Chapter 1820 : Beyond the Fallen Leaf

Now, standing at the edge of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of cultivation], one is merely standing at the edge of a fallen leaf, gazing out at the world beyond that leaf.

"Without attaining the Great Luo [the supreme realm of cultivation, representing unity with the Dao], one can never leap free from this leaf, unable to glimpse the vastness of this boundless Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state from which all existence emerged]."

Finally, Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a feeling arising within him. This Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state from which all existence emerged], while seemingly perilous and inscrutable, was also a place of infinite splendor.

Perhaps it was not that the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state from which all existence emerged] was inherently perilous, but rather that they were simply too weak.

It was akin to an ant; a single drop of water could drown it. How could it then hope to cross the vast ocean and witness the splendor of The Other Shore [a metaphorical term for enlightenment, transcendence, or a distant, ideal realm]?

"To the Myriad Heavens and Worlds [the countless celestial realms and mortal worlds], I am but a mote of dust. Yet before this boundless Sea of Chaos [the endless expanse of primordial chaos], how utterly insignificant and humble I am."

"So this... is the meaning of 'the Dao has no end'..."

Eldrin Chen gathered his wandering thoughts and emerged from his secluded cultivation.

After exiting seclusion, he performed a brief calculation with his fingers and discovered that this period of secluded cultivation had lasted a total of twenty thousand years.

"You have emerged from seclusion." Visit audio-novel.com (official site) to enjoy the complete series.

Seeing Eldrin Chen emerge from seclusion, Celestial Maiden could not help but ask with joy, "How did it go?"

"I did not fail your trust. The breakthrough was successful."

Eldrin Chen murmured, replying with a faint smile.

Upon hearing this, Celestial Maiden felt a surge of delight in her heart and let out a heavy sigh of relief. "That is good," she said.

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile, saying nothing more. Instead, he turned his gaze towards the place where Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor was in seclusion and inquired, "How is the situation?"

"Not well."

Celestial Maiden shook her head, her expression turning grave. "Fellow Daoist Tianya emerged from seclusion not long ago. He asked me to remind you to see him once you finished your own."

A frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow upon hearing this. Without delay, he stepped into the temporary Cultivation Cave where Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor was secluded.

Upon entering the Cultivation Cave, Eldrin Chen's countenance abruptly shifted. He hurried forward to support Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor.

At this moment, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's face was deathly pale. The aura surrounding his body was far more feeble than it had been many years prior, a clear sign that his injuries had taken a turn for the worse.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but examine it carefully. His expression turned gravely solemn as he said, "The thief was utterly malicious. The immortal spear is tainted with an extremely potent and corrosive Mana [the spiritual energy used by cultivators]."

"If the foreign Mana and its Great Dao [the supreme principle or law of cultivation] are not expelled, the injury will continue to deteriorate."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor also revealed a pallid complexion. He understood the nature of his own injuries all too well.

After a moment of contemplation, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor spoke, "That thief has already shattered the Mana Heavenly Barrier [a profound cultivation barrier]. The Mana he cultivates is exceedingly domineering, and he has even comprehended the Golden Sun Great Dao Embryo [the nascent form of a supreme Dao principle]."

"This type of Great Dao Embryo possesses formidable corrosive power. It also fiercely conflicts with my own Vast Sea Great Dao. Compounded by the severity of my wounds, I am unable to refine and expel it."

"If this continues, I fear my only recourse will be to abandon my Physical Body [the corporeal vessel of a cultivator] and flee for my life."

Upon hearing these words, Celestial Maiden's countenance changed abruptly.

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor had only just broken through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a realm of immense power and longevity]. To discard this Physical Body would inevitably cause significant damage to his Innate Divine Foundation [the inherent, heaven-bestowed spiritual root of a cultivator].

Even if he managed to cultivate a new Physical Body in the future, it would pale in comparison to this Innate Divine Sacred Body [a supreme, divinely-endowed physical constitution].

