Chapter 2021 : Fruits of the Primordial Tree

For those who cultivate the Fleshly Body Sanctification [a profound art of physical refinement], even when attempting a breakthrough into the Great Emperor Realm [the supreme realm of an emperor], this treasure can increase their chances of success by ten percent.

However, the Great Wasteland Sacred Tree [a primordial tree of immense power] bears fruit with great difficulty. In its entire lifespan, it will only produce fruit three times, yielding a total of twenty-seven Great Wasteland Sacred Fruit [divine fruits that enhance physical cultivation]. Furthermore, each cycle of ripening requires the span of ten thousand Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles, each spanning billions of years].

Consequently, each Great Wasteland Sacred Fruit is irreplaceable, a treasure of unparalleled rarity even within the boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation].

In truth, any Spiritual Root [a source of profound spiritual power] ranked above the Innate Supreme Treasure [a treasure born from the primal chaos] level can only produce a finite number of Spirit Fruit [fruits imbued with spiritual essence] in its lifetime.

This is because the miraculous treasures it bears are too heaven-defying; each one consumes a portion of the Great Path Origin [the fundamental source energy of the Dao itself].

Moreover, those who consume such Spirit Fruit are typically beings of such power that they are exceedingly difficult to kill and return their essence to the source. If such fruits were produced without limit, the Great Path [the supreme Dao or cultivation principle] to which the Spiritual Root belongs would eventually be drained completely.

"With these Great Wasteland Sacred Fruit, the speed of my physical cultivation should increase significantly," Eldrin Chen murmured to himself.

He then plucked all nine of the Great Wasteland Sacred Fruit, though he did not consume them immediately.

His current cultivation base was insufficient; consuming the fruit now would result in tremendous waste. Furthermore, the Great Wasteland Sacred Fruit could only be ingested three times within a span of one hundred Kalpa Tribulation.

Presently, with the Chaos Divine Liquid [a primordial liquid of chaos essence] at his disposal, he lacked no cultivation resources. It was better to wait until his physical cultivation had advanced to the Primordial One Imperial Lord Mid Stage [the mid-stage of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm], or even the Primordial One Imperial Lord Late Stage [the late-stage of that realm], to consume them. Only then could their effects be maximized.

After all, one thousand drops of Chaos Divine Liquid [a primordial liquid of immense spiritual power] would at most be enough for Eldrin Chen to cultivate to the Primordial One Imperial Lord 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm].

Returning to the main topic, after receiving the Great Wasteland Sacred Fruit [a legendary fruit of immense vitality], Eldrin Chen did not leave the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall [the central holy palace of the Great Wasteland].

Now that he had become the Realm Lord of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [the ancient world of the Great Wasteland], it would be utterly unbecoming to return and reside at the fringes of the ancient world.

Sturdy Fellow led the others in moving his belongings into the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall, and from then on, Eldrin Chen cultivated within its hallowed halls.

He entrusted the mundane affairs of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm to the Nine Great Priests [the nine high-ranking priests of the Great Wasteland], and appointed Sturdy Fellow to manage the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall.

Thereafter, he began to contemplate the method of the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. This time, Eldrin Chen's divine consciousness split into countless millions of threads, scattering across the vast expanse of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

These threads of consciousness attached themselves to myriad things—to ordinary rocks and stones, to every blade of grass and tree, to newborn infants, and to the aged members of the Great Wasteland Remnants [the surviving people of the Great Wasteland].

They were in the molten lava, within the wind and rain, and flowing with the waters.

Eldrin Chen's divine consciousness was omnipresent, not prying into anything, but merely quietly experiencing the ceaseless churn of the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortals].

During this process, Eldrin Chen distinctly felt the heavens and the earth gradually undergoing a transformation.

With an ample supply of World's Origin [the primordial essence that forms the foundation of a world], the ugly fissures upon the World Membrane [the ethereal barrier separating a world from the outer void] began to mend. The Fiendish Energy [a corrupt and malevolent form of spiritual energy] that permeated the heavens and earth gradually began to dissipate.

The lava receded, the cataclysms slowly ceased, and life began its resurgence.

Eldrin Chen bore witness to the birth of life, the evolution of species, and the Burst [a divine ability representing explosive growth and flourishing] of all things.

