Chapter 1890 : The Violet Immortal's Hidden Legacy

With this thought, Eldrin Chen could not help but speak, "I never imagined that Violet Immortal Lord would have left behind this Tribulation Fate Treasure Tree. It seems it is not counted among the Nine Violet Treasures."

Umbralia nodded and then said, "The Nine Violet Treasures are divided into six supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure: the Immortal Refining Furnace, the Grand Cosmos Vase, the River of Time Pot, the Eight Trigrams Plate, the Heaven-Gazing Mirror, and the Nine Heavens Pure Yang Fan."

"Then there are three Innate Supreme Treasure and spiritual roots: the Violet Sword, the Heaven Desolation Pagoda, and the Eight Trigrams Treasure Tree. I have never heard any news of this Innate Tribulation Fortune Treasure Tree."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of agreement and continued, "It appears he has been planning this for many years, nurturing this Innate Tribulation Fortune Treasure Tree with boundless tribulation energy and fortune."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen plucked the Innate Tribulation Fortune Treasure Fruit.

After taking the precious fruit, he wished to uproot this Innate Supreme Treasure Spiritual Root as well, but to his dismay, he found it utterly impossible to take it with him.

Not only could the supreme treasure spiritual root not be taken, but even the Innate Treasure Soil here could not be removed by Eldrin Chen in the slightest.

"It seems Violet Immortal Lord had long prepared for this, having completely fused this treasure tree and the Innate Treasure Soil into the very fabric of Violet Heaven."

Eldrin Chen spoke with regret, abandoning any further thoughts on the matter.

Unfortunately, due to the influence of unseen forces, aside from this single Innate Tribulation Fortune Treasure Tree, there were no other immortal herbs [plants of immense spiritual potency used in alchemy] remaining within this Immortal Herb Garden.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen glanced at the Innate Tribulation Fate Dao Fruit [a legendary fruit said to contain the condensed essence of fate and tribulation] and casually handed it to Lyra Jiang. "This holds no further use for me," he said. "It would be better in your hands."

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang drew a deep breath, then pushed it back. "I have confidence in cultivating a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the highest attainable state of one's spiritual core, representing perfect unity and purity]," she replied. "It would be wiser to preserve this treasure."

Eldrin Chen understood; Lyra Jiang was reluctant to part with such a treasure, yet he still accepted it back.

This Innate Tribulation Fate Dao Fruit could guarantee the cultivation of a True Spirit Dao Fruit [a perfect, foundational spiritual achievement], but it also demanded the bearer to withstand the Tribulation Fortune Power [the paradoxical, intertwined energies of calamity and fortune] contained within. Refining it would indeed forge the True Spirit Dao Fruit, yet it would also inextricably bind one to a path of hardships and tribulations.

After all, the power of tribulation [the karmic trials and calamities inherent to cultivation] within such a treasure fruit was not so easily mastered.

Storing the Innate Tribulation Fate Dao Fruit, Eldrin Chen said no more and immediately strode towards the exit.

Yet, at that very moment, he discovered a figure clad in white robes had been waiting outside for some time.

"I have found you at last."

The Three Souls Emperor Lord [a sovereign ruler associated with the dominion over the three fundamental souls of a being] spoke slowly, a faint smile touching the corners of his eyes.

Gazing at Eldrin Chen, he continued with a smile, "The Innate Tribulation Fate Dao Fruit... your Opportunity [a pivotal chance or favorable juncture in one's cultivation path] is truly remarkable. Even I find myself rather covetous."

As he spoke, Three Souls Emperor Lord suddenly made his move. With a fierce gesture, he unleashed a radiant light, instantly weaving a formation pattern that sealed the entire expanse of heaven and earth.

Having accomplished this, Three Souls Emperor Lord strode forward calmly and declared, "This formation is named the Six Lines Immortal-Severing Formation [a legendary formation said to sever the path of immortals]. Unless a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation] personally intervenes, no one under heaven can breach it in a short time."

