Chapter 1858 : A Gathering of Celestial Powers

In the eyes of many, Returning Abyss Path Master [a title for a powerful cultivator who has mastered the profound mysteries of the abyss], even if he missed the greatest Opportunity and Fortune [a chance of immense destiny and luck] of the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth [a legendary divine ability involving rebirth through one hundred tribulations], was still highly likely to attempt a breakthrough into the Great Encompassing [the supreme cultivation realm encompassing all things] during the next Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense destruction and renewal].

Such a figure was naturally of paramount importance to all factions, who wished to use this banquet to gauge the true depth of Returning Abyss Path Master's power.

This time, the Immortals [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation] within the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain [a celestial region named for its connection to the abyssal mysteries] noticed a change. Top-tier Immortals, rarely seen even once in ten thousand years, began to fly ceaselessly across the domain. One powerful Immortal after another, each at the zenith of their power, streaked across the heavens.

Among these figures, the lowest cultivation base was the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an immortal anchored to the earthly plane]. Even Half-Step Celestial Immortals [those on the verge of becoming true celestial immortals] appeared utterly unremarkable amidst the crowd, while Celestial Immortal Great Powers [powerful immortals of the celestial realm] arrived by the hundreds and thousands.

Outside the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a paradise realm connected to the Returning Abyss], numerous Immortals from the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen family of immortals] greeted the arriving guests with warm smiles. Upon the Returning Abyss Path-Field [the ceremonial grounds of the Returning Abyss], a banquet of unparalleled grandeur had been prepared.

"Six hundred Celestial Immortals [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] have already arrived."

On this day, Eldrin Chen emerged from within the Grotto-Heaven [a paradise realm for cultivators]. Glancing at the list in his hand, a flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes.

The Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a vast region of the immortal world] housed little more than a thousand Celestial Immortal Great Powers in total. Yet now, with the banquet not yet formally begun, nearly half of its Celestial Immortals had gathered. This truly took Eldrin Chen somewhat by surprise.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang at his side spoke softly, "The Celestial Immortals from nearly all Ninth Rank [a high rank within the cultivation hierarchy] mid-to-low grade Grotto-Heavens have arrived, each led by a Celestial Immortal Great Power. For now, only those from the top-tier Grotto-Heavens and the Ancient Immortal Great Powers [immortals of immense age and power] have yet to appear."

Eldrin Chen nodded upon hearing this, then said, "Those individuals have also begun their arrival." Official source: audio-novel[dot]com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Just as his words fell, three streaks of light tore through the void from its distant reaches. Among them, a voice laughed and spoke.

"For the grand birthday of Fellow Cultivator Eldrin, this old man has brought a humble gift. I beg you not to take offense."

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw the speaker was none other than the Void Sword Master from the Void Grotto-Heaven [a mystical realm of profound emptiness].

After so many years apart, the Void Sword Master's cultivation had finally advanced another step, seemingly having stepped into the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of ancient, near-eternal immortals]. His aura was even more sharp and formidable than in years past.

By his side were thirteen other Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings of the Celestial Immortal realm], including the Void Holy Son, Path Ruins Jiang, and the Grand Elder Voidwalker Patriarch.

The Void Grotto-Heaven had only a dozen or so Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] in total. Yet today, more than half had come, a clear sign they were showing the utmost respect.

Furthermore, Eldrin Chen faintly understood that the Void Grotto-Heaven had brought so many not merely to offer birthday congratulations, but more to serve as a formidable presence, a show of force to deter any potential trouble.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen offered a slight smile and cupped his hands in salute. "For all of you, my fellow Daoists, to come and offer your congratulations, my heart is filled with boundless gratitude. How could I possibly take offense?"

"Heh heh heh…"

At that very moment, a strange, cackling laugh echoed from the side.

Not far away, two other streams of light materialized. On the right stood only three figures, belonging to the Great Brightness Ancient Clan from among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races. Their leader was the Taihao Patriarch, a cultivator at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm.

To the left, over a dozen great powers manifested, all Celestial Immortal Great Power from the Bifang Clan. Their leader was Patriarch Bifang, who greeted Eldrin Chen with a strange laugh. "This old man arrives uninvited today. I hope you do not take offense, Fellow Daoist."

Eldrin Chen offered no immediate reply, his gaze calmly sweeping over Patriarch Bifang. "Today marks my longevity celebration," he stated evenly. "Any friend who wishes to come is naturally welcome."

"However, should anyone come to cause trouble, they must not blame me for being discourteous."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of sinister intent passed through Patriarch Bifang's eyes, but he suppressed the thought in an instant.

His cultivation was still stalled at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm. Facing Eldrin Chen, who had once slain a cultivator of that same realm, he felt far from confident.

Yet, he had not come today to face Eldrin Chen alone. He thus sneered coldly, "I naturally will not make a move. But given today's circumstances, you would do well to pray for your own fortune."

