Chapter 1856 : The Unreturned and the Veiled Daoist

"I went to cultivate for a time within the Frigid Immortal Domain [a realm of profound cold and ice, often used for tempering one's cultivation], which delayed my return somewhat."

Eldrin Chen calculated with his fingers and found that now, only one million one hundred thousand years remained until the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle that reshapes the heavens and earth], and the day of his own ten million year great longevity celebration was also not far off.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but inquire: "The longevity celebration approaches. Have our children returned?"

Exquisite Jiang smiled slightly before speaking: "Verdant Peak, Literature Abyss, Worthy Verdancy, and Worthy Longevity are currently overseeing the preparations. Worthy Pursuit will also return in time."

"However, three million years ago, Worthy Path Chen journeyed to the Primordial Immortal Domain [the most ancient and foundational of the immortal realms], and has not yet returned. Worthy Remembrance has also not come back."

Mentioning Worthy Remembrance Chen, Exquisite Jiang could not help but reveal a trace of bitterness.

Long ago, while Worthy Remembrance Chen was traveling through the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, he was taken away by a Nameless old Daoist. Now, over nine million years have passed with no word from Worthy Remembrance, leaving Exquisite Jiang perpetually worried.

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could only release a soft sigh.

Over the years, he had repeatedly attempted to divine the whereabouts of Worthy Remembrance Chen, yet each attempt was obscured by an intangible force.

Even with Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, he remained unable to perceive the true depth of that old Daoist's power from back then, making him increasingly aware of just how formidable that figure must have been. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio-novel.com (official site).

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but sigh, "Looking at it now, that old Daoist from back then must have been at least at the level of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the highest level of enlightenment and power]."

"For a figure of such stature, there would have been no need to scheme against us."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang's eyes also dimmed slightly. She took Eldrin Chen's hand and said, "During this Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense upheaval and renewal], if you can break through to Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, you must find out where he truly went."

"Yes, I will."

Eldrin Chen nodded and drew Exquisite Jiang into his embrace.

"..."

In the time that followed, Eldrin Chen did not venture elsewhere. He waited for the banquet to commence while secluding himself in cultivation, focusing on his Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power attained through profound cultivation].

This time, the Divine Ability he cultivated was none other than the Primordial One Energy Divine Ability [a divine ability born from the fusion of the five primordial energies].

This Primordial One Energy Divine Ability was formed from the union of the Primordial One Five Energies [the five fundamental energies of creation], namely the Primordial Solar Breath [the divine ability of the primordial solar essence], the Profound Darkness Energy [the divine ability of profound darkness essence], the Life Energy [the divine ability of life essence], the Mixed Metal Energy [the cultivation art of mixed metal essence], and the Source Earth Energy [the cultivation art of source earth essence].

These five Primordial One Five Energies Divine Ability were originally only at the Mysterious Grade Divine Ability [a high-grade but not yet supreme level of divine ability]. However, after continuous refinement by Eldrin Chen, they had now ascended to the realm of Half-Step Patriarch Level [a level just shy of becoming a founding patriarch, possessing immense power].

By now, Eldrin Chen had advanced even further, elevating each of his Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] to the Patriarch Level [the pinnacle realm for a Patriarch].

As for the fusion of the Five Breaths into the Primordial One Energy [the primordial, unified energy from which all things originate], while it had not yet ascended to the ranks of the supreme Chaos Divine Ability [a divine ability born from primordial chaos], it had already taken half a step into that domain.

Now, as Eldrin Chen cultivated the Primordial One Energy, he first needed to refine the five Dao Sources one by one, mastering all five Patriarch Level Divine Ability [divine abilities at the Patriarch's pinnacle].

At this moment, with Eldrin Chen's relentless cultivation, he mastered the Primordial Solar Breath [the divine ability of the primordial sun's essence] in a mere few thousand years. He then proceeded step by step to cultivate the Profound Darkness Energy [the divine ability of profound shadow essence], the Life Energy [the divine ability of vital life essence], and the Mixed Metal Energy [the cultivation art of blended metallic essence].