"Let us decide victory or defeat here. Life and death shall be left to fate."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile. He directly summoned the Crimson Flame Firefly [a legendary sword named for its crimson, firefly-like glow]. With a sharp *shing*, he pointed it at Three Souls Emperor Lord and said, "Come, let us battle."

"Excellent!"

In that instant, the two sides finally clashed.

This time, Three Souls Emperor Lord attacked with his full power from the very beginning, unleashing his world-shaking divine might in a furious duel against Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen also fought with all his strength, pushing his Five Great True Spirit Foundations [the five supreme spiritual foundations of a cultivator] to their absolute limit.

In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over three thousand moves. It was then that Three Souls Emperor Lord finally sensed something amiss.

"Impossible... How can he be this powerful?"

At this moment, Three Souls Emperor Lord was utterly astounded. Over a hundred thousand years ago, he had been able to completely suppress Eldrin Chen in a direct confrontation, yet now he could not gain even the slightest upper hand.

As the great battle raged on, Three Souls Emperor Lord, after observing Eldrin Chen intently for a long while, finally could not help but speak: "Have you... cultivated the Five Great True Spirit Foundations [the legendary pinnacle of foundation establishment, where a cultivator refines five distinct spiritual cores]?"

"To die by the hand of one who has achieved the Five Great True Spirit Foundations, your death is not in vain."

Eldrin Chen spoke with detached calm. With a flick of his sleeve, he commanded his True Spirit Divine Ability [a supreme technique powered by the cultivator's refined spiritual core] to sweep across the cosmos, this time unleashing his full power to its absolute limit.

Under Eldrin Chen's full-force Eruption [a violent, all-out release of power], his strength nearly surpassed the limits of the Five Great True Spirit Foundations, approaching the level of the legendary Six Great True Spirit Foundation [the theoretical ultimate foundation, possessing six spiritual cores].

In the span of mere moments, Three Souls Emperor Lord was forced into a steady retreat, utterly overwhelmed and placed at a severe disadvantage.

"Damnation!"

"Six Paths Reincarnation Heavenly Art [a supreme cultivation art that harnesses the power of the six paths of reincarnation]!"

Enraged and alarmed, Three Souls Emperor Lord could no longer hold back. In this critical instant, he employed a secret technique of his own creation to simultaneously unleash all Six Great True Spirit Divine Abilities [the six supreme techniques corresponding to the ultimate spiritual foundation]. Their combined Eruption released a world-shaking divine might never before witnessed.

The power of all Six Great True Spirit Divine Abilities erupting together was truly staggering. Instantly, they completely suppressed Eldrin Chen, forcing him into a desperate, barely sustainable defense.

Yet despite this, Three Souls Emperor Lord felt no joy. Instead, a trace of solemnity colored his expression.

His injuries had not yet fully healed. If the battle could not be concluded swiftly, it risked causing his wounds to worsen.

Most crucially, the Six Paths Reincarnation Heavenly Art [a supreme art of reincarnation and soul manipulation] consumed an immense amount of energy. Even at his peak, he could only sustain the Six Paths True Spirit Divine Ability [a divine ability manifesting the power of six true spirits] for a very brief period. In his current state, he feared he could maintain that ultimate combat prowess for no more than ten moves.

With this thought, Three Souls Emperor Lord gritted his teeth and decisively unleashed the Seven-Seven Immortal-Falling Curse [a sinister curse said to be capable of felling even immortals].

"Crack—"

In that instant, a clay figurine flew from above Three Souls Emperor Lord's head. The figurine suddenly shattered, and from it Eruption [to burst forth violently] a beam of utterly vile and malicious curse-light, shooting straight toward Eldrin Chen.

Yet at that very moment, Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body [a legendary physique said to be unbreakable as primordial chaos] erupted with radiant brilliance. A crystalline barrier, shimmering with the light of Yin-Yang [the dual cosmic forces of passive and active] and stars, enveloped him, nearly perfectly deflecting the assault of this curse.

