Chapter 1288 : The Path to Earth Immortal Ascension

"Thirty thousand years?"

Lyra Jiang's eyes flickered slightly, and she gave a faint nod.

To nurture an Heavenly Spiritual Root [a spiritual root of the highest innate grade] is exceedingly rare. Even a powerful Earth Immortal Blessed Land [a land blessed by the earth and heavens, ideal for cultivation] would require at least several hundred thousand, if not millions, of years of dedicated effort to cultivate one.

Yet, with the aid of Primordial Essence [the purest, most foundational energy of creation], they could Ascension [achieve a qualitative leap in cultivation] an Heavenly Spiritual Root in a mere thirty thousand years. If the Earth Immortal Progenitor [a supreme cultivator at the Earth Immortal realm] were to learn of this, they would likely be driven to madness.

Thinking this, Lyra Jiang could not help but smile as she said, "Breaking through to Earth Immortal [the realm of an Earth Immortal, a being of immense power] is still far off. I should first refine the Dao Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's Dao and cultivation] left by Canyangzi, comprehend the Power of Rules [the fundamental laws that govern reality], and attempt to break through to Half-Step Earth Immortal [a transitional state just below the full Earth Immortal realm]."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly, a gentle smile on his face. "You both focus on your secluded cultivation and breakthroughs. For the time being, I shall personally oversee the affairs of the Abyssal Sea Territory."

After seeing Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort off to their secluded cultivation, Eldrin Chen settled into his own cultivation retreat at Verdant Chariot Mountain.

With Eldrin Chen personally holding the fort, the Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] of the Abyssal Immortal Alliance could also retreat into seclusion with peace of mind. Some were healing their wounds, while others were refining Dao Source in an attempt to advance their own cultivation realms.

It was foreseeable that after successively annihilating the Suwei Horde of Demons and wiping out nearly two hundred Immortal from the Setting Sun Sea Territory, the strength of the Immortals within the Abyssal Sea Territory would surge forward by leaps and bounds in an astonishingly short span of time.

Eldrin Chen secluded himself in cultivation upon Verdant Chariot Mountain, refining Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, essential for immortal cultivation] to augment his own magic power while simultaneously contemplating the myriad immortal scriptures left behind by the Setting Sun Sea.

During this process, he absorbed the essence of hundreds of scriptures, continuously perfecting his own "Primordial Unity Swallow Scripture" and the Primordial Indestructible Sutra.

Thus, as the Time flowed, years began to pass with startling swiftness.

Three hundred years later, Yvonne the Violet Consort and Lila successively refined their Dao Source [the condensed origin of a cultivator's Dao, containing immense power], breaking through in one fell swoop to the seventh layer of the Ascending Immortal [the realm of a true immortal, marking ascension beyond mortality] realm.

Four hundred years later, the Void-Refining Immortal also advanced a crucial step further, successfully stepping into the Eighth Heaven of Immortal Ascension realm.

Six hundred years later, Kael Chen refined three high-grade Dao Source, breaking through to the Eighth Heaven of Immortal Ascension realm. His three Dao Fruit [the ultimate manifestation of a cultivator's comprehension and power, akin to a divine fruit]—from the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic paths—were all perfected, each possessing combat prowess comparable to a Ninth Level of Immortal Ascension expert.

Seven hundred years later, Qiyuan Chen refined the Dao Source of Fire Sun Daoist, his cultivation also breaking through to the Eighth Heaven of Immortal Ascension realm. His comprehension of the Grand Yang [the supreme principle of the active, masculine, and creative force in the cosmos] law, his Indestructible Golden Body [a divine ability that grants an unbreakable, golden-hued physical form], and his Profound Ming Dao Fruit were all perfected to a flawless state.

Eight hundred years later, Ethan Chen refined two Dao Source, bringing his comprehension of the Life and Death laws to great completion and breaking through to the seventh layer of the Ascending Immortal realm in one decisive leap.

Nine hundred years later, the various immortals began to emerge from seclusion one after another, each having increased their cultivation base by at least ten or twenty percent. Among the earliest batch of Immortal experts—such as Lord of the Dao Palace, Kunpeng Demon Sage, Tianqi Lin, Thunder Tribulation Divine Spirit, and Lord of the Drifting Snow Palace—all except for Kunxuan Dao Venerable, who had unfortunately succumbed to a tribulation, had broken through to the seventh layer of the Ascending Immortal realm.

Dozens of other Immortal experts, including Caspian Chen, Wen Yuan Lu, Maris the Sea Steader, Elara Lin, and Freya Ji, though they broke through later, had each refined at least two or three mid-to-low grade Dao Source. Their cultivation bases now resided firmly within the mid-stages of the Ascending Immortal realm.

It can be said that within the current Abyssal Immortal Alliance, aside from the few Immortal [a being who has ascended to the celestial realm] who perished during the great tribulation, the remaining Immortal have now all advanced to at least the third layer of Ascending Immortal [the stage following initial ascension, where an immortal refines their power], with most having reached the fourth layer or beyond.

One must consider that among these Immortal, individuals like Qingfeng Lu and Taibai Jiang have been in the Immortal World [the higher realm where ascended immortals reside] for less than ten thousand years.

Although they had already become Immortal within the Violet Boundary [a mystical realm or artifact] for ten or twenty thousand years prior, their total cultivation time amounts to only twenty or thirty thousand years. To break through to the mid-stage of Ascending Immortal in such a short span is an achievement that rivals that of the legendary Eldrin Chen in his youth.

