Chapter 1810 : Escape into the Primordial Chaos

"Since that is the case, I shall escort you back to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch exchanged a glance with the Celestial Maiden before replying.

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment, performing a brief divination with his fingers before saying, "There is no need for such trouble. If you transport me a considerable distance into the Chaos [the primordial, formless void between realms], he should lose our trail."

Horizon Patriarch glanced beyond the boundaries of the Horizon Grotto-Heaven and nodded slightly. "That Golden Crow has indeed given up the pursuit."

A faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips. According to his calculations, the Golden Crow Ancient Immortal had departed long ago.

This was indeed the truth. Ever since Horizon Patriarch and the Celestial Maiden had broken through to the Ancient Immortal realm and shattered the barriers of the Threefold Heaven [a legendary cultivation milestone], the Golden Crow Ancient Immortal had abandoned this opportunity to strike at Eldrin Chen.

After all, both Horizon Patriarch and the Celestial Maiden were Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortals, their power far surpassing that of ordinary Ancient Immortal Great Powers. If the Golden Crow Ancient Immortal had truly attempted to ambush Eldrin Chen, he would have risked bringing calamity upon himself.

With the Golden Crow Patriarch gone, Eldrin Chen saw no reason to linger. At dawn the next day, Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, and their party of six took their leave.

However, Horizon Patriarch and the Celestial Maiden insisted on escorting them, disregarding all protests and accompanying the group deep into the Depths of Chaos.

They journeyed together for over a millennium. Seeing they were now immeasurably distant from the Frigid Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen finally spoke up. "We are now far enough from the Frigid Immortal Domain. Even an Ancient Immortal would find it difficult to divine our location across such a vast expanse of Chaos." Join our community of readers at https://audio-novel.com.

"Both of you should return for now. I look forward to the day you have fully consolidated your cultivation bases and can take me on that journey to the fringes of the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch nodded slightly with a smile. "Very well. You must also be careful on your journey."

Celestial Maiden also nodded, bidding farewell with a gentle smile. "Then we shall meet again in three hundred thousand years."

"..."

After bidding them farewell, Eldrin Chen led his five companions deeper into the Depths of Chaos for over three centuries. Only after confirming their path could not be divined by any did he activate the Returning Abyss Pearl to cleave through the Boundless Chaos and return to the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a pocket dimension or paradise realm].

Upon arriving at the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven, Eldrin Chen immediately proceeded to the location within the Chaos where the Returning Abyss Universe resided—a place known as the Heavenly Domain [a celestial region or dominion].

"It is time to break through to the Seventh Layer of the Celestial Immortal Realm."

Gazing upon the magnificent and resplendent Returning Abyss Great Universe, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, a flicker of pride coloring his expression.

When he had first broken through to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm, the diameter of his Returning Abyss Universe had been five hundred million light-years.

Now, having cultivated all the way to the peak of the sixth layer of the Celestial Immortal realm, the diameter of his Small Universe [the personal cosmos cultivated within a Celestial Immortal] had swelled by a full thirty percent without him even noticing, approaching seven hundred million light-years.

Generally speaking, the Universe [the personal cosmos or inner world cultivated by an immortal] of a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm cultivator typically spans a diameter of only three to five hundred million light-years.

It is said that some weaker First Tribulation Ancient Immortal possess a Universe with a diameter of merely eight hundred million light-years.

The Universe forged by Eldrin Chen, while not yet matching the Great Universe [a vast personal cosmos exceeding ten billion light-years in diameter] of an Ancient Immortal, far surpasses the limits typical of the Celestial Immortal Realm.

Witnessing this, Exquisite Jiang nearby could not help but praise, "Husband, this Universe of yours nearly rivals the Great Universe of an Ancient Immortal. It is already boundless and vast. Once it ascends to an Immortal Domain [a higher-order personal realm cultivated by powerful immortals], it will likely rank among the very finest."

"The Immortal Domain forged by a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal is far beyond our comprehension. My Universe is but a drop in that boundless ocean by comparison," Eldrin Chen replied, shaking his head.

Eldrin Chen then continued, "The pressing matter now is for me to achieve a breakthrough into the Late Celestial Immortal Realm."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement and said no more.

Without further hesitation, Eldrin Chen immediately consumed a vial of Heaven-Earth Creation Water [a miraculous spiritual liquid that aids in cultivation breakthroughs].

The Heaven-Earth Creation Water possesses wondrous properties. A measure of eighty-one drops alone can increase one's chances of breaking through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm by thirty percent, making it an artifact of immense value.

For his own breakthrough to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm, Eldrin Chen did not hold back. He consumed three times the standard measure in one go.

"Not enough yet."

Sensing the energy of the Heaven-Earth Creation Water [a primordial spiritual liquid that aids in cultivation breakthroughs], a slight frown creased Eldrin Chen's brow.

