Chapter 1998 : A Sovereign's Favor and the Sacred Pool

"Many thanks for Your Majesty's generous favor."

Having grasped the immense value of the Bottomless Obsidian Abyss [a legendary abyss of profound darkness and power], Eldrin Chen promptly expressed his gratitude.

The Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor [a sovereign ruler of immense power] shook his head slightly, then produced a token and handed it to Eldrin Chen. "This is the access token for the Grand Netherworld Spirit Pool [a sacred pool for tempering the spirit]. Once your physical body breaks through, you may enter to temper your Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]," he stated.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of understanding passed through Eldrin Chen's eyes as he recalled the origins of the Grand Netherworld Spirit Pool.

The Grand Netherworld Spirit Pool was a treasure land painstakingly constructed by the Immortal Court [the celestial governing body of immortals] at significant cost. It utilized the Earth Soul Scripture [a profound scripture of earth and soul] of the Grand Nether Imperial Lord and a rare Primordial One Spiritual Treasure [a treasure of the highest primordial order]. It held immense benefits for Primordial Spirit cultivation, its value rivaling even that of the Bottomless Obsidian Abyss.

However, the cost to activate such a cultivation sanctuary was typically astronomical. Only those at the mid to late stages of the Primordial One Imperial Lord [a high realm of cultivation mastery] who had also amassed substantial Merits [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and karma] were granted the privilege to enter and cultivate within.

That Eldrin Chen was permitted a session was clearly an exceptional favor granted by the Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor.

Realizing this, Eldrin Chen offered his thanks once more. "My deepest gratitude, Your Majesty."

The Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor gave a slight nod. "You must enter swiftly and cultivate," he instructed. "Break through both your Primordial Spirit and physical body cultivation to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm]. Only then can you live up to expectations and contribute your strength to the Immortal Court."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment, offering no further words.

He cupped his hands in salute towards Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor [a title for a supreme ruler of the abyssal depths], then stepped into the Bottomless Obsidian Abyss [a legendary, fathomless chasm filled with primordial darkness].

"Huummm—"

The moment he entered the Bottomless Obsidian Abyss, Eldrin Chen was instantly assaulted by an immense, overwhelming pressure.

He realized the abyss was filled with water black as ink, and each drop felt as heavy and boundless as an entire Great Universe [a cosmos or realm of immense scale]. It was saturated with a terrifyingly violent energy, exerting a pressure so vast it made even Eldrin Chen feel immense strain.

"Primordial One Heavy Water [the primordial, foundational essence of water, possessing immense weight and power]!"

Bracing against the pressure, Eldrin Chen focused his senses on the endless black water of the Bottomless Obsidian Abyss once more, and his expression shifted slightly.

This water was none other than the famed Primordial One Heavy Water [a legendary spiritual substance, the primordial essence of water]. This type of Heavy Water [a term for powerful water-based techniques or substances] was an exceedingly rare Primordial One Marvel [a wonder of the primordial beginning of creation], a treasure scarcely seen even within the Endless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation].

By all logic, even a small pool of this Heavy Water could fetch a price of several strands of Innate Indestructibility Spirit Light [a spiritual light representing innate, unbreakable essence]. Yet here, an entire abyss's worth lay before him, a testament to its staggering value.

"Tempering one's body with Primordial One Heavy Water... no wonder Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor is hailed as the foremost master of Fleshly Body Sanctification [the art of refining and perfecting the physical body] across the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [a poetic term for the myriad realms of the immortals]."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. He immediately channeled strength throughout his entire being, allowing himself to sink into the Primordial One Heavy Water, beginning to endure its crushing power to temper and refine his own body.

As Eldrin Chen submerged himself within it, he instantly felt the boundless Primordial One Heavy Water [a legendary water of immense density and spiritual power] begin to permeate his entire being. A crushing, overwhelming pressure surged forth, relentlessly compressing itself into the very core of his body.

In that moment, Eldrin Chen felt the myriad Universe [microcosmic worlds] derived from the infinite cells within his body begin to burst apart like bubbles one after another. They dissolved, reverting to their primordial state at the very heart of his being.

