Chapter 2049 : A Sage's Unexpected Request

Once he confirmed he had reached the bounds of the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain, the old man smiled inwardly. Without hesitation, he traversed the Chaos [the formless, primordial void between realms] and arrived before the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

Almost the moment the old man arrived, Eldrin Chen sensed the newcomer's aura. A slight frown creased his brow, and he immediately stepped forth into the Chaos to meet him.

"And you are?"

Gazing at the elder before him, Eldrin Chen felt a knot of tension form between his brows, his expression turning grave.

This person's aura was restrained, yet he radiated an intensely dangerous feeling to Eldrin Chen. He was likely, at the very least, an existence at the Sage Ascendant Realm [a realm just below the legendary Sages].

"So, you are the Lord of the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain, the one who defeated the Nirvana Emperor and the Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign?"

The old man studied Eldrin Chen for a moment before replying with a smile, "This old one's Daoist title is the Extreme Emperor. I hail from the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain. My purpose in coming here is to request your assistance, Fellow Daoist."

"My assistance?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

After suppressing the dozens of Primordial One Imperial Lord [powerful rulers just below the Emperor level] who had followed the Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign, Eldrin Chen had gained some understanding of the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain.

He understood that the identity of Extreme Emperor was one of supreme nobility, being one of the three Sage Ascendant of the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain.

Back then, the reason Nirvana Emperor had aided Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign in attacking the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain was precisely because they had joined forces to defeat the Extreme Emperor and seize the Great Path Authority of the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain.

"It seems this person is not an enemy," he thought.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

So saying, Eldrin Chen led the Extreme Emperor to an Immortal Domain on the periphery. They settled atop a mountain peak among the ranges, and Eldrin Chen began his inquiry.

"Has Your Excellency sought me out, perhaps to deal with that Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign and Nirvana Emperor?"

"Precisely so."

The Extreme Emperor nodded, his expression grave as he stroked his beard. "This old Daoist and those two are now bound by a hatred as deep as the sea. Fellow Daoist, you also share a profound enmity with them."

"The enemy of my enemy can surely become a friend. Should we not join forces to reclaim the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain?"

Eldrin Chen shook his head and then spoke, "Those two are both peerless Sage Ascendant and command the Heavenly Path Authority of a Primordial Domain."

"Even if the two of us join forces, I fear victory remains beyond our grasp."

"As for the matter of the Heavenly Path Authority [the supreme power to command and shape the fundamental laws of heaven and earth], you may set your mind at ease." Extreme Emperor smiled faintly before continuing, "Although this old man had his Heavenly Path Authority seized from him, he left behind a contingency that cannot be erased."

"Within the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain [the most ancient and foundational realm of existence] and its Heavenly Path Origin [the primordial source from which the Heavenly Path's power flows], lies a trap I set. It is sufficient to temporarily sever their control over the Heavenly Path Authority."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen felt a flicker of interest, yet he refrained from speaking.

Seeing his reaction, Extreme Emperor spoke again, "Should we succeed, this old man seeks only the Heavenly Path Authority of the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain. All resources accumulated by the lineages of Nirvana Emperor and Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign shall belong entirely to you, esteemed sir."

"What say you?"

Eldrin Chen still did not agree immediately. Instead, he stated plainly, "To be frank, the greater part of my strength lies within the Heavenly Path Authority."

"Stripped of its augmentation, my power can only be considered as one who can contend with a Sage Ascendant [a cultivator who has ascended to the threshold of sagehood]. Even with our combined might, victory is far from assured."

At this point, Eldrin Chen paused briefly before adding, "I have a close friend, known as the Indestructibility Patriarch [the Ancient One of Unbreakable Existence]. If he were to lend his hand, subduing those two should pose no difficulty."

"The Indestructibility Patriarch."

Extreme Emperor's expression shifted slightly, and he could not help but speak, "Could it be the IndestructibilitySacred Venerable who once shook the Sea of Chaos with his might?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said, "I did not expect you, Fellow Daoist, to have also heard of the renowned name of Senior Indestructibility."

Extreme Emperor gave a light laugh and continued, "The IndestructibilitySacred Venerable cultivated an Indestructibility Sacred Body [a physique of legendary resilience]. He once faced pursuit from three Chaos Heavenly Emperor and still managed to escape unscathed."

"Such a staggering feat earned him a formidable reputation across the hundreds of Primordial Domain surrounding the Blazing Central Chaos Domain."

As he spoke, Extreme Emperor's expression grew quite solemn. After a long pause, he finally said, "If we can invite the IndestructibilitySacred Venerable, then dealing with those two will naturally be effortless."

