Chapter 1976 : Ascension of the Abyssal Emperor

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and promptly retrieved the Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme, naturally-formed spiritual artifact of the highest quality] and other rare treasures to complete the transaction with Departing Flame Emperor Lord.

It had to be admitted that once one's status and standing reached a certain lofty height, acquiring the necessary resources often became a far simpler matter.

After concluding the trade, Eldrin Chen did not linger within the Departing Flame Immortal Domain [the celestial realm ruled by the Departing Flame Emperor Lord]. After expressing his thanks, he returned to the Abyssal Immortal Domain [the celestial realm ruled by Eldrin Chen, the Abyssal Emperor].

Upon his return to the Abyssal Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen proceeded directly to his secluded cultivation chamber. After regulating his internal state through meditation, he immediately began refining the Great Dao Source Marrow [a primordial substance containing the foundational essence of the Great Dao].

Eldrin Chen's foundational accumulation was already more than sufficient. Advancing to the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal [the late stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, a pinnacle of immortal cultivation] was, at this point, a process as natural as water flowing downhill.

As the Great Dao Source Marrow was refined, the Primordial Boundless Great Dao [the supreme cultivation art of primordial boundlessness practiced by Eldrin Chen] that Eldrin Chen cultivated began to voraciously absorb the Primordial Source Power [the fundamental, origin-level spiritual power] contained within. His cultivation advanced at a pace visible to the naked eye.

Thus, Time flowed swiftly by. In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of years passed, and Eldrin Chen's Chaos Limitless Great Dao [the supreme cultivation art of chaotic boundlessness] finally reached its ultimate zenith.

Seeing this critical juncture, Eldrin Chen seized the moment without hesitation. In one breath, he refined a full thirty strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [an innate, unbreakable spiritual radiance used to shatter cultivation bottlenecks]. This action completely shattered the shackles binding his cultivation, allowing him to complete the breakthrough in his Great Perfection Dao and step firmly into the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

"Great Perfection Chaos Primordial Limitless Great Dao."

After the breakthrough was fully consolidated, a genuine smile of profound satisfaction finally graced Eldrin Chen's features.

He rose to his feet, and after sensing the power within his body, a wave of delight washed over him.

After breaking through to the Great Ascension realm, Eldrin Chen discovered that his mastery of the Great Dao had once again undergone a tremendous advancement. Relying solely on his Dao cultivation, his power could now rival that of an existence at the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection level.

Although this power still fell far short of the Dao-Grasping level strength granted by the Path of Self-Sacrifice, it represented the very foundation of Eldrin Chen's being, its importance beyond words.

After all, while Eldrin Chen had pioneered the Path of Self-Sacrifice, his true self had not cultivated it. The Chaos Limitless Great Dao remained the bedrock of his cultivation journey.

By Eldrin Chen's estimation, after this breakthrough, his Dao cultivation alone was potent enough to match a Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection.

Without activating the Path of Self-Sacrifice, if he combined this with the power of his physical body and his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], his combat prowess should be sufficient to contend with the combined might of three Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection experts.

Of course, if measured against the ultimate combat strength unleashed by activating the Path of Self-Sacrifice, then this breakthrough did not significantly elevate Eldrin Chen's overall power.

For the power of the Path of Self-Sacrifice already resided within the domain of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch. Such power was not merely several times stronger than that of a Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection—it was on an entirely different plane.

Under these circumstances, having one foundational aspect of his strength reach the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection level contributed, at most, an increase of half a tenth to his overall combat capability.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen reined in his excitement. He then proceeded into the depths of the Abyssal Forbidden Land. There, he retrieved the Creation Cauldron and began the solemn ritual to refine and empower the Abyssal Seal.

After this breakthrough in his Great Dao cultivation, Eldrin Chen's cultivation base surged dramatically, enabling him to refine and Ascension the Abyssal Seal into a Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme-tier treasure born from the world's primal essence].

To further enhance the power of the Abyssal Seal, Eldrin Chen prepared to utilize the Creation Cauldron [a legendary cauldron capable of forging and elevating treasures] to facilitate its Ascension [the process of elevating a treasure's grade and power].

Upon retrieving the Creation Cauldron, Eldrin Chen immediately wove the power of his own Great Dao cultivation into the fabric of the Abyssal Seal.

He further fused it with Great Luo Innate Divine Metal [a primal divine metal of the highest order] and various other divine materials, even expending a full sixty strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [a primal, unbreakable spiritual radiance used in supreme refinements], before finally completing the Ascension of the Abyssal Seal. …

Moreover, Eldrin Chen discovered that, perhaps due to the profound mystery of the Chaos Mud [a primordial substance from the dawn of creation], the newly ascended Abyssal Seal seemed capable of assimilating additional Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born from the world's innate essence] once more, and could integrate two more such treasures.

