Chapter 1908 : The Great Tribulation Beckons

After handling all these matters, Eldrin Chen noticed that Lyra Jiang and the others had finally finished digesting their gains from the Kalpa Tribulation and emerged from seclusion. He couldn't help but smile and say, "The Great Tribulation approaches. Why don't we observe how these younger generations face their trials?"

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang showed a flicker of curiosity and said, "I've heard that over the past million years, quite a few Path of Self-Sacrifice Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to immortality] have ascended."

Lila, Yvonne the Violet Consort, and the other women also revealed looks of keen interest.

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly. With a mere thought, he sealed the vast Abyssal Immortal Domain with the power of the Great Dao [the fundamental principle governing all existence]. Then, he spoke, his voice imbued with the Dao's authority, resonating throughout the Myriad Heavens [the countless realms and dimensions of existence].

"The Great Tribulation is upon us. All major Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands [hidden paradises and sacred lands of cultivation] shall seal their mountains and refrain from venturing forth."

"All who must face the tribulation may enter the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation] Celestial Domains to battle the Chaos Beast Race [beasts born from primordial chaos] and thus pass through their calamity."

Within the Abyssal Immortal Domain at that moment, countless Immortal [immortal cultivators] opened their eyes, their expressions a mix of astonishment and delight.

Among them was a group of Immortal whose gazes remained calm and composed, a fierce battle intent kindling within the depths of their pupils.

At this very moment, these Immortal rose to their feet and bowed respectfully, saying in unison, "We thank the Dao Progenitor [the progenitor of the Dao, a title of supreme reverence] for bestowing this tribulation."

"Path of Self-Sacrifice Immortal."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, his gaze sweeping over the multitude of beings before him, and he gave a slow, approving nod.

It was undeniable that those who could ascend to Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation] via the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation method that requires immense personal sacrifice] were first-rate in terms of temperament, innate talent, and sheer willpower.

Perhaps their innate gifts were lacking, but after forging the Body of the New Self [a reborn physical form achieved through profound cultivation], their acquired potential was vastly enhanced, placing them among the most gifted prodigies even within the ranks of Immortal.

At this moment, within the Abyssal Immortal Domain [a vast realm for immortal cultivators], the combined number of Immortal and Earth Immortal [an immortal anchored to the earthly realm] who had weathered tribulations was less than one hundred million, yet over thirty percent were Immortal who had walked the Path of Self-Sacrifice.

Observing these Immortal, Lyra Jiang furrowed her brow slightly before speaking. "I heard you also released a number of Chaos Ancient Beast [primordial beasts born from chaos] into the Chaos Celestial Domain [a domain of primordial chaos]. Isn't that too dangerous?"

"It is of no concern," he replied. "Those Chaos Ancient Beast are merely kept like cattle, reared for refining the Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir refined through nine cycles]. I have sealed them all completely. Only during a Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of fate and cultivation] will I consider releasing some for tempering purposes."

"The most powerful Chaos Beast Race [a race of beasts born from primordial chaos] released this time possess combat power only comparable to the Three Realms Realm [a cultivation realm mastering three domains] or the Taiyi Realm [the Primordial Unity realm], and they possess little intelligence. Our people are more than capable of handling them."

Nyssa Qu nodded upon hearing this, a smile gracing her lips. "If that is the case, then their fate rests in their own hands."

As they spoke, the vast Abyssal Immortal Domain and the Chaos Celestial Domain connected, and with a thunderous roar, a passageway was blasted open between them.

Within the Abyssal Immortal Domain, countless Immortal witnessed this and surged forward, flying through the passage to charge into the heart of the Chaos Celestial Domain.

Alaric Lu walked amidst the crowd, not particularly conspicuous.

"Is this... the Chaos Celestial Domain?"

Gazing at the ancient land before him, saturated with the aura of Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], ripples stirred within Alaric's eyes.

He could sense it—the vast Chaos Celestial Domain was filled with overwhelmingly domineering strands of Primordial Chaos Qi [the fundamental energy of primordial chaos]. Each wisp of this energy was potent enough to shred an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality], yet it seemed suppressed by some immense power, unable to exert its full, crushing pressure upon them.

"Is this... the trial of a Dao Progenitor [the ultimate originator of a Great Dao, a being of unfathomable power]?"

