Chapter 1870 : A Vow to Purify the Nether Abyss

After dividing the treasures, everyone returned to the Abyssal Grotto-Heaven to begin arduous cultivation, preparing to refine the Dao Source [the primordial source of the Dao] and rare treasures to increase their strength.

However, Lyra Jiang lingered. She looked at Eldrin Chen and asked, "Next, you plan to settle that old karmic debt?"

"Mmm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then spoke, "In the past, I made a great vow, swearing that upon achieving success in my cultivation, I would cleanse the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, redeem its fallen Heavenly Dao [the fundamental law and order of the cosmos], and restore purity to the world."

"Now that I have slain Xuanheng Ancient Demon, it is time to redeem that sunken Heavenly Dao."

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang nodded thoughtfully, then inquired further, "In over ninety thousand years, the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent will open. I will accompany you then."

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "The Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent is far too perilous. Unless you possess combat power rivaling an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], venturing there would be exceedingly dangerous."

"We shall discuss it when the time comes."

Upon hearing his words, Lyra Jiang fell silent for a time, finally murmuring to herself, "An Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal... is it?"

After bidding farewell to Lyra Jiang, Eldrin Chen traversed the Boundless Void and arrived within the depths of the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea.

After many years had passed, Eldrin Chen once again arrived at the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea. He discovered that the Heavenly Dao [the fundamental law and will of this world] of this realm no longer posed a significant threat to him.

The once-prosperous Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea was now a desolate place. The countless demonic cultivators who once teemed here had vanished without a trace, seemingly all having perished in the boundless tribulations.

Eldrin Chen was not surprised by this. The methods of demonic cultivators were always ruthless and unprincipled. That Xuanheng Ancient Demon had laid his schemes here for multiple Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years]. Upon his revival, his first act would have been to devour the billions of living beings within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea to restore his injuries.

"The cruelty of demonic methods is indeed profound,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, then in the next instant, he shattered the firmament and surged forward.

Not long after, he arrived at the location of the Chaos Abyss within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, finding the place where the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact [a primordial artifact containing the essence of a world's Heavenly Dao] resided.

Yet here, Eldrin Chen unexpectedly beheld a figure. It was a burly man with a full head of white hair, whose cultivation was merely at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm. He was, however, a familiar face.

"Zenyu Zhen."

Eldrin Chen uttered the name slowly, recalling this person's identity.

This Zenyu Zhen was a denizen of the Prison Suppression Grotto-Heaven, the second largest Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained pocket dimension of immense spiritual power] within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea. After Eldrin Chen ascended to the Immortal Domain, during his first exploration of an ancient ruin, he had once cooperated with this man. Tens of millions of years had passed since their last meeting.

I had long thought he had perished. Never did I imagine he would have survived until this day.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, Zenyu Zhen spoke with a complex expression, "To think that a fellow Daoist [a term of respect and camaraderie among cultivators] who was merely at the Immortal Ascension Realm [the realm of cultivation just before achieving true immortality] back then has now become the true master of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

"I believe I have witnessed a miracle, or perhaps, a legend of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Delighted to encounter an old acquaintance from bygone days, Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. With a sweep of his sleeve, he invited Zenyu Zhen to sit, then took a seat opposite him and said, "I never expected you to have survived."

Zenyu Zhen smiled slightly and replied, "The methods of demonic cultivators [practitioners who use unorthodox, often cruel and harmful techniques to gain power] have always been sinister and vicious. I had long suspected that Xuanheng Ancient Demon had a contingency plan. Naturally, I would not entrust my life and death to his hands."

"Therefore, I secretly infiltrated the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, thereby evading the calamity of Xuanheng Ancient Demon's blood sacrifice of the demonic horde."

"After Xuanheng Ancient Demon fell, I came here at the first opportunity to await you."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile, his estimation of Zenyu Zhen's wisdom rising.

