Chapter 1825 : Dividing the Primordial Spoils

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen offered no further refusal. After accepting the two scrolls of Ancient Scripture, he took his leave of Iris Qu.

Upon emerging from the Immortal Clam Race shop, Celestial Maiden and Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor understood that the Immortal Clam Race had likely bestowed further benefits upon Eldrin Chen. Yet, neither of them inquired further.

They wandered the market a while longer, selling the carcass of the Chaos Roc and exchanging it for various cultivation resources they required. Only then did they rent a Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm for secluded cultivation] to begin their closed-door cultivation.

Several days later, the trio gathered within a Grotto-Heaven, inside a Cultivation Cave [a chamber specifically prepared for meditation and cultivation]. Joy was evident on all their faces.

Eldrin Chen then produced several rare treasures and addressed the other two, "Let us divide our spoils."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Their nearly one hundred thousand-year venture into the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation] had yielded a truly immense haul. Setting aside the Innate Five Elements Gourd destined for Eldrin Chen, the remaining treasures were all of extraordinary value.

After a thorough inventory, they determined that, excluding the Innate Five Elements Gourd, the combined worth of the other treasures likely exceeded nine hundred strands of Innate Qi [the primordial, foundational energy of the universe].

Of these, six hundred strands of Innate Qi were allocated for purchasing the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl and the Great Luo Marvelous Art. Furthermore, the carcass of the Chaos Devouring Roc remained untouched, and two hundred strands of Innate Qi were still in reserve.

Surveying the treasures before them, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor said with a smile, "For this harvest, Fellow Daoist Eldrin [a respectful title for a cultivator] holds the foremost merit. Let us distribute according to contributions in battle."

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The Celestial Maiden [a title for a powerful female immortal] also nodded, acknowledging the words of Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen said nothing more. This time, Eldrin Chen had gained the most. After deliberation, the three agreed that Eldrin Chen had contributed fifty percent of the effort and should rightfully claim half of the spoils.

The Innate Five Elements Gourd [a gourd-shaped treasure born with the power of the five primal elements] and the potential future acquisition of the Innate Yin-Yang Gourd [a gourd-shaped treasure born with the power of primal yin and yang] were to be considered separately. Their ownership would be directly assigned to Eldrin Chen, but they would need to be lent to the other two to help them shatter the Mana Heavenly Barrier [a formidable barrier that must be overcome to reach the next major stage of cultivation].

Of the remaining treasures, Eldrin Chen claimed his fifty percent share, receiving rare items valued at four hundred and fifty strands of Innate Qi [the primordial, foundational energy of creation]. The other two each divided the remaining half between themselves.

However, dividing these treasures was no simple matter. After all, there was only one Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl [a luminous pearl containing the essence of seven celestial colors], and its value was sometimes prohibitively high. Determining its final owner posed a significant challenge.

After much thought, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor spoke, "All three of us require the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl for our cultivation. Perhaps we could each contribute a share equivalent to one hundred strands of Innate Qi?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and countered, "This treasure can serve as a legacy artifact for future generations of our clan. I propose to exchange two hundred strands of Innate Qi for its ownership rights. I will then lend it to you both for your immediate use. What do you think?"

"That works."

The Celestial Maiden also nodded in agreement. Given her and Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's available Merit Points [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and accumulated karma], neither could afford to claim permanent ownership of the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl. However, contributing fifty strands of Innate Qi each to secure its use for cultivation was feasible.

Thus, the three quickly reached an agreement. Ownership of the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl would go to Eldrin Chen. In exchange, the other two would each contribute a share equivalent to fifty strands of Innate Qi, securing the opportunity to cultivate with the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl.

Of the remaining shares for each of them, one hundred portions were exchanged for the Seven-Colors Immortal Refining Scripture [a supreme scripture detailing a method to refine one's being through the seven colors of spiritual light], along with some Innate Qi [the primordial, uncreated energy that existed before the formation of the cosmos] and other rare treasures.

The remainder of Eldrin Chen's share was precisely enough to acquire the remains of the Chaos Devouring Roc [a primordial avian beast born from chaos, capable of devouring stars] and the remaining exotic treasures.

