Chapter 1824 : The Twenty-Four Patterned Immortal Pearl

"A Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure-grade Seven-colored Immortal Pearl [a magical pearl born from an immortal clam, containing innate laws]?"

"No, this surpasses an ordinary Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born from heaven and earth, containing innate laws]; it is a top-tier Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasure."

The moment he laid eyes on this treasure, Horizon Patriarch's expression shifted slightly, and he could not help but speak out.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's heart stirred. Seven-colored Immortal Pearl were exceedingly rare, being the innate life-bound immortal pearls nurtured within a Seven-Hued Immortal Shell [the shell of a mythical immortal clam].

The Seven-colored Immortal Pearl before them was of an astonishingly high grade—a rare twenty-four-patterned Seven-colored Immortal Pearl.

"Indeed, it is this very object."

Rainbow Mist Qu spoke calmly, her voice even. "This Seven-colored Immortal Pearl is of extraordinary value. It is the life-bound immortal pearl left behind by a senior of our Immortal Clam Clan [a clan of cultivators descended from immortal clams]."

"That senior had broken through the Sixfold Heaven [a critical bottleneck representing the sixth limit of a cultivator's power] barrier in life. Therefore, this Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl is a peerless specimen among Innate Rare Treasure, containing twenty-four Innate Path Patterns [natural patterns embodying the laws of the Dao] within it."

"Such a twenty-four-patterned Seven-colored Immortal Pearl possesses the wondrous effect of refining and condensing spiritual power. It can aid an Ancient Immortal Great Power [an ancient and powerful immortal cultivator] in tempering their mana, assisting them in assailing the Mana Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck in mana refinement]."

"Generally speaking, an Ancient Immortal [an immortal cultivator from ancient times] who has already broken the sixfold limit of their mana can use this treasure to refine their power, potentially breaking the Force Extreme [the ultimate limit of power] two more times." Official source: audio-novel dot com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Hearing this, the three of them were overcome with wild joy.

According to Rainbow Mist Qu's description, this Seven-colored Immortal Pearl [a legendary pearl that radiates seven colors of light] was a supreme treasure for aiding cultivation. An Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has transcended multiple heavenly tribulations] who had cultivated their mana to the Sixth Limit of Mana [the sixth level of mana density and potency] could, upon obtaining this Seven-colored Immortal Pearl, refine their mana all the way to the Eighth Limit Realm [the eighth level of mana density and potency].

Generally speaking, an ordinary Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived three heavenly tribulations], without external aids or the practice of a Great Encompassing [a profound and all-encompassing cultivation method] secret art, would mostly remain at the level of Sixth Limit of Mana.

Both the Celestial Maiden [a title for a powerful female immortal] and Horizon Patriarch [a patriarch known for his vast knowledge and distant perspective] were in such a state, their mana cultivation barely at the Sixth Limit of Mana. The path to shattering the Ninth Limit [the ultimate ninth level of mana density] and breaking through the Mana Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck in mana refinement] was still long and arduous.

Yet, if they could use this Seven-colored Immortal Pearl to temper their mana, they would directly advance to the Eighth Limit Realm. If they could then obtain a copy of the Great Encompassing Marvelous Art [a marvelous cultivation technique of the Great Encompassing path], breaking through to become a Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived four heavenly tribulations] might be within reach.

After all, both possessed the aptitude of Innate Heavenly God Being [beings born with the potential of heavenly gods], meaning the bottlenecks in their cultivation before reaching the Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] were far less daunting than those faced by ordinary Ancient Immortal Great Power [a powerful ancient immortal].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but inquire, "Might I ask, Fellow Daoist, what price do you set for this Seven-colored Immortal Pearl?"

Upon hearing this, both the Celestial Maiden and the Horizon Patriarch also looked over with grave expressions.

The value of a Twelve-Rune Innate Ancient Treasure [an ancient treasure born of heaven and earth, marked with twelve primal runes] was roughly between fifty and sixty strands of Innate Energy [the primordial energy from which all things are born].

This Seven-colored Immortal Pearl was a Twenty-Four Rune Innate Ancient Treasure [an ancient treasure born of heaven and earth, marked with twenty-four primal runes]. In principle, the price of a twenty-four rune treasure was five times that of a twelve-rune one—that is, between two hundred fifty and three hundred strands of Innate Energy.

