Chapter 1851 : Taiyou Emperor

Eldrin took the map and glanced at it, finding it to be a remarkably detailed chart of the Primordial Immortal Realm's Netherworld. A faint surge of delight stirred within him.

He immediately put away the map and retrieved a rare treasure, offering it with a cupped-hand salute. "Thank you for your assistance, fellow cultivator. This humble gift is but a token of my gratitude."

Qingwei Sanren, however, smiled faintly and shook his head decisively. "It's merely a map, hardly something to be considered a rare treasure."

"Since fate has brought us together, I shall gift you this item, fellow Daoist. Consider it a token of friendship."

Hearing this, a faint glimmer stirred in Eldrin's eyes.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he smiled and said, "In that case, I shall gladly call you a friend."

"Ha ha ha."

With a hearty laugh, Qingwei Sanren waved his hand and said, "Then we shall meet again someday in the Yaoguang Ancient Realm."

With those words, Clear Vastness Wanderer spoke no more, vanishing into the distant reaches of the endless void.

After he departed, Eldrin smiled faintly. The potency of Elder Qingwei’s cultivation had reached the realm of a 6-Calamity Ancient Immortal. Though it could not compare to the might of a 7-Calamity Ancient Immortal, among the Ancient Immortals, he was by no means weak.

Such a figure, it would be no loss to befriend him.

Thinking of this, Eldrin unfolded the map and glanced at it. After observing it briefly, he tucked it away and headed into the distance.

The Primordial Immortal Realm, as the most ancient source realm within the chaos, held a status that no ordinary immortal domain could ever hope to rival.

In this celestial realm, not only was the cultivation environment more refined, but the rules were also far more stringent.

The spatial fabric of the Primordial Immortal Realm was far more resilient. Only those at the Grand Luo level could tear through the void. Strictly speaking, the Primordial Immortal Realm permitted combat between experts of the Ancient Immortal Realm.

However, once the mountains and earth veins between heaven and earth are damaged, 1 must pay an enormous price to restore them.

Moreover, above the heavens of the Primal Immortal Realm stood 7 Celestial Emperor Ancestral Courts, 30-3 layered heavens, while beneath the 9 Nether abyss lay 18 tiers of Netherworld Purgatory.

Within these 30-3 heavens, 3 celestial courts suppress the cosmos, while beneath the 9 Nether abyss, 18 Netherworld Sovereigns reign over the 18 layers of hell.

Whether it be the 3 Great Celestial Courts or the 18 Netherworld Sovereigns, these were all forces that even Great Luo Golden Immortals dared not provoke.

Thus, the 30-3 Heavens and the 18 Hells within the Primal Immortal Realm were no places ordinary immortals could trespass recklessly.

Even an ancient immortal of great power would be courting death by forcing entry into these 2 places without a special passage token.

Eldrin dared not venture directly through the subterranean depths to the Netherworld's heart. Instead, he soared across the skies for thousands of years, arriving at the nearest convergence point between the realms of Yin and Yang.

It was a bridge connecting the realms of Yin and Yang, spanning the convergence point of these 2 domains. 1 end linked to the mortal world of the celestial realm, while the other descended into the unfathomable depths of the netherworld.

Bridge of Yin and Yang

Gazing upon the Bridge of Yin and Yang before him, a ripple of emotion stirred within Eldrin's eyes.

Without another word, he arrived before the Boundary Bridge, paid another toll, and ventured into the unfathomable depths of the Netherworld.

The Netherworld consists of 18 layers, and the ruler of each layer is a Nether Emperor—a sovereign whose power rivals that of a Primordial Chaos Emperor.

Eldrin dared not slacken. Following the established protocols, he traversed 6 layers of hell before finally arriving at this seventh infernal realm.

"Could this be the Netherdark Realm?"

Gazing upon the Netherworld Abyss before him, Eldrin murmured to himself.

This Netherdark Realm is the seventh layer of the underworld. Its ruler, the Netherdark Emperor, is a primordial innate human who achieved the Dao, belonging to the same generation as the Frigid Abyss Emperor.

Eldrin ventured into the abyssal depths to gather Nether Essence, seeking to restore the balance of Yin and Yang. The Nether Hell, where this human predecessor once dwelled, was the ideal place for his breakthrough.

