Chapter 1960 : Allies of the Ancient Flame

After a long while, Profound Nether Emperor Lord spoke, "The three of us cultivate the Profound Nether [the profound and obscure principle of darkness], Chaos Metal [the primordial and unyielding principle of metal], and Source Earth Great Dao [the fundamental and nurturing principle of earth] respectively. We are natural, destined adversaries of Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist on the Great Dao."

"Since there is only advancement and no retreat, we must eliminate this threat early."

The other two nodded upon hearing this, but Golden Spirit Progenitor frowned slightly and said, "This Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist has formed an alliance with the Four Great Imperial Courts. They will not sit idly by and watch us act."

The other two also frowned. These Four Great Imperial Courts were top-tier powers, each guarded by at least a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch of the sixth layer. They were absolutely not opponents the three of them could handle.

Thinking of this, Desolate Ape Emperor Lord could not help but say, "Are we supposed to just sit back and watch Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist rise to power, then?"

Profound Nether Emperor Lord pondered for a moment before speaking, "What if... we seek out the Pure Yang Great Emperor?"

Upon hearing this, the hearts of the other two trembled. The Pure Yang Great Emperor was one of the Ten Great Emperors of the Demon Race [a powerful race of ancient, sentient beasts and spirits], his cultivation having reached the realm of Great Perfection of Primordial Emperor Lord. Furthermore, he wielded the Innate Supreme Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, of the highest order], the 'Pure Yang Immortal Lamp'. He was absolutely not someone the Four Great Imperial Courts could contend with.

However...

Golden Spirit Ancient Clan and Desolate Ape Emperor Lord exchanged a glance. The latter could not help but ask, "Will He intervene?"

That Pure Yang Great Emperor possessed truly terrifying power. He was one of the stabilizing pillars of the Demon Race, ranking among the top ten most powerful Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch within the entire Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective name for the myriad realms and worlds of the immortal cosmos].

Would such a figure, who has withdrawn from worldly affairs for so many years, truly deign to act against a mere Grand Luo Golden Immortal? [the pinnacle realm of the Golden Immortal stage within the Great Luo hierarchy]

Profound Nether Emperor Lord was also uncertain, only shaking his head after a long moment. "Regardless, we should still make the attempt."

The other two had no objections upon hearing this.

Immediately, they departed the Imperial Court and ventured deep into the Thirty-Three Heavens to seek an audience with Pure Yang Great Emperor. [a supreme title for a Great Emperor who has mastered the Pure Yang Dao]

Contrary to expectations, Pure Yang Great Emperor seemed to have been awaiting them. They were granted an audience with Pure Yang Emperor Lord [the sovereign ruler of the Pure Yang Imperial Court] without delay.

Deep within the Pure Yang [a cultivation art or principle of pure, unadulterated Yang energy] Imperial Court, a figure of unfathomable depth sat at the center of the great hall.

His aura was like a blazing celestial fire, radiating a light that seemed to illuminate the Myriad Heavens [the collective realms and dimensions of heaven], its pressure so immense that the three Emperor Lord [a sovereign ruler of an imperial domain] felt breathless.

"Hiss—"

Profound Nether Emperor Lord drew a sharp, cold breath. Facing the Pure Yang Emperor Lord before him, he faintly perceived himself as helpless as an infant, so weak it felt as if they existed on entirely different planes.

If even Profound Nether Emperor Lord felt thus, the other two Emperor Lord fared far worse, their faces etched with utter astonishment.

"Even among those who bear the title of Emperor Lord [a supreme ruler in the celestial hierarchy], there exists a chasm of difference."

Profound Nether Emperor Lord murmured inwardly, a veneer of deference settling upon his features as he spoke: "We pay our respects to the Pure Yang Great Emperor [the sovereign embodying the ultimate principle of unadulterated Yang energy]."

In that very instant, the oppressive atmosphere within the grand hall dissipated abruptly, the intangible pressure vanishing as if it had never been.

Only then did the three figures allow themselves a breath of relief. Seizing the moment, the Profound Nether Emperor Lord promptly clasped his hands and declared, "Your Majesty, our purpose in coming before you today concerns Eldrin, the Immortal Lord."