He saw a single grass seed sprout, carrying a faint yet stubborn vitality, taking root upon this Desolation earth, growing, and finally withering away.

At the moment of its demise, its seeds scattered, and the following year, a patch of grass sprouted in its place.

Thus it repeated, an endless cycle of renewal.

He also witnessed the growth of a tree, a sapling stubbornly pushing its roots from a cliff face, thriving as it reached for the sunlight.

He saw the birth of a child, who walked carefree upon the grassland, his smile brimming with innocence.

In the blur of several decades, the scorched wasteland of old had already transformed into a vast, sprawling prairie.

The sapling had become a towering tree, its trunk etched with countless rings marking the passage of years.

A child endures the trials of time, growing slowly from tender youth, his features gradually aging, until looking back he finds himself surrounded by children and grandchildren.

"A single blade of grass cannot escape the cycle of sprouting, growth, and decay, yet from its withering, it can scatter the seeds of new life."

"A sapling can grow into a towering ancient tree, yet it too cannot evade the blade of time, though it can etch the scars of the ages upon itself."

"A young child, from innocence to old age, is like a white steed flashing past a crack—gone in the blink of an eye."

A wisp of divine sense [a cultivator's extended spiritual awareness] clung there, faintly stirring as if touched by understanding.

When the wasteland withered, the old tree perished, and the child aged into dust, that faint divine sense returned to the main body of Eldrin Chen.

Within the sacred hall, Eldrin Chen seemed to grasp a profound insight.

A blade of grass, a tree, a child—had he never set foot upon the Immortal Path [the path of cultivation towards immortality], would his own life have followed the same course?

He gathered his spirit and mind, continuously contemplating the bitterness of the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortal suffering and impermanence]. Looking back once more, the countless strands of divine sense he had scattered across the heavens returned, flying towards him like a sky full of starlight.

These strands of divine sense had divided into myriads. Some had transformed into ephemeral mayflies, born at dawn and dead by dusk, never witnessing the distinction between day and night.

Some transformed into mountain stones, enduring wind and sun, silently contemplating the turning of the stars. [a state of deep, motionless meditation]

Some transformed into soaring birds, their wings beating as they traversed the heavens and earth, witnessing the grandeur of mountains and rivers.

Some transformed into the Sun and Moon, hanging high in the sky to illuminate the Myriad Heavens, gazing down upon the transformations of seas into mulberry fields. [a metaphor for the vast, profound changes of the world over immense spans of time]

The suffering of all living beings, the joys of the Mortal Realm, the shifting of heaven and earth—all the myriad facets of the world, along with the return of endless divine thoughts, surfaced within the mind of Eldrin Chen.

In a daze, Eldrin Chen felt as though he had undergone countless millions of Reincarnation cycles, experiencing innumerable lifetimes within the Mortal Dust. [the cycle of death and rebirth]

He slowly opened his eyes. Within the opening and closing of his gaze, endless past events from the Mortal Realm gradually manifested, only to dissolve into illusion and vanish in the blink of an eye.

"To comprehend all living beings is to understand one's true self."

"Even if seas turn to mulberry fields, all things change, and even the Chaos [the primordial, formless state from which all existence emerged] itself withers and all phenomena vanish, my heart remains unchanged."

"So this... this is the true meaning of the Human Soul Great Path."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly, having attained a complete and profound understanding of the power of the Human Soul. [the spiritual core and essence of a human being]

Of the three souls and seven spirits of a human, the Heaven Soul [the celestial aspect of the soul, representing destiny and higher purpose] is lofty and proud, yet devoid of emotion and desire. The Earth Soul [the earthly aspect of the soul, representing the physical and instinctual self] is profound and vast, yet teeming with distracting thoughts.

The seven spirits: joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hatred, and desire. Each spirit possesses the power to influence the human heart. This is the Seven Tribulations [the seven inner trials of the heart that cultivators must master] of the human heart. If one cannot control the power of these seven spirits, they will lose themselves.

Only the Human Soul [the core self-soul of a cultivator, representing true identity and will], this is the true self that belongs to the cultivator.

The Human Soul [the core self-soul of a cultivator, representing true identity and will] is the True Self!

