Chapter 1853 : The Twelfth Limit Revelation

"My gratitude for your guidance, Senior."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, clasping his hands once more in thanks.

The Grand Nether Emperor Lord offered a faint smile, waving a dismissive hand. "With the foundation you possess now, attaining the Grand Luo realm should be well within your grasp. There is even a sliver of possibility for you to prove your path to the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch realm."

"However, you must guard against complacency. While the Indestructible Primordial Spirit [an unbreakable spiritual core] and the Indestructible Body [an impervious physical form] are formidable, for those of us at the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch level, they are not necessarily considered exceptionally rare foundations."

"For those who have ascended to become Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [supreme beings who have merged with the fundamental Dao], such attainments are merely the baseline standard to be deemed worthy of notice."

"If you wish to truly set foot upon the path of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, and ultimately transcend beyond the Primordial Chaos itself, you will require an even more profound and powerful foundation."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze grew contemplative.

He understood the Grand Nether Emperor Lord's intent: to urge him to advance further and forge a foundation that reached the legendary Twelfth Limit [the ultimate, twelfth layer of foundational perfection].

With this thought, Eldrin Chen fell silent for a moment before he could no longer contain his question. "I have heard it said that one who successfully cultivates the Twelfth Limit Heavenly Pass possesses the latent potential to prove their path to the realm of a Chaos Celestial Emperor. I dare to ask, Senior, is this truth?"

"It can be said so."

Grand Nether Emperor Lord [one of the supreme rulers of the Netherworld] nodded slightly and, after a moment of contemplation, said, "Any single foundational aspect, if cultivated to the Twelfth Limit [the ultimate, perfect state of a cultivation foundation], can truly be said to have no equal under heaven or earth, possessing the power to suppress all other paths with its singular might."

"Only by achieving one Twelve Limits Foundation [a foundation perfected to its absolute twelfth limit] does one gain the true capital to completely master a Great Dao and prove their path to become a Chaos Dao Progenitor [a progenitor who originates a Great Dao from Chaos] or a Celestial Emperor."

"However, the difficulty of cultivating a Twelve Limits Foundation is akin to scaling the heavens themselves. The most crucial requirement is the fusion of one's True Spirit [the eternal, indestructible spiritual essence of a living being] with that foundation. Since ancient times, those capable of this have been exceedingly rare."

As Grand Nether Emperor Lord spoke in detail, Eldrin Chen gradually came to understand the profound difficulty of this Twelve Limits Foundation cultivation.

It turned out that whether it was the physical body, spiritual power, or even the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and consciousness of a cultivator], a Great Dao, or a Dao Fruit—to perfect any foundational aspect, one must merge one's own True Spirit with it.

The Primordial Spirit can be destroyed, but the True Spirit is deathless.

The True Spirit was born at the dawn of Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], the very origin of all living beings. Its nature is akin to the root of the Great Dao itself, possessing an eternal, indestructible quality. Not even a Chaos Divine Emperor [a supreme emperor born from Chaos], a Celestial Emperor, or a Dao Progenitor can annihilate a True Spirit.

And once the True Spirit is fused with one's foundational aspect, that aspect gains the characteristic of absolute indestructibility.

Since Grand Nether Emperor Lord has cultivated a Twelve-Limit True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit perfected to the twelfth limit and fused with the True Spirit], not even a Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [a sage who is the ancestral source of a Dao] could possibly extinguish her Primordial Spirit.

If one cultivates a Twelfth Limit True Spirit Physique [a physical body perfected to the twelfth limit and fused with the True Spirit], then the flesh becomes Indestructible Imprint [an imprint that cannot be destroyed]. Even if utterly annihilated to dust by a powerful foe, it could still revive and return from within the Chaos.

Those who have cultivated the Twelfth Limit level of power, even if they have utterly perished within the River of Time and Space, their dissipated cultivation power disperses into the Chaos. There, it transforms into the world's spiritual energy and the waters of Chaos, yet still flows with the Indestructible Imprint [a conceptual mark of their existence that cannot be erased] that belongs to Them.