After the treasures were divided, Eldrin Chen handed the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl [a luminous pearl containing the condensed essence of seven-colored immortal light] to the Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor for his cultivation, then proceeded alone to his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for undisturbed meditation and cultivation].

Within the Seclusion Chamber, Eldrin Chen retrieved several extraordinary objects.

These were: the Seven-Colors Immortal Refining Scripture, the skeleton of the Chaos Kun Peng [a mythical beast of chaos, part giant fish, part colossal bird], fifty portions of Innate Qi, a piece of Chaos Divine Soil [soil imbued with the chaotic divine essence of creation], a portion of Ancient Void Gold [a rare metal forged in the ancient void between realms], a strand of Primordial Magnetic Divine Gold [a divine ore possessing a powerful primordial magnetic force], and a single Enlightenment Purple Lotus [a mystical lotus whose petals can induce profound states of enlightenment].

Among these rarities, the Chaos Divine Soil, Ancient Void Gold, Primordial Magnetic Divine Gold, and Enlightenment Purple Lotus were all Supreme Grade Taiyi Rare Treasure [treasures of the highest grade within the Taiyi tier, possessing immense potential]. Though not Innate Object [objects born directly from the primordial chaos at the dawn of creation], their materials were nonetheless exceptionally precious.

Eldrin Chen had expended over sixty portions of Innate Qi to acquire these Taiyi Rare Treasure [rare treasures suitable for cultivators at the Taiyi realm], precisely intending to use them to advance his five Lifebound Immortal Treasure [magical treasures bound to a cultivator's life and soul, growing in power with them].

"If all five of my Lifebound Immortal Treasure break through to the Innate Ancient Treasure [the realm of treasures that have awakened their innate, primordial nature] realm, I will directly achieve the Nine-Limit Magical Power [a legendary state where one's magical power reaches nine theoretical limits of density and potency]," he mused.

"Coupled with this Seven-Colors Immortal Refining Scripture, could I possibly shatter the barrier and attain the Ten-Limit Dharmic Power [the mythical tenth limit, a realm of dharmic power thought to be unattainable]?"

Eldrin Chen whispered these thoughts in his heart, his gaze lingering on the Seven-Colors Immortal Refining Scripture before he finally drew his focus inward once more.

He wasted no time with words, immediately storing the remaining treasures and beginning to refine the rare materials to elevate his three Lifebound Immortal Treasure.

Given Eldrin Chen's current cultivation level, the speed at which he could refine this Taiyi Rare Treasure was naturally astonishingly swift.

Not long after, he fused the Ancient Void Gold and Primordial Magnetic Divine Gold into the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void, then expended a small amount of Primordial Essence to shatter its bottleneck, elevating it to the level of an Innate Ancient Treasure.

Only then did Eldrin Chen realize that the entire process of elevating the Mirror of Yin, Yang, and Void had taken a mere thousand years and some change.

Thus, Eldrin Chen pressed on with renewed vigor. Over the next two thousand years, he successively elevated the Earth-Fortress Sovereign Bell and the Enlightenment Purple Lotus to the realm of Innate Ancient Treasure.

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The moment the final Enlightenment Purple Lotus achieved its breakthrough, all five Innate Ancient Treasure erupted with dazzling divine light. Circling within Eldrin Chen's Dantian [the core energy center in a cultivator's lower abdomen], they radiated boundless power of the Great Dao Embryo [the nascent, embryonic form of one's personal Great Dao].

This Great Dao Embryo power continuously intermingled and refined Eldrin Chen's Mana [the refined spiritual energy used by cultivators to power techniques and spells], causing it to undergo a rapid metamorphosis that finally shattered a profound limiting bottleneck.

*"BOOM—"*

A violent, thunderous roar echoed within him. Eldrin Chen felt the Mana in his body surge like a tidal wave crashing against the heavens. This torrential, luminous Mana erupted with blinding immortal radiance, undergoing an indescribable qualitative transformation.

