Chapter 1885 : The Secluded Path to Ascension

The group departed from the Primordial Chaos Immortal Vial Nest and continued their journey deeper into the Depths of Chaos.

Thereafter, they traveled upon the Chaos Ancient Path, pausing frequently along the way to explore ruins and seek treasures. In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of years slipped by.

Finally, after more than fifty thousand years, having conquered yet another ancient site, Eldrin Chen called for a halt.

Surveying his companions, he spoke with a smile, "It has been over seventy thousand years since we first set foot in the Primordial Chaos Abyss. Let us now enter seclusion here for a time. We shall digest the gains from our recent battles before pressing onward."

Upon hearing his words, the others all nodded in quiet agreement.

Throughout their long trek, they had explored dozens of Chaos Ruins and over a hundred Chaos Nest of varying sizes.

Though most of these sites were dilapidated and their remaining treasures sparse, the cumulative harvest was still a considerable one.

They estimated that after a period of secluded cultivation to fully assimilate these resources, each of them would undoubtedly see a significant increase in their strength.

The reason Eldrin Chen chose this moment for seclusion was that the two True Spirit Divine Ability gestating within him had reached a critical juncture; they were on the very cusp of taking form.

With the group's consent secured, Eldrin Chen wasted no time. He immediately carved out a secluded cultivation chamber and began his closed-door meditation.

Upon arriving at the seclusion chamber, Eldrin Chen immediately lowered his gaze and sank into the depths of his consciousness. He began to mobilize the foundational essence [the core life force and spiritual energy of a cultivator] within his entire being to nourish and nurture his two True Spirit Divine Ability.

These two True Spirit Divine Ability had already been teetering on the brink of a profound metamorphosis. Now, fueled by Eldrin Chen's relentless and arduous cultivation, they swiftly underwent an unprecedented qualitative transformation.

After a mere thousand years, the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder was the first to complete its evolution, fully shedding its previous form to emerge as a complete True Spirit Divine Ability.

Another three thousand years passed, and the Five-Colored Divine Light likewise achieved perfect, flawless completion, becoming Eldrin Chen's third True Spirit Divine Ability.

"Success," he whispered.

Witnessing the two True Spirit Divine Ability fully gestate and take form, a faint smile of satisfaction graced Eldrin Chen's lips.

He had now successfully forged the four great True Spirit Foundation: his physical body, his Great Dao [the fundamental cosmic principle or path he follows], his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and his divine abilities. Among the divine abilities, he possessed three True Spirit Divine Ability: Primordial Chaos Qi, Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder, and Five-Colored Divine Light. One could almost say he had laid six True Spirit Foundation.

Of course, there was significant overlap in the nature of these three True Spirit Divine Ability. Unleashing their full combat potential required an immensely powerful foundational base. Therefore, the actual boost they provided to his battle prowess was limited and certainly could not be equated to possessing six distinct True Spirit Foundation.

After all, the cultivation path of proving one's Dao through the Primordial Spirit grows stronger the more True Spirit Aperture [the spiritual nodes or gateways within the Primordial Spirit] one illuminates. In the initial stages, the power of a True Spirit Divine Ability requires the support and amplification of one's Great Dao, spiritual energy, and Dao Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's cultivated path] to be fully manifested.

If Eldrin Chen could illuminate eight True Spirit Aperture, then under the multiplicative amplification of all eight apertures, the power of his Primordial Spirit alone might grant him combat prowess unrivaled among those of his same cultivation realm.

If one could illuminate all nine True Spirit Apertures [the nine supreme spiritual nodes within a cultivator's foundation], then the Ketu [a supreme divine ability] would likely render one an invincible figure among Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarchs [rulers of chaos at the peak of cultivation]. Once they successfully prove their Dao and ascend to become a Chaos Celestial Emperor [the supreme sovereign of primordial chaos], they would rank among the foremost combatants within that realm.

