Chapter 2020 : Great Wastelord

They understood that any treasure capable of elevating the Primordial Divine Tree to a supreme innate treasure would be extraordinarily rare and precious. With cupped-hand salutes, they immediately took their leave.

After the crowd had dispersed, Eldrin remained alone.

This Great Wilderness Ancient Tree is merely a low-grade Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), and advancing it requires an exceedingly long period of time.

Eldrin first retrieved the Qiankun Primordial Vial (Magic Treasure), using it to assist his Innate Indestructible Spirit Light (Cultivation Technique) in accelerating the growth of the Great Desolate Ancient Tree (Divine Tree).

After expending over 20 wisps of innate indestructible radiance in succession, the Primordial Wilderness Ancient Tree ascended to become a 20-4-mark supreme-grade Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root).

However, once this stage was reached, the ripening effect of the Qiankun Yiqi Vessel had already dissipated.

"It seems I must elevate the Qiankun Yi Qi Vase (Magic Treasure) into an Innate Supreme Treasure."

Eldrin spoke thus and began to inhale and exhale the Primordial Chaos Origin Qi, channeling it into the Heaven and Earth Unity Vase to elevate this supreme treasure.

With Eldrin's current cultivation level, it would take approximately 2 kalpas to refine a single wisp of Primordial Chaos Origin Qi.

Over the years, Eldrin had refined over a dozen strands of Primordial Chaos Qi.

At this moment, Eldrin continuously channeled 8 streams of Primordial Chaos Origin Qi into the Heaven and Earth Unity Vase, finally elevating it to the rank of an Innate Supreme Treasure.

"It worked!"

Watching the Heaven and Earth Qi Vessel complete its ascension, a faint smile finally surfaced on Eldrin’s face.

After the breakthrough was complete, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi Vessel still offered no offensive or defensive capabilities.

However, the ripening effect was greatly enhanced, now capable of maturing spiritual roots at the Innate Supreme Treasure level, and could even be used to elevate them to the pinnacle-grade Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root).

Even a single drop of the Primordial Spirit Water from the Qiankun Gourd could effortlessly help a Heavenly Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) shatter its shackles.

"With this Primordial Chaos Treasure, perhaps the Great Desolate Ancient Tree can complete its metamorphosis."

With that, Eldrin began harnessing the power of the Heaven-Earth Primordial Vial, supplemented by the Primordial Chaos Source Qi, to continue advancing the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree.

The effect of the Primordial Chaos Origin Qi was truly extraordinary. The Great Wilderness Ancient Tree devoured it with insatiable hunger. After absorbing 7 consecutive streams, 7 grand divine chains of the Great Dao took form within its core.

A Great Desolate Ancient Tree, comparable to a 7-veined Primordial Chaos Treasure Embryo.

Eldrin murmured softly, then ceased his movements.

It was not that he was unwilling to continue advancing the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree, but that the accumulated Primordial Chaos Source Qi within him had been completely depleted.

"4 kalpas must yet pass before the Great Desolate Ancient Tree can complete its ascension."

Eldrin's thoughts flickered as he instinctively observed the Great Barren Ancient Tree before him.

After giving birth to 7 grand dao divine chains, the current Primordial Ancient Tree had undergone earth-shaking changes in its effects.

Its height and size had increased by over a hundredfold compared to before. Its thick, robust roots now pierced through the Primordial Ancient Realm to anchor themselves in the primordial chaos, where they began ceaselessly devouring the waters of chaos.

Countless streams of chaotic seawater were transformed by the Great Barren Ancient Tree, beginning to replenish the depleted primordial power of the Great Barren Ancient Realm.

At this rate of conversion, even though the Great Barren Ancient Realm continues to deplete its origin energy, it should barely manage to maintain a fragile balance.

Even if the shattered World Membrane could not be restored, it would at least prevent the Great Desolate Ancient Realm from continuing to decline in the future.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin (Person Name) smiled and said, "Everyone, please come in."

As Eldrin's words faded, the 9 high priests burst through the door in ecstatic frenzy.

