Chapter 1959 : Tribulation's End and the Sacred Return

"It is time to return."

As the Kalpa Tribulation drew to a close, Eldrin Chen gathered his thoughts and turned his path back towards the heart of the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain.

Upon his return to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen found Exquisite Jiang and the others had been waiting for some time. Seeing him, they could not help but ask with concern, "How did it go?"

"Some injuries, but nothing serious."

Eldrin Chen shook his head. The prolonged battle had left him with significant wounds, yet none were mortal.

Furthermore, the power of the Great Path of Life and various healing Rare Spiritual Wonders [precious natural treasures with potent restorative properties] had already Recovery [healed] the greater part of his injuries. The main issue was a depletion of his foundational vitality, which would require a substantial amount of Rare Spiritual Wonders to replenish, along with a period of quiet recuperation.

Seeing that Eldrin Chen's wounds had largely Recovery, the women all let out a slight sigh of relief.

At this, Eldrin Chen took out the belongings left behind by the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord and declared, "The debt with the Primordial Solar Immortal Lord has been settled."

Witnessing this, Lila's eyes grew slightly red, a flicker of vindictive satisfaction passing through them.

Eldrin Chen said no more. He simply returned to his cultivation abode and retrieved the Sariras [crystalline relics formed from the essence of an enlightened being] that Worthy Pursuit Chen had transformed into.

"Tathagata Relic [a sacred crystalline remains left behind by an enlightened Buddha]."

The moment she saw this Sariras, Lila's pupils trembled slightly, and for a time she fell into a dazed, trance-like state.

Eldrin Chen also let out a soft sigh. In the past, Worthy Pursuit Chen had been born from a Heavenly Dragon Relic; now, having dissolved his own physical form and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], what remained was still a single sariras.

"Perhaps this was his destiny—to come from a sariras and return to a sariras."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a trace of helplessness flickering in his eyes.

At that moment, Lila grabbed Eldrin Chen's sleeve and couldn't help but ask, "Husband, is there truly no way?"

Eldrin Chen remained silent. For a top-tier Ancient Immortal to willingly dissolve their own Primordial Spirit—the difficulty of bringing such a one back was akin to scaling the heavens themselves.

Even with Eldrin Chen's current level of cultivation, accomplishing such a feat would be exceedingly difficult.

The most crucial point was that Worthy Pursuit Chen's dissolution of his Primordial Spirit had been utterly complete. Within this Sariras lingered not a single wisp of Primordial Spirit; only a solitary True Spirit Imprint [the indelible mark of one's core spiritual identity] remained preserved within.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen finally released another soft sigh.

After a long period of contemplation, he finally spoke, "I will try."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen guided a Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Divine Spark [a divine spark embodying the concept of indestructibility born from primordial chaos] and merged it into the Sariras [sacred crystalline relics left behind by enlightened beings]. There, it began to interweave with Worthy Pursuit Chen's True Spirit Imprint [the fundamental spiritual signature of a being, its unique mark upon existence].

"Hmmmm—"

The Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Divine Spark indeed proved miraculous. As it fused with the True Spirit Imprint, the Sariras began to emit a faint, primordial light and started to gather the scattered Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] energy that had been dissipating from Worthy Pursuit Chen.

Unnoticed at first, a faint, nascent soul consciousness began to form within the Sariras.

Witnessing this, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of hope. After performing a brief divination with his fingers, he said, "Worthy Pursuit's Primordial Spirit is incomplete. For a true Recovery [the process of restoring one's spiritual and physical form to its original state], he must enter the cycle of Reincarnation [the transmigration of the soul into a new life]. Within that new vessel, his true self will gradually Recovery."

"This will require a not insignificant amount of time."

Hearing this, Lila could not help but feel relieved and joyful.

As long as Worthy Pursuit Chen could achieve Recovery, then a journey through Reincarnation was a small price to pay.

Eldrin Chen also allowed himself a slight sigh of relief. He prepared to send Worthy Pursuit Chen into the cycle of Reincarnation. However, before doing so, he first traveled to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Deep within the Multidimensional Space-Time of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen traversed several Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] of time, gathering the soul fragments of Plain Essence.

Plain Essence was the lifelong beloved of Worthy Pursuit Chen, yet they had met during his most destitute days. He could only watch helplessly as she perished in his embrace. Later, her soul was utterly annihilated within the River of Space-Time [a conceptual river representing the flow of time and fate].

This remained Worthy Pursuit Chen's greatest regret in this life. He had intended, after attaining the Great Encompassing [the supreme realm of cultivation], to personally resurrect Plain Essence from the ancient annals of time.

