Chapter 1931 : The Indestructible Foundations of Ascension

It was a pity that Ethan Chen possessed only a single True Spirit Foundation [the foundational spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their potential and talent]. Consequently, he obtained only twelve strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial and unbreakable spiritual radiance, a rare treasure for cultivation].

Regarding these strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light, Ethan Chen first stored away two of them. He then fused five strands into the Five Extremities Celestial Pillars [a grand formation representing the five cardinal directions and cosmic extremities], two strands into his physical body and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and the remaining three Dao Principles [fundamental laws of the universe] into his Life and Death Great Dao [the supreme Dao path governing the cycles of life and death].

Not long after Ethan Chen's breakthrough, Ao Hong, the Blazing Phoenix, and the Ancient Ice Phoenix successively attempted to prove their Dao and ascend to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm of profound power and longevity].

Among the three, Ao Hong had reforged himself within the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of creation and rebirth] to attain the Seven Indestructible Foundations [a legendary state of having seven unbreakable spiritual foundations]. Having also fused with the Primordial Chaos Indestructible Foundation [an art for forging an indestructible foundation from primordial chaos], and with his innate origin as a Chaotic Fiendgod [a primordial being born from chaos], his breakthrough to Grand Luo Golden Immortal was as natural as water flowing downhill.

The Blazing Phoenix and the Ancient Ice Phoenix, having accumulated profound insights through this Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic calamity or trial of fate], each refined two strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light. They cultivated the Great Luo Body [the physical form of a Grand Luo Immortal] and comprehended their respective Primordial Great Dao [fundamental, ancient Dao paths]. In the end, they shattered the Destiny Heavenly Pass [a celestial barrier of fate] and successfully ascended to the Realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal.

However, by comparison, Ao Hong, having achieved the Seven Indestructible Foundations, was by no means weak among early-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

The Blazing Phoenix and Ancient Ice Phoenix, lacking such a profound Opportunity [a rare chance or fortune in cultivation], fell slightly short in combat prowess. Among early-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal, they could only be considered of ordinary strength.

Thus, the Chen Immortal Clan gained five new Grand Luo Golden Immortal: Verdant Consort, Yvonne the Violet Consort, Lila, Ethan Chen, and Ao Hong.

If one includes the two guest elders, the Blazing Phoenix and the Ancient Ice Phoenix, then this Kalpa Tribulation could be said to have ushered in seven newly ascended Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

Among the seven, Verdant Consort possessed extraordinary depth and foundation. The moment she broke through, her combat power was astonishing, her overall strength already comparable to that of a Sixth Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Having cultivated the three great True Spirit Foundation, both Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lila could now be considered extraordinarily powerful, possessing strength that surpassed the third level of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal. They could be deemed half-step Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal.

This was still because the two women placed greater emphasis on auxiliary abilities. If one were to consider only their supportive divine abilities and techniques, their power was sufficient to rival that of a true Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Ethan Chen also possessed combat power at the half-step Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal level. Furthermore, as one skilled in the Slaughter Dao, his prowess in direct combat was even slightly greater than that of Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lila. His Slaughter techniques were potent enough to pose a genuine threat to a Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Returning to the main thread, after everyone had successively broken through to Grand Luo Golden Immortal, the calamitous aura of this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of fate and destruction] gradually dissipated, and the tribulation itself came to an end.

Eldrin Chen emerged from his secluded cultivation at the first opportunity. After casting a glance over the assembled group, he nodded with satisfaction and declared, "Excellent. You have not disappointed me."

"This Kalpa Tribulation has entangled us with a measure of karmic cause and effect."

At that moment, Verdant Consort informed Eldrin Chen about the two women having obtained the legacy of an Immortal Sage during this tribulation.

After listening, Eldrin Chen merely smiled and said, "Do not trouble yourselves over karma. The Great Dao Contention [the ultimate struggle for supremacy over the fundamental principles of existence] permits only advancement, not retreat. As long as we still aspire to reach higher realms, we are destined to become entangled in cause and effect."