Zenyu Zhen's choice had indeed been his only path to survival, his sole chance to preserve his life.

He had guessed that Xuanheng Ancient Demon would likely perform a blood sacrifice [a dark ritual where lives are offered to gain power] within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea. Thus, he fled the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea well in advance, avoiding Xuanheng Ancient Demon's sacrificial rite entirely.

However, the choice of where to flee was a matter of great cunning. With his cultivation at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal realm, escaping into the Chaos was utterly impossible. Therefore, he made the audacious decision to flee to the most perilous place for a demonic cultivator: the vicinity of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea.

After the fall of Xuanheng Ancient Demon and the Human Race's decisive victory in the Kalpa Tribulation, the outcome of the war was left without a shred of doubt.

In the aftermath, the Human Race would undoubtedly sweep through the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain. Countless Immortals would seize this opportunity to vanquish powerful foes and claim Dao Source [the primordial essence of the Great Dao]. As a heretical Immortal, attempting to hide under such circumstances would offer him not a sliver of hope for survival.

Thus, he chose the opposite path, coming directly to the most crucial Chaos Abyss within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, waiting there for the arrival of Eldrin Chen.

In truth, his gamble paid off.

For an old acquaintance such as this, one with whom he had once fought side by side, Eldrin Chen was willing to offer a path to life, even if that person tread the demonic path, out of respect for their past bond.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen regarded Zenyu Zhen with a calm gaze. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Heretical path or demonic path, in my view, they are ultimately merely different manifestations of power."

"As long as you can maintain your true heart and refrain from deeds that outrage heaven and incite universal hatred, I will not stand against you."

Here, his voice paused briefly before he continued. "In consideration of our past friendship, is there anything you need my help with?"

Zenyu Zhen pondered for a moment before replying, "I have mastered the Prison-Suppressing Dao Principles and wish to cultivate within the Netherworld Realm [the realm of the dead and departed spirits]. Could I trouble you for your assistance?"

"Oh?"

"That can be arranged."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile and said, "As it happens, my disciple has some karma [the principle of cause and effect governing destiny] in the Netherworld Realm that also requires resolution."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve. With a single palm strike, he tore through the boundless void, traversed infinite worlds, and crossed the Yin-Yang Two Realms [the fundamental duality of the cosmos, representing the mortal and spirit worlds].

Deep within the endless Depths of the Netherworld, a majestic and ancient immortal city of the Netherworld Realm stood imposingly.

The Karmic Filth Nether City was an immensely grand ghostly metropolis of the Netherworld Realm. Its ruler, Karmic Filth Nether King, was one of the Ten Great Nether Kings [powerful sovereigns of the underworld] presiding over that realm.

Karmic Filth Nether King's power had reached the Great Perfection realm of the Celestial Immortal [a supreme immortal cultivation stage]. He had entrenched himself in the Depths of the Netherworld for several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] without falling, making him one of the most formidable existences within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain's Netherworld Realm.

Yet at this very moment, the entire Karmic Filth Nether City began to tremble violently.

"CRACK—"

Suddenly, a thunderous roar, akin to the sound of World Creation [the primordial act of forging a universe], erupted throughout the boundless expanse of the Netherworld Realm.

Immediately above the vast Karmic Filth Nether City, the firmament was violently torn asunder. A colossal hand, spanning countless billions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], shattered the void as it descended.

This titanic hand was vaster than an entire expansive Netherworld Realm [a domain of the underworld]. The moment it manifested, the gravitational forces of the Netherworld Realm [a domain of the underworld] were violently inverted.

Countless great Ronan reversed their flow, mountain ranges shattered. Boulders, Ronan currents, vegetation, spectral beings, and underworld soldiers all lost their gravity, rising into the sky like a shroud that blotted out the heavens. Even the mighty Karmic Filth Nether City, which had awed the Netherworld, was sent tumbling backwards.

Then, with a deafening, resonant boom, the colossal hand reached out to seize the Karmic Filth Nether City.

