched his lips.

Following this breakthrough, the cultivation bases of nearly all the Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual beings born from the laws of heaven and earth] within Returning Abyss Heaven had undergone a profound metamorphosis. Find this and other novels at www . audio-novel.com.