Chapter 1866 : Forging the Primordial Path

Reflecting on the current depth and strength of the Chen Immortal Clan, Eldrin Chen turned his gaze towards Kael Chen, a wave of emotion stirring within his heart.

Kael Chen had returned not long ago. His perseverance and temperament were unparalleled within the Chen Immortal Clan. Eons ago, he had already laid the initial groundwork for the Three Path Fruits of Buddhism, Dao and Demonic Paths [the ultimate fruits of cultivation representing the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic paths]. Later, amidst a Path Tribulation [a profound trial related to one's cultivation path], he forged the supreme physique known as the Myriad Worlds Unification Body [a body capable of unifying the power of countless realms].

Thereafter, to mend the flaws in his Path Principles [the fundamental laws and concepts of one's chosen cultivation path], Kael Chen ventured ceaselessly into the Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse beyond ordered realms], roaming within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains. He personally witnessed three Great Tribulations [epochal calamities that reshape the cosmos] during his journeys.

Over those three million years, he studied the strengths of a hundred schools of thought. Ultimately, he comprehended the Path Principles of the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic traditions. Fusing these three distinct Great Paths [supreme cultivation methodologies], he created the 'Path of Primordial Return' [a cultivation art that unifies divergent paths back to their primordial source], achieving the Twelve Tribulations Forbidden Foundation [a legendary and immensely powerful foundation stage, tempered by twelve heavenly tribulations].

After forging this unique path, Kael Chen continued to explore the Chaos for many years, where he encountered a staggering Opportunity and Fortune [a rare chance encounter with great potential benefits].

That Opportunity and Fortune was the legacy of a Daoist Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] from the Primordial Era [the mythic age at the dawn of creation]. While it contained no Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the chaos of creation, possessing innate laws], it held the complete inheritance and nearly half the remaining possessions of that Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

With this Opportunity and Fortune, Kael Chen entered secluded cultivation for several million years. Finally, not long ago, he successfully ascended to the Ancient Immortal Realm [a venerable and powerful stage of immortal cultivation].

However, because Kael Chen had not used the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a legendary vase said to contain the primordial energies of creation] to evolve into an Innate Ancient Tree [a primordial plant spirit of immense power], his breakthrough to Celestial Immortal [a high rank among immortals] was delayed by three million years. Consequently, his cultivation base still fell somewhat short. He had only achieved a single Great Encompassing Foundation [a specific, powerful type of cultivation foundation], merely breaking through the Great Path Heavenly Pass [a significant bottleneck on the path of cultivation].

Of course, even as a mere First Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived their first heavenly tribulation], given Kael Chen's profound foundation, his combat prowess remained astonishing. According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, even an ordinary Triple Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived three heavenly tribulations] might not be his match.

Yet this was not the most crucial point. Eldrin Chen believed that with Kael Chen's return to the clan, aided by treasures like the Seven-colored Immortal Pearl and the Soul Nourishing Wood [a spiritual wood that nourishes and strengthens the soul], along with other Rare Spiritual Wonders, his cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds during the coming Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal]. For uninterrupted reading, go to audio . novel . com.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a faint smile. He then swept his gaze over the assembled group and declared, "Our Chen Clan now boasts sixteen Ancient Immortal Great Power [cultivators who have attained the Ancient Immortal realm and possess formidable strength]. Such power is likely unparalleled within the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

"It seems our chances of victory in the coming Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking cycle of destruction and renewal] have increased by another measure."

Upon hearing his words, everyone present broke into expressions of profound satisfaction.

Seated cross-legged to the side, Energy Abyss Chen observed this and spoke up, "With the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking cycle of destruction and renewal] little more than a thousand years away, let us first discuss the current state of our Chen Clan's preparations."

"Agreed."

Below, Lior Chen, who oversaw the clan's administrative affairs, proceeded to distribute a ledger to each person.

Eldrin Chen opened the ledger and glanced at its contents. His eyes gleamed with a sudden light, and a smile touched his lips once more.

