Chapter 1851 : A Map of Ancient Realms and a New Alliance

Eldrin Chen took the map and glanced at it. A flicker of pleasant surprise stirred within him as he realized it was a remarkably detailed chart of the Primordial Immortal Domain and the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and departed spirits].

He promptly stored the map away and retrieved a Rare Spiritual Wonders [a collection of precious spiritual materials] to offer in return. With a cupped fist salute, he expressed his gratitude, "My thanks for your assistance, Fellow Daoist. This humble gift is but a token of my appreciation."

The Pure Tenuity Recluse merely smiled faintly and decisively shook his head. "It is merely a map, hardly a rare treasure."

"Since fate has brought our paths to cross, consider it a gift. Let us be friends."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze shifted subtly, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he smiled and replied, "In that case, I gladly accept your friendship."

"Hahaha!"

The Pure Tenuity Recluse laughed heartily, waving a hand dismissively. "Then we shall meet again in the Twinkling Light Ancient Domain."

With those final words, the Pure Tenuity Recluse said no more, his figure vanishing into the boundless depths of the void.

After his departure, Eldrin Chen allowed himself a slight smile. This Pure Tenuity Recluse had cultivated to the level of a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations]. While he might not rival a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal Great Power [an ancient immortal of immense power], within the ranks of the Ancient Immortal Realm, he was certainly no weakling. This chapter appears courtesy of audio‑novel.com.

For such a personage, forging a favorable connection would certainly not be a loss.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen opened the map for a glance. After observing it briefly, he put it away and headed into the distance.

The Primordial Immortal Domain, as the most ancient and original Immortal Domain within the Chaos, holds a status that no ordinary Immortal Domain could ever hope to match.

Within this Immortal Domain, not only is the cultivation environment more refined, but the rules and regulations are also far more stringent.

The very fabric of space in the Primordial Immortal Domain is more resilient; only those at the Great Encompassing Rank can tear through the void. Strictly speaking, combat between Ancient Immortal Realm powerhouses is permitted here.

However, should one cause damage to the mountains, rivers, or Earth Vein [the spiritual arteries of the land], they would be forced to pay a steep price in recompense.

Furthermore, above the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome] of the Primordial Immortal Domain stand the seven ancestral courts of the Heavenly Emperor [the supreme celestial sovereigns], along with the Thirty-Threefold Heaven. Beneath the Nine Nether Abysses lie the Eighteen Layers of Netherworld Hell.

Within these Thirty-Threefold Heaven, the Three Great Heavenly Courts maintain cosmic order, while beneath the Nine Nether Abysses, the Eighteen Netherworld Nether Emperor Imperial Lords hold dominion over the Eighteen Layers of Hell.

Be it the Three Great Heavenly Courts or the Eighteen Netherworld Nether Emperor Imperial Lords, these are forces that not even a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal would dare to provoke.

Therefore, the Thirty-Threefold Heaven of the Primordial Immortal Domain, and those Eighteen Layers of Hell, are not places where just any Immortal can venture without permission.

Even an Ancient Immortal Great Power [a cultivator of immense power who has transcended the mortal realm] would be courting death if they attempted to force their way into those two places without a special passage token.

Eldrin Chen dared not travel directly through the earth's depths to the Depths of the Netherworld [the profound and perilous underworld realm]. Instead, he flew for thousands of years to reach the nearest convergence point of the Polarity Two Realms [the boundary between the Immortal and Netherworld realms].

It was a bridge spanning the Polarity Two Realms, arching across their junction. One end connected to the Immortal Domain [the realm of celestial beings] and the Mortal Dust [the mortal world], while the other plunged into the endless Depths of the Netherworld.

"The Polarity Realms Bridge."

Gazing at the Polarity Realms Bridge before him, a ripple of emotion stirred within Eldrin Chen's eyes.

Without a word, he approached the boundary bridge, paid the requisite toll, and then descended into the boundless Depths of the Netherworld.

The Netherworld Hell [the underworld prison of punishment] consists of the Eighteen Layers of Hell. The Netherworld Sovereign [the ruler] of each layer of hell is a Netherworld Nether Emperor Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler of the underworld] of Primordial One Imperial Lord [the foundational level of imperial lords] caliber.

