Chapter 2054 : The Path of Primordial Chaos

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod of understanding.

The seven Great Emperor of the Three Talents and Four Symbols formation, barring unforeseen circumstances, all possessed the foundational potential to reach the Sage Ascendant level.

However, due to various reasons, their foundations had been rendered incomplete, preventing them from attaining the Sage Ascendant Realm.

For them to return to the Sage Ascendant Realm now, the key lay in replenishing their latent potential.

Yet, to replenish the potential of each one would require at least nine strands of Primordial Chaos Source Essence [the foundational energy of primordial chaos]. For the time being, Eldrin Chen was unwilling to squander his Primordial Chaos Source Essence.

One must understand that condensing a single strand of Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence [the ultimate refined essence of primordial chaos] required eighty-one strands of Primordial Chaos Source Essence.

Though Eldrin Chen had cultivated for tens of billions of years, he had only obtained a little over two hundred strands of Primordial Chaos Source Essence. After deducting what had been consumed over the years, what remained was not overly abundant.

Most crucially, there were limits to refining Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence. Before his breakthrough to the Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a supreme title for a ruler of primordial chaos], Eldrin Chen could cultivate, at most, twelve strands of Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence.

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

Considering that Eldrin Chen would later need to advance his Returning Abyss Seal [a powerful enchanted seal] and cultivate his Primordial Chaos Indestructibility Body [a body tempered to be unbreakable by primordial chaos], it was wise to be frugal with this Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence.

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

"When I ascend to the realm of Heavenly Emperor [the supreme ruler of the heavens], I will not forget your service."

Upon hearing this, the seven Great Emperor [cultivators who have reached the pinnacle of the Great Emperor realm] showed expressions of joy and prostrated themselves on the Earthly Path [the cultivation path grounded in earthly principles]. "Master, rest assured, we will cultivate diligently and will not disappoint you."

"Good."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and said no more.

He gestured for the seven to withdraw and then plunged into a state of even deeper seclusion.

This time, Eldrin Chen refined the blood and bones of the Great Wasteland Imperial Sovereign into a full eighty-one Sage Ascendant Precious Pill [elixirs of immense power, suitable for cultivators at the Sage Ascendant realm].

Thereafter, Eldrin Chen began to continuously refine and absorb the Precious Pill, even forcefully catalyzing their dissolution by harnessing the power of the Returning Abyss Furnace [a legendary cauldron for refining spiritual essences].

Under this relentless process of refinement, the Precious Pill began to be consumed at a startling rate.

By the time his resources were utterly exhausted, Eldrin Chen had finally broken through once more, reaching the eighth layer of the Primordial One Imperial Body [a legendary physique of unparalleled strength and resilience].

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

After his physical body's breakthrough, a trace of regret colored Eldrin Chen's expression.

This time, Eldrin Chen had a distinct feeling that he had come perilously close to shattering the limits of his physical body once more during his cultivation of the Path of Self-Refinement [a profound art focused on tempering and perfecting one's own flesh and spirit].

Alas, Eldrin Chen's physical form was already overwhelmingly powerful, having broken its own limits multiple times before, leaving that final step perpetually just out of reach.

"My foundational cultivation is somewhat lopsided, which has resulted in the Returning Abyss Furnace [a legendary artifact used for profound body and soul refinement] not being potent enough. Otherwise, I should have already broken through that limit once again."

Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh. If he could break that limit once more and cultivate the ninth True Spirit Divine Rune [mystical symbols that grant immense power by channeling the essence of primordial spirits], his strength would undergo a heaven-defying transformation.

At that point, with a physical body at the Primordial One Imperial Lord 8th Tier [the eighth stage of the Primordial One Imperial Lord realm, representing near-perfect physical mastery] and amplified by nine True Spirit Divine Runes, Eldrin Chen would possess combat power rivaling an Invincible Sage Ascendant [a Sage Ascendant whose power is considered peerless within their realm].

An Invincible Sage Ascendant is also known as a Limitless Sage Ascendant [a Sage Ascendant whose power knows no bounds, surpassing all ordinary peers]. Such Sage Ascendants [cultivators who have ascended to a sage-like state, one step below true divinity] are exceedingly rare existences.

