Chapter 1851 : A Map of Fate and Friendship

Eldrin Chen took the map and glanced at it. Discovering it was a remarkably detailed Netherworld Map of the Primordial Immortal Domain, a flicker of delight stirred within him.

He promptly stored the map, retrieved a rare treasure, and offered it with a cupped-hand salute. "My thanks for your assistance, Fellow Daoist. This humble gift is but a token of my esteem."

Qingwei the Recluse merely smiled and shook his head decisively. "A mere map is hardly a precious item."

"Since fate has brought us together, consider it a gift. Let us be friends."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze shifted subtly.

After a moment's contemplation, he replied with a smile, "In that case, I gladly accept your friendship."

"Hahaha!"

Qingwei the Recluse laughed heartily, waving a hand. "Then we shall meet again in the Shaking Radiance Ancient Domain."

With those words, Qingwei the Recluse spoke no more and vanished into the boundless void's horizon.

After his departure, Eldrin Chen smiled faintly. This Qingwei the Recluse had cultivated to the realm of a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal. While not comparable to the might of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal powerhouse, within the Ancient Immortal Realm he was certainly no weakling.

For such a personage, forging a favorable connection would hardly be a loss.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen unfolded a map and studied it for a moment. After a brief observation, he stored it away and set off into the distance.

The Primordial Immortal Domain, as the most ancient Source Primordial Immortal Domain within the Primordial Chaos, holds a status far beyond what any ordinary Immortal Domain could ever hope to match.

Within this Immortal Domain, not only is the cultivation environment more perfected, but the rules and regulations are also far more stringent.

The very fabric of space within the Primordial Immortal Domain is more resilient; only those at the Great Luo Grade can rend the void asunder. Strictly speaking, combat between Ancient Immortal Realm powerhouses is permitted.

However, should one cause damage to the mountains, rivers, or the vital earth veins of the world, they would be forced to pay a tremendous price to make amends.

Furthermore, high above the heavens of the Primordial Immortal Domain stand seven Celestial Emperor Ancestral Court, along with the Thirty-Three Heavens. Beneath the Nine Nether Abyss lie the Eighteen Layers of Netherworld Hell.

Within these Thirty-Three Heavens, the Three Great Celestial Courts maintain cosmic order, while beneath the Nine Nether Abyss, the Eighteen Netherworld Emperor Lords hold dominion over the Eighteen Layers of Hell.

Whether it be the Three Great Celestial Courts or the Eighteen Netherworld Emperor Lords, these are forces that not even a Grand Luo Golden Immortal would dare to provoke lightly.

Therefore, the Thirty-Three Heavens within the Primordial Immortal Domain, and those Eighteen Layers of Hell, are not places where any ordinary Immortal may venture without consequence.

Even Ancient Immortal Great Powers [beings who have ascended to the highest echelons of cultivation] would be courting death by forcing their way into these two places without a special Passage Token [a talisman granting safe passage through forbidden realms].

Eldrin Chen also dared not tunnel directly through the earth to reach the Depths of the Netherworld [the profound and perilous underworld]. Instead, he flew for several thousand years to arrive at the nearest convergence point of the Yin-Yang Two Realms [the boundary between the realms of the living and the dead].

It was a bridge spanning the Yin-Yang Two Realms, arching across their boundary. One end connected to the Immortal Domain Mortal Dust Realm [the mortal world under the dominion of the Immortal Domain], while the other sank into the endless Depths of the Netherworld.

"The Yin-Yang Realm Bridge."

Gazing at the Yin-Yang Realm Bridge before him, a ripple of emotion stirred within Eldrin Chen's eyes.

Without a word, he approached the boundary bridge. After paying the requisite toll, he proceeded towards the boundless Depths of the Netherworld.

The Netherworld Hell [the underworld prison of torment] consists of the Eighteenfold Hell [the eighteen layers of damnation]. The Netherworld Sovereign [the ruler] of each layer of hell is a Netherworld Emperor Lords [an underworld emperor] of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch] rank.

Eldrin Chen did not dare be negligent. Following protocol, he traversed the Sixfold Hell [the first six hells] in sequence, finally arriving within this Seventh Layer of Hell.

