Chapter 1797 : A Bounty of Primordial Treasures

As for the shock and fury of the various Ancient Immortal Grotto-Heaven inheritors, Eldrin Chen paid it no mind.

He led the four of them onward, venturing deeper into the Incomplete Immortal Domain while carefully avoiding the trails of the major Grotto-Heaven sects and the Chaos Ancient Beast.

Only after reaching a secure location did the four finally take out the treasures they had obtained.

Gazing upon these treasures, their faces were alight with unrestrained joy. Horizon Patriarch could not help but exclaim, "The gains from this venture are enough to rival the accumulation of a hundred million years for us."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of agreement. From their plundering of the Supreme Grade Chaos Lair, they had acquired a total of seventy-two strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] and sixty-one portions of Innate Rare Treasure [objects born from the primordial chaos, containing immense power].

Adding to the twenty-three strands of Innate Energy and the twelve Innate Rare Treasure obtained earlier, their total haul amounted to ninety-five strands of Innate Energy and seventy-three portions of Innate Rare Treasure.

Setting aside the Innate Energy for a moment, among this vast quantity of Innate Rare Treasure, there were fifteen Low-Grade Innate Rare Treasure, forty-nine Mid-Grade Innate Rare Treasure, and nine High-Grade Innate Rare Treasure.

Above all these treasures, the most precious were undoubtedly the Innate Primordial One Pill [a supreme pill said to contain the essence of the primordial unity] and the Past Life Flower [a mystical herb capable of piercing the veil of reincarnation]. Both were Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure, rarities even among Innate Ancient Treasure.

Especially the Past Life Flower, which now held Celestial Maiden [a title for a high-ranking female immortal] in its thrall. She could not conceal her desire, her gaze turning imploringly towards Eldrin Chen.

Understanding her unspoken plea, Eldrin Chen spoke without hesitation. "This treasure possesses the wondrous ability to pierce the mysteries of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], aiding an Immortal in recovering the cultivation of their past life. Among us, the only one who can truly make use of it is Senior Celestial Maiden." Experience the full epic at http://www . audio-novel.com.

"In my view, this item should be entrusted to Senior Celestial Maiden."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch nodded and said, "If Fellow Daoist Celestial Maiden can recover her cultivation base, she will undoubtedly become a great asset to us. It is indeed fitting that she should restore her power."

Celestial Maiden took a deep breath upon hearing this and nodded to Eldrin Chen, saying, "Today, I owe you a favor."

Eldrin Chen said nothing more, merely offering a faint smile as he handed the Past Life Flower to Celestial Maiden.

The Past Life Flower possesses wondrous and boundless uses. It is said that, apart from Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the supreme immortal realm beyond the cycle of rebirth], who are beyond Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], this flower can help any being below the Great Encompassing realm recover the cultivation base of their past life.

Thus, the value of the Past Life Flower is immeasurable, a supreme treasure of priceless worth in the hands of any cultivator, especially those of higher cultivation.

Even those earth-shaking, heaven-startling Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [ancient immortals who have survived eight heavenly tribulations], who have shattered the barriers of the Eighth Heaven [the eighth heavenly realm], covet this item immensely.

Indeed, this treasure lives up to its reputation as a supreme object coveted by Ancient Immortal [immortals from ancient times]. The moment Celestial Maiden consumed it, a shower of celestial blossoms instantly filled the air.

Vast, boundless streams of Innate Path Patterns [the fundamental laws and patterns of the Great Dao, inherent to one's being] returned from the depths of the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and departed souls], surging into Celestial Maiden's body.

In that instant, Celestial Maiden's cultivation base began to soar explosively: the fifth level of Celestial Immortal, the sixth level of Celestial Immortal, the Seventh Layer of the Celestial Immortal Realm…

In the blink of an eye, her cultivation base was restored to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage for a Celestial Immortal], and an immensely majestic power of an Innate Heavenly God Being [a being born with divine power and authority] slowly stirred back to life.

After a long while, the Celestial Maiden slowly opened her eyes, her gaze radiating an aura of supreme nobility.

"The cultivation of a past life, the Path Fruit [the profound attainment or essence of one's cultivated path] of this one."

"Now they are finally unified, yet it is a pity that it falls just half a step short."

The Celestial Maiden murmured softly, a trace of regret coloring her expression.

At this moment, the Celestial Maiden's cultivation grew even more unfathomable, her aura appearing even more profound and solid than that of the Master of the Horizon Pavilion.

Through her aura, Eldrin Chen perceived that her foundation was bottomlessly deep. Within the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, she could almost be considered invincible, her power even approaching that of two and a half ordinary cultivators at that same peak realm.

