Chapter 1879 : The True Spirit's Awakening

"Success."

At the very moment the seven supreme powerhouses sensed the change, Eldrin Chen opened his eyes.

He watched as Lyra Jiang gradually emerged from her secluded cultivation, a faint smile appearing in the depths of his gaze.

"Lyra, how do you feel?"

Lyra Jiang opened her eyes and, after briefly sensing the power within her, replied, "So this is the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the pinnacle state of spiritual refinement, where one's soul essence achieves perfect unity and immense power]. Its strength is indeed unprecedented."

Her heart filled with joy, she began to describe her experience of the True Spirit Primordial Spirit to Eldrin Chen.

This time, the True Spirit Primordial Spirit Lyra Jiang had cultivated was identical to Eldrin Chen's in its foundational aspect: it had opened all nine Innate Acupoints [the nine primordial energy nodes within the body, the foundation for supreme cultivation], which is the inherent foundation for this realm.

However, unlike Eldrin Chen, the amount of True Spirit Imprint [the condensed essence of primordial spiritual laws] she obtained was not as vast. After completing the metamorphosis into a True Spirit Primordial Spirit, only a small portion remained—less than one-tenth of what was needed to fill even the first Innate Acupoints.

"It seems that even among those who achieve the True Spirit Primordial Spirit, the amount of True Spirit Imprint obtained can differ,"

Eldrin Chen murmured thoughtfully. After a long moment, a smile returned to his face. "With this breakthrough, your power is now on a completely different level. It seems our chances in the coming conflict have improved once more."

Lyra Jiang [the Immortal Maiden Lyra] gave a slight nod and spoke, "Continue your cultivation for now. We shall discuss other matters after you emerge from seclusion."

"Understood."

Eldrin Chen [the cultivator Eldrin] nodded in acknowledgment and resumed his secluded cultivation of the Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of immense resilience].

Meanwhile, beyond the borders of the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land [a perilous and ancient realm], several figures stood with grave expressions, their gazes fixed upon the land's profound depths.

Had Eldrin Chen been present, he would have recognized the arrivals as Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion [an Imperial Prince of the Firmament Heaven lineage] from the Golden-Winged Roc [a mighty avian demon beast] bloodline, along with other Roc Clan Imperial Scions such as Vorgath the Heaven-Faller [the fallen one] from the Dark Roc Clan and Azure Sky Roc [the azure roc of the heavens].

At this moment, Vorgath the Heaven-Faller surveyed the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land before him, his voice turning icy as he stated, "My investigations are complete. The ones who conquered this Soul-Extinction Ancient Land were precisely Umbralia [the Netherworld Princess] and that group led by Abyssal [the Abyssal One]."

"So it was them after all."

Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion's expression hardened into a frosty mask. The memory of Eldrin Chen's world-shaking combat prowess stirred a deep, cold fury within him.

Noting this, Azure Sky Roc spoke up opportunely, "I have heard that even Imperial Scion Zhuyin [the Candle Dragon Prince] suffered a significant defeat at his hands. If our two factions were to join forces, could we subdue this group?"

"I fear it would still be insufficient."

Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion spoke, his gaze icy and cold. "This Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist possesses a dual True Spirit Foundation [a supreme cultivation base formed from the essence of one's primordial spirit]. With him alone, he could roam the Ancient Immortal Realm [a legendary realm of cultivation] unchallenged. Unless one has also forged their own True Spirit Foundation, it is impossible to stand against him."

Seeing this, Vorgath the Heaven-Faller wore a cold smile. "I believe there is one who would be most interested in him."

"You mean...?"

Upon hearing this, the Azure Sky Roc Imperial Scion's eyes began to gleam with a golden light.

Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion also nodded, a sneer playing on his lips. "From what I know, Aurelius the Lesser Celestial Emperor entered this tribulation precisely to find a whetstone for his blade."

"For him, if he can defeat or slay one who possesses a True Spirit Foundation, he stands an excellent chance of forging a second one. I believe that once he learns of this opportunity, he will not let it slip through his fingers."