"So this place... is the Grand Nether Abyss Domain [the domain of the Grand Nether Abyss]?"

Surveying the Netherworld Hell before him, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself.

This Grand Nether Abyss Domain is the seventh layer of the Netherworld Hell [the underworld realm of punishment and torment]. The sovereign of this hellish layer, Grand Nether Emperor Lord, attained his Dao as a member of the Primordial Innate Human Race [the first humans born of Heaven and Earth], making him a figure from the same generation as Grand Frost Emperor Lord.

Eldrin Chen intended to journey to the Depths of the Netherworld to gather Netherworld Origin [the primordial essence of the underworld] to replenish his Yin-Yang Origin [the foundational essence of opposing cosmic forces]. Breaking through his cultivation within the Netherworld Hell under the auspices of this Human Race senior was the optimal choice.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate for a moment. He soared across the boundless Netherworld Realm, not halting until he stood before the gates of an ancient city.

"Grand Nether Abyss City."

Gazing upon the Grand Nether Abyss City, Eldrin Chen felt a subtle shift in his heart. He then stepped forward to enter.

The instant he was about to cross the threshold into the Grand Nether Abyss City, a voice of immense authority resonated, "Who approaches?"

Eldrin Chen looked up to see a Netherworld Ghost Immortal [an immortal who has transcended mortality within the underworld] of the Eight Tribulations Realm. A tremor of awe passed through him.

Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] have always been exceedingly rare. Even among many Great Luo Ancient Sect [ancient sects of the highest cosmic order], such beings emerge only once in ten billion years. He had not expected to encounter one immediately upon his arrival.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen immediately clasped his hands in salute and said, "This humble Daoist is Abyssal. I have come seeking to borrow your esteemed grounds for cultivation."

"Oh?"

The Netherworld Ghost Immortal [a supreme immortal being of the underworld] shifted her gaze slightly and materialized before Eldrin Chen. She was a woman of exceptional bearing, clad in black robes.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the woman scrutinized him for a moment. Finding him somewhat inscrutable, a flicker of surprise stirred within her.

'This person seems to have already cultivated a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical technique]. Moreover, he emanates a potent sense of threat. It appears he is not far from the Great Luo Realm [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation].'

With this thought, the woman tempered her haughtiness slightly and spoke calmly, "This humble one's Daoist title is Umbralia. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

"Umbralia?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. He then perceived that her aura was profoundly unique, as if she had attained the Dao through a special Netherworld Spiritual Root [an innate spiritual affinity for underworld energies]. Her presence felt even more formidable than that of the Crimson Phoenix Saint Spirit [a legendary phoenix spirit of sacred fire] from years past.

Noting his expression, Umbralia inquired, "Has Fellow Daoist come here to cultivate using the Netherworld Origin [the primordial essence of the underworld, capable of mending innate flaws]?"

Eldrin Chen collected himself and promptly clasped his hands in salute. "Precisely so. Your insight is truly remarkable, Fellow Daoist."

Umbralia gave a slight nod and stated placidly, "There are few treasures found in the Netherworld Realm [the realm of the dead and underworld] that are absent from the Immortal World [the celestial realm of immortals]."

"This Netherworld Origin can remedy congenital deficiencies. Almost every few tens of thousands of years, an Ancient Immortal [an immortal from a bygone era] arrives here seeking it."

With these words, Umbralia invited Eldrin Chen into Grand Nether Abyss City.

Following her inside, Eldrin Chen discovered that the vast expanse of Grand Nether Abyss City was a bustling hive of activity, teeming with Ghost Cultivator [practitioners who cultivate using ghostly or netherworld energies] living and thriving within its confines.

What was truly staggering was that the lowest cultivation base among these Ghost Immortal [immortals who have ascended via the ghostly or netherworld path] was the Immortal Ascension Realm. Earth Immortal Ghost Immortal [Ghost Immortals of the Earth Immortal realm] were as numerous as blades of grass, and the auras of Ghost Immortal at the Celestial Immortal Realm were as countless as the stars in the sky.

