Chapter 2091 : A Forbidden Alliance Refused

Eldrin Chen even suspected that this Grand Pot Dao Progenitor was, if not already a half-step Dao-Union Supreme [a supreme being on the verge of merging with the fundamental Dao], then likely not far from that transcendent realm.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before speaking candidly: "Through this act, I wish to forge an alliance with the lineage of the Grand Pot Primordial Domain [the primordial realm ruled by the Grand Pot Dao Progenitor]."

"An alliance?"

The Grand Pot Dao Progenitor's gaze flickered slightly. After a moment, he shook his head. "My Grand Pot Primordial Domain has always remained aloof from the conflicts of the outside world. We have no desire to become entangled in the struggles between the great powers."

"Therefore, let us speak no more of this matter of alliance."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt his heart sink slightly. He now understood the Grand Pot Dao Progenitor's position.

The situation of the Spiritual Treasure [enchanted artifacts of immense power] Ascension lineage was unique. Because they were all Chaos Spiritual Treasure [primordial artifacts born from chaos] that had taken human form, they could theoretically be refined once more into Chaos Spiritual Treasure with even greater potential for growth.

For this very reason, the various Chaos Celestial Emperor [supreme rulers born from chaos treasures] of the Grand Pot Dao Progenitor's lineage had long been coveted by powerful enemies across the myriad realms.

Thus, for countless years, the Grand Pot Lineage had maintained a low profile, meticulously avoiding entanglement in any conflict.

Therefore, even with the promise of a Primordial Chaos Spiritual Treasure Embryo [the nascent form of a supreme artifact born from primordial chaos], the Grand Pot Dao Progenitor was unwilling to be drawn into the brewing storm.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Eldrin Chen fell into a brief, contemplative silence before speaking. "Senior need not worry overmuch," he said. "The terms of this alliance can indeed be amended."

"Oh?"

Grand Pot Dao Progenitor's eyes flickered with a subtle light. She did not voice her question, merely waiting for Eldrin Chen to continue.

After another moment of consideration, Eldrin Chen spoke again. "How about we change the condition? When I initiate conflict with others, the Grand Pot Lineage may choose not to intervene."

"But if I should face true peril, would you, Senior, be willing to lend your aid to the best of your ability?"

Upon hearing this, Grand Pot Dao Progenitor sank into thoughtful silence once more.

Though both were forms of alliance, the implications were vastly different.

A pact of mutual offense and defense would require her to participate in wars Eldrin Chen initiated. However, an agreement to offer aid only in times of dire crisis presented a far more manageable situation for the Grand Pot Lineage.

Considering this, Grand Pot Dao Progenitor said thoughtfully, "So long as it does not mean directly confronting a Dao-Union Supreme [a supreme cultivator who has unified their understanding of the Dao], we shall do our utmost to assist you should you face true calamity."

"Agreed."

Eldrin Chen nodded, acknowledging the words of the Grand Pot Dao Progenitor [the supreme progenitor of the Grand Pot lineage].

After all, the Grand Pot Lineage possessed six Celestial Emperors [supreme rulers who have ascended to the highest echelons of cultivation], and Weilai likely commanded eight such Celestial Emperors, offering immense strategic support.

Seeing Eldrin Chen's agreement, the Grand Pot Dao Progenitor smiled and said, "Of course, we would not have you at a disadvantage."

"Let it be thus: I shall offer an additional Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a primordial artifact born from the formless energies of chaos] in exchange for the Myriad Phoenix Chime."

As he spoke, the Grand Pot Dao Progenitor produced several Chaos Spiritual Treasures, allowing Eldrin Chen to choose one among them.

Eldrin Chen's gaze swept over the treasures, alighting upon a stone imbued with the aura of Origin [the primordial, foundational essence of all things]. A flicker of delight crossed his features. "My thanks, then," he said.

"This Origin Great Dao Stone [a primordial stone containing the essence of the Great Dao] will be of great use to me. I shall accept it without further ceremony."

