Chapter 1801 : Heaven's Mandate Dao Ancestor
"Distribution based on merit?"
Everyone nodded slightly upon hearing this.
After calculating their respective contributions, it was ultimately Eldrin who received the greatest share of merit, claiming 70 percent of the total credit.
By rights, based on his contribution to breaking the formation, Eldrin should only have received 30 percent of the rewards, while the remaining 70 percent would be divided among the 3 of them.
After all, the Celestial Maiden and the Ancient 1 of Tianya had held back dozens of primordial chaos beasts and withstood the assaults of 4 Heavenly Immortals at the peak of perfection.
Lyra’s Gossip Formation also trapped over a dozen primordial chaos beasts—no small feats, these.
It could be said that without the assistance of the 3, Eldrin would likely have been unable to breach this primordial ancient formation, let alone obtain these primordial wonders and the Primordial Qi.
But at the final moment, Eldrin led the group to escape the pursuit of the Chaos Beast King. This feat was so monumental that he was granted an additional 40 percent of the merit points.
In truth, the Celestial Maiden and the Ancient 1 of Tianya believed that Eldrin (Person Name) alone deserved 50 percent of the credit for leading the group to safety. However, at Eldrin (Person Name)'s insistence, he ultimately conceded 10 percent of that share.
Compared to the 10% credit, Eldrin valued his friendship and future prospects with the 2 even more.
After all, these were 2 innate divinities on the verge of breaking through to Ancient Immortality. Once they succeeded, they would become 2 Third Tribulation Ancient Immortals—enough to become Eldrin’s greatest backing for the next several million years.
They might even become a tremendous aid in the impending cosmic tribulations.
Once the merits were determined, everyone swiftly divided the treasures according to their contributions.
As the 1 with the greatest merits, Eldrin naturally held the priority right to choose. Without hesitation, he took the most precious Primordial Sacred Embryo Fruit.
Furthermore, the Primordial Netherspring Water, the Primordial Yang Extreme Flame, the Primordial Infinity Sword Aura, along with 1 100 strands of Primordial Qi, all fell into Eldrin’s hands.
Among these treasures, the Innate Saint Embryo Fruit was the most precious, valued at 2 100 strands of innate qi.
The combined value of the other 3 treasures amounted to merely 150 strands of Primordial Qi, plus an additional 100 strands, bringing the total to 450 strands of Primordial Qi.
Seeing this, the other 3 also stepped forward to select their desired treasures.
Among the 3, the Celestial Maiden took the Void-Ancient Gold, the Ancient 1 of the Distant Shores claimed the Abyssal-Origin Ancient Cauldron, and Lyra (Person Name) obtained the Moon-Goddess Immortal Marrow.
Among these 3 treasures, the Cang Yuan Ancient Cauldron was the most precious, valued at 60 strands of Primordial Qi. The other 2 were each worth only 50 strands, bringing the total to approximately 1 100 and 60 strands of Primordial Qi.
The total value of all these treasures combined amounts to approximately 6 100 and 70-6 strands of Primordial Qi.
Thus, according to contributions, Eldrin was entitled to treasures containing 4 100 and 70-3 strands of Primordial Qi. Consequently, Eldrin took an additional 20-3 strands from the remaining 60-6 strands of Primordial Qi.
Of the remaining 40-3 strands of Primordial Qi, after deliberation among the 3, the Celestial Maiden took 20-5 strands while Patriarch Tianya received the remaining 18. As Lyra (Person Name) had contributed slightly less to their merits, she did not take any of this Primordial Qi.
After dividing the treasures, everyone's faces lit up with joy.
This time, the gains were far too astonishing for the group. Each of them had obtained a supreme-grade innate treasure. With just a few million years to assimilate their rewards, their strength would advance by leaps and bounds.
Taking Elder Tianya as an example, he had obtained both the Primordial Chaos Pill and the Ancient Abyssal Cauldron this time. With just 3,000,000 years, he could attempt a breakthrough to the realm of Ancient Immortality.
Once the breakthrough was achieved, not only would his cultivation advance to the Third Tribulation Ancient Immortal realm, but he would also have the Cangyuan Ancient Cauldron to stabilize his destiny. By then, if he could further elevate the Horizon-Spanning Sword into a Primordial Ancient Sword, his power would likely place him far from the weakest among the Ancient Immortals of the 3 Realms.