By the time he perfected the final Source Earth Energy [the cultivation art of primordial earth essence], he discovered that thirty thousand years had passed.

"Boom—"

As the final breath of Primordial One [the primordial, unified origin] was perfected, Eldrin Chen felt the Primordial One Five Energies [the five primordial elemental energies] within his body whirl and fuse incessantly, ultimately transforming into a supremely powerful strand of Primordial One Energy.

This power was incomparably mighty; a single wisp of it was enough to contend with a Chaos [a cultivator who has mastered primordial chaos] and effortlessly suppress a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal Great Power [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations].

"A half-step supreme Divine Ability."

"The quality of this Divine Ability should be comparable to the level of a Chaos Imperial Lord [an imperial lord who commands the power of primordial chaos], should it not?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, sensing the power of the Primordial One Energy [the foundational, undifferentiated energy from which all things originate]. A glimmer of light flickered in his gaze.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen understood that this energy of his, this Primordial One Energy, perhaps should be renamed Chaos Unity Energy [the energy of unified primordial chaos].

For this was a true Chaos Divine Ability [a supreme technique born from primordial chaos], containing a wisp of the might of the Boundless Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation]. Once unleashed, it was potent enough to suppress and slay even the most arrogant of foes.

Such a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural technique] had already reached the absolute pinnacle of the Eleventh Limit Divine Ability Heavenly Pass [the Eleventh Heavenly Gate for Divine Abilities], standing just one step away from the legendary Twelfth Limit True Spirit Divine Ability [a Divine Ability of the Twelfth Limit, the True Spirit grade].

And the Twelfth Limit True Spirit Divine Ability, also known as a Path Ancestor-grade Divine Ability, or a Supreme-grade Divine Ability, or a Chaos-Grade Divine Ability [a Divine Ability of Chaos-grade potency].

Generally speaking, those were the exclusive domain of Path Ancestor Immortal Sage [supreme beings who have mastered a Great Path and attained sagehood] and Divine Sovereign Heavenly Emperor [Divine Sovereigns and Heavenly Emperors]. Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad immortal realms], aside from the Path Ancestor Immortal Sages themselves, those who could cultivate such a Divine Ability to its Great Completion could be counted on the fingers of two hands. Original publication: audio-novel.com - The source of this chapter.

Yet even so, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "With the power of the Chaos Unity Energy, it is still only an Eleventh Limit Divine Ability?"

"It's hard to believe. How, then, could one possibly cultivate a Twelfth Limit True Spirit Divine Ability to success?"

Eldrin Chen muttered to himself, finding himself still without the slightest clue on how he might achieve a Twelfth Limit Divine Ability.

Since he could not puzzle it out, he decided to set the matter aside for now. A moment later, Eldrin Chen withdrew his wandering thoughts and focused his mind once more.

He slowly withdrew the Chaos Unity Energy [a primordial and unified form of energy embodying the state before creation] into himself. Sensing the spiritual power [the cultivated energy wielded by immortals] within his body, a faint smile touched his lips.

Following this breakthrough, the passive mystical art [an ability that functions automatically without conscious activation] associated with the Primordial One Energy [the foundational, singular energy from which all things originate] had also undergone a qualitative transformation.

The passive mystical art carried by the Chaos Unity Energy was named the Chaos Five Elements Refinement Art [a technique that refines spiritual power using the chaotic essence of the five fundamental elements]. It continuously tempered Eldrin Chen's spiritual power, day and night, enhancing its purity and potency.

Now, with the advancement of his Chaos Unity Energy, Eldrin Chen's spiritual power had finally taken a great leap forward, propelling him firmly into the Eleventh Limit Realm [a legendary stage of cultivation representing the eleventh extreme limit of foundation]. He was not far from the final Twelfth Limit Heavenly Pass [the ultimate, nearly mythical barrier representing the twelfth and final limit, a gateway to supreme power].