One day, upon the day of Their revival and return, the Indestructible Imprint within that spiritual energy and the waters of Chaos will reawaken, flowing back into the cultivator's body.

"The True Spirit [the foundational, indestructible spiritual core of a supreme being] is imperishable. Once fused with one's various foundational pillars, it can form the immortal and indestructible foundation of the True Spiritual Root."

Grand Nether Emperor Lord spoke methodically, his gaze resting on Eldrin Chen as he said, "This is the foundation for mastering the Great Dao. If one cannot achieve this step, then they ultimately have no hope of reaching the Chaos realm."

"Indestructible Imprint."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, unable to resist asking, "How does one fuse one's own foundational pillars with that True Spirit to form that deathless, indestructible mark?"

Grand Nether Emperor Lord shook his head and vanished into the boundless void, leaving only a faint voice echoing back, "You are not yet powerful enough. When you one day tread upon that step, it will come naturally, like water flowing in its course."

"My thanks for your guidance, Senior."

Watching Grand Nether Emperor Lord depart, Eldrin Chen bowed once more in gratitude.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen's resolve to cultivate the True Spiritual Root foundation of the Twelfth Limit was forged with even greater steel.

Watching as Grand Nether Emperor Lord [one of the supreme rulers of the Netherworld] had already departed into the distance, Eldrin Chen lingered no longer. He drew a slow, deep breath and then left the Netherworld Origin Sea [the primordial sea from which the Netherworld's essence flows].

He departed from the Netherworld Origin Sea, exited the Grand Nether Abyss Domain [a vast and profound realm within the Netherworld], and journeyed all the way to the Primordial Immortal Domain [the original and most ancient realm of the Immortals].

Upon returning to the Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen performed a brief divination with his fingers. He calculated that over one hundred thousand years had passed during this secluded cultivation session. There remained nearly two hundred thousand years until the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare treasures and artifacts] in the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain [an ancient domain named for its ethereal, shimmering light].

With time still abundant, Eldrin Chen decided to travel leisurely through the Primordial Immortal Domain, making his way gradually toward the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain.

Journeying in this unhurried manner, stopping and starting along the way, he traversed several ancient domains of the Grand Luo [a supreme cultivation realm]. He finally halted his steps before a majestic Immortal Mountain [a mountain suffused with immortal energy].

Lifting his gaze, he saw that atop the peak of this spiritual mountain sat a man clad in white robes. The man sat with eyes lowered, immersed in profound contemplation of the boundless, vast mountains of the Immortal Domain. It was Ronan.

Eldrin Chen did not disturb him. He simply stood quietly by his side, waiting patiently for him to awaken from his deep state of enlightenment.

After a long while, the white-robed man slowly stirred from his meditative trance. He cast a calm glance at Eldrin Chen, and a long-absent smile touched his lips.

"It has been a long time."

"Indeed, it has been a very long time."

Eldrin Chen replied with a light smile, gazing at the figure before him, Magnus the Virtuous, with a sigh of emotion.

This person was none other than Magnus the Virtuous, whom Eldrin Chen had once sent into the cycle of reincarnation. Nearly ten million years had passed since their last meeting, and now Magnus the Virtuous's cultivation was unfathomably profound. At some unknown point, he had long since broken through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a legendary realm of immortality transcending mortal limits].

Magnus the Virtuous smiled, studying Eldrin Chen for a moment before finally speaking with a laugh.

"The sun and moon revolve, mountains and rivers transform; I have traversed different worlds, yet here I find a familiar soul unchanged."

"It is truly good to see you again."

With a serene smile, Eldrin Chen sat calmly upon the ground, shoulder to shoulder with Magnus the Virtuous, watching the clouds gather and disperse as they exchanged tales of the years that had passed.

As Magnus the Virtuous narrated his story, Eldrin Chen gradually came to understand the journey he had undertaken all these years.

