Chapter 1820 : Beyond the Immortal Leaf

Now, standing at the edge of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, it is merely like standing on the edge of a fallen leaf, gazing out at the world beyond that leaf.

"Without achieving the Great Encompassing realm, one can never leap free from this leaf, unable to glimpse the vastness of this Vast and Boundless Chaos."

Finally, Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a feeling growing within him. This Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] might seem perilous and unpredictable, yet it was also a place of boundless, flourishing splendor.

Perhaps it was not that the Chaos was inherently perilous, but rather that they were simply too weak.

It was akin to an ant; a single drop of water could drown it. How could it ever hope to cross the vast ocean and witness the glory of the distant shore?

"To the myriad realms of the Myriad Heavens, I am but a mote of dust. Yet before this Vast and Boundless Chaos Sea, how utterly insignificant and humble I truly am."

"So this... is the truth that the Path [the ultimate principle and way of cultivation] has no end..."

"..."

Eldrin Chen gathered his wandering thoughts and emerged from his secluded cultivation.

After leaving seclusion, he performed a brief calculation and found that this period of closed-door cultivation had lasted a total of twenty thousand years. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at @udio-novel.com.

"You have emerged from seclusion."

Seeing Eldrin Chen emerge, Exquisite Jiang [the Immortal Maiden] could not help but ask with joy, "How did it go?"

"I did not fail your trust. The breakthrough was successful."

Eldrin Chen murmured, replying with a faint smile.

Upon hearing this, Exquisite Jiang felt a surge of delight in her heart, releasing a heavy sigh of relief as she said, "That is good."

Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile, saying nothing more. Instead, he turned his gaze towards the secluded chamber where Horizon Patriarch was in closed-door cultivation and inquired, "How is the situation?"

"Not well."

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, her expression turning grave as she said, "Fellow Daoist Horizon emerged from seclusion not long ago. He asked me to remind you to see him once you emerged."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed. He immediately stepped into the temporary cave abode where Horizon Patriarch was secluded.

Upon entering the cave abode, Eldrin Chen's expression changed drastically. He hurried forward to support Horizon Patriarch.

At this moment, Horizon Patriarch appeared deathly pale, his aura far more feeble than in years past. It was clear his injuries had worsened significantly.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but examine him closely. His expression turned grave as he spoke, "That vile thief was utterly malicious. The strike from the Immortal Spear Ancient Immortal left behind an invasive spiritual power of the most domineering nature."

"If this foreign spiritual energy is not purged from your Great Path [the supreme cultivation principle one follows], the injury will continue to deteriorate relentlessly."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch revealed a look of despair. He understood the nature of his wounds all too well.

After a moment of heavy silence, Horizon Patriarch spoke, "That thief has already broken through the Mana Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck in cultivation]. The Force Extreme [a tyrannical cultivation art] he practices is overwhelming, and he has even grasped the nascent form of the Golden Sun Great Path [a supreme cultivation principle]."

"Such an Embryonic Great Path [an incipient supreme principle] possesses potent corrosive power. It fiercely conflicts with my own Vast Sea Path Lord's Great Path, and with my injuries being so severe, I lack the strength to refine and expel it."

"If this continues, I fear my only recourse will be to abandon this physical form and flee with my spirit."

Immortal Maiden Heaven's Ruin paled dramatically upon hearing these words.

Horizon Patriarch had struggled immensely to break into the Ancient Immortal Realm. To discard this body would mean grievous damage to his Innate Heavenly God Foundation [the innate spiritual root potential of a heavenly god].

Even if he managed to cultivate a new physical vessel in the future, it would never compare to this prized Innate Heavenly God Sacred Body [a divine physique born of heavenly god lineage].

Moreover, to rebuild a Fleshly Body Heavenly Pass [a legendary state of physical perfection] would not only consume vast resources but also require tens of millions of years.

Considering this, Celestial Maiden could not help but speak: "Is there no other way?"

"The power of the Embryonic Great Path [a primordial and immensely potent cultivation art] is far too tyrannical. Only a Purifying Impurity Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir that cleanses all impurities] of the Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure [the highest grade of natural-born spiritual treasures] level can neutralize it."

Horizon Patriarch spoke, then looked towards the Innate Spiritual Water [a primordial water of pure spiritual essence] held by Eldrin Chen and said, "This Innate Spiritual Water can also dissolve various types of foreign energy and Path Principles [the fundamental laws and concepts of a cultivation path]. However, against this level of Embryonic Great Path power and Ninth Limit [the ninth and ultimate limit of a cultivation stage] spiritual energy, it is utterly powerless."

Hearing this, both of them frowned slightly.