"Moreover, even if we sought to avoid such entanglements, do you truly believe that when the Eruption Chaos Great War [the prophesied cataclysmic war that will engulf all of creation] arrives and the deluge of calamity descends, you and I would truly be able to remain aloof?"

Hearing his words, everyone nodded in agreement, a faint smile appearing on their faces.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "You have just made your breakthrough. Go into seclusion to rest and consolidate your gains. I shall go and deploy the Chaos Seven Stars Grand Formation."

With these words, Eldrin Chen arrived within the Chaos [the primordial, formless void from which all things originate] and began to set up Formation [powerful arrays or magical barriers] for the four newly established Immortal Domain [realms of immortal beings, pockets of order within the Chaos].

This time, after the four—Verdant Consort, Yvonne the Violet Consort, Lila, and Ethan Chen—had undergone their Ascension [the process of transcending mortality to become an immortal] and established their Immortal Domain, they positioned their domains outside the original three major Immortal Domain, forming a single, interconnected Chaos Seven Stars Domain [a grand formation shaped like the seven stars of the Big Dipper, anchored in the Chaos].

This had been agreed upon long in advance. Now, seeing the four Immortal Domain fall into place, Eldrin Chen immediately used the seven great Immortal Domain as foundations to deploy a Chaos Seven Stars Grand Formation [the ultimate defensive array linking the seven immortal domains].

Once the grand formation was successfully established, Eldrin Chen let out a slight sigh of relief.

This Chaos Seven Stars Grand Formation could converge the power of all seven Immortal Domain, granting it a defensive capability that could be described as supremely formidable.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, even an existence at the eighth level of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme realm of immortal cultivation] would find it exceedingly difficult to breach this Chaos Grand Formation.

It could be said that with this Formation in place, the security of the Abyssal Immortal Domain had been elevated by at least one or two tiers.

After dealing with the Formation, Eldrin Chen returned to the Abyssal Immortal Domain and sought out Xianqing Chen without delay. He then inquired, "During this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes eras], you did not prove your Grand Luo [the Grand Luo Dao, the supreme path of cultivation]. Was there some issue?"

"This child feels his path has not yet reached its end," Xianqing Chen replied. "I intend to accumulate more years of cultivation and experience."

Xianqing Chen spoke, a trace of solemnity flickering deep within his pupils.

Eldrin Chen nodded, then said, "It seems you have gained some insight. Since you have made your decision, proceed according to the thoughts in your heart."

As the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial] concluded, Verdant Consort and the others gradually consolidated their cultivation bases.

After everyone emerged from seclusion, Eldrin Chen gathered them together. Looking upon the assembled members of the Chen Immortal Clan, he could not help but reveal a faint smile.

At present, the Chen Immortal Clan boasted seven Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] from its own lineage: Eldrin Chen, Lyra Jiang, Nyssa Qu, Verdant Consort, Yvonne the Violet Consort, Lila, and Ethan Chen.

Adding in those bound by Great Dao Contract [a sacred and unbreakable oath sworn upon the Great Dao, the fundamental principle of existence] like Lulu and Ao Hong, who were considered one of their own, the Chen Immortal Clan possessed a total of nine Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

The three Chaotic Fiendgod [primordial beings of chaos and immense power]—Blazing Phoenix, Ancient Ice Phoenix, and Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix—were merely cooperative allies, holding at most the status of guest elders with minimal binding obligations, and thus were not counted among this number.

Even so, a single clan possessing nine Grand Luo Golden Immortal was already an achievement far beyond the ordinary.

If the Chen Immortal Clan were to be listed separately and ranked among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races [a prestigious ranking of the one hundred most powerful immortal bloodlines and clans], it would likely be sufficient to place within the top fifty.

Of course, this ranking was based solely on the number of Grand Luo Golden Immortal. If calculated according to true combat strength, the Chen Immortal Clan could not yet be listed within the top fifty of the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races.

Though named the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, their number far exceeds a mere hundred. Those ranked within the top hundred of the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races all have beings at the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal realm presiding over their fortunes and destiny.