In that distant past, after his fall, Magnus the Virtuous had been reborn into the cycle of reincarnation, carrying with him a single volume: the Primordial Book of Dao Inquiry [an ancient tome containing profound insights into the fundamental truths of existence]. He once again embarked upon the path of cultivation.

This Primordial Book of Dao Inquiry was a scripture for inquiring into the Dao [the fundamental principle or path], a primordial ancient classic no less profound than the 'Earth Soul Scripture' [a legendary scripture concerning the soul's connection to the earth]. With this tome as his foundation, Magnus the Virtuous's comprehension of the natural laws of heaven and earth surpassed that of his previous life a hundredfold.

With such profound foundational strength, Magnus the Virtuous cultivated with astonishing speed, reaching the Immortal Ascension Realm [the realm where a cultivator transcends mortality and ascends to immortality] in a remarkably short span of time.

Over these years, Magnus the Virtuous had no fixed cultivation abode. He wandered ceaselessly through various Immortal Domain [realms of immortals], ventured across the Chaos [the primordial, formless void] and the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad immortal realms], and finally arrived within this Primordial Immortal Domain [the most ancient and foundational of the immortal realms].

During this journey, Magnus the Virtuous continuously contemplated the natural world, comprehending the Dao [the fundamental principle or path] and principles inherent in mountains, rivers, sun, and moon. His cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds almost imperceptibly, and he had now reached the Ancient Immortal Realm [a profound and venerable stage of immortal cultivation].

"To wander the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, perceiving the Dao and principles of Heaven and Earth's nature."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, nodding after a long while.

He understood that this was indeed the most suitable path for cultivating the Primordial Book of Dao Inquiry [a legendary tome containing the fundamental truths of the Dao].

With this thought, he also began to recount his own experiences of these years to Magnus the Virtuous.

A long time later, Magnus the Virtuous listened to the tale of his recent past but offered no excessive commentary or judgment.

He stood up and began strolling into the distance, offering only a calm instruction: "Accompany me for a stretch of the journey."

Eldrin Chen nodded slowly and followed, walking amidst the mountains and rivers of this Immortal Domain. He quietly immersed himself in the vastness of these peaks and waters, the sun and moon, contemplating the Dao inherent in the natural world.

An unknowable amount of time later, they arrived before the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain [an ancient realm named for its faint, shimmering celestial light].

Magnus the Virtuous ceased his forward progress and turned his gaze towards Eldrin Chen, inquiring with a gentle smile, "How have you found this journey?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen did not reply immediately. He lowered his eyes slowly, contemplating something profound. After a long while, he shook his head and said, "There is no rush for worldly matters. It is rare to be able to set aside all concerns, to perceive the majestic beauty of heaven and earth, and to experience this precious state of being free from worldly strife."

Magnus the Virtuous offered a faint smile. Looking towards the distant mountains where Ronan was, he spoke with calm detachment, "This stretch of road, a mortal might not complete it in a thousand lifetimes. Yet for you and me, it is but a very short distance."

"But regardless of the journey's length, you should understand this: our entire lives, we are forever on the path."

"Forever on the path,"

Eldrin Chen murmured the words, as if grasping some profound insight, yet still feeling as if something crucial eluded him.

He understood that Magnus the Virtuous's words carried a deeper meaning, yet he did not press for clarification.

The path is one's own; ultimately, one must walk it oneself. Some truths must be comprehended through personal experience.

Seeing this, Magnus the Virtuous said nothing more. He merely waved his hand and stated, "My own road stretches long ahead. I cannot accompany you any further."

"Perhaps we shall meet again when the Kalpa Tribulation [the cataclysmic cycle marking the end of a cosmic era] descends."

With those final words, Magnus the Virtuous spoke no more. He took a single stride and vanished into the distant horizon.

After Magnus the Virtuous departed, Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh. He offered no further comment, merely watching until Magnus the Virtuous disappeared at the edge of the world. Only then did he turn and stride towards the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain.

