Chapter 1877 : The Third Foundation's Promise

"Three True Spirit Foundation [the foundational stage of a cultivator's spiritual core, representing immense potential]."

After understanding the cause and effect of this matter, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a soft sigh. The urgency to cultivate his third True Spirit Foundation [the foundational stage of a cultivator's spiritual core, representing immense potential] grew ever more fervent within his heart.

At this moment, he understood clearly in his heart: only by cultivating three True Spirit Foundation [the foundational stage of a cultivator's spiritual core, representing immense potential] could one truly be said to possess the bearing of a future Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the supreme pinnacle of cultivation, a being who has comprehended the fundamental Dao]. Such individuals, once they obtained Chaos Primordial Qi [the primordial, undifferentiated energy from which all creation sprang], possessed an exceedingly high likelihood of successfully proving their path to that ultimate realm.

As for others—whether they had one True Spirit Foundation [the foundational stage of a cultivator's spiritual core, representing immense potential] or two—they held merely a sliver of hope for success. They would require immense Opportunity [a confluence of fate, fortune, and circumstance crucial for major breakthroughs] to have even a ten or twenty percent chance.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen hesitated no longer. He turned his gaze to Umbralia and asked, "To cultivate my True Spirit Foundation [the foundational stage of a cultivator's spiritual core, representing immense potential], I require the assistance of a Grand Luo Wind Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual ley line of the wind element, a rare and powerful natural phenomenon]."

"As a direct disciple of the Taiyou Ancestral Court, do you know where on the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [a vast, ancient landmass filled with the remnants of bygone immortal eras] a suitable Grand Luo Wind Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual ley line of the wind element, a rare and powerful natural phenomenon] might be found?"

"A Grand Luo Wind Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual ley line of the wind element, a rare and powerful natural phenomenon]?"

Umbralia pondered for a moment before speaking. "Complete Grand Luo [a supreme-grade classification for spiritual veins and other phenomena] grade earth veins are already exceedingly rare, and wind veins among them are rarer still. Fortunately, the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [a vast, ancient landmass filled with the remnants of bygone immortal eras] is boundless and vast. There truly is one complete Grand Luo Wind Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual ley line of the wind element, a rare and powerful natural phenomenon]."

At this point, however, her words paused slightly, and her eyes grew solemn as she continued, "But that particular Grand Luo Wind Vein [a supreme-grade spiritual ley line of the wind element, a rare and powerful natural phenomenon]... is likely fraught with peril."

"Peril?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, a glimmer of curiosity surfacing within them.

Umbralia nodded and then began to speak. "That wind vein is named the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land [a perilous and ancient territory]. It was once the Great Luo Dao Field [a supreme cultivation sanctuary] of the Soul-Extinction Ancestral Court [an ancient and formidable sect] from the bygone Immortal Cosmos Ancient Continent [a primordial continent of immortals]."

"That Soul-Extinction Ancestral Court was founded by a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign who attained the pinnacle of power in the Primordial Chaos Era] from the Immortal Cosmos Origin Domain [the original realm of the immortal cosmos]. Naturally, its Great Luo Dao Field was astonishingly powerful. Even after the shattering of the Immortal Cosmos Origin Domain caused its grade to fall, it remains an exceptionally formidable Great Luo Dao Field."

Umbralia recounted the tale in detail. She informed Eldrin Chen that the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land was exceedingly perilous. It had remained unconquered for over several dozen Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles spanning billions of years], earning its place as one of the Nine Perilous Lands [the nine most dangerous territories] within the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [the continent formed from the ruins of the ancient immortal world].

"Unconquered for several dozen Kalpa Tribulation."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "Who was the last to capture it?" he inquired.

"The Carefree Immortal Lord [an immortal lord renowned for his unfettered nature]," interjected the Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor, his tone turning grave. "During a great epoch over seven billion years ago, the Carefree Immortal Lord allied with several dozen Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [ancient immortals who had survived eight heavenly tribulations]. Only after a bitter and protracted struggle did they finally seize the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land."

