Chapter 1903 : A Path-Field for the Ascendant

Not long after, Eldrin Chen departed from Obsidian Abyss Heaven.

He journeyed together with Worthy Path Chen to the Immortal Court [the celestial governing body of the human race's immortals], where he accepted a nominal post. Afterwards, he set about selecting a Path-Field [a celestial territory imbued with profound natural laws, suitable for a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal's cultivation and enlightenment].

According to the regulations of the Human Race Immortal Court, any being who achieves a breakthrough to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortality, representing the ultimate fusion of one's path with the cosmos] is entitled to select one Great Encompassing Path-Field within the Primordial Immortal Domain [the foundational, most ancient layer of the immortal realms].

Of course, a Great Encompassing Rank Path-Field is not granted freely. Typically, a newly ascended Great Encompassing Golden Immortal only receives the right to use one for a single Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration, often spanning billions of years].

After that one Kalpa Tribulation, to continue using a Great Encompassing Path-Field, one must either pay an exorbitant rental fee or expend a colossal fortune to purchase it outright.

Leasing a Great Encompassing Path-Field is the more common path for ordinary, newly ascended Great Encompassing Golden Immortals.

For the price of purchasing a Great Encompassing Path-Field is astronomically high. Most ordinary new Great Encompassing Golden Immortals simply cannot afford it. Only those who have lived for hundreds of billions, or even a trillion, Kalpa Tribulations might amass the wealth required to acquire such a Path-Field.

This time, however, Eldrin Chen's circumstances were different.

The various Great Emperors [supreme rulers within the Immortal Court, beings of immense power and authority] of the Human Race Immortal Court, recognizing Eldrin Chen's extraordinary talent and potential, made a special exception. They granted him permanent usage rights over a Great Encompassing Path-Field.

"This junior is deeply grateful for the esteemed seniors' profound favor," Eldrin said. Support the author by reading on @udio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen gazed at the several available slots for Great Encompassing Path-Field before him. After careful deliberation, he ultimately chose the Eastern Barrens Heavenly Domain located to the east of the Primordial Immortal Domain.

The Eastern Barrens Heavenly Domain was an immensely vast Heavenly Domain. Within its borders stood seven or eight Great Encompassing Path-Field, housing legacies from Human Race Great Encompassing Ancient Sect, as well as those from the Demon Race and Divine Clan. The Path-Field Eldrin Chen selected was situated upon a major spiritual vein of the Luo Ancestor lineage within this Eastern Barrens Heavenly Domain.

After obtaining the land deed, Eldrin Chen named it the Returning Abyss Ancestral Court.

Having settled this matter, Eldrin Chen returned to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain. He gathered the members of the Chen Immortal Clan, along with old allies from the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance such as Violet Mystery Path Master, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, Glazed Divine Lord, Heaven Abyss Path Master, and others.

Within the Great Hall, nearly a hundred allies from the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance, along with Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the highest echelon of immortal cultivators] from the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven and Void Grotto-Heaven, all wore expressions of joy.

All those present were Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful immortal cultivators] with ties to Eldrin Chen. Now that he had successfully attained the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, they shared in his glory and honor.

"Esteemed friends,"

Eldrin Chen surveyed the assembled Celestial Immortal [immortal cultivators], a faint smile gracing his lips.

His gaze swept across the gathering before he finally spoke, "You have followed me for many years. Many of you have participated in the Great Tribulation [a major cosmic calamity], the Path Tribulation [a trial of one's cultivation path], and even the recent Kalpa Tribulation [an epoch-ending cataclysm], contributing your strength in varying degrees."

"Now that I, your lord, have attained the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm through this Kalpa Tribulation, it is only fitting that I bestow blessings upon you all."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen paused briefly before continuing, "I intend to allocate one thousand Celestial Immortal [a powerful immortal being] slots within the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain. These will serve as sanctuaries for members of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance and our allied forces, places to shelter from the great tribulations."