"Can one with a True Spirit Foundation... truly fall?"

Beside them, another Imperial Scion from the Golden-Winged Roc clan could not help but speak up, his face a mask of utter shock.

"It is indeed possible," Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion affirmed with a nod. "From my understanding, while those with a True Spirit Foundation are considered deathless and indestructible, they are not entirely beyond being slain. Sufficiently overwhelming power can still destroy them."

"Of course, such destruction is but temporary—'falling into a deep slumber' is perhaps a more fitting term. Given the eternal, indestructible nature of the True Spirit [the immortal spiritual core of a supreme being], they are merely plunged into a state of dormancy. They will inevitably awaken once more, in time."

Hearing this, everyone present could not help but smile faintly.

Vorgath the Heaven-Faller's gaze turned icy, and he sneered coldly, "If we can summon His Majesty the Lesser Celestial Emperor, that Abyssal brat will certainly be no match. I shall go seek out His Majesty the Lesser Celestial Emperor immediately."

However, Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion stopped him, his expression grave as he spoke, "Do not be hasty. This Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist is, after all, a prodigy of the True Spirit [the highest grade of innate spiritual root and potential], and I fear that relying solely on His Majesty the Lesser Celestial Emperor does not guarantee his demise."

"Let it be this way," he continued. "You shall also seek out Kunpeng Imperial Scion, Azure Simurgh Imperial Princess, and His Highness Zhuyin—the mightiest among our Demon Race [a powerful race of beings, often with bestial or monstrous traits, who cultivate demonic arts]. Even if it takes more time, we must prepare with absolute thoroughness to exterminate that Abyssal whelp within the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land."

Vorgath the Heaven-Faller nodded upon hearing this and said with a smile, "The Imperial Scion's foresight is indeed superior. Even if the Abyssal brat could withstand Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor, by summoning Kunpeng Imperial Scion and Azure Simurgh Imperial Princess and the others, that Abyssal whelp will find no path to heaven nor door to earth—utterly trapped."

With those words, Vorgath the Heaven-Faller immediately shot through the void, heading towards the distant ends of the ethereal heavens.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen, unaware of the impending danger, was currently in secluded cultivation atop Soul-Extinction Mountain, continuously using the Soul-Extinction Wind [a mysterious, soul-eroding wind found in the ancient land] to temper the power of his physical body.

While training with the Soul-Extinction Wind, he simultaneously activated the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder and the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill [a divine ability that manifests a millstone of chaotic energy to grind and refine], ceaselessly striking and honing his own flesh.

Thus, time flowed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of years passed, and his Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique forged in primordial chaos, granting near-absolute resilience] was finally just A Step Away from completion.

And just as he stood on the very brink of achieving this form, outside the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, a group of Demon Race Imperial Scions stood with icy expressions, their gazes fixed coldly upon the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land.

Within this assembly stood a total of thirty-seven Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [cultivators who have survived eight heavenly tribulations and reached the pinnacle of the Ancient Immortal realm].

The one leading them was Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor 'Aurelius', accompanied by three other peerless Imperial Scion-level prodigies: 'Kunpeng Scion', 'Zhuyin', and 'Five-Colored Peacock'.

Among these four, Aurelius had not only forged a True Spirit Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation stage representing a perfect spiritual core], but also possessed a set of formation artifacts comparable to such a foundation, making his combat prowess unquestionably formidable.

The other three possessed genuine invincible Ancient Immortal-level combat strength, each capable of contending with ten ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal simultaneously.

Beneath these four were the top-tier Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal of Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion's caliber. They had each cultivated one or two Indestructible Foundation [an exceptionally resilient foundational cultivation stage], enabling them to fight one against two ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal, with the most elite among them capable of facing one against five.

Yet such individuals were scarce, numbering only seven: Netherworld Nether Lord, Primordial Fiend Dragon, Crimson Crow Imperial Scion, Azure Crow Imperial Princess, North Sea Mystic Turtle, Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion, and Shadow Crow Prince.