The Glimmering Light Ancient Domain was one of the three thousand ancient domains within the Primordial Immortal Domain. This ancient realm was vast and boundless, far more expansive than even a single Immortal Domain.

The ruler of the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain was the Glimmering Light Holy Land [a sacred land of the Human Race], one of the Great Luo Ancient Sect. Its primary cultivation path focused on the Great Dao of the Star Lineage [a cultivation art harnessing the power of celestial stars].

The Glimmering Light Ancient Sect [the ancient sect of the Glimmering Light Holy Land] possessed a profound heritage. Within its gates were no fewer than six Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation]. Its sovereign, Glimmering Light Immortal Lord, was an existence at the late-stage of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, placing him among the foremost powerhouses within the Great Luo Ancient Sect.

The Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare treasures] being held this time in the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain was the highest-level assembly of its kind in tens of millions of years across dozens of surrounding ancient domains. It had drawn tens of thousands of Ancient Immortal Great Powers [powerful cultivators at the Ancient Immortal realm] to participate.

After entering the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain, Eldrin Chen discreetly concealed his aura and made his way to the location of the Glimmering Light Immortal City [the immortal city at the heart of the Glimmering Light Ancient Domain].

It was at this moment that Qingwei the Recluse approached, a smile gracing his features as he spoke. "Fellow Daoist, your timing is impeccable. Had you arrived any later, you might have missed the commencement of the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly."

"I chanced upon an old acquaintance, which delayed me for a short while,"

Eldrin Chen replied with a warm smile, offering a respectful cupped-hand salute in greeting to Qingwei the Recluse.

After exchanging brief greetings, Qingwei the Recluse led Eldrin Chen towards the center of the Glimmering Light Immortal Pool [a legendary pool of spiritual energy said to be blessed by starlight]. Before long, they arrived at the Starry Pavilion [the pavilion where the treasure exchange was being held].

"Fellow Daoist Abyssal."

At that very moment, Eldrin Chen heard a familiar voice call out.

He looked up and saw that the speaker was none other than Astraea Luo, the direct lineage disciple of the Flower Goddess Palace [a prestigious sect renowned for its mastery over floral and nature-based cultivation arts].

Many years had passed since their last meeting. Astraea Luo's cultivation had advanced yet again, surprisingly reaching the realm of a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations], which came as a slight surprise to Eldrin Chen.

Astraea Luo approached, her beautiful eyes smiling as she spoke. "It has been many years. Your cultivation seems ever more profound and unfathomable, Fellow Daoist."

"You flatter me," Eldrin Chen replied with a calm smile. "Your own cultivation has taken a significant step forward, Immortal Maiden. It seems you may even dare to assault the Great Luo Realm [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] during this coming Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that determines an immortal's fate]."

"You overpraise me," Astraea Luo said with a wry smile, shaking her head. "I know my own limits. If I can achieve the Seven Tribulations [the realm of an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] through this Kalpa Tribulation, I will be more than content."

Changing the subject, Astraea Luo asked, "What brings you to this Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly? What treasures are you seeking?"

"I require some rare spiritual materials," Eldrin Chen answered, "to prepare for the perils of the impending Kalpa Tribulation."

Eldrin Chen spoke with a faint, measured tone, offering no further elaboration.

Seeing this, Astraea Luo did not press the matter. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Eldrin Chen, she took her leave.

Qingwei the Recluse was visibly surprised. He could not help but glance at Astraea Luo before remarking, "That was the Great Luo True Seed [a destined inheritor of profound cosmic principles] from the Flower Goddess Palace. I had not realized you were acquainted, Fellow Daoist?"

"Our paths crossed a few times while journeying through the Chaos Sea," Eldrin Chen replied with a shake of his head, offering no further details before stepping into the Starry Pavilion.

The Starry Pavilion was a manifestation of a vast, starry firmament. Within, the void stretched boundlessly, dotted with countless stars, each forming a Celestial Dais [a platform formed from condensed stellar essence, often used for cultivation or gatherings].

