Chapter 1959 : Return to the Abyssal Immortal Domain

"It is time to return."

As the Kalpa Tribulation drew to a close, Eldrin Chen gathered his thoughts and turned his path back towards the Abyssal Immortal Domain.

Upon his return to the Abyssal Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen found Lyra Jiang and the others had been waiting for some time. Seeing him, they could not help but ask with concern, "How did it go?"

"Some injuries, but nothing serious."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. Throughout the prolonged conflict, the wounds he had sustained were severe, yet none had been mortal.

Furthermore, with the Life Great Dao and various rare healing treasures tending to his injuries, most of the damage had already been Restoration. The primary issue was a depletion of his foundational vitality, which would require a significant amount of rare resources to replenish and a period of quiet recuperation.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen's wounds had largely Restoration, the women let out a slight sigh of relief.

Noting this, Eldrin Chen took out the belongings left behind by the Pure Yang Immortal Lord and stated, "The debt owed to the Pure Yang Immortal Lord has now been settled."

Witnessing this, Lila's eyes grew slightly red, a flicker of vindictive satisfaction passing through them.

Eldrin Chen said no more. He simply returned to his cultivation abode and retrieved the Sariras [sacred crystalline relics formed from the remains of an enlightened being] that Xianzhu Chen had transformed into.

"Tathagata Relic [a sacred crystalline remains left behind by a highly enlightened Buddhist cultivator]."

The moment she saw this Sariras, Lila's pupils trembled slightly, and for a moment she fell into a dazed, trance-like state.

Eldrin Chen also sighed softly. In the past, Xianzhu Chen had been born from the Heavenly Dragon Sariras, and now, having dissolved his own flesh and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], what remained was still a single Sariras.

"Perhaps this was his destiny—to come from a Sariras and return to a Sariras."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a trace of helplessness flickering in his eyes.

At that moment, Lila grabbed Eldrin Chen's arm and couldn't help but ask, "Husband, is there truly no way?"

Eldrin Chen remained silent. For a top-tier Ancient Immortal to dissolve their own Primordial Spirit—the difficulty of bringing such a one back could be described as harder than scaling the heavens.

Even with Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, accomplishing such a feat would be exceedingly difficult.

The most crucial point was that Xianzhu Chen's dissolution of his Primordial Spirit had been utterly complete. Within this Sariras lingered not a single wisp of Primordial Spirit; only a solitary True Spirit Imprint [the fundamental spiritual signature or essence of a being] remained preserved within.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen finally let out another soft sigh.

After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke, "I shall attempt it."

As his words faded, Eldrin Chen guided a wisp of Primordial Indestructible Spiritual Light [a fundamental, unbreakable essence of spiritual energy] and merged it into the Sariras [sacred crystalline relics]. There, it began to intertwine with Xianzhu Chen's fading True Spirit Imprint [the unique spiritual signature of a cultivator's soul].

"Hmmmm—"

The Primordial Indestructible Spiritual Light proved its miraculous efficacy. As it fused with the True Spirit Imprint, the Sariras began to emit a faint, ethereal glow reminiscent of Primordial Chaos [the primeval state of existence before creation], actively gathering the scattered fragments of Xianzhu Chen's dissipating Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and source of a cultivator's power].

Unnoticed at first, a faint, nascent soul consciousness began to coalesce within the Sariras.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of hope. He performed a series of rapid calculations with his fingers before declaring, "Xianzhu's Primordial Spirit is grievously wounded. For a true Restoration [the act of restoring something to its original or complete state], he must enter the wheel of Samsara [the endless cycle of death and rebirth]. Only within the crucible of Samsara can his true self gradually mend."

"This will require no small measure of time."

Upon hearing this, Lila was filled with profound relief.

As long as Xianzhu Chen could achieve Restoration, then a journey through Samsara was a price willingly paid.

Eldrin Chen also allowed himself a slight sigh of relief. He prepared to guide Xianzhu Chen's essence into the currents of Samsara. However, before committing him to that fateful cycle, Eldrin first made his way to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Deep within the Multidimensional Space-Time of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen traversed the span of several Kalpa-time [an immense cosmic cycle in Buddhist cosmology, often billions of years], gathering the scattered soul fragments of Susu.

Susu was the lifelong beloved of Xianzhu Chen. They met when he was at his most destitute, and he could only watch helplessly as she perished in his embrace. Later, her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was utterly annihilated within the currents of the River of Time and Space [the metaphysical river representing the flow of time and space].