At this point, not only was Eldrin Chen's cultivation base firmly anchored within the Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable and powerful rank among immortals], but all four of his foundational Heavenly Pass—spiritual power, Primordial Spirit [the immortal's core spiritual consciousness and soul essence], physical body, and Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power or technique]—had been cultivated to the Eleventh Limit.

Possessing four foundational pillars at the Eleventh Limit had triggered a qualitative metamorphosis in Eldrin Chen's combat prowess.

This transformation granted him strength comparable to an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], even without relying on his Soaring Immortal Zither [a zither of immense power that can make immortals soar].

If he were to wield the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing innate laws and supreme power]—the Soaring Immortal Zither—Eldrin Chen was confident his combat power would surpass even that of a typical Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal by a slight margin.

And this was without having designated the Soaring Immortal Zither as his Path-Proving Supreme Treasure [the ultimate treasure a cultivator uses to embody and prove their chosen Dao, breaking through final barriers]. If he chose it as such to shatter the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Pass [a specific cultivation barrier related to merging with or mastering a spiritual treasure], his battle strength would ascend yet another level.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of profound joy and anticipation.

"It is time to emerge from seclusion."

Following this, Eldrin Chen did not continue his closed-door cultivation. Although he still had the Five Elements Great Encompassing Thunder Marrow [a rare marrow that refines the body with the power of the five elements and thunder] left to refine, the day of his longevity celebration was now approaching, and he could no longer remain in seclusion.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen emerged from his secluded chamber and arrived outside the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven.

At this moment, the Chen Immortal Clan had been preparing the longevity banquet for many years. Verdant Bud Chen, seeing Eldrin Chen emerge, hurriedly sought him out and said with some concern, "The longevity banquet will commence in one thousand years. I have already notified all the allied Grotto-Heaven [a blessed realm of profound spiritual energy] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

"However, I fear some individuals may arrive uninvited when the time comes."

"Oh?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered slightly. He understood that with the Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of great calamity and renewal] approaching and the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity [a legendary chance for rebirth through enduring countless trials] in play, the Vast Azure Immortal Domain had become a place where the worthy and the unworthy mingled. Doubtless, many would seek to test his strength under the guise of this occasion.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and said, "It matters not. The times have changed. If they wish to test me, let them come."

"It will be a good opportunity to discern friend from foe, allowing us to settle all accounts together when the Kalpa Tribulation arrives."

Verdant Bud Chen was momentarily taken aback by these words. In recent years, Eldrin Chen had seldom been seen in the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, and with Exquisite Jiang and others maintaining strict secrecy, even he was unaware of Eldrin Chen's true cultivation realm and combat prowess.

In his eyes, Eldrin Chen's current cultivation level was likely only around the ninth level of the Celestial Immortal realm, with combat power at most equivalent to an early-stage Ancient Immortal.

Yet Eldrin Chen's current demeanor was beyond his expectations. Observing Eldrin Chen's aura, profound and unshakable as a deep pool beneath a towering peak, and his air of absolute confidence, a tremor of realization passed through his heart.

"Could it be... he has already stepped into the Ancient Immortal Realm?"

Verdant Bud Chen felt a surge of joyous astonishment. In his view, an Ancient Immortal Great Power was nothing less than a Heaven-Propping Pillar [a foundational pillar of immense strength and stability] for the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

In times past, despite its formidable prosperity, the Vast Azure Immortal Domain had only five such Ancient Immortal Great Power. Each of these five was a figure of Sovereign-level stature, any single one capable of holding the power of life and death over the countless beings across several Heavenly Domain.

Even now, with the advent of the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity and the return of many Ancient Immortal to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the total number of all Ancient Immortal combined was merely several dozen.

If Eldrin Chen could truly break through to Ancient Immortal, then given his foundation of transcending realms in battle, he would undoubtedly rank among the top ten most powerful figures in the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Thinking this, Verdant Bud Chen could not contain his elation. "With your word," he said, his heart soaring, "I am completely at ease."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then rose to his feet. "The longevity banquet is still a millennium away," he stated. "I shall take this opportunity to attend to several matters."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen stepped out of the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven and arrived at the Boundary of Solar and Lunar Polarity, within a Forbidden Land [a perilous, restricted region] encircled by a multitude of crows.

