Chapter 1876 : Spoils of the Primordial Abyss

Hearing this, everyone present offered a faint smile.

In this battle, they had slain a total of eight Dragon Race Imperial Scions of peerless talent. The treasures and artifacts they had seized could only be described as astonishing.

There were a full eight Dao Source [the condensed origin of a cultivator's Dao, a supreme treasure] that had weathered eight Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth], and in addition, over a dozen portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure [extremely rare materials of cosmic origin], each one a priceless rarity seldom seen in the world.

Of course, what stirred Eldrin Chen's heart most were the remains of the Primordial Desolation Dragon [an ancient dragon embodying primordial desolation] and the Dao Source belonging to Bixia, the Imperial Scion.

Both of these individuals were prodigies who had forged an Indestructible Foundation [an unshakable foundation for future cultivation]. Had this particular Kalpa Tribulation not been so terrifyingly severe, in any previous cycle they would have been figures qualified to become a Protagonist of the Kalpa [a central figure destined to shape the events of a Kalpa].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "Such individuals inherently possessed an immense likelihood of achieving the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm]. A pity they encountered us."

As Eldrin Chen spoke, he continued, "Let us divide the spoils. Afterwards, we shall remain in seclusion within the Primordial Abyss Immortal Pool [a sacred pool of immortal energy within the Primordial Abyss] to see if we can achieve a further breakthrough."

Upon hearing his words, the group immediately began to inventory the gains from the battle.

From this conflict, they had seized eight Dao Source and thirteen portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure.

For Eldrin Chen, most of these treasures held little practical use. After pondering deeply, he selected the Dao Source from the Primordial Desolation Dragon and took two portions of the Great Luo Rare Treasure.

One portion of the Great Luo Rare Treasure was Profound Yin Cold Marrow [a rare, spiritually-charged ore of extreme yin and cold properties], while the other was Profound Gold Jade Marrow [a precious ore combining the essence of gold and jade].

The others also each received one or two portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure and Dao Source [the primordial source of the Dao, containing immense spiritual power], their faces alight with ecstatic joy.

After the treasures were distributed, Eldrin Chen sought out Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor and traded the Profound Gold Jade Marrow for that piece of Crimson Departure Fire Jade [a fiery jade imbued with the essence of the departing crimson sun].

Watching him acquire the Crimson Departure Fire Jade, Lyra Jiang spoke thoughtfully, "You intend to repair the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot [a legendary pot capable of summoning and commanding a host of spectral crows]?"

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen nodded, his gaze grave. "With this Crimson Departure Fire Jade and the Profound Yin Cold Marrow, I now possess a measure of confidence in restoring the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot."

Lyra Jiang gave a slight nod of understanding, then continued, "Ao Hong still lacks an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from nature, possessing innate spiritual power]. This artifact seems quite suitable for him."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile but said no more, simply leading the group onward toward the Primordial Abyss Great Marsh.

They journeyed to the very heart of the Primordial Abyss Great Marsh, where they found an ancient, fathomlessly deep pool. Its waters flowed with the Qi [the vital energy that flows through all living things] of Chaos and destruction, each wisp and strand seemingly capable of grinding down the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and heavens of existence], yet it also held an indestructible, divine quality.

"Exercise caution. The waters of this Primordial Abyss Immortal Pool are exceedingly potent and domineering. Do not rush the process of refining them."

Gazing upon the Primordial Abyss Immortal Pool, a trace of solemnity surfaced between Umbralia's brows.

She informed the gathering that while the Primordial Abyss Divine Liquid [a legendary spiritual liquid of immense power] possessed wondrous and limitless uses, it was also exceedingly potent and domineering. If one could not withstand its medicinal potency, even an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] could very likely suffer cultivation deviation and fall into madness.

Fortunately, most of those present were top-tier Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortals, and thus did not fear the domineering nature of this Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] divine liquid.

Eldrin Chen retrieved a portion of the Chaos divine liquid and began refining it. Instantly, he felt an overwhelmingly potent stream of immortal liquid surge into his body, relentlessly eroding his Primordial Unity [a foundational state of primordial oneness] Indestructible Body [a body tempered to near-invulnerability].

