Chapter 1813 : The Supreme Grotto-Heaven's Ascension
The very next day, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance began the work of merging the three Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained pocket realm of profound spiritual energy].
With the assistance of over forty Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] from the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, merging the three Grotto-Heaven was not an overly difficult task.
They spent tens of thousands of years, continuously laying down formation arrays within the three Grotto-Heaven and harnessing the power of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [a primordial artifact that governs the laws of a heavenly domain] to force the three realms to converge. Ultimately, they succeeded in elevating the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven to the level of a Supreme Grade Grotto-Heaven [the highest grade of pocket realm].
Throughout this process, the Celestial Immortal Great Power [celestial immortals of immense power] from the Demonic and Divine Clans offered no further obstruction.
There were two fundamental reasons for this. First, when the Azure Sovereign attacked, the Demonic and Divine Clans could block the Primordial Solar Patriarch and the Void Sword Master, but conversely, the Human Race great powers would also intervene to stop them.
Second, it was because Eldrin Chen possessed extraordinary combat prowess and had refined the Heavenly Path Source Artifact.
Any Celestial Immortal Great Power, once they refined a Heavenly Path Source Artifact, would possess combat strength comparable to an Ancient Immortal [an immortal from a bygone era of immense age and power].
Furthermore, Eldrin Chen's physical body was already on par with an Ancient Immortal Great Power. Now, augmented by the Heavenly Path Source Artifact, his combat strength was at least equivalent to a Second Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived two heavenly tribulations].
Most crucially, Eldrin Chen, having refined the Heavenly Path Source Artifact of the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain, could draw upon the support of the entire Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and spiritually rich sea region] as long as he remained within its bounds.
On his home territory, the empowerment from the Heavenly Path Source Artifact multiplied severalfold. This boost was simply too formidable. Unless a Five Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived five heavenly tribulations] personally took action, Eldrin Chen was virtually invincible. Your portal to cultivation novels: audio—novel.com.
Under such circumstances, naturally, no one was willing to risk provoking Eldrin Chen.
"The empowerment of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [the foundational artifact that governs the laws of a heavenly domain] is truly extraordinary."
After the successful ascension of the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven, Eldrin Chen finally had time to contemplate the profound power granted by the Heavenly Path Source Artifact.
Yet, this very contemplation filled him with immense astonishment.
Eldrin Chen discovered that, blessed by the Heavenly Path Source Artifact, as long as he remained within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, he could channel the Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy [the fundamental creative energy of heaven and earth] of the entire Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain at will, from any location.
How immense, then, was the power of the Heavenly Path [the cosmic laws and principles of the heavenly domain] governing the entire Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain?
If one could truly mobilize it all, it would likely rival the power of an Ancient Immortal [a venerable immortal who has transcended multiple heavenly tribulations] beyond the Seven Tribulations [a stage representing the transcendence of seven heavenly calamities].
However, Eldrin Chen's current strength was insufficient; he could only mobilize a portion. Yet, even this fraction of astonishing power granted him the combat prowess to challenge and slay an Ancient Immortal.
"As I am now, within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, I can unleash power comparable to a Second Tribulation Ancient Immortal. But within the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain, my strength rivals that of a Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortal."
"In terms of defensive capability alone, under the protection of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact, my defenses within the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain are likely on par with a Four Tribulations or even a Five Tribulations Ancient Immortal."
Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his heart filled with immense astonishment.
If he possessed such formidable power, then what supreme strength must figures like the Primordial Solar Ancient Immortal, the Golden Crow Ancient Immortal, and the Frost Soul Ancient Immortal wield within their own Heavenly Domain [a vast celestial realm governed by a specific set of cosmic laws]?
"Within one's native Heavenly Domain, it can augment one's power by two tribulations' worth. Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, it can augment power by one tribulation's worth."
"However, there are limits. At most, within one's native domain, it can grant power comparable to a Seven Tribulations [a cultivator who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] cultivator. Outside one's native domain, the maximum augmentation is power equivalent to six tribulations."
Eldrin Chen whispered calmly. After repeated calculations, he had gained a certain understanding of the empowerment granted by the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [a supreme treasure born from the origin of a Heavenly Domain's cosmic laws].
Of course, these empowerments only functioned within one's native domain. Once one left the range where the power of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain could project, the empowerment would be almost negligible.
And the range of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain's power projection was, in fact, limited to its immediate surroundings. A Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] could fly beyond this range in merely a century.
Beyond that distance, venturing into the Chaos [the primordial, formless void between ordered realms], the empowerment of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact would cease to exist.
"With this Heavenly Path Source Artifact, one essentially gains an additional Protective Talisman [a charm or artifact that wards off danger] while within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."
"Yet, it is utterly useless for my explorations into the Chaos."