"That Eldrin, the Immortal Lord possesses boundless potential. In time, I fear he may become a calamity for our cause…"

The Profound Nether Emperor Lord began to elaborate in measured tones, recounting the latent power and demonstrated prowess of Eldrin Chen.

The Pure Yang Great Emperor listened in serene silence. Once the tale was fully told, a spark of genuine interest flickered in his gaze. "A Path-Forger, a Progenitor of a new Dao," he mused, his voice tinged with fascination. "Truly, a most intriguing development."

Seeing this, the Desolate Ape Emperor Lord could not contain himself. He stepped forward, hands clasped in entreaty. "We beseech you, Emperor Lord, to intervene. Restrain the might of the Four Great Imperial Courts, so that we may strike down Eldrin, the Immortal Lord."

"I fear that is not possible."

The Pure Yang Great Emperor shook his head, a gesture of finality. Then, with a dismissive flick of his wrist, he cast a scroll—an Emperor Lord's Decree [an edict bearing the absolute authority of a celestial emperor]—toward the assembled lords.

The three Emperor Lord exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting subtly. This decree before them was none other than an edict from Black Abyss Great Emperor [one of the supreme Divine Emperors].

The surface of the decree was utterly blank, devoid of any written characters. Yet, its intended message was conveyed with unmistakable clarity.

"Black Abyss Great Emperor has acted swiftly, delivering his decree ahead of your own. The unspoken implication is plain for all to see," Pure Yang Great Emperor stated, a trace of solemnity etching itself upon his brow.

Pure Yang Great Emperor spoke slowly, a weight of concern gathering between his brows.

Black Abyss Great Emperor was not to be compared with Taicang Divine Emperor. While Taicang Divine Emperor was indeed one of the nine great Emperor Lord of the Divine Race, his cultivation having reached the Great Perfection of Primordial Emperor Lord [the pinnacle of power for an Emperor Lord], he ranked only eighth among the Nine Divine Emperors.

This was not due to any lack of strength on Taicang Divine Emperor's part, but rather because he possessed no Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure born of primordial chaos, vastly more powerful than artifacts crafted later].

It must be understood that among those at the Great Perfection of Primordial Emperor Lord realm, an Emperor Lord without an Innate Supreme Treasure and one who wielded such a treasure existed on entirely different planes of power.

Lacking an Innate Treasure, Taicang Divine Emperor could not truly inspire dread in the heart of Pure Yang Emperor Lord.

However, Black Abyss Great Emperor's companion treasure, the 'Black Abyss Emperor's Spear', was a different matter entirely. It was a True Spirit Treasure [a cultivator's soul-bound treasure, grown and refined with their very essence] that had undergone a miraculous Ascension [a qualitative leap in power and nature], transforming into an Innate Supreme Treasure. It was reputed to stand at the very apex, the foremost among the Ten Great Emperor Spears of the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

Legends spoke that when Black Abyss Great Emperor broke through to the Great Perfection of Primordial Emperor Lord, he encountered a staggering Opportunity [a rare chance encounter with fate or a priceless resource]. He fused into it seven times seven—forty-nine—kinds of peerless divine metals. Only through this monumental feat was his soul-bound treasure able to complete its Ascension from a True Spirit Treasure, ultimately becoming an Innate Supreme Treasure.

With such profound foundations and heritage, even the Pure Yang Great Emperor would not dare claim he could certainly surpass his opponent.

Seeing this, the three Emperor Lord could not help but have their expressions shift repeatedly.

The Golden Spirit Emperor Lord took a deep breath, his face involuntarily turning pale as he said, "Since the Black Abyss Great Emperor has intervened, does that not mean we can hardly deal with Eldrin, the Immortal Lord?"

"Look at this first."

The Pure Yang Great Emperor shook his head, yet calmly tossed a dossier to the others.

The three Emperor Lord were momentarily taken aback, then immediately opened the dossier to examine its contents. With but a single glance, their expressions all abruptly changed.

It turned out this dossier contained information on Xianqing Chen, Qingfeng Ye, Wen Yuan Lu, and also the Purifying Bamboo.