The Celestial Maiden was no exception. She still possessed 20-5 strands of Primordial Qi in her grasp. Once she broke through to the realm of Ancient Immortals, she would undoubtedly elevate the Frostblade Luminescent Sword and the Ice-Soul Celestial Ribbon to new heights.
With 3 primordial ancient treasures in her possession at that time, the Celestial Maiden was likely no easy opponent to contend with.
And the 1 who reaped the greatest gains was Eldrin (Person Name). His path of cultivation would undoubtedly be smooth and unobstructed until he reached the late-stage Celestial Immortal realm.
1 100 and 20-3 strands of Primordial Qi, combined with the 70-2 strands from the Beast King's lair and the 30-3 scattered strands harvested from various chaotic nests, brought the total to 2 100 and 20-8 strands of Primordial Qi.
"Deducting the 20 strands given to Lyra (Person Name) and the 10 strands I consumed to break through to the Minor Achievement Dao Fruit, 1 100 and 90-8 strands remain."
Eldrin (Person Name) murmured inwardly, a flicker of delight surfacing in his heart.
So much Chaos Qi, if used by Eldrin alone, would be more than sufficient to break through to the Great Perfection of the Celestial Immortal realm.
After all, according to Eldrin's estimation, even though he surpassed ordinary immortals by fivefold, breaking through to the Great Perfection of the Celestial Immortal Realm would only require consuming 90 more strands of Primordial Qi.
Even if all 5 of his innate divine treasures were elevated to superior-grade innate treasures, it would only require 1 100 and 20 strands of innate qi.
However, Eldrin was not a solitary man after all. He now had a family to care for. Even if he disregarded others, he could never turn a blind eye to his 5 Dao Companions.
Yet these 1 100 and 90 strands of Primordial Qi are likely still insufficient for Eldrin and the others to fully break through to the Great Perfection of the Celestial Immortal realm.
"Fortunately, with these Primordial Qi, we won't lack resources for the next several million years."
"When several million years have passed, and both the Celestial Maiden and the Venerable Tianya have broken through to Ancient Immortal realm, while I advance to the late-stage Celestial Immortal, we may then attempt to explore the fringes of the Chaotic Sea."
Eldrin murmured in his heart, yet soon set his mind at ease.
The few members of the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) had all attained enlightenment through forbidden realms, and they already possessed a considerable amount of Primordial Qi (Cultivation Resource) in their hands. They would not lack cultivation resources until they broke through to the late-stage Celestial Immortal (Cultivation Realm).
By the time they cultivate to the late-stage Celestial Immortal realm, it will likely require several million more years, undoubtedly placing them a step behind Eldrin.
Eldrin had already decided that if he failed to gather sufficient Primordial Qi in the Chaotic Sea, he would prioritize channeling all available Primordial Qi to break through to the Great Perfection of the Celestial Immortal realm—or even attain the legendary Ancient Immortal realm.
And once he obtained sufficient opportunities, Eldrin would, when conditions permitted, guide his Dao companions and clan members to advance together.
After all, the several Celestial Immortals of the Chen Clan were all prodigies of Taboo. Once their cultivation broke through to the late Celestial Immortal stage or even the Great Perfection of Celestial Immortality, they would undoubtedly become Eldrin's (Person Name) valuable allies in the impending cosmic tribulation.
In this kalpic tribulation, the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) had long since resolved to muster the strength of their entire clan to assist Eldrin (Person Name) in his attempt to breach the high-tribulation Ancient Immortal realm, and should fortune favor them, even aid his pursuit of the Great Perfection stage.
While others could rely on the combined strength of their entire sect or clan to break through to the Great Luo Realm, the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) lacked such foundational resources. Thus, they had no choice but to cultivate a powerful immortal lineage of their own.
Once he broke through to the Great Luo Realm and transcended the bounds of fate, Eldrin could recline above the River of Time, gazing down upon the ever-churning mortal world.
There was even the possibility of leveraging the power of the cosmic tribulation to continuously make strategic moves, much like how Emperor Taihan once supported 13 Great Luo Golden Immortals, aiding 1’s dao companions and clan members in breaking through to the Great Luo realm.
Of course, aiding another in breaking through to the Great Luo Realm was also fraught with countless difficulties.
The Great Cold Emperor was a Quasi-Sage Emperor who transcended the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm. As 1 of the 70-2 legendary sages of the human race existing since the primordial era, he had merely 13 Great Luo Golden Immortals under his tutelage. This demonstrated that achieving the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm required far more than mere guidance alone.
