Chapter 1865 : A Patriarch's Bountiful Gift

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve and retrieved a batch of resources, handing them over to Rising Swan Chen.

The value of these materials was immense. They included several dozen Primordial Unity Rare Treasure [a rare treasure containing the unified essence of primordial chaos], a batch of Innate Rare Treasure [a treasure born from the world's innate energies], and a quantity of Innate Energy [the pure, foundational energy of creation itself]. There were even a full three Innate Primordial Unity Pill [an elixir that refines one's foundation with innate primordial energy].

Gazing upon these treasures, Rising Swan Chen could not help but reveal a look of delight.

This many Rare Spiritual Wonders [precious objects of spiritual power] were more than sufficient for him to complete his Triple Primordial Unity Foundation [a cultivation art that establishes a foundation based on threefold primordial unity]. They could even support his cultivation all the way to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm [the advanced stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm] without any shortage of resources.

It must be understood that while he was safe in the lower realm, the Purple Seal Realm [a specific lower realm] lacked the resources for him to advance further. At most, he could only cultivate to the Dual Primordial Unity Foundation [a cultivation art that establishes a foundation based on dual primordial unity] there before he would be forced to ascend to the Immortal Domain [the higher realm where immortals dwell].

With this batch of resources, he could continuously temper his foundation. In the future, there might even be a sliver of possibility for him to step into the Forbidden Domain [a legendary and perilous cultivation realm].

Thinking of this, Rising Swan Chen knelt and bowed deeply on the Earthly Path [the path of cultivation grounded in earthly principles]. "This junior offers his deepest gratitude for the Patriarch's generous gift. I shall never forget this kindness for the rest of my life."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a faint smile.

At present, the Chen Immortal Clan was still far from matching those Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [ancient sects of immense power and heritage].

Yet, even a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect might not be willing to part with such a vast quantity of Innate Rare Treasure and Innate Energy all at once, bestowing it upon a mere Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a cultivator on the threshold of the Celestial Immortal realm]. This chapter is part of a larger work available at audio-novel.com.

It was not due to a lack of profound heritage within the Great Encompassing Ancient Sect, but rather because the number of Immortals within the sect was truly immense. Among them, Celestial Immortal Great Powers numbered in the tens of thousands at the very least. Furthermore, the sect had to nurture vast legions of Path Soldiers, leaving few Rare Spiritual Wonders available to be allocated to Half-Step Celestial Immortals.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and waved his hand dismissively, speaking with calm composure, "You may withdraw. I shall continue my stroll."

With these words, Eldrin Chen began to walk once more upon the slopes of Green Chariot Mountain.

The Green Chariot Mountain of today bore little resemblance to the mountain of ten million years past, having undergone a transformation of monumental scale.

This immortal peak was now vast and majestic, no longer the modest Spirit Mountain of yore. The familiar scenes of that distant era had long since vanished.

As Eldrin Chen wandered the mountain paths, he found that not a single blade of grass or tree remained from the old days. Only one ancient, weathered tree stood sentinel upon the summit.

"It is you!"

Standing before the ancient tree, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a long-unseen smile.

The old tree before him was an Immortal Apricot Tree. Rooted firmly at the peak of Green Chariot Mountain, it emanated a faint, ethereal Immortal Radiance that shimmered against the void, appearing both sacred and noble.

"Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree."

Gazing upon this ancient tree, Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, memories of bygone years surfacing in his mind.

This ancient tree was originally a first-grade Longevity Apricot Tree [a spiritual tree whose fruit is famed for extending the lifespan of those who consume it]. It was seized long ago by Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch working together, taken from the Verdant Ink Mountain stronghold of the Lin Immortal Clan.

Later, through Eldrin Chen's continuous nurturing, it was cultivated all the way to the Six Tribulations Realm [a profound stage of cultivation representing survival through six heavenly tribulations]].

He still remembered how, in those early days, the reason the Chen Immortal Clan was able to produce so many outstanding talents, the reason the Old Patriarch and other clan members could cultivate to the Primordial Spirit Realm [the spiritual core of a cultivator], was largely due to the immense contributions of this Immortal Apricot Tree.

Later, when Eldrin Chen ascended to the Immortal Domain, he left this Immortal Apricot Tree behind.