Thankfully, his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a supreme constitution forged from primordial chaos, granting near-absolute resilience] was extraordinary. In the blink of an eye, it refined this domineering medicinal power, absorbing its indestructible divine essence and fusing it into his flesh.

"A pity."

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh with regret.

He had initially believed this Primordial Abyss Divine Liquid was extraordinary enough to temper his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body, but now he realized he had overestimated it.

It was not that the Primordial Abyss Divine Liquid was insufficiently powerful, but rather that the Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body was simply too astonishing.

Consider this: if even the Violet Firmament Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique] of the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [a mythical phoenix of ultimate violet power] could not destroy such a constitution, how could a spiritual treasure like the Primordial Abyss Divine Liquid compare to the sheer, destructive force of divine Thunder?

With this thought, Eldrin Chen drew two portions of the Chaos divine liquid and began refining one of them.

The others, seeing this, each took a portion for themselves and found secluded cultivation chambers to begin refining this Chaos Divine Liquid.

Thus, time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, a thousand years passed.

On this day, Eldrin Chen was roused from his secluded cultivation. He shook his head with a trace of regret. Perhaps due to his physical body being excessively powerful, the Primordial Abyss Divine Liquid provided him with an almost imperceptibly minute enhancement.

Its sole effect was to utilize the indestructible divine nature within the liquid to replenish the power of indestructibility within his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body.

Eldrin Chen understood clearly that his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body had now reached a state where no further advancement was possible. To progress even a fraction further would inevitably attract the Eternal True Spirit [the primordial and everlasting source of all spiritual essence], resulting in an infusion of countless True Spirit Imprint [the fundamental patterns and laws of the True Spirit] and the cultivation of a True Spirit Physique [a legendary physical constitution born from the essence of the Eternal True Spirit].

Of course, for Eldrin Chen, achieving that fractional progress remained an endeavor of immense difficulty.

"I still require the aid of the Grand Luo Wind Vein [a legendary spiritual vein of wind attributed to the Grand Luo Heaven]," he murmured.

Eldrin Chen whispered this thought inwardly. Then, he swept his divine sense across the Primordial Abyss Great Marsh, finding the others still deep in secluded cultivation. He then retrieved the Dao Source [the condensed origin and fundamental law of a being's cultivation path] of the Primordial Desolation Dragon.

This Primordial Desolation Dragon was one of the ancient True Dragon [a primordial and supreme race of dragon-kind], a draconic species exceedingly rare for its exclusive focus on cultivating the physical body.

This lineage typically possessed extremely low intelligence, existing in a muddled, somnolent state much like the Primordial Malevolent Spirit [ancient spirits of pure malice and chaos]. Only under exceedingly rare and accidental circumstances could they ever develop sentience.

And once a Primordial Desolation Dragon [a legendary dragon species from the dawn of creation] gains sentience, it is destined to become a prodigy on the path of Sainthood through the Flesh [a cultivation path focused on achieving immortality through physical body refinement].

As far as Eldrin Chen knew, within the entire Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of the immortal world], prodigies who achieved Sainthood through the Flesh were exceedingly rare, perhaps not appearing once in hundreds of millions of years.

For to achieve Sainthood through the Flesh, one must cultivate a True Spirit Physique [a supreme physical constitution where one's foundational Dao suppresses all others]. Such individuals are invariably epoch-defining geniuses, often capable of simultaneously breaking through other Great Luo Heavenly Pass [the celestial tribulations and bottlenecks on the path to the Grand Luo realm].

Only a very few, despite cultivating a True Spirit Physique, lacked talent in comprehending the Great Dao or amassing profound mana, and could only prove their Dao and achieve immortality through their physical body alone.

And among these Grand Luo [the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, a pinnacle of immortal cultivation] immortals who achieved Sainthood through the Flesh, the Primordial Desolation Dragon clan had always been a dazzling lineage.

The entire Primordial Desolation Dragon race boasted six Grand Luo Golden Immortal [Grand Luo Golden Immortals], and even one existence at the level of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign ruler born from the Primordial Chaos]. Every single one of them had cultivated a True Spirit Foundation [the foundational stage of the True Spirit Physique], accounting for over thirty percent of all practitioners on the path of Sainthood through the Flesh.