Eldrin Chen carefully surveyed the scene and found that within this immense ghostly city, there were at least nearly ten thousand Netherworld Ghost Immortal [Ghost Immortals of the Netherworld] whose power was comparable to that of an Ancient Immortal.

"Nearly ten thousand Ancient Immortal Ancestor," he murmured inwardly.

A sense of profound shock settled in Eldrin Chen's heart, and his gaze grew heavy with solemnity.

A single ghost city harbored nearly ten thousand Ancient Immortal Great Powers. Although these were Netherworld Ghost Immortal, whose path to power was considered somewhat simpler, such a number was undeniably terrifying.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen turned to Umbralia and asked, "I have heard that within the Grand Nether Abyss Domain, there are nearly one hundred ghost cities of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm] tier. Do those cities possess similar foundations?"

Umbralia shook her head, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Within the Grand Nether Abyss Domain, there are indeed nearly one hundred Great Luo Nether City [Great Luo-level Nether Cities]. All were established by Human Race Ghost Immortal who attained the Dao."

"However, while these Great Luo Nether City are powerful, they pale in comparison to this Grand Nether Abyss City. The vast majority of them do not possess more than one hundred Netherworld Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals of the Netherworld path]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a slight sigh of relief.

If the territories of nearly one hundred Netherworld Great Luo [a supreme cultivation realm] all possessed such terrifying strength, it would truly be too horrifying to contemplate.

"We have arrived."

As the two were speaking, Umbralia led Eldrin Chen before a certain Netherworld Mansion [a grand palace within the Netherworld].

Eldrin Chen completed the registration, paid a sum of Immortal Spirit Qi [a high-grade form of spiritual energy used by immortals], and was then guided towards the core of the Grand Nether Abyss Domain.

Watching him depart, the Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates ghostly or netherworldly paths] in charge of registration finally lifted his head, casting a surprised glance at Eldrin Chen's retreating figure. He then looked curiously at Umbralia and inquired, "What is the origin of this person, that he warrants a personal escort from the Young Lord?"

Only then did the registering Ghost Immortal reveal his aura—he was actually a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations], a being at the zenith of his power.

Umbralia shook her head, her gaze turning grave as she said, "My Netherworld Divine Pupil [a divine eye technique that can pierce the depths of the Netherworld] can see through the Nine Nether Abyss, yet I cannot fathom this man's true strength."

"However, his life force and blood energy are overwhelming; it is highly likely he has cultivated a Supreme Physique [a peerless physical constitution] that has reached the Eleventh Limit [the legendary eleventh, and ultimate, limit of physical cultivation]. Making his acquaintance is not a bad thing."

The Ghost Immortal beside her listened with solemn respect. Gazing in the direction where Eldrin Chen had vanished, he mused thoughtfully, "It seems this coming Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly tribulation marking the end of a cosmic cycle] will be far more intriguing than those of the past."

"Indeed."

Umbralia nodded, yet sighed as she continued, "The Dragon Race has produced a Zhuyin, the Imperial Son, the Golden Crow Clan is suspected to have a Celestial Emperor's Direct Offspring emerging into the world, and the Divine Race even has a True Seed of a Divine Emperor [a prodigy destined to become a Divine Emperor] who has been in seclusion for over a hundred Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] now coming out of retreat."

"The Three Great Celestial Courts, the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, the Three Thousand Ancient Sects... all are making their moves…"

Umbralia spoke methodically, her expression turning profoundly solemn. "Even I dare not claim with absolute certainty that I can stand out amongst such individuals."

The Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates ghostly or spectral paths] standing nearby heard this, his face turning grave. "I am deeply curious. Why has this particular Kalpa Tribulation drawn forth so many powerful figures? The forces gathering are dozens of times greater than in previous conflicts between the Two Realms [the Immortal Realm and the Mortal Realm, or sometimes the Yang and Yin realms]."

Umbralia pondered for a moment before replying, "It is no secret to share with you. All of this stems from the fall of the Violet Immortal Lord."

"The fall of the Violet Lord?"

"Precisely."

