Chapter 1915 : The Great Luo Pill's Ascension

Afterward, the two conversed for a long while within the Abyssal Immortal Domain, until several days later when Donghua Immortal Lord finally took his leave, vanishing into the boundless Primordial Chaos.

Shortly after Donghua Immortal Lord departed, Eldrin Chen took out the Great Luo Immortal Pill for a look, a faint smile involuntarily gracing his lips.

The medicinal potency of the Great Luo Immortal Pill far surpassed that of the Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill, and it could be perfectly absorbed by him. An ordinary early-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal consuming one Great Luo Immortal Pill would be sufficient to cultivate their physical body to the second layer of the Great Luo Body.

Eldrin Chen possessed an extraordinary foundation; a single Great Luo Immortal Pill was certainly not enough for him. However, this pill's value was equivalent to one hundred thousand Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill.

With this one Great Luo Immortal Pill, Eldrin Chen's confidence in achieving the second layer of the Great Luo Body before the Kalpa Tribulation [the cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] increased somewhat.

However, Eldrin Chen did not immediately consume the Great Luo Immortal Pill. In the ensuing years, he ordered his clan to accelerate their gathering of Innate Primordial Qi [the primordial, foundational energy of creation], even selling several portions of Great Luo Rare Treasure to acquire more Innate Primordial Qi.

Thus, after nearly thirty million years had passed, Eldrin Chen finally managed to gather another two hundred thousand Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill just before his own one hundred millionth year birthday.

On this day, within the seclusion chamber.

Eldrin Chen swallowed the final Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill and finally let out a slow, measured breath.

Having consumed a total of four hundred thousand Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill, Eldrin Chen's physical body was finally nearing the limit of the first layer of the Great Luo Body.

He took a deep breath and retrieved the Great Luo Immortal Pill from his sleeve.

"One hundred million years of arduous cultivation—whether I can achieve the second layer of the Great Luo Body rests upon this day."

As the words fell, Eldrin Chen immediately consumed the Great Luo Immortal Pill. In that instant, a vast and mighty Grand Luo essence and foundational life force flooded Eldrin Chen's body.

This foundational energy was not only a thousand, nay, ten thousand times more profound than that of the Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill, but it also possessed an indescribable qualitative transformation.

The moment it was ingested, Eldrin Chen felt his Chaos Indestructible Body begin to boil, hungrily and thirstily absorbing this Grand Luo essence and foundational life force.

"Boom!"

As this Grand Luo essence was absorbed, Eldrin Chen felt the power of his physical body instantly shatter a certain limit, smoothly and naturally ascending to a higher realm.

"The second layer of the Great Luo Body."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a faint smile unconsciously gracing his lips.

He slowly calmed the boiling Blood Qi [the vital life-force energy within a cultivator's body] within him, discovering that his Great Luo Body had once again broken through its limits, now more than fifty percent stronger than before the breakthrough.

If it could be said that previously, Eldrin Chen's physical combat prowess had surpassed the third level of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal and was half a step into the fourth-level domain, then now, Eldrin Chen's physical body was already comparable to the combat power of a fourth-level Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

Without employing any other means, relying solely on the power of his Great Luo Body and bolstered by the True Spirit Divine Runes, he could already contend with and overcome an existence at the fourth level of Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

"The second level of the Great Luo Body grants combat power equivalent to the fourth level of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal."

"Even if I were to walk the path of Sainthood through the Flesh alone, I would still be a peerless genius, unprecedented in all of history."

Eldrin Chen spoke softly, a faint smile touching the corners of his eyes.

Yet, at that very moment, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly.

He realized that with his physical body now even more formidable, the consumption of resources for future cultivation would be greater. If he were to use Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill [a supreme-grade cultivation pill that refines the body through ten cycles of transformation], he estimated it would require one million pills to cultivate his Great Luo Body to the peak of the second level.

Fortunately, the first three levels of the Great Luo Body presented no bottlenecks; reaching perfection would naturally and seamlessly lead to a breakthrough.

At this rate, by the time he reached the third level of the Great Luo Body, the consumption of Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill would see another massive increase.

"The resource consumption has doubled. From now on, unless I sell Great Luo Rare Treasure [extremely rare and precious materials or artifacts from the Great Luo realm], it might take two or three Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration, often spanning billions of years] to cultivate the Great Luo Body to the third level."

Eldrin Chen felt a slight furrow form between his brows, but he gathered his thoughts a moment later.

Regardless, being able to achieve a breakthrough before his one hundred millionth year birthday celebration was, for Eldrin Chen, a joyous occasion indeed.

After his physical body's breakthrough, Eldrin Chen sensed the state of his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. Lacking Great Luo Soul-Nourishing Wood, and relying only on the vast quantities of Primordial Soul-Nourishing Wood as cultivation resources, the progress of his Primordial Spirit could only be described as steady and unremarkable.