"Pfft—"

Failing to vanquish his foe with this strike, Three Souls Emperor Lord immediately suffered a backlash. He violently coughed up a mouthful of soul-blood, his aura instantly weakening by twenty to thirty percent.

His face paled with shock and disbelief as he stared at Eldrin Chen. "You... you actually cultivated the Heavenly Secrets Body-Protection Divine Ability [a divine protective ability shrouded in celestial mystery] to the True Spirit Level [the realm where one's spiritual essence becomes a true, independent entity]?"

"I anticipated this move of yours long ago. To receive without reciprocating is discourteous. Now, taste my own!"

As Eldrin Chen's words fell, a mass of soul-blood materialized in the air. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a curse-light that flew forth, a fusion of Yin-Yang [the complementary forces of darkness and light, passivity and activity].

"Disaster!"

The moment he saw this curse-light, Three Souls Emperor Lord's heart lurched. Alas, it was already too late to evade.

Instantly, the curse-light sank into Three Souls Emperor Lord's body. The insidiously destructive Pure Yang Heavenly Fire [a sacred flame of ultimate yang purity] and Profound Nether True Water [an abyssal water of ultimate yin profundity] intertwined within him, relentlessly corroding both his physical form and his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator]. His fleshly body was utterly annihilated in an instant.

Even his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator] suffered unprecedented damage, its aura weakening by another thirty percent.

More terrifyingly, these successive injuries caused his original wounds to deteriorate drastically once more, triggering a precipitous decline in his overall power.

"I am defeated."

In that fleeting moment, a deathly pallor washed over Three Souls Emperor Lord's features.

Repeated, crushing defeats had pushed his injuries to a catastrophic extreme. Now, with his strength barely a pitiful twenty or thirty percent of its peak, how could he possibly stand against Eldrin Chen?

He understood in his heart that his great limit was approaching. Taking a deep breath, he looked towards Eldrin Chen and suddenly laughed with wild joy, saying, "So you are also a fellow traveler on the same path."

"Hahaha... One day, you too will face the same despairing end as I do."

Eldrin Chen paused slightly, halting the speed of his impending strike. With a grave expression, he looked at Three Souls Emperor Lord and asked, "Why would you say such a thing, Fellow Daoist?"

Three Souls Emperor Lord let out a cold laugh. Seeing no reason to conceal it from Eldrin Chen, he spoke directly, "It would be rather fitting for you to taste a sliver of despair."

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he waited silently for Three Souls Emperor Lord to continue.

Seeing that his words had not stirred him, Three Souls Emperor Lord continued with a smile, "You have already ignited your Four Great True Spirit Apertures [the four foundational spiritual gateways within a cultivator's soul]. You possess the potential to become a Soul Path Celestial Emperor [a supreme sovereign who has ascended through the cultivation of the soul]."

"But do you know why, across the vast expanse of the Thirteen Domains of the Northern and Southern Celestial Abyss, not a single soul has successfully proven their Dao and ascended to become a Soul Path Celestial Emperor?"

Eldrin Chen was taken aback for a moment before replying solemnly, "I am all ears."

"Because the innate talent required for a Soul Path Celestial Emperor is far too terrifying. It has drawn the wary attention of the true powerhouses dwelling within the Chaos [the primordial, formless void from which all existence emerged]."

Three Souls Emperor Lord spoke, his expression tinged with sorrow. "Look across the Chaos. While Chaos Celestial Emperors who have achieved Sainthood through the Flesh [ascending to supreme power by refining one's physical body to its absolute limit] are rare, they are not unheard of."

"Yet, to attain the Celestial Emperor realm through the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]... not just within the thirteen domains of the Primordial Chaos Abyss, but across the vast expanse beyond it, I have never heard of anyone who has succeeded in cultivating it."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a sense of the situation's gravity dawning upon him for the first time.

Sure enough, the Three Souls Emperor Lord let out a derisive snort and spoke, "Because those who walk the path of Sainthood through the Flesh [a cultivation path focused on perfecting the physical body to achieve immortality] are mostly blockheads, doomed to walk a single-minded path of physical cultivation. They cannot tread the path of mastering the Great Daos [the fundamental laws of the universe] and thus pose no threat to others."

