Chapter 1918 : Echoes of a Fallen Immortal Clan
"So this is the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain?"
Gazing upon the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain before him, Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself, his eyes reflecting on the history of this place.
The Immortal Clam Clan, one of the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, was a force of immense glory during the Primordial Era. This lineage possessed the ability to ingest the Sea of Chaos Water [the primordial waters of chaos] and transform it into Innate Shell Pearl [pearls of innate spiritual power], a feat that once produced twelve Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [supreme immortals who have attained the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm] within their clan. Their might was further anchored by the Primordial Ancestor of Nine-Colored Immortal Shell [the primordial progenitor of the clan, a being of nine-colored immortal shell], a powerhouse at the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm [the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm], who stood as a bulwark against the Chaos [the formless primordial chaos].
In that golden age, the Immortal Clam Clan may not have claimed the very pinnacle among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, but their strength undoubtedly ranked within the top thirty.
Alas, the cataclysmic war of the Late Primordial Era [the latter part of the Primordial Era] proved their undoing. The Primordial Ancestor of Immortal Clam Clan vanished into the maw of Chaos, and more than half of their twelve Great Encompassing Golden Immortal fell, never to fully return. This devastation caused the Immortal Clam Clan's power to plummet to the lower echelons of the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races.
Had that been the extent of their misfortune, the Immortal Clam Clan might have clung to the dignity befitting a Hundred Immortal Spirit Races member, sustained by the deep reserves of their ancestral legacy.
Yet, a little over one Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration] ago, the Purple Seal Immortal Lord [the Immortal Lord of the Purple Seal] emerged as a brilliant star in the firmament. The Immortal Clam Clan forged a bond with this rising power.
In a desperate gamble to aid the Purple Seal Immortal Lord in his ascension to become a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor who commands the power of Chaos], the Immortal Clam Clan poured nearly every ounce of their remaining strength into the endeavor. The final outcome, however, brought the clan to the very brink of total collapse.
In the aftermath of that fateful battle, several more of the clan's Great Encompassing Golden Immortal perished. Only the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord, shielded by a supreme treasure left behind by their Primordial Ancestor, managed to cling to life by the slimmest of margins.
Thus, the power of the present-day Immortal Clam Clan has suffered a precipitous decline, plummeting to the very bottom ranks of the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races. The story continues at audio~novel.com.
The weakest among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races [a collective term for one hundred powerful spirit races in the immortal realms], yet simultaneously one of the wealthiest, this has placed the current Immortal Clam Clan [a spirit race known for their pearl cultivation and defensive prowess] in an extremely precarious position. They can only rely on the defensive Formation [a complex array or spell formation used for protection or attack] of their superior-grade Immortal Domain [a realm or territory governed by an immortal] and the strength of their Seven-Colored Immortal Lord [a high rank among immortal cultivators] to hold on tenaciously, not daring to venture even half a step beyond the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain [the specific immortal domain ruled by the Immortal Clam Clan].
Thoughts swirled within Eldrin Chen's mind as he pondered the origins of the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races, a faint ripple of contemplation shimmering in the depths of his gaze.
"Fellow Cultivator Eldrin, Sister Nyssa, please, come in quickly."
Just as Eldrin Chen's thoughts flickered, a soft radiance emanated from within the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain, and a portal swung open for the trio.
Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Nyssa Qu before stepping through. They found themselves within a breathtakingly beautiful stretch of sea.
At the Central [the central or core area] of this exquisite seascape, a woman of peerless elegance and grace had been waiting.
"Forgive this humble one for not greeting you from afar. I hope you can overlook this discourtesy."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord spoke with a smile, her demeanor and aura possessing a transcendent, peerless beauty that Eldrin Chen had never before witnessed in his life.
Eldrin Chen gathered his thoughts and promptly clasped his hands in salute. "Senior, you have shown great kindness to Nyssa, which allowed her to successfully attain the Great Encompassing [a profound cultivation realm representing a major breakthrough] realm. We have come specifically to express our gratitude."
"There is no need for such formalities."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord [a powerful immortal being] offered a faint smile, then looked at Nyssa Qu and said, "When I first heard of Nyssa, I merely thought it meant our Immortal Clam Clan [a powerful clan of immortal beings] would gain another Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme level of immortal cultivation]."