At this rate, it would still take roughly ten to twenty million years to achieve a breakthrough.

Of course, this cultivation speed was still considered exceptionally fast compared to ordinary early-stage Grand Luo [a high immortal realm] cultivators who, lacking support or lineage, often struggled to find sufficient resources, their progress marked by feast and famine.

For an ordinary early-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal, without a powerful backer or a master's guidance, the paths of Primordial Spirit Dao Attainment and Sainthood through the Flesh were arduous and slow beyond measure.

The Path of Dao Dominion, which placed greater emphasis on enlightenment and comprehension, consumed far fewer resources and was considerably swifter and simpler.

Returning to the main thread, having completed his physical breakthrough, Eldrin Chen emerged from his secluded cultivation chamber.

By now, Lyra Jiang and the others had already concluded their own retreats. The entire Abyssal Immortal Domain was adorned with lanterns and streamers, brimming with a jubilant and celebratory atmosphere.

Eldrin, the Immortal Lord's one hundred millionth year birthday was a paramount event within the Abyssal Immortal Domain, a grand occasion second only to the attainment of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm itself.

After emerging from seclusion, Eldrin Chen immediately gathered the clan members. With a gentle smile, he said, "Reaching the age of a Kalpa Tribulation [a lifespan measured in cosmic cycles] is a rare and joyous occasion. How do you plan to arrange the celebration?"

Lior Chen, who oversaw clan affairs, offered a slight smile and replied, "Arrangements here in the Abyssal Immortal Domain are not a major issue, as we are among our own. However, the Abyssal Dao Field in the Primordial Immortal Domain will be receiving distinguished guests, so we must proceed with greater care."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement and said with a laugh, "The longevity feast is merely a family banquet; there is no need for extravagant pomp. This time, we shall only invite a few close friends. I will provide you with a list of honored guests; have someone deliver the invitations accordingly."

"Understood."

Lior Chen nodded, taking the list. A glance revealed it contained not many names, but each was a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm] who shared a genuine bond of friendship with Eldrin Chen.

The rest were all long-standing companions from over the years.

To the east of the Primordial Immortal Domain, within the Eastern Desolate Heaven Domain, lay a Great Luo Dao Field [a supreme immortal's sacred land] known as the Abyssal Ancestral Court.

Today, the Abyssal Ancestral Court was unusually vibrant and bustling. A longevity feast for a Grand Luo [supreme immortal] was underway. Thousands upon thousands of Immortal [celestial beings] ascended to the Ancestral Court, considering it a great honor to attend the celebration.

Clad in robes as white as snow, the Inscription of Sorrow Lord sat quietly in a corner, sipping wine.

"I truly never imagined we would gather again like this," he murmured.

Beside Inscription of Sorrow Lord, Freya Ji's gaze held a flicker of pleasant surprise, a faint smile gracing her eyes.

Looking at Inscription of Sorrow Lord, she could not help but ask, "Senior Brother Changge, where have you been all these years?"

"Wandering the Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond the realms], making the four seas my home."

Inscription of Sorrow Lord spoke plainly, taking up a wine cup and draining it in one gulp: "Aethelstan Chu is dead. I am the Inscription of Sorrow Lord."

Freya Ji's eyes dimmed slightly, and she finally sighed. "After all these years, you still hold onto the grudges of the past."

The Inscription of Sorrow Lord gave a faint smile, his gaze sweeping over Freya Ji before he shook his head. "Back then, I truly held resentment in my heart. I even strove with all my might to grow stronger, just to prove that Master had made the wrong choice."

"But now, it seems all things are bound by cause and effect. Had those events not transpired, I might never have reached the heights I stand upon today."

"Perhaps... this was simply my destined fate."

Upon hearing this, Freya Ji's eyes could not help but grow somber once more.

Tens of millions of years ago, the Inscription of Sorrow Lord had not followed Eldrin Chen to the Abyssal Immortal Domain, choosing instead to venture alone into the vastness of the Chaos.

Now, after a mere few tens of millions of years, Inscription of Sorrow Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator] has refined the Dreamwalking Path to Dao Method [a cultivation technique centered on dream exploration] to an inconceivable realm. He can even achieve the feat of experiencing a thousand years within a dream during a single day in the Mortal Dust Realm [the mundane, mortal world].

In these short tens of millions of years, Inscription of Sorrow Lord has traversed countless Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and renewal] and Samsara [the cycle of death and rebirth] within his dreams. Astonishingly, his cultivation has now stepped into the realm of a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven Heavenly Tribulations].

In comparison, whether it is Dorian Ji or Freya Ji, even with the support of the Chen Immortal Clan, they have only reached the Late Celestial Immortal Realm. Furthermore, due to insufficient foundational strength, they find it difficult to advance any further.

