Chapter 1912 : Twin Stars of the Immortal Path

Seeing this, Nyssa Qu could not help but smile and say, "If he does not count, then it would be Alaric Lu and Ye Yinghui who have obtained it."

Eldrin Chen also nodded in agreement. Over the course of these ten million years, Alaric Lu and Ye Yinghui were considered the two most dazzling talents.

Between the two, Alaric Lu achieved enlightenment earlier. His foundation was solid and steady, and he preferred to make breakthroughs upon existing bases. He meticulously cultivated the various techniques taught by Eldrin Chen step by step to their utmost limits, even repeatedly shattering his own boundaries.

Ye Yinghui achieved enlightenment six million years ago. She, however, favored unorthodox and daring paths. For each realm of the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation art focused on transcending through self-denial and sacrifice], she had her own unique comprehension. She fused the Immortal Dao [the supreme path of cultivation leading to immortality] with the Path of Self-Sacrifice, pioneering countless novel Daos [fundamental principles or paths] and methods.

These novel Daos and methods carried immense risks in cultivation, yet they often yielded far greater combat prowess.

Between the two, Alaric Lu possessed a more unshakable foundation, while Ye Yinghui was more enigmatic and unpredictable. It was difficult to discern who would ultimately prove stronger.

From Eldrin Chen's perspective, if these two were placed within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, they would be considered peerless geniuses not seen for several Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration, often associated with world-ending calamities and rebirth].

"Alaric Lu possesses unwavering willpower; his perseverance and daring are rare in this world. His future potential is likely extraordinary."

"Ye Yinghui's comprehension is exceptionally profound, and she dares to take risks and experiment. Therefore, her path ahead is more treacherous and uncertain. She may achieve even greater heights, but she is also more likely to ruin her foundational cultivation and perish midway."

Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, offering his evaluation of these two favored sons of heaven [exceptional talents blessed by fate] of the Path of Self-Sacrifice.

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen performed a divination with his fingers to calculate the fates of these two individuals. After a moment, however, he gave a slight shake of his head.

Within his calculations, Alaric Lu's early cultivation path was steady and solid, but later on, it became winding and unpredictable, seemingly growing more radical, its inner mysteries obscured from view.

In contrast, Seraphina Ye [a female cultivator] appeared to advance by leaps and bounds along her path, only to fall, upon reaching a certain peak, into a cycle of repeated cultivation and Samsara [the cycle of death and rebirth].

"Intriguing."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features.

What was it that caused the steady and solid Alaric Lu to become, at a certain moment, seemingly radical and prone to risk? And what caused 『『『Seraphina Ye|Person Name|new』』』 to become trapped in a cycle of repetition and 『『『Samsara|Philosophical Concept|new』』』?

Fate is inconstant and unpredictable, fortune rises and falls. Even the Heavenly Secrets Art [a divination technique] of Eldrin Chen's True Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] could not peer into the complete destiny of a person.

Eldrin Chen did not continue his divination. Instead, he spoke with a tone of sudden insight, "Circling and returning, an endless cycle... the name 'Yinghui' [which means 'lingering and returning'] seems to foretell her destiny?"

Seeing this, Lila grew curious and could not help but ask, "How are the destinies of these two different from others?"

"The secrets of heaven are ever-changing and inscrutable; they cannot be lightly revealed."

Eldrin Chen shook his head without further comment, yet he faintly understood that the destinies of these two individuals were likely intertwined with the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation art that emphasizes sacrifice of the self for greater power].

He withdrew his thoughts and then continued to observe the battle of this Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic conflict ordained by fate and the Dao itself].

"BOOM—"

Just as the onlookers watched, the majestic Chaos Southern Heaven Domain [a primordial realm of chaotic southern skies] collided with the Abyssal Immortal Domain [an immortal realm of profound depths].

An entrance to an Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortal laws] was forced open, and the Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality] surged into it one after another. A great war thus erupted in full force.

