Chapter 1232 : The Pearl's Primordial Awakening

Not only that, Eldrin Chen discovered that after his divine sense [a cultivator's spiritual perception] had taken hold of the Abyssal Pearl, a profound and wordless communion had blossomed between him and the treasure.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen felt himself becoming something more extraordinary, as if he were an Innate Divine Being [a being born of primordial essence, superior to mortal forms] still in the process of gestation.

The Abyssal Pearl before him was his Innate Companion Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born alongside a being, sharing a profound, intrinsic bond]. As it continued to gestate, it was also infusing him with a subtle stream of Innate Primordial Essence [the foundational, uncreated energy from which all things originate].

Although, due to the feebleness of Eldrin Chen's divine sense, the amount of Innate Primordial Essence being channeled was less than one hundred-millionth of what the Abyssal Pearl contained, for Eldrin Chen it was still a monumental gain.

Eldrin Chen could even sense it now—a wisp of Innate Primordial Essence, infinitesimally faint, had coalesced within his body. He was convinced that as this strand of essence grew and strengthened, it would ultimately be sufficient to assist him in reversing his Postnatal Body [a mortal, created form] and achieving an Innate Body [a primordial, uncreated form].

At his current realm of cultivation, Eldrin Chen's understanding of Innate Primordial Essence remained limited.

However, from what he knew, Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation] were also called Innate Great Power [Primordial Great Powers], for they had already transcended the postnatal state, having achieved either an Innate True Body [a perfected primordial form], cultivated Innate Dao Principles [the fundamental, uncreated laws of the Dao], or even condensed an Innate Dao Fruit [the primordial fruit of one's Dao].

Each of these Heavenly Immortal Paragon was an innate existence that had transcended the Mortal Dust Realm [the realm of mortal affairs and dust]. Their foundation was identical to that of an Innate Divine Spirit [a spirit born of primordial essence], which was precisely what granted them the power to project their influence across the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and dimensions of existence].

For an Earth Immortal Progenitor [an immortal rooted to the earth, a high-level cultivator] seeking to break through to the Celestial Immortal Realm, the most critical step was to transcend the Postnatal Body and reverse it into an Innate Body. Legend spoke of this step as being incomparably arduous.

Now, having received this nourishment from the Abyssal Pearl, a thread of Innate Primordial Qi [the active, vital force of primordial essence] had sprouted within Eldrin Chen. Perhaps, when the time came for him to attempt his breakthrough to Celestial Immortal, one of the greatest obstacles would already be diminished.

"This Abyssal Pearl [a legendary treasure born from the convergence of primordial abyssal energies], has become my Companion Spiritual Treasure [a treasure that grows and evolves in harmony with its master's cultivation path]. Perhaps it is one of the greatest Opportunity [a pivotal chance for advancement or enlightenment] of my entire life."

"Once news of its existence leaks, I fear countless Heavenly Immortal Paragon [supreme beings who have ascended to the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal realm] would come to seize it. With my current strength, protecting it would be utterly impossible."

"It seems the fewer who know of its existence, the better."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, resolving to bury the secret of the Abyssal Pearl deep within his heart. He decided not to speak of it even to Lyra Jiang or Verdant Consort for the time being.

Although Verdant Consort and the others were absolutely trustworthy, an Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the cosmos itself, inherently containing profound Dao principles] that embodies the Great Dao within it was simply too precious. Merely speaking of it might allow certain supreme Heavenly Immortal Paragon to deduce its presence through their profound divination arts.

Informing Lyra Jiang and the others might, in fact, bring calamity upon them.

With this thought settled, Eldrin Chen did not linger within that space. He then returned to the world outside.

Back at the edge of the Immortal Spring [a spring of water imbued with potent immortal spiritual energy], Eldrin Chen cast a final glance towards the spatial anomaly within the spring's depths. He considered laying down additional sealing formations but hesitated and ultimately abandoned the idea.

The area surrounding this Immortal Spring was already his personal cultivation sanctuary, long ago protected by an Immortal Rank Formation [a formation array of immortal-grade power]. Aside from Eldrin Chen and his consorts, no outsider could even approach the Immortal Spring.

Furthermore, the spring's waters were naturally veiled by Void Dao Principles [the profound laws governing emptiness and spatiality]. Even an Earth Immortal Progenitor [an ancient progenitor who has mastered the power of earthly immortal realms], one who wielded the Power of Rules [the authority to command fundamental cosmic laws], would need to observe with meticulous care to detect any trace of what lay hidden within.

If one were to lay down a restrictive formation, it would instead be more easily detected, sparking curiosity in others to investigate its secrets.

"It is best to act as if nothing has happened and focus on comprehending the Power of Rules in peace."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself. He then settled by the side of the Immortal Spring [a sacred spring brimming with potent spiritual energy] and began to draw upon the power of the Celestial River Ren Water Sword [a divine sword embodying the essence of the Celestial River's Ren Water], attempting to gain insight into the Profound Nether True Water Rule [the fundamental law governing the profound and nether aspects of True Water].

Thus, another three hundred years passed in this manner. Before Eldrin Chen could fully comprehend the rule, Verdant Consort arrived from the Abyssal Chasm.

She sought out Eldrin Chen and presented him with a piece of Immortal Marrow [the crystallized essence of an immortal being's cultivation] that shimmered with resplendent golden light.

Eldrin Chen's eyes lit up, and he immediately spoke, "The Golden Source Immortal Marrow [Immortal Marrow of the Golden Source, a supreme treasure for cultivation]."