Hearing this, everyone present immediately revealed looks of pleasant surprise.

These so-called sanctuaries are places to evade the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle that tests and purges immortals].

It must be understood that a Celestial Immortal Great Power [a Celestial Immortal of significant strength] must face a Kalpa Tribulation once every one hundred million years, and the chance of perishing is exceedingly high.

Without breaking through to the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of Ancient Immortals], almost no Celestial Immortal can survive three consecutive Kalpa Tribulation. Even among Ancient Immortal [immortals who have transcended the Celestial Immortal realm], very few can live through ten such tribulations.

In truth, those capable of surviving ten consecutive Kalpa Tribulation have already cultivated to the level of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived eight Kalpa Tribulations]; those who fail are mostly reduced to ashes long before.

Thus, a Celestial Immortal Great Power who does not ascend to a higher realm has, at most, a lifespan measured in mere hundreds of millions of years.

However, under the protection of a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the supreme realm of a Golden Immortal who has mastered the Great Encompassing Dao], an Immortal [a general term for beings who have achieved immortality] can live free from calamity and tribulation. Even an ordinary Ascendant Immortal Realm [the foundational realm of immortality] Immortal could then live for hundreds of billions, even thousands of billions of years.

As long as the Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortals] remains Indestructibility [eternal and unbreakable], those Immortal sheltered by a Great Encompassing [the supreme state of a Golden Immortal] could be said to share the lifespan of heaven and earth itself.

Among the nearly one hundred Celestial Immortal seated here, only a very small fraction possess the hope of attaining the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm. The vast majority lack both the foundational potential and the enlightened comprehension required for such a breakthrough. How could they not be overjoyed upon receiving Eldrin Chen's promise?

Eldrin Chen swept his gaze across the assembly. The Elders from the Primordial Solar Grotto-Heaven, the numerous Celestial Immortals from the Void Grotto-Heaven, and the several immortal clams from the Glazed Grotto-Heaven all wore expressions of joy. They prostrated themselves before the Earthly Path [the foundational cultivation method of the Chen Clan] and declared in unison, "We thank the Immortal Lord [a title for a powerful immortal] for granting us sanctuary. We pledge our lives to your service."

"We are all old friends here; there is no need for such formality."

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly. With a wave of his sleeve, a gentle force lifted Sun Consort, Moon Consort, and the other familiar figures to their feet.

After settling this matter, Eldrin Chen spoke once more. "Though I have attained the Great Encompassing [the Da Luo Golden Immortal realm, a pinnacle of cultivation], it is unwise to place all one's eggs in a single basket."

"Henceforth, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance and my Chen Immortal Clan shall be established in three separate locations."

"Fifty percent shall accompany me to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, thirty percent shall go to the Returning Abyss Ancestral Court within the Primordial Immortal Domain, and the remaining twenty percent shall remain in the Vast Azure Immortal Domain as a branch lineage." Experience the full epic at audio-novel-dot-com.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. They had invested many years into developing the Vast Azure Immortal Domain; abandoning it entirely would be a great waste.

Moreover, to guard against potential calamities within the Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond ordered realms], leaving a portion of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance's strength and a branch of the Chen Clan here was a prudent strategy.

However, Glazed Divine Lord [a title for Qu Liuli] pondered for a moment before speaking. "But who should be the ones to remain?"

"A small contingent of power, guarded by a few Celestial Immortals [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm], will suffice," Eldrin Chen stated calmly. "The duty of garrison Celestial Immortals shall rotate among the Celestial Immortal Elders of the Immortal Alliance. When a Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] approaches, the garrisoning Celestial Immortals shall return to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain to seek refuge from the cataclysm."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the vast expanse of immortal realms], this was precisely how the major ancient sects operated as well.

Following this, Eldrin Chen did not linger further, allowing the members of the Immortal Alliance [a grand coalition of immortal forces] to discuss the finer details amongst themselves.