The Ao Huang slain by Eldrin Chen had not yet fully cultivated his True Spirit Foundation, but he was exceedingly close to that achievement.

Most crucially, the Primordial Desolation Dragon body contained innate bloodline divine abilities—the Innate Divine Abilities [innate supernatural powers granted by one's bloodline or constitution] of the Sainthood through the Flesh path—which could tremendously enhance combat prowess. This fact stirred considerable interest within Eldrin Chen.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen decisively began refining this Dao Source [a crystallized essence containing profound insights into the fundamental Dao].

Given his current cultivation level, refining an Eighth Tribulation Dao Source was now an exceedingly swift process. After a mere few hundred years, he had completely refined this Dao Source and finally awoke from his secluded meditation.

"Battle Saint Art!"

Eldrin Chen opened his eyes, slowly contemplating the insights he had gleaned from the Dao Source [a source of profound enlightenment containing the essence of a being's cultivation path], and could not help but murmur to himself.

This time, from the Dao Source of the Primordial Desolation Dragon [an ancient and immensely powerful dragon of desolation], he had comprehended the cultivation insights of the dragon's entire lifetime. His gains could truly be described as exceedingly bountiful.

However, what truly brought a pleasant surprise to Eldrin Chen was precisely the Battle Saint Art [a divine ability that enhances physical combat prowess] belonging to the lineage of the Primordial Desolation Dragon.

This Battle Saint Art was an Innate Divine Abilities [divine abilities inherent to a specific race or bloodline] of the Primordial Desolation Dragon clan. Unlike ordinary Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [divine abilities of the highest tier, typically mastered by Patriarch-level beings], which could unleash astonishing power in an instant or possessed various wondrous applications, this ability was different.

If one were to categorize it, the Battle Saint Art resembled a special type of auxiliary Forbidden Divine Ability [divine abilities that grant immense power at a severe, often permanent, cost].

For once activated, the Battle Saint Art could amplify the physical strength of a Primordial Desolation Dragon threefold. Moreover, its power would grow stronger and stronger as the battle intensified.

It is crucial to understand that this was not a Forbidden Divine Ability.

Many Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme realm of cultivation, representing the pinnacle of immortal attainment] also possessed divine abilities that could unleash multiple times their combat power, but those were all Forbidden Divine Ability requiring an immense and terrible price.

Yet, the Battle Saint Art was not a Forbidden Divine Ability. It could be maintained in a normal state during combat, with its most significant drawback being merely an extremely high rate of energy consumption.

Furthermore, the Battle Saint Art [a supreme combat technique] is also an innate divine ability. Once activated, the blood within the Primordial Desolation Dragon [a legendary dragon of ancient desolation] boils, and every cell erupts with an indomitable will, granting the beast near-invincible instincts for close-quarters combat.

Even fighting purely on instinct, they can achieve peerless melee prowess within their own cultivation realm.

Coupled with the fact that the Battle Saint Art includes a complete set of grappling and striking techniques exclusive to the Primordial Desolation Dragon, allowing each of its blows to unleash astonishing power, it can be said this art is remarkably comprehensive.

"What a formidable Battle Saint Art,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of excitement stirring within him.

If he could master this art, relying on the power of his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of unbreakable chaos], wouldn't his strength undergo a qualitative leap?

Alas, the Battle Saint Art is a bloodline ability of the Primordial Desolation Dragon lineage, requiring the specific heritage of that clan to cultivate.

Moreover, such divine abilities are not integrated into one's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]; they are innate, hidden within the very blood and flesh as hereditary powers.

"It seems I must forge my own path,"

With this thought, Eldrin Chen whispered to himself. He then began using the Battle Saint Art as a blueprint to create a combat method uniquely his own.

Thus, three thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. It was not until after those three millennia that Eldrin Chen awoke from his secluded cultivation. Gazing upon the scroll of a mystical method before him, a trace of regret flickered in his eyes.

This time, emulating the Battle Saint Art, he had attempted to alter the Dao patterns and bloodline power within his fleshly body, and indeed succeeded in creating a unique bloodline divine ability of his own.