"Leveraging the Opportunity [a rare chance for profound advancement] from that campaign, the Carefree Immortal Lord succeeded in cultivating a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a perfected and indestructible spiritual core]. He has now reached the late-stage of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the Golden Immortal realm within the Grand Luo hierarchy], a figure of immense stature."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

He was somewhat familiar with the reputation of the Carefree Immortal Lord. It was said that before attaining Grand Luo [the supreme realm], he had not only forged a True Spirit Primordial Spirit but had also simultaneously cultivated the Five Indestructible Foundations [a legendary set of five unshakable cultivation bases]. His innate talent far surpassed that of contemporaries like Zhuyin and could be mentioned in the same breath as Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor Aurelius.

Moreover, this individual had become a disciple under Sage-King of the Grand Abyss, serving as the seventh direct-line successor. He possessed the Bearing of a Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage, granting him immense potential to one day ascend to the realm of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [the supreme sovereign of primordial chaos].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen spoke decisively, "If the Carefree Immortal Lord [a legendary, unfettered immortal sovereign] could accomplish it, then I am certainly capable of seizing it as well. There is no time to waste; let us act swiftly."

Umbralia initially intended to point out that the Carefree Immortal Lord's success was due to him rallying several dozen Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortals [immortals who have survived eight heavenly tribulations] to act in concert. However, recalling Eldrin Chen's dual True Spirit Foundation [a foundational cultivation stage of unparalleled purity and power], she ultimately suppressed the thought.

Thus, they soared through the void, traversing vast distances until they finally arrived before a region of profound and ancient gloom.

"This place," Umbralia declared, her voice grave, "is the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land."

Gazing upon the shadowy mountain range before them, Umbralia continued with utmost seriousness, "The Soul-Extinction Ancient Land is perilous beyond measure, saturated with the Soul-Corroding Wind [a wind that erodes the soul's essence]. Furthermore, it is haunted by Taboo Indestructible Malevolent Spirits [forbidden, nigh-immortal spirits of immense malice]. Even an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal faces a significant risk of permanent demise within its bounds."

Eldrin Chen offered no immediate reply. He merely studied the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land for a long moment, a faint crease forming between his brows.

In that moment, he perceived from within the ancient land an overwhelmingly powerful surge of the Soul-Extinction Wind [the ultimate, taboo wind capable of dispersing a cultivator's very spirit]. It was the most dangerous and dreadful forbidden energy, possessing the terrifying power to scatter a Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and essence of a cultivator] to nothingness.

Even an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal, should they dare to enter and cultivate within, risked being utterly obliterated, reduced to ashes scattered by that baleful gale.

More terrifying still were the remnants of those Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortals who had fallen there over countless eons. While most had their souls utterly extinguished, a rare few lingering wisps of consciousness, tempered and twisted by the ceaseless scour of the Soul-Extinction Wind, had transformed into forbidden entities—malevolent spirits of a truly taboo nature.

These Forbidden Evil Spirits [malevolent entities born from souls that have endured the Soul-Extinction Wind] possess a dreadful, seemingly imperishable Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. Even an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] who has cultivated a True Spirit Foundation [a foundation of true spirit energy] can, at most, only severely wound them, utterly incapable of eradicating them completely.

For an ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal, facing such a Forbidden Evil Spirit alone would carry the risk of perishing. Even wielding an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from nature, possessing immense power] would make it difficult to slay them.

"Forbidden evil spirits that are deathless and indestructible?"

Eldrin Chen murmured, a slight frown creasing his brow.

In that moment, he vaguely discerned the nature of these forbidden spirits. Their Primordial Spirit resembled the Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a state where the spiritual core becomes nearly impossible to destroy] of an Eleventh Limit [a cultivator who has pushed their foundation to the eleventh theoretical limit] cultivator. In fact, being even more ferocious and violent, they were indeed a troublesome foe to deal with.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen instead smiled faintly and spoke, "I've heard that upon slaying such a Forbidden Evil Spirit, one obtains a rare and precious treasure for the soul?"

"Indeed."

Umbralia nodded and explained, "The Soul-Extinction Wind [a mystical wind capable of dispersing souls] can scatter souls. The fact that they not only remain intact under its ceaseless, day-and-night assault but also transform into Forbidden Evil Spirits causes a portion of Indestructible Soul Water [a legendary liquid essence that fortifies and nourishes the soul to an indestructible degree] to coalesce within their forms."