Within the Vast and Boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms are born], there are theoretically only three types of individuals qualified to be called invincible or Limitless Sage Ascendants.

The first are those who cultivate the Path of Fleshly Body Sanctification [the ultimate art of physical perfection] and achieve the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms [the complete set of nine ultimate divine forms granted by True Spirit Divine Runes]. Empowered by these forms, such beings can face ten ordinary Sage Ascendants at once.

The second is the Primordial Spirit Path Attainment [a supreme cultivation art focused on refining the Primordial Spirit]. The Primordial Spirit Path Attainment stands shoulder to shoulder with the Fleshly Body Sanctification [a supreme art focused on forging an indestructible physical body]; in theory, its combat prowess is not a whit inferior.

The third category comprises those who have mastered a Limitless Great Path [a supreme cultivation art representing one of the fundamental laws of the cosmos]. A Limitless Great Path possesses more than nine Great Path Divine Forms [divine manifestations of a Great Path's power], and its might naturally surpasses the power of a Path Mastery [a cultivation realm] with merely nine divine forms.

Take, for example, the five Great Path [fundamental laws of cultivation] mastered by Eldrin Chen. Even the most ordinary among them, the Mixed Metal Limitless Great Path [the Great Path of Alloyed Metals], possesses eighteen Great Path Divine Forms. Once fully mastered, how immensely powerful would its combat strength be?

However, upon a single Limitless Great Path, there are at least several tens, if not hundreds, of powerhouses at the Great Emperor [a supreme cultivation realm] level. Therefore, it is exceedingly difficult to fully master a Limitless Great Path, and within the Vast and Boundless Chaos [the primordial, formless expanse from which all realms are born], Sage Ascendant [a supreme cultivation realm just below the Heavenly Emperor] of this caliber are rarely seen.

Yet, once a being who has mastered a Limitless Great Path does appear, their combat prowess will absolutely not be inferior to a practitioner of Fleshly Body Sanctification who has cultivated the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms [the nine ultimate divine forms of a True Spirit].

And above the Limitless Sage Ascendant [a Sage Ascendant who has mastered a Limitless Great Path] lies the domain of those who can rival a Heavenly Emperor [a supreme sovereign who rules over a Heavenly Domain].

A practitioner of Fleshly Body Sanctification, after cultivating the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms and then merging them into one, can step into the domain of rivaling a Heavenly Emperor.

Powerhouses in this domain have, in at least one aspect, attained a level comparable to a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor born from and ruling over the Primordial Chaos].

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

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

"Fortunately, aside from the Fleshly Body Sanctification, other Limitless Sage Ascendant are almost non-existent."

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly. As the saying goes, the strong remain strong. Any single Limitless Great Path would attract a multitude of peerless geniuses to cultivate it, or at the very least, to study it as a secondary art.

Under such circumstances, the Great Path Divine Form associated with Limitless Great Path are astonishingly numerous. The Mixed Metal Great Path, with its eighteen Great Path Divine Form, is considered to have a relatively low number.

It is said that the supreme-tier Limitless Great Path possess as many as seventy-two Great Path Divine Form, cultivated by hundreds of thousands of Great Emperor powerhouses, and even studied as a secondary art by hundreds of Chaos Heavenly Emperor.

Refined and expanded by these mighty beings, the pinnacle Limitless Great Path have reached a level bordering on the inconceivable.

If one could truly master such a path, it would not be impossible for a Sage Ascendant to suppress a Chaos Heavenly Emperor. However, such a profound Great Path is unlikely to be grasped by a mere Sage Ascendant.

For upon mastering such a Limitless Great Path, one could break through to the Realm of Chaos with a single thought, directly stepping into the Second Chaos Realm, with even the potential to reach the Third Chaos Realm.

What virtue or capability could a mere Sage Ascendant possess to master such a Great Path?

"The Primordial Spirit Path Attainment has vanished without a trace, and a Limitless Great Path has not emerged for eons. With my current strength, I can already be considered among the mightiest within the Sage Ascendant Realm."

