Chapter 2032 : The Promise of a Supreme Treasure

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his demeanor remarkably calm.

The higher one's cultivation realm, the smaller the gap in foundational strength between individuals tends to become, and the distinction in the power of their Great Path [profound cultivation arts] also narrows considerably.

This is especially true upon reaching the Great Emperor [a supreme cultivation realm] level; from that point onward, what truly creates a disparity in power is essentially the possession of an Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme magical treasure born from the world's primal energies].

Within the Great Emperor domain, whether one possesses an Innate Supreme Treasure or not represents two entirely different tiers of combat prowess. This distinction becomes even more pronounced in the Primordial One Imperial Lord 8th Tier [the eighth tier of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm] domain.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen suddenly glanced at Immortality Imperial Lord and spoke, "Since you follow me with sincere devotion, the opportunity to cultivate your own Innate Lifebound Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure intrinsically bound to one's life and cultivation] may yet arise in the future."

"Is that so?"

Immortality Imperial Lord's eyes flickered subtly. He looked at the Immortality Imperial Spear in his hand, a faint smile touching his lips as he said, "I find myself looking forward to that prospect."

With Sword Abyss Saint Lord subdued, the battle below gradually drew to a close.

This engagement resulted in a resounding victory. All of the early-stage Primordial One Imperial Lord [cultivators at the initial level of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm] Desolation Emperors [rulers of desolate realms] were utterly vanquished by the allied forces.

However, the two Desolation Emperors at the Primordial One Imperial Lord Late Stage [late stage of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm], upon sensing the presence of the Tome of Human Soul [a legendary tome containing profound soul cultivation secrets], instantly fled the battlefield, vanishing deep into the heart of the Chaos Desolation Sea [a vast, turbulent sea of primal chaos and desolation].

Regarding this, Eldrin Chen harbored no particular concern in his heart. Two mere Primordial One Imperial Lord 7th Tier cultivators were nothing. Compared to the combat prowess of Sword Abyss Saint Lord, a Great Emperor who wielded an Innate Supreme Treasure, they were utterly insignificant.

With the successful suppression of Sword Abyss Saint Lord in this battle, Eldrin Chen's primary objective was now completely fulfilled.

Afterwards, Eldrin Chen personally scoured the battlefield, then ventured into the Sword Abyss Realm Sea to plunder all treasures within, before finally returning to the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

"..."

Upon returning to the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, Eldrin Chen immediately released Sword Abyss Saint Lord and then activated the Tome of Human Soul to purify the Desolation Power [a corrupting energy of decay and ruin] festering within him.

Once the Desolation Power was completely cleansed, Sword Abyss Saint Lord awoke from his slumber. He immediately bowed deeply to Eldrin Chen and said, "I offer my profound gratitude for your aid, Fellow Daoist."

"It is good that you are awake."

Eldrin Chen smiled as he spoke, exchanging pleasantries for a moment before getting straight to the point. "Your skills are truly Extraordinary. Would you be willing to serve me from this day forward?"

"Do I have any other choice, old as I am?" Sword Abyss Saint Lord let out a bitter laugh, then declared, "Henceforth, I and my Sword Abyss Immortal Palace shall heed the commands of the Imperial Lord."

With those words, Sword Abyss Saint Lord immediately swore a binding oath upon the Great Path [the fundamental laws of cultivation and the cosmos].

Eldrin Chen smiled faintly and returned the Ancient Sword of the Azure Abyss to the Sword Abyss Saint Lord.

The Ancient Sword of the Azure Abyss was a spoil of war belonging to Eldrin Chen. He would never have returned it if the Sword Abyss Saint Lord had been unwilling to pledge his service.

After all, the grace of aiding in his revival was already an immense favor. To also return a captured Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme magical artifact born from the primordial chaos] would have been less sensible than simply banishing him to the Chaos Desolation Sea [a boundless, turbulent expanse of primordial chaos] to slumber for eternity.