The Grand Pot Dao Progenitor gave a slight nod and casually tossed the Origin Great Dao Stone to Eldrin Chen. Then, as if struck by a thought, he offered a reminder:

"I know your aspirations soar to the heavens, but the Ultimate Divine Form [the pinnacle state of divine physical cultivation] is a path fraught with immense difficulty."

"Now that the turmoil in the Heavenly Abyss [a profound and perilous cosmic realm] is nearing its end, you must, when the crucial moment arrives, act according to your true strength."

"Many thanks for the reminder, Senior."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and immediately cupped his hands in gratitude.

Seeing this, Grand Pot Dao Progenitor said no more, and in the end, he and Eldrin Chen established a pact of mutual assistance.

After completing all this, Eldrin Chen then silently returned to the Primordial Immortal Domain.

Upon returning to the Primordial Immortal Domain, Eldrin Chen took out the Origin Great Dao Stone in his hand and could not help but fall into deep contemplation.

In his cultivation journey to this point, he had already mastered two of the four great Ultimate Divine Rune: Chaos and Abyssal.

Among them, the Chaos Divine Rune had already transformed into the Chaos Divine Form. The remaining three great divine forms—Abyssal, Space-Time, and Annihilation—had not yet been cultivated into their corresponding Chaos Divine Form.

To cultivate an Ultimate Divine Form, one absolutely required a Chaos Spiritual Treasure whose attributes were perfectly aligned.

Whether it was a Chaos Spiritual Treasure of Space-Time, Abyssal, or Annihilation attributes, these were among the rarest of Chaos Spiritual Treasure. The difficulty of gathering them was nearly as daunting as scaling the heavens themselves.

The best method was still to use the Origin Great Dao Stone as a foundation, supplemented with sufficient Opportunity [a confluence of favorable circumstances and fortune essential for major breakthroughs in cultivation], to have a reasonable chance of successfully forging one.

"Including this one, I now possess two Origin Great Dao Stones."

"Forging a Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a primordial treasure of immense power] of the Abyssal [the profound and unfathomable Dao of the void] attribute is manageable. With the aid of the Abyssal Pearl, one merely needs to seize the pivotal moment when a Primordial Immortal Domain [a primordial realm of immortals] manifests its Abyssal nature, and its creation might succeed."

"However, to forge a Chaos Spiritual Treasure of the Annihilation [the ultimate power of absolute obliteration] attribute would likely require a trace imprint of opportunity from a supreme treasure of Annihilation itself."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his thoughts churning in deep contemplation.

Within the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation], there exists only one supreme treasure of the Annihilation attribute: the Annihilation Blade, one of the peerless Chaos Supreme Treasures [the ultimate treasures born from Chaos itself].

Such a treasure is undoubtedly wielded by a being of at least the Chaos Sovereign [the realm of a sovereign who commands Chaos] realm. Eldrin Chen possessed no qualification to even approach such a figure, let alone obtain a sliver of the Annihilation opportunity.

"Perhaps only that method remains."

Eldrin Chen whispered to himself, yet immediately shook his head.

In truth, an opportunity for Annihilation did exist. It lay tens of thousands of Kalpa Tribulations [cosmic cycles of immense destruction and renewal] in the past, at the very instant the Immortal Cosmos Origin Domain [the primordial domain from which the immortal cosmos originated] was utterly erased.

If Eldrin Chen were to ascend against the current of the River of Time and Space and directly face the strike of the Annihilation Blade, he might grasp a thread of hope to comprehend a wisp of the Annihilation opportunity.

Yet the Annihilation Blade [the legendary weapon of ultimate destruction] was simply too terrifying, and it was now personally wielded by the Chaos Sovereign [the supreme ruler of primordial chaos].

Given his current level of cultivation, to face the Annihilation Blade directly would be, for all intents and purposes, no different from seeking his own demise.

Even with the protection of his Abyssal Divine Rune [a divine protective seal born from the power of the abyss], Eldrin Chen dared not claim even a sliver of hope for survival.