Moreover, forging a new Physical Body capable of breaking the Fleshly Body Celestial Passage [a legendary physical cultivation bottleneck] would not only consume vast resources but also require tens of millions of years.

At this thought, Celestial Maiden [a title for a powerful female immortal] could not help but speak: "Is there any other method?"

"The power of the Great Dao Embryo [the nascent form of a cultivator's supreme Dao path] is far too overbearing. It requires a pill of the Supreme Grade Innate Marvel [the highest grade of natural-born spiritual wonders] level—a 'Purifying Impurity Immortal Pill'—to neutralize it."

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor spoke, then looked towards Eldrin Chen's Innate Spiritual Water [a primordial water of pure spiritual essence] and said: "This Innate Spiritual Water can also dissolve various kinds of foreign energy and Laws of the Dao [the fundamental principles governing reality]. However, faced with something of this Great Dao Embryo and Nine-Limit Magical Power [a supreme magical power with nine ultimate aspects] caliber, it is also powerless."

Hearing this, both of them slightly furrowed their brows.

The Purifying Impurity Immortal Pill requires the Lotus Seed [the seed of a spiritual lotus] from a Ninth Rank [the ninth and highest tier of cultivation grade] Supreme Grade Innate Marvel, the Purifying Impurity Immortal Lotus [a legendary lotus that purifies all impurities], to refine. Its value is exceedingly high, and one would have to go to the Violet Sun Immortal Domain [a renowned immortal realm] to purchase it.

Right now, those people are most likely still lying in wait. Returning at this moment is not a good idea. For more chapters, visit (audio-novel.com) for the complete novel.

After pondering deeply for a long moment, Eldrin Chen finally spoke: "I have one method that might be able to extract this Golden Sun Great Dao [a supreme Dao path embodying the golden sun] and the Nine-Limit Magical Power, but it carries immense risk."

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor was slightly taken aback and asked hesitantly, "You mean...?"

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded and continued, "My Primordial Chaos Limitless Dao Principle [a supreme Dao principle embodying boundless primordial chaos] has a powerful restraining effect on foreign energies. Perhaps it can refine the Golden Sun Great Dao and the Nine-Limit Magical Power."

"However, the clash of two foreign types of Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated by practitioners] within your body will cause immense damage to your Physical Body [the corporeal form of a cultivator, refined through cultivation], and may even injure your Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true self of a cultivator]."

"Therefore, you must mobilize all your Mana and Great Dao [the fundamental laws and principles governing existence] to firmly guard your Primordial Spirit, allowing me to exert my full power to expel that alien energy."

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor did not answer immediately. His expression turned gravely solemn as he fell into deep contemplation.

According to Eldrin Chen's method, using the Primordial Chaos Limitless Dao Principle [a supreme law embodying boundless chaos] to refine that Golden Sun Great Dao Embryo [the nascent form of a cultivator's comprehension of the Great Dao] and the Nine-Limit Magical Power [a profound cultivation art of nine ultimate limits] would inevitably inflict severe injuries upon his Physical Body.

Fortunately, the recovery Force Extreme [a supreme restorative power] of a high-level Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] is formidable. As long as the external alien energy and the Great Dao erosion were removed, he could recover from even the gravest of wounds.

However, within the Innate Divine Sacred Body [a supreme, heaven-bestowed physique], there inherently resided profoundly mysterious Innate Dao Patterns [natural inscriptions of the Dao]. If Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Limitless Rule [the governing principle of boundless chaos] proved too domineering, it risked erasing these Innate Sacred Spirits [the innate spiritual essence of a sacred being] and Dao Patterns along with it.

Should that occur, even if his injuries healed, his Innate Divine Sacred Body would be half-ruined, and his cultivation might even plummet to the level of a Two-Calamity Ancient Immortal Realm [a realm for immortals who have survived two heavenly tribulations].

Considering this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor could not help but inquire, "Are you confident you can avoid harming the Innate Dao Patterns within me?"