"But we must agree beforehand: you must not covet the Heavenly Path Authority [the authority to govern a domain's fundamental laws] of this Primordial Domain, and after the deed is done, you must never reveal the Path Marker [a unique object marking a Primordial Domain's location and essence] of the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain."

"That goes without saying," Eldrin Chen replied with a smile, then stated plainly, "But you, Fellow Daoist, must also uphold your promise: you must not expose the Path Marker of this Great Wasteland Ancient Realm."

"You can rest assured," Extreme Emperor said with a bitter laugh. "For Primordial Domain like ours, without a Heavenly Emperor to guard them, once a Path Marker is leaked, it is certain to invite significant trouble."

"It is precisely for this reason that this old man dared not invite friends from the Blazing Central Primordial Domain."

Eldrin Chen smiled, a glimmer of understanding dawning in his eyes.

The reason Extreme Emperor sought me out was likely not solely due to my enmity with those two Sage Ascendant figures, but because he knows of the Path Marker within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm.

For once he learned of the Path Marker within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, he posed a certain degree of threat to that realm.

By that time, even if Eldrin Chen discovered the Path Marker of the Imperial Extreme Primordial Domain, mutual wariness would make it highly unlikely for him to divulge that domain's Path Marker to others.

Contemplating this, Eldrin Chen could not help but speak with a grave tone, "And how, sir, did you come to know of this Great Wasteland Ancient Realm's Path Marker?"

Extreme Emperor let out a soft sigh before replying, "To speak plainly, among the Primordial One Imperial Lord you subdued, one was my informant."

"In the final moments of the conflict, he transmitted the Path Marker to me via a Communication Talisman [a magical slip used for long-distance messaging]."

"I see."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, a flicker of concern passing through his gaze before it quickly settled into calm acceptance.

Communication Talisman capable of spanning the Chaos Desolation Sea are of immense value, affordable only to those at the Sage Ascendant level.

Consider that Indestructibility Ancient One, an Invincible Sage Ascendant, bestowed upon me a mere three such talismans. This alone speaks to the extreme rarity of these Communication Talisman.

Seeing this, the Extreme Emperor understood Eldrin Chen's concern and spoke again, "Fellow Daoist, you need not worry overly much."

"Within the Vast and Boundless Chaos Desolation Sea, the location of a Primordial Domain [a primordial world born from chaos] is constantly shifting," he explained.

"A Path Marker [a mystical object used to navigate the chaotic void] that points the way one moment may lead to a place impossibly distant the next. It took this old man over a dozen Kalpa Tribulation [an immense cosmic cycle spanning billions of years] to find this place."

"As time flows on, the difficulty for others to locate the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain will increase a hundred, a thousandfold."

"And furthermore..." The Extreme Emperor paused briefly before continuing, "With your strength, Fellow Daoist, you should possess the capability to defend the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a supreme sovereign ruling over primordial chaos] were often deeply concerned with prestige and face. A single Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [an ancient world within the primordial domain] was unlikely to warrant direct intervention from such an exalted being.

Unless, of course, the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain were to manifest Chaos Genesis Energy [the primordial energy from which all creation springs]. Only then might it attract the direct attention of a Chaos Heavenly Emperor.

As for threats below the level of a Heavenly Emperor, Eldrin Chen was confident he had the means to handle any who might set their sights on the Great Wasteland Primordial Domain.

"However,"

the Extreme Emperor shifted his tone, adding, "there is the matter of the Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign. He shares a profound karmic bond with the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm and can sense its general location at all times."

"If this person is not eliminated, he will inevitably become a grave threat to Your Excellency in the future."

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he began to deliberate.

As long as Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign held even a sliver of hope for the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, it was highly unlikely he would reveal its Path Marker [a mystical object used to mark or locate a specific path or location].

However, if the day ever came when Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign realized he had absolutely no means to claim the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, he would very likely expose its Path Marker.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen could not act immediately. Once he did, he would have to utterly suppress Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign.

After a long period of contemplation, he finally spoke: "Since we are to act, we must leave no future troubles."

"Your Excellency should wait a while longer. It will not be too late to strike after my cultivation advances a step further and Indestructibility Sacred Venerable [a title for a supremely powerful and revered cultivator] emerges from seclusion."

Extreme Emperor understood this point, assuming Eldrin Chen intended to persuade Indestructibility Ancient One, and immediately replied, "This old one understands as well. I hope Fellow Daoist will put in a good word with Indestructibility Sacred Venerable."

"I will."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, saw Extreme Emperor off, then returned to the Great Wasteland Sacred Hall to sink into deep thought once more.

