Chapter 1801 : Merits of the Ancient Formation

"Distribute according to contribution?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present gave a slight nod of agreement.

Next, the group calculated their respective Merits. In the end, Eldrin Chen received the largest share, claiming seventy percent of the total credit.

Strictly based on the merit of breaking the formation, Eldrin Chen should have only taken thirty percent, with the remaining seventy percent divided among the other three.

After all, Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch had held back dozens of Chaos Ancient Beast and withstood the assaults of four cultivators at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

Furthermore, Exquisite Jiang's Eight Trigrams Formation had trapped over ten Chaos Ancient Beast, a contribution not to be underestimated.

It could be said that without the aid of these three, Eldrin Chen likely could not have breached that Innate Ancient Formation, let alone secured those Innate Rare Treasure and Innate Energy.

However, at the final moment, Eldrin Chen's feat of leading everyone to escape the pursuit of the Chaos Beast King was of such monumental importance that he was granted an additional forty percent of the Merits.

In truth, both Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch believed that merely for ensuring their safe departure, Eldrin Chen deserved fifty percent of the credit. Yet, at Eldrin Chen's own insistence, he ultimately conceded that extra ten percent.

Compared to that one-tenth share of credit, Eldrin Chen valued his rapport with the two and the goodwill of Future far more. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel.com.

After all, these were two Innate Heavenly God Being [a being born from the essence of heaven and earth, possessing immense innate power] on the verge of breaking through to become Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has transcended countless ages and tribulations]. Once they succeeded, they would become two Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived three great heavenly tribulations], powerful enough to serve as Eldrin Chen's greatest pillars of support for millions of years in the Future [a being representing the concept of time yet to come].

They might even become a formidable force of aid during the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal] that Future would inevitably face.

Once the distribution of Merits [a metaphysical "currency" representing contributions and virtuous deeds accrued during a battle or quest] was finalized, the group swiftly divided the treasures according to their respective shares.

As the one with the greatest Merits, Eldrin Chen naturally held the right of first choice. He directly claimed the most precious item: the Innate Sacred Embryo Fruit [a fruit of heaven-born origin, said to contain the seed of sacred potential].

Furthermore, the Innate Nether Spring Water [water born from the deepest, purest springs of the netherworld], the Innate Solar Extreme Fire [a flame of ultimate yang essence, born from the heart of the sun], the Innate Limitless Sword Miasma [an ethereal, boundless energy imbued with the essence of countless swords], along with one hundred strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, unadulterated energy that constitutes the foundation of all creation], all fell into Eldrin Chen's hands.

Among these treasures, the Innate Sacred Embryo Fruit was the most valuable, worth two hundred strands of Innate Energy.

The other three treasures combined were worth only one hundred and fifty strands of Innate Energy. Adding the one hundred strands he received separately, the total value in his possession amounted to four hundred and fifty strands of Innate Energy.

Seeing this, the other three also selected their desired treasures.

Among the trio, the Celestial Maiden [a title for a female immortal of high status and grace] took the Void Ancient Gold [a legendary metal forged in the void between stars in ancient times], Horizon Patriarch claimed the Azure Abyss Ancient Cauldron [an ancient alchemical cauldron of deep azure, rumored to have been tempered in abyssal depths], and Exquisite Jiang took possession of the Vast Cold Immortal Marrow [the condensed, frozen essence of an immortal being, radiating profound cold].

Of these three, the Azure Abyss Ancient Cauldron was the most precious, valued at sixty strands of Innate Energy. The other two were each worth only fifty strands, bringing their combined total to approximately one hundred and sixty strands of Innate Energy.

The combined value of all treasures this time amounted to approximately six hundred and seventy-six strands of Innate Energy [a primordial, foundational energy of the cosmos].

According to their contributions, Eldrin Chen was entitled to take treasures worth four hundred and seventy-three strands of Innate Energy. Thus, from the remaining sixty-six strands, Eldrin Chen took an additional twenty-three strands.

Of the remaining forty-three strands, after discussion, the three decided that Celestial Maiden would take twenty-five strands, Horizon Patriarch would receive the remaining eighteen, while Exquisite Jiang, whose Merits [accumulated virtuous deeds and karma] were slightly lesser, did not take any more of the Innate Energy.

With the treasures divided, expressions of joy blossomed on everyone's faces.