However, before illuminating the seventh and eighth True Spirit Apertures, the path of proving the Dao through the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] relies solely on the power of the Primordial Spirit itself. Ultimately, it does not possess the formidable strength of other True Spirit Foundations [supreme cultivation foundations], nor can it match the swift and potent surge in combat prowess offered by the path of Sainthood through the Flesh [ascending to divinity by refining one's physical body to its ultimate limit].

Even so, according to Eldrin Chen's estimation, his overall capabilities had seen significant improvement. After all, his Dharmic Power [cultivation energy], physical body, and comprehension of the Great Dao were all extraordinary, allowing him to fully unleash the power of his True Spirit Divine Abilities [embryonic forms of chaos-rank supreme powers]. …

If, previously, Eldrin Chen—being at the Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal realm and thus lacking in cultivation depth—had relied on his three True Spirit Foundations and one True Spirit Divine Ability to barely reach the combat level of a weaker Four True Spirit Foundations cultivator…

…then now, with the aid of three True Spirit Divine Abilities, his strength had ascended to that of a powerful Four True Spirit Foundations cultivator, perhaps even reaching the pinnacle limit of that tier.

"A pity. My Dharmic Power Heavenly Barrier [the bottleneck restricting the qualitative leap of a cultivator's energy] has yet to be breached."

"If I could achieve that breakthrough, my power would undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a trace of solemn contemplation coloring his expression.

The potency a True Spirit Divine Ability can unleash depends on the foundational strength of one's Great Dao, Primordial Spirit, Dao Fruit [the condensed essence and proof of one's cultivated path], physical body, Dharmic Power, and other such pillars.

Moreover, among these foundations that fuel the divine ability, Dharmic Power—as the source of energy—is the most critical. This is because True Spirit Divine Abilities are embryonic forms of Chaos Rank [the supreme tier of cosmic powers] divine abilities. Theoretically, they require at least the level of Dharmic Power possessed by a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a Golden Immortal of the Grand Luo Heaven, a supreme immortal realm] to be barely activated.

If Eldrin Chen could cultivate True Spirit Magical Power [a state of Dharmic Power that surpasses the conventional limits of the Immortal Realm], then his Dharmic Power would reach the level of one who has just entered the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme realm of immortality]. At that time, when he channeled his True Spirit Divine Ability [a divine power born from True Spirit-level cultivation], the unleashed might would undoubtedly experience a monumental increase.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but nod slightly. "It is time," he murmured, "to plan the method for breaking through to True Spirit Magical Power."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen lowered his gaze once more, contemplating the various limit-breaking methods he had studied over the years.

Over these years, Eldrin Chen had successively obtained the Seven-Colored Immortal Refining Scripture [a profound scripture for refining one's immortal essence], the Primordial Beginning Dao Scripture - Limit-Breaking Chapter [a chapter from an ancient scripture detailing methods to surpass cultivation limits], and several dozen scrolls, both great and small, from the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent and the Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond ordered realms]. These scrolls contained methods for shattering the Dharmic Power Heavenly Barrier [the ultimate barrier that confines a cultivator's Dharmic Power].

Although most of these methods were not of the highest grade—only capable of achieving the Nine-Limit or Ten-Limit Mana [a state of Dharmic Power pushed to its tenth theoretical limit]—the ingenious ideas within them had greatly broadened Eldrin Chen's horizons.

The method for breaking the limits of Indestructible Dharma Power [a state of supremely resilient and unyielding Dharmic Power] contained within the Primordial Beginning Secret Scroll had particularly struck Eldrin Chen like a bolt of clarity, dispelling his confusion and granting him increasingly rare and valuable insights.

Using this as his foundation, Eldrin Chen immediately began to meditate upon the method for breaking the limits of his Dharmic Power.

In truth, the essence of cultivating a True Spirit Foundation [the foundational state of a True Spirit cultivator, surpassing all ordinary limits] lay in continuously transcending one's own limits. One must press forward until reaching a point where no further advancement seems possible, and then perform the final act of transcendence.

However, each type of foundation was different. For example, the physical body needed to endure myriad tribulations until it became indestructible and imperishable. The Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true self of a cultivator] needed to be shattered and then reborn through Nirvana [a transformative rebirth from destruction]. The Great Dao [the fundamental principle governing all existence] needed to be cultivated to an inconceivable realm.