Yet, formidable as this combat prowess was, it still fell just that small step short of breaking through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a realm of immense age and power, transcending ordinary Celestial Immortals].

"Yet, it is not without its gains."

The Celestial Maiden suddenly whispered. Innumerable Innate Path Patterns [natural, divine markings representing profound laws] lit up between her brows, and then a Snow Lotus [a mystical lotus that blooms in icy realms] slowly flew forth—it was precisely the Frigid Heaven Snow Lotus.

Upon the Quasi-Innate Ancient Treasure that had already nurtured eleven Innate Path Patterns, a twelfth, hazy Innate Path Patterns slowly took form, ultimately merging with the previous eleven. They coalesced into a single, indistinct Embryonic Great Path [the nascent form of a supreme cultivation law].

"An Innate Ancient Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, containing innate laws]!"

"The Frigid Heaven Snow Lotus."

Eldrin Chen murmured, a glint of pleasant surprise flashing in his eyes.

The Celestial Maiden [a title for a high-ranking female immortal] gave a slight nod and spoke, "With the return of my cultivation from a past life, merging with the Path Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's cultivation path] of this life, it has finally taken that final step."

Beside her, Exquisite Jiang heard this and nodded in agreement. "With your Lifebound Immortal Treasure [a treasure bound to a cultivator's life and soul, growing with them] advancing to an Innate Ancient Treasure, it seems your breakthrough to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a profound realm of immortality] may not be far off." Visit audio-novel dot com to enjoy the complete series.

"Not so fast."

The Celestial Maiden shook her head, a wry smile touching her lips. "By merging the Path Fruit from two lifetimes, I managed to facilitate its promotion to an Innate Ancient Treasure. However, the fusion of two lifetimes' Path Fruit inevitably leaves behind some flaws and imperfections."

"Now, with a flawed Path Fruit, it is as if the Foundation of the Path [the fundamental basis of one's cultivation] has been tarnished. Until I completely cleanse and refine this foundation, I fear breaking through to the Ancient Immortal Realm will be difficult."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen also nodded slightly in understanding.

The Past Life Flower [a mystical herb that can awaken memories and cultivation from a past life] can assist an Immortal in recovering their cultivation from a previous incarnation. In theory, merging the Path Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivation path] from two lifetimes holds the potential to propel one's cultivation to even greater heights.

However, such a heaven-defying act naturally carries inherent flaws. Otherwise, if an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal were to reincarnate and cultivate anew, reaching the Eight Tribulations Realm in their new life before consuming the Past Life Flower, wouldn't they be able to soar to the heavens in a single bound?

Yet, the reality is not so simple, for the foundations and cultivation attained across two lifetimes are ultimately not one and the same.

For instance, if one's previous life achieved the Dao through the Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation art] and ascended to forge a Forbidden Foundation [a legendary and nearly impossible-to-achieve cultivation foundation], how could the two lifetimes' Path Fruit merge seamlessly upon unification?

Moreover, differences in the Path Principle [the core laws and principles comprehended on one's cultivation path], the Immortal Body [a physique refined to an immortal level], and the Path Fruit cultivated across two lives will all generate mutual rejection. The greater the disparity, the more intense the conflict becomes.

Furthermore, the higher the cultivation level and the closer the power between the two lifetimes, the greater the mutual repulsion will be.

In a case like that of the Celestial Maiden, where her previous life reached the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm and her current life is at the Fourth Heaven Celestial Immortal Realm, it is still possible. The previous lifetime's Path Fruit can completely suppress and then gradually refine the current cultivation, allowing for a breakthrough.

However, if both lifetimes cultivate to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, there is a significant risk of fusion failure. Even if fusion succeeds, allowing a breakthrough to the Ancient Immortal Realm by combining the cultivation of two lives, it would likely forever bar any further advancement.

The exception lies in figures like the Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk. The Six Lifetimes Buddha Scripture he cultivates is a legacy of the Great Encompassing [a supreme, all-encompassing realm of cultivation], capable of perfectly integrating the Path Fruit from six lifetimes into one, ultimately forging a flawless present-life vessel without leaks or flaws.

Currently, the Celestial Maiden's situation is favorable. The foundations of her two lifetimes are nearly identical, and the gap in their cultivation is vast. She merely needs to completely refine the Path Fruit of her current cultivation to continue her breakthrough into the Ancient Immortal Realm.

However, to fully refine and integrate the cultivation base of this lifetime would likely require a minimum of several million years.

Regardless, with the Celestial Maiden having now recovered her cultivation and possessing the protection of an Innate Ancient Treasure, the safety of the group was once again significantly bolstered.