Alaric murmured inwardly, a trace of solemnity coloring his gaze.

He had been born a mortal in a Minor World [a small, lower-tier world], raised in a farming family, yet possessed an innate, quiet intelligence from childhood.

In his youth, a great drought struck his homeland. The river Ronan ran dry, and within its parched bed, he chanced upon a piece of jade. From it, he obtained the cultivation method of the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation art that uses one's own vitality and essence as fuel for advancement], thus embarking upon the path of cultivation.

By the time he began his cultivation, his Minor World had already entered an age of dwindling spiritual laws.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was thin and sparse; all manner of spiritual treasures and rare materials were nearly extinct. Even a Qi Refining cultivator was considered exceedingly rare. Fortunately, the Path of Self-Sacrifice did not rely on such spiritual treasures. The common grains and produce of the mortal world could serve as the fuel and nourishment for its practice.

The great drought made life untenable for the common folk, and countless displaced people rose up in rebellion.

He was but a child of nine years, swept up in the rebellion to seize the realm. Relying on the robust physique forged by the Path of Self-Sacrifice, coupled with innate cleverness and an indomitable, forward-driving spirit, he carved out a vast empire through sheer force of will.

A domain spanning one hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] fell entirely into his grasp.

Only at this point, upon obtaining writings left by predecessors, did he learn that this world had reached the brink of an Age of Dharma Decline [an era where spiritual energy and cultivation methods fade], and that no cultivator above the Foundation Establishment realm remained between heaven and earth.

Fortunately, for the next century, the mountains and rivers enjoyed favorable weather.

He cultivated superior crop strains, allowing the people to recuperate and rebuild. In less than ten years, the imperial treasuries overflowed with abundance.

Using these cultivation resources, he perfected the Martial Dao True Body, created the Five Grains Essence Refinement Method, obtained the Celestial Stem and Earthly Branch Dual Qi to forge his Dao Foundation, and ultimately cultivated to the Great Perfection stage of the Dao Foundation realm.

Finally, he invoked the Ascension Immortal Light and ascended to a newly opened Major World.

Leaping from a resource-scarce Minor World to a resource-rich primordial wilderness, he encountered an unprecedented great Opportunity. Using heaven-and-earth-shattering treasures from the world's dawn, he cultivated both the Ten Great Divine Treasuries and a Nine-Grade Dao Embryo.

He cultivated all the way to the Perfection stage of the Dao Embryo realm, ascended once more to a Great Thousand World, perfected an Indestructible Body that allowed him to dominate that Great Thousand World, and ultimately seized that world's once-in-tens-of-thousands-of-years Opportunity to achieve immortality.

Alaric Lu looked back upon his life, his gaze turning towards the Abyssal Immortal Domain with a flicker of profound gratitude in his eyes.

In this life, he had ascended through three worlds: he was the last Human Sovereign of a Minor World, the first Saint of a Major World, and a legend of an era within the Great Thousand World.

Yet the origin of all this karma lay in a single, seemingly insignificant piece of jade.

The cultivation method of the Path of Self-Sacrifice was created by the Lord of the Abyssal Immortal Domain, the Abyssal Dao Progenitor, and bestowed upon the multitudes as an Opportunity [a chance or opening to achieve enlightenment and power] to attain the Dao.

Otherwise, as a mere mortal, he would have perished in obscurity during that great drought, never achieving the magnificent feat of ascending to immortality.

"There are many like me,"

Alaric Lu murmured softly. He slowly turned his head back to face the onrushing Chaos Beast Race.

"BOOM—"

Heaven and earth thundered; gods and demons wept blood.

After hundreds of exchanges, the Chaos Beast Race, whose bulk surpassed that of an entire Major World, lay slain.

Alaric Lu slowly stored it away, then continued deeper into the Chaos Celestial Domain. The remains of a Chaos Beast Race at the Immortal Ascension Perfection realm were still insufficient for him to cultivate his Inner World to completion.

Although slaying a Chaos Beast Race of the same realm meant he had already weathered the great tribulation,

as an Immortal who walked the Path of Self-Sacrifice, he feared no opponent within his realm. Retreat was not an option.

The great battle raged on.

High above in the firmament, the assembled figures watched this scene unfold.

Nyssa Qu smiled faintly, then looked towards Eldrin Chen and said, "That young man bears a shadow of your former self."