They gathered around the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree, unable to contain their ecstasy as they exclaimed, "Devouring the Primordial Chaos Sea and converting it into the power of world origin—is this the might of a Primordial Spiritual Root?"

"The fundamental essence of heaven and earth has regained balance! Our Great Barren Ancient Realm is saved!"

The 9 high priests were overwhelmed with excitement. Trembling, they exchanged a meaningful glance before turning their gazes toward Eldrin.

They arrived before Eldrin and, to his surprise, all dropped to their knees in profound reverence, declaring, “Fellow Daoist, you are the savior of our Great Barren Ancient Realm.”

"From this day forth, should you have any commands, even if it means facing 9 deaths for but 1 chance at survival, we would not dare disobey."

Eldrin shook his head, then smiled faintly. "I have yet to set foot upon that threshold. It will take approximately 4 kalpas before I can guide it to achieve its ultimate ascension."

"Without even stepping into that realm, 1 can balance the ledger of the world's primordial essence?"

The 9 of them were utterly astounded. The Elder High Priest couldn't help but exclaim, "Once it evolves into an Innate Supreme Treasure Spiritual Root, wouldn't it accelerate the restoration of the world's origin—perhaps even awaken the slumbering Heavenly Dao?"

"In that case, could it be that our Great Barren Ancient Realm might 1 day return to the Primordial Domain?"

Eldrin pondered briefly before speaking, "It may not be so heaven-defying. A single Innate Primordial Spiritual Root has its limits in converting the essence of heaven and earth."

"When the Primordial Wilderness reaches a certain level of restoration, the essence of heaven and earth will achieve a state of equilibrium, making further advancement nearly impossible."

At this point, Eldrin continued, "However, the Great Barren Ancient Realm was once a Primal Domain after all. Even if it cannot fully restore its Primal Domain status, it should at least recover to a Quasi-Primal Domain level."

The 9 high priests nodded in disappointment upon hearing this.

The Elder High Priest wore a bitter smile as he spoke, "We should be content that the World Membrane has been restored, granting us a place to dwell. How could we dare ask for more?"

At this point, the High Priest seemed to recall something. He tugged at Eldrin's sleeve and said, "Benefactor, please come with me."

The high priest took Eldrin by the hand and led him to the center of the sacred hall, where the Tome of Human Souls resided.

Gazing upon the Soul Tome before him, the High Priest performed an exceptionally solemn bow and declared, "Our benefactor's grace weighs as heavily as the mountains. This sacred text shall be entrusted to you for contemplation and safeguarding."

Eldrin (Person Name) wore a grave expression as he addressed the crowd solemnly, "Rest assured, I will not retrieve this Tome of Human Souls until the crisis in the Primordial Expanse of the Great Barrens is completely resolved."

The 9 high priests all showed faint smiles of delight. They each cupped their hands respectfully toward Eldrin before departing the sacred hall, leaving Eldrin alone to contemplate the profound mysteries within.

After the crowd had dispersed, Eldrin approached the Book of Human Souls and began to contemplate the power contained within it.

Yet upon this Human Soul Scripture, there were no more than a few 1000 words written in an expansive and flowing manner, all expounding upon the profound mysteries of the human soul.

Eldrin continued his profound contemplation, gradually gaining deeper insights into the great Dao scriptures inscribed upon the Tome of Human Souls.

All living beings in the world possess 3 ethereal souls and 7 physical souls.

The 3 souls are divided into the Heaven Soul, Earth Soul, and Human Soul, while the 7 spirits consist of: Joy, Anger, Sorrow, Fear, Love, Aversion, and Desire.

The 3 souls reside within the spirit, while the 7 po dwell in the physical form.

The 3 souls were not inherently united from birth. Before breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, the Celestial Soul resided in the 9 Heavens Above (Time & Distance), anchored within the boundless void. It was the purest soul—devoid of emotion and desire, lofty and unyielding in its majesty.

The Earth Soul lies hidden in the netherworld, dwelling within the bottomless abyssal chasm. It is the soul of ultimate turbidity forged from murky energies, both profound and boundless.

The human soul resides within the body, serving as the core consciousness of mortals and the source of a cultivator’s spiritual intellect.