"Spare us!"

In that instant, countless Ghost Immortal [a powerful spectral cultivator] voices cried out in terror. Even more spirits were struck dumb with fear, powerless to halt the inevitable.

Upon the Karmic Filth Nether City, the Karmic Filth Nether King, whose might had shaken the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, erupted with all his strength. Yet before this celestial palm, he was as insignificant as an ant.

The full force of his desperate strike crashed against the giant palm, failing to raise even the faintest ripple upon its surface.

"BOOM—"

In a mere heartbeat, the giant palm enveloped everything, suppressing the Karmic Filth Nether King within its grasp. In the next instant, it plucked a single Reincarnation Well [a mystical artifact connected to the cycle of rebirth] from the heart of the ghostly city and closed its fingers around it.

After completing all this, that colossal hand, bearing its overwhelming momentum, withdrew. In the span of a single breath, it had vanished back into the rift in the void.

Elsewhere, Eldrin Chen withdrew his hand amidst Zenyu Zhen's profound shock, revealing the powerful Nether King now held within his grasp.

"A Nether King,"

Zenyu Zhen murmured, his expression one of utter astonishment.

Though he had long known of Eldrin Chen's immense power, he could never have imagined that Eldrin Chen could, with a casual gesture across the vast distance of nearly half the Immortal Domain, simply pluck this peerless Nether King from his domain.

One must understand, the Karmic Filth Nether King was an existence at the Great Perfection stage of the Celestial Immortal realm [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation]. His strength was virtually on par with other Celestial Immortals of the same rank. Yet, in Eldrin Chen's hand, he seemed no more significant than an ant.

At that very moment, the Karmic Filth Nether King beheld Eldrin Chen. Overwhelmed by terror, he immediately prostrated himself within the confines of that mighty palm and pleaded, "I pay homage to Your Excellency! This humble one bears no grievance or enmity with you. I know not for what reason Your Excellency has seized me?"

"Karmic Filth Nether King,"

Eldrin Chen spoke with detached calm, his gaze sweeping over the nearby Reincarnation Well [a mystical artifact said to govern the cycle of rebirth]. "Do you know what this is?"

The Karmic Filth Nether King was momentarily taken aback, then replied with fawning obsequiousness, "That object is the Reincarnation Well, crafted by this humble one from Six Paths Bamboo [a rare spiritual bamboo embodying the six paths of reincarnation]. If Your Excellency desires it, I shall offer it to you immediately."

"Refined with the Six Paths Bamboo [a legendary bamboo said to contain the essence of the six paths of reincarnation], then it is undoubtedly correct."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. A gleam from his gaze tore through the void, summoning an ancient bamboo that pierced the heavens to arrive.

This bamboo was a vibrant, dripping emerald, each leaf shimmering with supreme spiritual light. It was none other than the Primordial Purity Bamboo [a sacred bamboo of primordial origin, embodying the essence of purity and spiritual energy].

"Master."

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Purifying Bamboo [the sentient spirit of the Primordial Purity Bamboo] manifested the form of a child and bowed in greeting.

Eldrin Chen nodded once more, then inquired, "Purity Child, is this object the mortal shell left behind by your father?"

"Father!"

The Purifying Bamboo turned. The moment its gaze fell upon the Reincarnation Well [a mystical artifact connected to the cycle of rebirth], its voice choked with emotion, and it fell to its knees.

Witnessing this scene, Karmic Filth Nether King [a Nether King whose power is tied to the accumulation of karmic impurities] paled instantly, his face turning a shade more ghastly than any specter's.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Eldrin Chen gazed upon Karmic Filth Nether King and inquired with serene calmness.

Karmic Filth Nether King was left speechless, a mere stammer escaping his lips. Realizing his last sliver of hope had vanished, he chose to maintain the dignity befitting a Nether King of his stature. With a cold, mocking laugh, he declared, "Throughout my long existence, I have never once provoked an enemy I could not withstand."