Eldrin Chen exited the Great Hall, and in a single step traversed the void to arrive just beyond the Frigid Immortal Domain. With a flick of his sleeve, he then teleported Celestial Maiden and Horizon Patriarch to his side.

Ever since his breakthrough into the Great Encompassing [the Da Luo realm, a supreme state of cultivation], Eldrin Chen had not yet found the opportunity to meet privately with Horizon Patriarch and Celestial Maiden. Now, he had finally managed to carve out a moment for this long-awaited reunion.

Horizon Patriarch and Celestial Maiden had been immersed in secluded cultivation when, without warning, an irresistible force seized them. The next instant, they found themselves standing within the boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], with Eldrin Chen smiling warmly before them.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, joy blossomed in their hearts. They immediately clasped their hands and bowed, saying, "We pay our respects to the Immortal Lord [a title for a powerful immortal being]."

"Fellow Daoists, we have weathered countless trials together. There is no need for such formality between us," Eldrin Chen replied.

With a gentle smile, Eldrin Chen waved his hand. In that single motion, he carved a Chaos Grotto-Heaven [a pocket dimension stabilized within the primordial chaos] from the void and conjured an elegant immortal palace within it. He then invited the two to be seated.

Hearing his words, Horizon Patriarch and Celestial Maiden recalled the shared experiences spanning millions of years. A wave of relief washed over them, and the invisible pressure they felt seemed to lessen considerably.

Noting their eased demeanor, Eldrin Chen smiled again. After pouring tea for them both, he spoke, "The reason for my visit today is to invite you both to accompany me to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain."

Upon hearing this, both of them felt a surge of joy in their hearts. The Returning Abyss Immortal Domain was located within the Depths of Chaos.

Furthermore, the Opportunity and Fortune found within the Sea of Chaos were far more precious than those in the Three Thousand Immortal Domains or the Sea of Chaos Fringe. If they could follow Eldrin Chen within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains and receive his cultivation guidance and mentorship, their future prospects would undoubtedly be vastly greater.

Thinking of this, Horizon Patriarch immediately spoke, "To receive a personal invitation from the Great Encompassing Immortal Lord is truly an honor for this old man."

The Celestial Maiden also nodded, a faint light shimmering in her eyes as she said, "From now on, I must ask for your guidance and instruction."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he retrieved two items of Rare Spiritual Wonders from within.

The first was an ancient sword brimming with a piercing, bone-chilling light. The other was a piece of Innate Heavenly God Metal that refracted a watery gleam.

"These are..."

Seeing these two treasures, both of them were inwardly startled.

Eldrin Chen nodded and then spoke, "During this Kalpa Tribulation, I slew several non-human Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal and acquired a few Innate Spiritual Treasure."

"Among these two treasures, the ancient sword is named 'Frost Soul Heavenly Song' and the divine metal is called Vast Sea Divine Gold. Both are part of the Purple Seal's Legacy and happen to align perfectly with your elemental affinities. I shall lend them to you."

Upon hearing this, both of them felt a surge of joy in their hearts, yet they restrained their temptation and said, "This item, perhaps it should be given to your Dao Companion first?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head, however, and spoke, "Do not overthink it. These two treasures were specifically reserved for you."

Only after hearing his words did they retract their previous thoughts, each taking the Frost Soul Heavenly Song sword and the Vast Sea Divine Gold.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of approval. In truth, during the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle], Eldrin Chen had slain nearly one hundred Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [immortals who have survived eight great heavenly tribulations], and the spoils he obtained were naturally astonishing.

Throughout the entire conflict, Eldrin Chen had seized close to ten Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born from the primordial chaos, possessing immense power], along with several portions of Innate Rare Treasure [rare materials of primordial origin].

Among them, Eldrin Chen had fused four Innate Spiritual Treasure—namely an immortal seal, a pagoda, an ancient cauldron, and the Soaring Immortal Zither—into the Returning Abyss Seal, yet several others still remained.