As the Chen Immortal Clan grew ever more powerful, Immortals descended to the mortal realm on several occasions, bringing with them many rare Rare Spiritual Wonders [precious objects imbued with spiritual power]. Among these was the Innate Spiritual Water [water of pure, primordial spiritual essence] from the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a legendary vessel said to contain the foundational energies of creation]. Nourished by such treasures, the tree eventually advanced to become a World-Opening Ancient Tree [an ancient, sentient tree of immense power, said to possess the vitality to nurture nascent worlds].

Of course, merely reaching this stage would not have been enough to truly astonish Eldrin Chen.

What truly surprised him was the faint glimmer of sentient awareness he could sense emanating from within the Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree.

"Master."

Seeing Eldrin Chen, the ancient tree swayed gently, its voice tinged with excitement. "Master, now that you have descended to this realm once more, will you take me with you when you ascend?"

Eldrin Chen, however, offered a faint smile before sighing and saying, "Although the Immortal Realm [the higher plane of existence where true immortals reside] holds boundless Opportunity and Fortune [chances for advancement and good luck], it is also far more perilous and unpredictable."

"Moreover, with the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] approaching, it is better for you to remain in the Purple Seal Realm [the mortal cultivation world from which Eldrin ascended]."

Upon hearing this, the Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree [a sentient, ancient tree with the power of rebirth] seemed to dim slightly, then inquired, "How fare the fellow Daoists who ascended with you in the past, such as the Immortal Peach Tree [a divine tree bearing peaches of immortality] and the Eight Trigrams Treasure Tree [a mystical tree aligned with the eight trigrams of divination]?"

"All is well with them."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, then said with a smile, "Since you have already gained sentience, you will surely have the Opportunity and Fortune to take human form one day."

"Given our long association, I shall bestow upon you a measure of Opportunity and Fortune." This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel . com.

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve, conjuring Innate Spiritual Water [water imbued with primordial, life-giving spiritual essence] and bestowing a significant amount of Innate Energy [the fundamental, primordial energy of creation] to merge into the Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree.

After completing this, Eldrin Chen instructed, "I have integrated the Innate Energy and Innate Spiritual Water into your being. Henceforth, your foundational potential will be greatly enhanced."

"Once you fully assimilate this Opportunity and Fortune, you may reach the realm of a Supreme Grade Innate Ancient Tree [the pinnacle grade for a primordial, sentient tree]. If I can advance further in the future, I may guide you to ascend and attain the Dao."

Overwhelmed with joy, the Nirvana Immortal Apricot Tree manifested a tiny humanoid figure, which respectfully prostrated itself upon the Earthly Path [the ground, representing the earthly foundation]: "This humble one offers deepest gratitude for your generous gift, Master."

"..."

Departing from Green Chariot Mountain, Eldrin Chen visited several old haunts, only to discover with regret that the only familiar presences remaining in the Vast Azure Immortal Domain were a few Worldly Spiritual Root such as the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree, the Purple Seal Divine Fruit Tree, and the Blazing Third Fire Immortal Jujube.

With the landscape transformed and old friends gone, Eldrin Chen found his heart no longer in revisiting the past.

He journeyed back to the Eastern Barrens and sought out the shores of Spirit Isle Lake, where he was unexpectedly greeted by a sight of a Peach Blossom Grove.

"Spirit Isle Lake... the Ten-Mile Peach Blossoms remain as ever."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a wave of emotion washing over him as he strolled along the bank of Spirit Isle Lake.

He stepped onto the lake's surface, finding the peach blossoms unchanged in their beauty, yet the trees themselves, stretching for ten Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], bore the deep marks of time's passage.

Indeed, even a Sixth RankPrimordial Solar Ancient Tree could not withstand the relentless flow of the ages unless it ascended to the Ascendant Immortal Realm.

The current Peach Blossom Grove was populated by descendants of the original Immortal Peach Tree, generation after generation having come and gone; these were no longer the peach trees of his memory.

"In the end, those days can never truly be returned to."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, sweeping his sleeve to gather the sky-full of peach blossoms into its folds, then scattered droplets of Innate Spiritual Water [a primordial water imbued with pure spiritual essence] to merge with the Peach Blossom Grove.