Yet, simultaneously, Eldrin Chen sensed the previously unstable foundation within him solidifying continuously. His foundational essence grew increasingly robust and Immortality [possessing the quality of being imperishable and enduring].

An immeasurable length of time seemed to pass. When Eldrin Chen finally perceived that every single Universe within his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a supreme physique forged from primordial chaos, renowned for its near-unbreakable nature] had completely returned to unity, reverting to their most original and fundamental form...

...it was at this precise juncture that Eldrin Chen discovered, with astonishment, that his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body had become profoundly more solid and Immortality. Both his raw physical strength and defensive capabilities seemed to have undergone a qualitative leap.

"This is..."

Eldrin Chen murmured in surprise, but comprehension dawned upon him swiftly.

The truth was, although his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body was immensely powerful, compared to a peerless cultivation art like the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art [a legendary technique involving nine cycles of heavenly refinement], it inherently possessed significant flaws and numerous deficiencies at the Innate [the foundational, inborn stage of cultivation] level.

The root cause lay in the fact that while the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body was formidable, its foundational essence had always remained somewhat unstable and insubstantial.

The source of power for Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body stemmed from seizing the Creation [the primordial creative force of the universe] from heaven and earth, absorbing the foundational energies of the Five Elements Earth Vein [a terrestrial ley line rich in the essence of the five elements]. It then utilized the cyclical interplay of the Five Elements [the five fundamental spiritual affinities: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth] to temper its foundation, and finally employed the three powers of Wind Ice Thunder [conceptual forces representing wind, ice, and thunder] to temper and refine the physical body.

Yet even so, the cultivation path of the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a supreme physique forged through chaos and indestructibility] is, in essence, merely tempering the body by borrowing external power. The physical form cultivated through such methods ultimately possesses its own inherent limits.

Even later, when Eldrin Chen refined the Returning Abyss Furnace [a legendary furnace capable of refining and purifying one's very foundation] and began to temper his entire foundational base with a Root Origin Treasure [a treasure of profound origin used to refine one's cultivation foundation], it only elevated the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body to the level of a Great Emperor-grade cultivation art at the ninth layer of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm.

After all, Root Origin Treasure are resources that cultivators at the Primordial One Imperial Lord Late Stage and Great Emperor levels can also access. No matter how potent Eldrin Chen's Root Origin Treasure was, its potential was still confined to the Great Emperor level.

Such a physique, with its limited potential, might indeed be formidable for a Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, yet compared to a Chaos Heaven Scripture [a supreme scripture of chaos and heaven] of the same tier as the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art [a heavenly art involving nine profound revolutions], it still possessed clear limitations.

Precisely because of this, the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art could cultivate three major True Spirit Divine Runes [divine symbols of immense power derived from true spirits] within the Ancient Immortal Realm, while all five of Eldrin Chen's True Spirit Divine Runes were attained by relying on other True Spirit Foundation [cultivation arts that establish a foundation based on true spirits].

"The Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body possesses a startling foundational essence, yet its inner structure remains profoundly hollow and unstable."

"If I grow complacent and continue cultivating the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body along my current path, I risk allowing this supreme physique to gradually fade into mediocrity among its peers."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, beginning to comprehend the path laid out for his Future self.

He understood clearly that the current method for cultivating the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body was, in essence, still just a body-refining technique of the Great Emperor level, unable to match a peerless art like the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art.

Nevertheless, the cultivation method for the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body still held significant merit and valuable insights.

The Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a supreme physique born from primordial chaos, granting near-absolute resilience] draws upon the Five Elements Earth Vein [a terrestrial spiritual artery rich in the essence of the five fundamental elements] as its foundational source. Within the Five Viscera [the five core organs in traditional cultivation physiology: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys], it cultivates the Five Divine Spirits [divine spiritual entities corresponding to and governing the five viscera]. Using this as a foundation, it then draws upon and channels the power of the Wind Ice Thunder [the three celestial anomalies of wind, ice, and thunder] and the Three Anomalies [the three extraordinary spiritual roots].