Yet such a divine object, capable of not only refining a cultivator's spiritual power but also being a reusable treasure that can serve as one of the foundational legacies of an ancient sect, naturally commands a price far exceeding that of an ordinary Twenty-Four Rune Innate Ancient Treasure.

Its true value was something Eldrin Chen found difficult to appraise.

With a faint smile, Rainbow Mist Qu pondered briefly before addressing Eldrin Chen. "To be perfectly candid," she said, "this Seven-colored Immortal Pearl is a treasure for which demand far outstrips supply. Many Great Encompassing Ancient Sect have sought to purchase it to bolster their foundations, offering prices as high as five hundred strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation], yet we have been unwilling to part with it."

"However, since it is you, Fellow Daoist, who desires it, I am naturally willing to offer a more favorable price. Let us set it at the value of three hundred strands of Innate Energy, equivalent to an Innate Ancient Treasure of the same tier. What do you think?"

The three listeners were momentarily taken aback. The Celestial Maiden glanced at Eldrin Chen, seemingly surprised that he possessed such significant influence to warrant a Great Encompassing Ancient Clan selling him a favor.

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he felt compelled to explain. "One of my Dao-companions was born from the transformation of a Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a mythical clam of profound spiritual purity], and I have a close friend who is a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] from the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam clan."

"I see,"

the Celestial Maiden nodded in understanding. The bloodline of the Primordial Ancestor of Immortal Clam Clan was that of the Innate Nine-Colored Immortal Shell [the primordial, most supreme form of the immortal clam], and its cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Quasi-Sage Realm [a realm just one step below the legendary Sages].

However, ever since the Late Primordial Era [a cataclysmic epoch in the distant past], when the Primordial Ancestor of Immortal Clam Clan vanished during a great calamity, the Immortal Clam Clan had come to revere the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam as its sovereign lineage.

Presently, the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Golden Immortal realm] who leads the Immortal Clam Clan achieved the Dao as a Seven-Colored Immortal Clam. Consequently, the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam are considered the imperial royalty within the Immortal Clam Clan, holding a position of extraordinary prestige and honor.

Both the Dao Companion and fellow cultivators of Eldrin Chen are Seven-Colored Immortal Clam [a rare and auspicious type of spiritual clam], so it is no wonder he has gained the favor of the Immortal Clam Clan [a powerful clan whose members are descended from or bonded with immortal clams].

At this moment, a flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes. He vaguely realized that Rainbow Mist Qu had recognized him, and this price was likely offered out of regard for Nyssa Qu.

Nyssa Qu has now attained the form of a Nine-Colored Immortal Shell [the ultimate evolutionary stage of an immortal clam, signifying supreme potential]. A Nine-Colored Immortal Shell is born with a Patriarch Level Innate Divine Ability [a supreme power inherent to one's bloodline or form], meaning Nyssa Qu will face no insurmountable bottlenecks until she attempts to break through to the Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] realm.

And after breaking through to Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal, once a Immortal Clam Clan Great Encompassing Being Immortal Lord [a supreme immortal sovereign] bestows upon her an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from primordial chaos, containing immense power], Nyssa Qu's cultivation will, in an extremely short time, shatter the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck that requires a spiritual treasure to overcome] and ascend to the Great Encompassing Realm [the realm of cosmic creation and destruction].

With talent destined for the Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] realm, coupled with the latent potential of a Nine-Colored Immortal Shell, Nyssa Qu possesses an immense likelihood of breaking through to Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the golden perfection of the Great Encompassing Realm]. Naturally, she is viewed by the Immortal Clam Clan as their Future hope.

Even if she does not succeed in that ultimate breakthrough, the combat power of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal would still make her one of the Heaven-Propping Pillar [a foundational treasure or person that supports a great power] of the Immortal Clam Clan. Immerse yourself in the complete world at audio-novel.com (official site).

After all, an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal wielding an Innate Spiritual Treasure possesses power sufficient to dominate the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of immortals], finding few, if any, worthy rivals. One could say that unless a Great Encompassing being appears, such an immortal is virtually invincible across the world.

In truth, within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal of any era are exceedingly rare.