For Dharmic Power to achieve a breakthrough, it required constant refinement and condensation until it was mastered with absolute unity and control. Furthermore, it had to surpass the limits of the Immortal Domain [the realm of immortals] itself, undergoing a metamorphosis that could rival the Great Dao.

Having grasped the crux of the issue, Eldrin Chen immediately conceived a path to forge his own cultivation art.

"My magical power [the refined energy cultivated by a practitioner] is not yet pure enough," he mused.

"And the tempering of magical power has always been the most protracted process. Relying solely on my own foundation to refine it, even a hundred Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration] would not suffice for success."

"To truly achieve a breakthrough, I must harness the power of my True Spirit Divine Ability [an innate, profound supernatural power] to actively grind and polish it, forcing its metamorphosis."

Whispering this realization to himself, Eldrin Chen wasted no time and began crafting the new method.

First, using the Primordial Chaos Qi [a foundational cultivation art harnessing primordial chaos energy] as his base, he condensed a Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill [a conceptual millstone of chaos energy for refinement] within his dantian [the core energy center in a cultivator's lower abdomen]. He mandated that all his magical power must pass through this Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill to circulate, thereby gradually enhancing its quality.

Yet, even so, relying solely on the power of the True Spirit Divine Ability proved insufficient to cultivate True Spirit Magical Power [magical power of the highest purity and potency].

Thus, Eldrin Chen summoned forth the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [divine thunder born of primordial chaos], merging it into the Primordial Chaos Grinding Mill. Together, they ground and polished his magical power, and the efficiency saw a marked and significant increase.

Yet, even with this improvement, Eldrin Chen remained unsatisfied.

Without hesitation, he decisively activated the Five Elements Divine Radiance [a divine radiance embodying the five fundamental elements], weaving its power into the great grinding mill to further accelerate the tempering of his magical power.

With the combined power of these three True Spirit Divine Ability, the effect of tempering his spiritual power was amplified not by a hundredfold, but by an incalculable degree. To his astonishment, his Indestructible Dharma Power, which had long ago reached its perceived limit, began visibly transforming before his very eyes, growing ever more refined and potent.

"It is not enough."

Yet even so, Eldrin Chen shook his head.

With the combined force of the three True Spirit Divine Ability, Eldrin Chen estimated it would take several tens of millions of years to hone his spiritual power to the level of a True Spirit Divine Ability.

However, this process would require a constant and immense expenditure of mental focus to sustain the operation of the three divine abilities. Consequently, Eldrin Chen would be forced into prolonged seclusion, causing him to miss this pivotal Kalpa Tribulation Opportunity [a rare and crucial juncture in a cultivator's path, often tied to cosmic cycles].

"I need the three True Spirit Divine Ability to operate autonomously, to cycle and revolve of their own accord, perpetually grinding and polishing my spiritual power."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, and immediately began his attempts anew.

As he persisted in his trials, ten thousand years slipped by in the blink of an eye. After more than ten millennia had passed, a 'Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace' had finally coalesced within Eldrin Chen's dantian [the core energy center in a cultivator's lower abdomen].

This Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace was formed from the Chaos Mist [a primordial, formless substance of creation] of his Chaos Indestructible Body. Its nine apertures corresponded to the nine major Innate Acupoints [naturally occurring energy nodes within the body crucial for advanced cultivation], divided into three internal and six external orifices.

The six external orifices, formed from the corresponding Innate Acupoints, could continuously inhale and exhale spiritual power, performing its initial purification and condensation.

Within, the power of the three True Spirit Divine Ability transformed into a Primordial Chaos Grindstone [a mythical artifact for refining essence] brimming with Thunder and immortal light. It rotated in an endless cycle, perpetually tempering the Indestructible Dharma Power [an unyielding power born from profound cultivation].

Even more astonishing was that within the Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace, countless divine chains, forged from the True Spirit Great Dao [the supreme principles of the True Spirit realm], pierced through the alchemical furnace. The vast and overwhelming Chaos Limitless Great Dao [the boundless Dao of primordial chaos] crushed all in its path.

