Chapter 1850 : Forging the Eleventh Limit

For a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations], the true measure of their power lies in their Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a supreme-level divine ability, the pinnacle of power for an Ancient Immortal].

These Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability are broadly divided into two paths: comprehending an existing divine ability or creating one anew. The most common type involves cultivating a divine ability pioneered by predecessors.

An Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal who cultivates a divine ability created by an ancient master can, at most, break through the Divine Ability Heavenly Pass [the ultimate limit of a divine ability's power] to reach the Ninth Limit.

However, those who forge their own Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability craft abilities perfectly tailored to their own essence. This absolute synergy grants their creations a power at least thirty percent greater from the outset, earning them the title of Ten-Limit [the Tenth Limit, a realm of power beyond the Ninth] divine abilities.

Eldrin Chen contemplated the mysteries of the Time-Space Great Dao [the supreme principle governing time and space], intending to use its transcendent, limit-breaking nature as a foundation to conceive a supreme divine ability of the Eleventh Limit [the Eleventh Limit, a legendary realm of power surpassing even the Tenth].

No sooner had the thought formed than Eldrin Chen entered secluded cultivation, immersing himself in the profound contemplation of that Eleventh Limit power.

Time flowed like a swift river. In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of years passed. Ultimately, Eldrin Chen, using the Time-Space Great Dao as his cornerstone, forged two peerless divine abilities, unprecedented in the annals of history.

These two divine abilities were the 'Boundless Cosmos Sword' and the 'Years Like a Song Blade', both supreme Patriarch Grade [the highest grade of divine ability] techniques of unparalleled majesty.

The two divine abilities embodied the powers of space and time respectively. The former condensed spatial force into a blade, capable of unleashing a cataclysmic spatial cleave of terrifying, world-rending might.

The latter could sever the very threads of time and years. Even an immortal blessed with eternal life could not withstand the erosion of this Power of Time [the fundamental force of temporal decay]. Once struck, the victim would be rapidly consumed by the power of years, spiraling into an irreversible state of decay and oblivion.

Most crucially, this level of power grants a degree of control over time itself, thereby determining the outcome of any confrontation.

Of course, whether it is the Boundless Cosmos Sword or the Years Like a Song Blade, they are ultimately merely Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [supreme techniques attainable at the peak of the Patriarch realm] of the Ten-Limit [the tenth and ultimate stage of the foundational cultivation limits] realm.

To once again shatter the limits and cultivate the supreme divine ability of the Eleventh Limit [a legendary, transcendent stage beyond the ten foundational limits], one must fuse these two divine abilities into one, transforming them into the Spacetime Sundering Slash.

Eldrin Chen had a premonition that this Spacetime Sundering Slash was a technique that exhausted the cosmos and spanned eternity. Once unleashed, its power would surely shake heaven and earth, potentially even stepping into the domain of the Twelfth Limit [a mythical realm of power beyond comprehension].

However, the requirements to activate such a divine ability were exceedingly stringent.

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his gaze shifting to the Great Luo Sword Miasma [a rare, ethereal substance imbued with the essence of swords and space] in his hand, before he began cultivating the Boundless Cosmos Sword.

Cultivating the Years Like a Song Blade required a Great Luo Rare Treasure [an exceedingly rare treasure from the primordial Great Luo realm] possessing both time and blade attributes as a catalyst. The Boundless Cosmos Sword was the same, needing a Great Luo Rare Treasure with sword and space attributes as its catalyst.

Using the Great Luo Sword Miasma as the catalyst this time, Eldrin Chen succeeded in mastering the Boundless Cosmos Sword in merely a few thousand years.

"A Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability."

With the divine ability now mastered, Eldrin Chen took a moment to sense its power.

He discovered that this Boundless Cosmos Sword [a supreme sword technique that harnesses the power of the cosmos] was heavily imbued with Slaughter [the essence of pure annihilation], and its spatial power had not reached its theoretical potential. Its might was roughly at the threshold of just entering the Ten-Limit [the tenth and ultimate major realm of cultivation] realm.

"It seems I still need to find another spatial-attributed Great Luo Rare Treasure [an exceedingly rare treasure of the highest order from the Great Luo Heaven] to completely perfect this Boundless Cosmos Sword," Eldrin Chen murmured, his expression a mix of delight and a slight frown.

Eldrin Chen spoke softly to himself, his countenance bearing a trace of joy, yet his brow was slightly furrowed in thought.

He realized that although the Boundless Cosmos Sword possessed immense Force Extreme [power that pushes to the absolute limit], its consumption of spiritual power was equally tremendous. Most crucially, this divine ability was not an Innate Divine Abilities [a divine ability born from one's very nature and soul, offering superior efficiency].