Eldrin Chen smiled without replying. Many Immortals who walked the Path of Self-Sacrifice had distinguished themselves during this tribulation, but Alaric Lu was indeed among the most exceptional.

His gaze turned to the distant horizon, witnessing the rise of one Path of Self-Sacrifice Immortal after another. He finally grasped the true might of those who walked this path.

During this Kalpa Tribulation, the Path of Self-Sacrifice Immortals had clearly outperformed their counterparts from the orthodox Immortal Dao by a significant margin.

In truth, it was not that the orthodox Immortal Dao's powerhouses were lacking. The true pinnacle Immortals of the Immortal Dao were by no means weak.

However, when considering the average performance of those who walk the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation method that requires sacrificing one's own foundation to forge a new, more powerful self], there are almost no weaklings; each one is exceptionally outstanding.

In truth, Eldrin Chen had long anticipated this. The path of Path of Self-Sacrifice is arduous, and those who tread it must endure immense suffering and tribulation.

To cultivate all the way to the Imperishable [a state of near-indestructibility] realm and still succeed in sacrificing all one's foundational cultivation to forge the Body of the New Self [a supreme constitution born from complete self-sacrifice and rebirth]—such individuals are, without exception, rare geniuses of unprecedented caliber.

Although Immortal [the foundational Immortal realm] who follow the Path of Self-Sacrifice constitute only three tenths of the total, these particular Path of Self-Sacrifice Immortal have a hope of breaking through to the World-Opening Realm [a higher realm where one can manifest their own inner world] that is at least several times greater than that of ordinary Immortal.

Among the Immortal of the orthodox immortal path, only one in every one or two hundred may advance to become an Earth Immortal [an Immortal whose power is deeply connected to the earth and world laws].

Yet, for those who achieve immortality via the Path of Self-Sacrifice, on average, one in every thirty may step into the Heaven-Opening Realm [a realm parallel to World-Opening, focused on heavenly laws and ascension].

The fundamental reason is that most orthodox path Immortal possess only a single immortal foundation. In contrast, any Path of Self-Sacrifice cultivator who succeeds in becoming an immortal is, at the very weakest, comparable to a genius with a dual Ascending Immortal [a specific, powerful type of Immortal foundation] foundation.

"The weak among the practitioners of the Path of Self-Sacrifice are, for the most part, filtered out during the early stages of cultivation or before achieving immortality."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a ripple of understanding stirring in the depths of his gaze.

In fact, looking at the situation below the Ascending Immortal realm, there are actually more cultivators on the Path of Self-Sacrifice.

The number of low-realm cultivators who follow the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a brutal cultivation method that consumes one's own life force for power] is a hundred times greater than those on the orthodox Immortal Path [the mainstream path of cultivation seeking longevity and ascension]. Even at the Indestructible Realm [a formidable physical cultivation stage where the body becomes nearly unbreakable], the number of powerful Path of Self-Sacrifice practitioners is twice that of their immortal path counterparts.

Alas, because the Path of Self-Sacrifice is so utterly merciless, those who can successfully forge the Martial Dao True Body [a perfected physical form achieved through extreme martial cultivation] are exceedingly rare.

With each subsequent realm breakthrough, the risk of death far surpasses that of the immortal path. The final, crucial step—incinerating the old mortal shell to give birth to a new self—acts as an impassable barrier, halting nine out of ten cultivators who have reached the Great Perfection of the Indestructible Realm.

Regarding this, Eldrin Chen truly had no universal solution. Every cultivator is unique, and each being who treads the Path of Self-Sacrifice possesses a distinct physical constitution.

Unless Eldrin Chen were to personally devise a unique cultivation art tailored to each individual's physique, coupled with precisely suitable treasures, could the peril of their breakthrough failures be mitigated.

Yet, relying on Eldrin Chen alone made such a feat an impossibility.

Eldrin Chen could only impart some secret techniques of higher universality. For the rest, he had to rely on the growing number of Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality] who practiced the Path of Self-Sacrifice to refine and complete the methods according to their own specific circumstances.

He believed that as the ranks of Immortal on the Path of Self-Sacrifice gradually swelled, they would collectively increase the success rate of breakthroughs and reduce the mortality rate of failures for future practitioners of this arduous path.

To return to the main narrative, as time flowed on with its slow, inexorable current, this great tribulation finally concluded after thirty thousand years.