The harvest this time was truly staggering. Each person had obtained a Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure of the highest innate grade, born from the primordial chaos]. Given a few million years to assimilate its power, their strength would advance by leaps and bounds.

Take Horizon Patriarch, for example. He had already acquired the Innate Primordial One Pill [a supreme pill that refines one's primordial foundation] and the Azure Abyss Ancient Cauldron [an ancient cauldron treasure]. In just three million years, he could attempt a breakthrough to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a realm of immortal cultivation marked by surviving heavenly tribulations].

Once he broke through, not only would his cultivation reach the Third Tribulation level of the Ancient Immortal Realm, but he would also have the Azure Abyss Ancient Cauldron to stabilize his Fortune [one's destined luck and providence]. By then, if he further refined his Horizon's End and Sea's End Twin Swords into Innate Ancient Sword [ancient swords forged from innate materials], his power among the Three Realms Ancient Immortal would likely be far from weak.

Celestial Maiden was in a similar position. She now possessed twenty-five strands of Innate Energy. Upon her breakthrough to the Ancient Immortal Realm, she would undoubtedly be able to elevate both her Frost Soul Coldlight Sword and her Frost Soul Immortal Ribbon.

With three Innate Ancient Treasure [ancient treasures forged from innate materials] in hand, Celestial Maiden would surely be no easy opponent to deal with.

As for Eldrin Chen, who reaped the greatest harvest, his path of cultivation would be smooth and unobstructed all the way to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm.

"One hundred and twenty-three strands of Innate Energy [the primordial energy of creation], plus the seventy-two strands from the Chaos Lair of the Beast King and the thirty-three strands gathered from various scattered Chaos Lair [pockets of primordial chaos], makes for a total of two hundred and twenty-eight strands acquired this time."

"After deducting the twenty strands given to Exquisite and the ten strands I used for my breakthrough to the Lesser Vehicle Path Fruit [a foundational stage of immortal cultivation], one hundred and ninety-eight strands remain."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a surge of joy coloring his thoughts.

Such a vast quantity of Primordial Chaos Energy [another term for Innate Energy, the raw stuff of creation] would be more than sufficient for Eldrin Chen alone to break through to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of a Celestial Immortal].

After all, by Eldrin Chen's estimation, even though his foundation surpassed that of an ordinary Immortal by fivefold, advancing to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm would only require an additional ninety strands of Innate Energy.

Even if he were to elevate all five of his Innate Treasure [treasures born from and bound to one's soul] to the rank of Upper Grade Innate Treasure [the highest grade of such treasures], it would consume merely one hundred and twenty strands. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at *audio-novel.com*.

However, Eldrin Chen was no solitary wanderer. He had a lineage to uphold. While he might disregard others, he could not neglect his five Dao Companions.

And this hoard of one hundred and ninety strands of Innate Energy likely still fell short of enabling both Verdant Consort and the others to fully break through to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

"Fortunately, with this bounty of Innate Energy, Future will not want for resources for the next several million years."

"Once those millions of years have passed, and both the Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch have ascended to Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has weathered countless ages], and I myself have reached the Late Celestial Immortal Realm, we may finally venture to explore the mysteries of the Sea of Chaos Fringe [the turbulent border between order and the primordial void]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, yet his heart soon settled into tranquility.

The few members of the Chen Immortal Clan had all attained their Path within a Forbidden Domain [a realm of cultivation sealed off from the heavens, offering unique opportunities and dangers], and thus originally possessed a considerable amount of Innate Energy [the primordial, untainted energy of creation]. They would not lack cultivation resources until they attempted to break through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm.

Furthermore, the time required for them to cultivate to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm would likely span several million years, undoubtedly placing them a step behind Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen had already formulated a plan. If, by that time, sufficient Innate Energy could not be found within the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms are born], he would prioritize using any available Innate Energy to fuel his own breakthrough first to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, and then even to the Ancient Immortal Realm.

However, once he had secured enough Opportunity and Fortune [the confluence of chance and destiny that dictates a cultivator's potential and success], and conditions permitted, Eldrin Chen would then assist his Dao companions and clan members in achieving their own breakthroughs.

After all, the several Celestial Immortal of the Chen Clan were all Forbidden Prodigy [prodigies who defied heavenly restrictions to forge their path]. Once their cultivation reached the Late Celestial Immortal Realm or even the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, they would undoubtedly become powerful allies for Eldrin Chen in the Future Kalpa Tribulation [the cyclical cataclysms that reshape the cosmos, testing the fate of all beings].