Consider this: the Seven Radiance Immortal Domain possesses a cultivator at the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection realm, yet within the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, they are merely placed in the lower tiers.

Through the accumulation of vast eons, the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races across the Three Thousand Immortal Domains have never lacked powerful Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Those at the Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal and Late Great Luo Golden Immortal realms are not uncommon either.

However, it is exceedingly rare for a single race to boast more than ten Grand Luo cultivators.

The fundamental reason lies in the immense resources required for a Grand Luo Golden Immortal to progress in their cultivation.

The resources consumed to nurture a single Late Great Luo Golden Immortal are sufficient to facilitate the Ascension [the critical breakthrough to a higher realm] of over ten Grand Luo Golden Immortal in their initial stages.

Yet, one Late Great Luo Golden Immortal can contend with over ten of the weakest early-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal, and could even defeat them one by one.

Of course, the most crucial point is that nurturing an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal carries a significant cost, while the probability of success is only one in several dozen.

Many Grand Luo Golden Immortal have successively fostered over a hundred Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal, yet in the end, not a single one succeeded in proving their Dao and attaining the Grand Luo realm. This illustrates the immense risk involved in such endeavors.

It is precisely for this reason that the Grand Luo Golden Immortal of various races typically concentrate their resources on their own cultivation.

The Chen Immortal Clan [an immortal family clan] could produce nine Grand Luo Golden Immortals [supreme immortals of the Grand Luo realm], a feat that hinged primarily on Eldrin Chen's unstinting cultivation efforts, supplemented by world-shaking Opportunities [rare chances for advancement] such as the Chaos Azure Lotus Seed [a primordial seed of chaos], the Chaos Primordial Qi [the foundational chaotic energy of creation], and the Creation Cauldron [a legendary artifact of genesis].

These Opportunities elevated the clan members' hopes of attaining the Grand Luo [the Grand Luo immortal realm] by several dozenfold. Coupled with their own solid foundations, which virtually eliminated the risk of failure, this confluence of factors forged the miracle of a single clan producing nine Grand Luo consecutively within the span of three Kalpa Tribulations [cosmic cycles of destruction and renewal].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath and then said with a smile, "You have all performed admirably."

"Now, our Chen Immortal Clan boasts nine Grand Luo within a single family. Henceforth, within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the myriad realms of the immortals], we shall no longer be considered a weak Grand Luo Immortal Clan."

Hearing his words, smiles graced the faces of all present.

Seeing this, Nyssa Qu inquired, "Now that our Chen Immortal Clan has nine Grand Luo Golden Immortals, our future cultivation resources will inevitably fall short. We must seek additional resources from beyond our borders."

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang also nodded in agreement. "With our current strength, we possess the capability to initiate a Chaos Great War [a major conflict within the primordial chaos] of a certain scale."

"Let us not be hasty in this matter,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and then spoke. "You have only just broken through to the Grand Luo realm and still have significant room for growth. First, adapt to the power of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal. After the Great Luo Immortal Banquet [a grand feast for the Grand Luo immortals] concludes, we shall then make plans regarding the affairs of the Kalpa Tribulation."

Upon hearing his words, everyone nodded slightly, their expressions once again touched by smiles.

With matters settled thus, the assembly dispersed. Before his departure, Ethan Chen presented Eldrin Chen with two strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable essence of spiritual light], repaying the two strands Eldrin Chen had bestowed upon him in years past.

Verdant Consort also remained. She handed all eighteen strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable essence of spiritual light] to Eldrin Chen and said with a smile, "These strands are of little use to me, but I trust they can help resolve the clan's most pressing needs."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then replied with a smile, "With these strands of Imperishable light, we can procure some crucial cultivation resources."

Not long after, the Immortal Court [the celestial governing body of the immortal realms] convened another Great Luo Immortal Banquet [a grand celestial feast for Great Luo Golden Immortals].

The convening of this Great Luo Immortal Banquet was truly startling to many, as the Chen Immortal Clan once again produced several new Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation].