This Scroll of the Human Soul expounds upon the Great Dao of the Human Spirit—a supreme ancient text of transcendent wisdom that holds the profound mystery of illuminating the heart to perceive 1's true self.

It was precisely for this reason that the Book of Human Souls could expel the power of desolation and exerted such potent restraint against the Withering Tribes, who possessed no spiritual intellect.

Because the Waste Clan had been corroded by the power of desolation, their human souls were already incomplete. Once suppressed by the power of the Human Soul Book, they faced the risk of having their souls utterly scattered and annihilated.

"The Tome of Human Souls can illuminate the heart and reveal 1's true self. If mastered completely, it may perhaps restore the sanity of the desolate tribes who have lost their minds."

Eldrin murmured inwardly, a flicker of enlightenment dawning in his heart.

He quickly suppressed his stray thoughts and began cultivating the Soul Tome, contemplating the Great Dao of Human Souls within.

Thus time flowed swiftly by, and none could tell how long had passed. Eldrin slowly emerged from his secluded cultivation, a glimmer of profound understanding dawning in his gaze.

He rose slowly, and with a flick of his sleeve, his fingers traced an arc through the void. 1 after another, golden Dao patterns materialized, transforming into hundreds of millions of divine chains of order that veiled the heavens and the earth.

Beneath the canopy of these countless golden chains of order, all creation began to radiate with a spiritual luminescence. Streams of soothing power washed over all living beings, perpetually cleansing the weariness from their souls.

"Is this... the power of the human soul?"

Eldrin murmured softly, a faint smile glimmering in his eyes.

The Book of Human Souls was not adept at slaughter, yet it could enlighten the minds of all living beings, possessing the profound mystery of delivering all sentient beings from suffering.

As his thoughts drifted, Eldrin (Person Name) reined them in.

He emerged from the Great Wilderness Sanctum and returned to his residence, once again immersing himself in single-minded secluded cultivation.

In the years that followed, Eldrin delved into the mysteries of the Human Soul Dao while simultaneously refining his soul cultivation techniques.

In his leisure time, he split into thousands of avatars, personally wandering through the Great Desolate Ancient Realm.

This Great Wilderness Ancient Realm had fallen from the Primordial Domain. Its rank surpassed even the highest-grade immortal realms, yet it could not compare to the Primordial Domain itself, existing as a Chaos-level ancient realm.

Eldrin had a premonition that once the Great Desolate Ancient Realm stabilized and could endure within the Chaotic Desolate Sea, he would be able to discern the method to establish the Primordial Chaos Immortal Domain based on the state of the Great Desolate Ancient Realm.

If this endeavor succeeded, it would not only perfect the methods of the immortal realm but also provide immense assistance to the mixed-origin cultivation techniques of the Sacrificial Path.

Time slipped swiftly by as Eldrin (Person Name) immersed himself in ceaseless cultivation.

After several cosmic calamities, Eldrin consumed a drop of Primordial Chaos Divine Nectar and settled his mind to further refine his soul cultivation technique.

In that dazed moment, enlightenment finally dawned upon him.

"The Art of Physical Refinement enables 1 to temper the self through the self, shattering the limits of 1's own being."

"Yet the path of the Nascent Soul cannot break through its limits through arduous cultivation alone."

"I should harness the profound mysteries of the Book of Human Souls to comprehend the sufferings of all living beings between heaven and earth, and perceive the wondrous workings of the heavenly cycle."

Eldrin murmured softly, a glimmer of comprehension dawning in his eyes as he grasped several insights into the path of divine soul cultivation.

He rose to his feet, gazing toward the heart of the Great Barren Ancient Realm.

He arrived within the Great Wilderness Sanctum and beheld the 9 high priests who had been awaiting him there for a long time.

At this moment, the 9 high priests all watched him with intensely nervous expressions, their gazes tinged with anticipation.

Eldrin said nothing more, merely nodding to the assembly before stepping into the Immortal Herb Garden.

At this moment, within the vast immortal herb garden, only a single towering ancient tree remained.

