Chapter 2004 : The Orthodox Path of Mahayana

Later, after ascending to the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, he had encountered the Empty Clarity Temple [a Buddhist temple focused on ascetic cultivation], and also witnessed the heretical Buddhist Sect Blood Dragon Ancient Temple [an ancient temple that practices the Blood Dragon cultivation method].

It could be said that the Buddhist Sect system within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains was extremely chaotic. Among them were compassionate individuals dedicated to universal salvation, as well as cruel practitioners who cultivated wicked arts.

If Worthy Pursuit Chen wished to reform the Buddhist Sect, he would have to thoroughly purge all those Buddhist Sect Ancient Temple [ancient temples] that were mere pretenders or, worse, practiced demonic cultivation arts.

Understanding this, Worthy Pursuit Chen immediately spoke: "After this child breaks through to the Great Encompassing [the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], I will establish the Mahayana Buddhism [the Great Vehicle school of Buddhism]."

"At that time, Mahayana Buddhism shall be the orthodox tradition for all Buddhist Sect under heaven. Any Buddhist Sect practitioner who commits evil deeds, my Mahayana Buddhism will surely suppress them beneath the Spirit Mountain Pagoda [the Pagoda of the Spiritual Mountain], condemning them to never attain liberation for all eternity."

Eldrin Chen smiled slightly and said, "After your breakthrough, I will allocate three hundred Celestial Soldier legions to you. You can use the Enlightened One's World-Salvation Scripture [a supreme Buddhist scripture] to transform them into Buddhist Sect Vajra Saint [indestructible Buddhist guardians]."

"If one day you can cleanse the chaotic state of the Buddhist Sect within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, becoming the true and sole orthodox tradition of the Buddhist Sect, that may very well be the day you step into the Sage Ascendant [the Sage Ascendant realm]."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen took out several portions of Rare Spiritual Wonders [extremely precious spiritual materials] and tossed them to the two. "Go and cultivate now," he continued, "focus on preparing to transcend your Kalpa Tribulation [a great cosmic tribulation] first."

"..."

After seeing off Worthy Pursuit Chen and Plain Essence, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment, then summoned another disciple whose cultivation had reached the perfection of the Immortal Treasury [the Immortal Treasury realm]. Read the full novel exclusively on audio . novel . com.

Over these years, disciples cultivating the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation method focused on self-transcendence through sacrifice] have grown ever more numerous. Among them, the more outstanding ones have all been taken on as nominal disciples by Eldrin Chen.

There were even a rare few whose innate talent was exceptionally high, and they were accepted by Eldrin Chen as his personal, direct disciples.

Among the hundred or so disciples present here, because they were among the earliest in Eldrin Chen's lineage to achieve perfection in the Immortal Treasury [a foundational cultivation stage representing the accumulation of spiritual resources], they were all exceptionally accepted by Eldrin Chen as nominal disciples.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen swept his gaze over the assembled crowd. His eyes settled on the three figures at the very front, and he could not help but nod in satisfaction.

These three at the forefront were the three personal disciples Eldrin Chen had exceptionally accepted.

Their names were Lofty Pavilion Lin, Tianheng Child, and Pavilion Stop Zhang. Each was a prodigy of truly astonishing talent.

Among the three, Lofty Pavilion Lin hailed from a Nameless Universe Stellar [a minor stellar realm] under the jurisdiction of the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain. He was a man of truly dazzling brilliance, one who, by all rights, should have perished in an accident at the very dawn of his cultivation journey.

However, years ago, when Eldrin Chen used the Chaos Divine Stone [a primordial stone of immense power] to aid the spiritual energy revival across the infinite dimensions of the Myriad Heavens, he found a moment of leisure. On a sudden impulse, he performed a divination on the fates of myriad beings. Through this, he discovered that Lofty Pavilion Lin possessed extraordinary talent and held the potential to make a certain contribution to the Sacrificial Self Path.

