Chapter 1842 : Chaos Storm and the Innate Treasure

Even the mere periphery of the Chaos Storm [a tempest of primal, unformed energies at the edge of creation], where those Innate Treasure Ships [vessels forged from the fundamental principles of the cosmos] navigated through forcibly torn weak points, was potent enough to annihilate Ancient Immortal Great Powers [cultivators who have attained the Ancient Immortal realm] with terrifying ease. No wonder that in ages past, Minghe the Immortal Lord had to muster a Million Heavenly Soldiers and Generals [a vast celestial army of mythic proportions] to launch an assault upon it.

"Hmmmm—"

Just as Eldrin Chen was reeling from this realization, the very fabric of the Great Dao [the fundamental principle underlying all existence] in the void suddenly began to tremble.

From within that boundless fleet of treasure ships, one after another, Eternal Immortal Light [a radiance symbolizing immortal permanence and power] erupted. A supremely majestic light of the Dao cleaved through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], holding back the ferociously violent Chaos Divine Thunder [thunderbolts born from the primal chaos, possessing world-shattering destructive power].

"It is an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the fundamental laws of the cosmos, possessing unparalleled power and potential]," someone uttered.

Tianya the Ancient Ancestor murmured, his gaze filling with profound shock.

For countless Immortals [beings who have transcended mortality], an Innate Spiritual Treasure is a supreme rarity dreamed of but seldom seen. For an Ancient Immortal [an immortal of immense age and power], it is the ultimate treasure upon which one can entrust and nurture one's Great Dao.

For an Ancient Immortal Great Power to break through to the realm of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], they must entrust the nascent form of their Great Dao onto an Innate Spiritual Treasure. The Dao and the treasure must merge and fuse completely, becoming irrevocably bound as one's personal Dao-Ascension Treasure [a treasure integral to a cultivator's path and ultimate ascension].

Only by refining an Innate Spiritual Treasure into one's Dao-Ascension Treasure can an Ancient Immortal unleash the treasure's full, devastating might.

Now, several Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortals acted in concert, channeling their Innate Spiritual Treasures to withstand the Chaos Storm. Sheltering the Primordial Ancient Ship [a ship of legendary antiquity], they forged a path across the storm, and their speed noticeably increased.

Witnessing this scene, Eldrin Chen immediately stated, "At this pace, they might traverse the Chaos Storm within tens of thousands of years."

"We cannot delay any longer. Let us depart with haste."

As the words fell, the trio immediately quickened their pace, heading towards the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest.

Thus, time flowed swiftly. In a mere eight hundred years, they had crossed the boundless layers of the Chaos Storm and arrived within the territory of the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest.

Yet, the moment they reached the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest, Eldrin Chen's expression shifted slightly.

There, in the Depths of Chaos, a Chaos Nest [a primordial cradle of chaotic energy] even vaster than the Immortal Domain hung suspended, bathed within an endless sea of lightning.

This boundless sea of thunder was terrifying beyond measure. Each individual bolt possessed power sufficient to annihilate an Ancient Immortal Great Powers, and their density was over a hundredfold greater than that within the layers of the Chaos Storm.

Such a dreadful Chaotic Thunder Sea—any single strike could pierce through a grand universe. Yet, the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest endured the ceaseless day-and-night bombardment of infinite Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [primordial lightning born from chaos] without showing the slightest sign of damage.

"This... is the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest?"

Tianya the Ancient Ancestor murmured under his breath, his gaze filled with unparalleled dread.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen was utterly astonished. Could such a terrifying place as the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest truly be explored by mortals?

Simultaneously, the Primordial Pure Yang Gourd beside him spoke, "This is a defensive measure of the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest, known as the World-Ending Tribulation Thunder Sea."

"That battle in ancient times erupted suddenly. Her Majesty, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix, had little time to prepare in advance. If my conjecture is correct, She likely did not have the opportunity to retrieve all Her treasures before departing."

"Therefore, I surmise that to prevent others from pilfering Her treasures in Her absence, Her Majesty deliberately stirred the vast Chaos Storm and activated this World-Ending Tribulation Thunder Sea to shield the Chaos Nest."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded slightly. "This World-Ending Tribulation Thunder Sea is far more terrifying than the Chaos Storm. Let us not dwell on it for now."

"Our most urgent task is to locate a Supreme-Grade Fire Vein."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen calmly surveyed his surroundings. His gaze settled almost immediately.

Beyond the Chaos Violet Phoenix Nest lay over a thousand Chaos Nest. Most were shattered ruins, yet some remained relatively intact, with a few appearing completely undamaged.

Yet, within this expanse of Chaos, countless bolts of Chaos Thunder rained down, each possessing devastating power.