After the three had finished reading, the Pure Yang Great Emperor said calmly, "The Path of Self-Sacrifice pioneered by Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist is indeed extraordinary. Who would have thought it could give birth to four Grand Luo in such a short time?"

"Even though this consumed a vast amount of the legacy left by the Lunar Emperor Lord, it is enough to prove this Great Dao [the supreme path of cultivation] is already quite perfected."

The three men's expressions shifted slightly. The Profound Nether Emperor Lord could not help but say, "Once Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist nurtures nine Grand Luo Golden Immortal, I fear he will inevitably become a grave threat to our very hearts."

Pure Yang Great Emperor [a title for a supreme ruler who has mastered the Pure Yang Dao] nodded, then spoke: "I requested the 'Heaven's Derivation Sacred Emperor' [a sacred emperor known for his mastery of heavenly divination] from the Sacred Demon Primordial Domain [a primordial realm associated with sacred and demonic powers] to perform a divination."

"This Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist [the Daoist title of Eldrin Chen, associated with the abyss] expended a monumental price, even seemingly employing an Innate Supreme Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, of the highest order] to perform Foundation Reforging [a divine ability to completely rebuild and enhance a cultivator's foundational cultivation] for his nine disciples, nurturing nine Great Luo True Seed [individuals destined with the potential to reach the Great Luo realm] who walk the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation art that involves sacrificing one's own essence for power]."

"That treasure is most likely the Lunar Legacy Treasury [a legendary treasury left behind by a lunar power]. He spent such a cost to transform nine top-tier Ancient Immortal [immortals from ancient times] into practitioners of the Path of Self-Sacrifice, merely to gather nine such practitioners to reach the Grand Luo [the Grand Luo realm, a pinnacle of cultivation]."

"Once these nine complete their breakthrough, he would directly possess combat power rivaling a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [an emperor-monarch who commands the power of primordial chaos]. Therefore, our most urgent task is to prevent the remaining five from attaining their Dao."

Upon hearing this, the three Emperor Lord [a title for a powerful ruler-lord] immediately revealed faint smiles.

Desolate Ape Emperor Lord [the Emperor Lord of the Desolate Apes] nodded and spoke calmly: "In the next Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic calamity or tribulation marking the end of a great cycle], I will dispatch my disciples to enter the tribulation. I will even sacrifice their future potential to enhance their combat power, utterly strangling these five in their cradle."

The other three Emperor Lord also revealed faint smiles upon hearing this.

Just as within the Abyssal Immortal Alliance [an alliance of immortals associated with the abyss], geniuses like Daoxu Jiang and Kael Chen remain hidden, so too do the three great Imperial Courts harbor multiple top-tier Great Luo True Seed in concealment.

Among these Great Luo True Seed, many have secluded themselves in cultivation for hundreds of Kalpa Tribulation, suppressing their breakthrough solely to cultivate more Indestructible Foundation [an unbreakable foundational cultivation stage], or even to attempt a True Spirit Foundation [a foundational stage of perfect spiritual purity].

With the profound foundation [the deep-seated strength and accumulated resources] of their Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch status, if they pay a great price to nurture these disciples, they are destined to cultivate them into top-tier, peerless talents. If they sacrifice potential, the results would be even more astonishing.

However, the price for this was astronomically high. The resources consumed were even more precious than a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the primordial chaos, of the highest innate grade], a cost so staggering it would make even a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a supreme ruler who has mastered the power of the primordial chaos] wince in pain.

Having enlightened the three, Pure Yang Great Emperor [a supreme emperor embodying the purest Yang energy] spoke with serene finality, "This Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal], we shall ensure his schemes come to naught."

"To pay such an immense price, even going so far as to expend a treasury of Innate Supreme Treasure [a treasure of the highest innate order] grade from the Lunar Legacy Treasury [the inherited vault of the Lunar Emperor], only for it all to ultimately amount to nothing... this setback will likely be a devastating blow to Eldrin, the Abyssal Daoist [the Daoist of the Profound Abyss] as well."