"But what of one who attains the Chaos Celestial Emperor realm through the Primordial Spirit? Do you truly believe such a being would be incapable of mastering the Daos?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a chill crawl down his spine.

Indeed. A Soul Path Celestial Emperor [a Celestial Emperor who achieved their realm through cultivating the Primordial Spirit] attains their status through the Primordial Spirit. Could one capable of cultivating a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a perfected state of the Primordial Spirit], or even achieving the Nine Great True Spirit Apertures [nine supreme spiritual apertures within the Primordial Spirit], truly be incapable of mastering the Daos?

Consider this: the Nine Great True Spirit Apertures represent nine Chaos Rank [the highest rank of] divine abilities. The profound mysteries contained within them are in no way inferior to comprehending nine Great Daos.

This means that anyone capable of attaining the Soul Path Celestial Emperor realm must possess astonishing aptitude for comprehending the Great Daos as well.

Imagine, then, a Soul Path Celestial Emperor. The moment they step into the Chaos Rank, they are already among the most supreme combatants within the First Realm of Chaos [the primordial state of existence]. If such a being were to then cultivate and master the authority of the Great Daos, how overwhelmingly advantageous would they become?

Such an individual, if they did not perish prematurely, would have at least ten times the likelihood of a breakthrough to the Second Chaos Realm compared to an ordinary Chaos Celestial Emperor. This fact alone is enough to make many within Chaos view them with profound apprehension.

"In that distant era, when this venerable one was still gestating within the womb of destiny,"

Three Souls Emperor Lord spoke slowly, a mocking sneer twisting his features as he said, "a second-realm powerhouse from the Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse before creation] dared to defy the Heavenly Dao [the fundamental cosmic law and order] of the Three Poles Origin Domain [the primordial realm where heaven, earth, and the underworld first separated], forcibly snuffing out this sovereign's path midway."

"Even this sovereign's Companion Supreme Treasure [a supreme artifact born alongside a being, sharing its fate], the Primordial Chaos Three Souls Scripture [an ancient scripture containing the secrets of the three primordial souls], was utterly cleaved into three fragments, forever shattering this sovereign's qualification to prove the Dao [to achieve enlightenment and ascend to a higher state of being] through the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator]."

Three Souls Emperor Lord murmured, his gaze filled with a trace of despair and a towering, seething hatred.

He looked at Eldrin Chen and sneered, "Within the Thirteen Domains of the Heavenly Abyss, I was neither the first to suffer such a calamity, nor shall I be the last."

"From what I know, over these long years within the Northern and Southern Heavenly Abyss, the seeds of Soul Path Celestial Emperor [a supreme cultivation realm focused on mastering the soul] that have been strangled by *Him* number no fewer than the fingers on both hands."

"So do not rejoice too soon. With your talent, if you continue down this path, you will inevitably draw *His* attention. When that day comes, your foundation will be utterly ruined, and you will share this sovereign's fate."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen drew a deep, steadying breath.

He pondered for a long while before finally speaking. "Under what circumstances, I wonder, would one attract the attention of that... being?"

Three Souls Emperor Lord's smile vanished, replaced by an expression of utmost gravity. "Since time immemorial," he stated solemnly, "those who have successfully cultivated the Seven True Spirit Apertures [a legendary and perfect foundation involving the opening of seven spiritual gateways] have almost without exception perished by *His* hand."

"Once you cultivate the Seven True Spirit Apertures [the seven supreme spiritual apertures within a cultivator's body], unless you can find a backer of a similar level to the Chaos Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic sovereign who has half-stepped into the Second Realm], even hiding within the Origin Domain [the primordial world, the source of all realms] will not save you—no one will be able to rescue you."

"The Seven True Spirit Apertures [the seven supreme spiritual apertures within a cultivator's body]... what kind of backer does one need to be on par with the Chaos Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic sovereign who has half-stepped into the Second Realm]?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, the truth dawning upon him in that moment.