Understanding this perfectly, the Sword Abyss Saint Lord had immediately sworn an oath to follow Eldrin Chen.

Repaying a life-saving debt alone would have required only tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] of service.

But an Innate Supreme Treasure was rarer than a Great Emperor [a supreme cultivator who has mastered their own Great Dao]. For the Sword Abyss Saint Lord, it was a treasure bound to his very life and cultivation, something he could never afford to lose.

Returning to the matter at hand, having secured the Sword Abyss Saint Lord's allegiance, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of satisfaction. He bestowed upon him a batch of healing elixirs [spiritual pills that restore vitality and mend wounds] and said, "Go and Recovery [a divine ability focused on healing and restoration] from your injuries first."

"Having endured and overcome this tribulation, I hope you will emerge reborn from the ashes, reaching new heights and swiftly stepping into the Great Emperor Realm."

Upon hearing this, the Sword Abyss Saint Lord's expression turned solemn and respectful. He nodded and then vanished from the Great Hall.

After the Sword Abyss Saint Lord departed, Eldrin Chen summoned the other Imperial Lord [a powerful cultivator who has established their own imperial domain] and gathered them within the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall.

Within the hallowed halls of the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall, Eldrin Chen cast his gaze upon the several Primordial One Imperial Lords [powerful cultivators at the peak of the Primordial One realm] present before him. He then handed a detailed inventory list to the assembled Mortal Path [cultivators of the Mortal Path]. "The spoils from this battle are considerable, and you have all earned significant Merits [a metaphysical currency representing virtuous deeds and karma]."

"These Merits, I have already tallied and recorded. You may peruse them and make your selections."

Hearing this, a flicker of joy appeared on everyone's faces.

In this conflict, they had not only slain more than twenty Chaos Desolation Emperors [emperors of the Desolation realm, a tier within the vast Chaos cultivation hierarchy], but had also secured the Treasure Vault left behind by the Sword Abyss Immortal Palace, along with the treasures nurtured by the Realm Sea over these past years.

The wealth of treasures was immense, including items capable of aiding a Primordial One Imperial Lord in breaking through to a higher level of cultivation.

Among the most precious was a single, withered leaf from a stalk of 'Chaos Sword Grass' [a legendary plant born from primordial chaos, its essence sharp as a divine blade]. It was said that a complete stalk of Chaos Sword Grass was a Chaos Rare Treasure [a treasure of immense rarity born from the primordial chaos], its value comparable to an Innate Supreme Treasure [a supreme treasure born with the world, possessing unparalleled power].

Such a treasure, even a mere fragment of a leaf, would be of great benefit if consumed by one cultivating the Sword Great Path [the supreme Dao of the Sword].

Beyond this, there were numerous other Primordial One Marvels [wondrous spiritual objects suitable for Primordial One realm cultivators], including nearly one hundred portions of Innate Primordial Breath [the pure, foundational energy that existed at the dawn of creation].

Each person exchanged their accumulated Merits for selected treasures, yet more than half of the hoard remained. Eldrin Chen gathered the remainder and stored it away.

Finally, Eldrin Chen's eyes lingered on the withered leaf of the Chaos Sword Grass, and a moment of thoughtful hesitation settled upon him.

The leaves of the Chaos Sword Grass possess boundless medicinal potency. A complete leaf could increase the certainty of condensing the divine form of the Sword Great Path by roughly ten percent.

Yet what lies before us is merely a fragment, its efficacy and power greatly diminished. I fear it will be insufficient to aid Sword Abyss Saint Lord in achieving a breakthrough.

Moreover, Sword Abyss Saint Lord possesses the Innate Supreme Treasure Ancient Sword of the Azure Abyss. This item's usefulness to him is likely minimal.

After careful deliberation, Eldrin Chen handed it to Sword Mystery Imperial Lord instead. "Your innate talent surpasses that of Sword Abyss Saint Lord," he declared. "This shall be entrusted to you."

"May it aid you in swiftly advancing to the Primordial One Imperial Lord Late Stage. Do not disappoint me."