This was a path of certain death, a road of no return. Unless he was truly driven to the absolute brink, Eldrin Chen would never consider taking such a risk.

"Enough. For now, cultivation remains the paramount task," he concluded.

After a long period of silent contemplation, Eldrin Chen shook his head, forcibly suppressing that dangerous line of thought.

Thereafter, Eldrin Chen Restoration [a state of profound healing and recuperation] his life of secluded cultivation. He divided his focus, one part dedicated to deducing the path forward for the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation method that draws power from sacrifice], while the other part was spent on consolidating his foundation, preparing for the breakthrough to the realm of a Chaos Celestial Emperor [a sovereign emperor whose power is born from primordial chaos].

Thus, time flowed onward. In the blink of an eye, several dozen Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] had passed.

Then, on this day, Eldrin Chen suddenly sensed the emergence of an immensely powerful aura. In response, the Grand Dao Divine Form [a divine manifestation of one's cultivated Great Dao] born from his Path of Self-Sacrifice began to undergo a continuous and profound metamorphosis.

Finally, upon the majestic foundation of the Path of Self-Sacrifice, a new Grand Dao Divine Form was conceived and brought forth.

"Boundless Great Dao [the ultimate state of a cultivation art, transcending all conventional limits]."

Gazing upon the Path of Self-Sacrifice [a profound cultivation method] which now possessed ten Grand Dao Divine Form [manifestations of supreme divine power], Eldrin Chen felt a tremor of awe in his heart, and a look of profound joy spread across his features.

It turned out that after so many years, the number of Great Emperor [supreme sovereigns of cultivation] within the Path of Self-Sacrifice lineage had finally reached nine. This allowed the art to completely shatter its Limit-Breaking [a state of pushing beyond normal boundaries] constraints and ascend into the realm of the Boundless Great Dao.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen focused his senses for a moment, then said with a smile, "So it was Yinghui who achieved the breakthrough."

Over these years, the number of Great Emperor among the disciples of the Path of Self-Sacrifice had steadily grown. As Eldrin Chen's seventh disciple, Yinghui Ye had been one of the slower ones to advance.

Her senior brothers, such as Qingfeng Ye, Wen Yuan Lu, and Yuannian, had broken through much earlier, attaining the Great Emperor realm dozens of Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration] ago.

Yinghui Ye had been delayed for a long time. Her recent, swift breakthrough into the Great Emperor Realm was primarily due to the empowerment from the Chaos Ancestral Vein [a primordial source of chaotic spiritual energy] within the newly formed Origin Domain [a primal realm of creation].

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen promptly left his secluded cultivation chamber and inquired of Lyra Jiang, "What is the situation over at the Savage Primordial Domain [the untamed, ancient primal realm]?"

Lyra Jiang, who was deeply familiar with the matter, smiled and replied, "Their foundations are profound. They should not be far from the Sage Ascendant Realm [the realm of a sage who has ascended beyond mortality]."

Eldrin Chen nodded in acknowledgment, then turned his gaze back to Lyra Jiang and asked, "I see your own cultivation base is also exceptionally solid. When do you plan to attempt the next step?"

Lyra Jiang shook her head, then spoke: "My path is exceptionally arduous. To tread into the Sage Ascendant Realm [the realm of a Sage Ascendant, a being who has begun to transcend mortality], I fear there remains a vast distance yet to traverse."

Hearing her words, Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement.

Lyra Jiang also practiced Five Paths Concurrent Cultivation [a profound cultivation method that involves simultaneously cultivating five distinct Great Daos]. Although her Great Dao [the supreme, fundamental path of cultivation] was not the Boundless Great Dao [the ultimate, limitless Dao], it was still among the most pinnacle of Great Dao.

While cultivating five Great Dao simultaneously, her endeavor to achieve Dao-Grasping [the profound state of fully comprehending and seizing one's Great Dao] was fraught with immense difficulty.

Therefore, for Lyra Jiang, the optimal strategy was to first attain the Soul Path Celestial Emperor [a Celestial Emperor whose power and authority stem from mastery over the Primordial Spirit and soul], and only then attempt to break through her own Dao-Grasping cultivation.