Thinking of this, Eldrin did not hesitate in the slightest. He soared across the boundless Netherworld without pause, only coming to a halt when he reached the front of an ancient city.

Netherdark City.

Gazing upon the Netherdark City before him, Eldrin felt a subtle stirring in his heart before striding through its gates.

Just as he was about to step into the Netherdark City, a commanding voice rang out, "Who approaches?"

Eldrin looked up and saw that it was a Ghost Immortal of the Netherworld at the Eighth Heavenly Tribulation realm. His heart trembled faintly.

8 Tribulation Ancient Immortals had always been exceptionally rare. Even in many Great Luo ancient sects, they were beings unseen for 10 billion years. Never did he expect to encounter 1 upon his first arrival here.

At this thought, Eldrin immediately cupped his hands and said, “This humble Daoist goes by Guixu. I have come seeking to borrow your sacred ground for cultivation purposes.”

"Oh?"

The Netherghost Immortal's gaze flickered slightly, and in that instant, she materialized before Eldrin—a woman of transcendent grace, robed in black.

The woman studied Eldrin for a moment, only to realize she couldn't quite see through him. A flicker of surprise stirred within her.

"This individual appears to have already cultivated a Patriarch-level divine ability, and he radiates an overwhelming sense of danger to me. It seems he is not far from reaching the Great Perfection Realm."

At this thought, the woman reined in some of her haughtiness and spoke calmly, "My daoist name is Youwu (Cultivation Title). Greetings, fellow daoist."

"Youwu?"

Eldrin (Person Name) froze momentarily, only then realizing the woman's aura was profoundly unique. She appeared to have attained enlightenment through some rare Nether Spirit Root, her presence even surpassing that of the Crimson Phoenix Saint Spirit from ages past.

Seeing his expression, You Wu inquired, "Fellow Daoist, have you come to cultivate using the Nether Origin?"

Eldrin snapped back to attention and promptly cupped his hands in salute. "Precisely, Fellow Daoist. Your deduction is truly uncanny."

Youwu gave a slight nod and spoke calmly, "There are not many treasures that exist in the Netherworld but are absent from the Immortal Realm."

"This Nether Origin can remedy innate deficiencies. Almost every few tens of thousands of years, an Ancient Immortal would come seeking it."

As she spoke thus, Youwu invited Eldrin (Person Name) into the Netherdark Citadel of the Great Abyss.

Eldrin followed the others into the Netherdark City, only to discover that the vast metropolis teemed with voices and activity—ghost cultivators thriving and multiplying everywhere.

What was truly terrifying was that the lowest cultivation base among these ghost immortals was at the Immortal Ascension Realm. Earth Immortal ghost immortals were as numerous as hairs on a bull, and even the auras of Celestial Immortal ghost immortals were as countless as the stars in the sky.

Eldrin carefully investigated and discovered that within the vast ghost city, there were at least nearly 10 1000 Netherghost Immortals comparable to Ancient Immortals.

Nearly 10 1000 ancient immortal patriarchs.

Eldrin's heart surged with shock, his gaze involuntarily darkening with solemn intensity.

A mere ghost city actually housed nearly 10 1000 ancient immortals and mighty cultivators. Though these were Netherghost Immortals who followed a relatively simpler path of cultivation, such numbers were already terrifying to behold.

At this thought, Eldrin couldn't help but glance at Youwu and ask, "I've heard that within the Netherdark Expanse, there are nearly a 100 ghost cities of the Great Perfection Golden Immortal level. Could those cities possibly possess such profound foundations as well?"

Youwu shook her head with a subtle, enigmatic smile. "Within the Netherdark Expanse, there are nearly a 100 Great Luo Nether Cities, all established by our human ghost immortals who have attained the Dao."

"However, despite their might, these Great Luo Nether Cities pale in comparison to this Supreme Nether City. The vast majority possess no more than a 100 Nether Ancient Immortals."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin (Person Name) let out a subtle sigh of relief.

If nearly a 100 territories of the Netherworld Great Luo all possessed such terrifying power, it would be truly horrifying.

We have arrived.

As the 2 were speaking, Youwu led Eldrin (Person Name) before the gates of an underworld palace.

After completing his registration and paying a wisp of immortal spiritual energy, Eldrin was escorted toward the core of the Netherdark Realm.