However, most of the seized treasures were Innate Spiritual Treasure that had been bound to the Great Path [the supreme cultivation method] of their former Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal owners. Having suffered severe damage to their foundational essence upon the fall of their Ancient Immortal masters, they could not be used again to break through the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck in cultivation] for dozens of Kalpa Tribulation cycles.

For instance, the Crimson Flame Firefly obtained by Eldrin Chen was merely a Lower Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, yet it was an Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo [the nascent form of a supreme innate treasure] that had only been half-nurtured to completion.

Now, its Treasure Spirit [the sentient consciousness within a powerful treasure] had fallen into a deep slumber due to the demise of the Blazing Prison Holy Spirit [a powerful elemental spirit], and it would be unable to Recovery [regain] its peak power for a considerable time.

Having given the Frost Soul Heavenly Song and Vast Sea Divine Gold to the two, Eldrin Chen no longer possessed any other Innate Spiritual Treasure in his hands. Only the two Innate Spiritual Treasure kept within the Clan Treasury as part of the clan's foundational reserves remained, which could enable someone to break through to Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

After settling the Karma [the metaphysical cause and effect of one's actions] with Horizon Patriarch and Celestial Maiden, Eldrin Chen recalled something else and spoke up, "Both of you achieved the Path [the ultimate principle and goal of cultivation] earlier. I wonder if you had any dealings with the seniors from the Purple Seal Realm?"

Upon hearing this, the two of them fell into a brief, contemplative silence.

After a moment, Horizon Patriarch was the one to reply, "In the past, nearly all the older generation of Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] from the Purple Seal Realm received grace from Purple Seal Immortal Lord. Those who still live today should have attained a cultivation of at least the Celestial Immortal Realm [a high level of immortal existence]."

"However, after Purple Seal Immortal Lord fell, we all feared reprisal from his enemies. Therefore, we concealed our identities and severed contact with one another."

"If you truly wish to find them, it would not be difficult. You need only announce that you hail from the Purple Seal Realm."

Eldrin Chen immediately and decisively shook his head upon hearing this.

In his time, Purple Seal Immortal Lord had cultivated to the Great Perfection Primordial One Imperial Lord [the pinnacle stage of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm] in a mere eight million years, a truly awe-inspiring figure who shook the heavens.

Eldrin Chen shared the same origin in the Purple Seal Realm as Purple Seal Immortal Lord and had also cultivated the True Spirit Foundation [a supreme foundational cultivation method]. If this news were to spread, it would be impossible for others not to make the connection.

And at that point, once they believed he had inherited the legacy of Purple Seal Immortal Lord, it would inevitably attract the greed of Primordial One Imperial Lord [powerful cultivators at the Primordial One Imperial Lord stage]. With his current level of cultivation, Eldrin Chen could not bear the weight of such Karma.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen stated firmly, "Unless the day comes when I prove my Path and attain the Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a supreme title for a ruler of primordial chaos], news of my connection to the Purple Seal Realm must not be revealed."

Upon hearing this, both individuals nodded in agreement.

Horizon Patriarch drew a deep breath and then spoke, "Many years ago, I had already sealed off all information regarding the Purple Seal Realm [a specific cultivation world]."

"Within our Grotto-Heaven [a self-contained pocket dimension used by high-level cultivators] now, only a handful of individuals know of our origins in the Purple Seal Realm. These are all fellow ascendants from that realm, bound by shared glory and loss; it is impossible for them to leak the secret."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and said, "Bring them all to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain. For those you are not absolutely certain about, erase their memories concerning the Purple Seal Realm."

"Rest assured, we have long since taken care of that matter."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen nodded again. "Prepare yourselves. In a few days, I will come to take you to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain."

"..."

In the years that followed, a grand migration plan commenced for the entire Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance and the close allies of the Chen Immortal Clan.