"Legends say that Indestructible Soul Water is a supreme treasure of the soul path, its effects even surpassing those of the body cultivator's ultimate treasure, the 'Primordial Abyss Divine Liquid' [a divine liquid that reforges the physical body]. Furthermore, the more powerful the Forbidden Evil Spirit, the more potent the Indestructible Soul Water it harbors becomes."

"In ancient times, the Carefree Immortal Lord [an ancient, powerful immortal known for his carefree nature] was able to cultivate a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a primordial spirit refined to the level of true spirit energy] not only due to his unparalleled talent but also because he slew a Forbidden Evil Spirit that was on the very cusp of stepping into the True Spirit Realm [a legendary realm of cultivation]."

"So that's how it is."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a faint smile gracing his features.

If they could obtain sufficient Indestructible Soul Water [a mystical water that can nourish and fortify the soul], and supplement it with the Primordial Earth Soul Scripture [an ancient scripture detailing soul cultivation techniques] and the Soul-Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood that gently nurtures the soul's essence], then perhaps Lila and Yvonne the Violet Consort and the others might have a sliver of hope to cultivate the Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a legendary state where the cultivator's spiritual core becomes utterly impervious to decay or damage].

Of course, the true key to achieving the Indestructible Primordial Spirit lay in shattering one's inherent limits, allowing the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] to generate that wisp of indestructible divinity from within. The aid these external treasures could provide was, in truth, quite limited.

Nevertheless, with these Indestructible Soul Water in hand, they would at least possess a slightly greater hope of attaining the Indestructible Primordial Spirit.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen hesitated no longer. With a single step, he shattered the vault of heaven itself, striding directly into the heart of the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land [an ancient, desolate realm known for its soul-eroding properties].

"Woo-woo…"

The moment he set foot within the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, Eldrin Chen was met by a low, mournful keening.

Eldrin Chen could perceive with crystalline clarity a strange wind blowing in from all directions.

This eerie wind was insidious, seeping through every pore, relentlessly scouring both his physical form and his Primordial Spirit. It carried a sensation as if it sought to utterly grind away his flesh and erode his spiritual core into nothingness.

"Soul-Extinction Wind [a legendary, soul-scouring gale], it erodes bone and withers spirit."

"Legends say this wind can melt the flesh and bones of even Ancient Immortal Great Powers [powerful cultivators who have attained the Ancient Immortal realm], utterly annihilating the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] of those who have broken through the Great Luo Heavenly Pass [a supreme cultivation threshold]. Seeing it now, the tales hold true."

Eldrin Chen mused inwardly, sensing the profound peril within this Soul-Extinction Wind.

An ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] daring to step into this Soul-Extinction Ancient Land would have their soul scattered to the winds within mere tens of thousands of years.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen's True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit of the highest purity and strength] was incomparably potent. Even under the ceaseless assault of the Soul-Extinction Wind, it suffered not the slightest damage. Instead, it seemed tempered, growing ever more resilient.

"A formidable wind indeed," he remarked.

Meanwhile, the others followed him in. Upon feeling the Soul-Extinction Wind, their expressions shifted subtly.

Umbralia, Lyra Jiang, and the Reincarnation Body [a powerful avatar born from reincarnation] fared well, able to withstand the gale's force. The rest, however, felt significant pressure.

The Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor paled slightly and could not help but speak, "My cultivation has never focused on the Primordial Spirit. I barely managed to break through the Primordial Spirit Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck in Primordial Spirit cultivation]. I fear I cannot endure here for long."

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before speaking, "As the saying goes, extremes beget their opposites. While perilous, this Soul-Extinction Wind is also the finest whetstone for tempering one's Primordial Spirit."

"If you persist here for a sufficient duration, it may prove greatly beneficial to your Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]."

Upon hearing this, Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor gritted his teeth and said nothing more.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen immediately continued deeper into the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, only to discover that the further he ventured, the more potent the Soul-Extinction Wind [a soul-scouring wind that erodes spiritual essence] became.