"After all, the Lunar Emperor Lord [the sovereign ruler of the lunar realm] perished in ages past. How many times can the legacy he left behind be squandered?"

Upon hearing this, the three Emperor Lord [supreme lords among emperors] all revealed cold smiles. Golden Spirit Ancient Progenitor [the primordial ancestor of the Golden Spirit lineage] sneered, "Once all nine of his disciples have fallen, we shall force him to surrender his Dao Authority [the sovereign authority over a fundamental Dao or path]."

"Otherwise, his Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation method centered on the concept of self-sacrifice] can forget about ever giving birth to another Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a Golden Immortal who has attained the Grand Luo realm, a pinnacle of cultivation]."

In the view of the three Emperor Lord, Eldrin Chen's ability to nurture nine Great Luo True Seed [individuals destined with the potential to reach the Grand Luo realm] was not due to the Path of Self-Sacrifice being overwhelmingly miraculous.

Rather, it was because Eldrin Chen's Lunar Legacy Treasury was too precious, coupled with the fact that these nine top-tier Ancient Immortal [immortals from a bygone era] truly possessed extraordinary potential. Only thus could they be transformed into Great Luo True Seed for the Path of Self-Sacrifice.

Yet, the Lunar Legacy Treasury is not infinite, and Great Luo True Seed-grade top-tier Ancient Immortal are as rare as they are fortuitous to encounter.

Once the Lunar Legacy Treasury is exhausted and five of the Great Luo True Seed have perished, for Eldrin Chen to attempt cultivating nine Grand Luo [the Grand Luo realm, a supreme state of being] through the Path of Self-Sacrifice again, the difficulty would inevitably increase a hundredfold, a thousandfold.

Under such circumstances, if those few Emperor Lord were to dispatch their disciples to obstruct their path [to a higher cultivation realm], the Path of Self-Sacrifice would almost certainly never reach a day of great accomplishment.

Seeing that the three had all formed their plans, the Pure Yang Emperor Lord spoke calmly, "Though this is the case, we must not be careless."

"We must not only dispatch our disciples and followers, but also seek out many allies. When the time comes, our various Emperor Lord lineages will personally enter the fray, surrounding and hunting these five with absolute numerical and martial superiority, utterly extinguishing their hope of attaining the Grand Luo realm."

The three Emperor Lord nodded upon hearing this, immediately deciding to return to their Daoist Abode to select disciples and prepare for the path obstruction.

The Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal] had only just concluded. The span of a single Kalpa Tribulation was more than sufficient for them to make thorough preparations.

Meanwhile, far away in the Abyssal Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen remained unaware of the schemes of the four Emperor Lord.

Within the Abyssal Immortal Domain, he continuously tended to his wounds. By the time his injuries were mostly Restoration [healed through cultivation], more than ten million years had passed.

On a certain day, more than ten million years later, after another session of dual cultivation [a practice where two cultivators harmonize their energies] with his Dao companions, Eldrin Chen felt his wounds were sufficiently Restoration and rose from the soft divan.

"What is it?"

Seeing Eldrin Chen preparing to leave seclusion, Lyra Jiang rose from the divan. A pair of snow-white jade arms encircled Eldrin Chen as she asked.

Eldrin Chen shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. "My injuries have recovered by ninety percent," he said. "My cultivation in the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] realm has also accumulated sufficiently. I am prepared to enter seclusion for a breakthrough."

Hearing this, Lyra Jiang could not help but feel a flicker of envy.

Ever since he had imprinted the Abyssal Divine Rune [a profound rune of abyssal power] within the Abyssal Furnace [a divine furnace technique connected to the abyss], Eldrin Chen's speed in refining all manner of resources had doubled. The growth rate of both his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] and his physical body cultivation had increased by nearly the same measure.

In just over one Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle, often billions of years], his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] cultivation had broken through to the fifth layer of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal realm]. This speed was enough to make anyone deeply envious.

Thinking of this, Lyra Jiang spoke, "You should make your breakthrough here. We will stand guard for you."

Eldrin Chen glanced at the several dao companions by his side, a warm smile spreading across his face. He did not say much, merely reaching out to gently stroke Lyra Jiang's silken hair. "Very well," he said.

