Chapter 2054 : The Sage Ascendant's Dilemma

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight, thoughtful nod.

The seven Great Emperor—Three Talents and Four Symbols—were originally destined, barring unforeseen circumstances, to possess the foundational potential to reach the Sage Ascendant [the realm just below the ultimate Sagehood] level.

However, due to various reasons, their foundations were left incomplete, which prevented them from ever truly entering the domain of a Sage Ascendant.

For them to return to that path and reclaim the Sage Ascendant realm now depends primarily on whether their latent potential can be fully restored.

Yet, to mend the flaws in their foundations, each would require at least nine strands of Primordial Chaos Source Qi [the raw, foundational energy of primordial chaos]. For the time being, Eldrin Chen was unwilling to expend his precious reserves of this energy.

It must be understood that condensing a single strand of Primordial Chaos Qi [a refined, potent form of chaos energy] requires eighty-one strands of the raw Primordial Chaos Source Qi.

Though Eldrin Chen had cultivated for tens of billions of years, he had only managed to accumulate a little over two hundred strands of Primordial Chaos Source Qi. After accounting for what had been consumed over the eons, his remaining stock was not overly abundant.

Most crucially, there were limits to refining and absorbing Primordial Chaos Qi. Before his breakthrough to the Chaos Celestial Emperor [the supreme ruler born of chaos] realm, Eldrin Chen could, at most, cultivate twelve strands of Primordial Chaos Qi.

Converted back into Primordial Chaos Source Qi, that amounted to just over nine hundred strands.

Considering that Eldrin Chen would later need this energy for the Ascension [the final transcendence to a higher state of being] of his Abyssal Seal [a supreme sealing treasure], and for cultivating his Chaos Indestructible Body [a physique of unparalleled resilience forged from chaos], it was wise to be frugal with his Primordial Chaos Qi.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Since further advancement is difficult, your task now is to solidify your own foundations."

"When I, your lord, step into the realm of the Celestial Emperor [the supreme sovereign ruler among cultivators], I will surely not treat you poorly."

Upon hearing this, the seven Great Emperor [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of the Great Emperor realm] were filled with joy. They prostrated themselves and said in unison, "Master, rest assured. We will strive diligently in our cultivation and will not disappoint you."

"Hmm."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and said no more.

He motioned for the seven to withdraw, then plunged into a state of even deeper secluded cultivation.

This time, Eldrin Chen refined the blood and bones of the Great Wilderness Emperor Sovereign into a full eighty-one Sage Ascendant Treasure Pill [pills of immense power, capable of aiding a cultivator's ascent towards the Sage realm].

Thereafter, Eldrin Chen began to continuously refine and absorb the Treasure Pill, even directly harnessing the power of the Abyssal Furnace [a profound divine ability that acts as an internal furnace for refining essence] to forcibly metabolize the pills.

Amidst this relentless process of refinement, the Treasure Pill began to be consumed at a rapid pace.

By the time his resources were utterly exhausted, Eldrin Chen had finally broken through his cultivation once more, stepping into the eighth layer of the Primordial Unity Emperor Body [a supreme body refinement art that seeks to unify one's physical form with the primordial essence of the cosmos].

"A pity, it was just a hair's breadth away."

After his physical body's breakthrough, Eldrin Chen wore a faint expression of regret.

This time, Eldrin Chen had a feeling that he had come perilously close to shattering the limits of his physical body once more during his cultivation of the Refine Self Through Self Dao [a profound cultivation art focused on self-refinement and forging one's own path].

Alas, Eldrin Chen's physical body was far too formidable, having already broken its limits multiple times, which left that final step perpetually just out of reach.

"My foundational cultivation is somewhat lopsided, resulting in the Abyssal Furnace [a divine ability that forges and tempers the body like a cosmic furnace] not being potent enough. Otherwise, I should have broken through the limit once more."

Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh. If he could break the limit once more and cultivate the ninth True Spirit Divine Runes [mystical patterns that embody the power of a cultivator's true spirit], his strength would undergo a heaven-defying transformation.