"This, is the power of the Nine-Limit Magical Power [a legendary cultivation art that pushes the limits of magical power to an extreme degree]."

"The power to shatter the Mana Heavenly Barrier [the ultimate theoretical limit of a cultivator's mana capacity]?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself. He casually clenched his fist, immediately sensing an indescribable, supreme power reverberating within his body.

This power was inconceivably potent, a force that had already transcended the limits of an Heaven Immortal [a powerful immortal being].

In that moment, Eldrin Chen had a profound intuition. With his current Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by immortals], if he were to channel his Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] or wield his Immortal Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], their potency would increase by at least fifty percent.

Previously, when he invoked the Five-Colored Divine Radiance [a divine ability manifesting as a five-colored light capable of seizing treasures], he had been unable to wrest an Innate Ancient Treasure [a primordial treasure born of heaven and earth] from the grasp of an Ancient Immortals [a venerable and powerful class of immortal beings].

But now, Eldrin Chen was utterly confident. With his current Mana fueling the Five-Colored Divine Radiance, he could directly seize an Innate Ancient Treasure from the hands of a Three Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived three heavenly tribulations].

"A pity my Dao Fruit [the crystallization of one's cultivation path and enlightenment] has not yet reached the Great Vehicle [the 'Great Vehicle' stage, representing a major advancement]. Otherwise, I should possess the combat prowess of a Four Calamities Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has weathered four heavenly calamities]."

Eldrin Chen mused inwardly, then shifted his focus to attempting to refine a sub-pearl of the Abyssal Pearl [a profound magical treasure of immense power].

After a brief attempt to channel power into it, he discovered that with his current level of Mana, he could now, albeit with effort, activate the Abyssal Pearl.

Unfortunately, due to insufficient Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by immortals], it could only unleash a mere half-percent of its power. Yet, even that was enough to easily suppress an Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations].

"A pity the power of an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth] is far too astonishing. Activating it would inevitably alert the surrounding Immortal Domain [realms governed by immortal powers]," Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, deciding the Abyssal Pearl could only serve as a final trump card, never to be used lightly except at the most critical juncture.

Otherwise, given his current strength, attracting the covetous attention of Seven Calamity Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] or even an Eight Calamity Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] would spell immense trouble.

With this resolve firm in his heart, Eldrin Chen stored away the Abyssal Pearl and his five Innate Ancient Treasure [treasures of immense power refined over eons], then turned his gaze to the other treasures.

From the start of this secluded cultivation session until now, a mere three Millennium [a period of one thousand years] had passed. Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor was still using the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl [a mystical pearl radiating seven hues of spiritual light] to refine his Mana, so it was not yet time to emerge.

Eldrin Chen simply retrieved the remains of the Chaos Devouring Roc [a primordial avian beast that consumes chaos] and began refining a batch of Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill [a supreme pill that refines the body through ten cycles of transformation].

As one of the most supreme Body Refining Immortal Pill [pills that temper and strengthen the physical form], and with the support of quasi-Great Luo [a realm approaching the pinnacle of immortal cultivation] Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill [pills marked with celestial cloud patterns, denoting supreme quality], the Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill ranked among the most precious of Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill, making its refinement exceedingly difficult.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen's Mana was now vastly superior to the past, granting him full confidence in refining such a Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill. The true challenge lay in the sheer immensity of this Chaos Beast King [a ruler among primordial chaos beasts].

He channeled the Chaos Pure Yang Flame [a divine flame born of primordial chaos and pure yang energy] to refine the Chaos Devouring Roc, a process that consumed over twenty thousand years before the entire beast was finally transformed into a single cauldron of Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill.

This single cauldron of Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill emitted an incomparably resplendent Ten-Colored Immortal Light, clearly a divine elixir of rare and ancient quality. The only regret was that it contained merely three pills.

"Only three?"

Eldrin Chen murmured, a trace of delight appearing on his face.

A single cauldron yielding only three Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill was considered a low yield for Eldrin Chen's current level of Alchemy and Mana.