As long as the True Self remains unchanged, one can maintain clarity of mind at all times. Then, the seven emotions and the Six Desires [the six fundamental worldly desires] are but illusions, and all manner of distracting thoughts find it difficult to shake one's heart. Even the Desolation Power [a corrupting force of decay and oblivion] cannot erode one's consciousness.

"The Human Soul [the core self-soul of a cultivator, representing true identity and will] originates from within the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortal affairs and attachments], yet it must 'see me with a Clear Heart [a heart purified of distractions]' to transcend above the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortal affairs and attachments]."

Eldrin Chen focused his mind into singularity. All his divine consciousness and stray thoughts converged, ultimately coalescing into an eternal, Indestructibility [the state of being unbreakable and everlasting] True Self.

"Boom—"

In that instant, the power of Eldrin Chen's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest form of a cultivator's soul] surged violently, completely transcending the myriad states of the Mortal Dust [the mundane world of mortal affairs and attachments]. It underwent a transformation of the utmost extremity.

Immediately after, the Heavenly Vault [the dome of the heavens, the celestial firmament] cracked open with a thunderous roar. An Eternal True Spirit [an immortal and perfected spiritual essence] emerged from the fissure, hanging suspended in the boundless expanse like an eternal Solar Sun [the essence of the primordial sun, representing ultimate yang and illumination].

Immediately following, an endless torrent of True Spirit Imprint [the profound, indelible marks left upon one's soul by a True Spirit's power] surged down, descending upon the mortal realm like an inverted celestial river.

Eldrin Chen bathed within this river of True Spirit [a supreme cultivation realm representing the pinnacle of spiritual existence] power. His Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator's being] drank in the vast, heaven-filling True Spirit Imprint with an insatiable thirst, until his entire spiritual essence felt as if it were about to ascend and transcend.

Only after a long while did everything gradually subside. As the True Spirit Imprint finally faded, the light in Eldrin Chen's eyes slowly gathered and focused once more.

"My Primordial Spirit cultivation has once again shattered the Limit-Breaker [a theoretical, ultimate limit of a cultivation realm, representing perfection beyond normal boundaries]."

Eldrin Chen slowly opened his eyes. Sensing the transformed power of his Primordial Spirit, a trace of a smile finally surfaced within his gaze.

With this breakthrough, his Primordial Spirit had shattered the Limit-Breaker once more. Its refinement, density, and combat potency had all undergone a tremendous leap, reaching a level that nearly rivaled the power of his physical body.

Such formidable Primordial Spirit power granted Eldrin Chen vastly superior control over his own being, resulting in a significant overall increase in his combat strength.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen proceeded to consolidate his gains, compiling his insights into a new volume of cultivation scripture.

Looking upon the completed ancient tome, Eldrin Chen smiled again and murmured to himself, "It was by borrowing the power of the Tome of Human Soul [a legendary magical artifact containing profound secrets of the human spirit] to glimpse the path of the True Self that I was able to comprehend this Primordial SpiritAncient Scripture [a sacred and profound text containing esoteric cultivation knowledge]."

"Since that is the case, this method for cultivating the Primordial Spirit shall be named the 'Heart's Mirror Path of Self-Realization' [a cultivation art focused on introspection and achieving enlightenment by reflecting upon one's true nature]."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen inscribed a name for this scroll of Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] cultivation art.

Having completed this, a faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips. This scroll, the 'Heart's Mirror Path of Self-Realization', was profoundly profound, an unparalleled Ancient Scripture [an ancient and powerful text containing profound cultivation methods] of at least the Sage Ascendant [a realm of cultivation approaching sagehood] level, and very likely one that had already brushed against the threshold of the Heavenly Emperor's Domain [the supreme realm of a Heavenly Emperor].

From this day forth, Eldrin Chen's method for Primordial Spirit cultivation would rank among the foremost sequences within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains.

Stowing away the Heart's Mirror Path of Self-Realization, Eldrin Chen then turned his senses inward to perceive the True Spirit Imprint [a profound mark of destiny and potential bestowed upon a cultivator] within his body.

With this breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit realm, another portion of True Spirit Imprint had manifested within him.

"To which of my foundational paths should this True Spirit Imprint be allocated?"