Generally, Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals who have survived seven heavenly tribulations] cultivate their Innate Divine Abilities into Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability [a divine ability of the highest caliber, worthy of a founding patriarch]. This is because Innate Divine Abilities consume only thirty percent of the spiritual power required by divine abilities of the same rank, and they also lower the quality of spiritual power needed to activate them.

The spiritual power consumption of such a Patriarch-Grade Divine Ability was far too staggering. If it were not an Innate Divine Abilities, it could not serve as a conventional trump card, reserved only for a final, desperate move.

"Fortunately, the depth of my spiritual power is profound, allowing me to activate this Boundless Cosmos Sword multiple times," Eldrin Chen concluded, soon gathering his wandering thoughts.

Eldrin Chen finally spoke, then quickly reined in his contemplations.

He did not continue his seclusion. Instead, he emerged from his closed-door cultivation and went to see Old Granduncle Thalion Chen.

Seeing him emerge, Old Granduncle immediately inquired, "How did it go?"

"The Divine Ability Heavenly Pass has been shattered. Next, I intend to journey to the Primordial Immortal Domain."

Eldrin Chen spoke with a smile, a glimmer of amusement appearing in his gaze.

Upon hearing this, Old Granduncle could not help but feel a surge of excitement in his heart.

After this breakthrough, Eldrin Chen had successively shattered the four great Heavenly Passes concerning the physical body, mana, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and divine abilities. Only the five great Heavenly Passes of the Great Dao, Dao Fruit [the metaphysical fruit of one's cultivation path], Dao Heart [the unwavering heart of a cultivator], Spiritual Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact], and fate remained.

Among the remaining five great Heavenly Passes, the ones concerning the Great Dao and the Spiritual Treasure would not pose significant problems.

At this rate, as long as he did not encounter overwhelmingly formidable opponents during the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial], shattering the Ninth Heaven Pass would likely not present any major difficulties either.

Thinking of this, Old Granduncle could not help but grasp Eldrin Chen's hand and say, "The more critical the moment, the more I hope you will proceed with caution. The Three Thousand Immortal Domains are filled with countless powerful beings beyond measure. You must remember not to become blindly arrogant."

"Thank you for your guidance, Old Granduncle. Eldrin understands."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Though proud at heart, he understood the principle that there is always a higher sky beyond the one you see; he would not underestimate the heroes of this world.

After bidding farewell to Old Granduncle, Eldrin Chen did not linger any longer and set off towards the Primordial Immortal Domain.

While passing through the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen returned to Abyssal Heaven. There, he left behind a trove of rare treasures suitable for his clan members. The value of these treasures even exceeded ten thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi [the most fundamental and purest form of spiritual energy, foundational to all creation].

After bestowing such a vast quantity of treasures, Eldrin Chen continued his journey toward the Primordial Immortal Domain.

In preparation for this expedition to the Primordial Immortal Domain, he had specially cultivated a batch of supreme-grade Primordial Gold Bamboo [a legendary spiritual plant of immense value and rarity] to serve as a precious commodity for trade.

Navigating the Chaos [the primordial, formless void from which all realms are born], Eldrin Chen arrived within the Primordial Immortal Domain almost without realizing the passage of time.

It was only upon reaching the Primordial Immortal Domain that Eldrin Chen truly grasped the staggering vastness of this Immortal Domain [a major realm or plane of existence in the cosmos].

This was Eldrin Chen's first glimpse of the Primordial Immortal Domain in its entirety. It lay anchored within the Chaos, resembling the primordial origin point within the void—an ancient Immortal Domain predating the opening of all worlds, boundless and immeasurably vast.

Even an entire Immortal Domain seemed but an insignificant speck when compared to the Primordial Immortal Domain.

The disparity was far greater than that between Earth and the Grand Yang [the supreme, active Yang principle of the cosmos]. It could not be described in mere hundreds or thousands of times; the difference was incalculable, spanning tens of billions of magnitudes.

"No wonder the Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [progenitors of the Dao and immortal sages] and the Divine Emperor [Celestial Emperors, supreme sovereigns] all choose to cultivate within this Primordial Immortal Domain," Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a ripple of awe surfacing in his gaze.

Eldrin Chen uttered these words in a low voice, his eyes reflecting the profound waves of thought stirred within him.

The disparity was simply too vast, so immense that even with Eldrin Chen's current cultivation base, he felt a profound sense of insignificance before the Primordial Immortal Domain [the most ancient and foundational realm of the immortals].

One must understand, with Eldrin Chen's present power, he was capable of annihilating a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme being at the Heavenly Immortal level] to dust in the space of a single breath [a very brief moment], even across the vast distance of an entire Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortals].

"We have arrived."

Just as these thoughts drifted through Eldrin Chen's mind, he found himself before the entrance to the Primordial Immortal Domain.