High in the firmament, the Celestial Immortals [immortals of celestial rank] from the various Grotto-Heavens [paradisiacal realms and blessed lands] observed this battle in silence. At first, their expressions were merely grave, but before long, one by one, looks of astonishment appeared on their faces.

The power displayed by the Path of Self-Sacrifice was simply too astonishing. The combat prowess of these Immortals at the Three Realms Realm [a cultivation realm encompassing the three fundamental planes of existence] could no longer be considered merely that of Half-Step Celestial Immortals [those on the verge of attaining full celestial immortality].

Relying on their internal worlds and formidable Taiyi Foundation [the supreme foundational energy of the Great Unity], they could even clash with Chaos Ancient Beasts [primordial beasts born from chaos] without being defeated. Some of the most powerful top-tier experts at the Three Realms Realm could even rely on their physical strength alone to forcibly tear apart Chaos Ancient Beasts with their bare hands.

"They can rend Chaos Ancient Beasts asunder even before fusing with Innate Primordial Qi [the primordial energy inherent at the birth of the cosmos]? How can the physical bodies cultivated through the Path of Self-Sacrifice be so formidable?"

"And this is only at the Three Realms Realm! Beyond it lie the Cosmos Realm [a realm where one embodies the cosmos] and the Immortal Treasury Realm [a realm likened to an immortal's treasury of power]. That such a heaven-reaching great path was actually created by an Immortal Lord [a lord among immortals]?"

Countless Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to immortality] were left astounded. Even the Ancient Immortal Ancestor [an ancient and venerable immortal being] from the Pure Yang Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise of pure yang energy], the Ethereal Void Sword Lord from the Ethereal Void Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise of ethereal void], and other Ancient Immortal [immortals from ancient times] revealed looks of intense interest.

Since the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation method based on sacrificing the old self] was so formidable, then if one were to specialize in it, perhaps they could even increase their chances of attaining the Great Luo Realm [the supreme realm of the Great Luo, representing ultimate enlightenment].

It was not just them; even Lila and Yvonne the Violet Consort showed a flicker of longing in their eyes.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however, and said to the two, "The key to the Path of Self-Sacrifice lies in sacrificing the old self to give birth to a new self with greater potential. In theory, even after reaching the Great Luo Realm, one could sacrifice everything to nurture a new self."

"In fact, the more powerful the old self, the more formidable the new self that is born."

"However, this method is not yet perfected. Performing the Self-Sacrifice [the act of sacrificing one's cultivation and self] technique beyond the Ascending Immortal [the realm of an immortal who has ascended] is far too perilous. It would be better to wait until I have further refined this method in the future before considering a change in cultivation path."

Upon hearing this, the two finally nodded in understanding.

While many Celestial Immortal [immortals residing in the celestial realms] contemplated restarting their cultivation, the current Dao Tribulation [a cosmic calamity testing one's comprehension of the Dao] escalated further into a white-hot intensity.

The Immortal of the Three Realms Realm [a profound cultivation stage encompassing the three realms of existence] who practiced the Path of Self-Sacrifice demonstrated combat prowess capable of rivaling Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial beasts born from the primal chaos]. Their strength was such that they suffered little suppression even within the depths of Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation].

Particularly Alaric Lu and Seraphina Ye. They successively slew multiple Chaos Ancient Beast, ultimately using a Ninth Rank [the ninth tier of power] mid-grade Chaos Ancient Beast as cultivation resources to break through to the Cosmos [a realm representing the vast cosmos itself] realm.

Upon their initial entry into the Cosmos Realm [a profound cultivation stage where one's body and spirit merge with the fundamental laws of the cosmos] and the reversal of their bodies into an Innate State [a primordial, perfected physical form], the two immediately displayed combat prowess comparable to the seventh layer of a Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realms], utterly sweeping across the entire battlefield.