Thus, in a single Eldrin [a fleeting moment of profound insight or action], Eldrin Chen transmitted the memories belonging to a Future version of Lofty Pavilion Lin—as gleaned from his divination—directly into the mind of the present Lofty Pavilion Lin.

Having received these Future memories, Lofty Pavilion Lin believed himself to be one who had Rebirth [returned from death or a past life with memories intact], and so he once again embarked upon the path of cultivation.

In truth, Lofty Pavilion Lin, who had obtained the memories of Future, truly carved his path through thorns on the road of cultivation. Not only did he ascend all the way to the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, but he also cultivated the supreme Indestructibility Foundation [the foundational cultivation stage of the Indestructibility Path].

Most crucially, Lofty Pavilion Lin participated in perfecting the cultivation method for the Immortal Treasury Realm [a profound cultivation stage focused on internal energy storage]. He created an arcane and wondrous technique that lowered the difficulty of achieving the Indestructibility Immortal Treasury [the Indestructibility Path's version of the Immortal Treasury Realm].

It was precisely for this reason that Eldrin Chen made an exception and accepted him as his eighth personal disciple.

As for the other two, Tianheng Child possessed extraordinary talent. He refined the Sacrificial Self Art of the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation art where one sacrifices the mortal self to forge a new, immortal body], reducing the probability of failure during the Sacrificial Self [the critical process of self-sacrifice and rebirth] and thus also rendered great service.

Regarding Pavilion Stop Zhang, this individual discovered that the Inner World [a technique to forge a miniature universe within one's body] method of the Sacrificial Self Path had extremely high requirements for cultivation. Therefore, based on the Inner World method, he created the Minor Cosmos [a lesser version of the Inner World technique] art.

The so-called Minor Cosmos reduces the size of the Inner World to increase the probability of a successful breakthrough.

After all, the original Inner World was vast enough to rival a Universe or Immortal Domain of the same tier, making it far too immense. Without a top-tier physical constitution, it was simply impossible to contain.

This was because the Inner World method created by Eldrin Chen was based on the Reincarnation Body [a divine ability related to rebirth and transformation]. The Reincarnation Body itself stemmed from the Innate Primordial Chaos Saint Body [a supreme, heaven-defying physical constitution born from primordial chaos].

A Sacrificial Self Physique [the immortal body forged through the Sacrificial Self Art] cultivated from such a constitution being able to accommodate an Inner World rivaling a same-tier Immortal Domain was still within expectations.

However, the vast majority of ordinary cultivators possess mundane physiques. The Sacrificial Self Physique they cultivate cannot compare to such supreme constitutions, and thus the Inner Universe [another term for the Inner World] they can bear is naturally limited.

If the physical body is not sufficiently robust, yet the Inner Universe [a cultivator's internal cosmos] one creates is too vast, it can lead to an imbalance between the internal and external, potentially destabilizing one's foundation.

The Minor Cosmos [a refined method for creating an internal world] pioneered by Pavilion Stop Zhang allows for the creation of an Inner World [a cultivator's internal realm] of a more optimal size, precisely at the limit of what the physical body can bear.

Although such an Inner World is smaller, its foundation is significantly more stable and solid due to the superior balance achieved.

Such a contribution to perfecting the Great Path [the supreme cultivation method] is worthy of Eldrin Chen taking him on as a direct disciple and investing great resources in his cultivation without reservation.

Contemplating the Merits [karmic virtue or achievements] of these three individuals, Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to touch his lips before speaking. "Lofty Pavilion Lin."

"Your disciple is here!" Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

Lofty Pavilion Lin immediately clasped his hands in salute, his voice filled with utmost reverence.

Eldrin Chen nodded with approval and said warmly, "For exploring the limits of the Immortal Treasury [a profound cultivation technique or repository] and perfecting its method, I bestow upon you ten Immortal Treasury Treasure [powerful artifacts that enhance the Immortal Treasury]. May you soon attain the Great Encompassing [a supreme cultivation realm] and continue to refine the Sacrificial Self Path [the Path of Self-Sacrifice]."