"I never imagined that today, we would have nurtured a seed capable of becoming a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a supreme sovereign who rules over primordial chaos]."
Nyssa Qu smiled slightly and gave a respectful bow. "That Nyssa has reached this day is largely thanks to the Immortal Lord's cultivation and guidance."
"We are all family here; there is no need for such formality." The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord shook his head. "Moreover, the aid I provided was but a small part of what led to your current achievements."
Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a stir in his heart. Over the years, the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord had bestowed a great many treasures, yet those were not the key to Nyssa Qu mastering the six great True Spirit Foundation [foundational cultivation arts that forge one's spiritual essence].
The greatest credit for Nyssa Qu's success today belonged to the wisp of Chaos Genesis Energy [the primordial energy from which all creation springs] gifted by the Purple Seal Immortal Lord [a title for a specific immortal lord]. Without it, mastering even one or two of the True Spirit Foundation would have been a trial of immense difficulty for Nyssa Qu.
Of course, the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord had provided Nyssa Qu with vast cultivation resources over the years, including even seven portions of Immortal Gold [a divine metal of the highest grade] of Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the world's natural laws] grade, and that Innate Spiritual Treasure-grade Seven-colored Immortal Pearl.
Without the assistance of these treasures, Nyssa Qu might have needed to wait several more Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration] to complete the six great True Spirit Foundation.
"Regardless, now that you have attained the Great Encompassing [the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], there is a matter I would like to entrust to you."
It was at this moment that the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord suddenly spoke up.
Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered slightly. He inquired, "The task you mentioned, Senior, may I ask what it entails?"
"To aid my younger sisters in their return."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord [a title for an immortal lord of the clam clan] spoke, her expression turning grave.
Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He asked immediately, "Please elaborate, Senior. If it is within our power to assist, we will certainly help."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord nodded, then said with a bitter smile, "During the battle of the Late Primordial Era [the final cataclysmic war of the ancient world], my seven sisters all fell in the Depths of Chaos [the most perilous and formless regions of primordial disorder]. Yet, their remains lie amidst a host of powerful enemies..."
As the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord recounted the tale in detail, Eldrin Chen gradually came to understand the tragic plight of the Immortal Clam Clan. Original English translation available at audio–novel.com.
It turned out that during the Late Primordial Era war, the Seven-Hued Immortal Shell [a legendary clan of divine mollusks] lost seven of their Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [beings who have attained the pinnacle of immortality, their essence merged with the cosmos]. All seven perished deep within the Sea of Chaos [the boundless, turbulent ocean of unformed primal energy].
If that were all, the Great Encompassing [the supreme immortal cultivators] of the Seven-Hued Immortal Shell clan could have eventually revived and returned.
But what was more dreadful was that those seven Great Encompassing Golden Immortal of the Immortal Clam Clan each fell within territories controlled by different Chaos Demon God [ancient, malevolent deities born from primordial disorder].
This created a terrifying predicament. Even if these seven Immortal Clam Clan Great Encompassing Being [the supreme immortals of the clam clan] managed to stir back to consciousness once every hundred Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth], they could never escape the relentless hunting parties of the Chaos Demon God.
Although the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord possessed cultivation at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection level, formidable enemies lurked outside, their covetous eyes fixed upon the Immortal Clam Clan like a succulent piece of meat. Countless top-tier Great Encompassing Golden Immortal experts, and even Primordial One Imperial Lord figures, watched intently. Were she to leave the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain, she would inevitably fall into an ambush.
Furthermore, many enemies of the Immortal Clam Clan would never permit the Seven-Hued Immortal Shell to go to their rescue.
Thus, each time the seven Immortal Clam Clan Great Encompassing Being Immortal Lord sisters awakened from their slumber, they lacked the protection of a Path Guardian to ensure their safety.
The combat prowess of the Immortal Clam Clan Great Encompassing Being Golden Immortal sisters was not particularly formidable to begin with. Stripped of their Innate Spiritual Treasure and freshly awakened in a state of profound Force Extreme [a state of extreme weakness following a long dormancy], their situation was dire.
These wretched circumstances meant that every time they stirred from the Chaos, they would be hunted down and overwhelmed by the encircling Chaos Demon God, forcing them back into their deep, silent slumber.