Ultimately, their fierce battle within the Chaos Celestial Domain [a primordial and turbulent region of the heavens] raged for over ten thousand years, yet Seraphina Ye ultimately lost by a mere half-move.

In this duel, Seraphina Ye's defeat was not due to a lack of personal strength. Her combat power was in no way inferior to Alaric Lu's; in fact, it slightly surpassed his by a fraction.

However, the Innate Realm she had attained through a perilous, shortcut method ultimately harbored significant flaws.

In contrast, Alaric Lu's foundation was rock-solid. Even when relentlessly suppressed by Seraphina Ye, without a qualitative gap in power, he remained virtually undefeatable.

As the prolonged struggle failed to subdue Alaric Lu, the inherent instability in Seraphina Ye's foundation triggered a backlash, presenting Alaric Lu with the opening he needed to claim victory.

"Had I not been several million years your senior, the outcome of this battle might have been different,"

Alaric Lu remarked with a tone of respect and a hint of complex reflection after the duel concluded, his gaze fixed upon Seraphina Ye.

"Defeat is defeat. What need is there for excuses?"

Seraphina Ye offered a faint, serene smile. Without another word, she sheathed her sword, turned, and departed, her figure vanishing into the distant horizon.

Simultaneously, as the calamitous aura [the ominous energy that heralds and fuels a great tribulation] between heaven and earth dissipated, all the newly ascended Celestial Immortal and Cosmos Realm powerhouses from this Dao Tribulation were instantly teleported into the heart of Abyssal Heaven.

Regaining their senses, the assembly found themselves before a host of gathered Immortals, with a majestic figure robed in snow-white garments seated upon the celestial vault.

Understanding dawned upon them in that instant. They immediately prostrated themselves, declaring in unison, "We pay our respects to the Dao Progenitor [the supreme progenitor of the Dao, the ultimate source of all cultivation paths], and to all esteemed Seniors."

"From this Dao Tribulation, our Abyssal Immortal Domain has gained one hundred new Celestial Immortal and Cosmos Realm cultivators. Your performance has been commendable."

The figure upon the celestial vault spoke with measured calm. With a sweep of his sleeve, streams of radiant spiritual light descended, settling into the hands of each cultivator present.

Examining the treasures they received, they discovered that nearly every one of them had been granted several Innate Rare Treasure [treasures born of heaven and earth, possessing profound innate power]. A wave of joyous elation washed over their hearts.

At that moment, the voice from the heavens continued, "Consider these modest treasures an encouragement for your continued cultivation journey."

"Seraphina Ye and Alaric Lu shall remain. The rest of you may depart."

"Our deepest gratitude to the Dao Progenitor for this generous boon."

Ecstatic, the gathered Immortals kowtowed their thanks before filing out of the grand hall one by one.

Meanwhile, after the other Immortals had departed, Eldrin Chen looked at Ye Yinghui and Alaric Lu and said, "Your talents are extraordinary. Would you be willing to enter my tutelage and become my personal disciples?"

Upon hearing this, both were filled with joy and immediately prostrated themselves, saying, "We pay our respects to our honored Master."

"Rise."

Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve, helping them to their feet. Then, with a meaningful tone, he continued, "Your paths have been fraught with hardship, and in the future, you may face a great tribulation. Today, your master bestows upon each of you a method. When fate's appointed time arrives, it may aid you in breaking through that calamity."

As he spoke, with another flick of his sleeve, two scrolls descended into their waiting hands.

Alaric Lu took his and saw that the scripture he received was named—'Heart-Clarifying Inquiry Method' [a Great Luo Marvelous Method for cultivating a seed of enlightened awareness within one's heart].

As for Ye Yinghui, the scroll in her hand contained a cultivation art named—'Abyssal Reincarnation Scripture' [a Great Luo Marvelous Method designed to protect one's spiritual essence during the trials of reincarnation].

These two arts were both Great Luo Marvelous Method [supreme auxiliary techniques of profound mystery] created by Eldrin Chen over the years. They were not primary cultivation paths, but rather auxiliary Great Luo Marvelous Method of immense supportive power.