Those further below were beings who had either failed to cultivate an Indestructible Foundation or had only barely achieved one, their strength not particularly outstanding.

Even so, this force—comprising one Imperial Scion with a True Spirit [a state of purified spiritual essence] Foundation, three invincible Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal, seven with Indestructible Foundation, and over thirty other Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal—was surely enough to sweep across and dominate everything within the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent.

Surveying those around him, Zhuyin remarked with a faint smile, "Thirty-seven Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal—this gathering represents the majority of the Demon Race's [the collective term for demonic beings and beast clans] top-tier power at this realm."

"The last time such strength was united was during the Carefree Immortal Lord's assault on the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, was it not?"

Kunpeng Scion also offered a faint smile, his gaze serene as he spoke, "After seventy Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], it is a tale worth telling that the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land has once again gathered such formidable power."

"A pity," he continued, "that the Phoenix Clan's Azure Simurgh Imperial Princess secured a Great Luo Dao Field [a supreme cultivation realm] some years ago and remains in secluded cultivation. Otherwise, with the Demon Race's paramount powerhouses assembled, we could sweep aside both the Human and Divine races."

Upon hearing this, smiles touched the lips of all present.

Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor [a title for a powerful scion of the Golden Crow Clan] waved a dismissive hand, his eyes fixed on the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land. "The absence of the Azure Simurgh Imperial Princess matters little. Our combined strength is more than sufficient to suppress any opposition."

The Kongling Imperial Princess of the Five-Colored Peacock Clan, her expression growing solemn, interjected, "I have heard that this Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist has forged a True Spirit Foundation [a perfect, supreme foundation for cultivation]. Such an individual cannot be underestimated. We may defeat him, but slaying him is another matter entirely."

"Set your mind at ease. I have long been prepared," came the assured reply.

As he spoke, Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor produced from his sleeve a small, dazzling pagoda that radiated a golden light.

"The Golden Crow Pagoda!"

A wave of astonishment swept through the assembly.

The moment of surprise passed quickly. Kunpeng Imperial Scion chuckled, "A replica of the Golden Crow Pagoda, imbued with a sliver of its true essence's divine power. It seems His Celestial Majesty truly dotes upon you, Imperial Scion."

Upon hearing this, Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor offered a faint smile and spoke, "Though it is but a replica, this artifact still possesses the power to seal the heavens and the earth. None beneath the realm of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation] can breach its confinement and escape."

"Of course, to ensure the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] remains fair, beings above the level of an Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has existed since antiquity] are forbidden from interfering. Therefore, this treasure retains only its sealing function; my father did not preserve any of its other capabilities within it."

The true body of the Golden Crow Pagoda is one of the Innate Supreme Treasure [primordial treasures born of the cosmos itself] held by the Solar Celestial Emperor, a treasure coveted even by Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [supreme sovereigns born from the primordial chaos].

It must be understood that due to the scarcity of Chaos Primordial Qi [the primal energy of creation], within the boundless Chaos [the formless void before creation], the vast majority of Chaos Celestial Emperor [Emperors who ascended to power within the Chaos] who achieved Ascension [transcendence to a higher state of being] in later eras possess no Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a treasure forged from Chaos Primordial Qi] to anchor their destiny and fortune.

Many Chaos Celestial Emperor wield treasures of Innate Supreme Treasure grade as their ultimate instruments for proving their Dao.

Consider the seven Chaos Celestial Emperor of the Primordial Immortal Domain [the original realm of the immortals]; though all possess innate Chaos status, only the Primordial Beginning Divine Emperor, the Purple Tenuity Divine Emperor, the Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor, the Solar Celestial Emperor, and the Sage-King of the Grand Abyss hold Chaos Spiritual Treasure in their hands.

The remaining two, the Primordial Phoenix [the first Phoenix] and the Candle Dragon [the Dragon that measures time], due to upheavals in their distant past and achieving their Dao later, currently have no Chaos Spiritual Treasure accompanying them.

