Chapter 1845 : A Clan's Legacy in the Chaos Sea

Returning to the main topic, this advancement yielded seventy-two Innate Ancient Trees.

Beyond granting the Universe a monumental boost, it also provided Eldrin Chen with a vast quantity of Supreme Grade Innate Rare Treasures.

Among these Rare Spiritual Wonders were items such as Enlightenment Tea [a spiritual tea that aids in achieving profound insights], Positive Water Flat Peach [a legendary peach imbued with pure yang energy], Solar Fire Immortal Apricot [an apricot fruit containing the essence of solar fire], Violet Tribulation Thunder Fruit [a fruit born from violet tribulation lightning], and numerous other Innate Rare Treasures. While most of these treasures held little direct use for Eldrin Chen, they possessed the power to propel the cultivation of the Chen Clan members forward by leaps and bounds.

Eldrin Chen deposited the majority of these Rare Spiritual Wonders into the Clan Treasury. He then summoned the clan's senior members, including Ethan Chen and Energy Abyss Chen.

Once everyone had gathered, Eldrin Chen spoke without preamble. "My Returning Abyss Heaven has reached an impasse. My next step is to send the Small Universe into the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse beyond the ordered worlds]."

"From that point onward, the well-being of the clan will rest in your capable hands."

His words caused a ripple of stunned silence among the assembly.

The Energy Abyss Patriarch's expression grew solemn. "I have heard tales that the Sea of Chaos is a place of immense peril," he ventured cautiously. "Is it not too soon to send the Returning Abyss Heaven into such a realm?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head decisively. "The concentration of Primordial Chaos Energy [the fundamental, unformed energy from which all creation arises] within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains is far too dilute—less than one-thousandth of what exists within the Sea of Chaos."

"My calculations are clear. Remaining here, even with the support of seventy-two Innate Ancient Trees, I could never accumulate sufficient foundational energy [the core essence required for a world's growth and stability] for the Small Universe to reach perfection before the Kalpa Tribulation [the cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal] arrives." Read, share, and discuss at audio-novel*com.

Upon hearing this, the few of them immediately fell silent, offering no further words.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve, leaving behind over ten supreme treasures of Slaughter such as the Gale Wind God-Slaying Gourd and the Primordial Solar Heaven Sword.

"These Innate Ancient Treasure are all supreme treasures of Slaughter, their power sufficient to severely wound or even slay an Ancient Immortal Great Power. Take them as the clan's foundation, to prepare for your future breakthroughs to Ancient Immortal."

No one declined. They understood that given Eldrin Chen's current level of strength, these treasures were of relatively limited use to him.

Having settled this matter, Eldrin Chen did not wait for Exquisite Jiang to emerge from seclusion. He hurriedly returned to Returning Abyss Heaven and began to propel the Universe forward on its journey.

A magnificent Great Universe spanning fifty billion light-years is a realm of unimaginable vastness and grandeur, its mass an incalculable, staggering weight.

Fortunately, as the master of this Universe and possessing an Eleventh Limit Supreme Physique, Eldrin Chen found the task of propelling the Universe forward not overly arduous.

This time, as Eldrin Chen propelled the Universe forward, ceaselessly traversing the Chaos, it took nearly one hundred thousand years before he finally reached the location of the Sea of Chaos Fringe.

"The Sea of Chaos."

Unbeknownst to him, Eldrin Chen had arrived at the shore of the Sea of Chaos.

Gazing upon the vast expanse of the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless void from which all things emerge], Eldrin Chen fell into deep contemplation. After a mere moment's hesitation, he decisively propelled the Universe forward.

"BOOM—"

A violent, thunderous collision echoed as the immense Returning Abyss Great Universe plunged into the Sea of Chaos, sending towering waves of Chaos [the raw, unformed essence of creation] surging forth. An endless tide of Chaos Water [the liquid essence of primordial chaos] swallowed everything in its path.