The ledger detailed the current foundational strength of the Chen Immortal Clan. It included their holdings of Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land [self-contained pocket realms of immense spiritual richness], Spirit Mountains and Spiritual Fields [geographical features saturated with spiritual energy], the number of Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality through cultivation], as well as resources such as war vessels, Immortal Treasure [powerful enchanted artifacts used by Immortals], Immortal Source [a concentrated source of pure immortal energy], and other vital supplies.

At that moment, Lior Chen began his report. "For this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic, world-shaking cycle of destruction and renewal], we have been preparing for over five hundred thousand years."

"To date, we possess Nine Great Grotto-Heavens and three hundred sixty-seven Blessed Land [realms of exceptional spiritual fortune]. Across these, we have deployed millions of Formation [complex arrays that channel energy for defense or attack] at or above the Immortal rank. The core of this grand defensive network is composed of three hundred sixty-five Innate Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword."

"Relying on the Cosmic Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation [a legendary sword formation of immense defensive power], even a Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] would find it exceedingly difficult to breach the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain [the celestial territory under our control]. It can be said that the security of our rear is more than adequately assured."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen nodded thoughtfully and inquired, "What about the reserves of Immortal Source Spirit Stones [spirit stones of the highest purity, containing the very essence of immortal energy]?"

"We have stockpiled twenty-three trillion Immortal Source [the refined essence of immortal energy, used for high-level cultivation and formations], and ordinary spirit stones are beyond count—enough to sustain a high-intensity war for several hundred thousand years."

Lior Chen was intimately familiar with the inventory of supplies, recounting these resources as if listing treasures from his own palm.

Continuing, he added, "For our offensive capabilities, we have also amassed a vast arsenal. This includes over three thousand Ninth Rank Talisman [talismans of the ninth and highest rank, capable of unleashing devastating power], each possessing the might to grievously wound a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a supreme expert who has ascended to the celestial immortal realm]."

"Furthermore, we have several dozen Ninth Rank [the pinnacle rank for artifacts and cultivators] Primordial Unity Ancient Ship [ancient flying vessels forged with primordial unity techniques], thirty sets of Ninth Rank High-Grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation [high-grade versions of the legendary sword formation], and nine sets of the large-scale Supreme-Grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation [the ultimate grade of the legendary sword formation, offering unparalleled power]."

At this point, Lior Chen paused briefly before saying, "To fund the acquisition of Immortal Source and other materials, I sold three sets of the small-scale Supreme-Grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, understanding nod.

Among all these resources, the most precious were undoubtedly the various Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation.

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had cultivated a significant number of these formations. Based on the quantity of Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation components, he had classified the Sword Formation [a coordinated array of flying swords that acts as a single powerful weapon] into seven tiers: Micro, Small, Large, Celestial Guard, Limitless [representing a boundless, immeasurable state], Minor Cosmic Cycle, and Major Cosmic Cycle.

Among these, formations with fewer than nine swords are classified as Micro-Scale, those with twelve swords constitute a Small-Scale Sword Formation, twenty-four swords form a Large-Scale Sword Formation, thirty-six swords can be arranged into the Heavenly Dipper Sword Formation, seventy-two swords can form a Limitless Sword Formation, one hundred and eight swords qualify as a Minor Cosmic Cycle, while a Grand Cosmic Cycle requires three hundred and sixty-five swords to be fully established.

Generally speaking, if a formation uses supreme-grade Innate Ancient Sword as its foundation, the power of a Micro-Scale Sword Formation is sufficient to sweep through the early stages of the Ancient Immortal [a cultivator who has transcended mortality and attained immense age and power] realm.

The power of a Small-Scale Sword Formation undergoes a qualitative leap, capable of suppressing the vast majority of mid-stage Ancient Immortal. A Large-Scale Sword Formation then allows one to rival a Six Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived six heavenly tribulations].

The power of formations beyond this level, such as the Heavenly Dipper Sword Formation, is truly immense, yet they are difficult to activate without sufficient cultivation base and profound mastery of Formation [the art of arranging energy patterns for defense, attack, or other effects] arts.

The Supreme-Grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation sets that Lior Chen has been selling these years are all Small-Scale sets of twelve swords each.