In truth, Lyra Jiang had followed this very approach in recent years, dedicating the majority of her efforts to cultivating her Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator].

Through relentless cultivation of the Nine Souls Ancient Scroll [an ancient and profound scripture detailing the art of splitting and refining the Primordial Spirit], Lyra Jiang had already forged nine avatars at the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [the realm of a Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch, a sovereign of immense power born from chaos] level. Among them, one had even stepped into the late-stage of that realm.

According to Lyra Jiang's own design, she intended to accumulate sufficient foundational power. Once she had cultivated all nine Great Emperor Split Soul [a supreme divine ability that allows a Great Emperor to split their Primordial Spirit into multiple independent yet connected avatars], she would directly fuse her nine Primordial Spirit to break through into the Soul Path Celestial Emperor realm.

Should this endeavor succeed, she would not only become a paragon among Soul Path Celestial Emperor, but the conundrum of her Path of Dao Dominion [the path to achieving dominion over one's Great Dao] would likely be resolved as well.

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking: "Although the Nine Souls Ancient Scroll is profoundly mystical, its demands are also exceedingly rigorous."

"To cultivate nine separate souls, each reaching the Great Emperor Realm [the pinnacle of power for a Great Emperor], is a feat of near-impossible difficulty, akin to an ant scaling the heavens."

"For you, my lady, to achieve your goal, you must first distill the essence of a hundred schools of scripture, tailoring it to your own unique circumstances. Only then might you fulfill your heart's desire."

Lyra Jiang nodded, yet a slight frown creased her brow. "I have studied the Three Souls Ancient Book [an ancient tome detailing the art of cultivating three separate souls], delved into the mysteries of the Nine Souls Ancient Scroll [a legendary scroll describing the ultimate technique for cultivating nine souls], and perused the canons of countless schools," she said.

"Yet these two Chaos Heavenly Tomes [supreme cultivation arts born from primordial chaos] have already been perfected to a state of flawless completion. I find it difficult to surpass the masters who created them."

Eldrin Chen offered a gentle smile. "In my view," he began, "there has never been a perfect Dao [the fundamental path or principle] in this world. The strongest path is the one most suited to oneself."

"Suited to oneself?" Lyra Jiang murmured, a pensive look settling upon her features as she contemplated his words.

Eldrin Chen gave a firm nod. "As the saying goes," he continued, "those who learn from me may live, but those who merely imitate me shall perish."

"If you and I were to rigidly follow the Nine Souls Ancient Scroll, we would spend our entire lives without ever surpassing its creator."

"Only by taking its essence and fusing it into your own path, transforming it into what is most suitable for you, can you hope to one day rival that Nine Souls Celestial Emperor [the legendary sovereign who first mastered the art of nine souls]."

"Transform it into something suited for me..."

Lyra Jiang murmured to herself, falling into deep contemplation.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then said with a hint of a smile, "Let us work together to perfect the method of the Soul Path Celestial Emperor."

In the years that followed, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang began working together to refine the method of the Soul Path Celestial Emperor.

They verified their insights against each other, drawing upon the wisdom of the two great Soul Dao Heavenly Scripture [profound cultivation texts focused on the soul], and each forged their own distinct path.

Based on the profound mysteries of the Nine Souls Ancient Scroll, Lyra Jiang uniquely created the Pure Yin Primordial Spirit Dao [a cultivation art focused on the pure Yin aspect of the Primordial Spirit].

She differentiated the five Great Dao [fundamental cosmic principles] she cultivated. Using her five Grand Dao Divine Form [divine manifestations of a Great Dao] as a foundation, she fused them into her differentiated Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator], forging five supremely powerful avatars.

These five Great Dao were: Celestial Unity True Water, Lunar Immortal Gold, Profound Yin Divine Wood, Six Yin Immortal Fire, and Nine Yin Cold Earth—five supremely powerful Great Dao.