Furthermore, with the Root Origin Treasure [a foundational treasure of immense power used to temper and refine one's core essence] continuously tempering it, Eldrin Chen's Chaos Indestructibility Physique [another name for the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body] can be said to be impervious to myriad arts and possesses a foundational power far surpassing others of the same realm.

The sole issue is that the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body has not undergone the various Tribulation [cosmic trials and calamities that temper and test a cultivator], thus its foundation remains somewhat unstable and less solidified.

In contrast, Second Son's Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art [a supreme body refinement technique requiring nine cycles of tribulation and rebirth] requires enduring a Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a divine thunder calamity from the heavens] for body tempering at every minor realm advancement. Upon reaching the Ancient Immortal Realm [the realm of Ancient Immortals], it even necessitates undergoing the arduous process of dissipating one's cultivation power and rebuilding it from scratch a full nine times.

Such is the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art. Each major realm must endure nine revolutions, ultimately forging a physical body whose sturdiness is incomparable to any peer.

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, if Worthy Path Chen cultivates the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art and breaks through to the ninth layer of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the Golden Immortal realm within the Great Encompassing system], then his physical strength alone could rival that of a cultivator at the second layer of the Primordial One Imperial Lord [the Imperial Lord realm within the Primordial One system], and might even approach the third layer.

While the foundational essence of Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body is not inferior to that of the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art, the comparison between them is like that of crude iron versus Mystic Iron [a mystical, supremely refined metal]. In terms of actual combat prowess, his physique falls noticeably short.

Therefore, even if Eldrin Chen's physical body were to break through to the ninth layer of the Great Encompassing Physique [the physical constitution corresponding to the Great Encompassing realm], the strength derived from his physique alone would only match that of a newly-advanced Primordial One Imperial Lord. This is clearly more than a step behind the power offered by the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art.

"My Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a variant name for his supreme physique] indeed possesses formidable foundational essence, but its foundation must be tempered and refined further,"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. After a moment of contemplation, he began to ponder the methods to advance his physical body to the next level.

In truth, the best method to temper one's physical body is to directly cultivate and switch to the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art technique. After all, the Nine Revolutions method of the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art for body tempering is peerless, with no equal throughout the Chaos [the primordial state of existence before the cosmos formed].

However, the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art is also exceedingly domineering; it requires abandoning all existing foundations—one's physical form, spiritual energy, and everything else—to begin its practice. This was something Eldrin Chen absolutely could not bring himself to do.

Thus, Eldrin Chen could only study the methods of the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art and the Indestructibility Heavenly Scripture of the Indestructibility Ancient One [an ancient, legendary figure known for his unbreakable body], drawing inspiration from their respective body-tempering techniques. By synthesizing their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses, and then integrating his own unique circumstances, he began to forge his own path and create a new cultivation art.

Thus, time flowed like a river. Unnoticed, several hundred thousand years passed.

"I have attained enlightenment!"

Finally, on this day, Eldrin Chen succeeded. By building upon the wisdom of his predecessors, he ultimately created his own unique cultivation method.

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself. Then, with decisive resolve, he activated the Returning Abyss Furnace [a legendary cauldron capable of refining and purifying anything] within him, causing it to soar. He channeled the entirety of his cultivation foundation to empower it, drawing his own physical body into the heart of the Returning Abyss Furnace to be refined.

In that instant, within the vast expanse of the Bottomless Obsidian Abyss [a profound and lightless chasm], an ancient, unadorned immortal furnace rose into the void. It began to inhale and exhale, drawing upon the power of the Primordial One Heavy Water [an immensely dense and potent primordial spiritual liquid].

Simultaneously, Eldrin Chen, now residing within the Returning Abyss Furnace, began to fully activate the furnace's power. He summoned forth the Chaos Flame [a primal flame born from Chaos itself] to immolate his own form.

The reason was this: Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a physique of legendary resilience born from Chaos] was far too powerful. Relying solely on external forces would be insufficient to temper such a formidable vessel.

Unable to switch to cultivating the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art, the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a supreme physical constitution born of primordial chaos, renowned for its near-unbreakable resilience] had reached its absolute limit, with almost no possibility of advancing further.

Thus, Eldrin Chen chose an unorthodox path: to pit his own spear against his own shield.

