Chapter 1930 : The Legacy's Binding Vow

"That you were able to obtain this legacy is also a manifestation of your own fortune [a stroke of destiny or good luck]."

Verdant Consort spoke slowly, then shook her head and said, "Yet this legacy carries its own karma [the spiritual principle of cause and effect]. I foresee that it will likely require karmic repayment in the future. Upon returning, I must inform my husband."

Yvonne the Violet Consort nodded upon hearing this. She had received the Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor's Legacy and also obtained the precious contingency measures left behind by Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor, effectively making her a direct disciple of this Celestial Emperor [a supreme ruler among immortals].

And the Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor of old had already perished. If, in the future, the Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor were to revive and return, she could not possibly stand idly by.

The price for her obtaining this Opportunity—the legacy of the Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor—was her promise that when the Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor revived, she would lend a hand if she possessed sufficient capability.

In truth, what she did not know was that the Chaos Divine Emperor Celestial Emperors of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains had once attempted to obtain this legacy, but all abandoned their efforts upon hearing this requirement.

For in the eyes of the Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [supreme beings who have comprehended the fundamental Dao and achieved sagehood], while the Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor's Legacy was excellent, it was not worth paying such an immense price.

After all, the revival of a single Chaos Celestial Emperor would inevitably trigger earth-shattering upheaval. Even if the ineffable being who struck the original blow chose to remain passive, it would certainly provoke a great melee involving multiple Chaos Celestial Emperor.

For no one wished for the return of another powerful Chaos Celestial Emperor within the territories surrounding their own.

It was foreseeable that becoming entangled in such an affair would exact a significant price, even from a Chaos Celestial Emperor.

"It seems that while an Opportunity [a rare chance for advancement or gain in the cultivation world] is desirable, repaying the karmic debt it incurs will likely be no easy task."

Yvonne the Violet Consort let out a soft sigh and shook her head once more.

She harbored no regret for accepting the karmic burden of this legacy. After all, it was most likely her one and only chance to alter her destiny and achieve the Three True Spirit Foundations [a legendary and supremely stable foundation for future cultivation, formed by condensing three distinct spiritual cores].

Seeing this, Verdant Consort also nodded, then turned her gaze to Lila and said, "Since this particular Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [one of the seven primordial landmasses floating in the void, remnants of a shattered immortal realm] holds such a legacy, it stands to reason that the other six Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent likely harbor similar Opportunity [a rare chance for advancement or gain in the cultivation world], does it not?"

"From what I know, the Immortal Cosmos Ancient Continent within the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain [the Primordial Domain of Myriad Gods, a vast and ancient region of the cosmos] was once the Dao-field [the personal cultivation sanctuary and realm] of the 'Frost Soul Immortal Sage'."

Lila's heart trembled, yet after a moment's hesitation, she voiced her concern: "But doing so... would it not invite a karmic debt of heaven-shaking proportions?"

Verdant Consort offered a determined smile, her gaze resolute. "A mountain of debt is no heavier to bear than a single stone. Whether it's one karmic thread to repay or ten, the obligation remains."

"We lack a mighty backer like the Chaos Celestial Emperor, so we must seize every advantage ourselves. This may very well be your only chance to rewrite your fates."

Hearing this, Lila still hesitated. "But... what about my husband's opinion on this?"

"Knowing his character," Verdant Consort countered with a calm, knowing smile, "what choice do you think he would make if he were standing here with us now?"

"I understand," she said.

Lila nodded, comprehension dawning in an instant.

Having walked alongside Eldrin Chen for so many years, she knew his mind all too well.

If an Opportunity lay before him and he possessed the strength to seize it, Eldrin Chen would never shy away from the ensuing karma.

In Eldrin Chen's eyes, risk and reward were always two sides of the same coin. Unless one was backed by a figure like the Chaos Celestial Emperor and lacked for no Opportunity, those who hesitated and dared not venture would forever remain mediocre.

Understanding this, she turned to Verdant Consort and said, "Then we must ask for your aid, sister."

Having decided to explore the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [the ancient continent of immortal ruins] within the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain, the group lingered no longer. They set forth, their steps carrying them toward the Depths of Chaos.