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before replying, "After achieving Dao Principles [comprehension of fundamental truths] and Great Vehicle [a supreme state of spiritual conveyance], my control over them has reached a state of perfect mastery. As long as you do not resist with your own power, I will naturally not harm the Innate Dao Patterns."

"Very well."

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor [the progenitor of the Horizon Sea Pavilion] nodded decisively and said, "Then I shall trouble you with this."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen immediately looked at Celestial Maiden [a title for a powerful female immortal] and said, "We must trouble you, Celestial Maiden, to guard us during this process."

After instructing Celestial Maiden, Eldrin Chen immediately began the process of expelling the foreign Great Dao [a supreme cosmic principle or law] and Mana [a potent, condensed form of spiritual energy] from within Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's body.

During the process of expelling the foreign Great Dao, Eldrin Chen witnessed firsthand just how tenacious this type of alien energy could be.

Had this Mana appeared within Eldrin Chen's own body, he could have driven his Innate Primordial Limitless Dao Principle [his unique, heaven-defying cultivation law] to its absolute limit and easily expelled and refined it.

However, when it resided within another's body, Eldrin Chen was forced to act with extreme caution, lest he cause irreparable damage to Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's cultivation foundation.

This Golden Sun Great Dao Embryo [the nascent seed of a Great Dao] was a Metal-Fire Dual Attribute [a body constitution aligned with the Metal and Fire elements] Great Dao Embryo, and its corrosion upon the Physical Body was exceptionally severe. Furthermore, it was intertwined with Nine-Limit Magical Power [a potent, ninefold-layered magical energy].

Even though Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial Limitless Dao Principle was reputed to be capable of grinding away any foreign energy, he found it exceedingly troublesome to handle while unable to unleash his full power.

After all, this was within another person's body. If Eldrin Chen were to unleash the full force of his Innate Primordial Limitless Dao Principle without restraint, he risked utterly destroying Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's Innate Divine Sacred Body [a rare and powerful innate physique].

Fortunately, this Golden Sun Great Dao [the Dao of the Golden Sun] was a rootless entity, adrift without support. Although the Nine-Limit Magical Power was powerful, its quantity was actually quite limited.

Eldrin Chen possessed ample patience, slowly consuming the energy of the Nine-Limit Magical Power [a profound cultivation art that imposes nine fundamental restrictions] through continuous refinement.

Thus, after more than twenty thousand years, Eldrin Chen finally exhausted the Nine-Limit Magical Power. Deprived of its support, the Golden Sun Great Dao [the supreme path of the Golden Sun] began to retreat step by step.

Eldrin Chen remained unhurried, meticulously refining and expelling it inch by inch. After expending a full ten thousand years, he finally succeeded in completely purging and expelling this Nine-Limit Magical Power.

"Success."

Having completely refined the Nine-Limit Magical Power, Eldrin Chen slowly withdrew his Primordial Chaos Limitless Rule [a supreme cultivation art embodying the boundless law of primordial chaos].

The Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor let out a slow, relieved breath and could not help but bow deeply in gratitude. "This time," he said, "I owe you another immense debt of favor."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, choosing not to comment further.

He simply looked at the Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor and spoke with pointed meaning: "The Innate Divine Saint Physique [a supreme innate constitution of a divine saint] represents a Supreme [peerless] talent, possessing the potential to achieve the Great Luo Realm [the Great Luo Realm, a legendary pinnacle of cultivation].

"Yet all things in existence carry a price. If you, Senior, forge your path upon this foundation, you may find yourself bound by its constraints in the days to come."

Upon hearing these words, the Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor was momentarily taken aback and fell into deep contemplation.

He understood the meaning behind Eldrin Chen's words. The Innate Divine Saint Physique possessed boundless potential; such a constitution signified that one was born with the innate qualifications to achieve the state of an Innate Sacred Spirits [a supreme, heaven-born spiritual entity].

However, the Dao Patterns [the fundamental laws and principles of the cosmos] for an Innate Sacred Spirits were predetermined by heaven. The ultimate limit they could reach was precisely the limit of their innate Dao Patterns, making it impossible to advance a single step further.