Within the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss, there are more than twenty Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [Sages who are progenitors of a Dao path], yet fewer than half of them are accompanied by a Chaos Spiritual Treasure.

Given this context, one can see how exceedingly precious an Innate Supreme Treasure truly is.

The Golden Crow Pagoda in the hands of Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor is merely a replica, yet it contains a sliver of the true artifact's might. Even if its power is limited to sealing, it can still be hailed as a peerless marvel, unprecedented in all of history.

Without strength at the level of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm beyond the ordinary celestial immortals], it is impossible to breach the blockade of the Golden Crow Pagoda [a legendary tower forged with the essence of the Golden Crow, a divine sun-bird].

Thinking this, Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion could not help but speak: "If that is the case, it seems this Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist is surely doomed."

"Whether he dies or not will ultimately be decided by a clash of arms."

The Imperial Scion Aurelius spoke, then said with a smile: "The news of our gathering here likely cannot be concealed for long. At most, within tens of thousands of years, the Ancient Immortal [powerful immortals who have existed since antiquity] of the Human and Divine races, as well as the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, will catch wind of it."

"To prevent them from interfering, we must act now. We shall use the Golden Crow Pagoda to lay down a Formation [a mystical array or defensive/offensive pattern] to seal the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, and then move against our targets."

As his words fell, the members of the Demon Race immediately sprang into action. Countless Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] and lower-tier Ancient Immortal poured forth their magical power, establishing a vast Sealing Grand Formation [a grand mystical array designed for absolute containment] around the perimeter of the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land.

"Disaster!"

Simultaneously, deep within the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, everyone sensed the impending calamity.

Umbralia soared into the sky, intent on disrupting the formation of the array, but was sent reeling back, blood spraying from her mouth, by a casual backhand strike from Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor.

"Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor."

In that very instant, Umbralia plummeted back into the formation's core, her face deathly pale as she grasped Lyra Jiang's arm and asked, "The Demon Race has assembled several dozen Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [powerful cultivators who have survived eight heavenly tribulations]. Such a force is utterly beyond our capacity to withstand."

"I wonder when Fellow Daoist Abyssal [a title referring to Eldrin Chen] will be able to emerge from seclusion?"

Lyra Jiang lifted her gaze to the heavens, a slight frown creasing her brow before she spoke. "At the earliest, a few thousand years. At the latest, he will emerge within twenty thousand years."

"Several thousand to tens of thousands of years?" The Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor's brow furrowed deeply, and he could not help but voice his concern. "I fear we cannot hold out for that long."

"I will take command of the formation."

Lyra Jiang decisively took control of the Formation [a structured arrangement of power and intent used for defense or attack], instructing everyone to further reinforce the Cosmic Taiyi Golden Bamboo Sword Formation.

Utilizing the Grand Luo [a supreme cultivation realm] earth veins of the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land, combined with the might of the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from primordial chaos], they further integrated the Profound Heaven Mirror and the Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot into the sword formation.

The Profound Heaven Mirror was a supreme defensive treasure; empowered by the Grand Luo earth veins, its power multiplied manifold. The Yin-Yang Myriad Crows Pot also possessed astonishing power, and with the earth veins' augmentation, the strength of its myriad crows surged explosively.

Especially the Yin-Yang Dual Crow Emperors, their cultivation and combat prowess elevated by a full one or two tiers under the combined support of the earth veins and the Formation. Either one of them was potent enough to contend against the combined assault of two or three Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

Once the grand formation was laid, Umbralia spoke with a tinge of regret. "It is a pity our cultivation is insufficient. We have not been able to deploy a true Great Luo Formations [a formation of the highest, Grand Luo tier]."

"Otherwise, with the power of the Grand Luo earth vein and the Innate Spiritual Treasure, once a Formation [a structured array that channels energy for defense or attack] is laid, it would be sufficient to withstand the assaults of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal of the Grand Luo realm]. With their strength, they simply could not hold out."

Lyra Jiang shook her head and spoke calmly, "The Great Luo Ancient Formation involves the power of a complete Great Dao [the fundamental laws of the cosmos]. It requires a true Grand Luo Golden Immortal to set it up. With our current cultivation level, it is utterly impossible for us to deploy it."