Sword Mystery Imperial Lord drew a deep breath, accepting the sword grass fragment. "I will not fail you," he vowed.

"..."

After the others departed, Eldrin Chen remained alone within the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall, his thoughts turning inward in contemplation.

Unbeknownst to him, over thirty Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] had passed since his arrival in the Great Wasteland Ancient Domain. Factoring in his time adrift upon the Chaos Desolation Sea, his departure from the Southern Abyss Seven Domains now approached forty such cycles.

Previously, his focus had been consumed by perfecting the Sacrificial Self Path, managing the ceaseless wars across the three Desolate Domain, and refining his Immortal Domain to stabilize the Chaos Desolation Sea. Mundane affairs had shackled his spirit.

But now, as Eldrin Chen's cultivation gradually advanced, these mundane affairs had temporarily come to an end. His thoughts turned once more to his Dao companions and old friends in the Southern Abyss Seven Domains.

"I was defeated and fled to the Chaos Desolation Sea, and in the blink of an eye, forty Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] have passed."

"To the vast majority of Immortal [transcendent beings who have ascended beyond mortality] within the Returning Abyss Path Domain, I have likely become a figure from an ancient legend."

"And beyond the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain, in the wider Southern Abyss Seven Domains, aside from perhaps being mentioned occasionally by those Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the highest echelon of immortal cultivators], few Immortal likely remember me at all."

"How swiftly time flows."

Eldrin Chen sighed softly within his heart, his longing for his Dao companions growing even stronger.

Thus, after much contemplation, he came to the Nameless Space where the Returning Abyss Pearl resided.

"You cannot return."

The Returning Abyss Pearl spoke. As Eldrin Chen's companion treasure [a magical artifact bound to a cultivator's soul from birth], it understood the feelings of longing and remembrance stirring within Eldrin Chen's heart.

Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh. He naturally understood that he could not go back.

With his current cultivation level, once he stepped into the Southern Abyss Seven Domains [the seven perilous realms of the southern abyss], the power of the Sacrificial Self Path [a forbidden cultivation art that consumes the self] would inevitably surge, and a sliver of vitality would appear within the cursed Sacrificial Self Path.

And at that moment, the anomalies of the Sacrificial Self Path would be sensed by those who had cast the original curse, alerting them to his return.

What awaited Eldrin Chen then would likely be troubles far more terrifying.

After all, before his defeat and flight from the Chaos Desolation Sea [a vast, lawless sea of primordial chaos], Eldrin Chen had exposed the existence of two Innate Supreme Treasure [primordial artifacts of unparalleled power born from the cosmos itself]: the Indestructibility Battle Armor and the Creation Cauldron.

Either one of these Innate Supreme Treasure was enough to stir a bloody storm, drawing the pursuit of multiple Great Emperor [rulers of vast domains, one step below Sage Ascendants] and even Sage Ascendant [beings who have ascended to the threshold of sagehood] level powers.

Eldrin Chen would need strength at least on par with a Sage Ascendant to have any hope of safeguarding these two treasures.

Though he understood he could not return, the longing in Eldrin Chen's heart grew only sharper. Gazing at the Returning Abyss Pearl, he sighed and said, "I wish to send them word of my safety."

The Returning Abyss Pearl fell silent. After a long pause, it spoke: "Within the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain [the immortal domain you once ruled], lies the Returning Abyss Forbidden Land [a sealed and perilous region you established]. At its heart is a Bottomless Abyss [an unfathomable chasm]."

"A passage can be opened there. Once they discover it, they may come directly to this place."

As the words of the Returning Abyss Pearl faded, it tore open a boundless portal, its path stretching across the vast Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation] to the distant Southern Abyss Seven Domains.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen manifested a Solar Fire Crystal [a crystal imbued with the condensed essence of solar fire] and tossed it to the other side of the entrance. He then settled into a state of quiet anticipation.

"..."

Meanwhile, within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains [a vast and perilous region of the southern seas]...