Umbralia affirmed, a complex mix of regret and a flicker of fear in her beautiful eyes. "Ten million years ago, when the Violet Immortal Lord failed in his attempt to prove his Dao and ascend to Chaos Immortal Sage [a supreme realm transcending ordinary immortality], perishing within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], the immense fortune and destiny he had accumulated scattered and dissipated."

"And the legacy left behind by the Violet Immortal Lord represents the greatest Opportunity within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains to have emerged in nearly a thousand Kalpa Tribulation."

"Grand Nether Emperor Lord once divined that when this Kalpa Tribulation erupts, part of Violet Immortal Lord's legacy will manifest in the world. This will be a heaven-sent Opportunity [a rare chance for immense advancement]."

Speaking of this, Umbralia's expression turned one of longing.

The Chaos Cauldron wielded by Violet Immortal Lord is the sole Chaos Supreme Treasure within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains. No one knows what peerless treasures Violet Immortal Lord left behind.

There are even legends that within Violet Immortal Lord's legacy lies a wisp of Chaos Primordial Qi [a supreme spiritual essence capable of aiding a breakthrough into the Chaos Realm].

Although that Chaos Primordial Qi is merely a substitute for true Primordial Chaos Qi, it remains the most exalted treasure within the Chaos [the primordial state before creation]. It can assist a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch at the Great Perfection stage to take that final step. One could say even a Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage would be moved to profound desire by it.

Thinking of this, Umbralia finally spoke with firm resolve. "This Kalpa Tribulation is a convergence of destiny and Opportunity. It is highly likely to give birth to powerhouses far surpassing those of past eras."

"Even the venerable Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor himself prophesied that from this Kalpa Tribulation, at least one Peerless Immortal Lord with a Twelve Limits Foundation [a mythical, perfect cultivation foundation of twelve layers] may arise."

"A Twelve Limits Foundation!"

Ghost Immortal [a cultivator who has transcended mortality to become an immortal spirit] felt his heart quake, his face transforming into one of utter astonishment.

Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, a Twelve Limits Foundation has been a myth since time immemorial.

Throughout the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of cultivation], it is almost certain that a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm] will emerge in every Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration and cataclysmic change]. Yet, across a hundred such Kalpa Tribulation, one may scarcely find a single soul who has cultivated the Twelve Limits Foundation [the legendary foundation of cultivation, reaching the absolute limit of twelve layers].

Since time immemorial, those who have trodden this path, aside from the seven Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the primordial sages who founded the Dao], have almost invariably ascended to the realm of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign who commands the power of primordial chaos].

It can be said that achieving the Twelve Limits Foundation marks one as a true True Seed of a Divine Emperor [one destined with the potential to become a Divine Emperor], worthy of being called one with the Bearing of a Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the destined aura and potential of a foundational Dao Ancestor Sage].

Contemplating this, the Ghost Immortal [an immortal who has transcended through the ghostly path] shook his head once more. The Twelve Limits Foundation has ever been a myth. Legend speaks that the Grand Nether Emperor Lord [a supreme ruler of the Netherworld] once succeeded in forging a Twelve-Limit Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit cultivated to its absolute twelfth limit].

He possessed the self-awareness to understand that he could not compare to a single strand of the Grand Nether Emperor Lord's hair. This step was fated to remain beyond his reach.

Returning to the matter at hand, having obtained the necessary authority, Eldrin Chen made his way directly toward the Netherworld Core [the central and most profound region of the Netherworld].

He traversed boundless stretches of the Netherworld Realm [the vast and gloomy dimension of the afterlife] until he arrived before a majestic and endless Netherworld Sea [a vast ocean within the Netherworld].

"So cold."

Standing before the Netherworld Sea, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a tremor pass through his expression.

This was a Netherworld Sea of ultimate Yin-cold [the passive, dark, cold feminine principle in Chinese philosophy]. Its flowing waters were the purest Netherworld Origin [the fundamental essence of the Netherworld], yet they harbored a Ultimate Cold Qi [a supreme energy of absolute cold] that had no place in the world of the living.