With those words, Patriarch Bifang said no more, merely standing aloft in the sky with a cold sneer, waiting to watch the spectacle unfold.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve, signaling his clansmen to receive these new arrivals. He himself personally escorted Void Sword Master and the others into the lofty immortal pavilion.

With the arrival of these three major powers, the premier Grotto-Heaven forces of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain began to arrive in succession.

Not long after, even the Sovereign [the supreme ruler] of the Violet Flame Grotto-Heaven, the True Dragon Grotto-Heaven, the Immortal Phoenix Grotto-Heaven, and the Purple Tenuity Grotto-Heaven arrived within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

However, Eldrin Chen noticed that among these four great Grotto-Heaven [a higher-level blessed land and cultivation sanctuary], the cultivation bases of the three Grotto-Heaven Lord [the ruler of a Grotto-Heaven]—those of the True Dragon, the Immortal Phoenix, and the Purple Tenuity—had all broken through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a profound realm of cultivation attained by immortals of great age and power].

Only the master of the Violet Flame Grotto-Heaven remained at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal realm].

"Among the Ten Great Grotto-Heavens of Vast Azure Immortal Domain, aside from the original five, the cultivation of the other four Grotto-Heaven Lord has broken through to the Ancient Immortal Realm. Yet, only this Violet Flame Grotto-Heaven has not?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, vaguely understanding that the other four Grotto-Heaven likely had significant backing from the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [a primordial and immensely powerful sect]. Only the Violet Flame Grotto-Heaven lacked such formidable support, ultimately failing to take that final step.

Of course, it was also possible that the master of the Violet Flame Grotto-Heaven simply lacked sufficient foundation. Even with heavy investment from a backer, they might have been unable to make the breakthrough. This chapter appears courtesy of audio–novel.com.

Regardless, this point alone revealed that among the Ten Great Grotto-Heavens of Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the position of the Violet Flame Grotto-Heaven was the most precarious.

No wonder the Demon Race had always ranked the Bifang Grotto-Heaven as the tenth, while the Divine Clan listed the Celestial Sun Grotto-Heaven in that spot.

Now it seemed these three were roughly on par. If one considered the many Ancient Immortal [immortals who have cultivated for immense ages] who had long ago pledged allegiance to various ancient sects and the Heavenly Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the heavens] and left the Vast Azure Immortal Domain years prior, the Violet Flame Grotto-Heaven likely would not even rank within the top twenty.

Of course, those who came from these major Grotto-Heaven were merely a few Patriarch [a venerable and powerful leader] at the early Ancient Immortal stage. Eldrin Chen suspected their factions were backed by top-tier Ancient Immortal Great Power [an Ancient Immortal of immense strength and influence], who simply chose not to reveal themselves today.

After receiving the envoys from several major Grotto-Heaven [a realm of higher spiritual energy and profound natural laws, often the domain of powerful cultivators], an aura of unparalleled grandeur manifested once more within the void.

The potency of these auras surpassed even that of the Void Sword Master, allowing Eldrin Chen to deduce their origins. He could not help but lift his gaze to look.

There, at the farthest reaches of the boundless void, a light of blinding brilliance erupted.

Immediately after, a Primordial Era [the earliest, most ancient epoch of cosmic history] Celestial Sun descended upon the mortal realm. It radiated a light that illuminated the Myriad Heavens [the countless celestial realms and dimensions], a radiance ancient as time itself, and it approached bearing a force that seemed capable of suppressing all existence.

"Eldrin…"

"Boom—!"

As the newcomer's voice fell, a boundless, raging torrent of power surged forth to suppress Eldrin Chen.

Yet, faced with this overwhelming, sky-filling momentum, Eldrin Chen remained utterly unmoved, as calm and unperturbed as if brushed by a gentle breeze.

He merely stood there, but an intangible aura emanating from him smoothed away all turbulence. It even shook the newcomer down from the Heavenly Vault [the highest celestial dome or firmament], sending him hurtling through the air like a Solar Sun cast from the Nine Heavens [the highest and purest celestial realms].

Only then did the assembled crowd realize with astonishment that the newcomer was none other than the Golden Crow Ancient Immortal.

"Impossible!"

In that instant, Golden Crow Ancient Immortal's face was etched with disbelief.

He stared at Eldrin Chen, drew a deep breath, and said, "You have broken through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [the venerable realm of cultivation transcending the Celestial Immortal stage]?"

"*Hummm—*"

In a flash, all the Celestial Immortal Great Powers [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] present were struck with astonishment.

To cultivate to the Ancient Immortal Realm in a mere ten million years was a feat bordering on myth within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. Had anyone else made such a claim, they would have been met with scornful laughter.

Yet now, with Golden Crow Ancient Immortal himself voicing the question, they found it difficult to maintain their skepticism.