However, he discovered that this type of bloodline divine ability was far too domineering. It would suppress the spiritual energy within his body, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and even the power of his Great Dao. Cultivating it would likely result in more loss than gain.

"No wonder the Primordial Desolation Dragon cannot cultivate the laws of the Great Dao, and can rarely even develop sentience. So it is because this bloodline divine ability utterly suppresses their comprehension of the Dao and spiritual energy."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, then could not help but shake his head with a bitter smile. He did not attempt to alter this bloodline divine ability any further.

Even the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch of the Primordial Desolation Dragon race had failed to find a method to simultaneously cultivate bloodline divine abilities and the Great Dao. They were forced to walk the single path of Sainthood through the Flesh to its bitter end. Given Eldrin Chen's current level of attainment, it was likely beyond his reach as well.

He did not waste his effort, instead abandoning the notion of continuing to create a bloodline divine ability.

Of course, although he did not cultivate a bloodline divine ability, Eldrin Chen's efforts were not entirely in vain. By emulating the combat techniques of the Battle Saint Art, he had created a set of nine killing techniques.

This set of killing techniques was divided into Pure Yang, Profound Nether, Nirvana, Kunxuan, Soaring Edge, Wind Tribulation, Thunder, Frost Soul, and Chaos.

Each of these nine killing techniques could unleash a different type of power. Not only did they allow the Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body to exert explosive force surpassing its limits, but the different stances could also be used to counter different formidable foes.

Most crucially, these nine killing techniques impose few practical restrictions; they can be unleashed with bare hands or channeled through the Primordial Chaos Heaven Halberd [a legendary polearm of immense power], further augmenting his close-quarters combat prowess.

At this point, Eldrin Chen was reasonably satisfied.

Only then did Eldrin Chen retrieve the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot [a mystical vessel that commands a legion of crows] and begin the work of restoring this Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born of heaven and earth, possessing its own spiritual nature].

This Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot had originally been severely damaged. Fortunately, after eons of repair within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a legendary realm of immortals], it had gradually regained its original might.

Now, possessing two portions of Grand Luo [a supreme cultivation realm] divine materials, Eldrin Chen found the restoration of the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot to be a natural progression. He simply fused the divine materials into the Myriad Crows Pot, relying on the innate recuperative power of the Innate Spiritual Treasure to gradually restore it to completion.

Once the Myriad Crows Pot was restored, Eldrin Chen tested its capabilities. He discovered it could summon over ten thousand Innate Yin-Yang Crows [crows born with the power of opposing primal forces], each possessing strength at the Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable and powerful stage of immortal cultivation] level.

Furthermore, within the Myriad Crows Pot, resided two crow monarchs—one of Yin [the passive, dark, feminine principle] and one of Yang [the active, light, masculine principle].

The combat prowess of this Yin Crow and Yang Crow approached the threshold of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]. When combined, their strength was even sufficient to defeat an ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

"A fine treasure indeed," he murmured.

Gazing upon the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot, Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.

He calculated and deduced that both the Yin Crow and the Yang Crow were once Chaotic Holy Spirit at the Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm. Later, after being slain by a certain Grand Luo Golden Immortal, their Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] and flesh were entirely refined into the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot, becoming the two crow emperors within it.

Such a divine object might not offer a tremendous boost in combat power for a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, but for an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal, its power would undoubtedly surpass that of an ordinary Innate Spiritual Treasure.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Myriad Crows Pot and emerged from his secluded cultivation.

By now, everyone had already concluded their seclusion. This time, each had refined an Eight Tribulation Dao Source [a primordial source of Dao principles] and obtained a portion of Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] rare treasure. Nearly all had made significant progress in their cultivation.

The one who progressed the most was Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor. True to the prodigious Demon Race talent recognized by White Crane Immortal Lord, he had already cultivated a Ten-Limit physique back when he was at the Four Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm.

Now, seizing this opportunity, he pushed forward in one breath and successfully cultivated the Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of near-unbreakable resilience], achieving a notable increase in strength.

Furthermore, he used the Profound Gold Jade Marrow to forge a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability—the 'Heaven-Slaying Divine Edge'—granting his combat power another measure of growth.

