Chapter 1929 : A Phoenix's Plea for Ascension

"I have heard of your deeds."

The Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [a primordial phoenix of supreme violet radiance] spoke, then said, "The grievances of those bygone years, shall we settle them here and now?"

Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile and replied, "I suffered no loss back then, and now, Fellow Daoist, you are a guest elder of my Chen Clan. We are all part of the same family. This matter should indeed be laid to rest."

"However, you mentioned having a request. I presume it's not solely about this matter?"

The Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix nodded, its expression turning grave. "It has been several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] since Flaming Phoenix [a mythical bird of pure fire] broke through to the Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal realm, yet she has remained unable to ascend to the Great Encompassing Realm [the ultimate realm of cultivation, representing complete mastery over the cosmos]."

"I have a way to procure the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primordial, unbreakable spiritual radiance essential for the final ascension] she requires for her breakthrough. However, she lacks the confidence to shatter the Ninth Heavenly Pass [a formidable barrier or trial in the path of cultivation]."

"I have heard that your clan possesses absolute certainty in overcoming this tribulation. Thus, I wish to ask you to lend Flaming Phoenix your guidance and support."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with contemplation.

The cultivation path of the Chaos Demon God [primordial demonic deities born from chaos] lineage cannot follow the way of opening an Immortal Domain [a personal realm or world created by an immortal]. To break through to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, one must forcibly shatter the Destiny Heavenly Pass [a celestial barrier representing one's ordained fate] and then fuse with the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light.

However, shattering the Destiny Heavenly Pass is an exceedingly difficult feat. Flaming Phoenix has not yet slain many powerful foes of equal realm. Her own Destiny [the ordained fate or karmic power of a cultivator] and foundational cultivation reserves are insufficient to support her in completing that final step.

Thus, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix thought of Eldrin Chen, intending to borrow the strength of the Chen Immortal Clan to slay more powerful foes during the Kalpa Tribulation [the immense cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth], thereby shattering the Destiny Heavenly Pass [a profound bottleneck in cultivation] and advancing to the Eighth Tribulation Ancient Immortal Realm.

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking. "This matter is not difficult," he said. "It simply requires that after Fellow Daoist Flaming Phoenix makes her breakthrough, she joins my Chen Immortal Clan as a guest elder."

"In that case, my deepest thanks," she replied.

The Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix offered a slight smile, and thus the matter was settled.

Afterwards, the two conversed at length. Just as Eldrin Chen was about to take his leave, he suddenly recalled the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix. "I have an old friend," he said, "a Chaos Saint Spirit [a holy spirit born from primordial chaos] who is a Primordial Era Ice Phoenix. Allow me to introduce you."

"A Primordial Era Ice Phoenix?"

The Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. "The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix is a sacred spirit of our Phoenix lineage. It is only right that I offer my guidance."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod of approval and sent word to summon the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix.

Having followed Eldrin Chen through the trials of the Kalpa Tribulation and accompanied Exquisite Jiang through the last great cycle, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix had long been stranded at the Eighth Tribulation Ancient Immortal Realm, even having forged a foundation of Indestructibility Foundation [an unbreakable foundation for future ascension].

Lacking a suitable Path-Field [a domain aligned with one's cultivation path] for her breakthrough, she had spent most of her recent years wandering the Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond ordered realms], occasionally hunting Chaos Ancient Beast for the Chen Immortal Clan and seeking the Opportunity and Fortune needed to ascend to the Chaos Demon God realm.

It is a pity that for a Chaos Saint Spirit to attempt a breakthrough to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm, the most crucial requirement is the Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light. Without a Great Encompassing Rank Chaos Lair [a primordial sanctuary of immense power], success is virtually impossible.

As the Chen Immortal Clan had only recently ascended to the status of a Great Encompassing Ancient Clan, even Eldrin Chen lacked the surplus resources to support the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix in such an endeavor.

Now, upon encountering the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix, Eldrin Chen could not help but consider making an introduction for the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix. After all, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix was a Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal who had once possessed a mid-grade Great Encompassing Nest [a supreme dwelling place for ancient beings]—the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix Nest. Nurturing one or two Great Encompassing Golden Immortal should not be beyond her capabilities.

When the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix arrived at the Path-Field [a domain of cultivation and enlightenment] of the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix and saw her for the first time, she could not help but pause in slight astonishment.

Over the years, Eldrin Chen had completely sealed all information regarding the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix. Apart from the core leadership of the Chen Immortal Clan, no one else knew that within the Chaos Heavenly Domain where the Three Immortal Domains Central was located, there resided a Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal from the Chaos Phoenix Clan.

This was also the first time the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix had learned of this news. A pleasant surprise stirred within her heart as she spoke respectfully, "I pay my respects to Senior Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix."

"There is no need for such formality."

The Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix smiled gently before continuing, "We are both of the Chaos Phoenix Clan. Let us address each other as sisters."

At this moment, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix also felt a profound sense of joy. As one of the top thirty supreme races within the Chaos [the primordial state of existence], the Chaos Phoenix Clan possessed a noble and exalted bloodline, yet their numbers were exceedingly scarce.

The Primordial Era Ice Phoenix, belonging to the Ice Phoenix lineage within the Chaos Phoenix Clan, shared a closer blood affinity with the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix of the Thunder Phoenix lineage. This kinship evoked a natural sense of closeness and familiarity within her.

Having thought this through, the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix bid farewell to the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix and then said to Eldrin Chen, "Thank you for the introduction, Fellow Daoist. From now on, my Ice Phoenix sister shall cultivate with me upon this Phoenix Perching Parasol Tree."

Eldrin Chen smiled slightly, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "If that is the case, then my mind is at ease."

"..."

Light flows in an instant, yet a monument stands for a thousand years.

After departing from the Chaos Heavenly Domain, Eldrin Chen returned to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain and resumed his life of secluded cultivation.

During this period, Eldrin Chen focused on his cultivation while simultaneously forging various Immortal Pills and divine artifacts, preparing for the imminent Chaos War.

Tens of millions of years slipped away in the relentless flow of time.

Until this day, when the boundless calamitous energy within the Chaos began to stir, heralding the imminent arrival of a world-shaking Kalpa Tribulation.

Before the Kalpa Tribulation commenced, Eldrin Chen gathered the members of the Chen Immortal Clan, bestowed upon them various Rare Spiritual Wonders, made his final preparations for the coming conflict, and then sealed the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, withdrawing from worldly affairs.

The Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance still had many Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortals participating in this Kalpa Tribulation, with the foremost among them being Verdant Consort, whose origin was that of a Primordial Chaos Verdant Lotus.

Furthermore, there were Ethan Chen, Lila, Violet Consort Yan, Worthy Verdancy Chen, Ao Hong, the Flaming Phoenix Holy Spirit, the Primordial Era Ice Phoenix, Alistair Ye, Literature Abyss Lu, Kael Chen, and over ten other Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [Ancient Immortals who have survived eight Heavenly Tribulations].

As was customary for this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cycle of cosmic destruction and renewal], Worthy Verdancy Chen first led the countless Celestial Immortal [immortals who have ascended to the celestial realm] of the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain into the Returning Abyss Heavenly Domain, using the hundreds of thousands of Chaos Fierce Beast [savage beasts born from primordial chaos] bred within the domain as nourishment for their advancement.

These Chaos Ancient Beast [ancient beasts of primordial chaos] possessed extraordinary power, among them were mighty Chaos Beast King [Kings of the Chaos Beasts] comparable to Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal. Yet, in the hands of the assembled immortals of the Chen Immortal Clan, they remained utterly defenseless.

Before long, these Chaos Beast King were completely slaughtered by the group.

After accomplishing this, seeing that the opening of the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent was still far off, Verdant Consort led the group to plunge into the depths of Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation].

Because during the previous Kalpa Tribulation, the top-tier Chaos Beast King and Chaos Saint Spirit [Holy Spirits born from Chaos] of the Eastern Departure Flame Domain had been nearly exterminated by Exquisite Jiang, this time Verdant Consort led the group deep into the Depths of Chaos.

They traversed several Chaos Path Domain [realms within the Chaos where specific Daos or paths hold sway], successively suppressing and slaying dozens of top-tier Chaos Beast King and Chaos Saint Spirit, ultimately sweeping through everything with an unstoppable momentum.

Like Exquisite Jiang, the harvested Path Source [the primordial source essence of a specific Dao or cultivation path] held little use for Verdant Consort herself. She distributed the Path Source among the group, then turned and charged into the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent.

Within the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent, Verdant Consort immediately displayed astonishing combat prowess, sweeping away nearly one hundred Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal in a single battle.

Thereafter, she led the group to the Nirvana Ancient Land.

Within the confines of the Nirvana Ancient Land, Verdant Consort discovered the revived Soaring Sky Imperial Scion.

Under the tutelage of the Solar Heavenly Emperor, and having undergone a Nirvana spanning an entire Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle], the combat prowess of the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion was now extraordinary.

From the very moment of his revival, the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion had already cultivated the True Spirit Great Path, establishing the three great True Spirit Foundation of body, Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], and Great Path [the fundamental law or principle one follows]. Upon his emergence, he displayed the potential to sweep aside all opposition.

In almost any other era, the current strength of the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion would have been sufficient to dominate the world.

After all, possessing three great True Spirit Foundation allowed him to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Child of Destiny [a being favored by fate] like Heaven Punishment and Defying Heaven. Even a reincarnation of a treasure like the Violet Radiance Sword Extreme, a Chaos Spiritual Treasure Embryo [a nascent form of a supreme treasure born from primordial chaos], might not have been able to defeat him.