Eldrin Chen did not dare be negligent. Following protocol, he traversed the Six Layers of Hell in sequence, finally arriving within this Seventh Layer of Hell.

"So this is the Grand Netherworld Domain [the vast dominion of the Seventh Hell]?"

Surveying the Netherworld Hell before him, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself.

This Grand Netherworld Domain is the seventh layer of the Netherworld Hell. The Grand Nether Imperial Lord who rules this layer is a Primordial Era Innate Human [one of the first humans born from the primordial chaos] who attained the Sovereign realm, a figure from the same generation as the Frigid Heaven Imperial Lord.

Eldrin Chen intended to journey to the Depths of the Netherworld to gather Netherworld Origin [the primordial essence of the netherworld] to replenish his Polarity Origin [the foundational essence of yin and yang]. Breaking through his cultivation realm within this Netherworld Hell ruled by a senior of the Human Race was the optimal choice.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate. He soared across the boundless Netherworld until he finally halted before the gates of an ancient city.

"Grand Netherworld City."

Gazing upon the Grand Netherworld City, Eldrin Chen felt a subtle shift in his heart. He then stepped forward to enter.

The very moment he was about to cross the threshold into the Grand Netherworld City, a voice of immense authority echoed, "Who approaches?" The story continues at site: audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw a Netherworld Ghost Immortal [an immortal who has cultivated within the netherworld] at the Eight Tribulations Realm. His heart quivered with a trace of awe.

An Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal was an exceedingly rare figure, one who might not appear even once in ten billion years within many Great Encompassing Ancient Sects. He had not expected to encounter one immediately upon his arrival.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen immediately clasped his hands in salute and said, "This humble Daoist hails from Returning Abyss. I have come seeking to borrow your esteemed land for cultivation."

"Oh?"

The Netherworld Ghost Immortal [a powerful ghost who has attained immortality] shifted her gaze slightly and materialized directly before Eldrin Chen. She appeared as a woman of extraordinary bearing, clad in black robes.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the woman scrutinized him for a moment. She found she could not fully perceive his depths, and a flicker of surprise stirred within her.

'This person seems to have already cultivated Patriarch Level Divine Ability [powerful abilities on par with a Patriarch]. Moreover, he emanates a potent sense of threat. It appears he is not far from the Great Encompassing Realm [the legendary Da Luo realm, the pinnacle of cultivation].'

With this thought, the woman tempered her innate haughtiness and spoke calmly, "This humble one's path title is Nether Phoenix. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

"Nether Phoenix?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. He then sensed her aura was profoundly unique, as if she had attained the Dao from a special Netherworld Spiritual Root [a spiritual root born from the essence of the underworld]. Her presence felt even more formidable than the Crimson Phoenix Holy Spirit [a sacred spirit of flame and rebirth] he had encountered in the past.

Noting his expression, Nether Phoenix inquired, "Fellow Daoist, have you come seeking to cultivate using the Netherworld Origin [the primordial essence of the underworld, capable of mending foundational flaws]?"

Eldrin Chen collected his thoughts and promptly clasped his hands in salute. "Precisely so. Your insight is truly remarkable, Fellow Daoist."

Nether Phoenix gave a slight nod and stated plainly, "There are few treasures found in the Netherworld Realm [the realm of the dead and spirits] that are absent from the Immortal Realm [the realm of immortals and celestial beings]."

"This Netherworld Origin can remedy Innate [pertaining to one's born nature or foundation] defects. Nearly every few tens of thousands of years, an Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has lived through immense ages] arrives here for this very purpose."

With those words, Nether Phoenix ushered Eldrin Chen into the heart of Grand Netherworld City.

Following her inside, Eldrin Chen discovered the vast expanse of Grand Netherworld City was a teeming metropolis, bustling with Ghost Cultivator [cultivators who have chosen the path of the ghostly dead] living and cultivating within its bounds.

What was truly staggering was that the lowest cultivation level among these Ghost Immortal [immortals who have ascended via the ghostly path] was the Ascendant Immortal Realm. Earth Immortal Ghost Immortal [Ghost Immortals at the Earth Immortal Realm] were as numerous as hairs on an ox, and the auras of those at the Celestial Immortal Realm shimmered like countless stars in the night sky.