This Forbidden Land teemed with countless Lunar Crow [demonic crows associated with lunar energy] and Fire Crow [demonic crows associated with fire energy]. It was none other than the renowned Myriad Crow Forbidden Land of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

"The Myriad Crow Forbidden Land," he murmured.

Standing once more within the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land after so many years, a wave of profound sentiment washed over Eldrin Chen.

He remembered clearly the time, not long after his breakthrough to the Earth Immortal [a major realm of cultivation representing a terrestrial immortal] realm, when he had been desperate to accumulate Light of Merit [a divine light representing accumulated virtuous deeds and karma]. To achieve this, Eldrin Chen had been forced to risk his life twice, venturing into the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a terrifying sea of purgatory within the nether abyss] to slay evil fiends.

On both of those perilous journeys to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, Eldrin Chen had secretly crossed over from this very Myriad Crow Forbidden Land.

It was during those trials that Eldrin Chen had the fortune to meet Violet Mystery Path Master, an encounter that sowed the seeds for their future adventures together within the Small Universe.

Furthermore, on his third visit to this Myriad Crow Forbidden Land, he had cleverly used the terrain to lay a trap and eliminate the Master of Flowing Fire Star Palace, thereby eradicating a truly formidable nemesis.

From the vantage point of his current cultivation, those past enemies might seem insignificant. Yet, in the heat of those moments, the situations had been fraught with genuine peril.

"This Myriad Crow Forbidden Land," Eldrin Chen reflected, a faint smile touching his lips, "has indeed been a Blessed Land [a land of fortune and opportunity] for me."

Recalling those bygone years, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile faintly.

He said nothing more. With a flick of his sleeve, he proceeded deeper into the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land.

Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land was a place of dread that turned men pale at its mere mention. Since ancient times, numerous Ancient Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended mortality] had met their end within its confines.

Yet, given Eldrin Chen's current level of power, he harbored not the slightest fear.

As he strode into the heart of the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land, the endless hordes of Lunar Crow Fire Crow [demonic crows wreathed in lunar and fiery energy] dared not assail him. Instead, they trembled in abject terror.

Such was the awe-inspiring presence of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations]. Though Eldrin Chen had not yet formally stepped into that realm, his combat prowess was its equal. A mere Forbidden Land [a perilous, magically sealed region] born from a shattered Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial essence of heaven and earth] could do nothing to hinder him.

"*Hummm—*"

With each of Eldrin Chen's steps, the Great Path [the fundamental laws of cultivation and reality] that solidified space within the Forbidden Land proved utterly ineffective.

The Lunar Crow Forbidden Land trembled violently, unleashing endless patterns of Great Path power to bar Eldrin Chen's advance. Yet, in the end, it could only watch helplessly as he arrived at its very core.

At the heart of the Myriad Crow Forbidden Land lay an ancient, fissure-riddled pot. It was being suppressed by the Great Path of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

"The Lunar Crow Pot [an innate spiritual treasure shaped like a crow, associated with lunar power]."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, casually drawing the damaged Lunar Crow Pot into his hand.

The Lunar Crow Pot struggled violently, yet was effortlessly suppressed by Eldrin Chen using the Chaos Mist [a primordial mist embodying the essence of chaos], unable to move in the slightest.

Having suppressed the Innate Lunar Crow Pot, Eldrin Chen then reached his hand deep into the Fire Crow Forbidden Land [a perilous realm inhabited by fire crows] and retrieved a crimson pot, its surface riddled with cracks.

"The Innate Fire Crow Pot [an innate spiritual treasure shaped like a crow, associated with fire]."

Gazing at the two treasure pots in his hands, Eldrin Chen performed a quick divination with his fingers, instantly comprehending the origin of these artifacts.

It turned out these treasures were the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, possessing innate power] of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] from an outer realm during the Late Primordial Era [the latter epoch of the primordial age of creation].