At that point, with a physical body at the Eighth Layer of Primordial Unity Emperor Lord [the eighth stage of the Emperor Lord realm, representing a profound unity with primordial forces] and the amplification from the Nine True Spirit Divine Patterns [the complete set of nine divine patterns representing the pinnacle of true spirit cultivation], Eldrin Chen would possess combat power rivaling an Invincible Sage Ascendant.

An Invincible Sage Ascendant is also known as a Primordial Limitless Sage Ascendant [a Sage Ascendant whose power is considered boundless and peerless within their realm]. Such Sage Ascendant [cultivators who have ascended to a sage-like state, a step below true immortality] are exceedingly rare existences.

Within the Vast Chaotic Void [the boundless, primordial expanse of chaos that forms the cosmos], those qualified to be called invincible or Primordial Limitless Sage Ascendant are, in theory, only three kinds of beings.

The first are those who have cultivated the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms [the ultimate manifestation of nine perfected true spirits, granting immense power] through the path of Sainthood through the Flesh [a cultivation path focused on achieving a sacred, indestructible physical form]. With the empowerment of the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms, such existences can face ten ordinary Sage Ascendant at once.

The second path is the Primordial Spirit Dao Attainment. The Primordial Spirit Dao Attainment stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sainthood through the Flesh [a cultivation path focused on tempering the physical body to its absolute limits], and in theory, its combat prowess is not a whit inferior.

The third path belongs to those who master a Boundless Great Dao [a supreme cultivation art representing a fundamental cosmic principle]. A Boundless Great Dao encompasses more than nine Grand Dao Divine Form [divine manifestations of a Great Dao's power], and its might naturally surpasses the power of a Dao-Grasping [a cultivation realm focused on comprehending and grasping fundamental Daos] cultivator with nine divine forms.

Take, for instance, the five Great Dao [fundamental cosmic principles] of Eldrin Chen. Even the most ordinary among them, the Blended Gold Primordial Limitless Great Dao, possesses eighteen Grand Dao Divine Form. Once fully mastered, how overwhelmingly powerful would its combat strength be?

However, upon a single Boundless Great Dao, there are at least several tens, if not hundreds, of powerhouses at the Great Emperor level. Therefore, it is exceedingly difficult to gain mastery over a Boundless Great Dao, and within the Vast Chaotic Void [the boundless, formless primordial chaos], Sage Ascendant [a supreme cultivation realm] of this caliber are rarely seen.

Yet, once an existence that has mastered a Boundless Great Dao does appear, its combat prowess will absolutely be no weaker than that of a practitioner of Sainthood through the Flesh who has cultivated the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms [the nine ultimate divine forms achievable through physical cultivation].

And above the Primordial Limitless Sage Ascendant lies the domain where one can rival a Celestial Emperor [a supreme ruler among cultivators, often wielding authority over cosmic laws].

A practitioner of Sainthood through the Flesh, after cultivating the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms and then merging them into one, can step into the domain of rivaling a Celestial Emperor.

Powerhouses in this domain have, in at least one aspect, attained a level comparable to a Chaos Celestial Emperor.

Indestructible Elder resides within this domain. The defensive power of his physical body surpasses that of many Chaos Celestial Emperor, though his offensive capability—a glaring weakness—remains merely at the level of a Primordial Limitless Sage Ascendant.

"Even among Sage Ascendant, there exists a chasm of difference."

"Fortunately, aside from the Sainthood through the Flesh, other practitioners of the Primordial Limitless Sage Ascendant realm are almost non-existent."

Eldrin Chen mused inwardly. As the saying goes, the strong remain strong. Any single Boundless Great Dao [a supreme cultivation path encompassing limitless potential] would attract a multitude of peerless geniuses to cultivate it, or at the very least, to study it as a secondary art.

Under such circumstances, the number of Grand Dao Divine Form [divine manifestations of a Great Dao's power] associated with a Boundless Great Dao becomes astonishingly high. The Mixed Metal Great Dao [the Great Dao of Blended Metals], with its eighteen Grand Dao Divine Form, is actually considered to have a relatively low number.