Eldrin Chen surveyed the scene carefully and realized that within this immense ghostly city, there were at least nearly ten thousand Netherworld Ghost Immortal whose power rivaled that of an Ancient Immortal.

"Nearly ten thousand Ancient Immortal Patriarch [Ancient Immortal-level Patriarchs]," he murmured to himself, the weight of the number settling upon him.

A profound shock washed over Eldrin Chen, and his gaze grew heavy with solemnity.

A single ghost city harbored nearly ten thousand Ancient Immortal Great Power [Great Powers at the Ancient Immortal level]. Although these were Netherworld Ghost Immortal [ghost immortals of the underworld], whose cultivation was considered somewhat more straightforward, such a number was still utterly terrifying.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen turned to Nether Phoenix and asked, "I have heard that within the Grand Netherworld Domain, there are nearly one hundred ghost cities of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal level. Do those cities possess similar foundations?"

Nether Phoenix shook her head, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Within the Grand Netherworld Domain, there are indeed nearly one hundred Great Encompassing Nether City, all established by Human Race Ghost Immortal who attained the Dao."

"However, though powerful, these Great Encompassing Nether City are far inferior to this Grand Netherworld City. The vast majority of them harbor no more than one hundred Netherworld Nether Antiquity Immortal [Netherworld Ghost Immortals who have reached the Nether Antiquity Realm]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a slight sigh of relief.

If nearly one hundred domains of the Netherworld Great Encompassing all possessed such terrifying strength, it would truly be too horrifying to contemplate.

"We have arrived."

As the two were speaking, Nether Phoenix led Eldrin Chen before a certain Netherworld Mansion.

Eldrin Chen completed the registration, paid a sum of Immortal Spirit Essence [a highly refined spiritual energy used by powerful immortals], and was then guided towards the core of the Grand Netherworld Domain.

Watching him depart, the Ghost Immortal [an immortal who has transcended the mortal coil and resides in the underworld] in charge of registration finally looked up, casting a surprised glance at Eldrin Chen's retreating figure before turning to Nether Phoenix with curiosity. "Who is this person, to warrant being personally escorted by the Young Lord?" he inquired.

Only then did the registering Ghost Immortal reveal his aura—he was actually a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] at the zenith of his power.

Nether Phoenix shook her head, her gaze turning grave. "My Netherworld Divine Pupil [a mystical eye technique that can pierce through the veils of the underworld] can peer into the depths of the Nine Nether Abysses, yet I cannot see through this man's true strength."

"However, his Vitality [the life force and foundational energy of a cultivator] is overwhelming. It is highly likely he has cultivated a Supreme Physique [a legendary, perfect physical foundation for cultivation] that has reached the Eleventh Limit [the theoretical pinnacle of physical cultivation]. Making his acquaintance is not a bad thing."

The Ghost Immortal beside her listened with deep respect. Gazing in the direction where Eldrin Chen had vanished, he mused thoughtfully, "It seems this coming Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal] will be even more... interesting than the last."

"Indeed."

Nether Phoenix nodded, yet sighed as she continued, "The Dragon Clan has produced an Imperial Scion Zhuyin, the Golden Crow Clan is rumored to have a Heavenly Emperor's Direct Offspring emerging into the world, and the Divine Clan even has a Divine Sovereign True Seed [a supreme talent destined for godhood] who has been in seclusion for over a hundred Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] now leaving his retreat."

"The Three Great Heavenly Courts, the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, the Three Thousand Ancient Sects—all are making their moves…"

Nether Phoenix spoke methodically, her expression turning profoundly solemn. "Even I dare not claim absolute certainty of standing out against such individuals."

The Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates through ghostly or netherworldly methods] beside her, hearing this, asked with a grave countenance, "I am deeply curious. Why has this particular Kalpa Tribulation drawn forth so many powerful figures? The forces gathered are dozens of times greater than in past conflicts between our two realms."

Nether Phoenix pondered briefly before replying, "There is no harm in telling you. All of this stems from the fall of the Purple Seal Immortal Lord."

"Because of Purple Seal's fall?"

"Precisely."