This remained Xianzhu Chen's greatest regret in this life. He had originally intended, after attaining the Grand Luo [the supreme realm of cultivation] himself, to personally retrieve her from the ancient past and restore her to life.

But now Xianzhu Chen was also about to enter Samsara [the cycle of death and rebirth]. Therefore, Eldrin Chen gathered Susu's soul and aided them both in stepping into Samsara, allowing them to rekindle their predestined bond in a future life.

Having retrieved Susu's soul, Eldrin Chen brought them back to the Abyssal Immortal Domain. He then looked at Lila and said, "For Xianzhu Chen's Primordial Spirit to achieve complete Restoration [a divine ability of healing and renewal], it must undergo ten lifetimes within Samsara."

"I shall weave for them a bond spanning three lives and seven existences, awaiting the day they return anew."

Lila nodded silently, offering no further words.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen sent the pair into Samsara to be reborn.

Before their reincarnation, Eldrin Chen imprinted the ancient characters of the Primordial Scripture [a supreme cultivation scripture concerning fundamental origins] deep within their Primordial Spirit.

Among them, Susu received a single ancient character, named—Primordial Inquiry of Fundamentals Scripture [the Scripture of Primordial Inquiry into Fundamentals], a great Dorian-grade cultivation art oriented towards healing and restoration.

Xianzhu Chen possessed an extraordinary foundation. First, he obtained six ancient characters that transformed into the Six-Syllable Mantra. Later, he acquired three more ancient characters, which fused with the dragon patterns within the Sariras [sacred Buddhist relics], transforming into the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Scripture.

Subsequently, the Six-Syllable Mantra merged completely with the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon, fusing into a singular, unique cultivation art—the Buddha's Salvation Scripture.

Observing Xianzhu Chen's foundational potential, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a flicker of astonishment in his gaze.

This ancient scripture of Xianzhu Chen's was profoundly mystical. It was a Buddhist cultivation method, encompassing the grand Dao of the Buddhist Six-Syllable Mantra, as well as the cultivation techniques of Sainthood through the Flesh [a path to divinity through physical refinement].

To Eldrin Chen's discerning eye, this ancient scripture was, at the very least, a peerless Chaos-Grade [a supreme grade of cultivation scripture] classic, its future potential utterly boundless.

"The Buddha's Salvation Scripture, is it?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, seeming to perceive the Profound Nether [a profound and mysterious origin] of this ancient scripture belonging to Xianzhu Chen.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment. He ultimately decided to craft a scroll for imparting the Dao using the bark of an Innate Spiritual Root [a primordial spiritual tree]. Upon it, he inscribed the cultivation method of the Path of Self-Sacrifice, then imprinted it deep within the spiritual consciousness of the two individuals.

In the future, once they embarked upon the path of cultivation, they would discover these two ancient scriptures within the depths of their minds, thereby setting foot upon the cultivation road of the Path of Self-Sacrifice.

Furthermore, the Path of Self-Sacrifice possessed extremely high compatibility; it would not hinder the cultivation of either the Buddha's Salvation Scripture or the Primordial Inquiry of Fundamentals Scripture.

Having settled all these matters, Eldrin Chen sent the two into Samsara [the cycle of death and rebirth], thus resolving a matter that had weighed on his heart.

After guiding the two into Samsara, Eldrin Chen let out a slight sigh of relief. He spent a moment Restoration some of his injuries, then returned to Abyssal Heaven. There, he summoned Xianqing Chen, Qingfeng Ye, Wen Yuan Lu, and Purifying Bamboo for an audience.

Upon seeing the four, Eldrin Chen nodded with evident satisfaction.

During this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial], Eldrin Chen had personally entered the fray to slay powerful foes, and he had naturally heard tales of their exploits.

In the intervening years, they had each weathered their tribulations within the Chaos Heaven Extreme Domain, the Chaos Cosmos Extreme Domain, the Myriad Gods Primordial Domain, and the Sacred Demon Primordial Domain respectively. Each of them had demonstrated the power to dominate their Kalpa Tribulation, facing no true rivals.

Throughout the entire Kalpa Tribulation, they encountered no opponent who could truly challenge them, carving a path of victory straight through the heart of the heavenly trial.

In the latter stages of the Kalpa Tribulation, they directly opened their Inner Cosmos [a universe within oneself, a hallmark of supreme cultivation] and, following the Path of Self-Sacrifice, ascended into the Realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation].