Among these two marvelous methods, long-term practice of the Heart-Clarifying Inquiry Method could engrave a Seed of Enlightened Heart [a spiritual imprint that grants sudden clarity of purpose]. This seed could allow one to achieve sudden enlightenment and comprehend their true nature at a critical moment.

The Abyssal Reincarnation Scripture, meanwhile, was forged upon the foundation of the Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation Sutra [a scripture detailing methods to navigate the cycle of rebirth]. It could protect a cultivator's True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the indestructible core of one's spiritual being, the Primordial Spirit], ensuring they would not fall utterly into the depths of Samsara [the endless cycle of death and rebirth].

Having received two scrolls of auxiliary Grand Luo secret arts, both of them were somewhat curious. In the end, they bowed and expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing these techniques."

Eldrin Chen smiled slightly, then retrieved some Innate Rare Treasure and bestowed them upon the two. Only then did he wave his hand and say, "From now on, you shall follow your eldest senior brother in your cultivation. If there is anything you do not understand, you may come and ask your master."

Just as he finished speaking, Qingfeng Ye approached, respectfully holding his sword. He first offered a bow to Eldrin Chen, then looked at the two newcomers and said, "Sixth Junior Brother, Seventh Junior Sister, please come with me. This elder brother will arrange your cave abodes."

"We are in your care."

The two of them straightened with solemn respect and immediately followed Qingfeng Ye as he departed.

Watching them leave, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of approval. As Eldrin Chen's first disciple, Qingfeng Ye had long since reached the Ancient Immortal Realm. His combat prowess had already ascended to the level of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal, more than sufficient to guide these two new disciples.

The first Dao Tribulation within the Abyssal Immortal Domain thus concluded. Nearby, Lulu, who had been munching on melon seeds, was about to take her leave when Eldrin Chen called out to her.

"Little Deer."

"Hmm?"

Lulu tilted her small head up, her curiosity piqued as she looked towards Eldrin Chen.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Didn't you want me to return your Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable light of pure spiritual essence]? This is the perfect time to give it back to you."

"Really?" Lulu was momentarily stunned, then exclaimed with delight, "You're actually quite nice!"

As she spoke, she rushed over eagerly, tugging at Eldrin Chen's sleeve. "Hurry, give it to me, give it to me..."

"Come with me."

Eldrin Chen led Lulu into the cave abode. With a flick of his sleeve, he manifested the Innate Primordial Chaos Light [a wisp of light containing the fundamental, undifferentiated essence of primordial chaos]. He then spoke, "This object, in exchange for your three strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light. What say you?"

"What is this?"

The moment she laid eyes on the Innate Primordial Chaos Light, Lulu felt an ineffable, profound yearning.

In that single instant, she understood the priceless nature of this Innate Primordial Chaos Light. It was undoubtedly a treasure far surpassing the Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light.

Without the slightest hesitation, she nodded her head vigorously, like pounding garlic. "I'll trade with you."

"Your calculation of the Opportunity [a pivotal moment or chance encounter that can advance one's cultivation or destiny] is quite good."

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and, with a flick of his sleeve, channeled the Innate Primordial Chaos Light [a primordial, indestructible spiritual radiance born from the chaos before creation] into Lulu's body.

The Innate Primordial Chaos Light was a treasure of immeasurable worth; Eldrin Chen had cultivated for nearly six million years to condense a single strand of it.

Now, after more than twenty million years of cultivation, he had only managed to accumulate three strands of this Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [an eternal, unbreakable light of pure spiritual origin]. The first was used for the Ascension [the process of breaking through to a higher realm of existence] of the Heaven-Earth Primordial Qi Vase [a mystical vase containing the primordial energy of heaven and earth]. The second, fused with nine Primordial Chaos Ancient Characters [ancient, inscrutable symbols containing the laws of primordial chaos], had given birth to the Chaos Azure Lotus Scripture [a supreme cultivation manual manifesting as a lotus born from chaos]. This alone testified to its status as a peerless, supreme treasure.