They traversed the boundless Chaos, crossing a distance measured in the endless Void [the formless, primordial emptiness], until they arrived at the periphery of the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain.

Upon reaching the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain, they were surprised to discover that the mainstream cultivation method practiced there was also the path of World Creation [the divine ability to forge a new world] and Ascension [the process of transcending one's current state] to establish an Immortal Domain [a realm forged and governed by an immortal].

However, the primary practitioners in the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain were of the Divine Race [a race of beings who cultivate divinity]. Therefore, the Immortal Domain they opened was referred to as a Divine Domain [a realm forged and governed by a divine being].

Moreover, beyond the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain [the primordial homeland of the divine races], three thousand Divine Domain [realms governed by powerful deities] stand resolute within the Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation], collectively known by the local divine beings as the Three Thousand Divine Domains [the three thousand sovereign realms of the gods].

"This Myriad Gods Primordial Domain, truly lives up to its former reputation as the foremost among the Southern Abyss Seven Celestial Domains [the seven great celestial realms of the Southern Abyss],"

Gazing upon the majestic expanse of the Three Thousand Divine Domains, Verdant Consort could not help but remark with a sigh, "Setting aside the number of Chaos Celestial Emperor [supreme rulers born from Chaos], the foundational strength of the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain may not be inferior to that of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the three thousand realms governed by immortal cultivators]."

The others nodded in agreement. During the Primordial Era [the earliest age of creation], the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain alone had produced five Chaos Divine Emperor [divine sovereigns born from Chaos], a number that even surpassed the Three Thousand Immortal Domains at the time.

Had it not been for the fact that, following the Primordial Era, the Three Thousand Immortal Domains witnessed the birth of four Chaos Celestial Emperor within a mere span of several tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth], they likely would not have possessed the confidence to surpass this divine lineage.

"The Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [an ancient land filled with the remnants of immortal civilization] within this place has already opened. To avoid unforeseen complications, let us enter immediately."

It was at this moment that Verdant Consort suddenly spoke up.

She led the way, plunging deep into the Three Thousand Divine Domains and charging into the heart of the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent. Their path was set directly for the Frost Soul Forbidden Land [a land of eternal ice and sealed souls], the foremost among the ten great forbidden zones of this realm.

This time, they had concealed their true identities. One after another, they Eruption [unleashed with explosive force] into fierce, earth-shaking battles against the myriad gods of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

A series of protracted conflicts unfolded over more than ten engagements. They successively slew nearly one hundred Divine Race [beings of pure divine lineage] who had reached the Eight Tribulation Ancient God [the realm of an Ancient God who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], nearly shattering the entire generation of prodigies from the Divine Race within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

It must be understood that this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] is unlike those of the past. The number of Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortals [immortals who have survived eight great cosmic tribulations] who have entered the tribulation is not particularly high; the total from all Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective realms and worlds governed by immortals] is merely two or three hundred at most.

Nearly one hundred of these Eight Tribulation Ancient Gods [gods who have survived eight great cosmic tribulations] were slain by their group. It could be said that nearly half a generation of heaven-defying talents from the entire Myriad Gods Primordial Domain [the primordial realm and homeland of countless ancient deities] has been extinguished.

According to Verdant Consort's estimation, it is highly likely that this Kalpa Tribulation will see the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain fail to give birth to a single Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortality, representing ultimate freedom and power].

Of course, this was, after all, a Great Dao Contention [the ultimate struggle for supremacy over the fundamental laws of existence], and no one showed any mercy. They fought their way to the heart of the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [a vast, ancient landmass filled with the remnants of fallen immortal civilizations], arriving finally before the Frost Soul Forbidden Land.

The Frost Soul Forbidden Land [a perilous region permeated by soul-numbing frost and profound spiritual danger] was the most terrifying forbidden ground on this Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent, the most perilous location within the entire ancient land. Fortunately, this time they were led personally by Verdant Consort, giving them full confidence in their ability to conquer this forbidden land.

Witness then Verdant Consort taking action herself, leading the assault on the Frost Soul Forbidden Land. After a grueling battle spanning three thousand years, they finally succeeded in seizing control of this forbidden ground.