But now, Worthy Pursuit Chen himself was about to enter the cycle of Reincarnation [the process of rebirth into a new life]. Therefore, Eldrin Chen gathered the soul of Plain Essence and aided them both in stepping into Reincarnation, to rekindle their bond from a past life.

Having retrieved the soul of Plain Essence, Eldrin Chen brought them back to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain. He then looked at Lila and said, "For Worthy Pursuit's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] to achieve complete Recovery, it must undergo ten lifetimes of Reincarnation."

"I shall weave for them a bond spanning three lives and seven existences, awaiting the day they return anew."

Lila nodded silently, offering no further words.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen sent the pair into the cycle of Reincarnation to be reborn.

Before sending them into reincarnation, Eldrin Chen imprinted the ancient characters of the Primordial Chaos Scripture upon their Primordial Spirit.

Among them, Plain Essence received one ancient character, named—the Innate Plain Questions Scripture. This scripture was derived from a Great Path [a supreme cultivation method] that leaned towards healing arts.

Worthy Pursuit Chen possessed an extraordinary foundation. First, he had obtained six ancient characters that transformed into the Six-Syllable Mantra [a powerful Buddhist chant of six syllables]. Later, he acquired three more ancient characters, which fused with the dragon patterns within the Sariras [sacred crystalline relics left behind by enlightened beings] to become the Great Power Heavenly Dragon Scripture [a supreme scripture detailing the cultivation of a Heavenly Dragon's immense power].

Subsequently, the Six-Syllable Mantra merged completely with the Great Power Heavenly Dragon [the divine ability derived from the Heavenly Dragon Scripture], fusing together to form a unique cultivation method—the Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture [a scripture of salvation for all sentient beings, born from an enlightened one's compassion].

Observing Worthy Pursuit Chen's foundational cultivation, Eldrin Chen could not help but reveal a flicker of surprise in his gaze.

This Ancient Scripture [an ancient and profound cultivation manual] possessed by Worthy Pursuit Chen was profoundly mystical. It was a cultivation art of the Buddhist Sect [a religious and cultivation order following Buddhist teachings], encompassing the Buddhist Sect's Six-Syllable Mantra and its Great Path [the supreme, all-encompassing Way of cultivation], while also containing methods for Fleshly Body Sanctification [the process of refining and purifying the physical body to a sacred state].

From Eldrin Chen's discerning perspective, this Ancient Scripture was, at the very least, a supreme Ancient Scripture of the Chaos Grade [a legendary tier of cultivation arts, originating from the primordial chaos before creation]. Its future potential was truly boundless.

"The Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture, is it?"

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, as if he had glimpsed the Profound Darkness [a profound and mysterious principle, often associated with the primordial and unfathomable] within Worthy Pursuit Chen's Ancient Scripture.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment. He ultimately decided to use bark from the Innate Spiritual Root [a primordial spiritual tree of immense vitality] to craft Scripture Transmission Paper [a special paper imbued with the power to transmit cultivation knowledge directly into the mind]. Upon it, he inscribed the cultivation method of the Sacrificial Self Path [a cultivation path focused on self-sacrifice and transcendence] and then imprinted it deep within the spiritual consciousness of the two individuals.

In the future, once the two embarked on their cultivation journey, they would discover these two volumes of Ancient Scripture within their minds, thereby setting foot upon the cultivation path of the Sacrificial Self Path.

Furthermore, the Sacrificial Self Path possessed extremely high compatibility. It would not interfere with the cultivation of either the Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture or the Innate Plain Questions Scripture [a foundational scripture exploring the innate principles of the universe].

Having settled all these matters, Eldrin Chen sent the two into Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], thus laying a weighty matter to rest.

After guiding the pair into Reincarnation, Eldrin Chen allowed himself a slight sigh of relief. He spent a moment Recovery [recovering from his injuries] before returning to Returning Abyss Heaven. There, he summoned Worthy Verdancy Chen, Alistair Ye, Literature Abyss Lu, and Serene Bamboo.

Upon seeing the four, Eldrin Chen could not help but nod with satisfaction.

During this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic era-ending calamity], Eldrin Chen had personally entered the fray to slay formidable foes, and he had naturally heard tales of their exploits.

In the intervening years, they had weathered their tribulations in the Domain of Chaos Celestial Pole, the Domain of Chaos Firmamental Extreme, the Primordial Domain of Myriad Gods, and the Primordial Domain of Saint and Demon respectively. Each had demonstrated power sufficient to dominate their Kalpa Tribulation.

Throughout the entire Kalpa Tribulation, they had encountered no true rivals, carving a path of victory straight through the heart of the cataclysm.