The Purifying Impurity Immortal Pill requires the Lotus Seed of the Purifying Impurity Immortal Lotus [a legendary lotus whose seeds possess supreme purifying properties], which is a Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure of Ninth Rank [the ninth and highest rank]. Its value is astronomically high, and one would have to travel to the Violet Sun Immortal Domain to purchase it. Published by audio-novel . com. All rights reserved.

Right now, those people are most likely still lying in wait. Returning at this moment would be unwise.

After pondering deeply for a long moment, Eldrin Chen finally spoke: "I possess a method that might extract this Golden Sun Great Path [the Great Path of the Golden Sun, a supreme cultivation legacy] and Ninth Limit spiritual energy, but it carries immense risk."

Horizon Patriarch was taken aback for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "You mean...?"

"Yes."

Eldrin Chen nodded and continued, "My Primordial One Limitless Path Principle possesses a formidable ability to suppress and refine foreign energies. It may be capable of purging the nascent Golden Sun Great Path and the Ninth Limit cultivation energy [the profound power of a Ninth Limit Ancient Immortal]."

"However, a clash of two such potent foreign energies within your body would inflict immense damage upon your physical form, potentially even harming your Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]."

"Therefore, you must mobilize all your cultivation energy and Great Path [your foundational cultivation technique] to steadfastly guard your Primordial Spirit. Only then can I focus entirely on expelling that invasive energy."

Horizon Patriarch did not answer immediately. His expression turned grave as he fell into deep contemplation.

According to Eldrin Chen's method, using the Primordial One Limitless Path Principle to refine the nascent Golden Sun Great Path and the Ninth Limit energy would inevitably cause severe injury to his physical body.

Fortunately, the regenerative power of a high-level Immortal was formidable. As long as the invasive foreign energy and the corrosive influence of the Great Path were removed, he could recover from even the gravest of wounds.

However, his Innate Heavenly God Sacred Body [a supreme physique born with divine power] inherently contained profound and mysterious Innate Path Patterns [natural divine inscriptions]. If Eldrin Chen's Primordial One Limitless Rule [the supreme law governing his cultivation art] proved too domineering, it risked erasing these innate divine patterns along with the foreign energy.

Should that occur, even if his injuries healed, his Innate Heavenly God Sacred Body would be half-ruined. His cultivation base might even plummet to the level of a Second Tribulation Ancient Immortal Realm.

Considering this, Horizon Patriarch could not help but ask, "Are you confident you can avoid damaging the Innate Path Patterns within my body?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "Having mastered my Path Principle [the core principle of my cultivation art], my control over it has reached a state of perfect fluidity. As long as you do not actively resist with your own energy, I can ensure the innate patterns remain unharmed."

"Very well."

Horizon Patriarch nodded decisively and said, "Then I must trouble you."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen immediately looked at Celestial Maiden and said, "We must trouble you, Celestial Maiden, to guard us during this process."

"..."

After instructing Celestial Maiden, Eldrin Chen immediately began the process of expelling the foreign Great Path [a profound cultivation law or principle] and its associated spiritual power from within Horizon Patriarch's body.

During the process of expelling this foreign Great Path, Eldrin Chen witnessed firsthand just how tenacious such alien energies could be.

Had this spiritual power manifested within Eldrin Chen's own body, he could have driven his Innate Primordial One Limitless Path Principle to its utmost limits, easily expelling and refining it.

But within another's body, Eldrin Chen was forced to act with extreme caution, lest he cause irreparable damage to Horizon Patriarch's cultivation foundation.

This nascent form of the Golden Sun Great Path was a Embryonic Great Path [a foundational, unformed cultivation principle] of Metal-Fire Dual Attribute nature, and its corrosion upon the physical body was exceptionally severe. Furthermore, it was intertwined with spiritual power of the Ninth Limit [a high-level cultivation stage].

Even though Eldrin Chen's Innate Primordial One Limitless Path Principle was reputed to be capable of grinding away any foreign energy, he found it exceedingly troublesome to handle while being unable to exert his full power.

After all, this was within another's body. If Eldrin Chen were to unleash the full power of the Innate Primordial One Limitless Path Principle without restraint, he risked utterly destroying Horizon Patriarch's Innate Heavenly God Sacred Body [a supreme physical constitution born with the potential of a divine being].

Fortunately, this Golden Sun Great Path [the Dao title of a powerful ancient cultivator] was like a rootless duckweed. Although the Ninth Limit [the ninth and final stage of the Primordial Spirit realm] spiritual energy was formidable, its reserves were ultimately finite.

Eldrin Chen possessed ample patience. Through continuous refinement, he slowly whittled away at the energy of the Ninth Limit spiritual energy.

Thus, after more than twenty thousand years, Eldrin Chen finally exhausted the Ninth Limit spiritual energy. Bereft of its Ninth Limit power, the Golden Sun Great Path began to retreat step by step.