"Though the great tribulation was perilous, it also held boundless Opportunity [a chance for profound advancement, often hidden within danger],"

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, a sigh of profound reflection escaping his lips.

During the previous great war, the Abyssal Sea Territory [a vast and powerful domain in the immortal world] lost several Immortal. Yet, after a millennium of digesting their gains and insights, the average cultivation level of the surviving immortals had risen by two layers. Their collective strength had, in fact, grown significantly.

As the immortals emerged from their secluded cultivation one after another, it was not long before Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort also advanced further, each comprehending their own strand of Power of Rules [the fundamental laws that govern reality, mastery of which signifies immense power].

Upon reaching this stage, both had broken through to the Ninth Level of Immortal Ascension [the pinnacle stage before becoming a demi-immortal]. Furthermore, the threshold to Half-Step Earth Immortal [a demi-immortal state, bridging the gap between immortal and true earth immortal] now lay open before them. All that remained was to continue refining their spiritual power to shatter the final bottleneck.

"Lyra and Verdant Consort have broken through as well."

Sensing the breakthrough of the two women, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a faint, satisfied smile.

Both Lyra Jiang and Verdant Consort possessed formidable strength to begin with. After comprehending their respective Dao [the fundamental principle or path] rules, their combat prowess had advanced significantly. Furthermore, armed with several Supreme Immortal Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts], their power, while not yet reaching the domain of a Seven-Calamity Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations], had already surpassed that of ordinary six-calamity Immortal [a being who has ascended beyond mortality through cultivation].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile slightly. "Congratulations to my two ladies," he said. "With your cultivation now greatly enhanced, the Half-Step Earth Immortal [a realm just below the true Earth Immortal stage] realm is within your grasp."

Verdant Consort also revealed a joyful expression. "Now that we have made our breakthrough," she spoke up, "how does my husband plan to proceed next—"

"There is no rush."

Eldrin Chen shook his head, then turned his gaze towards the direction of the Solar Immortal Isle [an immortal sanctuary bathed in solar essence]. "By my reckoning," he said, "Fellow Daoist Solar Consort should have finished refining the Dao Source [the primordial source essence of a Dao rule] and be preparing to assail the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an immortal permanently anchored to the mortal world]."

"*Hummmm*—"

No sooner had Eldrin Chen's words fallen than a boundless tremor emanated from within the Solar Immortal Isle.

The group looked up to see the endless fire-essence Qi [the vital energy of the fire element] between heaven and earth surging towards the isle.

An immeasurable span of time seemed to pass. When the boundless fire-essence Qi had been devoured like a great whale drinking the sea, heaven and earth shuddered violently once more. Finally, a figure of peerless elegance and grace emerged.

Clad in a gown of dazzling gold, Solar Consort stood with eyes clear and bright. Where her gaze fell, twin suns seemed to blaze, illuminating all directions. She resembled a divine maiden of Grand Yang [the supreme, primordial Yang essence] standing firm upon the firmament, her bearing carrying an air of lofty pride that looked down upon the multitude of immortals.

Many years ago, she had already comprehended the Great Sun Rule [a supreme divine ability governing the power of the sun] and cultivated her Great Sun Divine Body [a divine constitution aligned with the essence of the sun] to the Heaven-Opening Realm [the pinnacle stage of a specific cultivation path].

Now, having refined the supreme-grade Dao Source [the primordial source essence of a cultivator's Dao] left by Setting Sun Ancient Ancestor, her Great Sun Divine Body and Great Sun Rule have become utterly flawless and perfectly integrated, reaching the absolute limit of this realm.

It can be said that Solar Consort's current strength has already touched the threshold of a Seven-Calamity Immortal [an Immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations]. From here, she must either continue to enter the tribulation cycle, slaying Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality] of Seven Tribulations or higher.

She would use the Dao Source of a Seven Tribulations or even an Eight-Calamity Immortal to mend the flaws in her foundation, ultimately shattering her limits to cultivate a Heaven-Opening Dao Fruit [a supreme fruit of cultivation representing a breakthrough]. The only other path is to directly advance to the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of an Earth Immortal].

However, every Immortal above Seven Tribulations is a figure of staggering talent and genius, each having cultivated at least dual Heaven-Opening Dao Fruits. Slaying such peerless heroes is far from an easy task.

Even if she overcomes this hurdle, to forge the Great Luo Foundation [the supreme foundation for the Great Luo path] of three Heaven-Opening Dao Fruits, she would need to slay at least one Eight-Calamity Immortal to completely perfect her foundational essence.

Yet, how exceedingly rare are Eight-Calamity Immortals? Such existences awe the world. Within the vast expanse of the Western Qi Divine Abyss Sea, each one is a ranked and renowned power.

Solar Consort was born from a variant of the immortal clam known as the Great Sun Divine Clam [a divine clam born from the essence of the Great Sun]. This lineage, born from the laws of the Great Sun, can continuously purify its bloodline by drawing upon the power of the celestial sun.

It is said that such Solar Divine Clams possess a sliver of potential to break through to the Celestial Immortal [the realm of a Celestial Immortal]. However, forging a foundation of three Dao Fruits [the fruits of one's cultivated Dao] remains an exceedingly perilous endeavor.

Therefore, Solar Consort knows when to stop. She does not stubbornly pursue the Opportunity [a chance or catalyst for advancement] represented by a Nine-Calamity Immortal. Instead, she prepares to break through to the Earth Immortal Realm with the perfected foundational depth of dual, perfected Dao Fruits.