Given the diameter and foundational essence of the Returning Abyss Great Universe, it should have been nearly impossible to withstand such an onslaught of Chaos waves.

Fortunately, the Five Poles True Spirits [the five primordial divine spirits representing the cardinal directions and the center] unfurled the World-Protecting Grand Formation [a supreme defensive array that shields a world from external threats]. Simultaneously, seventy-two Innate Ancient Tree [primordial trees born from chaos, possessing immense life force] took root within the Chaos itself, weaving together a protective canopy that held back the corrosive touch of the Sea of Chaos Water.

At this critical juncture, the Heaven and Earth Second Ancestor, the five True Spirit [primordial divine beings of immense power], and the Seventy-Two Imperial Lords all poured their utmost strength into driving the World-Protecting Grand Formation. While desperately resisting the Sea of Chaos Water, they ceaselessly drew upon the Chaos Water, refining and converting it into the foundational essence of the Universe.

Eldrin Chen observed clearly: the rate at which the entire Universe's foundational essence and spiritual energy were growing had accelerated by hundreds, even thousands, of times compared to when it resided within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

"Seventy-two Innate Ancient Tree... truly extraordinary."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a faint smile gracing his lips.

He remained within the confines of Returning Abyss Heaven, not venturing beyond its borders. For now, the Returning Abyss Heaven had only just arrived within the Chaos; its foundational essence remained insufficiently abundant and potent. It could barely maintain its own Indestructibility [a state of absolute durability and resistance to decay] amidst the churning Chaos.

Under such circumstances, should a Chaos Beast King appear, Returning Abyss Heaven would still face significant peril. Therefore, Eldrin Chen decided to remain and guard Returning Abyss Heaven for a period of time.

Seizing this opportunity, Eldrin Chen retrieved the ‘Soaring Immortal Zither’. This Soaring Immortal Zither was an Innate Spiritual Treasure Embryo [a nascent form of a supreme treasure born from the cosmos]; theoretically, with sufficient Opportunity and Fortune, it could ascend to the realm of an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the primal chaos of creation].

Eldrin Chen directly exhaled a wisp of Innate Primordial Chaos Violet Aura [the supreme primal energy of creation] and fused it into the Soaring Immortal Zither. This zither was originally a supreme treasure containing thirty-three Innate Path Patterns [fundamental cosmic laws], and within it resided a complete strand of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [an indestructible spiritual radiance].

Upon fusing with this strand of Innate Primordial Chaos Violet Aura, the Soaring Immortal Zither instantly derived two more Innate Path Patterns, transforming into a thirty-five-patterned Innate Spiritual Treasure Embryo. It was now but a single step away from becoming a true Innate Spiritual Treasure.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, this final step would not be excessively long; it should be successfully nurtured within a span of one million years.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen placed the Soaring Immortal Zither within Returning Abyss Heaven to nurture, and only then did he begin his secluded cultivation. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio novel.com.

For this session of secluded cultivation, Eldrin Chen directly took out a portion of Innate Enlightenment Tea [a legendary tea that grants profound insights] and began to contemplate his own cultivation methods.

By now, Eldrin Chen had clear ideas regarding the cultivation of his physical body, Path Principles [the fundamental laws of the Great Dao], Path Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivated Dao], Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and his spiritual energy. However, he had never fully compiled and organized these concepts into a complete system.

Now, with this rare moment of leisure, Eldrin Chen began to systematize his own cultivation path, gradually refining and perfecting his personal method of cultivation.

Among these, the cultivation method for the Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of supreme resilience] was perfected most swiftly. In merely two thousand years, Eldrin Chen had fully refined the cultivation method for the Great Encompassing Primordial One Indestructibility Body [the ultimate form of the indestructible physique].

The method for cultivating the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] progressed somewhat slower. Eldrin Chen spent five thousand years before he could roughly establish the cultivation method for the Twelfth Limit True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a supreme state of the Primordial Spirit with twelve ultimate limits]. This further perfected the Five Radiance Spirit Refining Great Art [a great art for refining the spirit with five radiances] and the Five Thunders Spirit Forging Great Art [a great art for forging the spirit with five thunders].