Seeing the Celestial Maiden restored, Eldrin Chen then turned his gaze to the Innate Primordial One Pill and said, "This Innate Primordial One Pill is of no use to me. Let it be entrusted to Senior Horizon."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch gave a slight, acknowledging nod.

He did not refuse, and instead stated, "The remaining treasures shall all be yours."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acceptance. The remaining ninety-five strands of Innate Energy held astonishing value, and combined with the seventy-three Innate Rare Treasure of varying grades, their total worth was likely equivalent to two or three Innate Ancient Treasure.

With this batch of Innate Energy and Innate Rare Treasure, Eldrin Chen's cultivation was certain to advance by leaps and bounds.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen directly stored the treasures away, then retrieved ten strands of Innate Energy and began refining them.

Even before his breakthrough to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm, Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique had already been cultivated to the Minor Achievement stage, which in turn facilitated his ascension to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm.

Now, having broken through to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm, to advance further to the fifth or even sixth level of the Celestial Immortal realm, he still needed to cultivate all his Innate Path Fruit to the Lesser Vehicle Realm.

Now that he possessed the Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation], Eldrin Chen naturally did not delay any further.

He continuously channeled his magic power and the Path Fruit [the condensed essence of a cultivator's comprehension of their chosen Dao], beginning to refine the Innate Energy. The Path Fruit itself began to advance by leaps and bounds.

"It seems that within a few centuries, the Path Fruit will reach the Minor Accomplishment stage," he murmured to himself.

A flicker of joy stirred within Eldrin Chen's heart.

Once the Path Fruit achieved Minor Accomplishment, there would be no further bottlenecks hindering his advancement before the sixth level of the Celestial Immortal [a realm where one becomes a true immortal of the heavens] realm. He could break through simply by accumulating sufficient magic power.

Furthermore, his combat prowess would experience a tremendous surge at that point, perhaps even rivaling that of a ninth-level Celestial Immortal.

The only area where he might fall short compared to a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] cultivator would be a slight deficiency in the sheer depth and volume of his magic power.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen handed twenty strands of Innate Energy to Exquisite Jiang. While continuing to refine his own portion, he spoke, "Let us proceed. We must simply remain vigilant on our path."

Returning to their journey, the four of them pressed forward, beginning to explore the various Chaos Lair [dangerous domains born from primordial chaos] along their route.

Unfortunately, by this time, most of the remaining Chaos Lair had already been picked clean by other Celestial Immortal. After searching for a long while, they had only managed to acquire five more strands of Innate Energy.

If placed in the outside world, obtaining five strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, unadulterated energy of creation] in such a short time would be considered truly astonishing.

Yet, compared to their previous harvests, this mere hundred strands of Innate Energy could scarcely catch their eye.

"Too many Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] have taken action," Eldrin Chen remarked, his gaze solemn. "Even though these Incomplete Immortal Domain Chaos Lair [pockets of primal chaos within the shattered immortal realm] number in the thousands, each person ends up with only a few strands of Innate Energy."

Failing to scavenge more treasures, Eldrin Chen spoke in a low, contemplative voice, his expression growing heavy.

Horizon Patriarch also furrowed his brow slightly before looking into the distance and saying, "To seize the greatest Opportunity and Fortune, we must venture into the Supreme Grade Chaos Lair [the most potent and dangerous nests of primal chaos]."

Celestial Maiden nodded in agreement and then inquired, "Then which Supreme Grade Chaos Lair should we target?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before declaring, "How can one catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den?"

"We go to the one at the Central!"

His words sent a ripple of solemn resolve through the group.

By now, they had largely discerned the layout of this Incomplete Immortal Domain [a vast, shattered realm that once belonged to immortals]. Within this broken Immortal Domain, a total of Seventh Heavenly Domains [seven distinct celestial regions] remained.

Within the Seventh Heavenly Domains [the collective name for seven interconnected celestial realms], each domain contains one Supreme Grade Chaos Lair [a primordial lair of the highest order, a nexus of chaotic energies]. Each of these Chaos Lair [a den or stronghold formed from primordial chaos] serves as the stronghold of a Chaos Beast King [a ruler-class monstrous beast born from primordial chaos].

Among them, the Supreme Grade Chaos Lair situated at the very center of the Seventh Heavenly Domains is considered the foremost of the seven Chaos Lairs.

Of the sixteen Chaos Beast Kings that have already emerged to battle, five originated from that central Supreme Grade Chaos Lair, a testament to its extraordinary and formidable nature.

"It is highly likely that within that lair, Chaos Beast Kings still stand guard,"

Horizon Patriarch cautioned, his expression turning grave.

