Chapter 2138 : Forging Heaven-Defying Treasures

"To completely expel this aura of death, one would likely need to cultivate and master the Great Path of Life [the supreme Dao governing vitality and creation], and advance it to the Chaos Tier [the primordial, foundational tier of cosmic power]."

Eldrin Chen pondered this silently. He then stored away the seed of the Human Soul Fruit Tree [a legendary tree bearing fruit that nourishes the human soul] once more, intending to cultivate the Soul Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood that nurtures and strengthens the Primordial Spirit] as a resource for his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] cultivation.

However, before cultivating the Soul Nourishing Wood, Eldrin Chen retrieved the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth and the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron. This time, he planned to elevate both supreme treasures to the rank of Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasure.

The Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth and the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron were both special Chaos Spiritual Artifact [magical treasures forged from primordial chaos essence] with a strong functional focus.

Such treasures possessed little in the way of offensive or defensive power, yet within their specialized domains, their effects were unparalleled.

Whether it was the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron's ability to forge foundations and fuse Chaos Genesis Energy [the primordial energy from which all creation springs], or the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth's power to accelerate the maturation of Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual potential and talent of a cultivator or spiritual plant], both were artifacts of truly heaven-defying caliber.

Even if offered a top-grade Chaos Spiritual Artifact in exchange, Eldrin Chen would likely be unwilling to part with either of these two treasures.

Given this, advancing both the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron and the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth was an indispensable task.

With this resolve firm in his heart, Eldrin Chen made a selection from his Treasure Vault, retrieving several pieces of Chaos Rare Treasure.

The reason for choosing Chaos Rare Treasure was a shortage of Chaos Spiritual Treasure [spiritual materials imbued with chaos essence] aligned with the attributes of Creation [the cosmic principle of bringing things into being] and the primordial energies of Heaven and Earth; he could not find perfectly compatible materials.

Fortunately, Eldrin Chen possessed thousands of Chaos Rare Treasures [rare treasures born from the primordial chaos]. Among them were not only many such treasures, but also two Chaos Rare Treasures possessing the superior-grade Creation [the fundamental force of genesis and formation] attribute.

After gathering the materials, Eldrin Chen did not hesitate. He first fused the two treasures into the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron [a cauldron capable of refining the essence of heaven and earth] and the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a vase containing the primordial energy of creation] to enhance their foundational substance. Then, he directly took out the Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence [the quintessential energy of creation from the primordial chaos] to elevate these two treasures.

After consuming over a dozen strands of Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence, the two treasures finally succeeded in their ascension one after another, fully advancing to become Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures [supreme-grade spiritual treasures forged from primordial chaos].

"Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures."

Witnessing the successful promotion of the two Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures, a flicker of joy and surprise could not help but appear on Eldrin Chen's face.

It must be understood that the value of an Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasure is truly astronomical, for it must fuse with Primordial Chaos Genesis Essence to be nurtured into existence.

Even across the vast expanse of the Chaos [the formless, primordial state before the cosmos], Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures are exceedingly rare. In theory, they are treasures that take shape only during the moment of Primordial Chaos Opening [the cataclysmic event that cleaves order from chaos].

Because such treasures are so scarce, only the most powerful Half-Step Limitless [cultivators who have nearly transcended all boundaries] possess the qualification to refine artifacts of this caliber.

Even among those supreme and lofty Chaos Sovereigns [rulers who command the primordial chaos], the number of Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures in their possession is countable.

Furthermore, the majority of Sovereigns do not possess a Chaos Supreme Treasure [a treasure that stands above all others born from chaos]. Their ultimate, trump-card treasures are often nothing more than Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures.

In the primordial era, the Nameless Path Ancestor was among the first beings born from the Primordial Chaos Unfolding and one of the earliest Chaos Sovereigns. Yet, he possessed only nine Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures in total.

Of these Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures, seven were later bestowed upon his seven direct disciples. He himself retained only two such supreme artifacts.

Of course, with the Chaos Cauldron in his possession, Nameless could dominate the Chaos and remain invincible, rendering other treasures unnecessary.

Now, Eldrin Chen, whose cultivation is merely at the Half-Step Path Union realm, actually possesses two Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures. If some Half-Step Limitless cultivators were to learn of this, they would likely be unable to resist storming his gates to seize them.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen gazed at the two Upper Grade Chaos Spiritual Treasures in his hands, a surge of joy coloring his voice as he murmured, "Let me see just how much your wondrous efficacy has grown."