However, each individual Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword is a supreme-grade Innate Ancient Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact born from the world's primal energies] refined with Innate Energy [the primordial, foundational energy of creation]. Any Ancient Immortal Great Power [a formidable figure among Ancient Immortals] who obtains a full set would be powerful enough to contend with a Five Tribulations Ancient Immortal. Visit site: audio-novel.com to enjoy the complete series.

And this is based on the standard of an early-stage Ancient Immortal. If activated by a high-tribulation Ancient Immortal at the mid-stage or beyond, its power would be significantly greater.

Such a Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation set starts at a value of at least several thousand strands of Innate Energy. In recent years, Lior Chen has sold merely three sets, yet managed to purchase several tens of trillions of Immortal Source [a highly concentrated source of immortal energy] and vast quantities of other materials.

"Our supplies, Immortal Source, ancient ships, and reserves are all abundant."

After taking stock, Eldrin Chen spoke: "The thirty sets of Ninth Rank High-Grade Sword Formation shall be distributed to the clan's Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm] for refinement. As for the Supreme-Grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation, every Ancient Immortal present who is capable of refining one should consecrate a set for personal defense."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement.

Although there were sixteen Ancient Immortal present, not all were skilled in Formation arts. A Sword Formation arrayed with twenty-four supreme-grade Innate Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword could not be activated without sufficient mastery of Formation techniques.

Furthermore, both Exquisite Jiang and Verdant Consort possessed a set of Minor Cosmic Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation and a Heavenly Dipper Sword Formation gifted by Eldrin Chen, so the remaining swords were more than sufficient for the others' use.

No one objected to this arrangement. However, Exquisite Jiang spoke up, "The distribution of the supreme-grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword is fine. Yet, refining a high-grade Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation also requires cultivation at the Late Celestial Immortal Realm. I fear our clan does not have enough cultivators at that level."

"If our numbers are insufficient, we can call upon fellow cultivators from the Immortal Alliance,"

At this moment, Ethan Chen mentioned the members of the Immortal Alliance, adding, "I heard that Fellow Daoist Heaven Abyss and Fellow Daoist Violet Mystery recently advanced their cultivation, breaking through to the Late Celestial Immortal Realm."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment. Having Late Celestial Immortal Realm cultivators from the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance refine Sword Formation arrays would be beneficial. Even if they could not join the front lines, they could help garrison the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain, freeing others to pursue the Opportunity and Fortune presented by the Kalpa Tribulation.

With the Primordial Unity Golden Bamboo Sword Formation allocated, the remaining matters were mere details.

They proceeded to finalize the intricate details of the impending Kalpa Tribulation, the discussion lasting a considerable time before the council finally concluded.

After the pre-war council ended, Eldrin Chen convened another meeting, this time with the allies of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

In this council, he and his allies of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance established a covenant. They would assist the Chen Immortal Clan in stabilizing the Returning Abyss Sea Region and, when necessary, aid them in contending for the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity.

As a condition, after the war concluded, they too could be allocated various Opportunity and Fortune based on their military merits.

With all affairs thus settled, Eldrin Chen returned to the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven for secluded cultivation, quietly awaiting the ever-nearing arrival of the Hundred Tribulations Rebirth Opportunity.

"..."

Time flowed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, a thousand years had passed.

Until this day, Eldrin Chen slowly awoke from his secluded cultivation, withdrawing a wisp of his divine sense back into his sea of consciousness.

He observed his own Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. Within that True Spirit Primordial Spirit, inside the True Spirit Aperture radiating with violet-gold light, a Divine Ability [a supreme supernatural power] origin, suffused with the hue of Chaos [the primordial, undifferentiated state before creation], had already been dyed a deep violet-gold by countless True Spirit Imprint.

"It is finally nearing complete fusion."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, sensing the transformation of his Innate Divine Ability, the Primordial One Energy [the foundational, unified energy of creation].

Over these years, he had continuously fused the True Spirit Imprint within his apertures into the Chaos Unity Energy. Now, with the passage of time, the Primordial One Energy had already absorbed countless True Spirit Imprint, lacking only the final thread to achieve success.