Unlike the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, the space of the Primordial Immortal Domain was far more stable and seemingly indestructible. It was further protected by a supreme boundary Formation [a magical defensive array] of Dao Progenitor [the progenitor of a fundamental cosmic principle] grade. Not even a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal at the Grand Luo level] could force their way in directly.

One could only enter the Primordial Immortal Domain through specific, designated passages.

As Eldrin Chen approached the entrance, he saw a line of grand characters inscribed before the passageway: "Southern Celestial Gate [the legendary Southern Gate of Heaven, entrance to the celestial realms]."

"Register properly and pay the toll promptly."

At that moment, a voice reached Eldrin Chen's ears.

Eldrin Chen looked up and saw a long queue forming before the passage. Numerous massive Chaos Ancient Ships [vessels capable of navigating the primordial chaos] waited in line for their turn to pass through.

On the other side, several profound cultivators of the Celestial Immortal [a high-level immortal realm] and Ancient Immortal [a venerable immortal] rank were conducting registrations, seemingly also verifying identities.

At that moment, an azure-robed Ancient Immortal not far from Eldrin Chen glanced his way, a flicker of recognition in his gaze. "Fellow Daoist, is this your first time coming to the Primordial Immortal Domain [the legendary realm of the primordial immortals]?" he inquired.

Eldrin Chen's eyes shifted slightly, but he offered no immediate reply.

Seeing this, the azure-robed Ancient Immortal smiled and explained, "Those who traverse the Primordial Immortal Domain inevitably carry a wisp of its unique aura. I am rather sensitive to such energies and can perceive its absence."

With that, the azure-robed Ancient Immortal clasped his hands in greeting. "I am Wang Qingzhi, bearing the Daoist title Qingwei the Recluse. May I ask whom I have the honor of addressing?"

Only then did Eldrin Chen offer a faint smile and a slight nod. "My Daoist title is Abyssal. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Qingwei the Recluse nodded in return, then gestured toward the queue. "The Primordial Immortal Domain is a realm of dazzling splendor, yet it teems with formidable power. To prevent its ambient spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the world] from being depleted, the policy has always been lenient for departure but strict for entry."

"Powerful outsiders below the Grand Luo [the Great Luo, a supreme cultivation realm] who wish to set foot within the Primordial Immortal Domain must pay a steep price, the cost scaling with their cultivation level."

"Given your cultivation, Fellow Daoist, the fee required for your entry would likely be staggering."

Continuing, Qingwei the Recluse added, "Furthermore, within the Primordial Immortal Domain, the great Great Luo Ancient Sect [ancient sects led by Great Luo powerhouses] that dominate the major domains levy a substantial tax upon all cultivators at the Immortal [the foundational immortal realm] level and above within their territories, once every million years."

"Many Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] who could not afford the taxes were forcibly expelled from the Primordial Immortal Domain [the primordial realm where the earliest and most powerful immortals reside]."

"So that's how it is."

Eldrin Chen nodded. Charging outsiders a steep entry fee and imposing heavy internal taxes was indeed the most effective method to maintain the cultivation environment of the Primordial Immortal Domain.

Of course, from another perspective, this was essentially the Great Luo Ancient Sect [ancient and immensely powerful sects that have existed since the dawn of time] exploiting the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [paragons who have reached the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal realm] within their territories.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen could not help but remark with a smile, "It seems life is not easy for the Celestial Immortal in the Primordial Immortal Domain either."

"Not easy?" Qingwei the Recluse [a title for a reclusive and profound Daoist master] smiled and shook his head. "You will understand shortly."

As they spoke, the two arrived before the passageway.

The immortal official at the entrance glanced at Eldrin Chen and asked, "For how long do you wish to enter the realm?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. "What is the difference?" he inquired.

"The entry permits are divided into durations of ten thousand years, one hundred thousand years, one million years, ten million years, and permanent access."

"The price naturally varies accordingly. For your cultivation level, entry for ten thousand years requires a single Taiyi Rare Treasures. For one hundred thousand years, one strand of Innate Primordial Qi [a primordial energy of creation, the foundational essence of the cosmos] is needed. For one million years, ten strands are required, and for ten million years, one hundred strands."

Speaking to this point, the immortal official continued, "If you desire permanent residency rights, the fee is five thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi."

"Five thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. Even for a Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations], five thousand strands of Innate Primordial Qi represented an astronomical sum.

Fortunately, he recovered his composure swiftly. Considering he might need to undertake a prolonged period of secluded cultivation here, he took a deep breath and declared, "Very well, grant me entry for one million years."

The immortal official accepted the Innate Primordial Qi, completed the registration, and handed Eldrin Chen a command token. As they parted, he offered a final warning, "When the million years have passed, you must remember to return this token here."