Nether Phoenix affirmed with a nod, her beautiful eyes holding a complex mix of regret and trepidation. "Ten million years ago, when the Purple Seal Immortal Lord failed in his attempt to prove his Chaos Immortal Sage [a supreme realm of cultivation bordering on primordial chaos] Dao and perished within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], the immense Fortune [heavenly favor and destiny] he had accumulated scattered and dispersed."

"And the legacy left behind by the Purple Seal Immortal Lord represents the greatest Opportunity and Fortune [chance and destiny] within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains in nearly a thousand Kalpa Tribulation."

"Some Grand Nether Imperial Lord once divined that when this Kalpa Tribulation erupts, part of the legacy left by Purple Seal Immortal Lord will manifest in the world. This will be an immense Opportunity and Fortune [a confluence of chance and destiny]."

Speaking of this, Nether Phoenix revealed a look of longing.

The Chaos Cauldron [a supreme artifact of primordial chaos] wielded by Purple Seal Immortal Lord is the sole Chaos Supreme Treasure within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains. No one knows what kind of treasures Purple Seal Immortal Lord left behind that year.

There are even legends that within the legacy of Purple Seal Immortal Lord, there remains a strand of Chaos Genesis Energy [a primordial creative force] capable of aiding a breakthrough into the Chaos Realm.

Although that Chaos Genesis Energy is merely a substitute for the Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence [the original source of all creation], it is still the most supreme treasure within the Chaos. It can help an existence at the level of a Great Perfection Primordial One Imperial Lord take that final step. One could say even a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage would be immensely moved by it.

Thinking of this, Nether Phoenix finally spoke with firm resolve. "This Kalpa Tribulation is a convergence of Fortune and Opportunity and Fortune. It is highly likely to give birth to powerhouses far surpassing those of the past."

"Even the venerable Primordial Genesis Path Ancestor prophesied that within this Kalpa Tribulation, at least one Peerless Immortal Lord with a Twelfth Limit Foundation [the mythical pinnacle of foundational cultivation] may be born."

"A Twelfth Limit Foundation!"

The Ghost Immortal [an immortal who cultivates through ghostly or netherworldly methods] felt a tremor in his heart, his expression turning utterly shocked.

Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, the Twelfth Limit Foundation has been a myth since ancient times.

Throughout the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms of cultivation], it is almost certain that a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has transcended the cycle of rebirth] is born in every Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal]. However, across hundreds of such cycles, one may scarcely find a single cultivator who has achieved the Twelfth Limit Foundation [the legendary, ultimate pinnacle of foundational cultivation].

Since time immemorial, those who have set foot upon this path, with the exception of the seven Path Ancestor Immortal Sage [the supreme founders of the major cultivation paths], have almost all ascended to the realm of the Primordial One Imperial Lord [a sovereign lord who commands the fundamental forces of creation].

It can be said that achieving the Twelfth Limit Foundation marks one as a true Divine Sovereign True Seed [a destined candidate for divine sovereignty], worthy of being hailed as possessing Path Ancestor Immortal Sage Potential [the potential to become a founding sage of a new cultivation path].

Contemplating this, the Ghost Immortal [an immortal who has transcended mortality through ghostly or spectral means] shook his head once more. The Twelfth Limit Foundation had always been a myth. Legend spoke of how the Grand Nether Imperial Lord [a sovereign ruler of the deepest nether realms] had once attained the Twelfth Limit Primordial Spirit [the ultimate refinement of one's spiritual core].

He possessed enough self-awareness to understand that he could not compare to even a single hair of the Grand Nether Imperial Lord, destined to remain forever barred from that ultimate step.

"…"

Returning to the matter at hand, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a cultivator from the Chen clan], having obtained the necessary authority, proceeded directly towards the Netherworld Core [the central and most profound region of the underworld].

He traversed endless stretches of the Netherworld [the vast realm of the dead and departed souls], arriving finally before a boundless and awe-inspiring Netherworld Sea [a frigid, soul-chilling ocean within the underworld].

"So cold."

Standing before the Netherworld Sea, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a tremor of awe pass through him.

This was a realm of ultimate, bone-chilling cold—the Netherworld Sea [a vast, primordial sea of pure yin energy]. The waters flowing within it were the purest Netherworld Origin [the foundational essence of the underworld], yet they contained a Supreme Cold Energy [a profound, soul-numbing chill] that did not exist within the Mortal Realm.