It is said that top-tier Boundless Great Dao can possess as many as seventy-two Grand Dao Divine Form, cultivated by hundreds of thousands of Great Emperor [a supreme cultivation realm] experts, and even studied as a secondary art by hundreds of Chaos Celestial Emperor.

Refined and expanded upon by these countless powerful beings, the pinnacle Boundless Great Dao have reached a level of profundity that defies imagination.

If one could truly master such a Dao, it would not be impossible for a Sage Ascendant [a realm just below the Chaos Celestial Emperor] to suppress a Chaos Celestial Emperor. However, it is equally improbable for a mere Sage Ascendant to grasp a Great Dao of this magnitude.

For upon mastering such a Boundless Great Dao, one could break through to the Chaos Realm [the realm of primordial chaos] in a single thought, directly stepping into the Second Chaos Realm, with even the potential to reach the Third Chaos Realm.

What virtue or capability could a mere Sage Ascendant possibly possess to command such a Great Dao?

"The Primordial Spirit Dao Attainment [a legendary, near-mythical cultivation state] has vanished without a trace, and a true Boundless Great Dao has not appeared for eons. With my current strength, I can already be counted among the most powerful within the Sage Ascendant Realm."

"I dare not claim the title of Invincible Sage Ascendant, but those who have cultivated nine Grand Dao Divine Form should no longer be my match. Only a practitioner of Sainthood through the Flesh who has achieved the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms [the nine ultimate divine forms of the fleshly sainthood path] would be able to surpass me."

Eldrin Chen's thoughts drifted like leaves on a stream, and then he emerged from the Seclusion Chamber.

At this moment, within the Great Desolate Ancient Realm, two Great Emperor Ancient Ship [ancient, formidable vessels used by supreme cultivators] had been prepared for some time. Eleven Great Emperor [supreme cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of power] were also making their final preparations for the coming campaign.

"It is time to depart."

Eldrin Chen observed all of this, a clear resolve crystallizing within his heart.

Not long after, the Chaos Ancient Ships [vessels forged in primordial chaos, capable of traversing the void] set forth. Eldrin Chen left his Reincarnation Body [a powerful avatar formed through profound reincarnation arts] to guard the Great Desolate Ancient Realm, taking with him all the Great Emperor under his command.

This return to the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss was not born of arrogance, but of meticulous and thorough preparation by Eldrin Chen.

There were three primary reasons for this confidence.

First: Eldrin Chen's combat prowess had already ascended into the realm of the top-tier Sage Ascendant [a supreme realm just below that of a Celestial Emperor]. With such strength, he stood among the very apex of power within the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss, second only to the Celestial Emperor [the sovereign rulers of the heavens].

Second: He had secured the aid of the Indestructible Elder. This figure was an invincible force beneath the Celestial Emperor, so formidable that even the Chaos Celestial Emperor [a supreme ruler born of primordial chaos] was reluctant to move against him.

Third: The internal situation had shifted. Not long ago, Lyra Jiang had conveyed two crucial pieces of intelligence.

The first message was that she had reached an agreement with Primordial Beginning Divine Emperor and Purple Tenuity Divine Emperor. They would seize the opportunity when Eldrin Chen returned to jointly launch a counteroffensive against the Demon Race with the Human and Divine Races.

Furthermore, upon the success of this endeavor, the two great Primordial Divine Emperor would personally, in the name of the Primordial Divine Court, forge an 'Eternal Covenant' with the lineage of the Abyssal Dao Progenitor.

The second message was that Magnus the Virtuous had become a disciple under Vast Void Dao Progenitor, taking him as his final closed-door disciple.

That Vast Void Dao Progenitor was the master of the Vast Righteousness Primordial Domain. He had founded the Confucian Dao Sage Attainment Method and was a renowned Chaos Dao Progenitor even within the famed Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss.

Leveraging this connection, Lyra Jiang and Magnus the Virtuous worked to draw Vast Void Dao Progenitor to their side.