"To meet such an end today is no failing of my capability, but merely the cruel twist of fate's wheel."

As his final words faded, the incense-fueled golden body [a divine form sustained by worship and faith] and the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] of Karmic Filth Nether King began to disintegrate of their own accord.

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. This Karmic Filth Nether King, who could bend and stretch with circumstance, truly possessed the makings of a remarkable talent of his era.

Now, understanding that no path to survival remained, and unwilling to suffer further humiliation, he had chosen the path of self-dissolution, severing his own existence.

In truth, given Eldrin Chen's current power, he could easily have condemned the Nether King to the Eighteen Layers of Hell, to endure immeasurable suffering across countless Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth] for all eternity, never to know release.

Yet Eldrin Chen did not do so. He merely sighed softly and said, "Let it be. Since you have chosen to end yourself, I shall not pursue the karma of this life into your next."

"Go now, and enter the cycle of reincarnation."

With those words, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve, and with that motion, cast the dissipating essence into the great wheel of samsara [the cycle of death and rebirth] to be reborn.

Having reincarnated with a foundation perfected to the Celestial Immortal [the highest attainable realm for an immortal] realm, and without having his current life's foundation diminished, his hope of achieving immortality in this life was almost ninety-nine out of one hundred. The likelihood of him cultivating back to the Celestial Immortal realm would also be no less than thirty percent. Yet, Eldrin Chen paid this no mind.

Even if the Karmic Filth Nether King [a Nether King whose power is intertwined with the karma of sin and impurity] were to cultivate back to the Celestial Immortal realm in the future and seek revenge, he could not possibly pose the slightest threat to Eldrin Chen.

After seeing off the Nether King, Eldrin Chen handed the Reincarnation Well [a mystical well that facilitates the cycle of reincarnation] to the Purifying Bamboo [a sentient spiritual bamboo with purifying properties] and said, "The karmic debts of the past are now settled. You should return and cultivate diligently, so as not to fail the trust your father placed in you."

"Thank you for your guidance and nurturing, my lord."

The Purifying Bamboo clutched the Reincarnation Well, choked with sobs as it prostrated itself on the ground, and kowtowed nine times to Eldrin Chen before finally departing.

After the Purifying Bamboo had left, Eldrin Chen then presented the Karmic Filth Nether King's Dao Source [the crystallized essence and origin of a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao] to Zenyu Zhen and said with a smile, "The Prison Suppression Great Dao [the Great Dao of Imprisonment and Suppression], one of the Ten Great Netherworld Daos [the ten supreme Daos governing the Netherworld]."

"You cultivate this Great Dao. If you can further refine and absorb this Dao Source, you will undoubtedly become one of the Ten Great Nether Kings of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a vast and majestic realm of immortals] in the future."

Zenyu Zhen's heart trembled slightly, but he quickly shook his head and said, "This object is far too precious. With my current level of cultivation, I am not worthy of refining it. You should keep it for someone from the Chen Clan."

"Now that the Chen Clan governs the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, I believe authority over the affairs of the Netherworld Realm [the realm of the dead and spirits] should also rest in your hands."

Eldrin Chen, however, shook his head and replied with a gentle laugh, "In your view, the Vast Azure Immortal Domain is boundless and vast, and to govern it is the mark of a magnificent, peerless immortal clan."

"Yet in my eyes, the Vast Azure Immortal Domain is but a mere corner of the world."

"My ambition in this Kalpa Tribulation is to reach the Grand Luo realm. Once the tribulation passes, the Chen Immortal Clan will no longer live under another's roof."

Upon hearing this, Zenyu Zhen fell into silence.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen and once again felt his own insignificance.

In the mere span of ten million years, the perspective from which these two men, once peers who conversed as equals, viewed the world had diverged, creating an unbridgeable chasm.

"Alas."