Eldrin Chen remained unhurried, meticulously refining and expelling it inch by inch. After expending a full ten thousand years, he at last completely purified and expelled this remnant of Ninth Limit spiritual energy.

"Success."

Having fully refined the Ninth Limit spiritual energy, Eldrin Chen slowly withdrew the Primordial One Limitless Rule [a supreme law governing the fundamental unity of existence].

Horizon Patriarch let out a long, slow breath and could not help but bow deeply in gratitude. "Once again," he said, "I owe you a debt of immeasurable magnitude."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile, saying nothing further.

He simply gazed at Horizon Patriarch, his words carrying a pointed meaning. "The potential of an Innate Heavenly God Being [a being born with the innate nature of a Heavenly God] is a peerless talent, possessing the latent capacity to achieve the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, representing complete mastery over the cosmos]."

"Yet all things in this world come with a price, Senior. If you use this to achieve your Path, you may find yourself bound by it in the future."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch [a venerable patriarch known for his vast knowledge and experience] was momentarily taken aback and fell into deep contemplation.

He understood Eldrin Chen's meaning. The potential of an Innate Heavenly God Being [a being born with the innate potential to become a Heavenly God] is boundless; such aptitude signifies that one is born with the inherent qualification to attain the Innate Heavenly God Being realm.

However, the Dao Patterns [the fundamental laws and principles etched into one's being] of an Innate Heavenly God Being are predetermined by heaven. The ultimate limit they can reach is the limit of their innate Dao Patterns; it is impossible for them to advance a single step further.

Precisely because of this, those Innate Divine Spirit [beings born as divine spirits] and Innate Heavenly God Being often possess an extremely high floor, but their ceiling is not necessarily as lofty.

In contrast, a mortal body is like a blank sheet of paper, allowing a cultivator to inscribe their own Dao Patterns upon it, possessing nearly limitless plasticity. While its starting point may seem exceedingly low, its potential ceiling far surpasses even supreme endowments like that of an Innate Heavenly God Being.

Take Eldrin Chen as an example. He was once merely a mortal vessel. Yet, the Innate Primordial One Indestructibility Physique [a legendary, peerless constitution of primordial indestructibility] he has cultivated now surpasses all other physiques he has ever encountered; within the same realm, none can compare.

Horizon Patriarch vaguely sensed that Eldrin Chen seemed to have perceived something deeper, prompting this warning—not merely due to the low plasticity of an Innate Heavenly God Being.

After all, the aptitude of an Innate Heavenly God Being points directly toward the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate, all-encompassing realm of cultivation]. No matter how limited its plasticity, it represents an achievement beyond the reach of countless ordinary souls in their entire lifetimes.

Thinking of this, Horizon Patriarch could not help but cup his hands and inquire, "What anomaly lies within my Innate Heavenly God Sacred Body [a sacred body born with the potential of a Heavenly God]? I beseech you, Fellow Daoist, to enlighten me."

Eldrin Chen fell into a contemplative silence for a long moment before speaking with deliberate ambiguity, "Fellow Daoist, your Innate Heavenly God Foundation [a supreme spiritual root that grants a cultivator the potential of a Heavenly God] was bestowed by that individual. What has become of that personage now?"

"Boom—"

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch's expression shifted violently, a look of shock he could not suppress flashing across his face. "You mean...?" he uttered.

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then continued, "That individual perished long ago, fallen at the hands of an entity beyond description."

"Since you, Senior, received grace from that person, it is not certain that others would wish to see you successfully ascend to the Great Encompassing [the ultimate realm of cultivation, representing complete mastery over the cosmos] realm."

"Just now, as I examined the Great Path [a supreme cultivation method] within your body, I faintly perceived an intangible shackle of constraint. I fear it would be impossible to use it to complete that final, transcendent leap."

Upon hearing this, Horizon Patriarch's face paled drastically, his complexion draining of color as he was plunged into a state of shock.

Indeed. In the distant past, Purple Seal Immortal Lord, utilizing the power of the Chaos Cauldron [a primordial artifact of immense power], had laid down the Heaven-Defying Creation Grand Formation [a grand formation that defies the heavens to create life] within the Chaos [the primordial state before creation], forging three thousand Innate Heavenly God Foundation.

Among these individuals, should any one of them break through to the realm of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a Golden Immortal who has attained the Great Encompassing realm], they would inherently owe Purple Seal Immortal Lord an immense debt of Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect that binds all actions].

Although the Purple Seal Immortal Lord has now fallen, it is not impossible that he may one day return from the River of Space-Time [a mythical river that flows through all of time and space]. Should a being of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the supreme realm of cultivation] level intervene, it might even be possible to hasten the Purple Seal Immortal Lord's return.