"What a tragic fate," Eldrin Chen murmured, drawing a sharp breath as the full weight of their story settled upon him. "How can we assist?"
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord offered no lengthy explanation. Instead, she produced a map from her hand. "My seven sisters fell in three separate battlefields," she stated.
"These three battlefields are the Heaven's Roar Path Domain, the Giant Turtle Path Domain, and the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss."
"Within these sites, two fell in the Heaven's Roar Path Domain. However, a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection Chaos Demon God perpetually guards that place. With your current strength, you cannot intervene there."
"The Giant Turtle Path Domain and the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss each claimed one of my sisters. These two locations are guarded by Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Chaos Demon God of the late-stage. With your combined power, you should be capable of dealing with them."
"Within the Giant Turtle Path Domain [a vast territory ruled by the Giant Turtle Demi-Ancestor], four of my sisters have fallen. Among them was even Sister Violet Spirit [a powerful cultivator], who had reached the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the eighth level of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm]. It is a great pity. However, that domain is the territory of the Giant Turtle Demi-Ancestor [a primordial being of immense power]. Every time they attempt to reawaken, they are suppressed and slain by him."
"Only this Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss [a desolate and perilous chasm within the Chaos] is different. Its environment is far more unique, preventing the most powerful Chaos Demon Gods [ancient, primordial demonic entities born from Chaos] from entering. You might be able to lend a hand there."
As the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord [an immortal lord renowned for her mastery over seven-colored divine light] spoke these words, Eldrin Chen [the protagonist, a formidable cultivator] could not help but turn his gaze towards the location of the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss.
That Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss was a rare Chaos Desert [a barren, lifeless expanse within the primordial Chaos]. It stretched for a distance spanning dozens of path domains, yet the Sea of Chaos Water [the primordial waters of Chaos that fill certain regions] within it was saturated with an aura of utter death and stillness.
This aura of death was exceptionally potent and tyrannical, filled with a corrosive power of extreme intensity. Moreover, it held a particular hostility towards Immortals [beings who have ascended to immortality] of higher cultivation realms. For this reason, very few top-tier Great Encompassing Golden Immortals [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal stage, encompassing all within themselves] dared to set foot within it.
Thus, although the entire Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss was vast and sprawling, the Chaos Demon Gods within it were exceedingly scarce. Only a very few who cultivated unique Great Encompassing Physiques [rare and powerful bodily constitutions capable of withstanding immense forces] or practiced special Great Paths [profound and supreme cultivation arts] would choose to cultivate within its depths.
"This Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss..."
Eldrin Chen suddenly spoke, a flicker of curiosity stirring in his heart regarding the formation of this place, the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss.
Seeing his curiosity, the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord began to recount the origins of the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss.
"In the Primordial Era [the mythic age of creation, when the universe was first formed], among the six domains of the Southern Abyss [a profound and mysterious region in the southern reaches of existence], there was a madman. He called himself Chu Madman [a legendary, peerless prodigy known for his unorthodox methods]. He was a peerless monster who had proven his Great Path [attained the ultimate Dao] by establishing a foundation upon the Six True Spirit Foundations [a legendary and nearly impossible method of cultivation using six primordial true spirits as a base], reaching the Great Encompassing [a supreme realm of cultivation]."
"Chu Madman was a figure of boundless arrogance. After attaining the Great Encompassing realm, he refused to tread the conventional path. He boldly declared his intent to forge a new precedent, abandoning the established routes of the True Spirit Great Path and the True Spirit Physique, and even disdained the True Spirit Primordial Spirit. He was determined to carve out a Path to Heaven solely through the power of his spiritual energy [the refined vital force cultivated by practitioners]."
"This man was also a prodigious talent. Using his own heart as a foundation, he cultivated the Eternal Indestructibility Heart and created the Heart Refinement Path, a cultivation art dedicated solely to refining spiritual energy. He advanced in one breath all the way to the realm of Great Perfection Primordial One Imperial Lord."
"Ultimately, he sought to prove his Dao [to achieve enlightenment and ascend to a higher state of being] and attain the ChaosHeavenly Emperor Realm upon the Heaven's Heart Ancient Plain, aspiring to become the first person in all of history to achieve the Heavenly Emperor realm through spiritual energy alone."