Furthermore, the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a True Spirit realm cultivator] exerted complete control over the spiritual energy, methodically compressing it to force its metamorphosis.

"Excellent."

After a long while, Eldrin Chen gazed upon this Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace and could not help but reveal a faint smile.

This time, he had forged his three True Spirit Foundation [the foundational pillars of the True Spirit realm] into a precious furnace and his three True Spirit Divine Ability into a grinding stone, creating an unprecedented and supreme secret art.

The power of this secret art was truly formidable. It perfectly utilized the six True Spirit Foundation, enabling a day-and-night, cyclical refinement of spiritual energy.

To Eldrin Chen's surprise, this Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace was not merely an auxiliary secret art but also a composite divine ability of astonishing destructive power.

It fused the power of the three True Spirit Foundation and the three True Spirit Divine Ability, achieving a state of near-perfect equilibrium. It could be said to be the ultimate coalescence of Eldrin Chen's might.

Once unleashed from the body to confront an enemy, the force it would erupt with would surely be enough to shake the heavens and make ghosts and gods weep.

After some calculations, Eldrin Chen vaguely understood that a single strike from this Chaos Furnace was terrifyingly powerful. Even a cultivator with five True Spirit foundations, or even six, would likely face the danger of perishing if they dared to receive it head-on.

Of course, as the embodiment of nearly all of Eldrin Chen's power, this Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace became extremely unstable once manifested outside the body. Once deployed against an enemy, it possessed only a single strike.

After that one strike, regardless of whether it defeated the powerful foe or not, the furnace would completely disintegrate shortly thereafter. Following this, Eldrin Chen would suffer severe damage to his vital essence [the foundational life force of a cultivator]. Even with the aid of the Rule of Life, recovering would likely take at least several million years...

Furthermore, as his cultivation base advanced, the power of the Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace would increase, but so too would the recovery time. If he were to break through to the Great Luo Realm, he would probably be able to unleash it only once per Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle in Buddhist cosmology, often billions of years] at most.

"This Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace..."

Having comprehended the formidable power of the Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace, Eldrin Chen immediately began calculating with his fingers. After a moment, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes as he said, "It seems I have inadvertently touched upon a power of a higher order."

It turned out that this combined divine ability, forged from one's entire foundational cultivation, was also known as a Root Origin Treasure. This was a power that only the true paramount powers within the Chaos could hope to grasp.

Generally speaking, one needed to be at least at the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch realm to barely qualify for touching such power.

This was because cultivating a combined divine ability required immense control over one's own foundation. One needed to have cultivated at least two Indestructible Foundation paths, and one of them absolutely had to be the Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a state where the cultivator's spiritual core becomes unbreakable], to barely be able to control such a divine ability.

Forging one's entire foundational cultivation into a single vessel was profoundly unstable. The slightest loss of control would cause the physical body to explode instantly.

Generally speaking, an existence that has cultivated an Indestructible Primordial Spirit [a spiritual core of supreme resilience] can only barely manage to fuse two Indestructible Foundations [foundations of unbreakable power] to forge a Root Origin Treasure [a supreme artifact born from one's foundational essence]. At best, this merely scratches the surface of that profound realm.

In truth, the limit of an Indestructible Primordial Spirit is to command one or two Indestructible Foundations at most.

Only by cultivating a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit of authentic, perfected essence] can one merge several Indestructible Foundations into a single entity, forging a mighty Root Origin Treasure.

Such a Root Origin Treasure possesses world-shaking might, often granting a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [an Emperor Monarch who commands the power of Primordial Chaos] the ability to contend with foes far beyond their own cultivation stage.

Therefore, even an existence at the early stage of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, if they can fuse the power of four or five Indestructible Foundations into a Root Origin Treasure, gains the qualification to rival mid or late-stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch.

The fusion of four or five Indestructible Foundations yields such formidable power.