In the latter stages of the Kalpa Tribulation, they had directly opened their Inner Universe [a cosmos within oneself, the foundation of supreme cultivation] and, following the Sacrificial Self Path, ascended into the realm of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle of immortal cultivation, embodying the totality of the cosmos].

Moreover, by Eldrin Chen's estimation, their combat prowess was exceptionally formidable. While perhaps not matching the peerless genius of Exquisite Jiang and her ilk, their strength still brushed against the threshold of the fourth level of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

With this in mind, Eldrin Chen smiled and said, "Excellent. You have not disappointed me."

"It is all thanks to your guidance and nurturing, Master."

All four of them revealed smiles, their bearing and presence becoming increasingly transcendent and otherworldly.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen said nothing more. After offering a few words of encouragement, he instructed them to enter seclusion within the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain.

At that very moment, a light flickered within Returning Abyss Heaven, and the Reincarnation Body [a profound avatar formed through the power of reincarnation] stepped forth from it.

Long before the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle], due to a lack of resources, Eldrin Chen had sent the Reincarnation Body into the Depths of Chaos to seek out Opportunity and Fortune and to attempt hunting Chaos Demon God [primordial beings born from chaos], thus causing it to miss the previous great battle.

Now that the Reincarnation Body had returned, Eldrin Chen inquired, "Have you gathered enough resources to break through to the mid-stage of Great Encompassing?"

The breakthrough for the Reincarnation Body consumed a staggering amount of resources.

Because the foundation of the Reincarnation Body was fused into a single entity, it could not break through in stages. Once the breakthrough was initiated, the resource consumption was immense. This was precisely why Eldrin Chen had sent the Reincarnation Body to seek its own Opportunity and Fortune.

Upon its return, the Reincarnation Body tossed down the remains of two Chaos Demon God and shook its head. "I captured a Low-Grade Chaos Lair and seized some Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primal, unbreakable spiritual radiance], but I'm still short by about ten strands."

Eldrin Chen nodded and retrieved ten strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light, handing them over to the Reincarnation Body.

After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke. "To prevent them from returning and striking again, do not venture too far after your breakthrough."

Having resolved the resources needed for the breakthrough of the Reincarnation Body [a profound technique allowing one to manifest a separate, independent avatar], Eldrin Chen summoned Gentle Deer and Ao Hong once more, bestowing upon each of them several strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a primordial, unbreakable spiritual energy crucial for high-level cultivation breakthroughs] to aid their advancement to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Mid Stage [a powerful mid-tier realm within the Golden Immortal stage of cultivation].

With this, the remaining Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light in Eldrin Chen's possession was once again reduced to a mere dozen or so strands.

After handling this matter, Eldrin Chen gathered Exquisite Jiang and the others. Looking at the assembled group, he spoke, "In the battle of years past, Verdant Extreme Patriarch and his allies did not suffer any fundamental damage to their foundations. I fear they may return to strike again."

Upon hearing his words, a grave solemnity settled over everyone present.

After a moment of contemplation, Nyssa Qu spoke directly, "These formidable foes are not, in truth, beyond our means to handle. My greater concern is that they might summon even more powerful enemies to their aid."

The others nodded in agreement with her assessment.

Indeed, given the current strength of the Chen Immortal Clan, they possessed the capability to withstand an assault even if the remaining five powerful enemies were to attack once more.

The sole cause for worry was the possibility that Verdant Extreme Patriarch and his allies would call upon even more formidable Great Path Rival [a destined, profound adversary on one's cultivation journey, often linked by karma or opposing Daos].

Considering this, Eldrin Chen fell into deep thought. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the vast, myriad realms that constitute the known immortal world], the number of my Great Path Rival is, at most, little more than a dozen."

"The true trouble lies with the Great Path Rival who have reached the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm [a supreme cultivation realm of immense power and authority]. And there are a full four of them."

"However, we have signed alliances with the Taiyang Clan, the Grand Nether Imperial Court, the Tai Cang Imperial Court, and the Frigid Heaven Imperial Court. They can hold off these four Great Path Rival [a powerful cultivator whose destiny is intertwined with one's own, often as a competitor] for us, so there is no immediate cause for concern."

"As for the rest, including Verdant Extreme Patriarch, there should be three cultivators at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm]."

As he spoke of this, a slight frown of gravity appeared between Eldrin Chen's brows.

If three Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection were to attack together, supported by several cultivators at the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the eighth sub-level of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], they could indeed face the danger of a major defeat.