After all, within the brief span of three Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration and tribulation], the Chen Immortal Clan had produced nine Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Such a feat was exceedingly rare even across the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

However, upon realizing it was the Chen Immortal Clan, expressions of understanding dawned on their faces.

After all, Lunar Emperor Lord had once been a peerless powerhouse at the Half-Step Divine Emperor [a realm just below the Divine Emperor]. It was highly plausible he had left behind astonishing Opportunity [a chance encounter or resource that advances cultivation] and contingencies. Furthermore, with the patronage of two Divine Emperor [supreme rulers among deities] and two Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [progenitors of the Dao and immortal sages], nurturing nine Grand Luo Golden Immortal seemed almost expected.

With this understanding, the various Grand Luo Golden Immortal took no further action, allowing this Great Luo Immortal Banquet to proceed in an orderly fashion.

Once all concluded, Eldrin Chen led the group as they returned to the Abyssal Immortal Domain, commencing the final preparations for launching the Chaos Great War [a cataclysmic conflict within the primordial chaos].

He meticulously examined the various congratulatory gifts, finding them all rather commonplace this time. None were treasures that could truly stir the heart of a cultivator in the middle or late stages of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortality, representing the zenith of power before transcending mortality].

He stowed these treasures away simply, selecting several sets of One to Four Aperture Divine Stones [rare ores containing one to four natural spiritual apertures, used to enhance spiritual treasures]. These he distributed to Verdant Consort and the others, for them to integrate into their True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the ultimate spiritual core of a high-level immortal, a perfected and solidified form of the soul].

He then chose several portions of exceedingly rare Great Luo Rare Treasure [extraordinarily precious materials found only in the highest realms, used for crafting supreme treasures or cultivation]. These would serve as the uncommon medicinal catalysts for the members of the Chen Immortal Clan to cultivate their Great Luo Divine Ability [divine arts and supernatural powers attainable at the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm].

Having broken through to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm this time, three individuals—Verdant Consort, Yvonne the Violet Consort, and Lila—had all successfully forged their True Spirit Primordial Spirit. This allowed them to cultivate five more True Spirit Divine Ability [divine arts specifically designed to be powered by and synergize with a True Spirit Primordial Spirit].

Eldrin Chen planned for them to first cultivate two abilities to enhance their combat prowess, leaving the remaining choices for a later date.

After a period of careful deliberation and selection, the three quickly reached their decisions.

Given Verdant Consort's formidable combat strength, she chose to cultivate the battle-enhancing 'Yin-Yang Azure Lotus Sword Malignancy' [a divine sword art that harnesses the opposing yet complementary forces of Yin and Yang], along with the Forbidden Divine Ability [a category of immensely powerful but potentially dangerous or taxing divine arts] known as 'Ultimate Sublimation' [a technique that forces a temporary, explosive transcendence of one's current limits].

The former of these two divine abilities could amplify the power of the Crimson Azure Twin Dragon Swords [a pair of legendary swords, one crimson and one azure, imbued with draconic power], while the latter could multiply Verdant Consort's combat prowess severalfold. Both were embryonic forms of Eleventh Limit [a theoretical realm beyond the established ten limits, representing ultimate perfection] Primordial Chaos Grade Divine Ability [divine arts of the highest conceivable order, drawing power from the primordial chaos that preceded creation]. Their potency far surpassed that of ordinary Great Luo Divine Ability.

Yvonne the Violet Consort, aligning her choice with her Innate Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a magical treasure born with or intrinsically bound to a cultivator's soul, growing in power with them]—the 'Net of the Purple Heavenly Flames' [a net-like treasure that conjures and controls divine purple flames from the heavens]—cultivated two Primordial Chaos Grade Divine Ability: 'Dutian Violet Flame Divine Thunder' [a divine thunder art that rains down violet heavenly fire] and 'Luotian Sealing Realm Dao' [a sealing art of profound law that can isolate and lock down a region of space].

Both these divine abilities were legacies inherited from Immortal Flame Celestial Emperor. The former excelled at area-of-effect attacks, capable of multiplying the destructive power of the violet flame divine thunder unleashed by the Net of the Purple Heavenly Flames, thus compensating for Yvonne the Violet Consort's relative shortcomings in offensive might.