"I dare not claim to be an Invincible Sage Ascendant, but those who have cultivated nine Great Path Divine Form should no longer be my match. Only those who have mastered the Nine True Spirit Divine Forms of the Fleshly Body Sanctification could truly surpass me."

Eldrin Chen's thoughts stirred within him, and then he emerged from the Seclusion Chamber [a specialized chamber for deep meditation and cultivation].

At this moment, within the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm [an ancient and desolate domain], two Great Emperor Ancient Ship [ancient, formidable vessels used by Great Emperors] stood ready, and eleven powerful figures at the Great Emperor [a supreme cultivation realm] level were making their final preparations for the campaign.

"It is time to depart."

Eldrin Chen observed all of this, a clear resolve solidifying in his heart.

"…"

Not long after, the Chaos Ancient Ship [a mighty ship capable of navigating primordial chaos] set forth. Eldrin Chen left his Reincarnation Body [a powerful avatar created through profound reincarnation arts] to guard the Great Wasteland Ancient Realm, taking with him all of his Great Emperor underlings.

This return to the Southern Abyss Seven Domains [a perilous region comprised of seven abyssal domains] was not born of arrogance, but of meticulous and thorough preparation on Eldrin Chen's part.

There were three primary reasons for this confidence.

First: Eldrin Chen's combat prowess had already ascended to the peak of the Sage Ascendant Realm [a realm just below that of a Heavenly Emperor]. With such strength, he ranked among the very top powerhouses within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, second only to the Heavenly Emperor [a supreme title denoting a ruler of a heavenly domain] themselves.

Second: He had secured the assistance of Indestructibility Ancient One. This figure possessed combat power unrivaled beneath the Heavenly Emperor level, so formidable that even the Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor who rules over primordial chaos] was reluctant to move against him.

The third reason is the change in the internal situation. Not long ago, Exquisite Jiang [the Immortal Maiden of Exquisite Beauty] conveyed two important pieces of news.

The first piece of news is that she, along with Primordial Beginning Divine Sovereign [the Divine Sovereign of the Primordial Beginning] and Purple Tenuity Divine Sovereign [the Divine Sovereign of Purple Tenuity], has reached an agreement. They will take the opportunity when Eldrin Chen [the Path Ancestor of the Returning Abyss] returns to launch a joint counter-offensive against the Demon Race [the race of malevolent beings] in alliance with the Human and Divine Races [the allied forces of humanity and divinity].

Furthermore, upon the success of this endeavor, the two great Primordial Era Divine Sovereign [Divine Sovereigns from the Primordial Era] will personally, in the name of the Primordial Era Divine Court [the ancient celestial court of the Primordial Era], forge an 'Eternal Covenant' [a sacred and unbreakable pact] with the lineage of Returning Abyss Path Ancestor [the Path Ancestor of the Returning Abyss].

The second piece of news is that Vast Righteousness True Lord [the True Lord of Vast Righteousness] has become a disciple under Path Ancestor Haoxu [the Path Ancestor Haoxu], taking him as his final closed-door disciple.

That Path Ancestor Haoxu [the Path Ancestor Haoxu] is the master of the Primordial Domain of Vast Righteousness [the primordial realm governed by the principle of Vast Righteousness]. The Confucian Path Sagehood [the cultivation art of achieving sagehood through the Confucian Path] he pioneered is renowned throughout the Southern Abyss Seven Domains [the seven major domains of the Southern Abyss], and he himself is a celebrated Chaos Path Ancestor [a Path Ancestor who has attained mastery within the primordial chaos].

Leveraging this connection, Exquisite Jiang [the Immortal Maiden of Exquisite Beauty] and Vast Righteousness True Lord [the True Lord of Vast Righteousness] have been working to persuade and draw Path Ancestor Haoxu [the Path Ancestor Haoxu] to their side.

Although Path Ancestor Haoxu [the Path Ancestor Haoxu] is the master of the Primordial Domain of Vast Righteousness [the primordial realm of Vast Righteousness], his domain has long lacked a worthy successor. Therefore, he places immense value on Vast Righteousness True Lord [the True Lord of Vast Righteousness].