This aura was far too Yin-cold [pertaining to the dark, cold, and feminine principle in Chinese cosmology]; even with Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, he felt an immense pressure.

Yet, facing such a frigid Netherworld Origin [the primordial essence of the underworld], Eldrin Chen's countenance remained utterly unperturbed. He strode forward into the Netherworld Sea [a vast sea of underworld energy], and instantly, a towering wave of bone-chilling cold assailed him.

"Hah—"

In a fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen exhaled sharply, a single breath that utterly suppressed the invasive chill.

This Eleventh Limit Indestructible Physique [a body tempered to a state of near-invulnerability] was, without doubt, a Peerless Immortal Body [a physique that has broken through all conventional limits]. It did not falter in the slightest, even before the Netherworld Origin Sea.

Now acclimated to the Netherworld Origin Sea, Eldrin Chen immediately began to inhale and exhale vast quantities of the Netherworld Origin.

In that instant, the immense Netherworld Origin Sea began to tremble. A formless vortex manifested in its unfathomable depths.

With Eldrin Chen's present cultivation base, his rate of devouring this Netherworld Origin was astonishingly swift. In the blink of an eye, a deluge of primordial essence was drawn into his body, and this process only accelerated with each passing moment.

"Hmm?"

Simultaneously, at the supreme apex of the Grand Nether Abyss Domain, a woman of peerless elegance and beauty opened her eyes. This was none other than the Grand Nether Emperor Lord, whose might shook the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

At this moment, Grand Nether Emperor Lord's gaze pierced through the boundless void, alighting upon Eldrin Chen. A flicker of surprise momentarily stilled her eyes.

After a brief, assessing look, she remarked with evident astonishment: "An Indestructible Physique, an Indestructible Primordial Spirit [an unbreakable spiritual core], Ten-Limit Mana [a reservoir of mana reaching its theoretical zenith], and even a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical technique]."

"Remarkable. This is the bearing of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch."

As she spoke, her scrutiny deepened, and another wave of realization dawned. "Wait," she murmured, her gaze sharpening. "His Great Dao [the fundamental cosmic principle he embodies] and Dao Fruit [the crystallization of his cultivation achievements] have not yet broken through their current limits. Even his physical body retains potential for further refinement."

"If that is so... does it not imply his mana and his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] also harbor room for greater advancement?"

In the span of a single breath following her observation, Grand Nether Emperor Lord drew a sharp inhale. Without hesitation, she acted, weaving a veil of obscurity over the Netherworld Origin Sea to prevent any other being from sensing the anomaly that was Eldrin Chen.

Only then did she allow herself to exhale slowly, a subtle shift coloring her expression. "It seems our Human Race is destined to nurture another True Seed of an Immortal Sage [one with the innate potential to ascend to the realm of Immortal Sages]."

With this thought, Grand Nether Emperor Lord raised a hand, fingers dancing as she sought to divine Eldrin Chen's fate threads. Yet, her calculations met an intangible resistance almost instantly. A faint sigh, one of relief, escaped her lips.

"Multiple layers of intangible Power of Fate shroud his entirety," she mused. "Each strand is elusive, untouchable, rendering his origins and destiny inscrutable to prying arts."

"Yet, one of those shrouding auras feels familiar... it carries a hint of Tai..." Her voice trailed off, the name left unspoken.

Suddenly, Grand Nether Emperor Lord [one of the supreme rulers of the Netherworld] halted her words abruptly, her expression shifting dramatically. She rose solemnly to her feet, drew a deep breath, and murmured to herself, "It seems this matter requires no further intervention from me."

As she spoke thus, Grand Nether Emperor Lord smiled faintly and declared, "Its depths are not for me to plumb. Yet, since fate has allowed this humble seat to glimpse a True Seed of an Immortal Sage [a being with the innate potential to ascend to the highest echelons of immortality], it is only fitting that I sow the seeds of a favorable connection."

With this thought solidified in her mind, she immediately straightened her posture and stood tall.

Then, with a single step, she shattered the fabric of the void and arrived before the churning expanse of the Netherworld Origin Sea [the primordial sea from which all Netherworld energies are said to flow].