"Otherwise, the Immortal Court [the celestial governing body of the immortal realm] will not only dispatch Celestial Soldiers and Generals [the heavenly army] to apprehend you but will also levy an exorbitant fine."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, offering no further comment, and continued onward through the passageway.

Qingwei the Recluse soon caught up, walking alongside Eldrin Chen with a smile. "After tens of millions of years, this old man has finally returned to the Primordial Immortal Domain [the primordial realm where immortals originated, said to be the source of all cultivation]. I wonder how my sect fares in these times."

Eldrin Chen smiled without answering, proceeding along the passage until they finally emerged within the Primordial Immortal Domain.

The moment he arrived at the Primordial Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen's footsteps faltered for an instant, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

Seeing this, Qingwei the Recluse could not help but smile and say, "You've sensed it, haven't you?"

"Such a dense concentration of Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, the lifeblood of immortal realms]."

"What a magnificent Primordial Immortal Domain."

Eldrin Chen murmured in awe, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. He discovered that the vast expanse of this Earth Immortal [a powerful immortal cultivator whose power is anchored to the earth] realm was saturated with an unrestrained, majestic aura. Immortal mists coiled everywhere, and rare spiritual treasures and wonders carpeted the land.

It turned out the concentration of Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, the lifeblood of immortal realms] within this Primordial Immortal Domain was not merely a few thousand times richer than that of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Even this desolate mountain range before them possessed an Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, the lifeblood of immortal realms] density comparable to the Immortal Vein [a supreme spiritual artery that generates immortal-grade energy] of an immortal isle within the Vast Azure Realm. Furthermore, open-air Blessed Lands [naturally occurring pockets of exceptionally dense spiritual energy] could be said to be visible everywhere.

"This Primordial Immortal Domain," Qingwei the Recluse explained, "is home to seven Dao Progenitor [the ultimate masters of the Dao, creators of cosmic laws] and tens of thousands of Grand Luo Golden Immortal [peak immortal cultivators who have attained the Grand Luo realm] who continuously refine Chaos Water [primordial water of creation, the source of all things]. Its Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, the lifeblood of immortal realms] is, by its very nature, incomparably rich."

"Moreover, the Primordial Immortal Domain has always maintained a policy of strict entry and lenient exit. Therefore, the Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, the lifeblood of immortal realms] here has consistently remained over three thousand times denser than that of an ordinary Immortal Domain, and it has been steadily increasing throughout these years."

"It is said that the current density of Immortal Spirit Qi [the highest grade of spiritual energy, the lifeblood of immortal realms] in the Primordial Immortal Domain is thirty times greater than it was at the dawn of creation, and it continues to transform and grow without cease."

Qingwei the Recluse spoke with a tone of reverence, his gaze filled with longing. "This Immortal Spirit Qi [the supreme spiritual energy of the immortal realms] was originally transformed by the Three Great Celestial Courts and countless Great Luo Ancient Sect's Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the highest echelon of immortal cultivators]."

"Ordinary Immortal [the foundational immortal realm], Earth Immortal [immortals bound to earthly domains], and Celestial Immortal [heavenly ascendant immortals] contribute little, yet they ceaselessly consume the Immortal Spirit Qi. Without special privileges, why would those Grand Luo Golden Immortal labor for others without reward?"

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen finally understood why the major ancient sects within the Primordial Immortal Domain levied such heavy taxes upon the Immortal residing within their territories.

He had initially thought this was merely the exploitation of lower-tier immortals by their higher-tier counterparts. Now he saw it was a measure to maintain the positive cycle of the world's primordial energy, to avert the descent of an age of spiritual decay, while incidentally collecting a fee for their efforts.

Having spoken thus, Qingwei the Recluse prepared to take his leave. Before parting, he clasped his hands in farewell. "Now that I have returned to the Primordial Immortal Domain, I intend to visit my homeland. Perhaps we should bid each other farewell here."

Eldrin Chen returned the gesture but inquired further, "I am newly arrived in the Primordial Immortal Domain and remain unfamiliar with its ways."

"I would ask you, fellow Daoist, where the Netherworld Hell [the underworld realm of judgment and reincarnation] under our Human Race's governance is located. I also wish to inquire when the next Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for trading rare treasures] for high-tribulation Ancient Immortal [immortals of immense age and power] will be held within the Primordial Immortal Domain."

Qingwei the Recluse paused briefly, then smiled. "The location of the Netherworld Realm is simple; I can provide you with a map. As for a Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly for High Rank Ancient Immortal..."

Qingwei the Recluse pondered for a moment before continuing. "In approximately three hundred and seventy thousand years, there will be a Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly within the Shaking Radiance Ancient Domain. I plan to attend that one myself."

"If fate wills it, we shall meet again then."