Within the expansive Returning Abyss Immortal Domain [an immortal realm named for its deep, abyssal nature], several women of peerless grace and beauty sat within a cavern abode, their gazes fixed upon a letter resting before them.

"The Demon Race [the collective term for demonic beings and cultivators] grows ever more brazen," one of them spoke, her voice laced with cold fury.

These five women were none other than the five Dao-companions of Eldrin Chen.

The speaker was Violet Consort Yan. Clutching the letter tightly, her countenance icy, she declared, "Should we not fight them to the death?"

"We cannot," came the immediate, firm reply.

Verdant Consort shook her head, a bitter smile touching her lips. "Ever since that great battle years ago, one of our Human Race's Five Direction Great Emperors [the five supreme human emperors who guard the cardinal directions] was suppressed. The remaining four Great Emperor [a supreme cultivation realm, one step below the legendary Path Ancestor] all bear grievous wounds, nearly every one of them."

"The Demon Race now stands at the zenith of its power, blazing like the midday sun. A direct confrontation offers us no chance of victory."

Nyssa Qu let out a soft sigh before speaking. "Over these years, the Demon Race has repeatedly pressured our Returning Abyss Path Domain, launching dozens of Chaos War against us."

"Now we are besieged near the Ancient Plain of Departing Flames. Nearly half of our Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the highest tier of immortal cultivators] have already fallen in battle. If this continues, our situation will only grow more dire."

Upon hearing this, the other women could only offer bitter smiles, a sense of helplessness coloring their expressions.

There was a time when Eldrin Chen led them to sweep across the realms, their path nearly unmarred by true defeat.

But now, with Eldrin Chen gone, a coalition led by the Nether Mystery Imperial Clan and other formidable Imperial Demon Race Bloodlines enemies—six imperial clans in total—has encircled the Primordial One [the foundational state of existence] Path Domain. They relentlessly constrict the territory of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

After dozens of Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles] of this attrition, the strength of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance has been severely depleted.

Were it not for their fear of the two Great God Emperors, deterring them from launching an all-out assault on the Ancient Plain of Departing Flames where Exquisite Jiang holds the line, they likely would not even be able to defend the Ancient Plain of Departing Flames itself.

At this thought, a profound sense of futility washed over them. Lila could not help but sigh, "I miss my husband so. If he were here, how could these villains dare to act so brazenly?"

Her words struck a deep chord of pain in the hearts of the other women.

Eldrin Chen's defeat and retreat into the Chaos Desolation Sea, followed by his silence for dozens of Kalpa Tribulation, remained the heaviest burden upon their hearts.

Now that Lila had brought it up, a pang of sorrow pierced their hearts.

Exquisite Jiang took a deep breath and spoke, "If our husband were here, he would not wish to see us grieving like this."

"Our most urgent task now is to..."

As she spoke, Exquisite Jiang suddenly paused mid-sentence.

The other the women noticed and asked, "What is it?"

"How can there be an additional Abyss of the Returning Abyss?"

Exquisite Jiang was momentarily stunned, then immediately strode out of the cave abode and into the Returning Abyss Forbidden Land.

They descended all the way to the bottom of the Abyss of the Returning Abyss, where they suddenly discovered a faint, unremarkable crimson glow.

Exquisite Jiang reached out and plucked it into her hand, finding it to be a fiery red crystal.

"A Solar Fire Crystal [a rare crystal imbued with the condensed essence of solar fire]."

Violet Consort Yan spoke, her voice tinged with surprise. "A third-rank Mortal Dust Spiritual Object [a spiritual object of the mortal world, often a relic or artifact]... how could it appear here?"

"Moreover, the pressure from the Heavy Water [a divine ability that creates immense, crushing water pressure] here should be enough to shatter a block of Immortal Gold [a legendary, nearly indestructible metal]. Yet this object remains completely unscathed."

In an instant, all the women were slightly stunned, a flicker of pleasant surprise crossing their features.