Upon securing the forbidden land, the group immediately entered to cultivate. They sought to refine the profound mysteries of this immortal sage's Dao field [a place of cultivation imbued with the profound insights and power of a supreme immortal], digesting the profound foundations and Dao Source [the primordial essence and origin of a specific Dao or law] accumulated during the campaign.

This period of secluded cultivation lasted for a full one hundred thousand years.

As the group emerged from seclusion, Verdant Consort observed with delight that nearly every one of them had achieved significant advancement.

Among them, Ethan Chen reaped the greatest harvest. He had already obtained a strand of Primordial Indestructible Spiritual Light [a luminous essence of primordial, unbreakable spiritual power], and within the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of refining and creating essence] had accumulated an astonishingly profound foundation.

He then ventured through the Immortal Flame and Frost Soul forbidden lands, drawing upon their respective Immortal Flame and Frost Soul essences to temper himself. Through this, he grasped the profound mysteries of the Yin-Yang Life and Death and advanced his Life and Death Great Dao to the True Spirit Realm [a profound state where one's spiritual foundation achieves a true, primordial purity].

Having reached this stage, Ethan Chen's power was now a world apart from his former self, bearing a faint but genuine aura of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign ruler born from the primordial chaos, possessing immense and ancient power].

Aside from Ethan Chen, the others had only taken a step or two forward from their existing foundations, none achieving a qualitative breakthrough as profound as cultivating an Indestructible Foundation [an unshakable and eternal cultivation base].

Finally, at the last, Lila emerged from her secluded meditation chamber.

"As expected, she succeeded."

Gazing upon Lila before him, Verdant Consort could not help but murmur inwardly, a complex mix of emotions coloring his expression.

Just as anticipated, Lila had utilized the Frost Soul Forbidden Land to master the True Spirit Great Dao [the Great Dao of achieving a True Spirit foundation]. This accomplishment then triggered the inheritance imprint left by the Frost Soul Immortal Sage.

As the price for receiving this legacy from the Frost Soul Immortal Sage, Lila pledged that when the Sage eventually returned, she would lend her strength to the cause, provided she possessed sufficient power at that time.

It was precisely this vow that granted Lila access to the Frost Soul Immortal Sage's profound teachings, along with the precious legacy the Sage had left behind.

With this inheritance and the Opportunity it presented, Lila succeeded in cultivating both a True Spirit Physique [a physical body refined to a state of primordial spiritual purity] and a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a spiritual core elevated to the True Spirit realm]. Thus, she attained the supreme foundation known as the Three True Spirit Foundations [the unparalleled foundation achieved by perfecting one's body, spirit, and Dao in the True Spirit realm].

At this thought, Lila could not help but sigh and say, "Although I have obtained this Opportunity this time, repaying the karmic debt in the future will likely be a headache."

Verdant Consort smiled lightly before speaking, "Do not worry. An Opportunity such as this may be one of the greatest you will encounter in this lifetime. We are not in a position to be picky."

"Moreover, the day of the Immortal Sage's revival is still far off. Even when it truly arrives, your husband will be standing before you, shielding you from the storm. Your duty is to cultivate diligently."

Hearing this, Lila thought of Eldrin Chen. Across the vast, Kalpa Tribulation-spanning epochs, that peerless figure in snow-white robes had always stood at the forefront, sheltering them from wind and rain. An unprecedented sense of security blossomed within her heart.

In that moment, the feelings of hesitation, unease, and anxiety that had plagued her seemed to melt away.

Suppressing her wandering thoughts, she smiled and said, "You are right. Only by growing stronger can I stand and fight by his side."

Seeing this, Yvonne the Violet Consort turned to survey their surroundings and declared, "Our business here is concluded. There is no need to linger. Let us make our way to the Primordial Chaos Abyss."

"Agreed."

Not long after, the group departed from the Three Thousand Divine Domains and set their course for the Primordial Chaos Abyss.

In truth, given the profound foundations each of them possessed, they could have ceased their endeavors at this very moment and begun their preparations to break through to the Great Luo Realm.

Their purpose for crossing the Primordial Chaos Abyss was not merely for further trials and experience. They also intended to journey through the Northern Abyss Six Celestial Domains and attempt to explore the fragments of the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent that lay within the Northern Abyss.