"Senior Brother's innate talent is truly rare in this world. This junior sister falls far short."

Freya Ji could not help but sigh, speaking with a tone of deep emotion and reflection.

Inscription of Sorrow Lord smiled faintly and shook his head. "Aptitude is merely a beginning. What ultimately determines one's achievements still depends on oneself."

"In this world, the ability to comprehend one's own Dao [the fundamental principle or path of cultivation] is the true foundation for walking a longer, farther road."

"Comprehend one's own path?"

At this moment, a figure with graying hair not far away murmured these words softly, a flash of profound understanding dawning in his eyes.

That person looked towards Inscription of Sorrow Lord, cupped his hands in salute, and asked, "How does one comprehend one's own Dao?"

Inscription of Sorrow Lord [a title meaning 'Lord of Inscribed Sorrow'] smiled faintly, offering no further words.

Instead, it was the man beside him, Ethan Chen, who chuckled and spoke directly: "Soren, the Dao [the fundamental principle or path] is the sword, and the sword is the Dao. One does not necessarily have to contemplate the Dao to find it. Sometimes, you simply cleave a path forward with a single stroke of your blade."

Soren seemed to gain a profound insight. Only after a long silence did he speak again: "The Great Dao [the ultimate truth] has three thousand paths, each distinct. The path most suited to oneself is the one that truly belongs to you."

From another side, Nether Lord of the Ancient Ruins [a title for a powerful lord of the underworld] laughed softly and added, "In this world, there are no pre-existing roads. A path is forged by walking it. Rather than wandering aimlessly in search of the Dao, it is better to follow your innate heart and act with unfeigned sincerity."

Freya Ji watched their exchange, momentarily stunned. For a time, she felt utterly unable to penetrate the depth of their conversation.

Not far away, Lilith, Mistress of Desire took Freya Ji by the arm and sighed, "They have each comprehended their own unique path to the Dao. This is the potential that leads to the Grand Luo [the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, a supreme state of cultivation] realm. The gap between us and them grows ever wider."

"No wonder, despite cultivating for one hundred million years with almost no lack of resources, I remain stuck at the seventh level of the Celestial Immortal [the Celestial Immortal realm]."

At the center of the great hall, Eldrin Chen observed this scene, a trace of melancholy surfacing within him.

Since attaining the Grand Luo realm, Eldrin Chen had provided considerable support to his old friends and comrades. Within the vast Abyssal Immortal Alliance, many of those former companions were individuals of great fortune. Yet, upon reaching the Celestial Immortal realm, the potential of the vast majority had been utterly exhausted.

Paradoxically, it was the once-unremarkable Soren the Heart-Seer and Inscription of Sorrow Lord who now possessed the latent potential to prove their Dao and ascend to the Grand Luo realm.

It must be understood that in the era of the Violet Boundary, Dorian Ji was hailed as the world's foremost sage, and Tianqi Lin was acclaimed as the supreme master of the sword path. Yet now, both remain stranded at the Celestial Immortal [the foundational immortal realm] realm, unable to advance a single step further.

While their failure to cultivate the Triple Ascension Immortal Foundation [a supreme and exceptionally rare foundation for immortal cultivation] may have played a part, the greater reason lies in their failure to forge their own unique path.

"If one cannot comprehend their own Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy], even reforging their foundation will make it difficult to set foot upon the Great Luo Realm [the realm of the Grand Luo Golden Immortals]," Eldrin Chen murmured with a soft sigh, finally withdrawing his wandering thoughts.

He lifted his gaze, observing as Grand Luo Golden Immortal [immortals of the highest order, masters of the Grand Luo realm] from beyond the heavens arrived one after another to attend the banquet.

This time, Eldrin Chen had not extended many invitations—only seven or eight Grand Luo Golden Immortal with whom he shared a close rapport, such as Donghua Immortal Lord, Umbralia, the Immortal Lord, Seven Radiance Immortal Lord, and Hundred Blossoms Immortal Lord.

Among them, the Seven Radiance Immortal Lord of the Immortal Clam Race [a race of powerful clam demons] had cultivated to the peak of Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the absolute pinnacle of the Grand Luo realm]. Since the fall of the Nine-Colored Immortal Clam Progenitor, she had guarded the Seven Radiance Immortal Domain for tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration, often involving great calamities], never venturing forth.

To attend this feast, the Seven Radiance Immortal Lord had sent an avatar bearing an exceedingly precious congratulatory gift, offering Eldrin Chen the utmost respect.

Eldrin Chen received his guests with due courtesy and was about to commence the festivities when he noticed an old acquaintance arriving uninvited.

The newcomer was clad in robes of pristine white, her demeanor peerless and transcendent. She was the contemporary Imperial Princess of the White Lotus Ancient Sect [an ancient and venerable sect], and she presented a gift with graceful politeness.