It was precisely for this reason that those Innate Divine Spirit [heaven-born divine spirits] and Innate Sacred Spirits often possessed an extremely high lower limit, but their upper limit was not necessarily as lofty.

In contrast, a mere Mortal Constitution was like a blank sheet of paper, allowing a cultivator to inscribe their own Dao Patterns upon it, granting it near-limitless potential for shaping. While its lower limit appeared exceedingly low, its upper limit could far surpass supreme constitutions like the Innate Sacred Spirits.

Take Eldrin Chen, for example. He was once nothing more than a Mortal Constitution. Yet, the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique he had cultivated now surpassed all other physiques he had ever encountered; within the same cultivation realm, none could stand as his equal.

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor vaguely sensed that Eldrin Chen seemed to have perceived something, prompting his warning—a warning that stemmed from more than just the low malleability of an Innate Sacred Spirits.

After all, the Innate Divine Saint Physique could lead directly to the Great Luo Realm [the pinnacle realm of cultivation, representing supreme unity with the Dao]. No matter how limited its potential for change, achieving that was something the vast multitude of living beings could never accomplish in their entire lifetimes.

Thinking of this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor could not help but cup his hands and inquire, "What anomaly does my Innate Divine Sacred Body possess? I implore you, Fellow Daoist [a respectful term for a fellow cultivator], to enlighten me."

Eldrin Chen fell into a brief, contemplative silence. After a long moment, he spoke with deliberate ambiguity, "Your Innate Divine Foundation was bestowed by that individual. And what has become of that individual now?"

"Boom—"

Upon hearing this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor [a powerful ancient cultivator] paled drastically, unable to suppress his shock as he exclaimed, "You mean to say...?"

"Indeed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "That venerable one of old has fallen, perished at the hands of an indescribable being."

"Since you, Senior, received grace from that one, there may be those unwilling to witness your successful ascension to the Great Luo [the supreme realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal]."

"Just now, as I probed the Great Dao [the supreme cultivation path] within you, Senior, I faintly perceived an intangible shackle of constraint. I fear it may be impossible to use this path to complete that ultimate leap."

Hearing this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor [a powerful ancient cultivator] could not help but turn deathly pale, his face draining of color as he was plunged into deep contemplation.

It was true. In ages past, Purple Immortal Lord [a legendary immortal sovereign], utilizing the power of the Primordial Chaos Cauldron [a legendary cauldron of creation], had laid down the Heaven-Defying Creation Grand Formation [a grand formation that defies the heavens to create life] within the Primordial Chaos [the primordial state before creation]. This act had forged three thousand beings with the Innate Divine Foundation [a supreme innate constitution for cultivation].

Among these individuals, should any break through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm [the supreme realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal], they would inherently owe Purple Immortal Lord [a legendary immortal sovereign] an immense karmic debt.

Though Purple Immortal Lord [a legendary immortal sovereign] has now fallen, it is not impossible for him to one day return from the River of Time and Space [the metaphysical river encompassing all time and space]. If a being of Great Luo Golden Immortal [the supreme realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal] caliber were to intervene, it might even hasten Purple Immortal Lord's [a legendary immortal sovereign] return.

Those Supreme [peerless, supreme] existences who acted in the past would likely be most unwilling to witness such a scene unfold.

Thus, for those who incurred the karmic debt that year, the path to breaking through into the Great Luo Realm [the supreme realm of cultivation, representing the pinnacle of existence] will likely be fraught with immense and treacherous hardship.

Contemplating this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor could not help but speak: "According to your words, what should I do?"

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before replying: "I have three strategies—superior, middling, and inferior. You must choose for yourself."

"The superior strategy: Sever your Innate Divine Foundation [a supreme innate constitution granted by heaven and earth] completely, using it as nourishment to rebuild yourself from the ashes. By breaking to remake, the heights your Nirvana [a state of rebirth or enlightenment through profound transformation] reborn self can reach will depend entirely on its new potential."