After 4 kalpas, this Primordial Ancient Tree, nurtured repeatedly by Eldrin, had already given birth to 8 grand divine chains of the Great Dao, standing just 1 step away from ascending into an Innate Supreme Treasure Spiritual Root.

At this moment, facing the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree that required only 1 final step, Eldrin did not hesitate in the slightest.

He directly exhaled a wisp of Primordial Chaos Origin Qi, merging it into the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree.

"Bzzz—"

As this wisp of Primordial Source Qi merged into it, the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree suddenly began to tremble violently.

Eldrin could clearly see a grand Dao divine chain slowly taking form within the ancient tree.

In the instant the Great Dao Divine Chains took form, all 9 of them erupted with a blazing radiance of eternity.

In an instant, 9 divine chains of the Great Dao interlaced and crisscrossed, ultimately coalescing into a dazzlingly radiant divine form of the Great Dao.

"It's done!"

Eldrin murmured inwardly, sensing the power of the Great Desolate Ancient Tree surge tenfold, its rate of converting the Chaos Sea waters accelerating by an equal magnitude.

Close behind, countless streams of chaotic seawater were transformed into the essence of heaven and earth, and the foundational power of the Great Desolate Ancient Realm began to visibly recover at a remarkable pace.

Eldrin could even distinctly sense a faint consciousness slowly awakening within the Great Desolate Ancient Realm.

His divine consciousness focused on Eldrin, then descended billions of strands of merit light that showered upon Eldrin's form.

In an instant, streams of golden light of virtue converged behind Eldrin (Person Name), swiftly coalescing into 3,000 radiant halos of merit.

When all had settled into tranquility, Eldrin discovered that nearly 6,000 strands of golden light of virtue had manifested behind his head.

6 1000 beams of golden merit light.

A glimmer of relief flickered in Eldrin's (Person Name) eyes.

This time, he had obtained nearly 6 1000 strands of golden light of virtue. Combined with the golden light of virtue accumulated over the years since establishing the Path of Self-Sacrifice, Eldrin now possessed a total of 6,300 strands of golden light of virtue.

Whereas ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortals typically possessed only 1 or 2 rings of virtue radiance at most, even Chaos Origin Emperors rarely exceeded a 100.

Eldrin possessed such an abundance of golden virtue radiance that he could even aspire to glimpse the realm of 10 1000 golden virtues.

Legend has it that when 10 1000 streams of virtue golden light converge, they coalesce into a single strand of Chaos Golden Light of Virtue.

And with the acquisition of a single strand of Virtuous Chaos Golden Light, the probability of breaking through to the Chaos Heavenly Emperor realm would increase by 10 percent.

In ancient times, the Primordial Dao Ancestor's method of establishing the celestial realm spread across the 13 domains of the Northern and Southern Heavenly Abyss. It is said that he attained 9 strands of primordial golden light of virtue.

With so much virtue accumulated upon him, the Primordial Dao Ancestor naturally possessed heaven-defying fortune.

It is said that the reason His Excellency was able to break through to the Chaos Heavenly Emperor was because he stumbled upon a wisp of Primordial Chaos Qi within the chaos.

This was no mere legend, but something witnessed by countless individuals.

It is said that after the Grand Primordial Dao Ancestor broke through to the Sub-Sage realm, he emerged from seclusion and journeyed into the primordial chaos to visit a friend. Without engaging in any battle, he directly stumbled upon a wisp of Primordial Chaos Genesis Qi by the roadside.

After obtaining the Primordial Chaos Primordial Qi, the Grand Primordial Dao Ancestor immediately refined it and broke through to the Chaos Dao Ancestor realm—a process that seemed simpler than eating a meal or drinking water.

At that time, many Chaos Heavenly Emperors sought to seize it upon hearing the news, yet before they could even step beyond their thresholds, the individual had already achieved a breakthrough.

From this, 1 could see just how heaven-defying the wondrous uses of the Virtuous Chaos Golden Light truly were.

To return to our story, after Eldrin fully refined the golden light of merit, he once again extended his consciousness toward the will of the Heavenly Dao.

But the Will of the Heavens emanated a faint, feeble light as a gentle voice came through.