As his words faded, Eldrin Chen channeled his power into the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth, attempting to elevate the grade of the Soul Nourishing Wood and the Chaos Golden Bamboo Shoot.

After the process concluded, Eldrin Chen was astonished to discover the success rate had tripled. What was once a mere thirty percent chance had now soared to a staggering ninety percent.

The only regret was that the divine water nurtured by the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth still had its limits; it remained incapable of breaking through the bottleneck of a Chaos Spiritual Root.

Fortunately, the Immortal Pills refined from materials like the Innate Supreme Treasure Spiritual Root remained exceptionally potent as cultivation resources.

Even after breaking through to the Path Union realm, where their efficacy would gradually diminish, they should still be sufficient to propel Eldrin Chen all the way to the peak of Path Union Supreme.

Beyond the Primordial Energy Vase of Heaven and Earth [a legendary vessel capable of containing the primordial energies of creation], the efficacy of the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron [a divine cauldron used for forging one's foundation through profound cultivation arts] has also been greatly enhanced.

Originally, the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron could assist a Sage Ascendant [a cultivator who has ascended to the sage-like stage just below the Path Ancestor realm] by increasing their probability of completing the Sacrificial Self [a supreme cultivation art that involves sacrificing one's old self to forge a new, more perfect foundation] by thirty percent. However, achieving this with absolute certainty required the cultivator to have first mastered the True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a divine ability that refines one's spiritual core into its most perfect, primordial state] *and* cultivated the Nine True Spirit Apertures [the pinnacle foundation for the Primordial Spirit realm, involving opening nine perfect spiritual apertures].

Now, with the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron's power tripled, even those who have not cultivated the Nine True Spirit Apertures can have a significantly greater chance of completing the Sacrificial Self, provided they have mastered the True Spirit Primordial Spirit.

From this perspective, the accessibility and applicability of the Sacrificial Self Path [the cultivation path centered around the Sacrificial Self art] will be vastly increased in the future.

After all, for powerhouses at the Great Emperor [a sovereign-level cultivator] realm and beyond, mastering the True Spirit Primordial Spirit is not considered excessively difficult; the true challenge lies in cultivating the Nine True Spirit Apertures.

Of course, even among those who complete the Sacrificial Self, the strength and perfection of one's original foundation will decisively influence their potential and innate talent after the transformation.

If one cannot cultivate the Nine True Spirit Apertures, then even if they use the Sacrificial Self Path to step into the Heavenly Emperor Realm [the realm of a Heavenly Emperor, a ruler among immortals], they would become the most ordinary and weakest type of Heavenly Emperor of the Sacrificial Self Path [a Heavenly Emperor who ascended via the Sacrificial Self Path].

Such Heavenly Emperor of the Sacrificial Self Path would possess mediocre strength at best. They would most likely have to sacrifice their Inner Immortal Domain [the personal immortal realm cultivated within a high-level cultivator's body] to achieve their breakthrough.

Consequently, even if they succeed in breaking through, their combat power would likely only be on par with someone like the Primordial Mire Path Master [a powerful but flawed cultivator], making it exceedingly difficult for them to ever set foot in the Path Union [the realm where one's cultivated path merges with the greater Dao] or the Supreme Realm [the ultimate pinnacle of cultivation].

In stark contrast, individuals like Imperial Sovereign Jiang possessed immensely powerful Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator] foundations. After undergoing Sacrificial Self, they successfully cultivated the Ten Great True Spirit Immortal Treasuries [a legendary set of ten perfect spiritual repositories] and preserved their complete Inner Primordial Domain [a perfect, primordial inner world], granting them vastly superior potential and combat strength.

Not only do they possess combat prowess unrivaled among their peers from the very beginning, but they also harbor the potential to one day tread the path of the Chaos Sovereign [the supreme sovereign who commands the primordial chaos]. At the very least, reaching the Path Union Realm [the realm where one's cultivated path merges with the fundamental laws of the cosmos] should present no significant bottleneck.

However, achieving the Nine True Spirit Apertures [a legendary foundational state where nine perfect spiritual apertures are opened within the cultivator's dantian] is an exceedingly arduous feat. It is not merely that those capable of this step are exceedingly rare.

