Chapter 1703 : Abyssal Cavern Realm

2 candidates emerged simultaneously, and by all rights, priority should have been given to his Dao Companion Yan Zi Ji.

After all, Yan Ziji was his own Dao companion. Between husband and wife, there was no choice to be made.

However, the present circumstances were exceptional, for Chen Qiyuan possessed extraordinary talent and was the most likely figure within the Chen Immortal Clan to achieve the forbidden realm.

However, Yan Ziji’s potential could not compare to Chen Qiyuan. Even after refining the 10 Tribulation Dao Source of the Red Crow Saint, her chances of breaking through into the forbidden realm likely did not exceed 30%.

For since time immemorial, those capable of cultivating a forbidden domain have almost invariably been extraordinary geniuses who comprehended their own unique path.

Apart from Seraphina Qu (Person Name) who relied on her bloodline, there was also Chen Xianzhang who possessed the 30-3 Calming Sea Pearls (Magic Treasure). The few members of the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) qualified to set foot in the forbidden realm had all comprehended their own paths.

Such as Chen Qiyuan’s Path of Gold and Silver Forged Body, Qing Ji’s Path of Yin-Yang Azure Lotus, Eldrin’s Path of Primordial Chaos, and Lyra’s Path of the Great 5 Elements Supreme Ultimate.

And Kael (Person Name) possessed the Unity of All Realms physique—a perfect fusion of the Buddha’s Salvation Body, the Demon Lord’s Annihilation Form, and the Dao Lord’s Harmony with the Dao physique.

At present, within the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization), aside from these few individuals, none of the others have yet forged their own path, making the likelihood of breaking through the forbidden realm exceedingly slim.

Though Yan Ziji’s Violet Flame Celestial Fire, Violet Flame Immortal Body, and Violet Flame Dao Fruit were all formidable, they had yet to transcend a certain threshold and forge her own forbidden path.

Thus Eldrin surmised that even if he gave this invaluable 10 Calamities Taboo Dao Source to Yan Ziji (Person Name), it would most likely be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all in vain.

Just then, Yan ZiJi spoke up, "This Dao Origin contains the profound essence of the Crimson Sun, which aligns with the Patriarch's own source. It should be given to the Patriarch."

Chen Qiyuan, however, shook his head and calmly stated, "My path lies in the Dao of the Indestructible Golden Body. This object runs contrary to my cultivation."

"And even without the aid of this object, my entry into the forbidden realm was inevitable."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell into a brief, contemplative silence.

To tread into the forbidden realm, the most crucial step is whether 1 can forge their own path.

Chen Qiyuan's path lay in achieving sainthood through physical cultivation. So long as he refined sufficient quantities of mithril and adamantine, it would be enough to tread into forbidden realms. This Crimson Sun Dao Fruit was merely icing on the cake for him.

Perhaps it could allow Chen Qiyuan to cultivate the forbidden domain, yet it would still be difficult to elevate his Dao Fruit and laws any further.

Chen Qiyuan glanced at Yan Zi Ji and said, "Fellow Daoist Yan’s foundation is somewhat lacking. Though stepping into the forbidden realm is exceedingly difficult, it does not mean there is no opportunity."

"Perhaps it would be better to keep this artifact for now and first refine 1 of the 9 Calamities Dao Origins. When my cultivation advances further in the future, with the subtle assistance of karmic virtue and merit, there might still be a sliver of opportunity to refine this object."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) also gave a slight nod.

At present, even with the Origin of the 10 Tribulations, the likelihood of Lady Yan Zi successfully breaking through the forbidden realm remains slim.

However, if it were left for Yan Zi Ji to refine after she had comprehended her own path in the future, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin stored away the Origin of the Crimson Sun Dao and said, "In that case, you should all enter seclusion as well."

"This time, each of you shall refine a 9 Tribulations Dao Source. I trust your cultivation will surely advance yet another step."

Upon hearing this, Qing Ji and the others all revealed faint smiles.

The members of the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) lacked no innate treasures, so this time each received a 9 Calamities Dao Origin (Cultivation Resource) in exchange. Within the Dao Origin lay the lifelong insights and essence of a Triple Taiyi Foundation cultivator; refining it would undoubtedly enhance their strength significantly.