However, the power born from fusing three True Spirit Foundations [Foundations of True Spirit essence] and three True Spirit Divine Abilities [Divine Abilities of True Spirit essence], as Eldrin Chen has done, is terrifyingly more potent.

That he managed to forcibly forge a Root Origin Treasure without being utterly pulverized by its explosive backlash speaks volumes of his heaven-defying mastery over his own power.

"Stumbled upon by chance, yet it makes perfect sense in hindsight."

After a long while, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, a faint smile finally gracing his lips.

This time, the forging of the Root Origin Treasure [a cultivator's most fundamental and personalized magical artifact, bound to their very soul] was, in truth, an unexpected event. Yet, upon deeper reflection, it was also an outcome that lay within the realm of possibility.

This was because, in his cultivation journey, apart from his Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique of immense resilience], he had forged his True Spirit Foundation [the foundational spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] almost entirely through his own power, with minimal reliance on external aids.

A True Spirit Foundation [the foundational spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] achieved through one's own strength grants a level of mastery and control far surpassing that of one forged with the help of external treasures.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen once more sensed the Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace [a supreme divine ability manifesting as a furnace of primordial chaos] within him and spoke, "With the Root Origin Treasure [a cultivator's most fundamental and personalized magical artifact, bound to their very soul] now complete, it will take at most two or three hundred thousand years for me to cultivate True Spirit Magical Power [the profound magical power derived from a True Spirit Foundation]."

"Such a divine secret art has already surpassed the methods created by the Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor [the legendary progenitor of the Dao] in his time. It deserves a name of its own."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. After a moment, a smile touched his lips as he declared, "This divine art is forged from the fusion of three supreme True Spirit Divine Ability [divine abilities born from a True Spirit Foundation] and three foundational pillars, and it possesses the wondrous effect of perpetual cyclical revolution. Let it henceforth be known as the 'Triune Abyssal Cycle Revolving True Spirit Profound Method'."

Having bestowed a name upon this profound secret art of the True Spirit [the purified and elevated spiritual essence of a cultivator], a faint smile of satisfaction graced Eldrin Chen's features....

His gaze then turned inward to the Nine-Aperture Primordial Chaos Furnace [a supreme divine ability manifesting as a furnace of primordial chaos]. After a moment of silent contemplation, he finally spoke, "As for this Root Origin Treasure [a cultivator's most fundamental and personalized magical artifact, bound to their very soul], it shall be named the 'Abyssal Furnace'."

With names duly assigned, Eldrin Chen inscribed the newly created secret art into the Abyssal Dao Scripture [his personal compendium of cultivation arts]. Yet, after reviewing it for a time, he shook his head slightly.

Although the 'Triune Abyssal Cycle Revolving True Spirit Profound Method' was immensely powerful—its efficacy even surpassing the secret arts of the Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor [the legendary progenitor of the Dao]—it was, ultimately, a method Eldrin Chen had tailor-made for himself alone.

While the effects of this method are astonishing, its prerequisites are far too stringent. It requires the cultivation of all three True Spirit Foundation and the mastery of all three True Spirit Divine Ability before one can even begin to practice it. This essentially eliminates any possibility of it being replicated by others.

"So be it," he murmured. "This artifact contains both a method for breaking the limits of True Spirit Magical Power and a path for cultivating a Root Origin Treasure."

"I shall preserve it as a foundational treasure for the clan. It can also serve as a reference for Lyra and the others to study and gain insights from."

Eldrin Chen whispered to himself, a wave of complex reflection washing over him once more.

Upon reaching higher realms of cultivation, the methods left by predecessors become increasingly scarce. Furthermore, each method is often uniquely created based on the individual's own circumstances, possessing little to no universal applicability.

In truth, even the most universally applicable method cannot compare to one tailor-made for oneself.

Therefore, upon reaching the Celestial Immortal and Grand Luo realms, the most suitable path is to create one's own cultivation art based on one's unique constitution and insights.

A unique ancient scripture from a Dao Progenitor [the ultimate originator of a fundamental cosmic principle or path], if one cannot meet its cultivation prerequisites, is inferior to a self-created Celestial Immortal great method. At best, it can only serve as a reference for contemplation and enlightenment.