Unfortunately, he encountered Verdant Consort. The present Verdant Consort was rooted in the First Chaos Verdant Lotus, granting her at least the potential and aptitude of the Second Chaos Realm.

The two engaged in another Burst [a sudden, explosive release of power] battle within the Nirvana Ancient Land. After a fierce clash of just over three thousand exchanges, Verdant Consort slew the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion upon the grounds of the Nirvana Ancient Land.

In truth, Verdant Consort had not exerted her full power in this battle. Had she fought with all her might, she could have suppressed and slain the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion within three moves.

The foundation of the Primordial Chaos Verdant Lotus was simply too astonishing. If Verdant Consort were to fully reveal it, it would likely provoke the wariness of the Solar Heavenly Emperor.

After slaying the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, his form once again plummeted into the depths of the Nirvana Ancient Land, seemingly entering a state of Nirvana once more.

Violet Consort Yan [the Violet Consort of the Yan clan] witnessed this scene, her brow furrowing slightly as she spoke, "Could it be that he can undergo Nirvana [a state of death and rebirth to achieve enlightenment] once more?"

"The contingency plans of the Solar Heavenly Emperor [the Celestial Sovereign of the Sun] are truly extraordinary."

Verdant Consort [the Verdant Consort] spoke calmly, then shook her head, "However, a thing cannot be done thrice. This time, Soaring Sky Imperial Scion [the Imperial Scion of the Soaring Sky lineage] has been slain three times in succession. His origin has dissolved into the Dao three times, utterly exhausting his potential."

"No matter how the Solar Heavenly Emperor tries to salvage the situation, it is impossible for him to advance further and cultivate a fourth True Spirit Foundation [a foundational cultivation art based on a True Spirit's power]. At most, he can only Recovery [restore or recover] his current foundational reserves."

Hearing this, Violet Consort Yan could not help but let out a sigh of relief. If Soaring Sky Imperial Scion could grow stronger with each defeat, that would be truly terrifying.

In truth, for Soaring Sky Imperial Scion to have seized the Opportunity and Fortune [a moment of destiny and good fortune] born from destruction and subsequent renewal, and cultivated three True Spirit Foundation, was already a staggering Creation [a feat of creation or profound achievement].

One must understand that even the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of forging creation] could not guarantee the cultivation of a single True Spirit Foundation. It could only help someone shatter one shackle, and that required the empowerment of a Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Divine Spark [a divine spark embodying indestructibility from the Primordial Chaos] combined with a top-tier Innate Heavenly God Object [a spiritual object born from an Innate Heavenly God].

From this perspective, if a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor born from Primordial Chaos] was willing to pay a sufficient price, and with the right Creation and timing, nurturing a descendant with powerful bloodline potential into achieving Three True Spirit Foundations might not be as difficult as imagined.

However, that price was likely far more exorbitant than that of the Creation Cauldron, consuming resources enough to make even a Primordial One Imperial Lord [an Imperial Lord at the Primordial One realm] wince in heartache.

Of course, as the saying goes, you cannot prop up mud that refuses to cling to the wall. Pouring endless resources into a worthless vessel is futile. The prerequisite for nurturing someone to achieve Three True Spirit Foundations was, at the very least, that they possessed a sliver of possibility to begin with.

Returning to the main narrative, after Verdant Consort slew Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, she extracted his Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's cultivation path and insights].

Holding the Path Source in her hand, Verdant Consort remarked, "This object holds no use for me. Who do you think it would be most fitting to bestow it upon?"

"This Path Source..."

Lila pondered for a moment before speaking. "A fire-attribute Path Source offers me little benefit. It should go to Sister Violet Consort."

"His cultivation of the Great Sun Golden Flame [a supreme art of solar and golden flame] shares profound similarities with Sister Violet Consort's Dutian Violet Flame [a divine ability to command violet heavenly flames]."

Verdant Consort nodded in agreement and handed Soaring Sky Imperial Scion's Path Source to Violet Consort Yan.

After settling these matters, Verdant Consort addressed the assembled Mortal Path [cultivators of the Mortal Path] cultivators. "Time remains on our side. Digest your gains swiftly. Once you are ready, we shall venture into the Depths of Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all creation emerged]."

No one voiced any objection to this plan.

With that decided, Verdant Consort personally led the assault, conquering the Immortal Flame Forbidden Land, which ranked first among the ten great Forbidden Land [dangerous, sealed-off regions of immense power] of the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent.

Within that Immortal Flame Forbidden Land resided a Chaos Immortal Flame [a primordial flame born from chaos, possessing immense power]. This Chaos Immortal Flame was one of the Ten Great Immortal Flames of Chaos, and in terms of its inherent rank and potency, it even slightly surpassed the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the supreme flame of the primordial sun].