The Innate Ren Water Gourd offered a timely warning. "During that ancient battle, the Chaos Storm layer was pierced, triggering a violent eruption of Chaos Thunder that spilled into the fringes of these Chaos Nest. We must proceed with utmost caution."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and spoke, "Follow behind me."

With those words, Eldrin Chen immediately expanded his Primordial Chaos True Aura [a supreme defensive aura born from the primordial chaos] to shield the group. He then took the lead, advancing step by step towards the locations of these Chaos Nest [natural formations in the primordial chaos where energy and treasures coalesce].

They had not walked for long before they had explored several Chaos Nest. To their surprise, most of the treasures within these nests had already vanished.

The few artifacts that remained were mostly damaged and broken. Only within some Chaos Nest filled with powerful restrictive formations did precious treasures still endure.

"During that great battle of old, that Chaotic Fiendgod [a primordial deity of chaos and malevolence] also had many followers," the Primordial Pure Yang Gourd [a sentient treasure vessel of pure yang essence] spoke up. "If my conjecture is correct, those followers likely took most of these treasures with them."

Mentioning this, it continued, "Of course, the Chaos Beast King [rulers among the primordial chaos beasts] under the command of the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [a supreme avian entity of the primordial chaos] likely did not suffer total annihilation either."

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly. After walking for a considerable time, he finally arrived before a Chaos Nest shaped like a crimson phoenix. His expression turned grave as he came to a halt.

"The Chaotic Li Phoenix Nest," he murmured.

The moment he saw this nest, the Primordial Departing Fire Gourd [a sentient treasure vessel born from primordial fire] shifted slightly, its expression changing. "It actually still stands," it said immediately.

A flicker of recognition passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes as he recalled the origins of this particular lair.

The Chaotic Li Phoenix Nest [a primordial nest of the Vermilion Phoenix lineage], also known as the Chaotic Crimson Phoenix Nest, is one of the Seven Chaotic Phoenixes [a group of seven primordial phoenixes born from chaos]. It innately wields the power of the Chaotic Li Flame Great Dao [the supreme Dao of the Li Flame, representing order within chaos] and is considered the progenitor of the Southern Li Vermilion Bird [the Vermilion Bird of the South, one of the Four Symbols] lineage.

This particular Chaotic Li Phoenix Nest before them was discovered by the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [the supreme sovereign of the phoenix race] within the Chaos [the primordial, formless void from which all things emerged] and has been meticulously nurtured over dozens of Kalpa-time [immense cosmic cycles, each spanning billions of years].

Within this Chaos Nest [a nest born from and nourished by primordial chaos] resides an immensely powerful Chaotic Holy Spirit [a spirit born from chaos, possessing immense power and purity] known as the 'Chaotic Li Phoenix' [the Vermilion Phoenix of Chaos]. Its cultivation has reached the formidable realm of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight Heavenly Tribulations], making it the foremost powerhouse under the command of Her Majesty, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix.

"The depth of foundation and combat prowess of this Chaotic Li Phoenix likely rivals even that of Chaotic Black Dragon Ao Hong [the Black Dragon of Chaos, a legendary and mighty dragon]," Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of astonishment in his gaze.

The Primordial Pure Yang Gourd [a supreme treasure born from the Primordial Pure Yang energy] also nodded, its tone tinged with envy. "That Chaotic Li Phoenix possesses heaven-shaking battle strength and is deeply favored by Her Majesty Violet Ultimate. She was even bestowed with a strand of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable light that embodies the concept of indestructibility] to assist her in Ascension [the process of elevating an object's spiritual rank] her Companion Supreme Treasure [a treasure that grows and evolves alongside its master], the 'Blazing Phoenix Ancient Diagram' [an ancient scroll depicting a blazing phoenix, containing profound mysteries]."

"Had she not perished, this very Kalpa-time would have been her moment to prove her Dao [the fundamental principle or path to ultimate truth]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, but he offered no further comment.

Having cultivated to his present level, Eldrin Chen understood with ever-deepening clarity the terrifying nature of tribulations. A Kalpa-time is not merely a tribulation for the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [the primary immortal realm where much of the story takes place], nor is it confined to the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective term for the myriad immortal realms]. It is a manifestation of the Tribulation Fortune Great Dao [the Great Dao governing calamity and fortune, the cycle of destruction and renewal] within the boundless Chaos.

It is one of the foundational Great Daos underpinning the cycles of Chaos and the revolutions of the myriad heavens, its influence sufficient to ripple across the infinite expanse of the primordial Chaos.