His foundation was far too profound, his reserves exceeding those of an ordinary Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] of the same realm by many times. Therefore, even after consuming a dosage three times the standard amount for breaking through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm], it still felt insufficient.

Without hesitation, Eldrin Chen continued, extracting and consuming large quantities of Heaven-Earth Creation Water.

The fourth portion, the fifth portion, the sixth portion…

"BOOM—" Find this and other novels at audio–novel.com.

Only when the twelfth portion of Heaven-Earth Creation Water entered his body did Eldrin Chen suddenly perceive an immeasurable explosion of energy within him, as if a vast Great Universe [the boundless cosmos] had detonated.

Twelve portions of Heaven-Earth Creation Water, each containing eighty-one drops. Consuming such a quantity of this Heaven-Earth Creation [the primordial creative force] in succession amounted to nearly one thousand drops in total—a dosage that even a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm] cultivator could not withstand.

Even a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm cultivator, upon ingesting so much Heaven-Earth Creation Water, would risk bodily explosion if they failed to exhaust the energy by using the momentum to charge into the Ancient Immortal [an Immortal who has survived immense spans of time and tribulations] realm.

As for any being below the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm, daring to consume such a vast quantity of Heaven-Earth Creation Water at once would be nothing short of courting death.

Although the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a legendary body constitution said to be unbreakable and connected to the primordial source of creation] possessed by Eldrin Chen was overwhelmingly powerful, the torrential surge of energy continued to wash over him without the slightest risk of his body exploding from the strain.

"Seize this moment to break through in one fell swoop!"

With this thought flashing through his mind, Eldrin Chen began circulating his cultivation art, channeling its power to propel his cultivation base towards the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm].

Having already achieved the Great Completion stage of the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique, there were no real bottlenecks left to hinder his advancement to the Seventh Layer of the Celestial Immortal Realm. This breakthrough presented no significant challenge.

As Eldrin Chen focused his will and surged forward, the barrier of the Late Celestial Immortal Realm shattered instantly.

Immediately following, his spiritual power, his physical body, and his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator's being] all grew increasingly potent, nourished by this vast influx of energy.

"Boom—!"

A deafening roar echoed as the Returning Abyss Universe [the personal inner universe cultivated by Eldrin Chen] within Eldrin Chen began to expand, becoming vaster and more boundless. It voraciously inhaled and exhaled Primordial Chaos Energy [the primordial, formless energy that existed before the cosmos], causing it to swell continuously.

In the blink of an eye, the diameter of the Returning Abyss Universe had grown by tens of millions of light-years, and it showed no signs of stopping its relentless expansion.

Time flowed on in this manner. Only when the diameter of the Returning Abyss Universe reached one billion light-years did its rampant growth finally begin to slow.

"A Universe [a self-contained cosmos forged within a cultivator's body] with a diameter of one billion light-years."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a dazzling and wondrous light gleaming in his eyes.

A Universe spanning one billion light-years in diameter—that is the threshold for the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of an immortal who has survived at least one heavenly tribulation]. Generally speaking, the Universe of most First Tribulation Ancient Immortals is roughly of this scale.

To surpass this, one typically requires the power of a Second Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived two heavenly tribulations] or a Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

It is said that the Universe of a Second Tribulation Ancient Immortal has a diameter of approximately one point five billion light-years, while that of a Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortal starts at a minimum of two billion light-years.

For Ancient Immortals who have survived four or more tribulations, the diameter of their Universe becomes increasingly astonishing and begins to expand at an accelerated rate.

Legends speak of Four Tribulations Ancient Immortals whose Universe exceeds three billion light-years, Fifth Rank Ancient Immortals surpassing four point five billion light-years, and Six Tribulations Ancient Immortals whose domains begin at a diameter of six billion light-years.

The Universe of a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal is said to be at least ten billion light-years across.

It is from the level of the Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal that the Universe they forge earns the right to be called a Great Universe [a cosmos of immense scale, typically exceeding ten billion light-years].

It is whispered that some supremely powerful Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortals can create transcendent Universes exceeding one hundred billion light-years in span. Such a realm can no longer be dismissed as a mere speck of dust, even when compared to a vast Immortal Domain [a major realm within the immortal world].

If one were to compare the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and profound celestial sea] to a single Stellar [a star], then an ordinary Small Universe [a minor, self-contained cosmos] would be akin to a mere speck of dust upon that star.

That Universe [a major, expansive cosmos] spanning hundreds of billions of light-years would be comparable to a towering edifice several hundred Zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] high upon that same star. Though still insignificant when measured against a true Heavenly Domain [a vast, stable celestial realm], it is at least no longer like an ordinary Small Universe, which is merely a speck of dust on the star.

"Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad immortal realms], Great Universes [cosmoses of immense scale] exceeding several hundred billion light-years in diameter are virtually non-existent."

Such a Universe is already capable of withstanding the constant erosion of the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all things emerge], standing just one step away from ascending to become an Immortal Domain.

Those Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortals [immortals who have survived eight heavenly tribulations] would ultimately take such boundless Universes and venture into the Endless Chaos Sea [the infinite, turbulent expanse of primordial chaos] to attempt their breakthrough into the realm of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the Golden Immortal stage of supreme enlightenment].

Thoughts flickered incessantly within Eldrin Chen's mind, but he swiftly reined in his burgeoning pride.

The diameter of his current Universe was merely ten billion light-years. Compared to a boundless Universe of hundreds of billions of light-years, it was truly insignificant.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen set aside his wandering thoughts and turned his gaze towards the Returning Abyss Great Universe [the Great Cosmos of the Returning Abyss].

Now that he had just entered the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm], it was the perfect time to seize the opportunity to expand his inner world. He should harbor no further distractions.

With this resolve, Eldrin Chen channeled the full power of his Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a supreme constitution embodying the primordial, unbreakable unity of creation]. With a snap of his fingers directed into the Chaos [the primordial, undifferentiated state of existence], the void erupted with a deafening roar. Boundless Primordial Chaos Energy [the fundamental, chaotic energy of creation] churned and boiled as a magnificent Heavenly Domain was violently cleaved open.

"With a mere snap of his fingers, he opened a new layer of Heavenly Domain [a distinct, self-contained realm within a cultivator's internal universe]."

Witnessing this scene, Exquisite Jiang could not help but reveal an expression of utter astonishment.

Yet, Eldrin Chen remained utterly composed. His physical body now rivaled a Half-Step Great Encompassing Physique [a physique on the verge of achieving the legendary, all-encompassing perfection], representing a qualitative breakthrough that had transcended the limits of the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of celestial immortals]. This was a feat far beyond what was possible during his breakthrough to the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm [the middle stage of the celestial immortal realm].

"Once more!"

With a low utterance, Eldrin Chen's eyes blazed with boundless Immortal Radiance [the luminous aura of a supreme immortal].

Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he struck out with a single palm, piercing the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] and cleaving open a second Heavenly Domain.

He struck again, a fist that sundered the vast void, grinding even the Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, foundational energy of creation] into nothingness. It transformed into endless streams of Immortal Spirit Essence [the purest spiritual energy of immortals] that flowed through the Universe [his internal cosmos], giving birth to yet another Heavenly Domain.

Thus, time flowed on. Only when Eldrin Chen reached his absolute limit did he realize that within his Returning Abyss Great Universe [the name of his personal, internal cosmos], eight new layers of Immortal Domain [a realm imbued with immortal essence] had been forged.

"Originally, there were twenty-eight layers. Now, with an Eighth Heaven [a metaphorical term for eight new heavenly layers] added... you have actually opened the Thirty-Sixfold Heaven [the legendary, complete set of thirty-six heavenly realms] of Heavenly Domain?"

At this moment, it was not only Exquisite Jiang who was profoundly shocked; Verdant Consort and Nyssa Qu also wore expressions of sheer awe.

With their current cultivation level, they naturally understood the prerequisites for breaking through to the Great Encompassing Realm.

Among the various conditions, there was one crucial requirement: one must possess at least a Thirty-Sixfold Heaven domain.

According to records within the Immortal Domain, after an Ancient Immortal Great Power shatters the Ninefold Heavenly Pass and attempts the breakthrough to Great Encompassing, they must elevate their Universe into an Immortal Domain. It is through this process that they can condense the 'Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light' [a fundamental, unbreakable radiance born from the core of one's immortal domain].

However, condensing the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light places specific demands on the Immortal Domain, with the most critical point being the need to open a Thirty-Sixfold Heaven domain.

This is because a single Great Path is formed by the convergence of thirty-six Innate Path Patterns [the fundamental, heaven-born patterns that define a cosmic law]. Similarly, the interior of an 'Innate Spiritual Treasure' [a treasure born from primordial chaos, containing innate laws] is woven from thirty-six interlocking Innate Path Patterns. Naturally, the formation of the Innate Spiritual Radiance follows this same principle.

It is said that within an Immortal Domain, each Heavenly Domain contains a Innate Primordial Essence [the original, unformed substance of creation] dao-pattern nurtured by Chaos. This dao-pattern is the key to condensing the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light.

When a Universe ascends to become an Immortal Domain, besides the manifestation of vast amounts of Innate Energy [the primordial energy that predates heaven and earth], one to three 'Opportunity of the Great Path' [a fleeting, heaven-sent chance to grasp a fundamental law] will generally appear, their number depending on the depth and power of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal's foundation.