According to ancient lore, of the seven great fragments into which the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent shattered, three had fallen into the hands of the powers within the Six Domains of the Northern Abyss. These fragments were subsequently used as training grounds for those at the Grand Luo realm.

Thus, the group concealed their true identities, traversed the Primordial Chaos Abyss, and slipped silently into the heart of the Six Domains of the Northern Abyss.

Regrettably, after exploring all three of these Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent fragments, they were astonished to discover that the legacies contained within each had vanished.

"The legacies are gone?"

Upon realizing this, Verdant Consort felt a tremor of profound surprise.

The disappearance of three separate legacies from Chaos Immortal Sage [a supreme cultivator who has attained sagehood within the primordial chaos] likely pointed to a transaction between a Chaos Demon Sovereign [a demonic ruler of immense power born from chaos] and a Chaos Immortal Sage. Alternatively, it could signify that an existence who had cultivated a Sixfold True Spirit Foundation [a foundation for one's spiritual core of unparalleled, near-mythical quality] or higher had claimed these forbidden lands and willingly shouldered the immense karmic consequences of accepting a Chaos legacy.

Regardless of which scenario was true, the hidden truths behind this matter were undoubtedly momentous and far too perilous to investigate lightly.

"Enough. There is no need to dwell on it further."

Verdant Consort shook her head, dismissing the line of thought. In the end, she led the group to seclude themselves within these forbidden lands for a period of quiet cultivation.

However, without the legacy and bestowed blessings of a Chaos Immortal Sage [a supreme cultivator who has transcended the Immortal realm and touched the principles of primordial chaos], these three [sacred cultivation grounds established by Immortal Sages] no longer held world-shaking, earth-shattering opportunities for profound advancement.

As for the others, they either lacked sufficient innate [natural talent for cultivation] and latent potential or had not yet forged their own unique cultivation path, thus not reaching the threshold where such a breakthrough was possible. Relying solely on the Opportunity [a chance encounter or resource that can catalyze a cultivator's advancement] offered by an Immortal Sage Dao-Field was insufficient for them to achieve a True Spirit Foundation [the foundational spiritual core required for the highest echelons of cultivation, representing one's ultimate potential].

After cultivating within these forbidden lands for a period, their foundational strength and accumulated [the depth of one's cultivation base and latent power] saw some improvement. Yet, they consistently found it immensely difficult to shatter that ultimate bottleneck holding them back.

Seeing that time was running short, Verdant Consort then led the group to traverse the Chaos [the primordial, formless void that exists between ordered realms] on their return journey, crossing the Chaos Ancient Path [ancient, perilous routes through the primordial Chaos] to returned to the Southern Abyss Seven Celestial Domains [a cluster of seven major celestial realms in the southern cosmic expanse].

By now, less than one hundred thousand years remained until the conclusion of the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal]. Without a moment's delay, they immediately returned to the Six Heavenly Domains of the Southern Abyss [the six core celestial domains within the Southern Abyss region] and began their respective attempts to break through to the Great Luo Realm [the realm of the Golden Immortals, signifying a state of near-perfection and immortality].

Among them, Verdant Consort was the first to assault the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the perfected state within the Great Luo Realm]. With the profound foundation of a Sevenfold True Spirit Foundation [a True Spirit Foundation of the highest seventh grade, representing near-limitless potential], she initiated her World Creation [the divine ability to create and shape an independent Immortal Domain upon ascension]. In an astonishingly brief span of time, she completed the Ascension [the critical process of transcending one's former realm and establishing a new domain] of her Immortal Domain [a personal, law-governed realm created by a Golden Immortal], successfully opening one hundred and thirty layers of Eighth Heaven [the eighth and penultimate heavenly layer within an Immortal Domain, each layer representing a vast expanse of power and law].

These one hundred and thirty layers of the Eighth Heaven surpassed those of Lyra Jiang by a full six layers, and were second only to the one hundred and forty-four layers achieved by Eldrin Chen. This clearly demonstrated how immensely powerful the foundation of Verdant Consort truly was.

Of course, by comparison, Lyra Jiang possessed greater potential for future growth and adaptation. Although the innate origin of Verdant Consort as a Chaos Azure Lotus [a primordial spiritual lotus born from chaos, representing an exalted and rare origin] was heaven-defying, upon reaching certain lofty heights, even such a supreme origin could impose its own inherent limitations and constraints.