"The middling strategy: Proceed heedlessly, continuing your cultivation with this current form. Although you will be unable to cultivate to the Great Luo Realm, the certainty of reaching the Sixth Order Ancient Immortal [the sixth stage of the Ancient Immortal realm] remains exceedingly high."

"The inferior strategy: Sever a portion of your Primordial Source [the foundational, primordial life-force and spiritual essence of a being], using a secret art to reshape your Innate Divine Foundation. This will significantly diminish your latent potential, though it preserves some of your innate talent. However, an additional tribulation will likely await you when attempting to break through to Great Luo."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor fell into a contemplative silence. According to Eldrin Chen's analysis...

The superior strategy was fraught with uncertainty. If, after completely severing his Primordial Source, his Nirvana reborn form possessed too low a potential, he risked falling to a realm beneath even that of the Ancient Immortals [a collective term for cultivators who have attained the Ancient Immortal realm].

The middling strategy of proceeding heedlessly, while barring him from the Great Luo Realm, offered a very high certainty of breaking through to the Sixth Order Ancient Immortal Realm with his Innate Divine Saint Physique [a supreme saintly physique of divine origin]. This was, by all accounts, a respectable choice.

After all, the Great Luo Realm was a path of unimaginable difficulty; his original chance of success had been but one in ten thousand.

The inferior strategy truly lives up to its name. While it severs one's innate talent, it does so incompletely and with lingering consequences. Such a drastic reduction in aptitude would make breaking through to the Four Calamities Ancient Immortal [a realm of immense power and longevity] a formidable challenge, let alone ascending to the Great Luo Realm [the pinnacle of cultivation before achieving true immortality].

After much deliberation, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor finally spoke, "With our great vengeance yet unfulfilled, the superior strategy is temporarily inadvisable, and the inferior one is even more unacceptable. It would be better to choose the middle path for now and maintain the status quo."

"If fate grants us a suitable opportunity in the future, we can then select the superior strategy for a complete rebirth."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "Indeed, that is also an excellent choice."

With that matter settled, Eldrin Chen rose to his feet and said, "Senior, with the foreign Great Dao [a profound cultivation law or principle] and Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by immortals] now purged from your body, this is the perfect time for your injuries to heal."

"I shall not impose further. I will take my leave and await your full recovery in peace."

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, escorted Eldrin Chen out of the Cultivation Cave [a secluded chamber for meditation and cultivation], and only then returned to focus on mending his wounds.

With the corrosive influence of the foreign Mana and Great Dao removed, the recovery of Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's injuries was no longer a matter of concern.

Seizing this rare moment of tranquility, Eldrin Chen retrieved the remains of five Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial creatures born from the chaos of creation] and began the process of refining the Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill [a legendary elixir of supreme potency, refined through nine cycles of transformation].

These five Chaos Ancient Beast were those that had reached the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the peak stage of the Celestial Immortal realm], their Physical Body [the strength and resilience of the corporeal form] being twice as formidable as that of ordinary Chaos Ancient Beast of the same rank.

Using these to refine the Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir said to grant immense power through nine cycles of refinement], its medicinal potency far surpasses what any ordinary Chaos Ancient Beast [a primordial beast born from the chaos of creation] could ever hope to match.

Since the five Chaos Ancient Beast each corresponded to one of the Five Elements [the fundamental forces of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth], Eldrin Chen simply combined all five of the Chaos Ancient Beast into a single cauldron for the refinement process.

After expending three Millennium [a period of one thousand years] in this endeavor, Eldrin Chen finally succeeded in completing this batch of Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [an elixir marked with swirling, cloud-like patterns], obtaining nine Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill that shimmered with a Five-Colored Halo [a radiant aura embodying the power of the Five Elements].

"Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill... No, this is verging on a Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill [a legendary elixir of tenfold refinement, a step beyond the pinnacle]."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a flicker of astonishment lighting within his gaze. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio~novel.com.