After pondering this for a moment, Eldrin Chen reluctantly took out a Void Immortal Sword and a precious diagram, both of which were Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, and fused them into the seal.

These two treasures were among the finest Innate Spiritual Treasure Eldrin Chen had acquired as spoils of war. The former was named the Cosmos Immortal Sword, possessing the power to cleave through the Void [emptiness or spatial void]. The latter was called the Myriad Heavens and Worlds Diagram, a paramount treasure of formation arts that could amplify and enhance the power of various Immortal Treasure [treasures used by immortal beings].

"Sixty strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light, two Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure... the cost is truly staggering,"

Eldrin Chen could not help but wear a wry expression after the Abyssal Seal completed its Ascension.

His Abyssal Seal was simply too potent. Even without counting the various rare materials fused into it, it had now consumed a total of ninety strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light. Such an astronomical expenditure would likely strain even a cultivator at the Great Luo Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm].

Fortunately, the might of the Abyssal Seal [a supreme magical treasure of immense power] was truly extraordinary, allowing Eldrin Chen to endure this expenditure.

"The current Abyssal Seal, its power should now be comparable to a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [the highest grade of treasures born from the primal chaos] with twenty-four divine patterns, correct?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a flicker of curiosity lighting within his gaze.

He directly commanded the Abyssal Seal, instantly causing it to differentiate into twelve distinct Innate Spiritual Treasure [treasures born from the primal chaos]—a celestial halberd, an immortal sword, a Great Cauldron [a massive, potent cauldron], a pagoda, an ancient bell, a divine diagram, and others.

Each of these twelve Innate Spiritual Treasure was of Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a high-grade treasure born from chaos] quality. Should they be deployed to form a killing formation, even a Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme immortal of the Grand Luo realm] would be forced to meet their end.

If Eldrin Chen were to manifest the Abyssal Seal into any single one of these treasures, it could Eruption [unleash or erupt with power] with a force rivaling a twenty-four-patterned Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Compared to its power before the Ascension [a profound advancement or evolution], the increase was more than twofold.

"I believe I understand now."

At that moment, Eldrin Chen gained a flash of insight, roughly comprehending the challenge of an Ascension Innate Supreme Treasure [the ultimate tier of treasures born from primal chaos].

It turned out that a true Innate Supreme Treasure required its very essence to possess nine Great Dao Divine Chain [divine chains embodying fundamental cosmic principles]. Only by intertwining and unifying these chains could they transform into the power of Dao Authority [the authority to command a fundamental principle of existence].

Furthermore, each of these nine Great Dao Divine Chain was itself woven from thirty-six Great Dao Divine Patterns [divine patterns representing fragments of cosmic law].

A Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [the highest grade of a treasure born from the world's essence] with twenty-four patterns possesses only twenty-four Great Dao Divine Patterns [divine inscriptions representing profound cosmic laws]. Therefore, to Ascension [evolve to a higher state of being] into an Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure of primordial origin], it must first fuse with Innate Primordial Qi [the primordial breath of creation] and metamorphose into a First Grade Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo [the embryonic form of a supreme innate treasure] with thirty-six patterns.

However, achieving this metamorphosis into an Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo is no simple feat.

Generally speaking, the stronger the foundation of a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, and the more innate Dao patterns it possesses from birth, the simpler its subsequent Ascension into an Innate Supreme Treasure will be.

Take Eldrin Chen's Abyssal Seal [a mighty seal artifact] as an example. The current Abyssal Seal was forged from the fusion of twelve supreme treasures. This means the ultimate Abyssal Seal will eventually give birth to twelve Great Dao Divine Chain [chains of solidified cosmic law].

Even if Eldrin Chen's Abyssal Seal absorbs no more Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [indestructible rays of primordial spiritual energy], given its current state of having fused with one hundred and eight such lights, it will possess at least three Great Dao Divine Chain in the future.

In other words, should he obtain three strands of Innate Primordial Qi, Eldrin Chen's Abyssal Seal could directly metamorphose into a Third Grade Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo in time.

"So this is the mystery behind the Ascension of an Innate Supreme Treasure?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a glimmer of profound understanding dawning in his eyes....

For others, their Lifebound Treasure [a treasure bound to one's life and cultivation]—be it a singular Innate Spiritual Treasure or a top-tier treasure composed of a set of array artifacts—faces immense difficulty in Ascension to Innate Supreme Treasure if it was not refined into a True Spirit Treasure [a treasure with a true spiritual essence] using the Heavenly Emperor's Artifact Fusion Chapter [a legendary scripture on artifact fusion].

For an ordinary Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure to continuously break through from its foundation of twenty-four patterns, ultimately nurturing nine Great Dao Divine Chain to become an Innate Supreme Treasure, the difficulty would undoubtedly be greater than scaling the heavens themselves.