To condense the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light, this single Opportunity of the Great Path is the most critical element.

If, at that pivotal moment, one can seize the opportunity and intertwine this 'Opportunity of the Great Path' with the Innate Energy of the Thirty-Sixfold Heaven domain, it becomes possible to nurture the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light.

However, if one cannot open a Thirty-Sixfold Heaven domain, then even with that Opportunity of the Great Path, it is impossible to condense the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light.

Without that Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a fundamental, indestructible spiritual radiance essential for the final ascension], one cannot take that ultimate step. Even if one were to ascend to the Immortal Domain [the higher realm of immortals], all efforts would ultimately come to naught, unable to withstand the unfathomable Great Encompassing [the final, all-encompassing cultivation realm] Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial].

"I have already opened the Thirty-Sixfold Heaven [the thirty-six layered heavens within one's inner cosmos]," he stated.

"Even if I open no new Heavenly Domain [a celestial realm within one's inner world] from this point forward, by the time I break through to Great Encompassing, I will still obtain at least one Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a glint of pride surfacing in his gaze.

Regardless, his feat of consecutively opening Eighth Heaven [the eighth heavenly layer] this time could already be called legendary.

For when the vast majority of Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings at the Celestial Immortal realm] break through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the late stage of the Celestial Immortal realm], they can only open one or two new heavens at most. Even figures of the Forbidden Imperial Scion [an Imperial Scion of forbidden, peerless talent] caliber would consider opening four heavens a miracle.

At the very least, he had never heard of anyone opening Eighth Heaven and Earth [the eighth pair of heaven and earth] while breaking through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm.

"By consecutively opening the Eighth Heaven, the diameter of my Universe [the inner cosmos cultivated within a practitioner] has increased significantly once more."

"A diameter of one point two billion light-years, while still not matching that of a Second Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived two heavenly tribulations], places me among the pinnacle of First Tribulation Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals who have survived one heavenly tribulation]."

Eldrin Chen mused inwardly, then proceeded to plant eight saplings of the Primordial Unity Ancient Tree [an ancient, primordial tree symbolizing unity and foundational power] within the newly opened heavens and earth.

With the assistance of the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a legendary vessel capable of nurturing primordial energies], the advancement of the Innate Ancient Tree [a primordial tree born of innate cosmic essence] was not a significant issue. Eldrin Chen merely expended a vast quantity of Innate Spiritual Water [water imbued with pure, innate spiritual power] and infused several strands of Innate Energy [the fundamental, unadulterated energy of creation], causing the eight Primordial Unity Ancient Tree [ancient trees representing the primordial state of oneness] to transform into High-Grade Innate Ancient Tree [ancient trees of superior innate quality].

These eight ancient trees each possessed wondrous and distinct properties, yet all contained different powers. Henceforth, the power of Eldrin Chen's Earth Immortal World [his personal inner world, a realm cultivated within an Earth Immortal] also saw considerable progress.

Once everything settled, Eldrin Chen sensed the changes in his own power and said with a smile to Exquisite Jiang, "With this breakthrough, my strength has grown once more."

"I dare not claim to rival a First Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived their first Heavenly Tribulation], but I would fear nothing from a joint assault by six or seven ordinary cultivators at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm]."

Upon hearing this, everyone present broke into smiles.

The ability to single-handedly withstand several Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm cultivators joining forces—this level of combat prowess was likely equivalent to more than half the strength of an Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has existed since ancient times and weathered multiple tribulations].

The sole regret was that after breaking through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the later stages of the Celestial Immortal realm], Eldrin Chen's Universe [his internal cosmos, the foundation of his cultivation] expanded severalfold. Consequently, his future cultivation speed would decrease significantly.

Previously, it took him roughly eight hundred thousand years of accumulated cultivation to advance one minor stage. Now, it seemed it would require at least one million eight hundred thousand years to achieve the same.

This was because the rate at which these High-Grade Innate Ancient Tree converted Primordial Chaos Energy [the undifferentiated, chaotic energy that predates the universe] was already slightly insufficient for Eldrin Chen, now at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm.

Furthermore, the bottleneck for promoting them to Supreme Grade Innate Ancient Tree [the highest grade of innate ancient tree] was immense. Unless Eldrin Chen was willing to expend precious Innate Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the supreme violet aura born from innate primordial chaos], or unless he elevated the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth to an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a spiritual treasure born of innate cosmic laws], he might wait for ten Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth, each spanning eons] without successfully promoting a single tree.

"Currently, the time remaining until the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle that reshapes existence] is approximately four million years."

"This span of time is sufficient for me to cultivate to the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of a Celestial Immortal's cultivation]. That should be barely adequate."

Eldrin Chen finally murmured these thoughts inwardly, then gathered his focus and settled his mind. The story continues at audio-novel[dot]com.