"ROAR—"

He had not traveled far when a piercing, bestial roar echoed from the distance.

A colossal ape, its body covered in black fur, bellowed as it surged through the air, launching a ferocious assault towards Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen stood with his hands clasped behind his back. As the ape descended upon him, he decisively struck out with a single palm. The force of the blow sent the creature staggering back three paces.

Yet this outcome caused his brow to furrow slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features at the ape's formidable strength.

"A Primordial Demonic Ape [an ancient and immensely powerful demonic ape species],"

Umbralia spoke up, her voice tinged with astonishment. "Legends say that over one hundred million years ago, a peerless genius emerged from the Primordial Demonic Ape clan. Not only did he cultivate an Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of near-perfect resilience], but he also achieved several of the Ten Limits Foundation [the ten ultimate pinnacles of the Foundation Establishment realm]."

"I once believed it could ascend to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, yet it vanished without a trace amidst a Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial]. To think it actually perished here, transforming into this Indestructible Malignant Spirits [a malevolent entity whose spiritual essence persists even after death]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen showed a flicker of surprise before nodding. "An Indestructible Body [a physical form cultivated to a state of near-invulnerability]. No wonder it could withstand a single palm strike from me."

It must be understood that Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a supreme constitution born from chaos, granting immense physical resilience], while not yet having fully stepped into the True Spirit Realm [a profound cultivation realm focused on spiritual refinement], had already reached the absolute pinnacle of the Indestructible Body. He was, in fact, half a step into the True Spirit Realm.

For this Primordial Demonic Ape [an ancient and powerful demonic primate] to clash with him and retreat only three steps spoke volumes of its extraordinary physical prowess. Its fleshly body was likely among the very top tier even within the Indestructible Body classification.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen shook his head slightly. "Though the Primordial Demonic Ape's physical form is formidable, its Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and essence of a cultivator's being] is notably frail. If my deduction is correct, it came to this Soul-Extinction Ancient Land [an ancient, desolate place known to wither spiritual essence] precisely to remedy that weakness."

"A pity. Not only did it fail to cultivate an Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a divine ability that renders one's spiritual essence unbreakable], it instead lost its life here."

Eldrin Chen mused inwardly. At this moment, his eyes seemed capable of piercing through all obscurity, clearly perceiving that the Primordial Demonic Ape's Primordial Spirit was now shattered and ruined. Within that remnant soul, however, a wisp of indestructible divinity had been born, yet it flickered as weakly as a candle flame in the wind.

"Wait…"

At that very instant, Eldrin Chen paused, a trace of realization dawning.

He discovered that within the ape's remnant soul, there seemed to hide a faint, tenacious thread of consciousness. Even though this thread of will was eroded by infinite chaos, it stubbornly retained a sliver of clarity and awareness.

At this moment, Umbralia also seemed to sense something amiss.

After observing the Primordial Demonic Ape for a brief moment, she could not help but speak: "It still lives, but its Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] is far too weak. Moreover, it has been corrupted by the lingering resentment in this place, thus it exists in a state between life and death."

"ROAR!"

In the very instant the group was conversing, that Primordial Demonic Ape swung its black iron staff in a sweeping strike, surging forth with overwhelming killing intent, determined to settle the contest of supremacy with Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen remained unperturbed as he moved into action. With each step, he channeled the Nine Slaughter Techniques. In less than a hundred exchanges, he had battered the beast until it coughed blood and was sent flying. With another effortless motion, he completely suppressed it.

Witnessing the Primordial Demonic Ape being subdued, Lyra Jiang inquired, "What do you intend to do with this Primordial Demonic Ape?"

Eldrin Chen had initially intended to slay the Primordial Demonic Ape, but after a moment of contemplation, he said, "If it retained even a shred of sentience, I might have struck it down. Yet now, devoid of all awareness, I find myself unwilling to act against one who cannot even lift a finger in its own defense."

"Enough. In recognition of the hardship of its cultivation journey, I shall grant it a sliver of hope for survival."

As his words faded, Eldrin Chen retrieved a stalk of Soul-Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood that can heal and stabilize a damaged soul] and placed it within the Primordial Spirit of the Primordial Demonic Ape.