Just as they had reinforced their grand formation, the Demon Race forces had also finished setting up their sealing Formation, and then charged towards the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land.

The Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion was the first to strike, hurling his divine spear forward, only to be instantly repelled and sent flying backward.

Seeing this, Kunpeng Scion frowned slightly and said, "A formation within a formation. It seems these humans possess no small talent in the art of Formation."

"The Human Race's innate talent in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation is always so enviable."

Kongling Imperial Princess let out a soft sigh. She immediately activated a feathered fan, sending it soaring into the sky where it transformed into countless beams of Great Dao divine light that rained down upon the Formation like a storm. Yet, they were all deflected and refracted away by the Profound Heaven Mirror.

Witnessing this, the Aurelius Imperial Scion's gaze sharpened. From behind his head, a Lifebound Formation Artifacts [a magical treasure intrinsically bound to a cultivator's life force]—the Pure Yang Cosmic Diagram—manifested across the heavens. The scroll unfurled, revealing ten great suns soaring into the sky, radiating power capable of incinerating the heavens and earth as they sought to refine and dissolve the grand formation.

But in that very instant, Lyra Jiang activated the Grand Cosmic Taiyi Golden Bamboo. Instantly, three hundred sixty-five Supreme Unity Golden Bamboo Sword [swords forged from supreme unity golden bamboo] shot forth, their power capable of annihilating all and suppressing Lucian. They enveloped the Pure Yang Cosmic Diagram, engaging it in a fierce and evenly matched struggle.

"Merely a set of Supreme Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation, yet when empowered by a Grand Luo earth vein, it possesses such formidable might?"

Aurelius's imperial scion's gaze chilled slightly, and he immediately intensified the power of the Lifebound Formation Artifacts [powerful artifacts used to anchor and empower defensive formations].

At that moment, the Firmament Heaven Imperial Scion beside him spoke up. "That Abyssal [referring to Eldrin Chen] has not yet made a move. If we expend too much of our mana [the spiritual energy used to fuel magical abilities] on this Formation [a complex magical defensive array], he may find an opportunity to escape when the true battle commences."

"It would be better to let our subordinate Ancient Immortal [powerful immortal cultivators who have survived for eons] use the Chaos Ancient Ships [massive, ancient warships forged in primordial chaos] to wear down this Formation."

Hearing this, Aurelius's imperial scion also furrowed his brow slightly.

This formation was, after all, anchored to a Grand Luo [a profound cultivation realm] earth vein. Although he was confident in his ability to breach it, doing so would undoubtedly consume a tremendous amount of energy. When the time came to face Eldrin Chen, he might not hold the advantage.

According to the intelligence he possessed, Eldrin Chen had cultivated a dual True Spirit Foundation [an exceptionally pure and powerful foundational cultivation stage]. In a one-on-one duel, he could not guarantee absolute victory.

Considering this, Aurelius's imperial scion offered no reply, merely retracting the scroll depicting ten suns scorching the sky.

Seeing his action, the others immediately commanded, "Bring forth the treasure ships."

As the order echoed, thousands of Chaos Ancient Ships surged forward from the forces under the various Demon Race [a powerful race of demonic beings] imperial scions. Each vessel was armed with an Innate Giant Cannon [a colossal, primordial energy cannon], and under the command of countless Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to a celestial realm of power], they unleashed a torrent of fire upon the true formation protecting the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land.

To an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], the Innate Giant Cannon posed little direct threat. While devastatingly powerful, its attacks were far too slow and unwieldy to reliably strike a nimble Ancient Immortal.

Even for a Chaos Beast King, such World-Ending Giant Cannons [colossal siege weapons capable of shattering worlds] had become of limited use. Thus, after reaching the Celestial Immortal [the realm of a true immortal] realm, the World-Ending Giant Cannons gradually fell into obsolescence.