At that time, the Primordial Immortal Domain [the original realm of immortals] was engaged in a great war against an ancient, unknowable outer realm from the Depths of Chaos [the unfathomable void beyond ordered reality]. That outer realm seemed even more formidable than the Primordial Immortal Domain, with inconceivably powerful enemies breaking through the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] to launch their assault.

Great God Vast Azure, whose cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the seventh level of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, a pinnacle of divine power], was one of the Great God [a title for supreme divine beings] of the Primordial Era Divine Court [the celestial court of the primordial age]. He battled these outer realm foes, successively slaying several Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [beings who have attained the supreme golden immortal realm that encompasses all].

The master of this Myriad Crows Pot [a treasure capable of summoning or transforming into a myriad of crows] was merely an unknown Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal. He had joined his Great Encompassing Golden Immortal-level seniors in besieging Great God Vast Azure.

Yet he was casually suppressed and slain by Great God Vast Azure [a primordial divine being of immense power], his Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the cosmos itself] shattered into fragments and placed within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain to await repair.

However, the external foes in that battle were overwhelmingly powerful. Even the Primordial Beginning Divine Sovereign and the Purple Tenuity Divine Sovereign were grievously wounded and forced into slumber. How could Great God Vast Azure possibly withstand such an onslaught?

He successively slew several Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [supreme immortals who have attained the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm], drawing the attention of an indescribably powerful entity from the outer realms.

It was an unfathomable, peerless powerhouse. From across the boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], it unleashed a single sword strike. A cataclysmic wave of sword energy cleaved through the Chaos Heaven Abyss [a chasm of primordial chaos] and struck down Great God Vast Azure amidst the Endless Chaos.

Even more terrifying, this sword strike descended along the River of Space-Time [the metaphysical flow of time and space], slaying Great God Vast Azure not once, but again and again across countless temporal iterations.

"Was it a Primordial One Imperial Lord [a sovereign who stands at the very origin of all things], or perhaps an existence on the level of a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a supreme ruler born from primordial chaos] who made this move?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a flicker of awe and trepidation crossing his features.

One as mighty as Great God Vast Azure, a being capable of single-handedly suppressing and slaying multiple Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, was still felled by a single sword strike from across the endless Chaos Heaven Abyss. It was a stark reminder that beyond every mountain lies a higher peak, and beyond every heaven, a vaster sky.

Eldrin Chen dared not dwell on such thoughts. He quickly reined in his mind and turned his gaze to the Polarity Myriad Crows Pot [a mystical vessel imbued with the power of countless spectral crows] in his hand, a wave of relief and joy washing over him.

"The damage was severe, but fortunately, it is nearly restored."

It turned out that during that battle of yore, the Polarity Myriad Crows Pot [a potent magical vessel] had suffered such severe damage that Great God Vast Azure [a primordial deity] had placed it within the Boundary of Solar and Lunar Polarity [a mystical realm of opposing cosmic forces] to recover.

Now, after an unfathomable span of Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration] and nurtured by the foundational essence of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a celestial realm], it had barely managed to recover more than half of its former power.

If a master artificer of the Great Encompassing Rank [the pinnacle of cultivation mastery] were to take action now, and suitable materials could be found to fuse into it, there remained a significant chance of fully restoring the treasure.

"I possess a portion of Great Encompassing Rare Treasure [a legendary material] known as Primal Radiance Divine Iron [a celestial metal]," Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. "If I can find a suitable Primal Shadow [the essence of primordial darkness] Rare Spiritual Wonders [a miraculous spiritual object], I could attempt its restoration."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a powerful cultivator] reached out to claim the artifact.

Yet, at that very moment, the heavens darkened and the earth grew dim. An intangible, overwhelming will surged forth, enveloping the space.

"This treasure was shattered beyond measure," a voice, ancient and resonant as the cosmos itself, echoed in his mind. "For countless Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles] have I nurtured it, barely restoring it to its current state. You may not take it so lightly." This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel.com.