Even if Eldrin (Person Name) were to truly break through to the Great Luo Realm and fully support his Dao Companion and clan members, whether a dozen or so of the Chen family's peerless prodigies could achieve a breakthrough—or if any would succeed at all—still remains an open question.
This not only depended on the opportunities and support Eldrin received after his breakthrough, but also on his personal fortune and innate talent.
To return to our story, after dividing the treasures, the group couldn't help but feel immense delight.
Lyra stored away the Lunar Immortal Marrow, then turned to Eldrin and asked, "What should we do next?"
Upon hearing this, the others all furrowed their brows slightly.
This time, they had escaped the fragmented immortal realm, yet the outcome of the battle within remained uncertain. They knew not whether they should return to the Taihan Immortal Realm now.
Eldrin pondered slightly before speaking after a moment, "We shall enter seclusion here for some years. In 1 100 1000 years, the war will undoubtedly have concluded."
"When the time comes, we'll quietly return to the Taihan Immortal Realm and gather some intelligence first."
"Very well."
Elder Tianya nodded, his gaze grave as he said, "I shall seize this opportunity to refine the Cangyuan Ancient Cauldron as well."
Eldrin nodded and began taking stock of his own gains.
This time, among the 7 innate ancient treasure-level rarities, Eldrin alone obtained 4 of them.
Among the 4 supreme-grade innate treasures, although the Innate Saint Embryo Fruit was exceptionally precious, Eldrin's Innate Primordial Indestructible Body was even more superior. Naturally, he would not refine it and could only store it for other purposes.
The remaining Primordial Netherwater and Primordial Yangflame both contained nascent forms of the Great Dao, infused with the power of Yin and Yang. These were supreme treasures for alchemy and pill refinement, equally suited for concocting elixirs or tempering ritual vessels.
Such an innate treasure is beyond all measure of value.
Eldrin planned to wait until he broke through to the late-stage Celestial Immortal realm before integrating these 2 rarities into the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss, aiding the twin swords in ascending to become Primordial Ancient Swords.
The remaining innate sword energy could be used to cultivate sword dao supernatural powers. Eldrin intended to later create a supreme slaughtering supernatural ability, using this as the catalyst for cultivating such powers.
After arranging the uses for several rare treasures, Eldrin resumed his secluded cultivation with a tranquil heart.
Thus, in the fleeting span of 1 100 1000 years, the group finally emerged from seclusion in secret and ventured into the Taihan Immortal Realm.
They stealthily infiltrated the Taihan Immortal Realm and returned to the Tianya Grotto-Heaven, quietly gathering intelligence about the battle in the shattered immortal realm. The moment they learned the details, their hearts jolted with shock.
It turned out that the battle back then was so earth-shattering that it lasted for tens of thousands of years.
In that great war, nearly half of the several dozen Ancient Immortals who participated fell or were wounded, and of the several 1000 Celestial Immortals, fewer than 2,000 ultimately returned.
That humanoid Chaos Beast King was far too formidable. With just a single sword in hand, he fought like a man possessed, not only defeating and severely injuring Patriarch 6 Harmonies, but also slaying over 20 ancient immortal patriarchs all by himself.
In his final moments, the Ultimate Demon Emperor Lietian stirred a wisp of Great Luo power within him, alerting the White Crane Immortal Lord.
It was said that although the White Crane Immortal Lord resided in the Primal Immortal Realm, immeasurably distant from this chaotic expanse, a single strand of his gaze piercing through the chaos would be sufficient to annihilate all things.
人形混沌兽王在这一眼之下灰飞烟灭，最终那残缺古剑之中的器灵被惊醒，消失在了混沌之中。
Crossing the endless chaos, a single gaze annihilated a Sixth-Calamity Chaos Beast King?
Reading the intelligence in his hand, Eldrin drew a sharp, cold breath.
Though he had long understood that a Great Luo Golden Immortal transcends fate itself, standing above the cycle of reincarnation through 10 1000 kalpas, they had become indescribable, supreme beings beyond mortal comprehension.
But to cross the boundless expanse of chaos and annihilate a 6-Calamity Chaos Beast King with a single glance—this was simply too inconceivable to fathom.
It was as if a celestial immortal, from across the expanse of an entire immortal realm, suppressed a being with dual Taiyi foundations using nothing but a wisp of their aura.
Such divine power was truly inconceivable; even Eldrin found it somewhat hard to believe.