Even the Frigid Immortal Domain, backed by the Frigid Heaven Imperial Lord, produces only one Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal every billion years. For an ordinary Immortal Domain like the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, it is likely that not a single one would be born even over the course of three thousand Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and renewal].

The Violet Sun Immortal Domain is a port Immortal Domain adjacent to the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms emerged]. At least several thousand Ancient Immortal from various Immortal Domain gather here, yet the number of Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal among them can still be counted on one hand, universally acknowledged to be no more than five.

Moreover, most of these individuals were adventuring within the Depths of Chaos [a perilous and unstable region between realms], and it was unlikely they would return to the Violet Sun Immortal Domain even once in tens of millions of years.

"It seems the Immortal Clam Clan [an ancient clan of immortal clam spirits] values Nyssa even more highly than I anticipated,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly before speaking aloud, "Then I offer my sincere thanks, Senior."

Receiving the Seven-colored Immortal Pearl [a precious pearl imbued with the radiant power of seven colors], the three of them felt a surge of pleasant surprise in their hearts.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen inquired further, "Might I ask if the Immortal Clam Ancient Clan lineage has any Great Encompassing Marvelous Art [a supreme cultivation technique of vast and profound nature] for sale that can shatter the Ninth Limit [the ultimate theoretical ceiling for one's foundational spiritual power]?"

"A Great Encompassing Marvelous Art?"

Rainbow Mist Qu's eyes flickered thoughtfully. After a brief pause, she said, "There are indeed a few such methods. However, their cultivation prerequisites are quite stringent, and you may not succeed in mastering them."

"Oh?" Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened slightly at her words, and he promptly asked, "Please speak plainly, Senior."

Rainbow Mist Qu gave a slight nod, yet still cautioned, "Let me be clear beforehand. The Great Encompassing Marvelous Art is a core inheritance of our Immortal Clam Clan. As a rule, it is not lightly transmitted to those outside our clan."

"However, out of regard for you, I can impart it. But remember, you must not casually pass it on to others."

Speaking of this, Rainbow Mist Qu waved her sleeve and retrieved three shells, handing them to Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen took them and examined them. He found that one shell was filled with Thunderclap Force [a powerful force akin to a thunderclap], the second brimmed with Primordial Solar [the purest essence of the sun] radiance, and the final one contained a seven-colored light.

He first picked up the Thunderclap shell and discovered within it a scroll of a profound method named the Violet Firmament Thunderclap Limit-Breaking Art. The second was named the Great Sun Self-Refinement Path.

The final Seven-Colored Shell was engraved with dense Innate [pertaining to the primordial, uncreated state] Daoist scriptures. Each character held profound and unfathomable mysteries, and at the top were inscribed five large characters.

"Seven-Colors Path Refinement Scripture."

After a brief perusal of the three scriptures, Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart.

These three volumes of Ancient Scripture were all Great Encompassing Ancient Scripture [supreme scriptures of the highest order]. Each contained peerless and profound mysteries, treasures of immense value even within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains. This reminded Eldrin Chen of the profound depth of the Immortal Clam Clan's heritage.

Legend spoke of a time, nearly ten million years ago, when the Immortal Clam Clan boasted four Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [Golden Immortals of the Great Encompassing Realm]. They were: the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord, the Violet Firmament Immortal Lord, the Clear Sun Immortal Lord, and that senior who attained the Dao from a Nine-Colored Immortal Shell.

However, when the Purple Seal Immortal Lord attained his Dao, an unprecedented cataclysm shook the Myriad Heavens. Countless mighty experts who followed the Purple Seal Immortal Lord perished. The Violet Firmament Lord, the Clear Sun Lord, and the Nine Radiance Immortal Lord all fell within that great Tribulation [cosmic calamity].

Only the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord, who remained guarding the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain, escaped the disaster. Consequently, the Immortal Clam Clan fell into decline and obscurity, plummeting from a mid-tier position among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races to languish at the very bottom.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh with admiration, "To casually produce three scrolls of the Great Encompassing Marvelous Art, the depth of your clan's heritage is truly vast and profound, earning my utmost respect."