During the time of the Grand Luo Tribulation, it is not only the prime opportunity for Ancient Immortals within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains to prove their Dao and attain the Grand Luo realm; for those Chaotic Holy Spirits dwelling within the Chaos, it is also the most auspicious moment to break through to the Chaotic Fiendgod level.

Whether it is entrusting oneself to the Great Dao to prove the Grand Luo Golden Immortal path, or mastering the Great Dao to break through to the Chaos realm, these have never been the exclusive domain of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen was suddenly struck by a feeling—a sense that perhaps the Three Thousand Immortal Domains were not a particularly special place within the vastness of the Chaos.

It was akin to mortals living upon a star, who initially believe their own world to be the very center of the cosmos. Only upon stepping beyond that star do they comprehend that within the boundless universe, stars are as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ronan River.

Looking back then, they realize a single life-bearing star, in relation to the immense cosmos, is perhaps so minuscule it can be disregarded.

From this perspective, when one looks back upon the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, might the same hold true?

Eldrin Chen dared not dwell on this thought, swiftly severing the notion in his mind. For him now, the Chaos was like a boundless, shoreless sea.

Whether this sea was a mere river, lake, or ocean, or a vast and endless stellar ocean of the universe, he was but a lone leaf drifting upon its currents, not yet qualified to understand its full extent.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze to the Chaotic Li Phoenix Nest [a primordial nest of chaos, associated with the mythical Li Phoenix] before him, his expression calm as he stated, "This place shall be the first step for my Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique to fully tread upon the threshold of the Great Luo Threshold."

The moment his words fell, Eldrin Chen stepped forward and onto the Chaotic Li Phoenix Nest.

"Boom—"

The moment Eldrin Chen set foot within the Chaotic Li Phoenix Nest [the primordial nesting ground of the Chaotic Li Phoenix], he instantly sensed a cataclysmic tide of flames surging towards him, accompanied by endless bolts of Chaos Divine Thunder [primordial lightning of creation and destruction] crashing down from the highest heavens to strike at him.

Yet, Eldrin Chen simply unfurled his Primordial Chaos True Aura [a protective aura embodying the fundamental chaos of creation], standing impervious to the thunder's fury and the fire's scourge. He spoke calmly, "This place is perilous. Fall back and wait."

Tianya the Ancient Ancestor and the Celestial Maiden understood that with their level of power, enduring this Chaos Thunder [primordial thunder of chaos] would entail immense risk. Without hesitation, they retreated beyond the boundaries of the Chaos Nest.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen continued his advance. He pressed forward, weathering the onslaught of flame and lightning, until he finally reached the deepest heart of the Chaos Nest.

There lay a Flame Immortal Pool [a pool of immortal-grade flames], filled to the brim with a blindingly brilliant Innate Li Fire [the primordial fire of separation, one of the foundational fires of creation]. Its heat was sufficient to melt even immortal metals and ancient treasures; an Ancient Immortal Great Powers [a cultivator who has attained the Ancient Immortal realm] stepping into it would be reduced to ashes.

Unfortunately, aside from this, the nest held nothing else. The absence of any signs of struggle indicated that whatever treasures were once here had been taken away.

"It seems the Chaotic Li Phoenix [a primordial phoenix born from chaos and embodying the Li (Separation) principle] still lives and has taken the rare treasures from this Chaos Nest,"

Eldrin Chen remarked plainly, yet he was not particularly concerned.

The hoarded treasures of an Eighth Tribulation Chaotic Holy Spirit [a holy spirit entity born from primordial chaos] might indeed be considered extraordinarily precious, but what Eldrin Chen truly valued was the foundational essence of this Chaos Nest itself.

Without delay, he stepped into the Flame Immortal Pool.

The moment he entered, a cataclysmic surge of Innate Li Fire [a primordial fire of devastating purity] engulfed him. Fire of such intensity was potent enough to incinerate even an Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique [a legendary body constitution supremely resistant to all forms of exotic energy] feared no such assault. Even this Innate Li Fire struggled to reduce him to ashes completely.

"A perfect opportunity," he declared, his voice resonating within the inferno. "I shall use this very Innate Li Fire to temper my golden body."

With those words, Eldrin Chen began to draw upon the power of the Innate Li Fire, inhaling and exhaling the fire-attribute primal essence of the Li Fire Lair [the core dwelling place of the Li Fire, a nexus of its elemental power] to refine his physique.

The instant the Innate Li Fire entered his body, a torrent of Li Fire energy ignited within Eldrin Chen, its searing heat compounded by the all-consuming nature of the Innate Li Fire itself. Remarkably, this dual assault set his very Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique ablaze from within.

Throughout this ordeal, Eldrin Chen appeared as a man engulfed in flame, his flesh crackling and sizzling under the relentless blaze.