Like a pool of clear water, the Soul-Nourishing Wood merged with the ape's Primordial Spirit, instantly imparting a thread of vitality to its nearly withered remnant soul.

In that fleeting instant, the faint glimmer of sentience within His spiritual platform surged to dominance, forcibly suppressing the chaotic sliver of killing intent. He plummeted into the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land and sank into a profound slumber.

"What is the outcome?"

Witnessing this, the Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor inquired.

Eldrin Chen shook his head and replied, "A single stalk of Soul-Nourishing Wood is but a cup of water to him. At best, it can only slightly alleviate his nearly extinguished soul flame."

"His Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] is on the verge of being utterly snuffed out. Whether he ultimately survives depends entirely on his own fortune and will."

Observing this, Umbralia also nodded in agreement. "A minuscule spark of indestructible divinity already flickers within his Primordial Spirit. The key to his survival lies in whether he can nurture that spark into a blazing flame, allowing his Primordial Spirit to undergo a metamorphosis and birth the Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a state where the spiritual core becomes truly unbreakable]."

Thus concluded a minor interlude.

Thereafter, Eldrin Chen continued his journey toward the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, arriving at its periphery not long after.

As he stepped into the core region of the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, he finally encountered the forbidden wraiths that haunted this place. In an instant, twenty-eight of these spectral horrors took to the skies, their forms radiating an undying, overwhelming killing intent as they surged toward the group.

"Stay vigilant. Just hold off a portion of them for me."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, then immediately engaged these Forbidden Malignant Spirits [malevolent spiritual entities bound by ancient taboos] in fierce combat.

Yet, the moment the clash began, Eldrin Chen discovered the terrifying nature of these Forbidden Malignant Spirits.

Within the Grand Luo [a high-level cultivation realm] earth veins of previous locations, Eldrin Chen had also battled Indestructible Malignant Spirits [malevolent spirits with nearly unbreakable forms]. However, the combat prowess of those spirits' Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was between that of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] and an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], not considered particularly troublesome or powerful.

Any single Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal could confidently repel several Indestructible Malignant Spirits joining forces.

But the Forbidden Malignant Spirits here each possessed an Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a spiritual core of supreme resilience], and were exceptionally ferocious and potent. Augmented by the local earth vein and environment, even an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal could not claim certain victory in a one-on-one confrontation.

This proved true in practice. Once the battle commenced, both Ao Hong and the Ancient Ice Phoenix [a primordial phoenix of frost] could only hold back a single Forbidden Malignant Spirit.

Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor, Nyssa Qu, and Lyra Jiang, being more powerful, were merely confident in facing two Forbidden Malignant Spirits joining forces.

Umbralia and her Reincarnation Body [an avatar born from the cycle of rebirth] were mightier still, each confronting three Forbidden Malignant Spirits. Furthermore, Ao Hong summoned the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot [a magical pot that commands a legion of crows imbued with yin-yang power] to engage another spirit.

To prevent injuries or even fatalities among his companions, Eldrin Chen had no choice but to intercept the remaining thirteen spirits.

Facing thirteen such dreadful Forbidden Malignant Spirits alone—even Zhuyin would likely have been forced to turn and flee.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen had cultivated two types of True Spirit Foundation, granting him a qualitative difference in power compared to ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal cultivators.

Against him, ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal cultivators were like children; even a dozen of them joining forces could not hope to withstand his might. Only those who had advanced further, having cultivated two or three types of Indestructible Foundation, could pose even a minor threat to Eldrin Chen.

"BOOM—"

The clash between the two sides erupted across the heavens, and in the blink of an eye, over three thousand exchanges had been traded.

After trading fierce blows with the numerous malignant spirits, Eldrin Chen finally seized an opening. With a surge of Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder, he cleaved one of the forbidden entities in two.

With the first Forbidden Malignant Spirits slain, the tide of the battle irrevocably shifted.

Gripping the Primordial Chaos Heaven Halberd, Eldrin Chen continued his furious dance across the firmament with the Forbidden Malignant Spirits, methodically beginning to cull the Indestructible Malignant Spirits one by one.

The great battle raged on for over a thousand years before the assembled forces finally managed to slay the last of the Forbidden Malignant Spirits.