Eldrin Chen murmured softly, ultimately setting aside his thoughts.
He planned that during his future travels through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], he would leave behind an avatar to wield the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [a supreme treasure containing the origin of the Heavenly Path], preventing others from coveting the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain [the celestial realm under his dominion] in his absence.
Returning to the main point, after elevating his Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven [his personal pocket dimension] to the supreme-grade level, Eldrin Chen once again immersed himself in secluded cultivation.
In the years that followed, Eldrin Chen continued his secluded cultivation, ceaselessly contemplating the mysteries of the Innate Path Principle [the fundamental laws of existence he was born comprehending] and the cultivation of his Path Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's chosen cultivation path].
However, his Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a supreme, heaven-defying body constitution born from the Primordial Chaos] was overwhelmingly potent. By its sheer power, it suppressed the energies of both his Path Principle [the laws governing his chosen path] and Path Fruit.
Its powerful exclusivity and domineering nature, which tolerated no equal, actually made Eldrin Chen's comprehension of the Path Principle and Path Fruit significantly more difficult. For the best reading experience, visit audio–novel.com.
"No wonder cultivators face considerable bottlenecks when breaking through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Celestial Immortal realm], and again when advancing to the Eighth Heaven Celestial Immortal [the eighth of nine tiers within the Celestial Immortal realm] and the Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realms] ninth tier," he mused.
Eldrin Chen spoke in a low voice, a slight frown creasing his brow, but after a moment, his expression relaxed once more.
He understood this principle well: the Great Path [the ultimate, singular Dao or Way of cultivation] brooks no rival; it stands alone and supreme.
Any path, pursued to its ultimate end, develops an aura that suppresses all others, possessing an immensely powerful exclusivity that naturally inhibits the growth of alternative ways.
Yet from another perspective, if Eldrin Chen's Path Principle and Path Fruit could not break through such suppression, they would be unworthy of coexisting with the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique in the first place.
At that point, it would be better to walk a single path to its absolute end, relying solely on the power of the fleshly body to shatter all worlds and forcibly attain the Great Encompassing Realm.
Ascending to the Great Path through the fleshly body alone is a legend, but not a unique myth.
Since ancient times, there have been a few who achieved Fleshly Body Sanctification. Such supreme powerhouses could suppress myriad paths with a single one, relying on pure physical might to overwhelm the seven great Heavenly Pass: the Great Path, the Path Fruit, the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], mana, and others.
They could even use their bodily strength to directly shatter Destiny [the predetermined course of fate], sever their own River of Destiny [the metaphysical flow of one's predetermined fate], and forcefully break through to the realm of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.
It is said that those who ascend through the fleshly body, even among the peerless prodigies who suppress myriad paths with one, possess combat power that is unrivaled among their peers within the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm.
Of course, the Path of Fleshly Body Sanctification is also incomparably arduous. Those capable of walking this path are the most astonishing, world-shaking geniuses upon the Great Path of the flesh.
If breaking through the Fleshly Body Heavenly Pass is counted as breaking nine limits, then such legendary geniuses have, at the very least, continued to break three more limits beyond that foundation.
Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique had already broken nine limits, making it comparable to a Half-Step Great Encompassing Physique.
If he continued down this path, it would be sufficient to rely upon it for fleshly body sanctification, naturally granting him the confidence and audacity to suppress myriad paths with one.
"To achieve the Great Path through the physical body alone is a legend, but that is not the path I shall tread."
Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze blazing with intensity as he declared, "What I seek is for the physical body, the Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of cultivation], and even the Path Fruit [the ultimate fruit or achievement of one's cultivation path]..."
"...each to independently prove the Great Path [the supreme and ultimate Dao]!"
Eldrin Chen slowly closed his eyes, continuing to contemplate the power of the Innate Path Principle [the innate, fundamental law of the Dao].
Although the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [the innate, primordial, and indestructible physical constitution] suppressed the power of the Path Fruit and Path Principle, given Eldrin Chen's comprehension and willpower, he was confident he could shatter the barriers and cultivate both the Innate Primordial One Limitless Path Principle [the innate, primordial, and limitless principle of the Dao] and the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Path Fruit [the innate, primordial, and indestructible fruit of the Path] to their Great Perfection.
Thus, as time flowed on and his contemplation deepened, Eldrin Chen's insights into the Path Fruit and Path Principle grew ever more profound, leaving only the final barrier before achieving Great Accomplishment.
Yet on this day, Eldrin Chen still emerged from his secluded cultivation, foregoing the final breakthrough and further contemplation.
"To break through this final barrier now, without external pressure and relying solely on myself, would require considerable effort. It would likely take me around one million years to accomplish."
"Unfortunately, given the current circumstances, time is somewhat of a luxury we do not possess."