Exquisite Jiang suppressed the excitement in her heart, a wave of nostalgia washing over her as she said, "The Solar Fire Crystal [a crystal imbued with the essence of solar flames]... It was what my husband used to forge the Solar Fire Returning Abyss Sword [a divine sword forged from solar fire crystals]. It was also the beginning of our bond."

As her words faded, Exquisite Jiang channeled her spiritual power, piercing through the vast, murky depths of the Bottomless Abyss [a legendary, fathomless chasm] until she finally located an entrance at its very end.

Without a moment's hesitation, they stepped through. Looking back, they found themselves within a Nameless Space [a mysterious, undefined pocket dimension].

Lifting their gazes, they saw him in the Central [the central point] of the endless void—the White-robed Man they had longed for day and night, already waiting for them.

"Husband."

Unable to contain her emotions, Exquisite Jiang was the first to rush forward and embrace him.

Eldrin Chen wrapped his arms around her. Before he could utter another word, he was already enveloped in the tender warmth of her embrace.

When all was finally settled, Eldrin Chen held his beloved Dao Companion [a cultivation partner, often a spouse bound by shared spiritual pursuit] close and could not help but recount the experiences of these many years.

After hearing Eldrin Chen's tale, the women were filled with both excitement and exhilaration, yet a trace of quiet reproach flickered in their eyes.

Exquisite Jiang could not resist pinching him, her words tumbling out, "With the five of us here, you still managed to find another flower to pluck out there."

It was Nyssa Qu who proved more understanding, speaking with gentle warmth, "My husband was gone for billions of years. To know a kindred spirit was there to keep him company in our stead brings some solace to my heart."

"It's you who spoiled him," Exquisite Jiang retorted.

She shot a glare, but in the end, said nothing more.

Upon reflection, apart from herself, the other sisters present had all joined the family later. It was indeed difficult to make too much of an issue over such matters.

Eldrin Chen offered a helpless smile. He took Exquisite Jiang's hand, soothing her for a moment, before finally asking, "How have you all been these years?"

"We..." Exquisite Jiang's voice faltered slightly, a shadow passing over her brow. "Gentle Deer has fallen."

"What?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, and he immediately inquired about the situation in the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain over these years.

As the women recounted the tale, Eldrin Chen understood the full extent of the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect]. It turned out that ever since his defeat and retreat into the Chaos Desolation Sea years ago, several Great Emperor [supreme sovereigns of immense power] lineages of the Demon Race had allied with his Great Path Rival [a fated nemesis on the path of cultivation], relentlessly gnawing away at the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance.

Because Eldrin Chen's breakthrough back then had consumed the majority of the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance's resources, the alliance now had only three individuals who had managed to advance to the Primordial One Imperial Lord [a sovereign realm representing the unity of primordial essence]: Exquisite Jiang, Nyssa Qu, and Verdant Consort.

Relying solely on three newly ascended Primordial One Imperial Lord, their strength was still far from sufficient.

Thus, under the relentless erosion by several Major Primordial One [powerful lineages led by Primordial One Imperial Lords] imperial clans, the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had suffered continuous losses, with Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [immortals who have achieved a golden, perfected state encompassing all within their domain] falling one after another over these years.

Among the fallen were many of Eldrin Chen's old acquaintances, including the Nine-Colored Immortal Deer, Heaven Abyss Path Master, Ancient Ruins Nether Lord, and Master of the Horizon Pavilion, all of whom perished in the hunts orchestrated by the several Great Emperor courts.

Now, under the constant encroachment of powerful enemies, the territory controlled by the Returning Abyss Immortal Alliance had shrunk by a staggering factor of several tens.

The three Primordial One Imperial Lord, along with nearly a hundred Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, were all crammed onto the Ancient Plain of Departing Flames and the surrounding Immortal Domain [a realm governed by immortals], their space for survival and development severely constrained.

"The Nether Mystery Imperial Court, the Golden-Winged Great Roc Clan, the Howling Moon Skywolf Clan, the Dawn Sun Verdant Bird Clan," Eldrin Chen recited, his voice a low growl.