The total value of this Innate Spiritual Water amounted to merely tens of millions of Immortal Source [a high-grade spiritual energy crystal]. To Eldrin Chen, it was but a minor boon, yet it was enough to benefit these peach trees for their entire lifetimes.

Witnessing the transformation, the peach trees underwent a continuous metamorphosis, ultimately evolving entirely into Immortal Peach Tree [a tree bearing peaches with minor longevity-extending properties].

Although these Immortal Peach Tree were not a Spiritual Root [a plant with profound spiritual properties], they could already be considered rare Immortal Artifact [enchanted objects of immortal grade] within the Mortal Realm.

"Little ones, I hope that after countless millennia, when we meet again, these peach blossoms will remain as they are now."

Eldrin Chen spoke softly, then with a sweep of his sleeve, he soared through the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky], arriving at the boundless expanse above it.

There, Eldrin Chen once again beheld the Heavenly Path [the sentient will of the heavens governing a realm] of the Purple Seal Realm. He spoke with calm finality, "I must depart."

The Purple Seal Heavenly Path fell into a contemplative silence, offering no words in reply.

Yet Eldrin Chen's gaze remained serene as he continued, "During this coming Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal], I will attempt my breakthrough into the Great Encompassing Realm [the legendary realm of omnipotence and creation]."

"I fear formidable enemies may use the Purple Seal Realm as leverage against me at a critical juncture. To spare this realm from such peril, I shall seal it away and cast it adrift into another Universe."

"Alas."

Purple Seal Heavenly Path let out a soft sigh and finally spoke, "Given your current realm, I can no longer fathom the extent of your power. But since you have decided to proceed, I will naturally support you."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then said, "Be careful now."

As his words faded, Eldrin Chen flew out of the Purple Seal Realm. In an instant, he grasped the entire realm and began towing it, ascending into the boundless dimensions.

With a deafening roar that seemed to tear the fabric of infinite dimensions, Eldrin Chen cast the realm adrift into the profound depths of the Dimensional Void.

Not stopping there, Eldrin Chen used the Mysterious Bright Starry Abyss as a veil, supplementing it with Chaos Mist to completely seal off all traces of the Purple Seal Realm's aura. Only then did he allow himself a slight sigh of relief.

With this banishment, Eldrin Chen had fundamentally altered the realm's Path Marker [a unique metaphysical signature or coordinate]. Further obscured by his own Chaos Mist, even if a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal being] were to dedicate effort to divining its location, finding the Purple Seal Realm would be akin to searching for a needle in a vast ocean.

Most crucially, Eldrin Chen's Daoist title was Returning Abyss Path Master, and the Purple Seal Realm was known to the outside world as the Returning Abyss Realm—merely the homeland of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal. Such a place was unlikely to attract the focused scrutiny of those Primordial One Imperial Lord [emperors who have attained the foundational unity of the Primordial One realm].

Under these circumstances, even if those Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal were to later learn the Path Marker of the 'Returning Abyss Realm' and descend to scheme against it, their efforts would be in vain.

For Eldrin Chen, his origins before ascension lay within the Purple Seal Realm. One could say he was the Child of Destiny of that realm, its cherished and favored son, born of its very essence.

If his actions were to bring calamity upon the Purple Seal Realm, it would inevitably affect his Dao Heart [the foundational heart and will of a cultivator, core to their cultivation path]. Now, with this concern lifted, he could focus his entire being on confronting the impending Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly tribulation that marks a major epoch or cycle].

"It is time to return."

A weight lifted from his shoulders, Eldrin Chen allowed himself a faint sigh of relief.

With a flick of his sleeve, he tore through the boundless void, traversing infinite distance in a single step to arrive back within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Looking back upon the endless dimensions, he beheld the Dimensional Void [the infinite, layered space between worlds and realms] stretching into fathomless infinity. Within it, Universes [complete, self-contained cosmic systems] as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River flickered into being and faded into oblivion. A profound, inexplicable sense of insignificance stirred within his heart.

"The Endless Dimensional Space, it is truly boundless and without limit."

"Even with my current cultivation, facing Its immensity feels like being a mote of dust."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a slight frown creasing his brow.

In that moment, a vague understanding dawned upon him. The endless dimensions and the Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all existence emerges] were one and the same, merely concealed within the Endless Chaos. Behind every surge of Chaos, there could lie a vast, hidden Starry River Universe.