Aside from him, the others also made progress. Those who had cultivated the Indestructible Body saw their physical power increase by one-tenth.

The Ancient Ice Phoenix, who had not yet cultivated the Indestructible Body, also experienced a significant enhancement in physical power, kindling a glimmer of hope for potentially achieving that constitution in the future.

Overall, apart from the immense leap made by Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor, the strength of the rest of the group improved by one to two-tenths.

"Well said. With Fellow Daoist Rift-Heaven's breakthrough this time, it seems our chances of venturing into the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent have increased by a few points."

Seeing everyone had made progress, Eldrin Chen couldn't help but smile faintly.

The Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor also smiled, yet sighed as he spoke, "Although this improvement is significant, I can already feel that the path ahead will be exceedingly difficult."

"With my innate talent, cultivating an Indestructible Body is already my limit. Even with ten or a hundred times the resources, it would be impossible for me to cultivate a second Indestructible Foundation."

"Even achieving a Ten Limits Foundation would be an arduous struggle..."

The Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor murmured softly, a hint of dimness in his gaze.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen did not offer any words. Everyone's innate talent had its limits; once that limit was surpassed, any further advancement would require tenfold or hundredfold greater effort.

For instance, among Eldrin Chen's Dao companions, aside from Nyssa Qu and Lyra Jiang, the others were nearing the limits of their innate potential.

Take Lila and Yvonne the Violet Consort, for example. Their talent was not exceptional among Ancient Immortals, and they could not cultivate Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder or Primordial Chaos Qi.

Relying solely on their own efforts, even if Eldrin Chen gave them one hundred supreme-grade Primordial Soul-Nourishing Woods, it would be exceedingly difficult for them to cultivate a Ten-Limit Primordial Spirit.

Even with the limit-breaking secret arts bestowed by Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor and the Primordial Earth Soul Scripture from Grand Nether Emperor Lord, one's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] would, at its foundation, likely only reach the Ten-Limit Realm. The hope of cultivating the Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit imbued with an indestructible divine nature] remains exceedingly slim.

Without the Five Thunders Spirit Forging Grand Method [a supreme method that tempers the Primordial Spirit with the power of five thunders] to continuously temper the Primordial Spirit, the difficulty of achieving the Indestructible Primordial Spirit is truly as arduous as scaling the heavens.

This is not a matter of insufficient resources, but rather that even if you were given such vast resources, you would be unable to digest and transform them into your own foundational potential.

Eldrin Chen was able to cultivate the Indestructible Primordial Spirit by relying on the Five Thunders Spirit Forging Grand Method to repeatedly shatter his Primordial Spirit. It was through this cycle of breaking and rebuilding, pushing past limits, that he finally forged that wisp of indestructible divinity.

They lack the Five Thunders Spirit Forging Grand Method. Relying on secret arts created by others, these methods may ultimately prove incompatible with their own unique paths.

In truth, this principle applies not only to the Primordial Spirit. Whether it is spiritual power, the physical body, or even the Dao Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivation and comprehension of the Dao], breaching the Eleventh Limit for any of these heavenly barriers is a feat of monumental difficulty. It requires that very process of breaking and remaking to take that final step.

Unless they can tailor-make and create a limit-breaking method perfectly suited to themselves, their chances of taking that step and forging their own Indestructible Foundation [a foundation of cultivation imbued with an indestructible quality] remain but a faint glimmer of possibility.

"A Ten Limits Foundation represents the limit for the vast majority of Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals who have survived eight heavenly tribulations]. With sufficient Opportunity [fateful encounters and resources], there is still a considerable chance of nurturing one to that stage."

"But to advance further and cultivate that Indestructible Foundation—it is not a matter of guaranteed success simply because one possesses resources."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a sudden wave of melancholy washing over him.

In this moment, he felt a flicker of uncertainty for Lila and the others. If they could not forge a foundation at the Eleventh Limit [the ultimate, perfect foundation for cultivation], then even if they stepped into the Kalpa Tribulation [the cosmic cycles of cataclysm and renewal], it would be exceedingly difficult for them to ultimately prove their Dao and attain Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the supreme immortal realm of Grand Luo].