After being perfected, these two methods became increasingly profound and esoteric. One now needed to master the Patriarch Level [the realm of a Patriarch, a supreme cultivator] versions of the Five-Colored Divine Light [a divine ability manifesting light of five colors] and the Chaos Divine Thunder [a divine thunder born from primordial chaos] to even meet the prerequisites for cultivation.

Eldrin Chen believed that the Chaos Divine Thunder Spirit Forging Great Art should surpass the Great Encompassing Secret Scroll [a legendary secret manual] and be comparable to the supreme arts personally transmitted by a Path Ancestor [a progenitor of a cultivation path].

Tens of thousands of years later, Eldrin Chen further deduced the Innate Primordial One Limitless Great Path [the Great Path of the Innate Primordial One, boundless and limitless] to the Great Encompassing Realm [the Realm of Great Encompassing, a supreme state of cultivation]. He also completely perfected the cultivation method for the Path Fruit [the fruit of one's cultivation path, representing profound attainment].

By this point, the cultivation methods for the five foundational pillars—the physical body, the Great Path [one's core cultivation doctrine], the Path Fruit, the Primordial Spirit, and the spiritual power [the energy cultivated by a practitioner]—had all been deduced by Eldrin Chen to the Patriarch Level. Furthermore, for each foundational pillar, he had created at least one Great Encompassing Marvelous Art [a marvelous art of the Great Encompassing Realm].

At this stage, the cultivation methods for the five foundational pillars had reached the limit of Eldrin Chen's current capabilities. To deduce them further, his accumulated knowledge was no longer sufficient.

Thus, Eldrin Chen ceased his pursuit of further perfection and turned his focus to contemplating his various Divine Ability [supernatural powers and techniques].

The first ability he deduced was the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder [a divine thunder combining the five elements and the primordial sun]. With the foundation he had built, this deduction proceeded with remarkable smoothness.

In just a few tens of thousands of years, Eldrin Chen built upon the Great Five Elements Primordial Solar Divine Thunder and created the Great Five Elements Chaos Divine Thunder [a divine thunder born from the fusion of the five elements and primordial chaos].

Thereafter, time flowed on relentlessly. Eldrin Chen successively deduced the Primordial One Energy [the fundamental energy of the Primordial One], the Five Elements Divine Light [divine light embodying the five elements], the Primordial Unity Void Cosmos Sword Energy [a sword energy born from the unity of the Primordial One and the Void Cosmos], the Chaos Weapon Forging Art [an art for forging weapons using chaos], and the Great Deduction Polarity Stars Path [a path of cultivation based on the deduction of polar stars] to the Patriarch Level.

Until this day, Eldrin Chen was jolted awake from his seclusion, only to discover that a million years had passed since he entered closed-door cultivation.

"A million years... time truly flows swiftly,"

Eldrin Chen sighed with profound emotion. This had been the longest period of seclusion in his entire life, yet the gains were exceedingly gratifying.

Although his power had not undergone a monumental leap, over the course of that million years, he had thoroughly organized and deduced the complete cultivation path for the Ancient Immortal Realm, laying a solid foundation for his future ascension to the Great Encompassing realm.

"The Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power cultivated by immortals] has been fully deduced. Now, I merely need to gather the required catalyst ingredients to attempt its cultivation."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen emerged from his Seclusion Chamber.

Once outside, the first thing Eldrin Chen noticed was the profound change in the Seclusion Chamber's surroundings.

Compared to a million years ago, the foundational essence of the Returning Abyss Great Universe had grown by more than a hundredfold, and the concentration of Immortal Spirit Essence [the purest form of energy in immortal realms] had also increased by no less than a hundred times.