When all was settled, Eldrin Chen sealed the Chaos Celestial Domain [a primordial realm of chaotic celestial energies] and guided the countless Immortal back into the confines of the Abyssal Immortal Domain [the immortal realm governed by Eldrin Chen].

At this moment, Eldrin Chen discovered that after this great tribulation, one-third of the Immortal [a being who has achieved immortality through cultivation] who entered the calamity had perished. Those who survived had, on average, broken through by one or two cultivation realms.

Furthermore, thirty-seven new Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme rank among Heavenly Immortals] had ascended. Across the Mortal Dust Domain and the Seventy-Two Heavenly Domains, nearly every Celestial Domains [a vast, self-contained heavenly realm] had gained over a hundred new World Creation [the ability to create and govern a world] Patriarchs or Earth Immortal Progenitor [an Earth Immortal who has founded a lineage].

Alaric Lu was among the most outstanding of these World Creation Patriarchs. He had opened twelve layers of Celestial Domains, a talent far more astonishing than that of many Heavenly Immortal Paragon.

After the great tribulation concluded, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve, drawing the newly ascended tens of thousands of World-Opening Realm [the cultivation realm of one who can open/create a world] Patriarchs and Earth Immortal [an immortal whose power is rooted in the earth and world-creation] into the Abyssal Heaven.

The gathered immortals, drawn into the Abyssal Heaven, felt their hearts tremble as they beheld the indescribable figure shrouded within the mists of Celestial Immortal [a higher tier of immortal existence] at the path's end.

After a moment of profound silence, the immortals swiftly prostrated themselves, declaring in unison, "We pay homage to the Immortal Lord [a lord among immortals], the Dao Progenitor [the progenitor of a great Dao path]."

"Rise."

Eldrin Chen accepted their obeisance, then with another sweep of his sleeve, he gently raised the multitude to their feet.

His gaze swept over the assembly before he spoke, his voice resonating with the weight of epochs. "Over a million years past, I opened and founded this Abyssal Immortal Domain."

"Whether you were born within this Immortal Domain [a domain ruled by immortals] or within the Myriad Heavens [the countless heavens of existence], your existence is ultimately tied to my own. Many mortals among you have also attained the Dao [the ultimate path and principle of cultivation] by cultivating the methods I created."

"It can be said that all of you are, in a sense, my disciples and descendants,"

At this point, Eldrin Chen paused briefly before continuing with a smile, "This great tribulation is the first of its kind for the Abyssal Immortal Domain. It serves the Dao [the fundamental principle or path] of the world's cyclical renewal and is also a trial meant to temper you all."

"Since you have seized this Opportunity to World Creation, you can be considered individuals of fate."

"Consider these small trinkets as encouragement for your continued cultivation journey."

As his words faded, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve, scattering tens of thousands of beams of immortal light that descended into the hands of the assembled crowd.

Upon receiving the light and examining it, every face in the crowd lit up with ecstatic joy.

Among the treasures Eldrin Chen had bestowed were World-Opening Treasure, World Creation Treasures, as well as Primordial Immortal Weapon and Innate Treasure.

Any single one of these was an object they could only dream of obtaining. Having now received such generous gifts from a Grand Luo Immortal Lord, they immediately prostrated themselves and declared in unison, "We offer our deepest gratitude for the Immortal Lord's magnanimous gifts."

"Go now."

Eldrin Chen gave a dismissive wave of his hand. With another sweep of his sleeve, he teleported the multitude away, leaving behind only seventy-two figures.

Standing amidst the crowd, Alaric Lu glanced at those around him and couldn't help but pause in slight surprise. He realized that the seventy-two individuals who remained were all top-tier powerhouses of the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation art that emphasizes sacrifice of the self for greater power].

Each of these seventy-two cultivators had at least opened the Ninth Heaven Domain [the ninth and highest tier of a specific foundational cultivation realm], making their innate talent and combat prowess exceptionally rare.

"It has been seven hundred twenty thousand years since I first disseminated the Path of Self-Sacrifice," Eldrin Chen began, his voice calm as he recounted. "You seventy-two are the strongest practitioners of this art, each possessing the potential to reach the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal realm]. Thus, you share a certain karmic affinity with me."

Eldrin Chen continued, his tone measured. "Since fate has brought us together, would you be willing to pledge yourselves under my tutelage and become my nominal disciples?"