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen immersed himself in sensing his Primordial Spirit and physical body, falling into a moment of silent deliberation.

After a period of contemplation, Eldrin Chen ultimately decided to fuse this portion of True Spirit Divine Runes [divine symbols of power derived from a True Spirit Imprint] entirely into his physical form.

In truth, among his current foundational paths, only his Primordial Spirit cultivation and his physical body's True Spirit Divine Runes required the nourishment of a True Spirit Imprint.

And now, Eldrin Chen possessed five major True Spirit Aperture [a foundational cultivation node empowered by a True Spirit Imprint], along with Six True Spirit Divine Runes.

Logically speaking, to maintain the balance of his own foundation, integrating it into a True Spirit Aperture [a supreme cultivation node representing a cultivator's connection to the primordial world] would have been the optimal choice. However, after a moment of contemplation, Eldrin Chen ultimately decided against merging it into his True Spirit Aperture.

He had two reasons for this decision. The first was that his current True Spirit Primordial Spirit [his supreme spiritual core] could only sustain the opening of six major True Spirit Aperture at most.

If he were to forcibly open a seventh True Spirit Aperture, he risked attracting the attention of that existence from the Second Chaos Realm [a higher, more primordial plane of existence], which could lead to Eldrin Chen being completely suppressed.

Furthermore, the power granted by each additional True Spirit Aperture and True Spirit Divine Rune [a supreme mystical inscription that enhances the physical body] increased exponentially. A Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core cultivation stage] with only six True Spirit Aperture was unlikely to bring about a qualitative leap in Eldrin Chen's combat power.

Conversely, once Eldrin Chen cultivated seven True Spirit Divine Rune, his physical combat prowess would undoubtedly receive a tremendous boost.

Most crucially, if he could build upon that foundation to cultivate eight, or even the full nine great True Spirit Divine Rune, Eldrin Chen's battle strength would undergo an ultimate metamorphosis.

By that time, if Eldrin Chen's physical body stepped into the Primordial One Imperial Lord Late Stage [the late stage of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm], he might even gain the qualifications to contend with a Sage Ascendant [a supreme cultivator who has ascended to sagehood].

With this resolve firm in his heart, Eldrin Chen acted decisively. He channeled the entirety of this True Spirit Imprint [a mark of supreme destiny and potential] into his physical body, where it coalesced into a blank True Spirit Divine Rune.

For this particular True Spirit Divine Rune, Eldrin Chen was not prepared to hastily complete its cultivation.

He planned to spend a period of time in the Future [a conceptual realm or state representing things to come], meticulously contemplating the Chaos Limitless Great Path [the supreme Dao of boundless chaos]. Using this profound understanding as his foundation, he would then cultivate a single Chaos Divine Rune [a divine inscription imbued with the primordial power of chaos].

The Chaos Divine Rune [a supreme divine ability representing primordial chaos], as one of the four great Ultimate Divine Runes [the pinnacle of divine rune arts], was also one of the Ultimate Divine Runes that Eldrin Chen was most confident in mastering.

Returning to the main point, even though it was merely a blank True Spirit Divine Runes [a foundational divine rune yet to be imbued with a specific elemental power], after successfully cultivating it, Eldrin Chen still felt a profound metamorphosis in his own strength.

His physical power, on its original foundation, had increased by approximately seventy percent once more, amplified nearly ninefold by the seven great True Spirit Divine Runes.

Such a staggering augmentation granted Eldrin Chen a monumental leap in his combat prowess derived purely from physical might.

If, originally, Eldrin Chen relying solely on his physical strength could only be considered an ordinary combatant at the Primordial One Imperial Lord 6th Tier [the sixth level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm].

Then the current Eldrin Chen, using only his physical power, should now be comparable to a top-tier expert at the Primordial One Imperial Lord 6th Tier.

Of course, compared to a Primordial One Imperial Lord 7th Tier [the seventh level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm], there remained a vast chasm.

After all, those at the Primordial One Imperial Lord 7th Tier typically possessed a True Spirit Foundation [a perfected spiritual foundation] and had cultivated nine Great Path Divine Chains [divine chains representing mastery over great cosmic laws]. Whether in terms of the quality or the profound depth of their spiritual energy, they started at several times that of a Primordial One Imperial Lord 6th Tier.