It is precisely for this reason that the direct disciples of those Great Luo Ancient Sect are not necessarily superior to the top-tier geniuses who forged their own path from the wilds.

Although the direct disciples of a Great Luo Ancient Sect possess remarkable talent, abundant resources, and profound methods for cultivation, these advantages may not truly align with their own innate nature and destined path.

Conversely, those geniuses who followed unorthodox paths and managed to cultivate to the realm of an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal were more likely to have forged their own Grand Luo Paths. Their chances of achieving a Ten-Limit or even an Indestructible Foundation were, in fact, greater.

Take Rift-Heaven Demon Emperor for example. Although hailed as a direct inheritor of a Grand Luo legacy, he had first stepped into the Ancient Immortal Realm step by step. It was only after demonstrating the talent of a Ten-Limit physical body that he gained the attention of White Crane Immortal Lord and soared to prominence from that point onward.

Returning to the main narrative, after Eldrin Chen finished writing the ancient scripture, he stored it away.

He then emerged from his seclusion chamber to find Lyra Jiang and the others had been waiting for him there for some time.

This period of seclusion had brought measurable progress for everyone. Lyra Jiang had advanced further, cultivating all her foundational aspects except for the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Pass to the Indestructible Realm.

Umbralia lagged slightly behind by half a step. While she still possessed only two Indestructible Foundation, she had managed to refine all her other foundational aspects to the Ten-Limit Realm.

The progress of the Reincarnation Body was also significant. Over these years, its cultivation had stabilized at the Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm. Bolstered by numerous resources, the True Spirit Physique had grown further, elevating its combat power to the level of an ordinary Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal with a single True Spirit Foundation.

Nyssa Qu showed the greatest advancement. Having refined the Nine-Colored Immortal Fruit to replenish her origin and consumed the True Spirit Water, she had now cultivated Five Indestructible Foundations. Only the Dao Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivated path] and the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Passes remained, not yet stepped into the Eleventh Limit realm.

The Nine-Colored Immortal Deer showed no improvement. She had already cultivated six major Indestructible Foundation and had not advanced a step further for several hundred Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles]. Unless she encountered a heaven-defying Opportunity, further progress was unlikely. …

However, Eldrin Chen had long since made plans for this. He intended to reserve a strand of Primordial Indestructible Spiritual Light for the Nine-Colored Immortal Deer in the future.

For beings such as the Nine-Colored Immortal Deer [a mythical deer of immense purity and power], which are Chaotic Holy Spirits [primordial spiritual beings born from chaos], obtaining a strand of Primordial Indestructible Spiritual Light [a foundational, unbreakable essence of pure spiritual energy] can often elevate their innate foundation and latent potential to unimaginable heights. Acquiring even a single strand is certain to trigger a heaven-defying metamorphosis.

"You've finally emerged from seclusion."

Seeing Eldrin Chen exit the secluded cultivation chamber, Lyra Jiang, who had been waiting outside, could not help but ask, "How did it go?"

"The metamorphosis is complete, and I have gained some insight into the Dharmic Power Heavenly Barrier [a profound barrier or threshold in the path of cultivation, representing a major advancement]."

"Truly?"

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang felt a surge of joy in her heart. She tightened her grip on his hand, her face lighting up with genuine delight.

Witnessing this, Umbralia also could not resist commenting, "It seems this time, when we face those from the Northern Abyss Foreign Domain [a distant and hostile realm beyond the known world], we will have a greater measure of confidence."

"The Northern Abyss Foreign Domain?" The deer, Lulu, was momentarily taken aback and could not help but inquire, "Are we going to fight again?"

Eldrin Chen gave a slight smile and gently patted its head. "I will take you to vanquish some villains."

"Villains?"

Eldrin Chen nodded solemnly and said, "Bad people are those who would take your treasures and never return them."

"Huh?"

Lulu's eyes widened, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "Beat those scoundrels to death."

As she spoke, she looked at Eldrin Chen with pleading eyes and asked, "You *will* give my treasures back, right?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only offer an awkward smile.