Eldrin Chen whispered to himself. Years ago, he had made an agreement with Horizon Patriarch and the Celestial Maiden to venture into the Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond ordered realms] after three hundred thousand years.
Now that the appointed date of three hundred thousand years was drawing near, Eldrin Chen decided it was time to end his seclusion.
"It is just as well," he mused. "My current comprehension of the Path Principles and the Path Fruit is already sufficient to cultivate to the Great Perfection Realm. What remains is merely to break through the suppression imposed by my own Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique."
"Forcing oneself to break one's own suppression is a rather troublesome affair. It would be fitting to utilize the pressure of the Sea of Chaos to shatter this realm barrier."
With these quiet words, Eldrin Chen concluded his secluded cultivation. He bid farewell to Exquisite Jiang and the other Mortal Path cultivators, then departed beyond the borders of the Frigid Immortal Domain with the aid of the Returning Abyss Pearl.
Upon arriving at the Frigid Immortal Domain, he did not linger but proceeded directly to the Horizon Grotto-Heaven. There, he was greeted by the Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch.
"You have arrived," they said.
The Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch had been waiting for some time. Seeing Eldrin Chen, they welcomed him with warm smiles.
The Horizon Patriarch offered a gentle smile as he poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen. "We successfully refined our respective Innate Ancient Treasure over one hundred thousand years ago," he explained. "Since then, we have been consolidating our cultivation bases and honing our combat prowess."
"Now that you are here, it is time for us to depart."
Eldrin Chen accepted the teacup, took a sip, and replied with a light laugh, "It seems I am the latecomer."
"Not late at all," Celestial Maiden smiled and continued, "This journey is perilous; it is precisely the right time to make thorough preparations."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of both individuals grew solemn. After all, this was their first venture into the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse beyond the ordered realms], and they knew nothing of the dangers ahead. A sense of apprehension was only natural.
Even though this was merely the Sea of Chaos Fringe [the outermost, relatively calmer border regions of the primordial chaos], where one could still retreat to the safety of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad ordered worlds of cultivation], it was, by its very nature, still part of the true Sea of Chaos.
After a moment of collective silence, it was Horizon Patriarch who spoke. "There is no need for excessive worry. According to the information I have gathered over the years from other Ancient Immortals [powerful cultivators who have transcended countless tribulations]," he began.
"Ancient Immortals of our level, Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortals, can still maintain the combat prowess of a First Tribulation Ancient Immortal within the Sea of Chaos. That should be sufficient to deal with the weaker Chaos Beast Kings [monarchs among the primordial chaos beasts]."
"Furthermore, with the three of us joining forces, our ability to preserve our lives should be considerable."
The other two nodded in agreement upon hearing his words.
Even within the Sea of Chaos, Chaos Beast Kings were considered formidable entities. The vast majority of Chaos Ancient Beasts [ancient beasts born from chaos] were of the middle or lower grades of the Ninth Rank [a high tier of power for primordial creatures].
Those capable of reaching the Chaos Beast King level were either the Sovereigns [rulers] of an entire Chaos Beast Horde [a massive swarm of chaos beasts], or they were powerful Colossal Chaos Fiends [gigantic, exceptionally strong chaos entities]. Such powerful beings were not commonly encountered even in the Sea of Chaos Fringe.
Both the Celestial Maiden and the Horizon Patriarch were Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortals. Upon entering the Sea of Chaos, they could still wield the power of an Ancient Immortal, rivaling the weakest of Chaos Beast Kings. This was, by all accounts, a respectable level of strength for such an endeavor.
After Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial Indestructible Physique reached Great Completion, he could ignore the suppressive power of the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse between ordered worlds], and his prowess was roughly on par with over half that of a Chaos Beast King [a ruler-class entity born from the primal chaos].
If he added the combined power of the Celestial Abyss Twin Swords, then Eldrin Chen could, for a short time, unleash an offensive force equivalent to that of two Three Tribulations Chaos Beast Kings.
With the three of them joining forces, as long as they did not encounter a Four Tribulations Chaos Beast King, their chances of escaping back to the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of order and cultivation] were not insignificant.
"We will only travel along the fringes. As long as we do not venture too deep, the probability of encountering a Four Tribulations Chaos Beast King should be low."
After careful analysis, and deeming the risks acceptable, Horizon Patriarch spoke: "If we aspire to the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, representing supreme mastery over the cosmos], then no matter our fears, this Sea of Chaos is a trial we must face."
"Since our party is assembled, we shall depart tomorrow to witness for ourselves whether the Sea of Chaos truly is a dragon's den and a tiger's lair."
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
Hearing this, both Eldrin Chen and the Celestial Maiden solidified their resolve.
"…"
Early the next morning, the three of them set out immediately, traversing the Vast and Boundless Chaos as they headed towards the fringes of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.