Regarding the impending battle, Eldrin Chen felt a profound sense of gravity.

The combat prowess of a Sage Ascendant was vastly different from that of a Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm. Experts at this level possessed an extreme capacity for self-preservation; even a Chaos Heavenly Emperor would find it difficult to subdue them.

Most crucially, Nirvana Emperor and Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign also possessed the Chaos Void-Rending Talisman. Suppressing them would be an immense challenge, likely beyond even the capabilities of Indestructibility Ancient One.

"To subdue these two, one would need the power of a Chaos Spiritual Artifact—and specifically, one with a Spatial Attribute."

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Eldrin Chen arrived within the Nameless Space where the Returning Abyss Pearl resided.

There, within that nameless void, the Returning Abyss Pearl gently undulated, suspended in the emptiness.

Sensing Eldrin's intent, it conveyed a thought: "For me to ascend to a Chaos Spiritual Artifact, approximately eight hundred Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration] are still required."

"I understand,"

Eldrin Chen nodded, his gaze shifting to a magnificent treasure vase resting beside the Returning Abyss Pearl.

It was a supreme vase brimming with the light of the void, radiating the power of Chaos Void while being enveloped in a luminescence akin to the Immortal Firmament [the eternal, celestial realm of immortals], casting its glow across the boundless emptiness.

"The Chaos Void-Refining Vase."

Eldrin Chen spoke slowly, a ripple of emotion shimmering in the depths of his gaze.

In ancient times, Immortal Firmament Path Ancestor [the founding ancestor of the Immortal Firmament Path] shook the Thirteen Domains of the Heaven Abyss [a legendary and perilous expanse of thirteen interconnected realms] with his might, wielding three supreme Chaos Spiritual Artifact [primordial artifacts of immense power forged from chaos].

These three treasures were the 'Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron' [a cauldron said to have forged heaven and earth], the 'Immortal Firmament Ancient Scroll' [an ancient scroll containing the ultimate secrets of immortality], and the 'Void-Refining Vase' [a vase capable of refining and containing the void itself].

Among these three treasures, the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron was a Middle Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasure [a mid-tier artifact of primordial chaos], its power ranking first among the three great Chaos Spiritual Artifact, and it was also the foremost treasure of the Thirteen Domains of the Heaven Abyss.

The Immortal Firmament Ancient Scroll was the ultimate inheritance treasure of the Immortal Path [the supreme cultivation method for achieving immortality], inscribed with the original scriptures of the Immortal Path. It was said to be the very source of the Immortal Path, created by a supreme powerhouse during the era of Primordial Chaos Unfolding [the primordial event when chaos first separated to form the cosmos].

As for the Void-Refining Vase, it was a Chaos Spiritual Artifact of Spatial Attribute [possessing spatial-aligned properties]. It held the wondrous ability to contain and suppress all things within its depths, and had once been used by Immortal Firmament Path Ancestor to suppress several Chaos Heavenly Emperor [emperors who ruled during the primordial chaos era].

"If one could unleash the full power of the Void-Refining Vase, it would very likely be capable of suppressing even an Invincible Sage Ascendant [a cultivator who has ascended to the peak of sagehood, considered nearly unbeatable]."

As these thoughts drifted through his mind, Eldrin Chen channeled his spiritual energy to refine the Chaos Void-Refining Vase. After a period of focused effort, he finally achieved a preliminary mastery over this Chaos Spiritual Artifact.

Having preliminarily refined the Void-Refining Vase, Eldrin Chen attempted to activate it, only to find he could currently unleash but a mere tenth of the treasure's true might.

The fundamental reason was that Eldrin Chen's mana and his mastery of the Great Path [the supreme cultivation art] were not sufficiently profound.

Relying on the power of his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a legendary physique of immense resilience], being able to unleash even one-tenth of this Chaos Spiritual Artifact's [a treasure forged from primordial chaos] potential was already a testament to Eldrin Chen's astonishing foundational strength.

"A Chaos Spiritual Artifact at one-tenth power can suppress a Great Emperor [a supreme cultivator at the peak of the Great Emperor realm] without issue, but suppressing a Sage Ascendant [a cultivator who has ascended to the Sage realm] is uncertain, let alone when they possess a Chaos Void-Rending Talisman [a talisman capable of tearing through the fabric of reality]."

As these thoughts drifted through Eldrin Chen's mind, he assessed his own capabilities.

He realized that even if his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] and Great Path cultivation broke through to the Primordial One Imperial Lord 7th Tier [the seventh tier of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm], he would at most be able to wield two-tenths of this treasure's power. It would still be difficult to subdue those two Sage Ascendant.