"We are willing!"

Upon hearing his words, the cultivators were overcome with ecstatic joy and immediately prostrated themselves in unison.

To become a nominal disciple of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal who has attained the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm] was a dream coveted by countless Heavenly Immortal Paragon. Never had they imagined that they, mere Earth Immortal [immortals of the Earthly realm], would encounter such a monumental Opportunity [a rare chance for profound advancement].

Witnessing their fervor, Eldrin Chen declared, "I shall accept three thousand nominal disciples. You shall be the first among them."

"Nine million years hence," he proclaimed, his voice carrying the weight of destiny, "whoever among you can dominate all rivals during the Dao Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of fate and cultivation] and prove themselves first in both combat prowess and foundational depth shall ascend to become my true, personal disciple. Now, go and cultivate with diligence."

With those final words, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve. In that motion, he bestowed upon each of the seventy-two a token of identity, marking their new status.

Hearing this, everyone accepted the tokens with joy.

With these tokens signifying their status as registered disciples, they were now considered inheritors of the Great Luo Ancient Sect. Henceforth, even a Heavenly Immortal Paragon [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to the Heavenly Immortal realm] from the Abyssal Immortal Domain would have to show them deference.

Most crucially, possessing this token granted them a stipend from the Abyssal Ancestral Court and access to the majority of the Celestial Immortal Scriptures [profound cultivation manuals for Celestial Immortals] housed within the Abyssal Ancestral Court Scripture Pavilion.

Scriptures of the Celestial Immortal [the realm of Celestial Immortals] level were treasures they could only dream of in the outside world, each requiring a price paid a thousandfold to obtain.

Walking among the crowd, Alaric Lu looked at the token in his hand, his thoughts drifting to the words of Eldrin Chen.

"The first to break through to the Three Realms Realm [a profound cultivation stage encompassing three major realms] shall become a Great Luo Direct Disciple?"

Alaric Lu murmured inwardly, a steely resolve gleaming in his eyes.

He understood, albeit vaguely, that whether he could become a disciple of Eldrin, the Immortal Lord and ascend to the status of a Great Luo Golden Immortal Direct Successor would determine the course of his future destiny.

Without the patronage of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a Golden Immortal of the Great Luo path], what chance did he, a man with no background or foundation, armed only with unyielding pride and perseverance, truly have of proving his Dao and attaining the Great Luo Realm?

After receiving their tokens and offering three bows of gratitude, the assembled Immortals departed from Abyssal Heaven one by one.

Lyra Jiang appeared beside Eldrin Chen. Glancing at the retreating figure of Alaric Lu, she remarked, "That lad is intelligent and reserved, yet he possesses no lack of perseverance and daring. He is a natural seed for cultivating the Path of Self-Sacrifice. This time, having opened twelve layers of heaven and earth within himself, that personal disciple slot will most likely be his."

"It's not yet certain,"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and then spoke, "There are still nine hundred thousand years. It's not impossible for a prodigy no weaker than him to emerge."

Lyra Jiang nodded upon hearing this, then inquired, "I have adjusted my state over these years and am prepared to undertake the Foundation Reforging [a profound process of reforging one's cultivation foundation to achieve a higher potential] in the near future."

"Mm." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of assent. "During this period, the others have digested their gains from the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial that reshapes fate and destiny] and emerged from seclusion. Let us summon them for a council."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement. "Very well."

Not long after, the high-ranking members of the Abyssal Immortal Domain gathered within the great hall of Abyssal Heaven.

Seated upon the central throne, Eldrin Chen surveyed the assembled figures before him, a subtle gleam flickering in his eyes.

After so many years apart, the various Ancient Immortal [immortals who have existed since ancient times] of the Chen Immortal Clan had all digested their harvest from the Kalpa Tribulation, and their strength had now soared to tremendous new heights.

Unhindered by a lack of Great Luo Rare Treasure [priceless treasures of the Great Luo Realm, essential for high-level cultivation breakthroughs], the Ancient Immortal of the Chen Immortal Clan had all broken through to the realm of Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an Ancient Immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations].