Seeing the fusion was on the verge of success, Eldrin Chen hesitated no longer. He immediately activated his Indestructibility Dharmic Power and True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], accelerating the process of merging with the True Spirit Imprint.

"BOOM—"

In the blink of an eye, with a thunderous roar, Eldrin Chen felt his Innate Divine Ability [a divine ability born with one's cultivation base], the Chaos Unity Energy, undergo a profound metamorphosis.

In that instant, the Chaos Unity Energy experienced an ultimate sublimation. It gained an ineffable Indestructibility [the quality of being unbreakable and eternal] spirituality. Not only did it become even more responsive, an extension of his will, but its power underwent a qualitative leap.

This transformation was extraordinary, far beyond the norm. Eldrin Chen even had a sense that with this Divine Ability [a supernatural power derived from cultivation], he could forcibly suppress an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos of heaven and earth], or even shatter the River of Destiny [the metaphysical river governing fate and destiny] to prove his Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the supreme realm of immortality] Dao.

Logically speaking, no matter how powerful the Divine Ability of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations] might be, it should never rival an Innate Spiritual Treasure.

This was almost inconceivable. For beneath the Great Encompassing [the supreme realm of immortality] realm, all are but ants. No matter how mighty an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal becomes, they cannot compare to the supreme Dharmic power of a true Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Even a Patriarch Level Divine Ability [a divine ability of a level mastered by patriarchs], when wielded by an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal, could at most possess one-tenth the potency of the same ability channeled by a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

This was not due to any weakness of the Patriarch Level Divine Ability itself, but because the chasm between cultivation realms was simply too vast. Since time immemorial, no one had ever been able to use the cultivation of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal to rebel against and slay a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

Yet, at this moment, Eldrin Chen was filled with confidence. He believed his Chaos Unity Energy could clash head-on with an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and he was even certain he could completely suppress one.

This was an indescribable, ultimate divine power, one that transcended the bottleneck between the Ancient Immortal realm and the Great Encompassing Realm [the supreme cultivation realm beyond the Ancient Immortal stage].

Of course, Eldrin Chen also understood that he was still far from qualified to challenge a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the Great Encompassing Realm]; the gap remained vast and insurmountable.

To truly contend with a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, relying solely on a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a spiritual core refined to its ultimate, true spirit form] and True Spirit Divine Ability [supreme techniques born from a True Spirit foundation] was far from sufficient. This was because all Great Encompassing Golden Immortal had achieved their Dao by shattering the Nine Heavenly Passes [the nine supreme heavenly barriers one must overcome to reach the pinnacle].

A True Spirit Foundation [a cultivation foundation perfected to its ultimate, true spirit state] could at most rival a single foundational aspect of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal. Unless Eldrin Chen simultaneously cultivated his physical body, mana, Primordial Spirit [the core spiritual essence of a cultivator], Great Path [the supreme Dao or cultivation method one follows], Path Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's cultivated Path], and all other foundational aspects to the True Spirit Realm [the ultimate state of perfection for a cultivator's foundation], he would only barely possess the strength to put up a fight.

"'All beneath the Great Encompassing are but ants.' I dare not claim to rival a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal yet, but I should now rank among the very pinnacle of Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals who have survived eight heavenly tribulations], should I not?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, a faint, satisfied smile gracing his lips.

Since ancient times, cultivating a single True Spirit Foundation was enough to sweep through the Eight Tribulations Realm [the realm of Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortals] with few worthy opponents. He, having achieved two such True Spirit Foundation, would undoubtedly possess power of a far more terrifying magnitude.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen drew a slow, deep breath, gathering his scattered thoughts. He then stepped out from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep meditation and cultivation].

In that moment, Eldrin Chen swept his gaze across the eight directions, surveying the boundless expanse of the Immortal Domain [a vast realm inhabited by immortals]. He observed the roiling waves of tribulation energy [the ominous energy preceding a heavenly calamity] filling the heavens and earth, and within him arose a pride that was difficult to put into words.