"It seems the disparity between a Great Luo and an Ancient Immortal is even vaster than that between an ant and a celestial dragon. They are as far apart as clouds and mud, no longer beings of the same order."
Eldrin (Person Name) murmured softly, his gaze still shadowed with lingering fear.
If such an existence were to annihilate him with a single glance, could the Abyssal Pearl truly offer him sanctuary with its divine power?
Eldrin felt a growing uncertainty in his heart, increasingly aware of his own insignificance.
Elder Tianya took a deep breath before speaking, "The higher 1 ascends among immortals, the vaster the gap becomes between each realm."
A Great Luo Golden Immortal had already transcended the bounds of fate, wielding the primordial power of the Great Dao. Even a single glance piercing through the void could carry the boundless might of the Great Dao to suppress all, enough to annihilate everything.
"Unless you possess power enough to defy the Great Dao itself, no matter how formidable you become, you shall inevitably turn to ashes and vanish like smoke."
Tianya Ancestor spoke with measured grace, ultimately sighing as he concluded, "I have witnessed many instances of those with a Taiyi body defying Celestial Immortals—such occurrences are found in nearly every immortal realm."
"Even with an Ancient Immortal's body, challenging a Great Luo is simply impossible."
Throughout the 3 1000 immortal realms, none could achieve such a feat.
Even an existence capable of shattering the Eightfold Heavenly Gates, wielding an Innate Spiritual Treasure with all their might to resist, would be effortlessly suppressed by a Great Luo Golden Immortal.
"The gap between the 2 sides was simply too vast to defy the heavens."
Eldrin (Person Name) listened in silence, his expression growing profoundly grave.
At this moment, he finally understood why, apart from during the Quantumn Calamity, almost no 1 could break through to the Great Perfection Realm in any other era.
The fundamental reason lies in the fact that when a Great Luo Golden Immortal strikes, even an 8-Calamity Ancient Immortal possesses no capacity for resistance.
Only during the Tribulation Era, when Great Luo Golden Immortals cannot personally intervene, can a favorable environment for breakthroughs emerge.
At this thought, Eldrin suddenly recalled something and couldn't resist asking, "How did the Violet Immortal Sovereign break through back in those days?"
"Violet Immortal Lord?"
Hearing this, the Celestial Maiden couldn't help but laugh. "With a Chaos Supreme Treasure as his birthright, Immortal Monarch Zi was destined from birth to become a Chaos-level Dao Ancestor. He never needed to shatter the Ninth Heavenly Barrier of Fate."
When he broke through to the 8-Calamity Ancient Immortal realm, the breakthrough came as naturally as water flowing in its course.
"Yes."
Tianya Ancestor also nodded, his gaze filled with boundless admiration as he said, "He possesses the innate destiny of a Dao Ancestor, fated to break through to the Great Luo Realm and even attain the realm of Dao Ancestor."
"Whoever dares to obstruct their path to enlightenment shall stand against destiny, calamity, and even the boundless Chaos Dao itself—a feat even Dao Ancestors and Immortal Sages would find nigh impossible to accomplish."
"I believe that even the Divine Emperor and Celestial Ruler would be unable to prevent him from breaking through to the Chaos Realm. They could only strike at the very moment of his ascension, and even then, I fear they would have to pay an unimaginably steep price."
Born with the Fate of a Dao Ancestor.
Eldrin felt a tremendous shock in his heart upon hearing this. He instinctively exchanged a glance with Lyra, both of them overwhelmed by an indescribable astonishment.
Born with the destiny of a Dao Ancestor—does that not mean he is fated to break through to the Dao Ancestor realm? Anyone who stands in his way is nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot. It is truly too incredible to fathom.
Seeing this, the Heaven-Reaching Elder spoke once more, "Such fated ones are not entirely without precedent."
Throughout the 3 1000 celestial domains, there were those born in response to cosmic providence. These beings entered existence without the Barrier of Destiny, fated to transcend the Great Perfected Realm.
According to the words of the Violet Immortal Lord, among the 1 100 and 8 immortal lords under the Great Abyss Immortal Sage, 9 were Destiny Great Luo Golden Immortals. They advanced through the Great Luo realm without any hindrance, and their strength could be considered peerless even among the Great Luo.
"And as for the Primordial Divine Emperor, legends say that he too attained the Dao as a Destiny Divine Emperor. He advanced all the way to the Chaos Realm, accomplishing it as naturally as water flowing downhill, without encountering any calamities or obstacles."
(End of Chapter)