"Alas..."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord shook his head and sighed, saying, "He failed. He could not control that supreme Realm of Chaos spiritual energy. In the final moment, his physical body, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and essence of a cultivator], his Path Fruit [the condensed essence of one's cultivated Dao], and indeed all his foundations were blasted apart by the energy."
"His Eternal Indestructibility Heart shattered. Not even the True Spirit Foundation could withstand that supreme Chaos energy; it was torn into infinite fragments and scattered into the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]."
"And the Heaven's Heart Ancient Plain was blasted into a deep abyss. For this reason, later generations renamed it the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss."
"He refused to cultivate his Primordial Spirit, his physical body, or his Path Fruit, stubbornly insisting on forging a unique path through spiritual energy alone." Eldrin Chen spoke calmly, then nodded. "This Chu Madman was indeed a true madman."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord nodded in agreement and continued, "With Chu Madman's innate talent and the Chaos Genesis Energy [a primordial energy of creation] he obtained, had he chosen any of the other established paths, he might have long since proven his Dao and attained the Chaos Heavenly Emperor realm."
"Yet in the end, this arrogant man was defeated by his own arrogance."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord spoke slowly, a trace of sorrow flickering in the depths of his gaze.
Eldrin Chen remained silent, his eyes fixed on the map of the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss [a legendary, perilous region of the cosmos]. What manner of being was this, that even in death, their power could sunder dozens of Chaos Path Domain [realms governed by primordial chaos]?
The Sea of Chaos [a vast expanse of turbulent, primordial energy] left behind by that erupting power, which eroded countless Path Domain [a cultivator's sovereign realm of influence], still brims with the arrogant, domineering will of Indestructibility [the concept of absolute, unyielding permanence] even after hundreds of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles of creation and destruction]. It scorns all who would come after, across the eons.
"The one who fell within the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss, was Sister Snow Soul."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord [a powerful immortal being] withdrew his thoughts and looked again at the map. "By my reckoning, Sister Snow Soul will begin her reawakening in fifty million years."
"When that time comes, several Chaos Demon God [primordial demons born of chaos] will surely seek to prevent her revival. You must act within your means. If it proves too perilous, waiting another hundred Kalpa Tribulation to rescue her is a viable path."
Eldrin Chen considered this and asked, "Among those who would hunt her, are there any at the late-stage Great Encompassing [a supreme realm of cultivation where one's influence encompasses vast reality]?"
"It is unlikely."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord pondered for a moment before explaining, "The corrosive spiritual energy within the Sundered Heart Ancient Abyss grows more potent against those of higher cultivation. Beings at the late-stage Great Encompassing rarely dare to tread there."
Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Nyssa Qu. "To miss this chance would mean waiting a hundred more Kalpa Tribulation," he said, his voice firm. "That is far too long a time."
"When the time comes, we shall go and see. I believe that even if we encounter a Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a cultivator at the peak of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], we will have the power to protect ourselves."
The Seven-Colored Immortal Lord [a powerful immortal being] nodded, a sigh of relief escaping him as he said, "Then I can only trouble you with this matter."
Eldrin Chen smiled slightly before speaking. "Nyssa is not only my Dao Companion [a cultivation partner bound by profound vows], but also a Great Encompassing Immortal Lord [a supreme immortal lord] of the Immortal Clam Clan. It is only right that she contributes her strength within her capabilities."
Seeing that both were willing to act, a genuine smile finally graced the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord's features.
Thereafter, the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord warmly hosted them, giving them a tour of the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain. He then presented several Great Encompassing Rare Treasure [extremely precious treasures of the Great Encompassing realm] to Nyssa Qu as a generous congratulatory gift for her ascension to the Great Encompassing realm.
Eldrin Chen glanced at the gifts and was inwardly astonished by their staggering value.
The gifts from the Seven-Colored Immortal Lord numbered only three: a Sun God Pearl, a Moon Goddess Pearl, and a Star Deity Pearl.