Nevertheless, regardless of such considerations, the current foundation and innate brilliance of Verdant Consort were indeed astonishing.

Having achieved the Dao through her Primordial Chaos Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest order, born from primordial chaos], besides possessing a heaven-defying foundation, she also wielded several Companion Spiritual Treasures [magical treasures that grow and evolve alongside their cultivator master].

They were, respectively, the five treasures: the 'Chaos Azure Lotus Scripture', the 'Chaos Azure Lotus Immortal Robe', the 'Chaos Azure Lotus Platform', the 'Azure Dragon Roiling Sea Sword', and the 'Crimson Dragon Heaven-Scorching Sword'.

Among these five treasures, the first three were all Primordial Chaos Spiritual Treasure Embryo [the nascent, unformed state of a supreme treasure born from primordial chaos], mere rudimentary forms for now. Only through the continuous advancement of Verdant Consort's cultivation would they eventually metamorphose into true Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure forged from the essence of primordial chaos].

The Azure Dragon Roiling Sea Sword and the Crimson Dragon Heaven-Scorching Sword had reincarnated alongside Verdant Consort.

The Azure Dragon Roiling Sea Sword had absorbed the vast, life-giving vitality of the Chaos Azure Lotus [a mythical lotus born from primordial chaos], merging with a single azure lotus leaf to be born. The Crimson Dragon Heaven-Scorching Sword, in turn, absorbed a portion of the deathly aura from the lotus seed, fusing with the shed lotus husk to manifest, imbued with overwhelming Slaughter [a divine power of absolute annihilation] might.

These two treasures were both Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo [the embryonic form of a supreme treasure born from the innate laws of the cosmos]. As Verdant Consort's cultivation ascended, they would ultimately transform into complete Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure born from the innate laws of the cosmos, possessing unparalleled power].

From this breakthrough, Verdant Consort obtained a full twenty-three strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a strand of indestructible spiritual radiance born from the fundamental laws of creation].

She fused five of these strands into the Five Extremities Celestial Pillars [a grand formation array representing the five cardinal extremes of the cosmos], storing the remaining eighteen away.

For a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] to fuse with Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light, the essence was to elevate one's latent potential and foundational nature, raising the ceiling of one's innate aptitude until it rivaled that of a Chaotic Fiendgod [a primordial demon-god born from chaos] or even a Chaos Progenitor God [a progenitor deity born from the primordial chaos at the dawn of creation].

However, Verdant Consort had attained the Dao through a Primordial Chaos Spiritual Root [a spiritual foundation of the highest order, born from primordial chaos]. Her innate aptitude and potential were already at the Chaos Progenitor God level. She would face no significant bottlenecks before breaking through to Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [the realm of a sage who has comprehended the fundamental Dao], and thus had no need to fuse Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light to enhance her aptitude.

In contrast, the reason Nyssa Qu needed to fuse both Chaos Primordial Qi [the primordial energy of chaos] and Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light was that she was not a born Chaos Nine-Colored Clam [a mythical clam demon-beast of chaos manifesting nine colors]. She still required these supreme resources to supplement and complete her own innate aptitude and profound foundation.

Returning to the main narrative, after Verdant Consort achieved her breakthrough, Lila and Yvonne the Violet Consort also advanced further, stepping into the Realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation, representing supreme power and longevity].

However, their foundational potential could not match that of the other two; each only managed to open one hundred and ten Eighth Heaven [a specific, high-level layer within the Great Luo Golden Immortal's internal cosmos] domains, thereby obtaining eighteen strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable essence of spiritual energy].

Of these Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light, five strands were used by each to forge their Five Extremities Celestial Pillars [a foundational formation representing the five cardinal directions and elements]. The remaining thirteen strands were distributed: three were fused into their Great Dao [the fundamental law of existence they follow], three into their physical bodies, and three into their Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. This left each of them with four strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light still in reserve.

Subsequently, Ethan Chen also completed his breakthrough. His latent potential was exceptionally formidable, allowing him to open One Hundred and Eight Heavens [a symbolic number representing a vast and complete internal cosmos] domains.