However, once a treasure Ascension [the process of a magical treasure evolving to a higher, innate state] into an Innate Supreme Treasure [a peerless treasure born from the primal chaos of creation], such an artifact is invariably a marvel of the ages, unparalleled in its rarity and power.

This is because the ability to successively fuse with nine strands of Innate Primordial Qi [the primordial, foundational energy of creation] grants it a potency surpassing even a complete set of formation artifacts. It becomes a peerless wonder, fundamentally impervious to being overcome by those of a lower cultivation realm.

At this thought, a faint smile touched the lips of Eldrin Chen.

He harbored a distinct intuition that his Abyssal Seal was different. It seemed capable of shattering a certain inherent limitation, perhaps able to bear not just one, but multiple strands of Dao Authority [the authority and power derived from comprehending and mastering a Great Dao]. Its potential appeared far greater than that of a typical Innate Supreme Treasure.

To Eldrin Chen's knowledge, whether it was Daoxu Jiang's Primordial Beginning Qi Sword or Xianchang Chen's Vast Sea Divine Pearl, such treasures seemed to possess a ceiling—they could bear, at most, a single strand of Dao Authority.

In other words, regardless of how many strands of Innate Indestructible Spiritual Light [an indestructible spiritual radiance born from primal chaos] their perfected True Spirit Treasure [a treasure that has fused with a cultivator's spirit, becoming a part of their very being] could fuse with, they would ultimately only give birth to nine Great Dao Divine Chains [divine chains manifesting the power of a mastered Great Dao] and could only support one strand of Dao Authority.

Dao Authority of equally perfected Great Daos held no inherent superiority over one another. While their manifestations of power might vary, the gap was never an insurmountable chasm.

Yet, Eldrin Chen's Abyssal Seal appeared capable of breaking this very limitation, possessing the potential to simultaneously bear multiple strands of Dao Authority.

"Is this a property of the Chaos Mud [the primordial, formless substance from which all things are said to have coalesced]?"

Eldrin Chen murmured the question inwardly before swiftly gathering his wandering thoughts.

There was little point in dwelling on such matters. Eldrin Chen gathered his thoughts and returned to his cultivation abode, only to find Lyra Jiang had been waiting for him for some time.

"How did it go?"

Lyra Jiang looked at him, her voice tinged with concern.

Eldrin Chen offered a calm smile. "The breakthrough has deepened my foundation. Most crucially, the Abyssal Seal has undergone its Ascension [a qualitative evolution to a higher grade]."

Hearing this, a faint smile also touched Lyra Jiang's lips.

While both were classified as Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [the pinnacle grade of treasures born from heaven and earth], the recent Ascension of the Abyssal Seal represented a monumental leap in the power it granted Eldrin Chen.

Prior to its Ascension, the Abyssal Seal possessed only the standard potency of an ordinary Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

Such twelve-circuit treasures offer minimal enhancement to the combat prowess of an Early Stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Lord [a cultivator who has mastered the foundational laws of primordial chaos].

In truth, save for the most freshly ascended Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a sovereign who commands the power of primordial chaos], the vast majority of Early Stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Lord wield twenty-four-circuit Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

Without a twenty-four-circuit Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Eldrin Chen's strength would have remained at the level of a newly ascended Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch.

Yet now, with the Abyssal Seal having completed its Ascension [a qualitative evolution to a higher grade], the methods and strength of Eldrin Chen had reached a level where he could barely step beyond the realm of a newly ascended Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a supreme cultivator who has mastered the foundational laws of Chaos], rivaling most who dwelled within the first layer of that august domain.

Thinking this, Lyra Jiang still advised, "With the Abyssal Seal's Ascension, your power is no longer that of a weakling among the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch."

"But do not grow arrogant. The higher the realm of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, the more profound their foundation and the more formidable their techniques become."

"Most who cultivate to the mid-stage of Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch possess Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo [a nascent form of a supreme treasure, born from the world's foundational principles] of three divine patterns or fewer. With your current strength, it is still unwise to provoke such beings lightly."...

Eldrin Chen nodded, then stated, "I have heard that in the coming days, a Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly [a grand gathering for the exchange of rare cultivation resources] will be held within the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss. I intend to attend personally to gather the key resources required for my cultivation to the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal [the late stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, a pinnacle of immortal cultivation]."

Upon hearing this, Lyra Jiang could not help but fall into thoughtful silence.

After Eldrin Chen's cultivation breakthrough to the Late Great Luo Golden Immortal, the potency of his eight Innate Divine Abilities [supreme techniques born from one's innate constitution] and the Five True Spirit Divine Runes had begun to feel somewhat inadequate; they would need to be cultivated to their Great Perfection stage to keep pace with his burgeoning power.

This was especially true for the Five True Spirit Divine Abilities and the Five True Spirit Divine Runes, whose advancement consumed immensely precious High Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier spiritual material born from the world's essence].