This aura was overwhelmingly frigid. Even with Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, he felt an immense pressure bearing down upon him.

Yet, facing such profoundly cold Netherworld Origin, Eldrin Chen's expression remained utterly unperturbed. He strode forward, stepping directly into the Netherworld Sea, and was instantly assaulted by a towering wave of glacial energy.

"Hah—"

In that fleeting moment, Eldrin Chen forcefully exhaled a single breath, instantly suppressing the invasive chill completely.

This Eleventh Limit Indestructibility Physique [a legendary body tempered to withstand all forces] was truly worthy of being called an Unparalleled Immortal Body [a peerless physical form] that shattered all known limits. It showed not the slightest fear, even in the face of this Netherworld Origin Sea.

Now acclimated to the Netherworld Origin Sea, Eldrin Chen immediately began to inhale and exhale vast quantities of the Netherworld Origin.

In an instant, the immense Netherworld Origin Sea began to tremble. An invisible vortex manifested in its unfathomable depths.

With Eldrin Chen's present level of power, the rate at which he devoured this Netherworld Origin was astonishingly swift. In the blink of an eye, a torrential flood of the foundational essence was drawn into his body, and the process only accelerated with each passing moment.

"Hmm—"

Simultaneously, within the supreme sanctum of the Grand Netherworld Domain, a woman of peerless grace and beauty opened her eyes. This was none other than the Grand Nether Imperial Lord, whose might shook the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

At this moment, the gaze of the Grand Nether Imperial Lord pierced through the Boundless Void and fell upon Eldrin Chen. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

After a brief, assessing look, she spoke with evident astonishment: "The Indestructibility Physique [a legendary body of unbreakable resilience], the Indestructibility Primordial Spirit [an inviolable spiritual core], Tenth Limit Mana [the pinnacle of cultivated energy reserves], and even Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a supreme technique worthy of a founding ancestor]."

"Impressive. This is the makings of a Primordial One Imperial Lord [a sovereign who stands at the very origin of the Great Path]."

As she spoke, she scrutinized him more closely, and her gaze sharpened with renewed realization. "No, that's not quite right. His Great Path [the fundamental cultivation art defining his journey] and Path Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's cultivated path] have not yet fully matured. His physical body, too, retains potential for further refinement."

"If that is so... does it not imply his mana and Primordial Spirit [the foundational spiritual essence of a cultivator] also possess room to ascend to even greater heights?"

In the span of a single breath, the Grand Nether Imperial Lord drew a sharp intake of air. Without hesitation, she acted, weaving a veil of obscurity over the Netherworld Origin Sea [the primordial source of netherworld energy] to prevent others from sensing the anomaly that was Eldrin Chen.

Only then did she allow herself to exhale slowly, her expression shifting subtly. "It seems our Human Race is destined to nurture another Immortal Sage True Seed [a genuine progenitor with the potential to become an Immortal Sage]."

With this thought, the Grand Nether Imperial Lord raised a hand, her fingers dancing as she sought to divine the threads of Eldrin Chen's fate. Yet, the instant her calculations began, they met an intangible, formidable resistance. A faint sigh of relief escaped her lips.

"Multiple layers of unseen Destiny [the inscrutable force governing fate and fortune] shroud everything about him. Each layer is elusive, untouchable, rendering his origins and ultimate Destiny utterly inscrutable to divination."

"However, one of those auras feels somewhat familiar, as if it belongs to the Great..."

Suddenly, Grand Nether Imperial Lord's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly cut himself off. Then, with solemn gravity, he rose to his feet, took a deep breath, and murmured to himself, "It seems this matter requires no further intervention from me."

Speaking thus, Grand Nether Imperial Lord smiled and declared, "One should not delve too deeply into such affairs. Yet, since this humble one has glimpsed a Immortal Sage True Seed [the nascent potential of a future Immortal Sage], it is only fitting that I sow the seeds of a favorable connection."

With this thought solidified in her mind, she immediately straightened her posture and stood up.

Then, with a single step, she traversed the Void Cosmos and arrived before the Netherworld Origin Sea [the primordial sea from which the essence of the Netherworld is said to flow]. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel .c om.