While he did not agree to directly act against the Tri-Pole Primordial Domain [the primordial domain governed by the Three Poles], he did promise to intervene if necessary to prevent powerful enemies from outside the Tri-Pole Primordial Domain [the primordial domain of the Three Poles] from interfering.

With this layer of connection to Path Ancestor Haoxu [the Path Ancestor Haoxu], the external pressures facing Eldrin Chen [the Path Ancestor of the Returning Abyss] have eased considerably.

After all, Eldrin Chen [the Path Ancestor of the Returning Abyss] is now a Sage Ascendant [a cultivator who has ascended to the threshold of Sagehood], with powerful patrons at the level of Chaos Heavenly Emperor [Heavenly Emperors who reign within the primordial chaos] backing him. Those other Chaos Heavenly Emperor [Heavenly Emperors of the chaos] may be reluctant to move against such a figure.

It can be said that every single piece of news brought by Exquisite Jiang was of monumental significance.

During the Heaven-Seizing War of that era, the Primordial Era Divine Court suffered grievous losses.

This joint counter-offensive against the Demon Race by the Primordial Era Divine Court and the Human Race Immortal Court, leveraging the power of Eldrin Chen's return, was itself anticipated.

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

The so-called Eternal Covenant is an immutable pact of mutual offense and defense. This means that if anyone were to move against Eldrin Chen, the Primordial Era Divine Court would be obligated to intervene.

In critical moments, even the two Great God Emperors could not stand idly by.

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

Currently, Eldrin Chen's lineage possesses only a single Sage Ascendant. Strictly speaking, entering into such a covenant with the Primordial Era Divine Court was a tremendous boon for them.

The two Great God Emperors agreed primarily due to their recognition of Eldrin Chen's immense potential, and secondly, because of the significant influence of Exquisite Jiang.

However, Path Ancestor Immortal Sage do not concern themselves with Mortal Dust Affairs. As the sole Sage Ascendant of the Human Race, Eldrin Chen's return would inevitably see him become the de facto leader of the Human Race Immortal Court.

The Human and Divine Races [the collective term for humanity and the divine clans] were to join forces against the Demon Race [the collective term for all demonic beings and tribes], and this covenant would also bring immense benefits to both sides of the Human and Divine Races.

It must be understood that the previous alliance signed between the Divine Clan [the ancient and powerful clans of divine beings] and the Human Race during the Primordial Era [the mythic age of creation] was not an Eternal Covenant [a pact binding for all eternity], but rather a Primordial Era pact that required renewal every thousand Kalpa Tribulation [a cosmic cycle of destruction and rebirth, often spanning billions of years].

The Primordial Era pact did not stipulate clear requirements for the extent of mutual support. Consequently, when Eldrin Chen faced his calamity, the Divine Clan did not commit their full strength.

Otherwise, during that battle of yore, the combined might of the two races could have assuredly protected Eldrin Chen. Even if the Three Heavenly Emperors of the Demon Race [the three supreme rulers of the demonic forces] had personally intervened, they could not have forced Eldrin Chen into the Chaos Desolation Sea [a primordial, lawless expanse of chaotic energy] under the joint protection of both races.

Of course, while the Divine Clan's willingness to forge this covenant was surprising, it was still foreseeable. After all, Exquisite Jiang had once been a Quasi-Emperor [a cultivator on the cusp of attaining the Emperor realm] of the Divine Clan, and Eldrin Chen's potential was more than sufficient to catch the eye of the two Great God [a supreme cultivation realm, equivalent to a Great Emperor] Sovereigns.

However, the fact that Vast Righteousness True Lord had taken Path Ancestor Haoxu [a venerable master who has attained the Path Ancestor realm] as his master truly left Eldrin Chen utterly astonished.

Yet, upon deeper reflection, this too fell within the realm of expectation. Vast Righteousness True Lord had been reincarnated carrying the Innate Path-Seeking Scripture [a legendary cultivation manual that guides one to their destined Dao], which in itself marked a foundation at the level of a Great Emperor or even a Sage Ascendant [a realm just below that of a true Sage].