He used the Returning Abyss Furnace [a divine furnace forged from his entire cultivation foundation] to refine and temper his own Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body, seeking to force it to transcend its current state.

Within the vast interior of the Returning Abyss Furnace, the Chaos Flame [a primal flame born from chaos, capable of refining all things] born from his complete foundation raged and roared. Eldrin Chen's Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body was relentlessly tempered and melted by the flames. Even its near-Immortality [a state of being deathless and eternal] and Indestructibility [the quality of being impervious to damage or destruction] could not withstand the unified power of his lifetime's accumulated foundation.

After all, the Returning Abyss Furnace was a fusion of his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing their soul essence], his Great Path [the supreme Dao or law he follows], his physical body, his Divine Ability [supernatural powers and techniques], his Path Fruit [the condensed essence and achievement of one's cultivated Dao], the Returning Abyss Seal, and all other aspects of his foundation. This combined power far surpassed that of his singular Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body.

As time flowed on, Eldrin Chen's physical form finally began to melt away completely, teetering on the brink of Oblivion [complete annihilation and dispersal of one's being, a state worse than death for a cultivator] and corporeal dissolution.

Yet, at this critical juncture, Eldrin Chen stirred the Primordial Chaos Great Path of Life [the supreme Dao of Life born from primordial chaos]. Simultaneously, he harnessed the Indestructibility principles inscribed upon the Indestructibility Heavenly Scripture [a celestial scripture containing the laws of indestructibility]. Merging these two forces, he continuously Recovery [mended and regenerated] the injuries inflicted upon his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body.

Building upon this foundation, Eldrin Chen also drew upon the methods of the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art. Using the Reincarnation Great Path [the supreme Dao governing the cycle of death and rebirth] to command the mysteries of Reincarnation [the cyclical process of death and rebirth], he then merged it with the Space-Time Great Path [the supreme Dao governing space and time]. This fusion ultimately formed a cyclical, self-perpetuating method of tempering.

Thus, in a state of profound trance, after Eldrin Chen successively completed one grand celestial cycle of this tempering, he finally sensed that he had reached a certain ultimate limit within himself.

"BOOM—"

But then came the sound of World-Opening, Eldrin Chen having refined an immeasurable quantity of Primordial One Heavy Water [a primordial water of immense density and power], finally achieved the breakthrough in his Primordial One Indestructibility Body [a supreme physical constitution of unbreakable resilience].

Only then did Eldrin Chen slowly open his eyes. He quietly sensed the power now coursing through his being, and a faint smile could not help but grace his lips.

"The ninth layer of the Great Encompassing Physique [the foundational physique that encompasses all things]."

"And not just that. Most crucially, the Primordial One Indestructibility Body has undergone another qualitative transformation."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, a wild joy gleaming in the depths of his gaze.

After this breakthrough, the foundational essence of his Primordial One Indestructibility Body had roughly doubled. Yet, that alone was not enough to excite Eldrin Chen to such a degree.

The most critical point was that Eldrin Chen had created the 'Refining the Self with the Self' technique, pushing the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [the ultimate evolution of the Indestructibility Body, born from primordial chaos] to a new pinnacle.

According to Eldrin Chen's own estimation, had he merely broken through to the ninth layer of the Great Encompassing Physique in the conventional way, his combat power relying solely on physical strength would have, at best, reached the level of a newly ascended Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler among cultivators].

But after this breakthrough, Eldrin Chen clearly felt that his Primordial One Indestructibility Body had undergone a fundamental, qualitative leap.

Eldrin Chen now estimated that while the foundational essence of his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body might still be at the level of a new Primordial One Imperial Lord, its raw power was comparable to that of a Primordial One Imperial Lord at the second tier. In terms of defensive capability alone, it could even rival a Primordial One Imperial Lord 3rd Tier.

"Strength comparable to a Primordial One Imperial Lord of the second tier, defensive power rivaling a Primordial One Imperial Lord 3rd Tier."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a faint smile touching his lips. "The Chaos Indestructibility Scripture I have forged now should have surpassed the level of a Great Emperor, and likely even transcended the Sage Ascendant tier. It must be on par with a true Chaos Heaven Scripture [a legendary supreme cultivation art of the primordial chaos], wouldn't you say?"