Although Eldrin Chen's physical strength had increased significantly, there was still an immense gap in both the quality and quantity of his spiritual energy compared to them.

Nevertheless, even so, this advancement had once again substantially elevated Eldrin Chen's overall combat capability.

This was roughly equivalent to the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [the ultimate spiritual manifestation of a cultivator's soul] of a Primordial One Imperial Lord 5th Tier cultivator, combined with the True Spirit [a perfected physical body] physique of a top-tier Primordial One Imperial Lord 6th Tier, and the True Spirit Great Path [the foundational cultivation art of the True Spirit realm] cultivated to the fourth level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm.

These three foundational pillars alone would allow Eldrin Chen to sweep through ninety percent of all Primordial One Imperial Lord 6th Tier opponents.

If one added the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation art focused on self-transcendence] and the Indestructibility Battle Armor [a legendary suit of armor renowned for its near-unbreakable defense], among other techniques, Eldrin Chen's combat prowess would ensure he stood undefeated even when facing a Primordial One Imperial Lord 7th Tier expert.

With this thought, a profound sense of satisfaction settled within Eldrin Chen as he emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared chamber for deep, undisturbed cultivation].

After concluding his seclusion, he lifted his gaze to survey the vast expanse of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm. He observed that the realm's World Membrane [the ethereal barrier separating a world from the primordial chaos] had fully Recovery [restored itself], and the ambient spiritual energy for cultivation within the heavens and earth had improved significantly.

Eldrin Chen then extended his divine sense into the depths of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, discovering that the realm's World's Origin [the foundational source energy of a world] had also Recovery by a small but significant portion.

At this rate, after the passage of approximately ten Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle spanning billions of years], the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm's foundational essence would be fully replenished.

At that time, the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm's world-grade would gradually begin to Recovery, continuing until it reached the maximum limit that the Great Wasteland Ancient Tree [the mythical world-tree anchoring this ancient realm] could sustain and transform.

By then, the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm's world-grade would likely stabilize at the level of a Quasi-Primordial Domain [a realm on the cusp of becoming a true Primordial Domain].

"Brother Eldrin."

Just as thoughts stirred within Eldrin Chen, a voice brimming with pleasant surprise sounded from beside him.

Eldrin Chen turned his head to find Sturdy Fellow approaching with a joyful expression. "You've finally emerged from seclusion," he said, his face alight with happiness.

"How long was I in seclusion this time?"

Eldrin Chen asked casually, a flicker of movement in his eyes.

Sturdy Fellow counted on his fingers for a moment before replying, "Approximately one Kalpa Tribulation [a vast cosmic cycle spanning billions of years]."

"So, I have been in this realm for six Kalpa Tribulation [vast cosmic cycles] already?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, a soft sigh escaping him.

Adding the time he had drifted across the Chaos Desolation Sea, he realized, almost without noticing, that nearly ten Kalpa Tribulation [vast cosmic cycles] had passed since he left the Southern Abyss Seven Domains.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen sighed once more and then spoke, "Summon the Nine Great Priests. I have matters to arrange."

"..."

Within the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall, Eldrin Chen sat calmly upon the main seat, while the Nine Great Priests stood facing him below.

After the span of a Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle], the complexions of the Nine Great Priests had grown much more ruddy, their auras and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] gradually Recovery. It was clear the divine Immortal Pill [a supreme elixir] bestowed by Eldrin Chen had played no small part.

At this moment, the Nine Great Priests gazed at Eldrin Chen, each wearing a look of puzzlement.

The High Priest cupped his hands towards Eldrin Chen and inquired, "World Sovereign, for what purpose have you summoned us this time?"

Without hesitation, Eldrin Chen spoke directly, "I have summoned you here to spread the Sacrificial Self Path [a cultivation method focused on self-offering and transcendence]."

"The Sacrificial Self Path?"

Upon hearing this, the Nine Great Priests all showed a flicker of astonishment.

Eldrin Chen nodded, handing over several prepared scrolls of the Scripture of Path Transmission [scriptures detailing the transmission of a cultivation path]. He then continued, "This Sacrificial Self Path is a cultivation path I myself have forged."