These three precious orbs were the Lifebound Pearls [a core treasure cultivated within one's body] condensed by Immortal Clam Clan Great Encompassing Being [Great Encompassing realm experts of the Immortal Clam Clan] at the Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal level. Each was comparable in worth to an Upper Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier treasure born from the cosmos itself]. They possessed the miraculous ability to transform Sea of Chaos Water [primordial water from the chaotic void] into cultivation resources for refining one's physical body, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and mana reserves.
With these three treasures, supplemented by the Soul Nourishing Wood [a spiritual wood that nourishes the soul] and Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill [a supreme-grade immortal elixir], the cultivation speed of the Chen Immortal Clan members was certain to see significant further improvement.
After accepting these gifts, Eldrin Chen also presented some of his own resources to the Immortal Clam Clan in return.
The treasures he offered were not of the highest individual value, but their quantity was truly staggering: three thousand stalks of Supreme Grade Innate Soul Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood that can nourish and strengthen the soul] and thirty thousand Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill [a high-grade elixir that can significantly enhance a cultivator's cultivation].
Such vast resources held little use for a Immortal Lord of the Seven Hues, yet they were more than sufficient to allow the Immortal Clam Clan to nurture a great number of Ancient Immortal cultivators.
One must understand, at the peak of its power, the Immortal Clam Clan boasted twelve Great Encompassing experts, and its ranks of Ancient Immortal cultivators numbered in the thousands. Its current decline was due to a gradual waning of fortune, further exacerbated by the incident involving the Purple Seal Immortal Lord.
With these resources now in hand, the Immortal Clam Clan should be able to Recovery [restore and revitalize] some of the vitality lost among its Celestial Immortal and Ancient Immortal cultivators.
In truth, the Seven-Hued Immortal Lord was also quite astonished by the resources Eldrin Chen possessed. Others would trade Soul Nourishing Wood in small, precious cuttings.
Eldrin Chen, however, presented not just whole stalks, but a veritable forest of three thousand at once—a quantity that rivaled the accumulated cultivation and nurturing efforts of many a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect over billions of years.
Of course, even such a vast amount of Supreme Grade Innate Soul Nourishing Wood held limited utility for a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal in the mid to late stages. The Seven-Hued Immortal Lord was merely mildly surprised and did not dwell on it overly much.
After touring the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen ultimately decided to leave Glazed Qu behind.
The Glazed Divine Lord was rooted in the Seven-Hued Immortal Shell [a legendary spiritual treasure], and had performed the great service of guiding Nyssa Qu. The Seven-Hued Immortal Lord intended to keep her within the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain, accepting her as a personal disciple to be meticulously groomed.
In the end, Eldrin Chen and Nyssa Qu departed from the Seven-Colored Immortal Domain and returned to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain.
After returning to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen used the three Upper Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Sun God Pearl, the Moon Goddess Pearl, and the Star Deity Pearl—to lay down a formation called the 'Chaos Stellar Glazed Grand Formation' within the Returning Abyss Heaven.
This formation could directly draw upon Chaos Water [the primordial, formless essence of water from before creation] and transform it into the Sun, Moon, and Star Three Radiances Divine Water [a divine water imbued with the combined essence of solar, lunar, and stellar light], which held remarkable benefits for cultivation, even for those at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the Golden Immortal realm, a high stage of immortal cultivation] level.
Before Eldrin Chen could personally test the formation's efficacy, the day for the Great Encompassing Immortal Banquet [a grand celebratory feast for a newly ascended Great Encompassing Golden Immortal] arrived.
The Great Encompassing Immortal Banquet hosted by Exquisite Jiang was comparable in scale to the one Eldrin Chen had held, with various powers and factions arriving bearing lavish gifts.
However, unlike during Eldrin Chen's banquet when the Primordial Era Thunder Crow Great Emperor [a mighty ancient demon emperor] had arrived with other Demon Race Great Encompassing [Great Encompassing Golden Immortal level demons] to cause trouble, no one dared to disrupt Exquisite Jiang's ascension celebration.
This was not only due to the awe-inspiring power Exquisite Jiang had displayed during the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial], but also out of a profound sense of respect.
Indeed, during Eldrin Chen's banquet, the gazes from those Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [Golden Immortals at the late stage of the Great Encompassing realm] and those at the Great Encompassing [Great Encompassing Golden Immortal] perfection stage had been filled more with appreciation.