It was not due to any deficiency in Eldrin Chen's Alchemy skill, but because the energy contained within a Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill was too vast. A Chaos Beast King at the Three Tribulations Ancient Immortal Realm could, at most, only refine three such pills.

"Three is already sufficient."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, then consumed one of the Cloud-Patterned Immortal Pill.

As the pill entered his system, Eldrin Chen immediately felt a torrent of majestic energy surge within him. The Creation [the fundamental creative force of the universe] it contained was not merely ten times that of a Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill, but its quality had also ascended to an entirely higher tier.

From that single pill alone, Eldrin Chen felt his Physical Body strength increase by another thirty percent, drawing ever closer to the ultimate limit of the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique.

After refining this energy, he consumed another Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill. Finally, his Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique reached a state of flawless, consummate perfection.

"Have I reached a bottleneck?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly. After repeatedly sensing the power of his Physical Body, he couldn't help but frown slightly.

He had a feeling that his current Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body had already reached the pinnacle among Half-Step Great Luo Physique constitutions.

If breaking through the Fleshly Body Celestial Passage were likened to nine limits, then his current Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique had already achieved the perfection of the ninth limit.

However, the ninth limit was the absolute extreme. Whether it was the Physical Body or Mana, taking even a single step beyond was incomparably arduous.

The difficulty of shattering the tenth limit Heavenly Pass was likely more than ten times greater than the distance from the first to the ninth limit.

This was because those capable of breaking the tenth limit Heavenly Pass were peerless geniuses qualified to challenge the heavens, to suppress ten thousand Daos with a single one.

Those who achieved the Dao through Physical Body, through Laws of the Dao, or through Dao Fruit were all existences that had taken a step beyond the ninth limit, shattering the Tenfold Heavenly Pass.

Legend held that breaking the limit twelve times would allow one to directly suppress ten thousand Daos with a single one, forcibly attaining the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm.

Even if only Mana shattered the Heavenly Pass twelve times, even without cultivating a Great Luo Physical Body or Great Dao, one could forcibly subdue the Great Dao with Mana, and even sever the River of Fate to break through to the Great Luo Realm—overcoming the eight great Heavenly Pass of Physical Body, Dao Fruit, Spiritual Treasure, Divine Ability, and more.

To shatter the limits nine times is already a feat of unprecedented genius, a talent rarely seen since antiquity. Yet beyond the ninth limit, each step taken is the mark of a true monster among the ranks of peerless Heaven's Chosen.

Since time immemorial, those capable of breaking the tenth limit, provided they can transcend the Ninefold Heavenly Pass and prove their Dao to attain the Great Luo Golden Immortal Realm, are destined for achievements at least at the mid-to-late stage of Great Luo Golden Immortal, with some even harboring the potential to ascend to the realm of Primordial Quasi-Sage.

It is precisely for this reason that the legendary Seven-Colors Immortal Refining Scripture, said to enable the shattering of the tenth limit, surpasses both the Great Sun Refining Self Dao and the Violet Firmament Thunderbolt Limit-Breaking Art. It is revered as the foremost Great Luo Secret Transmission for tempering Mana [the spiritual energy cultivated and wielded by immortals] within the Immortal Clam Race [a race of beings who achieved enlightenment and immortality through the cultivation of clam-like spiritual forms].

"Whether it is the Physical Body or Mana, breaking the tenth limit is an immensely arduous task."

"The path before me is still long."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, finally releasing a faint sigh.

He had an intuition. If his Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique could advance just one step further, breaking through to the level of a Half-Step Great Luo Physique, he would immediately shatter the tenth limit. On that path, he could journey far, perhaps even reaching a state where a single Dao could suppress ten thousand others.

However, the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique was far too formidable. Breaking through this Great Luo bottleneck would be an equally monumental challenge.

In the past, Eldrin Chen had relied on refining Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy and natural blessings] and Grotto-Heaven [a superior, self-contained pocket dimension of profound spiritual power], along with various external aids, to achieve his breakthroughs. Now, having reached a higher realm of cultivation, breaking through bottlenecks would become even more difficult.

"Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, there are few forces left that can assist in such a breakthrough."