Moreover, by Eldrin Chen's estimation, the combat prowess of the four was exceptionally formidable. While they could not quite match the peerless innate talent of Lyra Jiang and her ilk, their strength still brushed against the threshold of the fourth layer of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Excellent. You have truly not disappointed me."

"It is all thanks to your guidance and nurturing, Master."

All four of them revealed smiles, their bearing and presence becoming increasingly transcendent and otherworldly.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen said nothing more. After offering a few words of encouragement, he instructed them to enter seclusion within the Abyssal Immortal Domain.

It was at this very moment that a light flashed within Abyssal Heaven, and the Reincarnation Body [a powerful avatar formed through the profound art of reincarnation] stepped forth from it.

Long before the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal], due to a shortage of resources, Eldrin Chen had dispatched the Reincarnation Body into the Depths of Chaos to seek out Opportunity [a chance encounter or resource vital for advancement] and attempt to hunt Chaotic Fiendgod [primordial, monstrous beings born from the raw essence of chaos]. Thus, it had missed the previous great war.

Now that the Reincarnation Body had returned, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Have you gathered all the resources needed for your breakthrough to the Mid-Great Immortal Realm?"

The breakthrough for the Reincarnation Body demanded a staggering amount of resources.

This was because its entire foundation was fused into one entity, making it impossible to break through in stages. Once the breakthrough commenced, the resource consumption would be immense. This was precisely why Eldrin Chen had sent the Reincarnation Body to seek its own Opportunity.

Upon its return, the Reincarnation Body tossed down the remains of two Chaotic Fiendgod and shook its head. "I captured a low-grade Chaos Nest [a pocket realm or node of concentrated chaotic energy] and seized some Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable essence of spiritual radiance]. Unfortunately, I am still short by about ten strands."

Eldrin Chen nodded. He retrieved ten strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light and handed them to the Reincarnation Body.

After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke. "To prevent them from rallying and returning, do not venture too far after your breakthrough."

Having resolved the resources needed for the breakthrough of the Reincarnation Body [a profound ability to manifest a separate physical form through the soul's power], Eldrin Chen once again summoned Lulu and Ao Hong, bestowing upon each of them several strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primordial, unbreakable radiance essential for advancing one's cultivation to the highest tiers] to aid their breakthrough to the Mid Great Luo Golden Immortal [the middle stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, a pinnacle of immortal cultivation].

With this, the remaining Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light in Eldrin Chen's possession was once more reduced to merely a dozen or so strands.

After settling this matter, Eldrin Chen gathered Lyra Jiang and the others. Gazing at the assembly, he spoke, "In the great battle of years past, Verdant Extreme Ancient Ancestor [an ancient progenitor who has mastered the Dao of Verdant Extremity] and his allies did not suffer a fundamental crippling of their strength. I fear they may return to strike again."

Upon hearing his words, a grave solemnity settled over everyone present.

After a moment of pensive silence, Nyssa Qu spoke directly, "These formidable foes are not, in truth, beyond our means to contend with. My greater concern is that they might summon even more powerful enemies to their cause."

The others nodded in agreement, acknowledging the validity of her point.

Indeed, given the current might of the Chen Immortal Clan, they possessed the strength to withstand an assault even if the remaining five powerful adversaries were to attack once more.

The sole cause for worry was the possibility that Verdant Extreme Ancient Ancestor and his allies would rally greater enemies bound by the conflict of their opposing Daos [fundamental cosmic principles].

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen fell into deep thought. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the vast, myriad realms inhabited by immortals], the enemies born from the conflict with my own Dao number no more than a dozen or so."

"The true trouble lies with those Dao-enemies who have reached the realm of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign realm of cultivation where one commands the primordial forces of chaos], and there are a full four of them."

"However, we have formed alliances with the Taiyang Clan, the Grand Nether Imperial Court, the Taicang Imperial Court, and the Grand Frost Imperial Court. They can shield us from these four great adversaries of the Dao, so there is no immediate cause for concern."

"Among the remaining foes, including the Verdant Extreme Ancient Ancestor, there should be three cultivators at the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm]."

As he spoke to this point, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly with gravity.

If three Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection experts were to attack together, supported by several Eighth Layer Great Luo [cultivators at the eighth layer of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm], they truly might face the peril of a devastating defeat.

Fortunately, with the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation method based on sacrifice] gaining four new Grand Luo Golden Immortal [cultivators who have ascended to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm], the power of his Dao Authority [the authority and power derived from one's comprehension of the Dao] had also grown significantly.