Although Vast Void Dao Progenitor was the master of the Vast Righteousness Primordial Domain, his domain had always lacked a worthy successor. Therefore, he held Magnus the Virtuous in extremely high regard.

While he did not agree to directly intervene against the Three Poles Origin Domain, he promised to step in when necessary to prevent powerful enemies from outside the Three Poles Origin Domain from interfering.

With this layer of connection to Vast Void Dao Progenitor, the external circumstances surrounding Eldrin Chen improved considerably.

After all, Eldrin Chen was now a Sage Ascendant with the backing of several patrons at the level of Chaos Celestial Emperor. Those other Chaos Celestial Emperor might not be willing to move against such a figure.

It could be said that each of the messages brought by Lyra Jiang was of monumental significance.

In that era of the Heaven-Seizing War [a cataclysmic conflict of cosmic scale], the Primordial Divine Court [the ancient celestial court of the Divine Race] suffered grievous losses.

That the Primordial Divine Court would now join forces with the Human Race Immortal Court [the celestial court of the Human Race] and, leveraging the power of Eldrin Chen's return, launch a counter-offensive against the Demon Race was, in itself, an anticipated move.

However, the Primordial Divine Court's willingness to forge an alliance with Eldrin Chen's lineage was not a promise given lightly.

The so-called Eternal Covenant [a pact of eternal alliance] is an unbreakable treaty of mutual offense and defense. It means that should anyone move against Eldrin Chen, the Primordial Divine Court is obligated to intervene and lend aid.

In times of dire need, even the two great Divine Emperor [the supreme rulers of the Divine Race] could not stand idly by.

Conversely, should calamity befall the Primordial Divine Court, Eldrin Chen's lineage would be bound to offer their utmost assistance.

At present, Eldrin Chen's lineage possesses but a single Sage Ascendant [a cultivator who has ascended to the threshold of sagehood]. Strictly speaking, entering into such a covenant with the Primordial Divine Court would be a tremendous boon for them.

The two Divine Emperor agreed primarily due to their recognition of Eldrin Chen's immense potential, and secondly, it was also greatly influenced by Lyra Jiang.

However, Dao Ancestor Immortal Sage [progenitors who have transcended the mortal realm] do not involve themselves in the affairs of the Mortal Dust Realm [the mortal world]. As the sole Sage Ascendant of the Human Race, Eldrin Chen, upon his return, would inevitably become the de facto leader of the Human Race Immortal Court.

With the Human and Divine Races uniting to oppose the Demon Race, this covenant would confer immense benefits upon both sides of the alliance.

It must be understood that the covenant previously signed between the Divine Race and the Human Race during the Primordial Era was not an Eternal Covenant. Rather, it was a Primordial Era pact that required renewal every one thousand cycles of Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and rebirth].

The Primordial Era covenant did not stipulate explicit requirements for the extent of mutual support. Consequently, when Eldrin Chen faced his great tribulation, the Divine Race did not commit their full strength.

Had they done so, the combined might of both races during that fateful battle could have assuredly protected Eldrin Chen. Even if the three Celestial Emperor [the supreme rulers of the demonic forces] of the Demon Race had intervened, it would have been impossible for them to force Eldrin Chen into the Primordial Chaos Desolate Sea [a vast, lawless expanse of primordial chaos] under the joint protection of the two allied races.

Of course, while the Divine Race's willingness to forge this covenant was surprising, it remained within the realm of expectation. After all, Lyra Jiang was once a Quasi-Emperor of their race, and Eldrin Chen's potential was profound enough to capture the attention of the two great Divine Emperor [the supreme sovereigns of the divine race].

However, the news that Magnus the Virtuous had become a disciple under Vast Void Dao Progenitor truly caught Eldrin Chen off guard.

Yet, upon deeper reflection, even this development fell within the bounds of foresight. Magnus the Virtuous, having reincarnated while carrying the Primordial Book of Dao Inquiry [a legendary tome containing the fundamental truths of the Dao], possessed a foundation and destiny befitting a Great Emperor or even a Sage Ascendant from the very start.