Zenyu Zhen silently accepted the treasure, stood up, offered a cupped-hand salute, and departed with a touch of melancholy, vanishing into the boundless Immortal Domain.

Watching him leave, Eldrin Chen sighed softly within his heart, filled with a wave of poignant reflection.

On his arduous path of cultivation to this day, he had walked alongside countless friends and old companions, many of whom could be called bosom friends transcending the barriers of age.

Yet now, after ten million years, most of those bygone friends have turned to dust. The few who still live, or those who have been guided into the cycle of reincarnation [the process of death and rebirth], can no longer hope to trace his footsteps.

Even among the closest kin of the Chen Immortal Clan, without the full support of Eldrin Chen, it is doubtful any could have kept pace with his strides.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly that individuals like Zenyu Zhen were neither the first, nor would they be the last.

"The path of cultivation is like scaling a mountain; the higher one climbs, the colder and more solitary it becomes."

Eldrin Chen let out a sigh, then shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

He turned his attention to the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact within the cavernous abyss, summoning it into his grasp with a single motion.

"Hiss…"

The Heavenly Dao Source Artifact from the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea had long been corroded by the demonic arts of Xuanheng Ancient Demon.

It was saturated with vile demonic miasma and corrupted essence, potent enough to erode the spiritual power and physical form of an Ancient Immortal Great Powers.

Should an ordinary Ancient Immortal come into contact with this Heavenly Dao Source Artifact, they would likely be corrupted into a demonic cultivator before long.

Yet Eldrin Chen possessed extraordinary power. He continuously channeled his Indestructible Dharma Power to refine this Heavenly Dao Source Artifact, gradually purging it of its malignant energy. However, after a short while, a slight frown creased his brow.

"The Heavenly Dao Source Artifact [a supreme treasure born from the Heavenly Dao itself] has been deeply corrupted. At this rate, it would likely take hundreds of thousands of years to refine it."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen abandoned the immediate refinement of the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact and instead retrieved three Dao Source [the crystallized essence of a supreme being's cultivation and comprehension of the Dao].

From this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial], Eldrin Chen had obtained a great many treasures, yet few were truly useful to him. He had kept only three rare wonders: the Dao Source of the Nether Emperor, of Vorgath Di, and of the Primordial Azure Dragon.

Among these three Dao Source, the Nether Emperor had also cultivated the Great Dao of 'Profound Nether True Water' [a supreme water-based divine ability]. This was nearly one hundred percent compatible with Eldrin Chen's own comprehension of the Profound Nether True Water Dao Principles [the fundamental laws governing a specific aspect of the Dao]. Refining it would allow him to fully assimilate the vast majority of the Nether Emperor's cultivation insights accumulated over billions of years.

The Primordial Azure Dragon cultivated the Azure Wood Dragon Great Dao, which shared some proximity with the Life Great Dao.

As for Vorgath Di, who cultivated the Nirvana Sun Heavenly Fire Great Dao, his Dao Source would be of great benefit to cultivating Pure Yang Heavenly Fire [a supreme fire-based divine ability of pure Yang energy].

"If I can master these three Great Daos first, refining this Demonic Fiend Qi [a malevolent, corrupting energy born of demons and fiends] should become much simpler,"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, gazing at the three Dao Source in his hand.

Decisive in thought and action, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate. Resolving to refine the Dao Source, he began the process immediately.

Guided by the principle of the Five Elements' cycle of generation and conquest—where Wood gives birth to Fire—he chose to first refine the Primordial Azure Dragon's Dao Source. Of course, following the principle that Water generates Wood, prioritizing the Nether Emperor's Dao Source would have been more fitting.

However, the Five Element Great Daos [the fundamental cosmic principles of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] inherently repel one another. With each Great Dao one comprehends, the difficulty of comprehending the next increases exponentially.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen reserved the most compatible and highest-grade Dao Source—that of the Nether Emperor—for last.