The wondrous function of the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron [a divine cauldron said to contain the power to forge heaven and earth] grants the various Great Emperors under Eldrin Chen's command the potential to ascend to the status of Heavenly Emperor [a supreme title denoting an emperor who has attained heavenly authority]. It remains a profoundly mystical object, its power bordering on the heaven-defying.

"The various Great Emperors of the Immortal Court [the celestial court governing immortals], along with those old acquaintances, can also begin arrangements to cultivate the Sacrificial Self Path [a profound cultivation art centered on the concept of sacrificing the self to achieve greater power]."

With these thoughts flickering through his mind, Eldrin Chen summoned his disciples. He disseminated the news that those at the Great Emperor Realm [the cultivation realm of a Great Emperor] could now undertake the conversion to cultivate the Sacrificial Self Path. Following this, he once again retreated into secluded cultivation.

This time, bolstered by a vast quantity of Soul Nourishing Wood [a rare spiritual wood that nourishes and strengthens the soul], Eldrin Chen's cultivation of his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true essence of a cultivator] progressed at a noticeably swifter pace.

In the outside world, merely a dozen or so Kalpa Tribulations [immense cosmic cycles spanning billions of years] had passed, yet his Primordial Spirit cultivation had already advanced by a small but significant measure.

It was precisely at this moment that a group arrived from the Blazing Central Chaos Domain [a primordial domain at the heart of chaos, known for its fiery essence]. They bore a message so shocking it forced Eldrin Chen to rouse himself from his deep meditation.

"The Blazing Central Primordial Domain [the core primordial realm from which the Blazing Central Chaos Domain emanates]... has been breached?"

Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly, a shadow of grave concern darkening his expression.

The Indestructibility Ancient One beside him nodded, his expression grave as he spoke, "Not long ago, after the fall of Blazing Center Supreme, internal strife erupted within the Blazing Central Primordial Domain."

"Verdant Luan Saint Emperor has come this time to seek aid."

Eldrin Chen nodded slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "Summon them in."

"Very well—"

The Indestructibility Ancient One nodded, rose, and departed the great hall. He returned shortly, accompanied by a Refined Man clad in a verdant phoenix robe.

The man, following the Indestructibility Ancient One, saw Eldrin Chen and his expression shifted subtly. He promptly bowed in reverence, saying, "This humble one, Verdant Luan, pays his respects to the Path Ancestor."

"There is no need for such formality."

Eldrin Chen waved his sleeve, gesturing for him to rise. He then regarded the Verdant Luan Saint Emperor before him, a flicker of profound sentiment surfacing deep within his gaze.

Recalling years past, he had once accompanied the Indestructibility Ancient One to the Blazing Central Chaos Domain. At that time, he was merely at the Great Emperor Realm.

Back then, following behind the Indestructibility Ancient One to the Verdant Phoenix Primordial Domain, he hadn't even possessed the standing to request an audience with the Verdant Luan Saint Emperor.

Yet now, he had become a supreme Path Ancestor [a progenitor of a cultivation path, a being of near-omnipotent power] who could suppress Blazing Center Supreme. In contrast, Verdant Luan Saint Emperor remained an ordinary Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign ruler of the heavens, a title of immense power and authority].

Their positions had reversed. Now, in his presence, Verdant Luan Saint Emperor dared not even breathe too heavily.

Had it not been for the introduction by Indestructibility Ancient One, he likely would not even have qualified for an audience with Eldrin Chen. Any Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign ruler of the heavens, a title of immense power and authority] under Eldrin Chen's command receiving him would already be considered showing him great favor.

After all, the Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign ruler of the heavens, a title of immense power and authority] of the Chen Clan were all figures at the Half-Step Path Union [a realm just half a step away from the ultimate union with the Heavenly Path] level. Any one of them could subdue him in less than a hundred moves in a direct confrontation. How could an ordinary Heavenly Emperor like him expect to be treated as an equal?

Reflecting on this, Eldrin Chen felt a wave of complex emotion. After a moment, he inquired, "So it is Fellow Daoist Verdant Luan. How fares your esteemed daughter recently?"