Though innocent, Lulu was no fool. Over the years of their acquaintance, she had come to understand many things. She suspected Eldrin Chen had tricked her out of her treasures, but knowing she was no match for him, she could only watch him each time with a look of aggrieved resignation.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen chuckled and lightly tapped her forehead. "I will. I promise I'll return them."

"Ow!"

Lulu covered her head with a yelp, darting behind Nyssa Qu. She shot him a glare with her bright, large eyes. "Bad guys who don't return treasures deserve a beating! Nyeh, nyeh, nyeh…"

For the group, Lulu's presence was less a burden and more a welcome diversion on their otherwise monotonous journey.

This young maiden was pure and adorable, often teased by the other women during the journey, yet she was always shielded by Nyssa Qu. Unconsciously, this brought everyone much closer together.

In the years that followed, the group continued their journey forward along the Heavenly Abyss Ancient Continent. Tens of thousands of years passed in a blur, and before they knew it, they had traversed more than half of the ancient landmass.

On this day, Eldrin Chen halted before a vast Chaos Ruins, a slight frown creasing his brow.

Within the ruins, two figures stood poised. One was tall and imposing, his hand resting on a black-gold iron staff planted firmly on the ground.

The other was clad in resplendent purple robes, his long, dark hair seemingly woven from boundless sword energy. With a mere casual glance in their direction, a peerless, sharp aura cleaved through the air towards them.

"*Clang—*"

"Such formidable sword intent [the conceptual will and power imbued within a sword technique]."

Eldrin Chen murmured. With a flick of his sleeve, he extended a single finger, shattering the incoming sword energy in the blink of an eye.

Yet, as he withdrew his hand, he noticed a faint trace of blood on his fingertip, which vanished into nothingness an instant later.

"Since I forged my True Spirit Physique [a perfected physical form born from the fusion of one's spirit and flesh], you are the first to have drawn my blood."

Eldrin Chen gazed at the person before him, a trace of approval coloring his expression.

Ever since he had forged his Chaos Indestructible Body, he had engaged in fierce battles against four True Spirit Prodigies: Aurelius, Grand Cosmos, Primordial Nine Radiance Divine Lord, and Sky-Defier. Yet, not even the most formidable among them, Sky-Defier, had managed to inflict the slightest wound upon him.

Yet, the person before him now, with a mere wisp of sword intent, had managed to wound Eldrin Chen. While it was true that Eldrin had deliberately caught it with his fingertip, this feat alone demonstrated that this individual's strength was on a completely different level, far surpassing the others.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and remarked, "As expected, a Primordial Chaos Spiritual Treasure Embryo [a nascent treasure born from the primordial chaos, capable of taking human form] that has taken human form possesses extraordinary qualities."

The two figures before him were none other than 'Violet Glow Sword Extreme' from the Grand Pot Primordial Domain, and Tianxing of the Chaos Heaven Extreme Domain, who bore the title 'Chaos Imperial Extreme Ant'.

One was a Primordial Chaos Spiritual Treasure Embryo reincarnated to cultivate the Dao, while the other was the youngest son of the Ant Celestial Emperor, inheriting the potent bloodline of the Chaos Imperial Extreme Ant.

"Hmph."

The violet-robed youth snorted coldly, his tone flat as he spoke. "We have waited for you for three thousand years. Had you not arrived soon, we would have proceeded to confront the enemies of the Northern Abyss Foreign Domain on our own."

"My apologies for the delay."

Eldrin Chen nodded, his voice calm and composed.

"The matter of the Northern Abyss Foreign Domain is not urgent for now."

At that very moment, a voice rang out. Tianxing approached, his gaze fixed on Eldrin Chen as he inquired, "I have heard that you defeated Sky-Defier in direct combat, even after he sacrificed his Dao Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivation path and enlightenment]?"

"That is indeed the case," Eldrin Chen affirmed with a nod.

"Excellent—"

Tianxing praised, a flicker of battle intent igniting within his eyes. "Face me in combat!"