As the final entity fell, Eldrin Chen slowly released a held breath, a faint smile finally gracing his features.

"The deed is done."

Nyssa Qu also revealed a faint smile and could not help but speak, "Twenty-eight portions of Indestructible Soul Water [a rare spiritual liquid that nourishes and fortifies the soul]. My Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a state where one's spiritual core becomes unbreakable and eternal] may finally be within reach."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile slightly.

Nyssa Qu possessed the Primordial Chaos Emperor Lord Bloodline [a supreme lineage granting immense potential and affinity with primal chaos]. In theory, she could cultivate all her foundational aspects to an indestructible state.

Although achieving an Indestructible Foundation [an unshakable and perfect cultivation base] was no small feat, it was undoubtedly far simpler for her than for figures like the Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor. With the aid of the unique environment within the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land [an ancient, soul-draining realm] and the Indestructible Soul Water, she should have at least a fifty percent chance of successfully cultivating her Indestructible Primordial Spirit.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen also nodded and said, "In a few days, you shall enter seclusion here with me. Let us see if you can achieve the Indestructible Primordial Spirit."

As they spoke, Eldrin Chen suddenly furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze shifting towards the towering mountain at the very heart of the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land.

"You sensed it too?"

Umbralia spoke, her voice calm. "After we slew those Forbidden Malignant Spirits [ancient, malevolent spectral beings], their soul essences transformed into the purest indestructible soul origin and were drawn by the local field to the summit of that Soul-Extinction Mountain [the Mountain of Soul Extinction]."

"It seems this is not yet over."

Eldrin Chen stated coolly, then added, "No wonder I always felt this battle was far simpler than anticipated."

With those words, he strode forward and ascended Soul-Extinction Mountain.

As he climbed Soul-Extinction Mountain, Eldrin Chen discovered that the higher one went, the more terrifying the soul-extinguishing power became. By the time he reached the mountainside, the Soul-Extinction Wind [a malevolent gale that erodes the soul] was potent enough to extinguish the soul of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] within ten thousand years.

Upon reaching the summit, the Soul-Extinction Wind grew so powerful it could annihilate the soul of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal in a mere hundred years.

After the group reached the peak, Eldrin Chen beheld a pitch-black storm-eye at the summit of Soul-Extinction Mountain, ceaselessly drawing power from heaven and earth.

Boundless Soul-Extinction Wind, laden with torrents of indestructible soul essence, poured into the maw of the storm-eye, devouring all like a voracious black hole.

And at the very heart of that storm-eye, an aura of near-eternal indestructibility was slowly stirring awake.

"This Soul-Extinction Forbidden Land was a joint creation of the Three Great Celestial Courts [the three supreme governing bodies of the immortal realm], primarily forged by the venerable Sage-King of the Grand Abyss himself,"

Umbralia said slowly, gazing at the storm-eye before them. "This storm-eye ceaselessly devours the world's vital energy and scattered soul-force, all to nurture a single, most dreadful Eternal Malevolent Spirit [a spirit of pure malice and hatred, born from concentrated negative energies]."

"It is the final trial of the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land [the ancient, cursed domain centered on Soul-Extinction Mountain]. Legend holds that whoever can slay it will obtain an Opportunity [a rare chance or catalyst for advancement] to attempt a breakthrough to the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the ultimate refinement and unification of one's spiritual core]."

"As for whether you can succeed... that will depend on your own fortune."

Eldrin Chen nodded, having largely grasped how the Carefree Immortal Lord had cultivated his True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the highest form of spiritual core, representing a cultivator's perfected and unified essence] in those bygone years.

With this understanding, Eldrin Chen looked upon the assembled group and waved a dismissive hand. "This battle is beyond your capacity to intervene," he declared.

"Withdraw now. Leave this place to me alone."

At that moment, everyone on the mountaintop was visibly pale from the buffeting Soul-Extinction Wind [a mystical wind capable of eroding spiritual essence]. The Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor was especially ashen-faced, offering a hasty salute before retreating without delay.

The others followed suit, descending the mountain one by one. Only Lyra Jiang remained.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen cast a glance her way.