"Such a density of Immortal Spirit Essence... it is now far richer and more potent than even the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Sensing the overwhelming concentration of Immortal Spirit Essence, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, a faint smile gracing his eyes.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, the concentration of Immortal Spirit Essence [the purest form of spiritual energy used by high-level immortals] within Returning Abyss Heaven should be more than thirty times that of Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

And this was merely the beginning. Eldrin Chen estimated that as time progressed, the cultivation environment of Returning Abyss Heaven would improve dramatically. Ultimately, its Immortal Spirit Essence concentration was likely to exceed a hundredfold that of Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

This was not because Returning Abyss Heaven possessed a deeper foundation than Vast Azure Immortal Domain, but rather due to its far smaller size. Furthermore, the seventy-two Innate Ancient Tree [primordial trees that naturally convert chaotic energies] were actively converting Innate Energy [the fundamental energy of creation], and its location within the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse beyond ordered realms] played a significant role.

While Vast Azure Immortal Domain was indeed an Immortal Domain [a vast, stable realm suitable for immortal habitation], its sheer immensity worked against it. It lacked such a multitude of Supreme Grade Innate Ancient Tree [the highest quality of primordial trees] to transform Primordial Chaos Energy [the raw, unformed energy of creation]. Coupled with the inherently thin Primordial Chaos Energy within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the major ordered realms], it naturally resulted in a lower concentration of Immortal Spirit Essence.

"The environment of the Sea of Chaos is vastly superior to that of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains," he mused.

"It seems if I ascend my realm to an Immortal Domain within the Sea of Chaos in the future, the number of Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] it could sustain would start at several hundred times that of Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself. Sensing the state of Returning Abyss Heaven once more, a wave of reassurance settled within his heart.

Now that the foundational essence of Returning Abyss Heaven had surged a hundredfold, the defensive power of its Universe Membrane [the dimensional barrier separating an inner realm from external chaos] had also increased more than tenfold. Furthermore, there was now ample foundational essence to supply the cultivation needs of the Immortal residing within Returning Abyss Heaven.

Within the current Seventy-Two Layered Heavens [the stratified celestial planes] of Returning Abyss Universe, the combined number of Immortal and Divine Spirits [powerful spiritual entities born from natural laws] had already surpassed one hundred million. On average, each layered heaven now housed over one million Immortal.

Moreover, the earliest batch of three thousand Divine Spirits, bolstered by the empowerment of this Universe, now possessed combat prowess comparable to powerhouses of the Primordial Unity Realm [a profound cultivation stage representing the initial unity of one's foundational energies].

As for the Seventy-Two Imperial Lords, almost every single one possesses combat power at the level of a Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

The Heaven and Earth Second Ancestor and the Five Directions World-Protecting True Spirits possess combat power even reaching the level of a Five Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

Of course, this combat power is granted by the Returning Abyss Universe and is essentially a division of Eldrin Chen's own strength. Therefore, it is only effective within the bounds of the Returning Abyss Universe.

Once they venture beyond a certain range from the Returning Abyss Universe, losing the support of the Universe, their combat power would plummet by at least one major realm.

Nevertheless, possessing power at the level of a Four Tribulations cultivator within the Returning Abyss Heaven is already astonishing. Relying on the grand formations within the Returning Abyss Universe, they could even hold their ground for a time against an assault from a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen fell into thought for a moment. He then summoned the Heaven and Earth Second Ancestor, Eternal Profound Chen and Eternal Verdancy Chen, and also called forth the Five Directions World-Protecting True Spirits: the Blazing Phoenix, Mysterious Verdant Robe, White Tiger, Qilin, and Black Tortoise.

He took out the Innate Seven Treasures Gourd. The Innate Primordial Solar Gourd was given to Eternal Profound Chen, the Innate Pure Lunar Gourd to Eternal Verdancy Chen, and the Five Elements Gourd was divided among the remaining seven individuals.

After distributing the treasures, Eldrin Chen spoke, "This Innate Seven Treasures Gourd was born from the Innate Seven Treasures Gourd Vine, forming a set of supreme treasures. If you seven refine them together, you should be able to contend with a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal Great Power."