"It seems I must wait for the authority of the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation art centered on self-sacrifice and transcendence] to break through."

Eldrin Chen contemplated further. The authority of the Sacrificial Self Path had already reached the domain of the Primordial One Imperial Lord 7th Tier, touching the limits of a Great Completion Innate Great Path [an Innate Great Path cultivated to its pinnacle].

The next step forward would allow it to transform directly into a Perfect Innate Great Path [an Innate Great Path perfected to flawless completion].

At that time, Eldrin Chen would be able to borrow the authority of the Sacrificial Self Path to ascend in a single step, attaining the Path Mastery [the profound understanding and control over a Great Path] cultivation of the Sage Ascendant Realm.

Then, empowered by the strength of a perfected Great Path, Eldrin Chen would be able to channel the Chaos Void-Refining Vase [a vase capable of refining the void of chaos], unleashing the majority of its formidable power. Suppressing those two Sage Ascendant should then be well within his grasp.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately summoned the Nine Great Priests and Sturdy Fellow, then inquired,

"Within the current Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, how many individuals have successfully established the True Spirit Foundation of the Sacrificial Self Path?"

The Old High Priest knew this matter as clearly as a mirror. He replied directly, "Including Sturdy Fellow, there are sixteen in total who have cultivated the True Spirit Foundation."

"Among them, three have reached the ninth level of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm. The cultivation levels of the rest mostly lie within the middle to late stages of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly, then fell into a moment of thoughtful contemplation.

The Great Wasteland Ancient Realm possessed sixteen Great Encompassing cultivators of the Sacrificial Self Path with True Spirit foundations. Adding the seventeen such Great Encompassing cultivators from the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, the total number of Sacrificial Self Path Great Encompassing cultivators had reached thirty-three.

Calculating thus, they were short by only three final Great Encompassing cultivators of the Sacrificial Self Path who had established the True Spirit Foundation.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen declared, "For these Great Encompassing cultivators of the Sacrificial Self Path who have established the True Spirit Foundation, their cultivation resource allocation shall be tripled once more. Furthermore, each shall be rewarded with ten Primordial One Immortal Pill."

"Inform them that if they can break through to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection realm within fifty Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], this seat will bestow upon each of them a portion of Innate Primordial Breath [the primordial, innate energy that existed at the dawn of creation]."

Upon hearing this, the Nine Great Priests all revealed expressions of envy.

The resources bestowed by Eldrin Chen for these Sacrificial Self Path True Spirit Foundation cultivators were sufficient to rival the accumulated wealth of many Late Stage Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators over hundreds of thousands of Kalpa Tribulation cycles.

Such a staggering fortune, enough to stir the hearts of even Primordial One Imperial Lord figures, had fallen into the hands of a group of newly ascended Great Encompassing Golden Immortal cultivators, filling the onlookers with profound envy.

"We shall obey your command."

With a tone laced with that envy, the Old High Priest spoke.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "Furthermore, announce to those Immortal Treasury Realm cultivators: for any who can master the True Spirit Foundation within ten Kalpa Tribulation cycles, I, this sovereign, will personally provide all resources needed for them to cultivate to the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection realm."

"And for the first three who achieve the True Spirit Foundation, I shall bestow upon them the Innate Primordial Breath [the foundational, heaven-born energy required to break through to the Primordial One Realm] needed to attempt a breakthrough into the Primordial One Realm."

Upon hearing these words, everyone present felt a seismic shock within their hearts.

The Innate Primordial Breath was of immeasurable value. Although the Inner Immortal Domain [the personal, internal world cultivated by a Primordial One Realm expert] of a Sacrificial Self Path Primordial One Imperial Lord could, in theory, give birth to Innate Primordial Breath, it was by no means a guaranteed outcome.

This was because the Inner Immortal Domain for practitioners of the Sacrificial Self Path was divided into three tiers: the Minor Primordial One, the Major Primordial One, and the Limitless Primordial One.

Among these, the Inner Immortal Domain of both Minor Primordial One and Major Primordial One Sacrificial Self Path Primordial One Imperial Lord were incomplete versions of a true Primordial One Immortal Domain.

For those who cultivate the Sacrificial Self Path and have reached the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm, their Primordial One Immortal Domain [the foundational inner world of a Primordial One Imperial Lord] cannot spontaneously generate Innate Primordial Breath [the primordial, foundational energy of creation]. Naturally, they still require Innate Primordial Breath to consolidate their Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm.

Only those Sacrificial Self Path cultivators who have achieved the Limitless Primordial One [a supreme state within the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm] are capable of opening a complete and perfect Primordial One Immortal Domain.