This place, the Immortal Flame Forbidden Land [a perilous realm born from primordial flames], was once the Path-Field [a sacred cultivation ground] of the 'Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor' from the ancient Immortal Cosmos Primordial Domain. The Chaos Immortal Flame [primordial fire of creation] left behind has been transformed by several Chaos Heavenly Emperor [primordial sovereigns of the cosmos], becoming a supreme cultivation sanctuary.

After securing the Immortal Flame Forbidden Land, Violet Consort Yan and the others immediately used its Chaos Immortal Flame to temper their physical bodies and spiritual power [the refined energy cultivated by immortals], simultaneously refining the captured Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's lifelong cultivation].

During this process, their gains were immense, with significant improvements to both their cultivation bases and latent potential.

The first to emerge from seclusion was Worthy Verdancy Chen. She was the first to fully refine her portion of Path Source. By using the Chaos Immortal Flame to forge her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator], she achieved a breakthrough through destruction and rebirth, successfully cultivating a True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a primordial spirit of unparalleled purity and strength].

Aside from Worthy Verdancy Chen, the others emerged one by one, though none had managed to cultivate the True Spirit Foundation [a foundational cultivation art of supreme quality].

Only Violet Consort Yan remained, staying behind until the very end, emerging from her secluded cultivation after a full ninety thousand years.

This time, her emergence brought astonishing gains. Not only had she cultivated the True Spirit Foundation, but she had also obtained the legacy of the Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor.

It turned out that after refining the Path Source from the Soaring Sky Imperial Scion, Violet Consort Yan had immediately succeeded in cultivating the True Spirit Great Path [a supreme cultivation method], with a substantial amount of the Path Source still left unabsorbed.

Her True Spirit [a state of spiritual perfection] level Dutian Violet Flame Great Path [a supreme cultivation art of violet flame] resonated with and activated the legacy imprint of the Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor, granting Violet Consort Yan his complete inheritance.

Such Opportunity and Fortune [a confluence of chance and destiny] could only be described as heaven-defying.

Following the legacy path of the Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor, Violet Consort Yan tempered her physical body and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] with the Dutian Violet Flame [a supreme violet flame of heavenly origin]. Astonishingly, in one sustained effort, she successfully cultivated all three of the True Spirit Foundation [foundational arts for forging a True Spirit].

"I never imagined you would possess such profound Opportunity and Fortune [a destined chance and great luck]," someone remarked.

Upon learning that Violet Consort Yan had obtained such remarkable Opportunity and Fortune, Verdant Consort could not help but sigh with deep emotion.

Lila also felt a surge of envy and could not resist saying, "The greatest Opportunity and Fortune within the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent has already been claimed by Sister Violet Consort."

Hearing this, everyone present was filled with immense admiration and envy.

Long ago, when the Immortal Cosmos Primordial Domain shattered into countless fragments, the seven largest pieces each belonged to the Path-Field [a cultivator's personal domain of influence and cultivation] of one of the seven Chaos Heavenly Emperor [Heavenly Emperors who arose from the Primordial Chaos].

The fragment obtained by the Three Thousand Immortal Domains was, in fact, the Path-Field of that very Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor.

As the foremost of the ten great Forbidden Land [places of extreme danger and profound secrets], the Immortal Flame Forbidden Land held the greatest Opportunity and Fortune: the legacy of the Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor. Yet, until now, no one had ever been able to claim this inheritance.

The reason was that no one had known that to receive the Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor's legacy, one first needed to master a fire-attribute True Spirit Great Path [a supreme cultivation art for forging a True Spirit].

Throughout the ages, many had cultivated fire-attribute True Spirit Great Path. However, none possessed the capability to seize the legacy of the Immortal Flame Forbidden Land, primarily because they lacked the power to conquer the Immortal Flame Forbidden Land itself.

After all, as the foremost of the ten great Forbidden Land [a place of immense danger and profound secrets, often sealed or inaccessible], the Forbidden Evil Spirit [a malevolent entity of immense power, often bound or sealed within a forbidden realm] residing within the Immortal Flame Forbidden Land is simply too formidable. Without strength surpassing the sixth level of the True Spirit Foundation [a foundational cultivation stage focusing on solidifying one's spiritual essence], it is fundamentally impossible to subdue it.

Furthermore, Violet Consort Yan had a vague intuition that the successor chosen by the Immortal Flame Heavenly Emperor seemed, by some inscrutable fate, to avoid the descendants of those Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a title for an ancient, primordial emperor whose power stems from the primordial chaos].

Understanding this, Violet Consort Yan could not help but look at Verdant Consort and say, "This time, our acquisition of this stroke of fortune [a chance encounter with great potential benefits, often tied to destiny] is largely thanks to your assistance."