With those words, Eldrin Chen began his secluded cultivation for the breakthrough.

He directly took out the Soul-Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood that nourishes and strengthens the soul] and the Heavenly Soul Fruit [a celestial fruit that greatly enhances spiritual power], using the Root Origin Treasure [a foundational treasure connected to one's origin] and the Abyssal Furnace [a divine furnace technique connected to the abyss] to continuously refine them.

Thus, time rushed by. Unnoticed, tens of thousands of years passed. Eldrin Chen felt his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] smoothly shatter its previous limits, breaking through to the fifth layer of the Great Luo Primordial Spirit [the Primordial Spirit realm within the Grand Luo hierarchy].

With this breakthrough completed, Eldrin Chen felt his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] cultivation increase once more, this time by fifty percent.

Similar to his physical cultivation, this breakthrough propelled Eldrin Chen's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] combat power from the initial stage of the Grand Luo seventh layer directly into the domain of a top-tier Seventh Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Correspondingly, the combined combat power of Eldrin Chen's three foundational pillars underwent another enhancement, reaching the very limit of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal eighth layer—an increase of over ten percent from his previous state.

This meant that the current Eldrin Chen, even without activating the Path of Self-Sacrifice or wielding the True Spirit Supreme Treasure, possessed strength comparable to that of a Primordial Chaos Kui Ox.

If he were to unleash the True Spirit Supreme Treasure, whose might rivaled a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, he would be more than capable of contending with a Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection cultivator.

Furthermore, with the Dao Authority [the authority and power inherent to one's cultivation path] of the Path of Self-Sacrifice—comparable to a top-tier Eighth Layer Great Luo—empowering him, Eldrin Chen's strength would surpass even that of a Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection by a significant margin.

The reason for this lay in Eldrin Chen's foundational essence, which was equivalent to the combined power of three Seventh Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal cultivators and one top-tier Grand Luo Golden Immortal of the eighth layer.

When such immense power converged with the Dao Authority of the Path of Self-Sacrifice, the result was far greater than a simple sum; it enabled Eldrin Chen to achieve a staggering qualitative transformation.

It was a pity that not all three of Eldrin Chen's foundational pillars had ascended to the Seventh Layer Great Luo Golden Immortal. Had they done so, Eldrin Chen would have directly possessed the strength to challenge an early-stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch.

One must understand that the gulf between a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch and a Grand Luo Golden Immortal is vast. Even a Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection, by unleashing a Forbidden Divine Ability [a supreme, world-shaking technique], could only barely touch the fringes of that realm.

Yet, Eldrin Chen was confident he could attain such combat power while still in the Great Luo Late Stage, a testament to the profound and peerless depth of his foundational reserves.

The reason for this was that once he stepped into that realm, any one of his three foundational paths would rival the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection. The convergence of all three would naturally shatter a certain ultimate limit.

Returning to the main thread, after completing the breakthrough in his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cultivation, Eldrin Chen immediately felt his spirits soar.

Opening his eyes, he found his Dao Companions gazing up at him, and a smile naturally bloomed within his gaze.

Pulling the Dao Companion beside him into his embrace, Eldrin Chen once more sank into the haven of tenderness.

It had to be admitted that the Great Luo Marvelous Method [a supreme cultivation technique], which Eldrin Chen had created based on the Yin-Yang Mutual Cultivation Dao [the Dao of cultivation through the harmony of Yin and Yang], was truly extraordinary.

This Great Luo Marvelous Method not only could heal injuries but also, by seizing the opportunity presented during the communion of Yin-Yang [the fundamental opposing forces of the universe], allowed for the mutual contemplation of the Great Dao, enhancing his Dao Companions' speed of comprehending the Dao's mysteries. It could indeed be called a peerless and wondrous art.

Amidst this loving dual cultivation, tens of millions of years slipped by unnoticed. By the time Eldrin Chen felt his injuries were completely Restoration [restored to their original state], thirty million years had already passed.

It was not until this day, when Eldrin Chen suddenly received a letter, that he was compelled to emerge from his haven of tenderness.