However, within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the vast, stable region containing myriad immortal worlds], space is far more stable. It is this stability that allows these worlds and Universe [a complete, self-contained cosmos] to endure for immensely longer periods, growing ever more prosperous and magnificent.

Conversely, within the Sea of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all cosmos are born], the tides of Endless Chaos [the raw, unformed essence of primordial chaos] are violently turbulent. Even though Universe are constantly being birthed within it, most are soon drowned by the Chaos [primordial, formless essence] tides or devoured by Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial beasts born from and dwelling within the Sea of Chaos].

"Husband..."

Just as these thoughts flickered through Eldrin Chen's mind, Exquisite Jiang approached with graceful steps.

Eldrin Chen withdrew his contemplations. With a single glance, a note of surprise colored his voice. "My lady, you have broken through as well."

Indeed, after all these years apart, Exquisite Jiang's cultivation had finally advanced another step. Unbeknownst to him, she had silently surmounted the four great Heavenly Pass [critical bottlenecks in cultivation progression] of the physical body, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true self of a cultivator], mana, and Divine Ability [profound supernatural powers].

Of course, that alone would not have startled Eldrin Chen. What truly astonished him was his discovery that Exquisite Jiang had already cultivated the Indestructibility Primordial Spirit [a divine ability that renders one's Primordial Spirit nearly unbreakable].

"Indeed. This breakthrough owes much to the Five Elements Great Encompassing Thunder Marrow [a supreme treasure containing the quintessential power of the five elements and heavenly thunder] you brought me."

Exquisite Jiang explained with a gentle smile. Her seclusion of a million years had culminated, not long ago, in the complete refinement of the Five Elements Great Encompassing Thunder Marrow. This allowed her to master the Great Five Elements Pure Lunar Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique harmonizing the five elements with pure lunar essence].

Yes, because the Chaos Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique born from primordial chaos] was far more difficult to cultivate, Exquisite Jiang had chosen a more attainable path this time. She cultivated the Great Five Elements Pure Lunar Divine Thunder instead of the formidable Chaos Divine Thunder.

However, even a Patriarch Level [the foundational level for Patriarchs, representing immense power and authority] Great Five Elements Pure Lunar Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique harmonizing the five elements with lunar essence] is astonishingly formidable. Using it as her foundation and supplementing it with the Innate Earth Soul Scripture [a profound scripture for cultivating the earth-attuned soul], she has not only cultivated her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] to the Eleventh Limit Realm [the eleventh and penultimate stage of Primordial Spirit cultivation] but has also taken another step forward, drawing close to achieving a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a perfected, flawless state of the Primordial Spirit].

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel a surge of emotion. With a smile, he remarked, "Having cultivated both an Indestructibility Primordial Spirit [a Primordial Spirit of unparalleled resilience] and a Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a divine ability of Patriarch-grade power], your strength must now rival that of a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations]."

"Coupled with your one hundred and eight Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword [swords forged from golden bamboo, embodying primordial unity], you will be of immense help to me during this Path Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial faced by cultivators on their path]."

Exquisite Jiang was also filled with joy. She took Eldrin Chen's hand and said, "We are one, husband and wife, sharing life and death. There is no talk of 'help' between us."

A warm feeling spread through Eldrin Chen's heart. He then asked, "How are the preparations? Have they all returned?"

Exquisite Jiang offered a gentle smile. "Everyone has gathered," she replied. "They are all awaiting your word."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded. "Then let us convene everyone. We shall hold a council of war first."

"..."

Three days later, within the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a secluded paradise realm of profound mysteries].

The internal assembly of the Chen Immortal Clan [the Chen family of cultivators who have attained immortality] was finally convened. Every single Celestial Immortal Great Power [a mighty cultivator who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm] belonging to the clan attended this crucial meeting.

Eldrin Chen sat solemnly within the Violet Ye Palace, gazing upon the assembled immortals below. A profound sense of satisfaction welled up within his heart.

The forces of the Chen Clan gathered for this pre-war council were unprecedentedly mighty, boasting a total of forty-seven Celestial Immortal Great Powers [powerful cultivators who have ascended to the celestial realm].