Eldrin Chen casually ascended one of them and only then discovered the Celestial Dais possessed the wondrous property of shielding one's spiritual sense [the extended perception of a cultivator].

Only then, as Eldrin Chen surveyed his surroundings, did he realize the immense Starry Pavilion already held over ten thousand luminous stars suspended in its expanse. Within each star resided a powerful Ancient Immortal Great Power [a cultivator who has attained the Ancient Immortal realm, a being of immense power and longevity].

"Not counting other regions, the gathering of Ancient Immortal from the vicinity of the Shaking Radiance Ancient Domain alone numbers a full ten thousand venerable Ancient Immortal Great Powers," he mused inwardly.

"This Primordial Immortal Domain lives up to its name as the source of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, the primordial land birthed from the Chaos," Eldrin Chen concluded, a sense of profound reverence settling within him.

The atmosphere within the pavilion thrummed with latent power, a silent testament to the convergence of legends from across the cosmos.

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, a flicker of joy stirring within him.

The more Ancient Immortal [powerful immortals from ancient times] present, the greater his chance of exchanging for a suitable Great Luo Rare Treasure [an exceedingly rare and powerful treasure of the Great Luo realm].

Having spent considerable time touring the Immortal Domain [a realm of immortals] with Magnus the Virtuous, Eldrin Chen had arrived at the Starry Pavilion [a celestial pavilion] not long before the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for trading rare treasures] commenced.

Then, from the depths of the starry river, a woman of peerless grace and beauty stepped through the void.

She walked forward with measured steps, alighting at the very heart of the surrounding celestial bodies, radiating an aura of supreme elegance, as if all the stars themselves were paying homage to the moon.

"The Glimmering Light Holy Maiden,"

Eldrin Chen uttered in a low voice, a ripple of emotion passing through his gaze.

The Glimmering Light Holy Maiden was the most prodigious talent of the Glimmering Light Holy Land in this Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal]. Having cultivated for merely one such cycle, her cultivation had already reached the realm of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], placing her among the most dazzling geniuses within the entire Primordial Immortal Domain [the primordial realm of immortals].

Eldrin Chen observed her carefully and noticed that her Dao Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivation path] and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] were exceptionally potent. It seemed she had cultivated both to the Ten Limits Foundation [a legendary, perfect foundation with ten ultimate limits], prompting him to take a second, longer look.

"With two aspects of the Ten Limits Foundation, her hope of attaining the Grand Luo [the supreme realm of Grand Luo] is likely not small," he thought.

Just as the thoughts of the assembly were stirring, the Glimmering Light Holy Maiden swept her gaze across them and spoke with an air of detached calm, "The Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly of the Shaking Radiance Ancient Domain commences today. As your hostess, I shall begin by casting a stone to attract jade [a modest offering intended to draw out greater treasures from others]."

As her words faded, the Glimmering Light Holy Maiden flicked her sleeve, sending forth several dozen beams of wondrous light. Each beam was a rare Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, possessing innate spiritual properties].

With but a single glance, Eldrin Chen felt his pupils contract slightly, a flicker of delight surfacing within them.

This time, the Glimmering Light Holy Maiden had presented a total of thirty-two extraordinary treasures. Each of these rarities was of immeasurable value, each at least of the Twenty-Four Veins Primordial Treasure grade—the pinnacle tier of Innate Rare Treasure.

Among them, there were a full twelve items that were Tenth Rank Great Luo Marvelous Treasure [marvelous objects of the highest, tenth rank, associated with the Great Luo Heaven]. These included the Departing Fire Dao Source [the primordial source of the Dao of Departing Fire] that Eldrin Chen required, along with other rarities such as the Heavenly Thunder Marrow of Yi Wood [the marrow-essence of Heavenly Thunder infused with the Yi Wood element] and the Celestial Net Miraculous Light [a miraculous light akin to a celestial net].