"This path of cultivation does not judge one's innate talent, birthright, or potential. It values only perseverance and unwavering resolve, making it supremely suitable for the Great Wasteland Remnants to practice."

"Moreover, I have already integrated the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art [a body-forging technique from the Great Wasteland] into its framework, making it perfectly suited for your cultivation."

The Nine Great Priests immediately took the Scripture of Path Transmission and began to examine it. After merely a few moments of perusal, an expression of profound astonishment dawned upon their faces.

It turned out that over the years, Eldrin Chen had already perfectly integrated the distinctive features of the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art into the cultivation practices of the Sacrificial Self Path.

The current cultivation method of the Sacrificial Self Path not only encompassed the complete cultivation process of the original path but had also incorporated its unique characteristics.

In its present form, the Sacrificial Self Path directly uses the cultivator's Inner World as the primary Formation Eye [the core node or anchor point of a mystical array], with the Ten Great Immortal Treasuries serving as secondary Formation Eye nodes, forging them into a peerless grand formation.

Furthermore, this Formation treats the Sacrificial Self Physique as a human-shaped magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators], allowing the power of the Formation to be channeled into the cultivator's own body, dramatically amplifying their combat prowess.

Additionally, this grand Sacrificial Self formation can be adjusted to a certain degree based on the cultivator's personal inclinations and latent potential.

For instance, a cultivator skilled in defense could cultivate defensive-oriented True Spirit Immortal Treasury and Ten Great Immortal Treasury Treasures, granting their physical body peerless defensive capabilities within their cultivation realm.

If one excels in the Slaughter [the Dao or principle of annihilation and destruction], they could fully cultivate Immortal Treasury such as the 'Slaughter Immortal Treasury', 'Force Extreme Immortal Treasury', or 'Nine Heavens Heavenly Thunder Tribulation Immortal Treasury'. Using these as Formation Eye nodes would unleash attacks of ultimate destructive force.

It can be said that the current Sacrificial Self Path has completely assimilated all the strengths of Fleshly Body Sanctification, Primordial Spirit Path Attainment [the art of refining one's spiritual core], the Dao of the Immortal Domain, and even the Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art, surpassing its sources like the color indigo derived from blue yet more vivid.

All of this is owed to the malleability of the Sacrificial Self Physique. This physique, possessing near-perfect plasticity, is capable of fusing together almost all the advantages of various cultivation methods and techniques.

In theory, if one could cultivate the Ten Great True Spirit Immortal Treasuries [the ultimate physical cultivation arts of the True Spirit lineage], then the True Spirit Immortal Treasury [a foundational body-tempering art] could also amplify physical combat prowess, much like the True Spirit Divine Runes [divine patterns that enhance the physical form].

At this moment, Eldrin Chen harbored no doubt that one day, the Sacrificial Self Path [a supreme cultivation method he pioneered] he had created would ascend above all other paths, becoming the supreme Primordial Chaos Great Path [the ultimate, foundational Dao of all creation].

Now, as everyone gazed upon Eldrin Chen's Scripture of Path Transmission [the sacred text containing his new cultivation method], expressions of utter disbelief spread across their faces.

They exchanged bewildered glances, finally offering wry smiles. "This method is so heaven-defying," one of them said, "that the cultivation paths of our Great Wasteland Primordial Domain [the ancient, primordial world they hail from] seem almost feeble in comparison."

"The Realm Lord's talent and genius likely surpass even that of the legendary Sage Ascendant [a supreme cultivator one step below a Sage] from our Great Wasteland Primordial Domain's distant past."

Eldrin Chen offered a modest smile, his voice calm. "I have merely taken a small step forward, standing upon the shoulders of giants."

"Without your Great Wasteland Body Tempering Art [their ancient physical cultivation technique], and the wisdom of the predecessors from my own Southern Abyss Seven Domains [the seven major realms of the Southern Abyss], I could never have reached this point."

"You are too humble, Realm Lord."

The Old High Priest shook his head, then spoke with deep reverence. "We offer our boundless gratitude, Path Ancestor, for imparting this Great Path to us. We shall be eternally indebted."

Eldrin Chen smiled inwardly. The Old High Priest addressing him as 'Path Ancestor' was a clear sign of genuine recognition for the Sacrificial Self Path.