This strand was Eldrin Chen's third Innate Primordial Chaos Light, and its infusion into Lulu triggered a startling metamorphosis.

Lulu was already a prodigy with a Indestructible Foundation [a foundation stage of cultivation renowned for its unbreakable solidity] of the seventh rank, possessing the true potential of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign ruler born from the primordial chaos]. Now, with the Innate Primordial Chaos Light merging into her being, an invisible shackle seemed to shatter.

Eldrin Chen could perceive with perfect clarity as the light of Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before the cosmos] and Imperishable [a divine ability granting eternal, unyielding existence] intertwined with Lulu's innate nine-colored essence, ultimately coalescing into a single strand of Chaos Light [a divine light born from and commanding primordial chaos].

"A Chaos Nine-Colored Deer?"

Eldrin Chen murmured, then shook his head in the next instant. "Not yet. She is not yet a Chaos Nine-Colored Deer [a mythical beast of chaos, its hide shimmering with nine primordial colors], but the path to evolve into one has now been unlocked."

"With sufficient cultivation resources, she will ultimately Ascension and become a true Chaos Nine-Colored Deer."

As he spoke these words, Eldrin Chen grasped the essence of Lulu's transformation.

If the original Lulu had reached the absolute limit of what a Nine-Colored Immortal Deer could achieve, where even refining vast quantities of Dao Source [the primordial source of the Dao] and Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born from the primal chaos of creation] would grant her no further progress whatsoever.

Then the current Lulu had shattered those shackles. Now, she merely needed to devour the necessary resources and nourishment to undergo Ascension [a profound metamorphosis to a higher state of being] and become a Chaos Nine-Colored Deer.

For Lulu, whether or not she cultivated a True Spirit Foundation [a foundation forged from one's truest spiritual essence] was almost irrelevant. Once she fully mended her foundational roots and her cultivation realm reached the peak of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, she would naturally and effortlessly forge her True Spirit Foundation.

After all, a True Spirit Foundation was merely the threshold for entering the Chaos Realm. Any being qualified to strive for the realm of a Chaos Celestial Emperor would have undoubtedly forged at least one such foundation.

Even if one failed to achieve it in the Great Luo Realm, most beings who reached the Great Perfection of Primordial Emperor Lord would have accomplished it within that very realm.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen returned the shed Nine-Colored Deer Antlers [antlers brimming with the primal power of the nine colors] to Lulu and spoke, "These antlers you shed are saturated with your own nine-colored primordial essence."

"If you refine them, they should be sufficient for you to forge at least one True Spirit Foundation."

Upon hearing this, Lulu's eyes shone with a brilliant light.

Throughout the past three hundred billion years, during the long epochs where her cultivation could advance not a single step, she had periodically, every one hundred million years, channeled her excess power into her antlers and shed them.

Others could absorb only a minuscule fraction of that power, but she could reclaim it perfectly, making it wholly her own once more.

Now that Eldrin Chen had returned these antlers, they were the most fitting cultivation treasures for her. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but exclaim with pleasant surprise, "You're actually quite decent. You really didn't lie to Lulu."

"Whoopee! Since you're being so sensible, I won't mess with your Chaos Realm Grass anymore from now on."

"Silly girl."

Eldrin Chen smiled. He had naturally known for years that Lulu had been sneaking bites of the Chaos Realm Grass; even Frostwing Yan had often been her victim before achieving human form. Fortunately, he was not short on Chaos Realm Grass, so he had let her wreak havoc.

Having settled this karmic debt and spared himself her future nagging, Eldrin Chen was content.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen patted her head and said, "Go on now. Cultivate diligently. I hope you can prove your Dao [achieve a major breakthrough in your cultivation path] during the next Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial marking the end of a cosmic cycle]."