Setting aside Verdant Consort and Lyra Jiang for the moment, Nyssa Qu, having fused with the Chaos Primordial Qi [the primordial energy of chaos, the source of all creation], has now cultivated the three great True Spirit Foundation [the foundational state of a True Spirit cultivator, representing supreme purity and power]: the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a spiritual core of ultimate purity and resilience], the True Spirit Great Dao [a supreme cultivation art aligned with the fundamental laws of reality], and the True Spirit Divine Ability [a divine power born from a True Spirit foundation]. She has already become the strongest individual within the Chen Immortal Clan.

Yvonne the Violet Consort refined several exceedingly precious portions of Supreme Dao Source [the ultimate source of a Great Dao's power], along with the Innate Spiritual Fire, Capital Heaven Purple Flame. She achieved the Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm and even cultivated two Indestructible Foundation [a foundation of peerless durability and permanence]: the Indestructible Primordial Spirit and the Indestructible Great Dao.

Qiyuan Chen has cultivated an Indestructible Body [a physique of unbreakable resilience]. Furthermore, by refining a piece of Innate Divine Substance Indestructible Adamantine, he seems to have half-stepped into the domain of a True Spirit Physique [a physical form embodying the purity and power of a True Spirit].

Lila cultivated a single Indestructible Foundation, placing her combat prowess a step below the other two.

Kael Chen's cultivation has caught up, having also reached the Eight Calamities Ancient Immortal Realm. He refined several portions of Eight Tribulations Dao Source [Dao Source refined through eight heavenly tribulations]. Now, simultaneously cultivating the paths of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonic Arts, he has nurtured all three of his Great Daos into Great Dao Embryo [the nascent, potent form of a Great Dao]. Their fusion and unification will give birth to an Indestructible Great Dao.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, Kael Chen's unified Buddhist-Daoist-Demonic Dao Fruit [the ultimate fruit of one's cultivation path], his Great Dao, and his Unity of All Worlds [a constitution representing the harmony and convergence of all realms] all possess the potential to reach the True Spirit Realm.

This left even Eldrin Chen astonished, for Kael Chen's latent potential was truly terrifying.

To possess the aptitude for Three True Spirit Foundations—such talent and potential are rare even within the Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms emerged]. Success would undoubtedly herald the bearing of a true Dao Progenitor [an ultimate being who originates a Great Dao].

Ethan Chen and Xianqing Chen were slightly less advanced, but each had still cultivated one Indestructible Foundation.

Xianchang Chen's combat power was also immensely formidable. Having now reached the Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm and augmented by thirty-three Vast Sea Divine Pearl [divine pearls containing the boundless power of the vast sea], his strength was sufficient to rival an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

Alas, it is exceedingly difficult for Xianchang Chen to prove his path to the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Pass [the realm of forging one's spirit into a heavenly treasure]. To produce thirty-three strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable essence of spiritual energy] in one breath is a feat not even Eldrin Chen could accomplish.

Taking a comprehensive view, aside from Lyra Jiang, who is undergoing Foundation Reforging [a profound process of reforging one's cultivation foundation], and Verdant Consort, who is preparing for reincarnation and rebirth, the other members of the Chen Immortal Clan all possess combat power at the peak Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] level.

Among them, Nyssa Qu possesses Three True Spirit Foundations [a cultivation base founded upon three true spiritual cores], granting her such strength. Xianchang Chen and Kael Chen also wield power comparable to an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has weathered eight heavenly tribulations].

The remaining four—Lila, Yvonne the Violet Consort, Qiyuan Chen, and Ethan Chen—all command peak Seven Tribulation Ancient Immortal combat power, and could even hold their own, albeit with difficulty, against an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal.

Furthermore, aside from these core members, there are two affiliated forces of significant strength: the Nine-Colored Immortal Deer [a mythical deer beast of nine radiant hues], Ao Hong, and the Ancient Ice Phoenix [a primordial phoenix born of eternal frost].

Ao Hong and the Ancient Ice Phoenix are still recuperating from their injuries, so their current state need not be discussed.

As for Lulu, she is an Eight Tribulation Ancient Immortal with Seven Indestructible Foundations [seven unbreakable cultivation foundations], her strength rivaling even those with a single True Spirit Foundation [a foundation built upon a true spiritual core].

Having grasped the capabilities of his allies, Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to touch his lips before speaking. "The reason I have summoned you all today," he began, his voice clear and measured, "is to deliberate on the matter of developing the Chaos Sea [a primordial expanse of turbulent, unformed energies]."