Rainbow Mist Qu shook her head, her gaze dimming as she spoke, "Legends say that in the ancient times, when our Primordial Ancestor of Immortal Clam Clan [the founding progenitor of the Immortal Clam lineage] still walked the earth, our Immortal Clam Clan not only had figures who reached the Primordial One Imperial Lord [the supreme realm of a single, unified primordial essence] realm, but even boasted more than ten Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [immortals who have attained the highest golden perfection of the Great Encompassing Path]."

"But now, passed down to this era, we have lost eight or nine parts out of ten of that foundational legacy. We are truly ashamed before our ancestors."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, recalling the legends surrounding the Immortal Clam Clan.

It was said the Primordial Ancestor of Immortal Clam Clan was one of the first living beings born at the dawn of the Primordial Immortal Domain [the original, foundational realm of the immortals]. Its bloodline was of unparalleled nobility, once standing shoulder-to-shoulder with beings of the same generation as the Candle Dragon [a mythical dragon that illuminates or extinguishes the world], the Primordial Phoenix [the first phoenix, symbolizing rebirth and primordial fire], and the Qilin Ancestor [the progenitor of all benevolent, auspicious qilin].

The present-day Immortal Clam Clan are all descendants of the Nine-Colored Immortal Shell [a mythical clam whose shell radiates nine divine hues].

It is said the nine powers of the Nine-Colored Immortal Shell were divided and inherited by its twelve bloodline descendants: the Sun God, the Moon Goddess, the Star Deity, Violet Firmament, Snow Soul, Seven-Colored, Five-Colored, Three Colors, and others, giving birth to twelve Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Thus, at the peak of its power, the Immortal Clam Clan possessed one Primordial One Imperial Lord and twelve Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Yet, since the upheavals of the Late Primordial Era [the chaotic twilight of the primordial age], the Primordial Ancestor of Nine-Colored Immortal Shell vanished, and the majority of the other Great Encompassing Golden Immortal fell, resulting in the loss of most of the Immortal Clam Clan's foundational heritage by the present day.

In principle, even if a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal perishes, they should be able to revive from the River of Space-Time [the metaphysical flow that contains all past, present, and future events]. Yet, the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal of the Immortal Clam Clan have still not returned to this day.

Eldrin Chen's heart harbored a profound suspicion: these Great Encompassing Golden Immortal had likely met the same fate as Great God Vast Azure—struck down in a single, incomprehensible blow by an indescribable existence. That blow had even traveled down the Long River of time, slaying each attempt at their resurgence, preventing their complete return to this day.

By comparison, Great God Vast Azure at least left behind a remnant Vast Azure Immortal Domain. The others might never have established an Immortal Domain, or perhaps they perished within the Depths of Chaos, their final resting places lost to all.

"Even those who have transcended the River of Destiny, those Great Encompassing Golden Immortal who possess Indestructibility [a state of true deathlessness]... can they not truly master their own life and death before such unfathomable beings?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a chill creeping into his soul.

That such Great Encompassing Golden Immortal had fallen was one thing. But that the Primordial Ancestor of Nine-Colored Immortal Shell, whose power soared beyond the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm to touch the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm, had also failed to return... The sheer terror implied by this realization sent a deeper cold through Eldrin Chen's being.

What use is Indestructibility [the power to defy true death], the ability to resurrect endlessly from the River of Space-Time, if a single sword stroke can follow that very river downstream, instantly slaying each newly reborn Great Encompassing Golden Immortal? Is that not, for all intents and purposes, true and final extinction?

"Is this the power of the Chaos Realm, the might wielded by those Heavenly Emperor Divine Sovereign?"

Eldrin Chen whispered, a shudder running down his spine.

A moment later, Eldrin Chen forcibly reined in his thoughts. He refused to dwell further on such terrifying prospects. Instead, he focused his mind once more upon the three scrolls of Ancient Scripture before him.

After careful, repeated examination, Eldrin Chen discerned that while all three scrolls of Ancient Scripture were profoundly mystical, a clear hierarchy existed among them.

Both the Violet Firmament Thunderclap Limit-Breaking Art and the Great Sun Self-Refinement Path prove worthy of their lineage as Great Encompassing Ancient Scripture. The former refines spiritual power by harnessing the might of the Violet Heaven Divine Thunder, enabling cultivators to shatter the Mana Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck in a cultivator's spiritual power development].