Watching him depart, the ghost immortal in charge of registration finally lifted his head, casting a surprised glance at Eldrin’s retreating figure before turning to Youwu with curiosity. “Who is this man, to warrant the Young Lord personally receiving him?”

Only then did the ghost immortal in charge of registration reveal his aura—he was actually a 7-tribulation ancient immortal at the zenith of his power.

Youwu shook her head, her gaze turning grave as she said, "My Netherworld Divine Pupils can pierce through the 9 Nether Abyss, yet I cannot see through this person's cultivation."

"However, this individual's vital energy surges like raging tides—he has most likely cultivated the supreme Eleventh Limit physique. A brief encounter would prove rather intriguing."

The Ghost Immortal nearby was filled with reverence upon hearing this. Gazing thoughtfully in the direction where Eldrin (Person Name) had vanished, he remarked, "It seems this cosmic tribulation will prove far more intriguing than those of the past."

"Yes."

Youwu nodded, yet sighed deeply. "The Dragon Clan has produced an Imperial Son, Zhuyin, while the Golden Crow Clan is rumored to have an heir born of the Heavenly Emperor himself. As for the Divine Clan, a True Seed of the Divine Emperor who has been in seclusion for over a 100 kalpas has emerged from closed-door cultivation."

The 3 Great Celestial Courts, the 100 Immortal Races, and the 3 1000 ancient sects—all were setting their pieces upon the board…

"Youwu spoke unhurriedly, then added with utmost gravity, 'Even I dare not claim absolute certainty of prevailing against such individuals.'"

The Ghost Immortal nearby spoke with a solemn expression, "I am deeply curious—why has this cosmic tribulation drawn forth so many formidable experts? The forces gathered now surpass those of previous cycles by over thirtyfold."

Youwu pondered slightly before speaking after a moment, "It wouldn’t hurt to tell you—all of this is because of the fall of the Violet Immortal Sovereign."

"The Reason for Zi's Fall?"

"Indeed."

Youwu nodded, her beautiful eyes flickering with what seemed like regret and awe. "Tens of millions of years ago, when Immortal Monarch Zi failed to attain the Dao and become a Chaos Immortal Sage, perishing within the primordial chaos, the immense fortune he had gathered scattered and dissipated."

"And the legacy left behind by the Violet Immortal Sovereign is the greatest opportunity the 3 1000 Immortal Domains have seen in nearly a 1000 kalpas."

"The Great Sovereign of Netherworld once divined that when this epochal tribulation erupts, a portion of the Violet Immortal's legacy shall emerge—an earthshaking opportunity of cosmic proportions."

At these words, Youwu's eyes shimmered with longing.

The Chaos Cauldron wielded by Violet Immortal Lord stood as the sole Chaos Supreme Treasure across all 3 1000 immortal realms. None could fathom what peerless treasures Violet Immortal Lord had left behind in those bygone eras.

There was even a legend that within the Violet Immortal Lord's legacy lay a strand of Primordial Chaos Qi capable of aiding 1 in breaking through to the Chaos Realm.

Although the Primordial Chaos Qi was merely a substitute for the Primordial Hongmeng Qi, it remained the most supreme treasure within the chaos. It could assist a Great Perfection Chaos Origin Emperor in taking that final step, to the extent that even Dao Ancestors and Immortal Sages would find their hearts stirred beyond measure.

At this thought, Youwu finally declared with unwavering resolve, "This cosmic tribulation is a convergence of destiny and opportunity, 1 that may very well give rise to champions far surpassing any from ages past."

"Even the venerable Taishi Daozu himself prophesied that during this great calamity, at least 1 peerless immortal monarch with a 12-Cycle Foundation might emerge."

12-Layer Foundation!

The ghost immortal's heart quaked, his face involuntarily contorting with utter astonishment.

Among the 3 1000 celestial realms, the 12-Limit Foundation has been a myth since time immemorial.

Throughout the 3 1000 immortal domains, Great Luo Golden Immortals emerged in nearly every kalpa cycle, yet across hundreds of kalpas, scarcely 1 could cultivate the 12 Extremes Foundation.

Since time immemorial, those capable of reaching this stage have almost invariably cultivated to the realm of Primordial Chaos Emperor Lords, with the sole exceptions being the 7 Dao Ancestor Immortal Sages.