With this thought, a sense of profound satisfaction welled up within Eldrin Chen.

By his estimation, the current Chaos Heaven Scripture might still lag a hair's breadth behind the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art [a supreme art said to refine the practitioner through nine cosmic revolutions], but the gap was minuscule. At the Primordial One Imperial Lord level, it should be a worthy rival, holding its own without shame.

The most crucial point was that the 'Refining the Self with the Self' technique of the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body had taken its initial form. As Eldrin Chen's cultivation advanced in the future, he would only need to build upon this foundation step by step. Eventually, it would surely rival the complete Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art.

At the very least, in Eldrin Chen's hands, it should be capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with it.

After all, with the 'Refining the Self with the Self' technique of the Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body, the more powerful the force representing the 'Self' was, the more formidable the 'I' that was refined would become.

If Eldrin Chen's physical body, his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator], and his Great Path Three Great Foundations [the three supreme pillars of cultivation: body, spirit, and dao] all stepped into the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Realm, then using the ultimate 'Self' as the crucible would inevitably forge the ultimate 'I'.

Of course, the prerequisite for the 'Refining the Self with the Self' technique was that the other foundational pillars must be even more powerful. At the very least, their combined strength had to surpass that of his own Great Encompassing Physique.

If his Great Path, his spiritual energy, his Primordial Spirit, and other such foundations were not potent enough, then even using a Root Origin Treasure [a treasure of fundamental origin power] to refine the 'I' might prove utterly incapable of affecting his own Indestructibility Body.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen swiftly gathered his stray thoughts and proceeded to record this cultivation method onto a scroll.

After finishing the transcription, Eldrin Chen fell into a brief, contemplative silence. After a moment, he murmured to himself, "This method of mine has already evolved beyond the Chaos Indestructibility Scripture. To continue calling it by that name no longer seems fitting."

"Since it was forged upon the foundation of the Chaos Indestructibility Scripture by incorporating the 'Refining the Self with the Self' technique, it shall henceforth be known as the Chaos Self-Refinement Path [a supreme body refinement art that uses one's own foundational power to temper and transcend the limits of an Indestructibility Body]."

Having thus decided, Eldrin Chen formally renamed his Fleshly Body Sanctification Art.

With the creation of the Chaos Self-Refinement Path complete, a profound sense of satisfaction filled Eldrin Chen as he stepped out from the Bottomless Nether Abyss. There, he found Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor waiting silently, a flicker of astonishment gleaming within the depths of his gaze.

"I pay my respects to the Imperial Lord [a title for a supreme cultivator who has attained the Imperial Lord realm]."

Eldrin Chen's eyes shifted slightly, and he spoke respectfully, "I pay my respects to the Imperial Lord."

Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor gave a slight wave of his hand. "To use one's own spear to pierce one's own shield," he began, his voice carrying the weight of deep insight, "to employ one's own foundational cultivation to refine and purify an Indestructibility Body [a legendary physical constitution renowned for its near-unbreakable resilience]..."

"Such a method to shatter the limits of a Limit-Breaker [a cultivator who has reached the pinnacle of a cultivation realm and seeks to break into the next]... it is a conception of truly wondrous ingenuity, rare even across the vast expanse of the ages."

As he spoke these words, a sigh escaped Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor. "A pity," he continued, his tone tinged with regret, "this method requires simultaneous cultivation of multiple Great Paths [profound cultivation arts representing fundamental cosmic laws]. Moreover, one must first achieve both a supreme Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] and master those Great Paths before a breakthrough is even possible."

"And for those of us who practice the Fleshly Body Sanctification [a cultivation art focused on tempering the physical body to an extreme degree], alas..."

The Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor [a title for a supreme ruler of profound and unfathomable power] sighed repeatedly, finally shaking his head with a sigh of admiration and saying, "Your technique is at least comparable to an Sage Ascendant Ancient Scripture [an ancient and supreme scripture that can lead one to the Sage Ascendant realm], and it may very well have touched the realm of a Path Ancestor. It is a pity that I have no affinity with it."