The latter involves arduous cultivation of the Solar Great Path, refining spiritual power through the Primordial Solar Great Sun Path, and can also assist an Immortal in breaking through the Ninth Limit Realm [the ninth and penultimate known limit of spiritual power density].

Yet, the final Seven-Colors Immortal Refinement Scripture is even more profoundly mysterious. It is an exceedingly rare volume of Great Encompassing Marvelous Art [a supreme-tier cultivation art of legendary rarity and power].

Refining spiritual power with this method involves borrowing the Five Elements Power and harnessing the profound mysteries of Polarity [the fundamental duality of Yin and Yang] to temper one's mana, ultimately aiding the cultivator in breaking the limits of a Limit-Breaker. In theory, it can help an existence with Ninth Limit mana shatter the Tenth Limit Mana [a mythical tenth and ultimate limit of spiritual power].

However, cultivating this art is exceptionally demanding. It requires simultaneous cultivation of both the Polarity and the Five Elements Great Path, or alternatively, the use of treasures imbued with the mysteries of Polarity and Five Elements [the five fundamental elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] to refine one's spiritual power.

Thus, this art is almost the exclusive technique of the Seven-Colored Immortal Clam, as ordinary people can scarcely meet its cultivation prerequisites.

Yet, after Eldrin Chen examined it repeatedly, he exchanged a glance with Horizon Patriarch and the Celestial Maiden. Both of their faces also lit up with wild joy.

"The Polarity Five Elements Power required by this Seven-Colors Immortal Refinement Scripture can be substituted with the Polarity Five Elements Gourd [a magical treasure that harmonizes Yin-Yang and the Five Elements]," he stated.

"It seems we absolutely cannot relinquish that Polarity Gourd held by the Four Tribulations Ancient Immortal," Eldrin Chen concluded inwardly, his gaze finally settling on Rainbow Mist Qu. "Dare I ask, Senior, what is the value of this item?"

Rainbow Mist Qu cast a glance and said with a flicker in her eyes, "If all three of you wish to purchase this scripture, each of you must pay one hundred strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, untainted energy that forms the foundation of the world]. However, you must not teach it to anyone without our permission."

Upon hearing this, all three of them breathed a sigh of relief. Including the Seven-colored Immortal Pearl, the total cost of six hundred strands of Innate Energy was still within their means.

The combined value of the Glazed Treasure Light Fish and the Glazed Treasure Light Fish King amounted to only about five hundred and fifty strands of Innate Energy.

After each exchanged for a copy of the Seven-Colors Immortal Refinement Scripture [a profound scripture detailing a method for refining one's body and spirit using the seven colors], they found their funds running short again. Thus, they sold the Five-Colored Glazed Shield to the Immortal Clam Clan for fifty strands of Innate Energy.

Having thus obtained the treasures they desired, the three cultivators felt a wave of relief and promptly took their leave.

However, just as Eldrin Chen was about to depart, he heard Rainbow Mist Qu call out, "Please wait a moment, Fellow Cultivator Eldrin."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen halted his steps and turned his gaze towards Rainbow Mist Qu.

With a faint smile, Rainbow Mist Qu led Eldrin Chen to a secluded chamber. There, she handed over the 'Violet Firmament Thunderclap Limit-Breaking Art [a powerful technique that uses thunderclaps from the violet heavens to shatter cultivation bottlenecks]' and the 'Great Sun Self-Refinement Path [a cultivation method that harnesses the essence of the great sun to temper one's own body and soul]' to Eldrin Chen, saying,

"I have heard from Sister Purple Mist that your comprehension is extraordinary, Fellow Cultivator. They say you are the most prodigious talent the Human Race has seen in three thousand Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense destruction and rebirth]."

"I entrust these two scrolls of profound methods to you, Fellow Daoist. I trust they may serve as a valuable reference."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart and immediately wished to decline.

But then he saw Rainbow Mist Qu shake her head and speak with calm composure: "Nyssa is a true seed [a cultivator of exceptional innate potential] of our Immortal Clam Clan Great Encompassing Being. Yet, with our Immortal Clam Clan now beset by perils on all sides, I cannot bring her back to the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain for proper nurturing."

"I can only ask you to watch over her with extra care." Original publication: http://www . audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.