His years of wandering the Vast Chaotic Sea had only deepened his comprehension of the Dao and its myriad laws.

It is said that during his travels, Magnus the Virtuous once journeyed to the Vast Righteousness Primordial Domain [a primordial realm imbued with the essence of righteous virtue]. There, he contemplated the Dao of Harlan and found it resonated perfectly with his own path. Thus, he began to concurrently cultivate the methods of the Confucian Dao [a cultivation path emphasizing virtue, righteousness, and scholarly enlightenment].

His innate Vast Righteous Aura [a powerful aura of unyielding righteousness] synergized flawlessly with this new path. After transitioning his cultivation to the Confucian Dao, his progress soared. He masterfully fused the strengths of both his original path and the Confucian Dao, further perfecting the cultivation system of the latter and pioneering a new method: the Confucian Dao Unity [the unification of Confucian virtue with the fundamental Dao].

The Confucian Dao Unity catalyzed another profound metamorphosis in Magnus the Virtuous's foundation and latent potential. After assimilating the accumulated insights of several hundred cycles of Kalpa Tribulation, his cultivation advanced with breathtaking speed, as if he had taken flight towards the heavens themselves.

Within a single Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and rebirth], Magnus the Virtuous attained enlightenment nine times in succession. Seizing this Opportunity [a pivotal moment of fortune and potential], he shattered nine cultivation barriers in a row, leaping from the Early Stage Primordial Chaos Emperor Lord realm directly into the Great Emperor Realm.

Vast Void Dao Progenitor was utterly astounded, immediately accepting him as his final disciple. He declared that Magnus the Virtuous possessed the potential to attain the Confucian Dao Immortal Sage realm.

"To think that Senior Harlan possesses such profound talent and destiny,"

Upon receiving this news, Eldrin Chen could not help but feel astonished, a wave of profound reflection washing over him.

Over the years, he had mentored many powerful figures. Without exception, each had consumed various Opportunity [pivotal moments of fortune and potential], advancing step by arduous step to reach their current cultivation.

Yet Magnus the Virtuous, walking the world alone, contemplating the veins of heaven and earth and the principles of natural order, had accumulated his insights in silence. His sudden, explosive breakthrough to such heights was truly unexpected.

"The Primordial Book of Dao Inquiry [a legendary text containing the fundamental truths of cultivation]."

"Is this the supreme principle of the Great Dao [the ultimate, fundamental truth of existence]—to inquire of the Dao in a single morning and ascend amidst radiant clouds?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, then swiftly gathered his wandering thoughts. He raised his gaze to the Primordial Chaos Desolate Sea stretching before him.

In a fleeting moment of clarity, the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss seemed to materialize right before his eyes.

"Four hundred and seventy Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration], I have finally returned."

Just as Eldrin Chen was gripped by that trepidation one feels upon nearing home, within the boundless Multidimensional Space-Time of the Seven Domains of the Southern Abyss, an immeasurably vast Cosmos [a universe or great world] drifted and turned.

This was an unfathomably expansive great Cosmos, its interior stretching across billions of light-years.

And the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land, it was the most terrifying Forbidden Land [a perilous, restricted zone of immense danger] within this great Cosmos. It lay entrenched at the Cosmos's very heart, an ineffable Forbidden Land since time immemorial.

The true powerhouses within this Cosmos understood that the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land had existed since long before countless Jiyuan-time [grand cosmological Eras] ago.

Ancient legends spoke of Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality] from over three thousand Jiyuan-time ago ascending to the Upper Realms from this very place.

In that distant age, although the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation method requiring the sacrifice of one's own essence] was arduous, there remained a sliver of hope—to sacrifice everything and achieve the True Self [the ultimate, perfected state of one's being].

Yet, for reasons unknown, roughly three thousand Jiyuan-time ago, the Path to Immortality was severed in the blink of an eye.

When practitioners of the Path of Self-Sacrifice performed the Self-Sacrifice [the ultimate ritual of the Path], the chance of success plummeted from one in several tens to less than one in ten thousand.