In recent years, as he wandered the Vast and Boundless Chaos Sea [the infinite, primordial sea of chaos that exists between ordered realms], his comprehension of the Dao and its laws had grown ever more profound.

It was said that when Vast Righteousness True Lord once journeyed to the Primordial Domain of Vast Righteousness [the ancient, conceptual realm associated with the principle of Vast Righteousness], he contemplated the Dao of Vast Righteousness and found it to be in perfect harmony with his own path. Thus, he began to concurrently cultivate the Confucian Path Art [a school of cultivation emphasizing scholarship, virtue, and righteous energy].

His inherent Vast Righteous Energy [a potent force born of unwavering virtue and moral integrity] allowed his cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds after shifting his focus to the Confucian Path. Furthermore, by fusing the strengths of both his original path and the Confucian Path, he further perfected the cultivation methodology of the Confucian Path, ultimately pioneering a unified technique that harmonized the Confucian Path with other arts.

The unification of the Confucian Path [the philosophical and cultivation system based on Confucian virtues and principles] allowed Vast Righteousness True Lord's foundation and potential to undergo another profound metamorphosis. After assimilating the accumulated insights of several hundred Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years], his cultivation advanced with meteoric speed, as if soaring through the heavens.

Within the span of a single Kalpa Tribulation, Vast Righteousness True Lord attained enlightenment nine times in succession. Seizing this Opportunity and Fortune [a confluence of fate and favorable circumstances], he shattered nine cultivation barriers in a row, leaping from the early stages of the Primordial One Imperial Lord [a high-tier imperial lord realm] directly into the Great Emperor Realm [the realm of a Great Emperor, a sovereign power].

Path Ancestor Haoxu [a venerable ancestor who has mastered a profound cultivation path] was utterly astounded, viewing this as the work of a Celestial Being [a being of near-divine, transcendent nature]. He immediately accepted Vast Righteousness as his final disciple, believing him to possess the potential to become an Immortal Sage [a sage who has attained immortality and profound wisdom] within the Confucian Path.

"Who could have imagined that Senior Vast Righteousness possessed such profound talent and capacity for Creation [the act of creation or profound innovation within the Dao]?"

Upon receiving this news, even Eldrin Chen was struck with astonishment, a complex mix of emotions coloring his expression.

Over the years, he had mentored and elevated numerous powerful figures. Without exception, each had consumed various kinds of Opportunity and Fortune, advancing step by arduous step to reach their current levels of cultivation.

Yet, Vast Righteousness True Lord had walked the world alone, measuring heaven and earth by himself, contemplating the patterns of the celestial Earth Vein [dragon veins, the spiritual energy channels of the land] and the principles of nature's operation. For him to achieve such profound cultivation through a single, magnificent eruption of long-accumulated insight was truly unexpected.

"The Innate Path-Seeking Scripture."

"Is this the supreme principle of the Great Path [the ultimate Dao or Way], where one attains enlightenment in a single dawn and ascends amidst radiant clouds?"

Eldrin Chen murmured these words inwardly, then swiftly gathered his wandering thoughts. Lifting his gaze, he looked out upon the vast expanse of the Chaos Desolation Sea [a primordial sea of chaotic and desolate energies].

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

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

"…"

Just as Eldrin Chen was gripped by that bittersweet trepidation one feels upon nearing home, within the boundless Multidimensional Space-Time of the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, an immeasurably vast Great Universe drifted and swirled.

This was an unfathomably expansive Great Universe, its interior stretching across countless billions of light-years.

And the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land, it was the most terrifying Forbidden Land within this Great Universe, a place that had lain entrenched at the Central heart of the Universe since time immemorial, forever spoken of in hushed, fearful tones as the most ineffable of Forbidden Land.

The true powerhouses within this Universe understood that the Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land had existed since long before anyone could remember, its origins lost to countless Jiyuan-time [grand cosmological eras spanning tens of thousands of years].

Ancient legends whispered that three thousand Jiyuan-time ago, all Immortal [beings who have achieved immortality through cultivation] ascended to the higher realms from this very place.

In that distant age, although the path of the Sacrificial Self Path [a cultivation art that involves sacrificing everything to achieve one's true self] was arduous, there remained a sliver of hope—to sacrifice all and attain one's authentic self.