Returning to the matter at hand, as he continuously refined the Dao Source of the Primordial Azure Dragon, Eldrin Chen's insights into the Verdant Wood Great Dao grew ever deeper. This understanding, illuminating connections across disciplines, also propelled his comprehension of the Life Great Dao forward by leaps and bounds.

Thus, time flowed on, and the years passed in the blink of an eye. After a mere three thousand years, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Is this the power of the Life Great Dao?"

On this day, Eldrin Chen slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile gracing his lips.

This time, he had successfully comprehended the Great Dao Embryo of Life, his grasp of the Life Great Dao reaching profound new depths.

Empowered by this Great Dao, he could now sense that any injury inflicted by a force below the level of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal could be completely healed by him in an instant.

Even when facing an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal, his regenerative capacity would be several times greater than that of an ordinary cultivator of that realm.

"And this is merely the Great Dao Embryo. How astonishing would it be if it were fully mastered?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his heart yearning to continue comprehending the Life Great Dao [the supreme principle governing vitality and existence], yet he swiftly suppressed the impulse.

The repulsive force between Great Daos [the supreme, fundamental principles of the cosmos] is immensely powerful. If he were to fully master the Life Great Dao first and then attempt to comprehend the Chaos Great Dao [the primordial principle of undifferentiated chaos], the difficulty would likely increase more than tenfold.

"No need to rush. I shall comprehend them step by step,"

Eldrin Chen whispered to himself. He then retrieved the Dao Source [a crystallized essence of a cultivator's comprehension of the Dao] left by Vorgath Di and began his meditation.

Comprehending a second Great Dao proved noticeably more challenging than the first. Fortunately, Eldrin Chen was bolstered by his True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the pinnacle state of a cultivator's spiritual core, granting immense perception], which endowed him with far greater comprehension than even his own mastery of that realm would typically allow.

Refining this Dao Source of Vorgath Di, he consumed it entirely in a mere one thousand years. Using this as his foundation, he meditated for another four thousand years, finally achieving minor mastery in the Pure Yang Heavenly Fire [a divine flame of pure yang essence].

Thereafter, Eldrin Chen directly began refining the Dao Source belonging to the Nether Emperor.

This was the first time Eldrin Chen had refined a Dao Source that was in perfect harmony with his own path. The speed of refinement utterly surpassed his expectations.

In the span of a single year, he completely refined the Nether Emperor's Dao Source, absorbing the majority of the profound insights accumulated over billions of years.

The effect was not merely a hundred times greater than refining Vorgath Di's Dao Source; it was exponentially more profound.

With this as his foundation, Eldrin Chen cultivated the Profound Nether True Water and the Great Dao Embryo in less than ten years. Furthermore, he attained complete enlightenment of the Profound Nether True Water Great Dao [the supreme principle governing the profound and abyssal waters].

Indeed, Eldrin Chen had comprehended the complete Profound Nether True Water Great Dao. However, as two other Great Dao Embryo remained unenlightened, he had not yet fully manifested this particular Great Dao into his cultivation.

"A Great Dao of the same origin, with absolute compatibility... it can actually yield such an effect."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

In that moment, he finally understood. Slaying an Immortal who cultivated the same Great Dao allowed one to completely devour their lifetime of insights and cultivation.

No wonder those at the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm were so ruthless towards others walking their same path. This was not merely a conflict of Daos; it was a direct means to augment one's own power.

If two beings, both cultivating the same Great Dao and both at the peak of Grand Luo Golden Immortal perfection, were to slay one another, the victor might very well ascend directly to the realm of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch.

"It seems the struggle for the Great Dao is even more perilous than I anticipated."

Eldrin Chen whispered, a faint frown creasing his brow as he contemplated the primary Great Daos he himself cultivated.

His Pure Yang Heavenly Fire was hailed as the Pure Yang Great Dao [the supreme principle of pure, unadulterated Yang energy], and his Profound Nether True Water as the Profound Nether Great Dao [the supreme principle of the profound and abyssal waters]. These were among the most coveted and fiercely contested Great Daos within both the Three Thousand Immortal Domains and the boundless Chaos.

Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of cultivation], those who have attained the Dao [the fundamental principle or path] as Grand Luo Golden Immortals [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, beings of immense power and longevity] through these two Great Daos [fundamental cosmic principles] number at least more than one can count on one hand, and among them are even figures of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign ruler born from the primordial chaos, a rank above Grand Luo Golden Immortals] level.

Furthermore, the Myriad Things Earth [a divine ability governing the essence of all earthly matter], Primordial Chaos Gold [a divine ability born from the unformed chaos, representing ultimate metallic essence], and Life Great Dao [the Great Dao governing the principle of life itself] are also supremely powerful Great Daos. Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, each of these Daos is cultivated by not just one or two Grand Luo Golden Immortals.

Should Eldrin Chen take these five Great Daos as his foundation to cultivate the Chaos Great Dao [the supreme Dao encompassing and unifying all primordial chaos] and prove his Dao to become a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, he would likely incur the enmity of at least twenty or thirty immensely powerful adversaries in the future.

When the time comes to contend for the Dao [to compete for mastery and authority over a cosmic principle], in order to eliminate Eldrin Chen as a rival, it is highly probable that some Grand Luo Golden Immortals would join forces against him.

For instance, the two Grand Luo Golden Immortals who cultivate the Profound Nether Great Dao [the Great Dao of profound darkness and the underworld] and the Pure Yang Great Dao [the Great Dao of pure, unadulterated masculine Yang energy] have no conflict over Dao authority between themselves. Yet, both would be in direct Dao-contention with Eldrin Chen, making them natural allies.

"It seems that after my breakthrough to Grand Luo, I will face no small amount of trouble,"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, before swiftly suppressing the thought.

"Not necessarily. These Grand Luo Golden Immortals have been established in their Dao for many years. They likely have other rivals in their own Dao-contention struggles and may not have the energy to spare to focus so many resources against me."

"Moreover, when soldiers arrive, we deploy generals to block them; when floodwaters come, we use earth to contain them. As long as my own strength is sufficiently formidable, I may well be able to handle these contenders for the Dao."

"Enough. There is no need to dwell on it further."

With these thoughts in mind, Eldrin Chen withdrew his focus and turned his gaze to the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact before him.

Having now mastered three Great Daos and shattered the limits of his own Heavenly Pass of the Great Dao, Eldrin Chen's power had grown yet again. Most crucially, he had successfully cultivated the Pure Yang Heavenly Fire.

Whether it was Eldrin Chen's Pure Yang Heavenly Fire or his Profound Nether True Water, both were supreme, pinnacle-level Great Daos. In theory, they could lead directly to the realm of Primordial Unity [the state of primordial oneness, the origin of all things], and even held the potential to reach the level of a Chaos Celestial Emperor.

Even a nascent form of such a Great Dao could instantly push one to the tenth limit of the Heavenly Pass of the Great Dao. Let alone now, having mastered three such Daos in succession, it could be said that Eldrin Chen's Great Dao had nearly reached the level of the Eleventh Limit.

With the formidable aid of the Pure Yang Heavenly Fire, combined with Eleventh Limit-level spiritual power and the drive of his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], the speed at which Eldrin Chen purified the Demonic Fiend Qi [the corrupt, demonic energy] within it increased by several fold.

He spent only tens of thousands of years of focused effort to completely refine and purge the fallen Demonic Fiend Qi from the Heavenly Dao Source Artifact.

Thereafter, he spent another ten thousand years to cleanse the entire Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea of its demonic aura, restoring it to a pristine Immortal Domain [a realm suffused with pure spiritual energy, suitable for immortal cultivation].

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all! Today's chapter is another long one. For this National Day holiday, the author isn't taking a break but will stay home writing to keep you all company. Let's have some fun!