This time, however, Eldrin Chen perceived a different quality in the eyes of the assembled immortals—a gaze of genuine respect.
A person's reputation casts a long shadow. In ages past, the status of the Supreme Lunar Imperial Lord [the Imperial Lord who commands the supreme power of the moon] had been one of immense reverence and power, a presence before whom even the Primordial Era Thunder Crow Great Emperor would not dare act recklessly.
Even though the Supreme Lunar Imperial Lord had now been reborn and her cultivation had only just entered the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, the assembled immortals understood that she would inevitably grow, destined to at least reclaim her former standing within the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm [the realm of a Primordial One Imperial Lord, a pinnacle existence].
Unless the Solar Heavenly Emperor [the supreme ruler of the celestial domain] gains the power to suppress a joint effort by the Human and Divine Races [the collective forces of humanity and the divine beings], no one will be able to hinder the rise of Exquisite Jiang.
Not to mention these Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [cultivators who have attained the Golden Immortal realm of the Great Encompassing stage], even those Primordial One Imperial Lord [supreme cultivators at the Imperial Lord level of the Primordial One stage] treat Exquisite Jiang with exceptional courtesy, engaging with her as an equal and not daring to presume any superiority.
This, in turn, has subtly elevated Eldrin Chen by a generation in their perception.
Furthermore, upon Exquisite Jiang's ascension to the Great Encompassing [the Great Encompassing cultivation stage], not only did the Great Abyss Immortal Sage and the Primordial Genesis Path Ancestor [the progenitor of the Primordial Genesis Path] send congratulatory gifts, but even the Primordial Beginning Divine Sovereign and the Purple Tenuity Divine Sovereign had gifts delivered on their behalf.
The value of these four gifts is one matter, but the significance they represent is entirely another.
For four powerhouses of the Chaos Divine Sovereign [the Chaos Divine Sovereign cultivation level] to present gifts signifies that Exquisite Jiang has gained the recognition of these four supreme beings.
Given the stature of these four, while they would not condone bullying the weak, they would certainly not permit the Solar Heavenly Emperor to renege on his stance.
It seemed precisely because of this that certain individuals within the crowd, who had harbored ulterior motives, finally withdrew their gazes.
"These people..."
Sensing the shift in their attitudes, Eldrin Chen quietly retracted his spiritual perception.
He looked towards Exquisite Jiang [the name of a female cultivator], a soft smile gracing his lips as he murmured, "In this fleeting moment, it feels as if I've returned to those early years. I was but a minor cultivator at the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation] realm, navigating the most perilous period of my life under your sheltering wing."
Upon hearing his words, Exquisite Jiang could not help but reveal a trace of nostalgic remembrance.
The most arduous trials in Eldrin Chen's life were not his battles against the Catastrophe Demon God [a powerful demonic entity], nor were they the formidable foes encountered during the Great Tribulation [a major cosmic calamity], the Path Tribulation [a tribulation related to one's cultivation path], or the Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal]. Rather, they were the first one hundred years of his mortal existence.
In that era, his cultivation had barely reached the Foundation Establishment realm, his strength utterly insufficient. Yet, he faced the formidable enmity of the Verdant Sun Sect [a powerful cultivation sect] and the terrifying prospect of a Beast Tide [a massive, destructive onslaught of demonic beasts]. One could say he was treading on thin ice with every step.
Had it not been for the protection and guidance of Exquisite Jiang, he likely would not have survived that most dangerous century.
Later, when Eldrin Chen's cultivation caught up to and eventually surpassed that of Exquisite Jiang, and his power grew to rival the very forces of Creation [the primordial act of bringing the universe into being], those days of precarious survival became a distant memory.
In the vast expanse of time that followed, it was Eldrin Chen who, for the most part, became the pillar holding up the sky for her.
Recalling this, a playful glint appeared in Exquisite Jiang's eyes. She teased him, saying, "In that case, why don't you call me 'Patriarch Jiang' one more time?"
Time is like flowing water, rushing eastward, never to return.
Gazing across the immense chasm of one hundred and ten million years of Space-Time [the fabric of reality encompassing both spatial dimensions and the flow of time], that same title, "Patriarch Jiang," now carried a weight and meaning vastly different from its humble origins. Published by @udio-novel.com. All rights reserved.