Yet, for reasons unknown, roughly three thousand Jiyuan-time ago, the Path of Immortal Ascension was severed in the span of a single Xi-time [the duration of one breath].

When the Sacrificial Self Path [a forbidden cultivation method that sacrifices one's own essence to defy the heavens] is performed, the probability of success plummets from an initial one in several tens to less than one in ten thousand.

Even if one miraculously succeeds, it will inevitably draw down a calamity of terrifying proportions.

Countless powerful masters of the Sacrificial Self Path, at the very moment of their ascension, are met with an incomparably dreadful doom, a tribulation hundreds of times more terrifying than the Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the heavenly trial faced by orthodox cultivators seeking to become immortals] of the Immortal Path [the orthodox path of cultivation leading to immortality].

The supreme Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic divine punishment of heavenly thunder] not only strikes down the Sacrificial Self Path cultivator attempting ascension but also annihilates the entire Stellar [a celestial body or star, often a cultivator's spiritual foundation] they inhabit.

It is said throughout the realms that the Sacrificial Self Path is afflicted by an indescribable curse, making it fundamentally impossible to set foot upon the Immortal Ascension Realm [the realm of true immortality].

Thus, the peerless experts who later walked the Sacrificial Self Path gradually abandoned all thought of ascension.

Yet within the vast expanse of a Universe [a cosmos or world], there will always be those of astonishing talent and brilliance.

Lacking a Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual foundation required for orthodox cultivation], they could not tread the Immortal Path. Unwilling to accept their mundane fate, they endured countless hardships and overcame myriad tribulations to cultivate all the way to the Indestructibility Realm [a supreme cultivation realm of near-immortality].

But upon reaching this pinnacle, they discovered the Immortal Ascension Path [the path to immortal ascension] was severed before them.

Refusing to accept this dead end, still determined to achieve immortality, and wishing to avoid bringing calamity upon others, they constructed an Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land [a forbidden zone of immortal ruins] at the very Central [the central axis or heart] of their Universe.

The Immortal Ruins Forbidden Land [a legendary and perilous region] stretches vast and boundless, having entombed countless mighty figures since the Primordial Era [the mythical age of creation].

And on this day, the Sovereign [the supreme ruler] of this Universe, hailed as the 'Void Heaven Great Emperor' [the Emperor of the Ethereal Firmament], the paramount powerhouse of the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation method focused on self-transcendence through sacrifice], seeks to undergo his Immortal Ascension Tribulation [the cataclysmic trial to ascend to immortality] upon the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent [the ancient landmass at the heart of the Immortal Ruins].

"Is the Great Emperor [the Imperial Sovereign] truly about to face the tribulation?"

From within the vast expanse of the Universe, the gazes of countless supreme powerhouses turned towards this realm, their pupils shimmering with a hue of profound sorrow.

Multitudes journeyed to the depths of the boundless Universe and manifested just beyond the borders of the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent.

Among the crowd, a young maiden walked alongside her grandfather. Gazing at the assembled figures, she could not help but ask curiously, "Grandfather, is the Void Heaven Great Emperor truly formidable?"

"The Void Heaven Great Emperor is not weak; he is the mightiest of this current era,"

the stooped elder replied slowly, a trace of helplessness flickering in his eyes. "In the ancient times, the Sacrificial Self Path comprised the Six Mortal Realms [the six foundational stages of mortal cultivation]."

"They were, in sequence: Body Forging [the stage of tempering the physical form], Vital Essence Refinement [the stage of refining one's life force], Foundation of the Path [the stage of laying the foundation for one's cultivation path], Divine Treasury [the stage of opening one's spiritual repositories], Path Embryo [the stage of nurturing the seed of one's Dao], and Indestructibility [the stage of achieving an unbreakable body and spirit]—six steps in total."

"Later, the path to immortality was severed. Our generation of cultivators found it impossible to survive the Great Tribulation [the ultimate heavenly trial] required to become immortals. Thus, we could only continuously refine and perfect the cultivation methods of the Sacrificial Self Path, which led to the subsequent creation of the Limit-Breaker Realm [a transcendent realm beyond the original six]."