Even for the rare few who succeeded, they would inevitably attract a calamitous and deadly tribulation.

Countless masters of the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation path that forgoes a Spirit Root and relies on tempering the physical body to its absolute limit], at the very moment of their ascension to immortality, would attract an incomparably dreadful death tribulation, hundreds of times more terrifying than the Immortal Dao Ascension Tribulation [the heavenly trial faced by orthodox cultivators when attempting to ascend to immortality].

The supreme heavenly thunder tribulation would not only strike down the Path of Self-Sacrifice cultivator attempting ascension but would also annihilate the entire star they stood upon.

It was said throughout the world that the Path of Self-Sacrifice was cursed by an indescribable malice, making it fundamentally impossible to ever set foot upon the immortal realm.

Thus, the peerless powerhouses who walked the Path of Self-Sacrifice gradually abandoned all thoughts of ascension.

Yet within a vast and boundless Cosmos [the universe or the greater world], there will always be those of astonishing talent and dazzling brilliance.

They lacked a Spirit Root [the innate spiritual organ that allows one to sense and absorb Qi, the vital energy of heaven and earth], and thus could not tread the orthodox path of immortality. Unwilling to accept their mundane fate, they endured countless hardships and overcame myriad tribulations to cultivate themselves to the Indestructible Realm [the pinnacle realm of the Path of Self-Sacrifice, where the physical body is tempered to near-indestructibility].

But upon reaching this pinnacle, they discovered the path to immortality was severed.

Refusing to accept this dead end, they still insisted on pursuing ascension. To avoid bringing calamity upon others, they constructed an Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land [a forbidden land built to contain the catastrophic tribulations of the Path of Self-Sacrifice ascension] at the very heart of the Cosmos.

The Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land was vast and boundless, and since Since Primordial Times [since the dawn of creation], it had entombed an unknowable number of such formidable powerhouses.

And on this day, the ruler of this Cosmos, hailed as the 'Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor', the paramount powerhouse of the Path of Self-Sacrifice, intended to undergo that Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the final, cataclysmic tribulation to ascend to immortality] upon the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [the ancient continent at the core of the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land].

"Is the Great Emperor about to face the heavenly tribulation?"

Within the vast and boundless Cosmos, the gazes of countless supreme powerhouses turned, their eyes fixed upon this expanse of the Cosmos. A hue of sorrowful lamentation shimmered within their pupils.

Countless figures journeyed to the profound depths of the desolate Cosmos, arriving outside the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [the ancient continent where immortal ruins lie].

Among the crowd, a young maiden walked alongside her grandfather. Gazing at the people before her, she could not help but ask curiously, "Grandfather, is the Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor very powerful?"

"The Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor is not weak; he is the mightiest of this current Jiyuan-time [a grand cosmological Era, often spanning tens of thousands of years]," the elderly man replied.

The stooped old man spoke slowly, a trace of helplessness flickering in his eyes. "In ancient times, the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a cultivation method where one sacrifices parts of oneself to achieve breakthroughs] comprised the Six Mortal Realms [the six foundational stages of cultivation before ascension]."

"They were, in order: Body Forging [the stage of tempering and strengthening the physical body], Qi Refining [the stage of refining and controlling vital energy], Dao Foundation [the stage of laying the foundation for one's personal Dao], Divine Treasury [the stage of opening the body's divine repositories of power], Dao Embryo [the stage of nurturing the embryonic form of one's Dao], and finally, the Imperishable [the state of achieving an indestructible body and spirit]—these six steps."

"Later, the path to immortality was severed. Our generation of cultivators could no longer survive the great tribulation to ascend. We could only continuously refine the cultivation methods of the Path of Self-Sacrifice. Thus, the Limit-Breaking Realm [a realm achieved by shattering the inherent limits of a cultivation stage] was created."

Upon hearing this, the young maiden spoke up, "What is this Limit-Breaking Realm?"

The old man smiled, then gently patted her head. "Limit-Breaking refers to those who have cultivated the Imperishable to perfection. Instead of sacrificing themselves to break through to a higher realm, they choose to continue shattering their own inherent limits."