Eldrin Chen personally oversaw the operation. Over the course of tens of thousands of years, the monumental task of relocating the entire Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance and the Chen Immortal Clan was finally completed.

After handling all these affairs, Eldrin Chen then guided the Purple Seal Realm into the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, concealing it within the deepest layers of multidimensional space, thus placing it under his complete and final protection.

After handling all these matters, Eldrin Chen finally returned to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain [the celestial realm under his dominion]. There, he began to examine the gains from this Great Encompassing Immortal Banquet [the grand celestial feast he had hosted].

For this Great Encompassing Immortal Banquet, the number of attending Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [immortals of the highest echelon] exceeded several thousand. Although none of these esteemed guests were willing to part with treasures of the Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born of heaven and earth] grade, the gifts they presented were still of extraordinary value.

Eldrin Chen made a simple tally and discovered he had received over ten thousand items of Innate Rare Treasure [rare spiritual materials], several thousand pieces of Innate Ancient Treasure [ancient enchanted artifacts], and nearly one hundred specimens of Great Encompassing Rare Treasure [extremely rare and wondrous objects].

In addition, there were various Great Encompassing Immortal Pill [pills of supreme efficacy], Innate Spirit Fruit [fruits imbued with primordial spiritual power], Innate Spirit Herb [herbs of celestial origin], and similar items, totaling nearly one hundred more.

Eldrin Chen stored all these treasures within the Clan Treasury, preserving them as foundational assets for the Chen Immortal Clan. Afterwards, he extracted the truly top-tier Rare Spiritual Wonders [marvels of spiritual essence] and laid them out before him.

This time, the number of supreme Rare Spiritual Wonders that Eldrin Chen had genuinely obtained was merely seven or eight.

Among them were two items: the Seven-Aperture Divine Stone [a mystical stone with seven natural orifices] received from Tai Cang Divine Emperor, and the Six Orifices Divine Stone [a mystical stone with six natural orifices] gifted by Great Center Imperial Lord.

Eldrin Chen retrieved these two divine stones. He then summoned the One-to-Four Aperture Divine Stones from the Clan Treasury and placed all six stones together.

There are nine of these Nine Orifices Divine Stone [the complete set of nine mystical stones] in total. Legend holds that gathering all nine can help an ordinary Primordial One Imperial Lord [a ruler who has unified their foundational power] break their Limit-Breaker [the inherent ceiling of their potential], allowing them to cultivate a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a spirit of perfect, authentic essence] while still within the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm.

For those who have already achieved a True Spirit Primordial Spirit, they can fuse all nine stones into their Primordial Spirit Apertures [the spiritual gateways of their core being], thereby enhancing both the cultivation speed and the potency of their Primordial Spirit [the foundational spiritual core].

Legend has it that once all nine divine stones are gathered, one can forge a 'Primordial Spirit Treasure' [a supreme artifact that embodies the cultivator's very soul and will]. Such a treasure is the key to attuning one's path to the realm of the 'Soul Path Heavenly Emperor' [a sovereign who has merged their soul with the Heavenly Dao], possessing the power to suppress all things.

Eldrin Chen had already obtained six of the divine stones—the first, second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh apertures. Though he had yet to gather all nine, the power he held was already formidable.

"Only the Five-Aperture Divine Stone [a mystical stone with five spiritual apertures] remains to complete the set of seven," he mused.

Gazing at the divine stones before him, Eldrin Chen fell into a contemplative silence.

Fortunately, the Five-Aperture Divine Stone was not excessively rare; its price was roughly equivalent to a single Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a fundamental, indestructible strand of primordial spiritual energy]. He could simply make a trip to the Immortal Court [the celestial bureaucracy governing the immortal realms] to purchase one.

Thus, he stored the divine stones away and turned his attention to the remaining Heavy Treasures [exceptionally powerful and rare enchanted artifacts]. For the best reading experience, visit http://www . audio-novel.com.