Not only them, but even the Ancient Immortal Great Powers concealed within the void—Frost Soul Ancient Immortal, Primordial Solar Ancient Immortal, Verdant Sun Ancient Immortal, and others—could no longer contain their auras. Shocked, they emerged from their hidden vantage points.

Facing this collective scrutiny, Eldrin Chen remained utterly composed. "Merely the Ancient Immortal Realm," he stated with calm assurance. "It is nothing of great consequence."

"So it is true."

The Golden Crow Ancient Immortal [an ancient cultivator who has transcended multiple heavenly tribulations] drew a deep breath, then fixed his gaze upon Eldrin Chen and declared, "You have merely just stepped into the Ancient Immortal Realm [a realm of cultivation transcending mortality]. What is there for you to be so arrogant about?"

"You must understand, the gulf between different Ancient Immortal [ancient cultivators who have transcended mortality] is as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. Compared to a truly top-tier Ancient Immortal, you are nothing but a slightly larger insect."

"A slightly larger insect?"

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen let out a cold, derisive laugh.

With a sudden, sweeping motion of his sleeve, the void for billions upon billions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] violently shattered. Great fissures in reality tore open, and from their depths, a rain of fallen immortals cascaded down.

Among this host of fallen beings, the lowest cultivation base was at the Celestial Immortal Realm [the foundational immortal realm], and there were even more than twenty Ancient Immortal Great Power [ancient immortals of immense power]. Most terrifying of all, there were seven or eight entities who had transcended five, or even Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations].

"The Peacock Ancient Immortal, the Bifang Ancient Immortal, the Verdant Sun Divine Clan..."

Eldrin Chen murmured slowly, his gaze sweeping over each figure before finally settling on the face of Dusk Nirvana. "Fellow Daoist Dusk Nirvana, it seems the Golden Crow Ancient Immortal places his reliance upon you."

"You—!"

The Dusk Nirvana Patriarch [the patriarch of the Dusk Nirvana lineage] was so enraged his face turned pale. In that moment, he wished he could crush the Golden Crow Ancient Immortal to death, yet he dared not show the slightest hint of negligence.

He took a deep breath, then cupped his hands respectfully toward Eldrin Chen and said, "Many years have passed. I never imagined your cultivation would advance yet another step. For this old man to visit so presumptuously today is truly an intrusion."

As he spoke, Dusk Nirvana Patriarch gritted his teeth and produced a lavish gift, offering it to Eldrin Chen. "Today is your longevity celebration, Fellow Daoist. This meager token is but a trifle; I beg you not to refuse it."

With a flick of his sleeve, Eldrin Chen drew the treasure toward him. Upon discovering it contained over a thousand strands of Innate Energy [the primordial, untainted energy of creation], he looked up in surprise at Dusk Nirvana Patriarch.

In the void, the other Ancient Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended mortal limits and weathered countless tribulations] witnessing this scene wore expressions of utter astonishment.

They could scarcely believe that Dusk Nirvana Patriarch, a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations], would go to such lengths to curry favor with Eldrin Chen.

The Ancient Progenitor [a primordial founder of a lineage] from the Purple Tenuity lineage, the venerable elder from the Bifang Clan [a clan descended from the mythical firebird, the Bifang], and the six-tribulation ancient dragon of the True Dragon [the supreme lineage of draconic beings] bloodline—all revealed looks of profound shock, a vague sense of foreboding stirring within them.

As their thoughts churned, the crowd surmised that Dusk Nirvana must have suffered at Eldrin Chen's hands before. Immediately, they each presented lavish gifts of their own, speaking with utmost courtesy: "Fellow Daoist, we have come to celebrate your longevity. Our slight delay is inexcusable; we beg your forgiveness."

As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. Eldrin Chen accepted their generous offerings without the slightest hesitation.

Yet after receiving the gifts, he remarked with a faint, enigmatic smile, "You have all traveled from afar, yet I have made no preparations for your arrival. I fear I have been discourteous."

"Not at all, not at all," they hurriedly replied.

That Dusk Nirvana hastily waved his hands, a sheepish smile on his face as he said, "Our uninvited arrival was truly far too presumptuous. Now that the gifts have been delivered, there are pressing matters back at the clan, so we shall not impose any longer."

As his words fell, he grabbed Golden Crow Ancient Immortal and tore through the void, vanishing into the horizon of heaven and earth.

Seeing this, the other Ancient Immortal [powerful cultivators who have transcended numerous heavenly tribulations] present did not wait for Eldrin Chen to speak. They all clasped their hands in farewell one after another, then tore through the void and departed. Only those Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] with close ties to the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance remained behind.

Most of these were Human Race Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] Ancient Immortal, along with Human Race Forbidden Prodigy [prodigies whose potential is so immense it defies conventional limits] like Heaven Sun and Unfettered Great Center.