After all, those who could sweep through the Kalpa Tribulation [the cosmic cycles of cataclysm and renewal], vanquish all rivals, and prove their Dao as Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the supreme immortal realm of Grand Luo]—which of them was not a peerless genius whose brilliance illuminated the annals of history?

Although an Indestructible Foundation [a foundation of cultivation so perfect it is considered unbreakable] is the seed of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign who rules over the primordial chaos], could it be said that any being capable of proving their Dao as a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the supreme immortal realm of Grand Luo] is *not* a seed of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign who rules over the primordial chaos]?

Even the most ordinary cultivator, having endured nine successive Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of cataclysm and renewal] to prove his Dao as a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the supreme immortal realm of Grand Luo], would inevitably possess a sliver of hope to achieve Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [sovereignty over the primordial chaos] once he took that final step.

"Enough of this. Why dwell on such thoughts?"

"If I can prove my Dao and attain Grand Luo [the supreme immortal realm], perhaps then I can help Lila and the others find their own opportunity for Grand Luo [the supreme immortal realm]."

Eldrin Chen murmured these final words to himself, casting the troubling thoughts from his mind.

He turned his gaze to Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Rift-Heaven, you need not belittle yourself. By forging an Indestructible Foundation [a foundation of cultivation so perfect it is considered unbreakable], you have already surpassed ninety percent of all Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals who have survived eight Kalpa Tribulations]."

"Your hope of proving your Dao and attaining Grand Luo [the supreme immortal realm] has now increased not merely tenfold, but far beyond."

Upon hearing this, Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor let out a hearty laugh. "You speak true. It seems my own greed has clouded my judgment."

Seeing this, Lyra Jiang spoke up at the opportune moment, "Since we have already concluded our secluded cultivation, there is no need for us to linger. Where should we go next?"

Upon hearing her words, everyone turned their gazes toward Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen met their looks and spoke frankly, "To be honest, my purpose in coming to the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent was to attempt the cultivation of the True Spirit Physique [a legendary physical constitution forged from the essence of a True Spirit]."

"Next, I wish to find a Grand Luo Wind Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual energy vein imbued with the power of wind] to continue my cultivation. I fear I will not emerge from seclusion until this endeavor is complete."

His words struck the group with profound astonishment.

Umbralia was shaken to her core. She stared intently at Eldrin Chen for a long moment before saying, "That Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor cultivated for over a hundred Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration, often billions of years], yet never succeeded in forging a second True Spirit Foundation [the foundational cultivation stage forged with the essence of a True Spirit]. To think you are now attempting a third..."

"It seems your innate talent far surpasses my imagination. Perhaps you truly possess the bearing of a future Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [a supreme being who has comprehended the fundamental Dao and attained sagehood]."

Her declaration sent another wave of shock through everyone's hearts.

Taking a deep breath, the Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor could not help but add, "Since ancient times, one or two cultivators achieving a single True Spirit Foundation could be seen every ten billion years. Their emergence, while remarkable, was not enough to draw the serious attention of the Dao Ancestor Immortal Sages."

"But to forge *two* True Spirit Foundation... that is a rarity echoing through the annals of eternity. Every individual who has done so has later ascended to become a pinnacle figure among the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarchs [supreme rulers who command the power of primordial chaos]."

"However, from what I know, all true Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the supreme masters of the Dao] Seeds have once cultivated three types of True Spirit Foundation [the foundational spiritual core of a cultivator]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen asked with curiosity, "Cultivating three types of True Spirit Foundation [the foundational spiritual core of a cultivator]—are such individuals truly that rare?"

"Of course they are rare."

The Ancient Ice Phoenix [a primordial beast of frost and legend] suddenly spoke, its tone thoughtful. "In the Primordial Era, aside from the seven current Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the supreme masters of the Dao], the number of beings within your Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective realm of immortal cultivation] who achieved three True Spirit Foundation [the foundational spiritual core of a cultivator] did not exceed a handful."

"Among that handful were figures like Lunar Emperor Lord, Kirin Ancient Ancestor, Kunpeng Emperor Lord, and a few other such paragons."