For this very Kalpa Tribulation, the Chen Immortal Clan had long ago resolved to muster the strength of their entire clan to assist Eldrin Chen in his assault upon the higher tribulation stages of an Ancient Immortal. If Opportunity and Fortune allowed, they would even aid his charge towards the Great Encompassing Realm.

While others attempting the Great Encompassing Realm often relied on the consolidated power of their entire sect or clan, the Chen Immortal Clan lacked such deep-rooted foundations. Their only recourse was to cultivate and nurture a powerful Immortal Clan from within their own ranks.

Once he broke through to the Great Encompassing Realm, transcending the bounds of Destiny [the preordained fate woven into the fabric of existence], Eldrin Chen could then recline serenely above the River of Space-Time [the metaphysical flow that connects all moments and places], gazing down upon the ceaseless churn of the Mortal Dust [the realm of mortal affairs, fleeting and transient].

He might even leverage the power of the Kalpa Tribulation to continuously make strategic moves, much like how the Frigid Heaven Imperial Lord once nurtured thirteen Great Encompassing Golden Immortal. In this manner, he could assist his Dao companions and clan members in their own breakthroughs to the Great Encompassing Realm.

Of course, assisting others in breaking through to the Great Encompassing Realm is also an endeavor fraught with immense difficulty.

That Frigid Heaven Imperial Lord is a Quasi-Sage Imperial Lord who has transcended the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, one of the Seventy-Two Sages of the Human Race who has existed since the Primordial Era, yet his lineage boasts merely thirteen Great Encompassing Golden Immortal disciples. This clearly shows that relying solely on external support is insufficient to achieve a breakthrough to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm.

Even if Eldrin Chen were to truly break through to the Great Encompassing Realm and devote all his efforts to supporting his Dao companions and clan members, the Chen Clan currently has over ten peerless prodigies. How many among them would ultimately succeed in their breakthrough, or if any would succeed at all, remains a question mark for now.

This depends not only on the Opportunity and Fortune and the extent of support Eldrin Chen could provide after his breakthrough, but also on each individual's innate Creation [the foundational potential and destiny for cultivation] and personal talent.

Returning to the main topic, after distributing the treasures, the group could not help but feel a wave of joy.

Exquisite Jiang stored away the Vast Cold Immortal Marrow [a marrow of extreme cold with immortal properties, used for refining profound cultivation resources] and then looked at Eldrin Chen and asked, "What should we do next?"

Upon hearing this, a slight frown appeared on everyone's brow.

This time, they had escaped the Incomplete Immortal Domain, but the final outcome of the battle within remained unknown. They were unsure whether they should return to the Frigid Immortal Domain now.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking, "Let us enter seclusion here for some years. After one hundred thousand years, the conflict will surely have concluded."

"At that time, we can quietly return to the Frigid Immortal Domain and first gather intelligence on the situation."

"Very well," he replied.

Horizon Patriarch nodded, his gaze turning solemn as he said, "I shall take this opportunity to refine and assimilate the Azure Abyss Ancient Cauldron [an ancient cauldron of immense power] first."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and began to take stock of his own gains.

Of the seven treasures at the Innate Ancient Treasure [a primordial treasure born from the chaos of creation] level obtained this time, Eldrin Chen alone had secured four of them.

Among these four Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure [the highest grade of primordial spiritual materials], the Innate Sacred Embryo Fruit [a fruit containing the essence of a primordial sacred embryo] was exceedingly precious. However, Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a supreme constitution of primordial unity and indestructibility] was superior by a degree. Naturally, he would not consume it for himself, choosing instead to store it away for other purposes.

The remaining Innate Nether Spring Water [primordial water from a netherworld spring] and Innate Solar Extreme Fire [primordial fire of the solar extreme] both contained the Innate Embryonic Great Path [the embryonic form of a primordial Great Dao] and were imbued with the power of the Polarity Great Path [a Great Dao governing the duality of Yin and Yang]. They were supreme treasures for alchemy and pill refinement, and could also be used in artifact forging and consecration.

Such Innate Rare Treasure [primordial spiritual materials of immense rarity] were of incalculable value.

Eldrin Chen planned to integrate these two rare treasures into his Celestial Abyss Twin Swords [his signature pair of divine swords] when he broke through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm], aiding the twin swords in their ascension to become Innate Ancient Sword [primordial ancient swords].