Now, even relying solely on the power granted by the Path of Self-Sacrifice and his Dao Authority, Eldrin Chen likely possessed combat strength rivaling a top-tier Eighth Layer Great Luo expert. With all four of his foundational pillars combined, his overall combat power had increased by another twenty to thirty percent since that time.

Under these circumstances, if Eldrin Chen were to fortify his position within the Eight Great Immortal Domains [a collective term for eight major territories under immortal dominion], he would at least possess the capability to defend himself, even if three Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection experts led a host of other Eighth Layer Great Luo cultivators in an assault.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Our best course is to hold the Eight Great Immortal Domains and wait out one more Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration, often marked by great upheaval]. If the Path of Self-Sacrifice gives rise to five more Grand Luo Golden Immortal cultivators after that tribulation, our current difficulties will resolve themselves."

Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly in agreement, recognizing this as perhaps the most prudent strategy available.

Seeing their consensus, Eldrin Chen said no more on the matter.

In the years that followed, he began to mend his foundational essence [the core life force and spiritual foundation of a cultivator] through dual cultivation [a cultivation method involving spiritual and physical union between partners], while simultaneously digesting the gains from that fateful battle.

At the same time, the various Immortal Domain across the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss emerged from their seclusion, lifting their seals and re-entering the world.

News of this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and rebirth] began to reach the ears of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation] throughout the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss.

Compared to previous Kalpa Tribulation, the news that Eldrin, the Immortal Lord had personally plunged into the Kalpa Tribulation and slain his opponent, the Pure Yang Immortal Lord, was nothing short of earth-shattering.

It must be understood that Kalpa Tribulation are perilous in the extreme; even Grand Luo Golden Immortal rarely venture into their heart. The last time such an event occurred was thirty Kalpa Tribulation ago.

Of course, what made this news so explosive was, more importantly, the fall of the Pure Yang Immortal Lord.

One must know that the Pure Yang Immortal Lord was an eighth-layer Grand Luo Golden Immortal, placing him among the very pinnacle of that exalted realm.

That such a being, who had witnessed the passage of countless ages, could be slain by Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist, who had attained the Dao a mere handful of Kalpa Tribulation ago, was truly beyond belief.

Later, however, when word spread that Eldrin, the Immortal Lord had founded a new cultivation system and forged an entirely new Lesser Vehicle Great Dao [a complete, self-contained path of cultivation, though not the ultimate supreme path], it seemed to provide an explanation for everything.

After all, this was an entirely new Great Dao. Even if it was only a Lesser Vehicle path, it represented a complete Dao Authority [the sovereign authority and power inherent to a fully-realized cultivation path].

As one who has grasped a Great Dao [a fundamental cosmic principle or law], it seems plausible that Eldrin Chen would possess such formidable combat prowess.

Since Eldrin Chen had demonstrated such power, it naturally drew the attention of many top-tier powerhouses, including several of his sworn enemies on the path of the Great Dao [those whose fundamental cosmic principles are in direct opposition to his own].

On this day, deep within the Primordial Immortal Domain, within a distant Imperial Court [the palace and domain of an Emperor-level cultivator], three majestic figures clad in imperial robes gathered. As they reviewed a piece of intelligence in their hands, solemn expressions clouded their faces.

"What are your thoughts?"

After a long silence, the figure draped in golden imperial robes opened his eyes, his gaze sharpening with gravity as he spoke.

The other two did not answer immediately. A moment later, the man clad in imperial armor shook his head. "His strength shakes the heavens, and his methods are not to be underestimated."

Finally, the man in black-patterned imperial robes also nodded, his voice heavy with concern. "Indeed. If we do not suppress him early, it will not be long before he becomes a major problem."

Had anyone been present, they would have been struck with profound astonishment.

For each of these three figures possessed extraordinary origins. The golden-robed figure was the Progenitor of the Golden Spirit Ancient Clan, his cultivation having reached the second layer of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch realm. His lineage ranked forty-seventh among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races.

The man clad in imperial armor was the Desolate Ape Emperor Lord of the Demon Race, his cultivation also reaching the formidable third layer of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch realm.

The final figure, clad in black-veined imperial robes, was Profound Nether Emperor Lord, who governs the Fourteenth Layer of Hell. His cultivation had reached the fourth layer of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch realm [the pinnacle of power for a sovereign ruler].

These three peerless figures, each a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch in their own right and the master of a sovereign imperial court, were unexpectedly displaying such grave and solemn expressions.