Such powerful Grand Dao Divine Form, once fused with the split souls to form avatars, granted them talent comparable to the most elite Great Emperor [a supreme cultivation realm], completely overcoming the weakness of insufficient innate potential in split souls.

Prior to this, the nine split souls Lyra Jiang could create at most would essentially exhaust their potential upon reaching the mid-stage of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Monarch [a high cultivation realm].

But now, having integrated these five Grand Dao Divine Form, these five split souls could not only cultivate to the Great Emperor Realm, but also possessed the potential to step into the Sage Ascendant Realm [a legendary cultivation realm].

In other words, theoretically, under the most extreme circumstances, Lyra Jiang could possess up to five top-tier Sage Ascendant Tier soul clones.

"By merging a soul clone with one's Great Dao [the supreme, fundamental principle of cultivation] foundation, one can compensate for innate talent deficiencies."

"With my lady having created this method, it seems achieving the Soul Path Celestial Emperor [a supreme realm where one's soul and cultivation path merge into a celestial sovereign state] in the future will be well within her grasp."

Witnessing Lyra Jiang use the Nine Souls Ancient Scroll [an ancient scripture detailing the art of soul division] as her foundation to create a supreme method perfectly suited to herself, a trace of heartfelt pride surfaced on Eldrin Chen's face.

Lyra Jiang smiled, her voice tinged with joy, "Had it not been for your guidance, husband, I might never have forged this path uniquely my own."

"Moreover, I believe this method is exceptionally well-suited for you as well."

Eldrin Chen nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth in Lyra Jiang's words.

The soul clone method created by Lyra Jiang required the integration of a cultivated Grand Dao Divine Form [a divine manifestation of one's comprehension of a Great Dao] to resolve the issue of insufficient talent.

To practice this art, one must have comprehended more than a single Great Dao. Eldrin Chen, who had mastered five Boundless Great Dao [Great Daos representing limitless, fundamental cosmic principles], was naturally predisposed to cultivate this very scripture.

Yet, instead of showing delight, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, and he fell into deep contemplation.

Seeing this, Lyra Jiang could not help but inquire, "Husband, is your cultivation art still difficult to perfect completely?"

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then revealed a somewhat solemn expression.

He wished to combine the Dreamwalking Path to Dao Method, the Mortal Dust Dream Butterfly Dao, and the Soul Splitting Art to create a method for cultivating the soul by dividing it within dreams.

In Eldrin Chen's conception, the Dreamwalking Path to Dao Method was originally a supreme and wondrous method for cultivating the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator]. Combining it with the Soul Splitting Art should have been a perfect match.

Yet, for some unknown reason, Eldrin Chen consistently found it difficult to succeed, feeling that something crucial was ultimately still missing.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen performed a divination with his fingers for a long while, finally speaking, "The method I am creating combines the Dreamwalking Path to Dao Method with the Soul-Splitting Profound Art."

"It can be called the Dream Cycle Reincarnation Dao, capable of cultivating for a thousand years within a single night's dream. Once practiced, it may circumvent temporal limitations, allowing one to cultivate an ultimate soul fragment with extreme speed."

"However, to cultivate this method, it still lacks a strand of Reincarnation Power. One must cultivate the Samsara Great Dao [the supreme law of the cycle of death and rebirth] to the Chaos Tier [the primordial, foundational level of cosmic power] to completely fuse the two together."

"Alternatively, obtaining a Reincarnation Treasure [an artifact imbued with the power of the cycle of rebirth] of the Chaos Tier might barely allow one to practice this method."

Eldrin Chen spoke with measured words, his tone growing heavy as he concluded, "It seems this method must be set aside for now."

Seeing this, Lyra Jiang could not help but express her regret. "Such a wondrous technique," she lamented, "is the culmination of the essence from both the Dreamwalking Path to Dao Method and the Nine Souls Ancient Scroll."

"If one could truly master it, it would likely possess the potential to step into the Third Chaos Realm [the third and profoundly advanced stage within the primordial Chaos cultivation system]."