"The Path-Breaking Extremes number six: the Body Forging Extreme [the realm of pushing one's physical body to its absolute limit], the Qi Refining Extreme [the realm of refining the most profound energies of existence], the Dao Foundation Extreme [the realm of forging an indestructible foundation for one's Dao], the Divine Treasury Extreme [the realm of opening divine repositories of power within oneself], the Dao Embryo Extreme [the realm of nurturing a nascent Dao-embryo], and the Indestructible Extreme [the realm of achieving true, unbreakable immortality]—these are the six extremes."

"The Body Forging Extreme, is the ceaseless shattering of one's own limits, transcending the boundaries of the flesh. Cultivated to its ultimate end, a single drop of blood could extinguish an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality]."

"The Qi Refining Extreme involves refining the energies of the Myriad Heavens [the countless celestial realms]. There are those who refine a single breath of Stellar Qi [the primordial essence of stars]; one exhalation could snuff out a sky full of stars. There are those who inhale and exhale the Profound Yellow Qi [the foundational, world-forming energy of profound yellow]; a single wisp could annihilate the Myriad Heavens."

"Legend says that if one could refine the Primordial Chaos Qi [the primordial, undifferentiated energy that predates creation], one could transcend this Cosmos [the ordered universe] itself and step into the Vast Chaotic Void [the infinite, formless expanse beyond creation]."

"Then there is the Dao Foundation Extreme, where one forges their Dao Foundation [the foundational core of one's cultivation path] using a Great Thousand World [a major world containing a thousand lesser realms]. With a flip of their palm, they could rend Chaos [the primordial state before order] asunder."

"The extremes above it—the Divine Treasury Extreme, the Dao Embryo Extreme, and the Indestructible Extreme—each possess power beyond mortal comprehension."

At this point, the old man sighed and continued, "Legend tells of three thousand Jiyuan-time [a grand cosmological Era, often spanning tens of thousands of years] ago, when a peerless Celestial Maiden [a female immortal of supreme grace and power] descended from beyond Chaos. She was said to have cultivated one hundred and eight Divine Treasury [divine repositories of power], each possessing the might to devour entire worlds."

The young maiden, hearing this, could not help but draw a sharp breath, her face a mask of disbelief.

He looked towards the Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor [a title for a supreme emperor whose power rivals the heavens], who was surrounded by countless powerful figures, and could not resist asking, "Is this Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor... a Path-Breaking Extreme cultivator?"

"Mm."

The elder nodded, then began to speak. "A Limit-Breaking powerhouse, upon breaking a single limit, gains the ability to slay Immortals. One who breaks two limits can dominate the Cosmos [the vast, interconnected realms of existence] and contend with the supreme True Immortals of the lower realms."

"The reason the Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor was able to become the sovereign of this epoch is precisely because he shattered the limits of four extremes: the Body Forging Extreme [the foundational stage of physical refinement], the Qi Refining Extreme [the stage of refining spiritual energy], the Dao Foundation [the stage of establishing one's foundational Dao path], and the Divine Treasury [the stage of opening one's internal divine repositories]."

Speaking to this point, the stooped elder shook his head again. "Even among Limit-Breakers, the degree to which one breaks their limits greatly influences the ultimate combat prowess they can achieve."

"The Ethereal Heaven Great Emperor's attainment in the Body Forging Extreme was competent but unexceptional. However, the Qi he refined upon breaking the Qi Refining Extreme was the Void [the primordial, formless essence of nothingness] Qi, which qualifies as a top-tier limit break. For his Dao Foundation, he refined and integrated the Void Origin [the primordial source of the Void] to break the limit, which is also considered a superior-grade Dao Foundation."

"As for his Divine Treasury Extreme, he successfully cultivated thirty-six 'Primordial Limitless Divine Treasuries' [divine internal repositories of boundless, primordial power]. Furthermore, his Divine Treasury was on the verge of transforming into an Immortal Treasury [a divine repository that has ascended to an immortal-grade state]. This achievement can rightly be called a pinnacle Divine Treasury Extreme."