Yet, upon closer inspection, one would see countless impurities within his burning form being reduced to wisps of black smoke, vanishing without a trace.

As this purification continued, Eldrin Chen's physical body grew increasingly radiant, its luster becoming as dazzling and resplendent as Immortal Divine Metal [a mythical, indestructible metal forged in the heavens].

These were the accumulated dregs from refining five strands of Supreme-Grade Chaotic Nest Origin. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken Eldrin Chen tens of millions of years to purge them completely.

Yet now, with the aid of the Innate Li Fire [a primordial fire of supreme purity], and tempered from both within and without, it was swiftly purged and refined for the most part.

"Cultivating the physical body is akin to forging a divine artifact,"

"One draws upon the Five Elements Primordial Source [the foundational essence of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth], then refines it with true fire, burning away the dross. What remains is a rare and wondrous metal."

"However, to truly forge it into a peerless treasure, it must still endure the tempering of thunder and frost, be hammered a thousand times, refined a hundredfold, before its ultimate, world-shaking edge can be revealed."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his path of cultivation crystal clear in his mind. He had fully perfected the method for cultivating the Great Luo Primordial Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of supreme resilience].

He drew a slow, deep breath, then suddenly inhaled the earth vein's primordial essence, swallowing vast quantities of the essence of fire into his body in an instant.

As he continuously refined the fire essence, Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique [his inborn, unyielding physical form] grew ever more formidable. Upon shattering a certain limit, he refined twenty-four strands of Innate Primordial Qi [the most fundamental energy of creation] in one breath. Finally, a world-shaking roar erupted from within him.

"The Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a physique born from the formless chaos, embodying ultimate durability] has reached its minor completion stage—a physical body of the Eleventh Limit [the legendary eleventh, and supreme, tier of physical cultivation]."

Eldrin Chen whispered, sensing the power now coursing through his form. A ripple of profound understanding stirred within his gaze.

In this moment, Eldrin Chen, possessing a body of the Eleventh Limit, could contend with a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations] through physical strength alone. He now wielded a combat prowess that few under heaven or upon earth could rival.

Nevertheless, Eldrin Chen did not cease his efforts.

He activated the Primordial Source Divine Treasury [a divine ability to manifest a treasury of primordial energies], unleashing torrents of Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth Primordial Essence which he wholly refined and absorbed into his physical body.

Simultaneously, he continued to inhale and exhale the power of Fire Primordial Essence, replenishing his Fire essence while simultaneously purifying the impurities within the Five Elements Primordial Source [a spiritual object containing the primordial essence of the five elements] through both internal and external refinement.

Thus, time flowed on unceasingly. When the day finally came that Eldrin Chen opened his eyes, he discovered the Primordial Essence within the Primordial Source Divine Treasury had been completely exhausted.

Yet, his Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique [an innate, nigh-indestructible body constitution born of primordial chaos] seemed to have once again made tremendous progress.

Eldrin Chen clenched his fist, and a surge of power capable of sundering the cosmos flooded his senses. With a moment's focus, he realized his strength had shattered yet another limit; it felt as if he could now crush a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived six Heavenly Tribulations] with a single blow.

"This power..."

"It does not yet seem to have reached the level of the Twelfth Limit [the theoretical twelfth and ultimate limit of physical cultivation]."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a slight frown creasing his brow. The power of the Twelfth Limit meant suppressing the Eight Great Heavenly Passes [the eight supreme bottlenecks or trials in cultivation] through physical might alone, granting combat prowess rivaling an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight Heavenly Tribulations], even enabling one to contend bare-handed against an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme magical treasure born from the primordial chaos of creation].

His current strength had not yet attained that level. Strictly speaking, he remained far from reaching such heights.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, his combat power relying solely on his physical body should now be sufficient to withstand the full-force assault of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has survived seven heavenly tribulations], rivaling the battle prowess of one at that level.

However, such power remains worlds apart from that of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]. The chasm between the Eleventh Limit [the eleventh theoretical limit of physical cultivation] and the Twelfth Limit [the ultimate, twelfth limit of physical cultivation] is simply too vast—a seemingly insurmountable abyss.

Throughout history, those who have bridged this gap, aside from the few Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the supreme progenitors of the Dao], are individuals who possessed the latent potential to become one.

Nevertheless, Eldrin Chen has now taken another step forward from the foundation of the Eleventh Limit, perhaps already meeting the criteria for what could be considered a quasi-Twelfth Limit state.

Although this quasi-Twelfth Limit status still leaves a considerable distance to travel before reaching the true Twelfth Limit.

With these thoughts, Eldrin Chen slowly withdrew his focus. He drew a deep, measured breath and then stepped out from the [the Phoenix's Roost, a sacred cultivation site].