"Henceforth, each of you seven shall take one, serving as one of the World-Stabilizing supreme treasures of our Returning Abyss Heaven."

Hearing this, the seven individuals' expressions grew solemn.

Old Patriarch pondered for a moment, then spoke: "This treasure can contend against a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations]. Perhaps you should keep it for yourself."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, his voice calm and steady. "Given my current level of power, this treasure would merely be a pleasant addition, unable to bring about a truly significant leap in strength."

"In contrast, Returning Abyss Heaven drifts within the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms emerged], perpetually vulnerable to the covetous gazes of Chaos Beast King [monstrous sovereigns born from the raw essence of chaos] and other Ancient Immortal [immortals who have existed since time immemorial]. It requires a reliable means of self-preservation."

Hearing this, Eternal Profound Chen offered no further argument and accepted the Innate Primordial Solar Gourd [a gourd-shaped treasure born from the essence of the primordial sun].

After the others had departed, leaving only the Old Patriarch and Eternal Verdancy Chen behind, Eternal Profound Chen finally spoke again. "You are preparing to leave, then?"

"Yes."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. "The Kalpa Tribulation [the great cosmic cataclysm that periodically reshapes existence] is but two million years away. Now that Returning Abyss Heaven possesses the capacity for self-defense, I see no reason for further delay."

"My path will first lead me into the Depths of Chaos [the most turbulent and perilous regions of the formless sea], and then onward to the Primordial Immortal Domain [the legendary realm said to be the origin of all immortals]. If fortune favors my journey, I shall have a full million years remaining to make my final preparations... and to quietly mark my ten millionth year of life."

Upon hearing this, Eternal Profound Chen could not help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia and awe.

Unnoticed by all, the lifespan of Eldrin Chen had already spanned nine million years.

The ten-million-year lifespan anniversary of an Immortal [a being who has transcended mortality through cultivation] is also called the 'Path Longevity' celebration. Generally, Celestial Immortal [a high-ranking immortal who has ascended to the celestial realms] will celebrate it with great fanfare. After all, the vast majority of Celestial Immortal will only experience a few, or perhaps a dozen or so, such 'Path Longevity' celebrations in their entire existence, making each one a significant occasion to be cherished.

In truth, the first ten-thousand-year, hundred-thousand-year, million-year, ten-million-year anniversaries, and the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle that tests and purges all existence] lifespan milestone are all deeply valued by countless Immortal. These moments represent profound milestones, carrying extraordinary commemorative significance.

Moreover, this celebration is not for Eldrin Chen alone. Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, Ethan Chen, and others are of a similar age, meaning over a dozen individuals are celebrating their ten-million-year anniversaries simultaneously. Such an event could never be a simple affair.

After all, following this lifespan milestone, the Kalpa Tribulation looms less than a million years away. No one dares claim with certainty that they will survive beyond its cataclysmic passage.

Returning to the matter at hand, Eternal Profound Chen contemplated this point and remarked with a faint smile, "Truly, time flows like a melody, fleeting in the blink of an eye."

"I recall when you and I were in the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world or plane of existence], the realm itself had existed for barely over eight million years."

"Who could have foreseen that today, your own lifespan has surpassed the age of the Purple Seal Realm back then."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen was also moved to deep reflection.

Nine million years—a span that might seem insignificant to many Ancient Immortal [immortals who have existed since time immemorial], yet for the Purple Seal Realm, it constitutes a vast and weighty chronicle of history.

Such an immense passage of time is enough to bury epics and elegies beneath its sands. Perhaps the cultivators and mortals within the Purple Seal Realm today have long forgotten the world-ending demonic tribulation that once raged for tens of thousands of years in ages past.

How many still remember, in this present age, those who fell in battle for the Purple Seal Realm all those years ago? Their heroic, blood-soaked struggle, a tale both stirring and tragic, seems to have faded from the memory of most. Read the full novel exclusively on audio‑novel.com.