Only a few Great Luo Ancient Sects [ancient sects of the Great Luo realm] would forge a limited number, primarily for breaching the defensive grand formations of Chaos Nests [primordial lairs of chaos].

It must be said, the Innate Giant Cannons [primordial cannons born with the ship] mounted on these Chaos Ancient Ships [ancient vessels that sail the primordial chaos] were truly excellent treasures for dealing with Mountain-Protecting Grand Formations [powerful formations that shield entire mountains or sects].

Fortunately, the struggle for the Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic calamity and opportunity that reshapes fate] was not a conflict between Grand Luo [the Great Luo, a supreme cultivation realm] powers. The major factions had not brought many Chaos Ancient Ships, and those equipped with World-Ending Giant Cannons were even fewer. For a time, they were unable to breach the Formation [a defensive or offensive energy array] guarding the Soul-Extinction Ancient Land [an ancient, desolate place where souls are extinguished].

Thus, time flowed on like a relentless river. Lyra Jiang and the others continuously maintained the grand formation, enduring bitter hardship under the unceasing assaults of the Demon Race [the race of demonic beings]. In the blink of an eye, eight thousand years passed.

Then, on this day, the Mountain-Protecting Grand Formation finally could hold no longer. It was shattered, torn asunder by the barrage of countless World-Ending Giant Cannons.

"Disaster!"

That day, witnessing the Formation being breached, Lyra Jiang wore a grave expression. She immediately warned everyone, saying, "Remember, your safety must be your paramount concern."

"BOOM—"

At the same moment, the forces of the Demon Race surged forward, a tide of slaughter descending upon them.

That Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor was the first to strike. The scroll in his hand, depicting ten suns traversing the heavens, unfurled, its power seeking to suppress everyone present within the confines of a Formation [a structured array of power used for defense, attack, or cultivation].

"How dare you!"

In that instant, Lyra Jiang poured all her strength into activating the Minor Cosmic Cycle Taiyi Golden Bamboo Sword Formation. She sought to stand against Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor, and astonishingly, she managed to hold back the Ten Suns Coexisting Heaven Formation Diagram.

This startled Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor. He cast a glance at Lyra Jiang, a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he remarked, "A True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the highest, most perfect state of a cultivator's spiritual core, representing flawless foundation and immense potential]?"

"Indeed," he continued, a cold smile forming. "It seems this time, by eliminating you and that Abyssal, I, your lord, will not only forge a dual True Spirit Foundation [a foundational cultivation stage built upon a perfect, flawless spiritual essence], but may even achieve a triple True Spirit Foundation."

As his words faded, the cosmic formation diagram swept across the firmament. After a brief stalemate, it began to overpower the Minor Cosmic Cycle Taiyi Golden Bamboo Sword Formation.

Lyra Jiang's face paled slightly. This was not due to any lack of strength on her part, but rather the overwhelming might of the cosmic formation diagram itself.

A formation diagram composed of a full eleven Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from heaven and earth, possessing immense natural power]—such profound foundational resources and heritage was a rarity even within the vast expanse of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains. How many in all the realms could boast such wealth?

Likely, the great majority of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm of immense power and longevity] lacked such profound foundational resources and fortune.

Having suppressed Lyra Jiang, Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor sneered coldly. "If my guess is correct, that Abyssal has yet to emerge, most likely still in the most critical juncture of secluded cultivation, is he not?"

"Hahaha, it seems today is the day this venerable one attains the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy]!"

"Is that so?"

At that very moment, a calm, detached voice drifted down from the vast, boundless heavens.

The hearts of all present jolted with shock. Their gazes snapped towards the summit of Soul-Extinction Mountain, where, from the eye of the endless storm, a figure robed in snow-white emerged.

"BOOM—CRACKLE—RUMBLE!"

In that fleeting instant, everyone witnessed a spatial fissure slowly tear open at the distant, seemingly infinite edge of the chasm in the sky.

From within that rift, an endless torrent of True Spirit Imprint [the foundational spiritual essence and laws that constitute a being's true nature] poured forth like a mighty river, surging into that person's body and fusing with every single inch of his flesh.