Her arrival, though unexpected, was handled with the decorum befitting such an occasion.

"It's her..."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, yet he maintained his composure and had her escorted to a side hall.

After the banquet concluded, Eldrin Chen went to the side hall and met the Imperial Princess of the White Lotus Ancient Sect.

"Greetings, Uncle Eldrin."

The moment she saw Eldrin Chen, the White Lotus Imperial Princess immediately performed a respectful bow.

It turned out this woman was actually Silas Chen, whom Eldrin Chen had sent into reincarnation many years ago.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then inquired, "It has been a Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle] since we last met. How have you been faring?"

Silas Chen's face paled slightly, her eyes reddening as she said, "Clan Uncle, the White Lotus Immortal Lord intends to trade me for a Great Dao Immortal Pill [a legendary pill said to grant profound insights into the Great Dao]."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's brow creased once more, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He spoke immediately, "Tell me everything, slowly."

As Silas Chen recounted her tale, Eldrin Chen quickly grasped the cause and effect of the situation.

It turned out that after Silas Chen reincarnated, he was reborn into a nameless world. Relying on the power of the Scripture of the Innant Primordial Simplicity, Silas Chen smoothly cultivated to the Immortal Ascension Realm and ascended to immortality.

The Immortal Domain to which Silas Chen ascended was precisely the Immortal Domain of the White Lotus Immortal Lord.

After ascending, Silas Chen wished to find Eldrin Chen as soon as possible. To grow swiftly, she sought to join a Grand Luo sect.

Seeing that the White Lotus Immortal Lord was a female Grand Luo immortal, she simply joined the White Lotus Ancient Sect [an ancient sect venerating the White Lotus Immortal Lord]. Thereafter, she cultivated within the White Lotus Ancient Sect.

Initially, she did not receive much attention, and her cultivation speed was not particularly fast. It took her a full ten million years to reach the Celestial Immortal realm.

After breaking through to Celestial Immortal, Silas Chen's talent caught the attention of the White Lotus Immortal Lord, who then took her on as a personal disciple. Freed from resource constraints, her cultivation began to advance by leaps and bounds.

At first, the White Lotus Immortal Lord treated Silas Chen extremely well. However, as Silas Chen cultivated to the Ancient Immortal Realm and mastered the Great Simplicity Great Dao, her aura and bearing grew increasingly astonishing, finally drawing the attention of others.

Not long ago, the Demon Race's Crimson Mastiff Immortal Lord took a fancy to Silas Chen and wished to take her as a concubine. He even went so far as to offer a lavish betrothal gift—a Great Dao Immortal Pill.

The so-called Great Dao Immortal Pill is a precious elixir for breaking through to the Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal realm. The White Lotus Immortal Lord, whose cultivation was only at the early Grand Luo Golden Immortal stage, was extremely tempted. Thus, she decided to exchange Silas Chen for that Great Dao Immortal Pill.

Upon learning of this, Silas Chen dared not show resistance openly. Instead, she used the pretext of attempting to prove her Dao during the current Kalpa Tribulation. She promised that if she succeeded in attaining the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, she would repay the Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light several times over. This temporarily suppressed the matter.

After all, Silas Chen has demonstrated the aptitude for the Grand Luo [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] realm, and it is highly probable she will attain the Grand Luo realm during this Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and rebirth]. For this reason, even the White Lotus Immortal Lord [a title for a powerful immortal] was somewhat hesitant and uncertain, as several strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial and unbreakable essence of spiritual energy] might not be inferior in value to that Great Dao Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir that embodies the principles of the Great Dao].

Thus, Silas Chen seized this opportunity. Upon hearing that Eldrin Chen was about to hold a longevity celebration banquet, she specifically used this chance to come and seek out Eldrin Chen.

"Trading a personal disciple for a single Great Dao Immortal Pill... that White Lotus Immortal Lord certainly knows how to scheme,"

After understanding the cause and effect of the situation, Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh. He then asked, "In all these years, why did you not come to find me?"

Silas Chen lowered her head, remaining silent, not uttering a single word.

It was not that she was unwilling to seek out Eldrin Chen. Rather, after learning that Eldrin Chen had attained the Grand Luo realm, she did not know what identity to use when meeting him again.

So, she suppressed her longing thoughts. She decided to wait until she herself had attained the Grand Luo realm, planning to meet him again with the status of a Grand Luo Immortal Lord [an immortal lord of the Grand Luo realm]. She hoped to outshine the grace and presence of Lila, Yvonne the Violet Consort, Nyssa Qu, and others, perhaps thereby earning a different, more appreciative look from Eldrin Chen.

"Enough."

Seeing Silas Chen remain wordless, Eldrin Chen let out a sigh.

After taking a deep breath, he spoke, "Take me to see your Master."