The Frigid Immortal Domain was itself located in the relatively outer regions of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, separated from the Sea of Chaos Fringe by only six or seven Immortal Domain distances.
All of them possessed combat power at the Ancient Immortal level. Their speed traversing the Chaos was dozens of times faster than that of a Celestial Immortal. After a journey of merely thirty thousand years, they neared the edge of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.
"Ahead lies the Violet Sun Immortal Domain. This is the Immortal Domain closest to the Sea of Chaos,"
"We shall rest there first, replenish our spiritual energy [the vital power used by cultivators to perform feats], and gather intelligence about the Sea of Chaos."
On that day, Horizon Patriarch pointed with a smile towards an Immortal Domain Path [a major celestial realm] ahead, wreathed in violet light.
Eldrin Chen looked up to see a majestic Immortal Domain floating within the Chaos. Though its vastness could not match the Frigid Immortal Domain, it was several times larger than the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.
"The Violet Sun Immortal Domain was established by Violet Sun Immortal Lord, who attained the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm during the Late Primordial Era."
"It is said Violet Sun Immortal Lord is the seventeenth true disciple under the tutelage of the Primordial Genesis Path Ancestor. His cultivation has reached the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection stage, making him one of the supreme powers of our Human Race."
Knowledgeable and well-traveled, Horizon Patriarch spoke with great reverence about the origins of this Violet Sun Immortal Domain to Eldrin Chen: "The status of Violet Sun Immortal Lord is exalted; he is one of the Innate Humans [a legendary race of humans born with immense spiritual potential]."
"It is said that in the ancient times, to guard against those Chaos Demon God [primordial beings of pure destruction and disorder], our Human Race, the Demon Race, the Divine Clan, and even the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races [a collective term for myriad spirit races] decided to deploy the Three Thousand Immortal Domains Grand Formation [a cosmic-scale defensive array] to stabilize the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] where the Three Thousand Immortal Domains reside."
"At that time, three thousand Immortal Domain [a vast realm governed by immortal laws] were needed as the formation's foundation. The Violet Sun Immortal Lord [a title for a supreme immortal lord] came alone to this expanse of Chaos, and with a single stroke of his sword, he cleaved open this very Violet Sun Immortal Domain."
"He even expended four Innate Spiritual Root [primordial spiritual plants of immense power] and one Upper Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the chaos] to suppress the Cosmos [the ordered universe], all to carve out this magnificent Immortal Domain."
Listening to this, Eldrin Chen felt a profound sense of awe and yearning.
It was at that very moment the group stepped into the Violet Sun Immortal Domain.
Yet, the instant he crossed the threshold, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.
The moment he entered this Violet Sun Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen sensed countless, overwhelmingly powerful auras.
Each aura blazed like the midday sun, each at least comparable to a triple tribulation Ancient Immortal Great Power [an immortal who has survived three heavenly tribulations]. Among them, some were even more staggering than Sunder Heaven Heavenly Demon Emperor.
Most crucially, the number of these auras, each rivaling an Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has endured heavenly tribulations], was close to a thousand.
"This..."
Eldrin Chen murmured under his breath, his face etched with profound shock, momentarily rendered speechless by the sight before him.
"BOOM—"
At that very moment, the void violently erupted as three peerless Immortal Consorts tore through the sky.
The leader, who had just shattered the firmament with her passage, glanced at Eldrin Chen and halted. A playful smile touched her lips as she remarked, "Little brother, daring to venture into the Violet Sun Immortal Domain [a vast and perilous celestial realm] with merely a Late Celestial Immortal Realm cultivation? You truly have a death wish, don't you?"
As she spoke, the woman cast a glance at the Celestial Maiden [a title for a high-ranking female immortal] and Horizon Patriarch, then continued, "It seems you must be a prodigy from some Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [an ancient and supremely powerful sect], correct?"
"But out here in the Sea of Chaos [a primordial, turbulent expanse between ordered realms], if true danger arises, two Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortals won't be enough to protect you."
Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback by her words, then understood. Seeing his cultivation level was not high, yet his foundation seemed exceptionally solid, she had mistaken him for a direct-line descendant of a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect. She had assumed the Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch were his Path Guardians [powerful guardians assigned to protect a sect's promising disciples].
Realizing this, Eldrin Chen cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you for the warning, elder sister. May I ask who you are?"
"Falling Star Xuan of the Flower Goddess Palace," the woman replied softly.
Just then, her two companions urged her onward. Falling Star Xuan waved a hand dismissively. "This elder sister has business to attend to in the Sea of Chaos. I cannot linger to chat with you any longer."
"I advise you to return swiftly. If you make it back to the Primordial Immortal Domain one day, there may yet be a chance for us to meet again." Find this and other novels at audio-novel dot com.