The latter is a spatial attribute divine ability [a supernatural power derived from the laws of space], further enhancing the sealing and confinement effects of the Net of the Purple Heavenly Flames.

If both of these divine abilities are simultaneously empowered upon the 'Net of the Purple Heavenly Flames', its ability to trap and seal enemies will undoubtedly be greatly elevated.

Lila has also cultivated two Primordial Chaos Grade Divine Ability, namely the Forbidden Divine Ability 'Frost Soul Ascension Dao' and 'Eternal Glacier'.

These two divine abilities are also secret transmissions from the Frost Soul Immortal Sage. The former can multiply the power of all ice-attribute divine abilities she cultivates.

The latter can manifest an Eternal Glacier to seal the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. Wherever it passes, it freezes all things, even halting the operation of fundamental laws and the Great Dao [the fundamental principle or path of the universe] from their very foundations.

If, before this, Lila and Yvonne the Violet Consort possessed combat power merely at the fourth level of the Half-Step Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm], then after mastering these two divine abilities, their strength has undergone another qualitative leap.

Now, both of them have reached combat power at the fourth level of a true Grand Luo Golden Immortal, and in their areas of expertise, they can even rival those at the seventh level.

Besides these three, Eldrin Chen specifically procured a Five-Aperture Divine Stone for Ethan Chen.

With the aid of this Five-Aperture Divine Stone, Ethan Chen opened his fifth Primordial Soul Apertures [mystical gateways within the soul's foundation], thereby cultivating a Slaughter divine ability called 'Yin-Yang Life and Death Slash'.

This is a pure Slaughter Forbidden Divine Ability. When driven by the Yin-Yang Life and Death Twin Swords and the True Spirit Life and Death Great Dao, Ethan Chen's ultimate sword strike possesses power that could potentially slay a Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal.

However, the might of such a divine ability was far too immense. With Ethan Chen's current level of cultivation, he could only unleash it once per Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal].

"It is nearly time."

By the time everyone had successfully cultivated their Innate Divine Abilities [innate supernatural powers granted by one's bloodline or profound enlightenment], more than three million years had passed since the Kalpa Tribulation began.

On this day, Eldrin Chen slowly exhaled a breath as he emerged from secluded cultivation, having completed another breakthrough in his cultivation base.

More than two hundred million years had flowed by since the Kalpa Tribulation commenced. Finally, Eldrin Chen achieved another breakthrough in his Great Dao cultivation, elevating it to the third level of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation, representing supreme unity with the Dao].

Coupled with his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator] cultivation, which had broken through not long before, Eldrin Chen's Sainthood through the Flesh [a cultivation path focused on forging the physical body to divine perfection], Primordial Spirit Dao Attainment [the realm of cultivating one's Primordial Spirit to merge with the Dao], and Path of Dao Dominion [a supreme cultivation art focused on comprehending and mastering fundamental Daos] had all now reached the third level of Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

Upon stepping into this stage, Eldrin Chen realized that any single one of his three Great Dao paths now possessed power comparable to a fifth-level Grand Luo Golden Immortal.

If he combined the power of all three paths, further augmented by his divine abilities and the Abyssal Seal [a supreme magical treasure embodying the power of the primordial abyss], Eldrin Chen's true combat prowess had undergone a qualitative leap.

By Eldrin Chen's estimation, his strength had now fully entered the domain of a seventh-level Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Even facing the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [a primordial phoenix of supreme power and ancient lineage] at the peak of its power, he would be a match, holding his ground without yielding.

"With this cultivation breakthrough, my power is now beyond compare to what it was before."

"The time has come," he murmured, a cold resolve settling in his bones, "to unleash the Chaos War."

With this thought echoing in the silence of his mind, Eldrin Chen allowed a faint, knowing smile to touch his lips. He then rose, the aura of profound cultivation clinging to him like a second skin, and stepped forth from his secluded meditation chamber.