However, the supreme existences who struck him down in the past would likely be most unwilling to see such a day come to pass.

Thus, for those who were implicated by the Karma [the cosmic law of cause and effect] of that event, the path to breaking through to the Great Encompassing Realm [the supreme realm of cultivation] will likely be fraught with immense and unforeseen hardship.

Contemplating this, the Horizon Patriarch could not help but speak. "Given your words, what course of action should I take?"

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "I see three strategies—superior, middling, and inferior. The choice is not mine to make for you."

"The superior strategy: Sever your Innate Heavenly God Foundation [the primordial spiritual root that defines one's ultimate potential] completely and use it as nourishment to rebuild your cultivation from the ground up. By destroying the old to establish the new, your future achievements will depend entirely on the potential of your Nirvana [a rebirth-like transformation] reborn self."

"The middling strategy: Disregard it all and continue cultivating with your current body. While reaching the Great Encompassing Realm [the supreme realm of cultivation] will be impossible, your chances of cultivating to the level of a Sixth Rank Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived at least six heavenly tribulations] remain exceedingly high."

"The inferior strategy: Sever a portion of your foundational essence and use a secret art to reforge your Innate Heavenly God Foundation [the primordial spiritual root that defines one's ultimate potential]. This will significantly diminish your latent potential, though some of your innate talent will be preserved. However, when attempting to break through to the Great Encompassing [the supreme realm of cultivation], you will likely face an additional, unforeseen tribulation."

Upon hearing this, the Horizon Patriarch fell into a contemplative silence. According to Eldrin Chen's analysis...

The superior strategy was fraught with uncertainty. If, after severing his foundational essence, his Nirvana [a rebirth-like transformation] resulted in a new body with too low a potential, he risked falling to a realm even beneath that of an Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived heavenly tribulations].

The middle path, if pursued without further consideration, would likely prevent a breakthrough into the Great Encompassing Realm. However, with the foundation of an Innate Heavenly God Being [a being born with a divine nature], the chances of successfully advancing to the sixth tribulation Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of ancient, long-lived immortals] were extremely high. This could still be considered a very respectable choice.

After all, the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate, all-encompassing realm of cultivation] was a path of immense difficulty; his original hope of success was but one in ten thousand.

The lower path was truly the worst option. It involved severing one's innate talent but doing so incompletely, leaving it in a half-measured state. This would drastically diminish one's potential, making even a breakthrough to the Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal realm problematic, let alone achieving the Great Encompassing Realm.

After much contemplation, Horizon Patriarch finally spoke, "With my great vengeance yet unfulfilled, the superior path is temporarily out of reach, and the inferior path is utterly unacceptable. For now, it is best to choose the middle path and maintain the current state."

"If fate grants a future Opportunity and Fortune [a chance encounter with destiny and good luck], I may then choose the superior path to rebuild my foundation."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "Indeed, that is a wise and prudent choice."

With that topic concluded, Eldrin Chen rose to his feet and said, "Senior, with the foreign Great Path [a supreme cultivation method] and its energies now purged from your body, this is the perfect time for your recovery."

"I shall not impose further. I will retire and await the news of your restored health."

Horizon Patriarch gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, escorted Eldrin Chen out of the cavern abode, and then returned inside to focus on healing his wounds.

Freed from the corrosive influence of the alien energies and the Great Path, Horizon Patriarch's recovery was no longer a matter of uncertainty.

Seizing a rare moment of leisure, Eldrin Chen took the opportunity to retrieve the remains of five Chaos Ancient Beasts [primordial beasts born from the chaos of creation] and began refining Nine Revolutions Immortal Pills [supreme elixirs requiring nine cycles of refinement].

These five Chaos Ancient Beasts had reached the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage for a Celestial Immortal], their physical strength was twice that of ordinary Chaos Ancient Beasts of the same rank.

Using them to refine Nine Revolutions Immortal Pills resulted in a medicinal potency far surpassing what could be achieved with common Chaos Ancient Beasts.

Since the five Chaos Ancient Beasts each corresponded to one of the Five Elements [the fundamental forces of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth], Eldrin Chen decided to combine all five remains into a single cauldron for the refinement process.

After three thousand years of meticulous effort, Eldrin Chen finally succeeded in refining this batch of Immortal Pills [pills of immortal grade], obtaining nine Nine Revolutions Immortal Pills that shimmered with a Five-Colored Radiant Light [a brilliant glow embodying the five elements].

"Nine Revolutions Immortal Pills... No, these are nearly Ten Revolutions Immortal Pills [the legendary elixir of ten cycles, a step beyond perfection]."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a flicker of astonishment lighting up his eyes. Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel dot com.