Verdant Luan Saint Emperor was momentarily taken aback but quickly realized Eldrin Chen was referring to Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [a mythical bird of immense age and power, embodying the ultimate violet flame]. He promptly replied with delight, "By your esteemed grace, Phoenix Child has been well. Not long ago, her cultivation reached the Great Emperor Realm [the realm of a Great Emperor, a pinnacle of power]."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. "Your daughter and I share an old acquaintance," he said casually. "If she wishes, she may come to my Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise and supreme cultivation sanctuary] for secluded cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Verdant Luan Saint Emperor's face instantly lit up with ecstatic joy.

Who in the Blazing Central Hundred Domains did not know that the Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven [a celestial paradise and supreme cultivation sanctuary] was a peerless sacred land for cultivation?

Not just Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix [a mythical bird of immense age and power, embodying the ultimate violet flame], even a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a Heavenly Emperor who has mastered the power of primordial chaos] like himself dreamed of obtaining a qualification to enter and cultivate there.

Moreover, ever since the fall of Blazing Center Supreme [a supreme being of immense power], the Blazing Central Hundred Domains [a vast and chaotic region of one hundred domains] have descended into utter turmoil.

This is especially true with the Outer Realm Demon Emperor [a malevolent emperor from beyond the known realms] on the verge of stepping into the Path Union Realm [a legendary cultivation realm where one's path merges with the cosmos]. Legend has it that once he breaks through, he will gain the ability to devour and refine even a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign emperor born from primordial chaos] to enhance his own cultivation.

Therefore, not even a Chaos Heavenly Emperor possesses sufficient security. If he could forge a connection with the Returning Abyss Path Ancestor [an ancient and revered ancestor of the Returning Abyss lineage] at this time, only then would he have a truly reliable safeguard.

"This junior offers his deepest gratitude for your esteemed favor. On behalf of my daughter, I am eternally thankful."

Thinking this, the Verdant Luan Saint Emperor [a saintly emperor associated with the verdant luan, a mythical bird] promptly expressed his thanks.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. With a wave of his sleeve, he had a seat offered to the Verdant Luan Saint Emperor, then inquired, "According to Fellow Daoist Indestructibility [a concept representing unbreakable durability and eternal essence], your visit is to seek aid?"

"What manner of upheaval has truly befallen the Blazing Central Chaos Domain [the central and most chaotic domain within the Blazing Central region] in these times?"

Upon hearing this, the Verdant Luan Saint Emperor's countenance shifted dramatically.

He drew a deep breath, his expression turning gravely solemn. "Ever since the fall of Blazing Center Supreme, the Blazing Central Chaos Domain has been thrown into complete disarray," he stated with weight.

"Now, beyond the borders of the Blazing Central Chaos Domain, all the major powers are launching assaults upon it."

"The most critical point is that not long ago, the Hundred Domains Path Union Alliance made its move, launching a Chaos War against our Blazing Central Chaos Domain."

As the Verdant Luan Saint Emperor recounted the tale in detail, Eldrin Chen finally grasped the full sequence of events.

As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Ever since the Blazing Center Supreme and all the Half-Step Path Union cultivators under his command perished, the Blazing Central Chaos Domain had already become a scattered mess.

First, within the Blazing Central Chaos Domain, the more than thirty subordinate Chaos Domain realms immediately turned traitor and launched a great war against the Blazing Central Primordial Domain.

In their scramble to seize the legacy of the Blazing Center Supreme, these Half-Step Path Union cultivators promptly dismantled the Super Chaos Grand Formation that protected the Blazing Central Chaos Domain.

Having lost both the Blazing Center Supreme and the empowerment of the Chaos Grand Formation, the Blazing Central Primordial Domain was left as a solitary, isolated Primordial Domain.

Then, these subordinate Primordial Domain realms joined in kicking the proverbial dog while it was down. A full several dozen Chaos Heavenly Emperor joined forces to attack the Blazing Central Primordial Domain.

The Blazing Central Lineage suffered grievous losses and was forced to rely on the meager protection offered by the Primordial Domain itself.

At this juncture, although the Blazing Central Lineage still possessed more than thirty Chaos Heavenly Emperor, they understood the tide had irrevocably turned against them.

For as time passed and news spread throughout the Blazing Central Hundred Domains, the number of Chaos Heavenly Emperor arriving to join the opportunistic assault would only grow.

Without the Chaos Grand Formation and lacking Half-Step Path Union cultivators, they possessed no capability whatsoever to oppose the hundreds of Chaos Heavenly Emperor from the Blazing Central Hundred Domains.