Lyra Jiang merely smiled. "You have attained the True Spirit Primordial Spirit," she said. "If my guess is correct, you will surely entrust the spoils of this fight to me."

"Given that, how could I in good conscience let you face it alone?"

Upon hearing her words, Eldrin Chen smiled warmly, drawing her into an embrace without further comment.

Of course, his reason for allowing Lyra Jiang to stay was primarily because she had mastered the Great Five Elements Pure Yin Divine Thunder [a supreme thunder technique harmonizing the power of the five elements with pure Yin energy].

With this Primordial Chaos Grade Divine Ability [a supreme-level mystical power born from the primordial chaos], Lyra Jiang tempered her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] using the Five Thunders Spirit Forging Grand Method [a profound cultivation technique that uses the power of five elemental thunders to refine the spirit]. Although she had not yet fully achieved a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a perfected, flawless state of the spiritual core], she was merely half a step away from that final breakthrough.

In truth, had Lyra Jiang cultivated the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [the supreme divine thunder born from primordial chaos] instead of the Great Five Elements Pure Yin Divine Thunder [a mighty divine thunder harmonizing the five elements with pure Yin energy], she would likely have succeeded in forging her True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a perfected, flawless state of the spiritual core], just as Eldrin Chen had.

Alas, the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [the supreme divine thunder born from primordial chaos] was immensely difficult to master, demanding extraordinary comprehension and an unparalleled foundation. Without peerless innate talent, achieving it was simply impossible.

Though Lyra Jiang possessed exceptional talent, her greatest aptitude lay within the Pure Yin lineage. Cultivating the Great Five Elements Pure Yin Divine Thunder [a mighty divine thunder harmonizing the five elements with pure Yin energy] allowed her to progress by leaps and bounds. However, comprehending the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [the supreme divine thunder born from primordial chaos] would likely require ten times the effort, with no guarantee of success.

After all, both the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [the supreme divine thunder born from primordial chaos] and the Great Five Elements Pure Yin Divine Thunder [a mighty divine thunder harmonizing the five elements with pure Yin energy] were divine abilities of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a supreme realm of cultivation] grade. The vast majority of Grand Luo Golden Immortals [immortals who have attained the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm] found it exceedingly difficult to master powers of this caliber.

Returning to the matter at hand, possessing such a formidable Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] granted Lyra Jiang significant resistance against the Soul-Extinction Wind [a strange, soul-dissolving wind]. At the very least, she would be able to lend Eldrin Chen a helping hand.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen offered no further dissuasion. He simply allowed Lyra Jiang to remain by his side, waiting patiently for the entity within the eye of the storm to awaken.

Thus, time flowed onward. It was impossible to tell how long had passed—perhaps after fully absorbing the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] of the twenty-eight Forbidden Malignant Spirits [ancient, forbidden spirits of immense malice]—but the figure within the storm's eye finally began to stir.

Then, from within that black tempest that devoured all light like a vortex, a figure emerged. It was a handsome man clad in black robes, a sword held firmly in his hand.

All things froze. The very heavens fell silent.

In that single Ksana-time [an infinitesimal unit of time from Buddhist cosmology, less than a second], the great sun dimmed, the mountains stood immutable, birds halted their wings mid-flight, and fish froze in mid-leap—everything was suspended in a single, frozen tableau.

Across the entire expanse of heaven and earth, only the black-robed man remained. His form was tall and straight, a sword of ethereal substance, hovering between reality and illusion, sheathed upon his back. Around him swirled the three thousand Great Daos [the fundamental principles or paths of existence], as if he were the sovereign master holding dominion over all creation.

He stood there in profound stillness, seeming to have arrived from beyond the river of time itself, or perhaps to have lifted his gaze from the depths of the Primordial Era. Within the depths of his eyes were reflected the ancient scenes of time and space—the turning of stellar wheels and the phantasmal birth and death of cosmos.

Only after a long, long while did all these wondrous phenomena fade back into nothingness.

The man cast a faint glance at Eldrin Chen, a flicker of surprise seeming to pass through his eyes, yet in the next instant, he smiled and said, "Not bad. Once again, it is a descendant of our Human Race who has come."