Only after those people had left did Path Ruins Jiang approach. He scrutinized Eldrin Chen carefully, then drew a deep breath and said, "To think that in just a few million years, you have attained such power. It seems I still underestimated you."

"But since you possess strength surpassing the Sixth Tribulation, why did you not detain them?"

"With our assistance, we might have been able to severely wound, or even slay, some of those Ancient Immortal, clearing away part of the obstacles for the coming Kalpa Tribulation [the cataclysmic cosmic cycle that periodically reshapes existence] in advance."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however, and spoke calmly, "Each of them has a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [an ancient and immensely powerful sect] backing them. They undoubtedly carry certain trump cards. If they are determined to flee, even with my current strength, it would require considerable effort to kill them."

"The most crucial point is that the Kalpa Tribulation is imminent. Rather than slaying them now, it is better to leave them until the Kalpa Tribulation to harvest Path Source [the fundamental essence of a cultivator's path, released upon their death]."

Upon hearing this, Path Ruins Jiang felt a slight tremor in his heart.

According to his initial thoughts, even with the assistance of the Human Race [the collective of human cultivators and immortals] and its many immortals, they would only be able to slay a portion of the Ancient Immortal [powerful beings who have transcended countless tribulations and lived for eons].

Yet, the implication within Eldrin Chen's words was utterly staggering. Slaying a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations] of such caliber seemed, in Eldrin Chen's eyes, to be merely a matter of expending a bit more effort.

This realization shook him to his core, and a terrifying thought surfaced in his mind: "Could it be... has he already broken through to the Seven Tribulations [the realm of having survived seven heavenly tribulations]?"

Path Ruins Jiang was inwardly astounded. He could not help but cast a deep, searching look at Eldrin Chen, feeling more and more that Eldrin Chen was unfathomably profound.

Before his own breakthrough to the Celestial Immortal [a foundational immortal realm], he had enjoyed the full cultivation support of a top-tier Grotto-Heaven [a blessed, self-contained pocket dimension rich in spiritual energy], a training environment far superior to anything Eldrin Chen had likely experienced.

And after ascending to Celestial Immortal, through the channels of the Void Grotto-Heaven [a specific, renowned Grotto-Heaven], he had received substantial cultivation resources from the Grotto Abyss Ancient Sect [an ancient and powerful sect]. Yet, even after nearly ten million years of such cultivation, his own cultivation base had only just entered the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of Ancient Immortals].

Compared to Eldrin Chen, the difference was as vast as heaven and earth.

He knew very well that Eldrin Chen had consistently refused funding from the great ancient sects and the Heavenly Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the immortal realms].

While such patronage was certainly beneficial, the price to be repaid in the future was often staggeringly high.

Contemplating this, he drew a deep breath, and a single, resolute thought crystallized in his mind.

After a fleeting moment, he spoke, "After the banquet, let us speak alone."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze flickered subtly before he nodded calmly.

With the departure of the various factions harboring ill intentions, the banquet finally commenced in an orderly fashion. Eldrin Chen and the members of the Chen Clan all wore smiles as they began the festivities.

The banquet proceeded with great liveliness and warmth, continuing unabated for a full three thousand years before concluding.

When the three thousand years had passed and the assembled immortals began to depart, Eldrin Chen suddenly furrowed his brow slightly. He exchanged a glance with Exquisite Jiang and then made his way into the depths of the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven.

There, outside the secluded cultivation abode of Eldrin Chen within the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven, stood a figure robed in snow-white garments. Seeing Eldrin Chen appear before him, the youth's expression turned reverent as he prostrated himself upon the Earthly Path [the foundational cultivation path of the mortal realm]. "Your unfilial son, Worthy Remembrance, pays his respects to his honored father."

"Rise,"

Eldrin Chen replied, his countenance as composed as ever. In contrast, Exquisite Jiang's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she helped the young man to his feet.

Regarding this, Eldrin Chen offered no further comment. With a sweep of his sleeve, he transported the three of them inside the abode. Then, looking at the Worthy Remembrance Chen before him, he inquired, "How have you fared all these years?"

"Your son has been well in all respects."

Worthy Remembrance Chen nodded, his voice choked with emotion. "All these years, your child has studied under my master's tutelage. Yet, my master decreed that I could not leave the mountain until I achieved a breakthrough into the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, signifying a being of immense power and near-perfection]. That is why I have been unable to fulfill my filial duties at your side."

"This time, I was only permitted to leave because of your longevity celebration. My master granted me a special exception for this single occasion."

Eldrin Chen's heart was shaken to its core. He studied Worthy Remembrance Chen intently, then drew a deep, steadying breath. "Only a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal is deemed worthy to leave the mountain? What an audacious claim. Who, pray tell, is your master?" For the best reading experience, visit audio—novel.com.