For Eldrin Chen to fully cultivate all these divine abilities and divine runes to completion would require the consumption of several dozen portions of High Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

Even though the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [a collective term for the myriad realms of the immortal world] were home to tens of thousands of Grand Luo Golden Immortal, gathering such a vast quantity of High-Grade Innate Marvel [a rare and wondrous object of innate origin] all at once would likely prove exceedingly difficult.

Without a high-level Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly, Eldrin Chen would likely need over a hundred Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration and tribulation] to gather the necessary treasures.

Under such circumstances, only by attending the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly held within the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss could one amass such a vast quantity of treasures with any speed.

After all, the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly of the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss was an event where only those at the Emperor Lord [a supreme title for a ruler among cultivators] level were qualified to participate. The wealth of such individuals far surpassed that of ordinary Grand Luo Golden Immortal [a pinnacle immortal realm], and producing a few High Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [a supreme class of treasures born from the primordial chaos] would likely be effortless for them.

Considering this, Lyra Jiang spoke up, "I support your decision to attend the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly."

"However, as a precaution, you must remain vigilant against those few who are your sworn enemies on the Great Dao."

Eldrin Chen nodded and replied directly, "Rest assured. Unless the Pure Yang Great Emperor [a legendary sovereign of pure yang energy] himself takes action, other Early Stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Lord [a ruler who has just begun to master the power of primordial chaos] should be unable to detain me."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement, yet added, "This Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly is being convened within the Chaos Heaven Extreme Domain. To guard against any unforeseen events, it would be best for you to travel there alongside a few of our allies."

"Understood. I shall go and invite them immediately."

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. He then tore through the Chaos [the formless, primordial state of existence] to return to the Primordial Immortal Domain, and proceeded directly to pay a visit to the Taiyang Clan.

Times had changed. Meeting again after so many years, Eldrin Chen's status was now vastly different from before.

The Taiyang Clan treated the visit of Eldrin Chen with the utmost gravity. Two Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, including Taiyang Emperor Lord himself, personally received him, preparing a magnificent banquet in his honor.

After the wine had circulated thrice, Eldrin Chen extended an invitation to the three to attend the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly within the Chaos Heaven Extreme Domain.

Taiyang Emperor Lord agreed with decisive swiftness, consenting to journey together to the Treasure Exchange Grand Assembly. Yet, before parting, his expression turned grave as he spoke, "Fellow Daoist, if there are matters you wish to settle, I advise you to complete them within the next two Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles of time]."

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "What does the Emperor Lord mean?" he inquired.

"The situation remains unclear for now."

Taiyang Emperor Lord shook his head, yet his words carried a pointed implication. "Your ties with Taicang Divine Emperor run deep. I believe he possesses more knowledge on this matter than I do."

A shadow of solemnity fell over Eldrin Chen's countenance. After offering a final respectful farewell, he made his way to the Taicang Imperial Court.

He presented his visiting card and was swiftly granted an audience with Taicang Divine Emperor.

The last time Eldrin Chen had seen Taicang Divine Emperor was within the Chaos Realm Sea. Back then, the Divine Emperor's aura had dominated the Myriad Heavens, projecting a presence of near-invincibility.

This time, however, as Eldrin Chen beheld Taicang Divine Emperor, he sensed a subtle but distinct weakness in the Emperor's spiritual presence, as if he bore the weight of a significant injury.

"You have perceived it as well."

Taicang Divine Emperor spoke slowly, his expression grave. "That Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo has fallen into the hands of the Primordial Thunder Crow."

Eldrin Chen's countenance shifted subtly, a profound gravity settling within the depths of his gaze.

Seeing this, Taicang Divine Emperor continued, "Within our Three Poles Origin Domain, the Demon Race stands as the foremost among the Three Great Celestial Courts. And among the Demon Race, the Golden Crow lineage is the most formidable."

"The supreme power of the Golden Crow lineage is, of course, the Solar Celestial Emperor; that goes without saying."

"Beneath him exists the Primordial Azure Crow, whose cultivation has reached the Sage Ascendant realm, making him the Half-Step Celestial Emperor of the Golden Crow lineage. The third most powerful figure within the Golden Crow Clan is this very Primordial Thunder Crow."

"In recent years, the Solar Celestial Emperor has withdrawn from worldly affairs, and the Azure Crow Great Emperor wanders the Chaos seeking an Opportunity for Dao-Grasping [the ultimate state of comprehending and merging with the fundamental principle of existence]. Thus, the one managing the affairs of the Golden Crow Clan is this Primordial Thunder Crow."

"And the Primordial Thunder Crow Great Emperor is inherently domineering. Should he succeed in refining that Innate Supreme Treasure, I fear the balance of power within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains will be thrown into turmoil once more."