Eldrin Chen nodded, his gaze distant as he spoke, "The other five Supreme Grade Chaos Lairs are already under the surveillance of various Ancient Immortals [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortality for eons]. Venturing there now would be too perilous, and likely a fruitless endeavor."

"Only this central lair is certain to be the core nexus of this conflict, and it will be exceedingly difficult for any single force to capture it completely."

"We shall lie in ambush outside its entrance, biding our time. If an opportunity arises, we infiltrate. If not, we withdraw directly."

"Very well."

The three of them nodded slightly in agreement and immediately set off towards the central Chaos Lair.

They journeyed through the Chaos [the primordial, formless void between worlds] and soon arrived at the periphery of the Central Chaos Lair [a perilous domain born from chaotic energies at the heart of the Chaos]. They discovered this place was profoundly terrifying.

Occasionally, a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty being who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] would risk their life to infiltrate it, only to vanish without a trace, like a pebble swallowed by the abyss, not even stirring a single ripple.

"We must not act rashly,"

Eldrin Chen murmured, his expression grave. "Within this Chaos Lair, there undoubtedly resides a supremely powerful entity."

Celestial Maiden [a title for a high-ranking female immortal] also nodded, her face somewhat pale. "I sense it... an overwhelming aura of slaughter permeates this place, like a Colossal Chaos Fiend [a titanic monster born from the Chaos] lying in wait to devour its prey."

"Let us conceal ourselves first, then bide our time and strike when the moment is right."

Without another word, Eldrin Chen observed carefully for a long while before leading the group deep beneath the earth of the Incomplete Immortal Domain [a shattered or unfinished realm of immortals].

As they traversed the Chaos and reached the heart of the land within the Incomplete Immortal Domain, they were instantly assaulted by an immensely powerful pressure that startled them all.

Eldrin Chen scrutinized the area and noticed that upon this fractured earth, two streams of energy—one verdant and one of another hue—were intertwined. They were being compressed together by the Chaos, nearly coalescing into a thin, barely perceptible fissure.

"This is..."

Exquisite Jiang murmured, her gaze trembling slightly with realization.

Eldrin Chen was also filled with delight, unable to contain himself as he spoke, "It's the Energy of Heaven and Earth [the primordial essence formed by the convergence of celestial and terrestrial energies]."

It turned out that these two streams of Verdant Mystery-colored energy were precisely the Heaven Trigram Pure Energy [the pure, untainted energy of the heavens] and the Earth Trigram Mother Energy [the nurturing, foundational energy of the earth].

This Energy of Heaven and Earth possessed boundless and wondrous applications; it was the very key substance required for the Polarity Energy Vessel to condense the Heaven-Earth Creation Water [a legendary water of creation born from the union of heaven and earth].

However, this Energy of Heaven and Earth was exceedingly rare. Even with Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, he could not gather it in large quantities.

Yet here, a thin layer contained thousands upon thousands of strands of this energy. Its sheer value sent a wave of ecstatic joy through Eldrin Chen.

"So much Energy of Heaven and Earth!" he exclaimed.

Horizon Patriarch also noticed this spectacle, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

However, this Energy of Heaven and Earth was merely a low-grade Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [a rare treasure born from the primordial state of unity], not yet worthy of his serious attention. He spoke calmly, "If my deduction is correct, after the ancient Immortal Domain was breached, an infinite torrent of Chaos Water [primordial, formless water from before creation] flooded in."

"The Heaven Trigram Pure Energy from the Nine Heavens and the Earth Trigram Mother Energy from the depths of the earth were both suppressed by the Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, undifferentiated energy of creation]. They were compressed into this crustal layer and, sheltered by the lingering Great Path [the supreme cultivation law] of this Incomplete Immortal Domain, ultimately formed this convergence stratum of Energy of Heaven and Earth."

"For such a vast quantity of Energy of Heaven and Earth [the primordial spiritual essence that forms the foundation of the world] to coalesce here, its value likely rivals trillions of Immortal Source [a highly concentrated and potent form of spiritual energy]. This is indeed no small Opportunity and Fortune [a rare chance or stroke of luck bestowed by fate]."

"I suspect its original volume was thousands upon thousands of times greater than what we see now. The vast majority has likely been eroded by the Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, formless energy that existed before creation], leaving behind only this remnant."

"This Energy of Heaven and Earth is precisely what I urgently require."

Eldrin Chen spoke, then turned his gaze to Horizon Patriarch and the Celestial Maiden. "Within these subterranean strata, there must be tens of thousands of strands of Energy of Heaven and Earth. I intend to gather every last one."

"Agreed."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch was momentarily taken aback before giving a slight, thoughtful nod. For more chapters, visit (audio-novel.com) for the complete novel.