After comprehending the full weight of the Karma, Eldrin Chen's expression turned icy as he declared, "These vile specters and malevolent spirits... on the day of my return, I shall settle accounts with each and every one of them."

Exquisite Jiang let out a soft sigh, taking Eldrin Chen's hand. "You needn't shoulder such immense pressure," she said. "Those two Divine Sovereign have already spoken. As long as we hold firm at the Ancient Plain of Departing Flames, they dare not make a move."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then spoke. "Enduring attacks forever is not a viable strategy. You all must continue to elevate your strength."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen retrieved a portion of Innate Primordial Breath [the purest, most fundamental energy of creation] and handed it to Exquisite Jiang.

Then, with a grave expression, Eldrin Chen cautioned her. "In the short term, if too many Primordial One Imperial Lord [a supreme realm of power, one step below the Emperors] were to appear, it would likely draw the attention of the Demon Race."

"Aside from yourselves, you may select a few others to assist in their breakthrough to the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm, but try not to exceed three individuals."

At this point, Eldrin Chen sighed again. "A pity. Although this passage leads directly to the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, it is tied to the secret of the Returning Abyss Pearl [a legendary treasure of immense power]. We cannot let others know of it."

"Otherwise, they could all journey to the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm to attempt their breakthroughs."

Exquisite Jiang nodded in agreement. "For the candidates to break through," she proposed, "let us choose the Energy Abyss Patriarch, Grandfather, and Worthy Pursuit."

Eldrin Chen nodded his assent, offering no objection.

These three were individuals of peerless, heaven-defying talent. Once they broke through to the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm, they might possess the power to contend with opponents at the Primordial One Imperial Lord 3rd Tier or even the fourth tier. They were the optimal candidates.

Returning to the main topic, after selecting the candidates for the breakthrough to the Primordial One Imperial Lord [the first and foundational level of the Imperial Lord realm], Eldrin Chen distributed a batch of cultivation resources to everyone, including the Great Wasteland Sacred Fruit [a legendary fruit that can greatly enhance one's cultivation base] and the Earth Soul Sacred Fruit [a rare pill that nourishes and strengthens the Earth Soul, a core component of a cultivator's spiritual foundation].

Having settled these matters, Eldrin Chen spoke with a grave expression, "Due to the immense distance and the significant cost of opening the portal, I will only open the entrance to the Bottomless Abyss [a mysterious and perilous realm of unfathomable depth] once every several hundred million years from now on."

"For now, accompany me as I walk through the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [an ancient and primordial world, vast and untamed]."

Exquisite Jiang smiled, a rare occurrence, and remarked, "I wish to see for myself which immortal maiden has so captivated my husband's spirit."

Not long after, Eldrin Chen brought Exquisite Jiang and the others into the heart of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

There, they met Liana Imperial Lord. To Eldrin Chen's surprise, the women got along remarkably well.

Liana Imperial Lord had long been aware that Eldrin Chen had a Dao Companion and was not troubled by this fact.

Seeing her profound cultivation and her peerless, transcendent beauty, Exquisite Jiang and the others found themselves according her a degree of acceptance.

After all, for such a peerlessly elegant and accomplished Imperial Lord [a supreme ruler among cultivators, commanding vast power and authority] to pledge herself to their shared husband was, in a way, a validation of their own discerning judgment.

As for Eldrin Chen, he seized this opportunity to enjoy a rare period of tender affection, a fleeting return to the peaceful days of old within the Returning Abyss Immortal Domain [his personal domain, a sanctuary of cultivation and tranquility].

Yet, such moments of pure enjoyment are always fleeting. The situation within the Returning Abyss Path Domain [the vast territory governed by Eldrin Chen] remained unsettled, and thus they soon returned to its heart.

After bidding farewell to the others, Eldrin Chen once more settled his mind, embarking on a rare, leisurely, and prolonged period of secluded cultivation.