As his words faded, Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve, and ten dazzling Immortal Treasury Treasure materialized before him.

These so-called Immortal Treasury Treasure were forged by Eldrin Chen from Innate Heavenly God Object [primordial divine materials]. By integrating such a treasure into one's Immortal Treasury, it can dramatically amplify the technique's power and significantly increase the rate at which it absorbs and refines spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things].

According to Eldrin Chen's estimation, if the Sacrificial Self Path were to one day step into the Primordial One Realm, then the Immortal Treasury Treasure would likely be one of the keys to cultivating the True Spirit Immortal Treasury.

Lofty Pavilion Lin received the ten Immortal Treasury Treasure and immediately exclaimed with immense joy, "Many thanks for your generous gift, Master."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then looked toward Tianheng Child and said, "Tianheng Child."

"Your disciple is here."

Tianheng Child immediately bowed respectfully, his face alight with excitement.

Eldrin Chen nodded and then spoke, "You perfected the art of Sacrificial Self [a profound cultivation technique involving self-sacrifice for power], reducing the risk of perishing during its execution. Therefore, I bestow upon you the Innate Spiritual Treasure [a treasure born from the world's natural laws] known as the Great Deduction Heavenly Wheel [a celestial artifact of supreme calculation], to increase your certainty of breaking through to the Great Encompassing [the ultimate realm of cultivation, encompassing all existence]."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen presented a set of Innate Spiritual Treasure to Tianheng Child.

"My deepest gratitude, Master."

Tianheng Child accepted the treasures, a flicker of delight crossing his features.

This Great Deduction Heavenly Wheel was a set of Innate Spiritual Treasure, composed of nine individual treasures. Once integrated into his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure [a treasure bound to a cultivator's life force], it could transform into an Eleventh Limit [a legendary stage beyond the tenth] grade Indestructibility Formation Artifact [an artifact capable of creating an unbreakable defensive formation].

Eldrin Chen nodded and then turned his gaze to the final person, saying with a smile, "Pavilion Stop Zhang."

"Your disciple is here."

Pavilion Stop Zhang, standing there in his verdant robe, bowed with a touch of excitement.

Eldrin Chen smiled, then retrieved an ancient-looking scroll and handed it to Pavilion Stop Zhang, saying, "You pioneered the Minor Cosmos technique, contributing significantly to the Sacrificial Self Path as well."

"Now, as you stand on the verge of attaining the Great Encompassing realm, I bestow upon you the 'Nine Realms of the Myriad Heavens Diagram' [a mystical diagram depicting and connecting to nine distinct heavenly realms]. May it aid you in swiftly achieving the Great Encompassing."

Upon hearing this, Pavilion Stop Zhang's face lit up with delight.

The Myriad Heavens Ancient Diagram was a set of Spiritual Treasure [a powerful class of enchanted artifacts] specially forged by Eldrin Chen for him. Within it were nurtured nine Ancient Void Realm [seals that create pocket dimensions of profound emptiness], each possessing the wondrous ability to isolate and lock down sections of the Myriad Heavens. Once fully activated, its power would rank among the pinnacle even within the category of Indestructibility Formation Artifact [artifacts designed to create near-impenetrable defensive formations].

Thinking of this, Pavilion Stop Zhang said excitedly, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure. This disciple will surely live up to your high expectations."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then turned his attention to the remaining hundred or so registered disciples.

With another smile, he waved his sleeve, and over a hundred treasure vases descended, landing in the hands of each disciple.

After completing this step, Eldrin Chen said with a smile, "Now that you are all about to attempt the breakthrough into the Great Encompassing Realm, I shall bestow upon each of you a vial of Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill."

"May you all attain the Great Encompassing realm swiftly and not disappoint your master."