Fortunately, with the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation method centered on self-sacrifice and transcendence] gaining four new Great Encompassing [Great Encompassing Golden Immortals], the power of his Great Path Authority [the supreme authority and power derived from one's cultivation path] had also grown significantly.

Now, even relying solely on the power of his Great Path Authority, Eldrin Chen should possess combat strength rivaling a top-tier Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal. With all four of his foundational pillars combined, his combat power had increased by another twenty to thirty percent compared to before.

Under these circumstances, if Eldrin Chen were to fortify the Eight Great Immortal Domains [a collective term for eight major immortal territories], he would at least possess the capability for self-preservation, even if three Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection led multiple Eighth Heaven of Great Encompassing in an assault.

Considering this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Our best course is to hold the Eight Great Immortal Domains and wait for another Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration, often marked by great upheaval]. If the Sacrificial Self Path gives birth to five more Great Encompassing Golden Immortal after one Kalpa Tribulation, our current difficulties will be resolved with ease."

Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly, agreeing it was likely the best strategy available.

Seeing their consensus, Eldrin Chen said no more.

In the years that followed, he began to heal the wounds to his foundational essence [the core life force and potential of a cultivator] through dual cultivation [a cultivation method involving spiritual and physical union between partners], while simultaneously digesting the gains from that battle.

"..."

At the same time, the various Immortal Domains across the Southern Abyss Seven Domains emerged from their seclusion, lifting their seals and re-entering the world.

News of this Kalpa Tribulation began to reach the ears of all the Great Encompassing Golden Immortals throughout the Southern Abyss Seven Domains.

Compared to previous Kalpa Tribulations, the fact that Eldrin the Immortal Lord personally charged into the Kalpa Tribulation and slew his opponent, Primordial Solar Immortal Lord, was undoubtedly an earth-shattering piece of news.

It must be understood that Kalpa Tribulations are exceedingly perilous; even Great Encompassing Golden Immortals rarely venture into them personally. The last time such an event occurred was thirty Kalpa Tribulations ago.

Of course, the reason this news was so explosive was, more importantly, the fall of Primordial Solar Immortal Lord.

One must know that Primordial Solar Immortal Lord was an Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, placing him among the very pinnacle of Great Encompassing Golden Immortals.

That such a figure, who had gazed upon eternity for so long, could be slain by Returning Abyss Path Master, who had only established his path a mere few Kalpa Tribulations ago, was truly beyond belief.

However, when it was later heard that Eldrin the Immortal Lord had founded an entirely new cultivation system and created a novel, minor Great Path, everything seemed to find its explanation.

After all, this was an entirely new Great Path [a profound and systematic cultivation methodology]. Even if it was merely a Lesser Vehicle Great Path, it still represented a complete Great Path Authority [the authority and power inherent to a fully realized Great Path].

As one who had attained Path Mastery [the profound state of having fully comprehended and mastered a Great Path], the formidable combat prowess displayed by Eldrin Chen seemed, in a way, justifiable.

And since Eldrin Chen had demonstrated such power, it naturally drew the attention of many top-tier powerhouses, including several of his Great Path Rival [fated rivals destined to contend on the same Great Path].

On this day, deep within the Primordial Immortal Domain [the primordial realm where immortals dwell], within a distant Imperial Court, three majestic figures clad in imperial robes gathered. As they reviewed a piece of intelligence in their hands, a trace of solemnity colored their expressions.

"What are your thoughts?"

After a long while, one of the figures, draped in golden imperial robes, opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp and grave as he spoke.

The other two did not answer immediately. Moments later, a man clad in imperial armor shook his head and said, "His strength shakes the heavens, his methods are not to be underestimated."

Finally, the man in black-patterned imperial robes also nodded, his voice filled with equal gravity. "Indeed. If he is not suppressed early, it will not be long before he becomes a major problem."

Had anyone been present, they would have been struck with utter astonishment.

For these three figures were each of extraordinary origin. The golden-robed figure was the Primogenitor of the Golden Spirit Ancient Clan, his cultivation reaching the second level of Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme realm among ancient powerhouses]. His lineage ranked forty-seventh among the Hundred Immortal Spirit Races [a prestigious ranking of the hundred most powerful ancient spirit-blooded clans].

The man clad in imperial armor was the Desolate Ape Imperial Lord of the Demon Race, his cultivation base also reaching the Primordial One Imperial Lord 3rd Tier.

The final man, robed in black-patterned imperial robes, was the 'Nether Mystery Imperial Lord' who presided over the fourteenth layer of hell, his cultivation base soaring even higher to the fourth level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm.

Such peerless figures, each a Primordial One Imperial Lord and sovereign of their own imperial court, were unexpectedly displaying such grave expressions.