The young maiden, upon hearing this, could not help but ask, "What is the realm of the Limit-Breaker?"

The old man smiled, then patted the maiden's head and said, "The Limit-Breaker refers to those who have achieved perfect Indestructibility [a state of absolute physical and spiritual resilience]. Instead of sacrificing their current self to break through to a higher realm, they choose to continue shattering their own inherent limits."

"There are six extremes to the Limit-Breaker path: the Body Forging Extreme, the Vital Essence Refinement Extreme, the Foundation of the Path Extreme, the Divine Treasury Extreme, the Path Embryo Extreme, and the Indestructibility Extreme."

"The Body Forging Extreme involves continuously breaking and surpassing the limits of one's own physical form. Cultivated to its ultimate end, a single drop of blood from such a being could extinguish an Immortal."

"The Vital Essence Refinement Extreme involves refining the energies of the Myriad Heavens [the countless celestial realms]. There are those who refine a single breath of Stellar energy [the essence of stars], capable of extinguishing entire Starry River [galaxies] with one exhalation. Others who ingest the Primal Yellow Breath [the primordial energy of heaven and earth] can obliterate the Myriad Heavens with a mere wisp."

"Legend says that if one could ever ingest Primordial Chaos Energy [the undifferentiated energy before creation], they would transcend this Universe and step into the Vast and Boundless Chaos [the infinite primordial void]."

"Then there is the Foundation of the Path Extreme, where one forges their Foundation of the Path [the core foundation of one's cultivation path] using a Great Thousand World [a cosmos containing a thousand major worlds]. With a mere flip of their palm, they can rend the fabric of Chaos [the primordial state of existence]."

"The higher extremes—the Divine Treasury Extreme, the Path Embryo Extreme, and the Indestructibility Extreme—each possess power beyond mortal comprehension."

At this point, the old man sighed and continued, "It is said that three thousand Jiyuan-time [grand cosmological Eras] ago, a peerless Celestial Maiden descended from beyond Chaos. She had cultivated one hundred and eight Divine Treasury [internal spiritual repositories of immense power], each possessing the strength to devour entire multiverses."

Hearing this, the young maiden drew a sharp breath, her face etched with disbelief.

He gazed towards the Void Heaven Great Emperor, surrounded by countless powerful figures, and could not help but ask, "This Void Heaven Great Emperor, is he a Limit-Breaker [a cultivator who has shattered the conventional limits of a cultivation realm]?"

"Mm-hmm."

The old man nodded, then spoke, "A Limit-Breaker possesses the power to slay immortals by breaking the first limit. By breaking the second, they can dominate an Universe and contend with the supreme True Immortal [the pinnacle of cultivation in the lower realms] of the lower worlds."

"The reason this Void Heaven Great Emperor could become the Sovereign [the supreme ruler] of this era is because he shattered the limits of his physical body, his Vital Essence Refinement [the foundational stage of refining one's life force], his Foundation of the Path [the core stage of establishing one's cultivation path], and his Divine Treasury [the stage of opening divine repositories within oneself]—the Four Extremities [the four ultimate cultivation foundations]."

Speaking to this point, the stooped old man shook his head again. "Even among Limit-Breaker, the degree of limit-breaking differs greatly, and so does the ultimate combat prowess it bestows."

"The Void Heaven Great Emperor's Body Forging Extreme [the pinnacle of physical body cultivation] is respectable but not extraordinary. The limit he broke in Vital Essence Refinement cultivated Void Energy [a supreme form of vital essence], which qualifies as a top-tier Limit-Breaker. His Foundation of the Path, refined with the essence of the void as its limit-breaking foundation, is also a superior-grade Foundation of the Path."

"As for his Divine Treasury Extreme [the pinnacle of the Divine Treasury stage], he successfully cultivated thirty-six 'Limitless Divine Treasury' [divine repositories of boundless capacity]. Furthermore, his Divine Treasury is on the verge of transforming into an Immortal Treasury [a divine repository of immortal grade], making it worthy of being called a top-tier Divine Treasury Extreme."