Upon hearing this, all the disciples smiled and immediately bowed deeply in gratitude.

For top-tier Ancient Immortal cultivators, Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill might seem somewhat unremarkable. However, a treasure bestowed by Eldrin Chen could never be so simple.

The Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth had now advanced to become an Innate Supreme Treasure Embryo, greatly enhancing the potency of the Heaven-Earth Water it produced.

Over the years, the Chen Clan had used this to cultivate a vast sea of Chaos Beast King and refine an equally immense quantity of Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill.

The vial of Ten Revolutions Immortal Pill that Eldrin Chen gifted to each disciple contained over ten thousand pills.

It must be understood that cultivating the Sacrificial Self Path was exceptionally resource-intensive. His disciples present had cultivated for over twenty Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], yet the vast majority of their Ten Great Immortal Treasuries had stalled at the Ninth Limit Realm.

With this batch of resources, while it might not guarantee the cultivation of the Indestructibility Immortal Treasury, achieving three to five Tenth Limit Immortal Treasury should no longer pose a significant problem.

Given the formidable power of the Sacrificial Self Path, if they could cultivate three to five Tenth Limit Immortal Treasury, their chances of successfully breaking through to the Great Encompassing realm would increase by at least twenty to thirty percent.

Returning to the main topic, after bestowing treasures upon his disciples, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Lofty Pavilion Lin, Tianheng Child, and Pavilion Stop Zhang shall remain. The rest of you may withdraw for now."

Upon hearing this, the assembled immortals promptly took their leave.

Only after everyone had departed did Eldrin Chen turn his gaze to the three who remained. With a calm expression, he stated, "The reason I asked you to stay is to entrust you with a matter."

The three were momentarily taken aback. Pavilion Stop Zhang immediately cupped his hands and replied, "Whatever task our Master commands, we shall spare no effort to accomplish it."

"Good." Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod before continuing, "More than a dozen Kalpa Tribulation [grand cosmic cycles] ago, in order to perfect the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation method], your five senior martial brothers and sisters entered the Kalpa Tribulation."

"At that time, they were ambushed by several of my Great Path Rival [formidable adversaries on the cultivation path] and besieged by a host of powerful enemies."

"In that battle, your Seventh Senior Sister, Lingering Ye, fell. Later, she was further ensnared by the machinations of Nether Mystery Imperial Lord, and her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] was cast into the Eternal Tribulation Reincarnation [a cursed cycle of endless suffering and rebirth]."

"To break the Eternal Tribulation Reincarnation Curse and allow her to awaken by comprehending the mysteries of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], the blood of a close kin of the one who cast the curse is required."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen finally declared, "Through my divinations, I have ascertained that the most beloved youngest son of that Nether Mystery Imperial Lord will enter the Kalpa Tribulation during this very cycle."

"I command you to slay that individual and return with the blood from his heart."

The three of them felt a slight tremor in their hearts upon hearing this. Lofty Pavilion Lin immediately spoke up, "Avenging our senior sister is a matter of course."

"Even if our master did not demand it, we would still slay that Nether Mystery Imperial Scion."

Eldrin Chen saw this and nodded with satisfaction. He waved his hand, signaling for the group to withdraw.

"..."

"Please wait a moment, junior brothers."

Just as the three senior disciples had stepped out of the Great Hall, a voice called out to them.

They turned to look and saw a man of heroic bearing. They hurriedly bowed in greeting, "We pay our respects to Senior Brother Lu."

"There is no need for such formality."

Lofty Peak Lu spoke calmly, his expression carrying a hint of solemnity.

The three did not dare to be negligent. As fellow direct disciples of Eldrin Chen, they had some understanding of this Senior Brother Lu.

Over these years, this Senior Brother Lu had spent the vast majority of his time venturing within the Chaos [the primordial, formless void beyond the ordered realms], rarely lingering within the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain [a specific region of the immortal world].