It could be said that by cultivating a foundation of 12 Limits, 1 would truly become a seed of the Divine Sovereign, worthy of being regarded as having the potential of a Dao Ancestor or Immortal Sage.

At this thought, the Ghost Immortal shook his head once more. A foundation of 12 limits had always been a myth since ancient times. Legend had it that the Great Nether Sovereign once cultivated a 12-limits Nascent Soul.

He had the self-awareness to know he couldn't even compare to a single strand of Emperor Taiyou's hair, destined to remain forever severed from this threshold.

To return to our story, having obtained the authorization, Eldrin journeyed straight toward the core of the Netherworld.

He journeyed through the endless Netherworld, arriving before a vast and boundless Netherworld Sea.

"It's freezing."

Eldrin stood before the Nethersea, his expression subtly shifting with astonishment.

This was an expanse of the ultimate Yin-cold Nethersea, where the waters flowing within were the purest essence of nether origin, yet possessed a frigid aura unparalleled in the mortal realm.

This aura was far too frigid and sinister, causing even Eldrin, with his current level of cultivation, to feel an immense pressure.

Yet in the face of such frigid Nether Origin, Eldrin remained utterly unperturbed. As he strode into the Nether Sea, an overwhelming wave of glacial energy instantly assailed him.

"Hoo—"

In a daze, Eldrin suddenly exhaled sharply, instantly suppressing the frigid energy completely.

This 11 Extremities Indestructible Body truly lived up to its reputation as a peerless immortal physique that shattered all limits—it remained utterly unfazed even when confronted by this Primordial Sea of Nether Essence.

At this moment, Eldrin, having adapted to the Abyssal Origin Sea, immediately began continuously drawing in and expelling the abyssal origin energy.

In an instant, the vast Sea of Nether Origin began to tremble, as a formless vortex emerged from its abyssal depths.

With his current cultivation level, Eldrin was absorbing this Nether Essence at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, vast amounts of the essence surged into his body, and the process only accelerated with each passing moment.

"Hmm—"

Meanwhile, at the supreme domain of the Netherdark Realm, a peerless beauty opened her eyes. This was none other than the Netherdark Emperor(Identity Title) whose might shook the 3 1000 celestial realms.

At this moment, the gaze of the Grand Serene Emperor pierced through the boundless void and fell upon Eldrin (Person Name). He could not help but pause briefly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

After a brief glance, she remarked with considerable surprise, "Indestructible Flesh Body, Immortal Primordial Spirit, 10-Limit Magical Power, and even a Patriarch-level Divine Ability."

"Excellent. This is the bearing of a Primordial Chaos Emperor."

As she spoke, she took a closer look and couldn't help but pause, her gaze slightly stunned. "Wait, his Great Dao and Dao Fruit haven't broken through yet, and his physical body still has room for further refinement."

"In that case, does this not suggest that both spiritual power and primordial spirit still possess potential for further advancement?"

After a momentary observation, the Emperor of the Nether Abyss took a deep breath and immediately acted to conceal the Nether Origin Sea, preventing others from detecting Eldrin's anomaly.

At that moment, she finally took a deep breath, her expression shifting slightly as she said, "It seems our human race is about to witness the emergence of another Immortal Sage's True Seed."

At this thought, the Grand Serene Emperor pinched his fingers to divine Eldrin's (Person Name) fate. Yet the moment he began his calculations, he encountered an intangible resistance. A faint sigh of relief escaped him.

Several strands of intangible Fate Power veiled everything, each 1 elusive to the touch, rendering his origins and destiny impossible to divine.

"Yet 1 of these auras feels familiar—it seems to be the Tai..."

Suddenly, Emperor Taiyou’s expression shifted abruptly, and he hurriedly cut himself off. Rising solemnly to his feet, he drew a deep breath and murmured to himself, “It seems this matter requires no further intervention on my part.”

Speaking thus, the Great Nether Emperor smiled and said, "We shall not delve too deeply into this matter. Yet since I have been granted a glimpse of a true seed of immortality, it is only fitting that I sow a karmic bond of goodwill."

With this thought in mind, she immediately rose to her feet.

Then, with a single step, he shattered the void and arrived before this Sea of Nether Origin. (End of Chapter)