Such supreme powerhouses not only possess the potential to break through to the Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a legendary realm of supreme cosmic authority], but their inner domains can also naturally give birth to Innate Primordial Breath.

Given this, by bestowing them with Innate Primordial Breath, was Eldrin Chen not essentially providing them with all the resources needed to reach the very peak of the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm?

At this thought, waves of intense envy washed over them. For a fleeting moment, the notion of abandoning all their hard-won cultivation to be reborn and start anew even crossed their minds.

Eldrin Chen, perceiving their unspoken thoughts, offered a faint smile. "You have followed me for many years," he said, "managing the myriad affairs of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [the primordial world under his stewardship]. Your service has been invaluable, and your contributions to this realm are beyond measure."

"However," he continued, his tone turning pragmatic, "the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm now stands at a point of renewal, with countless tasks awaiting attention. I still require trusted individuals to oversee these duties."

So saying, Eldrin Chen placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder of the Nine Great Priests [the nine high priests serving under him]. "Set your hearts at ease," he promised. "When the time is right, I will grant you the opportunity to rebuild your foundations. Your loyalty will not go unrewarded."

Hearing this solemn pledge, the Nine Great Priests drew a deep, steadying breath. With profound reverence, they bowed deeply to Eldrin Chen.

Seeing their acceptance, Eldrin Chen offered no further words.

He motioned for the Nine Great Priests to withdraw, leaving only Sturdy Fellow behind, and then inquired, "I've heard you've been consolidating your foundation in recent years. How is your accumulation progressing?"

"Ah."

The young woman Sturdy Fellow had been staring intently at Eldrin Chen's profile. Hearing his question, she snapped back to attention.

After a moment of stammering, Sturdy Fellow widened her eyes and declared, "The accumulation is nearly complete. Sturdy Fellow plans to attempt a breakthrough soon."

Eldrin Chen nodded, carefully observing Sturdy Fellow for a moment before speaking. "The Sacrificial Self Path is not like the Immortal Path or the path of Fleshly Body Sanctification. While this path allows for Foundation Reforging [a profound process of remolding one's cultivation foundation],"

"at higher realms, it places the greatest emphasis on the solidity of one's foundation and latent potential."

"When you step into the realm of a Primordial One Imperial Lord, whether you can cultivate a Limitless Primordial One Foundation [a supreme, boundless foundational spiritual root] will determine your ultimate achievements."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen paused thoughtfully, then continued, "Very well. Today, I shall perform Foundation Reforging for you once more. Whether you can forge a Primordial One Immortal Domain [an immortal domain of the highest primordial order] will depend on your own Creation [the innate creative potential within your being]."

With those words, Eldrin Chen summoned the Creation Cauldron [a divine cauldron capable of forging and refining creation itself] and immediately began the Foundation Reforging process for Sturdy Fellow.

Within the vast expanse of the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, Sturdy Fellow was a peerless prodigy of truly rare caliber, her innate talent perhaps not inferior even to that of Sword Mystery Imperial Lord.

However, achieving the Limitless Primordial One [a legendary foundational cultivation state of boundless potential] is an endeavor of immense difficulty, no less arduous than cultivating the Three True Spirit Foundations [a supreme foundational cultivation method] within the Ancient Immortal Realm [a mythical realm of cultivation]. Therefore, Eldrin Chen proceeded with the utmost caution.

Talent of this caliber can be deemed Path Ancestor Potential [the potential to one day become an Ancestor of a Great Path, a pinnacle existence]. Even within the vast expanse of the Tri-Pole Primordial Domain [a primordial cosmic domain], such a prodigy emerges perhaps only once in several thousand Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of immense duration, often billions of years].

Within a Small Primordial Domain [a smaller, nascent cosmic domain] like the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, such an individual would possess the qualifications to contend for the title of the greatest genius across all ages.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen activated the Creation Cauldron [a supreme cauldron capable of forging and refining creation itself] to perform the Foundation Reforging [a divine art to completely rebuild one's cultivation foundation] for Sturdy Fellow. He did not hesitate to expend a full ten portions of Primordial One Spiritual Treasure [spiritual treasures of the Primordial One realm, the pinnacle of foundational resources], each valued at the level of a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [the highest grade of treasures born from the cosmos itself] or higher.

Under Eldrin Chen's guidance, these Rare Spiritual Wonders [extremely rare and potent spiritual materials] continuously merged into Sturdy Fellow's body. In the end, they transformed into ten supremely powerful Immortal Treasury Treasure [treasures that form the core of an Immortal's personal treasury, representing immense power and potential].