Most terrifying of all, once Eldrin Chen learned of this news, or once the Outer Realm Demon Emperor achieved his breakthrough, they would inevitably not spare the Blazing Central Primordial Domain.

Beset by internal strife and external threats, compounded by a lack of unity among its people, the various Heavenly Emperor of the Blazing Central Primordial Domain ultimately chose to abandon it.

Thus, after some deliberation, they seized the moment before anyone could react, fleeing the Blazing Central Primordial Domain with all their possessions, leaving this vast Primordial Domain to the allied heroes from the hundred domains who came to conquer it.

After the Blazing Central Lineage fled, the several dozen Heavenly Emperor within the Blazing Central Chaos Domain refused to submit to one another, erupting into a great war over the legacy of the Blazing Central Primordial Domain.

Not long after, this news leaked out. The Hundred Domains Path Union Alliance arrived first, and several dozen Half-Step Path Union cultivators launched a fierce assault upon the Blazing Central Chaos Domain.

Within a mere handful of Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles], the once-mighty Blazing Central Primordial Domain was reduced to a shattered battlefield.

Over several hundred Chaos Heavenly Emperor joined the chaotic fray. Several entire Primordial Domain were utterly annihilated, plunging the entire Blazing Central Chaos Domain into a maelstrom of carnage and disorder.

"To think that in the time it took for us to complete a single session of secluded cultivation, the Blazing Central Hundred Domains have already fallen into such ruin and decay."

Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh, a complex expression of lament crossing his features.

He had initially wanted to say that Verdant Luan Saint Emperor and the others were fools, crippling their own martial prowess before the battle had even begun by destroying that Super Chaos Grand Formation.

One must understand, at its peak, the Blazing Central Chaos Domain, empowered by the Super Chaos Grand Formation, was capable of withstanding the combined assault of several top-tier Path Union Supreme.

Had Verdant Luan Saint Emperor and his allies not crippled themselves, the Blazing Central Chaos Domain would never have fallen to such a wretched state.

Yet, after a moment's reflection, he began to understand their plight.

Over the years, the oppression exerted by Blazing Center Supreme upon the Blazing Central Hundred Domains had grown intolerably heavy.

Places like the Southern Abyss Ten Domains, being Chaos Domain far removed from the Blazing Central Primordial Domain, could still muster a semblance of collective resistance against Blazing Center Supreme.

But the Primordial Domain subordinate to Blazing Center Supreme, where Verdant Luan Saint Emperor and others resided, were, to put it bluntly, little more than kennels for Blazing Center Supreme's hounds.

Nine-tenths of the resources birthed by their Primordial Domain were funneled to Blazing Center Supreme, with every major power enduring the relentless exploitation of the Blazing Central Lineage day and night.

Even a Chaos Heavenly Emperor could maintain only a thin veneer of dignity in the face of the Blazing Central Lineage.

Yes, merely a thin veneer. When the Blazing Central Lineage's banquet table demanded dragon livers and phoenix marrow, or the blood of a Qilin [a mythical auspicious beast], how could Verdant Luan Saint Emperor and his ilk dare refuse?

Not to mention, the powerful figures of these factions reside within the territory of the Blazing Central Lineage. If they cultivate the same Primordial Chaos Great Path as the Blazing Central clansmen, how could there be any principle of fair competition? [a fundamental and supreme cultivation path aligned with the primordial forces of creation]

Back then, when the Violet Phoenix Sage Ascendant left the Violet Ultimate Ancient Phoenix within the Southern Abyss Seven Domains, this consideration was likely part of the calculation. [a region comprising seven major territories in the southernmost reaches of the known world]

Under this constant, oppressive pressure, the major powers had long since developed a deep-seated, Sea of Blood-level enmity with the Blazing Central Lineage. They merely suppressed their resentment, cowed by the overwhelming might of the Blazing Center Supreme. [a metaphorical term for a grudge so profound it is as vast and deep as an ocean of blood]

Now, witnessing the fall of the Blazing Center Supreme, their first instinct was to settle old scores and exact vengeance. Why would they continue to align themselves with the lineage of the Blazing Center Supreme?

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen could not help but let out a soft sigh. He then said with a tone of regret, "Had you notified me before taking action, you would not have been reduced to this state today."