Immediately after, they saw countless True Spirit Imprint upon his physical form transform into eternal Dao patterns [inscriptions of the fundamental laws of existence], radiating an indestructible, everlasting light of eternity.

Only when all finally settled into stillness did those eternal Dao patterns fade from sight, leaving behind only the snow-white-robed figure standing firm upon the ground.

"The True Spirit Physique [a legendary, perfected physical form born from the complete fusion of one's spiritual essence and corporeal body]."

Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor spoke, a shadow of gloom flickering across his features.

In that moment, shock surged within him, mingled with a glint of barely concealed greed. A voice echoed in his heart: "Kill him. Slay him, and I shall forge the three True Spirit Foundation [the foundational stage of cultivating one's true spiritual essence]."

That instant of avarice and covetousness made his agitation swell even further.

With a flick of his sleeve, he summoned the Diagram of Ten Suns Sharing the Heavens [a legendary formation diagram depicting ten suns blazing simultaneously in the sky], sending it soaring through the air to suppress Eldrin Chen.

"An Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing innate divine power] formation diagram. Truly worthy of the direct bloodline of a Celestial Emperor,"

Eldrin Chen remarked coolly. Yet, with a casual sweep of his own sleeve, he unleashed the Grasping Hand of Primordial Chaos [a supreme divine ability that manifests a hand capable of grasping and suppressing primordial chaos itself], which firmly pinned down the Diagram of Ten Suns Sharing the Heavens.

Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor was utterly astounded. "Impossible!" he blurted out, unable to contain himself. "With your current cultivation and spiritual power, how could you possibly suppress my Lifebound Formation Artifacts [a set of magical artifacts intrinsically linked to one's life force and cultivation base]?"

"Nothing is impossible."

Eldrin Chen spoke coldly, his tone serene. "This set of formation artifacts is indeed extraordinary. Had you attained the Great Luo Realm [the realm of Great Luo, a pinnacle stage of cultivation], you might have withstood a mid-stage Grand Luo [the Grand Luo stage, a supreme cultivation realm] cultivator by relying on them."

"But without entering the Great Luo Realm, what fraction of their true power can you possibly wield?"

"Boom—"

As the words fell, a thunderous roar echoed through the heavens.

In a flash, Eldrin Chen took a single step that shattered the void itself, appearing before Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor and unleashing a world-shaking fist.

The Aurelius, the Little Celestial Emperor reacted with near-instantaneous speed, mustering all his power to block. Yet, in that very instant, he was sent hurtling backward, his body crashing through an ancient, primordial divine mountain.

Regaining his senses, he stared at Eldrin Chen with disbelief. "Impossible," he uttered. "We both possess the True Spirit Physique [the ultimate physical foundation for a cultivator]. How are you so much more powerful?"

"Even within the True Spirit Foundation [the foundational cultivation stage of the True Spirit realm], there exists a chasm of difference."

Eldrin Chen gave a cold laugh. "For you, achieving the True Spirit Foundation was the absolute limit of your potential. But for me," he declared, his voice resonating with finality, "the reason I cultivated the True Spirit Physique is because it represents the very pinnacle of what a physical body can achieve."

Hearing this, the Imperial Scion Aurelius paled, his face draining of color as utter incredulity washed over him.

The analogy was devastatingly clear. The True Spirit Foundation was like an examination. He had scored one hundred points because that was the highest score he was capable of achieving. Eldrin Chen had scored one hundred points because the examination paper itself only went up to one hundred.

Thus, though both bore the same perfect score, their true strength existed on entirely different planes.

"No, I refuse to believe it!"

An instant later, Aurelius the Imperial Scion let out a roar of fury, his voice bordering on madness as he declared, "My physical body's aptitude is peerless under the heavens! It is impossible for anyone to surpass me in the path of physical cultivation. You must be relying on the power of your True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the ultimate spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their true essence and soul]!"

As his words fell, Aurelius the Imperial Scion charged forward in a near-frenzied state.