"Indeed. Over these years, the clan has traded for many immortal treasures and finally managed to acquire this for you,"

Verdant Consort said with a slight smile. She then continued, "Furthermore, the Five-Colored Aurora [a mystical phenomenon of light in five colors] required by Lyra, as well as the Five Elements Thunder Source [the primordial source of thunder embodying the five elements], have also been gathered."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

After securing the Water Vein Blessed Land [a land blessed by a potent water spiritual vein], the foundational resources of the Chen Immortal Clan increased not by mere tens, but by more than tenfold overnight, with a significant influx of various immortal treasures.

With this treasure trove, the clan exchanged for many rare spiritual materials. Among them, the Five-Colored Aurora [a radiant spiritual phenomenon containing the essence of five elements], the Five Elements Thunder Source [a primal source of thunder energy imbued with the power of the five elements], and the Five Veins Immortal Marrow [a legendary marrow said to be the foundation of an immortal's bones] were the extraordinary treasures the clan paid particular attention to.

"With these rare treasures," Eldrin Chen mused, "my Primordial Unity [the foundational state of primordial oneness, the first major stage of cultivation] will reach great completion. Lyra's Great Five Elements Pure Yin Divine Thunder [a supreme divine thunder technique harmonizing the five elements with pure Yin energy] and her mastery over the Five-Colored Aurora will also achieve great completion."

"It seems the clan's strength and foundation are nearing the level of an Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a realm or territory sustained and empowered by an Earth Immortal's inner world]."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a faint sense of joy blooming in his heart.

He had a premonition. Once he fully cultivated the Primordial Unity stage, his power would ascend once more, reaching a level comparable to a Six Tribulation Half-Step Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has survived six heavenly tribulations while bridging the gap to the Earth Immortal realm].

It must be understood that the strength of a Six Tribulation Half-Step Earth Immortal was nearly indistinguishable from a first-layer Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is anchored to and draws from a personal inner world]. The sole difference lay in the lack of an Earth Immortal World [the personal, law-governed inner world of an Earth Immortal cultivator], resulting in a far less profound and vast reservoir of magical power compared to a true Earth Immortal Progenitor [an Earth Immortal who is also the founding ancestor of a lineage].

Once Eldrin Chen perfected his Primordial Unity foundation, he would gain two additional Great Vehicle Divine Ability [supreme techniques of the highest order]: the Primordial Unity Heaven-Grasping Hand and the Primordial Unity Divine Vessel Aegis.

Bolstered by his Primordial Chaos Limitless Law [a divine law embodying the boundless potential of primordial chaos], Eldrin Chen's combat prowess would increase dramatically. At that point, facing a weaker first-layer Earth Immortal should not see him at a disadvantage; at the very least, he would have no reason to fear them until his magical power was exhausted.

Upon reaching that pinnacle, Eldrin Chen's strength would temporarily reach its absolute limit. Any further progress, even a breakthrough to the Eighth Heaven of Immortal Ascension [the eighth major stage of the Immortal Ascension realm], would not bring about a significant qualitative change.

For since ancient times, a Seven Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal [a peerless genius who has survived seven heavenly tribulations on the path to Earth Immortality] represented the zenith of heaven-defying talent. Beings of that caliber possessed world-shaking battle prowess, with records of them defeating, even slaying, cultivators of the Early Earth Immortal Realm.

Even if Eldrin Chen were to comprehend the Profound Nether Rule, it would likely be difficult to achieve such a vast leap in power.

Unless his cultivation were to reach the Ninth Level of Immortal Ascension, where his Dharmic power [the energy cultivated by immortals] would grow nearly twofold, and both Sky-Severing Twin Swords were to Ascension into Supreme Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts], only then might he possess strength comparable to a Seven Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal.

Beyond that, cultivating the Heaven-Opening True Body, condensing the Primordial Chaos Leakless Dao Fruit [a perfect, flawless core of cultivation attainment], or having the Primordial Chaos Limitless Law break through to the realm of the Heaven-Opening Rule.

A breakthrough on any one of these three paths would be sufficient to grant him the strength of a Seven Tribulations Half-Step Earth Immortal.

Currently, Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructible Body was not yet perfected, the Primordial Chaos Infinite Rule remained a distant prospect, and the path to a perfect Dao Fruit required first achieving a flawless, leakless Law Immortal Body.

It could be said that all three paths stretched long before him. Breaking through to the Ninth Level of Immortal Ascension and Ascension the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss was, in fact, the more practical course.

"The immediate priority is to cultivate my divine abilities first."

Having clarified his thoughts, Eldrin Chen immediately took the Golden Vein Immortal Marrow and said to Verdant Consort with a smile, "With no pressing matters for the clan at present, you may stay within this Abyssal Chasm and first cultivate your immortal body to its Great Perfection."

"That is my thought as well."

Verdant Consort gave a slight nod. With the Abyssal Chasm serving as a treasured ground for cultivating an immortal body, their progress on this path far outstripped others. Naturally, perfecting the immortal body first was paramount.

After Verdant Consort departed for Abyssal Chasm to cultivate her immortal physique, Eldrin Chen immediately retrieved five pieces of Five Veins Immortal Marrow [a rare spiritual substance containing the foundational essence of immortality] and began refining the soft, foundational essence within them.

Through years of cultivation, Eldrin Chen had long since mastered the Innate Divine Abilities [innate supernatural powers granted by one's cultivation base] of 「Primordial Unity [the foundational state of primordial oneness in cultivation]」. Refining this foundational essence was now a matter of course, like water flowing naturally into a channel.

Before long, he had completely refined the Five Veins Immortal Marrow, fully integrating its essence into the state of 「Primordial Unity」.