Once one cultivates the seven True Spirit Aperture [supreme spiritual apertures within a cultivator's body], they would inevitably fall victim to the machinations of that Second Chaos Realm [the second great realm within the primordial chaos] powerhouse.

Only a powerhouse like the Chaos Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic sovereign who has half-stepped into the Second Realm], who has half-stepped into the Second Realm and can leverage the power of the Origin Domain [the primordial world, the source of all realms], could barely manage to contend with such an entity.

Yet, a powerhouse who has half-stepped into the Second Chaos Realm [the second great realm within the primordial chaos]—within the entire expanse of the Thirteen Domains of the Northern and Southern Celestial Abyss [the thirteen vast territories spanning the northern and southern celestial abyss]—is currently represented by that single figure, the Chaos Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic sovereign who has half-stepped into the Second Realm].

Among all others, whether it be the Primordial Beginning Divine Emperor [the divine emperor who embodies the primordial beginning], the Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor [the progenitor of the Dao from the primordial beginning], or even the Solar Divine Emperor [the divine emperor who embodies the essence of the sun], none have reached this realm. At most, they merely approach its threshold.

"It seems the gap between each realm within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all things emerged] Three Realms is far vaster than I had imagined."

Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and finally turned his gaze to the Three Souls Emperor Lord [an emperor lord who commands the power of the three souls]. "I thank you, Senior, for your solemn warning. This junior will surely engrave these words upon his heart."

"Hmph—"

Three Souls Emperor Lord let out a cold sneer and then spoke, "To be defeated by you today, this seat's loss is not unjust."

"Proceed swiftly. After several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], this seat shall surely return. There will yet be a day for another battle with you."

Eldrin Chen nodded. He immediately activated the Primordial Chaos Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique born from primordial chaos], instantly dispersing the already severely wounded Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] of the Three Souls Emperor Lord.

After the fall of the Three Souls Emperor Lord, an exceptionally powerful Dao Source [a condensed essence of profound Dao principles] was left behind.

Eldrin Chen collected it into his hand and said with some surprise, "The quality of this Dao Source is unparalleled in my lifetime. If given to a suitable person to refine, it could likely nurture a cultivator with a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the pinnacle form of a cultivator's spiritual core, of the truest essence]."

At this moment, Umbralia gazed at this Dao Source with burning desire, but ultimately shook her head in regret. She understood clearly that this treasure was obtained solely by Eldrin Chen through his own efforts; she had no claim to it.

Both Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang had already cultivated their Primordial Spirit into the True Spirit Primordial Spirit realm. Furthermore, their Reincarnation Body [a profound technique to forge a secondary body] was also of the Sacrificial True Spirit Body [a supreme physique forged through sacrifice and true spirit essence]. Thus, this object held little further use for them.

He cast a brief glance around and noted that both Nyssa Qu and the Nine-Colored Immortal Deer [a mythical deer beast with fur of nine radiant colors] were suitable candidates for this rare treasure.

Considering that the Nine-Colored Immortal Deer could fuse with the Primordial Indestructible Spiritual Light [an ancient, unbreakable light of spiritual essence], Eldrin Chen decided to entrust this object to Nyssa Qu.

However, Eldrin Chen did not have Nyssa Qu enter seclusion immediately. With the Three Souls Emperor Lord now fallen, the remaining foes posed no true threat. The most crucial task now was to locate the legacy left behind by the Violet Immortal Lord.

"Let us go and witness the legacy of Violet Immortal Lord."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly and immediately stepped out of the Immortal Herb Garden, heading deep into the heart of Violet Heaven.

At that moment, Eldrin Chen suddenly felt a sensation—a subtle, fateful Opportunity [a chance encounter or resource pivotal to a cultivator's path] was calling to him from the very core of Violet Heaven.

Thus, he followed this intuition and, before he knew it, arrived before a majestic hall deep within Violet Heaven.

Just as they reached the front of the hall, its great doors slowly swung open, as if they had been awaited for a long time.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke with a flash of understanding.

"It seems we are the destined ones."