The remaining Innate [primordial] Sword Miasma [a lethal, sword-intent-infused spiritual energy] could be used to cultivate Sword Path [the Dao of the Sword] Divine Ability [supernatural powers derived from profound cultivation arts]. Eldrin Chen intended to later create a supreme Slaughter [massacre] Divine Ability, using this Sword Miasma as the catalyst for its cultivation.

Having allocated the uses for these several rare treasures, Eldrin Chen settled back into focused, undisturbed cultivation.

Thus, in the blink of an eye, one hundred thousand years passed. Only then did the group cautiously emerge from seclusion and make their way into the Frigid Immortal Domain.

They infiltrated the Frigid Immortal Domain and returned to the Horizon Grotto-Heaven. There, they began to quietly gather intelligence on the cataclysmic battle that had shattered the Immortal Domain. What they learned sent a jolt of shock through their hearts.

It turned out that the battle of that era had been utterly staggering, raging on for tens of thousands of years.

In that conflict, nearly half of the several dozen Ancient Immortal Great Power who participated were killed or grievously wounded. Of the several thousand Celestial Immortal Great Power who fought, fewer than two thousand ultimately returned.

The humanoid Chaos Beast King had been overwhelmingly powerful, a whirlwind of slaughter with its sword. It not only defeated and severely wounded the Six Harmonies Patriarch, but single-handedly slew over twenty Ancient Immortal Patriarch.

Finally, in its death throes, a trace of Great Encompassing power within Sunder Heaven the Demon Emperor was stirred, alerting the White Crane Immortal Lord.

It is said that although the White Crane Immortal Lord was within the Primordial Immortal Domain—an immeasurable distance across the Chaos from that place—a single glance from its eyes, piercing through the Chaos, was still sufficient to annihilate all creation.

Under that gaze, the humanoid Chaos Beast King was utterly obliterated, reduced to dust. The Treasure Spirit [the sentient consciousness within a magical treasure] within the Broken Ancient Sword [a shattered and ancient magical sword] was finally roused from its slumber and vanished into the depths of the Chaos.

"Across the Endless Chaos, a single glance extinguished a Six Tribulations Chaos Beast King?"

Reading the intelligence report in his hand, Eldrin Chen drew in a sharp, cold breath.

Though it had long been understood that a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme existence that has transcended the constraints of fate and the cycle of rebirth] existed beyond the bounds of Destiny [the predetermined course of events] and remained untainted amidst the endless cycles of Reincarnation [the process of rebirth into new forms of existence], making them an indescribable and supreme being.

Yet, to traverse the distance of the Boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse that existed before creation] and extinguish a Six Tribulations Chaos Beast King [a monstrous ruler of primordial chaos that has survived six cosmic tribulations] with but a single glance—this was truly a feat that defied all comprehension.

It was akin to a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty cultivator who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] suppressing an existence at the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [the foundational stage where one's dual primordial energies are unified] level with a mere wisp of their aura, all from across the span of an entire Immortal Domain [a vast realm governed by immortal laws].

Such divine might was utterly inconceivable, leaving even Eldrin Chen somewhat unable to believe it.

"It seems the chasm between a Great Encompassing [the realm of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal] cultivator and an Ancient Immortal [an immortal from a bygone era] is vaster than that between an ant and a Heavenly Dragon [a divine dragon of celestial origin]," Eldrin Chen murmured quietly. "They are as different as cloud and mud, no longer beings of the same order of existence."

Eldrin Chen spoke in hushed tones, a lingering trace of fear in his gaze.

If such an existence truly wished to erase him with a glance, could the divine power of the Returning Abyss Pearl [a mystical pearl capable of reversing fate and returning from the abyss] truly offer him sanctuary?

Uncertainty gnawed at Eldrin Chen's heart, deepening his sense of profound insignificance.

Horizon Patriarch drew a deep breath before speaking. "The higher one ascends among Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation], the more immense the gap between each realm becomes."

"A Great Encompassing Golden Immortal has transcended Destiny and wields the power of an Innate Great Path [a fundamental, primordial law of existence]. Even a glance sent across the void can carry with it the boundless pressure of the Great Path [the supreme laws governing all of creation], enough to annihilate anything in its path."

"Unless you possess strength sufficient to resist the Great Path [the supreme, all-encompassing cosmic law], no matter how powerful you are, you will inevitably be reduced to dust and ashes."