"You have rendered meritorious service in saving the world, achieving supreme virtue between heaven and earth."

"I bestow upon you the Golden Light of Merit and the authority of the Great Barren Realm's Sovereign. May you aid this realm in restoring its vitality."

As the words faded, another golden light emerged.

Eldrin instantly felt a connection forming between himself and this realm—a power of heavenly law that was supremely profound in nature, yet existed in a state of extreme frailty.

Authority of the Heavenly Dao.

After a momentary daze, Eldrin quickly regained his composure.

In that very moment, the Heavenly Dao of the Primordial Barren Realm had bestowed upon him the authority of a Realm Lord.

With the power of the Realm Sovereign's authority, Eldrin could now mobilize the strength of the entire world whenever he ventured deep into this realm.

Alas, the origin source of this realm was extremely feeble and could temporarily provide but a sliver of power.

However, once the world's origin source fully recovers, with the support of a quasi-primordial domain-level ancient realm power, Eldrin (Person Name) would possess nearly invincible combat prowess within the Great Desolate Ancient Realm.

Such combat prowess may not dare claim to rival the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, but it should at least be comparable to the Quasi-Sage realm.

At this thought, Eldrin couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "How fate toys with mortals. Never did I imagine that after being driven to the Chaotic Desolate Sea in defeat, I would become a Great Desolate Realm Lord."

With this thought, Eldrin once again sensed the Heavenly Dao's will of this realm. He discovered that after bestowing upon him the Heavenly Dao's authority, the will had fallen into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, the 9 Great Sacrifices not far away witnessed this scene and immediately prostrated themselves, declaring in unison, "We pay homage to the Realm Lord."

"All of you, rise."

Eldrin smiled faintly, then spoke gently, "Though I now reign as Realm Lord, the Primordial Wilderness remains the eternal heritage of all its descendants. There is no need for reservations."

The 9 high priests breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing this.

You must understand, Eldrin (Person Name), now the Realm Lord of the Great Barrens, has fully grasped the authority over this realm's Heavenly Dao. He possesses the absolute power to seize the magpie's nest and drive them out completely.

Seeing this, Eldrin spoke once more, "After the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree ascends, the primordial essence between heaven and earth will gradually become abundant."

At that time, the World's Membrane would gradually mend, and vitality would slowly return between heaven and earth.

"Go and make preparations for how to arrange this newly born Primordial Wild Ancient Realm."

"We understand."

Upon hearing this, the 9 high priests finally prepared to rise and depart.

But before they departed, Eldrin called out to stop them once more. With a sweep of his sleeve, he bestowed upon the group a batch of celestial elixirs and said,

"Your primordial souls are nearly depleted. If this continues, you risk the peril of falling."

"These divine pills and miraculous medicines will aid in your recovery from injuries. May they help you swiftly restore your cultivation strength."

Upon hearing this, the 9 high priests felt a faint tremor in their hearts.

Since the fall of the Primordial Barren Realm, it had always been them who held up the sky for this land, sustained almost solely by sheer willpower.

For countless years, they had devoted their hearts and souls to caring for their clansmen—this was the first time they had ever received care from others.

Without another word, they bowed with utmost reverence, their figures retreating until they had completely withdrawn from the Great Barren Sacred Hall.

"Alas—"

Eldrin sighed inwardly, well aware of the hardships endured in the Great Barren Ancient Realm.

He suppressed his thoughts and lifted his gaze to the colossal ancient tree before him. Unconsciously, a flicker of astonishment surfaced in the depths of his eyes.

There, upon the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree, 9 fruits had quietly taken form.

Great Barren Sacred Fruit.

Eldrin murmured inwardly, a glimmer of comprehension flashing in his eyes.

This Great Wilderness Sacred Fruit was formed when the Great Wilderness Ancient Tree advanced, inhaling and exhaling the Primordial Chaos Qi to condense it. It is a supreme treasure for cultivating the physical body.

This divine fruit possesses boundless medicinal efficacy. For 1 whose Mixed Origin Body has reached the sixth layer, consuming a single fruit would allow them to step into the seventh layer.

(End of Chapter)