At this point, the Ancient Ice Phoenix [a primordial beast of frost and legend] sighed and continued, "Each of these beings was an invincible existence within the realm of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign ruler born from primordial chaos]. They were each but half a step away from successfully grasping their Dao and ascending to the level of a Chaos Celestial Emperor [a Celestial Emperor born from and ruling over primordial chaos]."

"The reason they could not break through to the Chaos [the state of primordial, undifferentiated existence] realm was not for lack of talent or innate potential. It was because they lacked one crucial thing—a strand of the key Chaos Primordial Qi [the primordial breath of creation from the dawn of existence]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes trembled slightly, a flicker of profound shock passing through them.

The Ancient Ice Phoenix [a primordial beast of frost and legend], having spoken thus far, added, "The reason your Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective realm of immortal cultivation] went to war with the Foreign Realm at the end of the Primordial Era was precisely because of a conflict over the Dao between the Divine Race's [a race of celestial beings] Lunar Emperor Lord and that realm's so-called 'Lunar Demon Sovereign'."

"That Lunar Emperor Lord was born with a companion Chaos [the state of primordial, undifferentiated existence] spiritual root—the Lunar Divine Tree [a divine tree embodying the essence of the moon]. He was also accompanied by a wisp of Chaos Primordial Qi [the primordial breath of creation from the dawn of existence] from the very opening of the Primordial Beginning Origin Domain. By all logic, he was destined to prove his Dao and attain the venerable seat of a Chaos Divine Emperor [a Divine Emperor born from and ruling over primordial chaos], fated to be the Fourth Divine Emperor of the Divine Race [a race of celestial beings]."

"It is a pity that at the critical moment, the Demon Race Celestial Emperor, coveting the authority over the Starry Great Dao, betrayed Lunar Emperor Lord and Purple Tenuity Divine Emperor, causing Lunar Emperor Lord's attempt to prove his Dao to fail and leading to the near-total collapse of Three Thousand Immortal Domains in that great war."

The Ancient Ice Phoenix recounted the events of that era, her gaze still holding a trace of lingering horror.

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen was also shaken. He surmised that the Celestial Emperor in question was the Solar Divine Emperor, and for the first time, his perception of that Solar Celestial Emperor shifted.

Beside them, Umbralia sighed and added, "Our Three Poles Origin Domain holds a significant place in the cosmos. At the dawn of creation, it possessed nine positions of Chaos Celestial Emperor stature."

"However, the strand of Chaos Primordial Qi [the primordial energy of chaos from which all things are born] belonging to the Lunar Divine Emperor was seized. The Kirin Ancient Ancestor, the Candle Dragon, and the Primordial Phoenix were also each born with a strand of Chaos Primordial Qi. Yet, during the era of the Primordial Divine Court, theirs were taken by Taichu, Purple Tenuity, and the Solar Divine Emperor respectively."

"Later, although the Candle Dragon and the Primordial Phoenix seized an Opportunity when the Immortal Cosmos Origin Domain shattered, the Kirin Ancient Ancestor never regained its Chaos Primordial Qi and thus could never take that final step."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen began to grasp some of the hidden truths.

So, in ancient times, the Primordial Beginning Divine Emperor and the Purple Tenuity Divine Emperor had seized the Chaos Primordial Qi from the Candle Dragon and the Primordial Phoenix, while the Solar Celestial Emperor had taken that of the Kirin Ancient Ancestor.

It was precisely for this reason that, after attaining their Daos, the Candle Dragon and the Primordial Phoenix were willing to cooperate with the Solar Celestial Emperor to establish the Demonic Celestial Court.

This was not only because the Solar Celestial Emperor had aided them in their ascension, but also because they were natural allies for him against the Primordial Beginning Divine Emperor and the Purple Tenuity Divine Emperor. The enmity between the Candle Dragon and the Primordial Phoenix and the Divine Race made them his perfect partners."

Conversely, Kirin Ancient Ancestor and the Demonic Celestial Court have remained utterly estranged for countless Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], with the Kirin Ancient Ancestor firmly seated as the leader of the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races. Yet, they maintain a notably close relationship with the Human Race, precisely because both sides share a common enemy, making them natural allies from the very beginning.