Horizon Patriarch spoke with measured gravity, concluding with a sigh, "I have witnessed not a few beings who, with Primordial Unity [the realm of unified primordial essence] cultivation, dared to challenge and slay Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realms]. Such events occur in almost every Immortal Domain."

"But for an Ancient Immortal to defy and slay a Great Encompassing [the Golden Immortal realm of vast cosmic comprehension] is fundamentally impossible."

"Surveying all the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, none have ever achieved such a feat."

"Even an existence who has shattered the barrier of the Eighth Heaven [the eighth layer of the Ancient Immortal heavens], wielding an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from primordial chaos] with all their might to resist, would be effortlessly suppressed by a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal."

"The chasm between them is simply too vast to defy the heavens."

Eldrin Chen listened in silence, his expression growing profoundly grave.

At this moment, he finally understood why, apart from the times of Kalpa Tribulation [the cataclysmic cycles of cosmic destruction and renewal], it was nearly impossible for anyone to break through to the Great Encompassing Realm in other eras.

The fundamental reason lay in the fact that once a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal intervened, even an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal would possess no power to resist.

Only during the Kalpa Tribulation, when Great Encompassing Golden Immortal could not personally interfere, could a favorable environment for such a breakthrough exist.

At this thought, Eldrin Chen suddenly recalled something else and couldn't help but ask, "How did Purple Seal Immortal Lord manage his breakthrough back in the day?"

"Purple Seal Immortal Lord?"

Upon hearing this, Celestial Maiden smiled and explained, "Born with a Chaos Supreme Treasure as his companion, Purple Seal Immortal Lord was inherently a Path Ancestor Fate [a destiny ordained to reach the Path Ancestor realm] of a level beyond the Chaos realm. He never needed to shatter the ninth layer of the Destiny Heavenly Pass [a legendary barrier of fate]."

"When he ascended to become an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal, the breakthrough occurred as naturally as water flowing downhill."

"Indeed."

Horizon Patriarch also nodded, his gaze filled with profound envy. "He was a born Path Ancestor Fate [a destiny ordained to reach the Path Ancestor realm], fated to ascend to the Great Encompassing realm and even the realm of a Path Ancestor."

"Anyone who dares obstruct their path to enlightenment opposes Destiny [the inscrutable threads of fate], the Tribulation's Fortune, and even the boundless Primordial Chaos Great Path [the fundamental Dao of the primordial chaos]. This is a feat even a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage would find immensely difficult to accomplish."

"I believe that even a Divine Sovereign Heavenly Emperor could not prevent his breakthrough into the Chaos Realm. They could only strike at the precise moment of his ascension, and even then, they would likely pay an unimaginably steep price."

"A born Path Ancestor's Destiny [the inscrutable threads of fate]."

Eldrin Chen's heart quaked upon hearing this. He exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang, both of them feeling a tremor of awe and disbelief deep within.

A Destiny Path Ancestor [one whose destiny is intrinsically woven into the cosmic laws, fated to ascend to the highest echelons of cultivation]? That would mean he is destined to break through to the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, representing the pinnacle of existence], and anyone who stands in his way is but a mantis trying to stop a chariot. This is truly too incredible to fathom.

Seeing this, Horizon Patriarch spoke again, "Such Person of Destiny [an individual whose fate is intertwined with cosmic principles, destined for greatness] are not entirely without precedent."

"Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the vast and myriad realms of the immortal world], there are beings born in accordance with destiny's flow. They are born without the Destiny Heavenly Pass [a celestial tribulation or barrier of fate], destined to break through to the Great Encompassing Realm."

"According to what Purple Seal Immortal Lord once said, among the one hundred and eight Immortal Lord [a high-ranking immortal official or powerful cultivator] under the tutelage of Great Abyss Immortal Sage, nine were Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal of the Great Encompassing Realm] by heavenly mandate. They advanced through the Great Encompassing Realm without any hindrance, and their power could be considered peerless even among the Great Encompassing."

"And Primordial Beginning Divine Sovereign, legend says he also achieved the Chaos Realm [a primordial and formless state of existence preceding order] as a Mandate of Heaven Divine Sovereign [a divine sovereign whose authority is granted by the heavenly mandate]. His entire path of ascension was smooth and effortless, like water flowing naturally into a channel." Find thousands of chapters at audio-novel-dot-com.