"Perhaps only within the Sea of Chaos can this Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique advance a step further."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, then slowly lowered his gaze once more.

Setting aside his thoughts, he emerged from seclusion to find that Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor had already concluded his own.

Having emerged, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's bearing had elevated by leaps and bounds compared to before his retreat, his entire being radiating an even more transcendent Immortal Grace.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor smiled and said, "The Celestial Maiden has taken the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl and entered seclusion not long ago. I fear it will take twenty or thirty thousand years before she emerges."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. After observing Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor for a moment, he couldn't help but ask, "I perceive your Mana [the refined spiritual energy cultivated by immortals] has grown even more pure. Have you broken through the eighth limit?"

"Indeed."

Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor affirmed with a smile. "That Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl truly lives up to its reputation as a treasure of the Immortal Clam Race. With its aid in tempering my essence for less than thirty thousand years, I have broken through two limits in succession. I am now but a single step away from the Mana Heavenly Barrier [the ultimate theoretical limit of spiritual energy refinement]."

Eldrin Chen nodded in understanding. After breaking the eighth limit of his Mana, Horizon Sea Ancient Ancestor's power had increased by another twenty or thirty percent. His combat prowess now placed him among the foremost of Three Tribulations Ancient Immortal [ancient immortals who have survived three heavenly tribulations].

Seeing that the Celestial Maiden was still in seclusion, Eldrin Chen decided not to waste any time.

He returned once more to the Seclusion Chamber and began to take stock of his own rare treasures and artifacts, seeking to see if he could further augment his combat prowess.

After a thorough inventory, Eldrin Chen realized that his Divine Ability and Mana had temporarily reached their limits. At this juncture, the only path to increasing his power lay in enhancing his weaponry.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Chaos Heaven Halberd.

This Chaos Heaven Halberd was a treasure left to Eldrin Chen by the Seven Calamities Ancient ImmortalZephyr Daoist. It was a twenty-four-patterned Taiyi Immortal Weapon. As a PeerlessGrand Unity Immortal Treasure of twenty-four patterns, its power rivaled that of a High-Grade Innate Treasure.

During his Celestial Immortal Early and Middle Stages, Eldrin Chen had relied on this weapon to defeat numerous formidable foes, unleashing the full potential of his Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique.

However, after Eldrin Chen broke through to the Late Heaven Immortal Realm and refined an Innate Ancient Treasure, this halberd's effectiveness gradually became lackluster.

After all, it was merely a treasure forged in the later heavens [the material world after creation]; how could it compare to the divine might of an Innate Ancient Treasure?

Yet, this weapon possessed twenty-four Taiyi Dao Patterns. By infusing it with sufficient Innate Qi [the primordial energy of creation], it could be transformed into a Top-Grade Innate Ancient Treasure, at which point its power would undoubtedly increase dramatically.

Most importantly, the Chaos Heaven Halberd was forged from Chaos Ancient Gold, granting it an indestructible nature that could fully harness the ultimate power of the Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique.

Now, Eldrin Chen possessed no small amount of Innate Qi and naturally was not reluctant to part with it. He extracted twenty-four strands of Innate Qi and infused them into the halberd, ultimately catalyzing a qualitative transformation within it.

"Hmmmm—"

As the Innate Qi [the primordial, uncreated energy that predates the universe] merged into it, the Chaos Heaven Halberd erupted with a divine radiance. A rare and formidable divine sharpness surged forth, a power that seemed capable of sundering Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before the creation of the cosmos] itself, only to be instantly restrained and withdrawn into nothingness.

In that single moment, the Chaos Heaven Halberd underwent a metamorphosis, becoming a Twenty-Four Patterns Innate Ancient Treasure [an ultimate-tier artifact born of primordial chaos, marked by twenty-four foundational Dao patterns]. It had reached the absolute pinnacle of what an Innate Ancient Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, not forged by mortal or immortal hands] could be. Its might had increased not merely tenfold, but by an immeasurable degree.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile and say, "Old friend, it seems we are to fight side by side once more." Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel dot com.