With this thought, they could no longer afford to linger and immediately returned to the seclusion chamber to begin their closed-door cultivation.

Meanwhile, Eldrin had arrived deep within the Violet Night Palace and began overseeing the preparations, ready to forge the foundation of the 3 Taiyi.

Before attempting the 3 Primordial Foundations, Eldrin spent many years harnessing the 5 Elements energy of the 5 Domains Grand Array to restore the damaged Earth Sovereign Bell and the paired Sky-Severance Swords.

After his Lifebound Immortal Treasure was restored, he immediately proceeded to the very core of the 5 Domains and 5 Elements Grand Array.

The core of the 5 Domains Elemental Formation lay in the deepest reaches of the Eldrin Sea, where it converged the vast elemental energies from the 5 celestial domains, coalescing into a celestial grotto within the oceanic expanse.

This celestial grotto was named by Eldrin as the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven. It stood as an exceptionally rare 5 Elements Grotto-Heaven, formed by converging the 5 fundamental energies between heaven and earth, further enhanced by the accumulated essences of countless immortals and half-step celestial beings who had achieved Dao sublimation.

The concentration of spiritual energy within was among the finest even for lower-grade grotto-heavens, sufficient to accommodate 3 early-stage Celestial Immortals cultivating at full capacity.

In comparison, the pocket realm once created by the Eldrin Dragon King was merely a low-grade 1, barely sufficient to sustain an early-stage Celestial Immortal's cultivation, possessing only 1-third the capacity of this realm.

Most importantly, according to Eldrin's (Person Name) estimation, as long as the 5 Domains Grand Formation remained active, with the primordial energy from countless demon immortals and divine spirits transforming into the Dao converging entirely, this 5 Elements Paradise would advance to a mid-grade paradise once the Heavenly Dao Tribulation concluded.

It must be understood that even among peerless grotto-heavens, the disparity in spiritual energy between them could be vast.

A low-grade grotto could accommodate 1 to 3 early-stage Celestial Immortals for cultivation. A mid-grade grotto's spiritual energy could sustain at least 9 early-stage Celestial Immortals in their practice, while a high-grade grotto was sufficient to support 30 Celestial Immortal powerhouses in secluded cultivation together.

After the Heavenly Tribulation concluded, this 5 Elements Cave Heaven of Eldrin would likely be sufficient to support the cultivation of 9 Celestial Immortals within the clan. Combined with the Pure Yang 5 Elements Cave Heaven of the 5 Elements Microcosm, it could potentially sustain the cultivation of 13 Celestial Immortals at the early stage.

"Even a mid-grade grotto-heaven seems somewhat insufficient."

Eldrin's heart suddenly stirred with silent words, his gaze growing contemplative.

Now that the Chen Immortal Clan had grown into a vast enterprise, with over a dozen members possessing Triple Taiyi Foundations breaking through, they now numbered more than a dozen Flawless Celestial Immortals. The amount of immortal spiritual energy they consumed during cultivation far exceeded that of ordinary early-stage Celestial Immortals.

2 mid-to-low-grade grotto-heavens alone were still insufficient; at least 1 high-grade grotto-heaven was required to meet Chen's cultivation needs.

Yet establishing a superior-grade grotto-abode was an endeavor fraught with immense difficulty.

The Vast Azure Immortal Domain encompassed several 100 cave heavens in total, yet fewer than 50 of them were classified as upper-grade. Each of these stood as a hegemon-level power, renowned throughout the entire celestial realm—a testament to their profound and immeasurable heritage.

Such celestial grottos are typically forged over hundreds of millions of years, expanded generation after generation by immortal sovereigns, and nurtured through the expenditure of incalculable, vast resources.

"Enough, the priority now is to attempt the breakthrough."

At this thought, Eldrin shook his head and activated the grand formation within the 5 Elements Grotto-Heaven.

Within this 5 Elements Grand Array, an inexhaustible amount of primordial qi of heaven and earth's 5 elements surged and swirled. As Eldrin continuously channeled his power, the 5 elemental energies—under the amplification of the array—merged into 1, transforming into a misty aura of chaos.

This chaotic energy was far more temperate compared to the chaotic currents within the primordial chaos, yet it remained an overwhelmingly domineering form of primal power.

(End of Chapter)