Among them were sixteen Ancient Immortal Great Powers [immortals who have survived multiple heavenly tribulations]: Eldrin Chen, Exquisite Jiang, the Verdant Consort, Nyssa Qu, Violet Consort Yan, Lila, Ethan Chen, Energy Abyss Chen, Kael Chen, the Verdant Seal Patriarch, Worthy Longevity Chen, Worthy Verdancy Chen, and Worthy Pursuit Chen.

Furthermore, there were three disciples: Alistair Ye, Literature Abyss Lu, and Fate Birth.

Among these sixteen, Eldrin Chen possessed the greatest combat prowess, his strength rivaling that of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has weathered eight heavenly calamities].

Exquisite Jiang's battle strength was slightly inferior. However, she had mastered a Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a supreme technique of the highest order] and refined one hundred and eighty Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Swords, bringing her combat power close to the level of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

Yet, Exquisite Jiang's foundational mana reserves were insufficient. Once she unleashed her Patriarch Level combat strength, she could only sustain it for a brief period. Much of her power relied on external artifacts, preventing her from truly matching a genuine Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal in a prolonged contest.

Aside from them, Nyssa Qu ranked third in strength. Nurtured jointly by the Immortal Clam Clan and Eldrin Chen, she had already broken through the five major Heavenly Passes [critical thresholds in a cultivator's advancement]: those of the Fleshly Body, Mana, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], Great Path [the fundamental Dao one follows], and Divine Ability.

Thanks to her foundation as a Nine-Colored Immortal Shell [a mythical clam with a shell of nine colors], her Fleshly Body Heavenly Pass had reached the Tenth Limit Realm [the pinnacle of a specific cultivation stage], and her Mana Heavenly Pass had also shattered the Tenth Limit Realm. Her Innate Divine Ability, the Nine-Colored Immortal Radiance, had even ascended to the Eleventh Limit Realm, qualifying as one of the most supreme Patriarch Level Divine Abilities.

With such a formidable foundation, Nyssa Qu's combat strength was now comparable to that of a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

However, due to her limited talent and attainment in the Formation [the art of creating and manipulating magical arrays] and her relatively short cultivation time, she was still unable to refine and control more than thirty-six swords of the Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation. Consequently, her combat prowess was slightly inferior to that of Exquisite Jiang.

Furthermore, Verdant Consort had broken through the three great Heavenly Pass [critical bottlenecks in cultivation] of mana, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and physical body. With a set of thirty-six Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword at her command, her strength was at the level of a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

Individuals like Ethan Chen, Energy Abyss Chen, Worthy Longevity Chen, Worthy Verdancy Chen, Worthy Pursuit Chen, Verdant Seal Patriarch, Alistair Ye, Literature Abyss Lu, and Fate Birth were all exceptionally gifted. However, their access to resources was somewhat inferior to that of the several Dao Companions, so they had only managed to break through the two major Heavenly Pass of mana and Primordial Spirit.

The sole exception was Energy Abyss Chen. While his Mana Heavenly Pass remained unbroken, he benefited immensely from the various Adamantine [an extremely hard and resilient spiritual metal] ores of the Chen Immortal Clan and the Chaos Divine Material [primordial materials born from chaos] brought back by Eldrin Chen. His Immortality Golden Body [an indestructible physical cultivation technique] had advanced by leaps and bounds over these years.

Thus, he had not only broken through the Fleshly Body Heavenly Pass, but had also progressed far along the Tenth Limit Realm [a legendary stage of physical cultivation].

Lila and Violet Consort Yan were not far behind them. With the aid of treasures like the Seven-Colored Immortal Pearl and the Soul Nourishing Wood, along with other Rare Spiritual Wonders, they too had broken through two Heavenly Pass.

Beyond these Ancient Immortal [immortals who have survived for eons], the thirty-some Celestial Immortal Great Power of the Chen Immortal Clan were a mixed lot. Some had achieved the Dao earlier, their cultivation already reaching the Late Celestial Immortal Realm. Others, having attained the Dao more recently, remained at the first level of Celestial Immortal.

Of course, their generally lower cultivation was primarily due to differing degrees of resource allocation. Close kin like Energy Abyss Chen, who had been supported by Eldrin Chen throughout their journey, naturally lacked for nothing.

However, for many of the more distant clan juniors, Eldrin Chen would not shoulder the entire burden of their advancement. The story continues at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.