Yet, the formidable reputation of Senior Brother Lu was as thunderous to their ears.

This Senior Brother Lu had risen from humble origins, a peerless prodigy cultivating the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound and dangerous cultivation method that involves sacrificing parts of oneself for power]. His journey through the realms of cultivation had been marked by an almost unbroken string of victories.

Since stepping into the realm of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a high-level immortal cultivation stage], Senior Brother Lu had begun to tread unorthodox paths, practicing forbidden arts with severe side effects. Among these were even world-shocking methods that involved detonating one's own Immortal Treasury [an internal repository where an immortal stores their vital treasures and energy] to explosively enhance combat prowess.

By now, not only had Senior Brother Lu's cultivation reached the Eighth Heaven of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the eighth tier within the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], but he also boasted a battle record that included slaying an opponent at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm].

It was said that Lofty Peak Lu had repeatedly clashed with the Nether Mystery Imperial Court [a powerful and mysterious faction] over the years, having slain several of their Great Encompassing Golden Immortal experts. This had even provoked a pursuit by over a dozen Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators at one point.

Such astonishing talent and battle achievements had earned him considerable renown even within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains [a collective name for seven major regions in the southern part of the immortal abyss].

As thoughts of Lofty Peak Lu's formidable reputation flashed through their minds, the trio largely understood the reason for his seeking them out.

Thus, after a moment of contemplation, Tianheng Child immediately cupped his hands and asked, "Senior Brother, have you sought us out concerning the matter of Seventh Senior Sister?"

Lofty Peak Lu gave a slight nod, then spoke, "Has our master said anything to you?"

All three nodded in agreement. Lofty Pavilion Lin then spoke, "For this Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense destruction and renewal], we intend to make our first move against Nether Mystery Imperial Scion."

Upon hearing this, Lofty Peak Lu was visibly shaken, his eyes glistening with emotion. "Our master truly has not forgotten us," he said, voice thick with feeling.

The three of them could not help but let out a soft, collective sigh.

In recent years, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had largely been in a state of recuperation and rebuilding its strength.

To avoid a full-scale conflict with the Nether Mystery Imperial Court, Eldrin Chen had even restrained the seven Great Encompassing [a supreme cultivation realm] disciples under his command, forbidding them from seeking vengeance for Lingering Ye.

Otherwise, disciples like Alistair Ye, who had already achieved their breakthroughs, would have long since taken action to demand justice for Lingering Ye.

The reason for this caution was that Obsidian Abyss Great Emperor had secretly departed for the Chaos Desolation Sea.

With no Great Emperor-level powerhouse standing guard behind him, Eldrin Chen was unwilling to engage in a direct, all-out war with the formidable Nether Mystery Imperial Court.

Although Eldrin Chen's current power was comparable to a mid-stage Primordial One Imperial Lord, and the strength of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance was no weaker than that of the Nether Mystery Imperial Court, a full-scale war would likely result in mutual devastation.

Furthermore, while the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had treaties with the Four Great Imperial Courts, these allies had their own adversaries to contend with. Unless absolutely necessary, Eldrin Chen was reluctant to drag them into the conflict.

Most crucially, the Chen Immortal Clan is still in a period of rapid expansion; there is no need to engage in a mutual devastation with the Nether Mystery Imperial Court.

Therefore, over these years, only Lofty Peak Lu from the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance has taken action, locked in a desperate struggle with the Nether Mystery Imperial Court for the sake of his Dao Companion. The Imperial Lord-level combatants on both sides have consistently restrained their own desire to intervene.

"Senior Brother, we know that day and night, for all these years, your heart has yearned to rescue Seventh Senior Sister."

Tianheng Child spoke, clenching his fist. "Set your mind at ease. The three of us will surely slay the Nether Mystery Imperial Scion and help Senior Sister break through the Eternal Tribulation Reincarnation Curse." The complete novel can be found at https://audio-novel.com.