"Now it seems," he mused, "that the once seemingly boundless, majestic, and infinite Vast Azure Immortal Domain is, after all, not so incomprehensibly vast."

"Xuanheng Ancient Demon [a primordial demon of immense age and power], Myriad Ghosts Patriarch [a patriarch who commands legions of spectral beings], ha!"

"……"

The Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] draws near, and the baleful Fiendish Energy [a malevolent and chaotic form of spiritual energy that heralds calamity] of heaven and earth grows ever more turbulent throughout the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

All living beings within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain feel an inexplicable dread and unease, a profound sense of impending doom.

Only Immortal [beings who have transcended mortality] of the Ascendant Immortal Realm [the foundational realm of true immortality] and above can perceive the boundless Fiendish Energy swirling between heaven and earth. Yet, knowing the truth offers them no solace or solution; they can only watch helplessly as the Tribulation [a great calamity or trial, often divinely ordained] descends upon all life.

Faced with such a boundless Tribulation, even the Heavenly Path of the Immortal Domain [the supreme governing authority of the immortal realms] can no longer afford to stand on ceremony regarding the dignity of Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to a higher celestial state]. Even Ancient Immortal Great Power [venerable and immensely powerful immortals from ancient times] find themselves swept into the maelstrom against their will.

Only those lofty Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [primordial sects of unfathomable power and heritage], only those supremely majestic Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [golden immortals who have attained the pinnacle of enlightenment and power], can gaze down upon the Mortal Dust [the mortal world, the realm of dust and suffering] from their exalted heights, or engage in grand games of strategy with formidable rivals.

All beings who have fallen into this Tribulation are but pieces on the board. Some among them are gripped by fear, while others are inexplicably exhilarated.

They fear falling into the calamity of Reincarnation [the endless cycle of death and rebirth]. Yet they are excited because this Tribulation is also an Opportunity and Fortune [a rare chance for great advancement and destiny]. Whether one can seize control of their own Destiny [the predetermined course of one's fate and fortune] and become a player who overlooks the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and heavens of existence]—perhaps it all hinges upon this very Kalpa Tribulation.

"Boom! Rumble!"

On this very day, from the boundless Depths of Chaos [the primordial void beyond ordered reality], a voice of supreme and majestic authority resonated forth.

"The Kalpa Tribulation [the great cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] approaches, and heroes shall rise together."

"From this day forth, for one million years, the mighty ones of the Three Great Heavenly Courts [the three supreme celestial administrations], the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races [the hundred races blessed with immortal spirit], the Three Thousand Ancient Sects [the three thousand venerable cultivation sects], and all powers above the Great Encompassing [the Da Luo realm, a pinnacle of cultivation] shall seal their mountains and not emerge."

"Whether you ascend to the heavens as a soaring dragon or have your soul severed in the Netherworld [the underworld, realm of the dead], depends entirely on your own methods and Creation [the profound fortune and destiny inherent to one's path]."

Eldrin Chen lifted his head, listening quietly to this proclamation, a faint smile touching his eyes. "Soar as a dragon, or be severed in the Netherworld."

"The Kalpa Tribulation, I have arrived!"

Simultaneously, across the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the three thousand realms where immortals dwell], within countless Immortal Domain [realms governed by immortal powers], Tribulation [the aura and power of heavenly tribulation] surged and roiled. One earth-shattering battle after another began to erupt.

Within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [the Immortal Domain of Boundless Azure], terrifying auras, one after another, stirred from their slumber and began to awaken.

Even more fearsome was that at the very core of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, a supreme presence was slowly, inexorably, reviving and returning from within the River of Space-Time [the metaphysical flow that encompasses all of time and space].

"It is Great God Vast Azure, beginning his revival."

Eldrin Chen gazed towards the direction of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain and the Central region, his expression growing somber as he spoke.

At that very moment, Exquisite Jiang appeared by his side. Following his gaze towards the location of Vast Azure's rebirth, a slight frown creased her brow. "It will still take some time for Great God Vast Azure to fully revive," she said.

"To accelerate this process would require the fall of a great many Immortals." Continue your cultivation journey at audio-novel dot com.